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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A26711) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 47970) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 4:15) Heaven opened, or, A brief and plain discovery of the riches of Gods covenant of grace by R.A. R. A. (Richard Alleine), 1611-1681. [6], 384 p. [s.n.], London : 1665. Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary, New York. eng Covenant theology. Grace (Theology) eebo Heaven opened, or, a brief and plain discovery of the riches of Gods covenant of grace. By R.A. R. A. 1665 398 132169 80 0 0 0 0 0 6.05 B The rate of 6.05 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2011-01 Assigned for keying and markup 2011-01 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2011-02 Sampled and proofread 2011-02 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

HEAVEN OPENED , OR , A Brief and plain DISCOVERY OF THE RICHES OF Gods Covenant OF GRACE .

By R. A.

London , Printed Anno Dom. 1665.

To The Reader . Reader .

THe Providence of God hath led mee on to the publication of the ensuing Treatise , much beyond my first intentions .

There came to my hands A Synopsis of the Covenant of Grace on Gods part , with a Soliloquie annexed ( both penned by the worthy Authour of that form of Mans Covenanting with God , inserted in my Vindiciae Pietatis ) attended with the Authours desires , and of divers other Christians ; that this also might bee incorporated into the same book .

These desires , neither being able to resist , nor willing to deny , I prepared some meditations to bee premised , with a purpose to have put forth another Edition of that Book with this addition ; but finding it to grow into too great a bulk to bee there incerted both this on Gods part , and the former on mans part , come into thy hands in this distinct Treatise ; followed with my Prayers , that the good Land , whereof some Clusters are here presented to thee , may be thine Inheritance , See and take .

Thine , because the Lords Covenant servant . R. A. July 8. 1665.
The Contents . THe Introduction pag. 1 Chap. 1 God himself granted in the Covenant , p. 3

To bee our Friend . Portion . Sun . Shield .

Chap. 2. Christ in the Covenant . 22

As The Light of life . The Lord our righteousness . Our Lord and King . Our head and Husband .

Chap. 3. The Spirit in the Covenant . 35

As a Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation . Holiness and Sanctification . Truth and Direction . Comfort and Consolation .

Chap. 4 The earth in the Covenant . 51

The good things of the Earth . The evil things of the Earth . 1. The Covenant hath its Cross . 2. By vertue of the Convenant , the Cross is a blessing .

The Blessing of the Cross stands , 1. In its being separated from the earth . 2. In its being sanctified to its ends . 3. In its being proportioned to our needs and strength . 4. In the special comforts annexed to it .

Chap. 5. The Angels of light in the Covenant . 74 Chap. 6. The powers of darkness delivered over in the Covenant . 78 Chap. 7. Death in the Covenant p. 84 Chap. 8. The Kingdome in the Covenant . 87 Chap. 9. All the means of salvation in the Covenant . 88

1. External means . 2. Internal means ; In special , a new heart ,

Chap. 10. An heart to know the Lord . 96 Chap. 11. One heart . 114 Chap. 12. An heart of flesh . 141 Chap. 13. An heart to love the Lord . 166 Chap. 14. An heart to fear the Lord . 193 Chap. 15 An Obedient heart . 221 Chap. 16. Perseverance in the Covenant . 249 Chap. 17. A Synopsis of the Covenant of Grace on Gods part , by another hand 262 Chap 18. A Soliloquie representing the Believers Tryumph in Gods Covenant , and the various conflicts , and glorious conquests of faith over unbelief . 316 Chap. 19. An exhortation to sinners , with directions for their entring into Covenant . 342 Chap. 20. A form of words expressing mans covenanting with God . 365 Chap. 21. An Exhortation to the Saints . 369
Heaven Opened , OR , A brief and plain discovery of the Riches of Gods Covenant of GRACE .
The Introduction .

GOod news from Heaven , the day-spring from on high hath visited this undone world , after a Deluge of sin and misery , behold the bow in the Cloud , the Lord God hath made and established a new Covenant , and this is it that hath cast the first beam on the dark state of lost and fallen man ; and hath brought life and immortality to light . This Covenant is the hope of Sinners ; The riches of Saints , the Magna Charta of the City of God . The forfeited Lease of eternity renewed ; Gods Deed of Gift , wherein hee hath on fair conditions , granted sinners their lives , and settled upon his Saints an everlasting Inheritance .

Hear , O yee forlorn Captives ; who have sold your selves to eternal bondage , spoiled your selves of all your glory , sealed your selves up under everlasting misery ; you are dead in your sins , guilty before God , under wrath , under a curse , bound over to eternal vengeance . But behold there is yet hope in Israel concerning this thing ; the Lord God hath taken compassion upon you , hath opened a way for you to escape out of all this misery , and bondage ; Lift up the hands that hang down , comfort the trembling knees ; An Ark , an Ark hath God prepared , in which is salvation from the Flood ; A Covenant , a new Covenant hath hee made , and established , which ( if you lay hold on it ) will recover all you have lost , ransome you from death , redeem you from Hell , and advance you to a more sure and blessed condition , than your original state , from which you have fallen . This is the hope of sinners ; This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord .

Glorious tydings , good news indeed ! but what is this Covenant ? or what is there that is given and granted therein ? Why , in summe there 's all that Heaven and earth can afford ; all that can bee needed , or desired , and this by a firm and irrevokable Deed , made over , and made sure to all that will sincerely embrace it .

Particularly God hath in his Covenant , granted and made over , 1. Himself . 2. His Son . 3. His Spirit . 4. The Earth . 5. The Angels of Light . 6. The Powers of Darkness . 7. Death . 8. The Kingdome . 9. All the means of Salvation .

CHAP. I. God in the Covenant .

1. THe Lord God hath made over himself in this Covenant . That 's the great and comprehensive promise , Jer. 31.33 . I will be their God . I am God , and what I am , 't is all theirs : my self , my glorious incomprehensible essence , all my glorious attributes , my omnipotence , my omniscience , my wisdome , my righteousness , my holiness , mine all-sufficiency , my faithfulness , &c. I will make over my self to them to be henceforth and for ever theirs :

Their Friend , Portion , Sun , Shield .

1. Their Friend . I was angry , but mine anger is turned away : I was an adversary , I had a controversie with them , but I am reconciled , I have found a ransome , the quarrel is composed , my wrath is appeased , I am friends with them ; I will forgive their iniquity , and their sin will I remember no more ; I will take away their iniquity , and receive them graciously ; I will heal their back-sliding , I will love them freely ; for mine anger is turned away from them . Jer. 31.34 . Hos. 14.4 . Glory be to God on high , on earth peace , good will towards men . Fury is not now in me : favour , and friendship , love , and good will , is all they may henceforth expect from me . Sinners , what is there to be feared ? what is there dreadful , but an angry provoked God ? Thence is sorrow and anguish , thence is famine , and pestilence , and sword ; thence is death and hell : he doth not know what the wrath of God means , that doth not see in the bowels of it , all the plagues above ground , and all the vengeance of eternal fire . Whatever terrors , or torments have seized upon thee ; upon thy body , upon thy soul ; whatever losses , crosses , vexations , afflictions , plague thee on this earth ; whatever horrour , and anguish , whatever amazing , confounding torments are like to meet thee , and feed upon thee in the lake beneath , thou mayest say of all this , This is the wrath of God . That day the Lord sayes to thee , Fury is not in me ; he faith also , Fear shall be no more to thee . That hour the Lord saith I am thy friend , Death and Hell vanish . The day is broken , the shaddows fly away . And this is one thing included in that promise [ I am their God ] I am their friend .

2. Their Portion . Fury cease ? Fears vanish ? Friendship , favour , life granted ? But what shall he have to live upon ? Man was never intended to be a self-sufficient ; he was created under a necessity of dependance on somthing without him ; not onely for the continuation of his being , but of the comfort of his being : he cannot live upon the aire , though he hath scaped the fire : the soul of man is too big for all the world ; like Noah's Dove , it can finde no rest below , and where shall it finde it , or on what shall it subsist ? Why God will not starve his friends ; he that hath saved their lives , will finde them a livelyhood ; because there is no other to be found , he himself will be a livelyhood to them ; their portion , their maintenance , and their heritage for ever . As their deliverance is from him , so their dependance shall be on him ; he is their substance , and on him is their subsistence ; Jer. 10.16 . he writes himself the portion of Jacob ; and as such his Saints accept him , Psal. 16.5 . The Lord is the portion of mine Inheritance ; he is their bread , and their water , their stock , and their store . The Lord [ Gives ] portions to his enemies ; not onely the young Ravens , but the old Lions , and Tigers , the worst of men do seek their meat from God , Psal. 17.14 . they have their portion in this life , whose bellies thou fillest with thy hid treasure : they have their portion : some of them have their portion in the City , others a portion in the Field : to some he gives a portion of gold , to others a portion of worldly glory , to others a portion of pleasures ; by all these he deals , as the father of the prodigal , he gives them their portion , and sends them away . But whilst he [ gives ] portions to these , he [ is ] the portion of his Saints , he makes over and settles himself upon them , as their inheritance for ever : they shall never be in want whilst there is in him to supply them ; they shall never be in straits whilst there is in him to relieve them : all their wants be upon me .

The Lord is their Portion , and he is a sufficient portion . With thee is the fountain of life , Psal. 36. In thy presence is fulness , Psal. 16. The Lord God is all things to them , enough and to spare : In my Fathers house there is bread enough , and to spare . He that hath all things below God , but not God , hath nothing ; he that hath nothing besides God , but hath God , hath all things ; enough and to spare : filling up , and running over ; there 's still more to be had , if more could be held : the soul hath never enough , till it hath more then enough ; is never full till it runs over : while it can contain and measure and number all that it has , this is its judgement of all , Pauperis est numerare pecus .

In God is enough for filling up and running over ; enough there is in him to fill up all their faculties ; their understandings ; there are infinitely beautiful perfections , where we may gaze and glut our eyes with unspeakable delight ; but when we have looked the farthest into them , when the most searching eye , the most greedy thoughts have searched and run their utmost , they come not near the end : they shall look , and look , and see and see , and when they can reach no farther , then they shall admire at those treasures of light and beauty that are still beyond them . Admiration is the understanding full , and running over : when it s nonplust , and can reach no further , then it wonders at what it perceives still beyond it . The Apostle tells us Eph. 3.18 . that the Gospel ( which presents God in flesh ) hath in it , an height , and depth , and length , and bredth ; and I may tell you from him , 't is an height without top , a depth without bottome , a length without limits , a bredth without bounds ; in one word , immensity , unmeasurable , and therefore unspeakable , unsearchable glory . Whilst the blind world deride and despise the portion of the Saints , looking on God and all the things of God , as shallow things , that have no depth in them ; they will be found by those that search into them , to be deep things that have no bottome in them , 1 Cor. 2. the deep things of God . All the raptures , and extasies of glorious joyes of the Saints in the other world , are the running over of their eyes upon their hearts , and do break in upon them from their vision of God .

There 's enough to fill up their wills and affections : there 's infinite goodness , incomprehensible love , marvellous loving kindness , unspeakable delights , glorious joyes , Psal. 31.19 . Oh! how great is the goodness which thou hast laid up for those that fear thee ! Oh! how great is the goodness ! 'T is vox admirantis , an admiring word ; great beyond expression , great beyond imagination ; Eye hath not seen , ear hath not heard , neither have entred into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love him : and 't is vox exultantis , of an heart leaping for joy , rejoycing in hope of the glory of God , which is laid up for his Saints . Laid up ! where ? Why laid up in himself ; that 's the fountain , that 's the treasury ; there 's love , there 's joy , there 's satisfaction , our life is hid with Christ in God . Oh love the Lord all ye his Saints . O bless the Lord all ye his Saints . He that is mighty hath done for you great things : since the beginning of the world men have not heard , nor perceived by the ear , neither hath the eye seen , oh God besides thee , what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him , Isa. 64.4 . or as 't is in the margin , There hath not been heard or seen a God besides thee , which doth so for him that waiteth for him .

