The Fading of the Flesh and Flourishing of Faith, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. What is requiſite to preparation for Death. A change of ſtate, and a change of nature, with a moſt gracious offer from the moſt high God to Sinners.
IF any thing or all that I have written, hath wrought thee to a reſolution to prepare for thy diſſolution; if theſe motives (which thy conſcience muſt needs confeſs to be weighty) have melted thee, and made thee pliable for a divine ſtamp and mould;
I ſhall acquaint thee with the means and way, how thou mayſt dye well. Having finiſhed what is perſwaſive.
Secondly, I ſhall offer thee ſomewhat that is directive. And know Reader further, that there is no other medicine in the World, which can poſſibly cure thy wounded dying ſoul, but that which I have from God to preſcribe thee; throw away this, or neglect the rules in applying it to thy ſores, or adviſe with flattering mountebanks, and thy lamentable condition will be irrecoverable, thy dreadful eſtate will be deſperate. I ſhall not like an Emperick try new tricks or remedies, on thy bleeding gaſping ſoul, but give thee that receipt (conſiſting but of two ingredients) which the great Phyſician hath left in Writing under his own hand, and which thouſands have experienced to be effectual for their cure, whoſe ſouls are made thereby at this hour (as his body in the Goſpel) every whit whole.
Pride, or an Ambitious deſire of ſelf ſufficiency, and ſelf ſubſiſtance, was the ſtone at which man at firſt ſtumbled, and fell into the bottomleſs pit of matchleſs miſery, it was the fatal Knife, which cut the throat of his glorious hopes and happineſs; the wiſe God therefore like a tender Father in mans recovery, takes ſpecial care to lay theſe Weapons out of the Childrens way, by which they had wrought themſelves ſuch wo. Hence it is that he hath choſen thoſe two graces to make us happy, and carry us to himſelf, which ſpeak us to be moſt beggerly, and carry us moſt out of our ſelves. Faith and Repentance. Faith teacheth us to deny our ſelves, as utterly weak, and Repentance cauſing us to abhor our ſelves, as altogether unworthy. Repentance diſcovereth our nakedneſs, and obnoxiouſneſs, thereby to ſhame and ſuffering; and Faith telleth that our own rags come infinitely ſhort of hiding it, and that we muſt fetch our garments out of anothers Wardrobe. The whole Globe of Chriſtianity divideth it ſelf into theſe two Hemiſpheres. As the bodily life conſiſteth in natural heat, and radical moyſture, ſo the life of the ſoul in Faith and Repentance.
Therefore Reader, if thou wouldſt dye well, undergo that great change with comfort; it is abſolutely and indiſpenſably neceſſary that thou mind theſe two changes before hand; A change of thy ſtate or condition which is wrought by faith; and a change of thy nature or diſpoſition which is wrought by Repentance.
The Door of thy happineſs hangs on theſe two Hinges, the merit of Chriſt without thee, and its acceptation with God for the juſtification of thy perſon; and ſecondly, the Spirit of Chriſt within thee, and its operation for the ſanctification of thy nature.
A change of State requiſiteFirſt, There muſt of neceſſity be a change of thy ſtate by faith in Chriſt, or thou canſt never put thy head into the other World with comfort. There is no ſuch Shroud, ſuch a Winding-ſheet for the departing ſoul to be wrapt in, as the righteouſneſs of a Saviour; Pauls care was that he might not be found naked, 2 Cor. 5.3. O tis ſad indeed for thy ſoul to be ſummoned to appear before the jealous God, and to have nothing to cover thy nakedneſs. Adam knowing that he was naked, fled from God. Guilt cannot but be ſhie of a Judge; ſore eyes will not endure the ſight of the Sun. God is a conſuming fire to all who have not Jeſus Chriſt for their Skreen. He ſeemeth to every perſon as Joſeph to the Patriarchs; Thou ſhalt not ſee my face with joy, except thou bringeſt thy Brother with thee. Tis alone in the Garments of thine Elder Brother, that thou canſt have a ſound hope to receive the bleſſing. Every one who dyeth out of Chriſt, dyeth in his ſins, John 8.21. And were not mens hearts deſperately hard, twere impoſſible that any ſhould dye in their ſenſes who die in their ſins; all would die diſtracted who dye thus defiled.
