The Parable of the Ten Virgins, Part 1 · Chapter 18

The Parable of the Ten Virgins · Part 1 · Chapter 18

p. 172CHAP. XVIII.

That the Holy Spirit is in beleivers as the Principle of their Spiritual Life and Holinesse.

SECT. I.

THat within these Vessels, is an inward Principle of Life and Grace.Doct. 2. Or, The burning shining profession of all the faithful, it proceedeth from an inward Principle of the Spirit of Grace, by the means of which, their Lamp burns, and their Profession shines.

For this I understand by oyl in the vessel, the Spirit of Jesus, not out of us, but received in us; not coming only upon us, for so he may on foolish virgins, by Balaamitish ravishments, and hypocritical pangs, and land-flood affections; but abiding in us, and that not as it doth in hypocrites, but as it is in Christ Jesus, without measure, both Spirit and Graces, so it abides in us in measure: in Him as the fountain, in us as the vessels, from whose fulness, we receive the same. So that by oyl is not meant the external Principle of all Life, the Lord Jesus having Spirit and Grace enough, but keeping our hearts empty of it: but the Lord Jesus in us, who is not in us, but by his Spirit, even the Spirit of Life, from whence all our actions spring, and from which oyl our lamp burns. This therefore I say, the Profession of the faithful, springs not from outward motives, or principles of motion, as the actions of hypocrites; sometimes sudden praise, sometimes gain, sometimes fe…rs, sometimes fleshly hopes, sometimes sudden conceipt and fancy, some times irruption and rushings of the Spirit upon them; but there is a spring within, there is a life within; there is oyle in the Vessel to fill the lamp, and so hence it p. 173burns. Eph. 2. 1. You hath he quickned, who were dead in sins, i. e. you were held as fast under the power of your sins, as a dead man is under the bonds of death: but now in the room of that death, there is the Spirit of life, and the life of the Spirit. Now life is an inward principle of motion, of any thing in its own place; as the sun, and trees, and grasse, and cattel. You may take a stone, or milstone, or wheel, and move it, yet they have no life, because this is not from an inward Principle so: hypocrites may be acted, and moved by the great power of the Spirit in an Ordinance, yet not living but dead stil. Iohn 4. 14. the water (which is the Spirit) is a spring of living water in him. Cisterns may have water in them, but no spring that is running winter and summer. 1 Iohn 3. 9. This is called the seed remaining in him: which is that new creation, new birth, which the verse it self expounds, so that he cannot sin; it is against his nature, now he cannot be a sinmaker. Balaam could not curse the people of God; and many cannot do as others do. Why, is it, because they are born of God? No, but from some other respects: and hence, Mat. 13. 21. the stony ground fell away, because they had not the root within. This is called the inner man; the good treasure of the heart, opposite to the evil treasure of the heart of a wicked man. Now, as an evil man acts not only from Satan, the evil spirit; but the inward power of lust; so the Saints, Mat. 12. 35. And here I intend not to shew what this inward Principle is particularly, for that I reserve to the two last points. Yet, least any should stumble, let me speak to two sorts.

1. Know some of you, that there is not only external actings of the Spirit from whence we act, but a new nature in the Saints.

2. Let others know, 1. That as before the Lord cals we are dead, so after we are alive this inward principle is not perfect here: Hence actions sometimes cease, and when they do not, yet are corrupted, as laesa principia act, but ever erre in their act, hence have need of pardon from and acceptance in the Lord Jesus. 2. That this is not in us as in Adam, who did not need to borrow life of another, but it stands in daily need of the Lord Jesus, and hence this inward principle acts, but 'tis by faith, the operations of which are the wagons to victual the camp continually, especially in time of need, and which is part of this inward principle; and hence 1 Pet. 1. 5. You are kept by power and faith, i. your souls, graces, lives are kept by the Spirit, but through faith in us to salvation.

Let me therefore prove these three things to you for opening of this point.

1. That the Spirit of the Lord Jesus is in the souls of the faithfull.

2. That there is a principle of created graces, or the life of the Spirit in them.

3. That from this principle of the Spirit dispensing himself by his graces, our lamp burns, our acts of profession spring and shine forth.

First, That the Spirit of Jesus is in the soules of the faithfull, 1 Iohn 2. 27. The anointing teacheth you all things. Rom. 8. 11. The Spirit that raised up Iesus from the dead dwels in us. The manner of his being in us I intend not to meddle with, unlesse I saw more cause: I do beleeve the manner of his abiding in us, and his nearnesse to all the Saints, when seen of us, may astonish our own spirits, and shall one day confound all the world; Only know, as the Martyr said, He is come, he is come. The spirit of the world and Satan is cast out, 1 Cor. 2. 12. and in room of them enters the Spirit of God.

Secondly, That the Spirit so is in the faithfull, as that there is a principle of created graces in them, or an inward principle of life and grace. Not that these alone make this inward principle, but the Spirit in us working of them, working by them. And truly 'tis a sad thing if the proving of such a principle shall be an attributing too much to grace in us.

1. Therefore to deny this is to deny Christ to be our sanctification: For beside the passive obedience of Christ, we are justified by his active obedience also, p. 174i. e. his inward conformity to the Law, and his external obedience to the Law. So that graces as they are in Christ become our justification; and hence he is said to be our righteousnesse. No man can stand before God but by perfect holinesse, but by doing whatever the Law requires, and continuing so to do; this is not in us, this is in Christ: This as 'tis in Christ is properly our righteousnesse or justification. Now what is our sanctification? if not graces in Christ, then graces received from Christ Jesus, which is this inward principle now I speak of; and therefore to deny this is no lesse than to say Christ is not our sanctification: But saith Paul, The Lord sanctifie you in soul and body and spirit, 1 Thess. 5. 23. And if it were so, a man may have a heart unsanctified and Christ too.

2. If there should not be those graces, then a Christian was not bound to adde one grace to another, but then the Apostles precept should be broken, 2 Pet. 1. 7, 8. and so a Christian could not grow in grace, for graces are perfect in Christ; and the Spirit doth not grow in grace, and the immediate operations of the Spirit increasing in us, are not properly graces, no more than the act of seeing is the eye, no more then giving goods to be burned is love.

3. Then we are not to pray for graces, if there be no such things to be found in the hearts of Saints, but Psal. 51. 10. David praies, Create in me a clean heart; now if it be a thing created in me, 'tis not the Spirit only in me, for that cannot be created. I doubt not but David had a clean heart, but he fell in part; and therefore look as there needs a creating power to make, so there is a creating power to restore us again to what is lost.

4. Then the Saints have none of their sins mort…fied; for 'tis as with the eye, being made to see; if sight goes out, darkness comes in, and if that be subdued, sight is renewed: So the Soul being made only for God, and to bear his image; blot out that darkness and sin comes in: cast out sin, the Lord and his Image and Graces come in. If therefore there be no Graces in the Saints, then no sin mortified: truly if so, then the end of Christs coming, and dying is quite abolished, 1 Iohn 3. 8. & Rom. 6. 2, 3.

5. Then the Lord should be false in his Covenant, and break Oath, and be forsworn: for, Ier. 31. 32. I'le write my Law in their hearts. Luke 1. 73, 74. So that if you will not believe man, yet believe God: and if you will not believe his Word, yet his Oath. Oh, but many good Christians find no such thing. But is it so, as they find it indeed? Either then they are no Christians, or else the Lord is forsworn.

