The Heavenly Trade, Tract · Application 4 · Part 1

The Heavenly Trade · Tract · Application 4 · Part 1

p. 941. To ſuch as are ſtrangers to this Heavenly Trade.

Counſel 1. Such as are ſtrangers to this Heavenly Trade; you that never were acquainted with this high Calling, but have ſpent all your time about things that periſh, trafficking about Hell and Damnation. Be you exhorted to ſet about this choiſe, rich, and bleſſed Trade.

There are four Arguments that uſually ſway with rational perſons in their choice of earthly Callings, which are alſo weighty inducements unto all not yet concern'd to ſpeed upon this Heavenly Trade.

p. 95Arg. 1. Firſt, Neceſſity puts men on employments, and none are greater than theirs who are without this Divine Calling. Sinners, you that are yet without God in the World, you are miſerably poor, and ready to periſh; you are worth nothing but ſin and miſery; He is a poor man that hath nothing to live upon; and ſuch are you, while without this line of communication, and ſtrangers to theſe ſupreme concerns: You are ſpiritually poor, and have nothing (as yet) for your Souls to live on here, or to all eternity, Rev. 3. 17. And knoweſt not that thou art wretched, and miſerable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Poverty is one of the miſeries of all unchanged ſouls; and that which aggravates it, is this; that they think themſelves rich, and yet have nothing; no Food to fill them, but empty husks, and ſwines meat; no Rayment to cover them, but filthy rags, and confuſion, no Houſe to ſhelter them from the ſtorms of Divine wrath; or any Habitation to receive them, but an infernal Lake of Fire and Brimſtone, and a receptacle with damned Devils; not a friend to help them; not an eye to pitty them; There are none ſo poor in the World but they have ſomething or other to help them, ſomething in hand, or ſomething in hope; ſomething of their own, or ſomething of others: if they can't dig, yet they can beg; if they have not intereſts to maintain them, yet they find pitty to relieve them: But a Chriſtleſs Sinner hath nothing to ſupply his immortal part; nothing in hand; nothing in hope; nothing of his own; nothing of p. 96others, that can contribute the leaſt good to his undone Soul, whatever he lives on, is nothing but wind and emptineſs; He feeds on aſhes, a deceived heart turns him aſide, Iſa. 44. 20. He crams his ſtarved Soul with filthy dung and excrements, (ſo loathſome are all the pleaſures of ſin he lives on,) Aliens from the Commonwealth of Iſrael, ſtrangers from the Covenants of Promiſe; having no hope, and without God in the World, Eph. 2. 12. This is your condition, Souls, while without this Heavenly Trade; you are miſerably poor, what-ever you have in the World, you have nothing in God; what-ever your Bodies and Families have, your Souls have nothing: ††Ʋniverſa inutiliter habet qui unum illud quo univerſis utatur non habet.'Tis little profit to enjoy all things, and miſs that one thing by which only we come to uſe them; Aug. You labour for vanity, and lie down in ſorrow; and have you not reaſon to look out after ſome courſe to help you, and to embrace this overture of a Calling that will maintain and enrich you here, and for ever? The Lepers caſe is thine; if thou ſit ſtill in thy condition, thou dieſt: In the World's fulneſs is famine; in thy ſecurity and falſe hopes, is death alſo: If thou adventure an offer'd grace, it may ſave thee; however, thou can'ſt but die, 2 Kin. 7. 3, 4.

Again, you are not only poor, but Bankrupts; your poverty is of your own procurement, and the iſſue of your prodigality; you had once a fair Eſtate, but loſt it; God, Grace and Glory was yours by the firſt Covenant, Luke 15. 30. but p. 97you have trifled it away for forbidden-fruit, and ſpent all you had on Harlots; you have conſum'd your Lord's goods alſo in riotous living, and waſted a large ſtock committed to your truſt, and now muſt give an account of your Stewardſhip; were it only your perſonal wants that your folly hath brought upon you, (though that be heavy,) yet 'tis comparatively tolerable; but reſtitution muſt be made, and that is unconceivably diſtreſſing. A dreadful word, ſinners, lies againſt you! (how can you bear it? how can you eat, drink, talk, or ſleep in peace? much leſs rejoyce when the handwriting is againſt the wall?) 'tis this, Give an account of thy Stewardſhip, Luke 16. 2. A review of thy paſt time muſt be expected, by what means thou did'ſt reduce thy miſerable Soul to this low eſtate, and an account of thy Stewardſhip will be required; and then when too late, thou wilt ſay with the Steward, What ſhall I do? ver. 3. and is it not more adviſable now to take this counſel of Eliphaz, to acquaint thy ſelf with God, and be at peace, thereby good ſhall come unto thee, Job. 22. 21. to return to that Trade which thou haſt left, and recover the Treaſure which thou haſt loſt, that ſo thy account may be comfortable in the day of Chriſt?

Nay further, you are not only poor, and bankrupts; but deeply in debt; debtors to God, to whom you owe your ſelves and all that you have, by the Law of Creation and Covenant-obligation, but never yet diſcharg'd that due to this very day. You are in debt to God p. 98for all your mercies in Creation and Providence, patience-mercy, preſervation-mercy, preventing-mercy, bounty-mercy; there's never a moment but God is laying out ſome new mercy upon thee, of which thou haſt never made retribution to this day.

Debtors to the Law of God, which hath its full and juſt claim on you, a Law that is juſt, righteous and good, and to which you owe obedience by juſt and unqueſtionable ties, and yet have never yielded any right ſubjection to it all your days, but have violated all its righteous commands every day and moment of your life, both in thought, word and deed; For he that keepeth the whole Law, and yet offendeth in one point or iota, is guilty of all, Jam. 2. 10.

Debtors to Conſcience, whoſe Law is in force againſt you, and by which you ſhall be judged. Rom. 2. 14, 15. Theſe having not the Law, are a Law to themſelves, which ſhew the works of the Law written in their hearts; their Conſciences alſo bearing witneſs, and their thoughts the mean while accuſing, or elſe excuſing one another; and yet you have broken theſe Conſcience-bonds, caſting its cords from you: how many ties hath Conſcience laid upon you which you have broken, going againſt the light and dictates thereof!

