A Second Guide to Heaven, Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
EXAMINATION.
It may be expected, and seem very necessary, that I should now describe, who are like to be Sav'd, and who are like to be Lost; but I would not exceed the bounds of this Treatise, that I intended to be little; besides, you may try by all the forementioned Directions; however I shall add these two.
1. Such a one that is undeceiv'd and like to be sav'd, is willing to do any thing that Self may be sav'd.
2. Such a one will lose all else, and suffer any thing, rather than his Soul, himself, should be lost.
Use III 1. SUch a one is wholly and continually at Gods Command, willing to do any thing that God requires, and in the best manner, that it may be acceptable and well-pleasing; then shall I not be asham'd, when I have respect (though not able to do all) to all thy Commandments.Psal. 119.6. He quarrels not with Gods Laws, but likes and loves them. David is an eminent instance, enough is said in that 119 Psalm, they seek him with the whole Heart, they do no iniquity; they not only talk of, or step into them, but walk in thy ways; I will praise with uprightness of Heart, take heed to the Word, hide the Word in the Heart, rejoyce in it as much as in all Riches; meditate and have respect, and delight my self, and not forget, my Soul breaketh for longing; indeed, every Verse of the Psalm almost gives a distinct character of a good man. A man that is getting Gold, and Honour and Health, is pleas'd in his labours and endeavours. Such a Soul begrudges no pains, no time, no cost; thinks all too little, so as he may be sav'd at last. The hypocrite and wicked man quarrels and is discourag'd, and thinks all too much. He says, what a weariness, and what profit? True enough, his services and prayers are of no advantage. When will the Sabbath be over? the other says, How amiable thy Tabernacles?Psal. 84. my Soul longs to go one day there, better than all the six about the World:Psal. 42. beg. When shall I come and appear? this is a dry and thirsty wilderness, no waters for my Soul;Psal. 63. beg. my Soul thirsteth for God, the living God. Thy loving kindness is better than Life; it's never better with me, than when waiting at thy House.Prov. 8.34.35, 36. How willing is such a Soul to be praying, and praising and doing good?Etsi haberemus sexcentum colla, subjiceremus jugo Christi. not only because God commands it, but because he delights in it, and finds it really good and refreshing; and his desires are far beyond his works, he wishes 'twere much more and better. Christs yoke is easie and his burden light. It's my wicked Heart and corrupt flesh, that makes it sometime greivous and heavy; but love makes it pleasant.1 Joh. 5.3.
2. Such a Soul is willing to lose all else, to suffer any thing rather than lose himself. Values not reproaches, scorns troubles, persecutions. This made Christians kiss the stake, and say, welcome the Cross of Christ, welcome the Crown; this made Paul and Silas sing in the stocks in the dungeon, when whipt and wounded, rejoyce and glory, glad that they were counted worthy to suffer: Not count their Lives dear, so as they might save their Souls. This made Abraham do and suffer in readiness to offer up his Isaac, Gen. 22.1. to 10. How much might he have pleaded against this severe command and trial? Take thy Son and kill him.
Lord, not my Child, rather let me offer thousands of Rams than my first-born; had it been a stranger, a servant, but a Child that I should love and delight in; preserve from others destroying; let me feed him, keep him warm; if he be hurt or wounded, I can't bear it.
But if he must suffer, let him lye in Prison or a Dungeon, let him be fed with bread and water; not let him die, let him be banisht into another Country; let him, if he must suffer, have a finger, an arm or leg cut off; not cut him off wholly.
But, Lord, what is his fault? what hurt hath he done? what is his or mine offence? not one word of all this.
He is my Son, my Isaac, the Child of the promise, I waited many years for him; thou didst promise a numerous posterity; how shall my Seed be as the Sand and the Stars, and here is but one, and that must be cut off? Ishmael is turn'd out of door already.
Lord, were it a Son I hated, one that was not desirable, but take thy Son whom thou lovest, that is the delight of thine eyes and joy of thy Heart. One that never offended me, was always obedient, loving and tractable.
