Works, To the reader – Errata
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
SUch is the beauty of Holiness, the excellency of Divine Nature, and the reasonableness, and righteousness of the Service of God; as also the necessity of Mans devoting himself wholly to it, that were not his understanding, which is the Sun in the lesser world, strangely …uffled with clouds; his will, which as the Moon, borroweth its light from it, full of spots and changes, and desperately bent upon evil; his affections as stars of malevolent influence, brutishly enslaved to his sensual appetite; and his whole nature deplorably vitiated, it were impossible for him, to turn his back upon the authority, commands, and threatnings of his Maker; to trample on the bowels, and blood, and intreaties of his Redeemer; to despise the motions, and perswasions, and assistance of the holy Spirit, in order to his recovery out of that bottomless gulph of misery, into which he hath plunged himself, and his restauration to a state of purity and eternal happiness; and there would be no such need of calling so frequently and fervently, and of crying so urgently and earnestly to him, to exercise himself unto godliness.
As he that is an Atheist in his principles, and denyeth the being of such a thing as Religion, must deny his very senses, since his eyes, and ears, and taste, and feeling, do all loudly Preach a deity to him; So he that is an Atheist in his practices, and denyeth the making Religion his business, must deny his reason, and debase himself into a Beast; for common understanding, notwithstanding its great loss by the fall, will inform him that he is made for higher things then the service of a brutish flesh, and the pursuit of earthly fading enjoyments, and that the worship of his God (the Fountain of his being, and well-spring of his happiness) as most sutable to his spiritual nature, as most conducing to his own advancement, interest and perfection, is most worthy of all his heart, and soul, and strength, and of all his time, and care, and labour.
But alas the sad fruit of mans apostacy, in the depravation of his nature, abundantly manifesteth it self to every eye that is not stark blind. As an old disease, doth not onelyonly afflict the part of its proper residence, and by its habitual abode there, make a continual diminution of the strength; but also makes a path and Channel for the humours to run thither, which by continual defluction, dig an open passage, and prevail above all the natural power of resistance: So hath Original sin debauched the mind, and made it think crooked things straight, and straight things crooked, loathsom things lovely, and lovely things loathsom; perverted the will, and made it as a diseased stomach, to call for, and eat unwholsom meat, against his own reason; enthralled his affections, to sensuality and brutishness; chained the whole man, and delivered it up to the law of sin, and laid those strengths of reason and conscience in fetters, by which it might be hindered in its vicious inclinations, and course of prophaness. Hence it comes to pass, that neither the beauty of grace, nor equity of living to God, nor the absolute necessity of mans exercising himself to godliness, will prevail with him.
So great is the glory and amiableness of the New Creation, that not onelyonly the Saints who are indued with wisdom from above, and can judge aright, esteem it above their honours, and riches, and relations, and lives, and rejoyce in it as their peculiar priviledge and highest dignitie; but even Angels, behold it with admiration, and look on their own purity, and conformity to the divine nature and pleasure, as their greatest perfection. Nay, God himself, whose being is the pattern, and whose will is the rule of holiness, is ravished and enamoured with it, as that which is the travail of the soul of his dear son, the immediate work of his own spirit, and the end, and glory, and master-piece of all the works of his hands; Yet this heavenly off-spring, this divine image, this supernatural beam of light, this resemblance and picture of Gods own perfections, this royal attire of the celestial Courtiers, which rendereth the poorest and meanest Christian, more noble and excellent then his highest, and richest, ungodly Neighbour, and makes him more glorious then a clear skie, bespangled with the shining stars, or an imperial Diadem, sparkling with the richest Diamonds, is the scorn and derision of the blind unworthy world; That as Salvian complained in his days,Salv. l. 4. De gub. d…i. Tert. Apol. Si honoratior quispiam religioni se applicuerit, illico honoratus esse desistit; si fuerit sublimis, fit despicabilis, …i splendidissimus, fit vilissimus; si totus honoris, fit totus injuria, &c. If a noble person betake himself to religion, he is presently degraded, and all his former fame, and honour, and renown, turned into disgrace, contempt, and contumely; and men are forced to be vicious, lest they should be counted vile.
Foolish wormes, pretended Christians, are like persecuting Pagans, who could think and speak well of some of the Saints, onelyonly their Religion they judged, like Coperas, turned all their Wine into Ink, gave a dash to all their vertues and excellencies. Bonus vir Cajus Sejus sed malus, tanquam quod Christianus, was the Heathens voice in Tertullians time. Blind Beetles, men admire fancies, shadows, nothings, and trample on true worth and real excellency; As the Egyptians, if they met with a Cat or Crocodile, bowed down to it, and worshipped it, when they passed by the great Luminaries of Heaven without admiration: So these beholding the poor mean treasures, and fleeting honours of this world, bow down the knees of their souls to them, and worship them, but pass by the beautiful Image of the blessed God, the unsearchable riches in Christ, and the glory to be revealed, without any respect or regard.
