Works, Chapter 3 · Section
A Good Wish concerning a Christians carriage in evil Company; Wherein the former heads are applied.
THe Mighty Possessour of Heaven and Earth, The Introduction.who governeth the World with infinite wisdom, and allotteth to all the Children of men, their several Callings and Habitations; having permitted the chaff to continue amongst the Corn, and appointed the tares to remain amongst the wheat till the great Harvest day; and calling me sometimes by his providence, to deal with prophane and vicious persons: I Wish I may be so sensible how difficult it is to be safe amongst such defilers and destroyers of souls, that I may walk with the more caution, when ever I walk in such company, and make them my fear, not my familiar…, and rather my care then my Companions. I know that I must go out of the world, if I will go away from the wicked. Ill humours will be amongst good in the body; Sins will be amongst graces in the soul, and sinners will be amongst Saints on this Earth. I am but a stranger here, they are men of the world; I must therefore expect, as Lot in Sodom, to be both vexed with their unclean conversations, and tempted to their violent corruptions; my God calleth them Foxes for their craft, Lions for their cruelty, and a generation of Vipers for their rage and venome; In what danger therefore is my soul of being deceived and devoured by them? How certainly will these ravenous beasts tear me in peices, unless I stand upon my guard, and the Keeper of Israel undertake my protection! Lord, since it is not thy pleasure to free me from their Company, grant me such help from thy good spirit, that I may be free from their contagion; Though I may sit at the same table with them, as my occasions or relations require, let me never eat of their dish, nor feed on their dainties; I pray not that thou shouldst take me out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep me from the evil; keep me from the snares which they lay for me, and from the gins of the workers of iniquity;Psa. 141. Let the wicked rather fall into their own Nets, whilst that I withal escape.
Motives to quicken to care in evil company. 1. Our danger in evil company.I Wish that the sense of my danger may keep me from being secure, and make me the more sedulous in the discharge of my duty; Sound eyes are apt to fall a watering, by beholding and looking on sore eyes. Dry Flax is not more apt to take fire, then my vicious nature to be inflamed; the wet sheet of watchfulness is a good preservative; He had need to have much grace, who would not learn others vice. Its hard to touch pitch and not be defiled; Vngodly men are Satans blood-hounds, with which he hunteth my soul. How many hath he drawn into the pit of perdition by such Cart-rope… ? They are his strongest chains wherewith he binds men now to his own work, and at last (as their wages) hales them to Hell. Fruits of hotter Countries, transplanted into colder Climates, do not seldom die, through the chilling nips of the air, and the unsutableness of the soyl wherein they are planted; there may be grace in my soul ready to flame heavenward, which may be soon quenched, by the putrid fogs of evil companions; I know my God can keep mee (as he did the three Children in the fiery furnace) amongst them that are set on fire of Hell, from being sienged, or so much as having the sent of the fire on me; but I know also, that then I must keep his way and be watchful; O that I might keep my heart with such diligence, that as the Christal, I may touch those Toads, and not be poisoned; yea, that as a true Diamond in a ditch, I may sparkle with holiness, and shine brightly amongst defiled persons. How natural is it to resemble their faults, whose faces I am wholly unlike? I am apt like a Snow-ball, to carry away the dirt I am rolled upon, and as an Ape, to imitate those amongst whom I am, in their folly, and to sin for company, rather then to be singular. But though the Loadstone can draw Iron, yet it cannot draw gold; Lightning may smite the dead Oak, but not the green and fresh Laurel; though corrupt nature follow a multitude to do evil, yet grace through the help of the Spirit is invincible. Why may not my soul, like Moses bush in the midst of fire, be kept from consuming; and as Gideons fleece, be moyst, when all the earth about it is dry; O that I might as Fish, retain my freshness in the saltest waters; and never savour others vices, or follow their steps, who depart from the Commandements of my God. Lord, whose promise is to thy Disciples, They shall take up Serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them, (Mark 16. 18.) Is it not thine own hand writing? and canst thou fail of fulfilling it? O let thy powerful presence accompany me, whithersoever thy providence calleth me; Let thy preventing grace preserve me from receiving harm, and thy quickening mercy enable me to do good, that whereas thine enemies are apt to speak evil of me as an evil doer, they may be ashamed, who falsly accuse my good conversation in Christ, 1 Pet. 3. 16.
