The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
That Hypocrites discover themselves in an uneffectual use of the Means of Grace. Secondly, The difference between the wise and foolish Virgins is set down more particularly, v. 3, 4.
SECT. I.
THIS particular difference is declared by the different practise of the foolish and wise Virgins each from other.
1. That the Foolish though they had so much wisdom (like the wise) as to take Lamps, yet so much folly was bound up in their hearts, as that they took no Oyl in their Vessels for their Lamps.
2. That the wise did not only light their Lamps, but they did also fill their Vessels with Oyl, that either their Lamp might never go out, or if it did, it might be soon kindled again. More plainly, The Foolish contented themselves with the name and blaze of outward Profession, kindled from some inward, yet lighter and more superficiall strokes of Gods Spirit, neglecting the great work within: But the wise did not only carry their Lamps of outward Profession, but they filled their Vessels, and got an inward Principle of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus to maintain their profession before man, and their uprightnesse before the Lord. So that methinks here is a double difference, the first is implied, the second plainly exprest.
1. That which is implied is this, that the Foolish made choice of a good end, viz. to meet Christ, but it was with an ineffectual use of means to that end; their Lamps were to light and lead them to Christ. These Lights might blaze for a time, but they would consume without Oyl. They neglect that, the wise were better instructed than so.
2. The Foolish glory in an outward Profession, as also in some superficial affection, without an inward Principle of the gracious presence of the eternal anointing and Spirit in them; but the wise have it, and are carried to Glory by it. And more at this time of the Lamps and Vessels I shall not speak.
1.Doct. 1. That the closest Hypocrites of Virgin-Churches discover themselves (at least before the Lord) in an ineffectual use of those means that do conduce towards their desired and expected end.
The Bridegroom is here looked for, the presence of Christ Jesus is longed for, he comes in the night, they must meet him in the night. Now means they use, Lamps they take, and so much Oyl as kindles their Lamps; but Oyl they take not in their Vessels, the only means to preserve their Lamps from going out, that so they may meet the Lord and not be shut out from the Lord, as at last these carelesse Virgins were. Search the Churches for the present, search the Records of Ages past, many have desired the Lord and looked for the Lord, and yet have lost the Lord their end: Why so? They never had hearts effectually to use and improve the means to that end, either outward or inward. Look upon men out of the Church, they perish because they have no remedy, they have no Lamps to light, they have no Bread to eat, no Means to help. But why do those within the Church perish? Is it because there is no remedy? No, but because they do not use the remedy. Is it because they want Means? No, but because they do not effectually improve means. Here they fall short, herein they discover themselves. Look but upon this next Parable of the Talents, v.25. One of them was cast off, and cast out. Why? Because he had no Talents? No, But because he had no mind nor list to use his Talent, he did not make his gain out of it to attain his end. All Ordinances of God, and all that time we have under them are Talents. Now wherein do Hypocrites fail? There is a secret gain of Ordinances which Hypocrites regard not, and hence the best hypocrite lives in debt, and die… a Beggar. For Prov. 16. 17. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool, but no heart to use it? Precious Liberties, Ordinances, that many have desired to see, and have not seen them. Why doth the Lord betrust him with such that useth them not? Oh he hath them, but here is his wound, he hath no heart to use them! Look throughout all the Word, Why have many set a great price on Christ, and yet have lost him? Because like higling Chapmen, they have had a desire to the Commodity, but they have been loath to be at the cost to use the means for it. The Gospel brings Christ and Immortality to light, and this Serpent is lifted up, this Lamb slain before mens eyes, and this Bread put to mens lips and mouths. Why are not all possessed of him, blessed in him? The Lord saith, come, and the Spirit saith, come, and the Bride saith, come; Why the reason is, men will not use the means for him, Isa.55. 2, 3, 4. Men will lay out their money, though it be for that which is not Bread. Jer. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8. I brought them through Pits into a pleasant Land, to eat the goodnesse thereof. And doubtlesse he brought not a herd of swine into Canaan, only to enjoy the outward blessings and swill of Canaan, but to enjoy the good of his Temple, Ordinances, &c. But where was their wound? Neither Priests nor People said, where is the Lord? i. e. Where is the Lord in these waies, that we may come at last to the full enjoyment of him by these? This they neglected. Methinks 'tis with the best hypocrites as 'tis with divers old Merchants, they prize and desire the gain of Merchandise, but to be at the trouble to prepare the Ship, to put themselves upon the hazards and dangers of the Ship, to go and fetch the Treasure that they prize, this they will never do. So many prize and desire earnestly the Treasures of Heaven, here is their end, but to be at the trouble of a Heaven-Voyage to fetch this Treasure, to passe through the Valley of Baca, Tears, Temptations, the Powers of Darknesse, the Breaches, Oppositions, and Contradictions of a sinful, unbelieving heart, good and evil report, to passe from one depth and wave to another, this the best hypocrite failes in, and hence loseth all at last. And this I conceive to be one of the great differences between the strong desires and esteems of Hypocrites and Saints.
SECT. II.
I. IN regard of God,Reas. 1. because this neglect is one of the great means by which he doth execute his eternal rejection of men, and hence here they ever do fail.
For 1. The Lord hath chosen some to life, the end.
2. He chuseth certain means to lead to this end.
3. He purposeth to carry all his Elect by these means to that end; themselves cannot, hence the Lord doth. And hence ariseth the great peace and support of the Saints, when they look upon the everlasting mountains of hindrances and impossibilities in their way, the Lord hath undertaken to carry them through them, Iohn 17. 15. That when heart and strength failes, he will be heart and strength, and guide by his counsel, and bring to his Glory. And hence as all the Elect are to be certainly carried through all means to their end, and this is proper to them, so hence the best Hypocrite being never appointed certainly to come to this end, ever failes in the use of means; there he is and shall be forsaken of God, and forsake God. Hence Iohn 6. When many used the means, and followed Christ for a time, that they might have life, at last they forsook Christ and means to have him. Why? v. 65. Because none can come to me, except it were given him of the Father. Hence, look as certainly as the Decree of Reprobation shall stand, he having not appointed them to the end; so he never carries them through all means to that end, and therefore here they do ever fail. As 'tis in a Family, those that the Lord of the Family intends to give his estate unto, he keeps a strict eye upon them, keeps them under the Government of the Family; as for others, let them go where they will, and do what they will; so here, all that shall enjoy God, are put under the Kingdom of the Son. Hence he is said to give it up: To others he will say, you love Liberty, take it then.