Debtors to all the World, to whom, in ſome reſpect or other, you are obliged. There are duties you owe to all men, to love them, and pray for them: to all your neighbours and acquaintance, to do them good as you have opportunity, and to ſeek and endeavour their Salvation p. 99to your power, which you have not done to this day. There are duties you owe to your relations, friends and family, which you have neglected, and have been encreaſing your Original debt, by running on new ſcores every day, which can never be cancell'd, or a power obtained to diſcharge your duties acceptably, till you come to Chriſt, and enter your ſouls into his new and everlaſting Covenant, ſetting upon thoſe great and Evangelical duties of it.

Your ſlavery is alſo great till you come over to this bleſſed work: You are in bondage unto Satan: Know ye not, that to whom ye yeild your ſelves ſervants to obey, his ſervants ye are whom ye obey, Rom. 6. 16. You ſerve incomparably the worſt Lord; a cruel Lord who hath no mercy, but delights in the miſery of fal'n man; A roaring Lion that goes about ſeeking to devour, 1 Pet. 5. 8. A curſed one caſt out from God, curſed above all creatures; reſerved in everlaſting chains under darkneſs to the judgment of the great day, Gen. 3. 14. Jude, verſe 6. Thine implacable enemy that hates thee with a perfect hatred: An Accuſer, that never ſpeaks well of any: A Murderer he was from the beginning, Rev. 12. v. 10. and the original cauſe of all the deſtruction in Earth and Hell: A falſe and deceitful creature, that never kept his word with any: A Lyar, and the Father of Lies, Joh. 8. 44. one that will be too hard for you, and cheat your ſouls into deſtruction: A miſerable poor creature; one that hath loſt all his glory and excellency, and hath nothing to give you for all your ſervice, but ſome of the ſame flames in which p. 100he muſt fry for ever: This, ſinners, is your Lord, whom you have choſen and ſerved all your daies: And as you ſerve the worſt Lord, ſo you do the worſt work; baſe, filthy, ſhameful, curſed work: Such are all thy actions whiles in an unchanged ſtate; you do hard work; no ſervice like it; you work, and have no food to refreſh you, which is the cruelleſt bondage: Iſrael in Egypt wrought hard, and yet had fleſhpots, Onions and Garlick to relieve them; but you have nothing to feed your hopes and affections, but lies and vanity; you work, and have no rayment to cover you, all your employment makes you naked; you labour, and have no reſt; weary and heavy laden, and yet feel it not, Gen. 3. 7. Other Labourers have their ſucceſſive quietudes, but you have none; the hireling hath his ſhadow; the labourer hath his evening to give over his work; his bed to ſleep on; but your work admits of no reſt; 'tis never done; you do the Devil's work day and night, waking and ſleeping; nay, while you eat and drink your work ſtill goes on; O ſad ſervitude! You work and have no wages: All earthly Labourers have their penny, ſomething or other to compenſate their pains, money or maintenance; but you have nothing in hand or hope, here or hereafter, but death and damnation; the fruit of your labours here, is more bitter than death; and the wages at the end of your day, wrath and vengeance, worm andThere can be no mirth (ſaith Latimer) where weeping is ſerved in for the firſt courſe, and gnaſhing of teeth for the ſecond. fire, Mark 9. 44. And is p. 101not this bad employment? and is it not time ſinners, to change your calling, and to accept this offer made you of this excellent Trade?

Arg. 2. Secondly, The danger that attends your preſent ſtate ſhould put you on a timely relinquiſhment of it: You are poor, and that expoſes you to ſcorn and contempt, to oppreſſion, treading down, and cruſhing, to devouring and deſtruction; you are not ſafe from ruine one moment; the next knock at thy door may be a call to Judgment Prov. 17. 5. Amos 4. 1. Hab. 3. 14. Prov. 10. 15. When thou lieſt down, thou mayeſt make thy bed in Hell; when thou awakeſt, thou mayeſt ſee God on the Throne, thy Soul at the Bar, thy Accuſers at thy right hand, the Evidence in thy own breaſt, the Sentence written in capital letters, Go ye curſed: Under thy feet a bottomleſs lake of fire and brimſtone; round about thee cruel Devils ready to ſeize upon thee, and lodge thy guilty condemned ſoul in thine eternal home, Matth. 24. 51. You have been Prodigals waſting what is not your own, and are in danger every day of a charge againſt you.

You are deeply in debt, and in danger of an arreſt every hour; when you go forth, death may be at your heels; when you return, deſtruction may enter with you: O the uncertainty of thy time ſinner! the danger of thy eternity, the abſolute ruine of thy immortal ſoul, if thy reckoning begin before thy work: and haſt thou not reaſon then to haſten about thy great concern, and to burn no more daylight in works of darkneſs?

p. 102Arg. 3. Thirdly, Thy duty ſhould quicken thy undertaking in this great employment: Religion is not your Liberty, but your manifold debt: The Law of Creation binds you unto God; you will confeſs you were made by him, and God will profeſs you were made for him, Iſa. 43. 21. This people have I formed for my ſelf, that they ſhould ſhew forth my praiſe. Your fall from the Covenant of Works, is not your liberty from the eſſential duties of it; neither is your incapacity to perform it, a diſpenſation of your obedience: 'tis ſtill your duty to return from whence you fell; to take the Lord to be your God, to love him with all your heart, and with all your might; to truſt in him; to fear and obey him. A draught of theſe Covenant-duties did God place in your conſcience by which you ſhall be judged, Rom. 2. 12. 15. though the counterpane you have defaced; yet the Original Deed is with God, and will be brought forth in the day of Chriſt againſt ſuch as have not taken the Lord for their God.

