The godly mans inquisition lately deliuered in two sermons before the right honourable Henry, Lord Montague, late lord high treasurer, priuie counsellor, &c. other gentlemen of worship, at Kimolton on their annuall feast day. By R. Preston, Preacher of Gods word.

THE GODLY MANS INQVISITION , LATELY DELIVERED IN TWO Sermons before the Right honourable HENRY , Lord MONTAGVE , late Lord High Treasurer , priuie Counsellor , &c. and other Gentlemen of Worship , at KIMOLTON on their Annuall feast day .

BY R. PRESTON , Preacher of Gods Word .

LONDON Printed by Iohn Dawson for Iohn Bellamie , and are to be sold at his shop at the two Grey-hounds in Corne-hill neere the Royall Exchange . 1622.

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL Sr FRANCIS STANTON Knight , R. P. wisheth to his present prosperitie the addition of many dayes in the fruitfull feare of the Lord Iesus , &c. RIght worshipfull ,

These two following Sermons , being preached before an honored assemblie whereto I was a stranger , I could not conueniently dedicate them to any person , or particular partie thereof , least ignorance of their conditions , and want of knowledge and acquaintance should accuse me of presumption , and too much boldnesse : The remembrance therefore of your selfe , of your countenance , and fauour towards me became a sudden obiect , emboldening me to send them abroad vnder your name : because ( as I am conscious of your pious practises , so ) I haue and doe know you a Patrone of Religion , and godlinesse , esteeming it your greatest gaine to know Christ Iesus , and to be found in him .

In these Sermons you shall find nothing sauouring of Affectation , or inclining vnto ostentation , but rather affection to the soules of the Flocke , for from the heart-roote in Iesus Christ doe I desire their saluation . The subiect of them is , The godly Mans Inquisition , wherein you shall see the estate of man by reason of sin and corruption layd open , viz. that he is a stranger to the Lord , a vagrant from the Common-wealth of Israell , a lost sheepe , in bondage vnto sinne and Sathan , without Christ , a child of wrath , a prodigall , &c. And because to loose the fauour and countenance of God , is of all conditions the most miserable , a vassallage without exception , I haue in the second place set downe the meanes how to get out , which is diligent seeking of the Lord in prayer , faith , feare , repentance , holinesse of life . Wherein also , that the dutie may be the more set forward , the place , the matter , the way , the manner , the measure , the end and time of seeking are in their due places propounded . And whereas there be certaine times when the Lord will specially be found , and certaine times when he will not be found , I haue in the last place laid downe both , exhorting all men in the conclusion , to take the present day , least the ouer-passing of it through negligence , keepe them eternally from it , and so bring them into euerlasting separation from the presence of God . This is an Abbreuiation of the sequents , which I haue presumed as shaddowed with your allowance to publish . Be you pleased to accept it , be no seuere examiner , but a mild pervser , and also a practiser of the continents , and let affection to the matter , somewhat mediate with your iudgement to censure not as you see , but as I meane . I confesse of my selfe , that I am vnable to carry the least sticke to the Altar , and vnworthie of all others to prescribe either dyet or direction to any , that hath but touched the hem of Christs garment , yet am I not ashamed to humble my selfe to others view , that by the mercie seene on me , who haue beene thus sarre led into the secrets of God , they may be likewise encouraged to presse within the border of the Mount , when the horne of saluation shall be blowne . As I am I craue your pardon for my boldnesse , and the continuance of your fauour , leauing these Sermons to your vse and practise , and your selfe to the Lord , in whom I rest euer

bound vnto you in all humble obseruance , Ri : PRESTON .

THE GODLY MANS INQVISITION . ESAIAH 55.6 .

Seeke the Lord while he may be found .

THe foundation of my speech for this time is grounded on this short line , and few words of the Prophet Isaiah : and they well resemble that excellent constructure of our SAVIOVR , laid downe in his Gospell by Mathew : Seeke first the kingdome of God , &c. Mat. 6.33 . Where by first we vnderstand , primarily , chiefly before all , and aboue all things : so that God , and his kingdome of grace must be sought principally , and require the first-lings of all our labours : For , as all Obligations which runne indefinitely without limitation of time ( saith the Maxime in Law ) are presently due : Simil : ●●● so we in the like kinde so we in the like kinde stand bound to God : And although in this Text is prefixed no certaine day , yet it tells vs that wee are ingaged to euery day , and therefore all holy men vrge the present day . Ier. 35.15 . Gal. 6.10 . Turne euery man now from his euill way : Doe good while ye haue time . While it is called to day , Heb. 3.7.13.15 Ioh. 12.35 . exhort one another . To day if you will , heare his voice : Walke in the light while you haue the light , &c. The Mariner sailes while the gale is fauourable . The Smith strikes while the Iron is hote . The Traueller walkes while it is day ; and the Lawyer takes his time : viz. euery tearme time : Now it is alwayes Tearme-time with Christians : this present day is our Tearme , and so is euery day : If then we would haue our cause to be heard , Christ to be our Aduocate , and God to giue sentence on our side , let vs seeke him diligently , and betimes ; Isa. 8.13 . let vs earely in the morning sanctifie the Lord in our hearts , and make him our dread .

The Prophet hauing set downe in the former part of this Chapter , Coherence . the sufficiencie and efficiencie of Christ , without whom nothing is auaileable to saluation ( for in him is the fulnesse of the God-head bodily ) and likewise hauing described the calling of the Gentiles , Col. 2.9 . and how they should acknowledge Christ , and seeke the Lord ; Here in this verse from the occasion taken from the Gentiles he exhorts the Iewes to emulation : Seeke the Lord while he may be found ; as if he had said , seeing the Gentiles are so zealous , and so much enkindled to search the Lord , why should you Iewes that are the Lords peculiar people be frozen , Tit. 2.14 . and cold in this dutie ? Seeke the Lord , &c.

In these words I will obserue these three particulars : first , Quid , secondly , quem , thirdly , quando : The interpretation . for the first , quid is the action , seeke . And this is taken from the course and practise of men , who hauing lost any thing of moment and value , betake themselues to diligent enquirie , and seeking of the same , neuer desisting till they finde : So they that purpose to giue vp their names to Christ seeke God diligently , neuer giuing ouer their Inquisitions , til they be well assured of his presence . To seeke God in this place , signifieth many things , as to labour to be reconciled to God in Christ , to turne to him by repentance , and humiliation of soule , to worship and serue him according to his word , to inuocate his holy name , to pray vnto him , to make profession of his Religion , to embrace him the true Iehovah , and as the onely God by a liuely faith , &c. This large signification of seeking the Lord is not onely thus meant , and expounded here , but else-where in Scripture . Hos. 3.5 . Psal. 24.6 . and 27.8 . While he may be found : These words include the present occasion , and time of seeking , for according to the time that God will be found , we are to seeke . Now if we seeke according to certaine rules after prescribed , he will be found presently , and therefore we are to seeke presently . 2 Cor. 6.2 . Now is the acceptable time , now is the day of Grace . Otherwise there is a time when the Lord will withdraw himselfe , and will not be found , though we seeke earnestly , as the Prophet did for a Man to execute iudgement , Ier. 5.1 . and performe righteousnesse in Ierusalem , and found him not . In few words , the meaning is this : O yee Iewes by your disobedience and daily transgressions , you haue lost the Lords fauour and countenance , abused his gracious offers , delaying time , and procrastinating Repentance , and you haue made vnto your selues Idolls that are no Gods : Now the Lord once againe offereth himselfe in his mercies to your view , neglect not the occasion , but serue , seeke , call vpon , and worship him : if it come to passe that meanes and time slip away through carelesnesse , then all your hopes are in the winde , and you may seeke God , but he will neuer be found as a mercifull and tender Father , but rather as a terrible and a fearefull Iudge .

Seeke . ] This word presupposeth a former losse , Doct. 1. we need not seeke God , Sinne is the cause of the losse of Gods fauour . vnlesse formerly we had lost God : Hence I gather this Theoreme , that by corrupt nature , and multitude of transgressions , we are loosers , not seekers of God , we are rather strangers and wanderers from him , then Inquisitors of , and true conuerts vnto him . In the corruption of nature we lost the comfortable presence of God , which in our innocencie we enioyed : by loosing our selues we lost him : and secondly , in the daily admitting , and committing of sin after grace receiued , we loose his sight and presence .

Sinne is a make-bate , Reason . and a schismatique , that rendeth asunder the sacred bond of peace betweene the Creator , and his creature : it shorteneth his arme , and withereth the fresh boughes of his loue : It maketh a separation betweene him and vs , as the Cloud betweene the brightnesse of the Sunne and vs : It casteth vs into darkenesse , and thrusteth vs behinde the doore , as Iael did Sisera , that we might loath to see the face of God , as Sisera did the face of Barak and Deborah : Iudg. 4.18.19 So long as the Ephesians continued in their sinfull Idolatrie , they lost God , for it is said , Eph. 2.12 . that they were without Christ , being aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel , strangers from the couenant of promise , hauing no hope , and without God . And so soone as our progenitour Adam had transgressed the Commandement , in eating of the forbidden fruit , he went and hid himselfe in a bush , as if Gods presence had beene too hot for him : Gen. 3.8 . Adam and his wife hid themselues from the presence of the Lord amongst the trees of the Garden : fearefull they were to heare him speake , and ashamed to see his face , and therefore they seeke starting-holes , to hide themselues the further from him . In the same taking are all his of-spring to this day , if the old serpent get any of vs to plucke an apple from the prohibited tree , that is , if he winne our consents to sinne , he hath his desire , and we become vagabonds on the earth , and fugitiues from the face of God : And euer the more we offend , the further we are from God , being either like Pilgrimes now wandering vp the steepe Mountaines of pride , now downe the low vallies of despaire , now through the shadie groues of wantonnesse , now through the broad fields of licentiousnesse , now through the thornie thickets of worldly cares , now through the filthie channels of carnall lusts , roouing sometimes here , sometimes there , without mate and guide , the Deuill leading vs whither he list , or like Marchant aduenturers , imbarkt in the ship of securitie , sometimes hoysing vp the sailes of noysome desires , sometime filled with the merry gale of vaine and worldly pleasures , somtimes delighted with a whistling aire of filthy lucre , euer and anon running vpon the Syrtes and quicksands of sinne , to the great danger , not so much of the losse of life , and wracke of goods , as the wracke of Conscience , which is the greatest shipwracke , and the losse of Gods lone and affection , which is the greatest losse . Thus sinfull men that we are , whilest with the Prodigall we become trauellers , and Marchant aduenturers , to see the fashions of the world abroad , we become like to Ionas , Ion. 1.3 . who fled to Tarshish from the prefence of God .

There be three things that make men forsake one anothers societie ; Philo. de profugis . Hatred , Feare , Shame : for hatred , the enuious man hates the companie of him that prospereth , and so doth one enemy hate another : Iacob fled from Laban because of his iniustice and Idolatrie , he hated them : For feare Children will runne from their Parents , and seruants from their Masters , for feare Iacob fled from Esau , and Dauid from Saul . For shame the Adulterer keepes his Cabin , and is couched in a chamber ; Gen. 3. and for shame Adam skulted in the groue of Paradise : Tell me , thou fugitiue sinner , for which of these things doest thou seeke to estrange thy selfe from God ? there is no cause of hatred in him , for he is wholly delectable , Cant. 5.10.16 the fairest of ten thousand : there is no cause of feare in him , for he is the Father of mercies , and the God of consolation ; Ephes. 2.4 . he is rich in mercy , especially to them , Gal. 4.6 . who haue receiued the spirit of adoption to cry Abba Father : there is no cause of shame in him , Psal. 24.8.9 . & 25.3 . for he is the Lord of Glorie . Nay , rather ( vile sinner ) be ashamed of thy sinnes , and blush at thy transgressions , whereby thou hast lost thy selfe , and a mercifull God : thou by thy wicked life , hast turned thy backe vpon thy Master , and set thy selfe so farre at oddes with him , that thou shalt draw downe no loue from him vnto thee , vnlesse thy Repentance and humiliation for thy sinne , be as the Loadstone to pull him to , and winne him againe .