2Motive. Its possible to be the better.I Wish that I may be so far from receiving prejudice, that I may be profited by the worst of those with whom I associate. As my God created nothing in vain, so he permits nothing, but to some good purpose. Tis true, wicked men are Dogs, (Mat. 7. 12.) prone to faun on me, that they may defile me; but even of Dogs there may be a good use; The Flock is the more safe from Wolves, and the House from Theives through their watchfulness. They are dust, apt to breed vermine, but some creatures live upon it as their Aliment, and in it as their Element, and the basest rubbish, may be serviceable about the foundation of a building. The Guts and Garbage of some beasts are food to others. Doth not experience teach us, that many Fowls draw nourishment from unclean and filthy Carcasses? Why may not my stomach be so good, and my spiritual constitution so strong, as to concoct such unwholsom food? Lycurgus taught the Lacedemonians vertue, not onelyonly by the pattern of their Sober Ephori, but also of the drunken Helots their slaves; Poisons are as necessary as the best diet, if they be in the hands of him who is able to improve and prepare them. Beer is the better, the more lively and brisk for the grouns that are in the same vessel with it. O that my graces might be the more quick and active for the lees of others vices; that their sins might increase my sanctity; both in making me more thankful to him who maketh me to differ, and more watchful over my self, lest I fall from my own stedfastness. The Mariners are directed in their sailings by Rocks and Shelves, as well as by the Northern star; My God instructeth Jonah by the shadow of a Weed. Go to the Pismire thou sluggard, consider her provident ways, and be wise to follow them. Observe the men of this world; O my soul, consider their wicked ways, and be wise to avoid them. Ask these beasts of the earth, and they will teach thee, nay shame thee. How unwearied are they in the pursuit of the world! how diligent about their works of darkness! how often do they lose their sleep to do mischief, and neglect their food and callings to indulge their fleshly lusts, whilst thou, whose Master is the Lord of Glory, whose service is the onelyonly freedom, and whose recompence will be infinite, art loytering and lazing upon the bed of security! O that thou mayst learn industry about the concernments of heaven and eternity, from others industry about the affairs of this earth for a few days; and take shame to thy self, that Satans Servants should be more forward to gratifie their Soul-destroyer, then thou art to please the blessed Saviour! Lord, it is thy prerogative to cause light out of darkness, and to bring good out of evil; teach thy servant to gather figs from these thistles, and to be the better because others are so bad; Because the wicked forsake thy law, ther…fore let me love thy commandements above gold; yea; above much fine gold.
I Wish that though in pursuance of my calling, I do afford my …ompany to sinners, Wherein the exercising our selves to godliness consisteth. 1. Take heed they do not make thee partaker of their sins.I may never bear them company in their sins. True Gold will not change its colour or nature for the hottest fire. The Rock keeps its place, and is immoveable, notwithstanding the continual dashing of the water. The earth is not hurt, either by the heat of Summer, or cold of Winter; Though much dirt be flung at a post well oyled, it will not stick. My God hath enjoyned me; Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; Whence I learn these three things;
1. That sin is a work of darkness; The Prince of darkness is its Father; Its his natural off-spring, therefore called the work of the Devil, Iohn 8. 44. A dark heart is its Mother, there its conceived, thence its brought forth; In dark holes these vermine breed and swarm (Ephes. 4. 18. Hos. 4. 1, 2, 3. 2 Cor. 4. 4.) Its portion is utter darkness, blackness of darkness for ever; all its inheritance lieth in darkness, and the shadow of death.
2. I learn that the works of darkness are unfruitful; The sinner makes a sad market of all his wicked wares; He soweth vice, and reapeth vanity; promiseth himself much pleasure, and sindeth it wholly unprofitable; What fruit had ye in those things, whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death; O what a frightful monster is this miscreant; It hath fruitlesness in the beginning, shame in the middle, and death in the conclusion.
