Gods Call from Heaven Echoed, Part 2 · Chapter 2
CHAP. II. I. Ʋſe, for information.
IS it thus that the Lord doth effectually call his predeſtinated, by ſuch means, and at ſuch times; and as we have hitherto ſhewed; then from hence we may learn theſe things: for we may gather inſtructions not onelyonly from the ſubſtance, but alſo from the circumſtance of the doctrine.
1. The paucity of the predeſtinated. This S. 1 truth may plainly be read in the face of the Ad coeleſte regnum pauci perducuntur.doctrine. The number of the predeſtinated, and purified are alike; the latter is but ſmall, therefore alſo the former; every one is ready to think, that their names are written in the Regiſter of Heaven; and that they are pricked for happineſſe; when they hear of Eternal glory, and future greatneſſe; of ſitting down with Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, at the Banquet of endleſſe joy, of that true Golden never aging age; from ſelf-love they conceit with Haman, that there is none whom the King of Heaven Eſth. 6. 6.would delight to honour more than themſelves: Moſt are excluded, and yet they include themſelves; the number of thoſe that are appointed to life is great in it ſelf, yet but ſmall comparatively: There are but a few that are choſen. Matth. 22. 14. They are like the gleaning Iſai. 17. 6.of Grapes, or as the ſhaking of an Olive tree; two, or three Berries in the top of the uttermoſt bough, &c. as the Lord ſpeaketh in another caſe; one of a City, and two of a Family. Jer. 3. 14.The Scripture ſpeaketh this in many places. Many will ſeek to enter in, but ſhall not be able. Luke 13. 24. They are called a little Flock, a remnant; and is not this moſt plain, Luke 12. 32.for how few are there that are truely called, and the Lord calleth none, but his predeſtinated. All fancy, that they ſhall be ſaved, when but few can find that they are ſanctified: Many preſume of glory, when but few partake of grace: How few of true converts to be found in Families and Towns; yet many concluders there are of Eternal felicity; when Chriſt ſaid, one of you ſhall betray me, it made all to queſtion themſelves: Though we hear that many periſh, a few predeſtinated, as few called, yet every one is ſecure: This is ſelf deceit; and deſperate folly.
2. The priority of a change: Then people S. 2 muſt have a change upon them, before they can know that they are choſen: Though Election be before grace in exiſtence, yet grace is before Election in evidence: The former is firſt in the ordination of God, the latter is firſt in manifeſtation to us: Though Election be not for foreſeen Faith, yet untill Faith one cannot ſee Election: Concluſion of Election upon the premiſes of truth of grace are built upon a Rock, impregnable againſt all the aſſaults of the Gates of Hell: Concluſions of Election meerly from fancy, ſelf-love, ſtrong perſwaſions of our own hearts, (ſinfully fathered upon the Spirit of God, for it's motions) without real grodneſſe, are built upon the ſand, and though they may brave it for a time, and hold up their heads in a calme; yet there is a ſtorm a coming, that will ſink them beyond poſſibility of recovery. Thoſe that conclude Election without grace will be as much non-plus'd at doomes day, as that ſpeechleſſe man was. Matt. 22. 11, 12. If we can find a ſaving work in our hearts, let us conclude and ſpare not: Thus doth the Apoſtle in behalf of the Theſſal. your work of Faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: knowing Brethren beloved, your Election of God. 1 Theſſal. 1. 3, 4. Firſt their graces of Faith, love, and hope with their Fruits are mentioned; and then Election: We can never find our ſelves in Gods heart by Eternal appointment, till we find God in our hearts by gracious actings: Friends, and Chriſtian Reader, you do exceedingly againſt your ſelves, when you think God hath choſen you, and you have never choſen him: Many have had their hearts hardened, and their deſtruction haſtened, by ſuch erroneous concluſions.