Obiect : But how can a man wander from God , Ob : or lose him ? Wheresoeuer I am , God is there present ; he filleth both heauen and earth ; Ier. 23.24 . Psal. 27. Psal. 139.2.3.4 he is with me at my sitting , rising , lying downe , in the thoughts of my heart , words of my tongue , wayes of my feete , nay , in my reines , and bones . His presence cannot be auoided , who sitteth on the Circle of heauen , 1 Reg. 8.27 . Isa. 66.1 . and beholdeth the inhabitants of the earth as Grashoppers , whose throne is the heauen of heauens , and the earth is his footestoole , and his wayes are in the great deepe , &c.

Answ: It is true ; Sol : There is neither heauen nor hell , nor the vttermost part of the Sea , neither day nor night , light , nor darkenesse , that can separate vs from God ; the presence of his God head is no lesse in one place then in another : He is well knowne in Iury , and his name is great in Israel . But yet touching the presence of his mercie , and louing kindnesse , that is not vouchsafed to the wicked , they shall not enioy one iot of it : In which respect they may be said to be farre absent from God . Secondly , God may be said to be found , when the kingdome of Grace is much aduanced amongst a people : but the vngodly they seeke to subdue it , Heb. 10.29 . and to trample the precious bloud of Christ vnder their feete , which makes them strangers vnto God .

Vse 1 Vse . Is it so that a man by sinne flies the face of God : For information . this may then let vs see the malice of sinne against our soules : It will neuer cease stretching forth an Ishmaeliticall hand , til it haue quite parted God and vs , yea , till it hath diuided vs from our selues , for while we are beguiled with the deceilfulnesse thereof , irrationall conditions , and beastly qualities oppresse vs , and with ding-thrifts , and Prodigalls , it will make vs forsake our Fathers house , and change his sweet and fat land for a strange Countrey , his daintie cates , and dishes of sweet meates , for refuse huskes , his friends and acquaintance to become fellow-feasters with swine . In a word , it will so mad vs , that we should neuer thinke either of God , or the Deuill , of Paradise , or eternall plagues , if the Lord had not left time and meanes , that we might returne to our selues , and so seeke the Lord .

Vse 2 Vse 2. Secondly , this Doctrine may teach vs to beware , For instruction . and to take heed of sinne , and as much as in vs lyeth , to binde it to good behauiour ( we haue no greater enemy in the world ) seeing without our circumspection , it will goe about to set God and vs at eares Oh then take the peace of it , and seeke to shut it out of the doores of thy heart , that it may neuer shut thee out of Gods presence . And as Samael dealt with the Amalekites , 1 Sam. 15. so deale thou with the members of sinne , kill them , and then bury them with Iezabells bones in a deepe graue , that they may no more rise vp to hang vpon thee : this is the next and readiest way to get into Gods fauour , and the presence of his grace .

Vse 3 Vse . 3. Thirdly , we are here likewise taught to bewaile the great losse of our God , To bewaile our losse of God by sinne . and to lament the want of his gracious presence : this is the practise of euery godly man , for if he thinke it the greatest gaine to obtaine the fauour of God , then he must needes thinke it his greatest losse to want it . If there be any sprinkle of Regeneration vpon thee , or sparke of grace within thee , it will moue thee to griefe and sorrow in the absence of God , and compell thee to seeke him as the Hart doth the waters , saying , Psal. 143.6 . My sonle desireth after thee as the Hart after the water brookes , and as the thirstie lands after raine .

Reason 1 The reasons why godly men bewaile the absence of God , are specially these two : First , they know what it is to want God , by setting a prise and worth on him , while they haue him present in their hearts : they know that when by sinne we loose him , the soule is dead , grace is withered , the Conscience tormented , and heauen turned into hell ; they know that the world cannot be so miserable without a Sunne , nor the bodie without breath , as the soule without God , the sunne of his Church , and the soule of the soule of euery true beleeuer .

Reason 2 Secondly , if God depart from them for a time in displeasure , through their fall into some sinne , and then leaue a sense of his displeasure in their soules , then their soules find such a want of him , that they are not able to sustaine themselues without a present possession : In this case godlesse men being sore afflicted , will mourne for their wants : and therefore much more the godly : But alas , for all this , with the most of vs it is farre otherwise , we can easily bewaile the losse of a sheep , or a cow or an hogge , &c. We will take on as a Beare robbed of her Whelpes , and tell our neighbours our griefe , and the great losse we haue sustained : but we seldome or neuer make any moane , that we haue lost Gods fauour , because we want a sense and feeling of his blessings in his mercies : We seldome cry out in his absence , Psal. 67.1 . Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs ; neither doe we complaine , Isa. 59.2 . that our iniquities haue reared vp a partition wall betweene God and vs , and so hid his face from vs that he will not heare : neither doe we accuse our selues as lost sheepe , Psal 119. last verse . that haue long gone astray . Oh therefore let vs flatter our selues no more with those that plucke out the eyes of knowledge it selfe ; Psal. 10.4.11 . Tush , God is gone , he hideth his face , and will neuer see ; But rather let vs resolue to seeke GOD when he is wanting , and to mourne for the want . Let vs not follow our sensualitie too farre , nor buy voluptuousnesse with a price , but say with the Athenian Oratour , when we heare how farre God is from vs by our pleasure : Non em●m tanti peanitere . I will not buy the seeking of God by Repentance at so high a rate .

Vse 4 Vse 4. Lastly , seeing by sinne we loose God , here againe wee are exhorted , when we possesse him , when we haue found him , Let vs hold God fast when we haue him . when we possesse to keepe our selues there , and to hold him fast . Let thine eye be continually vpon him , and neuer suffer him to be out of thy sight . Psal. 123.2 . Behold as the eyes of seruants looke vnto the hands of their Masters , and as the eyes of a maiden vnto the hands of her mistresse ; So let our eyes waite vpon the Lord our God . As the child dealeth with his Father , he followes him vp and downe , and dare not let him goe out of his sight , but holds hard on his skirts , & keepes him with him ; So deale thou with the Lord : turne thy selfe in euery good action vnto him , and if thou hast any feare of loosing , then sit the closer and hold the faster , euer remembring that the second losse is the greater , and bringeth more danger to the looser : Dauid set himselfe euer in Gods presence , 2 King . 5.16 . so doe thou stand before the Lord continually , for this is a signe of thy obedience to the Lord thy Master , to stand before his face , and not to shrinke from his presence .

Thus much of the Supposition ; Now of the Position , Seeke the Lord : Hauing laid downe , how that by sinne we are out of Gods fauour , and lose his presence of grace ; it remaineth to speake of the meanes to finde the Lord , and to get into his fauour , and that is here said to be Seeking , whether it be by prayer , Repentance , obedience , or hearing of the word daily and diligently , &c. Doct. 1.

God being lost by sin must be sought by all holy meanes . And the Point is this , that hauing lost the Lord by iniquitie , we are to seeke him againe by all godly helpes and meanes : we must not stand vpon arguments , but resolue present diligence to seeke when God seemes to leaue the Cabin of our hearts , and begins to write bitter things against vs . The seruant put out of his Masters seruice , knowing the profit by it , will not stand vpon his termes ; My master did me wrong , why did he thus ? but he seekes all meanes to procure his masters wonted loue and affection ; neither doth it become vs ( Gods seruants ) to argue vpon points without ground , but rather we should seeke Gods face when he calleth vpon vs to that purpose , saying , Psal. 27.8 . Hos. 5.3 . Seeke ye my face . Thus did the men of Israel , they sought the Lord , and he was fauourable & gracious vnto them , God sends not his workmen away without wages , nor those that seeke him by Repentance , in faith , &c. without a reward . Dauid saith , Psal. 34.4 . I sought the Lord , and he heard me . He did not so much vse his bodily feete to runne after the Lord , as the good temper of his affections to take delight in the Lord . Neither did he say , I prayed and was heard , but I sought and was heard : 2 Chron. 20.3 and thus Iehosaphat fearing God , set himselfe to seeke the Lord : And why are all the Elect of God , called a Generation of seekers , but in respect of their enquiries after Gods fauour , Psal. 24.6 . according as it is the brand of the vngodly , that they seeke not God ?

And surely , Reason . if either the comforts and ioy we may reape by Gods presence , or the necessitie thereof may be of force to perswade inquirie , and to stirre vp our care , neither of them is wanting in this so weightie a matter : for comforts and ioy , what thoughts are able to reach to the excellency of them ? Eye hath not seene , nor eare heard , 1 Cor. 2.9 . nor heart conceiued the multitude and worth thereof : the presence of great men will astonish and amaze their inferiours , it will make them fearefull to behold their faces : Math. 5.8 . but such is not Gods presence , his face and countenance is delectable , and at his right hand is pleasure for euermore : Psal. 16.11 . and the more we can behold it , the lesse is our feare ; and the greater our reioycing : 1 Sam. 6.13 . when the Arke was restored , the men of Bethshemesh exceedingly reioyced : when the publicke teaching of the Law ( which had a long time beene discontinued ) was againe established , Nehem. 8.12 . the people of Ierusalem were much comforted . But how much more will the Children of the marriage Chamber reioyce , Math. 9.15 . when the Bridegroome is among them ? This ioy arising from Gods presence , concerneth either the qualification of the Conscience , or the fruition of Gods fauour in the estate of glory : for the conscience , when after many skirmishes , and secret terrors , it begins to gather heart ( as we say ) and to feele euidences of grace , then there is much ioy , yea , such ioy , 1 Pet. 1.8 . as Peter calls it glorious and vnspeakeable : Touching this Ioy looke vpon Dauid , boasting in the ioy of heart , which was giuen him by the Lords lifting vp of his countenance vpon him ; Psal. 4.7 . Looke vpon the Eunuch , going on in his way reioycing , Act. 8.39 . because he felt how faith in Christ was wrought in his soule ; and that was Maries Ioy , reioycing in spirit , Luk. 1.46 . that she knew God in Christ was become her Sauiour . For the fruition of the state of glory hereafter , it may well lift vp the beleeuers heart with comfort , Reu. who shall stand before the lambe accompanied with 24. Elders , singing and reioycing : he shall be where God is for euer , Ioh. 14.16.17 . 1 Cor. 13.12 . and shall see him face to face . If this glimmering light of heauenly knowledge ( when we see but as in a glasse darkely ) be so delightfull : what shall it be to see and know the Lord as he is ? If the communion we haue here with Christ in his word , and Sacraments be so ioyous , what shall it be to enioy the immediate presence of God our Father , Christ our Redeemer , the holy Ghost our Comforter ? Now shall not such excellent comforts , springing from the enioyment of Gods presence be reputed worthie our inquiries ? What doe many vulgar people oftentimes to see the Kings face , or at least his person ? Strange things are done out of the desire thereof : As earnest should we be to get a sight of God . Thus I haue briefely pointed you to the ioy of the Saints in their apprehensions of God , and the beholding of his bright countenance : Now let me shew you the necessitie too : the necessitie in a word is such , that without God , and the presence of his grace , there is no possibilitie of admittance into heauen : for vpon all those that are without the pale of his fauour , shall be executed that sentence passed vpon the man without the wedding garment ; Mat. 22.13 . Binde them hand and foote , and cast them into vtter darknesse , where shal be neither comfort , nor light , nor yet hope of either . To be in a darke Dungeon , where is no penetration of light , nor any consolation , is great paine and misery : 2 Thes. 1.9 . but to be excluded from the presence of the Lord , and from the glorie of his power , is euen to be punished with euerlasting destruction . As is the world without a Sunne , a pining child without a Mother , a distressed land without a gouernour ; euen so is the soule and body without the blessed and glorious presence of God , nay , they are in a thousand times worse taking : for their exemption shall be perpetuall and easelesse , their eye-sight shall onely be of Gods wrath ; and his eternall furie . They shall feed his Iustice while they are burning in fire and brimstone , Reu. 21.8 . which is the second death . Looke then of what necessitie , saluation , and happinesse , and life eternall is , of the same is the fauour and louing countenance of the Lord . If it be necessary for a man to seeke to be saued , it is necessary to seeke the present , and future good of his soule , by seeking a conioyning to the Lord by meanes of his grace . What can deserue the very best , and ( as it were ) the very quintessence of our care , if not this ?