Get thee into the land of Moriah; Lord,verse 2. it's three days Journy, how can I bear the thoughts of it so long, and take the dear Sacrifice with me, and see his face in the way that I must kill there, and offer him up for a Burnt-Offering? Lord, how can I burn my Child to ashes, my nature shrinks at the thought.
Ʋpon one of the Mountains that I shall tell thee of; Abraham must not know where, till he come; God may lead him, whither he please.
And Abraham rose early; verse 3.What speed was here? there is no excuse made for delay, none for want of wood; he labours with his own hands, and cleaves it himself; when others would have made their want of it a pretence for forbearance. No, Abraham would have nothing wanting to hinder him in obeying Gods Call and Command.
Then Abraham on the third day saw the place; verse 4.and how then, did not his Heart fail him?
verse 5.No, He stops the young Men there; why, Abraham, let them go with thee, they may hold thy hands and save thy Child. No, Abraham had rather trust himself with God alone, and in his hands, than with any, all others; never told the young Men, what was to be done.
verse 6.Abraham took, the wood, and laid it upon Isaac his Son; how could he lay it on the sweet and tender Child? nay, he carry the knife too, that must kill and rip him open; and he took the fire in his hand and a knife, being resolv'd nothing should be wanting: Did not his hand shake and tremble?
verse 9.And they came to the place: Oh the power of faith and patience, love and submission! Abraham goes on, makes no stop, they went together; builds an Altar, lays the wood on, and then binds his Son Isaac, and laid him on the Altar, bound hand and foot.
verse 10.And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his Son: What Father would not have shrunk back, and chose rather to die himself, than give the stroke? But Abraham knew, it was the Lord that took care of him all his days, and would do him and his Isaac no hurt; would trust God in every thing: He rested on Gods Wisdom and goodness. God gave him Isaac, and he might command him away again; besides, he was a servant and must obey, he must do his work, and let God alone with His work; God gave his dear Son for me, and I give all to him.
Isaac's submission was as remarkable; Abraham had Gods word for it, Isaac only Abraham's, his Earthly Fathers word.
Isaac might have pleaded, 'twas but a dream, a fancy, a delusion; this is Murder, and of the highest nature; this is against Gods peremptory command, against Nature. Besides, Abrahams leaving his Family and the Servants behind him, he might look upon it more as a design to cut him off. Withal, Abraham was only to offer, good Isaac was to die, bear the pain, and suffer the knife and burning; but not a word of all this. It's to me a type and emblem of God, offering up his Son, and Christs readiness to suffer or die.
How well was it for Abraham, thus to submit and suffer? he sav'd himself and Child:v. 14, 15 to 18. God kindly accepts his love, self-denial and good-will; and wonderfully rewards him.
I could give you many such instances, Gods people are describ'd by their self-resignation, and submission to the will of God.
Good old Eli said, it is the Lord, 1 Sam. 3. last.let him do what seemeth him good; and yet it was heavy tydings, a dreadful message, that the iniquity of his House should not be purg'd with Sacrifice for ever.v. 11, 12.
Aaron held his peace,Lev. 10.1, 2, 3. when two Sons strook dead: David dumb and silent, because God did it. Hezekiah said, good is the word of the Lord. Job blesseth God taking as well as giving, and yet his stroak was dreadful and manifold. Though Job lost all, he kept his integrity.
They in the 10th. of the Hebrews, 32, &c. endured a great fight of afflictions, were made a gazing stock, accompany those so us'd; tooke joyfully the spoiling of their goods, v. 33.34. that they might have an enduring substance; therefore the Apostle gives the same advice and caution, not to cast away their confidence; v. 35. need patience to wait till hereafter; v. 36. some are in hast: Now the just live by Faith, when nothing else to live upon; and others draw back, but these believe and suffer to the saving of the Soul. Thus, the Martyrs, in the 11th. of the Hebrews; how much do they deny themselves, do and suffer any thing, that they might be sav'd?