Heaven on Earth, Discourse · Chapter 5 (4 of 4)

Heaven on Earth · Discourse · Chapter 5 (4 of 4)

p. 477The Lovers of Chriſt know, That all his rebukes are from love; whom he Revel 3. 19.Rev 3:19loves, he rebukes; they can ſee ſmiles thorow Chriſts frowns: They know, that to argue that Chriſt hates them, becauſe he rebukes them, is the Devils Logick; They know, that all the rebukes of Chriſt, are in order to their internal and eternal good, and that quiets them; They know, that all the rebukes of Chriſt are but fore-runners of ſome glorious manifeſtations of greater love to their ſouls. Pſal. 71. 20, 21. Thou which haſt ſhewed me great and ſore troubles, ſhalt quicken me again, and ſhalt bring me up again from the depths of the Earth. Thou ſhalt increaſe my greatneſs, and comfort me on every p. 478ſide. They know that it is the foreſt judgment in the world, to go on freely in a way of ſin without rebukes. Ebhraim is joyned to Idols, let him alone. Hoſ. 4. 17.Hos 4:17And therefore they keep ſilence before the Lord, they lay one hand upon their mouthes, and the other upon their hearts, and ſo ſit mute before the Holy One.

Tenthly, That Love that accompanies Salvation, ſhews it ſelf by working the heart to be affected and afflicted with the leaſt diſhonors that are done to Chriſt. Love is curious of little things, it is as much afflicted with an idle word, or with an impure dream, as lovers of Chriſt are with adultery or blaſphemy. David did but cut off the lap of Sauls Garment, and his heart …mote him, 1 Sam. 24. 5. Though he did it to convince Saul of his falſe jealouſie, and his own innocency. Love will not allow of the leaſt infirmity, Rom. 7. 15. That which I do, I allow not. Love will make a man aim at Angelical purity, and perfect innocency; love will be getting up to the top of Jacobs Ladder; love can reſt in nothing below perfection: Love p. 479makes a man look more at what he ſhould be, then at what he is; it makes a man ſtrive as for life, to imitate the higheſt examples, and to write after the choiceſt copies. Love fearsThe ſin, and the coat of the ſin, is to be hated, ſaith Ambroſe. every Image of offence, it trembles at the appearance of ſin, it doth not, it cannot allow it ſelf to do any thing that looks like ſin, it hates the Garment ſpotted with the fleſh, it ſhuns the occaſions of ſin, as it ſhuns Hell it ſelf: This is the Divine curioſity and glory of a Chriſtians love. Love ſays,Melius mori fame, quam Idolothytis veſci. Aug. Marcus Arethuſius in Julians time. It is better to die with hunger, then to eat that which is offered to Idols. I have read of a holy man, who out of his love to Chriſt, and hatred of Idolatry, would not give one half-penny toward the building of an Idols Temple, though he was provoked thereunto by intollerable torments. LoveThe Nieene Fathers would not gratifie Arrius, no not in one tittle. knows that the leaſt evils are contrary to the greateſt good, they are contrary to the Nature of Chriſt, the Commands of Chriſt, the Spirit of Chriſt the Grace of Chriſt, the Glory of Chriſt, the Blood of Chriſt. Love knows that little diſhonors (if I may call any ſin little) make way for p. 480greater; as little Theeves unlock the door, and make way for greater. Love knows that little ſins multiplied, become great: As love knows that there is nothing leſſer then a grain of Sand; ſo love knows that there is nothing heavier then the Sand of the Sea, when multiplied.

Eleventhly, That love that accompanies Salvation, will ſhew it ſelf by keeping the doors of the heart ſhut againſt thoſe treacherous lovers, that would draw the heart from Chriſt. Love is a Golden Key to let in Chriſt, and a ſtrong lock to keep out others: Though many may knock at Loves door, yet Love will open to none but Chriſt. Cant. 5. 6. I opened to my Beloved. & 8. 7. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: If a man would give all the ſubſtance of his houſe for love, it would utterly be contemned, (Bon Jabuzu) contemning it would be contemned. When the world would buySo did Luther Galeaciou… that noble Italian. his love, he cryes out with Peter, Thy money periſh with thee. Love makes a man look with a holy ſcorn and diſdain upon all perſons and things, that attempt either to force or flatter her p. 481out of her love and loyalty to her Beloved. It is neither force, nor fraud; it is neither promiſes, nor threatnings; it is neither the Croſs, nor the Crown; the Palace, nor the Priſon; the Rod, nor the Robe; the Hempton Halter, nor the Golden Chain, that will make love embrace a ſtranger in the room of Chriſt. Go, ſays Divine Love, offer your Gold, and empty Glories, to others; your Pleaſures, and your Treaſures to others; put on your Lyons skin, and fright others: As for my part, I ſcorn, and contemn your golden offers, and I diſdain, and deride your rage and threats. Love makes a man too noble, too high, too gallant, and too faithful, to open, to any lover but Chriſt, to let any lie between the Breſts but Chriſt, Cant. 1. 13. A bundle of myrrhe is my welbeloved unto me; be ſhall lie all night betwixt my Breſts. When Baſil wasPlato (ſaith Pliny) took as much delight and glory in thoſe dignities and hono…, he denied, as he did in thoſe he did enjoy. It …s juſt ſo with the Saints. tempted with money and preferment, he anſwers, (Pecuniam da quae perma neat, ac continuo duret, gloriam quae ſemper floreat,) Give money that may laſt for ever, and glory that may eternally flouriſh. Love makes a man cry out, when tempted, Let not any man think p. 482that he will embrace other mens goods to forſake Chriſt, who hath forſaken his own proper goods to follow Chriſt. Love makes a man cry out when tempted, as that worthy Convert did, (Ego non ſum ego) I am not the man that I was. When my heart was voide of Divine Love, I was as eaſily conquered, as I was tempted: O but now he hath ſhed abroad his love in my ſoul, I am not the man that I was, I had rather die then flie, or fall before a temptation.

Twelfthly, That Love that accompanies Salvation, ſhews it ſelf by ſecret kindneſſes, by ſecret viſits, by ſecret expreſſions of love. A Soul that truly loves Chriſt, loves to meet him in a corner, to meet him behinde the door, to meet him in the clefts of theCant. 2. 14. Matth. 6. 6.Song 2:14Matt 6:6 Rock, where no eye ſees, nor no ear hears, nor no heart obſerves. Feigned love is much in commending and kiſsing Chriſt upon the ſtage; but unfeigned love is much in embracing, and weeping over Chriſt in a Cloſet. The Phariſee loved to ſtand praying in theMatth. 6.Matt 6 Market-place, and in the Temple; but Nathaniel was with Chriſt under theJohn 1. 48.John 1:48 p. 483Fig-tree; and Cornelius was at it in theActs 10.Acts 10 corner of his houſe; and Peter was at it on the Leads; and the SpouſeCant. 7. 11.Song 7:11 was at it in the Villages. Souls that truly love Chriſt, are much in ſecret viſits, in ſecret prayer, in ſecret ſighing, in ſecret groaning, in ſecret mourning, &c. True love is good at bolting of the door, and is always beſt when it is moſt with Chriſt in a corner. The ſecret diſcoveries that Chriſt makes to ſouls, do much oblige them to cloſet ſervices.

Arceſilaus, in Plutarch, viſiting his ſick friend, and perceiving his neceſſity that he wanted, and yet his modeſty that he was aſhamed to ask, that he might ſatisfie the one, and yet ſalve the other, ſecretly conveyed money under his Pillow; which his friend finding after he was gone, was wont to ſay, Arceſilaus ſtole this: So Chriſt ſteals ſecret kindneſſes upon his people, and that draws them out to be much in ſecret, in cloſet ſervices.

Thirteenthly, That Love that accompanies Salvation, ſhews it ſelf by breathing after more clear evidence, and full aſſurance of Chriſts love. To p. 484the ſoul, Divine love would fain have her drop turned into an Ocean, her ſpark into a flame, her penny into a pound, her mite into a million. A ſoul that truly loves, can never ſee enough, nor never taſte enough, nor never feel enough, nor never enjoy enough of the love of Chriſt; when once they have found his love to be better then Wine, then nothing will ſatisfie them but the kiſſes of his mouth. Cant. 1. 3. Let him kiſs me with the kiſſes of his mouth. Not with a kiſs, but with the kiſſes of his mouth. A ſoul once kiſſed by Chriſt, can never have enough of the kiſſes of Chriſt; his lips drop myrrhe, and mercy; no kiſſes to the kiſſes of Chriſt. TheThe more a Virgins love is drawn out to another, the more ſhe deſires to be confirmed and aſſured of his love to her. more any ſoul loves Chriſt, the more ſerious, ſtudious, and induſtrious will that ſoul be, to have the love of Chriſt diſcovered, confirmed, witneſſed, and ſealed to it. That is a ſweet word of the Spouſe, Cant. 8. 6. Set me as a ſeal upon thy heart, as a ſeal upon thy arm; for love is ſtrong as death. Set me as a ſeal upon thy heart; that is, Let me be deeply engraven as a ſeal into thy heart and affections: Let the love and p. 485remembrance of me, make a deep impreſſion in thee; and ſet me as a ſeal or ſignet on thy arm.

1. The ſeal you know is for ratifying, confirming, and making ſure of things. O ſayes the Spouſe, eſtabliſh and confirm me in thy love, and in the outward expreſſions and manifeſtations of it.

2. Seals among the Jews were uſed, not as Ornaments onelyonly, but as Monuments of love that were continually in ſight and remembrance. O ſays the Church, Let me be ſtill in thy ſight and remembrance, as a monument of thy love. In the Old Law, you knowExod. 28. 11, 12, 21, 29. compared.Exod 28:11Exod 28:12Exod 28:21Exod 28:29 the High Prieſt did bear the names of Iſrael engraven on ſtones, upon his heart and ſhoulder, for a memorial. Ah ſays the Church, Let my name be deeply engraven upon thy heart; let me be alwayes in thy eye; let me be always a memorial upon thy ſhoulder.

3. Great men have their ſignets upon their hands in precious eſteem. Jere. 22. 24. As I live, ſaith the Lord, though Coniah, the ſon of Jehojakim King of Judah, were the ſignet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence. p. 486Ah ſayes the Spouſe, O highly prize me, Lord Jeſus highly eſteem of me, O let me be as dear and precious unto thee, as the ſignet that thou carrieſt about with thee, or as ſignets are to great men that wear them.

