The Still-Destroyer, Sermon

The Still-Destroyer · Sermon

p. 1THE STIL-DESTROYER DISCOVERED.

2 PHILIPPIANS 20.21.

For I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your ſtate.

For all ſeeke their owne, not the things of IESVS CHRIST.

AT the writing whereof the body of Paul was under the reſtraint of bonds and impriſonment, but never was the ſoule of this bleſſed man more then at this time enlarged; his ſoule was happy in a double enlargement. Firſt, in that of ſpirituall ioy, ſecondly, of ſpirituall deſire. His ioyes were ſo abundant, that hee expreſſeth them neare twentie ſeverall times in this no long Epiſtle; never made he ſo frequent mention of death, bonds and diſſolution, as in this Epiſtle, nor ever made he more frequent expreſſions of Divine joyes and comforts; now he exhorteth the Philippians (for he had of this oyle of ioy for their lamps alſo) to rejoyce,Chap. 3.1.4. to rejoyce alway, and againe to rejoyce; The thorne was at his breaſt, and never ſang he ſo ſweetly as now;Chap. 4.4. He had a fountaine of joy in his ſoule, which the ſcorching ſeaſon of a priſon was not able to dry p. 2up; Oh the power and effic…cie of the ſupplies of the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt! Phil. 1.19.Phil 1:19How able are they to poſe the cruelties of men? There is ſtill as much in Ieſus Chriſt for us; his comforts are imparted, not impaired; a priſon cannot keepe him more out now then in Pauls time. He ſtill loves to feed his people through the grate, and when hee ſends them a great journey of trouble and …derling, to bid them once and againe, up and eat: and will the Lord keepe us from ſoul-ſtraitnings? what matters it how ſtrict and cloſe the confinements of our bodies are?

For the largeneſſe of Pauls deſires, they were not in this Epiſtle employed for him ſelfe as priſoners wiſhes commonly are, but for the Philippians. His own miſeries loſe themſeves in the fears of theirs; his only griefe was that of compaſſion; throughout all this rejoycing Epiſtle I find him weeping but once,Chap. 3.18. and that was from apprehenſions of their dangers.Chap. 1.23. His deſire of benefiting their ſouls could have made him content at one time almoſt,Si dives quiſpimulieri pauper…ulae dicat, Ingredere tu ad prandium me…um, ſed quem geſtas infantulum relinque for is, quoui… plorat et moleſ…us eſt nobis, nunquid faciet? nonne magis eliget jejunare, quam expoſito pignore charo ſola prandere cum divite? ita, &c. Bern. Serm. 12. in Cant. Verſe 19. to ſtay a while longer from Jeſus Chriſt, and (as Bernard ſpeakes of another) rather to ſtand at the dore a begging with his children in the raine, then to goe in and feaſt with Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe, and leave them without. Oh the excellency of a publique Spirit! Tis not limited or confined within the bounds of ſelfe concernments. Oh the greatneſſe of a Soule widened, with deſires to advance the Kingdome of Ieſus Chriſt! Pauls zeale in this reſpect puts him upon contriving ſome way of making a ſupply of his neceſſitated abſence from the Philippians; what he could not doe by himſelfe, he deſires to doe by another, even Timothie, him hee promiſeth to ſend as a living Epiſtle to ſecond this other, ſo as Ieſus Chriſt might be advanced, hee cares not by whom it were, whether by himſelfe or another. He was willing to ſtand in the crowd and be hidden, ſo as Chriſt might ſtand upon his ſhoulders and be ſeen….

Paul being about to give a**Omnes has virtutes de Timotheo praedicat ut majori …um reveroutla cum prae…entom ex…ipi…. …ane. in loc. Commiſſion to Timothie for this purpoſe, ſends firſt a commendation of him. Hee commends him from his carefulneſſe of the Philippiuns ſtate. foreign, from his holy ſolicitouſnes, the word importeth a ſoul-cutting care. 'Tis then happy with the Church of God, when they who are employ'd in it, have endowments ſutable to their employments, eſpecially that of caring for ſoules. Miniſters muſt p. 3not then bee without care when they are to enter upon it. How unfitly are many Congregations in this diſtracted England called Cures? many there are that cut the ſoules of their people, few that cut their owne ſoules with caring for their people; Timothie had within him a ſoul-diving care for the Philippians ſtate.

This care in Timothie toward the Philippians, Paul commends for its ſincerity, its naturalnes; foreign.He careth for your ſtate naturally (ſaith he) that is, heartily, truely, not paintedly, appearingly, artificially, Non neceſſitatis vinculo, ſed voluntatis obſ…quio.or (as ſome) willingly, not conſtrainedly; Timothie was not a Miniſter in title, in dignitie, in coat, in cloth, but in truth; hee had the heart of a Miniſter in him; hee was not a Praelate in ſhew, and a Pilate in heart, as Bernard complaines of ſome in his time;Bernard. there was in him Genuinus germanus affectus, a reality of inward and hearty affection toward the Philippians; he was carefull naturally, ſincerely.

This ſinceritie of Timothies care Paul commends from the raritie of it; I have none, faith hee, like-minded, equally-hearted to Timothie in this cauſe of Chriſt, I have divers Miniſters with me,foreign. but onelyonly one Timothy, the reſt are far inferiour to him in integrity, and of a lower forme in Miniſteriall fitnes to be employed, hee is the moſt choicely ſpirited man that I know in all**If Peter were now at Rome, the Papiſts have little cauſe to boaſt of him, rather how doe they diſgrace him, in ſaying was ſo? O triſte et f… dum Elog…. Cal…. in. …. Rome; I have not his fellow left when hee is gone, Paul had no regard to his owne private loſſe of ſo precious a companion; he had but one, and he too was deſerving, and receiving from Paul the love of a father, yet part with him he will if the Church want him. O ſelf-denying ſoul! how doſt thou ſhame thoſe, who boaſting that they succeed in the place of Apoſtleſhip, are (were at leaſt) yet ſo farre from the grace of it, that if Philippi had beene in their Dioces, would rather have taken away from Philippi an hundred Timothies and not have left one, then have ſent one to Philippi, though there had beene a hundred by them deſirous to goe? 2. Paul to make the Philippians value Timothie the more, tels them that ſuch Timothies were very rare a motive likely to be prevalent to move reſpect to Timothie. The rarity of godly Miniſter… height en… the eſteeme of them. Oh that the times wherein were live were not too ſad a proof… hereof! When our Timothies were rare how frequently were they beloved? but now they are by the bleſſing of p. 4God in greater abundance (in theſe parts) how commonly are they loathed? And this is occaſioned by the plentie of their labours, under which coſt of a good God we grow more luxuriant and rank in weeds, more propenſe to libertie, pride, contentions, and contempt of Gods ſo familiar Diſpenſations, even to the taking up the old trade new dreſt; I meane a ſiner ſpunne perſecution. Take heed, if raritie be a meanes to procure love to Miniſters, the Lord may ſoon remove from you theſe now (as they are counted) Antichriſtian burdens, and by their raritie teach you to eſteeme them; I ſcare your madneſſe muſt be cured by keeping you in the dark, and that with ſhorter and courſer fare too. Paul endeavours to heighten the Philippians eſteeme of Timothy, by declaring the unuſualneſs of ſuch Timothies; I have none equally minded, &c.

Paul gives the reaſon of this raritie in the 21. verſ. the words that I chuſe in my following diſcourſe to inſiſt upon; What is the cauſe that there are few or none beſides Timothie that regard the things, the ſtate of the Church? becauſe others ſeek their own things, therefore not Chriſts things. Their affections are full flood earth-ward, ſelfe-ward; therefore ebbing heaven-ward, Chriſt-ward.

All ſeek] He ſpeakes not of thoſe that had made an open defection from the faith, totally forſaking the Apoſtle, as Hymeneus, Philetus, &c. but of thoſe who were Brethren and fellow labourers: Nor yet doth hee intend that ſimply all theſe were ſo neglective of the things of Chriſt, as that there was not one but Timothie that regarded the Church; for there was Epaphr…ditus and others who did regard them, but the word [All] is here to be taken as elſ-where, & in common ſpeech it is uſed, that is, not as importing its full extent, and as it is moſt comprehenſive, but as importing the generalitie, the many, the moſt; ſo when Paul ſpeakes as if all the Cretians were evill beaſts and ſlow bellies,Tit. 1.12.13. So we …ay, Nuſquem …uta ſides…nem… caſtu… in Italia Om…es in Hispa…ia ſuperbi.Titus 1:12Titus 1:13 he muſt be underſtood as ſpeaking of the moſt; the generalitie of the fault, cauſing an expreſſion of univerſalitie. All, almoſt, or for the generalitie ſeek their owne things.

Seek] The word ſignifieth an eager and ſtudious proſecution and deſire, by way of enquirie after any thing; (as Mark 12.12. Luke 11.18.) ſometimes alſo the requiring or exacting of a thing; (Luk. 12.46.) here 'tis taken in the former ſenſe, and imp…rts a too …ager immoderate proſecution of our own things, not a lawfull ſubordinate endeavour to preſerve our ſelves and ours, ſo p. 5as to advance Gods glory thereby, but an immeaſurable vehement out-going of affection after our own things which we make our aime, and end, and ſcope in a way of oppoſitneſſe even to the things of Chriſt himſelf when both come in competition.

Their own] Or things for themſelves, and that belong to themſelves, and here they are to be underſtodd of bodily comforts, as riches, health, pleaſures, &c.Luk. 19.12.Luke 19:12 though Chriſt cals theſe anothers (Luk. 16.12.) & thoſe onelyonly our own which are our ſouls, Grace being the foreign, your own, ſpoken of in that place, and indeed ſpirituall bleſſings onelyonly deſerve this title of our own, becauſe they are onelyonly qualified for that part of a man, that is the man, the ſoule, and they onelyonly continue. Other things, the own things ſpoken of here being rather our Carcaſſes then our own, & they ſhall have others to own them ere long; but in regard of our civill propriety in them among men, and in regard of the opinions of carnally minded men, uſing and deſiring them as if their ſouls could be ſatisfied with them, as alſo own them always, theſe folicitouſly immoderately regarded things are called our own.

Not the things of Ieſus Chriſt] What he had called the ſtate and things of the Church in the fore-going verſe, he here calls the things of Ieſus Chriſt, in regard that Chriſt hath a true intereſt in the Church and all that belongs to it. The Church is his Church,Eſa. 63.19. John 10.3. Eph. 5.17.Isa 63:19John 10:3Eph 5:17 her grace, glory, conditions, all his.

Not] That is, Comparatively to Timothy; they were not equally hearted to him for the Church, not that they did ſimply throw off all care of the Church; but their owne private proper profits and intereſts did ſo take them up, that they had not at that time hearts ſuited to ſo difficult an imployment for Chriſt; To ſeek the things of Chriſt is to make the glory of Chriſt principally in our ay…es, to employ our parts and endeavours chiefly for advancing his Honour, preferring him to all our private conveniences, or exigences, to make Chriſt the ſcope of our life: ſo Phi. 1.Phil. 1.21.Phil 1:21 To me to live is Chriſt. Contrarily, not to ſeek him is not onelyonly not to regard him at all, and purely to throw off all looking after the things of Chriſt, but not to ſeek them in the firſt place, and not to propound them as our chiefe end, but rather to undertake employments ſeemingly for Chriſt, but intending principally our own benefit, honour, caſe, &c. more then the things of Ieſus Chriſt.

p. 6The words of both the verſes thus opened, thoſe of the twenty firſt verſe, which I ſhall onelyonly inſiſt upon containe a proof, and an aggravation of a fault more lightly touched in the foregoing verſe, by occaſion of Timothies commendation: The fault was Carele… neſſe of the Churches ſtate; the Apoſtle amplifieth it here th…e wayes.

Firſt, by ſhe wing what it was to be careleſſe of the ſtate of the Church; t'was to neglect the things even of Chriſt himſelf: it is a conſiderable perſon that is neglected with the Church.

Secondly, by ſhe wing how or upon what ground theſe things of the Church came to be neglected; it was by reaſon of the ſeeking their own things, it was a very inconſiderable ground upon which they were ſo careles of the things of the Church.

Thirdly, by ſhe wing the generality of thoſe that were ſo careles and neglective of theſe things. All, ſaith Paul in a manner all, by f…r the moſt ſeek their own things, &c.

Or we may obſerve two things mainly conſiderable in this o…e and twentieth verſe,Diviſion of the words.

Firſt, a fault or offence deſcribed.

Secondly, the generablitie of the delinquents or offenders.

Firſt,1. Part. the fault hath two branches: Firſt, a poſitive branch, They ſought their own things. Secondly, a negative branch, not the things of Ieſus Chriſt.

In the firſt, the poſitive, firſt, here is an act ſeeking, there is eagerneſſe.

Secondly, an obiect, their own things, there is unworthineſſe.

In the ſecond the negative branch; there is firſt, the kinde of …ffence, it was an omiſſion; the ſtate of the Church was neglected, o…itted, not the, &c.

Secondly, the d…gree of it, or the aggravating and heightning of it, the things o…s of Ieſus Chriſt were neglected in the neglect of the Church.

Thirdly, the cauſe of all this neglect neceſſarily implyed, it was in regard of following inordinately their own things.

The generality of the offenders is to be handled under ſeverall conſiderations.2. Part.

In proſecution of this ſecond diviſion ſundry fruitfull obſervations in every branch would offer themſelves,1. Part. as, from the firſt part p. 7the offence as conſidered, firſt, in the poſitive branch,1. Branch of the 1. Part. the ſeking their owne things.

Firſt, obſerve as this eager act of ſeeking was beſtowed upon things that were licita non inhoneſta, owne things permitted by God to be ſought after, that wee are very liable to offend in lawfull things.Obſervation.

Secondly, as theſe things were privata non publica, their own private, not the Publike things,Obſer. that it is a very ignoble temper of ſoule for Chriſtians in times wherein the Publike wants them, to regard immoderately their owne private affairs.

Thirdly, as theſe things were diſſimulata non manifeſta, things ſought underhand; no man profeſſing or ſeeming to ſeek his own things, but the contrary the good of the Church;Obſer. that it is ordinary, but very diſcommendable for Chriſtians, under pretence of ſeeking the things of the Church, to regard mainly themſelves and their own things.

So from the offence conſidered in the negative branch, not the things of Ieſus Chriſt; firſt, from the kinde of this offence,2. Branch of 2. Part. it being an offence of omiſſion, we might obſerve that it is a ſin not onelyonly to perſecute the Church, but even not to labour the proſperity of it.Obſer.

Secondly, from the aggravation of this neglect of the Church, it being a neglect of the things of Ieſus Chriſt, we might obſerve;Obſer. firſt, the propriety and intereſt that Chriſt hath in his Church, and the things of it, they are the things of Chriſt himſelf; as the Church it ſelf, ſo her Grace, Glory, Conditions, Officers, are all his.

Secondly, that this intereſt which Chriſt hath in his Church, and the things thereof, doth much heighten the offence of neglecting the Church, in regard it imports, firſt, a neglect of a ſervice wee pretend to advance, all making a ſhew of ſerving Chriſt.Obſer.

Secondly, a neglect of a ſervice that deſerves our regard by reaſon of its honour, ſafety, ſweetneſſe, advantage.

Thirdly, Aneglecting of him that was ſo loving and induſtrious in ſeeking of us.

Fourthly, A neglecting of his ſervice who will one day call us to an account for it.

Thirdly, from the cauſe of this neglecting the things of Chriſt,Obſer. it is obſervable that the ſeeking our owne things, binders the ſeeking of the things of Chriſts.

p. 8The ſecond part of the Text, viz. the generalitie of the offenders, contains a threefold reſpect.2. Part.

Firſt,Obſer. to Paul, in whom it notes ſorrowfull reſentment of this fault, and courage in reproving it.

Secondly,Obſer. to Timothy, by whom it notes commendableneſſe in differing from the generality.

Thirdly,Obſer. to the ſelf-ſeekers; who were brethren and fellowlabourers; in whom it notes the diſcovery that difficulties make of pretenders to Chriſt and his things.

But I ſhall in this firſt part onelyonly proſecute the laſt particular in the ſecond branch, viz. the cauſe of the neglect of the things of Chriſt, and in that the forenamed point which the context compared with the words themſelves, clearly ſhew us was the Apoſtles ſcope; all the other particulars before mentioned in a manner naturally falling in with it in the through handling of it; It was this, The ſeeking of our owne things will hinder us from ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt.Propoſition.

In the proſecution of which point I ſhall proceed, Firſt by way of Explication.

Secondly, of Confirmation.

Thirdly, of Application.

There are three things which want Explication.

Firſt,Firſt, the Propoſition explained, by ſhewing what kinde of ſeeking it is that hinders the ſeeking of the things of Ieſus Chriſt. what kinde of ſeeking our own things it is that will hinder us from ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt.

Secondly, what things of Chriſt they are that will be hindered by ſeeking our own things.

Thirdly, wherein the hinderance ſtands and doth conſiſt, that will follow this ſeeking our own things.

