Milk for Babes, Sermons

Milk for Babes · Sermons

p. 235Secret Sinnes diſcovered. OR, A Sermon of ſecret Sinnes preached at a Publike Faſt, UPON

PSAL. 19.12.

Who can underſtand his errours? Lord cleanſe me from my ſecret ſinnes?

WE are come to an humbling day: and this is an humbling Text. It points at an infinite company of ſinnes; but it laments & prays againſt ſecret ſins. Every Pulpit, all the Town, words it againſt open ſinnes; and if we amend not, it is not for want of light, but for want of love to piety: but if we can make ſome diſcovery of Secret ſinnes, it makes us ſuſpect the more thoſe that are known, and, it may be, caſts us upon a bed of ſorrow for all, becauſe our ſecret p. 236ones are ſo many, and ſo bad.

David ſues here to God for two bleſſings juſtification, and ſanctification. The motives to ſet him on, are the glory God hath by the Creatures, and by the word. By the creatures he is wonderfully glorified: V. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c.The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament ſhewes his handy-work. They glorifie God by working according to the Law which God hath put upon them: and by bearing forth impreſſes of Gods Majeſty, wiſedome, and goodneſſe. By the word God is more glorified yet. Verſ. 7, 8, 9, 10, &c.It is his law, his teſtimonies, his ſtatutes, his commandements, and his fear. It is perfect, it is ſure, it is right, it is pure, it is clean, it is truth, and righteous altogether. It converts, makes wiſe, rejoyceth, enlighteneth, and is everlaſting. It is deſirable above the beſt Gold, and ſweeter then hony, yea it brings great reward along with it.

David was ſo in love with the glory that God had both theſe wayes, that, no doubt he was heartily wiſhing that all men would honour him too. But for himſelf, he ſets himſelf earneſtly upon it: and becauſe he cannot do it without p. 237a Pardon of ſinne, and power againſt ſin, Ver. 12.he prays, firſt, for juſtification, Lord cleanſe me: next for ſanctification, Ver. 13.Keep back preſumptuous ſinnes, let them not have dominion over me: and laſtly for the fruit of both, let my words, Ver. 14.and meditations be acceptable in thy ſight. He knew that praiſe is not comely for the mouth of a ſinfull fool. He would not therefore care how farre he were from it, even from the whole body of it, that he might glorifie God as he ſhould.

The firſt ſuit is that which I preſent unto you here: and in it conſider with me ſeriouſly two points;

1 A Diſeaſe.

2 A Remedy.

1The diſeaſe. The diſeaſe are Errours: Who can underſtand his errours? It is propounded interrogatorily by way of queſtion; who? and there are five kindes of interrogations in the Scriptures.

1. Dubitans.

Pſ. 77.7, 8, 9Ps 77:7Ps 77:8Ps 77:9A doubting queſtion: Will the Lord caſt off for ever? Will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Doth his promiſe fail for evermore? Here, in caſe of deſertion, the Prophet is full of doubts.

2. Docens.

Eſa. 60.8.Isa 60:8A teaching queſtion: Who are theſe that flye as a cloud, p. 238and as Doves to their windowes? This teacheth the multitude of thoſe that ſhall flye to the meanes of ſalvation in theſe times of grace.

3. Diſcens.

Mar. 10.16.Mark 10:16A Learning queſtion: What ſhall I do that I may poſſeſſe eternall life by inheritance? This is deſirous to learn the way to heaven.

4. Affirmans.

2 King. 12.19. 2 King. 14.18.2 Kgs 12:192 Kgs 14:18An affirming queſtion: ſuch often in the book of the Kings: Are they not written in the Books of the Kings of Judah, and Iſrael? They are: they ſtand in the publike records, and in their Chronicles.

5. Negans.

Laſtly, there is a denying queſtion: and ſuch is this here, Who can underſtand his errours? None can to the depth, and bottom.

In this queſtion there are two conſiderables;

1 A Conceſſion.

2 A Confeſſion.

He makes a grant, 1that our life is full of errours: A Conceſſion.and the Scriptures ſay the ſame, Eſa. 53.6. Pſ. 119. ult. Math. 10.6.Isa 53:6Ps 119Matt 10:6while they affirm, that all wee are like loſt ſheep: and I have gone aſtray like loſt ſheep: and the houſe of Iſrael hath loſt ſheep. I need not reckon up the particulars, as the errours of our ſenſes, underſtandings, conſciences, judgements, wils, affections, deſires, actions, and occurrences. The whole man in nature is p. 239like a tree nipt at root which brings forth worm-eaten fruits. The whole man in life, is like an inſtrument out of tune, which jars at every ſtroke. If we cannot underſtand them, certainly, they are very many.

Vſe. 1 Therefore, we may wonder at Gods mercies towards us, and acknowledge, a wonderfull difficultie to ſtand under our burthens impoſed by God. Firſt, we may wonder that God is mindfull of us, as David, Pſal. 8.Ps 8what is man that thou art mindfull of him, and the Sonne of man that thou doeſt ſo regard him? He is a thing of nothing: Nay, worſe then nothing. Nothing hath never offended God; but we have done nothing but offended him in our whole courſe. If we had but two, or three errours, it were the leſſe wonder: but the wonder is, becauſe we have ſo many. We were as a piece of Tapeſtry curiouſly wrought; Pſal. 139.15.Ps 139:15and now we are torne in pieces by ſinne, and Satan, and have errours to a wonder, and yet are laden with benefits, and crowned with loving kindneſſe, and favours, on the right hand; and on the left. This muſt quicken your love to God, and p. 240your thankfulneſſe, for the enjoyment of the leaſt bleſſings.

Vſe 2 Secondly, feelingly acknowledge how hard it is to ſtand under our own burthens before God. Our many errours make great weakneſſe in all our parts, Facilitas cadendi, difficultas ſtandi, Imbecillitas ſurgendi, debilitas perſeverandi. Pſal. 38.4. Rom. 7.24.Ps 38:4Rom 7:24and powers. We are eaſily drawn to fall, we are hardly able to ſtand, we are weake to ariſe when we are down, and unable to perſevere when we are up without a covenant of mercy. If David could not beare his burthen; nor Paul his burthen, what ſhall we doe, except we flye to the ſtronger man then he in the houſe, Chriſt in his way? Therefore as Benhadabs ſervants came to Ahabs ſervants with ſackcloth, and ropes; ſo doe you come in humilitie to Chriſt, and ſay, Oh ſeek thy ſervant that puts his truſt in thee. If you doubt whether he will help you, being clothed with errours as with a garment: thinke that the Lord is thy Shepherd: Pſal. 23.1. Joh. 10.Ps 23and that Chriſt is the good Shepherd of his ſheep. Therefore as they defend their ſheep, as David did from the Lion, and the Beare: as they paſture their ſheep, as Moſes did in baniſhment: as they water their ſheep, as the Patriarchs ſervants, p. 241and children did: and as they ſeek their ſheep when they wander and go aſtray: ſo will God in Chriſt every way provide for thee againſt thy many errours if they be not wilfull, and ſettled by curſed cuſtome, and reſolution to doe as thou haſt done. But I ſettle not here any longer.

2Come next to the Confeſsion. David hath granted that man hath many errours; and now he confeſſeth, Confeſſion. That We cannot know our errours.that we cannot know our errours. Put it to the queſtion, who can know his errours? The Anſwer is negative, man cannot know them: you will ſay then, it is in vain to ſearch. True, if it were impoſsible for us to know them, or to know more then we do: but it is but difficult in it ſelf, and for us. But you will ſay, on the other ſide, why ſhould it be ſo difficult, 1 Cor. 2.111 Cor 2:11when the ſpirit of a man doth know the things of a man. It is true he knowes the thoughts, purpoſes, and deviſes of his heart; but not every winding, turning, nor the iſſue of them, and ſo it is difficult ſtill.

You will enquire after two things, how comes it that we know not our errours? and how we may be aſſured that we know p. 142them not? It comes to paſſe four wayes.

1Firſt, How comes it that we know not our errours.from the infinite number of them. Infinite I ſay, not with reference to God (for the imperfections of the creature cannot, numerally exceed the perfections of the creatures) but with reſpect to us. They are more then the haires of our heads, more then the ſands of the Sea ſhore which cannot be told by us. The little Buckets of our underſtandings can no more hold the drops of this Ocean, then we can hold the Sea in our fiſts, or number the drops of it.

2Secondly, it comes to paſſe from the root of hypocriſie that is in us. This makes us not onelyonly deceive others, Gal. 6.3.Gal 6:3but our ſelves in our imaginations: and ſo, we think them few, when they are like the Army of the Aramites that covers the earth.

3Thirdly, Plenitudinem, rectitudinem, & claritatem intellectus.it comes to paſſe from the pravity and miſcarriage of our underſtandings. We have loſt the fulneſſe, the cleerneſſe, and the rectitude of our underſtanding of good; and therefore we cannot underſtand our errours by the oppoſit good. If we have loſt our Grammar rules we cannot know the incongruities p. 243of our ſpeech; if we have loſt our ſquire, we cannot finde out the errours of our building.

4Laſtly, it comes to paſſe by the ſleepineſſe of our conſciences. If the Sentinel ſleep, who ſo will may come into the Gariſon uneſpied. If the Shepheard ſleep, the whole flock may be overgrown with flye-blowes: ſo may thy ſoul with errours if conſcience be drowſie, and have the ſpirit of ſlumber. Then cry as to Dumah, Watch-man, what was in the night? It cannot be told becauſe conſcience ſlept. Thus it comes to paſſe that we know not our errours.

2It may be demonſtrated, and we may be aſſured that we know not our errours three ways. 1Firſt, by our ſecurity. How we may be aſſured that we know not our errours. Jud. 18.10.Judg 18:10If a man live careleſly as the children of Laiſh, it is a ſigne he knows not of his enemies. If a man come without care bemired into company, it is a ſigne that he knowes not his foulneſſe: ſo nor we know our errours when we live as if we cared not to get to heaven, or avoid hell, or to purge away any impurity which is preſented with us into the ſight of God, and man. 2Secondly, By our pride. If a man p. 244do highly prize his own reall, or ſeeming excellencies, it is a certain ſigne that he knowes not his own wants. If a man be proud of his knowledge, he knowes not that what he knowes is not the thouſand part of what he is ignorant of. If a man be proud of his graces, and begin to point at, and contemne others, who do not ſo ſhine, certainly he knowes not that his ſinnes out-weigh his graces if they were brought to the ballance of the Sanctuary. 3Thirdly, by our hard hearts. The heart of Joſiah melted when the Law ſhewed his errours: and the heart of Paul was wounded, and he died, when the Law came and made his errours live before him. Triplex circa praecordia ferrum.But we have armour of proof about our hearts. They do not melt, dye, nor are wounded with the ſight of our errours: therefore we know them not.

Uſe. 1 Therefore (I beſeech you) make good uſe of this point for information, humiliation, and exhortation. Firſt, let it teach us not to dream of a fulfilling of the Law in this life of our ſelves. If a man cannot know his errours, ſurely, he ſhall never finde his full obedience. What is p. 245unknown of his errours will have ſuch an influence upon his conſcience, that he will ſtill ſuſpect his obedience to be but a polluted clout. Papiſts ſpeak of a double fulfilling of the Law: the firſt is the travellers fulfilling it, 1 Viatorum. 2 Comprehenſorum.which is while men are militant in this life: this they ſay, is, to love God above all, and our neighbours as our ſelves. The ſecond is the poſſeſſors fulfilling of it, which is, when men are in Glory: this, they ſay, is to love God with all our heart, minde, will, and ſtrength. But indeed we have but one rule of righteouſneſſe, which ſhould bee fulfilled with all our powers: and when God ſaith, Gal. 3.Gal 3Curſed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them, it is not ſpoken of glorified perſons. We ſpeak of a three-fold fulfilling of the Law. Inchoata Imputatae PerſonalisInchoate and begun, by equall, and ſincere obedience according to grace given. Imputed, by the ſatisfaction of our ſurety made ours: for the Law is then fulfilled when the breach of it is ſatisfied. And perſonall, and perfect, which Paul teacheth to be impoſsible becauſe of the fleſh. And, Rom 8.3.Rom 8:3in truth, it muſt needs be ſo: for perſonall p. 246fulfilling cannot ſtand with corruption in nature, and ſinne in life. Beſides, our love cannot be greater then our knowledge, 2 Cor. 13.2 Cor 13which is imperfect: yea, and ignorance of errours cannot ſtand with fulfulfilling. Therefore be not you in your eyes better then you deſerve: think not of fulfilling the Law, when you know not how many breaches you make againſt it.

Uſe. 2 Secondly, be humbled under the conſideration of this point. A man that knows enough to condemn him before a Judge, yet he knowes not all, walks weakly before a Judge, he hath not the confidence of an innocent: So when you know enough to caſt you to the nether-moſt hell, yet not all, it ought to make you, as Hezekiah, to walk in the bitterneſſe of your ſoul all your life, yet with due remembrance of the Lord Jeſus to lift up your heads with confidence.