3. I learn that I onght not to have fellowship with these unfruitful works of darkness; Indeed, I have little reason, if I consider the two former particulars, yet how prone am I to it, either by my silence when they sin; or by my secret complyance with them in their sin! My corrupted heart is like Touch-wood, ready to take fire by the least spark. When others are bold to blaspheme God, I am apt through an ungodly bashfulness to hold my peace, little considering that I must one day answer as well for my sinful silence, as for every idle word. Its my duty to hold the jewel of my faith fast, lest Satan steal it from me; to hold my profession to the end, lest by leaving my Colours, I lose my Crown; but not to hold my peace in the quarrel of truth, lest by suffering sin in others, I wrong my own soul; Where is my love to others, if I stand still whilst they destroy themselves? It may well break the strings of my tongue (as of the Son of Cyrus) when sin (like the Persian) is ready to kill my Father, or Brother, or Neighbour; Evil men are like Traytours, with whom if we act, or conceal, we are guilty. Where is my love to my self, if I take others intolerable burthens on my own back? Sin is a load, too heavy for the stoutest, for the strongest to carry. Should I by my silence give consent to others Oaths, or Lyes, or Ieers at godliness and godly men; I become a party in their bonds, and liable to make satisfaction for their debts, and may expect every moment when divine justice should Arrest me for them. O my soul! what answer dost thou give to these Arguments? Wouldst thou for all the World be one moment under the guilt of the least sin! Didst thou never feel its weight, and water thy couch with tears by reason of it? Hast thou not sighed out mournfully to God, There is no rest in my flesh, because of thine anger, nor quiet in my bones, because of my sin? And wilt thou for fear of mens displeasure, incur the infinite Gods anger? and to avoid (at most) a raze in thy flesh, admit a wide gash in thy conscience? O that I might have more love to my self, and more respect for my neighbour, then to suffer sin upon him, through my cowardly silence, or to joyn with him by any inward complyance, lest both be involved in the same vengeance. Lord, the supplies of thy Spirit is the onelyonly preservative against all infections; be pleased to afford it to me, that I may keep my self pure in the most prophane society, and no way be partaker of other mens sin.
2Do not needlesly expose thy self to suffering.I wish that I may always make the choice of Moses, rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; yet that I may never, through my rash zeal, or indiscreet medling with others matters, or imprudent opening my mind to every seeming friend, bring my self into suffering. I have trials and troubles enough from others, I need not be the procurer of any to my self. I am every way surrounded with foes, and shall I not be my own friend? The World is my profest and dangerous enemy, for his sake who hath chosen me out of the world; because it cannot reach the Master, it wrangleth with, and abuseth his servants; He that is not its child (but born from above) must not expect to be its darling, but rather to be assaulted with its rage and revenge; The Devil is my sworn and deadly adversary, always ready to put forth his utmost power and policy for my ruine. His Empire is large, his Subjects all at his service, and all his forces shall be used to make me suffer. Besides, my God is pleased sometimes, for the trial of my graces, and the purging out my corruptions, to cast me into manifold tribulations; since I have then, so many assaults and afflictions from others, I have small cause to afflict my self. I desire that I may try before I trust, and not unlook the Cabinet of my heart before all, lest some prove Thieves. Its too ordinary for wicked ones, like Executioners, with one hand to embrace a man, and with the other to pluck out his bowels; They may creep, and cringe, and fawn, and flatter, and as Crows, peck out my eys with praises, that they may afterwards more securely make a prey of me; They as the Spies sent by the Scribes to Christ, feign themselves to be good men, that they might entrap him in his talk, Luk. 20. 20. Should I believe all that may pretend love, I may quickly be bereaved of my lively-hood and life. Companions of my secrets, are like locks that belong to an house; whilst they are strong and close, they preserve me in safety; but weak and open, they expose to danger, and make me a prey to others. My foolish freedom of declaring my mind, may, like the Devil in the possessed person, cast me sometimes into the fire, and sometimes into the water. Though many seemed to believe on Christ, he did not commit himself to them, because he knew all men (Ioh. 2. 