Thirdly, That by the inward principle of Spirit, and Graces, our lamp burns, and shines, our actions issue. The Spirit enables a man to know, & hence the act flows, he doth know the Lord. The Spirit enables inwardly for to love the Lord, and hence it doth love him. That as Christ saith, a good tree brings forth good fruit, from an inward sap received from the root, and by abiding on the root; So here.

1. Those that are renewed to Adams image in their measure, have according to that measure, power to act; or in those Graces there is power to act, for he had power so to do. Every creature in the world had a Law of Nature to carry them to their end; and so were carried to it. But Adam had a Law of Divinity, whereby he being a cause by Counsel, was enabled by God to carry himself toward his end. Now we are renewed to that image in part, Eph. 4. 24. I know there is difference between Adams power to act, which had no Faith, ours that hath. And do not think that this doth advance nature, & the power of man, no more than the execution of the Promise of the Covenant of Grace, doth destroy Grace and advance nature. For the writing again the Law in our hearts, is that which this Covenant promiseth; nay, this doth honour the riches of Grace: that a man being under the power of sin, and cannot get deliverance, the Lord should now give an humble conquering Spirit: never a precious heart but will be thankful for it.

p. 1752. Because the Graces in us, are received from the Lord Jesus his fulness, Iohn 1. 16. Now the Graces in Christ are not dead, but living, are not weak, but powerful; the Spirit of Grace 'tis now triumphing in him, 'tis so in us only: 'tis in him in the highest degree, in us in a lower. And therein consists our likeness to Christ, 2 Cor. 3. 18. And to deny this, is to deface the Image of the Lord Jesus; and this is part of the Beauty and Glory of Christ: hence to deny this, is to obscure the glory of the Lord Jesus. Without Christ a Christian can do nothing: but how doth Christ do all, by the Spirit without Graces? (I speak not of Conversion where 'tis without Graces as causes) No truly, as he acts, so we act in part. Unless any will say, we have not received grace for grace; or are in no measure like the image of Christ.

3. If the first Adam hath conveyed to all his members a power of corruption, then the second Adam also a power of Godliness, contrary to that, 2. Tim. 3. 5. yet in measure still, so as the Apostle saith, we can do nothing against the Truth, but for the Truth. 2 Cor. 13. 8.

But what measure of power is it?Quest.

I know no man that can from any ground limit the measure of it.Answ. For it may be in some men in greater power, in some men in less, in the same man at one time in a greater measure, at another time less. If one ask of trees, what measure of fruit they can bring forth; we cannot tell, because sometime more, sometime less: and the same tree more one year than another, and more at one time of the year then another; for they have their winter season. Only this, whereas before conversion he is stark dead to act, now he is alive and is not dead. And if a man should after conversion be but in the next disposition to receive Grace, then how could one Christian be more grown and stronger in Grace in his inner man than another? I know not any to question this, only I speak it to cut off their carnal hopes, that think Christ is theirs, when they have nothing, can do nothing, and sleightly say he must do all; I cannot, I tell you the Saints can, they cannot but love the Lord, and choose the Lord. &c.

But must not a Christian deny himself, and alway go to Christ for power to do,Object. 1. and so be humble, and empty?

1. You must, because this is the meanes to live to Christs;Answ. but this doth not argue you have no power at all. A man must pray for his daily bread, much more for daily grace; but doth this argue a man hath no bread in his house? No, this is the means to have it continued and blest. Easily can the Lord take away bread, or the staff of bread. Graces extinguish not Faith, but help it.

2. A Christian can do no duty perfectly, hence must repair to Christ to help him to do every duty better; hence though he must use that power he hath, and do what he can, yet he must not content himself with what he hath, but seek for more, and what a sweet life is this? What honour would here come in? God lets in a new light into my minde, now I may and must see his truth, I saw it yesterday, but I may and must go to Christ to do it better; I must not quench the Spirit of prayer, but carry the key with me, and next day pray better. And thus the soul is thankful for what it hath, and emptying it self notwithstanding that, and daily then receiving from Christ. And I beleeve many Christians fail here: As in the body, meat feeds and strengthens life, so I cannot live without Christ.

But doth not this make a man trust to graces?Object. 2.

To act from them is not to trust to them,Answ. no more then for a diligent hand to trust to his diligence, when he acts diligently that so he may be rich.

But doth not this dishonour grace to do all by the power of it?Object. 3.

Then the Saints in heaven that are made perfectly like Christ,Answ. and that love the Lord perfectly, should not honour grace by this means, when as this is it that makes them honour it most of all. As David, Lord what am I, p. 176and my people, that we should offer willingly: So here.

SECT. II.

SEE hence what cause of thankfulness to all the people of God,Use 1. that the Lord should make their souls the Vessels (which he might easily and justly have dashed in peeces) to receive and preserve this eternal anointing; I do beleeve there is no man that knows the bitterness of sin, the plague of his own heart, but when he sees Christ is his, yet it makes him mourn that there should be so little suitableness between the Lord and him, so little likeness between his life and Christ; what though the Lord love me, and yet my heart weary of him? what though the Lord bless me, and my heart abuse him? and hence this makes it thankful, Rom. 7. 24, 25. This is so far from dishonouring grace, as that the Apostle makes this the matter of admiration of Gods grace, Eph. 2. 3, 4. God who is rich in mercy, when dead in sins hath quickned us: Not only quickned our head, for hence is cause of eternal praise, but us; and hence he hath set us up in heavenly places in him: This is the state of all men, they cannot do one spiritual act; now that the Lord should help when all creatures left us, is wonderful, but that it should be with such a life, even the life of Christ Jesus himself, for the same Spirit that raised him from the dead dwells in us, and the same Spirit that is now in glory with him, is in us, 1 Pet. 5. 1. This is mercy indeed; that he should not only die for us, and live in heaven for us, but that he should love so dearly as to come and live in us, that when our sins had slain him, he should not onelyonly come and dwell in our houses, nor onelyonly lay his head in our bosome, but live in our hearts, where he finds such poor welcome, and ill entertainment at our hands, I tell you this is wonderful, to make his habitation in us, that before we go to live with him, he should live in us: Let them that never knew what this meant refuse to be thankful, but if you find it so, forget not this love, Iohn 14. 17. Ile send the Spirit whom the World cannot receive, because it knows him not. The Lord sends the Spirit in common graces, and the World doth receive that also in prophetical and miraculous gifts, and it doth receive that; but this Spirit which God pours on the thirsty, this Spirit with which God fills the empty, they cannot receive this. Oh that you should have it, when as they know it not.

1. Hence therefore take heed of not owning the Spirit in this his presence. Do you thus requite the Lord, oh unthankful world! not so much as to own the presence of such a friend, neither in your selves, nor yet in others. How like the world is it to think that there is no such thing?

2. Take heed therefore of not esteeming highly of it. If ever God broke thy heart, thou wilt esteem this life, this principle as the greatest piece of love; and say, Lord I shall account this as the greatest part of love in the world, Psal. 119. 68. Thou art good, oh teach me thy Statutes: Now to undervalue this, and to account it common, and hence as no sign of love, 'tis a part of unthankfulness.

3. Take heed of imprisoning the Spirit of grace, common truth, Rom. 1. 18. It was fearful to imprison and silence that, much more this. It was the complaint of the Church in those days, None stirs up himself, Isai. 64. 7. What strength the Lord gives, let me use; what I want, the Lord hath enough to help me withal; put it to exercise, or else affliction will.

4. Take heed of enfeebling this Principle, weakning of it: The Church of Sardis things were ready to die in it, you should strengthen this inner man, not weaken it, either by not feeding it with Christ, or wounding it with known sins against Christ. Therefore let all the Churches know this, and take heed that p. 177you do not refuse to own this: where else will you make the difference between men, that either Churches may discern them, or you may discern, and so have peace your selves.