Uſe. 3 Thirdly, be exhorted to ſtirre up your willing mindes to look into your ſelves to finde thoſe errours out. Ob. I know, you will ſay, that if there be no underſtanding there is no hope. We cannot hope after that which is impoſſible. p. 247Sol. It is true, De impoſſibilibus non eſt ſpes.if it were impoſſible for you to know more errours in your ſelves then you know yet. Hee that knowes not now, may know by ſearch, and the reſt will be wrapped up in a generall repentance, and will finde a pardon of courſe.

There are three ways by which more may be known then now: How we may know our errours.the knowledge of God, the knowledge of our ſelves, and humility. 1As to the knowledge of God, you ſee when Job had got ſome ſight of God more then before, and had not onelyonly heard by the hearing of the ear, Job. 42.5, 6Job 42:5Job 42:6but his eye had ſeen him, he ſaw ſo many errours in himſelf, that he abhorred himſelf, and repented in dust, and aſhes. Eſa. 6.1.Isa 6:1And the Prophet Eſay, when he ſaw God upon the throne, ſaw ſuch errours in himſelf, that he cried out, wo is me, I am undone: Eſa. 6.5.Isa 6:5becauſe I am a man of unclean lips, and dwell among ſuch a people: for my eyes have ſeen the King the Lord of Hoſts. Such a ſight will ſhew us ſuch purity, as we ſhall ſee nothing but errours in our ſelves. Set this light before your ſouls, and then you will cry out with Paul, I was a blaſphemer, 1 Tim. 1.13 15.1 Tim 1:13a perſecuter, injurious, yea, the chief of ſinners. p. 248You will ſee all your errours cleerly enough. Gehenna ſum domine.You will ſay, with that bleſſed Martyr, I am hell, Lord, I am hell: Oh take away my hell, Hei mihi, quid ſum? vas ſterquilinii; concha putredinis; plenus foetore Facti ſumus fugitivi a cordibus noſtris. Hei mihi, quam contrarius ſum egomet mihi! ego in ſpiritu & ego in carne.and give me thy heaven: and with Auguſtine, Alas, wretched man, what am I? A very cloſe Stoole, a ſhovell full of dung, full of ſtink. 2As to the knowledge of our ſelves, the more we ſee our ſelves in our right lineaments, and proportions, the more we ſhall ſay, (when we are asked, what we ſee?) more abominations yet. The truth is, that we are runagates from our own hearts. Whatſoever we pretend, we know not our ſelves as we ought to do. But ſtand at this Bar, and we ſhall be driven to word it as he of old, Alas, that I am, how contrary, am I to my ſelf? I in the fleſh, and I in the ſpirit! Now errours appear, which will make us groan, the worſt that I feel is better then the beſt I do deſerve. 3And for humility which is the laſt, though not the leaſt; meanes to make us to know our errours, … l. 25.the ſpirit doth aſſure us, that the humble God will teach: and, if they be of Gods teaching, ſurely they ſhall know ſo many errours as may make their hearts to ake: p. 249and thus of the diſeaſe which was not my aym to be inſiſted upon.

2Now, for the remedy, David flies to God by prayer, and ſo muſt you. The Remedy.He is the Phyſitian, and the balm in Gilead who is onelyonly able to cure our errours, though we know them not: therefore, (Cleanſe me from my ſecret ſinnes). There are two parts here, do offer a view.

1 The object (ſecret ſinnes.)

2 The act, or work about them, (cleanſe me.)

11 In the object, learn you, that the beſt have ſecret faults. The beſt have ſecret faults.I muſt demonſtrate this: and therefore know, that if they be ſecret, it muſt be with reſpect to ſome eyes that ſee them not: and there are three ſorts of eyes; of God, of the world, and of a mans own conſcience. 1From the eye of God there are no ſecret ſinnes: yet wicked man labours to hide them two wayes; Negatively by not confeſſing them, and of this Solomon ſpeakes, he that hideth his ſinnes ſhall not proſper. Prov. 28.Prov 28Poſitively, as much as in us lies, by the impiety of our deſires, that God could not ſee them; and by fooliſh hope that he doth not pierce thorough the dark cloud: for p. 250we do eaſily beleeve that which we would earneſtly have come to paſſe: Facile credimus quod valde volumus.and this makes ſo many flying lyes of that to be done, which we would fain have done, and of that not done, which we cannot endure to hear ſhould be done. 2From the eye of the world God will have many ſecret ſins. He knowes that he can make good uſe of ſuch ſecret ſinnes; and that the people of God can make good uſe of them alſo. God can make excellent uſe of them, becauſe he knowes that they have an Infective and Deſtructive power. Potentia, 1 Infectiva. 2 Deſtructiva.If every of our ſecret ſinnes were known, they would have a power to infect others. Men are like Jacobs ſheep, which conceived by the eye: Gal. 2.14.Gal 2:14and Peter by his diſſimulation compelled ſome that ſaw him to walk with an uneven foot. Had it not been better that his ſinne had been ſecret, and that no eye had ſeen it? Again, if every of our ſecret ſinnes were known, they would have a power to deſtroy our ſelves, from doing what we ought. As Moſes fled, when he had ſlain the Aegyptian; and did not cheriſh that heroicall motion which God had given him for the vindicating of the cauſe of his people: p. 251ſo if all our ſecret faults were written in our foreheads, would we not be aſhamed to walk in any calling wherein the Lord had ſet us? Would we not run away and hide our ſelves in buſhes, and eat Nettle-rootes, and Juniper-roots, as Jobs ſonnes of Belial did, rather then to come into the ſight of men? Seeing therefore that God can make ſuch excellent uſe of a ſecret ſinne, he will have many ſinnes to be ſecret from the eye of the world.

Gods people can make excellent uſe of ſecret ſinnes alſo. They can make them a ſeed of humility, compaſsion, Semen 1 Humilitatis. 2 Compaſſionis. 3 Gratitudinis. 4 Pietatis.thankfulneſſe, and piety. They are a ſeed of humility when others praiſe them. Oh why am I praiſed thus? I muſt not be proud, for, if they knew all my ſecret ſins, they would not praiſe me ſo much. They are a ſeed of Compaſsion, when others ſinne. Oh how can I deal extreamly with poor ſinners! I muſt be compaſſionate: for if others knew my ſecret ſinnes, I ſhould deſerve as ſevere a cenſure my ſelf. Can I be as Judah to cry out of Tamar, let her be burn'd, when I remember the ring, and the ſtaffe layed to pawn to her in ſecret? p. 252No, no, the Judge was wiſer, of whom we reade of in the Primitive Church, who when he was ſeriouſly invited into the place of Judgement to paſſe ſentence upon another, withdrew himſelf; and at laſt, being earneſtly preſſed, came with a Bag of ſand upon his ſhoulder to the Judgement ſeat, ſaying, you call me to paſſe judgement upon this poore ſinner. How can I do it, when I my ſelf am gilty of more then this bag hath ſands if the world ſaw them all. Which, though it were not well done, if he were a publike Judge to paſſe ſentence upon publike crimes (becauſe then he ſhould not be ſuſpended by private guilts from publike cenſures and amendments), yet it ſhews that our boſome ſinnes ſhould worke compaſſion. They are a ſeed of thankfulneſſe, when God ſpares them, and doth not entrap them in common miſeries. Oh why am I not plagued with ſword, famine, and poverty as well as others! Were all my ſecret ſinnes open to the eye of the world, I ſhould be as bad as they, Pſal. 103.Ps 103and yet am I ſpared. O my ſoul, praiſe the Lord, and all that is within me praiſe his holy name. Laſtly, they are p. 253a ſeed of Piety, to provoke them to do good in ſecret. I have ſinned in ſecret, Oh why ſhould not I do good in ſecret? Ile faſt, and pray in ſecret, Ile give Alms in ſecret, Ile do what good I can though no man look upon me: for I am ſure I have too many ſecret ſinnes which the world little thinks of, or imagineth. Seeing therfore that Gods people can make ſuch good uſe of a ſecret ſinne, or ſinnes, he will have many ſins to be ſecret from the eye of the world.

From the third eye, that is, 3from the eye of a mans own conſcience, there are many ſecret ſinnes alſo, and of theſe principally doth David ſpeake here. It may ſeeme ſtrange that a man ſhould commit ſinnes, and yet his own conſcience ſhould not take notice of it: yet a mans own ſinnes may be ſecret to his own ſoul three wayes; by Nature, by Art, Secretum 1. Natura. 2. Arte. 3. Iudicio.and by the Juſt Judgement of God.

Firſt, by Nature, when the naturall conſcience takes no notice for want of light. 1Joh. 16.2.John 16:2You read of thoſe that ſhall caſt Gods people out of the Synagogue, and ſhall kill them, and yet ſhall thinke that they doe God good ſervice, and all for want of light, p. 254as it was with Paul when he was a perſecuter. So you read of ſtrange things done by men and women in heatheniſh Rome not to be named for want of illumination alſo. Rom. 1. Act. 17.Rom 1Acts 17Yea amongſt us, are there not thouſands that doe things in publique, and private practiſe which they would not doe if their conſciences had light to doe better? Oh therefore ſhut not your eyes againſt that light which the Lord offers in the word by the preaching of his faithfull ſervants: for if conſcience be imperfectly ſighted, there will lurke many a ſecret ſin, which will wound at the latter end.

2Secondly, by Art, when the devill uſeth all his skill, his methods, and depths, to make a ſinne ſecret to us. Ordinarily he uſeth foure. 1Commendation of others: thus pride is commended for cleanlineſſe, drunkenneſſe, for good fellowſhip, duelling for gallantneſſe of ſpirit, and then conſcience ſleeps, and there lies a ſecret ſinne. 2Cuſtome is a ſecond, when men have long traded in it, the guilt lies hid. Certe quum fuit mos, nec fuit culpa.Thus came in the Polygamy of the Patriarchs: and thus bribery, extortion, and common-ſwearing by God, or faith, p. 255or troth, come to be hid from conſcience. Yea, have not we done many things of cuſtome about the Lords day, the Lords worſhip, beſide in our ordinary courſe, which upon better Information, we rejoyce now to be rid of. 3Profit is a third. When a courſe brings in gain, lulls the conſcience in the glorious ſight of it awhile, and it falls aſleep. Then you may bring in profit enough and conſcience takes no notice of it, and thus lurks a ſecret ſinne. This makes covetouſneſſe to many, counting gaine godlineſſe to ſome, and many lying, and couſening tricks in trading to be ſecret ſinnes ſeldome or never noticed to Conſcience. 4Pleaſure is a fourth. When thoughts, words, or deeds have pleaſure in them, conſcience is ſoone charmed to take no notice of them, and ſo growes a ſecret ſinne. Thus pride, wantonneſſes, drinkings, and a thouſand dalliances are hid from the eyes of this worlds wantons to be ſins, thorough the pleaſures of them; and this is Satans art to make many ſins ſecret ſinnes.

Thirdly, ſinnes may be ſecret by the Juſt Judgement of God: When God juſtly p. 256blinds the eyes of ſinners, that will not come to Chriſt that they might be ſaved, Joh. 5.John 5and gives them to blindnes of mind, that ſeeing they may ſee, Rom. 1.Rom 1& not perceive. Of this we have three fearful examples in Scriptures. 1The Gentiles whom God gave over to vile affections, to which they Indulged without ſenſe, becauſe they baſely diſhonoured God in their heatheniſh Idolatry. 2The Jews who becauſe they ſhut their eyes againſt the beames of Chriſts Majeſtie in his preaching, and miracles were given up to call for his bloud upon them, and upon their children. This was a ſecret ſinne to them: 1 Cor. 3.1 Cor 3for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of life. 3Antichriſtian Chriſtians, who becauſe they receive not the love of the truth, 2 Theſſ. 2.2 Thess 2that they might be ſaved, God gives them over to believe lyes that they might be (without repentance) damned: and ſo all their fooliſh abominations, and wicked Idolatries are ſecret ſinnes to them. And thus have I demonſtrated this object, that the beſt, in ſome kind, or other, have ſecret ſinnes.

Uſe. Therefore this muſt ſtirre up your care to ſet your watches, to finde out p. 257theſe ſecret ones as well as you can. If you knew there were a thiefe lurking ſecretly in your houſe, you would feare the danger, ſet watches, and ſearch every corner: much more muſt you doe it for your ſouls which are in danger every minute by your ſecret ſinnes. Nature is blind; flye to the light of Gods word. The courſe of the world is deceitfull; walke in the path of the righteous. Gods Judgement is grievous; provoke him not with the love of any ſinne. The very thought of a ſecret ſinne, me thinks ſhould make you watch, and watch, again, and again.

Ob. You will ſay, that you have enough ſinne which you know, to look unto. Sol. That is true; and more then enough. For ſinne is worſe then hell: and to be in ſinnes hand is worſe then to be in Satans; for ſinne onelyonly makes him hold faſt.

