The Voice of the Rod, Synopsis (4 of 5)

The Voice of the Rod · Synopsis (4 of 5)

p. 175What do you think of your Faith? Is not a ſpeculative Credence, and a blind Hope, or a bottomleſs Perſwaſion, that which you call your Faith? Is it a Covenanting Faith? an obedient, and fruitful, a holy, and ſpiritualli…ing Faith? Take this for a Rule. A Juſtifying, …s alway a Sanctifying Faith, 1 Job. 3.3. I …an but hint at things here, and propoſe you …he general heads, which your own hearts, I …ope, will more largely comment on. In a word, Is your Faith ſuch as is required in, …nd by the Word of God, the Rule of Faith?

Again, For your Love, and the reſt of your Graces, that reſide in the Affections; who hath, …nd who hath had, the greateſt ſhare here; God, …r the World; Chriſt, or Self; your Duty, or …our preſent Eaſe and Safety? your Humility, …our Patience and Contentment; your Zeal, …nd Charity, and Brotherly kindneſs; Is there …othing lacking here? Theſe are the Garments …ou are ſhortly to meet the Bridegroom in; …re they ſuch as will become his Table, and his …pouſe? Are they not ragged, torn, and foul? …s there no waſhing-work, no mending-work p. 176here! Oh, Sirs! look up: your Lord is come to viſit you, and to reckon with his Family; his Harbingers are knocking at your doors; and is not the ſound of their Maſter's feet behind them? Shall he find you in this foul, and ragged Plight? oh! that I could ſecretly come to every one of your hearts, and awaken them with Martha's words to Mary, Joh. 11.28. The Maſter is come, and calleth for thee. And, if you will hear, now is the time; be ſure, you ſhall not be call'd upon much longer, in ſuch a way as this. Your Conſciences ſhall bear witneſs for me, that I have done what I can to awaken you. Oh, my Brethren! Shall God find us ſleeping in ſuch a day as this? Will he not deal with us, as that Captain did with his Souldier, whom he found aſleep on the Guard? Mortuum inveni, & mortuum reliqui. Dead I found thee, and dead I leave thee.

4. How have you improv'd your Duties? Your Duties are your Priviledges, and your work is part of your wages. Is it no honour to be Servant, nay, a Noble in the Court of the moſt high King? Is there no difference between the ſervice of God, which is perfect liberty, and the ſervice of Self, and Satan, which is the higheſt degree of Slavery? Now, what an eſteem have you had of your work? han'd you over-yalued that, which is of man in it … I mean, the bodily exerciſe, the Modes, and Circumſtances, the viſible excellencies, and accompliſhments of it; and undervalued that p. 177which is more immediately of God? Han't you rather doted on the expreſſions and external Garbes, than admir'd and ador'd the Spirit, by which you have prayed or heard? Han't you been ready to attribute ſomething to your own ſtrength, and to forget the hand that leads you! And what hath been the increaſe of your Duties, both Number and Weight? Wher's …hat you have prayed all this while for, and …eard and meditated for? Do you find that …uties grow more eaſie and facil, and your …earts more ready and prompt and thorowly …urniſht unto every good word and work? It …ay be you are grown more Wordie or Eloquent … Prayer or Conference, more capacious or …etentive in underſtanding or memorie; thus …he exerciſe of natural faculties may in…eaſe the habit of its natural ſtrength, though … be about ſpiritual Objects; and yet all the …hile it be but a carcaſe without a Soul. But …n you ſay that duties are improved in the …irit and life of them? Don't you remember a …me when you could hardly reach up your hand … turn the Key of Prayer, but were forc't to …and without and call at a diſtance, amidſt …eloud Rabble of turbulent prophane thoughts, …d cold and carnall affections? That in hear…g the cloud was ſo thick upon you, that you …uld ſcarce conclude whether it were Night or …ay with you? That in youl wordly buſineſſes …ad all other duties of your General or Parti…lar calling, you had much ado to keep your …ye on the Mark; much more to hit it? And p. 178how is it with you now? Can you ſay that you are ſtill getting nearer to God? That thoſe former Diſtances are daily aboliſhing through the abundant and abounding fulneſs of the Grace that is given you? Are you getting ground on God, (if I may ſo ſpeak) doth every ſtep bring you nearer and every Duty wind you higher? I mean not in fine words, or Miinical geſtures, or affected Singularities, but in the ſpirituality and fleſh-abaſing power of it? Oh, Sirs! Can you gather nothing from this Rod, that may mind you of ſomething that is amiſs in your Duties? Was there nothing amiſs in our Preaching, and in you Hearing, and in both our Praying and other Duties, that God hath cut us ſo ſhort of it now… The good Lord, if he hath any pleaſure in us fully and effectually diſcover theſe things to us?

5. Your Company is another Talent, that you muſt reckon for. O what mutual advantage might we have made of this Talent? The Merchants of the World account their Companies and Societies, their hours and places o… Commerce and Exchange, one of their great priviledges. Lawyers and Phyſitians, when they come together will be prying into one another ſecrets and experiences, and propoſing their doubts and caſes depending. Nay, the very Drunkards and Whore-mongers, Brothells an… Aſſaſſinates will improve one anothers Company for the carrying on of their deſired though ungodly deſignes, to promote the Intereſt p. 179of the Devill, to ruine their Eſtates and families, and to damn their own Souls. How frequent are ſuch Complaints at the Gallows? Had it not bin for ſuch or ſuch Company, I had never come to this miſerable End. Though we may not curſe, yet how little Cauſe are we like to have, when we come to die, to bleſſe one anothers Company, and God, for that good we have done or received that way? Are we not ordinarily as vain, as worldly, as uſeleſs in our Company, as others are. Oh! whence is it that thoſe that are inſpir'd by the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit, ſhould yet be thus Carnal? Are we the Lights of the World? Is the Candle of the Lord in us? Joyn two or more Candles together, and will not their Flames preſently embrace, and dart up in one to a more lofty Spire, and with the more tranſcendent Glory? Sure, tis our little Communion with God, that hath thus incarnated the Communion of Saints. Are we trading together for Heaven, ingag'd in the ſame duties, and in the ſame dangers? Are our main Conternments and Buſineſſes one and the ſame? Are we all bound for the ſame Harbour, and Children of one and the ſame Father? And have we nothing to do with and for one another about …t? Are there ſo many weak and feeble and …ark among us, that we may fear how they will hold home! And is there no need of a …elping hand? Oh how well would thy Father …ake it to ſee thy weaker Brother's burden on …hy ſhoulders, helping him along! This is p. 180the glorious commendation of Chriſt's care of us, Iſa. 40.11. He ſhall feed his flock like a ſhepheard, he ſhall gather the Lambs with his arm, and carry them in his Boſome, and ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with young. Oh that we could reſolve thus with our ſelves, when ever we happen (as we think we ſhould earneſtly covet) into the company of any of the Saints of God. Well! Now here is one opportunity more put into my hands of doing or receiving ſome good, the loſs of this opportunity may loſe me one jewel in my Crown: Am I travelling with him here on the Earth? Oh let me travail as many ſteps with him towards Heaven!

But, by the way, take with you this Caveat. Take heed of vain Oſtentation, or empty circumſtantial ſcruples and queſtions; let the matter of your diſcourſe, and the manner of it too, be ſuch as may adminiſter Grace. And meddle not ſo much with other mens ſins, as with your own duty. 'Tis to be fear'd, that we ſpend more time to exclaim on others ſinnes, than to bewail our own; to caſt dirt in others faces, than to wipe off, or to weep off that which is on our own. And may not this be one Cauſe, why God hath ſuffered the Penalty on our comming together, even becauſe he hath had no more glory, nor our Selves and Brethren advantage this way?

6. Your Priviledges are Talents you muſt ſhortly anſwer for. And theſe are either,

p. 181Temporall, or

Spiritual.

The Temporal I might divide into Ordinary, or extraordinary. Of the Ordinary, I ſhall inſtance but in theſe three, and that b iefly.

Our Health.

Our Peace.

Our Plenty.

1. Our Health. How miſerably have we abuſed our Health, both in its ſelf, and in its End? In its ſelf; how often have we indangered and impaired it, through its hard bondage to the World or the Fleſh. The Body indeed is your houſe to work in; but take need of eating down your own walls. May not thy diſeaſed, ſpoiled health, thy akeing …mbs, and broken bones cry out on thy covetous …eart, thy immoderate toyle, thy greedy mind, …hy fool-hardy and audacious tempting of God, … thy intemperate life? Nay, in the recovering …f decayed health; how hath God been thruſt …ſide, as it were, and naturall, it may be, di…bolical means onelyonly, or eſpecially ſought un…o? And as for your ends, hath it not been more to pleaſe and eaſe or ſerve the fleſh, than …o diſcharge your duties towards God? Hath …ot your Health been made your ſlave and …rudge for the World, and to hold the Candle …o the uncleaneſt of your Luſts? Who hath had …e honour and ſervice of your Health: Let Conſcience ſpeak the truth now; how ſeldome …ath God heard from you more than in your …old and cuſtomary way, till he hath been even p. 180duplicate page p. 181duplicate page p. 182forc't to take up his Rod, and make ſome breach upon your Health? And do we wonder then that he hath let fly the arrows of Death, of Warr and Peſtilence at us!

2. Our Peace. How ſadly may we look back and lament the Peace we have loſt? When we had peace with men, we regarded not our peace with God, nor with one another. What Quarrels were we picking? What Diviſions were we running amongſt our ſelves? When there were none to fall out with us, we began to fall out with one another, and to ſmite our fellow-ſervants; and therefore is God juſtly fallen out with us. We have ſtript our own Peace to feather our Neſts, and now, Behold, we cannot ſit warm in them.