Hence see the reason of that inward hypocrisie that is in many mens hearts,Use 2. so that the best profession of many a man is but a Scheme; an Image, a very craft▪ a very artificial form; all the duties are fair without, but sapless, liveless, within: Here is the reason they have no inward principle of life, or if they do go to Christ, they have no such principle within them, to carry them to him, so as to receive life from him; and hence confess sin without sorrow or shame, petition without thirsting, live without love, do without life, because there is no spring, but a dry heart within; and hence they must do duty, but they must make dead work of it, and hence all is but an appearance, and at best but a would be: This is in a great measure in Saints when the Spirit within is quenched, but it is in full age and strength in hypocritical hearts, Ier. 4. 14. when the profession of Iudah was great, and the Prophets had scarce any thing to say against them for outside, Oh Ierusalem, wash thy heart from wickedness, there thy wo lies, it enters to the very heart; so Christ, How can he that is evil, bring forth good fruit. And this is that which may make men mourn, if I forsake all profession, I shame my self before men, if not, I must blaspheme the Lords Name, and play the Hypocrite before the Lord, Matth. 12. 33, 34, 35.

SECT. III.

TO take heed of denying the grace of God, or this inward principle,Use 3. in whole, or in part, for this inward principle, being the life of Christ in us,Of Caution; and sad Advice. to deny this is to deny Christ, and to take away his life; and such the Lord will deny before his Angels another day: When they shall say, Have we not eat and drank in thy presence, he shall answer, I never knew you: I shall therefore here direct my speech to four sorts.

First, To those that deny created graces in the Saints peculiar unto them only, its said there are none such in the Country, if there are not, it may be there have been, and it may be will be, and therfore ile speak: For I beleeve 'tis a delusion digged and hatcht out of the steam of the lowest sink in Hell: And therefore that all may take heed of the evill of it, I will first shew the evill of it, then the causes that do beget it.

I. The evils of this delusion are these.

1. It settles and fastens a man under the power of all his sin, and yet with a quiet Conscience, and yet to keep his Christ too. It transcends my capacity from whatever I have read, or have heard, or have felt, or can imagine how the power of sin can be taken away, but where the Spirit infuseth the contrary grace; an empty house swept and garnished with common gifts, is but a fitting house for Satan to return into: Say therefore a man may have no such graces, and yet have Christ, and them in Christ, you stake this man down under his sin, and make this member of Satan, a member of Christ Jesus. And upon this ground all Churches in the Land may be forced in Conscience to take in all prophane members, if they plead Christ, and their allness in him.

2. This blurs all the glory of a Christian, or at least the greatest part of it: For what is the glory of a Saint? 'Tis to be like Jesus Christ the Lord of glory, to bear his Image before God and men: As to see a man with a Swines face would be the shame of a man; to see a Christian with Satans Image, is the shame of a Christian; but to be like our Head, this is our glory, though it be in sufferings, 2 Cor. 3. 18. heavenly, humble, compassionate, holy, as he was; and hence when God hath a mind to make Churches or Christians base in the eyes of the p. 178world, he will withdraw here, and when he intends to draw the world after him, he will glorifie it with his glory, Isai. 60. 6, 7.

3. It cuts off a Christian from all hope of glory, how many be there that scramble and catch at Christ, and every one saith he is mine, The proud man saith, he is mine, and hopes now verily to be saved, but that hope is vain; they have Christ out of them, but where is Christ in them? The life of Christ, and the Spirit of Christ? Col. 1. 27. Christ in you, the hope of glory.

4. Give me but one place in all the Book of God, where blessedness is bestowed upon, or conveyed unto any, or promised but to such as have these grace…. Blessed is he that feareth the Lord, and greatly delighteth, &c. Psal. 112. 1, 2. If there be no such thing, let any man expect it if he can.

II. The Causes.

1. A magnifying Christ, and making him our Sanctification, when as you heard the last day, this is to deny him to be our Sanctification: He becomes our righteousness by imputation of his holiness, and our Sanctification by infusing of it. Nay, hence a man deprive… himself, of all good in the Lord Jesus, when a man denies all grace in himself, and then flies for Sanctuary unto Jesus Christ, … Iohn 1. 6, 7. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, &c. And hence it seems they denied men to have sin, vers. 8. boasting of fellowship with Christ, vers. 6.

2. Because there are (say men) onelyonly immediate actings of the Spirit. If this be so, then there is seeing in a Christian without an eye, and hearing without an ear, and knowing Christ without an understanding, and loving without love, and living without life, and feeding and eating without a mouth; and then when these actings are over, a Christian is like another man, there is no Law remains written on his heart, and so Christ should enter into his Saints, like Satan into the Serpent, who only acts the Serpent, and when that is done, he remains a Serpent again. Know it, the Lord Jesus his greatest work is not onelyonly to change the acts, but to change the frame of the heart, not only to put new actions, but a new nature into men.

3. Because men know not the Spirit, never felt the presence, not power, nor comfort of it themselves; and hence men do as some Countries, because themselves are black, they paint the Devil whi…e. Iohn 14. 17. The World cannot re…eive, because it knows him not. Give me any Christian living that ever found the sweetness of it, but his longings were to have more of that grace, to forget things behinde, and reach to things before, even to the resurrection of the dead, whom I believe none will say want all habits of grace: I look upon the Opinion as coming with a curse from God: A man hath been a dry Professor long, Conscience saith, There is no grace in the heart, and hence is troubled; True, saith he, there is none in Saints, it is in Christ, and there he catcheth and deceives himself.

Secondly, Those that do acknowledge them, but any power or activity in them they deny; they say there is oyl indeed in the Vessel, but it helps not, 'tis no means to make the Lamp to burn or shine; there is the life of Christ, but it is a dead life, they call them the graces of Christ, but they are but fruitless graces. I confess it, if you consider them without the Spirit of Christ, they are no true graces, much less active or living ones; but consider them thus, they have a power, as take the least grain of corn, there is a growing power in it, & fructifying too in it by dying first, though it actually doth not fructifie presently, and though there must be rain, and Sun must shine also, and a providence accompanying of it, so it is in the graces of Saints: And hence its called a Law of the mind, there is a power of a Law, as of sing and hence as Christ grew in wisdome and stature, so all the members of Christ are like unto him.

I. The evill of this.

1. This abates of the excellency of grace, as from a Jewel to take away the p. 179oper…tive vertue of it. Fo… it's not like Christs now, which is strong through God, not weak; which is living, no… dead. This is not like the glorious Graces of Saints triumphing. This makes the Graces of Saints of less excellency then common Graces: common Grace will make a man …ide over many a sin, and run exceeding fast, though he fall at last. A man that hath bin angry, it will make him very quiet and still, and is there no more power in this?

2. This will make a man content himself with a bare form, with a false confidence if this be true. For take a man that hath bin long seeking to get strength against a vile heart, and …e finds none; there is no power of heavenliness, he is earthy; no meekness, he is proud; I would say to him, do you ever think to get any power of meekness, love, faith, &c. You shall never do it, never have it here; all your strength is immediatly from Christ, look for it there; in conscience a man must cease there. And 'tis certain all our strength is in, and from the Lord; but 'tis dispensed mediatly, Eph. 3. 16. Paul prays he may be strengthned with might in the inner man. Or thus, a man may not pray for strength of Grace, which Paul refused not.

