The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide, Text (2 of 3)

The Saints Sure and Perpetual Guide · Text (2 of 3)

p. 64I,Object. 3. but our fore-fathers (will others ſay) were never troubled with ſo many Sermons,Our fore-fathers had no preaching, yet are ſaved. and yet we hope they are well, and in Heaven.

Our fore-fathers wanted the meanes,Anſw. and that full glorious Noone-tide of the Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt,Their condemnation ſhall be eaſier. which we by the grace and mercy of God enjoy. And therefore whoſoever of them periſhed without them, ſhall certainly be beaten with fewer ſtripes, than thoſe that ſhut their eyes againſt the faire and bleſſed Sun-ſhine of Gods holy truth, which is ſhed round about us, and if it be hid, 2 Cor 43, 4.it is hid onelyonly to thoſe that periſh, in whom the God of this world hath blinded the eyes of their minde. Beſides,2 We are bound to bleſſe God, who hath dealt more graciouſly with us. if it ſo pleaſed the Lord in his juſt and ſecret judgement to ſuffer ſome of our fore-fathers to live and die under the tyranny and darkneſſe of Antichriſt; how much are we bound to bleſſe God, that we are borne and brought up in the light of the Goſpell; and what heavie plagues and great damnation doe wee bring upon our ſelves, if wee neglect or deſpiſe ſo great ſalvation.

I,Object. 4. but yet further, (will ſome ſay) wee have lived ſome of us fortie, ſome thirtie, ſome twenty yeares, without ſo much preaching, and yet have holden good credit and reputation in the world, and proſpered in our wayes, would you now have us ſo forward in running to Sermons?

Strange it is to ſee how wiſe the ſimpleſt are in matters of the world,Anſw. about their temporall ſtate, but how ſimple and blinde the wiſeſt worldlings are in the affaires of Heaven, and about their p. 61greateſt, ſpirituall, and eternall good. Let us ſuppoſe a man to have lived long in a poore Cottage, and now at length to have ſome great and rich Lordſhip befallen him; doe you thinke hee would reaſon thus: Why, I have lived ſome thirtie or fortie yeer… now alreadie in this low eſtate with good conte…ent, and credit, amongſt my neighbours; and therefore here I will reſt, the reſt of my dayes; I am too old now, to change my former eſtate? Would ſuch a foole as this, be found in a whole Countrey? And yet many Countries are full of ſuch fooles, in reſpect of ſpirituall advancement, and the ſalvation of their ſoules. Me thinkes, thoſe that have long lived in ignorance, and blindneſſe, ſhould rather conclude thus: Have I thus long and ſo fearefully lived without God in the World, without knowledge of his Truth, faith in Chriſt, and Conſcience of my wayes? Oh, then it is more than high time now at length to awake out of ſleepe, and to open mine eyes, and to imbrace this glorious Sun-ſhine of the Goſpel, which the Lord of his great mercy hath brought unto me, that ſo I may be enlightened to eternall life.

As for proſpering in the World, that is no marke of a good ſoule; nay, it is commonly the Let of the wicked, not to be plagued like other men, but to bring their enterpriſes to paſſe, Pſalme 73. Nay, yet further: There is no greater Curſe can befall any man, than to proſper in the World, and be out of the way to Heaven.

I,Object. 5. but (will others ſay) to the attaining of eternall p. 66life,What needs ſo much adoe? The whole dutie of man is ſoone learned. what needs ſo much adoe, ſo much preaching, catechiſing, expounding, conferring, meditating, teaching and praying with our families, which are ſo much and ſo often urged upon us? When all comes to all, this is the ſumme and end of all; To feare God, and keepe his Comm…dements; That we love God above all, and our neigh… as our ſelves: And we hope we can doe this, without all this adoe.

To feare God,Anſw. and keepe his Commandements, (which is the whole dutie of man,It is ſoone ſaid, not ſo ſoone done. as the Preacher ſpeakes in his laſt chapter) and to love God above all,Eccleſ. 12. 13. Math. 22. 40.Eccl 12:13Matt 22:40 and our neighbors as our ſelves; (upon which hangeth the whole Law and the Prophets, as Chriſt tells us, Math. 22.) are indeed ſoone ſpoken, but not ſo eaſily, truly learned; and moſt hardly, ſincerely practiſed. Is it enough,Simile. thinke you, to make a man a good Carpenter, or Maſon, to ſay; That, that is ſoone learned; and, I know as much as the beſt workman can teach or tell me: To build an Houſe, is nothing but to lay the foundation, to reare the walls,Simile. and cover it with a Rooſe? Is it enough to make a good Husbandman, to ſay; I know as much as the beſt Husbandman can teach me; for Husbandry is nothing elſe, but to ſowe and reape? Is it enough to make a good Preacher, to ſay; It is no ſuch great matter,Simile. to make a Sermon; I know as much in that point, as the beſt Scholler amongſt them can tell me: To preach, is nothing elſe but to expound the Text, gather Doctrines, and make uſe and application to the hearts & conſciences of the hearers? But it would be long before theſe idle and emptie vaunts would build Houſes, fill Barnes, or p. 67ſave Soules. There is farre more required to theſe buſineſſes, than ſo: There is to be undergone much toile and labour, much care & trouble, expence and exerciſe, before any of theſe workes can be rightly accompliſhed. It is even ſo in the great worke of ſalvation, and the attainment of Heaven. The ſtate of grace, and trade of Chriſtianitie, is not ſo eaſily purchaſed & practiſed. There goes more to ſaving of a ſoule, than bold & ignorant brags: than to ſay; If that be all, I hope I can quickly and eaſily learne to love God above all, & my neighbor as my ſelfe: For before theſe,Things required, before a man can love God or man. there goes many things; as, knowledge of Gods will, and Word; a thorow view of our owne miſery & corruptions, in the glaſſe of the Law; ſtrange agonies, and ſore pangs in the newbirth, and ſorrow for ſinne, refreſhings and coolings by the mercies of God, and merits of Chriſt; faith, repentance, ſanctification, a bleſſed & holy change in the whole man, both body, ſoule, and ſpirit. And then follows new obedience; which conſiſts in the uprightneſſe and ſinceritie of our owne hearts; a conſcionable and charitable carriage towards our neighbors, and a zealous conſtancy in all religious duties and right ſervice of God:How our ſervice to God muſt be qualified. which muſt be univerſall, in reſpect of the object; that is, we muſt walk in all his Commandements: totall, in reſpect of the ſubject; that is, we muſt ſerve him in all the powers of our ſoule, and parts of our body; in our thoughts, words, and actions: In all which things, and holy courſes, if a man be not particularly inſtructed, experienced, & practiſed, his love of God and his neighbour is but in word and tongue, not p. 68in deed and truth. A man, if he be diſpoſed, may quickly perceive and diſcerne the truth or hollowneſſe of his heart in this point. God hath ſtraitly commanded an entire ſanctification and keeping holy of the Sabbath.A triall of our love to God. Let a man then conſider, if he ſuffer himſelfe to be drawne away from holy Exerciſe on that day, by pleaſures, profit, paſtime, companie, eaſe, idleneſſe, or other worldly occaſions; why, then he preferres meere vanities, and the deſires of his owne heart, before the glory and honour of God; and ſo doth not love God above all. The true love of a mans ſelfe, doth chiefly & principally conſiſt in furniſhing himſelfe with ſaving knowledge, ſinceritie of heart, godlineſſe of life, a good Conſcience, and ſpirituall comfort, againſt hee come to Iudgement. Now, if hee love his neighbour as himſelfe,A triall of our love to our neighbour. he is not ſtill talking with him of worldly matters; but eſpecially labours with him for his converſion, entertainment of grace, and encreaſe in godlineſſe. If theſe be not his cares, both for himſelfe and his neighbour, he truly loves neither. Thus may a man examine himſelfe through all the Commandements in particular; and ſee, whether it be ſo eaſie to love his neighbour as himſelfe, and God above all.

I,Object. 6. but where there is ſo much preaching, there is much diſquietneſſe and diſcontentment:Tumults and diviſions, diſquietneſſe and diſcontentment accompanies your preaching. for men are abridged of their former ancient paſtimes, and pleaſures, and urged unto more ſtrictneſſe of life. When as all was well before, in much quietneſſe and peace, the preaching of the Word breeds new ſtirres and contrary affections in men.

p. 69No marvell,Anſw. though there be much ſtruggling and ſtriving,There is good reaſon for it. Luke 11. 21, 22.Luke 11:21Luke 11:22 great noyſe and ſtirre, before the ſtrong man in the Goſpel can be diſ-armed and diſpoſſeſſed of his Holds; that is, before Sathan, having long reigned in the hearts,Sathan hinders the Word. and ſat in the Conſciences of ignorant and prophane men, will be caſt out, by the Preaching and Power of the Word. This conqueſt coſts full deare; it will not be had, without the loſſe of our deareſt delights; without ſhedding the very hearts-bloud of our beloved and boſome-ſinne; which fleſh and bloud will not yeeld unto, without blowes and bloudſhed. You may aſſure your ſelfe, where the Light of Gods Truth begins once to peepe out, and the power of grace to worke, for the driving away darkneſſe, and ſubduing prophaneneſſe; you ſhall be ſure ever there to have three fierce and implacable enemies, and oppoſites, to ſtart up; Sathan, wicked men, and a mans owne corruptions. While men lye in ſinne, ignorance, and under the ſhadow of death, Sathan lets them alone, meddles not much with them, never troubles or diſquiets them, but procures them all temporall happineſſe, and carnall contentments, that can be; (for he knowes full well, if they ſo continue, they are ſure his owne, and children of endleſſe perdition:) But if once, by the power of the Word, they be enlarged out of the ſlaverie of ſinne and death, and lay hold upon ſalvation, and the glorious libertie of the Saints; why then he begins to beſtirre himſelfe like a madded & enraged Lion, and labors with all his malice and policie to hinder and daſh ſuch proceedings. p. 70And in this Conſpiracie,So doe wicked men, hee joynes unto himſelfe wicked and reprobate men, to rayle, revile, and rage againſt ſinceritie:And a m…ns owne corruptions. I, and beſides, a mans owne corruption, and ſinfull fleſh, doth fret and fume, when it feeles it ſelfe curbed and ſnaffled by the Law of the Spirit.

The Goſpel indeed is a Goſpel of Peace: Epheſ. 6. 15.Eph 6:15But of what Peace? Of Peace with God, with good men, and a mans owne Conſcience; of the Peace that paſſeth all underſtanding: But it ever proclaimes open warre againſt wickedneſſe, prophaneneſſe, and corruptions; it will have no peace with impietie, carnall ſecuritie, and rebellion unto the Lawes of God. Hence it is, that our Saviour tells us in the Goſpel,Luke 12. 49.Luke 12:49 that he came not to ſend Peace into the Earth; Math. 10. 34.Matt 10:34but rather, Fire, Debate, and the Sword: that is,Luke 12. 51.Luke 12:51 Whereſoever his Word is publiſhed powerfully, and conſcionably, with fruit and effect upon the ſoules of his elect; there, by accident (as they ſay) it ſtirres up much rage and bitter oppoſition againſt Gods children. For, as there is no true inward peace unto the wicked;Iſa. 42. 28.Isa 42:28 ſo, in this World, there is no outward peace unto the righteous: but commonly they are ſtill exerciſed with one croſſe and temptation, or other; either the Devill, or wicked men, are ſtill plotting or practiſing miſchiefe and miſerie againſt them.

But you muſt conceive,The Goſpel is not the cauſe of troubles, but mens corruptions. that the diſquietneſſes and troubles that ariſe at the preaching of the Word, are not cauſed by it, but by mens corruptions. Would any man thinke, that Saint Paul, p. 71or his Preaching, were in fault, becauſe there was much adoe, and an hurly-burly almoſt whereſoever he came; and not rather the wicked Infidels, which could not endure to have their ſinnes reproved? Neither the Sower, nor the Seed, Math. 13. are to be blamed, that it doth not proſper and fructifie;Math. 13. 4, 5, 7, 12.Matt 13:4Matt 13:5Matt 13:7Matt 13:12 it is the ground that is onelyonly in fault: which is either ſtonie, or thornie, or barren; or elſe, it is the envious man, that ſoweth Tares: The Sower doth onelyonly his dutie, and the Seed is pure and precious; it is mens corruptions, and prophane hearts, that cauſeth all the ſtirre. Amongſt foure kinds of Grounds, there is but one at the moſt (as appeares in the Parable of the Sower, Math. 13.) in which the immortall Seed of the Word takes root, proſpers, and fructifies: OnelyOnly the good and honeſt heart profits by Preaching; to all others, it is the ſavour of death unto death: And whom it doth not humble, it hardneth; whom it makes not ſo meeke as a Lambe, and like a little Child in humilitie, it makes as fierce and furious as a Lion, againſt the power of grace wrought in others, and againſt the profeſſion and practice of ſinceritie. No marvell then, though where the Word of Truth begins to beare ſway, there be many times much adoe, and reſiſtance by carnall and prophane men.

