Sweet and Soul-Persuading Inducements Leading Unto Christ, Title page 1 – To the reader
SVVEET AND Soule-Perſwading INDVCEMENTS Leading unto CHRIST.
DEDVCED,
1. From the Conſideration of Mans Miſery, Emptineſſe, Baſeneſſe, and Diſhonour without Chriſt.
2. From the Meditation of the Comforts attending the Soules receiving of CHRIST.
3. From the Apprehenſion of the Joy and Excellency of Chriſts living in Man: The whole ſingularly ſweetning the Meditation of Chriſt to the Soule of Man.
Hoe every one that thirſteth come to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye buy, and eat yea come buy wine and milke without money, and without price: Wherefore doe ye spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which ſatisfieth not. ISA …5.1, 2.
Draw me, and we will run after thee, the King hath brought me into his chambers, we will be glad and reioyce in thee, we will remember thy love more then wine, CANT. 1.4.
BERN. SERM. 43. in CANT.
Aridus eſt omnis animae cibus ſi non oleo iſto infunditur, inſipus eſt ſi non hoc ſale conditur, ſi ſcribas, non ſapit mihi niſi legero ibi Jeſum, ſi diſputes, aut conferas, non ſapit mihi niſi ſonuerit ibi Jeſus
By Alexander Groſſe, Miniſter of CHRIST.
LONDON, Printed by G. M for Iohn Bartlet at the Signe of the Gilt-Cup neare Saint Auſtins-Gate. MDCXXXII.
To the Chriſtian READER.
Reverend and Chriſtian Reader,
THere is nothing more pleaſant and comfortable, more animating and inabling, more raviſhing and ſoule-contenting to a true Chriſtian, then the frequent and ſerious meditation of Chriſt, then an holy and humble, ſweet and conſtant commerce and communion with Chriſt: Chriſt Ieſus being the whole of mans happineſſe; the Sunne which gives him light in darkneſſe; the Phyſition which heales his ſoules ſickneſſe; the wall of fire which defends him in the aſſaults of all enemies; the Friend comforting him in his heavineſse; the A…ke ſupporting him in the deluge of all his diſtreſſes; the Rocke ſuſtaining him under the heavieſt preſſures; the enjoyment of Chriſt ſolaceth in the deepest ſorrowes; the want of Chriſt diſtracteth in the greatest worldly abundance.
Who but Chriſt is the cloudy Pillar, protecting and leading Gods Iſrael; the heavenly Manna feeding the Lords people; the brazen Serpent curing Gods children of the ſinfull venome which the fiery Serpent hath infus'd into them: Who but Chriſt is the Propitiatory or Mercy-Seat in whom mercy is ſeated, and through whom it is revealed and communicated to all that thirſt after it; the Jacobs ladder by whom God deſcendeth unto man, and man aſcendeth unto God; the Table of Shew-bread on whom our ſoules are feaſted; the Candle-ſtick by which the Church of God is enlightned; the Altar of perfume, in whoſe name and through whoſe mediation we and our prayers are accepted the brazen Laver in whoſe blood we are waſhed, and the fiery Chariot by which we ſhall at the laſt like Eliah be tranſlated in tranſcendent glory and triumph: Nothing can make that man miſerable who hath Chriſt for his poſseſsion; the fulleſt confluence of all abilities can never make that mans eſtate truly comfortable who hath no Chriſts fullneſſe communicated to him: Christ being the onelyonly Well which is able to refreſh and fill us, when all our veſsels like Hagars, prove empty bottles: the onelyonly …onductor, who is able to lead us, when we are to paſse thorough the Wilderneſſe, and red Sea of manifold adverſities: the only Companion able to comfort us, When God cals us with the three children to walke in the fiery fornace of ſharpe and ſcorching trials; the onelyonly Joſhua, the onelyonly Captaine of the Lords Hoſts, who can reſcue us, when the Amoritiſh Princes, either men or Divels doe beſiege us: ſweet and ſure is their Refuge, who are under the protection of the Lord Ieſus: He is a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempeſt, rivers of waters in a dry place, the ſhadow of a great rock in a weary Land: The life and liberty, peace and ſafety, joy and victory, wealth and glory of a Chriſtian is treaſured up in Chriſt.