So reasonable and righteous is mans devoting himself to the worship of the blessed and most high God, that he cannot without manifest injustice, as well as ingratitude and folly, deny the exercising himself to godliness. Unless man were his own Maker … he cannot have any title to become his own Master, Psa. 119. 73. The Redeemers title to us is certain, and clear, and unquestionable, whether we own it or no, and all the while we keep any thing from him, or deny subjection to him, we rob him of his right; Ye are not your own, but …ought with a price, therefore glorifie God in your bodies, and spirits, which are Gods, 1 Cor. 6. ult. The Slave is not his own man, but his who redeemed him, though his proud and stubborn spirit may refuse to acknowledge it. Man is not in the condition of those persons who are servants by compact and agreement, for a year, or so long as they think fit, and upon their own terms; but like those whom the Romans took in War, over whose persons and estates they had an absolute dominion, as well as a right to their works and service. Though the Commands of Christ, are all holy, just, and good, as profitable for man, as honourable for himself, yet he hath absolute authority over man, and all that he hath, and may command him what he pleaseth. As Laban said to Iacob, These daughters are my daughters, these sons are my sons, these cattel are my cattel, and all thou seest is mine: So the Redeemer, by vertue of the price he laid down, his most precious blood, may say to every man, This soul is my soul, this body is my body, this estate is my estate, these children and friends are my children and friends, this name, and credit, and interest, is mine, and all thou haste is mine. Yet alas, men …o will give their Relations their due, strangers their due, enemies their due, nay, according to their Proverb, the very Devil his due, and far more then his due, will not give Iesus Christ his due; but against all justice and righteousness, rob and wrong him of that which is his own, and dearly bought too, Rom. 14.7, 8. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we dye, we dye unto the Lord; whether therefore we live or dye, we are the Lords. For to this end, Christ both dyed, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
So absolute is the necessity of mans making Religion his business, that upon his diligence or negligence herein, his eternal salvation or damnation doth depend. If any man will be Christs Disciple, he must deny himself, disclaim all title, and disown all right to himself, have nothing more to do with himself, as upon his own account, and make an unfaigned, unreserved dedication of himself, and all that he hath to the honour and interest of his Redeemer. Sanctification is a separation from all common to sacred uses, and this must be done with all the heart, and soul, and strength, in the whole course of the life, by all that will escape the wrath to come; God commandeth men to strive to enter in at the straight gate, to work out their salvations with fear and trembling, to be holy as he is holy, in all manner of conversation; and his word is like the Law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be altered. He hath enjoyned nothing but what his infinite wisdom saw fit, and he is resolved not to vary the least tittle, not to abate the least farthing of the price he hath set. Foolish men are so besotted by their deceitful hearts, and befooled by the Devil, that they complement with Religion, and onelyonly give it an outside formal salute, instead of cordial embraces, and real entertainment. They deal with religion, as Anacharsis saith the Athenians dealt with money, using it for no other end but to number and cast up accounts with, whereas it might have served them for excellent purposes. So they use Religion onelyonly for a shew, for fashion, for custom, and are satisfied with an hypocritical way of Worshipping God, and think to put God off therewith, whereas it would serve them for high and honourable ends, it would if entertained in the power and life of it, elevate the Christian above this beggarly world, enable him to combat with, and conquer his sturdy stubborn lusts, and the power and policy of Hell, help him to a conversation in Heaven, to converse and communion with the Father, and Jesus Christ his Son, and dress his soul for a blessed eternity.
Reader, If thou art unacquainted with this high and honourable, this worthy and noble Calling of Christianity; I shall appeal to thy reason and conscience, in the tender of some questions, possibly one or other of them may prevail with thee to bind thy self Apprentice to it. As a Fowler, according to the different nature of his game, contrives and appropriates his stratagems, that some he catcheth with light, as Larks with a glass and day nets; some with baits, as Pigeons with pease; some with frights, as Blackbirds with a low-bell; some with company, as Ducks with decoy fowl. So I shall endeavour to suit my questions to thy temper, whatever it be, that if either the light of reason, or the bait of unconceiveable and infinite profit, or the frights of dreadful threatnings and comminations, or the company of Christ the captain of our salvation and all his followers and Souldiers, who marched to Heaven in this way, will win upon thee, I may perswade thee to make Religion thy business. O that being crafty, I might catch thee with holy guile! To this end I beseech thee to weigh the questions, again, and again, as thou readest them, and to dart up thy prayers to Heaven for a blessing on them, that thou mayst not reject the counsel of God against thy own soul, but hearken to counsel, receive instruction, and be wise for thy latter end.
1. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, upon which the true comfort and joy of thy life, during thy whole pilgrimage doth depend? Comfort is the cream, the top of life, joy is the flower, the honey, the life of life; Life without comfort, without delight is a living death. If the body be disquieted with diseases, and aches, and pains, the soul as a tender Husband sympathizing with his bride, though the patient be heir of a Kingdom, and commander of large dominions, yet all creatures to him are unsavoury morsels, and as an aguish pallat, he can taste, can rellish nothing; Iob in distress speaks in such a mans dilect, Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul? Job 3. 20. Light is one of the most excellent things that God hath made, and is therefore used by the Holy Ghost to set out not onelyonly the Word of God, and the Work of Godliness, Psa. 119. 105. 1 Iohn 1. 7. but also Christ, and Heaven, and God himself, 1 Ioh. 9. 1 Colos. 12. 1 Iohn 1. 5. Life is the Apex, the highest stair, the top-stone, the choisest of all temporal mercies; There is no flower in natures garden for beauty or excellency comparable to it; therefore men if brought to the pinch will part with all to redeem this; Skin for skin, all that a man hath will he give for his life. The loss of life is the chiefest outward loss, and esteemed the greatest satisfaction to justice or nature. The desire of life is indeed the greatest earthly blessing, the most loyal people can desire for their loving Prince; Let the King live; but light and life as precious pearls as they are, become burdens most toylsom and tedious to men without comfort. Joy to life, is as the form to the matter, which animates and actuates it, and makes it sp…ightful and lively; Why is light given to one in misery, and life to the bitter in soul?