3. The infelicity of natural people: In effectual S. 3 calling the ſoul is brought to Chriſt, and made one with him: Then to be in a natural eſtate and condition is ſuch as the very thoughts thereof might affright, and ſcare one: For all ſuch have nothing to do with Chriſt: The Apoſtle tells the Epheſians, that at that time, (viz. while they dwellt in the Region of nature) they were without Chriſt. Epheſ. 2. 12. What can be ſaid more to the amplifying of miſery? Such have nothing to do with Chriſts merit, nor with his Spirit; they have none of his love, none of his life, none of his pardon, none of his promiſes: If without Chriſt who is all in Merito à Chriſto auſpicatur, tanquam omnium promiſſionum Scopo. Bez. in loc.all, then without all that is good; for he is the root, and foundation of al the reſt, as the Apoſtle intimateth by his order; without effectual calling a manor, woman is none of Chriſts ſpouſe, nor Siſter: None of his Friend, nor favourite; whileſt people are in their ſins, they are like branches cut off from the body of the Tree; and yet thoſe that are wholly ſtrangers to the work of effectual calling, and have not a dram of true ſaving grace, will challenge great acquaintance with, and Intereſt in Chriſt; and will claime kindred of him, though they have not the leaſt of his blood running in their veines; you may perſwade your ſelves, but you can never perſwade God, that Chriſt is yours; and for all your preſumption, your end will be deſtruction; to be without Chriſt is to be without communion with God, without the compaſſe of the promiſes, the Covenant of grace: And if you be without Chriſt, you Aut cum Chriſto, aut cum Diabolo nos eſſe oportet, nec locus est medii.muſt be with the Devil: Variouſly may the unhappineſſe of a natural condition be delineated; but to be without Chriſt is the blackeſt and darkeſt Character thereof that can be given: Till you come to be made partakers of his nature, you can claim no priviledge from his offices: To be garmentleſſe, friendleſſe, fatherleſſe, mony-leſſe, houſeleſſe, meatleſſe; is nothing to being Chriſtleſſe: Thoſe may be repaired, and redeemed by ſomething that is better, but this want can be compenſated, and made up by nothing: That is a pitiful, but this a peerleſſe condition: That is doleful, but this is diſmal; that is a low, but this a loſt eſtate: It is true, Chriſt died for ſinners, the righteous Rom. 5 8.for the unrighteous; but when he unites them to himſelf, he makes them live as Saints; for any to pretend they have the Royal Scarlet of imputed righteouſneſſe, when they are not dreſſed with the Linnen garments of inherent righteouſneſſe, is preſumption of an high nature; which will render them liars, and leave them naked to their Eternal ſhame, without the intervention of ſpecial grace, ſo long as you keep in the walk of ſin, in the road of nature, Chriſt and your Souls are far aſunder: Oh, that the Lord would cauſe the ſcales to fall from peoples eyes; that he would change their Note, and turn their time, and make them ſay, Oh that Chriſt were mine; which may be; inſtead of ſaying, Chriſt is mine, which is not.
4. The pedigree of grace: In the next place S. 4 we may take notice of the original of grace, whence it comes: for the doctrine ſaith, God doth effectually call: It is then not an earth, but heaven-born thing: If we enquire for the deſcent of it, we muſt aſcend above the Stars: It is a beam of the eternal Sun, a ſpark of the eternal fire, a dropling of the everlaſting fountain: It is Gods hand, that ſets this ſlip in Gratiâ Dei, non noſtra poteſtate in melius mutamur.the garden of the heart: It ſpringeth not from natural inclination, but from the Almighty his operation: It doth not riſe like water fetched by pumping; but falls like pearly, precious dew from Heaven: It oweth his being not to humane acquiſition, but to divine infuſion: The Lord hath often told us thus much in Scripture; and yet we are ready to ſacrifice to our own nets: This is the Covenant, that I will make with the houſe of Iſrael after thoſe dayes, ſaith the Lord, I will put my Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts, Heb. 8. 10. This is but the copy of an old grant, which we have in the 31. of Jeremy, and the 31, 32. verſes, &c. and in the 36. of Ezek. 26, 27. verſes; where you have the word [I] five times in two verſes; and who is it, that ſpeaks thus, but the Lord, mighty, and powerfull? Who can do it, as well, as ſay it; and who doth do it wherever it is done.
This gift cometh from the bonity, and bounty of the Lord: If any ſoul can make out, the truth of grace within; let it ſay, It is not in Rom. 9. 16.him, that wills, nor in him that runs, but in God, that ſheweth mercy; and when it is proſtrated on earth upon its knees, with humility; let its heart be elevated to Heaven with gratitude. I think this might well be the Embleme of a Chriſtian; a large heart, wide open to Heaven, the deaf ears perforated, breathing forth flames of zeal, written on both ſides with Scripture truths, an hand in the clouds, as from Heaven, hovering about it, with this Motto, which was Paul's, By the grace of God, I am, what I am, 1 Cor. 15. 10. The ſtore of grace, that Saints have, comes out of Gods treaſury, their rich cloathing, from his Wardrobe; their currant coine from his Exchequer, their choice flowers, from his Eden: The Apoſtle uſeth this as a means to fetch off the Corinthians from glorying in men, and to fix their thoughts upon God, when he ſaith, I have planted, Apollo watered, (miniſterially) but God gave the increaſe, (yea, and the beginning too,) (magiſterially,) 1 Cor. 3. 6. The will, and the work, are both of Gods good Phil. 2. 13.pleaſure: for who is ſufficient of themſelves to think ſo much, as a good thought? 2 Cor. 3. 5. Heb. 12. 2. Incaſſum laborat in acquiſitione virtutum, qui eas alibi quam in Chriſto quaerit.It is the Lord, that is the α and the ω, the author, and finiſher of Faith. The Lord Chriſt; not excluding his Father, but the Lord, and his Chriſt: They are not to be regarded, that ſlight the means; and God may juſtly reject thoſe that eye the means onelyonly, and forget himſelf; which are nothing without his acting: It is moſt true, that of him, and through him, and to him are all things, Rom. 11. 36.