Be therfore inſtant and induſtrious, giving all diligence,
1. To make Chriſt ſure unto thy ſelfe: With Boaz in another caſe be in no reſt untill thou hast finiſhed this thing this day. Christ is richly worth the having, all the reſidue without Christ is worth nothing. Stand not upon the coſt, whither paines or ſtudy, teares or prayers, peace, or wealth, goods or name, life or liberty;Rom. 8.…. ſell all for this pearle. Chriſt is of that worth and uſe that thou canst never over buy him, though thou gaveſt thy ſelfe and all the world for him; the making ſure of Chriſt is the aſſurance of all the reſt.
2. Stand for Chriſt, take Chriſts part, be on his ſide, whoever be againſt him; the victory ever paſſeth on Chriſts ſide at laſt; all his faithfull Souldiers are glorious Conquerours: they all have crownes, though ſometimes they ſwimme unto them in blood; take to thee therefore the heart and courage of Shammah one of Davids Worthies, who ſtood and defended the field when all the reſt fled. Thus abide thou with Christ, ſtand for him, defend his Truth, his Worſhip, his Church and children, though all others fly from him or riſe up againſt him: there is more joy and glory in Chriſts ſufferings, then in the triumph of profane perſons, there is more dignity in Chriſts thornes then in their golden crownes; the more thou looſeſt for the Lord Ieſus, the greater is thy advantage: he is unworthy the name of a Servant that will not ſtand by his Lord and Maſter in time of dangers; She diſhonours the name of a wife that refuſeth copartnerſhip with her husband in his troubles; he is unworthy of a name either with God or man, worthy to have his name buried in everlaſting infamy, that will not ſtand by Chriſt with moſt reſolution and confidence, wi…h moſt courage and boldneſſe, when men and Divels oppoſe Chriſt with moſt rage and violence, ô then as Maevius that noble Centurion of Auguſtus being taken and brought unto Antonius and demanded how hee would be handled,Iugulari me jube, quia non ſalutis beneficio, nec mortis ſupplicio adduci poſsum, ut aut Caeſaris miles eſſe deſinam, aut tu u eſſe incipiam. Bruſon. lx. c. 1. heroically anſwered, Command mee to be ſlaine, becauſe neither the benefit of life, no… the puniſhment of death can move me, either to ceaſe to be Caeſars ſouldier, or to begin to be thine. Thus whatſoever doe befall thee, though a thouſand deaths be threatned to be inflicted on thee, let neither the hope of life, nor the feare of death draw thee to ceaſe from being Chriſts ſouldier, or to begin to ſight under the worlds banner; it is more noble and comfortable to die the moſt ignominious death for Chriſt, then to live the moſt glorious worldly life with the deny all of Chriſt.