Now Reader, It is Religion that is the comfort of thy life, by bringing thee to him who is the life of all thy comforts. Other things can never su…e, and so can never satisfie and therefore can never truly refresh or rejoyce the soul of man; The body may sooner be fed and preserved with Air and Wind, as the soul filled with the whole world. They who swim down, with a full stream of outward good things, who have waters of a full cup wrung out to them, and have more then heart can wish, though they be Masters of hidden and bottomless mines, as the Spanish Ambassadour boasted of his Soveraigns treasures in the Indies; though they have thousands and millions of heads bare, and knees bowing to them, and are mounted to the loftiest pinacle of honour, and fame, and renown; though their garments are of finest silk, sented with the sweetest perfumes, embroydered by the most skilful Artist, and enamelled with the richest jewels, though their food be the most choice and luscious delicates, the most mellifluous Nectar, that earth, air, and water can afford, and though their bodies be in the most perfect state of health, and thereby enabled to extract the quintessence of all this, and so rellish it in the highest degree, yet all this is not able to give them the least dram of true delight, the smallest crum of true comfort. In the midst of their sufficiency (such Monarchs) are in straights; They may possess much, but enjoy nothing; Their faces some…times are featured with laughter, when at the same time their souls are in little ease; In the midst of mirth their hearts are sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness. As some Plumbs that are sweet and luscious in the outward part, but have bitter kernels; so the most rich and honourable sinners, in the midst of their mirth, and gigling, and sports, have inward gripes, which like Leaven, sowreth the whole lump of their enjoyments. Haman, though exalted to the highest seat next the Throne in the Persian Court, and had the command of him who commanded one hundred and twenty seven Provinces, yet had an aking heart, and a worm gnawing his inwards, that he cryeth out, All this avails me nothing, &c. The Worlds greatest darlings, whom she dandleth most upon her knees, and to whom she granteth her sweetest kisses, are but at best like a curious marble chimney-piece, glorious and shining without, but full of soot and blackness within. God did at first for mans fall judge the earth to bring forth Briars and Thorns, and all the fruit it beareth will be piercing and paining, what ever men fancy to themselves.
But Reader, though the curse of the earth be Thistles and Thorns, yet the blessing of Heaven is light and joy. Though the World be empty and vain, and vexatious; yet Religion is full, and filling the soul with content and comfort. Observe the very formal nature of it; The Kingdom of God (i. e. Religion) consisteth not in meats and drinks, but in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14. 17. Peace and joy is the heart-chearing wine which groweth upon this vine; A good conscience is a continual feast; Natural things must be brought to their center before they can enjoy rest; and how can it be expected that spiritual beings can enjoy true repose, but in their centre the Father of spirits! That peace which passeth all understanding, that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory, are the true and legitimate children of the power of godliness. Outward things and formes, like Glow-worms, may be glistering, but they are not warming; Tis the power of Religion, like the Sun, that brings refreshing light, and enlivening heat along with it. The wicked is snared in his wickedness, but the righteous sing & rejoyce.
2. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, in which thou hast to do with an insinite, glorious, and jealous Majesty? If men are serious about the concernments of a Father, or Master, or Noble-man, or King, how serious should they be about the concernments of a God? I must tell thee Reader, that thou hast every moment of thy life to do with the great God. Whether thou art eating, or drinking, or walking, or buying, or selling, or ploughing, or sowing, or reaping (as well as when thou art praying or hearing, or reading, or meditating) thou haste still to do with God. In all companies, in all thy relations, in all natural actions, in all civil transactions, at all seasons, thou haste more to do with God then with any creature, then with all the creatures; And is his work to be slighted or dallied with, or slubbered over? Is it good playing or toying with his interest and concerns, in whose hand is thy breath, and life, and all that thou hast? Dost thou not know that his eyes is ever upon thee, that his arm is able to reach and revenge him on thee when he pleaseth; that he looks on himself as worthy to be observed and pleased, in all thy thoughts, and words, and deeds? and wilt thou dare him to his face, and provoke him before his eyes, and cast him behind thy back, as not deserving to be minded or regarded? Is his fury so light a burden, or his favour so little a blessing, that thou art so indifferent unto either? Ah didst thou but know what a God thou hast to deal with, in every part, and passage, and moment of thy life; how sweet his love is, far better then life; how bitter his wrath is, more dreadful then death; didst thou know how great a good, how blessed a friend, how high an honour, how choice an happiness, how rich a cordial, how vast a treasure he is to them that make his service their business; didst thou know how powerful an enemy, how intolerable his anger is, what a Lion g…eedy of his prey, what a consuming fire he is to them that do his work by halfes and negligently; didst thou know him as the saved in heaven know him, to be an hive of sweetness, a river of pleasure; or as the damned in hell know him, to be a sea of wormwood, meeting thee as a Bear robbed of her whelps: O what wouldst thou then think of making religion thy business! speak Friend in thy conscience; wouldst thou then live without him in the world, and leave him out as one unconcerned in the several passages of thy conversation? Wouldst thou then put him off with the skin, and shell, and carkasse of religion, as if he were an Idol, and had eyes, and saw not; and ears, and heard not; instead of an hearty dedication of thy self, and all thou hast to his service? Wouldst thou then eat or drink, or buy, or sell, or do any thing without asking his leave, and begging his blessing, and observing the rules and commands which he hath prescribed thee? Or wouldst thou not rather do all things as in his presence, according to his precepts, and as may be most for his praise, believing that he is not a God to be dallied with?
3. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which is the end of thy being and preservation, and of all the mercies that thou enjoyest, and of all the cost and charge which the Great God is night and day at with thee? For what end dost thou think the Great and Glorious God formed thy body so couriously in the womb, and animated it with an heaven-born soul? but that thou mightst be made capable of admiring his excellencies, adoring his perfections, and obeying his precepts. Canst thou be so foolish as to think that he created thee to despise his dominion, and break his laws, and dishonour his name, and walk contrary to him in thy conversation? Wherefore dost thou imagine God doth preserve thee in thy being, afford thee health, and strength, and sleep, and food, and raiment, and friends, and respect, and protect thee in thy outgoings, and incomings, and defend thee from invisible enemies, who are continually waiting to destroy thee, and have power enough to drag thee into hell every moment, b…t are onelyonly restrained by his almighty arm; but that thou mightest by these streams be led upward to the fountain, imploy these talents as a faithfull Steward for the honour of thy Master, and by these gifts, tokens of his love be perswaded to own and acknowledge the giver? Canst thou b… so sottish as to think that he bestoweth these favours upon thee, that thou shouldst walk after the flesh and embrace the present world, or to strengthen thee in thy treasons, and rebellions against him? To what purpose dost thou imagine, he bestoweth on thee his Gospel, his Ministers, his Sabbaths, his Ordinances, many golden seasons of grace? but to help and enable thee to draw nigh to him, to seek out after him, to desire him, and delight in him, as thy onelyonly happiness and heaven? Surely thou canst not be so brutish, as to conceive that he giveth thee all this (as women give babies to children) to play and toy with; or (as the Dutch are reported to have sent powder and shot for money to the Spaniards) to fight against him with? Doth not the Husbandman who takes care by dunging, and ploughing, and sowing, and harrowing to manu…e his ground, expect that it will bring forth the greater crop, and so recompence his cost, that the profit which he shall receive by it at harvest will answer all his pains? When a Father is at a great charge in the nurture and education of his child, providing him Tutors, or sending him first to some considerable Schools for a good while, next to the University, then to the Inns of Court? is it not his …rd… that his Son may be an honour to him, contin… his name with credit, and be a prop and suppo… to his family? And canst thou think that the only wise God, to whom all Men are absolute, and Angels comparative fools, is at such infinite cost and charge with thee upon any other account, then that thou mayst be serviceable to his interest, advance his kingdom, and make his praise glorious; by a pious, gracious, and exemplary conversation, and by making his service thy business?
4. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which is the elevation, and advancement, and perfection of thine heaven-born immortal soul? The advancement and restauration of a Prince, and one nobly born to his kingdom and birth-right, is much more deserving our care, and pains, and treasure, and blood, then the exaltation of a beggar from the dunghil. The soul of man is royally descended, begotten of God; holiness is its restauration to its original glory, and primitive perfection, which it lost by the fall, and therefore is worthy of all our cost, and care, and study, and labour.
Thy soul Reader, is of unconceivable value and excellency;
1. As it is immediately created by God, without any pre-existing matter.
2. As it is of an immaterial and spiritual nature.
3. As it is capable of the image, and life, and love, and fruition of God himself.
4. As it is immortal, and of eternal duration; though years, and ages, and generations, and time have an end, the soul hath no end.
5. As it is the bottom in which the body and its everlasting good is embarqued.
6. As it is the standard and measure of all our outward excellencies; as friends, and health, and food, and life, and riches, and honour, and ministers, and ordinances, are more or less worth, as they are more or less serviceable to the soul. Now grace and godliness is the honour, and elevation, and excellency of the soul; it is soul-beauty, Cant. 4. 1. it is soul-wisdom, Prov. 4. 7. it is soul-riches, Luk. 12. 21. it is soul-glory, soul-comfort, soul-food, soul-raiment, soul rest. O how worthy is that form which animates, and elevates the soul of man, as its subject and matter! He that addeth honour to a puissant King, must be high and honoura…le indeed. That which is the form of our form, and the soul of our soul, that exalteth and honoureth so noble a piece, must needs deserve to be our only business.
5. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which was the great design and end of the blessed Redeemers birth, life, death, burial, ascension and intercession? No man, unless worse then distracted, can possibly conceive that the glorious God, whose wisdom is unsearchable, and love to his Son unquestionable, would send his onelyonly begotten Son out of his bosome; or that Christ in whom were all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, would give himself to be born so meanly, to live so poorly, to die so painfully, to be disgraced, reviled, buffetted, scourged, crucified for any thing that was not superlatively eminent, and deserved to be the main work, and business of every man in this world. The greatness of the price, the blood of God, doth to every rational understanding fully speak the preciousness of the pearl. Now how clear and plain is it in the word of truth, that the Redeemer gave himself to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purifie unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of goodworks? Tit. 2. 14. That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve him in holiness and righteousness all our days.
Surely Reader, that which the Son of God, who thought it no robbery to be equal with God, thought worthy the taking on himself the form of a servant, and the suffering, the spite, and malice of men, the wrath and rage of devils, and the frowns and fury of his father, to purchase for thee, doth deserve to be minded and regarded by thee, as thee onelyonly thing thou followest after, and setst thy self about during thy pilgrimage.