II.Reas. 2. Because the Lord and Fellowship with him, is never indeed their last & utmost end, or their only end, but they have some o… her end of their own; & hence they are never carried strongly through all means to that end. For this is the nature of a mans last and utmost end, it carries a man without any stop toward it, and that with delight. As a man that hath ho…our and preferment, and great hopes in his eye, that is reaching to the top of his aspiring thoughts, he will ride, and run, and flatter, and sin, &c. A man that hath riches in his eye, he will rise early, and go to bed late, eat the bread of carefulnesse, and he never hath enough. A man that is sick, and hath health in his eye, takes his Physick, observes his seasons, wasts his estate, for this is his end. Hence a Hypocrite never making Christ his last end, but being ever a double-minded man, Iames 1. And having his own ends, and lusts, and self to attend upon, hence the Byas draws him from following Christ effectually, but he must follow his own ends, and hence ever neglects the means that lead him thereunto, Mat.6. 24. Look as 'tis with men that have two Trdes, or two Shops, one is as much as ever they can follow or tend, they are forced at last to put off one, and they must neglect the one: So here.
III.Reas. 3. In regard of that Spirit of sloath and slumber, which the Lord ever leaves the best Hypocrite unto; which is the dearest lust and last enemy that the Lord destroyes in all his, but never destroies in these. Which so might…ly oppresseth all their senses, that they cannot use effectually all means to accomplish their ends. And hence a man desires the end, but hath it not, Prov.13. 4. The Lord proposeth the most Glorious end to his people, but its through many difficulties that we must come to it. Now there being the Spirit of sloath within, and these difficulties without, a Hypocrite sits down and rests under the shadow of this growing, spreading sin; and saith 'tis hard, and because he cannot do so, he hopes 'tis but an infirmity, and God will accept of his desires, and here perisheth, Mat. 7. 14. For straight is the gate that leads unto life, hence few there be that find it. Look as it was with the Israelites, Canaan they were bound for, they came at last to it, but when their Spies had told them of the difficulties, they sank, only Caleb and Ioshua of that mighty Host that had upright hearts here. Heavy things must descend, though cast up; for their place is downward. Light things, cast them downward, yet they must up again, for their place is upward; So 'tis here: A sluggish heart may be lift up by means, but they cannot hold it, their place is downward, here is their rest; so Saints, è contra, like fire will consume all difficulties, their rest is upward.
SECT. III.
HEnce we see one ground of many complaints that are in the mouths of many Professors of the waies of God,Use 1. that never find the sweet which is the end of their Christian course, that are ever complaining of wants, but never feels supplies, ever learning, never knowing, ever hoping, never having, ever confessing of their sins, never triumphing over their sin, ever wishing that they had the Lord, but never possessing the Lord. And hence have minds full of fears, and mouths full of complaints, and hence finding no sweet in their course, could be content but for shame, to throw by their Profession. Why? Where is the cause of this? Is Heaven so barren and beggarly, that there are no Jewels to be had there? Are the fields of Gods Ordinances so empty, that there is no Treasure to be found there? Oh yes! there 'tis, but Christians are idle, there is the Treasure, but they cannot beg, much lesse dig for it, Prov. 2. 3, 4, 5, 6. If there be a treasure in the ground, and a man can find nothing, and so is ever complaining, the fault is in the man, he doth not dig long enough, nor deep enough; so 'tis here: There is never an Ordinance, but the Lord is in it; he never said to the Horse of Iacob seek his face in vain. Men pray, and if a few sighs will fe…ch in relief, well and good, if not, they cast that Shovel by, dig I cannot; they spend some time in laying sin to heart, but if I cannot presently feel the bitternesse of it, I cannot help it, dig I cannot. A man can be content to hear the Word, and to listen after it, but to stir up the soul to lay hold on the Lord, that their sleep forbids, Prov. 13. 4. The soul of the diligent shall be made fat. Why do you famish under means? Is it because the Lords is unwilling or unable to relieve? No, Iohn 6. 27. You labour for that bread that perisheth. Labour not for it, but for the other, and the Son of man will give it you, for he is sealed for that very end. You complain your hearts are alwaies out of frame. Tell me, do you keep then with all diligence? Prov.4. 23. With all your Guard about it? You complain you never get assurance. Do you use all diligence to make it sure? You complain you seek and find not. Do you seek him diligently? Heb.11. 6. Oh this is the cause! The Lord hath given you the Spirit of slumber. Oh lay not the fault on the Lord, but on thine own carelesse heart, and lament over it, and say, this hath been the cause of all my complaints and woe. Oh I remember what the Lord by Ieremy speaks! Go into the strong Holds, for the Lord hath poured upon us the Spirit of deep sleep, and given us the waters of Gall to drink. I confesse the Lords choicest servants have their complaints, their sighs and groans unutterable, they have their fears, temptations and tears; Who more abundantly? Yet Beloved, methinks 'tis with them as 'tis with Passengers and Travellers towards their home, that they see it Twenty Miles off somtime, when they be on the Top of an Hill, after they have gone a little farther, they come into a Valley, and then they complain they have lost the sight of it, and cannot see it again scarce till they be upon i…; yet they sit not down in their Valley, but are going towards it. They go from strength to strength, though they come tired thither; as Psal. 84. 7, 8. They passe from strength to strength till they come to see God in Sion. They rest not in their complaints, but get on; and the star before them, the Means that lead them to that end, make them (as Mat. 2. 10.) rejoyce with exceeding great joy. I confesse they may for a time give way to their sloath, and sit in their vallies, and turn day into night, and sleep out almost the season of means; yet you shall ever find this, if ordinary means awaken them not, terrible Flashings and Lightnings of wrath do; and in their afflictions and terrours and wounds of Conscience, Hos. 5. 15. they shall seek the Lord early. Ponder therefore of this cause, and in a time of sorrow they shall complain for somthing, viz. for their sloath. This may be the greatest sin of some, they live in no sin, but complaint, thy complaints may be fruits of sloath in not using means, and this may be thy great sin.