1. What I meane by ſeeking our own things.

2. What by the things of Chriſt.

3. What by the hinderance or neglect of the things of Ieſus Chriſt.

Firſt, what I meane by ſeeking our owne things. All kinde of ſeeking our owne things will not hinder us from ſeeking the things of Chriſt. Cura, di…igenti….There is a lawfull and an allowed ſeeking our owne things; A diligent, Chriſtian, providentiall labour in looking after them,2 Theſ. 3.10. 2 Cor. 12.14. 1 Tim. 5.8.2 Thess 3:102 Cor 12:141 Tim 5:8 is by the Scripture commanded and commeuded, there being no repugnancie at all betweene it and ſeeking the things of p. 9Chriſt; Aliqu… m…do quarere quae ſua ſunt, non pugnat …um illo quod eſt quaerere quae ſunt Ieſu Chriſti. Quarenda quae ſunt Chriſti ſed non negligenda quae ſunt neſtra, Zanc. in loc. Nimiam ſolicttudinem probibet, operationem jubet. Aug.A Chriſtian is not exempted from all kind of ſocking their owne things, which as they are to be ſought for from God, before we labour for them upon the earth; ſo muſt wee labour for them upon the earth, when we have ſought them from God; Are wee hungry? we muſt not ſit ſtill till miraculous ſhowres of Manna raine downe upon us; Are we thirſtie? we muſt not wait for God to cleave the Rockes into Cups, and give us water thence; Are we deſirous of c…oathing? we doſerve to go naked if we will ſtay till the Sheepe reſigne their coats to be our garments; What then? what kind of ſeeking is it that a Chriſtian muſt ſhun as hindering from ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt?

Firſt, it is a ſeeking our owne things with an…iety of heart, with diſtruſtfulneſſe of Gods promiſe and providence; ſuch a ſeeking as wherein we depend not upon a father to ſeeke with us and for us, and to be carefull of us. When we caſt not the burdenſomeneſſe of our ſeeking upon God, when wee are not like the ſheepe that followes the Shepheard for food, but like the Lion alway roaring and raving, as if there were none to provide for us; when as we are cutting our ſoules with care; Matth. 6.25. foreign. Luk. 12.29. foreign. Ne in acre vagamini …ogitationibus veſtris. Piſc. Hoſea 12.8. Calv. H…mines applandunt ſibi. Mar. 10.24. Iob. 31.24. Pſal. 52.….Matt 6:25Luke 12:29Hos 12:8Mark 10:24Job 31:24Ps 52when we are alway of a doub…full …oubled minde for theſe own things, as Chriſt ſpeakes; when we hang in ſuſpence for the event of our enquiries, and are like Meteors in the aire toſſed up and downe, hîther and thither, at the pleaſure of every blaſt.

Secondly, the ſeeking our owne things with the beight of raiſed expectation to ſinde comfort and ſupplies and ſufficiencie in them, hinders from ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt; when wee thinke of our owne things above what they are; when wee regard our health, wealth, honour, &c. as if there were no other heaven but theſe, and no other hel but the contrary; when we bleſſe our ſelves ſecurely in the hopes or poſſeſſions of them, and truſt and confide in them, as Chriſt ſpeakes, Mar. 10.24. Making gold our confidence, truſting in the abundance of riches. lí a man thinketh theſe things to be ſomething, when they are nothing, he deceiveth himſelfe; they all ſay to a man they are not the things wee lo…ke for, they point to God; if wee regard them with the height of hopes, and firmneſs of dependencies, wee ſhall neglect all of Jeſus Chriſt.

Thirdly, the ſeeking our owne things with … and unlimited p. 10eagerneſſe in going out after them, when the heare i… for upon them, and ſold unto them, there being no moder…tion to held the raines of our induſtrie, wee being carried not with the g…tle gales of indifferencie, but the furious winder of vi…dence; this kind of ſeeking alſo hinders from ſeeking the things of Jeſus Chriſt; Tantum ſ… eſt qr…ntum ſi… exig it natura in ſuo genere conſervandae m…dus. Aug.when wee doe not exevciſe our limbes, but cra… out ſinewes … them, not dip the tip of our rod in taſting the honey o… profit, ple… ſure, honour, &c. but thruſt it in even all over, and engulph and ſwallow up our ſelves in matters of ſe…fe …, going beyond what is enough for our calling and condition; reſolving to have theſe things, what even they coſt us; as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of ſome,1 Tim. 6.9.1 Tim 6:9 who will berich; who will through five and water, and difficulties; armies of theſe ſhall not hinder them from the water after which they thirſt.

Fourthly, The ſeeking our own things unleaſ…nably, baſtowing houres upon them that are due to other things, is a ſeeking which makes us neglect the things of Ieſus Chriſt, when weroh the … of her opportunities, pil…er from God, clip the Sabbath, our Prayer…, Religion, the Church and Cauſe of Chriſt; when the ſenlofeth here,2 Kings 5.26.2 Kgs 5:26 that ſo it may gaine upon our owne things: which we will ſeeke through Chriſt in his Saints, and cauſe requires the contrary; Is this a time, ſaid the Prophet to Gehazi, to receive money and garments? So might Paul have ſaid to theſe tender delicate brethren, that were ſo unlike to Timothie; Is this a time to minde caſe, and reſt, and ſafety, and ſelfe? ſuch a kind of ſeeking our own things, muſt needs hinder the ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt. I have done with the firſt thing that I propounded to be …pened, viz. what ſeeking it is that hinders us from ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt.

The ſecond followes,2. Bran… of Expli…tion. Secondly, the point opened, by ſhe wing what things of Chriſt Self-ſeeking hinders us from ſeeking. 1. It hindred fró ſeeking and regarding Chriſt a himſelf. what things of Chriſt this ſelf-ſeeking hindereth.

1. This cauſed a neglect of Chriſt himſelfe when he was here upon the …th; even to an earneſt ſoliciting him ſometimes to depart out of their …ſts, Matth. 8.34. Sometimes it made people fearefull to acknowledge him, Iohn 9.22. At other time…openly to … him; Twas this that derided him in the … Phariſ…s, Luke 16.14. Twas this that perſecuted him in the Ruler… Twas this that …, M…. 19.2…. Danyed p. 11him (ſo far as it prevailed) in Peter, Matth, …6.30. That bewayed him in Indas, Matth. 26.47. That conirived his death in the chief Prieſts, they were wholly bent upon preſetving their owne place and their nation, Iohn 11.48. Twas this that conde…ned him in Pilate, Luke 23.24. In a word, it made his whole life, a life of neglect, and 'twas the reaſon why Chriſt came to his owne, and his owne received him not. His owne ſought their owne things.

Secondly, Inordinate ſelf-regarding hath ever cauſed and expreſſed a neglect of Chriſt and his things,2 And from ſeeking the things of Chriſt in his ſervants. in mens cariage toward his ſervants; What was it but this which made them accounted the burdens of the earth, the wondermen? of the world, the plagues of their ſeverall ages? they were againſt ſelfe, and ſelfe in every man was againſt them; Twas ſeeking their owne things that made Diana's worſhippers ſo loude in their out-cryes againſt Bleſſed Paul; Acts 19.28.Acts 19:28that made Peter and Iohn threatned for that miracle of mercy; that impriſoned and abuſed the Apoſtles;Acts 4.18.5.40…Acts 4:18Acts 4:5Acts 4:40 that ſton…d S…ven for feacre of ſuffering a change in old and owne cuſtomes; that moved Herod to kill James, Acts 6.13.7.59… Acts 12.3.Acts 6:13Acts 6:7Acts 6:59Acts 12:3and endeavour the murder of Peter. Self-regarding was the winde that ever raiſed ſtormes againſt the ſervants of Chriſt; at the beſt it made them lookt upon with neglect and contempt, it made people fearfull to accompany with them, or ioyne to their Societie;Acts 5.19.Acts 5:19 or if ſome did goe ſo fa… as out ward Compliance with them, yet hath this ſelf-regarding cauſed ſquint-eyed aimes, and ſecret reſolutions upon occaſion of difficultie to forſake them. What but this hath neglected Chriſt in his diſtreſſed members, often denying reliefe to them,1 Sam. 25.11. T…ties dixit me t…; meum, … tandem … fecit ſiant….1 Sam 25:11 ſt…rving Chriſt in his Saints? Was it not this that made Nabal branded with the name of a churle, and cauſed that unkinde deniall of Davias ſlender requeſt; Shall I give, ſaith he, my bread, my water, my fi…ſh, &c.

Thirdly, This immoderate regarding our own things,From ſeeking the things of Chriſt in the cauſe of Religion. hath neglected the things of Chriſt in the cauſe of Religi…n. What but this kept Meroz back from helping the L…rd? What, if not this, detained R…nben among the ſheep-folds, to hear the bleating of the …ocks, when the cauſe of God was in …copa…dy?Judg. 4. Chap. ….Judg 4 This t…ed D…n to his ſhips; This ſhut up the hearts and hands of the men of S…ccoth and Pennel againſt the Fai…ting bodies of the pur…ers of Gods and his …hurches …. 'Twas the ſeeking p. 12their own things that would have curſed the Church by B…l…, Numb. 22. diſturbed it by Cora…, Dathan, and Abir…, N…. 26.9. and 16.3. that aboliſhed the purity of worſhip out of the kingdom of Iſrael by Jeroboam, 1 King. 12.26, 27. that hindered the full reformation of it in Jehu's time, 2 King. 10.19. that retarded the reformation after the Babyloniſh-captivity, Z…ch. 2.7.Rom. 16.17.Rom 16:17 In a word, all the home-bred diſtractions, and diviſions, … the unſound opinions, ſidings, half-reformations, ſinfull limitations, to go thus far, and no farther, ungodly bredths, which people have indulged to themſelves, wretched allowances of groſſe ſinnes, and errors in ſome, though perſecuting the appearances of them in others; all theſe, with infinite more, have ſelf-ſeeking in the Church for their ſource. This hath been ever the**Tine… babet damnum, non ſonitum. m…th of the Church,Amariſſ…ma mea amaritudo in moribus domeſticorum pax a paganis, ab haere…cis, ſed non a filiis. making up in hurt, what it wants in noiſe; Sions Still-Deſtroyer, to which the Church may ſay, as I…phtah to his dangliter, I am, and ever was, brought low for thy ſake, O ſelf-ſeeking: and therefore holy Bernard makes it a greater enemy to the Church then the moſt raging perſecutions.

Fourthly,4. And from ſeeking the things of Chriſt in his word, it hinders Miniſters by making them to be ſinfully ſilent. Epheſ. 6.19. To adulterate it with humane wiſedom, foreign, 2 Cor. 2.17. foreign ſemper in fames habit… quod mer…es adulterant. To wrack it for falſe opinions. Tit. 1.11. Phil. 3.19. 2 P…. 2.1, 2, 3.Eph 6:192 Cor 2:17Titus 1:11Phil 3:19Phil 3:2 This ſeeking our own things, neglects the things of Chriſt in the preaching of the Word; Self-ſeeking hath made Miniſters and people neglect Chriſt in his Word: For Miniſters, it hath made them neglect the Word, ſometime by ſinfull ſilencing ſome truthes, and un worthy face-fearing; A ſinne, (ſo ready to creep into the Pulpit) that Paul deſires the Epheſians, Epheſ. 6.19. to pray it down, even in himſelf; At other times by corrupting and adulterating the truth with ſinner-ſoothing words (as wine with water) not the words of wiſdome, but the wiſdome of words, as Paul ſpeaks, 1 C…rin. 1.17. all this while, they ſpeaking three words for themſelves, for one in the behalf of Chriſt; Sometime again Self-ſeeking hath corrupted the preaching of the Word, by putting Miniſters upon perverting it, for the upholding of impious opinions, gainfull to the purſe, and hurtfull to the heart; thus the Apoſtle ſpeaks of filthy lusre, that made ſome preach things which they ought not; …arthly mindedneſſe in others, that cauſed enmity to the croſſe of Chriſt, (I conceive the Apoſtle means, their preaching the Law in a way of oppoſition to Chriſts ſatisfaction:) Covetouſneſſe and deſire to make mer…h…ndiſe of ſouls, puts others upon bringing in d…able hereſies; p. 13At other times, ſelf-regarding hath put Miniſters upon preaching the Word, who are altogether uns…full, and unprepared,To adventure upon preaching it unpreparedly. workmen that may well be aſhamed, never trained up to handle their ſpirituall atms, not like thoſe …ilfull Beni…ites able to ſhoot at a hairs breadth, though too like them in being left handed; Iudg. 20.16.Judg 20:16attending to, and preaching of exhortation, but unable to meddle with doctrine, though God commands both; tormenting the moſt innocent Texts, making them ſpeak what they never intended;2 Tim. 4.2. Vid. Cal. in loc.2 Tim 4:2 dealing with the Scriptures as Chy…iſts with naturall bodies, labouring to extract that out of them,2 Pet. 3.16.2 Pet 3:16 which nature never put in them; wounding the Scriptures with their own weapons, and making them (Vriah-like) carry letters for their own deſtruction.

Nor hath the Word fared better from ſelf-ſeeking hearers; 2. Self-ſeeking hinders people from ſeeking the things of Chriſt in the word; hereby they contemn the threatnings of it. Deut. 29.19. Hoſ. 12.7, 8. Luk. 16.12. Per hoc quod amant coguntur ad hoc quod vitant. Greg. 1 Tim. 6.9. 2. The commands of it. Ezek. 33.31.Deut 29:19Hos 12:7Hos 12:8Luke 16:121 Tim 6:91 Tim 6:2Ezek 33:31For how have they diſregarded all the adminiſtrations of it? what have its threatnings been in allages to them but empty cracks? do they not bleſſe themſelves in the ſaddeſt denuntiations of it? placing their proſecutions of their own things as a skreen between themſelves and Gods wrath; Theſe they were that evermore deſpiſed and derided the ſharpeſt Sermons; inſtifying themſelves becauſe haply men had nothing to ſay againſt them, hardning their necks though oft reproved, if the threatnings be ſevere they care not, they will on in their purſuits, though the Word tell them, hell, and deſtruction, and perdition be in the way.

For the commands of it, they will perhaps give them the hearing; but though the Miniſters be al…vely ſong, and a pleaſant …ice, and one that can play well on an inſtrument, yet their words they will not do, for their hearts run after their covetous inquiries; and the Apoſtle Peter, 1 Pet. 4.2. gives the reaſon in that place, where he implies that the luſts of men are flatly oppoſite to the will of God: A heart ſ…t upon ſeeking the world, gives that deportment to the Word, which Abraham gave to his ſervants who …id them ſtay behinde a while,Gen. 22.5.Gen 22:5 till he and his ſonne had gone to ſacr…fi…, but then he comes again unto them: ſo theſe (if they can ſpare ſo much time) will for an hour in a week bid their …arthly enquiries ſtay till they have heard what their preciſe inſtructer will deliver, but then they'l after ward make up their conſtrained in…iſſion with a more …ager proſecution of all the ſervices, p. 14and … of ſelf… They who … not …e bo…nded in their affections, by the … of health or …nength, or …, or honour, ſhall we think that theſe will be reſtrained by precep… Gods own immediat … Bal…, Num. 22.22.Num 22:22how fr…itleſſe was i… up he gets him betim… in …he morning, as if his bed had been at full of thorns as his ſoul; add though … and again, theſe …ruell thirſtings break through … of di…iculti…: What be…efit received Ind…s from him…or his words, who was in his life a viſible Sermon, as well as was his doctrine an audible Sermon againſt ſelf-ſeeking?

But perhaps the co…fo… and promiſes in the word of Chriſt may finde better entertainment with ſelf-ſeeking hearers;3. The comforts and promiſes of it. Non invideram Deo coelum ſ… Luk. 14. Convivae invitantur ad coelum & ſaturantur in terris. Conciſam & informent creaturar… b…nitatem quae divinae eſt veſtigium diligunt & ad…rant; auguſt…m ill…m, original…, imegram & pulcherrima… contem…unt. Nier. Litura placet, ſed vivum & limpidum archetypum non delectat.Luke 14 no, their carnall palats reliſh none of theſe delicacies; theſe things are … Aquavit… offered to one in a ſwoon, who ſhuts his teeth the harder againſt it, by how much the more he wants it: what are the precious …ings of …er…ity to him, but warm clothes to a dead c…caſſe? Would God but grant him (as … read of one that pro…eſt it in words) a thouſand … reſpit, to follow his …n things, and to find a certain proportion of honour, wealth, and pleaſure, he would not envie God his heaven: D…th not Chriſt tell us, that they ſet light …y, and deſire to be excuſed from the troubleſome participation of the Evangelicall Supper… their ſtomacks are ſo clog'd with theſe own things, that the things of Chriſt have no room left for them; any thing from God pleaſeth them more then himſelf; If at any time they commend the good things of the Goſpel, it is not from any …aſt of ſwee…eſſe in them, but it is meer…ly a commendation upon hearſay, and to comply with the really taken with Chriſt. There are ſome hounds wh… in hunting make a very loud noiſe, but it is not from anyſent they have of the Hare, but onelyonly in imitation of the reſt: A heart eagerly ſet upon any luſting for ſelf, in all its ſeeming deligh… h…ve…s, or Chriſt, or eter…ity, findes no true ſweetheſ…in them, but … rather in his eſtimate lock upon them as very poor things: It thinks the life of faith, dep…d… upon a ſword… to bee …ich in reverſion, &c. meer empty ſpe…d…tions and notions.