I,Object. 7. but (will ſome ſay) this Word is brought unto us by weake and fraile men;The Word is brought to us by weak, ſometimes by wicked men. ſometimes by thoſe, who are of notorious and infamous life and converſation: and therefore wee have leſſe heart to beleeve and obey them. If wee had the Word p. 72publiſhed by an Angel, or an Apoſtle, or ſome more excellent and powerfull meanes, and Embaſſadours, wee ſhould more eaſily and willingly heare, beleeve, and obey them.

It is Gods great merciemercy unto us,Anſw. 1. that it pleaſeth him ſo farre to condiſcend to our infirmitie,It is Gods goodneſſe, to ſpeake to us by men, like to our ſelves. as to open unto us the rich Treaſures of his heavenly Word, by men of the ſame condition and frailtie, and ſubject to the ſame paſſions with our ſelves. Hee might by terrible and aſtoniſhing Voices, out of Lightnings, Thunders, and Earthquakes, able to breake the hardeſt Rocks, and ſtony Mountaines,Exod. 20. 19.Exod 20:19 (as he did in the giving of the Law) force us to obedience: Or he might ſend his Angels, armed with power and puiſſance, to execute preſent vengeance upon all thoſe which doe not preſently ſubmit themſelves to the Scepter of his Chriſt, and Soveraigntie of his Word. But in great merciemercy and compaſſion unto us, hee chuſeth rather to teach us by a ſtill and ſoft Voice; by a more faire, familiar, and fit inſtruction for us; even by ſuch as our ſelves, of our owne nature, frailtie, and condition.

Here in he ſhewes his great love unto us,2 It is his love ſo to honour mankind, as to make men his Embaſſadours. in that he vouchſafeth to put his fearefull and glorious Word into the mouth of a mortall and ſinfull man. What an honour and advancement is it unto mans nature, unto mankind, that the high and mightie God of Heaven and Earth ſhould ſingle them out for ſo glorious a ſervice; ſanctifie their Tongues, to deliver his good pleaſure, and newes of ſalvation unto the ſonnes of men? p. 73That hee ſhould acquaint and put them in truſt with ſuch high myſteries, and heavenly matters, of ſo ſoveraigne and ſaving uſe,1 Tim. 4 16.1 Tim 4:16 both to themſelves and others?

But it may be, beſides common frailtie and infirmitie, the Miniſter and Meſſenger of the Word is of lewd and prophane life, and condition.

If he be, more is the pitty; the ſcandall of the Miniſterie is the greater, and his owne damnation more ſmarting and terrible. See Pſal. 50. 16, 17, &c.The Miniſters prophaneneſſe is no priviledge of diſobedience to the Word. But notwithſtanding, the prophaneneſſe of the Preacher is no priviledge to the hearer, either of negligence or diſobedience. He that turnes his eare from hearing of the Law truly preached (though by a Phariſe) even his prayer is abominable, Prov. 28. 9.Prov 28:9Prov. 28. 9. Hee that deſpiſeth the Word, ſhall be deſtroyed, Prov. Prov. 13. 13.Prov 13:1313. 13. Hee that obeyeth not the Sonne, in his Miniſters lawfully ſent, though not ſanctified themſelves,Iohn 3. 36.John 3:36 ſhall not ſee life, but the wrath of God abideth on him. Chriſt himſelfe, in the Goſpel; bids his followers to obſerve and doe whatſoever they were bid by the Scribes and Phariſes, which ſate in Moſes Chaire; Math. 23. 2, 3.Matt 23:2Matt 23:3but not to doe after their works; for they ſaid▪ and did not. Every Miniſter is to be heard, received, and followed, ſo farre as he followes and delivers to the Church the Truth of God, and Doctrine of the Apoſtles. For therein he is an Angel of the Lord of Hoſts, Mal. 2. 7.Mal 2:7and Embaſſadour in the ſtead of Christ. 2 Cor. 5. 21.2 Cor 5:21And all the parts of the Miniſterie in his hand (he following the Word) ſhall as certainely be accompliſhed, as if an Angel, or p. 74Chriſt from Heaven ſhould preſently and potently execute them.See Ecclus. 37. 18.Sir 37:18 If hee denounce Iudgements againſt ſinne, it is as if the voice of God himſelfe ſhould be heard from Heaven; as if the Lion of the Tribe of Iudah ſhould roare. If he poure the Oyle of comfort into a wounded and diſtreſſed Conſcience, it is as ſure and certaine, as ſoft and ſweet to the beleeving ſoule, as if the Angels ſhould comfort him,Luke 22. 43.Luke 22:43 as they did Chriſt in his Agonie; or, as if Chriſt himſelfe ſhould mercifully reach out his glorious hand, through the Clouds, and binde up his broken heart and bruiſed Conſcience with a Plaiſter of his owne precious Bloud. If hee inſtruct, admoniſh, reprove, exhort, perſwade, from ground and warrant out of the Word; it is all one, as if Chriſt himſelfe ſhould doe it:Luke 10. 16.Luke 10:16 who hath ſaid; He that heareth you, heareth me.

Let men therefore pretend what they will; if they will not heare, beleeve, and obey the Lord, ſpeaking in the Miniſterie of the Word, though the meanes and Meſſengers be never ſo baſe and vile, fraile, weake, and ſinfull. Let an Angel come from Heaven, a Devill from Hell, or a man from the dead; yet would they not beleeve. For, if a man were truly humbled, hee would tremble at Gods Word, of whomſoever hee heard it. If hee had a ſpirituall taſte, hee would reliſh the heavenly food, whoſoever miniſtred it. If hee had Gods holy Spirit, hee would know and acknowledge his Sword, which is the Word of God, in whoſe hand ſoever he ſaw it. And untill he have p. 75this ſpirit, a ſpirituall taſte, and an humble heart, hee will not beleeve; eſpecially with effect, fruit, and practice, let him pretend whatſoever he will; neither Angels, nor men; dead, nor living; Moſes, nor the Prophets; Peter, nor Paul; not Chriſt, nor God himſelfe; if the one were living againe upon Earth, or the other would be pleaſed, or it were poſſible, to ſpeake immediately to him.

For concluſion of this Point, let us know, That the Miniſterie of the Word is Gods Ordinance; which dependeth not upon the worthineſſe of him who delivereth it; neither is it made void and uneffectuall, by his weakeneſſe and wickedneſſe: but it hath it vertue, force, and power from the bleſſing of God, and from the inward operation of his Spirit; who applyeth it to the hearts and conſciences of men, and thereby illuminates their underſtandings, begetteth faith in them,See Downam… C. H. pag. 362. and all ſanctifying and ſaving graces.

I,Object. 8. but (will ſome ſay) it is a very weariſome, tyring,This courſe is weariſome. and tedious thing, to be tyed to the hearing of ſo many Sermons, to meditate of them, conferre of them with our neighbours, teach them our families, and practiſe them; which are urged upon us, as neceſſarie Chriſtian duties.

It is a ſtrange thing,Anſw. and ſore caſe, that ſome men will not be perſwaded to take halfe ſo much paines to goe to Heaven,Many will not take ſuch paines to goe to Heaven, as others doe to goe to Hell. and eternall Reſt, as many thouſands to goe to Hell, and everlaſting torment. How many tyre and torture themſelves with carke and care, with much toyle and travell, to heape up thoſe riches, which in the meane time p. 76are matter of much vexation unto them; and hereafter will be witneſſes againſt them, and eate their fleſh as it were fire,Jam. 5. 3.Jas 5:3 as Iames ſpeakes? How many ſpend their wits, their ſpirits, their time, that they may become ſome-body in the World, and climbe by indirect and unlawfull meanes, and ſteps unto thoſe high places, from whence hereafter they muſt be hurled with greater confuſion, and a more fearefull downe-fall, into the Pit of Hell? How many waſte their wealth, weaken their ſtrength, conſume their marrow, fill their bones with rottenneſſe, and their bodies with diſeaſes, with luſt and uncleanneſſe, with following the Whoriſh woman, Prov. 2. 18.Prov 2:18whoſe paths lead unto the dead; with tarrying long at the Wine, and pouring in of ſtrong Drinke: for which, at length, they ſhall be ſure to be filled with drunkenneſſe, and with ſorrow, even with the Cup of deſtruction, and trembling; they ſhall drinke of it deepe and large, and wring it out to the dregges? How unwearied have Idolaters ever beene in the wicked worſhip of their falſe gods? And many Heretikes, in the falſe worſhip of the true God? In thruſting towards Hell, they neither ſpared coſt, nor charge; loſſe, nor labour: They have beene prodigall both of lives, and living; of bloud, and children. You know, amongſt the Iewes, ſome mingled the rufull cryes of their deareſt children with Muſicke and melodie, leſt they ſhould be moved to compaſſion, while they were caſt into the fire, to be burned up in ſacrifice unto the Idoll Moloch. Mat. 23. 15.Matt 23:15Scribes and Phariſes compaſſe Sea and p. 77Land,1 King. 18. 28.1 Kgs 18:28 to make a Proſelyte. Baals Prieſts lanced and cut their fleſh before their Idoll, untill the bloud guſhed out. The blinded Papiſts at this day whip themſelves, waſte their goods, and conſume their bodies with weariſome Pilgrimages, to ſee ſome counterfeit Reliques, and rotten Bones, or to viſit accurſed Idols, and Popiſh Saints: Nay, ſome of them tranſported with a more bloudie rage, and furious ſpirit of Antichriſt, ſuffer as it were with ſenſeleſneſſe, with deſperate and damned boldneſſe, moſt horrible and exquiſite torments, for butchering of Kings; for which they hope to merit Heaven, and to ſayle through a Sea of Royall bloud to the Haven of endleſſe reſt; though indeed and truth, they juſtly light ſhort, and ſinke, before they are aware, into the deepeſt Lake of the hotteſt fire, and moſt conſuming flame of Hell. Now, I pray you, ſhall theſe ſervices of Sathan be followed and purſued with ſuch heat and eagerneſſe, with ſuch paines and patiencie of all miſeries and vexations; and ſhall not the Lords owne Ordinances, and the true worſhip of the true God have power to make us ſtep out of our doores with patience, and pleaſure, to heare the Lords will revealed unto us, to receive ſalvation to our ſoules, and a Crowne of immortalitie to our heads? Can ſome be content to toyle day after day, fare hard, breake their ſleepe, eate the Bread of carefulneſſe, and all to heape up a little wealth, perhaps, with the loſſe of their owne ſoules, and ſometimes they ſcarce know for whom; and ſhall not wee with joy and p. 78chearefulneſſe paſſe through holy Exerciſes, for the enriching of our ſoules, wherein true and laſting comfort is onelyonly to be found, and whereby we may lay up for our ſelves Treaſures in Heaven, durable Riches, a Bag that cannot wax old, a Treaſure that can never faile, Prov. 8. 18. Luk. 12. 33. unmixed joyes, endleſſe peace, and bleſſed immortalitie, preſently to be entred upon after death, and then to be enjoyed for ever and ever? Shall rebellious Superſtition, and the Doctrine of Devils, and killing Kings, harden the Papiſts againſt any croſſes, and tortures; and ſhall we be tyred with the peaceable Exerciſes of ſound & ſaving Religion? God forbid. In whom ſoever the true love of God and Chriſt hath taken up the heart, there their Goſpel, and Word, and ſervices are ſweeter and more taſtfull than all outward delights. Little touch of Religion, or ſenſe of Salvation hath hee, that comes unto with unchearefulneſſe, and ſtayes with wearineſſe at the Miniſterie of the Word.