Hence learn 'tis not having of Means in this place,Use 2. nor coming hither for Means, that will do you any good or evidence your safe and good estate, but an effectual use and improvement of them; not only the use of outward, but inward means too. Men that have never so great a stock may die Beggars, by not improving it, Deut.29. 3, 4.
1. Many seeing and beholding that Sun which is set with them, to be risen here in these Western Parts, partly out of fear of persecution, partly by Friends perswasion and company, partly to enjoy Gods Ordinances, have taken their flight hither.
But 2. Being come, wish Oh that our eyes had never seen it! partly through plenty of means, despise and loath them, partly through multitude of covering or vexing cares have no hearts to, or time to use them.
And yet 3. Are comforted in this, that they have them, though they see no God in them, tast little sweetnesse, receive little power from them, and hope to go to Heaven at next remove, that have come so far for these, &c. I would to God it were so. But oh consider,
1. If you improve them not, thy coming hither is but the discovery of thy hypocrisie to men and Angels, for this is the stage wherein the most fine-spun hypocrisie and real sincerity shall act its part.
2. Nay thou art so far from being blessed in having them thus, that Gods fiercest plagues shall here approach thy dwelling. The Arke among the Philistims, made the Lord plague the Philistims.
3. Nay this shall lay all desolate one day. They cried the Temple of the Lord, Jer. 7. Go to Shiloh. So I say, Go to the Palatinate, Go to Germany, France, go to the places whence you came, and see what the Lord hath done.
4. This shall be as to Saints greatest joy, when they shall look back, and see all the difficulties they have passed over, that here and there hearts and help failed, and there I lingred, but the Lord was merciful, and pulled me out, and they shall wonder at that Faithfulnesse and Grace; so here: This will be terrour and anguish; that I came so far, and had means, and took some pains, and was almost perswaded one time, almost confuted another, almost conquered and had yielded up all at another, but oh my Lump fell down to the dust again, and my soul forsook the pursuing of the Lord again? and this shall be the portion of Hypocrites. You may neglect and wrap up your Talents, but the Lord hath a time to call you to an account what gain you make. Look therefore to it, it may be some of you have need to improve means, you despise them in one place, and hither you come for them, and poor hearts, eyes dim, hearts hard, Consciences asleep, ears deaf, breath gone, life lost, God departed, and nothing left but a dead Carcase. It may be some are sincere, and the work of Gods Spirit is set back, your Lamps are out, your watchful minds and tender hearts and earnest pursuit after the Lord is gone. Oh then consider what little cause you have to boast in means! Men that have no part in ships, look for no gain; but if you have any part in the Blessi… o… Ordinances, rest not without it.
Hence see what need you have of a mighty and unresistable power of the Lords Grace and Spirit, to carry you an end in your Christian course,Use 3.if ever you come to life. For if Hypocrisie discovers it self in an ineffectual use of means, then you will find all the powers of darknesse resisting and seeking to surprize you here. That as 'tis with Thieves, you shall not see not find them lying in the City, 'tis in vain there to offer any violence, but in the way; So Satan cannot step unto the Gates of Heaven to keep you from thence, and hence all his power and policy lies in the way of means, to keep you from thence. And hence look upon the best man, how many hindrances to Prayer somtime, though he hath tasted the sweet of it, he had rather die than pray. How soon are the thoughts turned from God, when we come to draw nigh to God, how unable to wake one hour? That if it were not the inyincible strength of a God that did support them, 1 Pet.1. 5. they could never go on. Tell me you poor Creatures that never were effectually carried to your end by means, Do you not oft find checks for sin, desires against it, Christ and mercy weeping at your knees, melting over you, and your hearts almost perswaded? Do you not find a want of Christ, and Grace, and Spirit, and Promises, and you hope it will be better? Do you not find some movings towards the Lord, but yet withal do you not find a dead, sloathful heart slayes you again? The veriest reprobate in the world may have as good an assurance of heaven as thou, there may be better in Hell than thee. And who can mend this? long, long it hath been thus. Oh then feel a need of the Lords irresistable power! Thou indeed hast an end, but say, Lord thou must carry me like a lost sheep on thy shoulders to that end! Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face evermore, in all means, at all times, but seek his strength then, Col. 1. 29. I labour thus, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily: and so I strive. Oh see need of this! Many of you make work with your own hearts, and strive, and endeavour, and yet cannot stir. Oh look then for this mighty working, and feel a need of it!
SECT. IV.
HEnce judge what your estates are this day before the Lord. I know and believe that you prize, pray for, long for the end, and if ever the Lord saves and pardons you,Use 4. Of Trial. you shall have cause to blesse him. You may do as hath been said, but never find a heart given you by the invincible wrestlings of a God to use and improve all means to that end; and thus your practise in the habitual neglect of means is a clear and manifest witnesse, like the day against you, that you do not desire sincerely the end (as you think) in having so little respect to the means that conduce thereunto. Did you ever see that man that did indeed desire life, but he would use all means, wits, and friends, nay cut off his Limbs to preserve it? But however, put that name upon it, say you do desire and prize the end, yet if the Lord leaves you, or you forsake the Lord in a neglect of means, that lead thereto, and that effectually; what you may be, and what the Lord may do, I know not, but to this day your estate is no better than a painted salvation and pictured hypocrisie before the Lord. That stone at which the closest hypocrites have stumbled, that rock on which the best hypocrite hath been broken, thou art fallen upon, that enemy of sloath, which hath carried Kings (men that have worn the Crown of Profession in the world) miserable Captives, (notwithstanding their lamentable cries, Lord save us!) to hell, the same enemy hath already bound thee up in Chaines, and what will become of thee, 'tis only known in his Breast, that by the voice of his Trump can awaken the dead, and break the bonds of sloath and death it self. But you will say, there are no Virgins among us that neglect to take their oyle, that so far forget themselves as to neglect the means, that are come so many thousand miles for means; there is not a day but some line is drawn, not a Sermon, Sabbath but some good got, or else they think themselves half undone, not a prayer but one step nearer to glory: The day is not long enough, and therefore the nights are spent in wrastlings with the Angel; nay, in prevailing with God for themselves and Churches, and blessing on both; Sabbaths are the day breaks of heaven, the fellowship of Saints be… ter then to stand before Kings, the fellowship of Christ in heaven so sweet, that in seeking of him men forget themselves, nay to eat their bread; that if the Lord should have let out the vineyard of Ordinances to any Husbandmen in the world, who could or would have taken more pains to dig it, to dress it, then we doe. Beloved, those enlargements that are in any after the Lord, the Lord cherish and increase them, but I fear we may go five times about the tree before we see such loaden boughs. I am much mistaken if the best may not be discovered here, the fairest flowers in the field must wither, they cannot last, and the best affections that are but temporary, that have acted men mightily for a time in the use of means, must perish in the neglect of means at last. I shall not therefore meddle with profane or carnal Gospellers, so much as with close deceivers of their own souls; and look as 'tis in all sores, you may know where the sore is by the lappings, so you may know a sluggard that neglects means by his shifts: For if you observe, no sin hath so many shifts and colours for it as this; Saul when he had not gone through stich with the Lords work in slaying the Amalekites, what adoe had Samuel to convince him? He tells a lye, lays the blame on the people, propounds the good end and affection he had; So here: Thus it is with many, as Viz.