Laſtly, That Love that accompanies Salvation, ſhews it ſelf by working a true lover of Chriſt, to commit his richeſt Treaſures, his choiceſt Jewels, to the care and cuſtody of Chriſt. Where we love, we will truſt; and as we love, we will truſt: Little truſt, ſpeaks out little love; great truſt, ſpeaks out great love. The lovers of Chriſt, commend to ChriſtsPſal. 31. 15. So Job, ſo Paul. 2 Tim. 1. 12. & 4. 7, 8 Micah 7. 8, 9. Dan 6. 22.Ps 31:152 Tim 1:122 Tim 4:72 Tim 4:8Mic 7:8Mic 7:9Dan 6:22 care, their Pearls of greateſt price, their Names, their Lives, their Souls, their Crowns, their Innocency, their All. It was a notable ſaying of Luther, Let him that died for my ſoul, ſee to the ſalvation of it. Caeſar received not his wounds from the ſwords of enemies, but from the hands of friends; that is, from truſting in them. Oh! but the lovers of Chriſt ſhall never receive any wounds, by truſting in Chriſt, by committing their choiceſt Jewels to his care; for he hath a powerful hand, p. 487and a wiſe and loving heart. Chriſt will hold faſt whatever the Father, or the Saints put into his hand. And thus I have ſhewed you what that Love is, that doth accompany Salvation. I come now in the ſixth place to ſhew you, what Prayer that is that doth accompany Salvation. (But I ſee that I muſt contract what remains into a narrow room, leſt I ſhould tire out both the Reader and my ſelf. Which that I may not, I ſhall endeavor by Divine Aſſiſtance, to minde brevity in what remains.)

Now that Prayer doth accompany Salvation, I have formerly ſhewed. Now I am briefly to ſhew you what Prayer that is that doth accompany Salvation, and that I ſhall do in theſe following particulars.

Firſt, Prayer is a Divine Worſhip,The matter of Prayer may be reduced to theſe heads, 1. Petition. 2. Deprecation. 3. Interceſſion 4. Expoſtulation. There are other diſtinctions in regard of the manner, As firſt, Mental Prayer, which is the inward lifting up of the heart to God. Secondly, Vocal, which is uttered by words, As the Publicans, God be merciful to me a ſinner. Thirdly, There is conceived prayer, and preſcribed prayer. Fourthly, There is publick or private prayer. Theſe hints may ſuffice as to this. wherein we ſpeak to God in Faith, Humility, Sincerity, and Fervency of Spirit, through the Mediation of Chriſt, begging thoſe good things that we and others want, deprecating that we and others fear, and giving thanks for that we and others have received. Prayer is a ſpeaking to God face to p. 488face; it is Iacobs Ladder, by which the ſoul climbs up to Heaven; it is Noahs Dove, that goes, and returns not till it brings Aſſurance of Peace.

But not to pleaſe you with notions, you muſt remember that that Prayer that accompanies Salvation, is ſuch Prayer as hath in it all the requiſites of Prayer. Now there are four requiſites in Prayer.

Firſt, The perſon muſt be righteous, Iam. 5. 16. The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. John 9. 31. God heareth not ſinners. The Jews urge it as a Proverb, An unclean perſon polluteth his own Prayers. Good motions from a bad heart, make no muſick in Heaven; the ſweet words that drop from a Lepers lips, are but lies in the account of God. Hoſea 11. 12.

I have read of a Jewel, that being put in a dead mans mouth, loſeth all its vertue: Prayer in the mouth of a wicked man that is dead God-wards, Chriſt-wards, Heaven-wards, and Holineſs-wards, is a Jewel that loſeth all its vertue. Pſal. 50. 16, 17. But unto the wicked, God ſaith, What haſt thou p. 489to do to declare my Statutes; or that thou Quid prodeſt voce invocare, quem operibus negas? Jerom. What availeth it to invocate him with thy voice, whom thou denieſt in thy works?ſhouldeſt take my Covenant into thy mouth? Seeing that thou hateſt inſtruction, and caſteſt my words behinde thee. Bias, an Heathen, being at Sea in a great ſtorm, and perceiving many wicked wretches with him in the ſhip, calling upon the gods, O, ſaith he, forbear Prayer, hold your tongues, I would not have the gods take notice that you are here, they will ſure drown us all, if they ſhould. You are wiſe, and know how to apply it.

The ſecond requiſite in Prayer, isIt was both a prophane and blaſphemous Speech of that Atheiſtical wretch, that told God he was no common beggar, he never troubled him before with prayer, and if he would hear him that time, he would never trouble him again. Heil. Mic p. 376. this, viz. The matter of your Prayer muſt be good, 1 John 5. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, That if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. The Favorits of Heaven have no further the ear of the King of Kings in Prayer, then the matter of their Prayer is good, and agreeable to his will, Rom. 8. 27. The matter of your Prayer muſt fall under ſome particular, or general precept, or promiſe, or elſe God will never own it, nor honor it with acceptance. You muſt not pray as Auguſtine prayed before his Converſion, he prayed for continency p. 490with a Proviſo, Lord give me continency (ſaith he) but not yet. Such Hypocriſie is double Iniquity, and God will deal with ſuch ſinners accordingly.

Thirdly, As the matter of your Prayer muſt be good, ſo the manner of your Prayer muſt be right. God regards not ſo much the matter, as the manner of our Prayer; God loves Adverbs, better then Nowns; not toCriton. pray onelyonly, but to pray well; (Non bonum, ſed benè agere) not to do good, but to do it well.

Now for the better and further clearing of this truth, I ſhall ſhew you, by Divine Aſſiſtance, what it is to pray in a right manner; and that I ſhall do in the following particulars.

Firſt, To pray in a right manner, is to pray underſtandingly, to pray knowingly, 1 Cor. 14. 15. I will pray with underſtanding. He that doth not pray underſtandingly, doth not pray, but prate; as that Parrot in Rome, that could diſtinctly ſay over the wholeIgnorat ſanè improbus omnis, ſaith Ariſtotle. Ignorance is the ſource of all ſin, the very well-ſpring from which all wickedneſs doth iſſue. Creed. John 4. 22. Ye worſhip ye know not what (ſayes Chriſt.) So many pray they know not what. Without knowledge, p. 491the minde cannot be good, Prov. 19. And can the Prayer be good, when the minde is bad? A blinde minde, a blinde Sacrifice, and a blinde Prieſt, are abominable to God. It was a good ſaying of one, God heareth not the words of one that prayeth, (ſaith he) unleſs he that prayeth, heareth them firſt himſelf: And verily, God will never underſtand that Prayer, that we do not underſtand our ſelves.

Secondly, To pray in a right manner, is to pray believingly, Heb. 11. 6. He The Philoſopher could ſay, Qui timi…è rogat, docet negare, He that craveth fearfully, draweth on a denial.that cometh unto God, muſt believe that he is; that is, that he is really, as good, as gracious, as glorious, as excellent, as conſtant, &c. as his word reports him to be. And that he is a rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him. Mark 11. 24. Therefore I ſay unto you, what things ſoever ye deſire when ye pray, believe that ye One of the Ancients deſcribes Prayer thus; It is (ſaith he) Aſcenſus mentis ad Deum, a climbing up of the heart to God, which cannot be done, but by the power of Faith.receive them, and ye ſhall have them. In the Greek it is foreign in the Preſenttenſe, Ye do receive them, to ſhew the certainty of receiving them: You ſhall as certainly receive the good things that believingly you ask in Prayer, as if you had them already in your hand. God will never let the hand p. 492of Faith go empty away in Prayer: Faith is Gods darling, and he never fails to give it a worthy portion, a Benjamins portion, a Hannahs portion, a double portion, Iam. 1. 5, 6, 7. If any of you lack wiſdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it ſhall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth, is like Unbelief is virtually all ill, therefore fight eſpecially againſt it.a wave of the Sea, driven with the wind, and toſſed. For let not that man think, that he ſhall receive any thing of the Lord. He that prayeth doubtingly, ſhuts the Gates of Heaven againſt his own Prayers.

It is reported in the life of Luther, that when he prayed, it was (Tanta reverentia ut ſi Deo, & tanta fiducia ut ſi amico) with ſo much reverence, as if he were praying to God; and with ſo much boldneſs, as if he had been ſpeaking to his friend. Faith in Prayer, makes a man divinely familiar, and bold with God in Prayer. That Prayer that hath not the image and ſtamp of Faith upon it, is no Prayer in Divine account. The ſweeteſt flowers of Paradiſe, are onelyonly acceptable to p. 493God, as they are tendered to him by a hand of Faith.

Auguſtus, when a poor man came to preſent a Petition to him, with his hand ſhaking and trembling out of fear, the Emperor was much diſpleaſed, and ſaid, It is not fit that any ſhould come with a Petition to a King, as if a man were giving meat to an Elephant, that is, afraid to be deſtroyed by him.

Verily, Iehovah loves to ſee every one of his Petitioners to come to him with a ſtedfaſt Faith, and not with a trembling Hand. Chriſt gets moſt glory, and the Soul gets moſt good, by thoſe Prayers that are accompanied with the actings of Faith.

Thirdly, To pray in a right manner, is to pray intenſly, ſervently, earneſtly. So Jam. 5. 16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much; foreign, Faith is an omniporent grace, it works wonders in Heaven, in the Heart, and in Earth, Such working-prayer as ſets all the faculties of the ſoul, and all the graces in the ſoul at work, alwayes ſpeeds; it fails not of winning the day, of carrying the Crown.or as the Greek hath it, The working Prayer; that is, ſuch Prayer as ſets the whole man a work; the word ſignifies, ſuch a working as notes the livelieſt activity that can be. As Phyſick kills the body, if it work not; ſo doth p. 494Prayer the ſoul, if it be not a working-prayer. As a painted fire is no fire, a dead man no man; ſo a cold prayer is no prayer: In a painted fire there is no heat, in a dead man there is no life; ſo in a cold prayer there is no omnipotency, no devotion, no bleſſing. It is not cold, but workingprayer, that can lock up Heaven three years, and open Heavens gate at pleaſure, and bring down the ſweeteſt bleſſings upon our heads, and the choiceſt favors into our hearts. Cold Prayers are as Arrows without heads, as Swords without edges, as Birds without wings, they peirce not, they cut not, they flie not up to Heaven: Cold Prayers do always freeze before they reach to Heaven. So Jacob was earneſt in his wreſtling with God. Let Gen. 32. 24, 25, 26, 27.Gen 32:24Gen 32:25Gen 32:26Gen 32:27me alone, ſayes God: I will not let thee go, except thou bleſs me, ſayes Jacob. Jacob, though lamed, and hard laid at, will not let the Lord go without a bleſſing: Jacob holds with his hands, when his joynts were out of joynt; and ſo as a Prince prevails with God. Jacob prayes and weeps, and weepsThe Jews have a ſaying, That ſince the deſtruction of Jeruſalem, the door of prayers hath been ſhut: But the door of tears was never ſhut, ſaith One. and prayes, and ſo prevails with God. p. 495Hoſ. 12. 4. Yea, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed; he wept and made ſupplication unto him, &c. It is not the labor of the lips, but the travel of the heart; it is not the pouring forth a flood of words, but the pouring out of the ſoul, that makes a man a Prince, a prevailer with God. A man that would gain victory over God in Prayer, muſt ſtrain every ſtring of his heart; heRom 15. 30. foreign, the word ſignifies, to ſtrive to the ſhedding of blood. Luke 18. 5. foreign. Buffet me, or beat me down with her blows, as wreſtlers beat down their adve…ſaries with their fiſts, or clubs.Rom 15:30Luke 18:5 muſt in beſeeching God, beſiedge him, and ſo get the better of him; he muſt ſtrive in Prayer, even to an agony; he muſt be like importunate beggars, that will not be put off with frowns, or ſilence, or ſad anſwers. Thoſe that would be maſters of their requeſts, muſt with the importunate Widow, preſs God ſo far, as to put him to the bluſh; they muſt with a holy impudence (as Baſil ſpeaks) make God aſhamed to look them in the face, if he ſhould deny the importunity of their ſouls. An importunate ſoul will never ceaſe till he ſpeed, he will devour all diſcouragements, yea, he will turn diſcouragements into incouragements, as the woman of Canaan did, till Chriſt ſayes, Be it unto thee, O Soul, as thou wilt. p. 496As a body without a ſoul, much wood without fire, a bullet in a gun without powder; ſo are words in Prayer,Oratio brevis penetrat c…lum, ſaith one. without fervency of Spirit. The hoteſt Springs ſend forth their waters by ebullitions.