3. Our Plenty. How fat and wanton are we grown, puft up with the conceit of our own ſtrength: God hath filled our Barns and laden the Earth with his Mercies, and with the Fool we have been ready to ſay, Soul take thine eaſe. Mercies are never more fouly abuſed, than when moſt freely beſtowed. What hath God had of all our increaſe? When thou ſhalt have eaten and be full, then beware leſ… thou forget the Lord, Deut. 6.11, 12. God hath found, that groſſe feeding doth produce ill humours, and groſſe miſcarriages. As they were increaſed, ſo they ſinned against me. Hoſ. 4.7. And therefore he is fain to keep us low.

I might alſo mind you of your Priviledges and deliverances extraordinary. Hath God p. 183never reſcued you from the very brink of the grave, and reacht you his hand when you were juſt ſinking? Hath he never over-anſwered your Prayers, and gone beyond your Faith and Hopes? Have you never ſeen him ſtepping out of his common way, and as it were breaking the bedge of Nature and Reaſon to haſte to your help; that you have been forc't to ſay, This is the Lords doing, it is marvellous in our eyes. Pſal. 118, 23. And do you think this will be forgotten in the day account? What wonders of Providence did God work for Iſrael, from Egypt till they came into the Land of Promiſe? But, Our Fathers underſtood not thy wonders in Egypt, they remembred not the multitude of thy mercies, but provoked him at the Sea, even the Red-Rea. They ſoon forgot his works, they waited not for his counſells. Pſal. 106.7, 13. Therefore he lifted up his hand againſt them, and overthrew them in the wilderneſs. ver. 26. The abuſe of extraordinary Providences, whether of Mercy or Judgment, on our ſelves or others for our warning, is commonly attended with extraordinary vengeance.

2. Your ſpiritual Priviledges, and theſe are either External, or Internal. External, as

1. Our Miniſtry is one of your Talents, which you as well as we muſt ſhortly give an account for. This ſeems to be one ſpecial voice of the Rod, and that which it chiefly aims at. This is one of the main Bones that God hath broken, the principal vein that he hath ſtruck p. 184us in, and therefore our ſearch and attention here ſhould be the more ſerious and ſolemne. Remember now with what careleſs, cuſtomary Indifferency you have bin wont to hear; with what drowſy, dead, ſecure affections; with what unbelief, irreverence, hypocrifie; with what a divided, worldly, and wandring ſpirit; with what inconſiderate, blind zeal? Chriſtianl reaſon thus with thy ſelf; what an excellent favour is this, that I have thus long enjoyed. What way could the poor blind world have grop't out to get to Heaven by; what ſhift could we have made? Muſt not I and all the world with me, of neceſsity, have periſhed to all eternity, had it not bin for Chriſt, and the bleſſed manifeſtation of his Goſpel, the bringing in of a better Hope? for Faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10.17, And if our Goſpel be hid, it is hid to them that be loſt. 2 Cor. 4, 3. And now what have I done? How can I anſwer for what I have received of this Talent? Thus long have I lived under ſuch a mans Miniſtry, and thus long under anothers; Beſides all thoſe occaſional advantages, which have been very frequent and precious. With what preparation? With what care? With what humility and ſelf-denyal? With what reſolution and purpoſe of heart have I ſought God and the everlaſting happineſs of my own Soul in the injoyment of ſuch Mercies? To what purpoſe hath been all my hearing and praying hitherto? Ah! What work have you here to deal plainly with your ſelves in? How might your thoughts p. 185run into particulars, and every ſtone you turn …fford you matter of Lamentation! I beſeech you, Brethren, for the Lord Jeſus ſake, let not …our ears be both the Cradles and the Graves …f theſe propoſed Confiderations: oh, let me …oe open to your eyes only, and the curioſity of your ears and cenſures; and pack all up again, without any hopes of trading with your hearts! This is none of mine, but Gods errand, I am …ent in; the fruit of his tender care, and com…aſſion of your ſouls. Oh, let it not return …mpty from whence it came! let me not carry … back in witneſs of your ungrateful refuſal! God will ſhortly come to reckon with you himſelf, he hath ſent me but a little before, as the …oice of one crying in the Wilderneſs, to warn …ou to prepare his Way, and to make his …iths ſtrait. And, remember! Let Conſci…nce ſet it down, that this day you have been warned.

2. The Sacraments are another, and no …mall part of your Talent. How ſhall we take …he weight, and worth of this Priviledge? All …he World, and a thouſand more ſuch, will never move the Scales againſt it. Oh, the height, …nd depth, and length, and breadth, of the love of God, in Chriſt Jeſus! How might we begin …freſh to reckon with our hearts here? Have you been ſome of Gods invited Gueſts, that …ave eaten, and drunk at his Table, and fed upon …is Body and Blood? Conſider then,

1. What you have done. Have you fed on …ariſt, like children, at his Breaſts? or prey'd p. 186like Vultures, on his Fleſh and Blood? The evidence is clear concerning the Fact; you can't deny, but that you have eaten at his Table; you have had your ſhare, and you muſt expect your Reck'ning. 'Tis no ordinary fare you have fed upon, and you may expect that the account will be ſome way anſwerable. Salvation or Damnation will be the ſumm total of your Bill of Fare. Sacraments are chargeable Diſhes; It coſt the Great Maſter of theſe Sacred Feaſts dear, his deareſt, and only Son, and the Feaſt-holder himſelf his deareſt Blood; And do you think to ſit at theſe Tables, at the ſame rate, as at the Ordinary of the World? What! think you to plead your Foederal, and Evangelical Right, by the ſeal of the firſt Sacrament, that gave you viſible Title to the ſecond? Ah, but what if this ſhould but aggravate the buſineſs? Need I tell you, that the firſt admiſſion was upon terms; and what theſe terms were? Were you admitted into the Family of God, and not bound to the Laws and Diſcipline of the Family? Know, my brethren that there was a mutual ſtipulation in your firſt Baptiſmal Adoption. Surely, 'tis no ſmall affront, for a Dog to lap of the Maſter's choiſe… diſh, and at the Table of his moſt ſolemn Feaſt though they belong, as Dogs, to the Family, an… go in and out at the ſame door with the children Oh, Sirs! there are high things, that we a… ſtand chargeable with, on this account, and ho… little do we conſider it?

2. How have you carried your ſelves in th… p. 187uſe of Sacraments! Oh! Where are your moſt ſerious thoughts? Methinks the Rod ſpeaks louder, and plainer here, than ordinary; For this cauſe, many are weak and ſickly, among you, and many sleep, 1 Cor. 11, 30. And the cauſe you may ſee, from ver. 17. to 22. 'Twas their abuſing, and prophaning of Sacraments. I ſhall but propoſe things in general here, and leave them to be more fully diſcuſſed between God and your own hearts. Conſider then,

1. What an influence hath your Baptiſmal Vow had upon you? how little have you ſtudied the Terms and Conditions of thoſe your firſt Indentures between God and you? and how ſeldom hath it been in your thoughts? Han't it paſt by you, as a Ceremony, rather than a Buſineſs of any great import?

2. With what ſolemn Preparation have you waited on God, in the enjoyment of the other Sacrament? Han't you ſpent more time and care about your Bodies, than about your Souls? or in the external part of Preparation, than in the life, and power, and ſpirit of it? With what ſelf-abhorrencie, with what brokenneſs of …eart, with what hungring affections, with what faith, and earneſt hope, with what dear …ove, and ſpiritual joy, and holy watchful care, have you ficeed, and filled your ſelves, for ſo near, and intimate Communion with God?

3. What good have you gotten by Sacraments? Have you been like Gyants refreſhed …ith wine? How have your Graces flouriſhed p. 188under ſuch heavenly dews? Have your reſolutions been ſtrengthned, and your diligence doubled? hath the Devil loſt ground in you? oh, what have you to ſhew that you have gotten by Sacraments? Are you not as empty, as vain, as worldly, as impatient, as ſelfiſh after, as you were before? Are theſe things like to make for the comfort of your account, at laſt? Which way can we look, but we may find guilt and ſhame meeting us? is not every leaf in your Conſciences fill'd with accuſations againſt your ſelves? oh! with what aſtoniſhing ſhame will it amaze ſecure ſinners, when, all that Conſcience has to ſay, ſhall be publiſht in open Court, before God and Angels, and all the world! Now is the time to prevent all this; yet you have a repenting hour, a returning ſeaſon; oh! don't ſit it out, and talk, o… reſolve it away, till you come to Eſau's paſs, and then a whole world will never redeem you one ſuch offer more.