1. Those that live in a secret neglect of means, and yet hope to come to their end, because of their desires; we shall finde the S…ipture gives us two sorts of desires. 1. Of the righteous. 2. Of the sluggard, 1. The desires of the righteous, Prov. 10. 24. shall be granted, being breathings of Gods eternal Spirit, not a sigh or groan unanswered. 2. Of the sluggard, Prov. 21. 15. The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labour; the desires of the righteous are ever spurs to quicken them up in the use of means mightily, the desires of the sluggard bridle him up, they binde his hands, and fetter his feet that he cannot but neglect means: Some desires there be that arise from the need of a good, and here will not only be desires, but all means used, as in point of famine; some only from want of a good, and here a man usually contents himself with bare desires, never hath a heart to use the means mightily for that end. Many a one is convinced his state is miserable, and fears it, and Balaam-like, sees the blessedness of the people of God, and knows he wants pardon, and life, and peace, and promises, and Christ, and desires it; oh that I might die their death, oh that I might live and drink that water, that I might thirst no more, oh that my sins were pardoned, oh that my heart was humbled. But what if the Lord grant them no peace nor pardon? Do they make earnest enquiry after the Lord Christ▪ with restless pursuits and groans because they need it, is it worth that? Oh no, but yet they hope God will be so merciful as to accept their desires, and so they rest, and live and die in that rest, oh poor creatures your desires kill you; as a man is undone with slothful servants that cannot earn their own, much less get their masters bread. And many in Hell, say I had thought my desires would have carried me to glory, but now I see they have been slothful, and here I must perish and famish for ever; had I known of this, I would rather have wept out my eyes, and filled the world with my sorrowful complaints, my meditations of the Lord should have been at midnight; I would have deceived my eyes of sleep at night, and deprived my self of bread at day, and lost my limbs, had I but known that by contenting my self with these desires, I should have lost my life. Here many Christians are falsly bottomed, they are troubled about their estate, come to some or other and professe their desires are after Christ and grace, &c. And then comforted (as in sinking fits a man snatcheth at any Flag or Twig) with them desires, before they have followed the Lord in the use of all means to get the thing they desire. And here is the first beginning of the Lords forsaking of them, and theirs of the Lord, and he is left alone only with his desires, that if any duty be neglected, desires comfo…t him; if grace resisted, desire; quiet him; if sin keeping him captive, desires fill him; Luke 13. 24. And so like a Bird that lies in the nest, but its wings never grow, there it perisheth. I know Saints may comfort themselves with desires before the things be given, because promised, but you shall see an endless reach in them in the use of all means, Phil. 3. 13. Others think their neglect of means to be but an infirmity, & that their desires will serve, & hence abuse that Scripture, Rom. 7.
2. They that neglect the means and yet hope to come to their end, because of worldly clogs and incumbrances here; for this is the very spirit of many a man. If God keeps the house from being burn…, and family from being sick, it may be family prayer is neglected, if not that, yet secret is omitted; if not that, yet meditation; a man can get no head nor heart, nor time for it, if any good is got, its lost again; Sabbaths spent, and no good gained; a man knows his soul lies waste and common without any fence or watch, and that he would not let his fields lie as he doth his heart, overgrown with cares and lusts and vain thoughts. Now many a man though he doth dislike this, yet lives in this. Why? Is this your home, are these things your portion? No, but yet thinks he may with a safe Conscience continue thus, and God forgive him too; why the family is great, children encrease upon me, (and they are so busie and long a dressing on the Lords day, that Sermon is out before they come) and we are not called to book it all day as Ministers can, and worldly employments are so many, and the best are entangled here; and they think this is an excuse, Luke 14. 18, 19. Nay many a one convinced of this, yet lives in this against the light of conviction, hoping that one day the stream of worldly occasions will be run by. I confesse, as the Lord hath given us his Ordinances to seek him in, so he hath appointed our callings to walk with him in: Adam in Paradise must not be idle, but look to the garden; and in this land those that will be good husbands for God (least they discredit their profession by bringing themselves to a piece of bread) must be good husbands for themselves: But here is that which stings, when to worldly emploiments, men are servants, not Lords of them, when men do not make their occasions …ow down to them, and serve them, that they may serve and seek a God, but they bow down their knees, nay, basely their backs, under the feet of any mean imployment, and that must be followed with neglect of God. Do not say who is not entangled here? I tell you if Christ… prayer can prevail some are not, Iohn 17. 15. I pray not that thou wouldest take them out of the world, but keep them from the evil: If blood can prevail it doth, Gal. 1. 4. Oh look to this! it may be some of you do not only neglect the Lord in means, but when the Lord comes to you in means and quic…ens your hearts and kindles many resolutions in you; you neglect the Lord, all dyes again, oh it is the world! know your estates by this.