By nature thou art under the Covenant of works, and ſo bound to earn happineſs by thy fingers ends, if ever thou wilt have it; in which failing (for no meer man ever ſaild to bliſs in that bottom) thou art liable to the curſe of the Law, a bondſlave to thy Jaylor Satan, and an heir of Hell. If ever therefore thou wouldſt arrive at Heavens bleſſed port, there is a neceſſity of imbarquing in another Veſſel, and that is the Covenant of Grace, by which thou mayſt be freed from all the former croſſes and curſes, and filled with all the ſpecial comforts, and rich cordials of the Goſpel. Now it is faith in Chriſt by which thou comeſt to be ſhipt in this Covenant, and ſurely it concerns thee then to get this grace. Many, nay Millions, are drowned and caſt away, ſayling through the boyſterous billows of death, in the broken bottom of the firſt Covenant, when others in the ſecond, ride in Triumph with top and top gallant to their deſired Haven.
Reader, If thou art out of this Covenant, thou art like a man in the midſt of the Sea, without any Boat or bottom, though ſome in Veſſels at the ſame time are ſafe, yet he is ſure to ſink. It is related of one, that being at the point of Drowning in a River and looking up, and ſeeing a Rainbow in the Skie (the ſign of Gods Covenant, that he would never more drown the World) he made this concluſion; What if God ſave the whole World from a deluge of Waters, and ſuffer me to periſh in this River, what good will that Covenant do me? So ſay I to thee, though thouſands eſcape a deluge of wrath through Gods promiſe to Chriſt, and in Chriſt to his purified ones, what good will it do thee if thou periſheſt?
An intereſt in this Covenant was the living comfort of dying David, He hath made with me an everlaſting Covenant, ordered in all things, and ſure: for this is all my ſalvation, and all my deſire, although he make not my Houſe to grow, 2 Sam. 23.5. Mark how the pious King draws all the Wine which made his heart glad (in one of his laſt hours) from this Pipe. Death is one of the ſowreſt things in the World, and ſuch things require much ſugar to make them ſweet. David found ſo much honey in the Covenant, that therewith he made Death it ſelf a pleaſant, a deſireable Diſh. If you obſerve the beginning of the Chapter, you will find that his end was near; Now theſe be the laſt words of David. But this, this was the quiet and eaſe of his heart, that Gods Covenant with him was everlaſting and without end. As Death is famous for its terror (being King thereof) ſo alſo for his power, it brings down the mighty Princes and Potentates of the Earth;Cant. 8.6. Samſon was but a Child in Deaths hands, hence we read when Scripture would draw ſtrength in its full proportion and length, As ſtrong as Death: but as ſtrong as Death is, David knew it could not break in ſunder the Covenant between God and him, nor diſſolve the union betwixt his Saviour and his ſoul. The firmneſs of this Covenant being ſure footing for faith to ſtand on, is that which puts life into a dying Chriſtian. As Death, though it parted the ſoul and body of Chriſt, parted neither of them from the divine nature (they were as a Sword drawn by a man, the Sword is in one hand ſeparated from the Sheath in the other hand, but neither of them ſeparated from the man) ſo though Death break the natural union between the beleivers ſoul and body, it cannot break the myſtical union between Jeſus Chriſt and the ſoul, therefore Saints are ſaid to ſleep in Jeſus, 1 Theſ. 4.14. And truely by the vertue of this Cordial, this Covenant, they are ſo far from flying back at the ſight of their Foe Death, that they can look him in the face with courage and confidence. See how they triumph over him, as if he were already under their feet, O Death where is thy ſting, O Grave where is thy Victory, 1 Cor. 15.57, 58. The ſting of Death is ſin, and the ſtrength of ſin is the Law, but thanks be to God which hath given us the victory through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Hark, they ſpeak as Challengers, daring their diſarmed enemy to meet them in the field; and they ſpeak as Conquerors being aſſured through the Captain of their ſalvation of the victory before they fight. Epiphanius faith,Epiph. lib. 1. cap 33. that Adam was buried in Calvary, where Chriſt was crucified. Sure it is, that Chriſt at Calvary did ſomewhat which made the Chriſtians bed ſoft and eaſie, that whereas it would have been a bed of Thorns, he turned it into a bed of down, and thereby the beleiver comes to lye on it ſo contentedly, and to ſleep ſo ſweetly and comfortably.