3. Good Books are another part of your Priviledge. Theſe are ſome of the golden ſtreams, that have refreſht, and made glad the City o… God. How wonderfully hath the Church flouriſh't under theſe Dews? the Pulpit and the Preſs have been the two Breaſts of the Spouſe or, as the Hands of Sampſon, on the Pillars o… the Kingdom of Satan. 'Tis true, theſe Breaſt have been, and alwaies are, moleſted with i… humours, and give Blood, nay, ſometimes, Poy ſon, inſtead of Milk. But, we have that Glaſ… in our hands, that will diſcover where the Poy p. 189ſon lies. To the Law, and to the Teſtimony; …f they ſpeak not according to this Word, it is becauſe there is no light in them, Iſa. 8.20. …ay, and we have the ſpirit of Promiſe, and of Truth; whoſe Office is, to guide us into all …uth, Joh. 16.13. This, like the Unicorn's …orn, tries the Pool, and Antidotes it before we …rink. 'Tis confeſt, that the moſt eminent Wri…ngs, of the choiſeſt Inſtruments of the Church …f God, have their foreign, their Naevi, their …pots and Blemiſhes: This argues, that they …re but men, though divinely, yet not infallibly …ſpir'd. The Fountain indeed is moſt pure, …et the Streams are uſeful too, though liable to …ccidental, and humane Tinctures and Imper…ctions. A Fountain without its Streams, …ould be ſerviceable but to few; abſtract the …un from its diffuſed Beams, and where is its …ory or ſervice? But when every one may have, … it were, a Brook, running through their …itchins, what a help, and advantage is it, in …ldomeſtick employments? Surely, never was here an Age in the world, that abounded with …ch, and ſo many helps of all ſorts, as ours …ave done. Now, conſider, what an Account, … Improvement, have you made of this Talent? …s for the choice of your Books, and Studies, I …ean, not only Scholars and Students, but others; …an't you been led by the corrupt Genius of a …anton Fancy, to Plays, Romances, Stories, Toys, …nd unprofitable Queſtions, foreign, Prophane, and old wives Fables! or an …oneous underſtanding, and ſchiſmatical, and p. 190partial affection, led you unto the Tents o… Meſech, the ſons of contention, to ſtrengthe… your ſelves, to kindle, or quicken coals among Brethren? Have you exercis'd your ſelves, rather unto Godlineſs; as the Apoſtle exhort… 1 Tim. 4.7. and made your choice of ſuch Books, and means, as may beſt promote tha… noble, and bleſſed End? And have you in… prov'd ſuch your choice, with your utmoſt ca… in reading, underſtanding, and obeying them It cannot but grieve my heart, to think of th… miſerable ſlighting, and horrible abuſe, of th… part of our Talent; to ſee poor ſouls groping and rambling up and down in the Dark, whi… every corner ſtands ſo full of theſe precio… Lights. When I find, of what large capaciti… firm intellectuals, retentive memories, working affections, and excellent naturals, ſome me are of, and yet in all theſe degraded, throu… the madneſs of their hearts, that they little d… fer, as to their aims, objects, and leadi… principles, from the beaſt that periſheth. Son will pretend, they have no mony to beſtow … ſuch commodities; who yet can find, it m… be, twice as much, to ſpend at one ſitting, wi… their fellow Drunkards, or Dealers; or in ſon Toy, to pleaſe a cocker'd child; or to cloa… the back of Pride; or to ſacrifice to any their Luſts. If the Devil, by the Commiſſ… of the unclean ſpirit, lay a Tribute, as I m… ſay, on thee; he ſeldom goes without it. If … ſelf-love, thy vain-glory, or revenge, levi… ſubſidie upon thee; it preſently ſtands for a S… p. 191…cute-Law with thee, and thou dareſt not refuſe, or delay thy obedience, though thou pinch thy ſelf, weary thy friends, and undo thy family for it; But though thy Soul lie gaſping, bleeding, and dying within thee, and the mouth of Hell ſtand open for thee, and thy Friends, that wiſh thee and thy Soul well for ever, lie hard at thee; yet here thou pleadeſt a Corban, and haſt nothing to ſpare, becauſe thou haſt no heart to ſpare. Others there are, that count it ſufficient, …f they beſtow their mony in theſe things, …hough they have little time to ſpare in reading, …eſs in conſidering them; as though they meant …o ſet up theſe for their Penates, their Paper…dols, or Houſhold-Gods; or elſe let them lie, … waſte papers, of little uſe, more than for children to play with, or to paſs away a tedious our on a Sabbath day.

Others, again, for the pleaſantneſs of the …yle, or ſome by-reſpects to the Perſon, or …ubject, will ſeem to proſelyte themſelves, to …ch, or ſuch a ones devotion. Others, more …r Novelty, than for their Underſtanding, or …onſcience-ſake; tumble over one page after …other, and when all is done, can ſay, they …ve read it, but are as wiſe as the Moths; thoſe …elluones Librorum, that feed upon them. Oh, …ow few are there, that, like Bees, extract the …eetneſs, and ſervice of thoſe Flowers? Where …e the Combs you have faſhion'd, and the …ore, you have treaſur'd for a ſpending time? …here are the Convictions, the Reſolutions, … Affections, they have wrought on your p. 192hearts and lives? What pains, and watching… and care, and coſt, and hazzards, have thoſe eminent ſervants of God been at; and all, a… the abuſed iſſue hath proved, but to feed you… fancies, and to expoſe themſelves to your cenſures, and Critical caſtigations? Queſtionleſs there is no ſmall guilt, in the Records of Heaven, againſt us, on this account. It is not fo… nothing, that God hath ſet Watchers over us, an… a Flaming Sword, to keep the way of this Tre… of Life.

2. Your Internal Priviledges; the ſtirrings and operations of the Spirit in you, this wil… come into account too, at laſt.

1. Your Convictions. How often hath th… Spirit of God wreſtled with you, till you ha… been forced to yield? how often hath Go… brought you to your knees, and made you confeſs before him? and what woful ſhifts have you made, to quench the Spirit again? Han't you been like water forced againſt the ſtream, tha… hath broken down, and ſwollen over all th… Baies, and Damms, that have ſtood before it Don't you find, that Convictions are hard… to be wrought now, than once they were? th… ordinary things do leſs affect you, than the… were wont to do? or are more ineffectua… and fruitleſs, than they were wont to be And is there no matter of ſorrow, and lamentation, in all this?

2. Your Refolutions. H…n't theſe been lik… the Spider's Webb, ſpun out of your own Bowels? and have been broken, by every finger p. 193of temptation? Han't God been often diſho…oured, and your ſelves deceived, by your …ight; raſh, and half reſolutions? Are you not …ham'd, to think, to how little purpoſe you …ave been ſo long a purpoſing? When are you …ke to be ſettled, in that, you have been once, …nd again, reſolving on?

3. Your Vowes. Are not the Vowes of the …ord upon you? Han't you been often plighting …our troth with him? May not God ſue you, …or your Faith, Love, and Obedience, upon that …pecialty you have given him, under your own …ands and ſeals? Now, conſider, how faithful …ave you been, in performing your Oaths unto God? Have you walked, as thoſe that are in …ecial Covenant with him? What a tie hath …is been upon you, againſt all aſſaults? what ſtay hath it been, when your feet have been …ding? oh, my Brethren! Han't God much … lay to our charge, concerning our Vowes and …ovenants? Look back on your dayes of cala…itie, on your ſick-beds, when you were in the …tterneſs and anguiſh of your ſouls; on your …nvictions, and deſertions, when the ſenſe of …vine wrath, and intolerable guilt lay upon …u; was there nothing paſt between God and …u then, that's worth your remembrance, and …lls for tears afreſh now? Surely, now that …od is viſiting for theſe things, 'tis time for us … conſider.

4. Your Comforts. Thoſe reviving Cordials, …at have ſo often fetch… life into your dying …pes; with what thankfulneſs have you entertain'd p. 194them? with what faithfulneſs have yo… reſerv'd, and ſtor'd them up, for ſtanding experiences, to ſupport you in future dangers, fears, or miſeries? Chriſtian, what is it tha… comforts thee moſt? Is it the hope of a temporal deliverance, of better times, and greaten freedom and peace? Why! theſe are the thing that natural, and carnal men, are wont to comfort themſelves with. In the Lord put I m… trust, ſayes David, how ſay ye then, to m… ſoul, flee as a bird to your mountain? Pſa… 11.1. Remember the word unto thy ſervant upon which thou hast cauſed me to hope. Th… is my comfort in my affliction; for thy word hat… quickned me, Pſal. 119.49, 50. Here a… three things, which contribute to David comfort in his affliction. 1. The Promiſe … the Word, the ground of his hope. 2. His relation, as ſervant, unto God, the ground of h… proprietie, or right to the Promiſe. 3. Th… Influence of the Word, through the quickni… co-operation of the Spirit. 'Tis not enough that there is a word of Promiſe made to us, unleſs the condition of the Promiſe be wrough in us, and the Spirit quicken us, to apply th… Promiſe too. Comforts drawn from a Promiſ… without the Condition of the Promiſe, are b… ſtollen Comforts; and a Promiſe, without the Spirit, to quicken and apply it, is but li… a Hony-comb in the mouth of a dead man, th… hath not ſtrength to draw it.

1. Conſider, of what nature are your comforts? Are they earthly, or ſpiritual Comforts p. 195Where is it you are wont to retire, and to take …ctuarie in your fears and dangers? Are you … ready to anſwer with David? In the Lord … I my truſt. But, what's that thou findeſt in …d, that comforts thee? You will ſay, His …ributes, and Promiſe: you know that he …ble, and ready to help, and hath promiſed …o do, in a time of trouble. Yet this is not to … Queſtion. This ſhews the ground of your …forts, but not the nature of them. You … gueſs at the nature of your comforts, by … inward fears and troubles; of what kind theſe? Are they the concernments of God … Chriſt, and your own ſouls, or your ex…al, and private intereſt, that you are ſo ten… of? Don't the hopes of your deliverance … the Rod, affect, and rejoyce you more, than … hopes you have of being better'd by the …? Alas, Chriſtian I God will have thee yet … ſpiritual, he intends to wean thee from ſelf, and to make the concerns of his Glory, thy own Soul, yet more precious with thee. …true, there's comfort in every good; and … Creature of God is to be refuſed, 1 Tim. … ſo neither the comfort that iſſues from it, look, of what nature the Good is, of the … nature, in its ſelf, is the comfort that …gets. It is thy higheſt Good, that af… thy higheſt comfort. So that hence you judge of your choice, and conſequently, of preſent Eſtate, and future Portion, accor… to ſuch Eſtate.