There 's enough to fill up our time ; there 's admiring work , and praising work for ever : there 's matter for love , and joy to live , and feed upon for ever ; endless praises , eternal pleasures , everlasting rejoycings , Isa. 35. Everlasting Joy , Psal. 16. pleasures for evermore . There 's enough to reward all our labours , and repay all our expences : there 's a full reward ; Gen. 15.1 . Fear not Abram , I am thy shield , and exceeding great reward . Christian , thou shalt not serve the Lord for nought , he will reward thee , and 't is little in his eyes , that thou shouldest serve him for corn , and for wine , for sheep and for oxen ; yea for the crowns and kingdoms of this world : these shall not be thine hire ; the everlasting God will be thy reward , thine exceeding great reward : exceeding , not thy work only , but thy very thoughts also : A little is too much for thy earnings , but the whole world is too little for his bounty : less than nothing might satisfie for thy labours , but less than himself will not satisfie for his love : the eternal God will be thy reward . Oh the unsearchable riches of the poorest of Saints ! Onimium foelices , — bona si sua nôrint . Poor ? what and yet hast a God! In want ? what and yet hast all things ? Is he a God that is thine , and art thou still in straits ? Would a few sheep and oxen , vineyards , and olive-yards , make thee a rich man , and can a God leave thee a beggar ? Is not a pearl more than pebbles ? Milk and wine , than mud and water ? Men use to say , Money is all things : meat , and drink , and clothes , and friends , and lands ; virtually all things . And is not God more than money ? Sure he hath said to his Gold [ thou art my god ] that cannot say , Let God be mine , and then go thou thy way . Hast thou a God , and yet poor ? Nay farther , would the fatness of the earth , and the fulness of heaven , if thou hadst both , be enough for thee ? Would corn , and wine , and houses , and lands , and pleasures here , and eternal life hereafter suffice thee ? And is not God alone as much as all this ? Dost thou want Star-light when thou hast the Sun ? Is the Ocean more full for the Rivers that run into it ? Or , would there be any want there , if all these were stopp'd and dry ? Can they contribute to it , which have their rise from it ? Hath the almighty God a self-sufficiency , and hath he not enough to satisfie a poor worm ? Is he blessed in himself , and mayest not thou be blessed in him ? He that thinks any thing less then God will suffice , understands not a soul ; and he that wants any thing more , understands not God . God alone is as much as God and all the world ; and this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord , God is their portion .

If enough be not yet said , look a while , and consider whence thou art taken up into this blessedness : What hast thou left ? What an exchange hast thou made ? Thou wert taken with the Prodigal from the trough , with the beggar from the dunghil , yea as a brand out of the burning ; there thy lot was fallen . Oh where hast thou left the rest of the world ? Blessing themselves in vanity , pleasing themselves with shaddows , and apparitions , feeding on ashes , warming themselves at their painted fires , sporting themselves with the wind , rejoycing in a thing of nought ; their crackling thorns , their glozing pleasures , their drinkings , and dancings , and riotings , their horses , and their dogs , and their hawks , and their harlots ; making a shift a while to make merry with these , whilst they are hasting to the pit , To that fire and brimstone which is the portion of their cup.

Consider man , what is the chaffe to the wheat ? What is a Comet to the Sun ? What is the night to the day ? What are bubbles and childrens toyes to ●…e durable riches ? What are things that are no● , to h●m whose name is [ I am ? ] But oh what is death , and wrath , and the curse , which was once all thine heritage ; to that life , and love , and peace , and joy and glory , which thou now possessest in that God that is thy portion ? What a poor wretch wert thou once , when thou hadst nothing but sin , and shame , and misery , that thou couldst call thine own ? these thou mightest call thine ; sin was thine , woe was thine , death , and the grave , and the curse , and the pit were thine own ; but that was all thou hadst ; thy good things thou livedst upon had they been of never so great value , were none of thine ; thine house , and thy lands are none of thine : thy gold , and thy silver , and thy substance are none of thine ; they are all but borrowed , or committed to thee as a Steward , and all to be given up upon demand ; and what thou hast spent of them , thou must be brought to a reckoning for ; a poor wretch thou wert , and hadst just nothing , all that thou hadst was none of thine .

But now God is thine own , all that he is , all that he has is thine ; never couldest thou lay such a claim to any thing thou possessedst ; to house , or wife , or childe , or body , or soul , as now thou mayest to thy God . God is as surely thine as thou art thy self ; as sure as thou art a man , thou hast a God .

Come Christian , here 's now thy po●tion , the light of thine eyes , the lifting up of thinehead , the joy of thine heart , the strength of thy bones , thy stock , thy treasure , thy life , thy health , thy peace , thy rest , thy all ; Whom have I in heaven but thee , and in the earth there is none that I desire besides thee . My flesh and mine heart faileth , but God is the strength of mine heart , and my portion for ever . Psal. 73.25,26 . Here is thy portion , know it for thy good , take it for thine own ; live upon it , and live up to it .

1. Live upon thy portion . Here thou mayest feed , herein thou mayest rejoyce , herein thou mayest bless thy self for ever . Let him that blesseth himself on the earth , bless himself in the God of Truth . Let him that rejoyceth in the earth , rejoyce in the God of truth . Let the strong man live upon his strength , let the wise man live upon his wits , let the rich man live upon his lands , come thou live upon thy God ; come enjoy God and thy soul ; enjoy God in thy soul , enjoy thy soul in God . Thou hast possession , what should hinder thy fruition ? In fruition the Schools tells us there are three things , which go to the making it up ; Cognitio , Delectatio , Quietatio .

1. Knowledge ; according to the clearness or cloudiness of our apprehensions of any good , we more or less take the pleasure or comfort of it ; and therefore the full fruition of God is not till at last , when we shall know as we are known : Here we see but as in a glass , and darkly ; we know but in part , and while we know but in part , we love but in part ; and joy but in part ; the dimness of our sight makes an abatement upon our joy : When the vail shall be taken away , when we shall come to see face to face , then we shall fully feel what it is to have a God . Christian , know thou the God of thy Fathers ; the more thou knowest the more thou hast .

The carnal world enjoy not God at all : God is not known in their Tabernacles : In Jewry is God known , his Name is great in Israel : at Salem is his Tabernacle , and his Dwelling in Zion . But what of God in Edom , or Ammon , or Amaleck , or Aegypt , those dark Regions wherein neither Sun nor Star appears ? Leave them to their dunghil gods , to the gardens which they have desired , and the Oaks which they have chosen . The Lord is before thee , know it for thy good . Study thy God Christian , roul over his sweetness in thy minde , as thou dost the sweet morsel in thy mouth ; see what he is , and what thou hast laid up in him : read over daylie his glorious names ; walk through those chambers of his presence , his glorious Attributes ; look into the chamber of his power , and see what thou hast laid up for thee there ; go into the chamber of his wisdome , and see what that will afford thee ; look into the chambers of his goodness , mercy , faithfulness , holiness , and behold what treasures are laid up for thee in each of these : enter into thy chambers , they are all thine ; enter into the chambers , set thine eye be there , let thy meditation be there , let thy soul be there every day ; there 's thy portion , search it out , and know it for thy good . This is the first thing contained in Fruition , Knowledge .

2. Delight . Fruition is the taking the pleasure of what we have ; Frui est cum gaudio uti : Augustine . We cannot enjoy what we do not love , and love hath delight . We cannot enjoy that wherein we do not joy . Delight thy self in the Lord , Psal. 37.4 . I sate me down under his shaddow with great delight , Cant. 2.3 . If his shaddow be so pleasant , what will his Sun-beams be ? Psal. 34.8 . O taste and see that the Lord is good . Our senses help our understandings ; we cannot by the most rational discourse perceive what the sweetness of honey is , taste it and you shall perceive it . His fruit was sweet unto my taste . Dwell in the light of the Lord , and let thy soul be alwayes ravished with his love . Get out the marrow and the fatness that thy portion yeilds thee . Let fools learn by beholding thy face , how dim their blazes are to the brightness of thy day .

Let thy delights in God be pure and unmixed delights . Let thy spirit be so filled with God , and so raised above carnal joyes , and the matters of them , that it be no damp upon thee to have nothing but God . Thy wine is the more sprightful when not mixed with water : Live above in that serene Ayre which is not incrassated with earthly exhalations . Sickly bodies , and so sickly souls cannot live in too pure an Ayr. Be so wholly spiritual , that spiritual joyes , spiritual delights may be suited to thee , and sufficient for thee . Do not say I want the joy of the Vintage , and of the Harvest ; I want the joy of the Bridegroom , and of the Bride ; I want the sound of the Milstones , and the light of the Candle , to make my comfort full . Let the joy of the Lord be thy strength , and thy life : Say with the Prophet Habbak. 3.17,18 . Although the Fig-tree shall not blossome , neither shall fruit be in the Vines , the labour of the Olive shall fail , and the Fields shall yeild no meat , the Flock shall be cut off from the fold , and there shall be no Herd in the stalls ; yet will I rejoyce in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation . This is the second thing in Fruition , Delight .

3. Satisfaction . The quiet , or resting of the soul in its portion : Therefore the Schools say , it is onely the ultimus finis , the last end , that is the proper object of fruition . The carnal world , whatever they possess , yet they cannot be said properly to enjoy it ; though they be their gods that they live upon ( their dragg is their god , their yarn is their god , their plough , and their plenty , and their pleasure is their god , they burn incense to them ) though they be their gods that they live upon , yet they cannot enjoy them ; there is no rest for them in their god , Psal. 25.12,13 . What man is he that feareth the Lord , his soul shall dwell at ease : In the Original 't is , shall lodge in goodness . The soul is never in ease whilest 't is in want , every want wrings ; it can never take up its lodging where it cannot take its rest . His soul shall be at ease , shall lodge , that is , shall take up its rest in the goodness of God : and when we finde rest in our beds , then we enjoy them . Is thy soul lodg'd in God ? O enjoy thy lodging : Soul , take thine ease , thou hast goods laid up for many years . Return to thy rest O my soul , for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee . As it was said [ to ] so let it be said [ by ] the Church and every Saint , This is my rest , here will I dwell for ever . Here thou mayest find rest , when thou hast no other rock to lean upon : thou mayest be at rest in thy God , in thy most restless state ; in a weary land , in a barren wilderness , in a tempestuous Ocean : how ever it was in the vision of the Prophet , yet thou mayest say , if the wind rise , the Lord is in the wind ; if after the wind an earthquake , the Lord is in the earthquake ; if after the earthquake a fire , the Lord God is in the fire ; and where-ever thou findest God , thou mayest find rest . If thou findest God in a wilderness , thou wilt find rest in the wilderness ; if thou find God in the earthquake , or the tempest , or the fire , even there also thy soul shall find rest : when thou canst not rest in thy bed , nor in thine house , nor in thy land , thou mayest still rest in thy God . Say Christian , say again , Return to thy rest , oh my soul , for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with me . Though my helps fail me , and my friends fail me , and my flesh and my heart fails me , God is the strength of mine heart , and my portion for ever ; this is my rest , here will I dwell for ever .

To these I might add a fourth thing wherein Fruition stands ; The making use of our Portion . He enjoys that uses what he hath ; though the Schools distinguish betwixt frui and uti : yet in a sense ( especially with a respect to our present estate ) the latter may be comprehended under the former . We then enjoy our portion , when we have a power and heart to make use of it on all occasions . I am thine , soul , come and make use of me as thou wilt : Thou mayest freely , I have nothing , but 't is for thee ; thou mayest freely come to my store , and the oftner the better welcome ; have thou not a God lying by thee to no purpose ; let not thy God be as others gods , serving only for a shew : Have not a name only that thou hast a God ; since he allows thee , having such a friend use him daily , my God shall supply all your wants ; never want whilest thou hast a God , never fear or faint whilest thou hast a God ; go to thy treasure and take what-ever thou needest ; there 's bread , and clothes , and health , and life , and all that thou needest . O Christian , learn the divine skill to make God all things , to make bread of thy God , and water , and health , and friends , and ease ; he can supply thee with all these ; or , which is better , he can be instead of all these : thy food , thy clothing , thy friend , thy life to thee . All this he hath said to thee in this one word , I am thy God ; and hereupon thou mayest say , I have no husband , and yet I am no widow , my maker is mine husband . I have no father nor friend , and yet I am neither fatherless nor friendless ; my God is both my father and my friend . I have no childe , but is not he better to me than ten children ? I have no house , but yet I have an home , I have made the most high mine habitation . I am left alone , but yet I am not alone , my God is good company for me ; with him I can walk , with him I can take sweet counsel , finde sweet repose ; at my lying down , at my rising up , whilest I am in the house , as I walk by the way , my God is ever with me ; with him I travel , I dwell , I lodge , I live , and shall live for ever .