Alas, All the pains, and labour, and watching, and working, and time, and strength, and lives of all the men in the world, are not equivalent to one drop of the blood of Christ, or the least degree of his humiliation; and wilt thou deny to make that thy business, for which he shed so much blood, and laid down his life?
6. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which is the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost, and for which the Spirit is infused into the hearts of men? The worth of the Father doth speak the desert of the Child. Though men who pretend to honour the Father for his work of Creation, and to admire the Son for his work of Redemption, blasphemously deride and wretchly, slight sanctification, which is the work of the Spirit, yet undoubtedly the work of the Spirit is no whit inferiour to either; nay, is the beauty and glory both of Creation and Redemption, as being the end and perfection of both. The Father created the world in order to the new creation by the Spirit, as that choice work man ship which he resolved should bring him in the largest revenue of praise and honour. Tis the new heavens wherein dwelleth righteousness, that doth most declare the glory of God and the Firmament (of sparkling graces) that sheweth forth his most choice and curious handi-work. Sanctification is the travel of the Sons soul, a spiritual sacred life, the great end of his death; The Son redeemed man from slavery, to sin and Satan, and unto the service of righteousness, by layino down the price thereof, his own most precious blood. One of the Sons main works, was to purchase the re-impression of Gods Image on man; the actual performance of which, is the peculiar office of the Spirit; hence he tells us, Ioh. 14. I go away that the comforter may come, and again, Ioh. 6. The Spirit was not yet given, (i. e. so plentifully and universally) because Iesus was not yet glorified. And therefore we read, that in few days after his ascension, to acquaint us what was one main end and fruit of his death and suffering; he powreth down the holy Ghost in an extraordinary manner and measure. So that Creation, the work of the Father, doth as it were provide the matter, the wax. Redemption the work of the Son, buyeth the Image of God; the Seal and Sanctification, the work of the Spirit stampeth it on the soul.
Now Reader, doth not the Sanctification of the Soul deserve to be thy main business, when it is the curious work of the holy Spirit; as that which the Fathers eye was chiafly on in thy Creation, and the Sons in thy Redemption.
Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which addeth a real worth to every thing, and without which nothing is of worth or value? Every one will grant, that what is so richly excellent, as to ennoble and add an intrinsick value to whatsoever it is affixed; and the lack of which maketh every thing (be they in other respects never so precious) low and mean, must needs deserve to be our business. Truely Friend, such is holiness; it makes the word of God a precious word, more to be embraced then gold, yea, then much fine gold. The Ordinances of God, precious Ordinances; the people of God, a precious people, the excellent of the earth. What is the reason that some, in the account of him who is best able to judge, though they be never so rich or beautiful, or high and honourable in the world, are called Dross, Chaff, Stubble, Dust, Filth, Vessels of dishonour; and counted Dogs, Swine, Vermine, Serpents, Cockatrices, but want of holiness? What is the reason that some, though poor and despised, and mean, and houseless, and friendless, are esteemed (by him who can best discern true worth) The glory of the World, the glory of Christ, a Royal Diadem, a Royal Priesthood; higher then the Kings of the earth, more excellent then their Neighbours; Princes in all lands, such of whom the world is not worthy? but because they are godly persons, an holy people. Why are some Angels advanced to the highest Heavens, waiting always in the presence of the King of Kings, honoured to be his Ministers and Deputies in the Government of this lower world; when other Angels are thrown down into the lowest Hell, for ever banished the Celestial Court, and bound in chains of darkness, as prisoners to the day of execution? but holiness in the former, and want of it in the latter.
8. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which will and can refresh and revive thee in an hour of death, and enable thee to sing and triumph at the approach of the King of terrors? The Master of Moral Philosophy tells us, that its worth the while for a man to be all the time he lives, learning how to dye well. The unerring spirit of God acquaints us, that it ought to be our great work to be wise for our latter end. Doubtless it must be a rich costly cordial indeed, and deserves not a little time and pains, and charge to prepare, which can keep a man from fainting in such a day of extremity; wherein our honours, and treasures, friends, wives, children, nay, our flesh and hearts will fail and forsake us. That cannot be of mean worth, which can make a man encounter his last enemy with courage and conquest; at the sight of which, Kings, and Captains, and Nobles, and the greatest Warriers have trembled, as leaves with the wind, and their hearts melted as grease before the fire.
Now Reader, Godliness is that wine which will cause thee to sing at the approach of this Goliah, and enable thee as Leviathan, to laugh at the shaking of his spear; when whole hosts of others, without Godliness, flie like Cowards before it, and would give all they are worth to avoid fighting with it. Heark what a challenge the godly sends to this adversary, daring it to meet him in the field; O death where is thy sting! O grave where is thy victory! the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law; But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Iesus Christ, 1 Cor. 15. 57, 58. The Naturalists tell us of a precious stone called Ceraunias, that glisters most when the Skie is Cloudy, and over-cast with darkness. Godliness friend, will cast the greatest lustre on thee, and put the greatest comfort in thee, when thy time of trouble and day of death is come. This, this is the friend that is born for the day of adversity; Therefore the sweet singer of Israel having this with him, promiseth; Though he walk in the valley of the shadow of death, he will fear none ill, Psal. 23.
9. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which will help thee to comfort and confidence at a dreadful day of judgement, and cause thee to lift up thy head with joy, when thousands and millions shall weep and wail. The day of judgement will be a terrible day indeed; the judge will come in flaming sire, a fire devouring before him and behind him, a flame burning. His tribunal, will be a tribunal of fire; Out of his mouth did proceed a fiery Law, and by that law of fire he will try men for their eternal lives and deaths. The earth at that day, will be consumed with fire, and the elements melt with fervent heat. If the cry of fire, firè, in the night now, be so dreadfull, and doth so afright and amaze us, though it be but in one house, and possible not very near us; how dreadful will that day be, when we shall see the whole world in a flame, and the Judge coming in flaming fire to pronounce our eternal dooms! Who can abide the day of his coming! or who can stand when he appeareth! Then the Kings, and Captains, and Nobles, and Mighty Men will call to the rocks to fall on them, and to the hills to hide them, from the face that sitteth in the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, Rev. 6. 15.
O Reader, of what worth is that which will help thee, as the three Children, to sing in the midst of so many flaming fiery furnaces, and preserve thee from being hurt, or so much as toucht therewith! Truely Godliness will do this for thee, it will turn this day of the perdition of ungodly men into a day of redemption to thee; As true Gold is not consumed by the hottest fire, and the Salamander can live in the greatest flames; so the godly man, in the midst of all those fires and flames, will live and flourish though millions of ungodly ones are scorched and tortured. As he is a King now reigning over his stubborn lusts and unruly passions; that will be his Coronation day, wherein he will appear before the whole world in all his glory and royalty. As he is a Husbandman now sowing to the Spirit; that will be his Harvest-day, wherein he shall reap the fruit of all his prayers, and tears, and watchings, and fastings, and labour, and sufferings. As he is compared to a Virgin, betrothed to Christ, now keeping his garments white and clean, and devoting himself to the service and honour, and commands of his Lord; that will be his Marriage day, wherein he shall be arrayed in fine linnen, the righteousness of the Saints, adorned with the jewels of perfect graces, and solemnly espoused to the King of Saints, the heir of all things, and the fairest of ten thousands, the Lord Jesus Christ. As he is a servant, now doing not his own, but the will of his Master in Heaven, and finishing his work; that will be the day wherein his Indentures will expire, and he shall enjoy the glorious, liberty of the Sons of God. As he is a Son, now yielding reverence and obedience to the Father of Spirits, that will be the day wherein he shall be declared to be of full age, and enjoy his portion and inheritance. As he is a Souldier now fighting the good fight of faith, warring a good warfare, enduring much hardship as a good souldier of Iesus Christ; that will be the day wherein he shall be called off the guard, discharged of those tiresome, toylsome duties, incumbent on him in this life, and receive his garland, a Crown of everlasting life.
Little dost thou conceive Reader, the worth of Godliness at that day. Godliness will then be honoured and admired, not onelyonly by them that have it, and rejoyce in it; but also by the most prophane and carnal wretches, and those who now despise and deride it. Then the blind world who now shut their eyes and will not see, and the atheistical world who harden their hearts and will not believe, shall return, and discern, and see, and believe a difference between the godly and ungodly; between them that fear the Lord, and them that fear him not. O friend, what wouldst thou give at that day, that godliness had been thy business at this day! Godliness will make the judge the Lord Jesus Christ thy friend; the Father, by whose authority he fits the King of all Nations, thy friend; the Iustices who will be upon the bench (for he shall come with thousands of his Saints) thy friends; Godliness would make the law, by which thou art to be tryed, thy friend; Godliness would make thy conscience, which is to be brought in as the evid…nce, thy friend; Godliness would strike dumb all thy accusers, Satan, thy corruptions, and suffer none of them to hurt thee as thy foes. And is not Godliness worthy to be made thy business which will do all this for thee?
10. Is not that worthy to be made thy business which will do thee good to eternity? The fool is for good for many years, but a wise man is for goods that will last to eternity. In worldly matters we value those houses and goods highest which will last longest; We will give much more for the fee-simple or inheritance for ever of a dwelling or lands, then for a term of few years, or for a lease for life, though we can enjoy them but during life. O why should it not be thus in spirituals! Why should we not set the greatest price, and take the most pains, for that which is not for years, or ages, but for ever; for that which we may enjoy, and have full solid comfort in to eternity? No good that is eternal can be little; if it be but an humane friend whom thou lovest, to enjoy him for ever, or a bodily health to enjoy it for ever, or near relations to enjoy them for ever, will infinitely advance the price and raise the value of them; but to enjoy a God for ever, the blessed Saviour for ever, the comforting Spirit for ever, fullness of joy for ever, rivers of pleasures for ever, and exceeding weight of glory for ever, a crown, a kingdom, an inheritance for ever, which is the fruit of Godliness, what tongue can declare, what mind can apprehend the worth of these! Alas, frailty is such a flaw in all earthly tenures, that it do…h exceedingly abate their value, and should our affections to them. Who would esteem much of that flower which flourisheth and looks lovely in the morning, but perisheth and is withered at night? How little are those things worth which are to day mine, and to morrow anothers, which make themselves wings, and as birds flye away, are no sooner in sight, but almost as soon out of sight? Though all the works and creatures of God are excellent, and admirable in their degrees and places, yet some are of far more worth then others, because of their nearer relation to our spiritual souls, and their eternal duration. When I look upon honours, and applause, and respect in the world, methinks its worth is little; for I can see through that air; it is but a breath, a blast that quickly passeth away. When I look upon houses, and lands, and silver, and gold, I may well judge their price low; for there is a worm that will eat out and consume the strongest timberd-dwelling, and gold and silver are corruptable things. Riches are not for ever. When I look upon my Wife and Children, in whom I have through mercy much comfort and contentment; yet their value, as natural relations, is small; for so they shall not be mine for ever; and therefore they that have wives, are commanded to be as though they had none. But when I look upon grace, upon godliness, upon religion, upon the Image of God; O of what in…nite worth, and price, and value are they, because they are lasting, they are everlasting, they are mine for ever! When honours, and crowns, and robes, and scepters are but for a few days; when stately pallaces, and costly mannors, and treasures, gold and pearl are but for a short time; when the most lovely, and loving wives, and husbands, and sons, and daughters, and friends are frail and fading, The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever. Godliness is the good part that (when thy relations, and possessions, and all the good thing of this life shall be taken from thee) shall never be taken from thee.