You are alſo maintained by God, and that obliges you to him: 'Twas the argument the Apoſtle urged to the Maſters of Reaſon in that age, why they ſhould ſeek the Lord, becauſe 'twas from him they had their ſubſiſtence, Acts 17. 28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being. If God maintains you, 'tis rational he ſhould have the uſe of you: 'Twas the reaſon Moſes uſed to prove God's right to Iſraels all, Deut. 32. 9, to 15. The Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance; why? He found him in the deſert Land, in the p. 103waſte howling wilderneſs; he led him about; he inſtructed him; he kept him as the apple of his eye: As an Eagle ſtirreth up her neſt, fluttereth over her young, ſpreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings; ſo the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no ſtrange God with him: (And therefore no reaſon they ſhould leave him for ſtrangers.) He made him ride upon the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increaſe of the field; and he made him to ſuck honey out of the Rock, and oyl out of the flinty Rock: Butter of Kine, and milk of Sheep, with fat of Lambs and Rams, of the breed of Baſhan, and Goats, with the fat of kidnies, of wheat, and thou didſt drink the pure blood of the Grape. Mercies are cords and bands by which the Lord obligeth men to himſelf: I drew them with cords of a man, and with bands of love, Hoſ. 11. 4. All thy life (ſinner) hath been full of theſe conſtraints of mercy and love, to take the Lord to be thy God.

The Goſpel of Grace which you profeſs to own and receive, binds you to ſeek firſt the Kingdom of God, and the righteouſneſs thereof, Matth. 6. 33. to do the work of God, to labour for that bread which endures to eternal life; to work the works of God, Joh. 6. 27, 28. to be no more your own, but the Lord's, 1 Cor. 6. 19, 20. Ceaſe to call or think your ſelves Chriſtians; tell the world you do not believe or hope to be ſaved by a crucified Chriſt, or elſe come over to him, and be diſpoſed by his ſacred Will. This is your duty.

p. 104Arg. 4. Fourthly, Weigh the unſpeakable gain that will ſurely accrew to you, if you ſet up this Trade of Godlineſs. I have already ſhewn in the demonſtration of this point, the great profit that this Heavenly Trade will turn unto, to all that deal thoroughly in it, to which I adviſe you to caſt back your eye, and take three or four conſiderations more, to convince your underſtandings that Religion is eligible on grounds of greateſt intereſt: For,

Firſt, Religion will maintain you in the hardeſt times: So will not other Trades; there may be ſeaſons when earthly employments will turn to no accounts: You have heard that riches profit not in the day of wrath; and ſome of you have ſeen the time, when they that work could yet ſcarcely eat; but God's work is meat and drink, when daily bread fails, Joh. 4. 30. I have meat to eat that you know not of. Godlineſs hath the promiſe of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1 Tim. 4. 8. God careth for the righteous; and when the Lions lack, and are hunger-bit, they that fear the Lord ſhall want no good thing, Pſal. 34. 10. They ſhall be ſure to be provided for, whoever wants: God hath paſt his word for it: All things are theirs by purchaſe, who are Chriſt's by choice; that is (ſaith Piſcator) ooOmnes res terrenae veſtris uſious, & veſtrae ſaluti a Deo deſtinatae ſunt.All earthly things are deſigned of God for your uſe, and the furtherance of your ſalvation: Not as if the Saints had a right to other mens intereſts. The Apoſtle doth not ſpeak here (ſaith Pareus) of civil poſſeſſions, but of that divine order by p. 105which all things ought to ſerve the good and advantage of the Church of God. The Earth is the Lord's, & the fulneſs thereof; all which is given into the hands of Chriſt for the good of his people: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the Church, Epheſ. 1. 22. The whole Earth is but God's Kitchin, for the maintenance of his houſe; and if he will feed his ſervants and ſlaves, much more his children: He gives to all their meat in due ſeaſon, and ſatiſfies the deſires of every living thing: Much more will he care for, and give food convenient to his living in Jeruſalem. Indeed Believers are not of the world, and therefore have not their portions in the world; they are the Heirs of Heaven, and have no promiſe of more on Earth than will comfortably carry them home, and ſuffice for the diſcharge of thoſe offices aſſigned to them here: They are Servants, not Heirs, who carry the cloak-bags in their journey. Perſons of grandeur bear no more about them than for preſent uſe: Surely, were earthly treaſures good for heaven-born ſouls, he that gives better things would not deny theſe: But God knows enough is as good as a feaſt; and ſo much the Saints ſhall have in their paſſage home. No man ſends his ſervants a journey, but he allows them enough to carry them thorough; and ſo will God to his: If he maintains idlers and enemies; much more will he feed his faithful ſervants and labourers: He hath promiſed to ſupply all their wants, Phil. 4. 19. and is able to make it good: If he thinks it not much to give them a Crown, he will not deny them Crumbs: If p. 106God ſhould let his work-men, want, his work would ceaſe; his own intereſt, as well as his promiſe, obliges him to look after ſuch; his Love, Truth, Glory, with all his Attributes, are concerned to maintain his people in his work; and therefore nothing more ſure than daily bread, and ſufficiency in all things to ſuch as ſerve and obey him.

Secondly, Godlineſs will ſecure you in dangerous times, Prov. 3. 23. Thou ſhalt then walk in thy way ſafely, and thy foot ſhall not ſtumble; when thou lieſt down, thou ſhalt not be afraid; yea thou ſhalt lie down, and thy ſleep ſhall be ſweet, v. 24. For the Lord ſhall be thy confidence, and ſhall keep thy foot from being taken. The way of duty is the way of ſafety: whatever men think, the greateſt ſecurity is in the boldeſt Adventures for God (if regular;) where his Sun does guide you, there his ſhadow will cover you; who ſhall harm you if you are followers of that which is good? 1 Pet. 3. 13. Men may threaten you, but cannot injure you; they may ſpoil your eſtates, impriſon your bodies, but cannot do you any real harm; while men keep with God, God will abide with them; his preſence ſhall fence them, his favour ſhall ſhield them, his Angels ſhall encamp about them; all his Attributes ſhall guard and ſecure them: God's people that cleave to him in duty, are as the Hebrews in Goſhen, as Iſrael in the wilderneſs, as Noah in the Ark; they onelyonly are ſafe from ruining evils, when others are expoſed to deſtroying judgments.