5. The dependency of mans ſalvation: S. 5 Then all that concerns mans ſalvation is from God, and his grace; for effectual calling, which is the firſt work, is from God, and his gift. Until effectual calling, no juſtification, no adoption, no growth, nor perſeverance in grace; no aſſurance, no glory, nor Heaven. They are all entailed upon effectual calling, & are the inſeparable concomitants thereof: Therefore if we owe the one to the Lord, Cauſa cauſae est cauſa cauſati.we are beholding to him alſo for all the reſt; not only the foundation, but the ſuperſtructure; not only the bottom, but alſo the topſtone of ſpiritual temples, are of the Lords laying: The whole of ſalvation is to be aſcribed to the Lord; By grace ye are ſaved, Epheſ. 2. 8. Converſion is the firſt diſtinguiſhing, and changing work, that paſſeth upon a man, or woman, without which, they could not be fit, and meet for any after favour; now if that firſt Col. 1. 12.work, whereupon all after works do depend, have its dependance upon, and its being from the Lord, and his grace; then certainly all the reſt muſt depend upon the Lord: All that ſouls have from the beginning to the end, from the firſt to the laſt, comes from the womb of Gods grace; the upper rooms, as well as the lower, are of his building: There is not the leaſt ingredient, that goeth to the making up of a mans happineſſe, but is to be found in the Lords Paradiſe; every ſtair from the cell of nature, to the chair of glory is of the Lords own laying: There is not the leaſt iota, or title in the Alphabet of Salvation, but is written by the finger of God. We cannot ſay, that ought from a change, to a crown is our creature, for all is framed and faſhioned by the hand of the Lord: So that it may be truly ſaid to every Saint, What haſt thou, that thou haſt not received? 1 Cor. 4. 7. Grace is by the Lords gift, converſion by his call, pardon from his pity, ſanctification from his Spirit, perſeverance by his power; glory of his own grant.
The whole fabrick, and building leaneth upon the arms of the Almighty; that the Lord may ſay, I bear up the Pillars thereof: The Fathers will, the Sons worth, and the Spirits work, are the three ſupporters of ſalvation, and founders of mans felicity; the one purpoſeth, the other purchaſeth, and the laſt perfecteth. All muſt be ſet upon the Lords account: The Text ſpeaketh it plain; It is he, that predeſtinateth, calleth, juſtifieth, and glorifieth: The firſt, middle, and laſt things of a Chriſtian, do live, move, and have their being in the Lord; ſo that when we go to take our pen, and ſet down our ſpiritual receits; we may well ſay, Inprimis for Predeſtination, item, for vocation, item, for juſtification, ſonſhip, and glory, and all theſe received of the Lord, the moſt higſt poſſeſſour of Heaven and Earth, and my moſt gracious Father; and may add, all our ſpirings are in thee. Let us not give Gods glory Pſ. 87. 7.to another; let all go in his name, for all is from his grace, and power: though ſome be firſt, & others after works, though ſome be more abſolute, others more conditional; ſome primary, others ſecondary; yet all are from God: He is the Primum mobile, the firſt mover, as in nature, ſo in grace, as in temporals, ſo in ſpirituals: He is the Creator of this new world in all it's parts.
6. The quality of this calling: For if the underſtanding, S. 6 and the will eſpecially be wrought upon: Then it is the making of a man or woman all new; for the will is the Queen and Empreſſe of the Soul, which commands all the reſt. The will is freed, and ſo are the reſt of the faculties of the Soul, and members of the Voluntas libera est, ſi Spiritu ducitur, quia ubi Spiritus, ibi libertas. Voluntatis regula 2. humana ratio, & lex Dei. Acts 26. 18.body; the will being ruled by God, doth now rule for God; the work of grace and effectual calling doth not quarter in any one part of the ſoul alone: but will be billetted in every faculty; nor is it contented to challenge the heart for it's throne; unleſſe it have the whole man for it's Dominions: The eye of the mind is the Gate whereat it enters, the heart, the will is the Chumber of preſence, but it will not be confined there, but ſends forth it's influences into all the adjacent rooms: Effectual calling is of a diffuſive nature; every power and part, every affection and action gives up it's name to God: Except a man be born again, &c. Saith truth it ſelf. John 3. 3. In the natural birth the whole man is born; and in the ſpiritual the whole man is born again: And ſo the Apoſtle, if any man be in Chriſt, he is a new Creature. 2 Cor. 5. 17. And addeth, Old things are paſt away; behold (it is worth the Noting) all things are become new: No part is excepted; as is the will, ſo is all the reſt, for that is chief: Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis.Though the tongue be tipped, yet if the heart be not touched, it is not grace: If the underſtanding be enlightened, and the ſoul not lightened of the burden of ſin; ſuch an one is yet under the power of nature; the Lord breaks up this ſpring in the heart, and from thence are the purling ſtreams ſent forth through the channels of the faculties, and parts of the whole: Grace is within, and grace is without; the internals and the externals too are changed: The Kings Daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is of wrought gold. Pſal. 45. 13. Grace Anima est tota in toti, & tota in qualibet parte.is in the head, in the feet: It is in the thoughts, in the eye, in the deſire of the heart, in the endeavour of the hand; in the memory, and meditation, and manners: In the hope, joy, fear, love, hatred, affections of the ſoul; in the reaſon, Tunc demum homo integer ſanctificatus est, quum nihil cogitabit Spiritus, nihil appetet anima, nihil exequetur corpus, quod cum Dei voluntate non conſentiat. Bez. in loc.will, underſtanding, conſcience; the faculties of the ſoul: In the ear, eye, foot, hand, &c. part of the body: It is in the inclination inwardly, in the converſation outwardly: It is like the Sun going through the twelve ſigns of the Zodiack; ſo it moves throughout the whole man: And is in all at once, at leaſt in diſpoſition, though not in action: It is like the reaſonable ſoul, of which Philoſophers ſay, that it is intire in the whole, and in every part: Grace is in all, and in every part; as the Apoſtle prayeth for his Theſſal. The very God of peace ſanctify you wholly; and I pray God, your whole ſpirit, and ſoul, and body be preſerved blameleſſe unto the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. 1. Their underſtanding, and affections, the inward part, and the body, the outward part of man. There is ſanctification perfect, in regard of parts; when the meditations of the head, the motions of the heart, and the actions of the hand are caſt into the mould of Gods Law, and ſtand in a ſweet and harmonious conformity unto his will. The Devil cheateth people by a ſynecdoche, putting a part for the whole: Partial grace was never true grace; true grace is univerſal grace; and in this ſence thou muſt be an univerſaliſt; a true Chriſtian like the Arke, is, Exod. 25. 11.and muſt be overlaid with pure gold within and without: If you are effectually called, you are not like Dagon the God of the Philiſtins, half a man, and half a fiſh; nor like Nebuchadnezzar's Dan. 2. 31.image; though thine head be gold, yet if thy feet be clay, thou art not of the right make.