2. Live up to your priviledge . Live according to your rank and quality , according to your riches laid up for you in God . The rich men of this world live like rich men , they sort themselves with persons of their own quality , attend on the Courts of Princes , are employed about the magnalia regum : you may read their estates in the whole way of their life ; they wear them on their backs , spread their Tables with them , fill their bellies with them ; they live sumptuously , and fare delicately . Christians , feed not on ashes or husks , you have better meat ; you have milk and honey , marrow and fatness , the hidden manna , the bread that comes down from heaven , the water of life ; you have blessed priviledges , precious promises , lively hopes , living comforts , glorious joyes , the fountain of life to feed your souls upon ; come , eat , O friends ; drink , yea drink abundantly , O my beloved ; out-fare the rich man , Luke 16. who fared deliciously every day : you have enough to maintain it ; let every day be a gaudy day , a feast-day with you .

Let your clothing be according to your feeding . Be clothed with the Sun ; put on the Lord Jesus . The King's Daughter is ( and so let all the King's Sons be ) all glorious within , let their clothing be of wrought gold : Be clothed with humility , put on love , bowels of compassion , gentleness , meekness ; put on the garments of salvation .

Let your company and converse be according to your clothing . Live amongst the excellent , amongst the generation of the just : Get you up to the General Assembly and Church of the first-born , to that innumerable company of Angels , and the Spirits of just men made perfect . Live in the Courts of the great King , behold his face , wait at his Throne , bear his name , shew forth his vertues , set forth his praises , advance his honour , uphold his Interest ; let vile persons , and vile wayes be contemned in your eyes , be of more raised spirits than to be companions with them , Disce ex hac parte , sanctam superbiam , scito te illis esse meliorem . Regard not their societies , nor their scorns , their Euge's or their Apage's , their flatteries or their frowns ; rejoyce not with their joyes , fear not their fear , care not their care , feed not on their dainties ; get you up from among them , to your Country , to your City , where no unclean thing can enter or annoy . Live by faith , in the power of the Spirit , in the beauty of holiness , in the hope of the Gospel , in the joy of your God , in the magnificence , and yet the humility of the children of the great King .

3. Their Sun . He will discover and make manifest to them , the riches and glory of their Portion : He hath granted them himself for their portion , and he will reveal and make manifest to them what a portion he is . He will make manifest both their blessedness they shall enjoy in him , and the way to it , and also the dangers that lye in the way ; Psal. 84.11 . The Lord God is a Sun . The Sun is the light of the world , it discovers it self , and all things else : We cannot see the glory of the Sun but by its own light ; the Moon , the Stars , the Firmament , and all this lower World , would all disappear , if the Sun withdrew its light ; beauty and deformity , safety and danger , the right way and the wrong , are all brought to view by the light of the Sun ; the Sun-light makes the day , night is spread over the world when the Sun is set . God is glorious , but who would be ever the wiser did not this glory shine ? Psal. 36.9 . In thy light we shall see light . Why is the glorious God apprehended , understood , admired by so few amongst the sons of men ? why , he is out of sight , the Sun is not risen upon them , nor shines unto them : they have Moon-light , or Star-light , some dimmer reflections of this glory at second hand from the creatures , but they see not the Sun .

What 's the reason that truth and falshood , good and evil , substances and shaddows , things perishing , and things permanent , are no better distinguished ? VVhat 's the reason that men are so mistaken , and misguided in their judgements , in their choice , in their way ? That they are at such a loss , such wanderers from their bliss ? what 's the reason that mens own sparks , the light of their own fires , their candle-light , or torch-light , their fleshly imaginations , their carnal prosperity , their pleasures , their ease , their earthly glory , and their carnal joyes that hence flash up to them , are so ador'd and admir'd by them ? Oh , they see not the Sun . God is out of sight , and thence are all their dotages , and foolish mistakes and miscarriages . God will be a Sun to his Saints [ their ] Sun . [ Thy Sun ] shall no more go down . They shall have both the propriety and the comfort of this glorious Sun ; he will shew them his face , he will cause his glory to appear , he will lead them into himself by his own beams ; he will shew them their end , and the means ; the goal , and their way to it ; he will shew them the good part , and the right path : good and evil , duties and sins , realities and delusions , helps and hindrances , dangers and advantages , their snares and their succours , will all be discovered to them by the light of the Lord .

Hearken thou poor and dark soul , that hast chosen , but thou knowest not what ; that art going , but thou knowest not whither ; that art wandring and stumbling on , but thou carest not how ; that complainest thou canst not see , thou canst not value , thou canst not be affected with all the glory and joy of the invisible world ; that findest thy husks , and thy trash , to be a greater pleasure to thee , than all the riches of immortality ; that wouldest fain mind , and chuse , and love , and relish , and seek God , and things above , but thou canst not ; thou seest so little of the beauty of them , that they do not entice thine heart after them ; and when thou art seeking , thou art at a loss , and in the dark , as to the way that thou shouldest take . Hearken soul , thy God calls to thee , Come unto me , look unto me , and I will be thy Sun . I le shew thee all that glory , and the right way that will bring thee to it . I promise thee I will , trust me , I will be a light unto thee .

4. Their Shield , Psal. 84.11 . The Lord God is a Sun and a [ Shield . ] The gods of the earth are so stiled , Psal. 47.9 . The shields of the earth : much more the God of glory . Ephes. 6.16 . Faith is called a shield : Above all taking the shield of Faith , it signifies the same , as God is a shield . Faith is to the soul what-ever God is . This is the grace that entitles the soul to God , and applies God to the soul , Gen. 15.1 . Fear not Abraham , I am [ thy ] shield . What 's promised to the Father of the faithful , stands sure to all the seed , Rom. 4.16 . The state of Christians in this life is a militant state ; a state full of hardships and hazards . By reason whereof , as richly as they are provided for , they are subject to fears of being undone , and spoiled of all . They are in fears about things eternal : they have spiritual adversaries , that lye in wait for their souls , that fight against their souls , that are tempting them and enticing them from their God , that watch their opportunities to steal away their God , by stealing away their hearts from him ; and such dangerous attempts of this kind they meet withall , that they often are in great doubt what the issue may be . They are in fears about things temporal ; their names are shot at ; their liberties are invaded ; their estates , with all the comforts of their lives , are in danger to be made a prey : to day they are a praise , to morrow a scorn : to day they are full and abound , but to morrow they may have nothing left : they dye daily ; they are killed all the day long .

But what-ever their dangers and their fears thereupon are , here 's sufficient provision made against all . God is their shield .

Christian , thou hast enough , and all that thou hast is in safety . Thou art compassed about with a shield , secur'd on all hands , there 's no coming at thee . What-ever assaults are made , thy God is a wall of partition , betwixt thee and harm . They are not shields of brass and iron thou are furnish'd with , the strong God is thy defence . Wherefore dost thou doubt , O thou of little faith ? A Christian and yet afraid ? shifting for thy self ? taking care for the Asses , and Oxen , and Sheep ? vexing , and loading , and losing thy self , in thy cares and fears from day to day ? Where is thy God man ? Doth not God take care for Oxen , and Asses , and all that thou hast ?

But oh what meanest thou in this , to be shifting thy self from danger , by shrinking back from thy God ? securing thy self from affliction , by taking sanctuary in Iniquity ? What art thou doing , but throwing away thy shield , to save thee from harm ? making a breach in thy wall , to keep thee in safety ? Gen. 17.1 , &c. chap. 15.1 . Walk before me , and be thou perfect : follow thou me , stick to me , and then Fear not Abraham , I am thy shield . This now is the first and great promise of the Covenant , [ I am thy God ] and the second is like unto it .

CHAP. II. Christ in the Covenant .

2. GOd hath put Christ into the Covenant , and made over him to his people , Isa. 42.6 . I will give thee for a Covenant . He who is promised , as the chief matter , the Mediator , Surety , Scope of the Covenant , is by a metonymy , called the Covenant . I will give thee for a Covenant ; that is , I covenant to give thee to the people . Whatever glory and blessedness there is in the fruition of God ; wo is me , there is a great gulfe fixed between me and it , over which there is no passing ; there 's a partition-wall raised , over which there 's no climbing ; there 's an hand-writing against me , whilst that stands , all that is in God is nothing to me : Were this God mine , I had enough . Let me be put to labour , or suffering , let me dig , or beg , or starve , and die ; whether I be rich or poor , have somthing or nothing , be a praise or a reproach , it matters not , so God were mine .

But oh how may I obtain ? Who shall bring me to God ? why the Lord God hath given thee his Son , to undertake for thee ; and to be thy way unto the Father , Heb. 11.19,20 .

Jesus Christ , who is the morning star , the Sun of righteousness ; the Image of the Invisible God ; the first-born of every creature ; by whom are all things , who is before all things , the head of the body the Church ; who is the beginning , the first-born from the dead : In whom dwells all fulness , even the fulness of the Godhead bodily ; who hath made peace by the blood of his Cross . Col. 1. and chap. 2. Whose Name is Wonderful , Councellor , the mighty God , the everlasting Father , the Prince of Peace , Isa. 9.6 . This Jesus is granted thee in the Covenant , to bring thee to God . To which blessed and glorious purpose he is exhibited , 1. As the Light of Life . 2. As the Lord our Righteousness . 3. As our Lord and King . 4. As our Head and Husband .

1. As the light of Life . A light to lighten the Gentiles , and the glory of thy people Israel . Luk. 1.32 . In him was life , and the life was the light of men , John 1.4 . He that followeth me shall have the light of life , John 8.12 . there is a light that serves to kill , and destroy , to bring death and condemnation to light : the light of the Law , that killing letter , concerning which the Apostle , Rom. 7.9,10 . When the commandment came , sin revived , and I died ; the commandment which was ordained to life , I found to be unto death . But Christ brings life and immortality to light ; heaven , glory , the invisible God , which are lost , out of reach , and out of ken , are all discovered in the face of Jesus Christ , 2 Cor. 4.6 . To give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ . He is the Image of the Invisible God , the brightness of his Fathers glory , the glass in which by reflection we see the Sun . John 14.8,9 . Shew us the Father , and it suffices us . Why sayes he , Hast thou known me , Philip ! and yet sayest , shew us the Father ? He that hath seen me , hath seen the Father ; and this is the light of life , John 17.3 . this is life eternal , that they might know thee the onely true God , and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent .

2. As the Lord our righteousness . This is his Name Jer. 23.6 . He shall be called the Lord our righteousness . To this end he is given to us ,

1. As our propitiatory Sacrifice , 1 John 2. The propitiation for our sins , 1 Cor. 5. Christ our Passover , Rev. 13.8 . A lamb slain from the beginning of the world . Our price , our ransome ; to satisfie Justice , pacifie wrath , discharge from the Curse ; to blot out the hand-writing , break down the wall of partition ; to finish the transgression , to make an end of sins , to make reconciliation for iniquity , to bring in everlasting righteousness , and so to bring us to God . What-ever difficulties there appear in thy way , what-ever doubts arise in thine heart , from thy sins , from thy guilt , from thy poverty , from thy impotence ; what-ever objections thy fears may hence put in , there 's the blood of the Lamb , that will answer all . Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us .

2. As a merciful and faithful high Priest . Heb. 2.17 . who hath made an attonement for us in the earth , and appears for us in heaven ; who hath made reconciliation for us , and makes intercession for us , Heb. 9.24 . to appear in the presence of God for us : we read Exod. 28.12.29 . That Aaron as the type of Christ , was to bear the names of the children of Israel , engraven in stones , upon his shoulders , and upon his breast-plate , when he went into the holy place , for a memorial before the Lord continually . Our Lord is entred into the Heavens , to appear in the presence of God , with our names upon his shoulders , and upon his heart , for a memorial before the Lord ; there is not the least of Saints , but there his name is engraven . Here 's my ransome Lord , and behold my ransomed ones . Here 's my price , and my purchase , my redemption and my redeemed . What-ever accusers there be , what-ever charge be laid against them , what-ever guilt lies upon them , here are the shoulders that have born all that was their due , and payd all that they owe ; and upon these shoulders , and in this heart thou mayest read all their names ; and when thou readest , remember what I have done for them ; and acquit , absolve , and let them be accepted before thee for ever . Remember the tears of these eyes , the stripes on this back , the shame of this face , the groans of this body , the anguish of this soul , the blood of this heart ; and when thou remembrest , what-ever name thou findest engraven upon this heart , and upon these shoulders ; they are the persons whose all these are ; and what-ever these are , what-ever acceptance they have found with thee , what-ever satisfaction thou hast found in them , put it upon their account : never let me be accounted the accepted , if they be rejected ; never let me be accounted righteous , if they lye under the imputation of wicked . If they be not righteous in my righteousness , I must be guilty under their guilt . What-ever I am , what-ever my satisfaction is , all is theirs : for them they plead , for them they pray ; my tears , stripes , wounds , groans , anguish , soul , blood , they all cry and say , Father forgive them , Father accept them .