Ob : But it will be sayd , Ob : Why neede we seeke God , He is euery where at one and the same time , he fills both heauen and earth ?

Answ. In God we must consider two things ; Sol : first , Deitie , secondly , Presence of Grace : touching the former , God need not be sought , so he is alwayes at hand , as it appeares Act. 17.27 . Wee may feele after him , and finde him , because he is not farre from euery one of vs . And thus seeing his creatures , we see him . Touching his presence of grace ( which is often wanting to comfortlesse Consciences ) we are to seeke God , and are commanded so to doe : for he absents himselfe many times from his deare children , touching his Grace , so much , that they desire but the least impression , and token thereof , and cannot get it , whereupon they are much exercised in stirring the scinders to finde some liue-ashes , and will not giue ouer searching , till they haue gotten some treasure , some specialtie of Gods fauour . And this is called the seeking of Gods face . Psal. 27.8 .

Quest. But why should we seeke Gods face ? Quest. Is it not said : Thou shalt not see my face , for there shall no man see me and liue ? Exod. 33.20 .

Ans. The face of God is either prima or secunda . Sol : The first is the face of his spiritualtie , of his diuine Maiestie , which cannot be seene with the darke eyes of mortalitie : Our weaknesse is so great , and his Maiestie on the otherside is glorious and transplendent , that we cannot behold it without the consuming of our selues : no more then the eye can behold and looke vpon the exceeding brightnesse of the Sunne without the hurting and dazeling of it selfe . The second is the face of his loue , and fauour ; this with the vnderstanding , and the heart may be seene : Eccles. 1.16 . Moses and Iacob saw this face of God , and reioyced .

Vse 1 Vse 1. Is it so that euery one should set himselfe apart to seeke God by one godly helpe or other ? Vse 1 this then may serue to reproue the intollerable neglect of this dutie : For reproofe . Some say , oh , it is an easie matter to be acquainted with God , he may be soone found , a little seeking will serue the turne : but let the industrious carefulnesse , continuall supplications , and the daily complainings of Gods seruants in the want of God , ( yea , then when he is present in their hearts ) testifie the facilitie , and easinesse of this businesse .

Ob : I but Sir tell me , did not Christ say , Ob : Seeke and finde ? Therefore when , or where , Math. 7.7 . or howsoeuer seeking I shall finde .

Ans. I grant it to be true , Sol : that Christ did say so to his Disciples : and made this promise to them ( in them to vs ) that euery beleeuer , being in Christ , might seeke , and finde : but not that euery kinde of seeking should obtaine . The meaning of the words is this , That whosoeuer haue beene first sought , and found of God , shall seeke and finde God : but they who haue not first drawne neare to him , shall neuer find God drawing neare to them .

Secondly , another sort of people there is , 2. deseruing much blame ; namely , all such as plead a perpetuitie of Gods presence with them in the midst of their wants of him : Oh , I neuer wanted the Lord , and why should I goe troubling my selfe to seeke him ? Alas , for the blindnesse and folly of such men : they speake without sence , to say they haue that which they neuer so much as once enioyed . Where God affordeth his presence of grace , there alwayes are other companions of it , and such as attend the Spirit : As we vse to say , Where the King is , there is his Court , his waiters , his attendants ; So , euen so where God is with his Spirit , there is his Court , and attendants , as saith , loue , obedience , feare , peace , ioy in the holy Ghost , worship , reuerence , prayer , Repentance , humilitie , &c His Angels will be about thee , his Spirit within thee to helpe thee , his Grace to vphold thee , his mercy to embrace thee : Looke then , are these present , then their Master cannot be farre off ? But surely , Grace would tell thee ( if thou hadst any ) that there is a great want of God , that thou maist seeke daily for a supply : and that he is the farthest off from such as feele the least want .

Ob : The Lord hath blessed me with his good Creatures , Ob : he hath giuen me prosperitie , and riches , I finde no want of them , and therefore if the , Lord were absent from me , those things should be taken away , and I should be depriued of their vse .

Ans. A man may enioy many outward blessings , Sol : and in the possession , neither know whether God loues , or hates him . He may haue his portion in this life , Psal. 17.14 . and his belly filled with hid treasure , he may be full of children , and leaue his substance to his babes ; and yet he may be out of Gods fauour , and called , Rom. 9.13 . a man of the world . Esau was fatted with the blessings of the earth , and yet he was so farre of from the Lords loue towards him , that the Lord hated him .

Secondly , the more couetous a miser is , the lesse acquaintance he hath with God , because he is filled with noysome lusts , 1 Tim. 6.9 . and enters into many temptations , which driues him from God : and therefore it was rightly spoken , that a Cable might as soone goe through a needles eye , as a rich Miser enter into the kingdome of heauen , consequently into Gods fauour .

Lastly , 3. another kinde of people deserue equall reproofe with the former , namely , such as leaue the pure Well and digge Cisternes that will hold no water : such as forsake God , and employ all their cares in and about the world . That seeke worldly pelfe , and externall goods , and in the meane time haue no regard at all to seeke the Lords good will lost by their transgressions . It is now adayes an ordinary matter to see spirituall affaires iustled aside , or rather thrust out by the shoulders , that the outward man may receiue some contentment ; and golden opportunity neglected , that the occasion of improuement of worldly commodities , of tickling carnal delights , and of maintaining outward reputation among men may be embraced . In a word , Matters touching God are so sleightly , so seldome , so remisly sought after , as if they were not worthy talking of : And matters touching the world are so eagarly , so industriously , and with that intention of minde and body followed after , as if God had made man for nothing els but to swallow downe goods and greatnesse , as fast as possibly he can . Oh , my Brethren , be ye in time recalled from this miserable state of misery , and remember how faultie you are in seeking the things of God : your care for the earth hath so deuoured the care of heauenly things , Gen. 41.20 . as if the leane Kine in Pharaohs dreame had eaten vp the fat . Consider these things , and seeke the Lord in a good time , while the way is faire , the passage speedie , the doore open , the day lasts , and while he calls .

Vse 2 Vse 2. As this Doctrine may reprooue the offender : so it may serue to instruct vs to the obseruation of the point in hand , For instruction . to seeke the Lord : If a child in a crowd hath lost the sight of his tender hearted Father , or a waiting man the sight of his kinde Master , or if any man hath lost any matter of valuation , how diligently will they set themselues to Inquisitions , they will goe euery way to the wood ( as the Prouerbe is ) they will not cumber themselues with other triuiall matters found in their way , but passe ouer them as if they tooke no notice of them ; So it should be with vs , tho many good commodities may lie in our way , yet let vs neuer trouble our selues to take them vp , for it is a more valuable commoditie then they are , that we seeke after . Oh , let vs be stirred vp on all hands concerning this dutie , whet on one another to the performance of it : And you that haue beene carelesse herein , begin now at last to be better aduised , and thinke it not an easie thing to seeke God : Seeking requires a care , and an endeuour more then ordinary . And you that haue bestowed some care this way , be perswaded that it hath not beene so earnest , so constant , so intentiue as it ought to be , reamend and double the same . Yea , let vs all redeeme as much time as possiblie we may for this one thing , let vs abridge our selues rather in our outward profits , and pursuites of them , let vs rather want opportunitie in our sports , let all other things goe to wracke , rather then this one businesse should not be forwarded .

Vse 3 For direction . Vse 3. This point will teach vs in the third place a lesson of direction , where , and how to seeke Gods louing face and fauour : And therefore if you be affected with the commoditie here mentioned , you will be glad to take the time , meanes , and helpes offered .

God hath three houses . First , we will begin with the place where God must be sought , for when we are once fully assured of his habitation ( as I may so speake ) and of the place where he dwels : then we may both boldly and freely seeke him . The place we must goe vnto is his house , there we must seeke him ; for , as one neighbour hauing some businesse with another , goeth not to a strangers house , but to his house to seeke him : and indeed where should neighbours seeke one for another , but at their houses ? So if the Lord be wanting to any soule ( in as much as it crieth out , Psal. 76.7.8 . why Lord absentest thou thy selfe so long ? ) then let that soule be prostrate before the gates of the Lords house , that he may answere the complaints thereof . And that it may not long be farre from him : Consider that God hath three houses , if we misse in one , or other , yet we shall be sure to find in the third .

First , Church Assemblies . The first house where we must seeke God is the Church ; whereto the godly often are congregated , and where also God is present after a speciall manner : He is in the midst of such assemblings : Math. 18.23 . Iohn found the Lord in the midst of the seuen golden Reu. 18.1 . Candlestickes , that is , the true Church . The spouse sought and found her best beloued in the tents of the Shepheards , Cant. 6.1.2 . and in the garden among the beds of Spices : that is , in the Assembles of godly people , where graces grow as Spices vpon a bed in a garden . And so if we will finde the Lord , our resort must be to the Sanctuarie : from vnder the threshold of the doore thereof , Psal. 63.2 . And 73.17 . flow forth waters to refresh our soules . Thither went the Prophet Dauid in the time of distresse , and was comforted ; and thither went the people of Israell to see the Lords face : So that in the Congregation ( where the little flocke of Christ is folded ) we may seeke and finde .

The reason of it is , Reason . because those meanes which God hath sanctified , and set apart for our saluation , and for inquisition , are there vsed : there is the word truely and soundly preached ; there are the principles of religion for those of a lower forme ; there are deeper points for exercised wits ; Heb. 5.14 . there are helpes for Magistrates , for Ministers , for priuate men , for yong and old ; yea , whatsoeuer grace is lacking , there thou shalt be sure to haue it supplied abundantly ; there thou shalt see the great Mystery of godlinesse discouered which is , 1 Tim. 3.16 . God manifested in the flesh , &c. And as in the materiall Sanctuary , the Lord reuealed himselfe to his people ; so here to those that with Conscience seeke him will he likewise discouer himselfe in the saluation of their soules .