7. Difficulty of effectual calling: Are there S. 7 ſo many Steps to the top of this building, ſo many parts of this work, as we have ſhewed there are; there it is a very great and difficult work; and every thing is not enough, and ſufficient: Many may have taken ſome few Steps, but loath to go forward, do go backward, and are in ſtatu quo: in their old condition: More Multos remiſſa converſio in priſtinos errores reducit.Steps then one or two muſt be taken to come into Chriſts boſome; more words than one to the making up of a ſpiritual bargain, or match with the Lord; many ingredients muſt go to the making up of this ſoul ſaving compoſition: Every grief for ſin is not grace, every longing is not from life; every ſigh is not true ſorrow: ſlighty convictions are not converſions: There may be ſome loathing of ſin, and yet no love to God. There may be a ſelf-condemnation, and yet there may follow no ſoul-ſalvation: All is not gold that gliſtereth, nor is every ſhinning ſtone a Diamond. The Child of grace I mean effectual calling, is born with all it's limbs; as all the powers and parts of a man are to be wrought upon, (whereof we ſpake in the laſt head) ſo calling, and grace is wrought, and effected by the power of God in all it's own parts: The proud Phariſee thought Luke 18.he had the ſubſtance when he had nothing but the ſhadow; he thought he had the body when he had nothing but the bark: Pharaoh and Judas had ſome regret of ſpirit, repentings Exod. 9. 27, 28. Matth 27. 3.of ſoul, reformation of their actions, but it was not enough; faint wiſhings, and lazy wouldings are not from the ſpecial grace of the ſpirit: There may be a watery eye, a bluſhing face, a blubbered cheek; a ſuſpicion of it ſelf, a de jection of ſpirit; and yet no true grace: Every ſlight trouble is like Sauls armour that will not fit: Man indeed would think that ſo much were enough: but Gods thoughts are not as mans thoughts. We read, that when the Lord ſent Samuel to Jeſſe his Family, to anoint one of 1 Sam. 16. 6, 7.his ſons, Jeſſe cauſed all his Sons to paſſe before Samuel, firſt Eliab, whom Samuel took to be the choſen of the Lord, becauſe he was well complexioned, and tall ſtatured: but the Lord tells him that was none of the man; and ſo the like for Abinadab, and Shammah; till at laſt David comes, and he it is, that the Lord intends to preferre to the Kingdom: So ſouls hear there is a work muſt paſſe on them, or no glory; Now they bring out all before the Lord, ſorrow for ſin, confeſſion of ſin, ſome endeavours, and partial amendment, and profeſſion for Chriſt; but it is none of all theſe; It is little David, ſaid the Lord, a through change, that I will own; true converſation, that I will crown; many through ignorance take the Leah of ſuperficial repentance, inſtead of the beautiful Rachel, of ſolid, and ſerious returning: They are much miſtaken, who think the ſandy foundation of every ſorrow, able enough to bear the ſuperſtructure of the new Jeruſalem: They that look upon repentance onelyonly in the community, as ſorrow, and not in the ſpecial notion, as renovation, may run wild, and miſſe their way at firſt ſetting out.
To ſorrow for ſin, and not ſeparate from it; to mourn for it, and not to get ſome good maſtery over it, though the ſpirits help; to lament it, and not to loath it; is not effectuall calling: To have a ſenſe of ſin, and not a ſight of a Saviour: To feel the curſe, and have no faith in Chriſt; is not the change we are ſpeaking of: we muſt diſtinguiſh between a carnal rupture, a legal deſpondency of ſpirit, and a true ſpiritual humiliation, and debaſement of ſpirit, which centers the ſoul upon a forſaken God; one may take many ſteps, yet if they come not ſo near, as to touch the golden Scepter, all is nothing.
8. The benignity of God: If God be thus S. 8 bountiful to his people here, what will he be to them hereafter: If thoſe that are Predeſtinated to life, be effectually called now they are on earth, what ſhall be done to them, when they come to be poſſeſſed of Heaven? If he give them effectual calling at this diſtance, cum omnibus pertinentiis: with all the appendixes, and appurtenances thereof, what will he give them, when they come into his immediate preſence? Surely, if now they be, as walls and doors in his ſpiritual building, then he will build upon them Palaces of ſilver, and Cantic. 8. 9.encloſe them with boards of Cedar.