I,Object. 9. but (will ſome ſay) it was never good World ſince ſo much preaching came amongſt us;There was never good world ſince preaching came in. when there was leſſe preaching, there was more plentie: and therefore, it ſeemes, there is little good in it. Since this new Religion was on foot, (for ſo ſome ignorantly and maliciouſly call it, though it be as old as God himſelfe, whoſe eternall Truth it is; as old as the Patriarks and Prophets, as Chriſt and his Apoſtles) there hath beene (ſay they) more ſcarcitie of all things, more Plagues, Famines, ſtrange apparitions, extremitie of ſeaſons, and other Iudgements, than ever our fore-fathers p. 79ſaw, or heard of. Hoſpitalitie, Charitie, Paſtimes, and Plentie were baniſhed with the old Religion; for ſo they call the bloudie and idolatrous Hereſie of Poperie.

This hath ever beene the complaint of Idolaters,Anſw. and the wicked,This hath alwayes beene the complaint of Idolaters. againſt the Truth of God; as it is now of the Papiſts & prophane men amongſt us, againſt the glorious Light of the Goſpel, that ſhines round about us. When Ieremy, chap. 44. had reproved the Iewes, and denounced Gods Iudgements againſt them for their Idolatry, they anſwer him thus, in verſ. 16.**Marke that, I befeech you; for it is the very language of the Papiſts at this day. The word that thou haſt ſpoken unto us in the Name of the Lord, we will not heare it of thee; but we will doe whatſoever thing goeth out of our mouth: as, to burne incenſe to the Queene of Heaven, and to poure out drink-offerings unto her, as we have done, both we and our fathers, our Kings and our Princes, in the Cities of Iudah, and in the ſtreetes of Ieruſalem; for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and felt no evill. But ſince we left off to burne incenſe to the Queene of Heaven, and to poure out drink-offerings unto her, we have had ſcarceneſſe of all things, and have bin conſumed by the ſword, and by the famine. The very ſame complaint was made of the wicked Heathens and Infidels, at the firſt plantation of Chriſtian Religion among the Gentiles.**Apologetico. Vid. Calv. in Ier. 330. Tertullian, an ancient Father, tells us in his time; If there were any inundation and overflowing of Tibris, a great River in Rome; if there were any extraordinarie and uncouth Hayle, or Froſt, or any other miſerie or calamitie; all the fault was preſently laid on Chriſt, and the Chriſtian Religion.

p. 80It appeares alſo by Auſtin, Auſtin. Epiſt. 121.another ancient Father, in his 122. Epiſtle, that there were wicked complaints and murmurings againſt the Chriſtian Faith, in his time; the Infidels were ſtill crying, that before the Doctrine of Chriſt was publiſhed to the World, mankind was not vexed and diſtreſſed with ſo many troubles and garboyles. To which, the good Father doth there excellently anſwer; Out of Luke 12. 47, 48. eaſily, ſaith he, may they thence take their anſwer:Luke 12. 47, 48.Luke 12:47Luke 12:48 The ſervant that knew not his Masters will, and yet did commit things worthy of ſtripes, ſhall be beaten with few ſtripes; but he that knew his Masters will, and prepared not himſelfe, neither did according to his will, ſhall be beaten with many ſtripes.

Hence then may wee clearely ſee the reaſon why our Times,Our Times deſerve greater judgement, than the former Times of ignorance, for three reaſons. in all reaſon, ſhould be more viſited with Iudgements, than former dayes of ignorance.

1 Becauſe that the Light of the Goſpel is come amongst us;Iohn 3. 19, 20.John 3:19John 3:20 and many love Darkneſſe rather than that Light, becauſe their deeds are evill: for every man that doth evill, hateth the Light, neither commeth to the Light, lest his deeds ſhould be reproved.

2 Becauſe the Goſpel is not ſo thankefully received and entertained, as ſo excellent a Bleſſing and precious a Treaſure ought to be.

3 Many that heare it, live not after it: Perhaps, onelyonly make a ſhew of godlineſſe; but deny the power thereof, in their lives and converſations. So, that negligence and diſobedience to the Word of God, is the true cauſe of thoſe Iudgements p. 81and miſeries, which are wickedly & wrongfully pretended to bee a cauſe why they have ſo little care to attend and obey it.

As for Hoſpitality in the time of Popery,Popiſh Hoſpitality, upon what grounds. it did not ſo much ſpring from the truth of Religion, as

1. From a ſuperſtitious opinion of redeeming their ſinnes, and purchaſing Heaven by almes-deeds.

2. From an exceſſive cheapneſſe of all things, by reaſon of the ſcarcity of money.

3. From the ſuperfluitie of the wealth, riches, lands and impropriations, the price of the bloud of ſoules, which Monaſteries, and other religious, or rather ſuperſtitious houſes, had immeaſurably and unconſcionably ingroſſed and got into their hands. And when they had ingroſſed the world to themſelves,Simile. (as one ſayes) they ſeemed liberall in giving ſomething; like unto ſome vaine-glorious theeves, which having robbed wealthy Merchants, beſtow ſome pence upon beggers.

As for works of Charity: Certaine it is, and a reverend and learned man of our Church hath proved it, and it will more clearly appeare hereafter; That the charitable benevolence,Our times may compare with any for works of charity. bountifull liberalitie, large expences in building and enlarging Colledges, and erecting Hoſpitals, Libraries, Free-ſchooles, and many other works of charity, and fruits of faith, ſince the light of the Goſpell began to ſhine amongst us, may compare with, if not farre excell any time of the like or longer continuance in any age.

As for greater dearth & higher price of all things p. 82now,The reaſons of the higher price of things now. than in former times, it is a cleare and plaine caſe, that the reaſon is; that the great ſtore and plentie of treaſure which is walking in theſe parts of the world, farre more in theſe our dayes, than ever our forefathers have ſeene in times paſt. Who doth not underſtand of the infinite ſummes of Gold and Silver which are gathered from the Indies, and other Countries, and ſo yearly tranſported into theſe coaſts? And this is confeſt to be the true cauſe of the ſame unancient dearneſſe of all things, even in other Kingdomes alſo, where Popery is profeſſed.De Rep. lib. 6, cap. 2. One Bodin, a great Polititian of France, tels us, that the common people are much deceived, who thinke that the price of Corne, Cattell, and other neceſsaries, ſhould hold the ſame rate it did of old. They doe not underſtand and conſider, that the price of things is more by ten parts (ſaith he) than it was anciently, by reaſon of the plenty and abundance of Gold and Silver, which is brought out of the Weſt Indies into Europe, whereby it comes to paſſe that money is leſſe eſteemed, for plenty of any thing leſſens the eſtimation of it.

Beſides, for our owne Countrey, wiſe men have obſerved another particular reaſon. For (ſay they) immediately after our coine, in the time of King Henry the eighth, the prices of all things generally among all ſorts of people roſe; for that they thinke, that the alteration of the Coine was the chiefe and principall cauſe of an univerſall dearneſſe of things. And why our Engliſh Coine being reſtored by our late Queene, that bleſſed Saint of glorious memory, to its former purity p. 83and perfection, the prices of all things fall not backe to their old rate, they give ſufficient reaſons.

As for paſtimes, Playes, and other fearefull prophanation of the Sabbath, it is a good ſigne the power of grace is there planted by the Word, from whence they are baniſhed and abandoned. They are fit pleaſures for Papiſts, which have no comfort in the joyes above; and well agreeing to the darkneſſe of ſuperſtition. But the light of the Goſpell diſpels ſuch vanities, and Gods children have all their pleaſures in holy exerciſes upon the Sabbath day.

This laſt objection then of Papiſts and prophane men; That the world is worſe ſince there was ſo much preaching, is idle, vaine, and frivolous.

Many ſuch like conceits, perſwaſions and objections as theſe, which I have now reckoned up unto you, there are abroad in the world, and in the hearts of prophane men, by which they are hindred from hearing the Word of God, with that heart, zeale and diligence as they ought.

Now I come to acquaint you with ſome ſlights and temptations of Satan,Satans ſleights to hinder the effectuall working of the Word. whereby he labours to bereave us of the bleſſings and benefits of profitable hearers, and to hinder the effectuall working of the Word in our conſciences and converſations.

A firſt plot and practice of Satan,He would keep them from the Word. is to keepe men from diligent hearing the Word; If he cannot that way prevaile, in a ſecond place he labours p. 84to make the Word in vaine,Or elſe hinder the power of it fruitleſſe, and unprofitable unto them. And that hee doth, by ſuch meanes as theſe:

I If by the grace of God we breake thorow all lets and ſnares which might withhold us from holy aſſemblies,Hee keepes them from attending. and hearing of the Word; then Satan, that he might make it uneffectuall for our converſion and ſalvation; firſt, labours to worke in us a negligent careleſneſſe and heedleſneſſe, in liſtning to thoſe things which are delivered, and that by a kinde of heartleſneſſe in holy things, by dulneſſe of ſpirit, drowſineſſe, ſleepineſſe, gazing about, talking, or ſuch like. And ſuch hearers as theſe, are never a whit moved or affected with the Word preached, but remaine in the ſame ſtate as they were before. There is neither paſſion or impreſſion wrought upon them for the preſent, nor any thought of it, profit or practice afterward.

2**In this depth he uſes to fill our minds with barren melancholy, or to make men poſt off reproofes, and apply them Phariſoically all the while to others. He fills our minds either with worldly, or elſe with impertinent unſeaſonable thoughts. But if he cannot ſpeed this way, but that we rouze up and addreſſe our ſelves to heare the Word of God, as deſiring with care and good conſcience to profit thereby: Why then, in a ſecond place, hee ſeekes by all meanes to fill our heads and hearts with idle muſings, and wandring thoughts, which may diſtract and ſteale away our minds from attending to the Word. And that he doth, either by offering and ſuggeſting to our conſideration and memory, the world, and the vanities thereof, as our affaires and buſineſſe, our profits and preferments; thoſe pleaſures and delights wherein our corrupt affections finde p. 85moſt ſenſuall ſweetneſſe: Or, if this will not prevaile; by caſting into our mindes very craftily and cunningly, things which in their owne nature may be good, honeſt, and religious: But becauſe they are thought upon out of due and convenient time, they deprive us of the profit of the preſent holy Exerciſe; which ought for the time, onelyonly and wholly to take up our mindes.

If this yet will doe no good;3 but that wee marke diligently and attentively, all the while, what the Miniſter delivers unto us from God, for our good: why then, in a third place;

1 In ſome,Some underſtand not what they heare. he makes it uneffectuall, by nouriſhing in them a neglect of reading the Scriptures, and ignorance in the Principles of Religion: ſo that though they attend never ſo well, and ſtare the Miniſter in the face; yet they underſtand not the Sermons they heare. Let the younger ſort therefore, to prevent this miſchiefe, acquaint themſelves with the Scriptures from their youth; by the example of Timothy, 2 Tim. 3. 15. Salomon, Prov. 31. 1, &c. Samuel, 1 Sam. 1. 24. See alſo Pſal. 119. Prov. 2. 1. And let the miſerie upon Elies Houſe, terrifie negligent and indulgent Parents; ſee 1 Sam. 2. 1, 2. &c. In this depth, the Word is either buried as it is brought forth, or dies at the Church doore.

2 In others,In others, Sathan ſteales it away immediately. he earneſtly endeavours utterly to extinguiſh and aboliſh all thought of it; quite to drive and baniſh it out of their heads, ſo ſoone as they have heard it. And that thus: If mens hearts be hardned through unbeleefe, or cuſtome p. 86in ſinning, and like the High-way in the Parable of the Sower; then the Evill one comes immediately, and catcheth the Seed of the Word ſo ſoone as it is ſowen, and ſtealeth it out of the heart.Simile. As we may ſee many times Birds hovering greedily after the Sower, to ſnatch away the Corne, before it be covered with Earth, or take root in the ground: even ſo Sathan, the ravenous Crow of Hell, waites all opportunities to pecke up the Seed of the Word out of the hearts of men, before it ſinke into their affections, or fructifie in their converſations. Or otherwiſe, if the World hath ſtolne mens hearts out of their bodies,Or the World ſteales away their hearts. ſo that they have no hearts left within them, for matters of Holineſſe, and Heaven; but are wholly ſet upon Gaine, and exerciſed in Covetouſneſſe: then needes not Sathan much to beſtirre himſelfe; he knowes full well, that worldly Cares will preſently choake the Seed of the Word.Mar. 4. 19.Mark 4:19 As ſoone as the Sermon is heard, and ended, and they turned their backes upon the Church, there comes immediately into their heads whole ſwarmes of earthly thoughts, and they are preſently plunged over head and eares into the cares and plottings of earthly buſineſſes. So that theſe men, whom Sathan conquers by this temptation, never meddle with meditation, conference, or talke about the points handled by the Preacher, by which the Word of God ſhould be better, as it were, digeſted, and prepared for practiſe. Nay, they have no delight at all to heare others repeat the Sermon; but are very wearie of p. 87the place and companie, and never pleaſed, untill they bring them back againe unto talke of worldly matters and prophane diſcourſes.