Ob. But if ſinnes are ſecret (you will ſay) ſurely they are of little value. Sol. But I tell thee, ſinnes are not valued by their ſecreſie, but by their nature, and object againſt whom, &c. The ſmalleſt ſinnes doe no ſmall hurt. Drops of raine are p. 158very ſmall, yet may they make great flouds. A bird may be caught by one claw, as well as by the whole body. A boy may creep in at a window, better then a man, and let in the ſtrongeſt thiefe that is to come in: ſo may the ſmalleſt ſinne let in the greateſt. Therefore I ſay to all, watch againſt ſecret ſins.

If you will cloſe with me now, & ask. Q. How you may find out a ſecret ſin? How ſecret ſinnes may be diſcovered. Prov. 28.Prov 28I ſhal give you the beſt light I can. 1Firſt, you may find thē out by fear. Bleſſed is he that feareth always: for ſuch a man wil not harden his heart. Fear will make a man ſuſpect every thing that hath not ſound warrant: and thoroughly to examine all thoughts, words, & deeds. A man finds by the daily loſſe of things, that a ſecret thiefe doth hant his houſe. He is loth to ſuſpect thoſe that are approvedly known to be honeſt people: but he will have a ſtrict eye upon every man elſe, and examine his buſines, his calling, Jon. 1.Jonah 1his living, and his expenſes, and ſo, at laſt he wil diſcover him. So you looſe, every day, ſome ſtrength in grace, ſome comfort, ſome peace, ſome good or other. You will not ſuſpect known inclinations, thoughts, words, or deeds p. 259which are approved by the plaine words of Scriptures. But if they be other grounded upon ignorance, cuſtome, profit, pleaſure, honour, ſuſpect and try them, and out will the ſecret ſins come which muſt be abandoned.

2Secondly, thou maiſt finde them out, by drawing things from trade to truth. To make a trade of any ſinne doth at laſt make a ſinne ſecret. Commit it once, and it is grievous. Commit it a ſecond time and it is light. Commit it a third time, and it is deſireable. Commit it a fourth time, and it is delightfull. Commit it a fift time and it is defenſible. Commit it a ſixt time, and it is inſenſible, and ſo it becomes a ſecret ſinne. But now, draw it before the truth of Gods word, and the light of it will ſhew the foulneſſe of it, and the foulneſſe of it will make it queſtionable: the queſtioning of it will open the guilt: the guilt bindes the conſcience: and then, except conſcience be out-faced by impudency, it will be ſecret no longer.

3Thirdly, thou maiſt finde them out by Repentance. Let the terrours of the Almighty, the love of God, the bloud of p. 260Jeſus Chriſt, and the ghaſtly ſight of death and judgement work thy guilty ſoul but to repent, or to repent of one ſinne, and thou wilt finde out many ſecret ſinnes. A penny is but a little piece of ſilver in it ſelf: but put it into a Payle of fair water, and it ſeems as big as a ſhilling. So put thy leaſt ſinne into a watery and penitent ſoul, and it will be of a vaſt bigneſſe. Thou ſhalt ſee that in due proportion, and thy eyes being exalted, and clarified, thou ſhalt ſee, beſide this great Leviathan, creeping things, or ſinnes, innumerable. For as in a train of gunpowder; ſet one grain on fire, and all will be in a blaze: ſo let thy ſoul be fired with godly ſorrow for one ſinne, and thou ſhalt quickly ſee thoſe thou never ſaweſt before.

4Fourthly, thou maiſt finde them out, by bringing ſinne to a propimity, or neerneſſe. As ſinners put farre from them the evill day: ſo they put as farre as they can from them the ſight of ſinne. When they do it they are loath to ſee what they do, becauſe it is a work of darkneſſe. It is a baſtard brood betwixt Satan, and a wicked ſoul; and therefore they remove p. 261it into the Country, as farre as they can; becauſe they would not ſee it themſelves nor ſuffer others to ſee it. But bring it to a neerneſſe, and that which ſeemed no ſinne will appeare to be a ſinne, and what ſeemed a little one will be a very great. A man upon the top of an high hill, looks as little as a childe, but bring him down, and you ſhall ſee his proportion. So bring ſinne to a preſent view, as it wounds the conſcience, defaceth Gods image, and hindereth our traffick with our God, we ſhall ſee it big enough to a miracle in it ſelf, and all the brats, and broods of many ſecret ones which are as a retinue, and hangs upon it.

5Fifthly, thou maiſt finde them out, by declining ſuch ways as bring the judgement of God upon thy ſoul. If, becauſe thou art filthy, God ſay, be filthy ſtill; and becauſe thou wilt not ſee, God give thee over to blindneſſe of minde; thou wilt ſee but a few of thy ſins till deſtruction come like an armed man. It was a fearfull ſpeech, hear ye indeed, Eſa. 6.9, 10.Isa 6:9Isa 6:10but underſtand not: and ye ſee indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat; and make their ears heavy, and ſhut their eyes, p. 262leſt they ſee with their eyes, hear with their ears, and underſtand with their hearts, and be converted. Even ſo, it is a lamentable thing that Gods judgement ſhould ſeal thy eyes up, from ſeeing thy ſinnes: for then thou maiſt ſuddainly be waſted, and made deſolate, and removed farre away from God. Therefore if thou would'ſt diſcover thy ſecret ſinnes keep off this judgement of God by ſinning againſt conſcience. Conſcience is Gods deputy: and the affront that is offered unto it, is offered to God, who gave it authority over thee. Sinne againſt it, and thou ſinneſt againſt Gods officer; and God cannot but take it as an unworthy act. It makes him angry, brings his judgement, and then where art thou? Thy eyes are blinded, thy heart is hardened, thy ſinnes, like Philiſtims, are about thee, and thou ſeeſt them not. Therefore decline this thunderbolt of judgement, and God will be eyes to thy blinde ſoul to ſee ſecret ſinnes.

6Laſtly, thou maiſt finde out thy ſecret ſinnes, by not believing the world, and the wayes of it. If thou believe the world, that will praiſe, and flatter thee; and p. 263offer thee ſo much profit, pleaſure, Excellens ſenſibile deſtruit ſenſum.and honour, that the ſplendour of theſe will dazle thy eyes, and hinder the ſight of thy ſecret ſinnes. There are none that live in ſtrong Gariſons, and feel not miſeries abroad where ſight is more cleer, but are ſo flattered, and fawned upon with the luſt of the eye, the luſts of the fleſh, and the pride of life (to patching, painting, and a thouſand diſguiſes (beſides other voluptuous ſins) that their eyes are put out from ſeeing ſome open, and all ſecret ſins. Hence is it that they ſwim in the Kingdome of pleaſure, and, with their eyes to heaven, are going as faſt as they can to hell in a feather-bed. But take heed: believe not the world, and thou wilt have leiſure to ſee that, and thoſe ſecret ſinnes which will make thy heart ake.

Thus have I diſcovered ſome means by which you may know your ſecret ſinnes. It may be (now a way is broken open) better light may diſcover better helps. Yet, in the mean time, take theſe, and uſe them, in Gods ſtrength, to the glory of God, and to the humbling of thy ſoul.

p. 264But, What we muſt doe when we have found out ſecret ſinnes.it may be, you will ask me, when I have found them, what ſhall I do with them? In generall, you muſt make head againſt them. Let them not reſt in you, as in their proper places, but groan under their burthen, complain of them to God, caſt off what you can, and uſe meanes to mortifie the reſt: But, more particularly, Zach. 13.1.Zech 13:1look to Chriſt the fountain opened for ſinne and for uncleanneſſe. When Alexander the Great ſaw Jaddus the high Prieſt comming towards him, out of Jeruſalem in all his Prieſtly attire, he, of reverence, ſpared the City: and when God ſees you come towards him in the garments of your brother Chriſt, made yours by faith, out of love to him, Pſal. 45.Ps 45whoſe garments ſmel of Myrrhe, Aloes, and Caſſia, he will ſpare you. We reade, that when Antonius the Roman Oratour did uncover the ſhoulders of Aquileus, before the Senate, he cauſed the ſentence of death to be reverſed from him. Much more when you ſhew the freſh bleeding wounds, and merits of Chriſt reſted upon by faith, before God your judge, he will take off the ſentence of death p. 265from you, pronounced both againſt open, and ſecret ſins, and give you life. Therefore, in the bowels of Jeſus Chriſt take a double proſpect. Firſt, caſt your eyes down into your ſelves, and ſee, what you can, all your ſecret ſins, whoſe guilts gape for vengeance, as well as open, being as contrary to Gods nature. Next, lift up your eyes to heaven and ſee Chriſt appearing with all his merits, as your Surety and Advocate, and making requeſt for you, and reſt upon him with confidence, as thoſe that are weary, and heavie laden under the burthen of ſinne, and are willing to honour the father in him his ſonne, and the work is paſt, neither open, nor ſecret ſins ſhall appear againſt you to your confuſion.

2But now, at length you muſt not forget Davids Act about this Object, that is, Act: cleanſe me.his prayer, that God would cleanſe him. Hear a word of this, Sinnes have a pollution.That even ſecret ſinnes have a pollution as well as other ſins, from which we must deſire cleanſing.

That other ſinnes have a pollution, is viſible enough from many Texts, and other grounds. The Text doth ſpeak, Pſal. 51.2. Ezech. 16.Ps 51:2Ezek 16Waſh me from mine iniquity, and cleanſe me p. 266from my ſinne: and makes a fearfull deſcription of the pollution of ſinne: and compares it to the vomit of a Dog, and myre of a Sow: 2 Pet. 2.22.2 Pet 2:22yea, and makes God look with an ill eye upon his own till they be waſhed. Joh. 13.8.John 13:8As to other grounds, the Father of ſin is an unclean ſpirit, Matth. 12.Matt 12and the mother of it, an unclean ſoul. The property of ſin is to make a blot which is ſo running an infection that it makes you prone to fall into the ſame ſinne a ſecond time. And the effects of ſin, are ſuch ſtaines, and pollutions, ſuch blots, and ſpots which ſtick to our perſons, goods, and all utenſils, even to heaven it ſelf (and therefore all creatures groan under the burthen of vanity) that they muſt be purged by fire.Rom. 8. 2 Pet. 3.Rom 82 Pet 3

If you ſay, though it be a pollution, yet it is eaſily waſhable. I would not have you deceived: for then Chriſt ſhould never have been ſent, Who by himſelf purged our ſinnes; Heb. 1.3. Pſal. 51.2.Heb 1:3Ps 51:2nor David would have prayed waſh me thoroughly from my ſinnes; nor would Peter have wept ſo bitterly; nor would Mary Magdalen have taken ſuch paines with her teares, and locks at Chriſts feet. If Abanah, and Pharphar, Rivers of Damaſcus would p. 267have deeded it for Naamans Leproſie, he would not have been ſent to Jordan: nor ſhould high meanes, and ſuch ſtrong pains have been uſed, for the cleanſing of ſinne, if a leſſer matter would have fetched it off.

Ob. But be it ſo, you will ſay, of other ſins, yet what is that to ſecret ſins? Sol. Much everv way. They have all the ſame nature. A man is a man, though he be hid among the buſhes, as Adam; A man is a man, though he lye ſecretly among the ſtuffe, as Saul. Yea, a childe is a man in kinde, though in ſtature he be not ſo. So is it with ſinne: and therefore ſecret ſinnes are pollutions as well as others.

Uſe. Therefore as you love your ſouls; forget not Davids ſinnes: Oh cleanſe me from my ſecret ſinnes. The very thought of it may make you tremble, when you finde your ſouls under greater guilt: and the very thought muſt make you carefull to bruſh off the leaſt rubbiſh. What ugly creatures are we by ſinne? Job was ſo full of ſcabs, and ſores, that he was ſcarce known to his friends, and odious to his wife: So is every ſinner in the p. 268ſight of God, who is a God of pure eyes, and cannot endure to behold iniquitie. Therefore ſay you as Peter to Chriſt; Joh. 13.John 13Lord, not onelyonly my feet, but my head, and hands.

But alas, you will ſay, my ſins open, and ſecret, have been of ſo long continuance, that they will not out. Be not deceived: it is God that muſt do the work; not with ſope, and niter, but with Chriſts bloud. Chriſts bloud muſt do it, by way of expiation; the holy ſpirit, by way of immediate application; faith, by way of inſtrumentall application; and holineſſe, and righteouſneſſe, by way of infuſion, repreſſion, and mortification. God can make our garments white by the bloud of the Lamb. He that could create all things of nothing, can create clean hearts, and hands, againſt all the world.

Only be ſure that you caſt your ſelves upon God for the purity of your ſouls against all ſinnes whatſoever, open, and ſecret. God will not cleanſe one except you be weary of, & are willing to cleanſe all. One favoured ſinne is like a dead flye which corrupts the whole boxe of p. 269ointment. Have you ſouls to cleanſe? Have you a Saviour to cleanſe them by his bloud, ſpirit, and word? Engage your Saviour to this work, and put the whole work to this Saviour in his way, or elſe you ſhew but little care of your ſouls. Remember what one ſaid well of old: thou haſt two eyes, if one be out, the other will help thee to ſee: two ears, if one be ſtopt, the other will help thee to hear: two hands, if one be cut off, the other will help thee to work: two feet, if one be lame, the other will help thee to walk: but thou haſt but one Soul, loſe that, and loſe all; let that lye rotting in ſinne, thou letteſt all thou haſt lye rotting. Take heed: be not ſo deſperately prodigal. Let this day be the laſt day of thy preſumptuous ſinning: put thy ſoul upon God both againſt open, and ſecret ſinnes; and for theſe laſt, go in his way of righteouſneſſe, and holineſſe, and cry out unto him; Lord, cleanſe me from my ſecret Faults. Amen.

p. 271CHRIST EXALTED amongſt men, OR, A Sermon preached in Covent Garden upon

MATTH. 13.45, 46.

45. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a Merchant man ſeeking goodly pearls:

46. Who when he had found a pearl of great prize, he went and ſold all that he had and bought it.

THis is a Parable, and it lies in a goodly bed of many others. The whole Scripture is like a garden: particular places are like a quarter, in which are many choice beds for rareſt flowers; and this Text is one among the reſt.

This Chapter ſpeaks, under fimilitudes, many excellent things concerning the Goſpel of Chriſt Jeſus. The intertainment of the Goſpel, in the parable p. 272of the ſeed ſowne in four ſorts of ground, whereof there is but one good. The oppoſition of the Goſpel, in the parable of the tares ſowed among the good corne. The power of the Goſpel, in the parables of the Muſterd-ſeed, and leaven. And the prize of the Goſpel, in the treaſure hid, and this of the Merchant man.

You therefore now (good Chriſtians) are to attend, from hence, unto the prize of the Goſpel: about which Ile commend but two conſiderables.

1. The worth of the Goſpel.

2. What a good man will bid for it.

The worth of the Goſpel is here valued four wayes,

1. By the place where it is; In the kingdome of heaven: not of the world.

2. By the perſon that trades for it; A Merchant man: no baſe begger.

3. By the commodities of it; Pearles, of great prize: no rattles, nor babies.

4. By his Invinceable diligence about it; He ſeeks it, till he finds it: no ſlothfull ſluggiſhneſſe.

It being thus valued, the good man will bid highly for it: for he ſells all he hath to buy it. Thus you have it in p. 273ſumme. I will not crumble out this bread of life, and trouble you with intricate particulars, but winde up all in the two propounded heads.

DFirſt, That the Goſpel is of great worth: and to make good this, The Goſpel is of a great worth.let us look to the four valuations of it: and 1firſt by the place where it is, in the kingdom of heaven. This repreſents unto us, the Church of Chriſt. The place of the Goſpel. Dan. 4.39.Dan 4:39God hath a three-fold kingdome: of Power, of which it is ſaid, his kingdom is from generation to generation, that is, the power, and ſoveraignty, which he exerciſeth over all: of Glory, of which it is ſaid, Matth. 19.33.Matt 19:33A rich man ſhall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven, that is, into that eſtate over which God ruleth by unmoveable Glory: and of Grace, wherein Chriſt doth rule graciouſly by his word, and ſpirit, that is, his Church; and of this he ſpeaketh here. This is the place in which this Merchant trades. And, in truth this is called the kingdom of heaven in ſix reſpects.

1In reſpect of Chriſt; becauſe the Church is the royal ſeat of Chriſt: he is in it as in his kingdom, Apoc. 1. Matth. 28.Rev 1Matt 28and walks in the midſt of the ſeven candleſticks; & is with thē always to the end p. 274of the world.

In reſpect of lawes; becauſe the Church hath heavenly laws, given by the King of heaven, and earth, even the everlaſting laws of Charitie to God in Chriſt, 1 Cor. 13.1 Cor 13and all the Saints.

3In reſpect of the plants which are planted in it. All Gods people in the Church are like trees planted by the rivers of waters, Pſal. 1.3.Ps 1:3but to be tranſplanted, in Gods due ſeaſon, to heaven. The Church is the nurcery depending upon the great orchard, or garden of heaven (where onelyonly no weed grows); and therefore is it called the kingdom of heaven.

4In reſpect of the Inhabitants of the Church. They are, in their better parts Citizens with the Saints, Eph. 3. Gal. 6. Col. 3. Eph. 2.Eph 3Gal 6Col 3Eph 2and of the houſhold of faith, who have their converſation in heaven, and ſit in Chriſt in heavenly places.

5In reſpect of the order, and reference that God hath made between heaven; and the Church. As Jacob ſaid of Bethel, ſo may we of the Church, Gen. 28.17.Gen 28:17This is none other but the houſe of God, and the gate of heaven. As a great houſe which hath an hall for the family to meet in, and chambers to reſt in, for them who properly belong unto it: ſo is the Church and heaven. The Church is p. 275the place of repaſt, Joh. 14.John 14and heaven of many manſions for reſt.

6Laſtly, in reſpect of the uſe that is made of it.

As heaven doth help theſe inferiour bodies three wayes, by motion, and light, and influence. 1So the Church doth help to all that ſhe can reach unto, moving up, and down, Man.like a company of pilgrims, 1 Pet. 2.1 Pet 2and ſtrangers for the gathering together of the body of Chriſt out of all mankinde. It carryed the law out of Sion, Eſa. 2.Isa 2and the word of the Lord from Jeruſalem, to bring us poore heathens to be of the inheritance of Chriſt, Pſal. 2.Ps 2and to make the uttermoſt parts of the earth to be his poſſeſsion. It is like the heavens, and firmament, Pſal. 19.Ps 19which declares the Glory of God amongſt every ſpeech and language that Chriſt may rule there. 2It carries light to them that ſit in darkneſſe, Lumine. Matth. 4.Matt 4and in the region of the ſhadow of death; giving the light of knowledge as from the face of Jeſus Chriſt, and the light of life, that others ſeeing their good works, 1 Pet. 2.1 Pet 2may glorifie God in the day of their viſitation. 3It gives the Influences of grace from their faith, hope, and charitie, Influentia. 1 Cor. 1… .1 Cor 1to warme the hearts of thoſe that belong to Chriſt, and to help forward their new birth, and p. 276their growing in grace by the knowledge of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Jam. 1. 2 Pet. 3.Jas 12 Pet 3Seeing therefore that the Church is the royal ſeat of Chriſt, hath the laws of Chriſt, is a nurſery for heaven, is Jeruſalem which is from above full of heavenly Citizens, Gal. 4.Gal 4is the place of repaſt for Gods ſervants before their reſt, and hath ſuch an heavenly uſe by her motion, light, and influence; it is no wonder that it ſhould be called the kingdom of heaven.

Uſe. 1 Let every one of us think of it to our comfort, and to our exhortation. Be comforted (I beſeech you) to ſee the glorious priviledges of Gods people, that, even in this world, they dwell in the kingdom of heaven (yet in heaven on earth, not in heaven). Travellers tell us that they that are on the top of the Alpes may ſee ſhowers under them which they overlooke, but they come not at them: and if you make uſe of this priviledge to live in the kingdom of heaven, ye may overlook your troubles, and not be disjoynted by them. The very Philoſopher could ſay, out of all well pleaſance with his morall and naturall fanſies, unto the tyrant that beat him in p. 277ſunder piece-meale; Beat, Beat, Tunde, tunde Anaxarchum non tundes.thou ſhalt not beat out Anaxarchus. He would keep his heart in the ruines of his body. Much more may a Chriſtian keep his life of faith when the outer man, and all things belonging unto it doth utterly periſh, and come to this worlds nothing.

Uſe. 2 Be exhorted alſo (all you Chriſtians, who profeſſe your ſelves to be members of the Church) to live like thoſe that are in the kingdom of heaven. Some live in a region of darkneſſe: and ſome live as in the confines of hell. God forbid it ſhould be ſaid ſo of you. Heare that fearfull ſpeech, the fearfull, who dare not ſhew themſelves for Chriſt, but fear man more then him, the unbeleeving, who, Apoc. 21.8. Apo. 22.15Rev 21:8notwithſtanding the offers of grace, doe ſtand out againſt Chriſt, and not reſt upon him for ſalvation, the abominable, who thinke and doe abhorred things, the murtherers, who are cruell againſt Gods peoples bodies, and ſoules, and whoremongers, who give themſelves to the uncleanneſſes of body, and ſoule; and ſorcerers, who give themſelves to ſpels, enchantments, deluſions, conjurations, and witchcrafts to diſhonour Chriſt, and Idolaters, p. 278who thinke to convey Gods worſhip to him by Saints, and Angels, or Images, or any other ſuperſtitious way, and therefore doe fall down, or do other reſpects before them with reference to God, and all lyers, who forge and faine deviſes in hypocriſie to bring in falſe wayes in hypocriſie; or otherwiſe, are enemies to that truth which belongs to their neighbours, ſhall have their part in the lake which burnes with fire, and brimſtone; which is the ſecond death. Take heed: and be none of theſe if you would live in the kingdome of heaven. Otherwiſe the kingdom ſhall be taken from you, notwithſtanding your ſtrength and confidence, and given to a nation which will bring forth amendment of life anſwerable to this good kingdome of heaven.

2Secondly, the Goſpel is valued by the perſon that trades for it (A Merchant man). The perſon that trades for the Goſpel.This doth repreſent a true Chriſtian in the Church, who is more honoured by the Goſpel, then the Goſpel can be honoured by him. Yet the honour of the Goſpel upon them ſeemes to reflect upon it ſelf. For as the Merchants of Tyrus are called by Ezechiel, the companions p. 279of Princes: ſo Chriſtians are Chriſts fellowes who trade for the Goſpel, Pſal. 45.7.Ps 45:7which ſurely ſhews the worth of it. Mark then, Chriſtians are Meachants.That Chriſtians are Merchants: and, truely, this may eaſily be demonſtrated by comparing what we finde to be proper to Merchants, with that which anſwereth in a Chriſtian ſtate.

1First, a Merchant hath his ſea, his ſhip, his Merchandiſe, and his loſſes: and ſo hath a Chriſtian. His Sea, that is, the world. This toſſeth him up, and down, and he ſees the wonders of God, in this deep. As John ſaith in another caſe, I ſaw before the throne a Sea of glaſſe: Apoc. 4.Rev 4ſuch is the world to the Chriſtian, troubleſome as the ſea, and tranſitory as glaſſe. His ſhip, that is, the Church, which like Noahs Ark floats upon the floud; and makes him cry out, as the Diſciples in that ſtorm, ſave Maſter, we periſh. His Merchandiſe, that is, true and heavenly wiſdome, Pro. 3.14.Prov 3:14whoſe Merchandiſe is better then ſilver, and whoſe gain is better then gold. His loſſes, that is, his houſes, and lands, Mar. 10. Matth. 16.Mark 10Matt 16his father, mother, wife, children, life, yea, and his ſoul too if he do not watch, and p. 280pray; and then, what will it profit him to win the whole world if hee loſe his owne ſoul?

Secondly, a Merchant lends upon adventure. He commits what he hath to the mercy of the ſea; to the unſafety of a ſhip, which ſtaggers up and down like a drunken man, and is ſubject to many a ſtorm, and leak, and to be indangered by Pyrats. So doth a Chriſtian. If he look for comfort he caſts his burthen upon the Lord, and he knowes not when he ſhall have it. If he look for faith, peace, joy in the Holy Ghoſt, he caſts himſelf upon the meanes, and confidently adventures upon the truth of God. If he looks for better times, he caſts the Anchor of hope (becauſe he hath them not) and looks for new heavens, 2 Pet. 3.2 Pet 3and new earth wherein dwelleth righteouſneſſe. If he do but a work of mercy, Eccleſ. 11.Eccl 11he caſts his bread upon the waters, hoping after many dayes he ſhall finde it; but he knowes not when the return will come. If he finde his expectation to be fruitleſſe, he ſayes, as Peter to Chriſt, we have laboured all night, and have taken nothing, yet at thy command Ile caſt down the Net; and at laſt p. 281findes the ſucceſſe anſwerable.

3Thirdly, a Merchant fetcheth in the commodities of every Country to enrich himſelf, and his country: the gold of Ophir, the gummes and ſpices of Arabia, and whatſoever he findes gain and glory in. So doth the Chriſtian. If any thing be heard of, truly good, and honeſt, Phil. 4.Phil 4and of good report, he thinks upon theſe things to do them. He knowes how to diſtinguiſh betwixt baſe, and valuable commodities. If he meet with the ſuperſtition of Spain, the pride of France, the luſt of Italy, the drunkenneſſe of Germany, he hates them, even to the garment ſpotted of the fleſh: but whatſoever he meets withall that may be an honour to God, an ornament to the Goſpel, an edification to his neighbour, a comfort to his own ſoul, that he brings home to inrich himſelf, and others with it.