Reader, what an argument is here to provoke thee to spend, and be spent, to imploy all thy time, and strength, and talents, to sell all for this pearl when it is of so great price; that when all other priviledges, excellencies, royal or noble births, high breedings, preferments, favours with Great men, riches, pleasures, will onelyonly as brass of leathren money, be currant in some Countries in this beggarly earth, it will enrich thee and enliven thee, refresh and rejoyce thee for ever!
11. Is not that worthy to be made thy business, which all men, even the greatest enemies to it, will sooner or later, heartily and earnestly wish had been their business? We have an usual saying, that what one speaketh, may be false and light; and what two speak may be false and vain; and what three speak may be so; but what all speak and agree in, must have something of truth and weight in it. And again we say, Vox populi est vox dei, The voice of all the people is an oracle; Though as Christ said of himself, so I may say of Godliness, God himself beareth witness of it, and his witness is true, and it needeth not testimony from man; yet as he made use of the testimony of Iohn to convince the Jews of their desperate wickedness and inexcusableness, in not submitting to his precepts, and accepting him as a Saviour: So may I improve the witness of the whole world on the behalf of Godliness to convince thee (Reader) of thy folly and sinfullness in neglecting it, and to shew thee how inexcusable thou wilt be found at the day of Christ, if thou dost not presently set upon it, and make it thy business?
Its evident that many men, whose hearts are full of opposition to the ways of God, and whose lives are a flat contradiction to his Word and Will, do yet in their extremity seek him early, and cry to him earnestly, and flie to Godliness as the only shelter in a storm, and safest anchor in a tempest. The most prophane and atheistical wretches, who have in their works defied God himself, and in their words blasphemously derided godly men and godliness; when they have been brought low by sickness, and entred within the borders of the King of terrours, and have some apprehensions upon their spirits that they must go the way of all the earth; then (as Naturalists observe of the dying Cuckoe) they change their note, send for godly Ministers, godly Christians, desire them to pray with them, to pray for them, hearken diligently to their serious instructions, wish with all their hearts, and would give their highest honours, and richest treasures, and imperial diadems, and kingdoms if they have any, and all they are worth, that they had made Godliness their business; and promise if God will spare them, and lengthen their lives but a few days upon earth, that they will have no work, no calling, no employment, no design, but how to please God, and obey his counsel, and submit to his Spirit, and follow after holiness, and prepare their souls for heaven. O then Godliness is godliness indeed, and grace is grace indeed. Then they call and cry as the foolish Virgins to the wise, Give us of your oyl, for our lamps are gone out. O give us grace, give us godliness in the power of it, for all our formal, out side, lazy serving of God is come to nothing. The Serpent that is crooked all her life time, when dying stretcheth her self straight.
As Dionisius on his death, when he heard Thales discoursing excellently about the nature and worth of Moral Philosophy, Cursed his pastimes, and sports, and foolish pleasures that had taken him off, and diverted him from the study of so worthy a subject: So these lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God, whose lives are little else then brutish delights in a circle, or a diversion from one pleasure to another; whose business now is to mock at piety, and persecute the pious, when they come to be thrown by a disease on their beds, and their consciences begin to accuse them for their neglect of Godliness, and to convince them of its absolute necessity; and they have some fears to be overthro…n by death; then they curse their hauks, and hounds, and games, and cups, and companions, and sensual delights that hindered them from making religion their business. Experience testifieth this frequently in many parts of the Nation, where the consciences of dying sinners are not seared with a red hot iron.
Some wish this whilst they live, either under some great affliction, or on a dying bed; nay, I am perswaded, that most wicked men that live under the Gospel in their prosperity, even when they have the world at will, in the midst of their sensual delights, have inward conviction that the course they take will prove cursed in the end, and have some velleities or weak desires (though overruled by carnal head-strong affections) that they could leave those vanities, and make religion their business: But all wicked men after death, when they come into the other world, will wish in earnest, with all their hearts and souls, that they had minded nothing but the service of God, and exercising themselves unto godliness. There, there it is, that the whole world that now lyeth in wickedness, and will not believe the word and wisdom of their Maker, will all set their hands and seals to the truth of that which I am now endeavouring to evince.