21.) Though many seem to affect me, I may not commit …y self to them, because I know no man. They who as Moses rod, seem at present to be a staff to support and stay me, may by and by prove Serpents to sting me. O that I might imitate my Saviour in his Politicks, as well as in his Piety, and not through my folly, put my outward comforts into the hands of them that hate me, and lay my self at their mercy. I would as my God calleth me, own my Saviour in every company, and never deny him, who witnessed before Pontius Pilate a good confession for me; but I desire that the feet of my zeal may always be directed by the eyes of knowledge and discretion, lest the faster and the farther they carry me, the more I wander to my wo. My God tells me, He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips, shall be destroyed, Prov. 13. 3. Bees, though engaged in hot skirmishes with other …nsects, use not their stings ordinarily, but when they are transported with rage, and blinded with passion, then they use them to their own certain ruine and destruction. No less injurious is the fire of zeal to my self and others, where it is not bounded by wisdom. I fear many servants of God have felt the wrath of some men (in a greater degree then they otherwise would,) through the immoderate heats of some few Saints. If under colour of hatred against sin, I fall foul upon persons, or instead of reproving sin the work of the Devil, revile Magistracy, and the Ordinance of God, I may expect to suffer, and with little comfort, because as an evil doer. Zeal is like Granado's, and other fire-works, which if not well lookt to, and ordered, they do more hurt to them that cast them, then to t…e enemy. O that I might behave my self wisely in a perfect way, and behave my self prudently in the path of piety, that I may never be so foolish, as with the silly flye, to burn my self in the candle of wicked mens power, nor yet so unfaithful as to forsake my Captain, when he calleth me to fight the good fight of faith; Let my ambition be, to be high in my Gods favour, and to have a large share in that eternal weight of glory above; Let my care be here below to study peace, and to meddle with my own business (O how much lyeth upon my hands every day in reference to my everlasting concernments) to affect rather quietness from the World, then acquaintance with it, and to pass through it as a Pilgrim and stranger, with as little noise and no…ice as I can. Lord, whatsoever tribulation I meet with in the world, give me peace in thy Son; make me as wise as a Serpent, as innocent as a Dove, that those who watch either to defile me in spirituals, or destroy me in civils, may be disappointed; Let me not trust in man, whose words may be softer then Oyl, when war is in his heart, but let my whole confidence be fixt on thy self; how freely may I unbosome my self to thee, without the least fear! How willing art thou to hear! How a…ble to help! How true to all that trust thee! thy faithfulness never faileth; Thou art good, a strong hold in the day of adversity, and knowest them that trust in thee
I Wish that I may Confess Christ, whatsoever it may cost me, 3Disown not Jesu, Christ in the worst Company.and though not thrust my self into danger, yet never betray my cause, or break through any Command, to avoid the cruelest death. Its common with the Hypocrite, as the Snail, to look what weather is abroad, and if that be stormy, to pull in his horns and hide his head. The Hedghog alters his hole according to the wind; The swallow changeth his nest according to the season. The Bird Piralis takes the colour of any cloth on which she sits. There is a Tree (say some Naturalists) which opens and spreads its leaves when any come to it, and shuts them at their departure from it. The flies will abound in a sunshiny day, but if once it be cloudy, they vanish. When Christ rides to Jerusalem in triumph, many cry Hosanna, who when he is taken and tryed for his life, cry Crucifie, Crucifie. The Jacinct is changed with the Air; in a clear season its bright, but if the air be overcast, its darksom. The unsound Christian is often sutable to his Company; if they own godliness, it shall have his good word; if they disrelish it, he can spit in the face of it; But pure Coral keeps its native lustre, and will receive no colouring. The upright soul is constant in his profession, and changeth not his behaviour according to his Companions. Oh that I might never through shame or fear, disown him who hath already acknowledged me. Alas! I have that in me, which he might well count a disgrace to him; I am his creature, and so infinitely his Inferiour; The vilest beggar is not near so much below the most potent Emperour, as I am in this respect to the Great God, and my Saviour; The whole Creation is to him as nothing; yea less then nothing, and vanity; what then am I poor silly worm, that lie groveling in this earth! I am a sinner, and thereby his disparagement and dishonour; If a sober Master be ashamed of a deboice drunken servant; much more may the holy Jesus, be ashamed of me an unholy wretch, and trayterous rebel, against his Crown and Dignity; yet for all this distance, for all his difference, he is graciously pleased to acknowledge me, and shall not I own him?