Conſider, of what ground and ſufficiencie p. 196are thy comforts? what weight do the… make againſt all thy diſcomforts? Are they ſu… as proceed from a true, and lively Faith, a… the Spirit, the Comforter? or, are they bred … the knees of thy carnal Reaſon, and bli… Hopes? The ſtrength of thy Comfort will … much according to the ſtrength of thy Fai… Rom. 15.13. 1 Pet. 1.8. and the fulneſs … thy Joyes, according to the fulneſs, and near… of thy Communion with God, 1 Joh. 1.3. Thy Common Reaſon, and carnal Experien… may ſerve thee, as Rebeccah ſerved Iſaac. … may dreſs thee a ſavoury Diſh, ſuch as t… likeſt, and tell thee, that the Lord … God hath brought it to thee. Baſtard Co… forts may ſeem very beautiful, and stollen … ters, ſweet; but theſe are waſting Comfo… Ciſterns that will not hold long; theſe W… will quickly run on the Lees; when God … gins to walk with thee, above thy reach, … to lead thee through the dark, and narrow w… of his Providence, theſe Comforts will … Shades too, and tend to thy diſquietm… Therefore, my brethren, examine your C… forts; ſee whoſe Image and ſuperſcription … bear; and be ſure, that among all o… things you have to comfort your ſelves w… you be not without that one, which will … fort you in Death, and ſweeten the bittereſt … for you.

3. Conſider, What uſe have you mad… your Comforts? How have you ſet Faith … Hope on work, in your ſtraits and difficult … p. 197…th God given you this Talent, to lie idle by …? Thoſe Jewels that are of greateſt worth, … of greateſt uſe; The more there is of Pri…edge in it, the more of Duty. Bleſſed be …, even the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, … Father of mercies, and the God of all com…t; who comforteth us in all our tribula…, that we may be able to comfort them …ch are in any trouble, by the comfort where…h we our ſelves are comforted of God, 2 Cor. …3, 4. Here are four things obſervable in … comforts. 1. The ground, or original of …; and that was God, the Father of mer…, and the God of all comfort. 2. Their way … Conveyance: 'twas, through Jeſus Chriſt, … therefore he adds, the Father of our Lord …us Chriſt. 3. Their Sufficiencie; it was univerſal cordial; comfort in all tribulation. The end, or uſe of it, which was two-fold; …ate, and Publick. 1. Private. It begat him a thankful frame of heart; Bleſsed be …, who comforteth us. 2. Publick. viz. … communication of the ſame comfort to …s; That we might be able to comfort them …th are in any trouble. Now ſit down, and ſider, what's the reaſon your comforts are …ow, and ſpiritleſs? how comes it to paſs, … are ever and anon, fainting under the …, and ready to give up your hopes for loſt? … art thou caſt down, O my ſoul, and why thou diſquieted within me? Are the trou… of this world too hard for the hopes of the … to come? and lie heavier on you, than p. 198Chriſt can bear in you? Was it Paul's expe… ence only, who could ſay, 2 Cor. 1.5. As … ſufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our conflation alſo aboundeth by Chriſt. Chriſtia… thy faint, and heavy carriage, and ſad … quietments, do reflect on thy Profeſſion, … on the glorious Attributes of God. T… are your Priviledges, Temporal, and Sp… tual, which is the ſixth Talent we have … in queſtion.

7. Your Afflictions, are another of your … truſted Talents. God is now reckoning … you, by his Rod; the time is coming, that … will reckon with you for his Rod. Would not be ſad, if your preſent miſeries ſhould … aggravate your future unhappineſs. Oh! … what horrour will Conſcience look back onſ… leſs afflictions? When thou lieſt ſtretcht ou… the Threſhold of a miſerable eternity, thy … bedience to the Word will ſufficiently aſto… thee; but thy hardening under the Rod, … be one of the bittereſt Memento's that ſhal… in thy mind. When the Brute Creat… with whoſe bodies and lives, thou art now … ting thy unreaſonable Luſts, ſhall riſe in J… ment againſt thee, who never were guil… ſo ſtupid, ſtubborn, and unteachable a ſp… as thou. Hath God caſt thee into the fire, … art thou the ſame ſtill; or rather, worſe … worſe? Be ſure, ſinner, God hath a Fur… that's ſeven times hotter than any thou … ever tried yet, and that will melt thee. … one of the ſaddeſt Judgments in the world … p. 199come out of afflictions unreform'd; for this is uſually, one of Gods laſt, and moſt effectual courſes, to humble proud hearts. If the Rod once leave thee uncurable, there's little hope of thee. Oh! that I could awaken you now! Oh! that God would awaken you! That I night but open your skirt, for one of the healing, and yet wounding Arrows, of his Spirit, …o enter you; ſurely, he will not ſpend them all upon you in vain. If they will not pierce thee …ow, his Quiver is yet full of the flaming Darts of his vengeance, with which he will …urſue thee into Hell, and there thou muſt ſtand …is Butt to all eternity.

8. And laſtly, Your Relations, are not the …eaſt part of your Talent. Here I might ſubdivide my Courſe, many waies, in this large …ield: but I ſhall knit up all, in as few words as … can. There's never a one, but ſtands in ſe…eral Relations to others, and every Relation …harg'd full of Duty; But within the bounds …f Family-Relations, I ſhall at preſent direct my way.

1. I ſhall begin with Maſters of Families. Oh! how few are there, that duely conſider …he duties of ſuch a Relation! How have Gods ſaithful ſervants labour'd at this Oar, to convince men of, and perſwade them to the obedience, and practiſe of theſe duties! No ſtring … often ſet as this, and yet no ſtring ſo much …ut of tune ſtill. How have you weighed the …urden that lies upon your hands! The bloud …f your ſervants ſouls, is like to lie at the doors p. 200of your Neglects, another day. You muſt not think to anſwer God, as Cain anſwered, in another caſe; Am I my brothers keeper? God hath committed not only their bodies, but their Souls, to your care, Exod. 20.10. And what have you done for them more than their bare Indentures or Covenants have inforced you? May not God juſtly ſay to thouſands among us, nay, to moſt of us, as once to Cain? The voice of thy Servants blood cryeth unto me, not from the ground, but from Hell. Certainly, 'tis a dreadful thing, to conſider, what curſed and heatheniſh cruelty there is ſhewn towards the ſouls of poor ſervants. Oh! what an influence might you have upon them, did you but take the right courſe with them; how would a little condeſcending, ſelf-denying, gentleneſs, and love prevail with Inferiours! You are crying out upon their unfaithfulneſs, idleneſs, ſtubbornneſs and profaneneſs: Oh! Conſider where one great cauſe lies. Hath not your worldlineſs, or frowardneſs, or ſupercilious, unchriſtian-like ſtoutneſs, or your own evil Example, or Negligence and unwatchfulneſs in your duties, been th… main thing that hath produced it? What time have you allowed them for their ſouls? what Counſel, what Arguments, have you uſed with them? what pains have you taken to inform or reform them? how often have you been o… your knees on purpoſe to God, for their ſouls Were the Egptian Task-maſters ever mo… exact for their tales of Brick, than you have been with them? Do you think you are ſervi… p. 201of God, and that God will accept an offering, a duty at your hands, while your poor ſervants are even forced to ſerve the Devil, that they may ſerve, and pleaſe you? oh! that ever ſuch things ſhould be heard of, among Chriſtians! How few are there, that, with good Joſhua, have ſolemnly ſet up their reſolutions, and faithfully walkt up to their reſolutions, That they, and their houſes, will ſerve the Lord? oh! that God would perſwade us, to more ſeriouſneſs, and unwearied diligence, in this buſineſs. Queſtionleſs, this is not the leaſt cauſe, for which the Land is mourning this day. How can we expect, that God ſhould remove his Judgments, before our ſins be removed? that he ſhould reſtore us, before he hath reform'd us? and,Caudrey, Fam. Reform. Gouge, Domeſtical Dutie. Abbot, Chriſtian Family builded by God. with what reaſon, can we ever hope to ſee a National reformation proſper, unleſs it be founded on a domeſtical, and perſonal reformation? I can but briefly touch at theſe things; onelyonly to mind you of them, and to referr you to thoſe that have purpoſely, and fully treated of Family-Government, or reformation.

2. Parents. Methinks, I ſhould need no other Argument here, to provoke you to your duty, than the nearneſs, and dearneſs of ſuch a Relation. If any provide not for his own, and eſpecially for thoſe of his own houſe: [and much more then for his own children] he hath denyed the faith, and is worſe than an Infidel, 1 Tim. 5.8. Doth the Apoſtle ſpeak only of temporal Proviſions here? Nay, were it ſo, yet doubtleſs, by the ſame Argument, & virtute p. 202majoris, the ſpiritual part is manifeſtly included; having alwayes due reſpect unto our Saviour's command, Matth. 6.33. But ſeek ye firſt the Kingdom of God, and his righteouſneſs. Some there are, even among Chriſtians, that are worſe, not only than Infidels, but the very brute beaſts, that regard neither the Bodies, nor Souls of their own children. But I ſhall ſay nothing to ſuch: the very light, and principles of Nature, do ſufficiently condemn them. The greater ſort of Parents think, they have done enough, nay, very wiſely and commendably, if, through their Care, Frugality, Labour, or Wits, they have brought them up to ſome calling, or competent Eſtate, that they may live in faſhion amongſt men. Nay, ſtrange is the Ambition of ſome Parents, that care not what become of themſelves, bodies or ſouls; ſo that they may, by any means, advance their children above the rank of their Predeceſſours; that will bethink no pains, no ſweat, no travel, no diſgraces, nor repulſes, for the promotion of their ambitious aims. Might I take ſuch Parents aſide, and ask them ſeriouſly, What they mean, to heap up, with ſo much labour and diligence, the heavy curſes, and vengeance of God on their poor children? to hang Mill-ſtones about their Necks, and ſo to ſet them afloat in a leaking Veſſel? to damn their own Souls, that they may betray thoſe, they pretend ſo dearly to love! Oh, Sirs! methinks your hearts ſhould bleed within you, to think what a prepoſterous courſe you are taking, to p. 203conſult the welfare of your dear children. Have they not immortal ſouls, as well as bodies, think you? Have you begotten beaſts, or Men? Is there an everlaſting eſtate, both of glory, and miſery, in the world to come? Are your children born under the condemning ſentence of the Law; and the Wrath of Almighty God? If not, then expunge thoſe Scriptures out of the Book of God, that plainly affirm it; Matth. 25.46. Rom. 5.12. Eph. 2.3. with thoſe hundreds more, that ſpeak to the ſame thing. But, if God be true, and his Word muſt ſtand; then tell me, whether the Souls of your children be not of as great a value, and require as much of your care, as their Bodies. I cannot ſtand here, on the Inſtitutions of Family-Diſcipline; I am, at preſent, but your brief Remembrancer, though in a ſomewhat lax, and digreſſive way. Oh, my brethren! Are children a bleſſing to you? take heed ye be not a curſe to them. What pains and care have you taken, to inſtruct them in the knowledge and fear of God? With what wreſtlings, and tears, are you wont to go to God for them? With what gentleneſs and impartiality, have you adminiſtred due, and ſeaſonable correction? Have you begotten Slaves for the Devil, Limbs of Satan? and ſhall they be brought up in the ſame caſe they were brought forth? Oh, remember! you are but Stewards of theſe Mercies, and muſt ſhortly give up your account of them. They are God's Proprietie, and the Souls that he hath made.

p. 2043. Husbands. The Apoſtle ſumms up the Husbands Duty toward the Wife, in this one word, Love, Col. 3.19. Eph. 4.25. And ſo ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife, loveth himſelf, ver. 28. Here are two things to be conſidered; The Object; and the Nature of this Love.