Of all cryes , there are no such strong cries as the cry of blood , and that whether it be against , or for the guilty ; its voice shall be heard on high . Thy brothers blood cryeth unto me from the ground . Gen. 4. and what followed ? Wo to those persons against whom blood cryeth : but where blood , such blood cries for them , for pardon , for mercy , blessed are those souls .

Christian , this blood is for thee , it speaks better things than the blood of Abel , Heb. 12. it pleads , sues , presses for thy discharge from all that is upon thee . Thou hast many cries against thee ; Sathan cries , thy sins cry , thine own heart , thy conscience cries against thee ; and thou art amazed at the dreadful noise they make ; but behold the blood of the Lamb , the blood of God cries for thee . Thou hast an accuser , but thou hast an acquitter : thou hast adversaries , but thou hast an advocate . An Advocate with the Father , Jesus Christ the righteous , who is the propitiation for thy sins : 1 John 2. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ? It is God that justifieth : who is he that condemneth , it is Christ that died ; yea rather , that is risen again , who is even at the right hand of God , who also maketh intercession for us . Rom. 8.33,34 .

Nay far●her , thou hast not onely a righteous , but a merciful high Priest ; that is provided of a Sacrifice , and hath an heart to offer it for thee : thy name is in his heart as well as on his shoulders ; in his bowels as well as on his back . He hath blood for thee , precious blood ; and he hath bowels for thee , pitiful bowels . He can have pity and compassion on the miserable , Heb. 5.2 . if he can finde no other , he can finde arguments enough from thy wo , and thy misery , to draw forth his soul towards thee . He is merciful , and his mercies are tender mercies ; he is pittiful , and his compassions are tender compassions : thou art not so tender , of the wife of thy bosome , of the childe of thy bowels ; thou art not so tender of thine own flesh , of the apple of thine eye , of thine own soul , as thy Lord is of thee : His spirit is moved for thee , his soul melts over thee , he bleeds in thy wounds , he suffers in thy sorrows , his eye weeps , his heart breaks over thy broken and undone state ; fear not his forgetting thee , his bowels will remember him of thee .

He is a merciful and a [ faithful ] high Priest . No dignity to which he is exalted above thee , no distance to which he is removed from thee , can make him forget his friends ; He is gone into the heavens , and there exalted far above all Principalities and Powers , and set down at the right hand of God . He is gone , but he hath carried thy name with him , as a perpetual memorial for thee . Thou art unfaithful , shame to thee ; thou forgettest thy Lord at every turn ; every business that comes , every trouble that comes , every pleasure that comes , every companion that comes in , makes thee forget thy Lord ; forget his love , forget thy duty ; Oh how small a matter will steal thy heart from him , yea stir up tumults and rebellions against him . Thy comforts , thy hopes , thy needs thou hast daily of him , will not all prevail to hold him in remembrance with thee . Thou forgettest thy Lord , but he will not forget thee , though thou hast been unfaithful in many things , yet he is in nothing ; 2 Tim. 2.13 . Yet he abideth faithful , he cannot deny himself ; he should not be true to himself , if he be not faithful to thee ; his interest lies in thee ; thou art his , his possession , a member of his body , fear not ; if he should be unfaithful to thy soul , he is therein unfaithful to his own body . If thy case be such that he can help thee , if there be any thing wherein he can stead thee ; if all that he hath , his blood , his righteousness , his interest with the Father , will be sufficient for thy help , he hath undertaken to procure it for thee , and secure it to thee . Faithful is he that hath called you , and will do it .

This now is that Jesus that is given unto us ; as our propitiatory Sacrifice , as our merciful and faithful high Priest , who suffered on the earth , and is gone into the heavens for us ; standing in his red robes , garments rolled in blood , with those glorious whites upon the red ; pardon , peace , absolution , acceptance ; with the names of his ransomed ones engraven upon his heart , and upon his shoulders : This is that Jesus who is , THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS .

3. As our Lord and King . A King shall reigne in righteousness , in him shall the Gentiles trust . Zach. 9.9 . Shout O daughter of Zion , behold [ thy ] King cometh . Isa. 9.6 . The Government shall be on his shoulder . God hath more care of his Saints , than to leave the government of them on their own shoulder . Is not her King in her ?

He is a King to gather them , a King to govern them , a King to defend and save them ; to save them from their temporal enemies , the sons of violence , the men of this evil world ; from their spiritual enemies , to save them from their sins . Thou shalt call his name Jesus , for he shall save his people from their sins , Matth. 1.21 . 'T is a mercy to be under government ; under government , and under protection . What would become of us , were there no King in Israel ? Where there 's no King , all are kings ; more kings than men : Sathan will be king , every lust will be a lord , as many kings as there are devils and sins . Whither would our unruly hearts carry us ? How easily would our wily and potent enemies ruine us ? What tyrannie would sin exercise within ? What cruelty should we suffer from without ? Whither should we wander ? where should we fix ? What peace , what order , what stability ? Whence should counsel , and protection , and salvation come , were there no Lord over us ? 'T is a mercy to be under government ; but to be under such a government , under a king , and such a King ? such a wise and potent King , such a meek and merciful King , such an holy and a righteous King ? O what a wonder of mercy ! Rejoyce greatly O daughter of Zion , shout O daughter of Jerusalem , behold thy King cometh unto thee , he is just , and having salvation ; lowly , and riding upon an asses colt , &c. Zach. 9.9 . [ He is just having salvation ] as a Priest he hath purchased , as a King he bestows his salvation . He comes not to get , but to give ; not to give Lawes only , but to give Gifts unto men ; and he gives like a King , Palmes , Crowns , and Thrones ; salvation to his people by the remission of their sins . Oh how unthankful , oh how foolish is this rebellious world ? Impatient of subjection ? shake off the yoke ? groan under duty ? under discipline ? We will not have this man to rule over us ? Who then shall save you ? hard to be a Christian ? strict laws , severe discipline , no liberty ? Is this thy complaint ? that is , wo is me , I am so limited , and hedg'd in on all hands , that there 's no liberty left me to be miserable ; if I will be his , I must be happy .

Let fools inherit their own folly , but let Israel rejoyce in him that made him , let the children of Zion be joyful in their King ; for the Lord taketh pleasure in his people , he will beautifie the meek with salvation . Lift up your heads , O ye Gates , and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors , and the King of glory shall come in . Who is this King of glory ? the Lord of hosts , yea the Lord our righteousness , he is the King of glory . The Lord is our Judge , the Lord is our Law-giver , the Lord is our King , he will save us . Praise ye the Lord . Come all ye Nimrods , ye mighty hunters on the earth : come all ye sons of Anak , ye seed of the Giants ; come all ye sons of Belial , ye seed of the Adulterer and of the whore ; come all ye Ishmaelites and Ammonites , ye Moabites and Hagarenes ; associate , confederate , take counsel together ; smite with the tongue , bite with the teeth , push with the horn , kick with the heel ; come all ye gates of hell , and powers of darkness ; thou dragon with all thy armies , with all thy fiery darts , and instruments of death ; come thou king of terrors , with thy fatal dart : the Virgin , the Daughter of Zion hath despised you all , she hath laughed you to scorn : the Daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at you ; her King is in the midst of her ; the Lord is her King , he will save her .

4. As our head and husband . He that is given to be head over all things [ to ] the Church , is given to be the head [ of ] the Church , Eph. 1.22,23 . and of every member in particular , 1 Cor. 11.3 . Believers are all joyned to the Lord , 1 Cor. 6.17 . United [ in ] Christ as fellow members ; united [ unto ] Christ as their common head . From which all the body , by joynts , and bands , having nourishment ministred , and knit together , increaseth with the increase of God . Coloss. 2.19 . they are married to Christ , 2 Cor. 11.2 . I have espoused you to one husband .

From this Union follows : 1. A Communication of Influences . 2. A Complication of Interests .

1. A Communication of Influences . [ Having nourishment ministred ] Christ our head , is our fountain of life . Our head is our heart also , out of it are the Issues of life ; from him we live , and are nourished and maintained in life . He is our Joseph , all the treasures of the holy Land are with him . In him are hid all the treasures of Wisdome and Knowledge , Coloss. 2.3 . It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell : Coloss. 1.19 . He is the onely begotten Son of God , full of grace and truth .

Here note ,

1. What grace there is in Christ . The Schools tell us , that in him there is a three-fold grace .

1. Gratia Unionis . The Grace of Union . The humane Nature of Christ , hath received the high grace or favour , to be personally united to the second person in the God-head ; by vertue of which Union , the fulness of the Godhead is said to dwell in him bodily : Bodily , that is personally , or substantially ; in opposition to the types and shaddows of the Old Testament , in which God ( in a figure ) is said to dwell . God is said to dwell in the Tabernacle , in the Ark of the Covenant , in the Temple ; but in these he dwelt onely as figures , and shaddows of the humane nature of Christ : In Christ he dwells not in a figure , but personally and substantially . As Christ Coloss. 2.17 . is called the Body , in opposition to the types of old , which were but the shaddow ; so bodily here notes not a figurative , but a personal inhabitation . Christ is the body , not a shaddow ; and God dwells in him bodily , that is substantially , and not in a shaddow .

2. Gratia Habitualis . Habitual Grace : All those moral perfections , wherein stands the holiness of his nature . The love and fear of God ; his humility , meekness , patience ; in summe , his perfect conformity to the Image and whole Will of God . Such an high Priest became us , who is holy , harmless , undefiled , separate from sinners . Heb. 7.26 .

3. Gratia Capitis ; or that honour which is given to him to be head of the Church .

2. How Christ is said to be full of grace ; there is a twofold fulness of grace .

1. Ex parte ipsius gratiae . In respect of grace it self ; thus he is said to be full of grace , that hath all grace , and hath it in the greatest excellency and perfection of it ; that doth pertingere ad summum gratiae , Aquin.

2. Ex parte habentis gratiam , in respect of the person that hath it ; and thus a person is said to be full of grace , that hath as much grace as he is capable of . Christ is full of grace in both respects ; that grace which is in him is grace in the highest perfection of it , and as much as his vessel can hold .

3. That this fulness of Christ is ours , and for us ; John 1.16 . Of his fulness do we receive grace for grace , Coloss. 3.3 . Your life is hid with Christ in God . Your life , that is both your spiritual life , grace ; and your eternal life , glory ; 1 John 5.11 . This is the record , that God hath given to us eternal life , and this life is in his Son . Our life is said to be in Christ , in three respects .

1. It s hid in Christ , as the effect in the cause . As the life of the branches , is hid in the root , so is the life of a Christian in Christ . He is our root .

2. It is deposited with Christ ; it is laid up with him , committed to his trust and custody ; with him it is secured and put into safe hands .

3. The dispensation of it is committed to him . from him it is at his pleasure to be derived to us . Of his fulness we receive . The Son hath life in himself , and he giveth it to whom , when , and in what measure soever he pleaseth .

Christian , art thou nothing in thy self ? Thou hast enough in thy Jesus . Art thou dark ? He 's a Fountain of light ? Art thou dead ? He 's a fountain of life . Art thou poor , and low ; weak in knowledge , in faith , in love , in patience , & c ? He 's a treasure of all grace ; and what he is , he is for thee . Is he wise ? he is wise for thee : Is he holy ? He is holy for thee : Is he meek , merciful , humble , patient ? He is so for thee . Is he strong , is he rich , is he full ? 'T is for thy sake : as he was empty for thee , weak for thee , poor for thee ; so for thee he is mighty , he is rich , and full . Whilest thou bewailest thine own poverty and weakness , Oh bless thy self in thy Lord , in his riches , righteousness , and strength .

2. A complication of interests . As the head and body , as the Husband and Wife , so Christ and his Saints are mutually concerned ; are rich or poor , must stand and fall , live and die together . As the husband conveyes to the wife , a title to what he hath ; as the wife holds of the husband ; so is it betwixt Christ and his Church ; they have nothing but through him ; their whole tenure is in capite : they hold of the Head ; they have nothing but through him ; and whatsoever is his , is theirs : His God is their God ; his Father is their Father ; his blood , his bowels , his merits , his spirit , his victories , all the spoils he hath gotten , all the revenue and income of his life , and death , all is theirs . For them he obey'd , suffered , liv'd , died , rose , ascended , is set down in glory , at the right hand of God . He obeyed as their head , died as their head , rose , ascended , reigneth as their head ; and hath in their names , taken possession of that inheritance , which he purchased for them . This is that Jesus which is given to us , and thus is he granted and made over to all his Saints in this Covenant of God .