By this time Reader, I hope thou underſtandeſt the neceſſity and benefit of this relative change. With this Covenant thou art armed Cap a pe with armour of proof (with the righteouſneſs of Chriſt) which is law proof, death proof, and judgement proof, and leaveſt Death wholly diſarmed and naked. Without this thou haſt no Weapons and findeſt Death a man of War. In the forequoted place, thou ſeeſt that ſin is the ſting of Death, and the ſtrength of ſin is the Law. The Law binds the ſoul over for diſobedience to its precept, to its malediction and puniſhment, paſſeth a ſentence of condemnation already upon the creature, and beginneth its execution in that bondage and fear, as flaſhes of the unquenchable fire, which ſeize on men in this life, Rom. 7.6. John 3.18. Heb. 2.14. And as ſin hath its ſtrength from the law (the law making it ſo powerful to curſe and condemn) ſo Death hath its ſtrength and ſting, its venome and vertue, to kill and damn, to deſtroy ſoul and body, for ever from ſin. Sin makes Death ſo deadly, that its the poyſon in the cup which makes it ſo mortal and loathſom a draught. Thy work and wiſdom therefore is (as the Philiſtinos when they heard that the great ſtrength of Samſon (the deſtroyer of their Country) lay in his hair, were reſtleſs till they had cut it off, and became weak ſo) now thou heareſt wherein the ſtrength of Death (the great deſtroyer and damner of ſouls) conſiſteth, to be unquiet night and day, to follow God up and down with ſighs and ſobs, ſtrong cries, and deep groans for pardon of ſin, and to give thy ſelf no reſt till thou attaineſt an intereſt in this Covenant through Jeſus Chriſt. Pious Job, though not in thy caſe, was for this cauſe exceeding importunate for a ſenſe of this pardon. And why doſt thou not pardon mine iniquity, and take away my traſgreſſions? for now ſhall I ſleep in the duſt, and thou ſhalt ſeek me in the morning, and I ſhall not be, Job 7. ult. He cryeth out as one fallen into a deep dirty ditch, or one whoſe houſe is fired. Water, Water for the Lords ſake, to cleaſe this defiled ſoul, and to quench this ſcorched conſcience, Lord; Why doth the meſſenger (who uſeth to come poſt to me a poor condemned Priſoner with a pardon) lingring ſo long. Alas I wiſh he may not come too late. But what is the reaſon of this importunity for expedition? Why, Job in his own thoughts was going to appear before his Judge, and he durſt not venture without a pardon in his hand, for now ſhall I ſleep in the duſt. The child did not dare to go to bed at night till he had asked his Father Bleſſing, and begd and obtained forgiveneſs of his diſobedience in the day.
Nothing in the whole creation can pacifie the conſcience, awakened with the guilt of ſin, and frighted with the fear of death, but a pardon in the blood of this Covenant, for want of this it was that the Heathen were either deſperate or doubtfull in their deaths; and their Orator ingeniouſly confeſſeth, that notwithſtanding all the Medicines they could gather out of their own Gardens, the Diſeaſe was ſtill too ſtrong for the Remedy. But a plaiſter ſpread with the blood of Chriſt, and applied by faith to the ſore, is a ſoveraign and certain cure. Faith in Chriſt is ſuch a Shield, that under its protection, a Chriſtian may ſtand in the evil day of Death, keep his ground and ſecure himſelf from all the ſhot which the Law, Satan, or conſcience can make againſt him, I am the reſurrection and the life, He that liveth and beleiveth in me ſhall live though he dye, Joh. 11.
Willet. Hexapl. in Levit. c. 11.The Death of the King of Saints, is the onelyonly comfort and help againſt Death, the King of Terrors; Its a ſtrange property which ſome report of the Charadrion, that if any man have the jaundiſe, and look on the bird, and the bird on him, the bird catcheth the diſeaſe and dieth of it, but the man recovereth. Chriſt took mans diſeaſe and dyed, that all who look on him with an eye of Faith might recover and live. The red Sea of his blood is the onelyonly way through which thou canſt paſs into Canaan. Reader, ſince there is a flood, and vengeance, and wrath upon the face of the World, flie as the diſtreſſed Dove to this Ark of the Covenant; ſee how Jeſus Chriſt the true Noah, a Preacher of righteouſneſs puts forth his hand to take thee in. He is the Son of David, to whom ſouls that are in debt and in diſtreſs may flee, and ſeemeth to ſpeak to thee as David to Abiathar, Abide thou with me, fear not, for they (the World and Devil) that ſeek thy life, ſeek mine, but with me thou ſhalt be in ſafe-guard, 1 Sam. 22.2. and ult.