Indeed the compariſon is not to be made between here, and there; now, and then: If Incomparabiliter ſuperna civitas clara est.ſuch things in the way, what ſhall they have when they come to their heavenly Countrey? If effectual calling, while they be ſublunarians, then ſurely an everlaſting Crown, when they ſhall be ſupraſoliſts: If ſo much, while they are in cottages of clay, then much more, when they come to the place of glory: If the firſt-fruits be an handful, headful, and heartful, what will the crop and harveſt be? If the earneſt amount to thus much, what do you think the total ſum will be? Effectual calling is a glimmering of future glory, the dawning of the eternal day; and what is the morning to the noon? the twilight to the midday ſplendour? It is moſt true what the Scripture ſaith, that the heart of man cannot conceive, what the Lord hath treaſured, and laid up for his people; 1 Cor. 2. 9.and to this purpoſe ſpeaketh St. John, Beloved, now we are the Sons of God, and it doth not yet appear, what we ſhall be; but we know, that when he ſhall appear, we ſhall be like him; for we ſhall ſee him, as he is, 1 John 3. 2.
Now there is near relation, then there ſhall be much aſſimilation; here is mutual love, there ſhall be great likeneſſe: If God here bring them into the ſuburbs, then ſurely hereafter into the heart of the City: If ſo much now, while they are in the valley of tears, then much more, when they come to the mount of joy. If this be done for them, while they are in their non-age; what then ſhall be done for them, when they come unto a perfect man, unto Epheſ. 4. 13.the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſſe of Chriſt.
9. The excellency of effectual calling: Is S. 9 effectual calling ſuch a work, and are the effects of it, ſuch as we have heard? then it is one of the moſt excellent things in the world; next to Chriſt and Heaven, there is no better thing that God gives to his people: That makes the Apoſtle Paul to give thanks to God for it; in Coloſ. 1. 12, 13, 14. Put the beſt of the things of the world into the ſcales with it, and it will weigh them all down: Set them all by this, and this will be higher than they by the head, and ſhoulders: It is good for the body, advantagious to the ſoul, the bleſſing of both: It is good for this life, for another life; never out of date, ever uſeful; Godlineſs Poenitentia est medicamentum pulveris ſpes ſalutis.is profitable unto all things, having promiſe of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4. 8. There is nothing in the world hath ſo many commodities, as it hath: It is health from ſickneſs, life from death; liberty, pardon, ſonſhip, fellowſhip, perſeverance, Qui per poenitentiam peccata diluit, angelicae felicitatis conſors in aeternum erit.glory are the virgin-companions that follow effectual calling: We may truly ſay of it, that it is more precious than Rubies, and the merchandiſe thereof, better than the marchandiſe of ſilver; and the gain thereof than fine gold, Prov. 3. 14. 15. It makes a King of a begger, a friend of a foe, a righteous one of a rebellious one, a godly man, of a godleſs man, a ſaint of a ſinner; and thoſe that are thus qualified, have an excellency above others: The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour, Prov. 12. 26. He, or ſhe, that hath this, need not care, what elſe they want. It is the ſottiſh ignorance, that makes the world tread under feet this Jewel: There are but few Crowns adorned with this Diamond: Theſe waters of Jordan though contemned, yet are better than Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damaſcus. 2 Kings 5. 12.Think, and think as often as you will, yet you will find nothing to match, or equal effectual calling; many think they have all, when their will is fulfilled, but they have nothing, till their will be changed; many ſay, all is well, if they have what they would; but all is ill, till they have what they ſhould: To ſay, one is wiſe, rich, ſtrong, beautiful, parted, is much; but to ſay one is gracious, holy; renewed in their affections, reformed in their actions, is a great deal more. Nay, further; to ſay one is prudent, ſober, honeſt, moral, courteous, is ſomething; but to ſay they are godly, far ſurpaſſeth: Nay to riſe higher, to ſay, one maketh a good ſhew, is religious, outvieth the reſt; yet to ſay one is a new creature goeth beyond it by many degrees: That is good in the poſitive, and comparative, but this in the ſuperlative degree: The Lord open your eyes, that you may ſee the glory, and beauty thereof: A moſt bleſſed condition, it muſt needs be that hath ſo many choice conſequences, a moſt excellent endowment, that brings ſo great enjoyments; no mean quality, that hath ſo many immunities: It is a great King that is attended by ſuch a noble train, a Royal Queen, that is waited upon by ſo many maids of honour: A whole Paradiſe of temporal felicity, falleth ſhort of a part in ſpiritual ſanctity.