CHAP. III. The Spirit in the Covenant .

3 GOd hath put his Spirit into the Covenant ; the Almighty , the Eternal Spirit ; the Holy Spirit , the spirit of Glory and of God .

This Holy and eternal Spirit is first poured forth on our head , the Lord Jesus ; to annoint him our Redeemer , to furnish and qualifie him for that great undertaking , Isa. 61.1 . The Spirit of the Lord God is upon mee , because hee hath annointed mee to preach good tidings to the meek , &c. Isa. 11.2,3,4 . I will put my Spirit into him , the spirit of Wisdome and Vnderstanding , and of the fear of the Lord , Isa. 11.2 .

And hee is promised to each member , Ezek. 36.27 . I will put my Spirit within you , To all these hee is granted , 1. As a Spirit of VVisdome and Revelation . 2. As a Spirit of Holiness and Sanctification . 3. As a Spirit of Truth and Direction . 4. As a Spirit of Comfort and Consolation .

1. As a Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation , Ephes. 1.17,18 . To enlighten them , to open their blinde eyes , and to shine into their hearts ; to give them the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ , that they may know what the hope of his calling is , and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints . To counterwork the spirit of this world , whose work is to blinde mens eyes , lest the light of the glorious Gospel should shine unto them , 2 Cor. 4.4,5,6 .

This is hee by whom the Father hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light . 1 Pet. 2.9 . the light that the spitit brings in , is a marvellous light , and that in three respects :

1. It is a marvellous thing that ever light should come into such dark souls . That those that were born blinde , and upon whom the god of this world had for many years together been trying his skill , to thicken their darkness , to encrease and seal them up under it ; that ever such eyes should bee opened , and the light of life should shine in upon such hearts ; this is a marvellous thing . When our Lord Jesus in the dayes of his flesh , opened the eyes of those that had been born blinde , the people ran together , and wondred at the sight . If you should see stones to live , if you should see dead stocks , or dry bones to walk up and down the streers ; if you should see Trees , or Houses , or Mountains full of eyes ; this were not more full of wonder , than to behold blinde sinners receiving their sight . Thou wert once darkness , art thou now light in the Lord ? stand and wonder at thy cure .

2. They are marve●lous things , which this light discovers 'T is a wonder that such eyes should ever see , and they see wonders . The Gospel is a Mystery full of wonders : There are heights and depths , and lengths , and breadths . Wee have seen strange things to day . Strange love , strange grace , wonderful wisdome , wonderful pitty , patience , mercy ; wonderful providences , wonderful deliverances , incomprehensible excellencies , unspeakable joy and glory ; 't is a wonder there should bee such things every day before our eyes , and yet wee could not see them till now ; and 't is a wonder , that when wee did not see them before , wee should ever see them now ; that those things which wee despised , derided , mocked at , stumbled at , as meer foolishness , and fancy , wee should now see and admire , even to astonishment ; that that Jesus , which was to the Jews a stumbling block , to the Greeks foolishness , should bee to the same men , when called , the Wisdome of God , and the Power of God . O the deep things of God! O the unsearchable Riches of Christ ! that hee that searcheth all things , reveals unto the Saints ! O the hidden treasures they now discover in this deep Mine ! To you that beleeve hee is pretious , a Praise , an Honour ; all Fair , all Glorious ; and you have seen his Glory , as the Glory of the only begotten Sonne of God , full of Grace and Truth .

Again , there are marvellous evils , as well as good things , that by this light are brought to light . Sin with all the hidden things of darkness , that lay below in those chambers of death ; the secrets of the evill heart of man . Sin appears a wonder to the savingly enlightened soul ; Exceeding sinful , a world of wickedness .

There 's Death , and Hell , and the Devil , in every sin ; unkindness , unthankfulness , folly , enmity , rebellion , spite , and the blackness of darkness . What once appeared as a pleasure , a delight , a beauty ; or at least , if an evill , yet but a trifle , a matter of nothing ; is become a plague , a terrour , a burthen , a bondage , bitterness , shame , sorrow ; and such an high provocation , that whereas once hee swell'd , and murmur'd , and cryed out of rigour , feverity , cruelty in the least punishment of it ; now hee wonders at the clemency , and patience , and forbearance of God ; that such an affront and provocation , had not long since turned the whole earth into an Hell .

Christian , thou complainest thou canst not see , thou canst not feel , thou canst not mourn , thou canst not break , under all the guilt that lies upon thee ; thine heart is hard , thine eyes are dry , not a tear , not a groan , scarce a sigh , will all this evill fetch out from thee . O this blinde and sottish minde ! O this dead and senseless heart ! what shall I do ? what would I not do , to get mee a melting , mourning , broken spirit ? but I cannot , I cannot ; I cannot see , I cannot bleed , nor break ; O beg the light of this Holy Spirit ! and if the sight that that will present thee with , of this wonderfull evill , do not rend thy heart , and turn thy stomack , and open all thy sluces , and let out thy soul in sighs and groans , in shame and sorrow , thou mayest then well be a wonder to thy self . But be nor discouraged , bee not dismayed ; do not say , this Rock will never break , this Iron will never melt ; I may go sighing for sighs , mourning after tears , groaning after groans , but all in vain , it will never bee ; past feeling , past feeling , sorrow flies still from mee , repentance is hid from mine eyes ; do not thus discourage thy self ; wait for this spirit , open to it , and thou shalt see flowing in such streames of self-shaming , self-confounding light , as shall flow forth in self-abasing , self-abhorring streames of tears .

3. These marvellous things , are revealed with marvellous clearness . That is , in comparison of what they are to the purblinde world ; and in comparison of what they themselves once saw . They come to see the glory , and the beauty , and the reality of the wonderful things of God . Wee have seen his glory , saith the Apostle Joh. 1. The kindness of God our Saviour [ appeared . ] But we all ( with open face ) behold , as in a glass , the glory of the Lord . 2 Cor , 3.18 . Out of Zion hath hee appeared in perfect beauty .

It 's Prophesied Isa. 53. of the unbeleeving world , that when they should see Christ ; they should see no beauty in him .

Strange , though hee were all beauty , yet they should see him , and yet see no beauty . That is , they shall see him , and yet not see him . They see not wood for trees . What is thy Beloved more than other beloveds ? VVhat is Christ more than an ordinary man ? VVhat is the Gospel more than an ordinary Story ? VVhat is the Spirit ? What is Truth ? VVhat is there in this Faith , and Love ; in this Holiness and Righteousness , in this Peace of Conscience , and Joy of the Holy Ghost ? VVhat substance is there in them ? VVhere 's the Glory , and wherein is the Excellency of them ? Which way came the Spirit of the Lord from mee to thee ? Thou shalt know in that day , when thou shalt call to the Mountains to fall on thee , and the Rocks to hide thee , from the face of God and the Lamb. Wee know whom wee have beleeved . Wee know that wee know him . Wee speak that which wee know , and testify what wee have seen . Wee have an Vnction from the Holy one , wee know all things . God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit , for the spirit searcheth all things even the deep things of God . Now wee have received not the spirit of this world , but the Spirit which is of God , that wee might know the things that are freely given to us of God . VVee have a clear and certain sight . VVee do not see men as Trees walking ; with our eyes half open ; wee see men as men , Christ as Christ , Truth as Truth , in its naked lustre and evidence . This wee have seen , and do testify , neither deceiving , nor being deceived . VVee thank thee . O Father , Lord of Heaven and Earth , that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent , and hast revealed them unto Babes .

And as they see Truth , and Holiness , and Goodness , in their wonderful Glory , and Beauty ; so also Folly , and Falshood , and Sin , in its wonderful ugl●ness , and deformi●y . Sin appears to bee sin , to them , Rom. 7. Folly to bee folly , falshood to bee falshood ; they see men as men , Christ as Christ , Truth as Truth , Holiness as Holiness ; and they see beasts as beasts , fools as fools , sin as sin , devils as devils , hell as hell : They see all things as they are , temptations as they are , delusions as they are ; they see what 's under them , the hook under the bait , the sting in the Locust's tail , the warre in the Devils heart , carried on under his fawning face ; Wee are not ignorant of his Devices .

Sinners , cease your wondring at the Saints , let them bee no longer for signs and for wonders in Israel ; cease your wondring at the Saints ; come and wonder with them . Wonder not that they say not as you , live not as you , run not with you after the same follies and vanities ; Oh! if ye once come to see what they see , you will bee a wonder to your selves . Mock not at their blessedness ; Blessed are their eyes , for they see . The blinde envy , but do not disdain the seeing . Say not , these men are in a dream , or drunken , or mad ; take heed , blaspheme not the Holy Spirit , call not his light darkne●s , put not your darkness for light . Would you know , when these men testifie what they have seen and heard ? whether they are sober , or beside themselves , Come and see ; I say not , stand and see , you cannot see at that distance you stand ; come near , come in and you shall see ; see your blindness first , if ever you will see the light Oh! bewail your darkness , and seek light , seek and you shall see it . Son of David have Mercy on mee ; Why what wilt thou man ? Lord that I may receive my sight . Shall that bee thy cry ? O pitty thy blinde soul ! O pray for eyes . They that see pitty the blinde ; Wee have a little Sister that hath no breasts , wee have a poor Brother [ yea a world of them ] that have no eyes . What shall we do for our poor brethren , in the day that they shall bee spoken for ? Oh! bee eyes to thy blinde , bee a light to thy dark souls ; let them that dwell in darkness see thy great light . Sinners , those whom you persecute , do thus pitty , do thus pray for you ; Lord , that their eyes might bee opened : will you say , Amen , to their prayers ? or will you say , Lord regard not their word , wee desire not the knowledge of thy waies ?

Christians , bee marvels . You that have seen marvellous things , bee marvellous persons , set the world a wondring for some thing . Let your light shine , let the light which hath shined into your hearts , shine forth in all your paths : let the Spirit of Light within you , bee a Spirit of Glory , resting upon you . Once you were darkness , but now are yee light in the Lord ; Walk as Children of the light . Bee yee holy , harmless , the Children of God , without rebuke , in the midst of a crooked Generation , amongst whom yee shine as lights in the World .

Beclouded Christian , thou goest on bemoaning and bewailing thy self , complaining that thou art still blinde ; the light hath shined into thy darkness , but thy darkness comprehendeth it not ; thine eye is yet but tender , at least , and thou canst see but little ; but little of Christ , the Sun is but as a sparke to thee ; but little of sin , that Mountain , looks yet but as a Mole hill ; It is neither clear , nor dark , neither night nor perfect day : thou hopeedst that long e're this , thy scales would have fallen off , the vail would have been removed , but they abide upon thee ; thou waitest for light , but behold obscurity ! for brightness , but thou walkest in darkness ; thou goest on , adding darkness to darkness , the darkness of sorrow , to the dimness of sight . Thou fearest that the Gospel is hid from thee , thou doubtest 't is still night , because 't is not yet noon with thee . But hearken , as little as thou seest of Christ , doest thou see so much , that thou prizest , and lovest , and cleavest to him above all ? as little as thou seest of sin , doest thou see so much , that thou loathest , and shunnest it above all things ? doest thou walke in that little light thou hast ? dost thou love , long , wait , cry , for the light ? Send forth thy light and thy truth , lift up the light of thy countenance ; Sun of Righteousness shine upon mee ; why are the wheels of thy Chariots so long a coming ? when Lord ? Make haste my Beloved , O might I once see thy face , as the Sun , looking over the Mountains . Is this thy voice ? are these the breathings of thy soul ? Bee of good comfort , these are the glimmerings and groanings of that Holy Spirit within thee , which hath already delivered thee from darkness , and will bring thee forth into his marvellous light ; thou shalt know , if thou follow on to know the Lord. Arise , shine , thy light is come , the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee . Though yet ( as to thy sense ) it bee neither clear nor dark , neither night nor perfect day , in the evening there shall bee light .