A change of nature requiſite.Secondly, There muſt of neceſſity, be a change of thy nature by Repentance, or Death can never be thy paſſage into the undefiled inheritance. The new man is the onelyonly Citizen of the new Jeruſalem. Tis bad venturing a voyage to the Happy Iſlands in an old leaking bottom. In the Art of navigation; it was a Law, and formerly ſeriouſly obſerved, that none ſhould be a Maſter or Maſters Mate, that had not been firſt a Sculler, and Rowed with Owers, and from thence be promoted to the Stern. None are fit to Raign with God, who have not wrought for God; Others are more unfit for it then a Carter for a Princes Court. Men muſt be bound Apprentices on earth, to that high and holy Trade of worſhipping and glorifying the bleſſed God, and know the Art and Myſtery of it (which the purblind eyes of nature cannot diſcern) before they can ſet up for themſelves, and inrich themſelves by it in Heaven. Men that are wholly ſtrangers to a Country, and no whit acquainted with the Language, and Carriage of the natives, would find (if in it) but a ſolitary place. He whoſe eyes are ſo bad that he cannot ſee God with the help of the ſpectacles of Ordinances, will be much more unable to ſee him face to face. Alas what would an earthly man do in Heaven.
Till thou art converted, and haſt a ſenſe of thy ſins and miſeries, thou art a Rebel in actual Arms againſt God; If Death finds thee in ſuch a condition, God takes the Fort of thy Soul by ſtorm, with thy Weapons in thy hands, and therefore thou canſt expect nothing leſs then Death eternal without mercy. There is no peace to be thought of with God, whilſt thou maintaineſt War againſt him. The ſinner inſtead of diſarming, armeth Death againſt himſelf; The life of ſin is the life of Death, and enableth it to kill the ſoul. Till thy nature be renewed, thy heart is full of enmity againſt God, and thy life nothing elſe but a walking contrary to him, and therefore thou canſt have no delight or joy in him, which is the very Heaven of Heavens. There muſt be conformity to him, before there can be communion with him. God and man muſt be agreed, before they can walk or dwell together; Except ye be converted, ye can in no wiſe enter into the Kingdom of God; and again, Except a man be born again, he cannot ſee the Kingdom of God, Mat. 18.3. John 3.3. Which negatives can in no wiſe, and cannot enter, ſpeak not onelyonly the impoſſibility of it on Gods part, becauſe he is fully reſolved againſt it; but alſo the incapacity on mans part, becauſe he is wholly unprepared for it. Swine are not fit for a rubd Room, or a preſence Chamber. As Timber muſt be laid out and ſhrunk, before its fit for building, otherwiſe twill warp; So God humbleth and draweth out ſelf-…ap, and ſelf-indiſpoſition, before they become the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt. That building which reacheth up to Heaven, muſt have a low foundation.
They that would turn Pewter (by Alchimy) into Silver, firſt diſſolve the Pewter, or otherwiſe their labour is in vain. Thy heart muſt be melted by godly ſorrow for ſin, and hatred of ſin, before thou canſt be a veſſel of Silver for thy Maſters uſe; the Angel troubled the Waters before they were healing, John 5.4. Repent that your ſins may be blotted out, Act. 3.19. Repentance and Remiſſion are ever Twins. Tis obſervable that nature ha…h made the roots of many trees bitter, whoſe fruits are very ſweet. They that in life ſow in tears, at death ſhall reap in joy; It is the wet ſeed-time that hath the ſunſhiny harveſt. God is re…d that all the ſons of men ſhall feel ſin … in broken Bones on Earth, or broken Backs in Hell.
When ſin hath its deaths-wound before, it will expire at death; for though ſin brought death into the body, death will caſt ſin out of the body; When grace is before budded and bloſſomed, at death it will ripen into glory. Holineſs is the Raiment of Needle-work, in which thou art to be brought to thy Lord and Husband, Pſa. 45.14. but its neceſſary, that like Abrahams Ram thou be perplexed in theſe Briars, before by death thou art offered up as a peace-offering to God. They are fooliſh who Dream of being carried to Heaven in a Feather-bed. None but ſuch as are weary of the work (as a ſick man of his bed) and heavy laden with the weight of ſin (as a Porter can be of his burden) ſhall enter into the everlaſting rest.