3. Doe not ſtand aloofe off from Chriſt when Chriſt is upon the Croſſe: Doe not halt and neutralize in the houre of Chriſts and his Churches troubles; he that is not Christs friend is Chriſts enemy: He that is not with him is againſt him: It is Salomons obſervation of the ſloathfull, He that is ſloathfull in his worke is brother to him that is a great waſter, accordingly, he that is ſloathfull in Chriſts worke: that doth not readily put forth his hand, to the helpe and aſsiſtance of Chriſt and his Church, is brother to him that is a great waster of the Kingdome and Church of Chriſt: Chriſt lookes on all Neutraliſts, as on enemies, and not on ſervants, *Aut totum mecu… tene, aut totum omitte. Greg. Nazien.he that holds not wholy with Chriſt, doth very ſham…fully neglect Chriſt: there is no conſiſtence between the ſervice of two Maſters, men cannot poſſibly at once be the followers of two contrary leaders: And what are theſe time ſerving Politicians and carnall Neutralizing middle men? but ſpirituall Harlots, their hearts are divided betwixt Chriſt and other lovers: Ignominious Diſgracers of the Chriſtian name and profeſsion, their way like the goings of the lame whoſe legs are not equall: prodigious *Is proditor eſt veritatis qui aut non libere pronunciat, aut non ſufficienter eam defendit. Chryſoſt.Traitours to their heavenly Prince, the truth, the cauſe and Church of Chriſt: The very off ſpring of Judas. Shamefull expoſers of themſelves to the ſcorne and hatred of all men, both good and bad: it happening unto theſe middle men, as to them who dwell in the*Ariſtot…l…s de mediis. middle roomes of ſome high building, as they are ſmoaked and ſmothered by them that dwell under them, and polluted with ſlime and filth from them that dwell over them; ſo ſmoake and ſmother, diſgrace and ſhame is the portion of ſuch neutralizing and middle people: they that cleave heartily to neither ſide, are juſtly ſuſpected and abhorred of each ſide: He that is neither thoroughly for God, nor for man, is rejected both of God and man: doe not ſay then in the day of Chriſts and worlds conteſtation, as ſometime the Roman Cato did in the civill warre betweene Caeſar and Pompey Quem fugiam video, quem ſequar non video. I diſcerne whom to fly, but I ſee not whom to follow. Whoſoever be deſerted, Chriſt muſt be fully followed, or the curſe of Meroz muſt be expected. Curſe ye Meroz, ſaid the Angell of the Lord, Jud. 5.23.curſe ye bitterly the Inhabitants therof, becauſe they came not to the helpe of the Lord, to the helpe of the Lord in the day of the mighty. Which words I wiſh, as once Chryſoſtome did that ſentence. Eccleſ. 2.11. were engraven on the doore-poſts, into which theſe Politicians and Neutralizers enter, on the Tables where they ſit, on the diſhes cut of which they eat, on the cups out of which they drinke, on the bedſteeds where they lie; on the walles of the houſes where they dwell; on the garments which they weare; on the heads of the horſes on which they ride; and on the fore heads of all them whom they meet, that they might learne and continually remember, That there is bitter curſe attending not only them that openly oppoſe Chriſt, Rev. 3.16.but alſo ſuch as neglect to miniſter their aſſiſtance to Chriſt: Who will ſpew all them out of his mouth who are neither hot nor cold; ſuch as halt in the profeſſion of Chriſt are the greateſt abomination to Chriſt, Chriſt will make their condition very baſe and ignominious, who are not Zealous in Chriſts cauſe and ſervice.
4. Be not terrified with the multitude of oppoſers or opp…ſitions which thou ſhalt ſee againſt Chriſt; but rather ſay as that noble *Paedaretus.Souldier in Eraſmus did to him that told him of that numerous and mighty Army which came against him, Tanto plus gloriae reforemus, quoniam …o plures ſuperabimus, the number of oppoſers makes the Chriſtians conqueſt the more illuſtrious: ſay to thy ſoule in this caſe as Hezekiah did to his Souldiers in the like:… Cro. 32.7, 8. Be ſtrong and couragious, be not affraid nor diſmayed for the King of Aſſyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him, for there be more with us then with him; with him is an arme of fleſh, but with us is the Lord our God, to helpe us, and to fight our battles. And the people reſted themſelves upon the word of Hezekiah King of Iudah: and that thy heart may not meditate a revolt from Chriſt, nor entertaine a thought of conſpiring with the profane multitude in hope of temporall preſervation and ſafety: conſider,
1. How the profaneſt part doth ever in the iſſue prove the weakeſt part: the power of ungodlineſse cuts in ſunder the ſinewes of the greatest earthly forces, as Jonah weakened the Marriners in the Ship, Achan the Souldiers in the Army, and a reigning diſeaſe the greateſt body of fleſh, their ſinne against God brings a curſe on them that oppoſe God, and though they may proſper for a ſeaſon, for the tryall or caſtigation of Gods children, yet at length like the *Iſa 10.6.rod in the fathers hand they are burnt or broken. God at length reſolves even unto nothing, all the powers which exalt themſelves againſt Heaven, as is manifeſt in the fall of the Midianites, Goliah, Abſolom, Zera the Aethiopian, the King of Aſſiria, and infinite others.