Vse . If God be pleased graciously to afford vs his sight , Vse . and remembrance in exterior temples , For reproofe . where godly men are often assembled , then this may shew vs plainely the gracelesse courses of vngodly sinners , that liue as men without house , harbourlesse , the blustring world is their lodging roome , vncleane birds their fellowes ; and the houses of strangers their dwellings . Not to speake of Separatists , who ( as if our Church had vtterly loft her face , because perhaps shee wants some beautie ) doe flie from our Congregations , as if they were cages of vncleannesse : Nor of Popish Recusants , who ( because they see not their Images , their breaden and woodden Gods in our Temples ) refuse to come neare the portalls of our Church , Luk. 11.42 . Act. 20.27 . when the Key of knowledge ( by which might be opened vnto them the whole counsel of God ) is offered .

First , many others there be , who , that they may not be thought plaine Atheists , doe after a sort ioyne with the Assemblies , not for loue to Gods house , nor for duties therein exercised ( for so they cast themselues from the presence of God in carnall lazinesse , and prophane contempts , ) but to shew their seruice of the time , and the sauing of their purses . The Prouerbe is , As good neuer a whit as neuer the better : It is as good to be absent as to be dull , heauie , lumpish , and without spirit in seeking for God , whom they care not whether they finde or no.

Secondly , Others in stead of going vp to the house of the Lord , seeke the vtter desolation of it , ( so ill affected are they with Gods presence ) they raze the Sanctuarie to the ground , Psal. 74.7 . defile the dwelling places of Gods name , burne vp the Synagogues of God , Lam. 1.4 . that no man may come to the solemne feasts of Sion , and all her gates they delight to see desolate .

Thirdly , Many delight to passe ouer Sabboths in the Ale-house and Tauernes , being gathered to heathenish consorts : Their vsuall speech is this ; the Church hath enough in it that may goe to God , and pray for vs , we may stay here well enough . These passe vpon themselues sentence of excommunication , and like out-lawed persons , are depriued of the benefit that belongs to the subiects of heauen ( namely , Gods protection , and enioyment of his Realme ) and thus they are giuen vp to Sathan . 1 Cor. 5.5 . 1 Tim. 1.20 .

Fourthly , Others take their horse , and trauell uell about worldly businesse vpon the Lords day , pretending that they can pray and serue God on Horse-backe in their iourney as well as the best : But all these are deluded by the Deuill , whom they serue ; they are cut off from the priuiledges of Gods house , 2 Cor. 5.18 . Ephes. 4.12 . Rom. 4.11 . Act. 14.27 . The ministery of reconciliation , the bodie of Christ edified , the seales of Righteousnesse , which are by faith : And the preaching of the word , which is called , The doore of faith , is shut against them .

And is it not a strange thing , that whilest they runne from God , from his presence , his protection , his Church , and Congregations , they should thinke to meete with God , and finde him where he is neuer had ? I may say assuredly they shall find him in his iust Iudgement , and he will meet with them in their hypocrisie to giue them a full reward : they may goe on a while , but in the meane time , God is fetching a stroke against them , which like a flaile , the higher it is lifted , when it fals will giue the greater blow , and make the deeper wound .

Vse 2 Vse 2. The Assemblies of the Saints is Gods first house where he will be found , For instruction . then should we with gladnesse goe into Bethel , for Gods name is there heard , Psal. 122.1 . Christ is there present , Mat. 18.20 . and the presence chamber is filled with the glory of the Lord . 1 Reg. 8.12 . The Prophet Dauid saw and conceiued such speciall and extraordinary benefits comming to his soule by seeking the face of the Lord in his house , that he alwayes wished himselfe there : Psal. 27.4 . One thing I haue desired of the Lord , that I will require , that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life , to behold the beautie of the Lord . This was a matter which he desired aboue all things , and for the obtaining whereof he was very importunate with God . My soule longeth , Psal. 84.1.2.4.10 . and fainteth for the Courts of the Lord , blessed are they which dwell in thine house , &c. Oh that the same minde were in vs to come before the Lord in publique meetings , and in them to be partakers of the exercises of pietie , then we would say with Iacob , surely , this place is reuerent , whatsoeuer we haue thought of it , Gen. 28.16.17 . &c. It is no other but the house of God , euen the gate of heauen . This is the first house where God must be sought .

Secondly , A Christian mans familie . The second house , where God must be sought is the priuate familie of euery Christian . It sufficeth not to be diligent in the Church , vnlesse a man be the same at home : this was holy Iobs care , that his family might be Gods house , Iob 1.5 . as appeares by his daily sanctification of his children : And of Ioshuah , Iosh. 24.15 . the Scripture truely relateth , That he and his house feared God ; Intimating that while their houses were receptacles of Gods worship , they themselues ( as they were Gods dutifull seruants , so they ) were serious seekers of the Lords eternall loue and mercie . Our Sauiour saith , that wheresoeuer two or three are gathered together , or consent in any thing in his name , he will be there present , though it be in a mans secret family . Adams house where God was worshipped , and sacrifices offered , Gen. 4. was Gods house , whence Cain complaines he was cast out , for euery denomination is from the worthier part : therefore make thy house Gods house , and so thou shalt haue God neare thee , with his sweete fellowship , and fulnesse of blessednesse .

Quest. But what might I doe that my house may be the Lords house , Quest. to the end I may seeke and finde him there ?

Answ. To this purpose are required of thee these things ; Ans.

1. If thou wilt make thy house Gods Church , and so finde the Lord at home ; then see that all the members in thy familie be the true members of the Church : looke to this with a diligent and heedfull eye : if there be but two righteous persons in thy house , God will there shew thee his face after a sort , but when thy whole familie may be baptized with the name of a Church , because there is not so much as a Canaanite , or an vncircumcised person in it , then it shall be as a sweete sauour in his sight , and his glorious countenance will there be most radiant and bright .

2. Entertaine none into thy familie but such as the Lord hath first entertained into his : take none into thine house which are not of the houshold of Faith . This is the sweeping of the house , and making faire of the doores & gates for Gods entrance . Psal. 101. The Prophets eyes were to the faithfull of the Land , that he might picke out the choicest of them for the Lords seruice , and his prayer was for the Israelites , that they might be corner stones , polished , and grauen to make a Princely Pallace .

3. After this ground-worke is laid , then the housholder must build thereon , dealing in his familie , as the Pastor in the Church ; either by way of teaching by words , and example , or by praying , or by correcting . First , teaching , and instructing of the familie is required , and that partly in reading , partly in deliuering precepts out of the Word . It is Gods Commandement , Deut. 6.7 . To whet the Law continually on our children , and to traine them vp , euen from their childhood in the Scriptures . Secondly , Calling them to account for things deliuered by Catechizing is needfull . This is the driuing of the nayle to the head : this hinders vaine thoughts , words , and exercises : this banisheth much folly , and ignorance that is bound vp in the hearts of children and seruants . Thirdly , Application of Gods workes past or present , on our selues , or others , to moue vnto confidence in God , by the workes of his mercie , and to feare to offend by the workes of his iustice , is also requisite : this was holy Abrahams practise , Gen. 18.19 . for which God would not hide his secret workes from him . Fourthly , Edification of the family with Psalmes , and melodie to the Lord is fit and conuenient , Col. 3.16 . as the Apostle teacheth vs . Againe , as the Master of the house must teach by words , so by example , like Dauid walking in the vprightnes of his heart in the midst of his house : for the eye of the familie is vpon the gouernours thereof , as the eye of the Church vpon her Pastor .

Secondly , there must be daily praying in the familie , at least euery morning and euening solemnly on our knees , making confessions of sins , and requests vnto God , together with thankesgiuing : Euening and morning , Psal. 55.17 . and at noone will I pray , and make a noyse , saith Dauid . And Daniel three times a day prayed and praysed God in his house . Dan. 6.10 .

Lastly , there ought to be in the familie Christian Discipline , that if any member thereof should happen to be out of order , by correction , admonition , reprehension , or at worst excommunication , it may be brought to reformation . By these meanes , the priuate house shall be made Gods house , wherein he may be soone sought , and our selues sweetly solaced .

But alas , Vse . how carelesse are the most in this case ? Mens Cottages are Sathans Courts , and great mens places his Pallaces : How is God sought at home , when ( almost ) euery member in the house is a rough , and vnhewed stone , not grauen after the similitude of a Princely building ? Is not sin so rife , that it runnes through the silent , and secret Chambers , and like leprosie defiles the foundation , yea , the whole building ? How is thy house Gods temple , when the Idoll of prophanenesse , disorder , vngodlinesse , &c. worse then Aarons molten Calfe , is erected ? How doest thou flatter thy selfe with a conceit of Gods presence in thy whole familie , when thou mockest him ? Thou seemest humble at the Church , but art disdainful , scornefull , hatefull , arrogant , and proud at home : thou seemest to be louing , kind , and friendly at the Church , but art full of malice , bitter words , frowning lookes , and vnkind carriages at home . Thou seemest in the publique house of God to yeeld obedience to wholesome Doctrine , Heb. 10. but at home ( as the Iewes did deale with the bloud of Christ ) thou tramplest it vnder thy feete . How doest thou enquire for God in thy familie , when thou giuest a welcome entertainment to Atheist , Papist , Iew , Pagan , miser , swearer , oppressor , and others of the same ranke and station alike ? How canst thou expect Gods presence on thy right hand any where , if thou sufferest thy house to be as a cage of vncleane birds , and neither pullest their feathers , nor sweepst out their filth ? Oh , I beseech you marke my words : The outward magnificence and sumptuousnesse of building , the pleasantnesse of scituation , the costly hangings on the walls , the rich furniture of houshold stuffe , the goodly shew of tall , and proper personable men are nothing nay , outward ciuill order is nothing , vnlesse all godly means with a godly mind be practised as well in the priuate familie , as in Gods publique house . Labour therefore to make your house ( by the industrious and honest exercises of reading , praying , catechizing , examining , singing of Psalmes , of entertaining , maintaining , retaining godly seruants : of punishing , admonishing , reprouing , or excommunicating vngodly and sinfull people ) like Gods house , then shall you haue cause of ioy , and matter offered sufficient of Gods presence .

Thirdly , A sanctified soule . The third house where God is to be sought , is the soule of a man . That is the temple of the liuing God , 2 Cor. 6.16 . and he hath said , that he will dwell there , and walke there . And often haue his sonnes and faithfull seruants reioyced , that they might be in the least sort found worthie , that God would come thither . They sought him in their hearts , and found him no where else , or sooner then there .

But how shall I make my heart Gods Temple ? Quest.

First , Ans. As in the Temple God was daily worshipped ; there were daily sacrifices offered , the Scriptures read and expounded , and prayers preferred vnto God from his people : So must thou get a proportion in all these , if thy heart be Gods temple . First , thou must priuately , yea , secretly apart daily worship & adore him in thy soule with personall worship , concerning such thoughts and impressions of his vnutterable Deitie , as the tongue in no wise can expresse . Secondly , Thou must offer the sacrifices of praise and thankes , for his personall blessings , and benefits , call to mind how rich in his bountie he hath beene to thy soule , and so expresse thy humble thankefulnesse vnto him . Thirdly , daily supplicate vnto him , and powre out thy soule in prayer vnto his maiestie , desiring the remission of sinnes past , preuention of sinnes to come , sorrow and humiliation for sinnes present , begge graces fit for thy saluation , and such strength therein as may vphold thee &c. Fourthly , Solely and apart euery day reade the Scriptures , and other godly Treatises , as occasion may giue leaue from honest labours , and being read wisely , discreetly , vnderstandingly , apply to thy vse and benefit .