I have read of one, who being ſenſible of his own dulneſs and coldneſs in Prayer, chid himſelf thus; What?The Jews write upon the walls of their Synagogues this ſentence, That Prayer without the intention of the minde, is but as a body without a ſoul. You know how to apply it. doeſt thou think that Ionah prayed thus, when he was in the belly of Hell? or Daniel, when he was in the Lyons den? or the Thief when he was upon the croſs? And I may adde, or the three Children when they were in the fiery furnace? or the Apoſtles when they were in bonds and priſons? O that Chriſtians would chide themſelves out of their cold Prayers, and chide themſelves into a better, and a warmer frame of ſpirit, when they make their Supplications before theJerom ſpeaks of certain holy women in his time, That they ſeemed in their fervent affections to joyn with the holy company of Heaven. Lord. An importunate Soul in Prayer, is like the poor begger, that prayes and knocks, that prayes and waits, that prayes and works, that knocks and knits, that begs and patches, and will not ſtir from the door, till he hath an alms. And verily, he that is good at p. 497this, will not be long a begger in grace; God will make his heart, and his cup to overflow.

Fourthly, To pray in a right manner, is, To pray a…iduouſly, conſtantly, as well as fervently, Luke 18. 1. And he ſpake a parable unto them, to this end, that men ought alwayes to pray, and not ſo faint; or as it is in the Greek, not toforeign, id eſt, non de…atigati. Cornel a Lap. To pray alwayes is foreign, to pray in every opportunity. ſhri…k back, as ſluggards in work, or cowards in war. Now men pray always, firſt, when their hearts are always prepared to pray, or in a praying frame: Secondly, When they do not omit the duty, when it is to be performed; or when they take hold on every opportunity, to pour out their ſouls before the Lord. 1 Theſ. 5. 17. Pray without ceaſing A man muſt always pray habitually, though not actually, he muſt have his heart in a praying diſpoſitionSemper orat qui benè ſ…mpe… agit. To pray always, is to pray omni tempore. in all eſtates and conditions, in proſperity and adverſity, in health and ſickneſs, in ſtrength and weakneſs, in wealth and wants, in life and death. So in Epheſ. 6. 18. Praying alwayes with all prayer and ſupplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perſeverance, and ſupplication for all Saints. Our daily p. 498weakneſſes, our daily wants, our dailyPrayer, ſaith one, is Flagellum Diaboli. fears, our daily dangers, our daily temptations, &c. be ſpeak our daily Prayers. Rom. 12. 12. Rejoycing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing inſtant in Prayer. It is a Metaphorforeign. taken from dogs that hunt, that will not give over the game, till they have got it. A dog of all Creatures is beſtAuguſtines uſual wiſh was, That when Chriſt came, he might finde him, (Aut precantem, aut praedicantem) either praying or preaching. able to endure hunger, he will run from place to place, and never leave till he hath got his prey: So a childe of God in his hunting after God, Chriſt, Grace, Peace, Mercy, Glory, never gives over till he hath found his heavenly prey, Cant. 3. 4. At length I found him whom my ſoul loved; I held him, and would not let him go. The Spouſe never left hunting after her beloved, till ſhe had found him. Gracious ſouls reckonAs a hungry man eats, as if he had never eat before. that they have nothing, till they ſpeed in the things they ſue for; they pray as if they had never prayed, and think that they have done nothing, till they have done the deed. It is obſerved by ſome, of Proteus, that he was wont to give certain Oracles; but it was hard to make him ſpeak, and deliver them, but he would turn himſelf into ſeveral p. 499ſhapes and forms; yet if they would hold out, and preſs him hard without fear, into whatſoever form or ſhape he appeared, they were ſure to have ſatisfactory Oracles: So if we will continueHypocrites are inconſtant in their prayers, Job 27. 10. they are onelyonly at it by ſits and ſtarts, they are onelyonly conſtant in inconſtancy.Job 27:10 conſtant in our wreſtling with God for bleſſings, though God ſhould appear to us in the form or ſhape of a Judge, an Enemy, a Stranger, &c. yet ſtill to preſs him hard for mercy, verily, mercy will come at the long run, and we ſhall ſay, That it is not in vain for men to hold on praying, though God for a time delayes giving the particular favors they ſue for. As that Emperor ſaid, (Oportet Imperatorem ſtantem mori) It behoves an Emperor to die ſtanding: So may I ſay, (Oportet Chriſtianum mori precantem,) It behoves a Chriſtian to die praying.

Fifthly, To pray in a right manner, is, To pray ſincerely, Pſal. 17. 1. Give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of foreign The very Heathen gods wo…ld be ſerved in white, the very emblem of purity.feigned lips; or, as it is in the Hebrew, without lips of deceipt. Pſal. 145. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: To all that call upon him in truth. Your heart and tongue muſt go together, word and work, lip and p. 500life, prayer and practiſe, muſt eccho one to another, or elſe all will be loſt; God loſt, Chriſt loſt, Heaven loſt, and the Soul loſt for ever. It is not the greatneſs of the voice, nor the multitude of words, nor the ſweetneſs of the tone, nor ſtudied notions, nor eloquent expreſſions that takes Jehovah, Pſal. 51. 6.Ps 51:6but truth in the inward parts. When the Athenians would know of the Oracle, the cauſe of their often unproſperous ſucceſſes in battel againſt the Lacedemonians, ſeeing they offered the choiceſt things they could get, in ſacrifice to the gods, which their enemies did not; The Oracle gave them this anſwer, That the gods were better pleaſed with their inward ſupplication, without ambition, then with all their outward pomp in coſtly ſacrifices. Ah Souls, the reaſon why you are ſo unſucceſsful in your religious duties and ſervices, is, Becauſe you are no more ſincere and upright in them; wereA Gentlewoman being in her Parlor in Meditation and Prayer, cryed out, O that I might ever enjoy this ſweet communion with God, and never change it. The firſt part of her wiſh is precious, in the latter part of the wiſh (like Peter) ſhe ſaid ſhe knew not what. there more ſingleneſs, and ſincerity of heart in your duties, you would have ſurer and ſweeter returns from Heaven.

One reports of Joachim, the Father p. 501of the Virgin Mary, that he would often ſay (Cibus & potus mihi erit oratio,) Prayer is my meat and drink. Ah Chriſtians, the more ſincere you are, the more will Prayer be your meat and drink; and the more prayer is a delight and pleaſure to you, the more will you be the pleaſure and delight of God, who delights in thoſe that delight in his ſervice, and that count his work better then wages. It was more troubleſom to Severus (the Emperor) to be asked nothing, then to give much; when any of his Courtiers had not made bold with him, he would call him, and ſay, (Quid eſt cur nihil petis? &c.) What meaneſt thou to ask me nothing? So ſayes Chriſt, to upright ſouls; Hitherto have ye asked nothing: Aske and ye ſhall receive, that your joy may be full, John 16. 24. Chriſt hath a full purſe, a noble heart, and a liberal hand.

The fourth requiſit in Prayer, is this, viz. Your Prayer muſt be ad bonum, Max…milians Motto was, (Tene menſuram, & reſpice finem) Keep thy ſelf within compaſs, and have alwayes an eye to the end of thy life and actions.to a good end, it muſt be to the glory of God, and to the internal and eternal advantage of your own, and others ſouls. The chiefeſt end, the white, the p. 502mark, at which the ſoul muſt aim in Prayer, is Gods glory. Whatſoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. When God crowns us, he doth but crown his own gifts in us; and when we give God the glory of all we do, we do but give him the glory that is due unto his Name: For he works all our works in us, and for us. God meaſures all mens actions by their ends; if the end be good, all is good; if the end be naught, all is naught: The end determineth the action. All actions of worſhip, are good or bad, as the mark is at which the ſoul aims. He that makes God the object of Prayer, but not the end of Prayer, doth but loſe his Prayer, and take pains to undo himſelf. God willLord, ſaith Auſtin, whatever thou haſt given, take all away, onelyonly give me thy ſelf. Iſai. 1. 11. Zach. 7. 5 Amos 5 22. Hoſ. 7. 14. Many Heathens as Ariſtides, Cato, Themiſtecles, with divers others, did unfeignedly many great ſervices for the common good, and not for their own gain, but yet they could not hit the mark, the white, Divine glory; and ſo their moſt glorious actions were but glorious ſins, and would never turn to their ſouls accounts.Isa 1:11Zech 7:5Amos 5:22Hos 7:14 be all in all, or he will be nothing at all; he will be Alexander or Nemo, he will be both the object and the end of Prayer, or elſe he will abhor your Prayer. Thoſe Prayers never reach his ear, they are never lodged in his boſom, that are not directed to his glory: The end muſt alwayes be as noble as the means, or elſe a Chriſtian acts below himſelf, yea, below his very Reaſon.

p. 503Ah Chriſtians, it is not a flood of words, nor high ſtrains of wit, nor vehemency of affections in Prayer, but holy and gracious ends that will render Prayer acceptable and honorable to God, comfortable and profitable to your ſelves, and others; yea, the directing of one Prayer to divine glory, doth more torture and torment Satan, then all the Prayers in the world that are directed to ends below divine glory. It is not ſimply Prayer, but the ſouls aiming at divine glory in Prayer, that addes to Chriſts Crown, and Satans Hell.

And thus I have ſhewed you all the Requiſits of Prayer, even of ſuch Prayer as accompanies Salvation. I ſhall now proceed to ſome other particulars, for the further and fuller opening of this truth.