3. Those that depart from God in the neglect of means, because they finde no good, and do not feel themselves a whit the better for them; they neglect this trade, because they finde it a gainless trade: For thus God executes his eternall rejection upon many a soul: As it was with Saul, it was one of the last Vials God powred out upon him, 1 Sam. 28. 5, 6, 15. saith he, I am sore distressed, and the Lord answers me not by …rim nor by Thummin, and therefore am I come to thee; let a Devil comfort me if God will not: So many a soul having committed some sin that lies glowing on the Conscience, is sore troubled, and first it goes to the Lord, and the Lord answers not, there is silence in heaven, and in all means, but the noise of fears within; now at last the soul doth not forsake the Lord for Satan plainly, but what means can comfort them that they seek for, and in time a man is weary of waiting at Gods gate…, and hence a form of duties, and prayers, and custome of devotion is kept to quiet the conscience; but they are not restless for the gain of them, for the Lord in them: they think 'tis in vain, to no profit, as those in Mal. 3. 14. to walk mournfully. Ionah was cast out of Gods sight, yet through the belly of a W…ale he would look toward the Temple. So 'tis with the people of God, though they sometimes conclude thus, and think not to seek any more, yet their hearts have tasted the good, and their faith beleeves there is that hid in the Lord in his Temple▪ that it never saw yet, hence they look still. What made the man Mat. 25. hide his talent in the earth? I thought thou wast an hard Master, and lookedst for so much gain, and I could not get it, and hence he hid his Talent. Hence men keep the means, without use of the means, and some that have for a time been used to do so, keep it as their custome without making any such work of it, as to gain the end of the means.
4. Those that do neglect the Lord in means by an effectual pursuit of them, because of some sips and taste of some good in them; and so me thinks 'tis in this case as 'tis in some Countries where if a man comes to their house in the afternoon, and both have a minde to part, yet loth to part without shewing some kindness, and the other without tasting of it, they lay their voiding napkin, and finding that refreshing there, they are content to lose their, supper. So 'tis here, a man comes weary to the Lords House, to his Ordinances, the Lord will not let him go without some expression of kindness, nor they depart willingly from the Lord without it, and hence the Lord gives them light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, peace out of trouble, a taste of his sweetness, after tasts of sins bitterness, and then they take their leave; as they Hebr. 6. 2, 3, 4, 5. And here the Lord leaves many a poor creature, Deut. 29. 2, 3, 4. they did see something, and tast something, and there they rested; Oh but the Lord gave them not eyes to see, &c. For no Hypocrite living is fully emptied of his lusts, but hath somewhat to fill him; but some emptiness he may have, hence may have some desires after the Lord, and hence it is not the fulness of God onelyonly that satisfie… him, but some tasts of Gods kindness, and small thing… do and must fill him; his lusts fill him in part, and something of God is wanting, and that some little matter doth make up. Hence when this is done, means is neglected fearfully, a mans heart is hardned and ignorant, a little light and sorrow stays him, as the stony ground though there be a stone at bottom; a man is full of doubts, and a little hope which frees him from fears quiets him, hence he never conquers unbelief: A man hath lived a loose course, a little resolution of heart stays him, though the heart will depart again, as those Deut.5. 27, 29. the Lord hath but little of their hearts, and the Lord shews them but little of his: And hence this is usual to see a false heart most diligent in seeking the Lord when he hath been worst, and most careless when 'tis best. Hence many at first conversion sought the Lord earnestly, afterward affections and ende…vours die, that now they are as good as the Word can make the…: Hence the Lord when in mercy he deals with men, keeps them long fasting till the time of extremity comes, and then he pours waters on the thirsty. Hence better for those never to have known, 2 Pet.2. 21. and an hypocrites last end is to satisfie himself, hence he hath enough; a Saints is to satisfie Christ, hence he never hath enough.
5. Those that do neglect the Lord under this colour of receiving Christ, they can do nothing themselves, and Christ must do all; and hence neglect the Lord secretly, and sometimes quarrel with the Ministry privately, when pressed to a duty or to beleeve. Alas what can a man do, when all the Ministers in the world have preached their hearts out, at last they must bring us to Christ; what else should the Apostle mean, Rom.4. 5. Not to him that worketh, but beleeveth is faith accounted for righteousness. I must not live, I must let Christ live, &c. And hence say they the cause of perishing is not mens wills, but Gods, he elects not, he gives no heart; such hypocrites the Lord prophesies of, Mat. 7. 21. Many that say to me Lord, Lord, i. that advance the Lord Jesus, and live in neglect of all duties, and bring the Lord of glory not from his Throne in Heaven to Hell, but which is worse, debase him from his glory to sin; to be the cover of sin, and protector of it. Beloved, I know no surer sign of a vessel that God intends to break in peeces then this, to live in this neglect, 2 Tim.2. 20. Nay 'tis an evidence there is no hope, no living hope, 1 Iohn 3. 3. He that hath this hope, purgeth himself as Christ is pure. Many it seems boasted of hope in Christ, so do Saints, but he gives this Note, He purgeth himself, he will not sluggishly put all on Christ. Tis true, 'tis the mighty working of Christ that must conquer thy lusts, but must this put you to neglect striving, Col. 1. 29. I strive according to the working. And for mine own part, though Ile not dispute the point at large, I beleeve, there is a constant assistance of the mighty power of the Lord Jesus in the souls of all the Saints, 1 Pet. 1. 5. And hence 1 Iohn 4. Greater is he that is in you, then in the world. The Saints as they receive the Lord Jesus to rule them, that he alone may be Lord and King not only in heaven, but in their he…rts: So a false hear… receives Christ lastly for to ease him: Sometime for to ease him of the burden of Conscience; sometime to ease him of the Lords work, the burthen of his will; and hence some at last have complained, though hardly convinced of it, that they could be contented the Lord should act them; but their end was, that hereby they might be rid of their burden, and so eased by him. I have heard a Question should be askt, What is the difference between the workings of Gods Spirit and the Saints? And that the Answer was, 1. The one is by graces, the other immediatly. 2. The Spirits is, when a man labours least: quite cross to the stream of truth: Take heed how you understand these points aright, the depth of the most hellish villany in the world lies un…er them. Wo to thee that canst paint such a Christ in thy head, and receive such a Christ into thy heart as must be a pander to your sloth; the Lord will revenge this wrong done to his glory with greater sorrows then ever any felt: To make Christ not only meat and drink to feed, but cloaths to cover your sloth. Why what can we doe? what can we doe? Why as the first Adam conveies not only guilt but power: So the second conveys both righteousness and strength; as Christ is now triumphing by his eternal Spirit, and his life is heavenly; so if you be in Christ, there is a Spirit of Christ, whereby a never dying life is begot, that can and doth conquer; though it be but a spark, Christ maintaining it, it shall come to victory. You are forsaken of Christ if you want this, or else take heed this colour make you not forsake him.