1. The Object. This ſhould be no Accident, nor Adjunct; but the very Perſon of the Wife; Portion, Parts, and Beauty, are indeed lovely accompliſhments; but yet are fading, and impermanent; and therefore, not the adequate Objects of the Husbands affections. Hence it is, that ſome men love their Wives, as their Merchandiſe, for their Portions ſake: Some, as their Slaves, for their Stewardſhip, Care, or Service-ſake: Others, as their Harlots, for their Beauty, and Luſts ſake. Theſe are the horrible abuſes of ſuch a Relation. He that loves his Wife, as he ought, hath his Love grounded on her Perſon, and loves her as his Wife, abſtract from all other Conſiderations, which Love alone is like to hold, as long as the Relation holds.

2. The Nature of this Love. Love is both an Active, and Paſſive affection. Here I might ſhew you, what Love hath to do, and what to bear in this caſe. But, becauſe it ſeems ſomewat alien from my preſent purpoſe, I ſhall only mention it, and ſo proceed.

1. What this Conjugal Love will do, in the behalf of the Wife. We muſt know, that the p. 205Object of this Love hath a double reſpect, or conſideration; both the Body, and the Soul; the Outer, and the Inner man.

1. The outer Man. Love is a benevolous, and diffuſive affection.

1. It beſtows its ſelf on its Object, and unites its ſelf with it. And they two ſhall be one Fleſh.

2. It delights to live with its Object. Verus amor maximè delectatur praeſentiâ amati, Daven. in Coloſſ. cap. 3. v. 19.Col 3:19& quaſi cruciatur ejuſdem abſentiā. True love greatly delights in the preſence of its beloved, and is even crucified by its abſence.

3. True love will provide for the Wife,Amor eſt diffuſivus ſui boni. according as her neceſſity, or degree, requires.

2. The Inner man. This is the ſpecial Care, and Charge of a Chriſtian Husband. He is therefore called the Head of the Wife, Eph. 5.23. And ſhe required to ask, and to learn of her Husband, at home, 1 Cor. 14.35. who ſhould be able to inſtruct her. What knoweſt thou, O Wife, whether thou ſhalt ſave thy Husband: and what knoweſt thou, O man, whether thou ſhalt ſave thy Wife, 1 Cor. 7.16.

2. What, Love will bear with toward the Wife.

1. With all the deformities, and decaies of Nature.

2. With all humane Infirmities, Paſſions, Weakneſſes, or unkindneſſes, 1 Pet. 3.7. Giving honour unto the Wife, as unto the Weaker Veſſel.

p. 2064. Wives. The ſumm of their duty, as contradiſtinct unto that of the Husbands, is, to obey, Eph. 5.22. Col. 3.18. Here's the plain Precept. Beſides, St. Peter pleads preſcription too, 1 Pet. 3.5. After this manner, in the old time, the holy women alſo, who truſted in God, adorned themſelves, being in ſubjection unto their own husbands. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord. 'Tis the excellency of a Chriſtian, to know the duties of his Relation. God hath made the Husband the head of the Wife, in all things, under Chriſt; And certainly, for a Wife to diſobey her Husband, in things lawful, or indifferent, is manifeſtly to rebell againſt her Maker. foreign. Obedience, is the Mother of Felicity. If you would live happily, live obediently. Though God hath, in his Providence, joyned thee with a Croſs Diſpoſition, yet that will not diſcharge thee of thy duty;Daven. in Col. Quò difficilius, eò laudabilius; The more difficult, the more praiſe-worthy. 'Tis true, the great Lord and Husband of his Church, muſt be obeyed, whatever become of the Wills, or Laws of man: But, take heed, you make not a pretence of Duty, a cloak of wickedneſs and diſobedience.

5. Children. Their Duty likewiſe, is, to obey their Parents, Eph. 6.1.2. but here we find their duty limited. Obey, in the Lord. Obey them, as you may obey God too. Children have a double Parentage; a Father in Heaven, at leaſt, by Creation, as well as a Father on Earth. Now, in all Relations whatſoever, p. 207Whether it be better to obey God, or man, when one muſt neceſſarily be diſobeyed, we make no doubt. But the Inſtruction of children, at leaſt, in their minority, being the bounden, and domeſtick duty, and care of the Parents, and eſpecially of the Mother, as might appear by 1 Tim. 5.10. 2 Tim. 1.5. Prov. 31.1. … ſhall not undertake it here, but commit it unto thoſe, whoſe more proper, and peculiar work it …s. Though I doubt not, but that the obedience …nd duty, here required of children, to their Parents, expires not with their minority; The Relation never dies, while the Correlates live; The child is a child, as long as he hath a Parent; and the duties of his Relation, though, as … Circumſtances, may be varied, yet as to their obligation, are not at all remitted, or diminiſhed.

6. Servants. Their duty alſo, is, Obedience, …nd faithfulneſs; not with eye-ſervice, but in …ngleneſs of heart. (loc.cit.) Remember, How…er you may deal with your Maſters on earth, …ou have a Maſter in Heaven, whoſe eye is alway upon you, and obſerves your going out, …nd your coming in, and hath a Hell, or a Heaven, to pay your wages with. Oh! take heed … thoſe ſins eſpecially, that are moſt incident …nto ſervants, and all thoſe provocations and …ticements of evil Company, which are like … beget, or foment, corrupt Principles in you. …ow hard a matter is it, to find an Oneſimus! wicked Company, is ordinarily one of the …eateſt ſnares that ſervants are caught in. My p. 208ſon, if ſinners intice thee, conſent thou not, Prov. 1.10. &c. Bad ſervants become bad maſters, and ſo ſin and miſery run in a ſucceſſive, and hereditary line. Thus I have finiſhed the firſt Queſtion, How have you improv'd your Talents?

2. How have you kept your Watch? How importunately doth Chriſt preſs this duty? Mar. 13.33. Take ye heed, watch, and pray, for ye know not when the time is. And, Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the Maſter of the houſe cometh, ver. 35. And, What I ſay unto you, I ſay unto all, Watch. ver. 37. Watch ye, ſtand faſt in the faith, quit you like men, be ſtrong, 1 Cor. 16.13. Behold, I come as a thief, bleſſed is he that watcheth, Rev. 16.15. Chriſtians! God hath ſet you on the Guard,; you are his Watchmen. Now there are theſe four things eſpecially requiſite in a good Watchman.

1. A Watchman muſt be a man of Counſel and Judgment; able to diſcern between good and evil, Friends and Enemies. He muſt know the bounds, and extent of his Commiſſion. Watching, is the work of the eye, therefore, ſurely, blind men can never be good Watchmen. 'Tis true, there are a generation, whom the world applauds, for wiſe, underſtanding, knowing men; and theſe are Watchmen too. But David tells us what it is they watch for; Pſal. 4.6. Who will ſhew us any good? and the next verſe ſpecifies, what good it is they watch for; even the excreaſe of their corn and wine. And p. 209Chriſt himſelf tells us, whereto ſuch wiſdom comes at laſt, Luk. 12.20. Thou fool, this night ſhall thy ſoul be required of thee.

Others there are, that are wiſe, and watchful too; but it is to do evil;Eph. 4.14.Eph 4:14 That lie in wait to deceive. Others, that are wiſe in their Generations; but are ſuch as David complains of, Pſal. …19.95. The wicked have waited for me, to deſtroy me. Of this ſort were they that met with the Spouſe, Cant. 5.7. That watch to wound and to ſmite; Whoſe feet run to evil, and make haſte to ſhed innocent blood, Iſa. 59.7. Theſe, as wiſe as they are, are none of God's, …ut the Devil's Watchmen. Here is not only …he Serpents Craft, but his Nature, his Venom, and his Curſe too. But, I ſhall tell you, through Gods aſſiſtance, more fully, in what follows, wherein the work, and wiſdom of your Chriſtian watch lies. Only, in general, know, by the way; that your wiſdom conſiſts in the Choice of your work, and in the management of your Choice. And it is a ſupernatural wiſdom, a ſelf-denying, fleſh-diſpleaſing wiſdom; it is a ſimple, innocent, and, in a word, a heavenly wiſdom; —which is firſt pure, then peaceable, gentle, and eaſie to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocriſie. Jam. 3.17.