Secondly, That Prayer that accompaniesIt was a ſweet ſaying of one, O Lord, I never come to thee, but by thee; I never go from thee, without thee. Salvation, betters the whole Man; by it Faith is increaſed, Hope ſtrengthned, the Spirit exhilarated, the Heart pacified, the Conſcience purified, Temptations vanquiſhed, Corruptions weakned, the Affections inflamed, the Will more renewed, and the whole p. 504Man more advantaged. Prayer is a Spiritual Chair, wherein the ſoul ſiteth down at the feet of the Lord, to receive the influences of his Grace: Prayer is the Regal Gate, by which the Lord entereth into the heart, comforting, quieting, ſtrengthning, quickning, and raiſing of it. The Scripture affords us a cloud of witneſſes to prove this truth, but I appeal to praying Saints, Ah tell me, tell me, praying Souls, have not you, do not you finde it ſo? I know you have and do, and that is it that makes Prayer a pleaſure, a paradiſe unto you.

Thirdly, You may judge what Prayer that is that accompanies Salvation, by conſidering the difference that is betwixt the Prayers of the godly and the wicked. Now the difference between the Prayers of the one, and the other, I ſhall ſhew you in the following particulars.

Firſt, Gracious Souls do trade and deal with God in Prayer onelyonly upon the account and credit of Chriſt. TheyIt is a notable ſaving Luther hath upon the 130 Pſalm. Often and willingly, ſaith he, do I inculcate this, that you ſhould ſhut your eyes and your ears, and ſay, You know no God out of Chriſt, none, but he that was in the lap of Mary, and ſucked her Breſts. He means none out of him. beg mercy to pardon them, and grace …o purge them, and balm to heal them, and divine favor to comfort them, and p. 505power to ſupport them, and wiſdom to counſel them, and goodneſs to ſatisfie them; but all upon the account of Chriſts Blood, of Chriſts Righteouſneſs, of Chriſts Satisfaction, and of Chriſts Interceſſion at the right hand of the Father, Revel. 4. 10, 11. They ſeek the Father in the Son, they preſent their ſutes always in Chriſts Name; for ſo is the will of Chriſt, John 14. 13, 14. And whatſoever ye ſhall ask in my Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ſhall ask any thing in my Name, I will do it. John 15. 16. Whatſoever ye ſhall ask of the Father in my Name, he will give it you. Chap. 16. 23. Verily I ſay unto you, whatſoever ye ſhall ask the Father in my Name, he will give it you. foreign. The Greek is pregnant, and may be read, not onelyonly whatſoever, but alſo how many things ſoever ye ſhall ask or beg of the Father in my Name, he will give them to you. There is no admiſſion into Heaven, except we bring Chriſt in our arms, Epheſ. 2. 18. For through him we both have acceſs by one Spirit, unto foreign. As no acceſs, ſo no acceptance without Chriſt. Eph. 1. 6. Wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.Eph 1:6the Father. The Greek word ſignifies A leading by the hand, it is an alluſion p. 506to the cuſtom of Princes, to whom there is no paſſage, unleſs we be brought in by one of their Favorites. Plutarch reports, That it was wont to be the way of ſome of the Heathens, the Moloſsians, when they would ſeek the favor of their Prince, they took up the Kings Son in their Arms, and ſo went and kneeled before the King. Ah Chriſtians, Chriſt is near and dear unto the Father, the Father hath determined to give out all his loves and favors through his Son; if you bringAs Jacob ſaid, See not my face, except you bring Benjamin with you: So ſayes God, See not my face, except you bring Jeſus with you. Gen. 42. 20, to 34. And as David ſaid to Abner. 2 Sam. 3. 13.Gen 42:20–342 Sam 3:13 Chriſt in the arms of your Faith, you gain the Fathers heart, and in gaining his heart, you gain all. The Fathers Mercies melt, his Bowels roul, his Heart turns, his Compaſſions are kindled, upon the ſight of his Sons Merits and Mediation. As Joſeph ſaid to his Brethren, Ye ſhall not ſee my face, unleſs you bring your Brother Benjamin: So ſayes God, you ſhall not ſee my face unleſs you bring the Lord Jeſus with you.

Now gracious Souls, in all their Prayers, they preſent Jeſus Chriſt before the Father, and upon his account they deſire thoſe things that make for p. 507their external, internal, and eternal good. Ah but vain men treat and trade with God in Prayer, upon the account of their own worth, righteouſneſs, worthineſs, and ſervices, Iſa. 58. 2, 3. Yet they ſeek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a Nation that did Righteouſneſs, and forſook not the Ordinance of their God. They ask of me the Ordinances of Juſtice, they take delight in approaching to me: Wherefore have we faſted, ſay they, and thou ſeeſt not? Wherefore have we afflicted our ſouls, and thou takeſt no knowledge? Here you ſee they ſtand upon their own practiſes, and ſervices, and expoſtulate the caſe with God in an angry manner, becauſe God did not anſwer their hypocritical performances. So the proud Phariſee ſtands in Prayer upon his own worthineſs, and righteouſneſs, Luk. 18. 11, 12. The Phariſee ſtood and prayed This Phariſee was like the Egyptian Temple, painted without, and ſpotted within, varniſh without, and vermin within.thus with himſelf, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjuſt, adulterers, or even as this Publican. I faſt twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I poſſeſs. So did thoſe Hypocrites in the ſixth Chapter, and in the three and twentieth Chapter of Matthew, ſtand very much upon their outward p. 508ſervices and performances, though they were but ſhining ſins, but filthy rags.

Secondly, Souls truly gracious, pray more to get off their ſins, then they do to get off their chains. Though Bonds did attend Paul in every place, asActs 20. 23.Acts 20:23 himſelf ſpeaks, yet he never cries out, O wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me from my Bonds, but O Rom. 7. 23.Rom 7:23wretched man that I am, who ſhall deliver me, from my ſins, from this body of death? David cryes not, Perii, but Peccavi, Pſal. 51.Ps 51Not I am undone, but I have done fooliſhly: But wicked men ſtrive in Prayer, more to get off their chains, then to get off their ſins, more to be delivered from enemies without, then luſts within, more to get out of the Furnace, then to be delivered from their Spiritual Bondage; as the ScripturesPſal. 78. 34. Zach. 7. 5, 6, 7. Iſai. 26. 16, 17.Ps 78:34Zech 7:5Zech 7:6Zech 7:7Isa 26:16Isa 26:17 in the Margent do evidence.

Thirdly, The Stream and Cream of a gracious Mans ſpirit, runs moſt out in Prayer, after Spiritual and HeavenlyPſal. 4. 6, 7. & 27 4.Ps 4:6Ps 4:7Ps 27:4 things, as is abundantly evident by thoſe Prayers of the Saints that are upon record throughout the Scripture: But the Stream and Cream of vain p. 509mens ſpirits in Prayer runs moſt out after poor, low, carnal things, as you may ſee in comparing the following Scriptures together, Hoſ. 7. 14. Zach. 7. 5, 6, 7. Jam. 4. 3, &c.

Fourthly, A gracious Soul looks and lives more upon God in Prayer, then upon his Prayer: He knows, though Prayer be his Chariot, yet Chriſt is his food: Prayer may be a ſtaff to ſupport him, but Chriſt is that Manna that muſt nouriſh him; and upon him he looks, and lives. Pſal. 5. 3. In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, (or Martial, and ſet in order my Prayer, as it is in the Hebrew) and will look up (or look out, as it is in the Hebrew)foreign in Pihil. as a watchman looks out to d…ſcover the approaches of an enemy: But vain men, they live and look more upon their Prayers, then they do upon God; Nay, uſually they never look after their Prayers, they never obſerve what returns they have from Heaven; they are like thoſe that ſhoot Arrows, but do not minde where they fall. Wicked men think it is Religion enough for them to pray, and to look after their prayers, to ſee how their prayers ſpeed p. 510is no Article of their Faith: But a gracious Soul is of a more noble ſpirit, when he hath prayed he will ſtand upon his watch-tower, and obſerve what God will ſpeak. Pſal. 85. 8. I will hear that God the Lord will ſpeak; for he will ſpeak peace unto his people, and to his Saints: But let them not return to folly; or as the Hebrew may be read, And they ſhall foreign I will liſſen and lay my obedient ear to what the Lord ſhall ſpeak.not return to folly, Veal iaſhubu le Chiſlah. Wicked men would have God to be all ear, to hear what they deſire, when themſelves have never an ear to hear what he ſpeaks. But deaf ears ſhall always be attended with dumb anſwers. Juſtice always makes mercy dumb, when ſin hath made the ſinner deaf.

Fifthly, No diſcouragements can take gracious Souls off from Prayer, but the leaſt diſcouragements willAriſtotle, though a Heathen, could ſay, That in ſome caſes a man had better loſe his life, then be cowardly. Ethic. 3. c. 1. take off carnal hearts from Prayer, as you may ſee in the following Scriptures, compared together, Pſal. 40. 1, 2. & 44. 10-23. Matth. 15. 21-29. Mal. 3. 14. Iſai. 58. 1, 2, 3. Amos 8. 3, 4, 5, &c. When one of the Ancient Martyrs was terrified with the threatnings of his perſecutors, he replied, p. 511There is nothing (ſaith he) of things viſible, nothing of things inviſible, that I fear, I will ſtand to my profeſsion of the name of Chriſt, and contend earneſtly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints, come on it what will. It is neither the hope of life, nor the fear of death, that can take a real Chriſtian off from Prayer: He is rather raiſed then dejected; he is rather quickned then diſcouraged by delays or denials; he will hold up and hold on in a way and courſe of Prayer, though men ſhould rage, and Lyons roar, and the Furnace be heat ſeven times hotter, &c. But it is not ſo with carnal hearts, Job 27 9, 10.

Sixthly, When a gracious manIn his courſe his heart is in his Prayer, he findes by experience that the heart is the Primum mobile, the great wheel that moves all other wheels. It is the chief Monarch in the Iſle of Man. prayes; he hath his heart in his Prayer, when he falls upon the work he makes heart-work on it. So David in Pſal. 42. 4. When I remember theſe things, I pour out my heart. So Hannah in 1 Sam. 1. 15. I am a woman of a ſorrowful ſpirit (ſaith ſhe) and have poured out my ſoul before the Lord. So the Iſraelites in 1 Sam. 7. 6. Poured out their ſouls like water before the Lord. So the Church in Iſa. 26. 8, 9. The deſire of our ſoul is to thy p. 512name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my ſoul have I deſired thee in the night; yea, with my ſpirit within me will I ſeek thee early. Gracious Souls know,The voice of God is Da Mihi cor. that no Prayer is acknowledged, accepted, and rewarded by God, but that wherein the heart is ſincerely and wholly. It is not a piece, it is not a corner of the heart, that will ſatisfie the Maker of the heart. The true Mother would not have the childe divided: As God loves a broken and a contrite heart, ſo he loaths a divided heart. God neither loves halting, nor halving, he will be ſerved truly and totally. The Royal Law is, Thou ſhalt The heart as a Prince gives Laws to all other Members. The Heart is Chriſts Bed of Spices, it is his Preſence Chamber, it is his Royal Throne; it is one of thoſe four Keys that God keeps under his own girdle.love and ſerve the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy ſoul. Among the Heathens, when the Beaſts were cut up for Sacrifice, the firſt thing the Prieſt looked upon, was the heart; and if the heart was naught, the Sacrifice was rejected. Verily, God rejects all thoſe Sacrifices wherein the Heart is not.