Either out of shame.If I be ashamed of him, I am a shame to him. But why should I be ashamed of Christ? The object of shame is some evil which hath guilt or filth in it; but he knew no sin, though he was made sin for me, that I might become the righteousness of God in him; He was a Lamb without spot and blemish; None of his malicious enemies could convince him of sin; He is so far from being the object of shame, that he is infinitely worthy to be my boast and glory; He is the Prince of life, the Lord of glory, the King of Kings, the Fountain of all excellency and perfection; The highest Emperors have gloried in being his Vassals; Angels count it their honour to serve the meanest of his Servants; and shall I think it a disgrace to be one of his Attendants? O that I might be ashamed of my sins, loath my self for all my abominations, be often confounded, because I bear the reproach of my youth; but in no company, be it never so great or prophane, be ashamed of him who is the blessed and onelyonly Potentate, and the glory of his people Israel.
Again,Of fear. Why should I out of fear disown my Saviour? Is there any safety but in sanctity? Whilst I travail in the Kings High-way, I have a promise of protection, but if I leave that upon any pretence, I run my self into peril and perdition. Those that when called to fight, flie from their colours, die without mercy. What can I expect, if I leave the Captain of my Salvation, but Marshal Law, even eternal death? I may, possibly, by my cowardise, keep my skin whole, but I wound my conscience; I sink my soul, to save my body; as Lot, prostitute my Daughter, my dearest off-spring, that will abide with me for ever, to save my guests, which lodge with me for a night, and will be gone from me in the morning. What is it I fear, that I should be guilty of so hainous a fault? Is it the worlds frowns and fury? Why, Its kindness is killing, and therefore its cruelty is healing. If my God see it good, he can and will defend me from the worlds cruelty, without my denying Christ, and in direct courses; and if it be his will, that I suffer for well-doing, I may commit the keeping of my soul to him, as to a faithful Creator. Certainly there is nothing to be gotten by the Worlds love, and nothing (worth ought) to be lost by its hatred. Why then should I seek that love which cannot help me, or fear that hate which cannot hurt me? If I should be so foolish as to love it for loving me, my God would hate me for loving it. Do not I know that the friendship of the World is enmity against God; If I loath it for hating me, it cannot injure me for loathing it. Let it then hate me, I will forgive it, but if it love me, I will not requite it; for since its love is hurtful, and its hate harmless, I may well contemn its fury, and hate its favour; Lord, thou hast commanded me, neither to love the worlds smiles, nor to fear its frowns; I acknowledge that its allurements have been too prevalent in gaining my love, and its affrightments too powerful in causing my fear; O that thy exceeding rich and precious promises, might make me despise all its glorious proffers; and faith in thy threatnings, stablish my heart against all its childish bug-beares; The fear of man bringeth a snare, but he that trusteth in thee is sure; Let the dread of thy Majesty swallow up (as Moses rod the Egyptians) all fear of men. And since thy truth hath no need of my lye, thy power hath no need of my sin to preserve me safe, let me never break over the hedge of any of thy precepts, to avoid an afflicting providence, but in a way of well-doing, commit my ways unto the Lord, and my thoughts shall be established. Suffer me never to say, a confederacy to them, to whom thine enemies say, a confederacy, neither to fear their fear, but to sanctifie thee the Lord of Hosts, and to make thee my fear continually.