3. Then the Saints if they be asked whether they believe, or can love the Lord Jesus; their answer must be, no I have no power to love, nor beleeve, and then Peter did ill to answer so, Lord thou knowest that I love thee. Then Paul to say, We can do nothing but for the Truth. Then that Martyr that to then that said, the Lord strengthen you: yes saith he, the Lord doth. I know if the Lord withdraw his Spirit, we are gone, as Adam; but is there not the immutable assistance of it? Is there not the Promise, I will never leave thee, though sometimes weaker, sometimes stronger?

4. This will make a Christian hide and not improve his Talents; he hath Grace, but no power to put it forth. Then suppose God gives power to see Truth one day, I must not see it with this eye the next; but look up to Christ, and say, I cannot see at all.

II. Causes of this.

1. In opposing the outward principle of life, or first principle, and this second, I must live on C…rist; hence I must no…, I have no power to act my self in any measure, because all my strength is in him. Whe… if this were true, a man might argue, because all Grace is originally in Christ, hence no Grace in me, because all Glory is in Christ originally; hence no Glory shall be conveyed to me. No, this Scripture reconciles these: Because I live, therefore you shall live also, John 14. 19. Because Christ is strong, hence he will make us strong in the inner man, and not in the Spirit only: because Christ is glorious, hence we are predestinated to be made like unto him. Because all sap lies in the root, to say therefore there is no sap or power in the branch to fructifie; this is false.

2. The hypocritical activity of false Professors, who having no spring to feed their wells, no Christ, nor bucket to draw from him; hence are their own men, and set up for themselves, till the… turn bankrupts. And now because a Pharisee is so active as to go through se… and land to make a Proselyte; therefore Paul hath no activity of Grace of Christ in him to go from land to sea to make Christians.

3. Sloth, A man sets upon a duty, and now because he cannot do it easily, nor quickly, he cannot do it at all. A man would have Grace active without means; and God will not help in that way: and hence many Christians cannot cleave to Christ by love, or desire; no, so long as they pore upon their wants, no encouragement, but turn the mind, and consider well of the love and glory of Christ, then with P…l, 2 Cor. 5. 14. Christs love constrains.

4. Judging that to be the power of Grace at all times, which is at sometimes; A man hath given special occasion for the Lord to leave him, as the Camp in Iosh…hs time, Iosh. 7. and he thinks there is no more power at any time in any man. For then a man sees all the world cannot help, when if Acha… were p. 180removed, the Spirit of the Lord would return again.

5. That hereby a man may have his sins without trouble, for a man hath bin troubled, and cannot get power, now he heats there is no such power to be expected, he looks to Christ, and if power come, well, if not, saith he, 'tis not my fault.

Thirdly, Those that deny the evidence of it, the evil of which apprehension, I conceive to be no less then taking away that which is the chief, if not only difference between hypocrites and Sa…nts in virgin Churches, for so 'tis made here. A man saith I have Christ, and so have not they: I ask, where is the Spirit? You have the Deed, where is the Seal? You have the Testator, where is the Executor, the Spirit in you? Yes, I have it, it hath witnessed Christ is mine. Answ. It hath witnessed, but what hath it wro…ght? Where is the power of his death, killing thy lusts; Where is the life of the Spirit of Jesus in you? Where is the Oyle in your vessel? Truly I look for the Bridegroom, but I regard not that, neither are others to regard it in way of evidence. Then I say the chief evidence is destroyed in the Churches. I have known many that have had assurances, yet never saw them prove right, till it witnessed this was here. What should be the causes of this, and that men should make blusters in the Churches, because of this, as though it was building on wo…ks? In several men they are several.

1. An ap…ness in mens hearts to …ou…run… the Truth, and to fall from one extream to another. Many men there be that fall short of Christ, and the Grace of God in and from him: and from their loose prophane life, fall to duties, and imitate Gods people, and then when they have got credit with good people, they judge well of them: and having made their peace hereby, with conscience, and not with God the Judge; never look after the sa…ing knowledge of, and fellowship with, and life from the Lord Jesus. Now, because men rest on this▪ these duties … no evidence; he…ce none are at all. The Corinthians first mourned not for the incestuous person; and when cast out, wanted pity towards him. Calvin preached against Holidaies, hence intrenched upon the Lords day. Some of the separation see many Churches where they have come corrupt, hence make them all no Churches. A man is apt to think, because I have rested on my self, and found those signes which now are not sound, hence all others do so too. And I beleeve ivers Books have occasioned it, which give signes that will not hold without a … explication of them.

2. The apostacy of eminent Professors, who have bin deceived in their evidencing thus: And truly it would ma…e one think the honesty of the World is but a fashion, and no evidence of any good estate; hence men say you have joy, so had the …ony g…ound; you are blameless and strict, so was Paul a Pharisee; and Satan hereby shakes many a foul: hence the Apostle comes in, Heb. 6. 9. and speaks of better things, and things that accompany Salvation, and these should you follow. Hymeneur and Philaus fell both, 2 Tim. 2. 18, 19, 20, 21. Yet purge your selves and you shall be vessels of honour for the Masters use.

3. Corrunt experience, it may be a man walks so loosly without fear, or life, or love, that the Lord leaves him, and he can see no clear through-wo…, sometimes hath pangs, and then hopes, sometime dead, then doubts; hence being vext here, and finding, no peace; if he find it any other way than this, therehe rests. As 'tis observed with man … hide their shame: but when dead, their face is also covered, all their glory being then gone: so some glory of God ap| peares here, but when Christians are dead, they cover this, He look no more to it, all the glory of it is now gone, and here lies a deceit to loveChrist for freeing me from this way of evidencing.

4. A heart that never felt the bitterness and bondage of … as the greatest evil. Take a man full of fears of wrath; on now assurance is his chiefest good, and he will account it so; but if ever God did load the Soul with … ècontra, you will account p. 181of deliverance from this highly, nay a promise he will do it is sweet but to be feeling those sinews of sin crack; oh its the joy of Heaven that now sils that heart! The greatest evil in Gods eyes is sin; the g…eatest good we have is redemption from it by a mighty hand: now not so much as to account of this highly, this is hard. Thus I have left these things to be thought of, I cannot avoid it, it lies in my text; and the rather, because of that Scripture abused, If any say, l…e here is Christ, or there, believe it not. i. e. by signes: or in a wildernesse, i. e. in a sorrowfull estate, of in the privy chambers in frames of heart, believe it not neither. Take heed you do not wrest Scripture… thus; I'ts said, Esau hated Iacob for the blessing, Gen. 27. 41. This Spirit of Grace is the blessing which Saints account as the evidence of the …rest love; to separate from Churches, from Messengers of God, for this will yield you sorrow enough one day. I tell you, you shall not be found fighters against men, but against God, and the Spirit of his Grace, and the Life of him who live… in Heaven for us. Take heed you forget not oyl in your Vessels.

… Tho…e that acknowledge in their judgemen…s all these things, but deny it in their lives, regard not the having this principle of Life, and have peace in this, from a double ground.

1. By a fruitless Faith which hang… on Christ; but never receives nor brings in this principle, as those, Iohn 2. 24, 25. and hence though they receive none, yet they hang on him. And so their Faith like a bucket without a bottom, draws up nothing.

2. A form of godliness before men. If a man should neither speak well, nor pray, &c. He would have no love, no respect, no receiving into Church; but he cannot do it with life, and hence a form contents him, and there rests. So that now if Conscience troubles, and says, those duties are done with no life of Christ, and Spirit; he answers, yet I goe to Christ: If this be all, why do you not cast off your form? Oh then I should have no love from men: oh this life of Christ is not prized, till with these Virgins they feel the want of it, and 'tis too late, know this will be your woe at last. Look upon thy dead Soul, all thy glory is gone, and wait upon the Word that the Lord may make thee live. Could you know this Well of water and ask he would give it you. Oh beg for it then as for your life. Only first … it in Christ, and so from Christ.