Now wicked men are heartleſs in all their Services▪ in all their Prayers, as you may ſee in comparing the following Scriptures together, (I ſhall not p. 513tranſcribe the words, becauſe I muſt cut ſhort the work,) Iſai. 29. 13. Matth. 15. 7, 8, 9. Ezek. 33. 30, 31, 32. Zach. 7. 4, 5, 6. 2 Chro. 25. 1, 2. As the body without the ſoul is dead, ſo Prayer,Prayer without the heart, is but an empty ring, a tinckling ſymbal. without the heart be in it, is but dead Prayer in the eye and account of God. Prayer is onelyonly lovely and weighty, as the heatt is in it, and no otherwiſe. It is not the lifting up of the voice, nor the wringing of the hands, nor the beating of the breſts, but the ſtirrings of the heart, that God looks at in Prayer. God hears no more then the heart ſpeaks; if the heart be dumb, God will certainly be deaf. No Prayer takes with God, but that which is the travel of the heart.

Seventhly, Gracious Souls uſuallyDan 9. 9. Nehe. 10. compared. Rom. 8. 26. foreign, Helpeth together, or helps us as the nurſe doth the little childe. Prayer is the breath of the Spirit, &c.Dan 9:9Rom 8:26 come off from Prayer, with hearts more diſengaged from ſin, and more vehemently ſet againſt it: The precious communion that they have with God in Prayer, the ſweet breathings of God into their hearts, whileſt they are a breathing out their requeſts in his ears, and the ſecret aſſiſtance, ſtirrings, and movings of the Spirit upon their ſouls in Prayer, arm them more p. 514againſt ſin, and makes them ſtand upon the higheſt terms of defiance with ſin. How ſhall I do this or that wickedneſs againſt God? Sayes the praying Soul, O I cannot, I will not do any thing unworthy of him, that hath cauſed his glory to paſs before me in Prayer.

Ah but wicked men come off from Prayer with hearts more encouraged to ſin, and more reſolved to walk in ways of ſin. Prov. 7. 14, 15-24. I have Peace-offerings with me; (ſaith the Harlot) This day have I paid my vows. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to ſeek thy face, and I have found thee. Come, let us take our fill of love, until foreign Be drunken with loves, which ſhews her unſatiable luſts.the morning; let us ſolace our ſelves with loves. So in Jere. 7. 9, 10. Will ye ſteal, murder, and commit adultery, and ſwear falſly, and burn incenſe unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not, And come and ſtand before me in this houſe, which is called by my Name, and ſay, We are delivered to do all theſe abominations? Wicked men are like Lewis, King of France, that would ſwear, and then kiſs the croſs, and then ſwear more bitterly, and then kiſs the p. 515croſs: So they ſin and pray, and prayMr. Shepherd in his Sincere Convert ſpeaks of ſuch a monſter, yea, this age is full of ſuch Monſters, that have no pity upon themſelves. and ſin; and the more they pray, the more eaſily, reſolutely, and impudently do they ſin. They make uſe of Prayer to charm their Conſciences, that ſo they may ſin with more pleaſure, and leſs regreet. Ah, what pains do ſuch ſinners take to go to Hell, and to arm their Conſciences againſt themſelves in that day, wherein they ſhall ſay, There is no help, there is no hope!

Eighthly and laſtly, Gracious Souls do more eye and obſerve, how their own hearts are wrought upon in Prayer,Pſal. 35. 13. My Prayer returned into my own boſom. Iſa…. 26. 8, 9.Ps 35:13 then how others hearts are wrought upon. When they pray, they look with a curious eye upon their own ſpirits, they look with a narrow eye upon their own hearts, and obſerve how they are affected, melted, humbled, quickned, raiſed, ſpiritualized, and bettered by Prayer: But vain men as they pray to be ſeen of men; ſo they eye moſt how others like their prayers, andMatth. 6. & 23. The vertue of ſome lieth in the ſpectators eyes.Matt 6 are affected and taken with their prayers; they are moſt critical in obſerving what operations their prayers have upon others hearts, but never minde (to any purpoſe) how they operate p. 516upon their own hearts; a worſe plague cannot befal them.

And thus I have endeavored to ſhew you what a wide difference there is betwixt the Prayers of the godly, and the ungodly; and by this, as by the former particulars laid down, you may ſee what Prayer that is that accompanies Salvation.

Now, in the ſeventh place, I ſhallThe ſeventh thing that accompanies Salvation, is Perſeverance. ſhew you what Perſeverance that is that accompanies Salvation, and that I ſhall do in theſe following particulars.

Firſt, That Perſeverance that accompanies Salvation, is, Perſeverance in a holy Profeſſion. Heb. 4. 14. Seeing then that we have a great High Prieſt, that is paſſed into the Heavens, Jeſus the Son of God: Let us hold faſt our profeſsion by a ſtrong hand, or by a hand of holy foreign.violence. So in Chap. 10. 23. Let us hold faſt the profeſsion of our Faith without foreign, ſignifies, A forcible holding, a holding with both hands. foreign.wavering (or as it is in the Greek, without tilting, or toſsing to one ſide or other) for he is faithful that promiſed. Therefore let no temptation, affliction, oppoſition, or perſecution, take us off from our holy Profeſſion, but let us hold p. 517our Profeſſion with a forcible hand, yea, with both hands, in the face of all difficulties, dangers, and deaths. As Cynaegirus, the Athenian Captain, did the ſhip that was laden with the rich ſpoil of his Country.

Secondly, That Perſeverance that accompanies Salvation, is, a Perſeverance in holy and ſpiritual Principles: It is an abiding in love, John 15. 9, 10.So in Col. 1. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 15. Heb. 13. 1. & 11. 13. Theſe all died in Faith; or as it is in the Greek, They all died according to Faith; that is, Perſevering in Faith.Col 1:231 Tim 2:15Heb 13:1Heb 11:13 And an abiding in faith and hope, 1 Cor. 13. 13, &c. Perſeverence is not a particular diſtinct Grace of it ſelf; but ſuch a Vertue as crowns all vertue; it is ſuch a Grace as caſts a general glory and beauty upon every grace: It is a Grace that leads every grace on to perfection.

To perſevere in holy and heavenly Principles, is, To perſevere in Believing, in Repenting, in Mourning, in Hoping; It is to perſevere in Love, in Fear, in Humility, in Patience, in Self-denial, &c. Now it is this perſeveranceIt is a Rule in the Civil Law (Nec videtur actum ſi quid ſuperfit quod agatur) that nothing ſeems to be done, if there remain ought to be done. Let a man do never ſo much, if he do not perſevere, he will be found to have done nothing. in holy and gracious Principles that accompaines Salvation, that leads to Salvation. No grace, no, not the moſt ſparkling and ſhining grace, can bring a man to Heaven of it ſelf, without p. 518Perſeverance; not Faith, which is the Champion of Grace, if it faint and fail; not Love, which is the Nurſe of Grace, if it decline and wax cold; not Humility, which is the adorner & beautifier of Grace, if it continue not to the end; not Obedience, not Repentance, not Patience, nor no other Grace, except they have their perfect work. It is Perſeverance in Grace that crowns every Grace, and every gracious Soul with a crown of glory at laſt. Revel. 2. 10. Be thou faithful to the death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Such asAs all Hypocrites onelyonly do. John 6, &c.John 6 onelyonly believe for a time, and repent for a time, and love for a time, and repent for a time, and love for a time, and rejoyce for a time, and hope for a time, &c. But do not perſevere and hold out, will be doubly miſerable in the day of vengeance. Perſeverance is the accompliſhment of every Grace, without it, he that fights cannot hope to overcome; and he that for the preſent doth overcome, cannot look for the Crown, unleſs he ſtill perſeveres and goes on conquering, and to conquer, till he findes all his enemies ſlain before him.

Thirdly, That Perſeverance that p. 519accompanies Salvation, is, An abidingYou muſt perſevere and hold faſt the faith of the Goſpel, without wavering in it, or ſtartling from it. You muſt be as the Center, or as Mount Sion, ſtedfaſt and unmoveable. or continuing in the Word or Doctrine of Chriſt. John 15. 7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye ſhall ask what you will, and it ſhall be done unto you. 1 John 2. 14. I have written unto you yong men, becauſe ye are ſtrong, and the Word of God abideth in you. Verſ. 24. Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning; if that which ye have heard from the beginning, ſhall remain in you, ye alſo ſhall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 2 John verſ. 9. Whoſoever tranfgreſſeth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father, and the Son. None ſhall receive the end ofThe Tabernacle was covered over with red (and the purple feathers tell us, that they take that habit for the ſame intent) to note, That we muſt defend the tru…h, and abide by the truth, even to eſſuſion of blood. their Faith, the Salvation of their Souls, but thoſe that hold faſt the Doctrine of Faith, foundly, ſincerely, and entirely, to the end. John 8. 31. If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my Diſciples indeed. It is the End that crowns the action, as the Evening crowns the day, as the laſt act commends the whole Scene. It is not enough to begin well, except we end well; the beginning of Chriſtians is p. 520not ſo conſiderable as the end. Manaſſeh and Paul began ill, but ended well;Neroes firſt five years were famous, but afterwards who more cruel? Judas and Demas began well, but ended ill. It is not the knowledge of the Doctrine of Chriſt, nor the commending of the Word of Chriſt, but the abiding in Chriſts Word, the continuing in Chriſts Doctrine, that accompanies Life and Glory, and that will render a man happy at laſt. Such that with Hymeneus and Alexander, put away,1 Tim. 1. 19, 20. 1 Cor. 5. 5.1 Tim 1:191 Tim 1:201 Cor 5:5 or make ſhipwrack of the Doctrine of Faith, of the Word of Faith, ſhall by the Lord, or his people, or by both, be delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaſpheme: Uſually the end of ſuch, is worſe then the beginning. Double2 Pet. 2. 20, 21, 22. 2 Tim 3. 13.2 Pet 2:202 Pet 2:212 Pet 2:222 Tim 3:13 damnation attends thoſe that begin in the Spirit, and end in the Fleſh.