4Fourthly, a Merchant fetcheth all he hath from far. As it is ſaid of the good houſewife, ſhe is like a Merchants ſhip, Prov. 31.Prov 31ſhe fetcheth her food from a farre. She fetcheth it from the earth to the houſe, from the houſe to the wheel, from the wheel to lomb, from the lomb to her houſhold, p. 282her own, and her husbands back. Thus doth ſhe her husband good, and not evill all the dayes of her life. So doth the Chriſtian. He looks to the earth, to the Sea, under the earth, to the ayr, yea and to the Church, to eſpie what may be ſerviceable to him and his, but yet he goes further. He dares not make uſe of any thing he hath or can have, before he knocks at the gate of heaven. He ſees an open trade driven betwixt Chriſt, and his Church, and he will not have gold, nor rayment, Apoc. 3.Rev 3nor eye-ſalve, no nor a cruſt of bread before he have beg'd the comfortable uſe of them from the great owner of heaven.

Vſe. Therefore (I beſeech you Chriſtians) be perſwaded that it is not ſo eaſie to be a true Chriſtian as moſt men think it to be. You know the conceits of too many. What is it? but to beleeve in Chriſt: and what is this belief? but to truſt in Chriſt upon the rotten grounds of their own hearts. Oh but a Merchants life is full of care, full of fear, full of depending prayers, full of hazards, and loſſes: and ſo certainly is a Chriſtians alſo. They are deceived that think to ſtretch p. 283themſelves upon beds of Ivory, Am. 6.4.Amos 6:4to drink wine in bowles, to eat the calves of the ſtall, to invent inſtruments of Muſick like, and then to go to heaven in a Sedan, Coach, or Chariot as Elias. The Kingdom of heaven muſt ſuffer violence, and the violent take it by force. Thorough Sea, Land, and a thouſand difficulties doth a Merchant paſſe, and ſo muſt you.

Ob. But doth not Chriſt ſay, my yoak is eaſie? why then are we frighted with danger, and difficulty? Sol. It is true, that in many reſpects, Math. 11.Matt 11the yoak of Chriſt is eaſie, and his burthen light. 1In compariſon of the yoak of Moſes, exacting perfect righteouſneſſe to juſtification, or elſe curſing. This was inſupportable, Act. 15.Acts 15neither we nor our fathers were able to bear it. 2In compariſon of the yoak of worldly Princes. Theſe have a double yoak, in penall ſtatutes, and voluntary decrees and reſolves. We would account our ſelves moſt miſerable if we ſhould be galled with the eaſieſt of them. 3In compariſon of Adams yoak, exacting the perfecting of the law of nature: Poſſe perſeverare non actum perſeverandi.for which he had a power of perſeverance though not the act of it. Alas we cannot do it; we have not this p. 284power; we cannot bear. In compariſon of the excellent helps we have to bear it. Chriſt puts into one hand, that we may pay him with the other. Thus he ſaith, they ſhall not depart from me. Jer. 32.40.Jer 32:40Therefore in theſe reſpects the yoak of Chriſt is eaſie. But in reſpect of the duties of the Goſpel, and our weak natures to perform them, it is very hard. Put your ſouls to repent and beleeve: to deny your ſelves, to take up Chriſt, and beleeve: not onelyonly to beleeve, but to ſuffer for Chriſt; to ſtrive unto bloud, to deny ungodlineſſe and worldly luſts, and live holily, righteouſly and ſoberly in this preſent world; to beat down the body and bring it in ſubjection; to mortifie the deeds of the fleſh, by the ſpirit; not to care for the fleſh, to fulfill the luſts of it; and to walk in ſimplicity and godly pureneſſe, it is hard, very hard: therefore ye have cauſe to think of the life of the Merchant. Yet this addes to the worth of the Goſpel, that this Chriſtian Merchant trades in this Kingdome of heaven.

3 What doth he trade for? The commodity traded for, is the Pearl Chriſt.Pearles, eſpecially for that pearl of great price, that godly pearl. This repreſents Chriſt unto p. 285to you, who is the Diamond, heart, and ſoul of the Goſpel. And, in truth, Chriſt is this pearl in five reſpects. 1Firſt, in reſpect of rareneſſe. Pearls are not to be found in every ground, nor Chriſt in every ſoul. How many thouſands are there where Chriſt dwels not? It is as impoſſible not to ſee a lighted Candle in a clear Lanthorn, as not to ſee Chriſt thorough the actions and motions of the body, if he dwell in the ſoul. But alas, in how few is he diſcovered by life!

2Secondly, in reſpect of the adorning quality. Pearls are accounted the greateſt ornament; but a pearl of great price is a greater yet: therefore do you hang them out, on head, throat, breaſts, and fingers. So nothing is ſuch an ornament to a Chriſtian, Eph. 3.Eph 3as Chriſt dwelling in his heart by faith. As Albinus, for his worth, was called Englands Library: Athanaſius, the eye of his time: Melancthon, the Phoenix of Germany: Auguſtine the Mallet of Hereticks: ſo Chriſt is called the Glory of Iſrael. Simeon could ſee in him nothing but ſalvation, when hee was a childe. Talk not of other pearls; this is that onelyonly one: therefore Paul deſired to know nothing p. 286at Corinth, but Jeſus Chriſt, and him crucified.

3Thirdly, In reſpect of the preciouſneſſe of Chriſt, pearles are accounted the moſt precious of things: and a thouſand worlds cannot procure Chriſt where he is not. All gold, and gaine cannot purchaſe his miraculous gifts; Act. 8.Acts 8much leſſe himſelfe, and his invaluable merits.

4Fourthly, in reſpect of the breeding of pearles. If Naturaliſts ſay true (as all Divines of all ſides obſerve) pearles are bred in ſhelfiſh, which lye gaping in the ayre. This ayre breeds theſe pearles, and by how much purer the ayre is that blowes then, by ſo much more pure, and generous are the pearles. So, If I ſay as Paul, Gal. 4.Gal 4My little children, of whom I travell in birth again, till Chriſt be formed in you: you will aske me two queſtions; What is meant by Chriſts forming in you? and, How he is formed? By forming of Chriſt in you, you may underſtand the framing of your Judgements, affections, and actions into the Image of Chriſt. You know him in his natures, uſes, and offices to doe you good. Eſa. 53.Isa 53You know this righteous ſervant to Juſtifie you, and p. 287know this Sonne Jeſus Chriſt to eternall life. Joh. 17.3.John 17:3You love him as the Saviour of his Church, and Head of his Body, and put your whole truſt in him for all the worke which his Father committed to him to doe. And you doe (though not with equall paces) as Chriſt your Husband did in all Morall Actions according to the meaſure of grace given. And now when men look upon you in your ſtate, and courſe, they may ſay, that you are as like Chriſt as if you were ſpit out of his mouth, as we phraſe it in our Proverb: Yea, and you may ſay as Paul, Gal. 2.20.Gal 2:20I live, but not I, but Chriſt lives in me by faith. If you would know, how Chriſt is thus formed in you? You open your mouth wide by enlarged deſires going after him, Joh. 3.John 3and the winde that goeth where it liſteth, and no man knows whence it comes, and whether it goes, that is, the ſpirit of the Father, and of the Sonne, the holy Ghoſt, works it by the Goſpel: and by how much more purely it blows, without intermixture of your fleſh, by ſo much more you are unlike to your ſelves, and like to Chriſt this pearle of great price.

p. 2885Fifthly, Chriſt may well be called this pearle of great price; In reſpect of the Compariſon betwixt the beſt earthly pearles, and the pearle Chriſt. Earthly pearles make richer, but no better: for they that will be rich fall into temptation, 1 Tim. 6.9.1 Tim 6:9and a ſnare, and into many fooliſh, and noyſome luſts which drown men in perdition, and deſtruction. Fulgent monilibus, moribus ſordent.They that ſhine with pearles, are too often ſordid, and degenerous in manners. But this precious pearle, Chriſt, makes all better who doe enjoy him. Eph. 3.6.Eph 3:6If he dwell in our hearts by faith, we are graffed with him, into the ſimilitude of his death, Rom. 6.Rom 6to dye unto ſinne; and into the ſimilitude of his reſurrection, to riſe unto newneſſe of life. Earthly pearls can give no true contentment. As Solomon ſaith, Eccl. 5.10.Eccl 5:10He that loveth ſilver ſhall not be ſatisfyed with ſilver, nor he that loveth aboundance, with encreaſe. But if you can get Chriſt, Col. 3.11. Joh. 14.Col 3:11John 14he is all, and in all. As Philip ſaid, ſhew us the Father and it ſufficeth: ſo ſay much more of Chriſt for us. Col. 1.19. Joh. 1.16.Col 1:19John 1:16For it pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fulneſſe dwell: and of his fulneſſe have we all received, and grace for grace. Laſtly, In earthly pearles there is no aſſurance: either p. 289we are taken from them, or they from us. But this pearl Chriſt ſhall be with us for ever; Matth. 28. Joh. 10.Matt 28John 10and none ſhall take us out of his hands.

Uſe. 1 Seeing therefore Chriſt is this pearl of great price, place your riches in Chriſt: lock him up in your hearts: and forget not where your pearl lies. Firſt, place your riches in Chriſt. He that hath not Chriſt, may in a carnall way, ſay with Eſau, I have enough my brother: but he that hath him, may ſay with Jacob, I have all things. If a man were as high as the Sunne, Pſal. 19.Ps 19which comes out of his chambers, and rejoyceth as a Giant to run his courſe, and ſhould ſee the courſes of men, he ſhould ſee the ſouldier place his riches in half a crown a day, and plunder. The Commander, in getting pay, or half pay, which is too much for prolonging warre. The Gentleman in keeping his eſtate, or uſing it to the beſt advantage he can. The Tradeſman, in uſing a thouſand ſhifts to bring in. The Merchant in importation, and exportation of the moſt vendible commodities. The poor man, in getting by hard labour, meat, drink, and apparell for p. 290him and his. The owner, in making the moſt of his own: and the Farmer in a cunning diſappointing of him, by pretence of rates, contributions, plunders, exciſes, and many ſuch pretty devices. But a few poor good Chriſtians onelyonly, to place their riches in their Saviour Chriſt. Be you (I beſeech you) of this number. It will bring in all the commodities of the world that ſhall do you good. Math. 6.33.Matt 6:33Firſt ſeek the Kingdome of God, and the righteouſneſſe therof, and all other things ſhall be added unto you. For if God make you rich in his Sonne, Rom. 8.32.Rom 8:32how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give you all things?

Uſe. 2 Secondly, lock Chriſt your pearl up in your hearts. Many will croud him into the narrow room of their heads: they are willing to know him. Many put him into the narrower room of their tongues, they will talk of him, even of his great things, and a man would wonder that there ſhould be ſo much of Chriſt in their upper parts, and ſo little any where elſe. But do you (good Christians) lock him up in your hearts. Matth. 6.Matt 6If he be your treaſure your heart wil be upon him: & if he be your pearl you will lock him up there. p. 291Thence can his influences flye into all the parts of his ſoul and body. Rom. 10.Rom 10There is his royall ſeat (for man beleeveth with the heart) and thence he commands all your parts and powers, Rom. 6.Rom 6to be weapons of righteouſneſſe unto holineſſe. Lock him up any where elſe, and, as it fell out with the corn that was ſowed in the high-way, and ſtony ground, Matth. 13.Matt 13the Fowls of the ayr will pick him from you, or hee will ſpring awhile, and withdraw when he ſhould do you moſt good. But if you lock him up there, out of your belly ſhall flow living waters: Joh. 7.38. Joh. 4.13, 14.John 7:38John 4:13John 4:14for you ſhall have in you a well of water ſpringing up into everlaſting life, which ſhall make you never to thirſt after any earthly pearl, or vanity.

Uſe. 3 Thirdly, forget not where your pearl lies. There is not a Chriſtian amongſt you, but will ſay, that he, and ſhe hath this pearl Chriſt. But, ſurely, if ye have him, ye forget where he lies. If he lye in the tongue, alas, ye ſpit him out at every word by your lies, oathes, blaſphemies, idle, yea, and wicked ſpeeches. If he lye in your hands, Eſa. 5… .Isa 5you throw him away by ſmiting with the fiſt of iniquity, p. 292and all injuriouſneſſe. If he lye in your heads, you blow him out with imaginary covetouſneſſe, pride, and uncleanneſſe. If he lye in your ſtomacks, you vomit him up, with gluttony, and drunkenneſſe. Oh remember where he lyes, & ye will hug him with all reverence, and obſervance. He ſhould lye in your hearts to rule your whole man: and then you will ſay, 1 Cor. 6.1 Cor 6ſhall I take the Members of Chriſt, and make them the Members of an harlot? Shall I take the head, the hand, the tongue, the mouth, the foot of Chriſt, and make them the earthly members of pride, luxury, riot, whoredome, oppreſſion, wrong, or robbery? God forbid. You ſhall loſe nothing by remembring where the pearl, Chriſt, is in you: yea, you ſhall gain this, that either for love of him, you will not; or, for fear of him, you dare not abuſe any of your members to ſinne.