SECT. IIII.

VVE live in a Country which hath goodly trappings,Use 4. Of Tryall. rich hangings, glorious Profession, burning Lamps: and hence many think themselves …ich, when indeed poor; many look to mee… the Bridegroom, when indeed they shall he shut out-from the fellowship of the Bridegroom. How shall I know that? That all my sorrows, prayers, reformation, profession, is but a paint, an appearance, a fashion, a Church-craft, which will stand me in no stead when the Lord shall appear, who shall judge the secrets of all hearts, by the Word you hear… this day. Try it therefore by this Rule, doth it come from a principle of life or no? Your Lamp burns, but look what is in your vessel that feeds this flame. That as our Divines speak, how the Disciples could do greater works than Christ, and others wrought Miracles besides Christ: how then do they prove that he is Christ? 'Tis answered, in all his miraculous works we are to consider not only quid fecit, i. e. what he did, but qua virtue fecit, from what power he did it. The Apostles and others wrought Miracles, but it was alienâ virtue: Christ did them, but it was prop… virtue. So many an unfound heart he may do greater works them Saints, and his lamp burn brighter. Therefore in this case we are not to look so much to what is done, as from what power and principle it is done: for therein the best hypocrite ever falles. We shall ever observe in some beasts there are ambraerationis p. 182…, yet there is no ra…ional soul, nor any wise man will beleeve that their acts proceed from such a Principle: So there are shadows of the power of grace in a carnal heart, and yet no Judicious Christian will say they come from an inward soul; or principle of life. Consider therefore whether there is this principle or no; you see there is profession, you have a name to live in the judgement of all the Church, but search your hearts, and see from what principle it proceeds, for if this be wanting, all is naught: As he that had Beer given him, when Milk and Wine, and Sugar was put into it to mend it, said, The Wine is good, and the Milk is good, but the Beer is naught: So Profession, affection is good, but the heart, the man is naught, Ier. 2. 22. Though thou wash thee with Nitre, thy sin is marked before the Lord. And that the Trial may be full and fair, I shall shew Negatively, the several sorts of men that act not from an inward Principle, yet carry it out as though the bitterness of death was past, and the Bridegroom theirs.

1. When a mans Principle is nothing but the power of created nature expressing it self, and setting the best face forward, in the gilded rottenness of some moral performances, wherein a man saith, he doth what he can; for there is this principle in most men, a desire to be saved, nature saith so, and according to the inten…ion of this desire, so accordingly will men do more or less; and hereupon sooth up themselves, when they see they cannot do as others do, or as the Lord commands; I do as well as I can. Nay, when condemned by the Word which meets them, I do as well as I can, I beleeve, I repent, I pray, I remember the Word, I do as well as I can, and so they hope God accepts of that; and though I beleeve no man but may be hired to do more than he doth, yet nature may do much; hence I heard an Arminian once say, If faith will not will not work it, then set reason a work, and we know how men have been Kings and Lords over their own passions by improving reason, and from some experience of the power of nature, men have come to write large Volumes in defence of it; and its known the Arminians though they ascribe somewhat to grace, and in words all to grace, yet indeed they lay the main stress of the work upon a mans own will, and the royalty and soveraignty of the liberty of that: But to leave them and come to our selves, Is it not a common thing for men to …ake lies their refuge, and to say, I was in a woful condition once, and never looked after God, but now I blesse the Lord 'tis otherwise with me. How? Now I beleeve, repent, &c. And so I confess all I do is full of weaknesses, yet I do what I can; and thus they are like to men that have old garments new dressed, they have made them as good as they can; and like the young man, Luke 18. 21. All these things have I d…ne from my youth, yet one thing was wanting, which was to forsake all, and so himself, that the Disciples said, Who then can be saved: With man 'tis impossible, but with God all things are possible.

You say you do as much as you can; I say do so, but 'tis impossible with man, from any strength of man, and you have no more yet, Iohn 1. 13. Born again, not of the will of man, but of God. There is in some men a birth, like to the new birth, which is of the will and power of man, but oh this is not this inward principle which the Almighty power of God creates; and therefore know it, if you get no other oyle in your Lamps, you shall never meet the Bridegroom.

2. When a mans principle is the power of holy example, whereby many a one is drawn to do more than otherwise he would. Many men think for a while as that man spake; Men talk of being worth thousands, I would fain see the men. Ministers preach and others speak well, we must do this & that, but I would fain see the men that do it. Now it sometime falls out that the Lord sets before mens eyes some pattern-Christians, hereupon they think thus; here are two contrary ways, they cannot both lead to heaven, their way is better than mine, and doubtless leads to life, mine doth not, and therefore let me live like the…. And hence there shall not be any Fast, but they will be at it; not a Sermon near, but they will go wet and dry to p. 183hear it; nor any duty in Family, but they will imitate it, and hence read and learn, that they may be like them. No Christians in the Country hated, but they will love them, nor Ceremonies cast off, but they will abhor them; and hence they reflect upon their patterns, and think their estate safe, because they are as good as a Christians outside: And hence like some dead C…ttel, there is nothing good but their skin; so there is nothing good in these, but their imitating outside. Thus it was with Ioash while Iehoiada lived, 2 Chron. 24. Hence he fell like Ivy with the Oak, when God cut him down: Thus it was with these five foollish Virgins, a man may follow good examples, but not rest in bare imitation of them: And hence a blessed man is described, Psal. 1. Negatively, from no… imitating the wicked, not from imitating the good; because good men may be in many things ill examples, and it ever proves so in these men that have no more then this Principle; hence if they be loose in their tongues, or on the Sabbath, their plea is, they are like unto them. And hence come all your acquired excellencie…; a man is an imitating creature, led by example, and a carnal man out of the heart of hypocrise in himself, will imitate the divine nature which is in another; and hence men not only take up such practises, but such opinious only, because such and such are of that mind: And hence men change practises and opinions as Examples do change; in Ioshua's time great Reformation, he no sooner dead, but all fell off again: then they were for purity of Ordinances and Gods Worship, now they serve Baalim: Oh consider, here is an outward, but no inward principle!

3. Those whose principle is nothing but external applause and praise of men, and this will carry a man beyond all the best Examples: Nay, sometime to be singular, and a man alone; a Pharisees Trumpet shall be heard to the Townesend, while simplicity walks thorow the Town unseen: Hence a man will sometimes covertly commend himself, and my self ever comes in, and tells you a long Storie of Conversion, and an hundred to one, if some lie or other flip not out with it. Why, the secret meaning is, I pray admire me, hence complain of wants and weaknesses; pray think what a broken-hearted Christian I am; and hence if comforted they complain, if not, they will comfort themselves; hence many lift up eyes and hands, and fetch deep sighs in prayer, remember and note Sermons, look now what a gift I have: Hence if you come to their companie, they will have so many good words as may make you think well of them, and then the Market is almost done with them: Hence men forsake their friends, and trample underfoot the scorns of the world, they have credit elsewhere: To maintain their interest in the love of godly men they will suffer much: Hence men in the Ministry pray for grace to beautifie and perfect their parts, that so they may preach and convert and have credit: Hence men meditate new Light, and profess deep things that few know, that men may worship the rising Sun: Hence the Lord is neglected secretly, yet honoured openly, because there is no winde in their chambers to blow their Sails, and therefore there they stand still: Hence many men keep their profession, when they lose their affection, they have by the one a n…me to live, and that is enough, though their hearts be dead: And hence so long as you love or commend them, so long they love you, but if not, they will forsake you; they were warm onelyonly by anothers fire; and hence having no principle of life within, soon grow dead: This is the water that turns a Pharisees Mill, and the Lord passeth a heavy doom, You have your reward. I have wondred that the opinion of men, nay, dream of mens thoughts should act men; onelyonly 'tis a curse of God, that when men despise his honour the greatest good, they shall be fed with the basest good.