2 As a Spirit of Holiness and Sanctification ; hee is given as an Holy Spirit , and as a Sanctifying Spirit : therefore Sanctification is called the Sanctification of the Spirit ; 2 Thes. 2.13 . he comes to change us into his own nature , to make us partakers of his holiness ; hee is a Refiner's fire , and Fullers sope , Mal. 3.2 . to purge , and work , and wash off the filth , and corruption of our natures ; What it is said hee shall bee to the Church , Isa. 4.4 . A Spirit of Judgement , and a Spirit of Burning , to wash away the filth of the Daughters of Zion , and to purge the blood of Jerusalem , from the midst thereof . [ a Spirit of Judgement ] that is , in the Rulers of Israel ; stirring them up to do Justice , and execute Judgement , that so the guilt of blood may bee taken away , Isa. 32.15,16 . and a [ Spirit of Burning ] that is , in the hearts of the people of Israel , to consume and destroying the inward lusts of their hearts , that no more such wickedness bee committed amongst them . This hee is to every Saint ; A Spirit of Judgement , to give Sentence against their Lusts , to condemn them to the fire ; these must bee cast out , to the fire with them ; away with them , get yee hence yee Sons of the Bond-woman ; you may not bee Heirs with the Sons of the Free-woman . The Spirit of the Lord first discovers and convinces of sin ; judges betwixt light and darkness , grace and sin , and then gives sentence , away with these Lusts , they may not bee suffered to live .

A Spirit of Burning , to execute the sentence , to consume them in the fire . The Spirit of Sanctification is a spirit of Mortification . Rom. 8.13 . If yee ( through the Spirit ) do mortifie the deeds of the body . It is the Spirit that kills , the Flesh profiteth nothing .

The Spirit implants the Soul into Christ ; gives it an Interest in his death , brings it under the influence of his death . Christus crucifixus est Christus crucifigens . 'T is the death of Christ , that is the death of sin ; these Theeves are Crucified with him . Rom. 6.6 . Our old man is Crucified with Christ , that the body of sin might bee destroyed , that henceforth wee should no longer serve sin . Hell knew not what they did , when they Crucified Christ ; Death with all its Armies , were put to death with him .

The Spirit raises up another party in the soul , a party against a party , an army against an army ; brings Grace in to take up arms against sin ; Grace doth not onely fight against sinne , but is in the very nature of it the death of sinne , as the Generation of a new , is the Corruption of the old form . Humility is pride dead , meekness is sinful passion and frowardnesse dead , patience is impatience slain .

The Spirit excites and stirs up the soul against sin , sets it a praying against it ; the Spirit of Grace is a Spirit of Supplication , fetches down Hail-stones and Thunder bolts from Heaven to destroy these Amorites ; sets a watch against it , presses the soul to deal wisely with it , to keep it low , by cutting off all provision from the flesh , restraining , and keeping it short of all those fleshly objects , which would keep it in heart , and so it 's starved to death . It is true , our greatest wisdome , watchfulness , abstinence , self-denial and all external means alone , will fall short of killing one lust , it is the Spirit that killeth , without it , the flesh profiteth nothing : all external attempts for the mortification of the flesh , are but a fleshly mortification ; but if yee [ through the Spirit ] do mortifie ; pray in the Spirit , watch in the Spirit , curbe and keep short , and keep under this body , still taking in the assistance of the Spirit , then it shall dye .

Christian , thou livest in a weary Land , and thou hast but a weary life of it , bryers and thorns are with thee , the Canaanite is yet in the Land ; thou sojournest in Mesech and hast thine habitation in the Tents of Kedar ; and thou hast a Mesech and Kedar within thee ; thou hast Armies within thee of fleshly lusts , which fight against thy soul , thou goest mourning daily , because of the oppressour , those spiritual wickednesses which lie in thine heart , and warre in thy members ; thou often groanest , and cryest out to thy God , libertie libertie , redemption redemption . Oh this proud heart , oh this vain heart ! oh this earthliness , oh this fleshliness , this sloathfulness , this enmity , and rebellion against the law of my minde , and my God ; when I would do good , evil is present with mee . I cannot , I cannot do the things that I would , I can with no peace serve or enjoy my God and my soul ; my duties are either prevented or polluted , my comforts are either wasted or made quite to vanish and disappear ; when I would serve my God , I must away to serving my belly , or my back , or my friends ; when my soul is a little gotten upon the wing , and soaring in the upper Region , it is presently checked , pulled down again to the earth . O my pinioned imprisoned soul ! woe is mee , wretched man that I am , who shall deliver mee from the body of this death ? Why , yet comfort thine heart , the enemy flyes upon thee as a flood , but the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him , thou complainest thy Gold is become drosse , thy wine is mixed with water , yea with mudd and dirt , yet hee will turne his hand upon thee , and purely purge away thy drosse , and take away all thy tinne . Though these bryers and thornes bee set in battel against thee , yea , and against him also , yet hee will go through , go through them , hee will burn them together , Isa. 27.4 . Thou complainest that thy garments are defiled , thy glory is stained , thy beauty is marred , the Image of thy God is so defaced , that there 's but here and there a spot of it left upon thee , thou art black , but not comely , whilst thy Lord sayes , thou art all fair O my Love , thou cryest out , I am all foul , O my Lord , thou wouldest be holiness to thy Lord , but thou art an offence to him , holiness is still thy love , and thy desire , and thy longing , but it flies from thee ; it is rather thy wish then thy hope , thou canst weep [ over ] but thou canst not weep [ out ] thy deformity , thine Iniquity is still marked before the Lord . If there bee a little Grace in thee , yet there is such a weakness in its sinews , such a paleness in its face , that it is not like to live , or if it live , Oh! how little hope that ever it should thrive or flourish ; Thus thou complainest , thus thou goest mourning and sighing , and sinking , and fainting in thy minde , and now and then venturest out a desponding Prayer . Lord pitty , Lord look upon my sorrow , and my sin , Lord wash mee , Lord help mee . Why , the Lord God hath sent thee his help out of his Sanctuary , and his strength out of Zion . The eternal spirit is come down on purpose , to give battel to the flesh , to subdue thine inquities , and bring all those that rise up within thee , under thy feet . Thou mistakest thy self , and thine enemies , if thou thinkest they will bee conquered , by one blow of thine arme , this kinde goeth not out so : not by might nor by power , much less ▪ by weakness and by flesh , by any weak attempts of thine own ; but by my spirit saith the Lord . 'T is work for a God to relieve and cleanse such an heart , to turn such an Hell into an Heaven ; what thou canst not do , being weak through the flesh , behold ! hee comes down to do it for thee ; thou hast proved thine own weakness , now try everlasting strength ; he stands at the door and knocks , hear his voice at the door , wilt thou bee made clean ? wilt thou bee made whole ? wilt thou bee delivered ? open to him , and with him deliverance comes in , he stands at the poole , stirring the wa●ers , for thee , put in thy Cripple soul , and bee healed of all thy diseases , say to him , Lord if thou wilt , thou canst make mee clean ; and thou shalt soon have this answer : I will , bee thou clean .

3. As a Spirit of Truth and Direction . John 16.13 . hee shall guide them by his Counsel , he shall lead them in the way that they shall go , Isa. 30.21 . They shall hear a word behinde them saying : this is the way , walk yee in it , when they are turning to the right hand or to the left . He shall lead them into all truth , to prevent mistakes , and into all righteousness to prevent miscarriages : nay more , hee shall not bee onely their Starre , but their Strength too ; hee shall guide them on , and help them on , they shall bee led by the Spirit , bound in the Spirit , pressed in Spirit ; they shall bee excited , assisted , carried on in the power of the Spirit , in the way that they should go : he will cause them to walk in the Statutes of the Lord . Whatsoever thy way wardness and thy wandrings have been ; whatever thy feebleness and fickleness bee ; whatever false lights , and false-waies are before thee ; whatever temptations thou meetest with , to turn thee aside out of the right way , whatever doubts hence arise in thine heart ; I shall one day or other perish from the way , and bee a lost sheep at last ; yet his conduct shall bee prosperous , and the event shall bee sure , hee shall so guide thee by his Counsel , that he shall bring thee to Glory . Hee shall gather his Lambs with his arme , and carry them in his bosome , and gently lead those that are with young .

4. As a Spirit of Comfort and Consolation , hee is so called , John 16.7 . The Comforter . If I go not away , [ the Comforter ] will not come unto you , but if I depart , I will send him unto you . He shall come unto them , and abide with them , to supply the absence of their Redeemer , to support them under their affliction , to witness their Adoption , to seal them up , unto the day of Redemption , and to bee the earnest of their Inheritance , Ephes. 1.13,14 .

John 16.14 . Hee shall take of mine , and shew it unto you . [ Hee shall take of mine ] that is , not only of the Truths , those treasures of Wisdome that are in mee , ( though that bee specially intended ) but of my Love , my Righteousness , my Holiness , and all those treasures of Grace and Mercy , that are laid up in mee ; whatever there is in mee , that may stand you in any stead , yeild you any relief , or support ; the Comforter which I will send you , shall bring it down to you : hee shall take my Blood , and the Pardons it hath purchased for you , my Bowels , and the Compassions that are working in mee towards you , my Prayers , and Intercessions , I am offering up for you ; hee shall take of all those treasures of Grace , and everlasting Consolations which are laid up for you with mee ; hee shall take of mine , and shew it unto you . As much as you have in the world to afflict and amaze you , as little as you have of your own , to comfort you ; either in your hearts , or in your houses , or among your friends , hee shall shew what I have for you to refresh you .

O Christians , a sight of Christ in our sorrows , in our fears , in our thickest darkness ; what day-light would it bring in ? When thou lookest into thine heart , and art astonished and confounded at what thou findest there ; at the blindness and the hardness , the poverty and the emptiness , the guilt and the guile , the pride and the peevishness , the evil thoughts , the vile affections , the filthy lusts , that are swarming and working in thee ; when thou lookest into the world , and tremblest at what thou beholdest there ; the malice , the craft , the power , that is engaged against thee ; the furious spirits , the fiery tongues , the fierce looks , the violent hands , that are flying upon thee ; and the little relief the earth will afford thee ; when thy heart faints , and dies within thee , at the sense of this thy woeful and forlorn state ; A sight of what thou hast in thy Lord presented to thee by his Spirit ; look thee here soul , what thy Jesus hath sent thee down , a glance from his eye , a drop from his heart , a messe from his table ; and all to tell thee , yet I do not forget thee ; behold the care I take of thee , the treasures I have for thee , to encourage thy love , and reward thy faithfulness . Oh! how will this make all thy darkness to depart , and turn the shadow of death into the morning .

Thus is the Holy Spirit given to the Saints , to bee the light of their eyes , the death of their sins , the guide of their waies , the stay of their hearts ; to up-hold their grace , and to maintain their peace ; to subdue their enemies , or their fears ; to secure them from temptations , or succour them when tempted ; to wipe off their reproach , or make it their crown ; to heal their diseases , or make them their cure ; to help their infirmities , to work their works , to make their yoke easie , and their burthens light ; to turn their sighs into songs , to form their groans into prayers , to send them up to their Lord , and bring down their returns ; to comfort their hearts , to establish , strengthen , settle them , that they be neither offended at the chain , nor moved from the hope of the Gospel .

CHAP. IV. The Earth in the Covenant .

4. GOd hath put the earth into the Covenant : Though the Saints have not their reward in this life , their portion in this world , yet this world also is theirs , Mat. 5.5 . The meek shall inherit the earth , 1 Cor 3.22 . Things present and things to come , all are yours . 1. The good things present . 2. The evil things present .

1. The good things present , Mark 10.30 . Houses , and Brethren , and Sisters , and Mothers , and Children , and Lands , now in this time , Prov. 3.16 . Length of daies are in her right hand , and in her left hand riches and honour . Houses , and Lands , and Riches , and Honours , where are they ? who are the poor of this World , the houseless , harbourless , and friendless ? who have wo , and want , and shame , and sorrow ? who are Strangers and Pilgrims ; dwelling in tents , driven into corners ; into dens , and caves ; hunted up and down upon the mountains of the earth ? to whom is hunger and thirst ? cold and nakedness , but to the meek of the earth ? Is this to inherit the earth ? All theirs , when nothing theirs ? yet they do inherit the earth . For

1. They shall ever have as much as will suffice them ; and that 's as much as all . They shall not want any thing , but what they [ may ] want . Your Father knoweth that you have need of these things ; and he knows how much they need . More than needs , is more then enough , and more then enough , is a prejudice . Many men have too much ; too much money , too much esteem , too many friends ; more than they can bear ; so much as to sink them , and drown them in perdition and destruction .