Thus we have valued the worth of the Goſpel, The invincible diligence of the Merchant-man about it.by the commodity which is traded for. 4Now laſtly, value it by the invincible diligence of the Merchant man about it. He ſeeks, and never leaves ſeeking till he finde it. Our pearl Chriſt is not p. 293found of every eye, but of the ſeeking and ſearching eye: Mark that, he ſeeks, Col. 3.3.Col 3:3and ſeeks, till he finde. Paul ſaith, that our life is hid with Chriſt in God; therefore every eye cannot finde him. Indeed, it is hid. Who would have looked for life in ſuch an out-ſide as Chriſt had? In reſpect of ſtate, he had no form nor beauty; Eſa. 53.2.Isa 53:2and when we ſhould ſee him, there was no comelineſſe that we ſhould deſire him. He was a poor womans ſonne, Mark. 6. Matth. 11.Mark 6Matt 11and a Carpenter: he was called a wine-bibber, a friend of Publicans and ſinners, a Samaritan, Joh. 8.John 8one that had a Divell, and did his great works by Beelzebub: he was accounted one not worthy to live, and dealt with all accordingly, even to the curſed death of the Croſſe. Muſt it not be a ſearching eye that muſt finde the pearl here? Who could finde glory in his ſhame, life in his death, righteouſneſſe in his condemnation, ranſome in his captivity, innocency in his ſlanders, and wiſedome in ſilence, but the ſeeking Merchant-man? Chriſt is to be found in the preaching of the Word: 1 Cor. 1.1 Cor 1for we preach Chriſt the wiſedome of God, and the power of God. But look upon it, and upon them that preach p. 294it, and tell me what you can ſee? In preaching you ſee the fooliſhneſſe of preaching, 1 Cor. 1.21 28.1 Cor 1:21to them that periſh: eſpecially when it comes not with excellency of ſpeech, 1 Cor. 2.1.41 Cor 2:11 Cor 2:4and wiſedome; nor with the enticing words of mans wiſedome, but in demonſtration of the ſpirit, and of power. In them that preach, what can you ſee, but at the beſt; a treaſure in earthen Veſſels laden with infirmities. 2 Cor. 4.7.2 Cor 4:7Here none can finde Chriſt neither, but a ſeeking and ſearching eye. Such an eye can meet with all the Arm of the Lord, Eſa. 53.1. Rom. 1.16. 1 Theſ. 2.Isa 53:1Rom 1:161 Thess 2the power of God to ſalvation, and the words, not of men (except when they are ſuch by ſelf-fanſies) but, as they are indeed the words of God: and ſo, ſeeking, they finde Chriſt the pearl. Chriſt again is to be found in the Sacraments: when ye go thither, what do ye finde? Water, Bread, and Wine. Poor things to look upon. But a ſeeking and a ſearching eye, thorough theſe elements looks to the promiſes, Acts 2.38.Acts 2:38repent, and be baptized, in the name of Chriſt for the remiſsion of ſins, and ye ſhall receive the holy Ghoſts gift: and this is my body, this is my bloud: and ſo, it, having Chriſt offered in a promiſe, doth carry away Chriſt by faith. It is plain, p. 295that had not the wiſe Merchant a ſeeking, and ſearching eye, he could never finde out the pearl Chriſt.

Therefore (Good Chriſtians) be you perſwaded ſeriouſly to trade for the eye-ſalve. Apoc. 3.17, 18.Rev 3:17Rev 3:18Chriſt perſwades Laodicea to trade with him for this commodity. Have ye not this, you will be as blinde as Agar, Gen. 21.Gen 21who had a well of water before her, and ſhe could not ſee it. But have you this, it is no leſſe then the minde of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 2.161 Cor 2:16or the ſupernaturall light of faith by the Goſpel, by which the ſoul, being enlightened, ſees things that neither eye hath ſeen, ear hath heard, nor the heart of man is able to conceive. This gives you the light of the knowledge of God, 2 Cor. 4.6.2 Cor 4:6in the face of Jeſus Chriſt. Ob. Oh, whether muſt I trade for this (you will ſay)? Sol. Even to Chriſt. The depth ſaith, it is not in me: man ſaith it is not in me: but in Chriſt, are all the treaſures of wiſedome and knowledge. Col. 2.3. Eſa. 25.7. 2 Cor. 3.16Col 2:3Isa 25:72 Cor 3:16He will ſwallow up the veil of the face; and will turn the heart to the Lord that the veyl may be taken away. Chriſt onelyonly can do this. Ob. But doth he require nothing at my hands for the ſetling of this eye-ſalve upon me? Sol. Yes: he requires p. 296ſubmiſſion to the word of Chriſt, that may dwell richly in you in all wiſdome. Col. 3.16. 2 Tim. 3.15Col 3:162 Tim 3:15If you know the Scriptures they will perfect your ſight that you may finde Chriſt in all his wayes. Therefore as the Pſalmiſt ſaid, of the Scriptures in his time, open my eyes, Pſa. 119.18Ps 119:18that I may ſee the wonders of thy Law: ſo do you ſay of a more full Scripture now. Remember the Prophet Eliſha's prayer for his ſervant, I pray thee open his eyes that he may ſee: 2 King. 6.17.2 Kgs 6:17ſo pray for thy ſelf, Lord, that I may receive my ſight; that when I ſeek, according to thy will, I may finde Jeſus Chriſt and him crucified. The happineſſe of a Chriſtian ſtands in two things; in ſeeking of Chriſt and in finding of him. Do you as wiſe Merchants ſeek him in his word, prayer, ſacraments: and I pray God, that as wiſe Merchants you may finde him for Gods glory, and your comfort: for no eye ſhall finde him in an intelligent courſe, but the ſeeking and ſearching eye.

Thus, What a good man wil give for the Goſpel.now, we have valued the Goſpel a little (for man cannot value it according to full worth). The place where it is, is the Kingdome of heaven. The p. 297perſon that trades for it, is Gods Merchant-man, who is no baſe one. The commodities of it are pearls, and a pearl of great price, that is, Chriſt, and the invincible diligence about it is ſeeking while it may be found, and while it is found. Surely, it is of great value that is commended theſe four wayes. DIf it be worth ſo much, A good Chriſtian ſels all that he hath for Chriſt.let us ſee what the good Chriſtian will bid for it, what this Merchant will lay out that he may have it. Chriſt tels you, that he ſels all that he hath and buyes it. He can bid no more then what he hath: and that he will part with, rather then go without it. We muſt firſt ſenſe it, and then ſettle upon it to do likewiſe.

Here is a ſelling what he hath, and a buying what he hath not. Enquire firſt, what he ſelleth? It is not riches. For though we muſt deny all for Chriſt, in the preparation, and diſpoſition of our hearts, and in act, and deed too, when we are called unto it: yet this is not the ſelling here. For Chriſt cannot bee bought with mony: yea, many poor ſouls ſhall have him when they have nothing to ſell, before thoſe that beſtow all p. 298they have upon the poor, 1 Cor. 13.31 Cor 13:3and give their bodies to be burned (into the bargain) and have not charity: and beſides, theſe are not our own, Matth. 25.Matt 25they are but talents, and we, in them, are but uſufructuaries for God. What then muſt wee ſell? That which we have as our own. The goods of the body, Jam. 1.17.Jas 1:17minde, and world are from God; they are his: and we cannot juſtly ſell what is not our own. We have nothing that properly may be called our own but ſin. And therefore we are mightily troubled to ask, who will buy it? and how it can be ſold? Conceive it thus. The negotiation is wrapped up here in a ſimilitude. As in buying, and ſelling, there is a tranſaction, and paſsing of one thing for another, one valued commodity for another: ſo in this; we muſt part with all our ſinne to enjoy Chriſt the pearl. We are come to this iſſue, that we muſt part with all ſinne to have communion with Chriſt.

We cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, 1 Cor. 10.21.1 Cor 10:21and the cup of Devils. We muſt part with one, to have the other. As the Jewiſh Converts did part with their crucifying the Lord of life; Act. 2.Acts 2would not have his bloud any longer upon them, and upon their p. 299children, but were willing to ask, and take, better advice, and counſell, namely to Repent, Mar. 16.16.Mark 16:16and be Baptized for the forgiveneſſe of ſinnes according to the condition of the Goſpell: 1 Tim. 1.13 Act. 9.1 Tim 1:13Acts 9and as Paul though he had been a perſecuter, a blaſphemer, and injurious; yet he was willing to acquit them all, and ſay, what wilt thou that I do? and as Corinthians, though ſome of them had been fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11, 12.1 Cor 6:91 Cor 6:101 Cor 6:111 Cor 6:12effeminate, abuſers of mankinde, theeves, covetous, drunkards, revilers extortioners; yet were they well pleaſed to be waſhed, to be ſanctified, in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the ſpirit of our God: ſo, in in like manner, muſt all of us be willing to part with all our ſinnes for fellowſhip with this pearl Jeſus Chriſt.

Ob. But you will ſay (Lord) this is impoſſible. 1 Joh. 1.1 John 1He that ſayes he hath no ſinne deceives himſelf, is a lyer, and there is no truth in him. Sol. It is true: therefore you muſt know that there are two ſorts of ſinnes. Peccata 1 Vactantia conſcientias. 2 Quotidianae incurfionis.Sins of inconſiderateneſſe which daily make their inroads upon us. It is impoſſible to be without theſe: and ſins that wound, and lay waſte the conſcience; as all ſinnes deep died, which are p. 300ſcandalous and do look fearfully upon the conſcience, and flaſh the fire of hell upon the ſoul; ſuch as I reckoned even now, and the like. The leaſt of all ſins, if they be examined by the Law bring the whole volley of curſes. But if we part with all great ſinnes; and do make the leaſt our enemies in our warfare (as well as the greateſt) and the object of mortification; and therefore we purſue them with deſires, reſolves, purpoſes, endeavours, and groanings that we cannot be better; for Chriſts ſake they have a pardon of courſe; and notwithſtanding them, we ſhall have the pearl of great price.

Uſe. Therefore (dear Chriſtians) if you would have the pearl Chriſt, be perſwaded to ſell all you have for it, that is, part with the dominion of all ſinne. If you have any care of your ſouls, any fear of God, any love to grace, any deſire to have fellowſhip with Chriſt, think upon this to do it. How happy was Zacheus, who parted with all his oppreſſion; and Peter, who parted with all his curſed deniall; and Ma y Magdalen, who parted with all her wanton whoredome p. 301for this pearl? As therefore Jerome ſaid of Hilarion, thou ſhalt be the pattern whom I will follow: ſo do you follow the beſt of Saints to ſell all for Chriſt, till you have cleanſed your ſelves from all filthineſſe of fleſh and ſpirit, and grow up to full holineſſe in the fear of God.

Wilt thou not forgo ſinne for a pearl? He that is filthy let him be filthy ſtill. Doeſt thou think this to be a pearl, a chain of pride, whoredome, drunkenneſſe, gluttonny, hypocriſie, and the like? Then hearken to the iſſue: thy ſoul ſhall curſe thy will for conſenting. Thy will ſhall curſe thy affections for guarding. Thy affections ſhall curſe thy deſires for purſuing: and all theſe ſhall curſe thy minde for inventing to thy eternall horrour. Ob. I know that thou haſt ſomething to plead for thy ſelf, that thou canſt never do this hard work. Sol. Neither do I adviſe thee to do it in thy own ſtrength which is nothing in ſuch a work. Therefore firſt live to do in the ſight of God, and then do to ſhew thy ſelf to live in the ſight of men. Submit to all meanes, and Gods wayes that thou maiſt get into Chriſt: but when thou haſt Chriſt, p. 302let us ſee that he is a pearl to thee. Live ſo to him that thou forſake the dominion of all known ſinne: elſe he will ſay to thee at laſt, he that will not that I rule over him, bring him forth and ſlay him before me.

FINIS.

p. 303THE SOVL SECVRED. OR, A Sermon preached in Covent Garden upon

PSAL. 31.5.

Into thy hand I commit my ſpirit: thou haſt redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

BOth upon humbling dayes, and upon joyfull dayes, it is ever good to Secure our ſouls. In humbling times if we do it not, we will be ſwallowed up of ſorrow. If we do it not in joyfull times, we will be ſwallowed up of ſinne. Therefore we living in both theſe times, times of ſorrow under the burthen of publike calamities, and times of joy, when God flings in varietie of particular mercies to be as the firſt fruits of a larger harveſt: it is our duty to engage p. 304our ſouls to ſeek their own ſecurity without which we periſh.

And that we may do it, it is a comfortable thing to know where our ſtrength lies. Sampſon knew the hair of his Nazariteſhip, Hares know the thickets, and Conies the ſtony rocks, ſo wee muſt know ſome place of ſafety, or elſe we are in ill caſe.

Look therefore upon David. He was in fearfull troubles, and he knew that his life was kept by committing it to God. Hence he beats upon it again, and again in prayer (in this Pſalm), as if he were never weary of asking the ſame protection from his good God.

This David doth not out of Poverty of ſpirit, Matth. 6.7.Matt 6:7which brings forth theſe idle repetitions condemned by Chriſt: Matth. 26.42.Matt 26:42but out of aboundance of ſpirit, as Chriſt did in time of the hour of darkneſſe, to ſhew the excellent uſe of repetitions (in this caſe), and to clear fervency of ſpirit when a man would ſettle, and aſſure any good to the ſoul.