When God sends his Officer, death, to arrest sinners, for the vaste summs which they owe to his justice for their breach of his laws, and this Serjeant according to command from the King of Kings, executes his writ, and delivers his prisoner to the Divels, Gods Iaylors; and they seize as so many roaring Lions on the poor trembling prey, and hale them to their own den, hell; that dungeon of eternal darkness, where sinners see and are assured that all their meat, must be flakes of fire and brimstone; and all their drink, a cup of pure wrath without mixture; and all their Musick, howling, and weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth; and all their rest, torments day and night for ever and ever; and all their Companions frightful Devils, and a cursed crew of damned wretches, and all this to come upon them for not making religion their business whilst they were on earth; Then O then they will wish with all their souls and strengths, again and again, that they had minded the Christian mans calling, and made religion their business whilst they were in this world! though they had been slaves, or beggars, or vagabonds, and had lived in poverty, and disgrace, and prisons, and fetters during their whole pilgrimage.
Now Reader, if the witness of one enemy be a double testimony, what is the witness of all the enemies of God and Godliness, on the behalf of the Lord, and his ways against themselves? Shall it not prevail with thee to set speedily, and diligently about the work of Christianity? Ah how dumb wilt thou be struck another day, if thou wilt not believe either God, or good men, or thy conscience, or thy companions, or all the world?
12. and Lastly, Is not that worthy to be made thy business, upon which thine eternal life or death, salvation or damnation doth depend? Consider it friend, here is salvation and damnation before thee; eternal salvation, and eternal damnation; and they depend upon thy making religion thy business, or neglect of it. O what weight is there in these few words! Make religion thy business, and thou art eternally blessed; be formal and careless about it, and thou art cursed for ever; upon the one and the other turneth thine eternal estate. The Almighty God hath under his own hand, set down this making religion thy business to be the onelyonly terms upon which heaven shall be had; and it is impossible to alter or abate his price, Ioh. 6. 27. Mat. 6. 33. Philp. 2. 12. Canst thou be so foolish as to think duplicate page duplicate page that Christ, and happiness, and eternal life can be obtained upon easier conditions, whea he must make God a liar, and the Gospel a lie? (which the Divel himself is not so wicked as to think possible) who arriveth at the port of bliss without exercising himself to Godliness? The promises ever since the world was, had the same conditions, and ever will whilst the world shall endure? The Gospel is therefore called the everlasting Gospel, because it will continue without the least change or alteration the same for ever. Thou mayst be confident that God doth not as some indiscret Citizens, ask much more for his eternal glory and life men then he intendeth to take.
I say again ponder it, for this argument hath more in it then thine understanding can possibly conceive or imagine. Is not that worthy to become thy business, and main work in this world, upon which thine everlasting weal or wo, thine endless estate in the other world doth depend?
Reader, if that doth not deserve all thy time, and pains, and soul, and heart, and infinitely more, upon which unchangable joy or eternal torments hang, then I am sure nothing doth. Alas all the things of this world, whether about food, or raiment, or houses, or lands, or wives, or children; nay, and life it self, are but toys, and trifles, and shadows, and nothings, to an everlasting condition in the other world. O that thou wert but able to conceive what it is to be eternally in fullness of pleasure, or eternally in extremity of pain, to be frying in flames for ever, or bathing in rivers of delight for ever! To enjoy God in his ordinances, though it be but imperfectly, and in a low degree; one hour, one day, how sweet is it? His tabernacles are highly amiable upon that account, One day in thy Courts is better then a thousand elswhere: But to enjoy God fully, immediately, and for ever too, O how superlatively, how infinitely pleasant and delightful will it be! To be in Gods lower house, though but a little time, under some pious powerful Minister, how reviving, and refreshing is it? But to dwell in his upper house for ever, O blessed are they that dwell in that house, they always praise thee! The eternal presence of God will cause an eternal absence of all evil, and an eternal confluence of all good.
O Reader, who will not work hard, labour much, exercise himself to Godliness night and day? do any thing that God commandeth, suffer any thing that God inflicteth, forbear any thing that God forbiddeth, to be saved eternally, to be infinitely blessed in the fruition of God for ever? Surely its worth the while, to obey the counsel of God in order to ete… nal salvation. On the other side, eternal damnatian, how dreadful is it! if it be but the scratch of a pin for ever, or a little ach of the head. for ever, it wo…ld be very doleful; but a violent head-ach or tooth-ach, or fits of the collick, or stone for ever, oh how intolerable would they be? But ah! how terrible is the wrath of God for ever, darkness of darkness for ever, the fire of hell for ever, to which all the wracks and torments in this life are next to nothing? Ah who can dwell in everlasting burnings?
I suppose thou woulst avoid thy wicked companions, and forbear thy sinful courses, do any thing thou couldst, rather then to boyl in a furnace of scalding water for a thousand years; nay, one year; and wilt thou not make religion thy business, when otherwise God himself hath told thee, thou shalt boil in a furnace of scalding wrath, infinitely worse then scalding lead for ever, ever, ever? Consider what thou hast read, and the Lord give thee understanding that thou mayst be wise to eternal salvation.
Reader, these twelve Questions being proposed, I desire thee to answer them to him, before whom thou shalt answer ere long, for all the motions of thy heart, and passages of thy whole life; and I shall not detain thee longer in the passage, though it be much larger then I intended when I first put pen to paper about it. If thy soul receive any profit by it, I shall not repent of my pains, only beg thy prayers; that thou mayst, is the desire of
Thine and the Churches Servant in the blessed Saviour, GEORGE SWINNOCK.
Reader,
The Authors absence from the Press, hath caused many mistakes in the English, Latine, and Greek, both in the Margin and Body of the Book; the most material of those that are in the Body of the Book are corrected to thy hand, thy Pen must correct or Candour excuse the rest. Vale.
ERRATA.
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