10. The induſtry of youth: If the Lord do S. 10 uſually call, in younger years, then young people had need be very induſtrious to get grace: They had need beſtir themſelves to make hay while their Sun ſhineth; while they are naturally ſtrong, they had need labour to be ſpiritually ſtrong in the Lord; while the In juvenili aetate, vigent corporis ſenjus, viſus acutior, auditus, Promptior: qui in hac aetate ſe domant, & Deo ſe ſociant, praemium Joannis expectant.blood runs freſh in their veines, they had need plie the work of ſalvation, and apply the word of ſanctification, let them ſtrive for grace early, and they are like to have grace in earneſt: If they do not ſedulouſly improve their time, they will hardly ſavingly approve the truth. They ſhould ſtrive againſt ſin, oppoſe obſtacles, be conquering corruption, defying the devil, tooth, and nail, with might, and main; now, or never; now, if ever, as we uſe to ſay: It is good policy to labour, while one is young, that they may get a ſtock againſt they be old: If young men be ſluggards, and loath to put their hand to the plow, it is juſt with God, that they ſhould beg in harveſt, and have nothing; Prov. 20. 4.for though they call upon God afterwards, yet it may be he will not hear them: Now muſt they follow their pattern Jeſus Prov. 1. 28.Chriſt, and work the works of God, who hath ſent them into the world; the night cometh, when no man can work: So that we may ſay John 9. 4.with the Pſalmiſt, Both young men, and maidens, old men, and children; let them praiſe the name of the Lord, Pſal. 148. 12, 13. Let them give glory to God by taking true ſhame John 7. 19.to themſelves; As Joſhua ſaith to Achan; advance his worth, by the amendment of their works; and raiſe his honour by the ruine of their ſinful humours: To ſee young people running, ſtriving, labouring, in ſpiritual things, till they ſweat again; Oh what a precious ſight is this; how doth the Lord ſmile upon ſuch in love, and clap them on the back with encouraging promiſes, They that ſeek me early, ſhall find me, Prov. 8. 17. and to him that asketh, it ſhall be given, and to thoſe that knock, it ſhall be opened, Math. 7. 7. And to him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midſt of the Paradiſe of God, Revel. 2. 7. One accounted the King of Perſia happy, becauſe while he was young, he had attained to ſo great puiſſance: They are really, and eminently happy, who attain to an eſtate of grace, while they are young; to be made new, to have the ſtrong holds of hell in the ſoul thrown down, is a mercy, that but few attain unto; but to reach this under the conduct of the ſpirit in youth, is an addition, and augmentation of the mercy; It is a ſweet thing, (ſaith a precious man) when God ſatisfieth young people with his mercy, and that ſatisfaction abideth, Maſter Burroughs Hoſ. 2. 15.ſo as they rejoyce all the dayes of their life. But careleſſe youth is uſually more active for ſin, than grace; and that ſtrength which they have from God by common bounty, give to the devil in ſpecial ſervice; and ſweat in gathering fading May flowers, and adventure to the ditches brink to gather daſies, to make a garland of vanity withall; in the mean time neglecting to dig for Diamonds and Pearls, to ſet in the Crown of Eternity.
Young people are for the moſt part loytering, when they ſhould be labouring, playing when they ſhould be praying, ſinging, when they ſhould be ſighing, merry, when they ſhould be mourning; youth muſt have its liberty, they ſay; and the greenneſſe of young years, is with moſt a ſufficient warrant of any exorbitancies; whereas in many regards it is an aggravation of them; But ſoul, if thou improve Indigne tranſacta adoleſcentia odioſam efficit ſenectutem. Fro…te capillata est, post est occaſio calva.not thy young years, thy golden age, thy white houres, thou maieſt rue it to all eternity in the blackneſſe of darkneſſe. If you ſtrive not now to enter in at the ſtrait gate, it is to be feard you will never do it in old age. Time hath all forelocks, no hinderlocks; your time is haſting away, and if once its back be turned, there is no calling, or returning it back again: It is better to be Prometheus, than Epimetheus; after-wit is deareſt, but fore-wit is beſt.
11. The miſerie of ſinful age: If the Lord S. 11 uſually call in ſouls betimes, then to be old, and yet in a natural condition is very ſad: Aged men, and women, have cauſe to be full of fear, who are void of faith, and to abound with ſorrow, who yet abide in their ſins, and to bemoan their woe, who have not been moulded to Gods will: To have a white ſilver head, and a black iron heart is lamentable: To age, and grow old in the bed of ſin is deplorable: Long bed-ridden perſons hardly get up again; old ſinners have continued in ſin, and though cuſtom in ſin may be removed, yet with great difficulty: They ſay there is no tranſplanting trees after ſeven years rooting; it is too often true in this caſe: Art thou drawing near to thy grave, and yet didſt never draw nigh to God? Is thy glaſſe almoſt run, and labouring with its lateſt ſands? Is thy time well-nigh ſpent; and yet haſt not run in the way of Gods commandements, nor laboured for Heaven, nor ſpent thy time in the beſt things? Do thy years, time and hours complain, and ſay, we have been ſpent in the ſervice of the world, and wickedneſs. O doleful Prov. 16. 31. Canities tunc est venerabilis, quando eagerit, quae canitiem decent.