6. Those that neglect the means, and yet look for the end in hope of future time, and so neglect the present season. Thus 'tis with many a one; the day of life and health, and day of Ordinances continues; and hence the sluggard cryes, Prov. 24. 33. Yet a little more slumber, i. Ile have but a little while longer, &c. Hence when Conscience checks, Ministers warn, the Lord wooes, the Spirit cries; a man puts off all with this, I hope it will be better: And hence it falls out with them as with those Matth.24. The Lord comes in a time they look not for him; and of this many on their deathbeds have cryed out. Think of this you convicted persons that know its miserable with you, before God stop your breath; you have nothing to plead for your neglect, but hope of time. Know it, Gods present seasons are golden, one moment worth eternity; and now is the time, if you neglect his season, he will not regard yours. God is never found in your time, but in his time. Oh lay these things to heart! especially you that are grown weary of means, that faint in your way; God is not yet weary of continuing means, art thou weary of gaining by means? Oh consider this you that have had many hopes, desires purposes, but all blasted, your time and means neglected: Think on this you that have had marvellous affections, but your spirits are gone; Nothing can make you mend your pace, not all Ministry and Word, but you are clog'd with means. Remember that Isai. 65. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. For my people that have sought me, &c.
SECT. V.
TO all those that do effectually seek the Lord in the use of means. And for discovery thereof,Use 5. Consider:
1. If ever the Lord gave you a hear… effectually to seek him in means, you will finde mighty opposition, temptations springing up one after another, &c. from within, from without, and the oppositions will make you seek him the more. Hence Rom. 13. 11, 12. he bids us put off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. When man desires and lies in his sloth, he meets with little opposition or trouble of his own heart; but here 'tis otherwise, therefore put on armour. And I say the soul is made hereby to seek the Lord the more, as the blinde man, Mark 10. 48. Redeem the time, because the days are evill. As 'tis with Mariners, they will not only use fair, but side, and almost contrary winds to come neer the shore they are bound for; let the Lord give any grace, oh more of that mercy, as Moses, Deut. 3. 24. Let the Lord deny, yet the soul cries the more; let agonies come, Christ prays the more; let the will oppose, he will yeeld himself to the Lord to cross his own will, and deny himself; pe…ce makes him love, and affliction makes him seek the Lord early. Hence because thou art troubled at the feeling of a slothful heart, that will make you seek for more help.
2. You will seek him with your whole heart, so that 'tis the Lord only that the heart is bound for, Psal. 119. 2. Phil. 3. 12. The feeling of the Lords power and eternal life, and that not only while means last, but when in want of, and banisht from means: As David forgets his Crown and Kingdom, and saith, Psal. 27. 4. One thing I have desired. Hence Hezekiah had a promise of life, and going to Gods House when recovered, It was not life he minded so much as this, What is the sign that I shall go to the House of the Lord? Hence Saints though they neglect sometimes, yet as a Ship driven back by neglecting winds, or as a Tradesman he is altogether for his gain, yet proves an ill husband sometimes, but when he hath felt his losses he falls to his losses he falls to his trade again: So here, like Merchants seeking pearls, &c. Matth. 13. 45. Let this comfort you, though you finde nothing, yet Saints are a generation of Seekers, finding time is not come, yet certainly you shall come to your end at last. You have no lappings for the sores of your sloth, but opening them before the Lord, the Lord will heal and help in time.
But I feel no good,Object. hence I am afraid I seek not aright.
Gal. 6. 9. You shall reap in due time, Answ.and Hebr. 11. 13. All things were cross to the promise yet Abraham holds on still.
But I finde my spirit faint,Object. and grow listless and weary.
When heart and strength fail,Answ. yet God doth not. God will desert that you may know where your strength, and heart, and help lies.
But 'tis so great,Object. I know no difference between mine and others neglect.
That is sad,Answ. yet as 'tis in all sins, falls into them do but undermine them the more. Peter denies Christ, as well as sleeps, yet he is the first that preache…h him. When a mans meat is so far from doing good, as that it doth him hurt, he is dying; so that sin is dying, that slo…h is dying, when food given to it doth kill it. David is ready to give up all, yet saith, Its good for me to draw neer to God, and there the heart will repose it self again.
SECT. VI.
OH be not sloth…ul then,Use 6. Of Exhort. neglect no means, but use all means, get oyl in your vessels that you may get your desired end. Mariners that are bound for a voyage, when set out, will not be at rest till they are landed where they would be. It was one of the Churches sorrowful complaints, Isai. 64. 7. None that stirs up himself, &c.
But I finde many hindrances without me,Object. many sins within me, I have sometime neither strength (nay which is worse) nor yet heart to seek the Lord, though my wants are many, though my days decline; how shall I doe?
1. Finde out that which clogs thy heart from seeking effectually,Answ. and causeth that neglect, and that makes the Lord neglect thee in thy ineffectual seeking; else thou mayest seek and never finde, and that is some lust, something that easeth the heart which is not God. When the soul hath not bread, it will with the Prodigal then resolve for home; men could not live as they do, so many days without God, unless they did feed on somewhat else beside the Lord. Hence its usual for men in means, to use means for a good, and out of means to resist that good, Isa. 58. 1, 2. Zac. 7. 6. Men that would have their load drawn, must first take their wild Horses out of it: So do with these lusts. If therefore not for your own, yet for the Lords sake, who else will not be accounted worth the seeking, finde out whatever contents you; necessity hath no Holidays, oh you must have him!
2. Use means, but trust not to them, nor to any strength received to carry you along in this work: you will else neglect and fall from the Lord, and the Lord from you. Its said of Asa, 2 Chro. 16. 12, 13. Asa was diseased in his feet in his old age, yet he sought not to the Lord, but Physicians: So 'tis with many a diseased Christian, they seek not to the Lord, to cure their feet, but means, or themselves, hence he decays and dies. You have the stream of all temptations against you, 'tis not your own Oars, but the Lords winde that must carry you against it; look therefore to an almighty power in means to help you, plead Gods Covenant to put his fear into your hearts, that you may not depart from him, as he will not forsake you, 1 Cor. 15. 10. Paul received not grace in vain, but lebours abundantly; yet not I, but grace. There is little fear of drowning so long as we keep head above water, …o long as we cleave to the Lord Jesus.