The third branch of e…phcation.

The inordinate ſeeking our own things doth**Poſſunt manere in e…cle…ia… ſa…item animarum curare, &c. ſed ita ut m… i…rera babeant rationem ſui commodi, &c. Z…nch. in loc. not hinde… all manor of ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt; for ſelf-ſeekers, may be employed in governing, preaching, &c. in the Church.

p. 15But it hinders from ſeeking them,3. Branch of explication. What hinderance of the things of Chriſt the ſeeking of our own things cauſeth. 1. Self-ſeeking hinders from ſeeking the things of Chriſt Inwardly. Exod. 3.2. Ezek. 33.Exod 3:2Ezek 33

1. Heartily; inwardly. A ſelf-…ker ſeekes the things of Ieſus Chriſt ſeemingly, superficially onelyonly; like ſome men who lifting with others at a burden, it may be make as great a noiſe, and as l…d a cry as the reſt, but yet they put to it no ſtrength at all; A ſelf-ſeeker commonly makes the greateſt noiſe, and doth the leaſt work; his fir… is like that in the buſh, which Moſes ſaw, making a great flame but not burning at all. Iehu was in appearance a great ſeeker of God, and reformation, he made a great noiſe; but his heart was never further from ſeeking the things of God, then when he was ſeeking them. He did but act a reformer. The people that heard Ezekiels Sermons made much out ward appearance of delight in them, but their hearts went after ſelf-proſecutions; A Chriſt-ſeeker contrarily is more then he can expreſſe for Chriſt; Non magna loquimur, ſed vivimus. Cypr. de pat.hath a heart within whereof all he doth for Chriſt out watdly, like an Interpreter that reacheth not the emphaſis of the originall, cannot fully expreſſe the love it be a…th to Ieſus Chriſt. … Lord take it, ſaith hee, bee it life, limb…, wealth, &c. and oh that they were better for thy ſake!

2.2. From ſeeking them ſolely. Self-ſeeking hindereth from ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt ſolely, and by themſelves alone. A ſelf-ſeeker regards not Chriſt unleſſe his work hath ſome attendances of honour, wealth,Chriſtus non dulce, c…t propter ſeipſum. Bern. See Hoſ. 10.11. 2 King. 3.14. Coelum apertum ſt, & Deum non quaerit, aurum abſcouſion eſt & terrae viſcera recludit. 1 Cor. 10.30. Phil. 1.18. Valde perſe… rum eſt ſic oftenſo opere … glori… qu…rere ut de … la… de priv… n… ſciant g…nd…re. Greg. ….Hos 10:112 Kgs 3:141 Cor 10:30Phil 1:18 pleaſure; like little children that love not a leſſon wherein there is not a gay; Plaine work and ſervice which is not fring'd with honour, wealth, obſervation of the people, &c. hee goeth about very liſtleſly: As Eliah ſaid to Aha…, that if it were not for Iebeſhaphats preſence he would not ſo much as beſtow a look upon him; ſo thinks the ſelf-ſeeker, were not rewards preſent, renown preſent, applauſe preſent with Chriſts ſervice, he would not regard it; ſee how different this temper is from that of a Chriſt. ſeeker: Could Paul but ſave ſouls, he regarded not his own profit or name, bee cared not whether that were preſent or no. A Saint ſaith as that noble Commander, who being to undertake an expedition of danger… and thereupon diſſ…aded, reſolvedly anſwered, 'Tis not neceſſary I ſhould live, but that the work ſhould be done; and is the work brought about, he cares nor though his induſtry, fidelity, parts, prudence, all lie hid; nay hee fear… to diſcover them for gratifying of ſelf, as Moſes parents were afraid hee ſhould be ſeen, p. 16becauſe he was fair, and therefore hid him in the ark.

3.3. From ſeeking them comfortably. It hinders from ſeeking Chriſts things comfortably and with reioycing; The building of comfort is onelyonly ſet upon the foundation of integrity: A ſelf-ſeeker is left of God to be comforted, after employment, by him that ſet him on work; hee hath an unpacified ſpirit, in all the applauſes, and admirations that he meets with from men; hee can never be quieted from God, that is not employed by God; God hath reſerved this reward of joy, onelyonly for his owne ſervice; an unſound crazy heart can never hold that precious liquor.See 2 Cor. 1.12. … fomentum cordis quo dolor omnís a…ceptae levatur iniuriae. Ambr. in Pſal. 36. praef. 1 Chron. 29.14.2 Cor 1:12Ps 361 Chr 29:14 If the ſervice go croſſe, the Chriſt-ſeeker is comforted by the integrity of his aimes. David was not permitted to build the Temple, yet hee rejoyced at his own, and his people willingneſſes, 1 Chron. 29. A ſelf-ſeeker when he doth effect any thing advantagious to the cauſe of Chriſt, leaves all the joy of that ſervice to him that loves Ieſus Chriſt; the one laboureth, and the other enters into his labours.

4.4. Self-ſeeking hinders from ſeeking the things of Chriſt throughly. It hinders from ſeeking Chriſts things throughly. A ſelf-ſeeker ever ſets him ſelf bounds, thus far he will go, and no further, this abuſe (is hee a Magiſtrate) hee will reform, not the other; this man ſhall bee puniſht when hee refuſeth the Covenant, not another; He aimes not at the doing the work of Chriſt to beauty, perfection, and exactneſſe; put caſe, at the firſt hee endeavours the reíormation of idolatry, prophaneneſſe, hereſies, &c. nay covenants too that he will do ſo, yet if his own end bee ſerved once, and his own way permitted, let Popery, or the worſt of abominations go untoucht afterward he cares not; ſo that his ſtudying for a reformation, is like ſome Gentlemens ſtudy of the Law, into which they deſire to get no further inſight, then only for the ſaving their own eſtates; the employment that is eaſie and ſafe he undertakes,Propter Chriſtum & … eccleſiam nolunt magna ſubire pericula, ſed cum Chriſto volunt eſſe, coniunctas ſuas delicias. Zanc. in loc. Act. 20.24. … Cor. 10.33.Acts 20:24 withdraws from another more difficult, like to one that hath an unſound foot, who picks out the ſofteſt way to travell in, and if hee muſt goe in a hard way, there hee hal…s; Many acts of Chriſts ſervice are too high for ſelfe to carry us upon, too irrationall for ſelf apprehenſion to ſubmit unto, too dangerous for ſelfs tenderneſſe to adventure in; A ſelf-ſeeker loves not to ingage too deeply, leſt he ſhould never come off ſafe; a heart truely above ſelf is onelyonly above fears, ſee it in the Apoſtle Paul; nothing moved him, neither did he account his life deare ſo as he might finiſh his Miniſterie with ioy.

p. 175. Self-ſeeking hinders from ſeeking the things of Chriſt fervently, zealouſly, with our might: the cream, and floure of our abilities are taken off for ſelf; performances that come not from the heart, are done ſlightly, and coldly;Pſal. 45.1.Ps 45:1 the tongue will be no ready writer, unleſſe the heart be boyling with a good matter; our ſervices will never be coſtly, unleſſe the heart be full of affection; that's the reaſon that a ſelf-ſocker whoſe ſouls bent is ſet for his own things, is ſo dead, ſo faint, ſo liſtleſſe for God. When the ſpleen ſwels, all the other parts decay, and when we are much in ſatisfying ſelf, out ſervices for God are but lean, and thin, and ſlight: a divided heart betwixt Chriſt and ſelf, will bee a lazy heart. The eye that ſhould look toward Chriſt, will never bee ſharp-ſighted, unleſſe that which looks toward ſelf be ſhut, or rather put out.

6. It hinders from ſeeking Chriſts things conſtantly. A ſelf-ſeeker wants a principle, a fountain, from whence to iſſue his ſervices. A ſtanding pool, or a ſhallow plaſh of water will ſoon dry up, ſo will his goodneſſe that wants the heart to feed it.Hoſ. 6.4.Hos 6:4 'Tis onelyonly a friend that loves at all times; hee that ſeeks the things of Chriſt for fear of authority, for love of credit, gain, &c. when theſe ceaſe, his ſearch will ceaſe alſo. The redneſſe of bluſhing in the face, is ſoon down again;Prov. 17.17.Prov 17:17 'tis that of the naturall complexion that onelyonly continues; A man that is high and hot in his ſervices, will ſoon bee low, and cold again, if there bee not a holy naturalneſſe, an inward integrity in the ſoul, for the things of Ieſus Chriſt.

I have done with the third and laſt branch of explication, wherein the hinderances ſtand, that the ſeeking of our own things cauſeth: I come to the ſecond thing I intend in the proſecution of this point, viz. the confirmation.

Every in ordinate luſting after any thing that concerns our ſelves, takes up, ingroſſeth, and menopelizeth, as it were,1. Reaſon. Inordinate luſting for ſelf takes up the whole man, in what he is, and doth. the whole man, and gives way to it to attend upon nothing but its own ſatisfaction, unleſſe by the way, and ſo farre forth as its maine drift may not bee hindered: As in the regular and due beſtowing our hearts and ſearches upon God and his wayes,**Qui tua animi cententione in unum Deum defertur, in plura ſtudia animum non pert…tur. Cal. in Matt. 6.…4.Matt 6:4 there's an affording p. 18the whole man to them, and it there be any other …eject comes in the way,Non exhibitione ceremoniarum, ſed ob…ione con…upiſ…enti… rum. Gregor. a Saint that makes God his chiefe end gives it but a ſlight ſalute, and ſo uſeth it, as if be uſed it not: Thus it is with thoſe that reſign and deliver their affection to the power of any enquiry, or employment whatſoever: of there be any … luſting in a way of … allow…, it … a gh…bi…ployes the whole man;Am…eſt quida … ſui e…itus, quaedam a ſe peregrinati…, v… luntaria m…s. E…ſ. Ni…r. de arte …. as all our endeavors were made for a god, ſo they … make a god, or finde a god; and if ſo, what can be expected for the things of Ieſus Chriſt, but that they ſhould bee lookt after in the ſecond place, very poorly, if at all, in a way of …ſerviencie to ſelf, and at the allowance of luſt? If honours for our ſelv…, wealth, pleaſures, revenge, be the end we propound, the whole man will be employed for the accompliſhment.

The underſtanding will undervalue any thing elſe in compar… …on,1. The underſtanding. it admire …that highly which the heart is ſet upon, ra…ſesſublime eſtimates upon it.Quiſquis amat ranam, ranam putas eſſe Di… …am. O…hinksit, had … this, or that, I were made for over; … thinks there's no other heaven but wealth, and honour, things ſutable to the corrupted faculty.

For the will and affections, 2. The will and affections.they will bee employed about the proſecution of the thing principally ſought after, …ither wealth, or honour, or the like; that thing will he …iſous ſpirit …, the wings of the af…ctions will bee ſo beſmeared with it,Quando dulceſ…it mundus, ama…ſ…it Deus. there will be no ſoaring God-ward. Hee'l grow bitter when the world is ſweet; and there is ſuch a twiſting, and…nt wining of the affections within one another, that all will be entangled about that object which is principally purſued; the ioy in pleaſing it ſelf with it if o…ained,foreign. the deſire in craving it if wanted, the hope in expecting it if probable, the anger in overcomming if reſiſted, the grief in lamenting if removed; And what's now left for the things of Ieſus Chriſt?

The thoughts they will bee buſied with,3. The …oughts. and buried in ſelfe-employments; God being not ſought, hee will not bee in all the thoughts; Pſal. 10.4.Ps 10:4the thoughts of remembrance, of contrivance, enquiry, will all bee ſet upon theſe own things; theſe will onelyonly buſie the brain. The thought… are like a mill, alway turning, and the affection of love throws in the grain and ſeed which they grind; if it therefore bee ſet upon ſelf, what but ſelf and own things can bee p. 19put into the thoughts; the afflictions of Ioſeph will be forgotten, the welfare of Ieruſalem, the ſafety of Sion will bee uninquired into, theſe own things will take up all the thoughts.

The tongue which speaks out of the abundance of the heart, 4. The to…ig…e.will altogether talk of earthly proſecutions; as what kinde of goods fill the ſhop within, will hang upon the ſtall without; ſo if the hearts ſearches be for ſelf, the tongues enquiries will be ſo too; Earthy and ſpeaking of the earth are put together;Ioh. 3.31.John 3:31 ſo if there bee ſelf-ſeeking, ſpeaking for ſelf will follow. The hand of the Clock doth but ſhew how the wheels go within. An unſavory ſtomack will not ſend forth a ſweet breath; earthy hearts will ſend forth a breath in common talking, like to the breath of dying man, ſavouring onelyonly of the earth: Where then will bee the tongue for the things of Chriſt, the directing tongue, the encouraging tongue, the commanding tongue?

The actions will bee employed,5. The actions. and ſteerd according to the motions of love. A ſelf-minding-man will do nothing for Chriſt; If ſelf have withdrawn the heart, 'twill wither the hand toe. There will be no contributing hand for Chriſt, or his truth, or his members, commonly 'tis employed in receiving onelyonly; If it parts with ought, commonly it comes by conſtraint; it gives as a narrow mouth'd bottle ſends forth water, with a muttering; If the Law will enforce nothing, truly conſcience will beſtow nothing; If any thing prevaile with it, 'twill be death, then perhaps like a poor mans box, when broken, a ſelf-ſeeker may afford ſomewhat; when the cauſe of God craves his aſſiſtance, where's his helping hand? he had rather the Church ſhould for ever ſtick in the mire of miſerie then lend her it; never will he ſtretch it forth, though to the raiſing up the poor fainting Spouſe of Chriſt; He is ſo worn out, and wearied in ſelf-employments, that Chriſts things muſt be neglected; hee burns out the taper of his ſtrength, wealth, parts, in doing his own works, when Chriſts things are to be done, the candle's out.

Thus you ſee this inordinate ſeeking our own things, takes up the whole man, in what hee is and does. That's the firſt Reaſon. But,

Secondly, It takes not onelyonly in him and of him up all;2. Reaſon. but all p. 20this unweariedly, The proſecutions of luſting for ſelf, are inceſſant.unceſſantly where 'tis allowed, there is an enlarging without meaſure, therefore called foreign, an effuſion, a ruſhing out of luſtings, an aeſtus like the foaming or boyling of the ſea.Quitquid propon…tur tanquam finis quaeritur …ulla adhibita m…ſura. 1. Pet. 4.4. Eſ. 55.2. Oblitus Dei voluntatem occupas, non imples; …reaturae non ſunt ad occupandum volumatem, ſed ad …uvandum memoriam. Admonen… mentem, non ſatisfaciunt …mori.1 Pet 4:4Isa 55:2 Theſe ſinfull ſearchings can never be caried to any thing in w^ch they may reſt, therefore they will be alway in motion; for though there be not enough in the things they follow to ſatisfie them, yet there is enough perpetually to entice them. Deſires and ſearchings are like numbers, one can never goe ſo farre in numbring, but there may be a number named beyond it, and above it; ſo there are ever more remaining deſires, a reſerve of deſires (as I may ſay) in the heart, freſh ſupplies new raiſed, whenſoever any old ones are cloyd or clogd; (for ſo they are rather then ſatisfied) It may be ſaid of theſe luſtings, when wee endeavour to fill them, as 'twas of the Iſraelites, when the Egyptians endeavoured to ſuppreſſe and deſtroy them, they grew the more in numbers and ſtrength, the more they were oppreſſed. God whoſe commands t…nd not to the impoveriſhing of the body (as Chryſoſtome ſaith) hath allow'd time and employment, and wealth ſufficient for needfull proviſions, nay ſometime for delight, and as God ſaith to David, If this had not beenenough, thus and thus could I have done for thee… but a man that alloweth himſelfe in his luſts and proſecutions for ſelf, breaks over the hedge of ſufficiency into the wide Common of exceſs, and there loſeth himſelfe. Oh the prodigious unwearyedneſs of a man ſet upon any ſearching for ſelf! the carkaſs, the inſtrument may be worne and wearied out, but the luſting is never tired, ther's a wearineſs perhaps of ſervice in the members, but none of command in the Law; ſo the Prophet, Th…u art wearied in thy way, Eſ. 57.10.Isa 57:10yet ſaidſt thou not there is no hope; though thou art outwardly tired in the proſecutions of luſts, yet thou ſayeſt not, Iſe give over, my hopes are not yet at an end; thou ſtill dreameſt of ſatisfaction, and therefore wilt go on with wonted madnes;…upiſ…entia non ſeneſ…it. A luſt out-lives its facultie; concupiſcence never groweth crazie in the weakeſt body, if the facultie could, luſt would ſtill riſe up early, lie downe late,…ab. 2.6. lade it ſelfe with thicke clay, how ever 'tis ſtill wiſhing, woulding, ſeeking theſe owne things; what time is now left for the things of Ieſus Chriſt? Qu… … vi… … viati…um.not ſo much as the dregs of ſicknes or old age, for the luſt is ſtill ſtrong and young, and craving, when life is ending.