If this yet will not ſerve the turne,4 He labours to keepe them from practiſing what they know. but that the Word gets within a man, and workes upon his underſtanding; ſo that by his diligent hearing of it, meditation, and conference, he furniſhes himſelfe with competent knowledge in the Booke of God, and Divine Truth: why then, Sathan caſts about another way; which is, to make him to content himſelfe with a bare fruitleſſe knowledge, without practiſing the power of it in his life and actions; to reſt contented with an abilitie to talke and diſcourſe onelyonly upon points of Religion, and places of Scripture, without inward ſanctification, and ſubduing the will and affections to new obedience, and ſincere exerciſe of Chriſtianitie. So that, for all his knowledge, he neither meddles with Converſion, nor mends in his Converſation.

He labours here,I He would hinder their converſion ſundry wayes. firſt, to hinder his Converſion, by planting in his heart a prejudice and diſconceit againſt,

1 Preaching the Law.

2 Diſtinguiſhing ſeverall eſtates of unregenerate men, Math. 13. the three Reprobate Grounds.

3 The differencing the Children of God, and the Children of the Devill, by ſpeciall markes and notes, Math. 5. Pſal. 15. &c.

4 Preſſing the Doctrine of Chriſt, of preſſing in at the ſtrait Gate, Luke 13. 24. & 4. 28. And p. 88gathering from Scripture thoſe which ſhall be ſaved, into a ſhort ſumme.

5 And by making him make GOD all of MercieMercy.See Yates, pag. 173. & 229.

And mending in his Converſation,2 Broad, pag. 100. by motives unto preſumption.

If this will not prevaile,5 He would have them reſt in a partiall reformation, and ſuperficiall converſion. but that a man endeavours to draw his knowledge into practiſe, and fettles himſelfe with care and conſcience to reforme his former wayes and courſes of iniquitie: why then Sathan plots and practiſeth, with all the cunning and policie he hath, to make him reſt in a ſlight, ſuperficiall, and partiall reformation; to content himſelfe with an unſound, or unſaving converſion. For, by the way, I muſt tell you; there may be many converſions,Severall unſound changes. changes, and alterations in a man, from worſe to better; and yet he not truly ſanctified, not become a new creature, nor poſſeſſed of the ſtate of grace, and glorious comforts of true Chriſtians.

1 He may be changed,In theſe caſes, Truth is the trueſt Touchſtone, to difference a true convert from all ſtates of unregeneration. See Gonge, p. 130. from a notorious ſinner, to a civill honeſt man: whereas he hath beene before furious, and deſperate in lewd courſes, hee may grow more ſober and moderate in his carriage: And yet, for all this, continue in his ignorance, and a meere ſtranger to the wayes of godlineſſe.

2 From civill honeſtie, he may paſſe on to a formall Chriſtianitie, and become an outward Profeſſor; and outwardly doe, and performe religious ſervices: and yet lye in his ſinnes, and want the power of inward ſanctification.

p. 893 Yet further, by a generall power of the Word, and inferior working of the Spirit, he may in ſome ſort be outwardly reformed, and in ſome meaſure inwardly enlightened; hee may have underſtanding and joy by the Miniſterie of the Word, and may doe many things after it, and for ſake many ſinnes.Mark. 6. 20.Mark 6:20 Herod is ſaid, Mark. 6. to have reverenced Iohn, to have heard him gladly, and to have done many things: And yet for all this, hee may come ſhort of a ſound converſion; if hee ſuffer ſome maine corruption, ſome one ſweet ſinne, or other, to reigne in him, which hee ſtill feedes upon with delight, and ſenſuall ſweetneſſe; if hee doe not wholly and entirely reſigne and give up himſelfe, his ſpirit, ſoule and body to the Lords ſervice, and to pleaſe him in all things; and with repentance, and reſolution, forſake all his knowne ſinnes. For this is a certaine Rule and Principle with**See Hieron. p. 158. Marbury in his Sermon at P. C. Dod upon the Cō mandements, p. 10. Dike, p. 195. True Watch, p. 61. Divines; That true turning unto God, and the adviſed and willing remaining in the practice of any one evill, which is diſcovered to a mans Conſcience, by the Light of Gods Word, to be a ſinne, cannot ſtand together.

Theſe changes a man may have, and thus many paſſages, from worſe to better; and yet the great and glorious worke of regeneration not wrought upon him. For where there is a ſound converſion, and through-reformation, there a man is wholly ſanctified,Fruits of a true converſion. and ſet apart unto God, from the ſinfull corruption of his naturall birth, and the evill fruits thereof, to ſerve God in his whole man, both body, foule, and ſpirit. He ſhakes hands with all ſinnes, he ſells all for the precious Iewell of the Goſpel; p. 90he regards not ſinne in his heart, but hath a regard to all Gods Commandements.

Now ſith Sathan, that old Serpent, knowes full well, that it will never ſerve the turne for a man to part but with part of his ſinnes; that his caſe is fearefull enough, whatſoever good, or good deeds ſeeme to be in him, if he yeeld not to the worke of the Holy-Ghoſt, for the leaving but of any one knowne ſinne, which …ighteth againſt the peace of his Conſcience; he knowes, that he hath haunt and hold enough in a mans Conſcience, and affections; that hee hath ſufficient intereſt and claime to his damnation, if he can but keepe his ſweet ſinne in heart, and alive in him. And therefore, when any by the Miniſterie of the Word is moved to ſettle and addreſſe himſelfe to a reformation of his wayes, and to redreſſe his former wicked life; he puts in, might and maine, to preſerve in his vigour, and ſoveraigntie, one ſecret delightfull ſinne, or other, at leaſt, in the heart and affection of him, that goes about to reforme himſelfe: He ſingles out one corruption, or other, to which hee findes a man moſt addicted; and this he conceales, and fenceth with all the policie that he hath, that if by any meanes it may eſcape unrepented of, unmortified, and unmedled with.

Thus he dealt with Herod: Mark. 6. 17.Mark 6:17Herod, by the preaching of Iohn, reformed himſelfe in many things; but Sathan made ſure to keepe him his owne, by that one ſinne of Inceſt. Naaman the Syrian, no doubt, beleeved, and followed the Prophet in many things;2 King. 5. 18.2 Kgs 5:18 but he deſired onelyonly, that the Lord would p. 91be mercifull unto him, when he went into the houſe of Rimmon. Math. 19. 22.Matt 19:22The young man in the Goſpel, in his outward carriage was unreprovable; but that one ſecret ſinne of worldlineſſe, baniſhed him out of the preſence and Kingdome of Chriſt. In this point,Act. 5.Acts 5 Sathan labours to perſwade men to deale with God in the forſaking of their ſinnes, as Ananias dealt with the Apoſtle, in parting with his Money. It was a cuſtome, you know, in the Primitive Church, becauſe of the neceſſitie of the Times; that many, out of a zealous and extraordinarie love unto the Goſpel, ſold their Lands, and brought the price, and laid it downe at the Apoſtles feet. Ananias amongſt the reſt, would needes ſeeme as forward & zealous in this glorious worke of Charitie, as any other: He ſold his Lands indeed, and brought in the Money, and tender'd it at the Apoſtles fe…t; but yet ſecretly, ſuſpecting Gods providence, and doubting leſt himſelfe, perhaps, at length ſhould be brought into want, hee kept backe one part of the price of his Poſſeſſion; making ſhew notwithſtanding, to have brought in all. So it is in many, by the malice of Sathan, and bewitching enticements of naturall corruption, in the forſaking of their ſinnes. In a true Converſion indeed, when a man is about to buy the Pearle of great price & unvaluable worth in the Goſpel, the Doctrine of Salvation, the Way to Life, and Graces of Gods Spirit; he makes an univerſall ſale of all his ſinnes;Math. 13. 44.Matt 13:44 he ſelleth (as the Text ſaith) all that he hath: not ſome piece of his ſinfull Poſſeſſion, but even the very whole Lordſhip, the entire p. 92Inheritance. But it is otherwiſe with thoſe whom Sathan inveagleth, and enſnareth in this point. Hee is well enough pleaſed, that they ſhall ſeeme to be as forward in the reformation and amendment of their lives, as any other; and indeed, that they ſhall be reformed in good part, and carry ſome love and affection toward the Word, and Miniſters; ſo that he may keepe hold and poſſeſſion but in one corner of the heart: For he knowes, that that is enough to keepe the whole man, body and ſoule, his owne. If he can ſtay but one ſinne unſold, he knowes the man continues ſtill, by the courſe of divine Law,Simile. a bondſlave of Hell. By one little hole a ſhip will ſinke into the bottome of the Sea. The ſtab of a Pen-knife to the heart, will as well ſpeed a man, as all the Daggers that killed Caeſar in the Senat-houſe. The ſoule will be ſtrangled with one Cord of vanitie, as well as with all the Cart-ropes of iniquitie: only, the more ſins, the more plagues, and fiercer flame in Hell: but he that lives and dies impenitent in one, it will be his deſtruction. One dramme of poyſon will diſpatch a man; and one reigning ſinne will bring him to endleſſe woe and miſerie. Let us take heed therefore, when we goe about reformation of our ſelves, leſt we be ſurpriſed & overtaken by this malicious craft of Sathan. Let us reſolve upon a through-reformation; which is only and ever undertaken, with a purpoſe not to hold on in the willing practice of any one knowne iniquitie, or ſinfull courſe. Which, when we ſhall carefully & earneſtly go about, Sathan will be ſure to ſet upon us, as Pharoah did upon Moſes and Aaron: p. 93When the Lord had commanded them to goe three dayes journey in the Deſart,Satan deales with men, as Pharaoh did with the Iſraelites. to doe ſervice and ſacrifice unto him, that by all meanes hee might hinder them in this holy buſineſſe.

1.Exod. 8. 25.Exod 8:25 He would have them to ſtay in the land, and to doe ſacrifice there. Nay (ſaith Moſes) it is not meet to doe ſo; for then wee ſhould offer unto the Lord our God that which is abomination unto the Egyptians.

2. Sith this would not then ſerve, but that they would needs out of the Land;Verſ. 28. I will let you goe (ſaith Pharaoh) that you may ſacrifice to the Lord your God in the Wilderneſſe; but goe not farre away. But Moſes would yet none of this, he would not abate a foot of the journey the Lord had appointed.

3.Cap. 10. 9. Why then (ſaith Pharaoh) if you will needs goe ſo farre, I am content your men ſhall goe; but, as it is fitteſt, your children ſhall ſtay at home. Nay (ſaith Moſes) we will goe with our young and with our old, with our ſonnes and with our daughters, with our Sheepe and with our Cattell will we goe.

4.Verſ. 24. Well (ſaith Pharaoh) I will yeeld ſo farre unto you, your children ſhall goe with you to ſerve the Lord, onelyonly your ſheepe and your Cattell ſhall abide at home.

Nay (ſaith Moſes) our Cattell alſo ſhall goe with us. There ſhall not an hoofe be left.

Now when all this would not doe, when Moſes would not accept of any capitulations, conditions, reſtrictions, or limitations in holy buſineſſes, and the ſervice of God, (for he was at a point, reſolute, he would not leave ſo much as an hoofe behinde.) p. 94Now, I ſay, when all the enticements and policies of Pharaoh would not prevaile to keepe Moſes from ſerving and ſacrificing unto God, and that preciſely and ſtrictly, according to his owne appointment and commandement, but that to this end, at length he wrung himſelfe and all the Iſraelites, out of the bloudy teeth of this perſecuting Wolfe; why then Pharaoh armes himſelfe with rage and fury,Exod. 14. 7.Exod 14:7 with ſix hundred choſen chariots, and all the chariots of Aegypt, with fifty thouſand horſmen, and two hundred thouſand footmen,Ioſephus. as a Iewiſh Hiſtorian writes, purpoſing with bloudy thirſt to devoure at once, and ſwallow up quicke, even all the Iſraell of God: But you know the concluſion was; the Lord of Heaven gave a moſt glorious deliverance to his owne people, wherein his bottomleſſe goodneſſe, and infinite mercy ſhall ſhine cleare and bright for ever, in all generations of the Church upon earth, and through all eternity in Heaven: But upon their enemies he brought ſuch a ſtrange and terrible confuſion in the Red Sea, which may ſtrike aſtoniſhment and trembling into the heart and loynes of all prophane perſecutors of godlineſſe to the worlds end, and amaze the very maliciouſeſt f…end in hell, while that Kingdome of darkneſſe ſtands.