4. Those whose Principle is nothing else but their own gain of outward blessings. Many there be that make not their honour, so much as their bellies their gods, and thy rule them, Phil. 3. 19. hence the Shop-keeper will give good words p. 184when he sells his commodity, he should lose much of his custome else; and hence the Minister preacheth contionably that his gaine may come in, 1. Thes. 2. 4,…. Hence people would be as good as the best, they cannot get a lot in all the Country else. Hence a man is somtime content to forsake all for Christ, that he may make a booty of Christ, as Iudas did. Hence when Christ feeds them with Loaves, then the people will make him a King, Iohn 6. though afterward they cry Crucifie him. So men deal with Christ as the Souldiers did, that caught him, that they might strip him of his garments. And hence many men if they see sorrows and wants attending them, if they attend on Christ, forsake him. Look upon our own Land, many so long as they could enjoy Christ with fair weather, cry out of Ceremonies, and prophaning of Sabbath: yet this not being to be had, creep to them, and read the Book for prophaning thereof. Many shadows have been seen since our Sun hath risen here, and this way they looked: but viewing other mens wants, and fearing their own losses, and conceiving they may meet with Massah in this Wilderness, refuse to follow. And least this should seem to be the cause, cry out we are Separatists, or strongly possess themselves against all relations, there is no living at all here.

Look but at home, how many Dove; (that prove but Ravens, and live on the prey) come hither to our windows, and have followed Christ to this Worlds end; when he fed them with loaves, they made him their King: but now he hath taken away what once they desired; because there is better Bread to be laboured for; now they forsake him, and live on the spoyl. This is no inward Principle. And hence when mens Expences for Christ, exceed their Receipts from Christ, they cease spending, and fall in the high way to begging at the door of the World.

5. Those whose Principle is nothing else but the strength of natural Conscience, which will set men a doing, when they have neither praise from men, nor gain from Christ for their labour. For the Lord deals with some men, …as the Romans did with some of their Prisoners; they would chain a Prisoner and his keeper together, and let them go up and down: so God chains many a poor Prisoner of hell and his conscience together, and lets them go together. And hence many a man keeps pace with his conscience, and cannot give it the slip for all the world heaped up with gold, as Balaam said.

Now there are two things in a natural conscience, Rom. 2. 15.

1. To accuse, Hence a man dares not omit prayer, dares not commit a sin he hath a mind to; conscience would then roar. Hence many keep constantly set duties in private, and tremble at small sins: not because they take any delight in the one, or are weary of the other; but because they are ever under the eye of this Judge.

2. To Excuse, and to give much sweetness when a man follows the dictates thereof; hence a man though carnal, will die for his Religion, and that with some chearfulness, because conscience chears within, and sings him asleep in trouble. And hence a man will cry out of all the glorious hypocri…ies of men, because to walk according to Conscience is sweeter to him. And hence a man comforts himself, tis my Conscience, Mark 12. 33. To love God is better than burnt Offerings. Hence a man will profit exceedingly in what he holds, Gal. 1. 14. because zealous for it for Conscience: and yet this is but a Principle of Nature, not an inward Principle of life, whose property is to seek the subversion of corrupt Nature, as natural Conscience seeks the garnishings of it and the actions thereof.

6. Those whose Principle is the fear of death, and hell; raised not so much by the power of Conscience, as by the power of the Word. And hence come complaints about a mans Estate; that a man can have no rest by all duties that he hath done, or doth. Hence following of the means, running to the best Ministry, mourning, and lamenting, and confessing sin, Mat. 3. 7. Oh generation of vipers p. 185&c. And hence prizing of favour and Comfort, Psal. 78. 34, 35. Hence many do take this for their Conversion, and say, I heard such a Minister at such a time, and then I cryed out I was damned, and thought I saw the Devil, yea, and to Hell you may for all this, if no other Principle. Indeed, there is this fear in the elect, but drives them to the Ark, as Noah: But those, when their fear is over, they fall to fight against the Lord.

7. Those whose Principle is nothing else but the immediate actings of the Spirit of God upon them. For sometime the Spirit of God comes upon men, as Light shines on the mud wall, yet dwels not there as in the Sun. And hence many speak, pray, prophecy admirably, as Balaam, Numb. 24. 3, 4. Many men like Carriers bring others goods, that are not possessors of them. Now these are 1. External enlargements, and hence a man do…h many things which he hath no inward power to perform, the Spirit is there assisting; hence he cannot do so at another time, but 'tis the Spirit only assisting. And hence a man may have abundance of knowledge, and he not affected with it; he may live, and pray with applause of men; others wish they were like him, yet live without love, & speak without feeling, and do without life, hence men leave themselves here. 2. Internal pangs, the Spirit of God begets some inward grief, especially when outward evils press, then inward flashes and desires, but they are soon done. There is no Spring, no Principle within. What the difference is between Saints uneveness, and this unconstancy, you shall hear hereafter: yet these are wrestlings of Spirit not yet conquering, and hence it possesseth not the Soul.

8. When men; Principle is nothing else but common gifts, which are inward, and abiding long in the Soul. That a man now thinks he hath Grace, and sure signes of the Lords love, and here is fastned: when there be two things wherein it appears here is no inward Principle. 1. These gifts ever puff up, and make a man something in his own eyes, as the Corinthian knowledge did. And many a private man thinks himself fit to be a Minister, many a Minister better than all the Parish besides; when Paul was the least of all the Saints. And hence commonly they degenerate to pride & form. 2. These keep men strangers to Christ, & the life of Faith; they have these affections, yet ignorant of Christ, take these as signes of his love, & live without him. And this is indeed the inner Principle which all the wicked in the world want; there is in true Grace an infinite circle: a man by thirsting receives, & receiving thirsts for more. But hence the Spirit is not poured out abundantly on Churches, because men shut it out by shutting in, and contenting themselves with their common graces and gifts, Mat. 7. 29. Examine if it be thus. If so,

1. You cannot come to the Lord, John, 5. 44. how can ye beleeve?

2. Nor to receive any thing from the Lord if you do, Jam. 4. 3. When you ask to spend it on your lusts, when that carries you.

3. This puls down the Kingdome of the Lord Jesus, when other things rule us, and not himself alone.

4. Satan will have this against you, as against Iob, You serve not the Lord for nought. To what purpose are your new Moons, Church-reformations, if it be thus? Now, because it hath been replyed to what was formerly said, that Christ was the vessel, not our Souls. I shall therefore confirm the latter to be the truth, by these reasons.

1. Mystical places of Scripture are to be interpreted by plain. Now though Christ may be the Antitype of these Vessels of the Temple, yet he is not plainly said to be a Vessel; but Souls are called so, Rom. 9. 23. 2 Cor. 4. 7. Acts 9. 15. Paul is a chosen Vessel. 1 Thes. 4. 4. we are to possess our Vessels in holiness. 2 Tim. 2. 20. Vessels of honour.

2. The Spirit is not in Christ as in a Vessel, but as in a fountain; hence Ioh. 3. 34. Christs hath received the Spirit without measure.