p. 21Thirdly, The inordinate allowance of our induſtries in ſelf-ſervices,Reaſon 3. Luſting for ſelf, is directly oppoſite to the things of Chriſt. Mat. 6.24.Matt 6:24 muſt needs hinder us from ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt, in regard of the oppoſitnes and repugnancie betweene our cravings and ſearchings, and the Worke and will of Ieſus Chriſt, the one withſtands the purſuit of the other. There can be no ſerving theſe two oppoſite maſters; if one be loved ſought, the other will be loathed; inordinate affection drawes one way, the will of Chriſt another; like the two women that were pleading for the living childe before Solomon, but with this difference, the things of Chriſt, and ſelf, both plead, but neither will admit of a diviſion, a parting of the height of our enquiries;Phil. 3.19.Phil 3:19 there can be no accommodation betweene inordinate inquiries, and Chriſtian. Enmity to Chriſt is in ſeeking theſe earthly things; they are like two balances, if the one goe up, the other goeth downe, the ſerving of Chriſt and of our owne bellies cannot ſtand together.Rom. 16.17…Rom 16:17 It's impoſſible to looke heaven-ward and earth-ward at the ſame time in this ſpirituall ſenſe. Self-enquiries like the womans diſeaſe in the Goſpel, bowes us downe to the earth, the ſeekings of Chriſt require elevation. When the Moone is at full its directly oppoſite to the Sun, when our hearts and enquiries are fully ſet upon ſelfe, they will then oppoſe Chriſt; Indeed tis not impoſſible to doe our owne things, or to delight in the bleſſings God beſtowes upon us,Nem… poteſt p…rtiri affect…s. Qu…ſquis ſe in ſervitut…m divitiis tradit, Deo ſe emancipe… neceſſe eſt. Calv. in 6. Mat. and at the ſame to ſeek Chriſts things too, but then the maine aime and ſcope of the heart will be for God, and our other deſires, and delights will be onelyonly in a way of ſubordination and reference; as put caſe, Abrahams ſteward when he was in the journey had faire weather and uninterrupted paſſage, and pleaſant rode, theſe might have delighted him, and theſe he might before have deſired, but yet not ſo as to take off his minde from the maine end, for which Abraham ſent him forth, but ſo as hereby he might be the more enabl'd to do his Maſters buſines; God ownes not ſervices which have not him for the maine ſcope, at leaſt which endeavour it not; the inordinate ſeekings of ſelfe are oppoſite to thoſe of Chriſt; Chriſt may have many ſeekers, but theſe ſeekers cannot have many Chriſts.3. Application. 1. Inference fró the premiſes.

The ſinne and miſery of a man enthralled to any one luſting for p. 22ſelfe,1. Vſe. He is 1. unſerviceable to Chriſt. In mundo ſuperfl… qui honorem Dei non quaerit. Lzek. 15.3. he is detained from doing any thing for Ieſus Chriſt; he is a meer uſeleſs Drone, a Cipher, a Mute, a Nullitie; Certainely, a Superſedeas from ſerving Jeſus Chriſt, would bee to a gracious heart the greateſt burden in the world; This is his condition that is a ſlave to himſelfe, he's like the branches of a Vine fit for nouſe in building a houſe, meet for doing no work, good for nothing but the fire; he is a meer broken Idoll, a veſſell of no pleaſure, no wayes fitted for the Maſters uſe; hee is one that diverteth himſelfe from the ſcope to which God directs him, one that is drawne from the uſe agreed upon in heaven; (nothing in the creature being ordain'd for it ſel…e, as light in the ſunne, water in the well, both are for man, and man for God.) When he is about theſe owne things, he is in Gods account as if he were doing nothing, as Chriſt tells his Diſciples, they had hitherto asked nothing, becauſe they had onelyonly deſired worldly greatneſſe,Iohn 16.24.John 16:24 honour, promotions, &c. So they that give over themſelves to theſe ſelfe employments worke nothing, ſeeke nothing; This would be a hell to a Saint, though it deſerved not another to follow it. But then to leave all the things of Chriſt even for luſts ſake, this greatens the miſerie; if it were for ſomthing els, neare as good that a man neglected Jeſus Chriſt: If for another Chriſt, another Maſter that could love him as dearly, uſe him as kindly, provide for him as plentifully, reward him as liberally, employ him as nobly; 2. A ſlave to his luſtings which are 1. Very many. Multitude of Perſecutions. Quam multos babet Dominos qui unum non babet! foreign. Ti…. 3.33. 2. Very vile. Hab. 2.6. Home ad m…talla damnatus.Hab 2:6the wonder of wretchednes were not ſo great: But in not ſeeking Chriſt, know O man (if thou do'ſt not rather unman thy ſelfe by leaving thy God) that thou addicteſt thy ſelfe to thoſe ſearchings and ſervings that thy owne luſts impoſe upon thee, thy luſts which are in number many, thou muſt be peſter'd with many ſatanicall ſwarmes of them, when thou forſakeſt one Lord, all haling and tugging thy ſoule to different, and (in a ſort) oft times oppoſite employments; among which thou art but Pila diaboli, the devils Ball, which he by thine owne luſtings toſſeth hither and thither.

Thy proſecutions are vile and low, and unworthy they are the ladings of thy ſelfe with thick clay, wallowings of a ſwine, whereas they might have been the workings a Saint, nay an Angel. Thon art one that invites luſt to enter upon the goods of God himſelf, p. 23one that appropriates to that abomination what is dedicated to a holy uſe, worſe then Belſhazzar carouſing in the golden veſſells of the Temple, or one who digs in a dunghill with a golden ſpade. God hath beſtowed a veſſell, a ſpirit of gold, admirable abilities and endowments, and theſe are at the devotion of luſt, upon which are beſtowed Wells that they never digged, vineyards that they never planted, a ſoule, and endowments that they never created.

aa1. Sam. 5.5. Aguoſce dignitatem tuam Chriſtiane, & factus conſors divina naturae noli te in tantam vilitatem deijcere. Vbiar…oriſt… antiq…us pr…mo co…taneus homini cum voluit eſſe ſi…ut Deus? Cohaeres Chriſti, collega Angelorum, congaudet ſocictatipecorum, Dei gremio & dulci amplexu ſe abjungit. Nier. Praepoſtera patientia. Mend. Privilegio quodam patientiae honoramus damna noſtra adverſus nos. Nunqua… liber a compodibus que ſ…mper in crimenibus. Greg.1 Sam 5:5The Philiſtines would not ſuffer the feet of men to tread upon that threſhold, upon which their but fictitious and ſuppoſed Deitie had fallen, but thou admitteſt that which is baſer then a toad, nay a devill (Satans excrement, as Bernard calls it) to trample upon that excellent nature which God aſſumed, which is capable of the divine nature here, and of participation of the preſence of the great God to eternitie; thou goeſt as farre beneath thy ſelfe, as a King doth in ſtopping an Oven with his Robes, or in ſhaking hay with his Scepter. When a Saint is taking a turne in the Ivorie Palaces, hath his heart and head buſied in and for heaven, and walks even hand in hand with Angels, and is buſied in the employments of Chriſt, then is a ſinner toiling in the vile drudgerie of luſt, he is by a prepoſterous patience a true ſlaviſh Cham, a ſervant of ſervants, an embracer of a dunghill, nay, a ſlave to that which God did never make, that is now invited to deſtroy his creature.

bb3. Very tyrannicall. Deus eſt centrum quietati…um animae. P…git amor extra alveare ſu…m. Iſaiah 50.11.Isa 50:11And theſe proſecutions are as cruell and tyrannicall, as they are vile and abominable, ther's never any peace in them. The Bee never ſtings but when out of the hive; nor the affections but when out of the embracements of Ieſus Chriſt, this is thy portion to lie downe in ſorrow; every employment for luſt is an affrightment; no peace from God but in the ſervice of the God of peace. All ſearchings for ſelf areccBoth in their employments which are bitter. And inceſſant. ſoul-ſcratchings, they are thornes to rend the ſpirit, which God hath interwoven in every ſervice of luſt; the uncertaine profits and pleaſures which thou aimeſt at, are but appearing huskie goods, but the evils which neceſſarily attend, are true and reall evills and troubles.

What ſhall I ſay of that inceſſancy of toile which thou undergoeſt in theſe workes of crueltie? It's a true ſpeech, Peccator nunquam feriatur, this cager purſuer of any inordinate luſting keepes p. 24no holy-dayes; when he is upon his bed of Downe, then hee is pierced with theſe thornes of diſtraction and care,An tu hunc honun…m ſeli…m vocas, qui in ſuam mo…tem fort is eſt? cui pro…entuum fallax umbra prae…entiam aeternas congregat cauſas maloram? quis beatam d…xerit validam in ſu…m ingulum dexteram? Nier. Ultrix miſericordia. Bern. Vo…o Domine iraſcaris ira qua corrigis devium, non qua extrudis de via. Aug. he caries a furnace of tortures in his breaſt: 'tis true, ſometimes Satan gives (and God in juſtice permits) a dream of joy, a little of ſomething like contentment, in the hope or acquiring of ſome vaine gaine, or pleaſure: but theſe are but ſick ſlumbers; how cruell muſt thoſe ſleeps bee, which are upon the knees of a Delilah? and poured upon thee by an enemy? What-ever ſeeming good thou at tameſt in this way, 'tis but an angry mercy, thou uſeſt it as a meer bribe to the areſts of conſcience, which one day nevertheleſſe will do his office: The raw-fleſh that is laid to the Wolf in the breaſt, will not alway laſt, and when 'tis devoured, then that living diſeaſe gnawes upon the tortured patient; All thy profits, pleaſures, honours, do but while-away, and neither truly intermit, nor to be ſure, aboliſh thy ſorrows; there's the root of all vexation in thee, departure from God in Chriſt.

And though thy very work bee a diſmall puniſhment, and a ſufficient torture in the apprehenſion of a Saint, yet the wages of all theſe out-goings of ſoul from thy God, ſhall be puniſhment even to the height: All thoſe honours,And after their employments, in reſpect of their wages. gaines, or pleaſures, for the ſake whereof thou haſt toyl'd and drudg'd ſo much in this world, even to a neglect of Chriſt, will all leave thee, (had there been as much pains taken for Chriſts things, they would have followed thee) as Abſaloms Mule did him,Vitam noſtram centies potius opponere debemus, quam brevem neſ…io quot dicrum uſuram timi do filentio redimere. Calv ep. Quiſque ſeipſion prae Deo amat, nec ſeipſum, nec Deum amat. Aug. Per hoc quod aman… coguntur ad hoc quod vitan…. Greg. when hee was hang'd in the tree: How much better will it then appeare to thee, if thou hadſt neglected a hundred gains, and undergone as many deaths for the things of Ieſus Chriſt, then by reaſon of a ſhort and troubleſome proſecution of thine own things, to loſe thy God and ſelf too? how true then will that ſpeach bee found; Hee that loves himſelf above Chriſt, loves neither himſelf nor Chriſt? How gladly would'ſt thou then throw back with Iudas thy thirty peeces of ſilver, all thoſe gains, which thou perhaps didſt get in betraying the cauſe of Chriſt? then how wilt thou ſecond Gods condemning thee with ſelf-condemnation for thy folly, in preferring a childiſh gay before an advantagious conveyance; In being ſo deluded by Satan, who though heretofore he (like Solomons buyer) ſaid, 'Tis naught, 'tis naught, Chriſt p. 25and Religion, &c. are nothing worth, yet now he hath guld thy ſoule of them, goeth away and laugheth at thee. Oh that (beloved) you would thinke what dammage it is to lay out your enquiries altogether for receivings, while you never thinke of being received; none buyeth ſo deare and ſelleth ſo cheap,Sic recipe ut repiaris. as he that by ſeeking his owne things, will part with Ieſus Chriſt; my laſt inference will more fully cleare this, I ſhall not here therefore prevent my ſelfe.

I have done with the firſt. A ſecond and a more cloſe one followes. 2. Inference.2. Inference. The ſeeking our owne things hath been the cauſe why the things of Chriſt have beene neglected in England.

1. The things of Ieſus Chriſt as they reſpect his ſervants,1. In his ſervants. his Miniſters eſpecially, how have they beene neglected? and oh that I could ſay but neglected and no more! Hath not Chriſt in his ſervants and Miniſters beene ſummus Martyr, the greateſt Martyr? As Luther once ſaid in reſpect of the imputation of their ſins, Chriſt was Summus peccator the greateſt ſinner; may not we as confidently affirme that he hath ever been the ſoreſt ſufferer in his ſaints? Hath not our Engliſh ſoile been dyed with the blood of the Saints of Chriſt? hath it not bin the ſhambles of his innocent lambes in Queene Maries dayes, who was the rod upon the back of this poore Kingdom in the hand of God, for his Churches wantonneſſe under his indulgencies, in godly King Edwards Reigne? ſince, though the quiet aſhes of thoſe bleſſed Martyrs could not be diſturbed, yet hath not Martyrdome riſen againe? 'Tis plaine it hath, I, & that ſometime even to reſiſtance unto blood; not to doubt but that it was even in the calmer reigne of that cruell Queenes two next Succeſſors, (though it durſt not appeare ſo publiquely, as in Smithfield) hath it not of late ſhew'd it ſelfe with an emboldned brow; ſhould I either doubt of, or deny it, you might aske me whether I am the onelyonly ſtranger in Ieruſalem? nay theſe things have not beene done or ſuffered in a corner, not our ſelves at home, but even all the Proteſtants in Europe, (and oh that wee had never ſent the tidings hereof to America) have with aſtoniſhment beheld them; who hath not heard of the whippings,In time of Prelaticall tyrannie. the brandings, the baniſhments, and impriſonments of many precious Saints? how frequent was it for a Ceremonie which never ſearc… p. 26could get beyond the commendation of a tolerable triſte, to deprive the moſt learned and godly Miniſters of not living only, but all livelyhood, health and habitation, (the beggering their wives and children, and the ſtarving of their flockes being counted but a trifle) and what might be the cauſe why theſe things of Ieſus Chriſt went ſo to the wrack? did Prelats thinke we offer theſe ſacrifices to a dull drie Ceremonie a poſture of the bodie, or the table? no there was the ſeeking of theſe owne things; higher promotions for ſelfe, more gratious lookes from Superiours, a more glittering attendance forſelfe, theſe things put them upon theſe furious courſes; now Ceremonies and preferments are ſevered, there are not more forward men in the world (I ſpeake upon knowledge) then many late admirers of Prelacie, to cry downe what heretofore they ſo eagerly voyced up; But have the faithfull Miniſters of Chriſt beene better uſed by ſelfe ſeeking of late? ſurely no.Diabolus mutat ingenium, non depouit od…um. Satan changeth his colours, never his conditions; now the moſt ſtrictly pious and couragious of them in times of Prelacie, who did not (durſt not) leave their flockes to flie for more ſafetie and plentie elſewhere; but ſtood it out like Davids Worthy againſt hundreds of oppoſitions; theſe (I ſay) who thorowout the whole Kingdome have been the greateſt inſtruments of praying, weeping,And of ſchiſmaticall fury. preaching, living downe Anti-chriſt, muſt now be counted and called the limbes of Anti-chriſt; no diſgraces thought enough to aſperſe them and their doctrine; But what's the cauſe of this neglect of the ſervants of Chriſt? ſurely this ſelf-ſeeking lies at the bottome;Self things. either ſelfe thinks their doctrine too ſharp, their lives too ſtrict, their reſpect too great, their maintenance too burdenſome, their gifts too eminent, their preaching too oppoſite to libertie of Conſcience, publique exerciſe of every ones gifts, or the like, ſure I am 'tis ſelf that is the Enemy (I write not theſe things with a bitter, but a bleeding heart.)