Thirdly, Nay, Holineſs will not onelyonly maintain and ſecure you; but it will alſo enrich you, p. 107and fill you with the beſt Treaſures, the true Riches, Luke 16. 11. the tryed gold that cannot be corrupted or defrauded, Matth. 6. 20. It will furniſh you with the unſearchable riches of Chriſt: the world hath its treaſures; and ſo hath Chriſt his precious ſubſtance, to beſtow on all that trade with and for him; as hath been already ſhewn.

Fourthly, Piety will cheer and delight you; no comforts like theirs who walk with God in truth: This was Hezekia's cordial when under a ſentence of death, Iſa. 38. 3. Remember O Lord, I beſeech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart: And Paul's rejoycing, that in all ſimplicity and godly ſincerity he had his converſation in this world, 2 Cor. 1. 12. The pureſt pleaſures flow down from the Throne, and ſteam in thorough Sanctuary-waters into the ſoul: Alas! what are thoſe droſſy comforts that run thorough the worlds chanels, which onelyonly leave a ſlime behind, and then empty themſelves into the dead Sea of perdition, periſhing in their uſing, Col. 2. 22. Carnal mirth hath a pleaſant entrance, but an ill farewell, Prov. 14. 13. Even in laughter the heart is ſorrowfull, and the end of that mirth is heavineſs: But Religion breeds the beſt contentments, and moſt ſatisfying pleaſures, Pſal. 36. 8. They ſhall be abundantly ſatisfied with the fatneſs of thy houſe, and thou ſhalt make them drink of the rivers of thy pleaſures.

Fifthly, Wiſdom's Trade will make you truly great and honourable, and give you a place to walk among thoſe that ſtand by, Zach. 3. 7. p. 108That is (ſaith Junius) ppConſtituam te in eadem dignitate qua ſunt Angeli Dei in Coelo, & inter ipſorum Myriadas in eadem Eccleſia converſaberis.I will place thee in the ſame dignity the Angels of God enjoy in Heaven, and thou ſhalt dwell in the ſame Church among thoſe Myriades, Prov. 4. 8. Exalt her, and ſhe ſhall promote thee; ſhe ſhall bring thee to honour when thou doſt embrace her. V. 9. She ſhall give to thine head an Ornament of grace, a Crown of glory ſhall ſhe deliver thee. How contemptibly ſoever the world looks on the waies of Godlineſs, and thoſe that eſpouſe them; yet all true greatneſs lies on the ſide of piety. All the world's glory is but a Pageant, a meer ſhow of honour, compared to that which is on the head of every true Believer: Saints have the nobleſt extraction, born of God; the higheſt dignity, made Kings and Prieſts unto God, Rev. 1. 6. Ye ſhall be unto me a Kingdom of Prieſts, Exod. 10. 6. Cloathed with the richeſt Ornaments, perfect through divine comelineſs, Ezek. 16. 10, to 15. appointed to a Kingdom that is everlaſting, aſſured of Thrones and Crowns with Chriſt for evermore. Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to ſit with me in my throne, even as I alſo overcame, and am ſit down with my Father in his Throne. A ſure Throne ſhall Believers have above, as certain as Chriſt is now upon his Fathers Throne; and the ſame Throne that the Father gives to Chriſt, ſpecifically, though not gradually: A Crown fitted to their heads; indeed Saints cannot wear the Crown Chriſt doth; his is the Redeemer's Crown; theirs the Redeemeds, made of the p. 109ſame glory: Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that they alſo whom thou haſt given me, be with me, that they may behold my glory which thou haſt given me, 2 Tim. 2. 12. If we ſuffer, we ſhall alſo reign with him. O bleſſed glory, and greatly to be longed for! whoſe meaſure is incomprehenſible, whoſe duration is undeterminable.

Now, Sinners; If theſe Arguments convince you that 'tis your neceſſity, intereſt and duty to ſet upon this great employment, and you find your hearts really willing to come up to the propoſed terms of this high Calling, and embrace any counſels that lead thereto. aaPrima ſanitatis pars eſt velle ſanari, A willingneſs to be healed is the firſt part of health. Sen.Then;

Direct. 1. Firſt; You muſt get a capacity for ſo excellent an undertaking: Heavenly work is too high for earthly natures; and ſpecial ſervice for common endowments: They that are in the fleſh cannot pleaſe God, Rom. Ʋltra poſſe non eſt eſſe.8. 8. No creature can act beyond its being, 'tis above the ſphere of unchanged nature to carry up the Soul to things above, there muſt be a ſpiritual principle before there can be a heavenly operation; you muſt firſt be God's workmanſhip before you can do his work; and be created to good works before you can walk therein, Eph. 2. 10. 'Tis a ſad thing (ſaith Mr. Caryl) to ſee a bad Caryl; Nature and principles of Love.man do that which is bad; yet it is a ſadder ſight to ſee a bad man continuing in his ſtate, to go on doing good; this is the acting of the new creature's part in the old creature's ſtate, and what will that p. 110avail? To ſet upon Religion in an unregenerate ſtate, is labour in vain; the dumb may as well ſpeak, the blind ſee, the dead walk, while they remain ſuch, as they that are evil do good: Can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit? Mat. 7. 18. Or a Fountain ſend forth at the ſame place ſweet water and bitter? Jam. 3. 11. No more can an unſanctified Soul do holy work. The perſon muſt be gracious before the work can be good; God had firſt reſpect to Abel, and then to his Offering, Gen. 4. 4. The ungraffed Cherry-tree brings forth but harſh fruit, let the ſoil and dreſſing be never ſo good; ſo is the Soul under the higheſt priviledges and performances without implantation into Chriſt: The root muſt bear the branch before the branch can bear fruit; a breaking off from the wild Olive with a participation of the fatneſs of the good Olive-tree, is abſolutely neceſſary to true faithfulneſs, Rom. 11. 17, 18. Four things are needful to make an action Evangelically good; a good Principle, Matter, Form and End: neither of which is conſiſtent with a man in his natural ſtate: 'Tis dangerous alſo as well as vain, for perſons to ſet upon doing good, and never care to become good; for this deceives their own Souls, making them think their condition ſafe when they are wretched, miſerable, poor, blind and naked, Rev. 3. 16. and not only feeds an error in their ſtate, but ſtrongly hinders the cure, while theſe unprofitable duties conſume Salvation-time, and deſtroy Salvationhopes; deſpair is uſually the iſſue of preſumption; and they that conceit too ſoon that all is p. 111well, ſhall conclude when too late, that it ſhall never be better: This then is your firſt work, (Souls) To be ſanctified and made meet for your Maſters uſe, and prepared bbforeign, faſhioned as a Veſſel: the meaning is (ſaith Dr. Preſton) that then a man is good when his heart is fitted to good works.to every good work, 2 Tim. 2. 21. Labour to get your natures changed, and hearts quickened; you muſt be born again, or cannot ſee the Kingdom of God: Be looking to Jeſus to create in you a new heart, a renewed mind, will and affections, to have a ſaving principle put into your hearts, and a diſpoſition of Soul towards the whole will of God: Cry mightily for the Spirit, and wait for his movings upon the face of Sanctuary-waters, and for a mighty power of God in the Goſpel upon your Souls: Get under the healing-wings of Chriſt, and reſt not looking unto Jeſus till virtue go out from him to heal your Souls: If this be thy reſtleſs deſire, thou can'ſt not let Chriſt alone, running after him, crying, Jeſu, thou Son of David, have mercy upon me; he will turn again, and have compaſſion, and give the holy Spirit to them that unfeignedly and inceſſantly ask him, Mark 10. 47, 48, 49. Luke 11. 13.