Secondly , thy Heart must be as the Arke within the Sanctuary , wherein were kept the Tables of the Law , written with Gods owne finger : thou must endeuour in obedience to all Gods Commandements : entreat God to write his law in thy heart , that thou maist neuer depart from it . Ier. 31.33 .

Thirdly , thy heart as the Arke must keepe the Pot of Manna , a type of Christ the foode of life : close Christ within thy heart , and hold him as thy life , neuer to part with him ; for that Pot figured the Sacraments , in which Christ is propounded the food of the soule .

Fourthly , thy heart as the Arke must containe Aarons rod that had budded , signifying the discipline & gouernment of Christ , vnto which thou must subiect thy selfe : let this rod flourish in thee , and stoope with reuerence and feare to this scepter . By this meanes thy soule is Gods Temple , where he will be found as a man in his house .

But alas , Vse . though this be so necessary a dutie to seeke the puritie of heart , wherein is Gods delight , yet who is it that addresseth himselfe to it ? Euery one is deficient in this point , the cleansing of the soule is least thought of for Gods habitation : And yet who is it , that boastes not of such a good and honest heart , that makes not his brags of such inward goodnesse , as if God had dwelt there long ? Who is he that complaines of his want of spirituall furniture for his soule ? But looke to thy selfe narrowly , peepe in through the windowes , and thou shalt easily finde such inward crazinesse , and lamenesse by corruption : such halting betweene God and man , such deadnesse in sinne and wickednesse , such rouing thoughts , fleshly desires , carnall and worldly purposes , naughtie intentions , and such defects of graces , as if thy heart had sworne against Gods presence , and made an vtter deniall of his entrance . Let these things be well examined , and tell me if it be not more then needfull to call for helpe , the spirit of sanctification , to cleanse and wash all white within , to purge the soule from dead workes , and to make it a cleane house for God to abide in . The way to finde the lost groat is to sweepe the house , and to sift the dust : and so labour for inward holinesse and sanctitie , get thy heart ridd of deceitfulnesse and hypocrisie , of sinne and iniquitie , sift the corners , set vp a light in it , the Candle of Faith , and vse a prospectiue continually into euery farre nooke of it , and then get a weeding hooke to pull out Darnell and Cockle , so shalt thou not be long absent from the Lord , at length to thy consolation thou shalt finde him . Thus we must seeke the Lord in his house , the publique assemblies , our owne Families , and Soules .

❧ The second Sermon .

Secondly , seek with the eye of faith and obedience . SEcondly , as we must seeke GOD in his owne house , so with a spirituall eye , as he himselfe is a spirituall substance ; flesh and bloud cannot see him , though they seeke him : we can neuer finde him by the eyes of naturall senses , but of faith and obedience : Gods spiritualtie cannot be pierced with the eye of flesh , which seeth nothing but that which is finite , materiall , visible , and circumscriptible , as God is not ; nay , if the soule of a man , a finite spirit , cannot be seene with the bodily eye , much lesse the God of spirits , who is infinite , and of such puritie as the Angels are not able to behold . S. Iohn saith , No man hath seene God at any time ; and S. Paul saith , God dwelleth in light not to be attained to , whom no man hath seene , neither can see : and therefore concerning the outward sight ( whereby curious and ignorant men would be glad to see God , hardly thinking there is any God , when none in this sort can be seene ) the truth is , God cannot be seene . Neither are we able to see and finde God by the eye of our mind , ( whilest we are here ) as it is corrupted ; the reason is this , because all our knowledge is by formes and fashions conceiued in our minde , and for the most part floweth from the outward senses , but God ( as hath beene said ) cannot be perceiued by our senses . No man euer saw the glorie of the Lord , viz. his Essence and diuine Maiestie , no , not Moses himselfe , neither could he see him expressly with the eye of his minde . But thus farre we see the Lord , after an obscure fashion we see his loue and mercy , and kindnesse to vs in the reuelation of his sonne Christ , in his beneuolent gifts of grace , in the remission of sinnes , iustification , sanctification , &c. But at the last day we shall see him fully in his brightnesse and beautie , euen as he is : 1 Cor. 13.12 . Now we know him in part , sayth Paul , but then we shall know as we are knowne .

Grosse are those old Heretiques , Vse . the Anthropemorphites , that gaue to God an humane forme , &c. The Scriptures ( speaking after our capacitie ) giue vnto him the parts of man , as feete , hands , face , &c. And whereas they alledge some apparitions , and visions which the Fathers had ; as Abraham of three going to destroy Sodome , as Lot of two , &c. I answere , that God appeared vnto them not in his nature , but in such a forme as pleased him . Many saw , Sed quod voluntas elegit , non quod natura formauit , What his will chose , not what his nature formed . Men saw him when he would , in such formes as he would , not in his diuine nature , wherein he lay hid euen then when he was seene .

Grosse likewise and ridiculous are our common conceits of God ; Ignorant people suppose him to be a man in shape and passion like themselues : The Epicure , who thought there was no happinesse vnder the Sunne , but in carnall pleasure , imagined God to be of the same sensuall humour , and deemed that freedome from busines was his chiefest felicitie . And Dauid sayth in the Psalme , that the vngodly person , who runnes to all manner of excesse , ioyning with the theefe , and partaking with the adulterer , Psal. 50.18.21 and opening his mouth with the slanderer , thinkes God like himselfe : and generally , our priuate thoughts touching God are not so holy , so reuerent , so diuine , so full of respect as they ought to be .

Therefore if we would see the backe parts of the Lord , then we must pray to him to open the eyes of our mides , to cleere them with the grace of vnderstanding , that we may see him now , not as he is in his eternall being , for that cannot be , but as he hath reuealed himselfe mercifully and graciously vnto vs in all his spirituall endowments of grace . This is the second thing required in our seeking the Lord , namely , to seeke him not with the eye of sense or nature , but with the eye of grace , enlightened and cleered .

Thirdly , seeke God by his meanes . Thirdly , we must seeke God by his owne light and meanes : first , by the word in Precepts and Promises . This is a Lanthorne to our feete , and a light to our pathes , by which God may be discerned , whom the darknesse of the world cannot comprehend . We reade , that when God appeared to Eliah , before him went a mightie strong winde , 1 King . 19.11 &c. which rent the mountaines , but the Lord was not in the wind . After the wind came , came an earth-quake , and after it a fire , but the Lord was in neither : but then at last of all came a still and soft voice , and in that the Lord was . And that was it which most affected Eliahs heart ; for , as the Story sayth , When Eliah heard it , he couered his face with a mantell , and went out . Whereby the Lord would teach vs , that as in the first deliuery of the Law , the instrument which God taught them by was a voice ( he purposely forbearing to present himselfe to their eies in a visible shape , least they should stick too much vpon outward shewes ) so they likewise in following times should trust especially to the same meanes , which God ( as it were ) by his owne mouth hath sanctified vnto them at the beginning , namely , a voyce . The nature of man rather affects that which offereth it selfe to the eye , then the naked and bare instruction of the eare : and therefore all counterfeit Religions are full of beautie , Images , signes , and bodily representations , wherewith the world is bewitched . But the instrument that brings vs to the Lord is his owne word : the Lord thought it fitter to informe Moses by the care , then to giue him his desire in presenting himselfe to his eye : so he doth still hold the same course , and hath ordained the sense of hearing , to be ( as it were ) the pipe , by which the sauing knowledge of his will may be conueyed downe into the heart .

And as for those who will not be instructed by hearing , Vse . they are sonnes of wrath , past all hope of ] Gods louing presence ; there is no course , though in mans reason neuer so little ; that is able to recouer them . Let it admonish vs , if we desire to know God , to prepare our eares to the meanes of knowledge . Remember what Salomon hath said , that it is but the sacrifice of fooles , Eccl. 4.17 . which all those performe , who come into the house of God , and are not neare , and readie to heare . thus much of the word , teaching vs , that a man desirous to know in some sort ; or to conceiue the maiestie of God , is instructed more largely by the eare , then by outward and visible representments .

A second meanes to seeke God are such signes of his presence as he hath made choice of to reueale his grace in . In the old testament beleeuers must seeke him in sacrifices and ceremonies , and therein he gaue them gracious answeres . The Arke of the Couenant was called the face of God , and the seeking of speciall testimony of his presence there , is called the seeking of his face . And because he was so specially present there , the Iewes in their Prayers must turne their faces towards the Arke , and towards Ierusalem . And that the Iewes might know where to finde God at all times , Exod. 25.8 . he told them that he would dwell in the Sanctuary , and sit betweene the Cherubins : So in the new Testament , God hath appointed certaine signes , as so many way-markes to finde him out ; as the publique seruing of him in spirit and truth ; resorting of Gods Temple , and there ioyning in holy worship with the rest of his people , is the way to seeke him . The offering vp of the sacrifices of prayer and praise , Call vpon me in the day of trouble , Psal. 50.15 . and I will heare thee , and thou shalt prayse me . The frequenting of the Sacraments , which represent that to the eye , which the word doth to the eare : In all which he will be sought , and out of these will not be found . God cannot be seene , or found , but by his owne light , and therefore he that must seeke him , must haue the light of vnderstanding . Psal. 14.2 . The Lord looked downe to see if any would vnderstand , and seeke after God .

Fourthly , seeke God in the right way . Ier. 6.16 . Fourthly , as we must seeke God by his owne meanes ; so , in the right way , which is called , the old way , and therefore the good way : We must not seeke God that way we lost him , for so it is likely we shall neuer heare of him : but there is another way , though a strait and backe way , which soone brings vs to him . The familie of Iacob ( those seuentie soules ) came downe to Egypt through the land of the Philistims , but after fortie yeares circled about to Canaan , through the Arabian Desert . The three Wisemen that worshipped Christ were warned by the Oracle , to goe into their Countrey another way . Imitate these Sages , thou lost God by transgression , seeke him not in that common beaten way , but by obedience , and humiliation : thou lost God by adultery , seeke him by chastitie : thou lost him by the way of pride ; hatred , wantonnesse , wrath , ryot , seeke him by the way of humilitie , loue , temperance , patience , sobrietie : thou lost God by the way of couetousnesse , contention , swearing , prophanenesse , seeke him by the way of contentation , peace , honouring his name , holinesse of life : thou lost him by the way of vaine superstition , seeke him by the way of Christian Religion : to conclude , as thou lost him by the way of sinne , so now set on to seek him by the way of repentance , and reformation : A reformed life is the new way , and best way ; till thou set foote in it , thou art out of the right way , and soone shalt loose thy way to God : enter into it , and bid farewell to thy sinnes , that thou maist with a quicke dispatch , wheele about into thy owne Countrey .

Fiftly , as we must seeke God in the right way , Fiftly , seeke God in his owne manner . 1. Early . Psal. 63.2 . so in Gods manner , and that is diuerse sorts of wayes . First , Earely : This was the Prophets practise ; Early in the morning will I seeke thee . That is , euery morning , the beginning of my worke shall be to looke towards thee ; I will beginne my duties in faithfull inuocating thy helpe , and aid : And as in the morning of the day , so also in the morning of thy life , forget not to seeke God by Repentance , faith , obedience , &c. This is the chiefe season : Eccl. 12.1 . Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth . A wound lookt to at first when its freshest is soonest healed ; A groat newly dropt downe through the fingers , if it be presently sought after will soone be found : So will God in youth , from whence ( as a friend ) he hath lately departed , by reason of sinne . Behold then , as euery day of thy life , so principally thou owest the prime part of thy life to this dutie , when thou art strongest and aptest .