Amongſt other things commended to God, Davids ſoul hath a chief place in this verſe read. In which be pleaſed to conſider,

p. 3051 Davids confeſſion of God.

2 Davids profeſſion for himſelf.

His confeſſion is his foundation, and his profeſſion is his building upon it. We cannot build upon God except we know him. David (through the mercy of God) knew him: and thence makes uſe of it in confeſſing him,

1 For ſoveraignty to be his (Lord).Redemptoris jus 2. 1 Propinquitatis. 2 Proprietatis.

2 For the ſigne of it (thou haſt redeemed me); for he had the right of propriety to him. Maſters might redeem their ſervants, and Lords their vaſſals.

3 For his veracity (O Lord God of truth) thou haſt promiſed to deliver me: and thou haſt been as good as thy word.

Hence I might diſcourſe unto you of Gods Lordſhip over his people: and therefore that they muſt walk before him with fear, and trembling, as thoſe that muſt give an account unto him of all their doings. I might diſcover more fully the uſe that God makes of his Lordſhip: not to tyrannize, but to deliver poor captives; which is an excellent preſident for thoſe in high places. I might p. 306preſſe the condition that Gods people are ſubject unto, to be in bondage to miſeries: and the footing we have in God for our reſcue, that he is a God of truth, and will be as good as his word without exception.

But I paſſe theſe things; and onelyonly pitch upon Davids profeſſion for himſelf (into thy hands I commit my ſpirit). From whence I preſent three particulars;

1 The Nature of the ſoul.

2 The Caſtle of the ſoul.

3 The Care of the ſoul.

1For nature, you learn that the ſoul is a ſpirit. The nature of the ſoul: It is a ſpirit.If you refer the word (Spirit) unto a man, it ſignifies ſixe things in the Scripture. 1. The hid man of the heart: as when it is ſaid, Joh. 3.6.John 3:6that which is born of the ſpirit is ſpirit, that is, is the new creature, the ſpirituall part of man. 2. It ſignifieth Conviction, as when it is ſaid of reprobates, that ſinne unto death, that they are made partakers of the Spirit, Heb. 6.4.Heb 6:4that is, they are convinced of the truth of the Goſpel. 3. It ſignifies Sanctification, as when David prayes, Pſa. 51.11.Ps 51:11renew a right ſpirit within me, that is, give me a ſanctified ſoul that I may go right in thy way. 4. It p. 307ſignifies Extrordinary graces, as when it is ſaid of Stephen that he was filled with the Spirit, that is, Act. 6.5.Acts 6:5he had extraordinary gifts, and graces. 5. It ſignifies the Goſpel, 2 Cor. 3.6.2 Cor 3:6as when we are ſaid to be Preachers of the Spirit, that is, of the Goſpel, which brings life to the ſoule. 6. It ſignifies authoritie, as when Paul ſaith, when ye are gathered together, and my ſpirit, 1 Cor. 5.3.1 Cor 5:3that is, by vertue of my authoritie. But among the reſt it ſignifies the ſoule, as when Chriſt ſaith, Father, Luk. 23.46.Luke 23:46into thy hands I commend my ſpirit: and Peter ſaith, that Chriſt, by Noah, 1 Pet. 3.19.1 Pet 3:19that Preacher of righteouſneſſe, preached unto the ſpirits that are now in the priſon of hell: Heb. 12.9.Heb 12:9and the Apoſtle to the Hebrews calls God, the Father of ſpirits. In all which places the word ſpirit ſignifies the ſoule.

Ob. You will ſay then (it may be) that the ſoule is God, becauſe God is a ſpirit. Joh. 4.John 4Sol. But it follows not, becauſe the ſoule is a created ſpirit, but God is uncreated: God is a ſimple ſpirit without all mixture, but the ſoule is compounded of a preſent being, and a poſſibilitie not to be, if God pleaſe. Yet for all that, the ſoule is the more excellent for being a ſpirit as p. 308God is: becauſe in it, it reſembles God in his Immortalitie for time to come: A parte poſt. Gen. 2.3.Gen 2:3whereof there are three arguments in the creation of it: That it was, as it were, breathed by God into man, and therefore more heavenly; and that it was breathed for the breath of lives, Lives is ſpoken dually.to ſignifie the life of it hereafter as well as here. Therefore Chriſts convincing argument makes for it, Mat. 22.32.Matt 22:32that God is not the God of the dead but of the living: therefore though Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob be dead in body, yet they live in ſpirit: Domus viventium.in which reſpect the grave is called the houſe of the living. Uſe. 1

Hence give me leave to make a threefold exhortation unto you. If the ſoule be a ſpirit, provide ſpiritually for it: Joyne it to him that is ſpirit: and thinke of a better place for it then here. Firſt, provide ſpiritually for it. If a child aske a father bread, Matth. 7.9, 10.Matt 7:9Matt 7:10will he give him a ſtone? If he aske him a fiſh, will he give him a ſerpent? will he not provide for him according to his nature? Deale you no worſe with your ſoules, and it will be the better for you. I read of an uſurer, who loved his bags ſo well, that, when he died, he chewed, and ſwallowed, and being asked the p. 309reaſon; he ſaid, that he was eating up his mony: and when he ſaw that he muſt dye, he offered all to his poor ſoul, to ſtay with him. This was a poor proviſion. Be you wiſer; and ſeeing your ſouls are ſpirits, let them have ſpirituall proviſions out of Gods Word.

Uſe. 2 Secondly, ſeeing the ſoul is a ſpirit, joyn the ſoul to him that is a ſpirit. Simile nutritur ſimili.Every thing is nouriſhed with that which is proportionable unto it. The Lamb, ſo ſoon as it is yeaned, runs to the ſides and dugs of the Ewe: and the Chicken, newly hatched, covets the warm body and feathers of the Hen, without which it thrives not ſo well: ſo let your ſouls run to God that is a ſpirit. He is the father of ſpirits, who will provide for all of his image and ſuperſcription. The Apoſtle hath an excellent expreſſion, He that is joyned (or glewed as Joyners do boards) to the Lord, is one ſpirit. 1 Cor. 6.171 Cor 6:17It would be a glorious priviledge to be one ſpirit with God, that we may be made partakers of the Divine nature, 2 Pet. 1.4.2 Pet 1:4in the efficacie of it for our ſalvation. This is the way, joyn your ſouls to the Lord. They are joyned to the world, and ſo they rot in a thouſand p. 310vanities. They are joyned to the fleſh, and ſo they periſh in ſin. Oh let them be joyned to the Lord by faith in Chriſt, working by love, and then, with the whole Church, 1 Cor. 12.121 Cor 12:12they ſhall be called Chriſt, and, according to their meaſure, they ſhall fare no worſe then Chriſt did, Rom. 8.17. Luk. 24.26.Rom 8:17Luke 24:26firſt to ſuffer, and then to enter into Glory.

Uſe. 3 Thirdly, ſeeing the ſoul is a ſpirit, think of a better place for it then here. You are apt to ſay with Peter, Matth. 17.Matt 17Maſter, it is good for us to be here: let us build Tabernacles. Eccleſ. 12.Eccl 12But Solomon tels you, that the ſpirit returnes to him that gave it. Let it learn the way now by having an heavenly converſation: for it was not made for low places. Fire is the drieſt, and lighteſt element, and it deſires to be above; and therefore it will burn up all combuſtible matter which lieth in the way: So, your ſouls are the divineſt parts; where ſhould they deſire to be, Phil. 1.Phil 1but to be diſſolved, and to be with Chriſt? therefore ſecure that place for them. Be acquainted with Gods infinite love, and mercy in Chriſt. Reſt with confidence upon thoſe merits, and that interceſſion which are preſented to God the Father in your p. 311room. Love the Lord and the appearance of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Walk before God, 2 Theſ. 3. Gen. 17.2 Thess 3Gen 17and be upright: That, when you dye, you may be received into an everlaſting habitation, a place ſutable for an highborn ſpirit. Conſider the order of creation, and diſturb it not God hath ſet the heaven above, and the earth beneath, and hath ſo framed us, that our heads, and our hearts are above, to think upon heaven, and to love, and move to it; and our feet, and heels on the earth, to teach us to ſet earthly commodities at our heels, as the new-born Chriſtians laid their money at the Apoſtles feet. Act. 5.Acts 5It is fearfull to ſee how ungodly men do diſorder this courſe. They ſet heaven at their heels, and all earthly glory at their head, and heart, by thought, loves, and a thouſand imbracings, as if heaven were below, and earth above. But take you heed. This is not the way to ſecure your ſouls; they are ſpirits, and ſhould have better places then you lodge them in. If you will be ſo earthy, and neglect your own ſalvation; there is a worſe place, even that where Judas is, Act. 1.Acts 1ſince he went unto his own place, where is weeping, and p. 312wailing, and gnaſhing of teeth.

Thus you have the nature of the ſoul: 2now conſider the Caſtle of the ſoul, The Caſtle of the ſoul is Gods hands.Gods hands (into thy hands). Mark then, that the ſafety of a ſoul lies in Gods hands. Properly, the hand is an outward bodily inſtrument for actions and executions. But when it is referred to God, he hath three ſorts of hands, Correcting, Revenging, and Protecting hands. His correcting hand is ſpoken of in theſe words; Pſal. 38.2.Ps 38:2Thy hand preſſeth me ſore, that is, thy correction. His revenging hand is ſpoken of in theſe words, Jud. 2.15.Judg 2:15The hand of the Lord was againſt them for evill: that is, his corrections, and judgements were out againſt them for their ſins. But his protecting hand is of two ſorts, Eternall, and Actuall. The eternall protecting hand of God is the counſell of his will. Of this it is ſaid, that the Jews did to Chriſt whatſoever Gods hand, and his counſell determined before to be done, and no more. This is a ſafe hand, without, and above, exception: for as many as were … this hand, and ſo, ordained to eternall … believed. It will preſerve them to his everlaſting Kingdome. The actuall protecting p. 313hand of God is either Extraordinary, or ordinary. The extraordinary protecting hand is that which he holds over ſome, and but at ſome times: as when it is ſaid, Ezek. 1.3.Ezek 1:3the hand of the Lord was upon Ezekiel, that is, the ſpirit of propheſie to guide, and protect him in his propheticall way. The ordinary protecting hand of God is threefold: either General proviſion, Pſal. 104.28Ps 104:28whereof the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh, thou filleſt with thy hand every living thing, that is, thou provideſt for them: or ſpeciall favour, whereof Luke ſpeaketh, Luk. 1.66.Luke 1:66and the hand of the Lord was with him; that is, Gods ſpeciall favour was with John Baptiſt from his infancy: or the ſpirit of ſtrength, as when it is ſaid of Elias, 1 King. 18.46.1 Kgs 18:46the hand of the Lord was on him; that is, he ſtrengthened him with boldneſſe, and protected him againſt Ahab and Jezabel. The iſſue is this: when God doth provide for, favour, and protect the ſoul, therein lies the ſafety of it. And it is no wonder when you do conſider what manner of hands Gods are.What manner of hands God hath.

1They are Holy hands. They touch nothing in love, but they are the better for p. 312duplicate page p. 313duplicate page p. 314them. As when God ſent an Angel with a coal from the Altar, to touch the lips of the Prophet Eſay, Eſa. 6.Isa 6he was the better for it, and was very willing to go on his propheticall errand: ſo, much more, when God toucheth our ſouls, ſhall they be filled with all grace, and goodneſſe, of which they are capable. 2They are loving hands: Cant. 2.Song 2therefore the Church cries out to Chriſt, put thy hand under: As when Ananias put his hands upon the blinde eyes of Paul, Act. 9.Acts 9they cured him, and ſcales fell from his eyes, and he ſaw plainly: ſo when God toucheth our ſouls, acts of grace, love, and bounty follow. For love ſtrives for ſuch acts, and all ſafety. 3They are powerfull hands. The little finger of the Lord is above all: Rom. 8.Rom 8therefore, if God be on our ſide, who can be againſt us? His hands will guard us by a mighty power in all good. 4Laſtly, they are bleſsing hands. As Chriſt, when he was to aſcend, lift up his hands and bleſſed his diſciples: Luk. 24.50.Luke 24:50ſo Gods hands are bleſſing hands. If he touch the Mountains, they ſhall ſmoak, as the Pſalmiſt hath it: ſo if God do but touch our ſouls, the ſend forth the fumes of Gods grace and glory. Therefore p. 315ſeeing Gods hands are holy hands, loving hands, powerfull hands, and bleſſing hands; it is no marvell that the ſafety of the ſoul doth lye in Gods hands.

Uſe. 1 Let this thought (I beſeech you) breed a caveat, and an exhortation. Firſt, take heed leſt you put your ſouls into any hands elſe. We may finde mad courſes amongſt men in the Church. Some put their ſouls into the hands of their ſenſes. They will live where they can ſee, hear, feel, taſte, and ſmell, and further they will not go to ſave a ſoul. This makes them carnall, ſenſuall, and bruitiſh. Others put their ſouls into the hand of reaſon. They are like the ancient Quaeriſtae, who would go in Religion no further then reaſon guided them. Others put their ſoules into the hands of the world. If that can dandle them happily upon the lap of it, they look for no more: though at that time that the world leaves them, Animula vagula blandula, quae nunc abibis in loca?they cry out as that Emperour did, Alas, my poor ſilly, wandring ſoul, whither now away? what will become of thee? Nay, others put their ſouls into the hands of the Devill, and do not know it. They walk in their own counſels, and p. 316follow their own luſts blown up by Satan. All theſe are but ſlippery places. Therefore (Good Chriſtians) take heed that ye put not your ſouls into any of theſe hands.