3. The foolish Virgins had Vessels; because its sayd, they took their Lamps, but no Oyle with them. Their folly was not in not providing Vessels. Hence the foolish p. 186Virgins did not afterward beg their Vessels, but their Oyle.

4. The wisdome of the Wise did appear, in that they did provide Oyle for their Vessels. If therefore the Vessel be Christ, therein lyes the wisdom of the Wise, that they got the Spirit for to put into Christ, and the folly of the foolish, they got not the Spirit to put into him. Or the one go… Christ Jesus full of the Spirit; the other, Christ Jesus void of it. When whoever hath Christ, must have in him the fulness of the Spirit also.

5. The other interpretation crosseth the main scope of this part of the parable, which is to shew the difference between the Virgins; all professed Christ, went to meet the Bridegroom; but here was the difference, they never looked for to get the Spirit in them: and this is most suitable to men raised out of the dregs of Popery, where Works being abolished, Christ is owned, and therein do well, but he…ein f…il.

Thus you have heard the use of Tryall negatively. What this inward Principle is affirmatively, you have generally heard; and shall more particularly in the other two Doctrines. Only this I will add; it consists of two parts.

1. Our life in Christ by Faith.

2. Christ life in us by his Spirit. Faith empties the Soul, and looks upon it as dead, and see; its life laid up in Christ; and hence forsakes it self, and embraceth the Lord of Glory. Secondly, the Spirit comes and posses…eth a forsaken empty House, and there lives and dwels. Both these the Apos…le mentions, Gal. 2. 20. Eph. 3. 17. Ioh. 15. 4. As two married together, their Souls live not where they are, but in each other: The one cares not how to please her self, but her husband; and è contra. So that le…st any weak Soul should be discouraged, that thinks there is no Principle of Life, because such a blind, empty dead heart, wandring from God, &c. Nay, when the Lord quickens it, Oh its lost again! Nay, when quickned, oh then when it comes to, it is feeb…e! I tell you it must be so. This makes you lay up your life in him: this death is your life. And least any false heart should be here deceive…, that saith he hath Christ; If you have not the Spirit of Christ, you are none of his. The Saints have this sometime, their Temple is filled with Glory; and for their general course, they are Admirers of the Lord Jesus; and account his Life, to be Life, and all their life beside to be a continual death. There is not any Grace but they say, oh that I h…d it!

SECT. V.

TO every man, as ever you look to be with Christ Jesus another day,Use 5. Of Exhort. get this oyle in your Vessels. The Lord doth in this Parable set before your eyes the estate of the pu…est Virgi-Churches and Professors in the world, and it is his in…nite love to tell us before-hand, before the time be past; to tell us, that many of these shall be shut out from the presence of the Lord Jesus, whom themselves and others think shall not, and yet this love would be but little, unless the Lord had made known the cause or defect in not getting oyle to their Vessels. Oh consider therefore, here you are like to fail; you that have Lamps before the cry and Bridegroom comes, acknowledge Christs love, and be overcome by it to get oyle into your Vessels; when Rahab knew that the Lord would destroy all Iericho, now she …ays about her to preserve her life. What's the means? To tie the Scarlet thread at the window: Oh she would be sure to get and keep that there. You know the Lord Jesus will come and discover the unsound profession, and destroy the glory of the World, and Churches too: It may be you have had some fears, what if he should cut me off, and cast me out as possibly he may? and I may as well as eminent Professors. I tell you, none ever p. 187perished but because of this. How just had Rahabs judgment been, if she had refused to get her scarlet thread there, and yours if now you get not your Oyle in your Vessel? How many are there that have lived fairly and died quietly, and when they are dead and knock, the door is shut: That then wring their hands, Oh had I but known of this! I would have spent my care and strength, and tears, and thoughts how to have filled my Vessel, but I knew it not. This time will shortly came, and if you know it now, and do not set upon it, what a cut will this be? As therefore the Apostle exhorts, Heb. 4. 1. Having a promise of entring into rest, fear lest you fall short of it. I say so much more here, knowing how only you shall enter into Christs rest, fear least you fall short of this; I hope I shall not, I thank God my course is blameless, spotless, I have forsaken the sins of places, and pollutions of Ordinances; so these were Virgins also. Oh but my Lamp burns as bright as any mans I know: So did the foolish Virgins, oh but they all think well of me, so were these thought of, till the Lord said, I know you not. Oh but I look to Christ, to meet with him, and salvation from him; So did these, and yet were shut out from Christ. If the Lord should have said it was because they had not wealth enough, nor world enough, every man would not have been wanting here, but would have striven to have got enough of that, though it were not to be had; but there is enough in Christ to inrich you, who hath the Spirit without measure to do it: The Spirit may breath now.

Labour to feel and mourn under thy whole corrupt principles,Means 1. that have acted thee hitherto: For many men are sensible sometimes of some particular acts, and jarrings of their hearts and life with the rule; and then they seek forgiveness of, and grace against them, and then they hope all is well, then they do many things, and hear Iohn gladly, and in plainness and integrity of their hearts think that all is well. But still they fall short of a Principle of life, because they never felt a whole corrupt Principle, and how in every thing it crosseth God, not only in the corrupt, but most glorious actions. For all men living naturally turn from being open, to secret enemies; and from being secret, to be subtil enemies, and to undermine the Lord in all they do. Now many see it but not the evil of it, nor mourn under it. Hence the Lord never sends another Spirit, because they have not the Spirit of heaviness for want of it. But when a man sees that in every thing he is carried and acted by a principle of bitterness against the Lord, and lives without the Spirit of the Lord to act him; the Lord is not far from that soul when he feels this, and mourns before the Lord, because of this, and the want of that, 1 Kings 8. 38. So Christ said, Because I said I go away, sorrow hath filled your hearts, John 16. 6, 7. This is the very reason why Saints have the Comforter, his absence fills their hearts with sorrow; because when he is gone, oh the straitness, vileness of a corrupt heart! you say it may be. If this be not a right Principle, what is? Answ. To undermine all false works; oh therefore, feel this plague! If ever God works this grace, feel you must the want of it, and if you do mourn then you are under it: And oh mourn, 1. By considering the evil of it, you can mourn after a dead father, and shall you not over a dead heart. 2. To think there should be so much Spirit in Christ, and not a drop for me. Is he so angry with me? See therefore I pray you that you are led by ill principles, or false principles. I pray, but self-love sets me a work; I profess, but praise of men acts me; I observe duties in secret, but natural Conscience only carries me. No surer sign of ruine then for the Lord to hide these things from you; nor of love then when he shews this, and gives you not only sense of some one act, but a spirit of heaviness under this. This empties the Vessel, and so makes us Vessels of honour; do not therefore set thy self so much to do, as to see where thy evil principle is, in all thou doest.

Repair now to the fountain of life, for a principle of life from him,Means 2. and fetch it from him.

p. 188What is th…? and how shall I fetch it from him?Quest.

1. Tis not a mans own striving,Answ. a man may imitate nature, but cannot make nature: All the world cannot make one poor flie. And as 'tis artis celare artem, so when he hath done he may deceive himself and others, but nothing else. Born not of the will of m…n: A man is in great distress of Conscience for sin past, …ear of death for time to come, and now he comes just as far as a Devil; then prays Lord save me, and now comes as far as nature can carry him, and therefore is ea…ed, and now he hath Satans black seal upon him, and self-flattery hath carried him on. The fountain of life is not here.

2. 'Tis not the Law, it convinceth one, and he complains, it condemns another, and he cries out, it irritates another, and he falls to do what he can; but the Law cannot give life, Gal. 3. 21.