Even iuſt thus doth Satan deale with all thoſe who deſire to bee conducted by the light of the Word,See Broade. pag. 141, &c. out of the Aegypt and ſlavery of ignorance, ſinne, prophaneneſſe; and who are reſolved frankly and freely to give themſelves, ſoules p. 95and bodies, to Gods ſervice, and to enter a ſetled courſe of holineſſe and ſanctification; hee uſeth all meanes and policies to keepe and detaine them in his Kingdome of darkneſſe. If he cannot hold them in his chiefe palace and Court as it were, where ſinne eſpecially raignes and revels it, yet he will ſo farre hamper them, that at leaſt they ſtill hover upon the confines and borders of the Regions of death. If they will needs bee medling with reformation of their …infull lives, and that he cannot helpe it, but ſomething muſt be done, he is content to yeeld unto them upon ſome termes or conditions,Satan would condition with men in their converſion. that they caſt him not quite out of their conſciences, but ſuffer him to ſway and raigne in their hearts, by ſome one gainfull or delightfull ſinne or other.

1. If they will needs feare God, he ſtands not much upon it, but that they may doe it outwardly, and in profeſſion, ſo that they will continue in Aegypt, within the Kingdome of darkneſſe, and lie ſtill in their ſinnes, and under the ſhadow of death.

2. If this will not content them, if they will not reſt here, but will needs out of the Kingdome of darkneſſe, and dominion of death, why he is not much againſt it, but that they may goe the halfe way; that is, he will ſuffer them to forgoe and forbeare the outward practice and perpetration of many ſinnes, ſo that inwardly their heart and affections harbour, nouriſh & embrace them ſtill, and feed upon with a ſenſuall and delightfull remembrance, the ſinfull pleaſures of iniquities formerly committed.

p. 963. If they deſire and endevour to become new men, both inwardly and outwardly, to be ſanctified in actions and affections, to ſerve God both in ſoule and body, he will yet yeeld ſo farre, that they may be rid of ſome ſinnes both in heart and practice, as perhaps of ſinnes of cuſtome; but then he will be a ſuitor and ſolicitor unto them, to retaine other ſinnes, as perhaps ſinnes of nature. For example: It may be they may both forbeare the outward practice, and alſo inwardly loath ſwearing, drunkenneſſe, and other ſuch like ſinnes of cuſtome; but they will nuzzle in the boſome of their affections, pride, luſt, anger, and ſuch other ſinnes, the naturall birth as it were of originall corruption.

4. But if they alſo conquer theſe, why then he tempts them mainly to continue at the leaſt in worldlineſſe.**Foure infallible marks of cove…ouſneſſe: 1 Carking: 2 Strained bowels to the neceſſities of the Saints, or any truly poore. 3 Too much buſineſſe in the world. 4 Injuſtice, or uſing of injurious or indirect courſes of getting wealth See Wha…ly, pag. 30. For this in many mens hearts hath greater power, and beares more ſway than nature, or naturall affection. He will ſecretly ſuggeſt unto them, that upon an eager and exceſſive purſuit of gaine and riches, depends their life and livelyhood, their credit and reputation, their contentment and happineſſe in the world; ſo that perhaps at laſt of all, after all this, they reſt and ſettle themſelves upon ſinnes of advantage, as uſury, oppreſſion, unlawfull and exceſſive gaining, earthly-mindedneſſe, ſerving the Times, and ſuch like.

5. But if by the grace of God any be ſo bleſſed from God above,Gard. of Spirit. Flow. 2. part. pag. G 4. as reſolutely to paſſe thorow all theſe traines and temptations, and like p. 97ſtrong Samſons, breake through all theſe Cords and Cart-ropes of iniquitie and vanitie; ſo that they will not yeeld an ynch to that cruell Pharaoh of Hell, nor leave ſo much as an Hoofe behinde them, in his Kingdome of Darkneſſe: why then, this ſpirituall Pharaoh preſently armes himſelfe with all the crafts and policies of Hell, with Legions of Fiends, and Princes of the Darkeneſſe of this World; with all his malice, againſt the ſalvation of the ſoules of men; with the fire and furious rage of prophane wretches; with the ſharpe ſwords and impoyſoned arrowes of lying and ſlanderous tongues; and with all other advantages, which either the loweſt Hell, or the wide wicked World can afford. And thus appointed, hee purſues and perſecutes, with bloodie and implacable furie, all thoſe who have eſcaped out of this captivitie, farre more eagerly and enviouſly than ever Pharaoh did the Iſraelites: That either hee may bring them backe againe into his bondage, or elſe take them quite away, and deſtroy them; that they may not attaine the full Light of the Saints, nor doe long ſervice unto the Lord. And certainely, if all the power of Hell, the ſtrongeſt temptations, the ſcourge of tongues, the Worlds malice, the ſpightfull ſpirit of prophaneneſſe, the frownings of friends, the ſcornefull inſolencies of enemies, the curſed and enticing cryes of our old companions; if wicked men or damned Devils be able to prevaile, he will be ſure to ſtay them, before they enter into the ſtate of grace, and true bleſſedneſſe. But yet, if a man put on p. 98Pauls armour, in Eph. 6. Davids royall courage, Pſal. 3. 6. Moſes princely zeale, and truly Chriſtian valour, that he will not leave a hoofe behinde; that is, that he will not leave one corruption unmortified, one affection unſanctified, one rebellious action unreformed, one knowne ſinne unrepented of, and unforſaken; one holy dutie unperformed, one Commandement unobeyed: Why then, hee may looke for a more glorious ſpirituall deliverance, than Moſes had a temporall: Hell, and confuſion, ſhall ſwallow up all his**See. Iſa. 25. 10.Isa 25:10 enemies; but into his heart, in the meane time, ſhall be ſhed and plentifully powred comfort, joy, and peace▪ and upon his head ſhall a Crowne of immortalitie flouriſh for ever hereafter.

I have ſtayed very long upon the fifth plot and practice of Sathan, whereby he labours to make the Word heard, unpowerfull and uneffectuall for the ſalvation of our ſoules: For, I know, it is much and often exerciſed, and with great ſucceſſe; and by it, he prevailes with very many. When by diligent hearing of Gods Word▪ faithfully urged upon them, they are driven, and doe addreſſe themſelves to a reformation and amendment of their ſinfull lives; he mightily endeavours to hinder, diſquiet, and interrupt them in it; to make it a reformation unto them but in part, and by halfes; unſound, and unſaving: So that, it may be, they may forſake ſinnes of Cuſtome, as Lying, Swearing, Drunkenneſſe, and ſuch like; but keepe ſinnes p. 99of Nature, as Pride, Luſt, Anger, and the like: Or, it may be, they may forſake both theſe two kindes of ſinnes, and yet keepe ſinnes of Advantage; as Oppreſſion, unlawfull Gaining, grinding the faces of the Poore, ſerving the Time, and ſuch like: Or, they may leave all theſe▪ and yet keepe ſinnes of Companie; as, idle and vaine Talking, filthie Ieaſting, rayling againſt and ſlandering their Neighbours, uncharitable judging and cenſuring their Brethren, and the like. It may be, they may be carefull in their generall calling of Chriſtianitie; but careleſſe and unfaithfull in thoſe particular places and callings, wherein God in his providence hath ſet them: Or contrarily; they may be of Chriſtian behaviour abroad, and in publike; as at Sermons, and in the Church: but unconſcionable at home, and in their private families; never teaching, or praying with them: They may ſeeme zealous in the Commandements of the firſt Table, and about the ſervice of God; but in the ſecond, and towards their Neighbour, unmercifull, unconſcionable, and uncharitable: Or, they may deale juſtly and honeſtly with others, but be utterly voide and deſtitute of the knowledge and feare of God: They may bee outwardly reformed, but inwardly full of hollow-heartedneſſe, and hypocriſie: They may leave all other ſinnes, onelyonly keepe one behinde; which is called a mans ſweet, delightfull, and boſome-ſinne.

If Sathan can prevaile with a man any of theſe p. 100wayes, hee keepes him his owne: for hee that is ſoundly converted, juſtified, and ſanctified indeed, muſt needs be out of love with every ſinne, with the whole courſe of iniquitie; and with ſincerity and chearefulneſſe embrace the entire body of Chriſtianitie, and have a regard to all Gods Commandements.

6 Now I come to a ſixt ſleight and deviſe of Sathan,Sathan would hinder perſeverance. whereby hee labours to make the Word fruitleſſe and unprofitable unto us. If he cannot ſtay us in our reformation, but that we will needs through, and caſt away all ſinnes; why then, hee ſeekes by all meanes to hinder our continuance, and conſtancie.Math. 13.Matt 13 If the Seed of the Word be received with joy, and ſpring up for a time; that is, be practiſed for a while; he rayſeth up ſome perſecution, tribulation, or croſſes, whereby it is preſently blaſted, withers, and comes to nothing. The uncleane ſpirit may for a time goe out of a man,Math. 12. 43.Matt 12:43 and walke throughout drie places; but if it be poſſible, he will returne with ſeven other ſpirits worſe than himſelfe: and the end of that man, is worſe than the beginning. A man may flye from the pollution and filthineſſe of the World, as it is,2 Pet. …. 20. 2. Pet. 2. 20. but by the policie of Sathan, hee may be tangled againe therein: He may be waſhed (as it is in the ſame place) for a while, and yet after wallow againe in the myre of ſinne: He may be endued with an inferior ſanctification of the Spirit,Heb. 10. 29.Heb 10:29 Heb. 10. 29. and yet after, by the malice of Sathan, tread under foot the Sonne of God: Hee may have a generall participation of the Holy-Ghoſt, p. 101Heb. 6. 4.Heb. 6. 4.Heb 6:4 and yet after a time fall away, to the very deſpiting of the Spirit of Grace. I ſpeake not this, as though that any once effectually called, truly ſanctified, poſſeſſed of the ſtate of grace, and enrolled among the Saints, can poſſibly become a caſt-away; it cannot bee: for if once by the power of ſpeciall grace, a man be built upon the Rocke;Math. 16. 18.Matt 16:18 not the Gates of Hell, not all the powers of Darkeneſſ, nor ſtrongeſt aſſaaults of Satan, ſhall ever prevaile againſt him. Heaven and Earth ſhall ſooner be removed, than any of Gods ſervants. For if Gods eternall Decree of Election be unchangeable; if his Covenant be everlaſting, and inviolable; if his Truth cannot change, nor his MercieMercy faile, nor his Power be weakened; if the ſacred Seale of the bleſſed Spirit ſhall ſtand; if the precious blood and fervent prayers of Chriſt Ieſus can prevaile; if his Scriptures doe not lye, and deceive; if his ſanctifying Grace cannot die, and periſh; if Himſelfe cannot ceaſe to be: then undoubtedly, if a man be once his, he is his for ever; if he be once truely his ſervant upon Earth, he ſhall for ever hereafter be a glorious Saint in Heaven. My meaning therefore in this point, is onelyonly this: There is a glimmering Light of the Spirit, ſome manner of taſte of the ſweetneſſe of Chriſt, a kind of change, which may be wrought in a man by the preaching of the Word, and yet he not truely and conſtantly converted, but may by the malice and policie of Satan be repoſſeſſed by uncleane ſpirits, and repolluted with the filthineſſe of the World.

p. 102Thus we may diſcerne this changeable change (that I may ſo ſpeake) and the ſaving change of Gods ſervants:Difference betweene a falſe and ſaving change. If, after we have given our Names to Chriſt, and begun to profeſſe and practiſe ſinceritie, we paſſe on, and continually grow in grace, and ſtand for Gods honour and ſervice, againſt all commers; friends or foes, loſſe or diſgrace, oppreſſion or ſlanders, men or devils; why then, undoubtedly, we have the ſanctifying Spirit of God, and ſaving grace; which makes his Children like Trees betwixt the Rivers of Waters, fruitfull in goodneſſe, and as bold as Lyons, in good cauſes. But, if after wee have begun well, wee looke backe with Lots Wife;Gen. 19. 26.Gen 19:26 if we fall in love againe with thoſe ſinnes which wee have forſaken; if Rubbes and Croſſes in the World, will turne us out of the way to Heaven; and our righteouſneſſe be but as the Morning Deaw, which a little heat of Perſecution will drie up: why then, our change was changeable, and not that of Gods children. The Seed of the Word, which wee received with joy, was never deepely rooted in good and honeſt hearts; wee were onelyonly temporarie Converts, not new creatures; temporizing Profeſſors, not true Chriſtians; and our End is like to be worſe than our Beginning; and our Plagues more, than if we had never begun.