2. VVatch men muſt be men of Courage. Alas, Chriſtians! you know not what you may meet with on your watch; nor how you may be …ut to it. Men are not ſet to watch, but in dangerous times; See then, that ye walk, foreign, p. 210exactly, or warily, becauſe the dayes are evil, foreign, difficult, dangerous, as well a… ſinful, Eph. 5.15. VVatchmen muſt be reſolved men. Your work is of publick concernment, and therefore you muſt be men of publick ſpirits. VVatching is night-work; Watchman, what of the night? Iſa. 21.11. And nights are dark, and cold, and perillous. Now what are your reſolutions? How are you arm'd for this Night-work? God hath already le… you through the Caput Vigiliarum, ſome o… the firſt Watches of this ſad night; with what undaunted zeal have you ſtood your ground, againſt all oppoſers, and oppoſitions? where are the Prizes you have taken? May you not ſay, with the Diſciples, in another caſe? We have toybed all night, and have caught nothing. You know not how you may be ſet upon, before eve… your morning-hopes yet dawn upon you; what Storms may ariſe, what Providences may betide you; the darkeſt, and coldeſt time of the night, is wont to be a little before the break of day; and I greatly doubt, that the hardeſt work you were ever put upon, is yet behind.

3. Watchmen muſt be men of Care and Vigilance. It is not for you to ſleep in ſuch a ſeaſon as this is. I am not ſpeaking now, of that natural reſt, which the weakneſſes, and infirmities of Nature call for; but of that ſecure ſluggiſh frame of ſpirit, which ſo blunts the edge and benumbs the operations of Grace, in the heart, and life of a Chriſtian. The Ark, an… p. 211Iſrael, and Judah, abide in tents, ſayes vriah, …ny Lord Joab, and the ſervants of my Lord, …re encamped in the open fields; ſhall I then go …nto mine houſe, to eat, and to drink, &c. As …ou livest, & as thy ſoul liveth, I will not do …his thing, 2 Sam. 11.11. The Ark and Iſrael, abide, this day, in tents. What! can we …ot watch one hour? Be ſober, be vigilant, becauſe your Adverſary the Devil, as a roaring …yon, goeth about, ſeeking whom he may de…our, 2 Pet. 5.8. Oh! remember, while you …e ſleeping, he is waking, and wicked men …e waking; He deviſeth miſchief on his bed, Pſal. 36.4. While you ſit idle, they are hard … work. Nay, your Captain himſelf is on the …atch with you, My Lord Joab; your Lord …eſus, is encamped in the open fields: and, He …at keepeth Iſrael, ſhall neither ſlumber, nor …ep, Pſal. 121.4. O, my brethren: take heed … this drowſie, careleſs, indifferent frame of …irit; you know not how dear it may coſt …u. 'Twas while men ſlept, that the enemy …wed his tares, Matth. 13.25. and while …e Virgins slept, the Bridegroom came, Matth. …5.5. How many thouſands are there now in …ell, whom all the Calls of Mercy, nor the pro…iſes, or threatnings of the Word, nor all the …therly ſtroaks of a chaſtiſing Rod, could keep …aking; but were as inſenſible, as the earth …ey trod on: yet now their ſenſes are come … them, and they feel, and know that, which … all keep them waking, and weeping too, to … eternity!

p. 2124. Watchmen muſt be men of Credit, and faithful in their truſt. The duty of a Chriſtian, is not bare work, but a truſt; which is not diſcharged by action only, but by faithfulneſs and integrity. An unfaithful Watchman, is the moſt dangerous Enemy; no thief, like the domeſtick thief: oh, Sirs! Are you ſenſible what a charge lies on your hands? You have heard ſomething of it already, what Talents God hath laid up with you; and, how dare you be unfaithful? God hath adventur'd his Glory, his Goſpel, his Ordinances, his Sabbaths, nay, his very Life, as it were, in your hands; you are his choſen men, his Life-Guard, his Militant Church; and will you, dare you, through unfaithfulneſs, betray your Lord, into the hand… of thoſe that ſhall crucifie him afreſh, and pu… him to an open ſhame? Let me farther propoſe theſe two Queſtions, for the trial of your faithfulneſs.

1. Have you laid out your utmoſt for God? The utmoſt of your Time, and the utmoſt of your Care and Strength? Have you made the moſt o… all that you are, and have, for God? Have you redeem'd as many Hours, as many of you… Thoughts, as many Pence, for God, and Chriſt… as poſſibly you could have done? oh! where i… Conſcience now? how can it anſwer for you… ſelves? Look back on all the Mercies you have received, and all the time you have enjoyed … Is there nothing to upbraid your unfaithfulneſs here? Is God your record, whom ye ſerve i… the ſpirit; that, for your lives, you could have p. 213done no more for him, than you have done? why, then! what means thy immoderate worldly care? thy miſtruſting of God, and murmuring at his Providence? what means all this coſt thou haſt beſtowed, to feed thy Pride and Ambition? or thy over-curious, or over-greedy Palate? Remember! in ſuch a Garment, in ſuch … Building, in ſuch a Banquet, in ſuch a Recreation, in ſuch a Company, in ſuch a Buſineſs, ſomething might well have been ſpar'd for Chriſt. What mean thy worldly thoughts, …nd thy worldly diſcourſe, on the Lords own …ay; whereof, not one minute is thine own? And, is this plain dealing with God? Is this thy faithfulneſs to thy friend? oh, be convinc't, and …ham'd before God!

2. Have you been impartial in your obedience? Han't you learn't of Saul, to reſerve …ome of the chief of the things, which ſhould …ave been utterly deſtroyed? May not God …ome, and pull an Agag out of your Cloſets? …ome delicate, choiſe Luſt, which you are loath …o lay violent hands on? Have you never ſerved God with an Amalekitiſh ſacrifice, with unhallowed, prophane, and uncircumciſed hearts? Don't you find it harder work, to deny your ſelves in ſome things, than in others? Are not …ome duties more difficult, and irkſome to the …leſh, than others? Watch your ſelves then, …ſpecially in theſe things, and you may quickly find much of the partiality of your obedience.

Thus I have labour'd, though weakly, to ſet p. 214you on your Guard; and have put the Watch… Bill into your hands. Now let me tell you, wha… you are to watch for, and what to watch againſt… and why.

1. What you are to watch for; and no… only to let paſs, but to defend, and conten… for; in general.

1. Gods Glory. Whatſoever is properly, an… directly for the Glory of God, you are boun… to defend with your lives. Neither is this al… but you are to watch, apprehend, and improv… all advantages, and opportunities, in order hereunto: to ſet every whoel you can move, … going this way. This is the great Road, th… Kings high way, which you ſhould turn ever… wandring Paſſenger into. All your thought aims, and deſigns, your Families, and whatever elſe lies within your bounds and limit… ſhould be all travelling this way; for this on… leads homewards: which brings me to th… next.

2. Your own Salvation. Chriſtians, yo… watch for your Lives, nay, for your Souls; an… what have you dearer than theſe? Sirs! m… thinks this ſhould ſtartle you, to conſider, th… here you ſtand with your lives in your hands… oh! that I could but convince you, how deſperately you hazzard your ſouls, and peace, an… comforts, by every neglect of your Watch… If you could but ſee, what black Troops of arn… ed Enemies, have beſet you round, and eve… one ſtriving to ſtrike you firſt; and the lea… able to ſtrike you dead. But, alas! we are … p. 215the dark, and 'tis little we ſee, more than we …eel, and little we feel of what we ſuffer. What ſhall I ſay? or how ſhall I beſpeak you? For …our live's ſake, for your ſoul's ſake, for Chriſt's …ake, ſtand cloſer to your Watch. Oh! how …hick are your enemies upon you? ſee how your blood is running at your Feet! Every idle word wounds you, every ſinful, vain thought, draws blood from you. How grievouſly was David wounded, but with the glance of his eye? How …adly did Noah and Lot ſuffer by a cup of Wine? and Peter by a carnal fear, or hope to eſcape the Inqueſt? oh! the ſtabbs and wounds, that every day, and hour of our heedleſs VVatch, …s attended with! If your ſouls be worth any …ing with you; if Heaven, and Eternal Life, …e worth any thing; take heed to your VVatch.

Now, in order to theſe two great Ends, you muſt watch;

1. For the Word of God. Bleſſed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my …ates; waiting at the poſts of my doors, Prov. ….34. I was glad when they ſaid unto me, Let …s go into the houſe of the Lord, Pſal. 121.1. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you, of the common ſalvation; It was needful for me, ſayes St. Jude, and, would to God, I …ould not juſtly ſay, it is far more needful for …e, to write unto you, and exhort you, that ye ſhould earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered unto the Saints, Jude v. 3. Search the Scriptures. Know your Dutie: p. 116obſerve your Teſsera, your VVatch-word. Here is your Armourie, which is able to make the man of God perfect, and throughly furniſht unto all good works, 2 Tim. 3.17. Theſe are the weapons, which Chriſt, our Captain, hath already tried againſt the great Goliah of our Enemies, Matth. 4.4, 7, 10. Three times in one chapter, he foils him with a foreign, It is written. Let this be the Beacon then, that you watch at; even at the Shepheards tents, whither you may retreat, and be ſafe. Beyond theſe bounds, you have no warrant; if you wander hence, and miſcarry, (as ſome have done, making ſhipwrack of Faith and a good Conſcience; others, of their Peace and comforts) thank your ſelves.

2. Watch for the Spirit of God; as the pool Cripples, at the pool of Betheſda, Joh. 5.3. but eſpecially,

1. VVatch for the teachings of the Spirit. This will teach you, after another manner tha… we can do. VVe can but teach the ear, this th… heart: we baptize with water, (as John ſai… of himſelf) but this with Fire. Alas: ours ar… but the Pictures, and dark Emblems of Comfort; but theſe are Comforts indeed. The w… of God is never like to proſper in you… until this VVork-man take the Tools in hand. He knows how to break hard heart and to open blind eyes, and to prevail wi… ſtubborn wills, and to teach his people … profit.