2. Conſider, how they who for ſafety forſake Chriſt, and betake themſelves unto an arme of fleſh,Jer. 14.3. Have no other but a withered reed to leane on, no other then a ſandy Foundation to build upon. They go like the children in the Prophet with their veſſels to empty pits, and returne aſhamed, they ſhelter themſelves with the men of Shechem under a bramble,Jud. 9. where they are pierced and goared, inſtead of being ſhadowed; their imaginary way and meanes of ſupportation, turnes to their reall ſhame and ruine: all worldly powers to them that deſert the Lord Ieſus, prove not onelyonly vaine helpers, but miſerable deſtroyers: for thus ſaith the Lord, Curſed be the man that truſteth in man, Jer. 17.5, 6.and maketh fleſh his arme, and whoſe heart departeth from the Lord, for he ſhall be like the heath in the deſart, and ſhall not ſee when good commeth, but ſhall inherit the parched places in the wilderneſſe in a ſalt land and not inhabited. W…en a people have moſt of man for them, and leaſt of God with them, then are they uſually neareſt unto utter ruine.
3. Conſider how they who goe from Chriſt and unite themſelves to the profane and diſaffected multitude for ſafety, doe engage themſelves in a common quarrell againſt Chriſt, and make Chriſt their enemy, and having armed Chriſt againſt them, all the world cannot preſerve them;Pſa 2.9. Mat. 21. but now they are daſh'd in peeces as a Potters veſſell by an iron rod, now Chriſt like a Rocke fals upon them and grindes them unto duſt: Conjunction with Chriſts enemies is the worſt of all wayes and meanes for refuge; Shouldeſt thou helpe the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? (ſaid the Prophet to that good King Iehoſhaphat) therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.
2 Cro. 19 2.4. Conſider how combination with the adverſaries of Chriſt and his cauſe for temporall preſervation, hath ever more a croſſe and curſe attending it; enterprizes againſt the Lord Ieſus have in all ages proved diſmall to their undertakers, Who (ſaith Iob) did ever harden himſelfe againſt the Almighty and proſper. Job 9.4.No weapon (ſaith the Lord) that is formed againſt thee ſhall proſper, Iſa. 54 17.and every tongue that ſhall riſe againſt thee in judgement thou ſhalt condemne. They who cast the three children into the fiery fornace burnt themſelves. Pharaoh periſhed in the very waters into which he forc'd the Iſraelites: there is nothing but an expectation of croſses and curſes to that man that doth oppoſe Chriſt the fountaine of all bleſſings.
5. Conſider, when the Church is weakeſt and the combination ſtrongeſt againſt it, then God is alwaies neareſt to it, and moſt ready to ſhew his power in the preſervation of it. The Churches deepest miſery is Gods choiſeſt opportunity; the Lords people never ſee and enjoy more of Gods preſence then in the fiery fornace: God takes occaſion by his Churches diſtreſses at once to manifeſt his power, wiſdome, juſtice, truth and goodnes.
6. Conſider, that Chriſt is the ſtrength of every thing, the foundation is the ſtrength of the houſe, the rootes are the strength of the Tree; Chriſt the Creatour is the ſtrength of the creature. He turnes the ſtrength of the mighty into weakneſſe, and the impotency of the weak into ſtrength, the creature alwaies proves more or leſſe powerfull, according to the concurrence of Chriſts arme either with or againſt him; all the Nations of the world, when the influence of Gods power is ſuſpended, are but as a drop of a bucket, Iſa. 40.15. Iſ. 41.11, 12, 13and as the ſmall duſt of the ballance: the weakeſt people, the worme Jacob when Chriſt joynes with them are ſtronger then the Mountaines: No mans ſtation is firme or ſtable beſide his, who hath Chriſt ſuſtaining him. Gods Church hath no cauſe of contracting, deſpairing cogitations either from her owne weakneſſe, or from the power of her adverſaries,1 Sam. 2.9. receiving her ſupportment from the power of Chriſt Ieſus; for he will keepe the feet of his Saints, and the wicked ſhall be ſilent in darkneſſe, and by ſtrength ſhall no man prevaile.