Let every man take heed then, in the Name of God, leſt by the traines and temptations of Sathan he be turn'd backe againe from any good courſe; leſt after he be waſhed, he wallow againe in the myre of worldlineſſe, and worldly vanities; p. 103and after hee hath eſcaped the filthineſſe of the World, leſt he be againe entangled therein. Let us beware of longing after thoſe ſinnes, which we begun in ſome meaſure to reforme; let us not luſt againe after the fleſh-pots of Aegypt, like the Iſraelites, after we be in ſome good ſort enlarged from the bondage of ſinne, and tyrannie of the helliſh Pharoah. Lots Wife being delivered out of Sodome, was ſurpriſed with a ſenſuall remembrance of the pleaſures and vanities of the place which ſhee had left, of the eaſe and proſperitie which ſhee there enjoyed; and ſo look'd backe upon it: But ſhee was therefore preſently turned into a Pillar of Salt, Gen. 19. 26. there for ever to be a monument and fearefull ſpectacle of Gods terrible judgements againſt all back-ſliders. If the uncleane ſpirit be caſt out of a man by ſome degrees of reformation, and good beginnings of amendment of life, and have after leave and libertie to returne; he brings with him ſeven Devils worſe than himſelfe, and makes a man farre worſe than he was before.2 Pet. 2. 21.2 Pet 2:21 Much better were it for any man never to have knowne or ſtept into the way of righteouſneſſe, than afterward to turne from the holy Commandement of God, and out of a courſe of Chriſtianitie. It is a fearefull Curſe, to continue in hardneſſe of heart, prophaneneſſe of life, and ſinfull courſes: But to leave them for a little, and to ſinke backe againe, is to have Gods Curſe bitter againſt them, if they repent not, and the fire of Hell made more hot for them. Firſt, ſickneſſes are curable; but relapſes are very dangerous, p. 104if not irrecoverable. If a man (as it is Heb. 6.) hath once beene enlightened, Heb. 6. 4, 6.Heb 6:4Heb 6:6and then fall away, it is impoſſible to be renewed by repentance. I know that place principally to be underſtood of the higheſt degree of Apoſtacie, and falling away; but hee that falls away from any good courſe, and good beginnings, falls towards that irrecoverable fall, and makes himſelfe more uncapable of repentance, than if he never had been enlightened, or ſtept into the way of Truth: And it is juſt with God, to puniſh ſuch with a reprobate ſenſe, and hearts that cannot repent.Rom. 2. 5.Rom 2:5

It then deepely and neerely concernes us; for once wee have felt the ſweetneſſe of Grace, and tasted of the Powers of the World to come; to drinke deeper of the Waters of Life, and to follow hard towards the marke, for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Ieſus. When wee feele any good motions and purpoſes ariſe in our hearts, let us labour to follow them, to nouriſh them, to blow them up, to make a fire of them; leſt they onelyonly but make a flaſh, and paſſe away as the Lightning. Let us put them in practiſe with zeale, and conſtancie, that we be not as the unfaithfull Waters, which in the Summer are dryed up; or as the dead Trees, which periſh in Winter: but that we remaine whole and ſound, pure and perfect, as the living Waters and Olives of the Lord, that ever ſhed forth their ſweetneſſe and fatneſſe. Let us make a Covenant,2. Cor. 13. 5.2 Cor 13:5 even a Covenant (as the Scripture ſpeaketh) of Salt, durable, and perpetuall, with the Lord, to live before him in p. 105holineſſe and righteouſneſſe all the dayes of our life: For to him that goes through with his holy buſineſſe,2. Tim. 4. 7.2 Tim 4:7 that fights the good fight of Faith, finiſheth his courſe, and overcomes; to him, and to him alone, ſhall all thoſe glorious Bleſſings be performed, which are promiſed in the firſt Chapter of the Revelation: Rev. 1.Rev 1To eate of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradiſe of God; Not to be hurt of the ſecond Death; To eate of the Manna which is hid, and to have the white Stone of Victorie given him; To have power given him to rule over Nations, and to be lightened with heavenly brightneſſe, like the Morning Starre; To be clothed with white array, (that is, with heavenly Glory) and to have his Name continued in the Booke of Life; To have a Pillar made in the Temple of God, (that is, a firme and unmoveable place of eternall Glory;) To ſup with Christ, and to ſit with him upon his Throne for evermore. Thus ſhall hee bee honoured and crowned with the excellencie, fulneſſe, and varietie of all glory, joy, and happineſſe, who enters with ſinceritie, and couragiouſly ends his Race of Holineſſe, and conquers in his ſpirituall Fight.Rev. 21. 8:Rev 21:8 But all fearefull men, (as it is, Rev. 21. 8.) who ſlinke backe for feare of Men, or love of the World, or to ſerve the Times; all faint-hearted men in the Lords Battailes, and that fall away from good beginnings; they ſhall be puniſhed with unbeleevers, with the abominable, with Murtherers and Whore-mongers, with Idolaters and Lyars, in the Lake which burnes with fire and Brimſtone; which is the ſecond Death.

p. 1067 But, if by the grace and merciemercy of God, we quit our ſelves like men, and hold on comfortably and conſtantly in a ſetled courſe of godlineſſe; yet,Hee ſtrives, if hee cannot make them to fall totally and finally, that they may fall partially, and as frequently as he can. for all this, Sathan hath not done: though he can doe us no deadly hurt, yet he will ſtill doe his worſt; for his craft and ſpight is endleſſe. If he ſee there is no hope of bringing us backe againe into his bondage, or making us any more vaſſals and ſlaves to ſinne; yet he will labour to lay ſtumbling-blockes in our way, to bring us upon our knees: now and then, to turne us out of the right path; ſometimes, even to over-turne us with ſome greater and more dangerous fall; hee will lay his traines to intrap and intangle us, if it be poſſible, in ſome old ſweet ſinne:Sathans policie. Which, that hee may bring about, hee will uſe the benefit and advantage of cuſtome, becauſe before our calling, wee have much practiſed it; of the frailtie of our owne corruptions, becauſe they have moſt delighted in it; of our old companie, becauſe wee have formerly ofteneſt committed it with them. He will leave no opportunitie, advantage, or circumſtance omitted, and unaſſayed, to hale us back into one or other ſpeciall ſinne, of our unregeneration. If this will not ſtop, hee will follow all occaſions, enticements, and temptations, the tide of our owne affections, the ſtreame of the times, if by any meanes hee can caſt us into ſome groſſe and ſcandalous ſinne. Theſe are Sathans plots and practiſes againſt thoſe, who hold on in a conſtant courſe of holineſſe: if they will not bee brought to tumble themſelves againe in the myre p. 107of ſinne, and ſinfull pleaſures, yet he will doe what hee can, now and then, to ſpot and ſtaine their Chriſtian lives with ſome grieuous fall, or other; that ſo,Preſervatives againſt ſinne, whereby Gods children keepe themſelves from groſſe falls. to his utmoſt, hee may bring upon them Gods disfavour, and angry countenance, diſgrace and diſconceit amongſt their brethren, diſcomforts and feares of heart within themſelves. But if a man, firſt, by keeping freſh in his minde the uncertainties and vanities of this vaine World:1 ſecondly,2 by carefull and continuall watching over his deceitfull heart:3 thirdly, by exerciſing and practiſing with diligence and delight, all holy meanes of preſerving grace, and ſtarving ſinne; as reading, hearing, conference, meditation of the Word of God; Prayer, publike and private; with himſelfe,4 and with his family: fourthly, by declining prophane, unprofitable, and unchriſtian companie, and acquaintance; and frequenting, with joy and fruit, the fellowſhip of the Saints: fifthly,5 by an humble entertainment, nouriſhment, and practice of the good motions of the Spirit: ſixtly,6 by a dayly examination of the ſtate of his Conſcience, and reparation of the decayes of Grace:7 ſeventhly, by his godly jealouſie over little ſinnes, and preſent renewing repentance after every ſlip. I ſay, if by ſuch meanes as theſe (which are notable preſervatives againſt the poyſon of ſinne) a man fence himſelfe from groſſe and ſcandalous falls; or elſe, if by the politike malice of Sathan, and weakeneſſe of his owne fleſh, he be overtaken with ſome fouler ſinne; and yet notwithſtanding, beſides pangs of griefe, and p. 108anguiſh of ſpirit, for grieving his gracious God, hee looke better to his feet, and run faſter in the Race of ſanctification after his fall; if his falling into ſinne teach him theſe good leſſons, which in ſuch caſes are ordinarily learned of all true Chriſtians; for all things, even**See Gouge, p. 171, 172. ſinne it ſelfe, makes to the beſt in Gods Children.

1 Hee learnes by his fall,The good that they get by their falls. to diſtaſte his pride, and ſelfe-conceit, to let fall his Peacockes traine, and deſpaire of his owne ſtrength.

2 To depend only upon God, the Word of his Grace, and the power and perpetuall influence of his Spirit, for his ſtanding upright in the wayes of Righteouſneſſe, and preſervation from moſt fearefull and dangerous downe-falls.

3 To cling cloſer about him; to claſpe faſter hold with the hand of faith upon the glorious Paſſion and meritorious juſtice of Chriſt; with much heartineſſe and zeale of ſeeke and ſue unto him for his ſpeciall aide and aſſiſtance againſt Satans temptations, his owne corruptions, and outward occaſions of ſinne.

4 To bluſh and be aſhamed of himſelfe; for that he having had his ſoule waſhed with the precious blood of Chriſt, and having received ſo great favour, mercy, and pardon at the hands of God, yet hath wretchedly and unthankfully defiled it againe; and ſo wofully and wickedly abuſed his extraordinary love and kindneſſe.

5 With more reſolute vow, proteſtation, and practice, to renounce and abandon Satan; with more perfect hatred, and deteſtation, to loath and p. 109abhorre all manner of ſinne;Jude 23. 1 Theſſ. 5. 22.Jude 1:231 Thess 5:22 the Garment ſpotted of the fleſh, and all appearance of evill.

6 To become watchfull, and wiſe; by taking ſpeciall notice of all the motives, temptations, meanes, occaſions, baites, allurements to that ſinne, into which hee fell; for the avoiding and declining of it afterwards.

7 To thinke charitably of other men, that fall, and are ſuddenly overtaken in any offence; not to be too eager, hot, and cenſorious againſt them; but out of his owne experience, to give them comfort, inſtructions, and directions, and to labour to reſtore them with the ſpirit of meekeneſſe. Now, I ſay, if a man be either fore-armed and fenced (as I ſaid) from falls; or elſe, after his fall, weepe bitterly, repent ſincerely, watch afterward more carefully, walke more zealouſly; and out of his ſpirituall wiſedome, make that uſe and benefit of his fall, as I have told you: then hee may have comfort, that Sathan gets no great advantage this way.

8 Like a fierce cruell Dragon,He ſends forth flouds of perſecution and affliction after them. ſith he cannot devoure the Womans Child ſo ſoone as ever it is brought forth; that is, he cannot repoſſeſſe and reigne againe in a true Chriſtian and regenerate man, brought forth by the power of the Word, in the Wombe of the Church; he therefore caſteth out of his mouth, after him, flouds of outward croſſes and vexations. If he cannot wound him in his ſoule, yet he will vexe him in his body, goods, and good name: if he cannot hinder him of Heaven, he will give him little reſt or quiet p. 110upon Earth: if hee cannot bring him into diſgrace and disfavour with God, he will be ſure to rayſe him hatred enough, malice, and diſcountenance amongſt men: He will doe his worſt, to fill and loade him with all outward diſcomforts and diſcouragements; as povertie, ſickneſſe, ſlanders, ſcoffings, raylings, reproaches, contempts, and a thouſand other perſecutions.