Secondly, be you exhorted to be ſuch, as may hope for ſuch hands. You wil not put foul things into fair fingers: nor foul ſouls into the hands of that God, whoſe eyes cannot endure to behold iniquity, much leſſe his hands to touch it. We had an holy man, Mr. Bolton of Northhamptonſhire.who lived amongſt us. When he had all his children about him upon his death-bed, he charged them, that they ſhould be carefull not to appear before God, with him, without regenerated … s. He knew, and ſaw, that there was no preſenting of them into Gods hand without purity. If we come unclean to him, it will be wofull in the latter end. If God ſhall ſay, I will not touch you, this wil kill in the day of death, and judgement.

Oh, thinke upon this, ye that forget God! You that live in Aſſociated Counties, or in the ſtrongeſt Gariſons, can doe ſomething to ſend out Troops, after Troops (with a little pay, p. 317or pay now and then) who do with free-quarter and contribution, eat up all places where they come. In the mean time, you (altogether inſenſible of the miſeries of your brother Joſeph) can live in all luxury, letchery, and pride, (I mean too many of you). Take heed. I wonder, what kinde of ſouls you will commend to God when you dye; if they be in that ſtate, and poſture wherein you live! I pray God be mercifull unto you, Act. 8.22.Acts 8:22if it be poſsible your ſinnes ſhould be forgiven you. For Gods clean hands will not receive unclean ſouls.

We have thus viewed the Nature of the ſoul, and the Caſtle of the ſoul. The nature of it, is, to be a ſpirit: the Caſtle of it is, to be in the hands of God: but now we are come to the care for the ſoul. David gives a Preſident of the beſt care of it in type, and Chriſt makes it good in truth: both of them commit it to God. Paul ſaith, 2 Tim. 1.122 Tim 1:12I know whom I have truſted, and I am perſwaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him againſt that day. It will be well for all of us, if we can take the ſame care for our ſouls as theſe have had. Lay it to p. 318heart, that we muſt have a care of, and for the ſafety of our ſouls.The care of, and for our ſouls. Deut. 4.9.Deut 4:9

3This is commanded by God, when he ſaith, Keep thy ſoul diligently: and it hath been practiſed by Gods people. Jaacob, when he was wonderful buſie before his death, in his propheticall will, looks unto his ſoul, Gen. 49.6.Gen 49:6and ſaith, my ſoul, come not thou into their ſecret. He would be loth his ſoul ſhould be in traffick, and trade with ſuch ungodly, cruell men, as Simeon and Levi; though they were near, and dear unto him. And David was at it again, Pſa. 25.20.Ps 25:20and again. He pleades with God, O keep my ſoul: and, when he ſaw it out of order, Pſa. 42.5.Ps 42:5he chid it, why art thou ſo heavie, O my ſoul, why art thou ſo diſquieted within me? And when he ſaw it backward to do its duty to God, he calls out unto it; Pſ. 103.1, 2.Ps 103:1Ps 103:2My ſoul praiſe the Lord, and all that is within me praiſe his holy name. My ſoul praiſe the Lord, and forget not all his benefits. This ſhews what care he had for his ſoul, and ſo muſt you (Chriſtians).

You will put me to a double queſtion; when we muſt have ſuch care? and why we muſt have this care for our ſouls? You muſt have this care alwayes. Satan is a great p. 319Merchant for ſouls. What ever he pretends, he meanes the ſoul. He will offer the luſt of the fleſh, the luſt of the eyes, and the pride of life, but he meanes the ſoul. He takes unmatchable paines for ſouls. He compaſſeth Sea and land to make a proſelite: he compaſſeth the earth to and fro, to catch at advantages. He adventures all he uſurps for ſouls. As he ſaid to Chriſt, All this will I give thee, Matth. 4.Matt 4if you will fall down and worſhip me: ſo he will offer you any thing, let who ſo will perform it. He makes his riches lye in ſouls. If thouſands fall into ſin before him, and ten thouſand at his right hand, then his riches come home; Therefore it behoves all good Chriſtians to have a care of their ſouls.

As you muſt have a care at all times of your ſouls; ſo eſpecially when proſperity, adverſity, and death comes. Proſperity comes with a cup of deadly wine to poyſon you: As at that time when the perſecution of the Primitive Church did ceaſe, and dayes of eaſe came in, there was a voice from heaven heard, ſaying, Hodie effuſum eſt venenum in Eccleſiam.this day poyſon is powred out into the Church; ſo when proſperity comes, look to thy p. 320look to thy ſoul that it be not bit with a Cockatrice. Adverſity comes with a ghaſtly countenance to affright us from God: and therefore, as Job caſt his eys from his troubles to God, and ſaid, though thou kill me, yet will I truſt in thee: ſo muſt you for the good of your ſouls. Death comes and brings a Catalogue of ſinnes reaching from one end of heaven to another. Loſe the ſoul now, and loſe it ever. He is not the beſt Archer that drawes the ſtrongeſt Bowe, and ſhoots the longeſt length, but he that gives the beſt loſe: ſo he is the beſt Chriſtian who hath ſo lived that he doth dye well. Therefore be ſure to have care of your ſouls in proſperitie, adverſitie, and when death comes.

If you will ask me, Reaſons.why you muſt hav… ſuch a care of your ſouls? 1There is good cauſe why. Becauſe it is more to make ſoul good now, then to create it at firſt. Then there was onelyonly Gods conſultation, 2 Cor. 5.19 A participle of the preſent time, ſignifies a continuall terme of time without intermiſſion.2 Cor 5:19Let us make man, and his reſolution and fiat, let it be done, and it was ſo: but now, God was in Chriſt, Reconciling the world unto himſelf. He was about it, and is doing of it ſtill, and will p. 321never end till the world ends. By how much harder it is to make a ſoul good, by ſo much more you muſt care for your ſouls. 2Secondly, Matth. 16.Matt 16nothing can make up the loſſe of a ſoul. Chriſt ſaith, What will it profit, if a man gain the whole world and loſe his own ſoul? All that cannot make it up to us. By how much greater the loſſe of a ſoul is, by ſo much greater care muſt you have of your ſouls. 31 Pet. 1.18, 19.1 Pet 1:181 Pet 1:19Thirdly, the ſoul is not redeemed with corruptible things, as ſilver, and gold, but with the precious bloud of Chriſt. By how much more precious the ſoul is, by ſo much more muſt you care for it. 4Fourthly, there is no proportion betwixt the whole world, and the ſoul: Satan will give all … r that, Matth. 4.Matt 4and think himſelf to have a … od bargain, as you ſee in his offer to … riſt. That which is more worth then … e world you muſt have a ſpeciall care … f: and ſuch are your ſouls. 5Lastly, if you … oſe your ſouls, the loſſe muſt be made … p not onelyonly to you, Mic. 6.6, 7.Mic 6:6Mic 6:7but to God whoſe … hey are: and I pray tell me, wherewith … ill you come before God, and bow your … lves to the moſt high God? Will you come … efore him with burnt offerings, with Calves p. 322of a year old? Will the Lord be pleaſed with thouſands of Rams, and ten thouſand Rivers of Oyl? Will you give your firſt born for your tranſgreſsion, and the fruit of your body for the ſinne of your ſoul? All will be found too little to make up the loſſe of your ſoul to God: and ſurely, that which is not in the power of man to make up, if he loſe it, muſt be kept with all care.

Uſe. 1 Weigh therefore the truth of which I have convinced you, and try your cares for your ſouls, and be provoked to be more carefull. Hoſ. 4.15.Hos 4:15Though Iſrael play the Harlot (ſaith Hoſea) yet let not Judah ſinne; and though all the world be careleſſe, yet be you carefull of your ſouls. Joſh. 24.15Josh 24:15When Joſhuah ſaw the wickedneſſe of Iſrael, he ſaid, Chooſe you this day whom you will ſerve; but as for me, and my houſe, we will ſerve the Lord: ſo ſay you, let others ſuffer their ſouls, like Lambs-greaſe, to melt away in ſinne; yet I will have a care, yea, I will have care to keep my ſoul by Gods hands.

Ob. It may be, you will ſay, you have thi… care of your ſouls, what ever men may think. Sol. Then try, and ſee impartially wha… you moſt pitch upon. If a man could ſe… the p. 323whole care of men, what could he finde? One cares for the back, another for the belly, a third for worſe: but who cares for the ſoul? That lies rotting in a thouſand luſts, though thou knoweſt not how ſoon thou ſhalt ſay to corruption, thou art my father, and to the worm, thou art my brother and ſiſter. Indeed you come to the Congregations, pray devoutly, hear reverently, note diligently. But will ye be all ear? All for carrying in, nothing for carrying out from the ſtrength of prayer, and preaching? To eat much, and have no evacuation will ſoon ſtifle, and ſuffocate nature: ſo the poor ſoul will be choaked, if, from the ſtrength of what it feeds upon, it do not work for the Grace of Chriſt, and againſt the ſinnes of nature and life. Therefore try, as you love your ſouls, try your care.

Uſe. 2 Secondly, be provoked to be more carefull for your ſouls, and, as Solomon ſaith, Prov. 4.Prov 4Guard thy heart with all diligence; ſo ſay I of thy ſoul, which is all one. Say as one when he was tempted to do fearfull things againſt himſelf, Had it not been for this ſoul, I had not been here now. Charles p. 324the fift, when he was ſollicited by a great Counſellour, Antonius de Lena, to cut off all the petty Princes of Germany, and then he ſhould rule alone, Anima, anima.cried out, My ſoul, my ſoul. Nay ſaith that Tyger, if your Majeſty have a ſoul, give over your Empire. The Emperour had a care of his ſoul: this bloud-ſucker had none. God keep our King, and all Chriſtian Princes from ſuch Counſellers in theſe diſtracted dayes, and ever. Let men prize ſouls at never ſo low a value; have you a care of yours.

The ſoul is for Chriſt to live in by faith. The ſoul is the Maſter-wheel of all our acts. The ſoul is the chief ſeat of the image of God. The ſoul is the maker of all our actions good, if it be good it ſelf. So much good ſoul as is in every act, ſo much goodneſſe is in it. Therefore care for your ſouls.

Remember that Chriſt died for ſouls. He emptied himſelf of glory for ſouls. He ſwet drops of bloud for ſouls. He cried out, I thirſt, for ſouls. What? He that endured ſo much, could not he endure a little thirſt at the laſt? Yes; yes. He thirſted that all the propheſies might be p. 325fulfilled for the good of ſouls. Eſa. 53. How we muſt care for cur ſouls.Isa 53He made his ſoul, a ſacrifice for ſin for ſouls. Shall he do ſo much, to ſhew ſo great care, and will not you care a little for your ſouls?

Q. It may be you will ask me, how ſhall I care for my ſoul? A. I anſwer, do what thou canſt to get it out of natures clawes: a kinde mother is turned into a curſed mother-in-law. Oh put off concerning your converſation in times paſt, the old man, and put on the new, yea, be changed in the ſpirit of your mindes. Let Chriſt dwell in your ſouls by faith for this work. This hath a preſerving power, to keep thy ſoul from rotting, Joh. 3.16.John 3:16he that believeth ſhall not rot and periſh. Keep thy ſoul from the luſts of ſinne. Put it to a daily task by meditation, and prayer: for an idle ſoul will be a ſinning ſoul. 2 Sam. 11.2 Sam 11Let thy ſoul work all her works before God: think that he ſtands by with a Pen of Iron, Jer. 9.Jer 9and point of a Diamond, to engrave all thy ſins, and vertues for memory. Acquaint thy ſoul with death. Job. 18.14.Job 18:14This is the King of terrours, which will rouze thee from the dead ſleep of ſecurity. And laſtly, 2 Cor. 8.5.2 Cor 8:5Give thy ſoul to God in Chriſt. O Lord, when thou committedſt my ſoul to me in p. 326Adam, I loſt it. Oh truſt me no more. As thou wilt not truſt me with my life (for thou haſt hid my life in Chriſt) ſo truſt me not with my ſoul. Thou haſt bought it with a price: 1 Cor. 6.1 Cor 6therfore I humbly, and heartily, and truſtingly, commit it it into thy hands: oh keep the ſoul of thy ſervant.

Now the God of Peace trample Satan under your feet ſhortly, for the good of your ſouls: and he ſanctifie you in body, ſoul, and ſpirit, that ye way be found blameleſſe in the day of our Lord Jeſus. Amen.

Glory be to God on high, and in earth Peace, and good will towards men.

FINIS.

End of the text · Robert Abbot, Milk for Babes (1646)