Direct. 2. Secondly, ceaſe from your own works. Iſa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forſake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy: The firſt ſtep in returning to God, is departing from ſin and ſelf; ccNihil nobis cum Deo eſſe poteſt niſi a nobis diſcedamus. Calv.Neither can we (ſaith Calvin) hold converſe with a holy God, p. 112till we be eſtranged from our unholy ſelf. When the Apoſtle adviſes the Epheſians to put on the new man, Eph. 4. 24. He firſt exhorts them to put off the old, with his whole converſation: verſ. 22. That ye put off concerning the former converſation the old man, which is corrupt: Grace builds not on an old foundation, neither does it adorn, but reform the former converſation of called Saints; there is no cloathing upon in regeneration-work, the old garments muſt off before the new will come on: Religion is not a covering for, but a ſtripping off a ſinful life, neither can you be free to ſet on God's work till you leave your old works. Rom. 6. 20. For when you were the ſervants of ſin, ye were free from righteouſneſs: You had nothing to do with holineſs, you had no freedom to do God's work while you were Sins ſervants: He ſpeaks of their actual liberty from grace, not their legal freedom, ddLibertas hic de facto non de jure intelligatur.ſaith Paraeus;) you are not at liberty to do the work of holineſs, while under the command of ſin. No man can ſerve two Maſters: Mat. 6. 24. that is, two contrary Lords, How can the ſame man eeQuomodo poterit unus idem que homo pietati ſe quantum opus eſt impendere & ſimul circa divitias quaerendas ſervandaſ que perpetua ſolicitudine diſtrahi? Grot.(ſaith Grotius) follow godlineſs as his work, and at the ſame time be diſtracted with cares about getting and keeping earthly things? 'Tis a vanity for perſons to dream of a compliance between ſin and holineſs, whoſe work is too inconſiſtent for one Soul at one time; ruling iniquity and grace, are p. 113two contrary ſtates, which cannot meet in one perſon and time: Never think of ſetting up on the Heavenly Trade, till you are freed from helliſh ſervitude, and inveſted with the liberty of the Sons of God, a freedom from the love and ſervice of every ſin. Godlineſs calls for the whole of a man's heart, ſtrength and time, and requires a perſon void of any inconſiſtent obligations; reſolve to break from every way of death, if ever you think to enter into the way of life.

Direct. 3. Thirdly, Make over your ſelves to the Lord in an Everlaſting Covenant; they that will be Maſters of a Trade, muſt firſt be bound to the ſervice of it, and reſign up their perſons, wills, capacities and time to the inſtruction and government of another in order to their fitneſs for ſuch a calling: And ſo muſt ſouls that will learn Wiſdom's Merchandiſe, they muſt bind themſelves to the Trade, and make over themſelves and their all to God in Chriſt, to be taught and enabled to ſet up this excellent work. Jer. 50. 5. They ſhall ask the way to Sion with their faces thitherward, ſaying, Come and let us joyn our ſelves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that cannot be forgotten. Sin had made a ſeparation between their God and them, and brought a death upon their mercies and Templeenjoyments: but now the Spirit of Prophecy breathing on theſe dry bones, moves them to a vital union with the fountain of life, (the onelyonly regular way to their new work and mercies) they muſt firſt be joyned to the Lord, before they can be rejoyned to one another, and reenjoy p. 114their loſt priviledges; and this union lies in a hearty acceptance of offered grace, a taking hold of God in Chriſt, and a Covenant-ſurrender of the whole ſoul and its All to him again: [O for arms to embrace him, ſaith Mr. Rutherford!] This is called a giving up of ones ſelf to the Lord, 2 Corinth. 8. 5. But this they did not as we hoped, but firſt gave themſelves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God: They exceeded our hope: We onelyonly expected ſome part of what was theirs, but they gave themſelves firſt to God, and to us (to be directed and governed by the will of God, to be placed in the fellowſhip of his Goſpel) as well as their intereſts to the ſervice of his people: 'Tis alſo a giving away of ones ſelf to the Lord wholly, unreſervedly and perpetually, to be no more his own, 1 Cor. 6. 19. And ye are not your own. This ſurrender of your ſelves to God (ſouls) muſt be in judgment, underſtandingly, and ariſeth freely on choice; univerſally, without the leaſt reſervation; abſolutely, without any limitation or conditions of our own; eternally, without any expiration and term of this grant, and to be atteſted by all overt acts within your power, Iſa. 44. 5. One ſhall ſay I am the Lord's; another ſhall call himſelf by the name of Jacob; another ſhall ſubſcribe with his hand unto the Lord, and ſurname himſelf by the name of Jacob. Whatever may moſt fully enſure and expreſs an abſolute devotedneſs unto God, muſt be done by thoſe that ever expect to thrive in grace and godlineſs. Verſe 3, 4. I will pour water upon him that is thirſty, and floods upon the dry p. 115ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy ſeed, and my bleſſing upon thy off-ſpring, and they ſhall ſpring up as among the graſs, as willows by the watercourſes. When once this implantation into Chriſt is diſpatched, then will the Lord give proſperity to that ſoul; then are you in a ſure way to ſucceſs in all your holy undertakings, and like to ſpeed well in this Heavenly Trade when you become entirely the Lord's in order to it: O be not ſatisfied till God be yours: [The King's Son or no Husband, Rutherford.] The rational ſoul (ſaith Auguſtine) being capable of God, can be ſatisfied with nothing but God.