3. 'Tis not bare Ordinances, which are of themselves but husks and shels, and empty pipes; witness the cries of many a man Sabbath after Sabbath, no life, and that for a long time: Nay, he grows worse.

4. 'Tis not God simply considered, He is indeed the fountain of life, but sin hath sealed that fountain; hence many a one goes to him, and departs from him with frowns.

5. Where is life then? In Christ: I know he is Lord and Prince of Life. Yet consider, as God-man no life is in him for you, as to be communicated to you. Where then? 'Tis in the blood and death of the Lord of life: You are ready to undervalue this life. Oh consider, what it mus… cost the Son of God? and where it must lie, Hebr. 9. 14. If Buls and Goats blood washed the flesh, much more this blood, &c. Many a man feels a blind dead heart, and all duties dead: And hence useth many periwasions to himself, yet they continue so still, because he never looks to this blood. There is this excellency in Christs blood, not only to cleanse from guilt, and power of sin, but from dead works, and none else can. Now therefore repair hither for it; know what your lives will and must cost. Now how shall this be done?

Answ. 1. Prize this blood, and satisfie thy Soul with it, choose it, and rest in it, in the Lord himself as sufficient, Ioh. 6. 53. Except you eat and drink, &c. many account it a common thing; you receive it not then, but trample it under their feet, many esteem of it, but they feed not themselves with it, nor quiet their hearts with life there first: and hence it falls out thus.

2. Keep this Rule, content not thy self with that measure which thou hast from Christ, but be thankful for it, and falling short, call ever for more; but satiate thy self with that which is in Christ.

If thou canst not do this, and it is beyond thy strength, then consider Christ hath words of life, Iohn 6. Oh beg for that, and for those words! Hear what the Lord will say, Psal. 51. 8. You cannot see nor come to Christ: Then hear, and your souls shall live. Who knows what the Lord may do. 'Tis not possible for man to do it, but the Lord Jesus may and can.

Oh then you that have this Principle,Use 6. Let all your actions issue and spring from hence! As Paul exhorted Timothy, Stir up that gift that is in thee. Up Deborah, up. Awake Harp and Lute, saith David. Do not say, I can do nothing, and so the Lord must do all. Do not say, I have a dead heart, and can do nothing, but stir it up. It was the Lords complaint, Isa. 64. 7. None took hold of the Lord nor stirred up himself to that end. It may be some of you have some strength. Oh put it forth? I know all strength is from Christ, but there is a pe…manent strength in you. You are not dead to act, you wrong the Lord and his Grace if you think so. As 'tis a heavy sin to shut up and imprison natural truth, Rom. 1. 18. So much more the power of Grace. Others have lost it, oh recover it! And hence Paul praies for this earnestly, Eph. 3. 15. The Lord strengthen you with might in the p. 189inner man. And therefore put this forth to act, and be sure you act only from this Spirit of Grace.

How shall I do this?Quest.

1. Set the Lord Jesus in all his Glory before you.Answ. There is that excellency of the knowledge of Christs Person, that it makes us be and live like him, and according to the propinquity of our souls and eyes to Christ, so we are like him, As …tis with the Sun, when it is gone from the earth, there are not so much as leaves on the Trees, yet when it returns, the Trees bring forth fruit. Or as 'tis in Heaven, 1 Iohn 3. 2. so in this life, when we see him in a Glasse, 1 Cor. 3. 18. That look as 'tis with an ambitious man, when he is in the presence of men he will manifest all his excellency, nothing shall be done to gain discredit. So if the Lord and his life be your excellency, when you see Christ, you will approve your selves to him. See him therefore beholding and accepting; and that Grace you would put forth, see it in him: 'tis strange to see what a stream of spirit comes somtimes this way.

2. Keep the remembrance of the exceeding greatnesse of his love fresh in your minds, in that he hath quickned you, Eph. 2. 4, 5. and that this life was by his death. All the Flowers of the field cast their savour but for a time, and then away with them; but Christs love and Christs death do usually alwaies breath a savour of life to a sincere heart that ever knew what the sting of death meant, 2 Cor. 5. 14, 15. Christs love constrains, because he dies that we should live. But how? Because we thus judged. God hath made man an Agent by counsel. Now some Christians go to the Lord to help them, but set not prayer of Faith awork, and hence have no water of life: Some do, but use not other means to set the understanding (the mind of Faith) on work, to quicken it up to act, and so would have life brought in, but not by the right door: An empty Vessel will not be full of this water till now, that the mouth of the understanding is open. Now many things are to be considered to act every Grace, as Gods Command and Promise, &c. But this is that which in the general quickens, oh Christs love which constrains the Soul to live to him! According as a man thus receives from Christ, so he re…urns to him. As 'tis observed, one sign that when a people visit not their Minister, they receive no good; so here: That is sign of a decaying Christian, for usually they that get good by Christ, cannot by their good will stay away from Christ. So then the soul will return in all fruitful obedience to the Lord, when he receives the sweet of the Love of the Lord. The Lord doth me good methinks, and hence he follows the Lord. Satan hence prevails with the heart, because of his external objects, and a party within; so here Christ prevails, because there is a party within, when external Objects are propounded. Let a man have life, if he have no food he will never live. If bread be before him, and he feed not on it, and that abundantly, he will never have strength, so this love of Christ in us, is life in us, and food for us.

3. Famish the contrary principle, the strength whereof is by sucking in the sweet, and receiving in carnal content from the creature, Rom. 13. 14. Put on the Lord Iesus, his Spirit, his Righteousnesse, his Life, his Graces, Make no provision for the Flesh. Many Christians look up to Christ in all means, but can do nothing, because they have some delight either in lawful or unlawful things, that lies between him and Christ. Hence that grows strong, the other feeble.

4. Die to all self-confidence in Grace received, or self-contentment with any measure of it; for thereby you stop the Spirit: For we of our selves cannot think a good thought. Therefore be strong in Christ, and hence Eph. 6. 10, 11, 12. A man is apt to fall to a double extream, to be strong in the Lord without putting on Graces; and to trust to them without being strong in him. Corn must die before it lives, so must you: and rest not content with the measure received, but look p. 190for more, and hence be thankful, and say, 'tis not I but Christ; yet look for more.

5. If no means come to give strength, consider sadly if you have not broken covenant with God, as in Samsons case, God was in covenant with him, but he had broken it on his part, hence his strength was gone. I know no place that breeds men of larger Covenants than this place, by Sea and Land, personall, and especially Church-Covenants. Now thy strength is gone. Dost not live in breach of Covenant? Not only it is broken, but you live in it. You covenant to cleave to the Lord, or if you depart, to return soon again, but you lie in your falls. Nay your Covenant and returning heals your horrour only, not your sin. You covenant to love Brethren dearly, but a little offence one gives; or hopes of a bigger Lot, will tempt thy heart to leave them to their own shifts. You covenant to submit to Officers in the Lord, but some take liberty to speak what they will, and others do what they list. To watch over your brethren to put life in them, but you grow a stranger, and it may be see them not once in a quarter, unlesse at Church: But can it be said they are any better for thee? Oh your sins are double, and hence your plagues of heart are worse now, more hard to be wrought upon, and hence sin and Satan lead you, Psal. 78. 57, 60, 61. Oh consider this sin, the strength of God is taken as Captain of the Camp, that when you cry, Lord help, there 'tis. But alas 'tis gone from you, and 'tis in Satans hand, not only your strength, but Gods strength, and the soul is taken captive. Oh therefore mourn for this, lest you mourn at last.