7. Conſider, how they who ſtep out from Chriſt and betake themſelves to the ſhadow of carnall men for refuge, doe therein aſſociate and combine themſelves with Satan, for an uncertaine, bodily preſervation, doe expoſe their ſoules unto certaine and inevitable ruine, and what can it availe a man, to looſe the jewell in hope to keep the casket, or to destroy the Inhabitant, in hope to preſerve the houſe: How ever it goe for the preſent. Chriſt will prevaile at laſt; and whither wilt thou runne then, that runneſt from Chriſt now: Hee that now flies from the cauſe of Chriſt, will not be then able to fly from the wrath of Chriſt: He that now refuſeth Chriſt ſuffering, ſhall with dreadfull horrour and amazement at laſt behold Chriſt triumphing.
Laſtly, Conſider, There is more Majeſty, terrour and ſecurity too, in the preſence and conſortſhip of a few good men then in the preſence of a great number of profane men: There is a manifeſtation of God in them, which makes the hearts of their enemies to ſhake, as they who came to apprehend Chriſt fell backward at the very beholding of Chriſt. Gods powerfull and bleſſed preſence among his people, the efficacy of their prayers, the power of godlineſſe apparant in their lives, the very perſwaſion which wicked men have of their integrity, of their intimacy and communion with God, and of Gods taking part with them, doth make their preſence dreadfull to the eye and apprehenſion of profane men: thus the Pſalmiſt, Pſ. 48.2, 3, 4.Beautifull for ſcituation, the joy of the whole Earth is Mount Syon, on the ſides of the North the City of the great King. God is knowne in her Palaces for a Refuge: for loe the Kings were aſſembled, they paſſed by together, they ſaw and ſo they marvelled, they were troubled and haſted away, feare tooke hold upon them there, and paine as of a woman in travell. Heſt 9 2.And in the dayes of Heſter the feare of the Iewes fell upon all people: And in the dayes of Ioſhua, ſuch a feare fell upon the profane Nations that their hearts melted neither was there ſpirit in them any more,Joſh. 5.1. becauſe of the children of Iſrael. The enduring of affliction with Gods people, is better, more honourable, more comfortable, more ſafe and profitable then the enjoyment of the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon.
5. Pray for the peace of Ieruſalem, for the ſafety, unity, tranquility of the Church of Chriſt. Pray for the bleſſing of Heaven upon our deare and dread Soveraigne, and upon his great Councell, that his Name, his Throne and Kingdome may flouriſh and ſhine in glory like the Sun to the end of the world, and that their Councell may be acceptable to him, the diviſions of Reuben ſweetly and fully reconciled, & our threatned ſtorm changed into a bleſſed calm, having one Prince of peace commanding us, one word of peace inſtructing us, one ſpirit of peace conducting us, one way of peace, wherunto the Lord hath called us: let every man cast the diſobedient Ionah out of the Ship of his own ſoul, which makes our waters tempeſtuous. Let every man cut off the Sheba of his owne rebellious luſt, which cauſeth God to threaten the laying of a Siege againſt the City both of our ſoule and body. Let us meet the Lord as Abigail did David, that the Lord may be intreated, that all that is amiſse may be thoroughly reformed, and the Goſpel of our peace in the purity and perfection therof continued, and the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace preſerved.