But many deferre to seeke the Lord , vntill the last weeke of their life , the last day of the weeke , the last houre of the day , the last minute of the houre . It is an exorbitant course , while the ship is sound , the tackling sure , the Pilot well , the sailes strong , the gale fauourable , the Sea calme , to lie idle at Rode , carding , dicing , drinking , burning the seasonable weather , and when the ship leakes , the Pilot sicke , the Mariners faint , the stormes boysterous , and the Sea a turmoile of outragious surges , to launch forth , and hoyse vp saile for a voyage into farre Countries : and yet such is the skill of euening seekers , who in the morning of youth , and soundnes of health , and perfit vse of reason , though they cannot resolue to weigh the Auchor , and cut the Cable that with-holds them from seeking of Christ , neuertheles , they feed themselues with a strong perswasion , that when their wits are distracted , their senses astonied , all the powers of the mind , and parts of the body distempered ; then forsooth , they thinke suddenly to become Saints at their death , howsoeuer they demeaned themselues as Deuils all their life .

Let vs awake from sinne with Dauid early , Psal. 57.9 . 1 Sam. 15.12 . Gen. 21.14 . Ioh. 8.2 . Ioh. 20.1 . rise with Samuell early , with Abraham send away Hagar early , with Christ and his Audience come to the Church early , seeking the Lord with Mary Magdalen early : Of this point more largly touching the opportunity of seeking , hereafter following . Secondly , 2. Earnestly . Earnestly ; As the husbandman for gold , siluer , and his earthly Commodities , so we must seeke for this spirituall and eternall treasure : the former seekes eagarly , and instantly , and so must we . Our desire as it is to enioy , so it must be earnest and feruent in the pursuit ; we ought to neglect no time , nor pretermit any the least occasion of finding . A loitering man that cares not whether he worke or no , Prou. may get for his idlenesse a suit of ragges : and he that thinkes to gaine Gods graces with nothing adoe , may well goe without them . There goes the striuing for masteries before the Crowne ; a painfull sweating race before the getting of the goale , and an industrious diligence ( notwithstanding all serious thoughts to this purpose ) before the obtaining of the Lords grace and fauour .

Seeke painefully , not carelesly , not ouerly , Luke 15. Pro. 2.4 . as the woman for her groat ; seek as for siluer , search as forgold . The mint of gold lies not in the first spade it lies deeper : search with a desire of finding ; for it s well if after all paines , we finde at the last .

Thirdly , Sincerely , Thirdly , Sincerely . with a good and honest heart . Quod cor non facit , non sit ; What the heart doth not is not done at all . Adams body being newly framed of the slime of the earth , lay liueles and breathlesse , vntill the breath of life was breathed into it ; So the action of seeking God , with all the circumstances and tearmes thereof , is nothing worth in the sight of God , vntill from the Altar of the heart , the fire of zeale , sinceritie , and integritie incense them . 1 Pet. 3.10 . Rom. 6.17 . Rom. 10. &c. Deut. 10.16 . S. Peters hidden man of the heart , S. Pauls obedience from the heart , Circumcision of the heart , &c. are acceptable to GOD. Therefore in our seeking the Lord , let our heart march along , that so we may serue him with the best member we haue . As Ioseph charged the Patriarches , not to see his face , vnlesse their brother Beniamin came with them : so standeth the Lord affected to the heart : if thou wilt goe to the Lord goe with thy heart . Ier. 29.13 . Yee shall seeke and find me , saith God , because yee shall seeke me with all your hearts . Thus did the Prophet Dauid secke the Lord , as he testifieth in his owne words , Psal. 119.10 . with my whole heart doe I seeke thee .

This condemnes hypocriticall seeking , which is deceitfull ; It shall neuer finde acceptance with God , nor see his louely countenance . It drawes neare to God with the lips , and toucheth the creft of heauen ( as it were ) with the mouth , but the heart is far from God . If thy heart be not single , then Peter in the person of Simon Magus hath read thy doome . Act. 8. Thou hast no part in true Repentance , because thy heart is not right in the sight of God . If the old Pagan soothsayers at any time missed the heart in the entrailes of the Sacrifice , or if they found it without panting and moouing , they were wonderfully appauled , and strongly feared that some danger would ensue . For they obserued , that in the sacrifice of Iulius , the heart was wanting : and immediately after , his most familiar friends conspired against him , and stabbed him in the Capitoll . They likewise obserued in the sacrifice of Pertinax , how the heart lay still without motion , whose death presently following , the people lamented with this wailing acclamation , While Pertinax raigned we liued securely , and feared none . In our Christian sacrifice of prayers and repentance , alas , the heart is wanting , or at least not stirring , there is so little faith , feare , obedience , zeale , sinceritie among vs . What this heartlesse seruing , seeking of God meaneth , I cannot in particular diuine . I am no Prophet , nor the sonne of a Prophet ; yet sure I am , it portends no good . For preuention therefore of imminent Iudgements , let vs seeke the Lord heartily , Heb. 10.22 . giuing him the whole and entire possession thereof , as himselfe iustly cals for it saying , Deut. 16.16 . Turne yee vnto me with all your heart .

Fourthly , in his Sonne Christ . Fourthly , seeke God in his sonne Christ , He is the onely Mediator that passeth betwixt God and vs , without whom none can come vnto , and find his Father . He is our Iacobs ladder , whose humanitie toucheth the earth , and his diuinitie reached to heauen . He is that new and liuing way , Heb. 10.20 . through whom we haue accesse to the Father . He is the way , Ioh 14.6 . the truth , and the life .

Oh : The way to him is faith ; for , 2 Cor. 5.7 . We walke by faith , not by sight . Heb. 11.6 . He that seekes God to finde him must beleeue in him . We are a generation of seekers , Psal. 24. of them that seeke the face of the God of Iacob . If we follow faith as our guide we shall neuer erre : yet mistake me not , I meane not a naked , solitary , imaginary fancie of faith ; this is presumption , not perswasion , but a sauing , a sanctifying , a iustifying faith : a faith working by loue . This way to Christ hath the approbation of the Spirit , rounding the faithfull in the eare , Isa. 30.21 . This is the way , walke in it , and long agoe prophecying of it : Isa. 35.8 . there shall be a way , and the way shall be called holy , the polluted shall not passe by it ; Neither Lyon , nor Beare , nor any hurtfull creature shall walke in it . Therefore whosoeuer walke according to this rule , Gal. 6.16 . peace be vpon them , and mercie , and vpon the Israel of God .

This condemnes the Papists that seeke Gods fauour by other wayes then the true statue Christ , the Virgin Mary , and a number of their owne Canonized Saints make a way for them , thus say they ; but Gods precious Oracle finds no tongue speaking to this purpose : It onely sheweth vs guidance to God , in , and through Christ .

This also condemnes the Solifidians ( yea Nullifidians ) that runne well but quite beside the marke . 2 Sam. 18.23 . Ahimaas by running the nearest way out-stripped the Egyptian ; and many make a short but the way to him ( leading through the intricate Mazes of this our Pilgrimage ) is a sound guiding faith : Make this thy rode , and then ( though not so soone as thou wouldest ) thou shalt see God in his brightnesse of loue and mercie .

Fiftly , Resolutely . Fiftly , Resolutely ; Resolution is necessary to this point . The Souldiers resolution is the battell : the Sowers resolution is his plowing , and sowing : the Schollers resolution is his studies : And all our resolution ought to be this godly resolution to seeke the Lord. Let the dead bury the dead , Phil 3.11.12 . I will follow hard towards the marke of the high calling . I will seeke God . Agrippa almost perswaded to be a Christian , was altogether no Christian : vnsetlednesse is the breake-necke of many Christian courses , when there is a purpose , and then no purpose , a will and no will to seeke God . It is not leaden heeles , but faint and dead hearts that makes vs stagger , and vntill the fire of determination , together with the hot coales of stedfast resolution enflame vs onwards in our Inquisition , we shall not enioy the promised Canaan , that land of fruitfulnes , where God is perpetually resident . Therefore as Dauid swore and stedfastly purposed to keepe Gods righteous iudgements ; Psal. 119. so let his case be ours , that we may with full purpose bend our selues in Repentance to seeke the Lord , whatsoeuer other occasions and matters may casually fall in our way .

Sixtly , Directly ; Beware of blind lanes , Sixtly , Directly . and circuiting perambulations : crooked wayes and crooked feete will cast backward . Gal. 2. Peter was shent for walking with a wry foote to the Gospell . Therefore take heed to thy feet , Eccl. 5.1 . Heb. 12.13 . and make straight pathes vnto them . The way to heauen is both straite and straight , like the streete in Damascus , Act. 9.11 . which was called the straight streete . He that goes about to seeke God , must goe as Paul to Coos , Act. 21.1 . with a straight course , therefore as thou art carefull to set on , so be as diligent to set out in the right and direct passages ; leaue by-wayes and wrie-wayes to nocturnall walkers , perambulations and circuitions to Sathan , that infernall Peripatetike . Such as will obtaine Gods mercie , and finde his tokens of grace , must neither turne to the right hand of selfe-pleasing singularitie , Deut. 5.32.33 . nor to the left hand of vulgar impietie : but walke in the true profession of the Catholique faith , and in an honest vocation , warranted by Gods word .

Seuenthly , Seuenthly , Constantly . Math. 24 13. Constantly ; Continue seeking . He that continues to the end shall be saued . Gods grace is worth all our seeking , though we should seeke it a thousand yeare , giue not ouer till it be found . Be watchfull to the end and thou shalt haue the crowne of life , Reu. 2.10 . And 2.26 . and he that keepeth my workes to the end , to him will I giue power ouer nations . What a shame is it then to recoile and fall off from seeking , bending backe like a broken Bow ; Psal. 78.57 . to begin in the spirit and end in the flesh ? What a shame is it after thou hast fed on Angels food , to lust after the Onions and Garlicke of Egypt ? After thou hast escaped the filthinesse of the world , tasted of the good Word of God , Heb. 6.5 . 2 Pet. 2.21.22 . and of the ioyes to come , to turne from the holy Commandement , and with the dogge to returne to his vomit ? What did it profit Demas to forsake the Gospell , which once he professed , and to turne worldling , which dearely he loued ? Or the yong man to haue beene trayned vp in the keeping of the law , Mar. 10.21 . and afterward to depart from Christ for the loue he had to his possessions ? and what good shall we reape in seeking , Gal. 6.9 . repenting , praying , humbling , hearing , &c. if we faint and giue out before we obtaine the thing sought ? Like as he that runneth in a race , 1 Cor. 9. vnlesse he hold out to the goale , obtaineth not the price , and therefore sayth Paul , I haue finished my course , as it auailed not Lots wife to haue gone out of Sodome , 2 Tim. 4.7 . and after to looke backe : So they shall neuer come to the Lord , that lagger by the way , that are wearie of the dutie vndertaken , and runne themselues out of breath , before they come to the end of their race . And if such as seeke , but before the end giue out , shall not finde , what then shall become of our wicked prophane wretches that neuer seeke at all ? What shall become of them that seeke onely vanities ? Which flie not , but seeke the corruption which is in the world , that care for nothing but backe and belly ? If God reiect the righteousnes and will of the Iewes , what hope canst thou haue which neuer thinkest of God , but to blaspheme him ? Which delightest onely to wallow in abhominable sinnes ? I must tell thee that ten thousand times thy betters are in hell , euen such which haue rapt hard at heauen gates , which haue bestowed many houres in prayers , much money on the poore , &c. If such as seeke , misse , for seeking amisse , much more those that seeke not at all , or the contrary .