Direct. 4. Fourthly, Come over into the family of Chriſt, if you would drive on this Heavenly Trade to purpoſe: Apprentices are houſhold ſervants, up-riſing, and down-lying; and ſo muſt Wiſdom's Traders be; they muſt be members of Chriſt's family, and dwellers in the houſe of God. Pſal. 65. 4. Bleſſed is the man whom thou chuſeſt, and cauſeſt to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy Courts; we ſhall be ſatisfied with the goodneſs of thy houſe, even of thy holy Temple. Thoſe whom God chuſes for himſelf, he brings to himſelf, and makes them dwellers in his Courts: Such In ejus familiam recenſitus, ut fide integra inter ſanctos coeli cives vitam degat. Buc.a one is entered into his family, that he being a ſound Believer, may ſpend his life among the holy Citizens of Heaven. Thoſe whom the Lord takes into Covenant, he takes into communion; not onelyonly with himſelf, but with his people. Jer. 3. 14, 15. I am married unto you, and I will take you one of p. 116a City, and two of a Family, and I will bring you unto Sion, and I will give you Paſtors according to my own heart, which ſhall feed you with knowledge and underſtanding: This was intended of Goſpeltimes and Churches: When all the Nations ſhall be gathered to the Name of the Lord to Jeruſalem, verſe 17. And the houſe of Judah ſhall walk with the houſe of Iſrael, verſe 18. which began to be fulfilled upon the breaking down of the partition wall, and the bringing in of the Gentiles unto Chriſt, Epheſ. 2. 14, 15, 19. When Believers ſhould be no more ſtrangers, foreign.and foreiners, but fellow-citizens with the Saints, and of the houſhold of God. The Apoſtle hath reference to the 12th verſe, where ſouls out of Chriſt are ſaid to be aliens from the Common-wealth of Iſrael, ſtrangers to the Covenant of Promiſe; but now having acceſs to God by one Spirit, verſe 18. Ye are no more ſtrangers and foreiners. (a) In reſpect of the Church of God you are no longer ſtrangers (ſaith Zanchy) but fellow-citizens with the Saints; and in regard of the Covenant of God, you are no more foreiners, but of the houſhold of God. In whom all the building fitly framed together (that is, every ſtone in the building) groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord, verſe 21. The Church of God is his Temple where he is rightly ſerved, Rev. 7. 15. Therefore are they before the Throne of God, and ſerve him day and night in his Temple: which is his Church (ſaith Mr. Durham) here begun by fellowſhip in his Ordinances and in p. 117(f) Reſpectu Reipublicae Iſraelis (i. e.) Eccleſiae concives ſanctorum: reſpectu foederis cum Deo eſſe domeſticos Dei.Heaven compleatly. Ezek. 20. 40. For in my holy Mountain; in the Mountain of the Height of Iſrael (a type of Goſpel-Churches) ſaith the Lord God; there ſhall all the houſe of Iſrael, all of them in the Land, ſerve me; there will I accept them, there will I require your offerings: Plainly intimating that God hath no acceptable ſervice, but in the Churches of his Saints; I mean as to publick worſhip: Perſons cannot give God his full inſtituted worſhip, till they come into fellowſhip with his people, ſeeing Church-fellowſhip is it ſelf an inſtitution of Chriſt. Matth. 28. 19, 20. Acts 2. 41, 42. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Mat. 18. 17, 18, 19. The Church of Chriſt is his body, where he hath ſet his members, 1 Cor. 12. 18. That being fitly joyned together, they might increaſe with the increaſe of God, Epheſ. 4. 16. Col. 2. 19. His Vineyard where his work lies, and into which he ſends his Labourers, Iſa. 5. 7. Matth. 20. 1, 2. His Garden where his Lillies and Beds of Spices are. Cant. 6. 2. His Family where he feeds and inſtructs them; where he guides and governs them. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Epheſ. 3. 15. His Sanctuary where he hides and ſecures them. Pſal. 78. 69. His Galleries where he walks, and is held by his Saints. Cant. 7. 5. His Goldencandleſticks where his Lamps are burning: The Firmament and Heaven where his Stars are ſhining, and the Sun of Righteouſneſs ariſeth with healing in his wings. Rev. 2. 1. There's his Granary where he laies up his proviſions, his manna, marrow, fat things, and ſpiced wine: Iſa. 25. 6. There's his School where he inſtructs his Diſciples, and makes them wiſe to ſalvation. p. 118Iſa. 54. 13. All thy children ſhall be taught of the Lord, and great ſhall be the peace of thy children: There are his Oracles and Secrets. Rom. 3. 2. The Adoption, the Glory, the Covenants, the giving of the Law, and the Service of God, and the Promiſes, Rom. 9. 4. There's his Nurſery where his tender plants are ſet to grow, where he brings in thoſe that ſhall be ſaved. Acts 2. 47. And the Lord added to the Church daily ſuch as ſhould be ſaved. His converting the Gentiles is called a perſwading them into the tents of Shem, that is the Church of God, Gen. 9. 27. Yea the Houſe of God is the gate of Heaven. Gen. 28. 17. This is none other but the Houſe of God; this is the gate of Heaven. vvPer portam Eccleſiae in portam Paradiſi.By the gate of the Church (ſaith Auguſtine) we enter into the gate of Paradiſe: How goodly then are theſe Tents of Jacob? How amiable are thoſe Tabernacles of Iſrael? As the valleys they ſpread forth, as gardens by the Rivers ſide, as the trees of Lign-aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as Cedar-trees beſide the waters, Numb. 24. 5, 6. To your Tents then O Iſrael, 2 Sam. 20. 1. Fly to your windows O ye Doves, Iſa. 60. 8. Love the habitation of God's houſe, and the place where his honour dwells, Pſal. 26. 8. Where are ſuch pleaſures, treaſures, light, life? where are your chiefeſt intereſts, your priviledges, your work, your Lord, the firſt-fruits of your eternal glory? if you have taken Chriſt for your Teacher, you muſt take his Church for your School; you muſt dwell where he dwells, where you may ſit at his feet, and receive his Doctrine.