2.2. And in the publique Cauſe of reformation. In the managing 1. of the wa…. Let us take a ſorrowfull view of the neglect of the things of Ieſus in this preſent Cauſe of Reformation, and that will plainely appeare alſo to ariſe from ſeeking theſe owne things; What if not ſelf-ſeeking hath ſpun us ſuch alaſting thread of calamities, and made our woes ſo long lived, not to ſpeake of the hurt it hath done by the profeſſed oppoſers of Religion, whom it makes little p. 27better then devils in fleſh and blood, though to ſpeak only of theſe would haply more pleaſe us (men commonly taking honey onelyonly out of the carkaſſe of the dead Lyon, and delighting onelyonly in reproofes that meddle not with themſelves.) 'Tis ſelf-ſeeking that hath not been onelyonly the dreyner of our treaſures, but the Leech that hath ſuckt not the bad, but even the beſt blood out of Engliſh veines, the Moth that hath ſo ſtilly deſtroyed us, the rotten tooth, the broken ſtile of a poore abuſed nation; ſelf-ſeeking hath betrayed our Cities, Forts, Magazines, Armies, 'tis this that hath made a trad… of our miſeries, Mercatur… humanarum calamitatum.that hath made Commanders over places of greateſt Concernment cowardous and treacherous, I, and perhaps ſomtime hath connived at them too; 'Tis this that hath revealed our Counſells, and retarded our Expeditions, coveting for ſelf, revenging for ſelf, ambition for ſelf have done theſe things, and thereby undone us. Are there not among us thoſe to be found that deſire to keep our flames ſtill unquenched,Neſcio quo inex plicabil… mode fit ut quiſquis ſe ipſum, non Deum amet, non ſe amet; & quiſquis Deum non ſe amet, ipſevere ſe amet. Aug. that ſo in ſtead of putting out the fire, they may in a common confuſion ſteale the goods out of the houſe for enriching of ſelves? If England be buried, may not this be written on her tombe, Self-ſeeking hath laid her here; 'Tis no wonder that God hath ſought us no more, that have ſought him ſo little; had wee ſought him, and not out ſelves, wee might have found him and our ſelves, but ſeeking our ſelves and not him, we loſe both; if ſeeking of Chriſt had beene here, England had not dyed.

But haply ſelf-ſeeking hath leſſe neglected Chriſts things, in reſpect of the Church; but here alas I muſt not renew,In redreſſing the abuſes of the Church. but redouble my complaints; This monſter hath aimed moſtly at the hindering the things of Chriſt in that and all it's malice to the Commonwealth, was but in a manner in reference to the Church: what but ſelf-ſeeking hath retarded the Churches Reformation? the which if advanced, would be ſo great a burden to malignant ſelf in ſome, licentious ſelf in others; to whom killing confuſion is more welcome then healing order, and all that ſelf might enjoy a latitude, not of Conſcience but of ſinning, like little children that are glad their mother is ſick, that ſo they might play without controulment, 'Tis ſeeking our own things that oppoſeth a ſetling of Government, not withſtanding the ſtudies, and prayers, and tears, p. 28not withſtanding the learned and cleare Convictions, which the godly and Orthodox Divines have expreſſed. 'Tis this which (yet) doth cavill away our peace and holineſſe, our order, reformation, and power of godlineſſe, and threatneth a neceſſitie, whether more wofull or wicked (God knoweth) of bearing with all religions. What is it but ſelf-ſeeking, which makes us who (in my young remembrance) could weepe, and faſt, and ſeeke God againſt the feares of a toleration of Poperie, now to thinke that it may wel be endured, if ſeparated from tyranny and treaſon againſt the State? This it is that would make Covenanting with God, which the godly in all ages uſed as a meanes to pacifio his wrath, and work reformation of life, a meer politick Character, onelyonly to put a difference betweene our owne private friends and foes. What but this ſelf-ſeeking lies at the bottome of all thoſe (damnable ſome, diſtracting other) new opiniós with which the Church of Chriſt is ſo peſtered? what but this founded and planted them? what but this favoureth and watereth them? did not ſeeking of ſelf reputation and gaine (which could never have been attained by preaching or printing,2 Pet. 2.3.2 Pet 2:3 good honeſt old Scripture truths in a giddie age) put the Founders of theſe opinions upon the firſt contriving of them? and ſince can it be any thing els but the ſeeking praiſe of men more then the praiſe of God that makes the furtherers to countenance them more then a godly Miniſter, who when hee preacheth them downe is not onelyonly lookt upon with neglect,3. Self-ſeeking hath hindered the things of Chriſt. In his ordinances. but with the ſuſpect of Semi-Malignancie? Tell mee now, are the things of Chriſt in the Cauſe of Reformation beholding to ſelf-ſeeking?

Thirdly, the things of Ieſus Chriſt in his Ordinances have been infinitely neglected,1. In his word. 1. It making Miniſters to neglect the word. by ſeeking theſe own things. Firſt, Miniſters have neglected the Word, as well as people; and all through ſelf-ſeeking.

For Miniſters: They have heretofore neglected the preaching of the Word,Tot quotidie perdimus quot ad gebe…nam, &c. Greg. By ſinfull feare. and by their ſinfull ſilence, murthered thouſands of ſoules, But was not ſelf-ſeeking the cauſe of ſelf-ſilencing? ſometime ſelf fearing to preach too oft, for diſpleaſing the reverend Father, or his Grace; (holding of ones peace, being then the ſtrongeſt, though the baſeſt tenure of holding ones living by;) p. 29Sometime ſelf ſeeking hath cauſed ſelf-ſilencing, by a wretched neceſſity of non-reſidencie; (more places then one,Hoskins: ſ. Tenu…ſſe ſilentia clerum? By ſinfull nonreſiding. Inveniar ſuperbus, …varus, adulter, homicida, antipapa & omuium vitiorum reus, modo impii ſilemii non arguar. Luth. ad Staup. Ut praeſint, non ut proſ…nt. Piſcatores de…imarum, non animarum. An non limina Apoſtolorion plus ambitio quam devotio terit? Bern. In vit. Bonif. 3. Quaeritur quantum Epiſcopatus reddat, non quot ſint oves. Plat. requiring preſence at the ſame time,) when 'twas ſaid that Miniſters laboured more to fiſh for tithes, then for ſoules; and hence principally thoſe termes of diſgrace in their ſeverall times, were caſt upon them: As peculatores, non ſpeculatores, robbers, not watchmen; praedatores, non praedicatores, theeves, not teachers: This kinde of ſelf-ſeeking, made Bernard cnmplain in his time, That more ambition then devotion, employed thoſe that ſhould have been moſt carefull of the Church; and Platina to ſay, That they were wont onelyonly to enquire how many pounds they might get, not how many perſons they might teach. Theſe men checked ſufficiently by the very**foreign. name of their Office; and this abuſe by Pluralities, as ſeverely reproved by many learned Papiſts, nay oppoſed even to eagerneſſe, in the Councell of Trent, is in part redreſſed, and the reformation thereof will bee much furthered, when Impropriations (the more wealthy theeveries of the two, and as ſome think, the onelyonly ſinne eſtabliſht by a Law) ſhall bee ſuppreſſed; the neglect of the Word, by the want of which reformation deſerving to bee thought with the neglecting of it by Pluralities, to ſpring from the ſame root of ſelf-ſeeking. Nor hath ſelf-ſeeking cauſed timerous ones, and pluraliſts, to neglect the word of Chriſt, but thoſe alſo whom it puts upon the Miniſtery for ſmaller gains; handfuls of barley, and peeces of bread, though their palpable inſufficiencie makes them as unfit for one place, as the other were for two or three; theſe make the Word the ſcorn of prophane ones, and keep it as a ſealed book from the ignorant ones: If theſe can ſtartle ſome well meaning people into an admiration of them, or into a contribution to them,By entrance upon the Miniſtery ungifted. they never care for informing their underſtandings, by principling and grounding them in the fundamentalls of Religion, but raiſing by loud voices, and ſtrange geſtures, wonderment and paſſion in their hearers, leave theſe poor ignorant ſoules as a prey to the ſubtill adverſary, who taking advantage by their preſent tenderneſſe and affrightments, (as Simeon and Levi deſtroyed the Shechemites when they were ſore) abuſe and ſeduce them into wayes of error, and ſchiſme, the blinde guide meane while, who was followed p. 30formerly, no man knew why, is now left no man knows how.By corrupting the word with p…auſibility of e…preſſion. At other times ſelf-ſeeking hath made the Word ſuff…r by Miniſters, through their corrupting and depraving of it, ſometime with the mixtures of a trifling wittineſſe, and an empty neatneſſe of phraſe, though commonly ſavouring of as little learning, as edification; they yet ſeeking rather hereby to pleaſe a few ſilly malignants, then to preach Ieſus Chriſt in power and purity. I … ſit mibi praed… … non qui … plauſum ſed qui mibi planctum movet. …ern.What but ſelf-ſeeking, hath heretofore turned our Churches into Stages, and Preachers almoſt into players, when as the Miniſter who ſhould onelyonly account the tears, the ſobs, the groans of his hearers his commendations, was wont to ſtop (as at the end of his ſtage) for a humming at the cloſe of every point?

Hath not the Word among us, ſometimes been depraved by erroneous gloſſes, And with erroneo… interpretations.tortured by violent interpretations? how frequently have men made it ſpeak according to their mindes? not bringing their hearts to the Word, but the Word to their hearts; hath not out of the ſweet fountain of truth, the bitter ſtreames of error been made to proceed? are there not ſome who have laboured to turne theſe waters into bloud, and to kill thoſe by them, who ſhould have lived in them? Surely 'tis ſo; the moſt prodigious hereſies pretend to a Scripture, and the worſt will be wicked by a Law; But is there not the hand of ſelf-ſeeking in all this? Certainly this it is that hereby to draw many admirers to ſelf, cares not how many it withdraws from God, and ſo as it may but be a gainer, cares not though precious ſouls be the merchandize which it puts off for baſe pelf,T…t. 1.11. for filthy lucre, to Satan himſelf.

But is the Word beholding more to ſelf-ſeeking people,2. Self ſeeking hath made people neglect the word, by denying ſometimes their preſence at the preaching of it. then to Miniſters? Surely the Word in moſt places can ſcarce bee by them afforded audience: There are ſome who ſay, they are above Ordinances, ('twere far better if they were fruitfull under them) nay that queſtion whether there bee any Ordinances or no? and theſe are not called ſelf-ſeekers, but ſeekers; others that Hanun-like have cut off the Word by the middle, the old Teſtament;By denying the authority of it in their iudgements. and what ever the truth bee, that is urged from that, it is branded with the name of legall, which in their ſenſe is as much as illegall; and the faithfull reprovers of ſin, and zealous p. 31exhorters to a ſtrict life, are termed but Old Teſtament Miniſters; like Saul, when David was endeavouring to drive away the evill ſpirit with his Harp, they have this javelin, to throw at the faithfull Miniſter, when he is moſt employed in reproving of ſin: others there are that haply give the Word their care, and their pen, and their talk, but 'tis eaſie to ſee how ſlight and ſhallow the impreſſions are, which the Word leaves upon their conſciences, By denying the power of it in their lives.and converſations: They being like ſome herbes, which Phyſitians tell us are, though hot in the mouth, yet cold in operation; ſo theſe are ſometime holy in their tongues, but heatheniſh in their lives; or like the hill Etna, that caſts forth burning coales at the top, but hath at the ſame time froſt and ſnow at the foot thereof; ſo though upon occaſion their words are fiery, yet their lives, their feet, are little better then recantations of the Sermons they hear, the old ſolid Chriſtianity, the life of ſelf-deniall, faith and the new creature, being turn'd into a kinde of ſpruce, ſlight, notionall, out-ſide profeſſion; and there muſt be ſuch a latitude for Chriſtian liberty in diſcourſing, trading, eating, drinking, paſſions, antique habits, that ſome begin to think, people may bee known by theſe things, even to be profeſſors. But what may be the cauſe of this new entertainment of the Word? ſurely this ſelf it is that expects more eaſe, a milder, and more indulgent religion, ſuch a latitude as may ſuffice for Chriſt and ſelf too.

2. For the Sacraments, how are they in moſt places almoſt caſt off, and forgotten,2. Self-ſeeking hath hindered the things of Chriſt in the Sacraments. 1. The Sacrament of the Supper. In Baptiſme. By abſtaining altogether. and people are very willing to ſtay without them? that of the Supper being now accounted an indifferent thing: the ſeldomer celebrated (Popery hath tackt about we ſee) the better; and for that other of Baptiſm, 'tis by ſome eſteemed null, fond, and groundleſſe, who deride, through ignorance, that condeſcenſion of Chriſt which they ſhould praiſe with thankfulneſſe. What? is ſelf here too? yes. This proceeds from the ſame root with that, 1 Cor. 11.21. a love of diviſion; from others, an overweening opinion of our ſelves, and way; or, an admiring of a ſelfe-contrived, and unſcripturall ſanctity, it being the moſt pleaſing thing in the world to ſelf, to have opinions of out own breed, eſpecially if they teach and plead for holineſſe in others; for men may urge that with much credit, and little coſt; p. 32and that's the reaſon that you ſhall obſerve among people forty diſcourſes of the qualifications of the company they receive withall, for one diſcourſe of the hearts which they themſelves ſhould receive withall.

Others neglect the Sacrament in the manner of their comming, not in their keeping away, but in comming with little raiſedneſſe of ſoule, dead affections, narrow hearts to entertaine a great good,…. not with empty hands to take Ieſus Chriſt in the Sacrament. What's the reaſon? ſelf-employments have ſo fill'd and ſtuf't their hearts with traſh, that there's no room for pearls.

Others come with impure, unclean ſoules; with no ſutable ſanctity to a glorious God, to whoſe entertainment they pretend adventuring like Mephiboſheth, who when he went to meet David, went untrimmed, undreſſed, unwaſhed; ſo theſe receive with dirty, unwaſhen hands, luſtfull, proud, revengefull, covetous hearts: What's the cauſe? they come with the ſame hearts in which they were in their ſelf-proſecutions; they love to go ſo dreſſed, as they may be ever in a readineſſe to ſerve ſelf. The wedding garment is to them like Sauls armour to David, too burdenſome and heavy, too great a hinderance from earthly enquiries.

I have done with the ſecond Inference, viz. Self-ſeeking is the cauſe why the things of Chriſt have been neglected among us.

A third follows: Wee ought to endeavour the beating down this ſelf-ſeeking in all our ſouls; 3. Inference. Direction.this immoderate letting the heart run out in ſelf-ſearches.

Lay the foundation of mortification deep,Rom. 6.19. 1. Direction. Lay the foundation of mortification deep.Rom 6:19Rom 6:1 even deeper then ever was thy delight in thy moſt eagerly proſecuted comforts, not in a meer abſtinence from the uſe of, but in an inward taking off the heart from any thing that may take thee off from Chriſt. There are many who think, if they leave the pleaſure, the outward following this or that ſinfull gaine, or ambitious promotion, that they are mortified ſoules; alas, what's this, as long as the heart is uncleanſed, the affection uncrucified? A man that deſires to ſhun ſickneſſe, muſt not onelyonly be watchfull, in keeping himſelf from the ſharpneſſe of the ayre, but muſt remove the corruption of his ſtomack. If the body be diſtempered, 'twill catch cold with the leaſt blaſt; and ſo an uncleanſed ſoul will be wrought upon by p. 33very temptation. The bird which is tied by the legge with a ſiring to a ſtone,Non voluptas relinquenda, ſed voluntas depo nenda, non abſcindunt, ſed ab ſcondunt peccata Tert. Quando a me ipſo alienabor … perdam? Bern. Revelle …e ateipſ… ut Deo inſerari divid… te a teipſ… ut cum creatore n…iaris, extirpa… a te peſſimo ut in om… bono radiceris. Tu qui om nia relinquere diſponis, te qu… que inter relinquenda numera…e memento. Bern. Neſcivit ſuis par…ere, quia … no. it … perhaps with ſome ſtrugling gets looſe from the ſtone, to which the ſtring on the other end was faſtned, but then flying with the ſtring about her leg, ſhee is entangled in the next bough ſhee flies to, more then before. 'Tis not enough to leave the uſe of this, or that way, or object, unleſſe we ſtrive to pull off the ſtring too, the luſt that tied us. Never bee at quiet as long as there's this Mordecai in the gate; entreat God to alienate thee from thy ſelf, to root up ſelf in thee, to annihilate whatever ſtands up in thy ſoul, in a way of reſiſting Chriſt; though the lot fall even upon Jonathan, let him go; Say, Oh that I could looſe my ſelf, to come to Chriſt! Let the motions of ſelf in the ſoule bee thy continuall ſighing; reſerve nothing in it from the ſtroak of Chriſt, for if ſo, proviſion will at length be made for it, even to a forſaking of Chriſt, if occaſion require; This imperfect aim at ſelf-ſubduing, is the cauſe of ſelf-ſeeking, and very dangerous are theſe ſemi-renouncings of ſelf; If there be any luſt unſubdued, it will plead its intereſt, and often ſo craftily, as there will be no anſwering it, carnall will, evermore having carnall wit, and excuſes to further it; Let not the blade of the luſting bee ſnib'd, but let the root be cut up. If thou would'ſt put out the ſlame, quench the bottom of it: Levi kil'd his own neareſt kindred, becauſe he had killed ſelf before.

Secondly,2 Direction. Make a right diſcovery of the delights of Chriſt. Make a right diſcovery of the raviſhing delights, and the ſatisfying benefits which every beleever hath in Ieſus Chriſt, who infinitely …t-bids all that ſelf is ſo eager in proſecution of. Behold the comforts of Jeſus Chriſt, in this ſeven-fold diſcovery.