Naturaliſts obſerve that the Egiptian Fig-Tree being put into the Water,Pliny. Nat. Hiſt. Lib. 13. Cap. 7. preſently ſinketh to the bottom, but being well ſoaked, contrary to the nature of other Trees, it boys it ſelf up to the top: Till thy mind is inlightned, to ſee ſins deformity; thy will renewed, to refuſe it as thy only enemy; and thy affections purified, to grieve for it, and loath it, as it is contrary to the bleſſed God and thy own felicity; till thy ſoul is ſoaked in theſe bitter waters, never expect to be lifted up to the Rivers of pleaſures at Gods right hand. This howling Wilderneſs is the onelyonly way to Canaan: The path to Sion lyeth by Sinai, God powreth the Oyl of gladneſs into the broken Veſſel. Some Phyloſophers tell us that Feeling is the foundation of natural life, no feeling, no life: Its true, I am ſure in Divinity, no feeling, no ſenſe of ſin, no ſpiritual, no eternal life; Impenitency like a Lethurgy is deadly, is damning.
God doth qualifie all whom he intendeth to dignifie. Saul is qualified (by receiving another ſpirit then he had before) to reign over men; much more muſt they be qualified (by receiving a new heart and a new ſpirit) who are to reign with God. The Sun never leapt from Mid-night to Mid-day, but firſt ſendeth forth ſome glimmerings of light, in the dawning of the day, then looketh upon us with ſome weak and wateriſh beams, after that beholds us with open face, and even then hath many Miles to run before he can arrive at his Meridian glory. God never carried a ſoul from Hell to Heaven, from a natural condition, to the beautifical Viſion, but through the door or gate of converſion.
Reader, to conclude this Uſe and ſum up theſe two particulars, which are more worth then the whole World, that thou mayſt ſee how willing I am to be inſtrumental for thy welfare. I ſhall come up a little nearer and cloſer to thee. O that I did but know what ſavoury ſpiritual meat thou loveſt moſt, if poſſible, I would provide it for thee, and ſet it before thee, that thou mighteſt eat, and thy ſoul might bleſs God before thou dieſt.
In order to thy eternal good, I have a ſpecial offer to make to thee from the bleſſed God, and that is of a Marriage with his onelyonly Son the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. I am this day ſent to thee as his Ambaſſadour with full inſtructions to wo in his behalf, that I might preſent thee a chaſt Virgin unto Chriſt; thou needeſt not doubt of my authority, for in the Scriptures thou mayſt read my Commiſſion, and credential letters which may give thee full ſecurity and ſatisfaction againſt all jealouſies and ſuſpitions, which can poſſibly ariſe in thy breaſt. Thou needeſt not queſtion Gods reality in the tender of ſo great a fortune to thee (notwithſtanding all thy unworthineſs) for he ſent his Son ſo great a journey, as from Heaven to Earth to marry thy nature, on purpoſe that he might be Married to thy perſon; and hath cauſed him already to be at infinite coſt in providing glorious attire, and precious Jewels out of Heavens Wardrobe and Cabinet, that thou mighteſt be adorned as is fit for the Spouſe of ſo great a Lord; nay he himſelf hath ſent thee his picture (of greater value then Heaven and Earth) drawn at length, and to the life in the Goſpel, in all his royalty, beauty, and glory, to try if thou canſt like and love his perſon. Friend, look wiſhly on him, conſider his perſon; He is fairer then the Children of men, he is the expreſs Image of his Fathers perſon; Thy beloved (O ſhall I call him ſo) is white and ruddy, the faireſt of ten thouſands, he is altogether lovely; nothing but amiableneſs, none ever ſaw him, but were enamoured with him; Veiw his Portion; He is Heir of all things; All power is given to him in Heaven and Earth. I know thy poverty, but there are unſearchable riches in Chriſt, yea durable riches and righteouſneſs. Thou art infinitely in debt, and thereby liable to the arreſt of Divine Juſtice, and eternal Priſon of Hell, but I muſt tell thee, the revenues of this Emperour are able to diſcharge the debts of millions of Worlds, and to leave enough too for their comfortable and honourable ſubſiſtance to all eternity. Behold his Parentage; He is the onelyonly begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth; the eternal Son of God. As there is incomparable beauty and favour in his Perſon, and ineſtimable riches and treaſure in his Portion; ſo there is unconceivable dignity and honour in his Parentage; for he is the onelyonly natural Son and Heir of the moſt high God. For thy further quickening, He is thy near Kinſman, bone of thy bone, and fleſh of thy fleſh, Gen. 24.4, 5. and ſo hath right to thee; God hath given his Stewards a command (as Abraham his ſervant) not to take a Wife to his Son (of the Daughters of the Canaanites) from among the evil Angels, but to go to his Sons own Country, and kindred and to take a Wife for him, among the Children of men. Friend, thou haſt heard the errand about which I am ſent to thee. I hope there is ſuch an Arrow of love darted into thy heart from the gracious eyes and looks of this Lord of glory, that thou art wounded thereby, and beginneſt of a ſudden to be taken with him, and to wiſh, O that I might have the honour and happineſs to become the Bride of ſo lovely a Bridegroom, that this King of Saints would take me a poor ſinner into his bed and boſome; Thou ſayſt as Abigal when David ſent to take her to Wife, Behold, let thine hand-maid be a ſervant to waſh the feet of the Servants of my Lord; I am unworthy to be his Spouſe. If it be thus with thee, I ſee that thy affections are already entangled, and for thy comfort, know that he is not of the number of them, who when they have gained others good will, then caſt them off. OnelyOnly it will be needful that thou underſtand what he requires of thee, to avoid all future jars and differences; plain dealing is never more neceſſary then in Marriage; thoſe that by dawbing have hudled up Matches in haſt, have found cauſe enough to repent at leiſure.