2. VVatch for the quicknings of the Spirit p. 217Prepare the Tinder of Conſcience, to catch at very Spark that ſhall leap upon it. VVhat …ay you, Brethren? where are your hearts now? …re you dealing with dead letters, or dead words? is there no life, nor ſpirit in them? …r is God now ſtriking the Steel of his VVord, …n the Flint of your hearts? and are there no parks then glancing out on your affections… Now catch for your lives, and take fire from …ence. Snatch a Coal from theſe Altars, and …indle a fire, that may keep you warm, all this …ight of your watch. Sure, if you ſit a cold, you may blame your ſelves; God hath allowed …ou fire, and fuel enough: All the ſweet Cedars of his Promiſes, nay, all the precious Oyls of his Graces, Faith, Hope, Patience, Love, &c. …re free for your daily uſe, O take heed then, Quench not the Spirit. This may be the day, and hour, for ought you know, of the richeſt Grace and Mercy, that ever you were acquainted with, in your lives; the loſs of theſe offers …nd motions, may be the loſs of all. If now you …et out your fire, who knows whether ever you may get it to be kindled more, till it be kindled for you in Hell.

3. Watch for all Opportunities of doing, or receiving good. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, eſpecially unto them who are of the houſhold of Faith, Gal. …6.10. We are apt to wait opportunities of receiving, but not ſo forward to catch at all occaſions of doing good. The man of God muſt be throughly furniſhed unto all good works, p. 218not only to works of Pietie, but to works of Charitie too. Your light ſhould not ſhine inward onelyonly, but outward alſo; not only before God, but before Men. To do good, and communicate, forget not; for with ſuch ſacrifices God is well pleaſed, Heb. 13.16. Communicate, not only of your Purſes, (though the preſent exigencies, and ſtraits of the diſtreſſed Saints plead with you alſo in this behalf) but of your Graces; not to the bodies only, but to the ſouls of your brethren. A good man is foreign, a common good. Ah, my brethren! are you lying in wait to do good? Are you glad of opportunities, to help, and aſſiſt the weak? to reduce the ſtrayers? to admoniſh the ſtubborn? to inſtruct the ſimple? to awaken the idle? to bind up the broken? and to relieve the poor of Chriſt's little Flock? Are you glad of every ſpare hour, that may be borrowed from your neceſſities, that you may run to your Piſgah, and thence, as it were, leap into the Arms and Boſom of your beloved Saviour, that you may ream your hearts with him, and fill your empty bottles there? oh! how little are Opportunities prized, or improved by us!

Thus you have heard the ſumm of what you are to watch for; In the next place, … ſhall ſhew you what you are to watch againſt,

1. Be ſure, ſet a ſtrong and faithful watch againſt ſin. Theſe are the Gates of your Enemies: that wide Sally-port, that broad way wherein the children of darkneſs are walking p. 219O take heed! Set not your foot here. Have no fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſs: but rather reprove them, Eph. 5.11. Theſe are dangerous Clives; one wilful ſtep here, may coſt you the breaking of your necks; or the breaking of your peace as long as you live. This Road lies beyond the Line of the Covenant; beware how you adventure this way. And for your wiſer management of this Watch;

1. Watch againſt ſin, in the Fountain of it. Cruſh the cocatrice in the ſhell. A full grown Luſt is not ſo eaſily maſter…d. If you intend to keep the gardens of your hearts clean, weed them betime. Sin is a Weed that will grow apace, both branch and root; and when once 'tis ſettled in you, it may find you work as long as you live, to tugg at it. This is the matter, Chriſtians, that God is even forct to ſend in his Plough upon you, and to lay you to fallow, that he may wither the roots of old ſins. Old ſins are one high degree of incurable ſins. Have you no experiences of this nature? Have you never been wreſtling with ſtrong, and ſturdy Luſts? Have you never ſeem'd to have pluckt them up by the roots? and been ready to rejoice in your Optatâ arenâ, deſired, and glorious Victory? But, alas! What hath the next Spring produced? Han't the ſame weeds appeared again, which you thought you had been for ever rid of? What's the reaſon t…ink you? Were not part of the roots left behind, which, while the nipping Winter of ſome Affliction, p. 220or Conviction, laſted, you hop't had been dying, never to revive more; but yet were all the while but ſtrengthening themſelves at the root, preparing for another Spring? O what ſad work do we make our ſelves, for lack of a more faithful watch againſt the firſt appearances of evil!

2. Watch againſt the Acts of ſin. Sin in the heart, grieves the Spirit, but ſin in the act diſhonours thy Profeſſion. A fool (ſaies Solomon) layeth open his folly. Take heed of playing the fools in Religion. Remember your Converſations are of high conſequence; The honour of the everlaſting God, and the Crown and Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, are intereſſed in it. The eyes of Men and Devils are upon you, to watch, and to catch all advantages, to reproach, and blaſpheme the name of God, on your account. Nay, let me tell you, the eyes of God and Angels are upon you too, watching you into every corner, into your cloſets, and into your callings, in your lying down, and in your riſing up; in your beds, and in your fields; Every word, and every motion, nay, every thought and inclination, the very Embryo of our confuſed Imaginations are foreign, opened, (or anatomized) unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do, Heb. 4.13. Oh, with what watchful prudence ſhould Chriſtians carry themſelves in all places, and in all relations! Set a Porter at the doors of your lips; make a covenant with your eyes; enter into interchang'd Indentures with your p. 221hearts; fetter up your wanton, wandring, ſelf-law'd wills and affections: ſwear every fatulty, every member, and limb, in faithful Allegiance unto God, and Chriſt; and ſolemnly …bjure all other Covenants, or Complyances. If you will walk aright, you muſt walk by line, and by Rule. Your ſins, my brethren, are like the ſons of Anak amongſt your enemies; Every …ffence of yours, is another Gyant, preſt for the Devils ſervice, againſt God, and your own Souls; Theſe are the Goliah's, they triumph and vaunt themſelves in. O, let it not be told in Gath, nor publiſhed in the ſtreets of A…kalon!

3. Watch againſt the Temptations to ſin. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, Matth. 26.41. Nay, is it not your daily prayer? Lead us not into temptation. oh! let it be your daily watch too. My ſon, if Sinners …ntice thee, conſent thou not, Prov. 1.10. We …ive in an enticing world, and in enticing times: every danger is enticing us, our hopes, fears, and ſtraits, are enticing us: the ſnares of Hell are ſet for us, on every ſide, ſnares without, and ſnares within us; temptations of all kinds, and ſiz's. The Devil hath ſpread his nets for every conſtitution, for every ſenſe, nay for grace, and in every eſtate, and in every dutie. If you are full; Pride, or worldlineſs, or ſenſu…lity, is his ſnare: if you are empty; Murmu…ing, impatience, diſcontent, immoderate care, …r any unlawful courſe, is his ſnare. He hath a …rap for every affection. If you are angry, revenge p. 222is his ſnare; if you are merry, exceſs is his ſnare. Fain would I warn you of every Rock, and of every Shoal that might endanger you; of every falſe Star, and wandring light, that might poſſibly ſeduce you: of every Bivium, Creek, and turning, in your way. But the burden is too heavy for me: every day brings in new experiences; as Chriſt ſaies of the Father, and of himſelf, Joh. 5.17. The Father worketh hitherto, and I work: every day producing new mercies and providences; ſo may we ſay, The Devil worketh hitherto, and his children work; every hour is in travel with new temptations, And you hath he quickned, who were dead in treſpaſſes and ſins, wherein in time past ye walked, according to the courſe of this world, according to the Prince of the Power of the air, the ſpirit that now worketh in the children of diſobedience, Eph. 2.2. Therefore, what I cannot tell you poſitively, let me tell you negatively; Take heed of ſetting one foot out of that way, which you know to be the right way; of putting forth your hands unto iniquitie: whatſoever hath not the Image, and Superſcription of God, and the Seal of his Spirit upon it. Remember! He that doubteth, is damned, if he eat, Rom, 14, 23. To go without the light of Conſcience, is next to going againſt its light: take heed how you like that, that is not like Chriſt; or force Conſcience when it is at a ſtand. Be ſure you ſtep not beyond your clear Command, and promiſe of Protection.

p. 2234. Watch againſt all the Occaſions that may lead you into temptation. Look not thou on the Wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, Pro. 23.31. Hating even the garment ſpotted by the Fleſh, Jude v. 23. whatſoever hath the tincture, or ſhew of ſin upon it. Abſtain from all appearance of evil, ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Theſ. 5.22. Whatſoever is likely to enſnare you. Alas, Chriſtians! You know not how dearly you may ſmart for that, which in its ſelf, you may account tolerable, and indifferent. If once you venture beyond your Warrant, you know not whither you may ramble. The waies of ſin are dark, and head…ng-waies. Her houſe is in the way to Hell, …oing down to the chambers of death, Prov. ….27. The way to Hell is down-ſtairs. Here, …ethinks, I would tell you, of ſeveral things, …hat may lead you into temptation: but I dare …ot enlarge my Digreſſions. Your letting down of cloſe communion with God. Your enterpri…ing of any buſineſs, ſpiritual, or ſecular, without asking counſel, or craving aſſiſtance of God. …very ſtep in any way, wherein your ſelves, or …thers, for your warning, have been former… enſnared, &c. Theſe things, with divers …thers, I might have more fully dilated: but I aſten.

2. Set a watch againſt Satan, Learn to pay …m home in his own coin. He hath ſet a ſtrait …atch upon you; a watch to tempt you, and a …atch to accuſe you. He goes from Dutie to …utie, from corner to corner with you, and p. 224is alwaies at your right hand, to watch you to diſturb your thoughts, to quench your affections, and to pick matters of accuſation. As you write what you hear, ſo he has his Notebook too, and writes, How you hear, and pray, and ſpend your Sabbaths and Societies; and, as far as he can gueſs, where your hearts, and what your ends are too. Oh! If this Conviction could but take with you, what care would it beget in you? Bleſſed be God, that though he watch us, yet he can't diſcover us; or, though he diſcover, yet can't diſcourage us: though we are his Envie, yet we are no… his Prey.