Christians shall have enough ; they shall never be in such a needy state , but whatever is necessary for them in all the earth , they shall have it ; The earth is the Lords , and the fulness thereof ; and he hath said , That those that seek him , shall not want any thing that is good , Psal. 34.10 . if the whole world can supply them out of all its store , they shall be supply'd .

2. What they have , they have a better and farther title to , then any others in the world . Though the dominion be not founded in grace , yet by grace it is established . What they have , descends upon them not barely by providence , but by promise , Heb. 1.2 . Christ is heir of all things ; and they are fellow-heirs with Christ . A little coming from the promise , hath more in it , than the greatest abundance that 's only handed down by common providence ; that which comes in from the promise , comes in with a blessing ; if thou hast but an handful , thou hast a blessing in thy hand ; if thou hast but a corner , thou hast a blessing in thy corner . A little from love , is a great blessing . Thou hast God in every morsel thou eatest , and in every drop that thou drinkest ; a drop from heaven will turn thy bran into the finest flower , and thy Water into Wine .

O what serene and quiet lives , how void of care ( distracting care ) might the Saints live in the world ! what are the burthens that do gall our backs ? what are the briars that tear our flesh ? what are the thorns that pierce through our hearts ordinarily , but the cares of this life ? what shall I eat ? what shall I drink ? wherewith shall I be clothed ? where shall I dwell ? how little have I for to day ? what for to morrow ? what for hereafter ? how shall I secure what I have ? when this is gone , whence shall I be supplyed ? thus do we go on , piercing our selves through with many sorrows . Our cares for supply eat up what we have ; our thoughts cut deeper than our wants ; we cannot at so cheap a rate fear , as we often bear the want of all things .

And why take ye thought ? the earth is the Lords , and the fulness thereof ; and he hath said , All this is yours , you shall want nothing . You have not only your Deus providebit , providence to live upon ; you have also your Deus promisit , the promise before you , and this hath all things in it ; all is yours . What for to morrow ? what for hereafter ? why , what saith the promise ? Thou shalt want nothing ; neither thou nor thine : Never saw I the righteous forsaken , nor their seed begging their bread .

Hast thou two worlds made sure to thee , and canst thou want ? thou mayst as well whine , and make a pittiful cry at a full table , Oh where shall I have my next morsel ? as under such a full promise , Oh where shall I have my next meal ? O how much beneath the spirit of Christianity , are the carking anxious lives of too many Christians ? you do not believe , you do not believe ; you talk of your Covenant-right , of your part in the promise , of living by faith ; but where is any such thing ? can you trust God for your souls , and can you not trust him for your bodies , for your children ? believe , and you 'l make as much , and bee satisfied as well , with a penny in the promise , with a meal in the promise , with an house in the promise , as with a penny in your purse , or a meal in your cupboard .

What dost thou get by all thy cares ? Which of you by taking thought , can add one cubit to his stature ? one farthing to his store ? If thou lose nothing by them , thou mayst sure put all thy gains into thine eyes ; tears and trouble are all they will add to thee . Bee quiet , and nothing will ail thee ; let not any straits sting thee before they are ; want not before thou wantest ; let not the Winters frosts nip thee , whilest it is yet Summer .

Know when thou art well , and be content . All is thine ; if thou inheritest thy God , thou inheritest the earth ; nothing of all its store shall be kept back from thee , that 's necessary for thee : only thou must not look to be thine own carver ; thy God will carve out what thou needest . Let enough suffice thee , and thou shalt never have too little . Thou shalt never have so little , but thou mayest say , this little is enough .

What if what thou wantest in Water , bee made up in Wine ? if thou hast but little in bran , but the more in flower ? a short meal with a smile from heaven , thou mayst count no fast but a feast ; a little oyl in the cruse , how far will it go with a smile the blessing of the Covenant ? If the upper Springs run freely , thou mayst abate a nether Spring .

Let my beloved comfort me with his apples , and stay me with his flagons ; and let the rest be as little and as course as it will . Let the promise be my portion , let the pipes be kept open to my soul , and then the least pittance for this carkass shall suffice me . O my Lord , let me feed with thee , and I will not quarrel what-ever my fare bee . Let my portion bee from thy table , and then be it much or little . Let me hear thy voice , I am thine , and with me all things ; and I am content to be at thy allowance . Let thy deed of gift stand sure to me , put in my childrens names there , and I ask no more for my self or them . Hold thy peace , keep silence O my anxious soul , know when thou art well ; bee in nothing careful , the Lord is at hand .

2. The evil things of this earth are theirs : the Cross is in the Covenant , Psal. 89.34 . If his children forsake my Law , and walk not in my Judgments ; if they break my Statutes , and keep not my commandments ; then will I visit their transgressions with a rod , and their iniquity with stripes .

1. The Covenant hath its cross . The Doctrine of the Gospel is the Doctrine of the Cross , the preaching of the Gospel is the preaching of the Cross , 1 Cor. 1. The Mysteries of a crucified Jesus , and of his crucified Saints , do fill up the whole New Testament . The Cross is not only imposed upon the Saints , as their burthen , but bequeathed unto them as a Legacy . It 's given unto them , as an honour and priviledge , Philip. 1.29 . Vnto you it is given in the behalf of Christ , not only to believe on him , but also to suffer for his sake . It s joyned with the most glorious gift [ the gift of faith . ] Yea , and it is a greater gift then this . To suffer in Faith , is more than barely to believe .

2. By vertue of the Covenant the Cross is a Blessing . The word is now changed ; 't is no longer , Cursed , but Blessed is every one that hangeth on this Tree , Mat. 5.10,11 . Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake ; blessed are ye when men shall revile you , and persecute you , and shall say all manner of evil against you , falsely for my sake . Why where is the blessedness ? or wherein stands it ? It stands in these things . 1. In the separation of the Cross from the Curse . 2. In the sanctification of the Cross to its ends . 3. In the proportioning of the Cross to their needs and strength . 4. In the special comforts of the Cross .

1. The Cross is separated from the Curse . There is something in this . To be able to say under the forest of afflictions , This scourge is no scorpion ; this is no curse , 't is but a cross . Our Lord bare both the cross and the curse together , and that made his cup so bitter ; but now he hath divided them ; the curse he hath left upon sinners , and laid only the naked cross on his Saints . The crosses of reprobate sinners , are all curses . Every affliction is a curse ; there 's wrath in all their sufferings , there 's venome upon every arrow , there 's vengeance in every dart , every rod is a Serpent to them . Thou that art of the number of Christs implacable enemies , when he comes to fall upon thee , and to grind thee under his hand , thou wouldest have a word of comfort to be spoken to thee in thy sorrow ; no , no , there 's no comfort can bee spoken ; thou mayst say of every dart he smites thee with , This is sent of God , to revenge himself upon me ; The crosses of the impenitent are all curses : but the Saints curses are all come to be but crosses . Though men curse , the Lord will not curse ; what-ever troubles come upon thee , though there be vinegar in them , yet there 's no venome in them ; though there be anguish in them , yet there 's no wrath in them ; though they be ill look'd , yet there 's no ill will in them ; they come upon no ill intent , nor shall have any evil issue . The smitings of the wicked are to thee , as the smitings of the righteous were to the Psalmist , A precious balm , Psal. 14.5 . Let the righteous smite mee , it shall be a kindness ; it shall be an excellent oyl ; it shall not break mine head . And thou mayst say , Let the wicked smite me ; smite me with the tongue , with the fist of wickedness , or what they will , it shall not break mine head , much less mine heart ; it shall be a kindness to me , an excellent oyl .

2. The Cross is sanctified to its ends . It hath many holy and excellent ends , and it shall prosper ; it shall accomplish its ends . The cross is laid on the Saint , sometimes to prove them ; sometimes to reprove them ; to humble them , to purge them , &c. and what-ever it s sent to them for , it shall not return in vain . As the Word , so the rod , shall accomplish that for which he pleases that sent it . By this the iniquity of Jacob ( shall ) be purged .

3. The Cross is proportioned to their needs and strength . Jer. 30.11 . I will correct thee in measure , but I will not leave thee altogether unpunished . Just so much as will serve shall suffice ; the wise Physician hath respect both to the need , and to the strength of the Patient . Isa. 57.16 . I will not contend for ever , neither will I be always wroth ; lest the Spirit should fail before me , and the souls which I have made . The Apostle tells the Saints , Heb. 10. that they have need of patience ; and their experience tells them , they have need of something to exercise their patience . And their needs are different ; some are knotty pieces and need more ; others are tender , and upon them less will serve . The stubborn Childe must have more stripes ; the shaking of the rod will do more on some spirits , then the smart of it on others ; but all need something . Let him onely that is without sin , say , I have no need of shame and sorrow . The Lord will neither over , nor under do ; every one shall have his load and no more . No more than they can bear , and no less than their need requires . The Lord delights not in his childrens tears , he doth not afflict willingly , nor grieve the children of men ; but yet he had rather they cry then perish . Wonder not Christians , that your tender Lord puts you to pain , and that your pains are so sharp and so many ; Your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things . It 's a mercy that he will chastise ; you may put your corrections among your mercies . His breakings of you are his blessings , his woundings are your cures ; and by your own , as by your Lords stripes you are healed . And when you shall review , and read over all his darker providences ; and behold the wisdome , tenderness , which is attempered with his severities , evidenced in his laying on so much , and yet no more than was needful , you will then write down with the Psalmist , Thou in very faithfulness hast afflicted me .

O my Lord , let me not want thy staff nor thy rod ; neither a friend nor an enemy ; neither a calm nor a storm ; neither food nor medicine ; if my disease be too strong for my Physick , let me have yet a stronger potion ; if my wanton heart will not yet be tamed , put on more fetters , an heavier load ; load upon load , weight upon weight , and till thou seest , let me never say , it is enough . Let me never be sick of my remedy till I be cured of my disease . Let me rather suffer by the hand of a Devil , than perish by the hand of a lust . Spare not Lord , cease not Lord , to smite thy servant , till thou hast thereby smitten down all mine enemies . Peace ? plenty ? ease ? what that I may have to spend upon my lusts ? to wax wanton against my God ? hanc pacem nolo .

Pain , trouble , want , any thing rather than peace , upon such terms . Correct me O Lord , yet in judgment , but not in thy fury , lest I be consumed and brought to nothing .

4. The Cross hath its special comforts , 2 Cor. 1.3,4,5,6,7 .

Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of mercies , and the God of all comfort ; who comforteth us in all our tribulation , that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble , by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God . For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us , so our Consolation also aboundeth by Christ . And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation and salvation , which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer ; or whether we be comforted , it is for your consolation and salvation : and our hope of you is stedfast , knowing , that as ye are partakers of the sufferings , so shall ye be also of the consolation .

The comforts of the Cross are often the sweetest and the fullest , that the Saints ever taste on this side the crown . The first draught is often bitter ; the green cross is heavy , and 't is necessary it should be so . As 't is with some medicinal waters , it works by its weight ; it must be an heavy yoke that will tame an unruly neck ; if it gall not , it will not heal ; 't is the smart of the rod that stills the Childe . Think not your burthens will lie easie , when first laid on , and think not much if they do not . The first conflict with temptations , may put you to an harder brunt then you are aware . It must be so that it may be for your good afterward . So my Physick will work , I am content it make me sick . Tribulation worketh patience ; that it cannot do , unless it pains . It is observable , that 't is not said , the cross worketh patience , but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the tribulation , the pinching of the cross , or the pain the cross puts us to ; this is patience , a quiet bearing that pain , which the flesh when touched puts us to . When we [ feel ] the thorns and the nails , when the iron enters into our [ souls ] when it pricks and smarts , then 't will work . The green cross is heavy ; a prison , or a wilderness , will look uncouth at the first ; but when your Lord comes in , and visits you , then the sweet , the pleasure comes : and the more frowns at the threshold , the more kisses you may expect afterwards ; Christ doth not always meet his Saints in the Porch ; the Devils Parlour , the inner prison is his banquetting house ; the Dungeon his Wine-cellar ; there they drink and are satisfied . The Stocks , and the Rack , are the organs that make them the sweetest Musick . Many a Saint hath been sadly disappointed at the first , hoping to meet with Christ at the door ; but behold a dreadful fight ; behold sin lieth at the door ; all his sins , all that ever he did against Christ , all his unthankfulness , unfaithfulness , unkindness , rebellion against his Lord , stand forth and stare him in the face . Christians , beware of sin now : it will meet you in the day of adversity , the cross will tell you all that ever you did . I remember my faults this day ; now I remember all my pleasant things ; my Sabbaths , my Ordinances , my Liberty , the dear society I once enjoy'd ; but trifled and wasted away ; O my pride and my wantonness , my idleness , my earthliness , my hypocrisie , wherefore are you come thus to affright and torment me ? Lord , whether am I come ? O how dreadful is this place ? Is this my prison-entertainment ? Are these my prison-consorts ? O what an hard lodging am I like to have with such companions ? O the wormwood and the gall ! a dark habitation , a bitter cup indeed is now given unto me . Is this the comfort of the cross ? are these the sweets so much talked of ? Yet be not dismayed , as roughly as thou art handled at the door , 't is better within ; the Devil is going out in this storm ; thy sins meet thee now , but 't is only to shake hands and part ; after this agony expect the Angels to come and minister to thee . Complain not if thou yet find no sweet , thou hast not drank deep enough ; the next draught , the sugar may come ; in the next room thou maist meet thy Lord ; and then tell me , if it be short of all that hath been told thee .