p. 119Direct. 5. Fifthly, Be mortified to this preſent world; get your hearts looſe from things below. No man that warreth aaforeign, tricis & laqueis implicaturentangleth himſelf with the affairs of this life, that he may pleaſe him that hath choſen him to be a ſouldier, 2 Tim. 2. 4. He does not lay ties and ſnares about his feet, which throw him down, and hinder the courſe he engages to follow. Chriſtianity is a Warfare, and Race; earthly things in the heart are as entanglements about the feet, which hinder this undertaking; you will have no liberty to heavenly things, till redeemed from the Earth; nor can run the race towards glory, till you lay aſide the weights that preſs you down, and the ſin that doth ſo eaſily beſet you, Heb. 12. 1. If you will ſet your affections on things above, you muſt firſt take them off from things beneath, Col. 3. 2. He that ſets his face towards Heaven, muſt turn his back upon the world, Phil. 3. 13. Forgetting thoſe things that are behind, and reaching forth unto thoſe things that are before: The world is one of thoſe things Chriſtians muſt leave behind them, if ever they think to reach Heaven bbDebebamus magno animo contemnere vitam & mundum & pleno pectore anhelare ad futuram gloriam aeternae vitae. Luther. in Gen.We ſhould (ſaith Luther) with a certain greatneſs of mind contemn this life, and world, and with a large heart breathe after the future glory of an Eternal Life. Till you are brought to a contempt of this world, and can count it as droſs and dung, you can never value Heaven, or purſue things above with an even and uninterrupted p. 120heart. That ſoul which deſigns to make Religion its work, muſt be ready to attend it at all times, and to have the heart compoſed and fitted to all the inſtructions that lead to it, which an earthly heart cannot do: A light and mutable ſpirit, now for God, and then for the world, is unfit for this great employment. He that puts his hand to the plough, and looks back, is unmeet for the Kingdom of God, Luke 9. 62. And ſuch is a heart under the command of earthly things; 'tis never ſtedfaſt with God: the things of this world fill the ſoul with wind, and make it light and trifling about the things of God: The heart of man is like that Jewel (I have read of) that one gave to Alexander, that while it was kept bright, weighed down the choiceſt gold, and moſt precious ſtones; but if once it fell into the duſt, and took ruſt, it was lighter than a feather: And ſo is the heart, if it falls into the duſty things of this world. The Church cloathed with the Sun, hath the Moon under her feet, Rev. 12. 1. The more a ſoul is filled with the pure knowledge of God, and ſhining in its converſation, the more it is lifted up above the world: The nearer Heaven, the farther from Earth. The more ſeparate from the world (ſaies Mr. Greenhill on Ezek. 3. 23.) the more fit for communion with God: Ezekiel muſt leave his houſe, and go into the plain, and there the Lord will talk with him. The King's daughter muſt forget her own people, and her Father's houſe, ere the King would greatly deſire her beauty, Pſal. 45. 10, 11. And Abraham muſt leave his Countrey, and pleaſant habitation, before he could get into a way p. 121of frequent communion with God; and ſo muſt a ſoul in heart and affections ſit looſe from the enſnaring things of this world, if ever he thinks to drive this Heavenly Trade. ccTanto magis adhaeret Deo quilibet quanto minus diligit proprium.By ſo much the more (ſaith Auguſtine) doth any one cleave to God, as he ceaſes from loving his own intereſts.