3. Be ſure, Set a ſtrong watch againſt Self Here is thy greateſt Enemie; This home-bred… Traitour, this betraying Judas, which the greater part of the world are like to rue for, to a… Eternitie. O, ſet a faithful watch, upon unfaithful Self Theſe three waies you are i… danger here.

1. Of Self-application. Beware of this. 'Tis the common courſe of the world, when an… thing ails them, to run to Self for help. Thi… is their Egypt they flie unto, which God wi… one day make his people aſham'd of. Nay, not God now upon this very deſign? wh… have you now to help your ſelves with? Han… you tried what Egypt can do for you? wh… your own Reaſon, and Wits can do? Where the Deliverance that Self hath wrought you where are your Counſels and Contrivances are you not aſham'd of your ſhifts, and wear p. 225… look any longer to theſe Hills? Ah! how …auiral is this Idolatry? How fain would this Abſalom judge the people? How fain would ſelf ſit in Gods throne?

2. Of Self-relyance. This is the Staff of …at broken Reed, that will deceive you, and …erce you too. Self-dependence is a ſacrilegious ſin; It robs God of that Glory, which he …ath ſaid he will not give unto another. See that care God takes of this, Judg. 7.2. When …erubbaal was going forth againſt the Midianites; The people that are with thee, are too …any, for me to give the Midianites into their …ands, leſt Iſrael vaunt themſelves againſt me, …ying, mine own hand hath ſaved me. Curſed the man that truſteth in man. And, ſurely, …ery man in his best ſtate, is altogether vani…. How full is the Scripture of cautions to is purpoſe! oh! take heed of truſting to a …e! You never read, nor found in Scripture, …or Experience, that Salvation is of your ſelves; …t thy Deſtruction is of thy ſelf: O Iſrael, …ou hast deſtroyed thy ſelf, Hoſ. 13.9.

3. Of Self-attribution. The aſcribing of honour, or praiſe, to our own Prudence or fore…ſt, to our Might or Policie, to our Righteouſneſs, Innocence, or Duties. Therefore they ſa…ifice unto their Net, and burn Incenſe unto …eir Dragg; becauſe by them, only, as they …retend, their portion is fat, and their meat …enteous, Hab. 1.16. If God anſwer your …rayers, and hear your cries, think not, it was our Prayers, or cries that did it, or your righteouſneſs, p. 226or innocencie, that turn'd the whee See Ezek. 36.25, &c. Then will I ſprink clean water upon you. A new heart alſo, w… I give you. And I will put my Spirit within you. And ye ſhall dwell in the land that I ga… to your Fathers. I will alſo ſave you from … your uncleanneſſes. And I will multiply th… fruit of the tree. But then, obſerve th… Primum mobile, the firſt Mover of all this happ… change, ver. 32. Not for your own ſakes, … I this, ſaith the Lord; be it known unto you. Be aſhamed, and confounded, for your o… wayes, O houſe of Iſrael! Though mercies an… deliverances ſeem ſometimes to be attribute unto our righteouſneſs, or duties, as Prov. 10.…. Pſal. 25.21. Matth. 21.22, &c. yet it is to be underſtood as the Condition, or Inſtrument; not the Efficient, or Meritorious cau… of it. 'Tis the Deſign of the Goſpel, to tak… us off from theſe Hinges, on which we are … naturally apt to turn. We have this treaſure … earthen veſſels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us, 2 Cor. 4.7. O take heed of maintaining that deſign, tha… God is reſolved to deſtroy in you! if you would have the Controverſie made up, which is begun, you muſt not expect, nor is it reaſon, that God ſhould come to your terms but you muſt come up to his. Until this rebellious, atheiſtical, deſigning Self, that grea…. Achan, which hath troubled the Camp, b… diſcovered, arraigned, and executed, you ca… expect no ſettled Peace.

p. 2274. Set a vigilant watch upon the world. As Self is your greateſt Enemy within, ſo the World is your greateſt Enemie without. Yet know this by the way; that the World in its ſelf, is not the Enemie; but as it holds ſecret intelligence with that Enemy within. The World could do you no hurt, did not that Traitor within open the Gates to it. 'Tis a Weapon indeed, that has coſt you much blood, and many a ſad wound; but then it hit you on a bare place; it found you unarm'd, or elſe it had never enter'd. The Devil hath us'd it, and his Souldiers have tried it; and the main reaſon, why it hath prov'd ſo mortally ſucceſsful in their hands, is, for want of your Chriſtian Panoplie, your putting on the whole Armour of God. This would ſoon have turn'd the edge of it, and fruſtrated it's Execution. Now there are theſe five or ſix things in the world, that I would have you take ſpecial …eed of.

1. Take heed of the Fears of the world. The fear of man bringeth a ſnare, Prov. 29.25. Why, Chriſtian! Let me reaſon it a little with thee then. What is it thou ſtandeſt in ſuch fear of? the ſnares that thine enemies have laid for thee? leſt thou ſhouldſt fall into one of their …its? or incurr the diſpleaſure of thy old friends? or undo thine heir or family? Is it the Crown of Thorns that terrifies thee? or the barking of thoſe Dogs of the world at thee? Believe it, and take not mine, but God's word for it, It comes with the fear. Your carnal fear p. 228brings the ſnare, and tempts God to give you up to that which you ſtand in ſuch fear of. I might give you a plain, and natural experiment, to this purpoſe. Such is the weakneſs of ſome heads, that walking on a very high, and dangerous Clive, if they come but ſo near, as to look out over, and to ſee the danger; they are ſo ſurpriz'd with the ſudden fear, that they even dote on what they ſo extreamly dread, and caſt themſelves headlong, though their footing were ſure, and room to eſcape ſufficient. Similar hereunto, is that of Chriſt, Mar. 8.35. Whoſoever will ſave his life, he that is afraid to loſe his life, ſhall loſe it; but, whoſoever ſhall liſe his life, i. e. though not actually, yet habitually, he that is not afraid, but ready to loſe it, if called thereunto, ſhall ſave it, in this world, or, at leaſt, in another. Now, pray ſit down, and count your gains; ſee what a Bargain, Satan, and your unbelieving hearts, are trading together for. The Devil would undertake to teach you a nearer, or a cheaper, and eaſier way to Heaven, than ever Chriſt appointed: and, if you will, you may believe him. But when you are caught in the fatal ſnares of your own carnal fears, and ſhifts; then ſit down, and thank your ſelves: and remember, who once was ſent on purpoſe, to warn you of it. And let Conſcience then, (or rather now, that it may not then) ſadly comment on Rev. 21.8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murtherers, and whoremongers, and ſorcerers, and p. 229Idolaters and all Lyers ſhall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimſtone, which is the ſecond death. Here's a woful Portion, my B…ethren, and wofull Partners. O, take heed of the fears of the world! Remember! Such as your fears are, ſuch are your hopes; if your fears are the fears of the world, your hopes are the hopes of the world: your God the god of the world; and your Portion is like to be Portion of the world; O, let it appear that there is that in your Religion, that can make weight againſt all that Earth or Hell can find to lay in againſt it: Should ſuch a man as I flee? Et Turnum fugientem haec terra videbit? Shall a Chriſtian turn his back? Nehem. 6.11.Neh 6:11O Lord, what ſhall I ſay when Iſrael turneth their backs before their Enemies! Iohn. 7.8.John 7:8This baſe carnal fear is the Devils great Engin: the Alpha and Omega of all his external temptations: if once he can faſten theſe fears upon thee, he hath fitted thee for any thing: What will not a man do that is overcome with his fear! Peter never began to ſink till he began to fear. We are never overcome till we flee; we never flee till we fear. 'Tis not the loſs of life, but the loſs of faith: that is thy undoing loſs.

Take heed of the Flateries of the World. The Devill will promiſe thee fair, that he may gain a Proſelyte. All theſe things will I give thee, ſayes he to Chriſt, if thou wilt fall down and worſhip me, Matth. 4.9. But alas, his Promiſes are farr beyond his power. He boaſteth p. 230of that which is none of his own to beſtow; or if it were, yet it is not the thouſandth part of what you have already promiſed to you, and that by One that both can and will make it good. Godlineſs hath the promiſe, not only of the life that now is, but of that which is to come. 1 Tim. 4.8. The Devil, or any of his illegitimate Baſtard-heirs, may promiſe thee ſome ſmall matter here, though they can make thee no aſſurance of it: But in the other world they have nothing to do: Never an Advowſon not ſmall Coat there; their Lands lie not in that Country. Alas! What is there in the World, that ſhould ſo tempt a Chriſtian? Is a little yellow Clay, or one hours ſenſual pleaſure, on the ſtinking breath of a few falſe friends; are theſe ſuch taking things with the Heirs of glory? Believe it, Friends! The world flatters that it may deceive, and huggs that it may ſtabb and undoe you, and betray you with a kiſs.

3. Beware of the Hopes of the world, High expectations uſually beget high Fears, and according to the heighth of your fears, and the fruſtration of your hopes, will be the aggravation of your ſorrow, and the redoubled force and Impetus of your Temptations. Take this for a tryed Experiment; None are ſo deceived by the world as thoſe that expect moſt from the world. Yet however your hopes may proſper for a while; be ſure, there is a worm at the root, that will eat out all in the end. The hope of the world is the hope of the wicked, p. 231Whoſe hope ſhall be cut off, and whoſe trust ſhall be as a Spider's web. Job. 8.14. Your …opes, Chriſtians, are the trueſt and livelieſt …ictures of your hearts; your carnal hopes betray your carnal hearts.