I Wish that since my God intends in all his providences, my spiritual and eternal good,4L…bour to get some good amongst them I may gain something by those that are most graceless; and though Satan purposeth my defilement in my converses with them, yet they may prove my profit and advantage; That blowing which seems to disperse the flames, and trouble the fire, doth make it burn the more clear; The waters of others opposition, may increase my spiritual heat; A dull Whet-stone may set an edge upon a Knife; A mean, vile Porter, may bring me a considerable present; Black coals may scour and make Iron Vessels bright; Ashes cast upon fire, put it not out, but are helpful to preserve it all night against the morning, which would otherwise be consumed. Why may not my soul find some Pearl in the Heads of these Toads, and get some spirital riches, by trading with them for temporal? Naturalists tell me, its wholsom for a flock of Sheep, to have some Goats amongst them, their bad sent being Physical to preserve the Sheep from the Shakings; Surely then, the presence of ungodly men, may sometimes be profitable for me, and prevent that lightness and vanity which I am too apt to discover in every company; Though I am loose amongst my friends, and it be my sorrow, I had need to be serious amongst mine enemies, lest I become their scorn. Frankincense put into the fire, giveth the greater perfume; Civet doth not lose its savour, but is the sweeter in a sink; O that my soul might draw the nearer to God, because others depart farther from him; and do him the more service, and be the more diligent at his work, because they are so unworthy and wicked. Executioners and Hangmen are helpful to a Country, to free them from those Felons and Murderers that would destroy the Inhabitants; My sins may receive their deaths wounds, through the hands of them who have no true love to me. My Pride may well be abated, because of their prophaness; Free grace alone makes me to differ; I had been as bad as the worst of them, if infinite mercy had not preserved me; I shall be as bad, if boundless love do not prevent me: to God alone therefore belongs the glory. Possibly, they may sometimes twit me with my faults, and herein they may prove my friends. Every man hath need of a Monitor; My friends too often are cowardly, and afraid to tell me my errors, lest they should give offence; my en…mies will speak their minds freely, if they know any thing amiss by me, and so do me a great kindness; Myrrhe though bitter, may heal wounds, and preserve from putrefaction; so may the taunts and gibes of ungodly men, cure my inward sores, and make me watchful against future wandring. Twas a worthy speech of the Macedonian King Philip, when he was told that Nicanor spake evil of him, I believe he is honest, and I fear I have deserved it.
I may also be the better for wicked mens counsel as well as their carping, if I have but the wit to follow it so far as it is good; Evil Joab gave good counsel to David, and had he desisted upon it from numbring the people, it might have saved the lives of some thousands; It is ordinary indeed to value the advice by the person, and thereby it becomes unprofitable; But is silk the less precious, because its spun by vile worms? Are Roses the less sweet, because they grow amongst briers and brambles? Silver and Gold are not the worse by being taken out of the lowest element, the Earth. That Wine may strengthen and refresh my nature, which is drawn out of a wooden or wormeaten caske. O that I might take the counsel of the worst, in that which is good, and refuse the counsel of the best, in that which is evil! Lord, thou canst command that these stones of wicked men be made bread to nourish my soul; teach me by their falls to walk more humbly with thee, and to cleave more fast to thy Son, through whose strength alone I stand; Blessed be thy justice, which hath made them examples to me, and blessed be thy mercy, that hath not made me an example to them.
I Wish that whilst my God calleth me among them,5Endeavour to reform them. I may do good to them, as well as receive good from them, that I may as Musk, cast a fragrancy amongst such course and foul linnen. Though I hate their sins, yet I am bound to love and pity their souls. Tis true, they are vile and vicious, they work iniquity, they walk after the flesh, they walk contrary to God, and bid him depart from them; But may I not say, Father forgive them, they know not what they do! Did they know him, they would not by their sins crucifie afresh the Lord of glory. Its no wonder that blind men should wander out of the right way, that those who have been kept in Dungeons all their days, should be contented with the poor Rush-candles of creature comforts, and never desire nor enquire after the Sun of Righteousness. Alas, the God of this World hath blinded their minds, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine unto them. He knoweth, that did they but see the grace they abuse, the love they despise, the excellency and certainty of that Salvation which they neglect, and the extremity and endlesness of that misery which they are hastening to, they would quickly turn about, and mind the things which concern their everlasting peace; therefore he holds his black hand over their eyes, and so they are alienated from the life of God, through the ignorance that is in them. O what pity should I have for such ignorant persons, as are running hoodwinkt to Hell! If to him that is afflicted pity should be shewn, what pity doth he call for who is all over infected with sin, and every moment in danger of everlasting death? Can I be troubled to behold the blind, or the lame, or the sick, and have I no bowels for those souls that lye weltring in their blood! Besides, the time was, that I had as low thoughts of God and his ways, and as high thoughts of the flesh and the world as they; I was once in their condition, a servant of sin, an heir of wrath, and therefore I owe them the more compassion. Those that have been sensible of the Stone, or Gout, or Tooth-ach, are the more pitiful towards them that are affected with the same pain. My God bids me to be gentle, shewing all meekness towards all men, (Tit. 3. 2, 3.) Because I my self was sometimes disobedient, deceived, and serving divers lusts and pleasures. When I was wallowing in my uncleanness, and priding my self in my pollutions, the heart of my God was turned towards me, and the hand of mercy open to me. O my soul, shall not that infinite perdition to which thou wast obnoxious, and that infinite compassion of which thou hast tasted, prevail with thee to pity others! O that thou wert so affected with the misery thou hast deserved, and that rich love and grace which thou hast received; that thou mightest seriously and studiously endeavour by thy affectionate counsel, pious carriage, and prudent admonition, that others may be partakers of the same mercy and grace; if my carriage be unblameable, my counsel and reproof will be the more acceptable; wholsom meat, often is distastful, coming out of nasty hands. A bad liver cannot be a good counsellor, or bold reprover; such a man must speak softly for fear of awaking his own guilty …onscience. If the Bell be crackt, the sound must needs be jarring.