Fourthly and laſtly, That Perſeverance that accompanies Salvation, is, A Perſeverance in holy and graciusPhil. 3. 10-14 Iſa. 40. ult.Phil 3:10–14Isa 40 Actions and Motions, it is a continuing in Pious Duties, and Religious Services. The life of Chriſtian conſiſts in Motion,Non progredieſt regredi, Not to go forwards, is to go backwards. not in Seſſion: A Chriſtians Emblem ſhould be an Houſe moving towards Heaven, he muſt never ſtand p. 521ſtill, he muſt alwayes be a going on from Faith to Faith, and from ſtrength to ſtrength. When Saints have done their work in this life, they ſhall ſit upon Thrones in a better life. PerſeveranceActs 13. 43. & 14. 22. foreign, of foreign, ſignifying a continuance in Prayer and Supplication, with an invincible and ſtrong conſtancy. There was a Temple of Concord among the Heathens, and ſhall it not be found among Chriſtians that are the Temple of the Holy Ghoſt?Acts 13:43Acts 14:22 is a going on, a holding out, in ways of piety and ſanctity. Acts 1. 14. Theſe all continued with one accord in Prayer and Supplication. Chap. 2. 42. And they continued ſtedfaſtly in the Apoſtles Doctrine and Fellowſhip, and in breaking of Bread, and in Prayers. Verſ. 46. And they continued daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking Bread from houſe to houſe, did eat their meat with gladneſs, and ſingleneſs of heart. 1 Tim. 5. 5. Now ſhe that is a widow indeed, and deſolate, truſteth in God, and continueth in Supplications and Prayers, night and day. Rom. 12. 12. Continuing inſtant in Prayer. Chriſtians muſt work hard in a Wilderneſs, before they ſit down in paradiſe: They muſt make a conſtant progreſs in holineſs, before they enter into happineſs.

It is the excellency of Perſeverance, that it keeps a Chriſtian ſtill in motion God-wards, Heaven-wards, Holineſswards. It is a Grace that quickens a p. 522man to motion, to action; it keeps a man ſtill going, ſtill doing. And Motion is the excellency of the Creature, and the more excellent any Creature is, the more excellent is that Creature in its motions; as you may ſee in the motions of the Celeſtial Bodies, the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Perſeverance is a perpetual motion in ways of Grace and Holineſs. Perſeverance willPſal. 44. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.Ps 44:16Ps 44:17Ps 44:18Ps 44:19Ps 44:20 make a man hold up, and hold on, in the work and ways of the Lord, in the face of all impediments, diſcouragements, temptations, tribulations, and perſecutions. As the Moon holds on her motion, though the dogs bark; ſo Perſeverance will make a Chriſtian hold on in his holy and heavenly Motions, though vain men bark, and bite, &c.

And thus I have ſhewed you what Perſeverance that is that accompanies Salvation.

Now in the Eighth place, I ſhallThe eighth and laſt thing that accompanies Salvation is Hope. I ſhall gather up what I have to ſay concern…ng Hope, into as narrow a compaſs as I can, being unwilling to tire the Readers patience, and my own ſpirits. The Philoſophers excluded Hope out of their Catalogues of vertues, numbering it among the perturbations; but God by his Werd hath taught us better. ſhew you, (very briefly) Firſt, That Hope doth accompany Salvation; Secondly, What that Hope is that doth accompany Salvation.

Firſt, That Hope doth accompany p. 523Salvation, theſe Scriptures ſpeak it out. Rom. 8. 24. For we are ſaved by hope. Gal. 5. 5. For we through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteouſneſs by faith. Epheſ. 1. 18. The eyes of your underſtanding being inlightned; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints. 1 Theſ. 5. 8. But let us who are of the day, be ſober, putting on the breſt-plate of Faith, and Love, and for an helmet, the Hope of Salvation. Tit. 3. 7. That being juſtified by his grace, we ſhould be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Chap. 1. 2. In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promiſed before the world began. By all theſe Scriptures it doth fully appear, that Hope doth accompany Salvation, it doth boarder upon eternal life.

The ſecond thing that I am to ſhew you is, What Hope that is that doth accompany Salvation, that comprehends Salvation; and that I ſhall do with as much brevity and perſpicuity as I can, in the following particulars.

Firſt, That Hope that accompanies p. 524Salvation, is, A grace of God, wherebySpes eſt expectatio eorum quae verè à Deo promiſſa fides credidit. Calvin. 1 Tim. 6. 17. This very title The God of Hope, may ſerve as a ſoveraign antidote againſt the blackeſt and horrideſt temptations; for why ſhould any deſpair of his mercy who hath proclaimed himſelf to be the God of Hope? Spes eſt virtus qua inclinam…r ad expectationem eorum quae Deus nobis promiſit. Perkins.1 Tim 6:17 we expect good to come, patiently waiting till it come. Firſt, I call it a Grace of God, becauſe he is the donor of it; and therefore he is called the God of Hope, Rom. 15. 13. Now the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. Now God is called the God of Hope, becauſe he is objectivè, the onelyonly object of our Hope, and he is effectivè, the onelyonly Author and Worker of Hope in the Soul. Hope is no natural affection in men, men are not born with hope in their hearts, as they are born with tongues in their mouthes: Hope is nobly deſcended, it is from above, it is a heavenly Babe, that is formed in the ſoul of man by the power of the Holy Ghoſt. And as Hope is no natural affection, ſo Hope is no Moral vertue, which men may attain by their frequent actions; but Hope is a Theological vertue that none can give but God. Secondly, I ſay it is a Grace of God, whereby we expect good to come; I ſay good, not evil; for evil is rather feared, then hoped for by any. The object of this Hope hath four conditions. 1. It muſt p. 525be Bonum, good. 2. Futurum, future. 3. Poſsibile, poſſible. 4. Arduum, hard or difficult to obtain. Thirdly, I ſay Hope is a Grace of God, whereby we expect good to come, patiently waiting till it come: Hope makes the Soul quiet and patient till it comes to poſſeſs the good deſired and hoped for, Rom. 8. 25. But if we hope for that we ſee not, then do we with patience wait for it. The Hebrew word (Kavah) that is often tranſlated Hope, ſignifies a very vehement intention, both of body and minde, a ſtretching forth of the Spirit or Minde, in waiting for a deſired good.2 Cor. 4. ult. Hope fates well, it keeps a Princes Table, it lives upon Honey and Milk, Oyl and Wine, it ſives upon the ſweet meats, the delicates of Heaven, as God, Chriſt, and Glory. Pſal. 31. 24. & 33. 22. & 38. 15. & 42. 5. & 43. 5. & 39. 7. & 71. 5. & 65. 5.2 Cor 4Ps 31:24Ps 33:22Ps 38:15Ps 42:5Ps 43:5Ps 39:7Ps 71:5Ps 65:5

Secondly, That Hope that accompanies Salvation, is alwayes converſant about holy and heavenly objects, as about God and Chriſt. 1 Tim. 1. 1. Paul an Apoſtle of Jeſus Chriſt by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jeſus Christ, which is our Hope. In theſe words, Chriſt is ſet forth as the chief object of our Hope, becauſe by his merits and mercy, we hope to obtain the remiſſion of our ſins, and the eternal Salvation of our ſouls. Sometimes Hope is exerciſed about p. 526the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt. Gal. 5. 5. For we through the Spirit, wait for the Hope of Righteouſneſs by Faith. Sometimes Hope is exerciſed about God the Father, 1 Pet. 1. 21. Who by him do believe in God, that raiſed him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God. Jere. 14. 8. O the Hope of Iſrael, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble. Chap. 17. 13. O Lord, the hope of Iſrael, all that forſake thee ſhall be aſhamed. Verſ. 17. Thou art my hope in the day of evil. Sometimes HopeThe Jewiſh Rabbins were wont to ſay, That upon every Letter of the Law, there hangs Mountains of profitable matter. Ah then what abundance of comfort and ſweetneſs may hope finde, yea, does hope finde in the Promiſes? is exerciſed, and buſied about the Word and Promiſes, Pſal. 119. 49. Remember the word unto thy ſervant, upon which thou haſt cauſed me to Hope. Verſ. 81. My ſoul fainteth for thy Salvation, but I hope in thy Word. Verſe 114. Thou art my hiding place, and my ſhield. I hope in thy Word. Pſal. 130. 5. I wait for the Lord, my ſoul doth wait: And in his Word, do I hope. Pſal. 119. 74. They that fear thee will be glad, when they ſee me: Becauſe I have hoped in thy Word. Verſe 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cryed: I hoped in thy Word. Hope in the Promiſe, will keep the head from aking, and the heart p. 527from breaking, it will keep both head and heart from ſinking and drowning. Hope exerciſed upon the promiſe, brings Heaven down to the heart: The Promiſes are the Ladder by which Hope gets up to Heaven. Hope in the Promiſe will not onelyonly keep life and ſoul together, but it will alſo keep the ſoul and glory together. Hope inPſal. 4…. 5. & 119. 49, 50. compared. Hol. 6. 1, 2.Ps 4:5Ps 119:49Ps 119:50 the Promiſe will ſupport diſtreſſed ſouls; Hope in the Promiſe will ſettle perplexed ſouls; Hope in the Promiſe will comfort dejected ſouls; Hope in the Promiſe will reduce wandering ſouls; Hope in the Promiſe will confirm ſtaggering ſouls; Hope in the Promiſe will ſave undone ſouls. The Promiſe is the ſame to Hope, thatRom. 8. 24. The Promiſes are Hopes rich Magazin.Rom 8:24 Hope is to the Soul; the Promiſe is the Anchor of Hope, as Hope is the Anchor of the Soul. Look what the Breſts are to the Childe, and Oyl is to the Lamp, that, are the Promiſes to Hope. Hope lives and thrives, as it feeds upon the Promiſes, as it embraces the Promiſes: The Promiſes are the ſweet-meats of Heaven, uponHeb. 11. 13.Heb 11:13 which Hope lives. And every degree of Hope brings a degree of joy into p. 528the Soul, which makes it cry out Heaven, Heaven.

Again, Hope is exerciſed about the glory and felicity, the happineſsPſal. 16. ult. Tit. 3. 7. foreign. Looking for Chriſts coming as earneſtly as men look and long for the coming of ſome ſpecial friends, or as Inn-keepers do for ſpecial gueſts.Ps 16Titus 3:7 and bleſſedneſs that is at Gods right hand. Tit. 2. 13. Looking for that bleſſed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Christ. Hope makes a man ſtretch out his neck, and put forth his hand, and look as earneſtly for the glorious appearing of Chriſt, as Siſera's Mother did for the happy return of her Son. The hoping Soul is often a ſighing it out, Why are his Charriot Wheels ſo long a coming. Col 1. 5. For the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven. Hope in this placeSo in Rom. 8. 24, 25. Col. 1. 27. Rom. 5. 2, &c.Rom 8:24Rom 8:25Col 1:27Rom 5:2 is taken by a Metonimy, for the things hoped for, viz. All that glory and felicity, that bleſſedneſs and happineſs, that is laid up for us in Heaven. So in Heb. 6. 18. Who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope ſet before us. Hope here is put for the object of Hope, viz. Heaven and Happineſs. Hope layes ſuch faſt hold (as the Greek word hereforeign. ſignifies) upon Heaven and Happineſs, that none ſhall ever be able to take thoſe precious things out of Hopes p. 529hand. So Hope is put for the glorious things hoped for, Epheſ. 1. 18. And thus you ſee thoſe precious and glorious objects, about which that Hope that accompanies Salvation is exerciſed.