This may aduise vs to renue our strength as the Eagle , to waite on the Lord , to runne and not be weary , Psal. 112.6 . to walke and not faint . Trees of the Lords planting continue their fruits indeficiently , neither doe their leaues drop off . Let vs be prouoked to constancie in searching the Lord , and hereunto let vs consider motiues , and meanes .

1. Motiues .

1. The end of Redemption is to follow the Lord , Luk. 1.75 . to serue him in righteousnesse and holines all our dayes . Ezek. 18.24 . 2. Righteousnesse departed from is vaine and forgotten . All labour , prayers , repentance , obedience , yea , all sufferings are lost , as the Galathians suffered many things in vaine . Gal. 3.4 . 3. Thou shalt be iudged as thou art found when the Lord comes . The question shall not be , what thou wast once , but what thou art , not how thou began to seeke , but how thou continuedst in Seeking . 4. Perseuerance at length brings home the profit , it knits vs indissolublie to the Lord , and puts vpon our heads the Crowne of glorie . Glory and immortalitie is the part onely of such as by continuance in well doing seeke God . Rom. 2.7 . And our Sauiour is expresse , Luk. 22.28 . to you which haue continued with me haue I appointed a kingdome .

2. Meanes .

1. Get an infallible testimony of Gods fauour , arising from the wise application of Gods promises , Ioh. 6.40 . and the sure witnesse of his Spirit . 2. That thy selfe purified , make conscience to repent of sinne , and respect all Gods Commandements . 3. Continue the vse of the meanes of preseruation , as hearing , reading , praying , receiuing of the Sacraments , &c. 4. Ioyne thy selfe with such as daily seeke the Lord . 5. Labour to know the necessary vse and worth of the Lords presence , that so thou maist confesse and professe his goodnesse amid humorous opinions and strange oppositions . 6. Be not too hote and ouer-hastie at first , Nullum violentum perpetuum . but meeke , tractable , sociable , for boysterous , and hot-spurred natures will not hold long . 7. Be euer warie , and circumspect to walke on by feare , alwayes doubting thine owne weaknesse , and suspecting thy strength . 1 Cor. 10.12 . Let him that standeth take heede least he fall . Thus of our direction in seeking the Lord .

While he may be found ] There is a time ( it seemes ) when God will be found of his seruants that seeke him : It is his owne promise , and he will not gain-say it . The poore shall not alway be forgotten , Psal. 9.18 . the hope of the afflicted shall not perish for euer . It makes God yearne within himselfe to see the godly seek him in distresse , Times to find God . and himselfe to with-hold his presence from them . Therefore the first time wherein God will be found , is the godly mans exigents , and extremitie : Deut. 4.29.30 When thou art in tribulation saith Moses , and all these things are come vpon thee , at the length , if thou seeke the Lord , he will not forsake thee . Dauid called out of the deepe , and God heard him . Moses cryed at the red Sea , and then God was found . Abraham three dayes after the Commandement , found God on the Mount . And after three dayes when the case was hopelesse , and the Disciples faith a little preiudiced , Christ rose againe .

Secondly , another time of finding God , is the time of preaching Gods pure word , by it God knockes at the doore of our hearts , Reu. 3.20 . and desires entrance ; By it he so reueales himselfe to the congregation , that they may spiritually by the illuminated eye of the minde , behold him present after an admirable sort among them . The time of preaching the Gospell in Scripture is called the Day of visitation .

Thirdly , another time of finding , is when we haue vsed all godly exercises , & heauenly meanes in seeking : for to sit still and doe nothing is to want the price . The Spouse in the Canticles wanted her beloued , when shee would not sollow after him , but lay slugging on her bed . And when we are like standing Ponds , couered with greene and filthie stuffe of idlenesse , we are aliens from God . But when we fall to enquiring after him among the watchmen in the darke of the night , through dangerous streets , with a good heart , eagarly , directly , resolutely , continually , then he comes to vs , thrusts in his hand by the hole of the doore , calls vpon vs , and brings with him such gracious gifts , as are worthie our paines and industrie .

Vse 1 This may teach vs to censure charitably of the afflicted , and distressed in Conscience : their sorrowes may seeme so much to haue souced them , and they are so sauced with the bitternesse of inward terrours , that to thy thinking God hath vtterly forsaken them . But I say learne to be wise , and deceiue not thy selfe . 1. There is a time wherin God will be fauourable vnto them , wipe away their teares , and end their sorrowes , which is best knowne to the Lord , perhaps it shall not be these many yeares , Psal. 51.17 . or moneths : but sure it shall come , and God will be present . 2. God loues an humbled spirit , Esay ▪ 65. yea , it is such a thing that like an Adamant it drawes him thither where it is . 3. God is the God of the afflicted , to giue them ease in his good time , he hath made his promise to them to be their couer from the raine , and a wall of defence from the storme and tempest .

Besides , consider what may befall thy selfe , their case may be thine , God is able to burthen thee with the like griefes , and agonies , and therefore deale louingly , wisely , and charitablie with them .

Vse 2 Secondly , Is there a time when God will be found ; then let no good and honest heart be dismaied , though God be not present when it vseth meanes : let it not obiect against God and say , Why hidest thou thy selfe , O Lord ? Psal. 10.1 . For he is not alwayes there at first call , neither will he grant ( oftentimes ) the requests of his people vpon two or three petitions , or many prayers , and it may be for their further good and profit .

1. The Lord hereby will try their faith , and patience : Iob was tryed to the vttermost , before he found God taking his part , and so became an example of patience .

2. They may hereby see the weightie Talent of their sinnes , that hath pressed them downe so farre from Gods face . If the Lord should but lightly touch vs , we should but sleight our sins .

3. Their desire must be the more earnest as his absence is the more painfull ; when the Spouse had sought Christ here and there , and could no where finde him , at length finding him shee tooke fast hold on him , and would not let him goe .

4. Their prayer and paines is not worth the thing they seeke for , God will keepe it away for a time from them , that they may value it according to a faithfull esteeme : and be more earnest , and often in praying , and labour .

5. Or it may be , all this while God is absent because they haue not sought him according to his will , or his Word , as Zebedees sonnes , they asked they knew not what : or after such a sort , or in such a thing as he will not be found in , as Paul sought God to remoue away the pricke of the flesh , yet God would not be found in that ; but in the supply of sufficient grace was he found .

But for all this that I haue said , God will be found of such as seeke him in feare and awe , and after a good and godly manner .

Ob : But I am vnworthie to finde God , Ob : who haue prouoked his wrath like an vnkind wretch , and that euery day .

Ans: Esteeme not lesse of thy selfe then God esteemeth of thee , Ans. Act. 10. in euery nation he that feareth him is found of him . He keepeth open house : his heauenly Palace hath three gates in the East , Reu. 21. three in the West , three in the North , three in the South , that the glory of Iewes & Gentiles may come in : He thinketh not his owne presence too good for vs : Ioh. 12.26 . but where he is there shall his seruants be . This was his promise , because it was his pleasure . Therefore Christ saith to his Father . Ioh. 17.24 . Father I will that those whom thou hast giuen me be with me , that they may see that glory which thou hast giuen me . With this hope he comforted his Disciples ; In my Fathers house are many mansions , I goe to prepare a place for you ; Ioh. 14.2.3 . and if I goe to prepare a place for you , I will come againe and receiue you vnto me , that where I am there may yee also be .

Seeke God while he may be found ] Another thing worthie obseruation , is the opportunitie of seeking , so as God may be found , and that is the present time ; Hence learne againe , Doct: The present time is Gods time . Eccles. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . that the most seasonable season to seeke God is the present season . There is a time for each thing vnder the Sunne , saith Salomon , but for this dutie , no time so conuenient as the very instant . In worldly businesse deliberation is very necessary , & it is held a great point of policie to deliberate long before a man determine any thing : but in this case it is dangerous to stand to deliberate .

Reason 1 1. Because to deferre is vaine and fond presumption . I neede not yet seeke God sayth the yongster , nor repent , nor pray , nor doe well , Delay is vaine and presumptuous . &c. It is not good to be religious too soone , for feare yong Saints proue old Deuils : when I am growne old then I will bethinke my selfe of this matter . Vpon this in-bred presumption he is all for to morrow , crying out with Domitians Crow , Cras , cras , to morrow , to morrow , when as he knoweth not what the morrow may bring forth , Conuersion , or Confusion . Prou. 27.1 . Quamdiu cras , cras , quare non modo , quare non hac hora finis turpitudinis meae . Augustine in that excellent Booke of his Confessions , speaketh to all yong men in his owne person , perswading them not to deferre this good worke . How long , saith he , shall I say to morrow to morrow ? Why doe I not now ? Why do I not now make an end of this filthines ? Yea , Qui non est hodie , cras minus aptus erit . Sera nimis vita est crastina , viue hodie , &c. the very Heathen Poets haue condemned this procrastination , and would haue men to lay hold on the present time . It was good counsell which good Eleazar gaue his Disciples ; Ouid. Marr. Pers. Be sure yee repent one day before death . When replie was made , the day of death is vncertaine , therefore he said repent this day least to morrow yee die . Thus stands our case . D : Hulls Sermon at the Crosse . Octob . 18. 1612. A poore traueller by chance slips into a pit , and in his fall catches hold of one twigge . The pit is deepe , and in the bottome full of cruell Serpents . While there he hangeth by that poore twig , anon comes an hunger-bitten beast , which byting , and browzing on other boughes , is each moment ready to crop off that twig : Now in what a wofull plight is this distressed creature . This traueller is man , the slender twig is fraile life , this pit is hell , those Serpents , fiends , and wormes of Conscience , the hunger-bitten beast is death : Say now were it not foolish presumption to deferre Repentance vpon hope of long life , depending on so doubtfull condition ? Many yong men are taken away on the sudden , before euer they looke , or prepare for death . Iob. 21.13 . And 24.24 . They spend their daies in wealth and suddenly they goe downe to the graue , and are cropt off as an eare of Corne . Haue we not examples euery day almost of some that goe well to bed at night , and are found dead in the morning ? And of others that drop downe by the high way side , and die in the field ? We may not take vpon vs to determine peremptorily of such , Rom. 11.33 . because the iudgements of God are vnsearchable , and his wayes past finding out . Therefore adde not one euill day vnto another . Sufficient for the day is the euill thereof : Math. 6. yesterday , to day , to morrow , time past , present , and to come , that is , all the dayes of our life are 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 dayes of sorrow .

2. Delay is danderous : breeds second nature , 2. Delay is dangerous . and custome of euill , whereon God vsually layeth a fearefull commination ; Reu. 22.11 . Let him that is filthie be filthie still . And when the soule is invred to an euill habit , it is hardly capable of better impressions and vertuous dispositions . Ier. 13.23 . Can the Black-moore change his skin , or the Leopard his spots ? So hard it is for them to doe well who haue learned to doe euill . The Israelites long acquainted with Egyptian bondage , were loath to leaue it ; but the hurt was their owne , & their losse had beene greater if the Lord had not redeemed them with a strong arme . When sinne pleads prescription , and Sathan possession , the Soule of the Combatant shall finde enough to doe to be rid of it ; for , his bones were filled with the sinnes of his youth , Iob. 20.11 . and now they will sleepe with him in the dust .