But in ſuch caſes as theſe,Comfortable conſiderations againſt afflictions. let every child of God comfort, refreſh, and hold himſelfe in heart, cheare, and courage, by ſuch conſiderations as theſe.

Firſt,1 From Gods Decree, the example of the Saints, and the Sonne of God himſelfe. Act. 14. 22.Acts 14:22 it is a Decree of Heaven, reſolved upon and ratified by the Lord our God, confirmed by the experience of all the Patriarkes and Prophets, of the Apoſtles and profeſſors of Chriſt, of all the Saints and ſervants, nay, and of the Sonne of God himſelfe;Act. 14. 22.Acts 14:22 that, through many tribulations wee must enter into the Kingdome of Heaven. So often therefore as wee ſhall ſee any miſeries or afflictions comming towards us, for our profeſſion of ſinceritie, and righteouſneſſe ſake; let us acknowledge them to be as ſo many moſt certaine and infallible markes, that we are in the right way to Heaven: through which, if we but walke a little further with patience, we ſhall deſcry a Crowne of Glory,Rom. 8. 18.Rom 8:18 which is our owne for ever; of which, all the afflictions and preſſures of a thouſand Worlds are not neere worthy.

Secondly,2 From the gracious effects of afflictions, for our good. though by this meanes, by theſe outward croſſes and afflictions, Sathan diſchargeth upon us the very gall of his bitterneſſe, the poyſon of his malice, and arrowes of his ſpight; yet, by p. 111the mercifull and medicinall hand of God, they are returned upon his owne head, they ſtrike through the heart of ſinne, and become as precious reſtoratives, to repaire in us the decayes of ſpirituall life: for in Gods children, croſſes and afflictions have theſe worthy effects and workings.

1 They ſtart us out of our ſecuritie,They make us watchfull, &c. careleſneſſe, and coldneſſe, which by little and little may grow upon the beſt: They breed in us a conceit and ſenſe of our owne wants, and the neceſſitie of Gods providence and protection: They adde Oyle unto the flame of our firſt love, put life into our religious exerciſes, and power and ſpirit into our prayers.

2 They curbe and controule the pride,Humble, &c. inſolencie, and impatiencie of our nature: They coole and kill the heat, headlongneſſe, and intemperancie of our affections: They weaken indeed the whole old Adam in us, with all his luſts, concupiſcence, and venome; but give ſtrength to the new man, with all his godly and gracious motions, holy and heavenly actions.

3 They make us with indignation to ſpit in the very face of this vaine,To contemne the World. deceitfull, and flattering World; the temporall love of which, is the eternall loſſe both of bodies & ſoules in the other World: They happily weane us from the love of it, and make us willing to part with her paps; to bid all her enticements adiew, and to trample under feet the fading pleaſures & vanities thereof: they make us to teare our groveling hearts, and rent our dull affections from the Earth, to which they cleave, p. 112and are glued ſo faſt, and to lift up both our heads and hearts to Heaven, and to the glory which is to be revealed, longingly to deſire the comming of Chriſt, the Life that laſteth, and to be clothed with our Houſe, which is from above.

4 Laſtly,To ſee further into the myſterie of godlineſſe. they are as ſharpe and precious eyeſalves, to cleare and enlarge the ſpirituall ſight of our ſoules, too much dimmed and darkened with earthly duſt, and with gazing too long on the painted glory of the World; that ſo wee may ſee further into the great myſterie of godlineſſe, deeper into the maſſe and dunghill of our owne corruptions and frailties, wider upon the vanities of the World, and higher into the happineſſe of Heaven, and that great Beautie, Glory, and Majeſtie above: They ſerve unto us as ſowre Sawces, and bitter Wormewood, to bring us out of love with our ſweet ſinnes, and to breed a diſtaſte in our mouth againſt tranſitorie delights: They are as ſharpe pruning-knives, to lop and cut away the exceſſes, vanities, and unneceſſarie cares that grow upon us; and ſo to trimme us, that wee may bring forth more profitable, plentifull, and fairer fruits in godlineſſe and Chriſtianitie.

Thus Sathan is diſappointed in his plots, and policie; his malice makes a medicine for our ſoules: hee purpoſeth and hopes, by croſſes and afflictions to turne us backe, or make us wearie in our courſe of holineſſe; but by the mercy of God, they become as ſpurres, to pricke us forward in our Chriſtian Race; and as hedges to keepe us in, from wandering out of the way.

p. 113Now,3 Though Satan and his inſtruments be the inſtrument to afflict, yet God is the principall Agent, who will order all for their good. in a third place; That Gods child may not too much be caſt downe, or put out of heart, for croſſes and perſecutions rayſed againſt him for a profeſſion, and the practice of ſinceritie; let him conſider, that howſoever Sathan and wicked men be the inſtruments, and executioners, which maliciouſly procure, and immediately inflict miſeries and vexations upon the children of God; though they be the meanes to lay tortures and torments upon their bodies, croſſes and loſſes upon their goods and outward eſtates, ſpots and impreſſion and crueltie upon the face of their harmeleſſe innocencie, ſlanders and diſgraces, imputations and ſtaining aſperſions upon their reputations and good names; ſometimes terrors, temptations, and amazements upon their minds: Yet in all theſe, our gracious God hath the chiefeſt ſtroke, a principall hand, and the greateſt ſway▪ he directs, limits, and moderates the rage and furie of all our enemies, whether they be Devils or men, as it pleaſeth him; and ever certainely to the ſingular good of his children, if they be patient and faithfull.Job 5. 6.Job 5:6 Miſerie (ſaith Iob, chap. 5. 6.) commeth not forth of the Dust, neither doth afflictions ſpring out of the Earth. Neither indeed, principally and originally from Man, the Lord of the Earth; nor from the Prince that rules in the Aire; nor from the Hoſt of Heaven: God himſelfe is the chiefe commander, guider, and directer of all vexations, and ill of puniſhment that befalls any man; and inflicts it, for our ſinnes and corruptions, upon the reprobates, as p. 114appeares in Pharoah, for their further hardening and confuſion; upon his elect, for their converſion and correction.

Let us then, in all our ſufferings and afflictions, ſtirred up againſt us for ſticking to ſinceritie, and keeping a good Conſcience; lift up our eyes to the mightie Lord of Heaven and Earth: who, by the ſtrong Arme of his Omnipotencie, holds faſt in a Chaine, Sathan, that raging Lion, and great Goliah, that hee cannot ſtirre one Linke further than hee will give him leave; hee cannot goe a haires breadth beyond his Commiſſion: Nay, and that which hee is ſuffered to doe, makes one way or other for our farre greater good. Let us conſider, what a loving and tender-hearted Father hath us under his correction; and holds in his hand the furie of Sathan, the malice of men, the power and particular ſtings of all creatures, as Rods and Scourges, to reforme and amend us; to keepe us in a courſe of holineſſe, and in the right way to Heaven. His fatherly love and tenderheartedneſſe unto his, and ſuch as feare him, doth in deareneſſe and unchangeableneſſe as farre ſurpaſſe the moſt compaſſionate bowels of any earthly father, as God ſurpaſſeth man; and, an infinite nature, a finite creature. The kindneſſe of a mother to her child, is nothing to that love which God beareth to a true Chriſtian.a. 44. 15. A mother may forget her child, and not have compaſſion vponupon the ſonne of her wombe. But God neither can, nor will forget him. The ſtonie Rockes and Mountaines ſticke faſt and ſure unto their foundations; but p. 115Gods love to his child, is farre ſurer and ſounder. The Mountaines ſhall remove, Iſa. 54. 10.Isa 54:10and the Hills ſhall fall downe (ſaith God by Iſaiah) but my MercieMercy ſhall not depart from thee; neither ſhall the Covenant of my Peace fall away, ſaith the Lord, that hath compaſſion on thee. Can any man ſtoppe the courſe of the Sunne, the Moone, and the Starres? Can hee change the Seaſons of the Day and the Night? No more can any creature, or a world of creatures, ſtoppe and turne aſide the ſtreames of Gods endleſſe mercies and favours to his faithfull ſervants. If you can change (ſaith God by Ieremie) if you can change the courſes of the Sunne, Ier. 31. 33.Jer 31:33and of the Moone, and of the Starres; if you can breake my Covenant of the Day, and my Covenant of the Night, that there ſhould not be Day and Night in their ſeaſon; then may my Covenant be broke unto David, my ſervant; then will I cast off all the Seed of Iſrael: Ier. 31. 33. You may therefore make ſure of it; every ſanctified and ſincere man is ever in Gods ſight, for his good and preſervation;Iſa. 49. 16.Isa 49:16 hee is graven upon the palme of his hand, Cant. 8. 6.Song 8:6hee is ſet as a Signet upon his arme, and as a Seale upon his heart. God is ever farre more ſenſible, tender, and compaſſionate of the ſighes, teares, and miſeries of his children, than any man can be of the pricking of the precious ball and apple of his owne eye.Zach. 2. 8.Zech 2:8 Wee have his Promiſe, ſealed with the precious bloud of his owne Sonne, bound with an Oath; That ſo,Heb. 6. 18.Heb 6:18 by two immutable things, wherein it is impoſſible that God ſhould lye, wee might have ſtrong conſolation; That,Heb. 13. 5.Heb 13:5 hee will never faile and forſake his; That, hee p. 116never lay more upon them, 1 Cor. 1…. 13.1 Cor 1:13than hee will make them able to beare. Hee gives them comfort in all their afflictions, deliverance from them, and benefit by them. In all troubles, hee moſt certainely either quite frees them, or graciouſly preſerves them, in them; ſo farre as is beſt for his glory, and their good; and uſefull for the Church, and his other children.

Let no child of God then be diſmayed or diſcouraged for any croſſes, ſlanders, or perſecutions, which befall him for his profeſſion, and practice of holineſſe and ſinceritie. Though Sathan hath his worke in them, and prophane and wicked men a part; yet our gracious God, ſo loving and tender-hearted a Father, hath the principall ſtroake and chiefe finger in them: Sathans worke, and end is, to vexe and diſcourage.

It is evermore the worke of the Devill, (ſaith one of the **…yptian Epiſt. ad An…e…an. lib. 4. 2▪ancient Fathers) that hee may with Lyes teare the ſervants of God, and by falſe Opinions ſpread concerning them, may defame their glorious name; that ſuch as are bright in the light of their owne Conſcience, may be darkened and diſgraced by the reports of others.

Wicked and prophane men,Why the wicked hate and perſecute the godly. becauſe they are in Darkeneſſe, and their workes are evill, they cannot endure the children of Light, and their holineſſe of life.1 For this is the root and fountaine of all their malice and crueltie; as appeares 1 Ioh. 3. 12. Cain ſle… his brother;1 Ioh. 3. 12.1 John 3:12 and wherefore ſlew he him? Becauſe his owne workes were evill, and his brothers p. 117good. Hence growes and ſprings all the furie and rage, all the wrongs and ſlanders, which are wont to be layd on true Chriſtians:1 Pet 4. 4.1 Pet 4:4 They are hated even for their very goodneſſe, and becauſe they will not runne with the wicked unto the ſame exceſſe of riot: They are filled with contempt and reproach, with the mockings of the wealthy, and deſpightfulneſſe of the proud, becauſe they will not ſweare, ſwagger, lye, poure in ſtrong drinke, prophane the Sabbaths, follow the faſhions and corruptions of the Times. In a word, becauſe they will not be prophane in this World, and damned in the World to come. And beſides,2 I know not how, wicked men thinke, that by the commonneſſe of ſinne, their ſinfull courſes become more commendable; and, that the multitude of offendors makes them more excuſable, and their offences pardonable. It is the comfort (ſaith an ancient**Jerome. Father) of evill men, to carpe at the good; thinking, that by the great number of offendors, the guilt of their faults is diminiſhed and abated.