I ſhall propound two Arguments for thy encouragement;Motives to the beſt match. and then demand thy agreement to two Articles, upon which and no other this Match can be concluded.
Firſt,The neceſſity of it. Conſider the neceſſity of thy Acceptance of Chriſt for thy Husband. It is impoſſible to obtain Heaven for thy Joynture, but by Marrying with him who is the Heir. It may be, like him in Ruth (Chap. 4. Verſ. 2, 3, 4. whom the Spirit of God thought unworthy to be named) thou art ready for the band, the portion, but unwilling to marry the perſon; thou art forward to be pardoned, adopted and ſaved, but backward to take Jeſus Chriſt for thy Husband, leaſt thou ſhouldſt loſe thy ſinful pleaſures, and thereby mar (in thy Opinion) a better inheritance. But know of a certain (as Boaz told him) What day thou buyeſt the field, thou muſt Marry the owner of it. What day thou gaineſt the invaluable priviledges of the Goſpel, thou muſt Match with Chriſt the Purchaſer and owner of them. There is no gaining the precious fruit, but by getting the Tree that bears it. Indeed thy Marriage with him is ſo fruitful a bleſſing that thou needeſt no more. Forgiveneſs of ſins, the love of God, peace of conſcience, joy in the Holy Ghoſt, eternal life, every good thing, all good things are in the Womb of it; thou canſt not imagine what a numerous poſterity of Barnabaſſes, of ſons of conſolation, would be the effect and iſſue of ſuch a Wedding; but it is ſo needful a bleſſing that without it thou art compleatly and eternally woful; beware, O beware how thou refuſeſt ſo good an offer, for thou art in the ſame condition with the Woman taken captive by the Jews, (Deut. 21.) either to marry or dye, either to match with Chriſt, or be damned for ever.
Gods clemency in its offer.Secondly, Conſider Gods clemency and condeſcention, in tendering thee ſo great a fortune: Kings on Earth will not ſtoop ſo low (unleſs neceſſity force it) as to match their onelyonly Sons with their Subjects, though he and they are of the ſame make and mould, if they do, it is with the higheſt Families, with ſuch among them as ſparkle moſt with the Diamonds of birth, breeding, beauty, riches and glory; but (hear O Heavens, and be aſtoniſhed O Earth) wonder O Reader, at this low ſtoop of the infinite God; He is willing, nay earneſt that his onelyonly Son and Heir, the King of Kings ſhould marry with his creature (between whom and him, there is an infinite diſtance and diſproportion) nay not with the Nobleſt Houſe among thoſe creatures, not with Angels thoſe heavenly Courtiers (He is their Head, not their Husband) though by matching with them he had matched ſomewhat more like himſelf, but with ſinful polluted Duſt and Aſhes. That our ſpiritual ſouls ſhould be joyned to our earthly bodies is much, yet here is ſome proportion, (both are limited, created beings) but that God ſhould marry with Man is infinitely more. Its ſaid of the King of Babylon, that he lifted up the head of Jehojachin out of Priſon, and ſpake kindly to him, and changed his Priſon Garments, and ſet his Throne above the Throne of the Kings that were with him, (2 Kings ult. cap. 27, 28, 29.) Man was a poor Priſoner, bound and fettered with his own corruptions, kept up cloſe by the Devil his Jaylor; and condemned to ſuffer the pains of eternal death, but loe the Philanthropy and kindneſs of God, he ſendeth his onelyonly Son to open the Priſon Doors, (having firſt ſatisfied the Law, for the breach of which they were caſt in, and removed its curſe which was as a Pad-Lock on the Priſon Gate to to keep it faſt,) ſet the poor captives at liberty, change their naſty Priſon weeds, and to exalt their nature above the nature of glorious Angels, by marrying it to himſelf. Canſt thou find in thy heart Friend to abuſe ſuch Matchleſs Grace and Favour? Is not that begger mad that ſhould refuſe the real offers of a Match from a Gracious Emperour? Shall Majeſty thus ſtoop to Miſery in vain? I muſt tell thee, its infinite abaſement in God, thus to make ſuit to thee, but its the higheſt preferment thou art capable of (nay, ſuch as it had been blaſphemy to have deſired it, had not God offered it) to cloſe with him.