ſtate, to be lamented with tears of blood: The hoary head, I confeſſe, is a crown of glory, but then it muſt be found in the way of righteouſneſs; ſin degrades them of their venerable dignity. Such ſouls have cauſe to get alone into a corner, and put their finger in their eye, and lay their hand upon their heart, and ſay, what ſhall I do, and what ſhall become of me? Caeſar wept to ſee Alexanders ſtatue, who had done ſo much, and conquered the greateſt part of the world, and was but young, when himſelf had done ſo little, who was of more yeers: Aged ſinner, there are many at 30. years, have done much for God through his grace, are thriven, and grown luſty in piety, and have run hard, that they are almoſt at Heavens gate; when thou haſt done nothing, are like Pharaohs lean kine, and didſt never take two paces in the way of godlineſs, who art 50, 60. years of age, it may be more, and haſt enjoyed as good, nay it may be better means, than they; there are many of half thy years, that grow rich with a little, and thou groweſt poor with much: That have more in their little finger, than thou haſt in thine whole body; you have cauſe to lay it to heart, that you have laid out your heart no more for God: Haſt thou ſtood all this while a tree in Gods Orchard, and art thou outſtripped by a young Plant? Haſt thou been all this while in Chriſts School, ever 2 Tim. 3. 7.learning, and not yet able to come to the knowledge of the truth? Art thou ſtill no further than a. b. c. Oh, conſider this, thou that haſt forgotten God ſo long, leaſt he tear thee in Pſal. 50. 22.pieces, and there be none to deliver. Yet I would not have thee to deſpair; yet there may be ſome hope concerning thee; if thou turn truly, repent really, pray perſeveringly, ſeek ſeriouſly, and believe ſavingly: Thou hadſt need double thy diligence, and redeem the time: Thou muſt do two hours work in one: Thou muſt ride all night as well as all day, or Plus omnibus religione operam dare ſenibus convenit, quos praeſentis ſeculi florida aetas tranſacta deſemit.thou wilt hardly get to they journey's end: Thou hadſt need borrow time from thy ſleep, from thy meales, from thy recreation, and lay it out about thy ſoul; becauſe thou haſt neglected thy ſalvation ſo long; the ſmalneſſe of your remaining time, the decay of ſence and reaſon, habit in ſin, the wiles of the Devil render your change doubtful and difficult: However give all diligence to make thy calling, and Election ſure: Be importunate with the Lord, and like Jacob take no nay: The Sun is almoſt down, yet if thou put on hard, thou mayeſt reach thy Fathers houſe, before day-light be quite done.
12. The utility of obſervation: Doth the S. 12 Lord convert, and call into his boſome, by his works and providences. Then it is a very good and profitable thing for us to take notice of the providences of God; providences well minded may be means of our ſouls mending. Such as have their conceptions filled with them, may come to have their converſation filed by them: The works of the Lord being throughly pondered are means many times of being truly purified: The Lord paſſeth by us in his diſpenſations, and through our heedleſſeneſs paſſeth over us in diſpleaſure: The Lords works and various dealings are as decoyes, and ſnares to take us, but if we ſtep over them, we are not like to be caught: The Lord openeth theſe hangings, and if we open not our eye to behold them, they wil not affect our heart; who is there, that obſerveth the Pſa. 28. 5.works of the Lord, or mindeth the operation of his hands, in his actings, towards them, or theirs, in their ſoul, or body, formerly, or lately, in greater, or leſſer affaires, in light, or dark, proſperous, or adverſe emergencies? much might be ſqueez'd, and got out of them: It was the commendation of one, that he could make ſomething of nothing and great matters of ſmall; ſo the providences of God, which others make no account of, if Husbanded and improved might amount to the ſalvation of the ſoul through God's bleſſing: They are therefore to be recorded in our thoughts, and regiſtred in our underſtandings: In the Arke was kept the pot of Manna, which was a remarkeable, and extraordinary providence of Heb. 9. 4.God towards the Iſraelites, in that they were fed, and preſerved ſo long by it.
A Godly man of late hath ſet before us a very commendable pattern of this nature: I mean Maſter Ambroſe, in whoſe middle things you have a Catalogue of providences, &c. The footſteps and goings of the Lord are to be marked and obſerved: It is not amiſſe to keep a Book, or Liſt of them; let mercy be remembred, Beneficia Dei omnibus horis conſideranda ſunt.miſery regarded; let trials be thought on, let afflictions affect us; let his providences of all ſorts, eſpecially thoſe of greateſt ſtature live in our memories, and not be buried in the grave of oblivion; ſhall the Lord paſſe under our window in actings of various, and divers kinds; and ſhall not we look out to ſee what he doth? when his hand is ſtretched out to ſtrike, or reached out to ſtroak, ſhall we regard neither? Contemplation of our maker is one great Homo ad contemplandum creatoris ſuum conditus est.end of our making; and to view not onelyonly the wayes of the Lord in general towards others, but alſo his goings in particular toward our ſelves: It were but a practice of piety to have Chronicles of this nature; as none of the words, ſo none of the works of the Lord ſhould be ſuffered to fall to the ground by us, but we ſhould take them up at the firſt bound; we ſhould ſhew our ſelves thrifty in this caſe, and gather up the fragments, that nothing be loſt; we are ready to murmure at God's dealings many times, when there is great reaſon to marvail at them, when we ſee the iſſue of them: Providential actions are the ripening of the Lords previous intentions; by providences do his purpoſes come to the birth, and his promiſes receive accompliſhment; let them therefore be heedfully obſerved, and carefully preſerved.