Thirdly, That Hope that accompanies Salvation, that comprehends Salvation, that borders upon Salvation, is grounded upon the firmeſt foundations, to wit, the Promiſes of God, as hathPſal. 40. 4. Prov. 10. 28.Ps 40:4Prov 10:28 been fully ſhewed before; and it is built upon the Free-grace of God, 1 Pet. 1. 13. It is built upon the infinite and glorious power of God, Rom. 4. 21. It is built upon the truth and faithfulneſs of God, 2 Tim. 2. 13. Theſe precious and glorious Foundations do bear up the hopes of the Saints, as the three Pillars bore up the hangings in the Tabernacle. A Believers hope is founded upon the Love of Chriſt, the Blood of Chriſt, the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, the Satisfaction of Chriſt, and the Interceſſion of Chriſt, &c. But the hopes of Hypocrites, and wicked men, are always built upon weak, ſlender, and ſandy foundations; ſometimes they build their hopes upon their outward p. 530profeſſion, upon their Lamps, thoughMatth. 25. 3.Matt 25:3 they are empty Lamps; and ſometimes upon their duties and ſervices, asIſai 58 1, 2, 3. Matth. 6. Every falſe principle in Religion is a Reed of Egypt that will certainly deceive ſouls at laſt; therefore take heed of leaning upon any of thoſe Reeds.Isa 58:1Isa 58:2Isa 58:3Matt 6 the Jews, Scribes, and Phariſees did; and ſometimes upon their outward priviledges, crying out, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord; and ſometimes they build their hopes upon others good opinion of them; and ſometimes upon flaſhes of joy; and ſometimes upon enlargements in duties; and ſometimes upon the heat and vigor of their ſpirits in Religious ſervices, &c. And all theſe are but ſandy foundations, and they that build their hope upon them will certainly fall, and great will be their fall. The hopes of the Saints are built upon the ſureſt and the ſtrongeſt foundations. It was a good ſaying of one of the Ancients, I Bernard, S…rm. 3. de fragm. Sept. Miſer.conſider (ſaith he) three things, in which all my hope conſiſteth, to wit, 1. Gods love in my Adoption. 2. The truth of his Promiſe. And 3. his power of performance. Therefore let my fooliſh cogitation murmur as long as it list, ſaying, Who art thou? or, what is that glory? or, by what merits doſt thou hope to attain it? For I can anſwer with ſure confidence, I know2 Tim. 1. 12.2 Tim 1:12 p. 531on whom I have believed; And I am certain, Firſt, That in his love he adopted me. Secondly, That he is true in his promiſe. And thirdly, That he is able to perform it: This is the threefold cord which is not eaſily broken.

Fourthly, That Hope that accompanies Salvation, that borders upon Salvation, that comprehends Salvation, that brings Salvation, may be known from all falſe hopes, by the excellent properties of it, and they are theſe that follow.

The firſt property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, is this, ItMatth 6. 20, 21. Phil 3. 20, Col 3. 1. Mark, wicked mens hopes never raiſe them as high as Heaven, under all their hopes they are as very enemies, and as great ſtrangers to God, Chriſt, and Heaven, as ever.Matt 6:20Matt 6:21Phil 3:20Col 3:1 elevates and raiſes the heart to live above, where its treaſure is: This Hope is from above, and it makes the heart to live above; it is a ſpark of glory, and it leads the heart to live in glory. Divine hope carries a man to Heaven; for life to quicken him, and for wiſdom to direct him, and for power to uphold him, and for righteouſneſs to juſtifie him, and for holineſs to ſanctifie him, and for mercy to forgive him and for aſſurance to rejoyce him, and for happineſs to crown him. Divine hope takes in the pleaſures of Heaven p. 532before hand, it lives in the joyful expectation of them, it fancies to it ſelf (as I may ſay) the pleaſures and joyes of eternity, and lives in a ſweet anticipation of what it poſſeſſeth by Faith. Hopes richeſt treaſures, and choiceſt friends, and chiefeſt delights, and ſweeteſt contents, are in the Country above, and therefore Hope loves beſt to live there moſt.

A ſecond property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, is this, It will ſtrengthen the Soul againſt all afflictions, oppoſitions, and temptations,Dan. 3. 57. Pſal. 4. 6, 7. Heb. 10 34. & 11. 2 Cor. 4. 16, 17, 18.Dan 3:57Ps 4:6Ps 4:7Heb 10:34Heb 10:112 Cor 4:162 Cor 4:172 Cor 4:18 1 Theſ. 5. 8. But let us who are of the day, be ſober, putting on the breſt-plate of faith, and love, and for an helmet, the hope of ſalvation. Look as the Helmet defends and ſecures the head, ſo doth Hope defend and ſecure the heart: Hope is a Helmet that keeps off all darts that Satan or the world caſts at the Soul. The hopes of heavenly riches madeIt was a wicked and hopeleſs Cardinal that ſaid, He would not leave his part in Paris, for a part in Paradiſe. thoſe worthies, in that eleventh of the Hebrews, to deſpiſe the riches of this world; The hopes they had of a heavenly Countrey, made them willing to leave their own Countrey, and to live in the very Land of Promiſe, as in a p. 533ſtrange Countrey. The hopes they had of poſſeſſing (at laſt) a houſe not made with hands, but eternal in the Heavens, made them willingly and cheerfully to live in deſerts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caves of the Earth. The hopes they had of a glorious Reſurrection, made them couragiouſly to withſtand the ſtrongeſt temptations, &c. A Saints hope will outliveRom. 5. 2, 3, 4, 5. Some are verily perſwaded that the want of this Divine hope hath been the reaſon that many among the Heathen have laid violent hands upon themſelves. See Plutarch in Caeſar and Catoes lives. Heb. 11. 10, 14, 16, 25, 32, compared.Rom 5:2Rom 5:3Rom 5:4Rom 5:5Heb 11:10Heb 11:14Heb 11:16Heb 11:25Heb 11:32 all fears and cares, all tryals and troubles, all afflictions, and temptations. Saints have much in hope, though little in hand, they have much in reverſion, though but little in poſſeſſion, they have much in the promiſe, though but little in the purſe. A Saint can truly ſay, (Spero meliora) my hopes are better then my poſſeſſions. Hope can ſee Heaven through the thickeſt clouds; Hope can ſee light through darkneſs, life through death, ſmiles through frowns, and glory through miſery: Hope holds life and ſoul together, it holds Chriſt and the Soul together, it holds the Soul and the Promiſes together, it holds the Soul and Heaven together, and ſo it makes a Chriſtian to ſtand and triumph over p. 534all afflictions, oppoſitions, and temptations.

A third property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, is this, It makes the Soul lively and active, Pſal. 119. 166. Lord, I have hoped for thy ſalvation, and done thy commandments. Hope puts the Soul upon doing, upon obeying. 1 Pet. 1. 3. Bleſſed be the God, and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which according to his abundant (or, much) mercy, foreign. Much.hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt from the dead. It is called a lively hope,A mans duties▪ and ſervices, uſually are as his hopes are, if his hopes are weak and low, ſo will his ſervices be; but if his hopes are ſpiritual, noble, and high, ſo will his motions and actions be. Divine hope makes Saints as far excel all other men in their actings, as the Angels do excel them. Some ſay hope and faſting are the two wings of Prayer; faſting is but as the wing of a bird, but hope is as the wing of an Angel, bearing our prayers to the throne of Grace. becauſe it brings life and comfort into the Soul; and it is called a lively hope, in oppoſition to the withering and dying hopes of Hypocrites, and wicked men; and it is called a lively hope, becauſe it flows from lively cauſes, viz. The Spirit of Chriſt, and the Souls union and communion with Chriſt; but mainly it is called a lively hope, becauſe it puts the Soul upon lively endeavors. Hope will make a man pray as for life, hear as for life, and mourn as for life, and obey as for life, and work and walk as for life: Hope will not ſay, this work is too hard, and that p. 535work is too hot; this work is too high, and the other work is too low: Hope will make a man put his hand to every work; Hope makes a man more motion then notion, it makes a man better at doing then at ſaying, &c. Hope gives life and ſtrength to all religious duties and ſervices. 1 Cor. 9. 10. He that plougheth ſhould plough in hope; and he that threſheth in hope, ſhall be partaker of his hope. Hope will put a Chriſtian upon ploughing and threſhing, that is, upon the hardeſt and difficulteſt ſervices for God and his glory. If fleſhlyFleſhly hopes put the Romans upon doing very ſtrange and wonderful exploits, as you may ſee in Plutarch, and other Hiſtorians. hopes of gaining the honors, riches, and favors of this world, made Abſolom, Ahitophel, Jehu, Haman, and many Heathens, full of life and activity, full of motion and action: Verily, holy and heavenly hopes will make men much more lively and active, by how much heavenly hopes are more excellent then earthly. A man full of hope will be full of action; a lively hope, and a diligently hand, are inſeparable companions. Hope will make a man do, though he dies for doing.

A fourth property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, is this, It p. 536will make a man ſit, Noah like, quiet and ſtill in the midſt of all ſtorms and tempeſts, in the midſt of all combuſtions, concuſſions, and mutations; when others are at their wits end, then hope will houſe the Soul, and lodge it ſafe and quiet in the boſom of God, Job 11. 18. And thou ſhalt be ſecure, becauſe there is hope; yea, thou ſhalt dig about thee, and thou ſhalt take thy reſt in ſafety. The Hebrew word that is here rendred reſt, foreign from foreign To reſt as men reſt in their beds, or as the body reſts in the grave.is from a root that ſignifies to reſt and ſleep quietly, as in ones bed: Hope will bring the Soul to bed ſafely and ſweetly, in the darkeſt night, in the longeſt ſtorm, and in the greateſt tempeſt. Heb. 6. 19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the ſoul, both ſure and ſtedfaſt, and which entreth into that within the veil. Hope is that Anchor of the Soul, that keeps it quiet and ſtill in all ſtorms and tempeſts; it keeps the ſoul from daſhingChryſoſtome ſaith, that hope is not onelyonly the Anchor, but the Ship to that good Anchor. upon the Rocks, and from being ſwallowed up in the Sands: Hope is an Anchor that is faſtned above, not below, in Heaven, not in Earth, within the veil, not without; therefore the ſhip, the Soul of a Believer, muſt needs be ſafe and ſecure. That ſhip p. 537will never be ſplit upon the Rocks,Hypoerites in ſtormy times are like ſhips without Anchors, …oſt up and down with every wave, and in danger of being ſplit upon every Rock. Job 27. 9, 10.Job 27:9Job 27:10 whoſe Anchor is in Heaven. Hope enters within the veil, and takes faſt Anchor-hold on God himſelf; and therefore blow high, blow low, rain, or ſhine, the ſoul of a Saint is ſafe. Divine hope ſettles the heart; he that cannot look for more then he hath, can never be ſettled nor ſatisfied; our beſt and greateſt eſtate lies in inviſibles; our perfect and compleat eſtate here, lies not in re, but in ſpe; it lies not in what we have in poſſeſſion, but in what we have in expectation, in reverſion.