6. Communicate freely and fully to the neceſſities of the Church of Chriſt, as the Sun his light to them that ſit in darkneſſe, the mother her breaſt to the hungry child, and the Cloud its raine to the thirſty ground; the Churches wants are for the tryall of thine abundance, the Church purchaſed by the blood of Chriſt is more precious then all worldly poſſeſſions and challengeth preheminence in thy affections above all earthly treaſures. What thou poſſeſſeſt is not ſo much thine as Chriſts, and therefore ought freely to be expended in the cauſe of Chriſt. It is the honour of thy ſubstance to be imployed in the Lords ſervice; it is the glory of a Chriſtian to be Chriſts Almoner to feed his Church and children; the Church is a Vineyard whence a liberall harveſt returneth to every man that ſowes plentifully to it. Chriſts bloud is infinitely more precious then thy gold. He gave his blood for thee, and how canſt thou with-hold thy mony from him. Depart rather with all thy ſubſtance, then that one member of Chriſt periſh for the want of it. It is not mans riches, but mans bounty to Chriſts members that honours man; it is not the preſence, but the well uſing of thy abilities which will give thee comfort in the houre of thy laſt and dreadfull Summons.
7. Be conſtant in the knowledge, faith, love, feare and profeſſion of Chriſt. Be not in the matter of Gods worſhip and thy ſalvation like a Reed ſhaken with the wind. Be not carried too and fro with every vaine and empty Doctrine like a Ship without an Anker. Be not toſſed up and downe with every guſt and wave of affliction; take not thy leave of Chriſt as Orpah did of Naomi for any diſtreſſe that doth befall the Church or cauſe of Chriſt; doe not leave the Sun for a Gloc-worme, the favour of God for the love of men; doe not change the Arke for Dagon, the …heat for chaffe, the Doctrine of Chriſt for the tradition of Antichriſt, pure Religion for fordid and ſlaviſh Superſtition. Forſake not the bridegroome of thy ſoule for a Harlot, the Lord Ieſus for the creature; perfidiouſneſſe to Chriſt is the ſhame of all ſhames to a Chriſtian; God and man, friend and fo… abhorre him that proves unfaithfull to the Prince of his ſalvation: It was the ſaying of the Father of Conſtantine the great, occaſioned by ſome of his houſholds ſacrificing to Idols upon a Commandement which he gave for tryals ſake, Eos Regi ſuo nunquam fideles fore, qui Deo infideles ex it ſſent. He that will be falſe to God will never be true to man for conſcience ſake. He that breaketh faith with God is worthy of leaſt credit with man. Take heed therefore, let not thought ariſe within thee of departing from the living God; but preſſe forward, draw nearer and nearer unto God, breake thorow all the Armies of oppoſition and diſcouragement which doe or ſhall encounter thee, as Davids worthies brake thorow the Army of the Philiſtines, and came to the wels of Bethel: grow in Knowledge as the light ſhining more and more to the perfect day: grow in faith as the Tree in rootes; increaſe in love as the fire in heat having much wood. Be not terrified with any comminations, bee not diſheartned with any loſſes, revolt not for feare of any ſufferings, there is enough in Chriſt to make a ſuper abundant recompence. In him thou haſt a living Spring, when all thy bottles are empty; an iron pillar when all thy withered reeds are broken; a wall of fire, when all the refuges and hiding places of chaffe and ſtubble are ſcattered like the duſt before the wind; in him thou haſt a glorious Sun when all the blazing ſtars of thy worldly comfort are extinguiſh'd and come to nought; a bridegroome the faireſt of ten thouſand, when all thy friends according to the fleſh are put to perpetuall ſilence in the grave. O then ſuffer thy ſelf now to be guided by Chriſt, proſtrate thy ſelf under the feet of Chriſt, be contented with Chriſt, repoſe thy ſelf upon Chriſt, increaſe thy intereſt in Chriſt, live wholy to Chriſt, and be ready to ſuffer and dye for Chriſt, that ſo thou mayeſt for ever tryumph with Chriſt: So prayeth
The moſt unworthy of them that ſerve the Lord Chriſt, A. G.