I desire that I may be as bold to reprove as others are to commit sin; yet that I may be so prudent, as never to reproach the sinner when I reprove the sin, lest I break their heads instead of their hearts, and make them flie in my face, instead of falling down at Gods feet; Bone-setters must deal very warily, and Physick is given with great advice, and in dangerous diseases not without a consultation. I would distinguish between crimes, and not fall upon any (as the Syrians did on Gilead, Amos. 1. 3.) with a flail of Iron, when a small wand may do the work, nor (as Jeroboam threatened Israel) chastise them with Scorpions, who may be reformed with Whips. It was not the heat, but the cool of the day, when my God came down to reprove Adam; The wrath of man worke…h not the righteousness of God; Its in vain to undertake to cast out Satan with Satan, or sin with sin. I must turn anger out of my nature, but I must not turn my nature into anger. Yet, let me be serious, not light in all my admonitions; Its ill playing or jesting with one that is destroying and damning himself; Would it not stick close to me another day, should I laugh at them at this day, that are going into the place of weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth? My frothy carriage would as Hazaels cloth dipt in water, instead of recovering, stifle my brother to death. Physick works best when its warm; I must love my Neighbour as my self. True self-love will throw the first stone at its own sin. I may not suffer sin in my self, therefore not in my neighbour. Lord, thou hast commanded me in any wise to rebuke my neighbour, and not to suffer sin upon him. I confess, its an unpleasing work to rake into sores and ulcers; If I lance festred wounds, I make the Patients angry by putting them to pain; and O how averse is my wicked heart to such a task! I am prone to fear their ill-will more then thine, and rather to let them rot in the hony of flattery, then preserve and save them by faithful admonition. How backward is my cowardly spirit to undertake the work? how many excuses will it plead for its neglect? When through grace I have overcome those lets and hinderances, how flatteringly and unfaithfully do I go about it? rather stroaking the sinner, then striking the sin. O pardon my omissions of this duty, and all my falseness in the performance of it! Let thy Spirit so encourage me, that I may not fear the faces of men; so direct me, that affectionately, prudently, and zealously I may admonish them that go astray; and O do thou so prosper and bless, that I may bring them home to thy flock and fold.
I Wish that I may unfaignedly bewail others wickedness, 6Lament those sins which thou canst not prevent.and lament that dishonour to my God, which I cannot hinder. Its an ill sign of my Sonship, for others to blaspheme the name of my father, and me to be insensible. Adoption is ever accompanied with filial affection. If I expect the priviledges, I must ensure the properties of a Child. Nature will teach me to be troubled for affronts that are offered to the Father of my flesh, and will not grace enable me to be greived at the dirt which wicked men throw in the …ace of the Father of Spirits. Again, I must not look for freedom from others sufferings, unle… I lay to heart their sins. The mourners in Sion, are those that in a common calamity are markt for safety, Ezek. 9. The destroying Angel will take me to be as gu…lty as others, if it fixd me without grief, and so wrap me up in their punishments; my God himself, judgeth me infected with those sins, for which I am not afflicted; and can I then think to escape? O that my head were water, and mine eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep day and night, for the iniquity and misery of dying gasping sinners! Lord, thou canst fetch water out of this rocky heart, and open the sluces of my eyes; Break my heart, because others break thy Commands; When others kindle the fire of thine anger, help thy serv…nt to draw water, and poure it out before thee. Let me be so far from seeing others provoke the eyes of thy glory without sorrow, that when ever I remember the transgressours I may be greived, because they forsake thy statutes; Let rivers of tears run down mine eyes, when the wicked forsake thy Law.