I come now to the Articles of this Marriage, which truely are no more then thou requireſt of thy own wife (if thou haſt any) and therefore thou canſt not but think them reaſonable. I ſhall propound them to thee in theſe two Queſtions.
Firſt, Art thou heartily willing to take Jeſus Chriſt for thy Saviour and Soveraign? Canſt thou love him with the hotteſt ſuperlative love as thy Husband? (Its one thing to love a man as a Friend, and another thing to love him as thy Husband) canſt thou give him the keys of thy heart, and keep thy affections as a fountain, ſealed up from others, and opened onelyonly for him, and in ſubordination to him? Wilt thou honour him with the higheſt honour as thy Lord; ſubmitting to his ſpirit as thy guide, and to his laws as thy rule? Is thy ſoul ſo raviſhed with the beauty of his perſon, the excellency of his promiſes, and the equity of his precepts, that thou dareſt promiſe through his ſtrength to be a loving, faithful and obedient wife? Have the hot beams of that love which have been darted forth from this Sun of Righteouſneſs (as the rays of the Sun united in a glaſs) turned thee into a flame, that thy heart is now aſcending and mounting to Heaven, where thy Beloved is, and thou canſt no more live without him, then thy body without thy ſoul? Art thou willing to be ſanctified by his ſpirit, that thou mighteſt be prepared for his boſome and embraces, and to be ſaved alone by his merits, as the onelyonly procuring cauſe of all thy hopes and happineſs? Wilt thou take him for better and for worſe, for richer and for poorer, with his cup of affliction, as well as his cup of conſolation; with his ſhameful Croſs, as well as his glorious Crown; choſing rather to ſuffer with him, then to reign without him; to dye for him, then to live from him? Such as marry thou knoweſt muſt expect trouble in the fleſh. Chriſtianity (like the Wind Caecias) doth ever draw clouds and afflictions after it, but thy future glory and pleaſure will abundantly recompence, thee for thy preſent pain and ignominy.
Secondly, Wilt thou preſently give a bill of Divorce to all other lovers, and keep the bed of thy heart wholly for him? Shall the evil of ſin never more have a good look from thee, but (as Ammon ſerved Tamar) ſhall the hatred wherewith thou hateſt thoſe filthy ſtrumpets (with whom thou haſt had curſed dalliances, and committed ſpiritual fornication) be greater then the love wherewith thou haſt loved them? Canſt thou pack away the bond-woman, and her ſon, and theſe things not at all be greivous in thy ſight, that thy whole joy and delight may be in, and all that thou art worth preſerved for the true Iſaac? Shall this Sun reign alone in the Heavens of thy heart without any Competitour? As when a Dictatour was created at Rome, there was a ſuperſedeas to all other authority; ſo if Chriſt be exalted in thy ſoul, there muſt be a ceſſation of all other rule and power. Chriſt will not be a King meerly in diriſion as the Jews made him; nor as the ſtump of Wood was to the Frogs in the Fable, whom every luſt may ſecurely dance about and provoke.