1.1. View them as …all. View them as realities, not as notions; Self counts all the things of heaven but empty ſpeculations; A carnall heart ſaith, Look thee here, behold this pleaſure, profit, &c. taſt it, touch it, handle it, be enricht with it; a ſpirit hath nothing for thy body, thy life, &c. for your good things of heaven, they have nothing but empty names; what talk you of the life of faith? you might beg if 'twere not for your land. When Moſes was in the Mount,Exod. 32.….Exod 32 and the Iſraelites knew not what was become of him, then they p. 34made golden gods; and thus it is with carnall hearts, they know not what's become of heaven, and Chriſt; they think they are loſt and gon things, and that there's nothing in them, and then's the time to make gold, and pleaſure, and honour our gods. Therefore,2 Cor 4 1….2 Cor 4:1 O Chriſtian, look upon the things of eternity, as reall, certaine things; not opinions, but aſſertions. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of things, that are not ſeen; yet mark, he ſaith, for all that, wee looke at theſe things. They are not imaginary, becauſe inviſible; look upon them,Heb. 10.34. Heb. 11.1.Heb 10:34Heb 11:1 as being a ſubſtance; for ſo they are denoted, more then once, in the Scripture. I know not how it comes to paſſe, but theſe things of ſelf-enquiry have ſtoln away the name of ſubſtance from Chriſts things; mens goods are called their ſubſtance; a wo…ldly rich man, is cal'd a ſubſtantiall man, &c. where as all theſe things below,Ioh. ….36. foreign Per falla…ia bona nurad vera mala per fallacia mala ad vera bona. Lactant. Potius ſom…iamus quam diſſerimus de coe…o. are but ſhadows, and have onelyonly ſo much of ſubſtance, as they have of Chriſt in them. Hitherto you have asked nothing, ſaith Chriſt, though they had asked honours, and wealth. That which is not, the Wiſe-man calls them: Therefore when Chriſt ſpeaks of himſelf, and his own things, he calls them, things indeed, as if other things were but phantaſticall; but here's the miſery, wee ſpeake of the things of Chriſt, as dreames and ſp…culations; and that's the reaſon, when ſomething, as wee think, more certaine comes in the way, our hearts are gone.

2.2. View them a… abundant. Gaudtum eſt ſi…entium quoddam appetitus, epulum …ordis, mors deſiderit. Pla…tum eſt quiesa volun…s. View the comforts of Chriſt, as full, abundant, not as ſcanty, ſutable to all thy exigencies, ſo that thou needeſt not goe to any thing here below, to eek them out withall; they are ſuch full things, that they want nothing but wants, and thirſtings after them. View them, as able to ſatisfie all thy longings, to quiet thy wiſhes, to ſilence thy deſires, to kill thy hunger; able to fill thy ſoule,Auguſta Dei bonitas ſun ſui…i Chriſtus. Sola in integritate divin… bonitatis … ſatiare po…eſt apperitus. like the Water-pots of Galilee, up to the brim; no ſatisfaction but from theſe comforts. The ſoul can never ſay, it hath enough, till it hath an intereſt in them. It is enough, ſaid old Iacob, Ioſeph my ſonne is yet alive. It is enough, may that ſoul ſay in whom Chriſt liveth, for whom Chriſt died; enough though God ſhould give me no more; enough honour, though I ſhould alway be in diſgrace; enough ſtrength, though my body p. 35bee weak; enough riches, though I bee otherwiſe in poverty; there's ſo much of all good in Ieſus Chriſt, Omnium inclinationum quibus res ad ſu… centus proru…nt, debitra re… te exiſ…imeo-Fortior ſit gra…s. tia quam natura-Omnes diſperſiones inclinationum, omnes errores …piditatum in te congregare …ram in Deum conten… as. Ioh. Euſ. Nier.that the ſoule owes him all the inclinations, and propenſities by which all the things in the world are with greateſt vehemencie carried to their ſeverall obiects, centers, and reſts. A Chriſtian ſhould labour to gather together all his diſperſed and ſcattered deſires, that have run out upon other by-comforts, and fix them alone upon Ieſus Chriſt, who hath the ſweetneſſe, and the deſirableneſſe of them all within himſelf; there's ſo much in Ieſus Chriſt, that the abundance that one Saint receives, can be no cauſe of repining in anoother; there's vera foreign, ſo much plenty, that it baniſheth envie, Chriſt is a Beerſheba, a well of plenty and ſatisfaction for all his Saints; our veſſels will ſooner be wanting then his oyle.

3.3. View them as perci…us, not as vile. De…i…it ſe de …dmine genera ſitatis qui admirari al…quid poſt D…um poteſt. Cypr de ſpee. Ethrici reliquerum mun dum. … Omnium rerum colliquata vonuſtas ad divinam pulchritudirem comparata ri…il … mundus amat crux mibi ſunt, quae mundus reput… …ucent illis affixus …um toto affect…. Bern. S… hunc mundum tuguriolum Adami, crgaſtulum pe…atorum, ca…am brutorum, …am adminabi…m … Deus, quid erit d…mus propria & a al Dei? View them as precious, ſublime, and excellent, not as common, and droſſie. This will heighten thy ſoule, and put an h…ly generoſity into it, and make thee count the beautifulleſt things that ſelf admires, unworthy thy ſtoop, as Themiſtocles, who did bid a poor man ſtanding by him, take up a pearl that lay upon the ground, for thou (ſaid he) art not Themiſtocles. Hee that looks earneſtly upon the Sunne, will have his eyes ſo dazled, that hee can ſee nothing upon the ſudden. Let the eye of thy ſaith be hold the beauties of eternity, and then other things will not bee counted worthy thy regard; there will be in thee a holy neglectiveneſſe of them: Thou wilt ſay to thy ſelf of the moſt glorious buildings, and ſumptuous palaces upon earth, as Chriſt, upon occaſion of his Diſciples admiration, of the Temples ſtructure; Are theſe the things thou lookeſt upon?

4.4. View them a uſefull, not as idle and unh… ping. View them as uſefull, and efficacious, not as idle, and unhelping; Even in thy ſaddeſt houres, able to comfort thee; in thy poverty, to enrich thee; in thy doubts, to direct thee; in thy ſtraights, to enlarge thee: It is therefore by ſome thought, that the pleaſures of the Saints in Scripture, are ſaid to be at Gods right hand, Organon roborisin regard of the ſtrength and power (that being the embleme of p. 36ſtrength) which God beſtowes upon them, to relieve and uphold their ſoules.Pſal. 16. ult.Ps 16 The benefits that God in Chriſt beſtowes, are not ſuch as wee uphold, but ſuch as uphold us: the comforts of eternity are living waters; quick, and quickning, and enlivening comforts. The conſolations the Apoſtle ſpeaks of are ſtrong conſolations,Heb. 6.18. Pſal. 119.54.Heb 6:18Ps 119:54 i. e. ſtrengthening. David ſpeaks of ſongs in the houſe of his pilgrimage; when he was farre from friends, they made a ſupply.…ant 2.4. The love of Chriſt is ſaid to be a banner, an enſigne, to note the courage, and divine valour, which in apprehending of it,… …am 23.16. a Saint may gather to himſelf. Ionathan ſtrengthened Davids hand, and ſo doth Chriſt his peoples. David comforted himſelf in his God. Look upon Chriſt, as able to ſuſtain thee, caſting thy ſelf upon him, though all creature crutches were removed.

5.5. View them as thoſe wherein thou haſt a propriety not as anothers. Look upon them, as things wherein thou haſt a propriety, not as an others onelyonly. Vnite, apply, appropriate the benefits of Chriſt to thine own ſoul. A man that views never ſo much land, or wealth, if he have not an intereſt therein, will not be thereby ſtopt in his poorer enquiries, and deſires. Chriſt is never good in a ſouls account, till it hath ſomething of him; and the more it hath of him, the leſſe it ſeeks in any thing elſe beſide him. 'Tis the owning of Chriſt, and taking him as thine, that will make thee contented, when thou ſeeſt that nothing is thine elſe; 'tis onelyonly this which can take thee off from earthly-proſecutions. In one Chriſt,Pſal. 16.5.Ps 16:5 is comprized every ſcattered comfort here below. Chriſt mine, ſaith the ſoule, and all mine. An union to Chriſt, eaſily diſunites from any thing elſe. The ſoul anſwers the unlawfull offers that the world makes to it of honors, riches, &c. like the contented Shunamite, 2 King. 4.13.2 Kgs 4:13when ſhe had offers of Court courteſies, I dwell with mine own Chriſt, I deſire not to alter my condition; my Chriſt hath all you offer, and much more.

6.6. View them as preſent, not … diſtant. View them as preſent, brought neere; let thy faith pull them even into thy ſoul: What's the reaſon that the worlds offers prevail with us more then Chriſts? the world comes with money in hand, we look upon it as neere, we think that God asks too long day for payment; we look not with the Proſpective of faith upon the things of heaven, did we ſo, we ſhould ſee them hard by, p. 37and a few moneths and yeers would be counted as Iacobs ſtaying for Rachel but a very ſhort time; faith would preſent them as at hand, and as their's did them,Heb. 11.13.Heb 11:13 would make us to ſalute and embrace them ſo, although they ſhould be to ſenſe afarre off; faith even now layes hold on eternall life,1 Tim. 6.19.1 Tim 6:19 and views the promiſes as already performed, and therefore David even when he was crying,Pſal. 57.2.Ps 57:2 and praying, tells us 'twas to that God that performeth all things for him, performeth now.

7.7. View them as eternall, not as finite. View them as eternall, not as finite; comforts that ſhall triumph over time; ſo the word, Pſal. 16. tranſlated (evermore) importeth. Time triumpheth and maketh a ſpoile of every thing thou canſt ſeek here upon earth,foreign AEternitas q. victoria temporis. but Chriſts things triumph over time; ſo ſhall wee ever be with the Lord, ſaith Paul. There will come a time when as Chriſt will not ſay, The poore you have alwayes with you, and me you have not alwayes; no, me you ſhall have alway, and povertie no longer; joyes alwayes, teares no longer; fulneſs alway, hunger no longer; glory alway, ſhame no longer: oh ſtudie what 'tis to be for ever with the Lord; Ever, Ever! Chriſt hath made an Act of Continuation for thy joyes, they ſhall never breake up. The good things of Chriſt are called in Scripture frequently a treaſure; the word ſignifieth ſomething laid up for afterward; Ieſus Chriſt and his benefits are onelyonly the ſame,foreign. yeſterday, and to day, and for ever.

3.3. Direction. I have done with the ſecond Direction to beat downe ſelf-ſearches, which was to take a right view of the benefits of Chriſt, I come to a third. Labour for a ſanctified uſe of all embitterments or ſtoppages, in thy eagreſt ſelf-enquiries and proſecutions; when the ſea ſtormed 'twas a ſigne God would have Ionah returne to his work, and leave his eager and unlawfull voyage; Doth God raiſe any ſtormes of diſgrace, povertie, ſicknes, in the following this or that luſting? uſe it as ſtoppage in thy courſe; as one ſaid once, Vix licet vivere & licet fornicari? I can ſcarce live, and ſhould I be uncleane, proud, revengefull, ambitious? The heathen could obſerve that when men were ſicke, they would abſtaine from former exceſſes. Looke upon Gods more bitter diſpenſations, as ſo many meetings of thee in the narrow way, as he did Balaam to keepe thee from going on in thy eager proſecutions, ſo many breakings p. 38downe of the bridges to hinder thy paſſage,… & … pratere… …. uſe holy upbraiding… of thy ſelf when thou ſuffereſt from God. Tell thy gadding ſoule, thou mayſt thank it for all thy ſorrows; drive home the naile of affliction further by the ſelf-crucifying hand. Thinke with thy ſelfe when God makes the things of the world to leave thee, as Ioſeph did his Miſtris when ſhe would have plaid the Adultereſſe; that Gods aime is, thou ſhouldeſt not commit ſpirituall adulterie with the gifts of God, which he onelyonly gave thee for thy ſervants.

4.4. D…r…ction. Moder …. A holy moderating of thy luſting out-running heart, in the offers and enjoyments of thoſe lawfull objects with which thy luſts have been moſt taken. Fire the ſhips if thou wouldſt not be carried away by them, be watchfull and moderate in lawfull comforts, uſe them with a godly jealouſie; deny thy ſelf much even of that which poſſibly thou mayſt uſe well, engulph not thy ſelfe in pleaſure, employments, profits. A ſhip in the mud is lanched forth with difficultie; ſo is a mans heart allowing himſelfe boldly abundance of outward comforts, with difficultie carried off to the employments of Chriſt from ſelf-attendances. A man ſhould in this caſe even ſtop up the wells, as they did when they would doe the enemies a diſcourteſie,1 King. 3.19.1 Kgs 3:19 and marre every good peece of ground, every naturally bewitching object with a ſober heedfull ſparing enjoyment of it,Chriſtian libert…e eaſily grows …o unchriſtian I …bertiniſm. pare off ſuperfluities and abundance, ſet this taskmaſter of warines over thy gadding idle ſoule; Make not proviſion, Rom. 13.14. for the fleſh. Let not thy ſoule be (as a candle in a ſtinking filthy lanthorn) in a body wallowing in ſenſuall pleaſures; uſe the things of the world as Gideons ſouldiers drank thoſe waters, not ſtooping downe to them, and lying along, but out of the palmes of their hands;Sint ſolatia, non negotia. Dent. 25.3. let theſe things be thy refreſhments, not thy buſineſſes; let not thy life be the life of a Muſhrum, as if thou hadſt no other ſoule but a vegetative; ever be willing to deny thy ſelfe ſom what of that thou mayſt doe or enjoy, as the Iewes in puniſhing Malefactors, were allowed to give fourtie ſtripes, but they gave but 39. ſo let thy care be to cut thy ſelfe ſhort in many things thou mayſt doe.

5.5. Direction. A deare love to Ieſus Chriſt. A deare love to Ieſus Chriſt; praedominant over all other: Love thy ſelfe onelyonly in Chriſt, and theſe things onelyonly as they are beſtowed upon thee as pledges of his love; As thou canſt p. 39not pleaſe Chriſt by any out-ſide performances thou giveſt him,Quaedam a ſe peregrinati…, mors voluntaria. Ioſ. Nie. de arte vol. Si iſta terrena diligitis ut ſubjecta diligate, ut munera amici, ut beneficia Domini ut arrham ſponſi. Aug. med. Occurrit aliquid amoenum? ſtatim valadum clypeum oppone Chriſtum. Quale hoc in s…onſo meo erit! nolo occupari in hac mi…a venuſtatis, in hoc atomo duleoris, ſed totam amoenitalem hauriam in Deo, ita praevaricabere appetitus his veneno, omnia bona Phylacteria tua ſunt, ut Deum ames & nihil adores aliud. unleſſe thou giveſt thy ſelfe; ſo neither let him pleaſe thee, unleſſe he gives thee himſelf, though he beſtows the world in never ſuch abundance. Delight not in theſe things, nor deſire them further then as they may either be ſeen to proceed from a loving Saviour, or returned unto him. If thy love were principally ſet upon Chriſt, thou wouldeſt onelyonly regard theſe things as they are tokens of his love, as mercies not as gifts; without his love they would be as a ceale without fire in it, all dark and black and uncomfortable any further then thou didſt ſee Chriſt in them; If any thing ſweet and amiable preſented it ſelfe to thee, thou wouldeſt preſently ſay and think, Oh what is there in my beloved if there be ſo much in theſe things! I wil not be employed in a drop, in an atom of ſweetneſſe, but be raiſed up in my thoughts, and be infinitely taken with him that is the fountaine of all love and lovelines; theſe things below would not fallere, but monere; not be witch thee from him, but admoniſh thee of and to him, they would be ſo many ſteps to raiſe up thy ſoule more to Jeſus Chriſt; they would be but Phylacteries to make thee mindful of his wil and pleaſure in them, and no further wouldſt thou be rejoyced in the enjoyment of them, then that thou might'ſt be ſerviceable to Chriſt by them.

6.6. Direction. Occaſion of the enquiries from ſelf and earth. Pſal. 119.36. S…mper tentator te inveniat occupatum.…Ps 119:36 Occaſion of thy enquiries from ſelf and earth, by ſpending much time in heavenly ſervices and employments, praying, reading, hearing, meditating. Otioſus verſatur in deſideriis, idle perſons are craving oft, Pro. 13.4. Tell thy luſtings when they ſolicite thee, thou art otherwiſe buſied. Let the tempter never finde thee idle; empty table books may have any thing written in them, if fild before, the writer is prevented; let Satan finde thy ſoule fild ever with ſomething of Ieſus Chriſt, if thou wouldſt ſhun Satans temptation to luſtings.

7.7. Encreaſe of acquaintance vvith Ieſus Chriſt. Labour daily to encreaſe thy humble and ſweet familiaritie with Ieſus Chriſt, never ſtand at a ſtay in taking in his comforts, labour to have them come in freſh every morning, endeavour that thy flame of loves and deſires may daily bee ſupplied with freſh fuell, pleaſe not thy ſelfe in any degrees of his comforts, grace, manifeſtations; if thou do'ſt, he will ſoon grow leſſe deſirable to thee and them, thou wilt goe elſ-where for refreſhments. Chriſt hath p. 40war…ety of bleſſed employments, flie from flower to flower, rejoycing in the varietie of his precious promiſes, deceive thy nauſeating nature with intermixing one holy ſervice with another, ſometime heare, other while pray, frequently meditate, be not ſeldome in godly company; Chriſt this way will with more delight take thee up from ſelf employments; when thy luſtings ſolicite thee to this or that object, ask thy ſoule the queſtion that the Prophet did Ahaziahs meſſengers;… King. …. Is there not a God in Jſrael, that thou ſhouldſt go to Baal-z…bub the God of Ekron? Is there never a promiſe in the Scripture? never a Saint of my acquaintance? never a merciemercy to be thankfull for? never a luſt to be ſtriving with? no beautie and glory in heaven to be panting after?