Conclusion.I cannot for my life so carry my self, but I shall sometimes fall amongst wicked men. Whilst I am amongst them I endanger my soul, either by complying with, or conniving at them in their evil actions. There is no safety in evil society. Such Pitch is apt to defile my conscience; Who can expect to come off without loss from such Cheats and Juglers? It is the peevish industry of wickedness to find or make a fellow. Besides, they are Children of the world, whose friendship is enmity against my God; they are Children of disobedience, therefore contrary to my new nature, and so must needs be uncomfortable to me; Children of the Devil, therefore Traytors against Christ, and so abominable to my God. I cannot be certain, not to meet with evil companions, but I will be careful not to be their consorts. I would willingly sort my self with such as should either teach me vertue, or learn of me to avoid vice. And if my Companion cannot make me better, nor I him good, let me rather leave him ill, then he should make we worse. Though if I depart from …hem, the world will judge me proud, yet should I stay with them needlesly, my God would count me prophane; and is it not better that men accuse me falsly, then God condemne me justly? What need I care what men think, so God approve! Tis to his judgement that I must stand or fall for ever. It is likely that those who cannot defile my conscience, will injure my credit, and publish to their fellows that I am a precise fool; But this is my comfort, there is a time coming, when innocency will cause the greatest boldness; and freedom from sin, will do me more service, and be infinitely more worth, then the highest renown that ever mortal acquired. Lord, thy people in this world, are as Lillies among Thorns; The Canaanites of the Land, are Thornes in the eyes, and Pricks in the sides of thy true Israelites. Wo is me that I dwell in Meshech, and my habitation is in the Tents of Kedar; My soul hath long dwelt with them that hate peace. They like not me, because I am not like to them, and count my Company not good, because it is not bad, and I dare not sin with them. They are mine enemies, because I follow the thing that good is! O how black are their tongues with railing, and their hearts with rage, against them who dare not provoke thee as much as themselves! I am ready to say now, upon the view of their abominations, and the hearing their Oaths and Curses, and Blasphemies; Cursed be their anger for it is fierce, and their rage, for it is cruel; O my soul, enter not thou into their secrets; mine honour be not thou united unto them; for in their anger they seek to destroy souls, and in their self-will they dig pits to cause others to fall. Because they cannot defile the brethren, they defame the brother-hood, and disgrace them whom they cannot deceive. Let the heat of their lust increase my longing after that place where there is no Judas among thine Apostles, no Demas among thy Disciples, where all the Society will be of one mouth and mind, of one heart and way, where all the Company… will joyn in consort, and the whole Celestial Q…ire tune their strings and raise their voices to the highest pitch in sounding thine excellencies, and singing thy praises without sin or ceasing. There will be no Tobias, to indict thy children of Treason against men, for their faithfulness to thee; There will be no Ahab to accuse thy best servants, as troublers of the state, for reproving the Idolatries and enormities of the Church; There will be no Balaam trying his hellish tricks, to make thy people a prey to their bodily foes, and a provocation by their sins to thy Majesty; There will be no Tares in that Field, no Straw in that Barn, no Vessels of dishonour in that House; Into it can in no wise enter any thing that defileth, or is unclean. The Company there will be (not tempting me to wickedness, or taxing me with preciseness, but) part of my felicity. O what an happy day will it be, when all prophane Esaus, and scoffing Ishmaels, shall be cast out of the House, and I shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, and with none but the holy of the Lord in the Kingdom of Heaven! Holy Father, let the skirt of thy mercy cover all my iniquities and failings in evil company, and grant that my carriage amongst such persons (whilst I am through thy providence forced to be amongst them) may be so pious and gracious; that at that great Harvest-day, when thou wilt separate the chaff from the good corn, and burn it up with unquenchable fire, I may be wholly free from their vicious infections, and vexatious presence; and associate with the Spirits of just men made perfect, an innumerable company of Angels, the General Assembly and Church of the first born, and enjoy them all in, and with thy blessed self, for ever and ever,
Amen.