13. The dignity of the word: Is the word S. 13 an Inſtrument in God's hand, of changing mans heart; then it is a moſt precious thing, and to be much prized by us: It is a word of duty to us, and therefore muſt needs be a word of dignity in it ſelf. It is a working word through the ſpirits aſſiſtance, and therefore a worthy word to our acceptance; it is a means of ſanctification, and there is reaſon it ſhould be the matter of our eſtimation; it is an invaluable treaſure, and incomparable Jewel; and therefore to be lodged in the heart, and laid in the boſome; which was the practice of pious David: Thy word have I hid in mine heart. Pſal. 119. 11. He had high thoughts, and ſingular conceit of it; with ſuch a deep ſtream did his affection run towards it, that himſelf could hardly ſound the bottome thereof, as appears by his pathetical expreſſions: O how love I thy Law? It is my meditation all the day. Pſ. 119. Scripturae divinae jugiter mente voluantur. foreign. 2 Tim. 3. 16. Si verbum Dei auferas, ſolem è mundo ſuſtuliſti.97. The word is of exceeding great uſe and price; it is an univerſal remedy; it is a means of enlightning the head, of enlivening the heart. It is as the Sun in the Hemiſphere of the ſoul; without which a man or woman is in the land of darkneſſe, ſuch is the vertue, and value thereof, that Luther ſaid, one leaf of the Bible was worth the whole world; it is the honour of a Nation, the happineſſe of a people to have it; it is a bleſſing that proceeds from ſignal love, and diſtinguiſhing favour. He ſheweth his word unto Jacob, his ſtatutes, and his judgements unto Iſrael. He hath not dealt ſo with any Nation, and as for his judgements they have not known them. Pſal. 147. 19, 20. The Bible is the Book of Books, the Scripture is the King of writings; which made Charles the great to crown it with his own Crown; it is of ſuch worth, that it is a ſhame for a Chriſtian not to be well read in the writings, ſeen in the ſayings, verſed in the verſes, Catechized in the chapters, and perfect in the pages of that Book: One asked a Schoolmaſter, whether he had Homer's Iliads; and for his negative anſwer took him a box on the ear, and went his way: Do not they then deſerve to be ratled with reproof, condemned by cenſures, that are weary of the word, that ſlight the Scriptures, that trample the Teſtaments under their feet? I am loth to leave it upon record that this age hath produced ſuch Caterpillars: It is a ſin I think not to be mentioned without mourning; ſuch conſider not, that where there is no viſion, the people muſt needs periſh. Prov. 29. 18. O let not the eſteeme of Gods word die, and wither in our hearts. It is a golden treaſure though it be but in earthen Veſſels; it is moſt dainty fare, though not ſauced with the enticing words of mans wiſedom; what though it be not written, ſo as to pleaſe ſinful fancy, let it ſuffice it is ſo written, as to procure ſaving Faith: It is eminent for beauty, tranſcendent for ſplendour to thoſe that have their eyes opened. A word fitly ſpoken is like Apples of Coecus no… judicat de coloribus.gold in Pictures of ſilver. Prov. 25. 11. All the words of God are fitly ſpoken; and as they ſaid truely, Never man ſpake like this man. John 7. 46. So may we both truely, and juſtly ſay in this eaſe: Never any ſpake as God ſpeaks in his word; that muſt needs be excellent, which teacheth of God, traineth the ſoul, tutoreth the affections; that muſt needs ſhine with a peculiar luſtre, which the ſpirit as ſuperiour Agent, makes uſe of as an inferiour inſtrument, to condemn vanity, convince of folly, to confound ſin, and to convert the ſoul.
14. The neceſſity of hearing: Then carnal S. 14 people muſt hear the word, ſince it is a means of calling and converſion: It is a pernicious principle, that teacheth that wicked men may not do bona, good things, becauſe they cannot do them bene, well: It is true, God loves adverbes better than verbes, the manner of doing rather than the matter, yet the matter rather than nothing at all; and though it be bad not to do, that we do well, yet it is worſe to leave our duty wholly undone.
It is but doleful doctrine to exclude people from the means of grace, becauſe they have not grace: The wicked are condemned in Scripture for not calling upon, and worſhipping Pſa. 14. 4. Jer. 10. 25. Verbum Dei praedicandum est, ut audiens credat. Rom. 10. 17.the Lord: If the word be the means of life, then the dead in ſin muſt wait upon it: If the Miniſters be Chriſts uſhers, then thoſe that would learn muſt come, and ſit at their feet; Faith cometh by hearing, then they muſt come to hear, that they may have faith: Peter preached to wicked ones, to the crucifiers of Chriſt, Acts. 2. 22, 23. &c. if it were lawful for him to hold out the word, it was lawful for them to hear it: If lawful for him to preach to them, then lawful for them to be preſent: Let them then hear the word, and hear it with fear, and trembling; however let them hear it: Though they come to work, yet God may new mould them; though they come for cuſtom, yet God may convert them. Though their intentions be ſinful, yet Gods execution may be ſanctifying; ſome ordinances are for all, others onlie for ſome: The Sacraments are Gods viſible, the Scriptures his audible word: Though the wicked are to be debarred the one, yet not to be deprived of the other: Though they may not be Communicants at the table, yet let them have communion with the Pulpit; though they be ſhut out of the chancel, yet let them not be ſhut out of the Church: Though the preſence chamber be kept with lock, and key; yet let the Court gate be ſet wide open: Though they may not handle the body of the Lord, yet let them hear the word of the Lord.