Reason 3. It is disasterous . 3. Deferred seeking is dismall and disasterous . He that neglects to day shall haue no time to morrow , Ren. 10.6 . but shall for his negligence purchase an eternitie of displeasure . The rich man , Luk. 12. promised himselfe many dayes of pleasure ; Luk. 12.19 . But thou foole ( saith the Text ) this night shall they fetch away thy soule . And many a man feeds his conceit with an Euening Conuersion , and with the Backe , to spread his wings of Repentance in the twi-light ; but that is not Gods houre , and therefore his head and heart may ake with crying , but shall not be the better , for he shall end his dayes in woe : this is an approued truth , Heb. 12.17 . Esau sought the blessing in vaine , though he sought it with teares , when there was no place for Repentance . Math. 25. The fiue foolish Virgins comming too late , when the Bridegroome was entred , and the doore shut , had a fearefull and finall repulse , I know yee not ; When I called , yee answered not ; Prou. 1.28 . when I said , Returne to me yee sonnes of Adam , yee would not returne : therefore when you shall call vpon me I will not answere ; when you seeke me early I will not be found , &c. Oh , therefore let vs not wast away that little light of time left vs , in gaming , ryoting , reuelling , drinking , dauncing , dallying , swaggering , swearing , &c. but take present hold on it so friendly smyling ; for , as Christ sayd of Iohn Baptist , This is Eliah , if yee will receiue him ; So , I say , This is the time of our repentance , euen this houre , this minute , this moment .

Reason 4 For the performance of this speed requiring dutie , The precepts and examples of others may moue to this dutie . we neither want sufficient Precepts , nor examples of others . First , we haue many incitements and precepts . 1. Of Christ . Walke in the light while yee haue the light , Ioh. 12.35 . And 9.4 . for the night commeth when no man can worke . Ierusalem , Ierusalem , would to God that in this thy day , &c. 2. Of Gods Children , who all are so nearely conioyned in vrging the present opportunitie , that they need not be rehearsed , Eph. 5.16 . Prou. 23.23 . 1 Pet. 5. counselling vs in generall to buy the truth , but not to sell it , to redeeme the time , to gird vp our loines , &c. Secondly , we haue store of examples vnto this dutie , as 1. of Christ , who like a Gyantran his race , and as the Sunne in the firmament he went about preaching the word , Math. 4.23 . doing good , and healing all diseases among the people . He gaue his eyes no sleepe , his eye-lids no slumber , nor the temples of his head any rest , vntill his Father gaue him his Quietus est : Sit thou on my right hand . 2. Of the Angels , who attend the Lord , and doe his heasts and his will at the first command with speed , they make no delayes , but when the Lords pleasure is to doe his message they runne . 3. Of holy and godly men , to whom as soone as the Lord sayth , Seeke my face , they forthwith addresse themselues to it , and shape this answere , Luk. 19.6 . Thy face Lord will we seeke . Zacheus being bidden to come downe from the tree , came downe hastily , and receiued Christ ioyfully . Gen. 31. When God charged Iacob to returne into the land of his Fathers , and to his kindred , he protracted no time , but informing Rahell and Lea of the necessitie of his voyage , he suddenly departed , without taking his leaue of Laban ; and the prophet Dauid sayth of himselfe , Psal. 119.60 . I considered my wayes , and turned my feete vnto thy testimonies , I made haste , and delayed not the time , &c.

Againe , we are taught from the vnreasonable creatures , to obserue our time , Ier. 8.8 . The Storke knoweth her appointed time , the swallow her season . Why should we that are endowed with reason neglect the gracious time , why stand we idle , Math. 20. or sit we gaping one on another ? Gen. 42.1 . Let vs put on the shooes of the preparation of the Gospell on our feete , and let vs take the staues of trauellers in our hands , that so we may make hast to him , who will crowne our righteousnesse imputed by Christ , with glory and immortalitie .

Vse 1 This Doctrine makes against all such as haue a iust opportunitie of Repentance , and yet driue it off . Some are visited with the weightie hand of God , through sicknesse , infirmities , losses , &c. One would thinke this time would wholly presse their Consciences with this so good a dutie , and vrge a perseuerance of humiliation , but yet behold , no sooner is Gods hand remoued from them , but like Horses well fatted , and pampered , they kicke against their maister , and fall to tumbling in their out-casted dung . Others vnder the painefull Ministery , and while the zeale thereof seemes to touch them , are all on the spurre , they will cry , and take on as if they were vtterly destroyed , they will seeme to reforme all whatsoeuer hath beene done amisse ; but like stubborne and deceitfull seruants , ( that stand silent and mute before their masters ) they will laugh , and spend time idlie , and lasciuiously , when they are departed from it : they forget the word , yea , themselues , and so with the dogge they returne to their wonted vomit . 2 Pet. 2.22 . Others are in strength of bodie and soundnesse of the members , and they need not returne to God till they waxe wan , and weake , and feeble : and then ( they say ) is their time . But let me frame such an opponent and times-enemie this answere ; if thou doest not forsake thy sinnes , and turne to God till thou be weake and feeble , then thy sinnes will forsake thee , and not thou them : What thankes is it for a drunkard to giue ouer his drunkennesse , when he is not able any longer to goe to the Alehouse ? Or for the Whoremaster to leaue his whoredome , when he hath no strength for the performance , and execution of his filthie desire ? A man should willingly part with his sinnes euen while he is able to commit them , and not by constraint when there is no remedie . Secondly , the time of weaknesse , dotage , &c. is not Gods appointed opportunitie : If a man would then he cannot soundly turne to God , for all the parts of bodie , and powers of soule will loose their vertue , and neither part nor power can performe their office . Eceles. 12. The brawne of the armes they fall away ; the keepers of the house , that is , the hands which defend the bodie tremble ; the strong men , that is , the legges that should carry the bodie , doe bow themselues , and waxe faint , the eyes that looke out at the windowes are darke , and obscure , the Grinders , that is , the teeth , fall out of the head : the doores of the lips are shut , the iawes fallen , and the daughters of singing , that is , the eares are abased , being vnable any longer to heare the sound of Musicke : the memorie is dulled , the vnderstanding darkned , &c. And further least a man should thinke the time of dotage , and of weaknesse the most conuenient time to seeke the Lord , Salomon brings in that decrepit age , deafe , blind , lame , halt , short winded , full of aches in his bones , cramps in his ioynts , and sundry diseases in his bodie , trembling on a staffe , with shaking lips , and almost robbed of all senses ; as if he might say , Now looke , and tell me whether this weake time , this feeble age , be the acceptable time and day of conuersion ? When this age oppressed Barzillai , then could he say , Can I discerne betweene good and euill ? 2 Sam 19.35 . Haue I any taste in that I eate or drinke , &c. He confessed that his weaknesse was so great , that both bodie and mind were disabled from attending on the King , much more from attending this worke of grace . Others also are readie to plead the mercifulnesse of God , to giue toleration to presumptuous procrastination : Oh , God is mercifull , hereupon the yong man is loose , the drunkard ryotous , the rich man cruell , the swearer blasphemous , the adulterer vicious , and each man adulterate and beastiall in his kinde ; But let such bold flinder-mice know withall , that God is as speedie in iustice to punish the euill and vngodly men , as he is full of mercie for the vse and reward of his owne dearelings . The hope of the wicked is hopelesse , the Lord hath said it , Psal. 18.26 . Prou. 1.28 34. he will visit their iniquities , and laugh at their destruction ; and they shall finde that true ( for all their presumptions ) which the Apostle relateth , Heb. 10.32 . And 12.29 . Rom. 2.4 . viz. that it is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of God , who is a consuming fire . The mercie of God should lead men to repentance , and make preparation for the day of grace . Others are forward to excuse their delay . I pray you , did not the theefe on the Crosse seeke the Lord by Repentance at the last houre of his life , and found him to his comfort ? I grant its true , but it followes not thereon that euery one so seeking shall partake of GODS fauour . This example was extraordinary , and giuen of God , that sinners should not presume , and that true paenitentiaries should not despaire . It is folly and great madnesse to deferre vntill the last , in regard of this one patterne and example , it being left without precept . Fie on this slaggering and staggering of Christians , who gape after Meteors in the aire , cast beyond the Moone , and are doubtfull , when they hazard nothing but vanitie , which would hazard their soules . They murmure at present conuersion , and say with the Disciples , This is an hard saying , who can beare it ? Ioh. 6. Or else they seeke to shift it off as they did , who were called on to re-edifie the Temple , and answered , It is not yet time to build , Hag. 1.2 . &c.

Vse 2 Secondly , this Doctrine may likewise serue for Instruction ; For instruction . God biddeth , and it is our dutie to hold opportunitie by the fore-locke , by a little staying behind , it will slip away , and we shall not be able to catch hold of it . Now the Lord will be found , but anon he is gone , and will absent himselfe , as the Prophet tells vs , Hos. 5.6.7 . They shall goe with their sheepe and their Bullockes to seeke the Lord , but they shall not find him , for he hath with-drawne himselfe from them . Oh , therefore when God putteth any good motion into our hearts of seeking , let vs forthwith addresse our selues vnto it , as Abrahams seruant that was sent to prouide a wife for his son Isaac , when he had had good successe , and well effected the businesse which he came for , hasted home to his Master : And when Rebeccaes friends requested him to stay ten dayes , because they were loath to part with her on the sodaine , he would not yeeld at any hand : No , hinder me not , saith he , Gen. 34.54.55.56 . seeing the Lord hath prospered my iourney , but send me away that I may goe to my Master : So should we suffer nothing at all to hinder vs , but euen make hast to turne to the Lord vpon the first motion . There is a good saying to this purpose in the booke of Ecclesiasticus , Chap. 5.7 . Make no tarrying to seeke the Lord , and put not off from day to day , for sodainly shall the wrath of the Lord breake forth , and in thy securitie thou shalt be destroyed .

Ob : But it will be said , Ob : Hast makes wast , faire and softly goe farre , soft fire makes sweet Malt , the hastie man neuer wanted woe .

Ans: All these be true , Ans. and good often in temporall affaires , yea , and sometimes also in businesses touching the soule ; Esay . 8. Let not him that beleeueth make haste ; be not too credulous of euery thing without triall . But in this case of seeking the Lord , these Prouerbes hold not true , we haue no larger bounds then the present , the instant , the moment . If we slacke our zeale neuer so little , euery baite of drunkennesse , obiect of couetousnesse , presented glance of wantonnesse , will offer it selfe as a temptation , to alter , or at least , to hinder our intended Conuersion . And albeit , they say as the Deuils said to Christ , Math. 8. Why tormentest thou vs before the time ? Yet brethren , the time is alreadie come , and now is , wherein God conuerseth with vs most graciously by his Spirit , and most familiarly by his word , let vs therefore gather Manna early in the morning before the Sunne melt it away , and let vs walke in the light while we haue it , then shall our darkenesse be turned into light , our sorrow into ioy , our baldnesse into beautie , and for sack-cloath we shall be decked with garments of gladnesse ; then shall heauen and earth , Angels and men , and all creatures else clap their hands for ioy of our Conuersion , all meeting in this cloze . Praysed be the Lord , ( who hath such pleasure in his seruants ) that he will be found of them to their Saluation .

Amen . FINIS .