3. Love the presence of the Lord and his company. If there be any love between you, you will then finde time, and nothing shall keep you from him, Ier. 2. 1, 2, 3. I remember the love of thine espousals, when thou followedst me in a wilderness thorow pits and deserts. Remember he hath been in heaven praying for thee, when thou hast been provoking of him, he hath been blessing thee, when thou hast been abusing him, it may be he hath let out his heart blood to make room for thee in his heart, it may be he intends through all eternity to express his dearest love to thee, and is he not worth your love? Love him, and you will be with him, love will be stronger then death, it will break all these bonds.
4. Set before you the greatness of the good you are to use all me…ns to gain; why do men hunt after flesh-pots? The world is esteemed great, 'tis near us, and so for honour: Now Christ and eternity are afar off, and hence they seem little, and hence to seek them is not made a business of greatest weight and importance, 2 Cor. 4. 16, 18. We faint not while we look to things that are eternal, Acts 24. 15, 16. There is not the vilest Rep…obate, but when he shall see the glory that shall be revealed, shall stamp and rear his hair and say; Oh, if I had known this! I hope I should never have dreamed out my time so as I have done! We look on the Picture of Goodness in the volume of the Creatures, which satisfie not; Oh never cease looking upward, till you see what you seek for in the greatness of it. Suppose a man should sleep all his life-time, and be in a dream, and in it have all the delights and glory of the world presented before him, at last the ground opens its mouth and swallows him up, and then he is awakened, Lord how will he cry? Truly Christ and grace and fellowship with God are not thought of, sought for, are small things with men, but the World is great, and this is your delight; truly 'tis but your dream: What will your souls be when death opens its mouth? what a sad thing is it to see men spin Copwebs that must be swept down.
I. To those that never sought the Lord effectually to this day,Motiv…s. not to neglect him now; those that are like children born before their time, that have had some sorrow after the Lord, but comforted before it was deep enough; have some desires, but eased with other things before they were satisfied with Christ himself; that have run for a spurt, but are grown weary before they come half way home, and so sit down in the way; like Clocks set slow in the first hour of the day, run slow all the day after: So these set back and think they are set right too, run slow all their life after. That as he said of a covetous man, he had a strong desire for heaven if any would bear his charges thither: So these. And to you I speak, not that never sought, but that have been seeking; yet effectually to use all means, this you never did.
1. Consider how far men have gone? What means they have used? yet have never found to this day, Luke 13. 24. Strive, saith Christ. This I speak because men think they may neglect their seasons of earnest pursuit after grace, men may sit still, and put all care from themselves to God, and live in their sloth. Oh no, Consider so many snares, so many by paths, so many deceits within, so many sins and lusts to subdue, all time and means is little enough: Take heed of spending prodigally, and think Christs grace will bear you out. Oh! look upon the cries at death-bed, to see some men that have been like famishing men that have wanted bread, and then have cryed bread, bread, but could not eat it. Oh saith Paul, I beat down my body, lest in preaching to others my self become a cast away.
2. Consider how others have broken down the greatest difficulties, and are now in glory, as Rev. 12. 11. They loved not their lives to the death. They have not only spent their time, lost their name, their comforts, but their blood, that have passed through waters, fires, bonds, imprisonments, and with Paul have not accounted their lives dear, that they might finish their work. David was full of God one would think sometimes he had enough, yet when he awakes, he is with God at midnight, his thoughts and reins instruct him; the Law was his meditation day and night. You shall see him in the Temple blessing God, on the Throne advancing the Lord, on the dunghill, in banishment longing after him, when he sate among Princes meditating; and was there here too much cost, might any of this ointment have been spared? Consider Christ himself, Heb. 12. 1, 2, 3. cast off sloth, Looking to Iesus, who for the joy, despised the shame, endured the Cross, and that not for himself, it may be for thee, that thou mightst not, now he is at the right hand of God: So are the Saints in Heaven, and now rejoycing that ever they sought him, that they spent so much time on him.
3. Consider, There is a time of neglect of Christ, which when past, you shall never finc'e him again, Iohn 7. 3, 4. Ye shall seek me, but never finde me. You have had many Diamond-days and seasons, and God gives you a space to repent, and saith, My Spirit shall not alway strive, it may be some are but within that space, that the Lord is at the last cast with you.
4. Consider whatever your condition be, shake off your sloth, and set upon the means, the Lord will be found; do it in good earnest: This will be good news to you that think he will never, but be thy heart like steel, and hard, the Lord will break it, Hebr. 11. 6. he will be found of them that seek him diligently: And the greater things thou seekest for, the more like to get them; as one of the Fathers thinks that to pray with repetitions, is to pray for small things. Open thy mouth wide Ile fill it, and it may be presently in a moment, when thou thinkest least of it, it may be at that time when thou findest most unwillingness and difficulty to seek, seek then and the Lord will be found. Oh this damps many a man in the use of means, he thinks the Lord will never help, and hence is tormented with this thought, and sits down and rests: If you would keep a Labourer from work, or a Traveller from walking, put thorns in their feet; now the work is neglected, there is pricking s…uffe, he cannot follow on his business now: So 'tis here, Prov. 15. 19. Take heed therefore of sitting down with such thoughts as these; its strange thou shouldst be killed for every cut, and because wounded for sin, to fall off from the Lord by unbelief too.
II. Motives to you that have followed the Lord, but now have begun to neglect him: For what cause I know not, but I am sure the Lord hath given you none: Yet a spirit of slumber and sloath is upon you, that you are not the men you were. It may be some for want of place, want of time, many occasions, many sorrowes and temptations in this wildernesse; and hence no means sweet, no bed easie, your bones are broken. It may be a little time of neglect hath emboldned you to a custome: It may be loose examples, the spirits of others flat, and thine is so too, whom God sent into Church-Fellowship to quicken them: It may be an ill Husband is an hindrance, a bad wife, as Iobs wife, or whatever 'tis, Oh that God would speak this day to you!
1. Consider thou art nearer to thy salvation than when thou didst first believe; and then you thought no time, no pains too much, but all too little, Rom. 13. 11, 12. Mariners near the Shore, look out for Rocks, Lord that I may not split now. Truly as it was with Christ, the longer he did live, the more sorrows, so with you. God hath carried you near salvation, Oh now being neerer, there are worse rocks, look about you now. Satans last temptations are strongest. Oh give not in now! It may be not many daies nor weeks hence thou shalt come to thy journeys end: Awaken then out of sleep.