Theſe are the terms upon which this match (ſo honourable and profitable) is offered to thee, give up an hearty Yea to theſe two equitable Articles, and thou art made for ever. Refuſe it, and thou art miſerable above all apprehenſions, and beyond Millions of ages even to all eternity. What ſayſt thou to it? Shall I put the ſame Queſtion to thee, which they put to Rebekah. Wilt thou go with this Man? In thy denyal there is no leſs then eternal Death; Methinks the thoughts of that fire and Brimſtone ſhould force thee to flye to this Zoar; In thy unfeigned hearty acceptance, there is no leſs then Heaven and eternal life; What wouldſt thou not do to continue natural life? What then ſhouldſt thou not do or ſuffer for eternal life? It may be thou deſireſt time to conſider of it; as Rebekahs Mother, thou art willing to the match, but wouldſt not have it yet concluded. Auſtin bewails it in himſelf, that when God was drawing him to Chriſt, his carnal pleaſures repreſented themſelves before his eyes; Saying, What wilt thou leave us for ever, and ſhall we be no more with thee for ever? And then he threw himſelf down, and weeping cryed out. O Lord how long, how long ſhall I ſay to morrow, why not to day Lord, why not to day? Why ſhould there not be an end of my ſinful life this hour? But beleive it, delays are dangerous, eſpecially in works of ſuch weight.
If thou anſwereſt (as Rebekah did) I will go. Chear up poor ſoul, what ever thy courſe or carriage hath been (thy Husband is able and willing to pay all thy ſcores, were they a million for a mite) and come forth, behold thy beloved in his imbroydery and glory, ſee how his Arms are ſtretcht out to embrace thee, his Lips are ready to kiſs thee, O what a look of love he giveth thee; ſure I am, thou art more in his heart then in thine own, little doſt thou think what Rings and Robes, what dainties and delicates, what grace and mercy, and peace he provided on purpoſe againſt the return of thee a wandring prodigal. Thou needſt now no longer run a ſcore with the World for any of its courſe, carnal fare, thy beloved will entertain thee at his own table with curious and coſtly feaſts; thou ſhalt have bread to eat which the world knows not of. If dangers and evils purſue thee, thou haſt thy City of refuge at hand, wherein thou mayſt be ſecure from the fear and fury of men and Devils.
Twill be life to thee now to think of Death; thou mayſt lift up thy head with joy, when that day of thy redemption draweth nigh. Death will give thee a writ of eaſe both from ſin and ſorrow; then thy Indentures will expire, and thy ſoul be at liberty. Thou haſt now taken in thy full lading for Heaven, and mayſt therefore call (like a Merchant that hath all his goods on ſhipboard) to the Maſter of the Veſſel, to hoiſe up ſail and be gone towards thy everlaſting harbour. O how may thy heart revive (with old Jacobs) to ſee thoſe wagons which are ſent to fetch thee to thy dear Jeſus, for thou knoweſt that he is Lord of the Countrey, and able to make thee welcome when thou comeſt thither; Now thou art preſent in the body, and ſo abſent from the Lord, but then thou ſhalt ever ever be with the Lord; but if thou refuſeſt ſo great, and ſo good an offer, chuſing ſlavery to the fleſh before this Chriſtian liberty, and reſolving (as many wicked ones do) rather to be free for many Harlots then to take one Wife; rather to love and ſerve divers luſts and pleaſures, then to be wedded to Jeſus Chriſt; go on, take thy courſe, but be confident that thy fleſhly life (like the head of Polypus) though pleaſant at preſent, will afterwards cauſe troubleſome ſleep and frightful Dreams. If thou intendeſt to lanch into the Ocean of eternity without this Pilot (the bleſſed Saviour, who alone can ſteer the Veſſel of thy ſoul, amidſt thoſe dangerous ſhelves and ſands aright) and the ballaſt of grace, not regarding what paſſage thou haſt, nor at what Port thou arriveſt in the other World, whether Heaven or Hell; prepare thy ſelf to take up thine eternal lodging amongſt frightful Devils, and to bear thy part in the endleſs yellowings, and howlings of the Damned; and know withal to thy terror, that this very tender of grace will one day like Joabs Sword to Abner, ſtab thee under the fift rib, cut thee to the very heart, and like a mountain of Lead ſinck thee deep into that Ocean of wrath, when thou ſhalt have time enough to befool thy ſelf for refuſing ſo good an offer; and where thou ſhalt be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
I have this day ſet before thee life and death, bleſſing and curſing, therefore chuſe life that both thou and thy ſeed may live. That thou mayſt love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayſt obey his voice, and that thou mayſt cleave unto him; for he is thy life and the length of thy days, Deut. 30.19, 20.