I have done with the third Inference, which was that wee ought to endeavour the remoovall of ſelf-ſeeking out of our ſoules.

A fourth and the laſt follows.

4.4. Interenc… Wee ſhould be diſſwaded from the ſeeking our owne things, whereby the things of Chriſt are ſo neglected.

I ſhall urge this Dehortation upon a two-fold conſideration, both taken out of the Text.

1. Be dehorted from theſe inordinate ſearches, by conſidering upon what ground and reaſon men take them up; 'tis upon this ground: They look upon the things they ſeek and follow as their owne things.

2. By conſidering whoſe the things are that will be neglected thereby, even the things of Ieſus Chriſt.

1. That which puts us upon the eager attendance upon theſe things, is the accounting them our owne things.

Now in this firſt conſideration, viz. the ground of peoples ſearch, there be three notable diſſwaſions to take us off from ſeeking theſe things, upon that ground that they are our owne.

1. The falſneſs and deceitfulneſs of a ſearch and enquirie upon that ground.

2. The lowneſs and the unworthineſs of it.

3. Our liableneſs and readineſs to be overtaken by it, and to offend in it.

p. 411.1. Conſideration, upon what ground men ſeeke theſe things, viz. becauſe they are their own containing a 3. fold diſſwaſion. 1. The deceit of this ground, theſe things being not our own in a 3. fold reſpect not our owne. Luke 16.12. Hab. 2.6.Luke 16:12Hab 2:6 To ſeek other things beſide the things of Ieſus Chriſt as our own, is to be falſe to our ſelves, to deceive our ſelves, (ſelf-ſeeking is ſelf-deceiving in this reſpect) for they are not our owne, they want that for the which we ſo eagerly proſecutE them; Iſaac being blind, demanded of Iacob who came to him for the Bleſſing, whether he was his very ſonne Eſan, or no; had hee not thought that he had been ſo, hee would not have bleſt him; did not people think that theſe things below were their very owne, they would never beſtow their regards upon them as they do; upon that foundation they ſet up the building of all their proſecutions, but alas! what a ſlender ſandy foundation is it? the Scripture tells us they are not our owne.

Here's ſelf-deceit, when we account them our own, in a three-fold reſpect.

1.1. They are not our ſouls, therefore not our own. They are not our ſouls things, and therefore not our own things, they are thy carkaſſes not thy ſoules, thy purſes, thy ſhops, thy cheſts, not thy ſoules.

They are not proportioned in reſpect of abundance, or largeneſs to thy capacious ſoul, the whole world is not to thy ſoul ſo much as a drop to the belly of an Elephant;1. Not large enough for the ſoule. Concija bonitas creaturam quae mutatio noſtri generis, ut ſolam divinitat…m …am faſtidiat. Cupiditas noſtra …amelica omnium niſs e…us in quo ſolo ſatiart poteſt. All fulnes that is not my God (ſaith one) is nothing but emptines; all that is not Ieſus Chriſt is curt and penurious, and ſcantie; they are not able all put together to throw in one mite into the treaſurie of the ſoule. Hagar when ſhee was out of Abrahams houſe, inſtantly found povertie, and ſoon was her bottle of water ſpent, and ſo all earthly comforts afford no ſupply out of Chriſt.

2.2. Not good enough for the ſoule. Opprobria humanae naturae. Gen. 2.20.Gen 2:20 They are not proportioned in worth for the ſoule, they are meane and droſſie; they are not a match fit for thy ſoule: It againe may be ſaid of all the Creation as 'twas once upon another occaſion, Among all the creatures there was not found an help meet, &c. Among all the things here below there's not to be found a meet companion for the ſoule; ther's no food here below that thy ſoule loves, no cloathing to cover thy ſoule, no coyne to enrich thy ſoule, no habitation to entertaine thy ſoule; they are all below it of another kinde. Thy ſoule when it becomes a ſeeker of theſe things, is like the excellent trees that went to the bramble to be their King.Iudg. 9.14.15.Judg 9:14Judg 9:15 Theſe things below that thou ſetteſt the enquiries of p. 42thy ſoule moſt upon deſerve more that the tramplings of thy feet ſhould be upon them; there's no more preciouſnes in them then what thy opinion impoſeth upon them.

2.2. They are not uſefull, therefore not our own. Amor infirmi robar miſeriae. Pro. 11.4. Nec plenitadinem continenti, nec … inmt…nsi praebent.Prov 11:4 They are not thine in reſpect of uſefulnes, when thou ſtandeſt in greateſt need of them; adverſity will try what they things are, they are then but broken ſtilts; … Theſe Baals cannot plead for themſelves, if either fire, or theeves, or ſickneſſe, or loſſes ſeiſe upon them, how then ſhould they plead for thee? There's nothing that thou here truſteſt in, but like Micha's gods may be ſtolen away; poor gods that cannot defend themſelves.

Theſe things profit not in the day of Wrath; wee may expect much from them, but when any come to uſe them, they are like quagmires that ſhew green, and ſeem to be hard, but when thou goeſt to tread upon them they will not beare thy weight.

3.3. Not things that will ſtand by us, therefore not our own. Impatientia amoris noſtri. Quid mag…t agam ſi re…nquam pro …e rem …am v…em quae propter ſe, aut propter me re…inquenda eſſer… Mat. 6.20. foreign. Tantum quiſque valet quantum am…t. Quiequid amico accidit …ibi accidit.Matt 6:20 They are not things that will ſtay with us, therefore not our owne, they are like lo…eph when his Miſtris laid hold upon him, be gave her the ſlip This night ſaid God to the rich fool ſhall thy ſoule be taken from thee, and then whoſe ſhall theſe things be that thou reckoneſt upon? All creature comforts are like thoſe enemies of Chriſt, that paſſed by him when he was upon the croſſe, all tranſitorie; the faſhion of this word paſſeth away, periſhing comforts ſhould be proſecuted with a periſhing love, and a vaniſhing affection; not as the things for which we doe live, but as the things in this ſtate, without which we cannot altogether live. Chriſt tels us of a moth that eats into all earthy treaſures; Child, and land, and beautie, nay life, have their moth. The ſweeteſt comforts like the Roſe wither ſooneſt, they are all like poore or deceitfull traders, they will break ſooner or later, and then what will become of thee that haſt lent them, nay beſtowed upon them thy loves and affections, which are all thou art worth? if they breake thou muſt needs loſe too: there's nothing hereto be loved, but as if thou wert alwayes about to leave it,Ama tanquam …. nay to loath it if God require; there's nothing here below dyed in graine, all their ſweetnes and beautie will ſoon weare and waſh out.

There's the firſt diſſwaſion in the firſt Conſideration, the deceitfulnes of this principle, that they are our own.

2. The ſecond diſſwaſion in the firſt Conſideration, viz. that p. 43they are ſought, becauſe our own is the vilenes an unworthines of this principle.

2.2. Diſſwaſion. Vnworthineſſe of this temper in reſpect of private ſpiritedneſſe. Matth. 6.32. Diſce perire ut vivat Chriſti gloria. Mallet pro aliis occidi quam ſibi v…vere. Amb. in obit. Satyri. Aliquid habui …ui Chriſtum praeferrepotu…. Moſes cauſam populi apud Deum pre…ibus …iamſi cauſam Dei apud populum glad…is all… ga…it. Greg. Mot. Fa… aliquando quod ſi …eliciſſtmus fueris fact… us e; in ….Matt 6:32 It argues an unworthy unchriſtian temper, for a man to lay out his proſecutions upon his owne private employments, is infinitely below a true Saintlike ſoule; 'tis much below the end of a Saint, onelyonly to ſeeke the ſalvation though of his owne ſoule, but to regard theſe owne things of the body, Chriſt tells us 'tis the diſpoſition of a heathen; the advancing of Chriſts name in the world muſt be our ſcope; the making him famous, our work; our deſire muſt be onelyonly to be conduits of Chriſts favours, to be ſtewards of his goods, to lay out our very ſelves in his praiſe, unſerviceablenes muſt be a Saints greateſt burden. The excellencie of a pillar is not beautie, but ſervice and uſefulnes in bearing up the building, and ſo 'tis with a Saint; his excellencie ſtands not in wealth, in honours &c. but bearing up the glory and cauſe of Ieſus Chriſt; not to live for himſelfe, but even to die for the Publique if God ſhould call for it; the glorie of a Saint is to have had ſomewhat to which he hath preferred, or may preferre Ieſus Chriſt, to ſet up Chriſt a building of glory though upon his own ruines.

The moſt famous Saints in the world were made ſo by publique ſpiritednes; how glorious will Moſes be to poſteritie, that he was not willing to be happie alone either in Pharaohs Court or Gods favour: ſo Nehemiah, and David, and Paul with the r…ſt, they were all made noble by this being above their owne things; Oh what a vile temper is it for a Chriſtian to be himſelf the Center of his owne ends, and the gulfe of his owne comforts? Caſt (ſaith Chriſt) that unprofitable ſervant into utter darknes, & then there's gurges in gurgite, one gulfe in another; how unlike is this temper to that of the Saints in heaven, who have no other worke but to ſing the praiſes of Chriſt to …ternitie?

3.3. Diſſwaſion in the firſt Conſideration. Our liablenes to offend in ſeeking our owne things, & that in a threefold regard. A third diſſwaſion in the firſt Conſideration is this; As there is much lowneſs and unworthineſs in ſeeking our own, ſo there is much readines in us to offend God in ſeeking them. 'Tis infinitely difficult not to miſcarry in following theſe own things, and that

1. Jn regard, following our own is a lawfull liberty.

2. Offences in following our own things, ſeldom are reproved.

3. We are infinitly, & eager, and vehement in proſecutions for ſelf.

p. 441.1. The ſeeking our own things, is in a …ort lawfull and allowed, and therefore we are ready to offend therein. Iob 1.Job 1 We are liable to offend God in following our owne things, becauſe the ſeeking of them is in a ſort allowed by God as lawfull. Satan commonly puts off his bad wares of ſin among theſe good ones, lawfull things; as Satan came in among the ſons of God, ſo commonly ſinne comes in in employments in their owne natures lawfull enough; Poyſon is not given to any under that notion, but under the notion of good food & wholeſom diet, and ſo it is taken unſuſpectedly. It's eaſie to ſinne in lawfull things, to ſeeke ſinfully our ſelves, immoderately, regardleſly of God or his Church, when God allows to ſeek at all; though indeed Gods gracious permiſſion herein ſhould rather make us more free in his ſervice, then full in our own, and be rather a bond of obedience, then a ſnare of Satan. The old world was firſt drowned in the abuſe of lawfull pleaſures and profits, before 'twas drowned with water: They did eat and drinke, they married, &c. Matth. 24.38.Matt 24:38'Twas the abuſe of lawfull things, buying and ſelling, &c. that kept them from the Supper; ſo 1 Cor. 10.7.Luke 14.16.Luke 14:16 We ſee what the people offended in, they ſat down to eat and drink, and roſe up to play. Food, apparell, acquaintance, marriage, callings, recreations all lawfull, and doe not thouſands miſcarry in the ſinfull uſing of them? Satan commonly lyeth in ambuſh againſt out ſoules, behind our lawfull liberties. Things lawfully gotten, are moſt commonly unlawfully affected.

2.2. Difficultie of diſcovery by others, & therefore we are very liable to offend in them. Others cannot eaſily diſcover it in us, or reprove and taxus for theſe ſearches, they may thinke perhaps 'tis needfull proviſion for family, wife, children, health, ſupportation of rank, and place, when yet our hearts are immoderately bent upon our ſelf-proſecutions; we are not noted for any ſcandalous faults; as uncleanneſſe, ſwearing, ſabbath-breaking, &c. and therefore haply others may have a good opinion of us in the midſt of our moſt ſinfull ſelf-ſeeking, hence the condition of a ſelf-ſeeker is worſe then of one more openly prophane, Eſt tale monſtrum quod eſt ſimpliciter impeccab…e. Luth. Vbi non timetur reprebenſor facilius accedit tentator. Greg. Luke 16.Luke 16who like a man that ſnorts, and makes a noiſe in his ſleep, is jogged, and pulled, whereas the ſecret ſelf-ſeeker, that ſleeps quietly, is haply let alone by all, and never wakes till hell wakes him; the devill can tempt him without fear. Ieſus Chriſt, indeed who knew the heart beſtowed the moſt of his jogs, and threatnings, and admonitions, upon theſe ſtill and ſlie wretches; and 'tis as obſervable, theſe juſtified themſelves alway, and ever had a moſt deadly hatred againſt him.

p. 453.3. Our great eagerneſſe in ſelf proſecutions. Per mare pauperiem ſugiens, per ſaxa, per ignes. Wee are infinitely propenſe and eager to do, and in doing any thing for ſelf. Lovers of their own ſelves are particularly mentioned, 2 Tim. 3.…. If our own houſes bee burning, our own cauſe a pleading, our own children a dying, our own bargains a driving, how earneſt are we in ſutable affections? Here 'tis true, quicquid agimus valde agimus; vehement we are in ſuch proſecutions. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of ſome, that will be rich; and the Prophet of ſome, that lie down late, and riſe up early, and eat the bread of anxiety; and the Apoſtle of thoſe, that loved pleaſures more by farre then God; wee read of ſome, that load themſelves with thick clay, and of others, that wearied themſelves in the abundance of their way, when they were in theſe proſecutions for ſelf; in which no bounds of health, prudence, commands, friendſhip, relations, place, promiſe, religion, Scripture, can keep them in; as we ſee in Balaam and Iudas, the idolaters of Epheſus, Gebezi; were not all theſe like a company of ſwift Dromedaries, traverſing the wayes of ſelf? when in performance of any thing for God, how dull are we? when for ſelf, how nimble? how hearty in begging our daily bread? how faint in deſiring Gods kingdom… may come? wee can more eaſily give our bloud for earth, then our breath for heaven; when we are about any thing for God, we do it but as it were fainedly, and faintly, wee under-do it; but 'tis the hardeſt thing in the world, when we do any thing for ſelf, not to over-do it: This is tht common cauſe of all the ſury, and impetuouſneſſe in the world; take away meum and tuum, mine and thine, and all will fall to the ground;

There's the firſt diſſwaſive conſideration, from ſeeking theſe things, in regard of the principle, or ground, upon which we are ſo eager in ſeeking them, viz. theſe being our own; which argues,

1.1 Tim. 6.9. Ferventiſſimi in terrenis, frigidiſſimi in coeleſtbus. Praecep…o non eſt opus ut ſe qui…que diligat, quoniam id quod ſ…mus & id quod infra nos eſt inconcuſſa naturae lege diligimus. Ambr. It a afflcicha… tur qu…ceibus cultum deae reparaturi. foreign. Omnia quae horribilia audis, ſervire, mori expiata & ſa…cta ſunt amori. Nier. Tu niſi ſingeres ſic ageres. Otiamur in quibus laborandum, laboramus in quibus o…iandion1 Tim 6:9 Deceitfulneſſe to our ſelves in ſeeking.

2.2. Main diſſwaſive conſideration. The things of Chriſt himſelf are neglected, which argueth, 1 Cor. 1….22. R…m. 16.17. Phil. 3.18. 1. Inſincerity …f aimes. …. quo plus nos qu. in virtu …e erigimus, …o in gloriae inanis ſoveam proſundius …ademus. Greg. Gentes ag…nt ſub nomine Chriſti. Tert. Chriſtian… nomen adjudicium, non ad remed…um Aug. Mat. 7.23. foreign Deus non … it obſequiorum ſpeciem ſed affectus puritatem. Amb. in 9. Luc. Divina judi…ia meritum juſti ex mentis habitu, non ex actionum eventu metiuntur. Id. Cum perverſa intentione ſi quid vel rectum agatur, quamvis coram hominibus ſplendere cer…itur, apud examen tamen interni judicis obſcuratur. Greg.1 Cor 1:22Phil 3:18Phil 3:1Matt 7:23 Vnworthineſſe, and lowneſſe in ſeeking.

3 Liableneſſe to ſin in ſeeking.

The ſecond conſideration to diſſwade us from ſeeking our own things, is this; Whoſe things they are, which the ſeeking our own, will make us neglect, viz. The things of Ieſus Chriſt. 'Tis obſervable, that Paul commonly greatens offences, by ſhewing p. 46how they reflect upon Ieſus Chriſt: If any man love not the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, let him be Anathema Maranatha; So, They ſerve not the Lord Ieſus Chriſt, but, &c. So, They are enemies to the Croſſe of Ieſus Chriſt; ſo here, They ſeeke not the things of Ieſus Chriſt.