A fift property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, is this, It will work the Soul to a quiet and patientPatience is nothing elſe but Hope ſpun out. If you would lengthen Patience, be ſure to ſtrenthen Hope. waiting upon God for mercy, though God ſhould delay the giving in of mercy. Rom. 8. 25. But if we hope for that we ſee not, then do we with patience wait for it. Pſal. 130. 5, 6. I wait for the Lord, my ſoul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My ſoul waiteth for the Lord, more then they that watch for the morning: I ſay, more then they that watch for the morning: Hope will make a man wait, yea, wait long for a mercy, as it did p. 538Abraham, Rom. 4. 18, 19, 20, 21. Though the viſion ſtay, yet hope willHab. 2. 1, 2, 3. Heb. 10. 36, 37. Hopes Motto is (Quod defertur non aufertur,) For bear…nce is no acquittance.Hab 2:1Hab 2:2Hab 2:3Heb 10:36Heb 10:37 wait for it; yet a little, little while, ſayes hope, and he that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry. The longer I wait for a mercy, the greater, better, and ſweeter, at laſt, the mercy will prove, ſayes Hope. It is not mercy, if it be not worth a waiting for, ſayes Hope; and if it be mercy, thou canſt not wait too long for it, ſayes Hope. The men of Bethulia reſolved to wait upon God but five dayes longer, but Deliverance ſtayed ſeven dayes, and yet came at laſt: So ſayes Hope,Pittacus, one of the ſeven Sages, uſed to ſay, A wiſe man muſt recover that by patience, which force cannot command. though Deliverance ſtay, though this and that mercy ſtayes (as it were in the birth) yet it will come at laſt, therefore wait. Hope is not haſty in prefixing the time when God ſhall ſhew mercy, neither will it limit God to the way or manner of ſhewing mercy, but leave both the time and the manner to him that is wiſe and faithful. Sayes Hope, Chriſt knows hisThe Lord ſhews much mercy in timing our mercies for us. own time, and his own time is beſt; though he ſtayes long, yet he will certainly come, and he will not ſtay a moment beyond the time he hath prefixt; p. 539and therefore, ſayes Hope, be not weary, O Soul, but ſtill wait patiently upon the Lord. 1 Theſ. 1. 3. Remembring without ceaſing, your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope. Hope is the Mother of Patience, and the Nurſe of Patience; Hope breeds Patience, and Hope feeds Patience: If it were not for hope, theSpes eſt meſtorum. Druſius. heart would die, and if it were not for hope, patience would die. Look as Faith gives life and ſtrength to Hope, ſo doth Hope give life and ſtrength to Patience: Therefore Patience is called Patience of Hope. Hope maintains Patience, as the Fuel maintains the Fire.

A ſixth property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, is this, It is Soul-purifying Hope, it puts a Chriſtian upon purifying himſelf, as Chriſt is pure, 1 John 3. 3. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himſelf, even as Chriſt is pure. Divine hope runsIn quality, though not in equality. (As) is not a note of parility or equality, but of reſemblance, and ſimilitude. As there is a ſimilitude betwixt the face it ſelf, and the image of the face in the glaſs, but no equality. out into holineſs; he that hath the pureſt and ſtrongeſt hopes of being ſaved, is moſt ſtudious and laborious to be ſanctified. The Greek word (foreign) that is rendred purifieth, is a Metaphor p. 540taken, either from the Ceremonial purifications in time of the Law, or elſe from Goldſmiths purifying Metals from their Droſs; and it notes thus much to us, That thoſe that have hopes to reign with Chriſt in glory, that have ſet their hearts upon that pure and bliſsful State, that Paradiſe, that holy and ſpiritual State of Bliſs that is made up of ſingleneſs and purity, they will purifie both their inſides, and their outſides, both body and ſoul, that they may anſwer to that excellent Copy that Chriſt hath ſet before them; knowing, that none ſhall enjoy Everlaſting Glory, but thoſe that labor after perfect purity.

Now Hope purifies the heart and life thus, by keeping the pureſt objects, as God, Chriſt, the Word, and the Soul together; and by makingHow lively Hope makes the Soul in Religious ſervices, I have ſhewed in the third property. the Soul ſerious and conſcientious in the uſe of all Soul-purifying Ordinances; and by being a fire in the Soul, to burn up all thoſe corruptions, and principles of darkneſs, that are contrary to that purity and glory that Hope hath in her eye; and by working p. 541the Soul to lean upon Chriſt, to live in Chriſt, and to draw purifying vertue from Chriſt, who is the Spring and Fountain of all Purity and Sanctity. And thus Hope purifies thoſe that expect to be like to Chriſt in Glory.

The ſeventh and laſt property of that Hope that accompanies Salvation, that comprehends Salvation, is this, It is permanent and laſting, itProv. 10. 28. Auſtins hope made him long to die, that he might ſee that head that was once crowned with thorns.Prov 10:28 will never leave the Soul, till it hath lodged it in the boſome of Chriſt. Prov. 14. 32. The righteous hath hope in his death. The righteous mans hope will bed and board with him; it will lie down with him, and riſe up with him, it will to the Grave, to Heaven with him; his Motto is, Cum expiro, ſpero, My hope laſts beyond life. TheHope made the Ancients to call the days of their death (Natalia) not dying, but birth days. Jews ancient cuſtom was, by the way as they went with their Corps, to pluck up every one the Graſs, as who ſhould ſay, They were not ſorry, as men without hope, for their Brother was but ſo cropt off, and ſhould ſpring up again in the morning of the Reſurrection. And the Jews, to this very day, ſtick not to call their Golgotha's p. 542(Batte Catim) the houſes or places of the living.

That Hope that accompanies Salvation, is a long-lived hope, it is a living hope, 1 Pet. 1. 3. Bleſſed be the God, and Heb. 3. 6. & 6. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 13. Pſal. 131. 3. foreign. Living.Heb 3:6Heb 6:111 Pet 1:13Ps 131:3Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, or a living hope: A hope that will not die, a hope that will not leave a man in life nor death, Pſal. 71. 14. But I will hope foreigncontinually, and will yet praiſe thee more In proſperity and adverſity, in wealth and ſickneſs, in life and death, I will hope; it is neither the ſmiles, nor the frowns of the world, that ſhall bury a Chriſtians hope. A Chriſtians hope will live in all weathers, and it will make a Chriſtian bear up bravely in all ſtorms, and under all changes.and more. No trials, no troubles, no afflictions, no oppoſitions, ſhall keep down my hope, ſays David. I am peremptorily reſolved, in the face of all dangers, difficulties, and deaths, to keep up my hopes; come what will come on it, I will rather let my life go, then my hope go, I will hope continually. A hopeleſs condition, is a very ſad condition; it is the worſt condition in the world, it makes a mans life, a very Hell. If hope deferred maketh the heart ſick, (as the Wiſeman ſpeaks, Prov. 13. 12.) then the loſs of hope will make the ſoul languiſh; it will make it chuſe ſtrangling, rather then life; it will make a mans life, a p. 543continual death. A Soul without hope, is like a ſhip without anchors: Lord where will that ſoul ſtay, that ſtayes not upon thee by hope? A man were better part with any thing, then his hope.

When Alexander went upon a hopeful expedition, he gave away his Gold; and when he was asked, what he kept for himſelf, he anſwered, (Spem majorum & meliorum,) The hope of greater and better things. A Believers hopeI have read of a Rhodian, who being caſt into a dungeon full of Adders and Snakes (for ſome horrid crimes by him committed) Some perſwaded him to rid himſelf out of that miſery by a violent way; but he anſwered, No; For (ſaith he) as long as I have breath in my noſtrils, I will ever hope for my deliverance. is not like that of Pandora, which may flie out of the Box, and bid the Soul an everlaſting farewel: No, it is like the morning light▪ the leaſt beam of it ſhall commence into a compleat Sunſhine. It is Aurora Gaudii, and it ſhall ſhine forth brighter and brighter, till it hath fully poſſeſſed the Believer of his Chriſt, and Crown. This will be the Hypocrites hell and horror, when he comes to die, that his hope will be like the morning dew, like the Spiders web, like the crackling of thorns under a pot, and like the giving up of the ghoſt, Job 8. 13, 14. & 11. 20. & 27. 8. Prov. 14. 32. & 11. 7. And this is now the upright mans joy, that p. 544who ever leaves him, yet his hope will not leave him, till he hath put on his Crown, and is ſet down in Paradiſe. And thus you ſee what Hope that is that doth accompany Salvation; before I cloſe up this Chapter, take theſe two Cautions with you, they make for your comfort and ſettlement.

The firſt Caution, is this, That allCaution. 1. The Scripture tells you of Saints of ſeveral ſizes, ſome are babes, ſome are children, ſome are yongmen, ſome are old men; now all theſe do no… attain to the ſame degree, but h…ppy is he that hath the leaſt degree. Saints have not theſe things that accompany Salvation, in the ſame degree; if thou haſt but the leaſt meaſure or degree of that Knowledge that accompanies Salvation, or of that Faith that accompanies Salvation, or of that Repentance, or of that Obedience, or of that Love, &c. that accompanies Salvation, thou mayeſt be as aſſuredly confident of thy Salvation, as if thou waſt already in Heaven. The leaſt degree, O Chriſtian, of thoſe things that accompany Salvation, will certainly yeeld thee a Heaven hereafter, and why then ſhould it not yeeld thee a Heaven here? It will undoubtedly yeeld thee a Crown at laſt, and why ſhould it not yeeld thee Comfort and p. 545Aſſurance now? I judge it may, if thou art not an enemy to thine own Soul, and to thy own Peace and Comfort.

The ſecond Caution is this, ThoughCaution 2. No Saints are at all times enſ…ble, that all thoſe precious things that accompany Salvat…n a…e i… them. It is not always day with the Saints. thou doeſt not finde every one of thoſe things in thee that do accompany Salvation, yet if thou doeſt finde ſome of thoſe things, I, though but a few of thoſe things, yea, though but one of thoſe things that accompanies Salvation, that comprehends Salvation, that borders upon Salvation, thy eſtate is ſafe, and happineſs will be thy portion at laſt. Thy ſenſe and feeling of one of thoſe precious things that accompanies Salvation, ſhould be of more power to work thee to conclude, that thy eſtate is good, then any other thing ſhould work thee to conclude, that all is naught, and that thou ſhalt miſcarry at laſt. Do not alwayes ſide with ſin and Satan, againſt thine own precious Soul.

Having thus diſcovered to you the Way and Means of attaining to a welgrounded Aſſurance, I ſhall now haſten to a cloſe▪