2. Consider how glad the Lord is of thy company, he hath been so, and will be so again; thou canst not come in too late, 1 Sam. 12. 21. as poor and vile as thou art, Prov. 8. His delight is with the Sons of men. Witnesse mercies, witnesse afflictions. Oh then seek him! Witnesse desertions, then seek him; witness his sweet entertainment of thee, many a time when he hath given thee meat that the world knows not of; witnesse so many hindrances which Satan laies in, who knowes how crosse 'tis to Christ, Jer. 2. 1, 2, 3. I remember the love of thine espousals, when thou didst follow me; especially when with most difficulty, when little strength within, when little hope without, yet Ile not give over. He never forgets this. The Lord hath never such sad daies as when thou turnest thy back on him, and thou never so good, as when thou seekest him.
3. Consider thy gaines, there shall not be the least endeavour, desire, pursuit after the Lord, not the least Word, Prayer, Thought, time spent, but an abundant recompense is in Christs hands, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Ever abounding, knowing that it shall not be in vain. A man that rowes against the stream, a little neglect of rowing carries him down again. But oh be ever abounding in the Lords works, for your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
4. Consider if after admonition again and again, yet you nourish sloath, there is some heavy stroke neer thee. Believe it, he will not alway bear with thy neglect. As nothing joyes him more than your company, so nothing cuts him more than your neglect: But though he save you from eternal misery, yet sometimes your greatest comfort is lost by this means, Mat. 26. 38, 40, 44, 45. First he stirs them up once and again, then leaves them, and comes again, and saith nothing, but the third time, sleep on, the Son of man is betrayed. So your comfort, and Christ and his presence are betraied. Some have had their husbands, wives, children estates gone, but which is worst of all, the Lord betraied, the comfort of their hearts gone, and hence horrours and fears surprize them.
III. Motives to us especially in this Countrey.
1. God hath put the price and wealth of the world, better than all Gold and Silver into our hands, who are most unthankful, most unworthy; and will you come so far for means, and here neglect them? Will you thus neglect the Lord? Like men in Consumptions, they long for any thing, and when it comes, they cannot touch it. If it were night, you might fall to sleep, but the day approacheth. Shall God plant his Vineyard, but you never come to eat the fruit of it?
2. Your Temptations are greater here to neglect the Lord. Others are tried with the scorching Sun, there is no sleeping there. God tries us with the shadow, sets us under the Vines of Ordinances; others are in storms, we in calms. When thou eatest and art full, saith Moses, Deut. 8. 10, 11. Oh forget not the Lord! You lose in your estates, and now you are hungry after the same again. Satan when Christ was hungry, assaults him. 'Tis a thousand to one if he makes you not fair offers, and overcomes. Things that cost us much, we prize, and keep, and improve, if of any use. When we go Twenty mile to a Sacrament, Oh then its precious! While under the bondage of oppressors, oh liberty of Conscience, and Ordinances are precious? But when at liberty, we have liberty to have them, hence take liberty to neglect them.
3. Our enemies will be upon us. Who sees not (that observes the Lords dealing) that some sorrows are toward, unlesse the Lord awaken; some sudden blasting blow. If any wind be stirring, men on the tops of the mountains will feel it. The Lord hath set his mountain above all others, and its f…lly to think to flee from the Crosse, unlesse we flee from Christ. 'Tis part of the portion he doth owe us here, if he loves us. Yet seek the Lord, neglect no seasons to gain him, and you shall he hid, Zeph. 2. 2. Nay when worst times come, 2 Chron. 15. 3, 4, 5. when there is no peace, they that seek him shall find him.
I do fear there is at this day as deep mischief plotting against New-England as ever the Sun saw. Enemies will first deal subtilly before cruelly, but subtilly that they may deal cruelly. When Pharaoh deals wisely, he means to kill. Yet the Lord shall be with us, as of late hath he not been seen in the midst of us for a refuge? Whatever any think, I believe never did the Lord stir up such prayers, Faith, &c. amongst us.
1. Oh therefore seek the Lord still in private. If you find no good, find out the sin. Is not meditation neglected? Communion of Saints not improved? Do not say, we can do nothing, and why are we prest to it? If you cannot, yet 'tis your duty, and you must be prest; and perish you shall if you seek not; or if you be called, there is some spirit of the Lord in you that is mighty.
2. Being come hither for publick helps, and means, and all Ordinances; Oh do not betray your Liberties! but lose your Bloud before you lose them, and the Lord in them. Bear the Arke still on your shoulders, that the Lord may dwell with you. Hence,
1. If you would have the Walls of Magistracy be broken down (the means to preserve the Church and means among you) If they make Laws, deride them; if they execute Laws, appeal from them.
2. Would you have confusion the mother of discord among the people? let every man then once one day in the year turn Magistrate, and out-face Authority, and profess tis his liberty. Would you have rapines, thefts, injustice abound? let no man know his own, by removing the Land-mark, and destroying Proprieties.
3. Would you have Gods Ordinances in the purity of them removed? keep out the load of Superstition, but yet for peace sake, suffer a few seeds to be sown amongst you.
4. Would you have all the Messengers of the Gospel at first revised, at last massacred? Profess they are no better than Scribes and Pharisees, persecuting Egyptians, enemies to the Lord Jesus, and the more devout the worse; as those that stirred up storms in Germany said, Christ had four great enemies: The Pope, Anabaptists, Martin Luther, but especially Iohn Calvin.
5. Would you ruine the Gospel? set not Popery against it, but Gospel against Gospel, Promises against Promises, Christ against Christ, Spirit against Spirit, grace against grace, and then he is twice beaten, that falls by his own weapons.
6. Would you have oppressors set over you, to remove ordinances, to encrease your burdens? Maintain this Principle then that they will not assault us first by craft and subtilty, but openly and violently.
7. Would you have this State in time to degenerate into Tyranny? Take no care then for making Laws. When they are made, would you have all Authority turned to a meer vanity? Be gentle and open the door to all comers that may cut our throats in time; and if being come they do offend, threaten them and fine them, but use no Sword against them. You Fathers of the Country be not offended, this I speak not to disparage any, the practise speaks otherwise; I onelyonly forewarn: I hope the Lord hath prepared better days and mercies for us, I am sure he will, if what means we have we preserve, and what we preserve, we through grace shall improve.