Take this ſecond diſſwaſive branch, as comprehending foure weighty diſſwaſions, every one whereof ſhould take us off from ſelf-ſeeking; The things of Ieſus Chriſt will hereby be neglected.

1. It is a neglect of the things of one who is in pretence our Lord and Maſter, and whoſe things we ſeem to ſeeke, and ſo it argueth inſincerity, and rottenneſſe of intention. A great ſin; never to bee farther from ſeeking the things of Chriſt, then when wee are a ſeeking them; to make Ieſus Chriſt onelyonly a cloak and ſhelter for our covetouſneſſe, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Theſ. 2.5. OnelyOnly to make a ſhew of ſervice, Gal. 6.12. foreign, as the worſhippers of Diana, had dolum in idolo, deceit in their ſervice, eager for Diana outwardly, but their great gains lay under their great cries; onelyonly to be a ſervant in ſhew, an Angel by name, and a drone in nature, not to ſerve whom they do ſerve; this temper God abhors; this being in the skin a Chriſtian, and in the coar a heathen; this meer outſide complementall Chriſtianity, that bowes to Chriſt, and yet mocks him, as the ſouldiers did, ſhall bee one day found to have had profeſſion for the increaſing of judgement, not for a remedy to wretchedneſſe; The diſcovery of it, will one day more aſhame, then the ſecrecie of it formerly hath pleaſ'd; Chriſt will uncaſe, uncloak all theſe ſervants; hee will publikely pronounce, that for all their fair ſhewes, he never knew them, Chriſt will plainly profeſſe it. Impudency then will be daſht out of countenance. When the Sunne ariſeth, the glow-worme that all night gliſtered brightly, ſhines not at all; no more ſhall theſe glow-worms in religion, when Chriſt ſhall appear in the brightneſſe of his preſence, 'twill then bee evident, that Chriſt never ſought ſuch to ſerve him, nor ever regarded their performances; he ever reſpecting duty, and meaſuring actions, not from the event, but the affections: The integrity of the ſoul, and the p. 47ſingleneſſe of intention, is the ſweet of every ſervice, and ſacrifice which is made thereby, ſacrificium medullatum, the onelyonly ſacrifice with marrow, whereas a ſervice without it, is made up of husks, and ſhadowes, it hath, as we uſe to ſay of ſome meats, no heart in it.

There's the firſt; A neglect of Chriſts things, argues inſincerity of aime.

2. It is a neglect of the things of one, who hath ſought our things, and forſook heaven, and the boſome of his Father for us, The ſecond diſſwaſion in this ſecond conſideration, it argueth ingratitude. Phil. 2.4.5. Luke 19.10.Phil 2:4Phil 2:5Luke 19:10and if we will not forſake trifles for him; it notes ingratitude, and an uningenuous temper. Chriſt ſpun out his very bowels, in a way of love to us; and wee ſpin out our ſtrength, and abilities, in ſinfull luſtings, that are indeed his onelyonly enemies. Chriſt came to ſeeke, but what? not ours, but us, that which was loſt; Shall he ſeek us, and not we him? he ſought us, when vile and wretched, ſhall not we him, that is ſo glorious and deſireable? They can do no more but neglect Chriſt, that never had any comfort or benefit by him; Shall we neglect him, whoſe induſtries were all employed for our good? 'twas the meat and drink of Chriſt, to ſeek and ſave poor loſt ſoules; he went about continually doing good.Pudeat ſub ſpinato Capite mem…rum latere delicatum. Be aſham'd, O Chriſtian, under ſuch a head, that there ſhould bee ſuch a member, ſo unprofitable, unuſefull as thou art: Chriſt was crown'd with thorns for thee, and will nothing ſerve thy turn but a garland of flowers?

There's the ſecond.

3.3. It argueth infinite folly to to neglect a ſervice, ſo It is a neglecting of the things of him, all whoſe employments deſerve ſo well at our hands. Every thing that Chriſt ſets us about being,

1. Very honourable. 1. Honorable.It is greater honour to bee about the things of Chriſt, then to be the head of an Empire. Paul, when he calls himſelf ſo frequently in his Epiſtles, the ſervant of Ieſus Chriſt, is compared by Chryſoſtome to ſome great Prince, who writing to others, in the beginning of his letter,Philem. 1.Phlm 1 aſſumes ſome lofty title, the more to move reſpect in them that ſhould read it. The higheſt honour of Paul was to ſtile himſelf a priſoner of Chriſt; the deeper in the things of Chriſt, the higher in honour: It is obſerved by ſome,2 Sam. 24.12.2 Sam 24:12 when David had ſinned in numbring the p. 48people, God would not honour him ſo far, as to call him his ſervant; Goe ſaith God to Gad, and tell David; (giving him no title) But when Davids heart was ſet upon building God an houſe,2 Sam … then God bids Nathan go and tell David his ſervant, &c. It's a great honour, for God to call us, and count us his ſervants. Moſes was a Prince Ieſurum, D…t. 34.5.and 'twas his higheſt title to bee called, Moſes the ſervant of the Lord. David principally delights to be ſtiled ſo,Pſa…. 1….1… Truely I am thy ſervant, I am thy ſervant. The badge of Chriſt is a badge of trueſt honour; Every ſervice of Chriſt is very honorable, as admiſſion into the preſence of the great King by prayer, praiſe, (the work of Angels) warring againſt ſin, and Satan, principalities, and powers, ſaving of Kingdoms, of ſoules, helping the Spouſe of the King of Kings, &c.

2.… Delightfull. Every thing that Chriſt ſets us about, is full of ſweetneſſe, and delight: In his employments, there are ſoul raviſhing joyes. His ſervice is a Map of heaven, the place of rejoycers. A Chriſtian hath never any true comfort in the ſervices of any other, and if he have not comfort evermore in theſe, the fault is not in the ſervices, but in the manner of his performing them; theſe own things, other employments, in which he hath taken too much liberty, and ſenſuall content, commonly damp his joy. When a man ſweats moſt out wardly, he is coldeſt inwardly; that man who laboureth moſt for, and delighteth moſt in outward things, as honor, wealth, &c. (the things that abuſed ſelf ſeeks) hath leaſt inward heat of heavenly comfort. There's more true peace in weeping with Ieſus Chriſt, ſuffering for him, in being diſgraced, impoveriſht, nay in dying for the things of Chriſt, then there is in all the ſports, and pleaſures of the world. Chriſt ſweetens the ſowreſt performance, gives his people joy, and ſweetneſſe out of the fierceſt, and ſtrongeſt Lion; and his very rod like Ionathans, hath honey at the end of it; the truth is, Chriſt hath ſuckt out the bitterneſſe, and taken away the burdenſomneſſe of the moſt unpleaſing ſufferings and ſervices; he hath laboured, and wee are entred into his labours: Our ſufferings have now but a quaſi, an [as] as dying, as ſorrowfull,2 Cor. 6.9.2 Cor 6:9 as chaſtned, &c. The miſery, the painfulneſſe of every ſuffering, is taken away in the death of Ieſus Chriſt. Death it ſelf is a ſword,Gladius retuſus. that hath loſt its edge, having been ſtrucken againſt p. 49Chriſt, as againſt a R…k.foreign. Chryſ hom. ad pop. Antioch. All the woes in the world have left their ſtings in the ſides of Chriſt. The common, ordinary, ſtanding employments of Chriſt, are even in themſelves refreſhments, and comforts to nature, as meekneſſe, patience, temperance, contentation, love, as Chryſoſtome hath excellently obſerved, in his Sermon perſwading to brotherly love: No man, ſaith hee, can pretend, that this command is deſtructive to his health, &c.

3. The things of Chriſt are ſafe. 3. Safe. Pſal. 91.1, 2, 4, 11.Ps 91:1Ps 91:2Ps 91:4Ps 91:11Chriſt will keep us in all his wayes, as the apple of the eye, as with wings of warmth and ſhelter, as with a ſhield, &c. There was never any miſcaried in his works, unleſſe for not being full, and through ſincere,Z…ch. 2.8. and conſtant in them, they minding their own things more then his. A Saint may commit himſelf to Chriſt in well doing; How ſafe even outwardly,1 Pet. 4.19.1 Pet 4:19 when God ſees it ſafeſt for their ſoules, doth he keep them, keeping even their carcaſſes, which are but the cabinets, foreign Iu medio…aginae.and caſes of their ſoules, moſt tenderly from hurt and injury? but how ever, God will keep the ſoul which is more endangered in the ſweeteſt employments of ſelf, then in the hardeſt of Ieſus Chriſt; In periculis ſe… ri. in ſecuris peri…litamur.The keeping of the ſpirit, is the gracious keeping; and often that, even ſees greateſt ſafety in the approach of outward dangers, mountains full of chariots and horſes of fire; A reſerve of mercy, and love, and ſtrength, drawing neer to ſuſtain it,Rom. 8.37. foreign.Rom 8:37 making it more then a conqueror. The very height of danger ſends a Saint beyond danger, even into the boſome of Ieſus Chriſt. A dying Saint may ſay to all miſeries, as Chriſt to the Iews, Whither I go, ye ſhall not come; 'Tis poſſible indeed, there may in the paſſage be fear, but yet 'tis certaine, there is ſafety: Safety though ſickneſſe, ſafety though poverty, though death, &c. A childe of God in greateſt worldly unſafeneſſe, is like a ſhip upon a boyſterous Sea, and driven with a ſtrong winde, but yet ſuch a winde, which is not ſo ſtrong to affright, as it is right ſet, to carry to the Haven;Matth. 10.28.Matt 10:28 therefore Chriſt forbids fear.

4.4. Advantageou…. Pſal. 19.Ps 19 All the things of Chriſt, and his employments are advantageous; None ſhall be loſers by them. Indeed Chriſts things ſhould not be ſought onelyonly for reward, but Chriſt will not ſuffer them to be ſought without reward; the things of Chriſt, like the ſeed that Iſaac ſowed, bring forth an hundred-fold, in reſpect of recompence. p. 50Chriſt will be beholding to none, they ſhall bee paid to the full: Indeed ſometime he asketh day, but when the day of payment comes, hee infinitely more then countervaileth for deferring; All that wee doe, or ſuffer, in the hardeſt things of Chriſt, are not worthy the glory that shall be revealed. They cannot ſo much as ſtir that ballance wherein glory is, though all the ſufferings and employments in the world were thrown into the other.Rom. 8.18. foreign.Rom 8:18 Chriſt takes notice of all the things that are done for him, all are ſet down and regiſtred. In the building the wall, and ſetting up the gates of Ieruſalem, all is obſerved, even to the making of barres, and locks for the gates. Every piece of a ſeemingly mean work,N…h. 3.3. Luk. 7.4….Luke 7:4 is rehearſed by Chriſt. A Saint is like a rich man, that drives a ſecret trade, his dangers and ſlight loſſes are ſeene haply,Col. 3.3.Col 3:3 but his cloſe gain…s are inviſible. Our life is hid (ſaith Paul ſweetly) with Chriſt in God; Our happineſſe is laid up, and ſecret indeed, but yet it is, and is abundant too. For the preſent, ſo far forth as 'tis good for them, Saints ſhall bee rewarded, even in this life; and if it bee not for their good, what reward call you that?foreign. 'tis an angry reward; it would bee a better reward to want it.

4.4. Diſſwaſion in the firſt conſideration. It argues fearleſneſſe of our account. The neglecting of the tings of Ieſus Chriſt, is of the things of one, that will one day call us to an account and reckoning, and require at our hands, all thoſe neglects of himſelf, and wayes, and ſervants, and cauſe; ſo it argues regardleſneſſe of account, fearleſneſſe of reckoning. There's not one ſervant but 'twill be demanded of him, what he hath done; he will be called to a reckoning; and therefore Paul chargeth Timothy, 2 Tim. 4.1.2 Tim 4:1to look well to the things of Chriſt,Heb. 13.17.Heb 13:17 for he tells him, there will come a reckoning, an anſwering day: elſewhere the Apoſtle tells us of an account that muſt be made of our looking after the things of Ieſus Chriſt; You may bribe your own conſciences, but never him, that is to call you to the account;Ta…mus, ſed non …tinguim…s. people may be ſilent of it, and forget it themſelves, but they cannot make Chriſt forget it. Seek the things of Chriſt in his Church, in his Cauſe, in his Word, in his Servants; if ever you would have him regard you hereafter, regard him here. Be a ſhield to Chriſts cauſe now, if thou wouldſt have him to be a ſhield to thee hereafter. Paul ſaith, that Oneſiphorus ſought him out diligently,1 Tim. 1.17, 181 Tim 1:171 Tim 1:18 and refreſhed him, even in his chaines, p. 51and we ſee what follows, even a prayer, that he may finde mercy from Chriſt in that day of account, ſince hee had ſought theſe things of Chriſt before.

And thus I have done with the firſt generall part of the Text, the nature of the offence. 2. The generality of the offenders follows.

The ſecond generall head in the Text, is the generality of the offenders. All (ſaith the Apoſtle) ſeek, &c.

An expreſſion, which I conceive, comprehends a threefold reference, or looks with a threefold Aſpect;

1. VponUpon Paul.

2. VponUpon Timothy.

3. VponUpon the generality of whom the Apoſtle here complains that they ſought their own things.

I ſhall name all the three reſpects.

1. As it hath reference to Paul, it notes two things.

1. Sorrowfull reſenting of the neglect of the Church, even as if every one had forſaken it, and not one left to own it, and the things of Chriſt. A gracious perſon, deeply and ſadly layes to heart the neglect of the things of Ieſus Chriſt. Wee finde (as I ſaid before) Saint Paul once weeping in this Epiſtle, Phil. 3.18.Phil 3:18but 'twas becauſe of ſome that were not friends to Ieſus Chriſt.Sir Fr. Bacons Nat. Hiſt. When two ſtrings of an Inſtrument are tuned one to the other, if the one be ſtruck upon, and ſtir'd, the other will move and tremble alſo. A Saints ſoul is harmoniouſly conſenting in its affections to Chriſt; and if he ſuffer and be ſtruck, a Saint will tremble, and bee moved likewiſe.

2.2 Tim. 4.3.2 Tim 4:3 In reference to Paul, it notes courage in reproving zeale in oppoſing a ſpreading fault; Paul dares ſpeak even againſt all, if all will neglect Chriſt: A gracious heart will ſtand for Ieſus Chriſt, in the midſt even of a prevailing number that oppoſe him; the multitude and generality of reſiſters hee meets withall, will not, muſt not, make him deſiſt; And therefore hence we may gather a probable mark of a Chriſtians, or a Miniſters ſincerity; doe they oppoſe the ſpreading prevailing ſinnes of the time wherein they live? It's ordinary to ſee and hear men cry down ſinnes that are put down, and diſcountenanced to their hand, that perhaps, have few or none to plead for them; but the ſinnes of p. 52the age and place, as ſuppoſe it be erroneouſneſſe in judgement, or contempt of the publique Ordinances, reviling the Saints, ſlightneſſe in religion, &c. theſe ſinnes that are in faſhion, and are prevailing, require a courage and a faithfulneſſe, like to Pauls to deal with them.

There's the firſt reſpect in the word [All,] viz. to Paul.

2. The ſecond reſpect of this word [All,] is as it concerns Timothy, whoſe graces of zeal, and integrity the Apoſtle doth clearly here beautifie and adorne by that foyl of ſelf-ſeeking in others. In the foregoing verſe he had commended Timothy for his uprightneſſe and zeal for the Churches good, here hee amplifies that commendation, from ſetting down how oppoſite the generality was to him; he was for the things of Chriſt, though the moſt were againſt him; And thus it notes, The true commendation of a Chriſtian.

That Chriſtians piety and zeal for Chriſt, is moſt highly commendable, which holds up,Phil. 2.15. foreign.Phil 2:15 in times and places, when, and where Chriſt is neglected. The darkneſſe of the night makes the candle, or the ſtar, the more bright and ſhining:

There's the ſecond.

3. As this word [all] here refers to the generality; who were Brethren, and …ellow-labourers, and profeſſors, even together with Paul, and Timothy; it notes,

Diſcovery (by difficulties) even of the faireſt pretenders to the things of Ieſus Chriſt: It's a rare thing, even among great numbers of Chriſts ſeeming friends, to find thoſe that in ſtraights will cleave to him: Who is it almoſt that forſakes him not, and flies, when following him, is followed with dangers? Very few that continue with Chriſt in an hour of temptation. Chriſtians for the moſt part, take up profeſſion of Religion, as ſome people go to Sea, upon pleaſure and recreation; when the weather grows ſtormy, they preſently think of comming back again. Vnſound fruit will hang on the tree, in a fair Sun-ſhining-day, but in a boyſterous windy day, it ſoone falls off. Outward troubles will overcome a meerely viſible and outſide profeſſor, but they cannot …each the ſoul truely implanted into Chriſt.

FINIS.

End of the text · William Jenkyn, The Still-Destroyer (1645)