Direct. 6. You muſt reſolve on this alſo, To ſubmit to all the inſtructions the Lord Jeſus gives you; to go thorough all the labours, and bear all the burdens that this Heavenly Trade calls you to; every Art and Calling have their principles and rules, by the knowledge and obedience of which they are attain'd to; and ſo hath Religion: And as Piety is the higheſt and nobleſt profeſſion; ſo are its principles more pure and myſterious, and with greateſt difficulty attainable. Acquired knowledge furniſhes men with light ſufficient for all earthly undertakings; but to this Heavenly Trade both infuſed and acquired underſtanding is needful; both rules, and an eye to diſcern them muſt be given, if ever this Art be obtained: For this end the Lord Jeſus is given, for a light of the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, that they may ſee, Iſa. 42. 6, 7. and for a Prophet, to teach and inſtruct them the way they ſhould go: and to hear and obey him as ſuch, is the abſolute duty of all that have given themſelves up to his conduct and government; Acts 3. 22. A Prophet ſhall the Lord your God raiſe up unto you of your brethren like unto me, him ſhall you hear in all p. 122things whatſoever he ſhall ſay unto you. He hath undertaken to inwiſe them that obey him, and to ſhew them what they muſt do, Acts 9. 6. And if they go on to know, they ſhall know the Lord: if they ſit at his feet, and hear his Word, Deut. 33. 3. he will ſhine out to them, and ſend out a fiery Law for them: In order to which inſtruction your duty is to hear him, to watch daily at his gates, and to wait at the poſts of his houſe, Prov. 8. 34. when he calls, ſay with Samuel, Speak Lord, for thy ſervant heareth, 1 Sam. 3. 10. And whatſoever he ſaith (ſaid the Mother of our Lord) unto you, do it, John 2. 5. Slight no directions, ſtick at no difficulties in comporting with his pleaſure, 'tis for the life of your ſouls; obedience is ſo neceſſary in the Diſciples of Chriſt, as that without it no true knowledge can be attained here, John 7. 17. (if any man doth his will he ſhall know the Doctrine) nor ſalvation hereafter, Heb. 5. 9. (he became the Author of eternal ſalvation to all them that obey him:) His yoke is eaſie, and his burden is light, Prov. 8. 5, 6. Prov. 3. 17. He enjoyns you nothing but what is needful, profitable, excellent, and pleaſant: Hear and your ſouls ſhall live, Iſa. 53. 3. Shall the ſervants of men come, go, do this or that, when they are bidden? Matt. 8. 8. Yea, ſhall the Devil's ſlaves do the greateſt drudgeries, run moſt deſperate adventures; throw themſelves from pinacles; yea damn their ſouls at his bidding? and the ſervants of Chriſt ſo diſobedient (when 'tis for their own concerns, their mercies and advantages are wrapt up in it) and that to ſo rational and eaſie injunctions? p. 123The conſideration of this prevailed with a Heathen to obedience, when againſt his inclination. 2 King. 5. 13. His ſervants came near and ſaid; My Father, if the Prophet had bid thee do ſome great thing, would'ſt thou not have done it? (ſeeing it is for thy life and health) how much rather then when he ſaith to thee, waſh and be clean? If his commands ſeem grievous, let love ſweeten them: If his yoke ſeem heavy, let his reſt at the end of it render it eaſie: when duties ſeem burdenſom to fleſh and blood, his burdens heavy, loſſes for the Goſpel's ſake great, think thus; better ſmart once than ever; to undergo troubles in the way, than at the end; to have my bad things here, rather than be tormented hereafter, Luke 16. 25. and what pains and hardſhips will men undergo for gold that periſheth, 1 Pet. 1. 7. yea for counters that cheat them; and ſhall not I for an inheritance that fadeth not, reſerved in Heaven, 1 Pet. 1. 5? What ſtrivings have ſome to obtain a Crown that is corruptible; and ſhall I be weary that am in purſuit of one that is incorruptible? 1 Cor. 9. 25. without labour, no reſt; without bearing the heat and burden of the day (when called thereto) no penny at the end, Matt. 20. 12, 13. without ſtriving lawfully, no crowning, 2 Tim. 2. 5. without doing the commandment, no eating of the tree of life, Rev. 22. 14. without enduring to the end, no ſalvation, Mark 13. 13. comfort your ſelves with this, that Heaven will make amends for all; when your wet and weary ſowings ſhall end in a pleaſant and eternal harveſt. Gal. 16. 9. Let us not be weary in well p. 124doing, for you ſhall reap in due time, if ye faint not: Be ſtedfaſt, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foraſmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor. 15. 58.

Direct. 7. Laſtly, What you do, do quickly: Time waits not your leiſure. There are but twelve hours in the day, and how many of them have been ſlept and ſinned away, and how few of them may be before you, who knows? What if your Sun ſhould ſet at noon day? or a ſummons meet you in the midſt of your work: Give account of thy Stewardſhip, for thou ſhalt be no longer Steward Luke 16. 2. What will you then do? Some of you are in your afternoon, & what time is that to ſet forth ſuch a long journey as the way to Heaven is? and yet will you gain (by your delays) ſome of this time alſo, for the Devil, World and Fleſh? others of you are in your morning, (the beſt time to put forth in your travel towards glory:) O! loſe not your ſeaſon for eternity: Make much of time, (ſaith Aquinas) eſpecially in the weighty matter of Salvation: O! how much would they that now lie frying in Hell, rejoyce, if they might have the leaſt minute of time wherein they might get God's favour: the young man hath death at his back, the old man before his eyes, and that's the more dangerous enemy that purſues thee, than that which marches up to thy face: Chriſt's work admits of no delays, his injunction allows not of too morrow, but while 'tis called to day: Heb. 3. 7. To day if you will hear his voice, verſ. 13. To day, leſt any of you be hardned through the deceitfulneſs p. 125of ſin: Seek the Lord while he may be found, Iſa. 55. 6. [Haſte, haſte, the tide will not bide, Rutherford.] 'Tis now or never, while the Light ſhines, the Lord knocks, the Angel moves on the waters, while the Lord delays his coming: Salvation-work is quick work, God's racers muſt run, his Doves muſt fly, his Servants be diligent, that they may be found of him in peace, 1 Cor. 9. 26. Iſa. 60. 8. 2 Pet. 3. 14. You that have ſtood idle in the market-place all your day hitherto, haſten into the Lord's Vineyard, Matt. 20. 6. [Love is ſick to hear tell of to morrow: Mr. Rutherford.] What Jonathan ſaid to his Lad when David's life was in danger, let me adviſe you: And Jonathan cried after the Lad, make ſpeed, haſte, ſtay not, 1 Sam. 20. 38. I rue nothing (ſaid precious Mr.The fulfilling of the Scriptures. Welch when on his ſick-bed) but that I was ſo long in beginning: O, ſaith David, that I had wings like a Dove, for then would I fly away, and be at reſt: I would haſten my eſcape from the ſtormy wind and Tempeſt, Pſal. 55. 6, 8. Sinners, you are in danger of ſtormy tempeſts while in your unchanged ſtate; O haſten to your ſtrong holds ye priſoners of hope. When Brentius was like to be given up to the enemy, one writes him this note; Fuge Brenti cito citius citiſſime: Fly Brentius quickly, more quickly, moſt ſpeedily. Souls, 'tis for your lives, make all poſſible haſte about the work of your Salvation: And you that are entred on this heavenly work, double your diligence that you may finiſh your courſe before God finiſhes your time: methinks the p. 126word of God, and his providences this day; yea, every thing ſeems to thruſt you forward, and do to you as Pharaoh's Task-maſters did to Iſrael: Exod. 5. 13. And the Task-maſters haſted them, ſaying, fulfil your work.