But Gods worke and end,Gods aime in his childrens afflictions. in all falſe reports unjuſtly rayſed againſt his children, and in other croſſes whatſoever; is to ſtirre up and revive in them zeale, devotion, and faithfulneſſe, in praying, prayſing, and ſerving him; to purge out of them the droſſe and relickes of ſome old ſinne; to humble them, and to bring them to a true denying of themſelves; to trie their faith, patience, and conſtancie; or for their greater good, one way or other.

p. 118A fourth conſideration,4 Afflictions are no ſtrange things. whereby the true Chriſtian may be kept in heart and comfort againſt all croſſes and calumniations which hee ſhall meete with, in his courſe of holineſſe and ſanctification, is this: It is no ſtrange thing that doth befall him, when he is perſecuted for ſinceritie; but the very beaten way to Heaven, trodden by all ſuch feet,The Saints have gone before us. as ever walked in faith and obedience. Abel begun in this Cup of Perſecution, and vexation, for his ſervice to God, to all thoſe who would give their Names to Chriſt, or fight under his Banner to the Worlds end. The Patriarkes and Prophets, and holy men of old, followed and pledged him:Heb. 11 36, 37.Heb 11:36Heb 11:37 They were tryed by mockings and ſcourgings, by bonds and impriſonment; they were ſtoned, they were hewen aſunder, they were tempted, they were ſlaine with the ſword; they wandered up and downe in Sheepes-skins, and Goats-skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented; whom the World was not worthie of; they wandered in Wilderneſſes, and Dennes, and Caves of the Earth. Nay, Chriſt himſelfe.Nay, Chriſt Ieſus himſelfe, the Sonne of God, and our bleſſed Saviour, drunke deepe and large of this Cup; it was the Baptiſme wherewith he was baptized.Math. 20 23.Matt 20:23 His Apoſtles and Diſciples followed; they endured all the bloudie and mercileſſe cruelties, which fierce and furious Wolves are wont to inflict upon ſilly and harmeleſſe Sheepe: for they were ſent out into the World,Math. 10. 16.Matt 10:16 as Sheepe amongſt Wolves. There come after, and drinke of the ſame Cup, millions of bleſſed men and women, under the primitive Perſecutions: Of which, ſome were p. 119ſcalded, ſome burned, ſome broyled, ſome hanged, ſome beheaded, ſome throwne downe from rockes upon ſtakes, ſome ſtabbed in with forkes, ſome racked, and torne in pieces, their tongues cut out, their eyes bored out, their fleſh twitched off with Pinſons, womens breſts feared off with hot yrons, pricked under the nayles with Needles, and a thouſand more wayes tormented, with as great varietie and exquiſiteneſſe, as politike malice could deviſe, and prophane crueltie execute. If wee paſſe along from thence, even to theſe Times; yea, and if our eyes were ſo enlightened, that we could looke upon the ſtate of Gods children, and their way to Heaven, even to the Worlds end; we ſhould ever be able to trace them along by the teares of Brine, and bloud, which are powred out and ſpilt for the profeſſion of Gods Truth, and practice of holineſſe. This then is, was, and ever will be, the lot and portion of all thoſe who are fitting and preparing for Heaven. They are ever perſecuted one way, or other. If by reaſon of the milde and peaceable Times, they fight not unto bloud, and paſſe the fierie Triall; yet they ſhall have their troubles, oppreſſions, and diſgraces; at leaſt, they ſhall be ever ſure to be payd home with the ſcourge of tongues: they ſhall be loaden with ſlanders, and falſe reports; they ſhall be made a gazing-ſtocke, a by-word, and Table-talke; a ſcorne, reproach, and deriſion to them that are round about them:Pſal. 79. 4.Ps 79:4 as David was, Pſal. 79. 4. Which being ſo, why ſhould not a common caſe, in the cauſe of God, breed a common p. 120comfort in true Chriſtians? Why ſhould any of them thinke much to drinke of the ſame Cup, that the deareſt Saints and ſoules, now bleſſed with the Lord, have begun to them in; and of which, all that will be ſaved, even to the laſt day, muſt taſte, and follow? Why ſhould any man, that truly loves God, or lookes for the joyes of the other World, ſeeke or deſire a priviledge above all the children of God, that everwere; and even above the Sonne of God himſelfe, Chriſt Ieſus? Moſt unworthy is hee of the glorious comforts of Grace, of the inward Peace, that paſſeth all underſtanding, and of that Glory which is to be revealed; who, for a ſlanderous tale, a lying tongue, a reproachfull tearme, or the feare and face of any mortall man, ſlinkes back from a bold profeſſion of ſinceritie, and from the true ſervice of the living God.

In ſufferings and afflictions for Gods cauſe, there is not onelyonly matter of patience, but even occaſion of glory. They are like ſtarres in the forehead, honourable maimes, conformities to Ieſus Chriſt, Liveries of a Chriſtian ſouldier.

Fifthly,5 2. Cor. 4. 17.2 Cor 4:17 let him conſider, that his momentanie croſſes and afflictions cauſe an exceeding and everlaſting weight of glory.Afflictions are but ſhort, and they worke a weight of glory. Let his vexation be never ſo grievous, his perſecutors never ſo great, and mightie; neither they, nor that, can laſt long. For the life of man, and all the glory thereof, doth paſſe away like a Ship in the Water, whoſe tract cannot be ſeene againe; like an Arrow through the aire, or a Weavers Shuttle through his worke; p. 121like a fading Flower, ſuddenly plucked up and withered; like Graſſe, like Smoake, like a Dreame, like a Bubble of the Water. Though a Chriſtian therefore be never ſo deepely plunged into**As many times they are. See David, Pſal. 69. 1, 2.Ps 69:1Ps 69:2 miſeries, he ſhall abide but a while under the waters of affliction; the day of redemption cannot be farre off. Though he ſhould paſſe through the teeth of wilde Beaſts, upon the ſword of the Tyrant, through the flames of fire; though his braines ſhould be daſht againſt the walls, his limbes lye ſcattered in the ſtreets, and his bloud runne downe every channell: yet ſhall he, ere it be long, gloriouſly riſe againe, in deſpight of all the powers of Darkeneſſe, and bloudineſſe of cruell men. Hee ſhall entirely be reſtored, by the mightie and immediate hand of God; hee ſhall be clothed with Light, and immortalitie; his bloud ſhall be revenged, and all teares wiped from his eyes; Rev. 7. 17.Rev 7:17and there ſhall be ſet upon his head a Crowne of everlaſting joy, peace, and happineſſe.

Sixtly,6 Chriſt doth ſuffer and ſympathize with his children in affliction. comfort unſpeakable, and glorious, may ſpring up in the heart of Gods child, amidſt his ſufferings for the cauſe of God, out of a conſideration, That in all afflictions, without exception, Chriſt ſuffereth with him.See Iſa. 63. 9.Isa 63:9 Paul was the mirrour and miracle of all Chriſtians, for the varietie and gloriouſneſſe of his ſufferings; you may ſee a ſtrange and unmatchable Catalogue of them,2 Cor. 11. 23, &c.2 Cor 11:23 2 Cor. 11. 23. &c. He was in ſtripes above meaſure, plenteouſly in priſon, in death oft. Of the Iewes, five times received hee fortie ſtripes, ſave one; he was thrice beaten with Rods, he was p. 122once ſtoned, he ſuffered thrice ſhipwracke; night and day was he in the deepe Sea: In journeying, he was often; in perils of Waters, in perils of Robbers, in perils of his owne Nation, in perils among the Gentiles, in perils in the Citie, in perils in the Wilderneſſe, in perils in the Sea, in perils among falſe Brethren; in wearineſſe, and painefulneſſe; in watching often; in hunger, and thirſt; in faſtings often; in cold, and in nakedneſſe. Yet all theſe, and what other croſſes and afflictions befell him, he calls and accounts them the ſufferings and afflictions of Chriſt. Now (ſaith Paul, Col. 1. 24.Col 1:24Col. 1. 24.) now rejoyce I in my ſufferings for you, and fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Christ in my fleſh, for his Bodies ſake, which is the Church. And 2 Cor. 1. 5. As the ſufferings of Christ abound in us,2 Cor. 1. 5.2 Cor 1:5 ſo our conſolation aboundeth through Christ. Lazarus, in all his povertie, contempt, ſickneſſe, ſores, or what other miſeries, ſuffered nothing wherein Chriſt was not partaker of his griefe and ſorrow. So ſweet and bleſſed a conſent and ſympathie is there betwixt Chriſt, the Head, and all true Chriſtians, his members; that ſo long as the great myſterie of that myſticall Vnion ſtands true and ſure, (which is for ever) all holy men, and ſervants of God, in all their ſufferings for the Name of Chriſt, profeſſion of his Truth, and practice of ſinceritie, ſhall have Chriſt himſelfe partner and partaker of their miſeries; which is able to refreſh the heavieſt heart, in the greateſt extremities.

I have ſtayed long upon this point; to wit, how Sathan labours might and maine, by croſſes p. 123and ſlanders, to diſcourage Gods child, and to ſtop his courſe in the wayes of righteouſneſſe; and in laying downe ſome comforts againſt them: becauſe thouſands, at the very firſt entrance, or after ſome ſmall continuance, are wofully turned backe from grace, and ſinceritie, by temptations, reproaches, and troubles rayſed againſt them; by their owne rebellious fleſh, Sathan, and prophane men.

Now,9 Satan hinders the working of the Word; by ſpiritual Pride. in a ninth place, if all this will doe no good; if the heat of perſecution inflame the zeale of the true Chriſtian; if reproaches and afflictions be ſo farre from daunting and dulling his forwardneſſe, that they ſet an edge upon his affections, and adde ſtrength to his reſolution, in proceeding in the glorious ſtate of Chriſtianitie: Why then, the laſt ſleight and temptation of Sathan, to hinder the ſanctifying power and ſucceſſe of the Word, and to make it fruitleſſe and unprofitable, is ſpirituall Pride; which, by his malicious cunning, and helliſh Alchymie, hee extracts even out of his graces and vertues; out of ſuch ſweet flowers, he rayſes poyſon: and ſith he cannot keepe goodneſſe utterly out of the ſoule, he uſes it ſelfe as an inſtrument, to weaken & wound it ſelfe. For when a man is moſt endued and enriched with extraordinarie gifts, holy graces, and ſpirituall ſtrength; Sathan ſeekes moſt buſily to make him proud of them, and to puffe him up with an over-weening conceit of his owne worth; that ſo himſelfe may loſe the comfort of them, his brethren the fruit of them, and God the glory p. 124of them. This ſpirituall Pride, is the ſame in our corruptions and ſinfull affections, that the Shirt is in our Clothing; that is to ſay, it ſits the cloſeſt unto us, and is laſt put off: it is the white Devill (as a worthy Divine calls it.) That ſinne doth lye, and inſenſibly inſinuate it ſelfe; and lurkes amid our graces, and good actions, as a dead Fly in the Apothecaries Ointment. It is, as it were, Sathans laſt intrenchment, which hee holds the longeſt, and with moſt reſolute and deſperate pertinacie, and is hardlyeſt driven out; much ſpirituall wiſedome, a great meaſure of humilitie, and the whole Armour of God is required to this combate. For he is ſo endleſſe, and exerciſed in the point; that, if we be ſo humble, that he cannot make us proud of any thing elſe, he will labour to make us proud even of our humilitie; and proud, that we are not proud of our gifts.

Except a Chriſtian continually and carefully watch over his heart,Spirituall Pride may ariſe in Gods children. and guard it with humilitie, and a lowly conceit of himſelfe; this privie Pride may ſteale upon him, before he be aware.

And firſt,1 From a conſideration of their priviledges. it may ſpring out of a conſideration of the excellencie of his eſtate, and the varietie of his peculiar bleſſings, and ſpeciall priviledges, which the ungodly men neither can, nor doe enjoy. For when he is once tranſlated from Darkneſſe to Light,Priviledges of the godly. from prophaneneſſe to ſinceritie, from Nature to Grace; out of the Dominion of Sathan, into the Kingdome of Chriſt, by the great worke of regeneration: hee is preſently made partaker of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:42 Pet. 1. 4. hee p. 125is entitled, by the right of the Sonne of God, to an inheritance immortall, 1 Pet. 1. 4.1 Pet 1:4and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerved in the Heavens for him. While hee is thus looking upon himſelfe, poſſeſſed of this happineſſe, and planted in this glorious Paradiſe; Sathan is ſecretly blowing the coales of his hidden corruption, to enkindle and rayſe there-out an over-weening conceit of his owne worth, and to puffe him up with pride of his owne gifts and graces; whence may enſue two foule and hatefull inconveniences: For ſo hee may grow by little and little to juſtifie himſelfe too much, whereby Gods glory may be leſſened and darkened; and to deſpiſe his Brethren, whereby his exerciſe of charitie may be hindered.