But shall I give you a more particular view of some of the special comforts of the Cross , or our sufferings for Christ ! I shall only first premise a word , to let you understand what I mean by the sufferings of Christ . We then suffer for Christ , when we suffer for Christs Cause ; when we suffer because we will be Christians , we will be holy and righteous ; when we suffer because we will not sin ; and when we suffer upon Christs Call , when he cuts out a cross for us , and lays it on . Then Christ calls us to suffering , when he puts us to this choice , Either to suffer or to sin ; when our backs or our consciences must suffer ; when we must suffer , or he must suffer by us . If any man will be my Disciple , let him take up [ his ] cross . Christ is not , and Christians must not be prodigal of their blood ; their blood is his ; their estates , their names , their liberties , are all his , and to him they must be accountable how they part with them . 'T is not every cross that thou canst call [ thy ] cross ; we must not leave our way to seek a cross ; when Christ hath laid a cross athwart a Christians way that he should go ; and he must either make a stand , or turn aside , or submit his neck to it ; Then he says , There is [ thy ] cross , take it up and get thee on . Whatever cross be before thee , if thou hast a way open to avoid it without sin , that 's none of thy cross , thou maist not take it up ; or if thou dost , thou wilt have no thanks for thy pains .

Christians should be wary here . Though it be an argument of a gracious spirit , to be alwayes of a ready and forward mind to suffer for Christ ; and when he demands , Who will go with me ? Who will bear my cross ? chearfully to answer , I will go Lord , let me bear it ; yet should we take heed , that as we hang not back , when he says , Go , so that we run not before he send us . Though it be an high honour to suffer for the Gospel , yet no man taketh this honour upon himself , but he that is called of God . I would not go to a Prison without a Mittimus from heaven , lest if my suffering be of my self , I be there left to shift for my self . If Christ should meet me in prison or in banishment , and demand of me , What dost thou here Elijah ? Friend , how camest thou in hither ? What should I say , if I could not say this , Thou Lord , hast brought me hither ; my conscience , my duty hath brought me in .

But understand me here with this caution ; That when the Cause for the main is Christs , but the Call seems doubtful , yet when the sufferer hath carefully enquired the mind of God , truly follows the dictates of conscience , sincerely designs the honour of Christ and his Gospel , although he should erre in some circumstances of his case , and for fear of iniquity should chuse affliction , when possibly he might have avoided both ; God will surely wink at his mistakes , own his sufferings , and greatly accept and reward his readiness of mind .

Yet still take heed of careless or wilful errors : take heed of preparing nails for thy own cross ; thorns , scourges , spears , for thine own head or heart . Take heed both how thou shunnest , and how thou espousest a suffering state .

Go not in upon heedless mistakes ; go not in for good company , much less upon any carnal designs ; let not thy pride , or ostentacion , or the byass of any fleshly respects lead thee into the house of correction , lest thou find them the rods to lash thee when thou art there .

Christians consider , if there be not sometimes some uncomfortable miscarriages in this matter ; and whether it hath not been the lot of some of Christs ( with how much justice or charity , let the Lord be Judge ) to bee censured and reproached for unfaithful or for fearful , upon no other account but for walking by this rule , not to go to Prison without a warrant , that is , not to cast themselves into a suffering state , whilst God hath left a way open to escape , without sin . I confess the more dangerous , and the more ordinary errour is on the other hand ; we are more apt ( especially when afflictions are more sharp and bite in earnest , and then will be the great trial ) rather sinfully to shift our selves of them , than unwarrantably to run our selves upon them ; but yet let it be considered , whether there be not an errour on this hand also .

It s true where the cause is the same as to the main , different circumstances may make that to be one mans sin , which is another mans duty ; yea , that may be a duty to the same man at one time , which ( supposing him in differing circumstances ) might have been his sin at another . And it is not seldome ( through the unavoidable difference of our apprehensions , and the difficultie of discerning our cases ) that Christians equally careful to know and do the Will of God , when the case , and the circumstances also are mostly the same , do judge differently about their Call to suffering . Here let no man be so tyrannical to others , as to expect that they should go cross to their own , to comply with their brethrens , judgments , and consciences . Let us not put one another on this unmerciful necessity , either to break our peace with God , or our Friends . Let it be sufficient to us , faithfully to follow our own light , without judging or quarrelling with those that are otherwise minded . Beware of bitterness . Be not cruel to consciences ; smite not with the tongue , nor let an evil thought arise in thine heart , upon any such account as this . Thine arrows will recoyl , and fly back in thine own face . Blemish not thine own sufferings by blasting thy Brothers liberty . Let not the wariness of some be condemned for cowardise , nor the forwardness of others for pride or hypocrisie ; but let us bee clothed with humility , let us put on a spirit of self-suspition , and charity to our Brethren ; and let this Christian frame be the more studiously maintained , by how much the more our differing practices according to the variety of our apprehensions , seem to condemn each other , and so provoke to uncomfortable schisms and contentions , and by how much the more pernicious such schisms are like to prove in the issue .

These things premised , I shall now shew you what the special comforts of the cross are . You may expect your suffering state to be sweetned with

1. A more plentiful diffusion of special Grace . Grace is a comfort ; 't is never better with the Saints ; then when that flourishes . The joy of the harvest is howling to the joy of grace ; he is not a Christian , that cannot say , 't is Summer , when these flowers appear in their beauty . Flourishing Faith and Love , have their glorious joys , 1 Pet. 1.8 . The Springs of grace , are a resurrection from the dead ; and there 's no such spring as after a shower . Oh how green do the herbs then look ; the withering flowers do then lift up the head ; never so many stars appear , nor with such lustre , as in a frosty night ; grind the spices , and their fragrancy flows out . Saints are never more Saints , than in the house of bondage , or the Land of their pilgrimage ; our Winter-weather makes us warm at heart . As our outward man perishes , our inward man is renewed day by day , 2 Cor. 4.16 . Persecution is the time of life . We are delivered to death for Jesus sake , that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our mortal flesh , 2 Cor. 4.11 . Decayed soul , comfort thine heart , the cross comes , now thou shalt live ; now thou shalt recover . This weakness will strengthen the things that remain , and are ready to die . Now faith , and love , and patience , and courage that have so long hung the wing , now lift up the head ; the day of your redemption draweth nigh ; this night is your day of hope .

2. A more clear revelation of special Love . Lovest thou me Lord ? there 's enough . Let me hear thy voice , let me see thy face .

Kiss me with the kisses of thy mouth . Thy loving kindness is better than life ; send forth thy light , and thy truth , let these tell me , thou lovest me . Thy love-sick Spouse is sick for love ; O when wilt thou say , Thou knowest that I love thee ? Why come up with me on the cross ; that withered tree bears more blossomes of love , than all the green trees of the field . The whole Gospel is hung upon the cross . Where our Lord hung , there 's sin nail'd , the curse vacated , death vanquished ; pardon , peace , joy , glory , shewed forth in open sight . There 's love with all its tokens , go up and take . Fear not to be baptized with thy Lords Baptism , nor to drink of his cup ; this cup also is the communion of the blood of Christ . Come with me into the wilderness , there will I speak comfortably to thee . When thou most wantest it , where thou wilt most value it , there will I shew thee my loves .

Our Lord loves not to have love slighted ; the full soul loathes the honey-comb ; thou hast yet too many Lovers to bid thy Lord welcome ; he keeps his best Wine till all thine own be sowred ; then it will relish , and then thou shalt have it . His oyl is for thy wounds . The Childe never knows so much of the Parents heart , and bowels , as when 't is sick , or in distress ; then every look is love ; every word is pity and compassion . O the soundings of Christs bowels towards his swooning children ; when thou knowest hatred , then look to know love . When thou art persecuted , when thou art cast out , and trodden under foot of men , then will he take thee in , and cherish thee .

3. A more full manifestation of glory , There 's not a prison into which the Saints are cast , but hath a window into the palace . Calvary becomes a Tabor , where they have a sight of their Lord in his glory . Golgotha becomes a Pisgah , where they may look over Jordan into the land of promise . Hast thou known little of heaven ? thou hast not yet been in the deep .

Of Stephen the first Gospel-Martyr its said Acts 7.55 . He looked up stedfastly into heaven , and saw the glory of God , and Jesus standing at the right hand of God . And Chap. 6.15 . All that sate in the Council , saw his face , as the face of an Angel . Such an admirable splendor and serenity in his countenance , as spake him rather an Angel then a man . O what an heaven was there within , that cast out such a divine lustre on his face . His joy was too big for his heart , his face must have its share ; yea , his very adversaries , at second hand , beheld the glory of God .

He looked up and saw heaven opened . Looking down , he might see hell opened , all his tormentors about him ; the jaws of death ready to devour and swallow him up ; but looking up , he saw heaven opened , and Jesus standing at the right hand of God . O there he is , for whose sake is all this . My beloved , my beloved is yonder . Behold the region of light , whither this dark tempest is wasting me ; his hell and his heaven meets , but the light swallows up the dark . Hell ceases to be hell , where heaven appears to bee heaven . This is the portion of suffering Saints . When you read what 's written of those armies of Martyrs that have gone before ; of their unspeakable joys , their undaunted courage , their admirable boldness ; of their chearing their friends , confounding their foes ; their rejoycing in their stripes , singing in their stocks , leaping in their chains , boasting of their bonds , kissing their stakes , embracing the flames , riding up in triumph in their chariots of fire , not repenting of their Faith , nor accepting of deliverance ; what doth this speak , but that their eyes , as well as their anchor , are within the vail , whither Christ their fore-runner is gone before them . Oh who would not be with them ? who would fear sufferings ?

Soul , what art afraid of ? whither art thou running ? from what art thou hiding thy self ? what is thine ease , or thy liberty , or thy quiet ? why so loth to loose from this shore ? lanch forth into the deep . Fear not transportation into thine house of bondage ; when thou art once there , 't is but look up , and thou art in Paradise .

Such are the sufferings of Christ , This is the cross of the Covenant .

4. In summe ; as that which comprehends all the rest , a more manifest exhibition of Christs special presence , Jer. 30.11 . I am with thee to save thee , Isa. 43.2 . When thou passest through the waters , I will be with thee , and through the rivers , they shall not overflow thee ; when thou walkest through the fire , thou shalt not be burnt , neither shall the flame kindle upon thee . Through fire and water thou must go ; we went through fire and water into a wealthy place ; but whither ever thou goest , he will go with thee . When the bush was on fire , the Lord was in the bush ; when the three children were in the furnace , the Son of God was there with them . Isa. 63.9 . In all their afflictions he was afflicted , he saved them by the Angel of his presence ; in his love , and his pity he redeemed them , and he bare them , and carried them all the dayes of old . Though all men forsook me , the Lord stood with me , and strengthened me , 2 Tim. 4.16,17 . The Saints shall never have this to charge upon the Lord , I was in prison , and thou visitedst me not .

He is ever with them ; to bear their burthens , and ease their shoulders ; to plead their cause , and maintain their innocence ; to wash their stripes , to wipe off their tears , to heal their wounds , to bind up their broken bones , to revive their weary spirits ; to perfume their prisons , to lighten their dungeons , to lead them in their wandrings , to converse with them in their solitudes ; to give down from above , in divine smiles , in illapses of spiritual joys , assurances of dearest love , tenderest care , melting sympathie , gracious acceptance , to give down from above what-ever is wanting beneath . In fine , to preserve them from falling by the presence of his Grace , till he present them faultless before the presence of his Glory . O its good being with Christ any where .

Tell me , O thou whom my soul loveth , where thou feedest , and causest thy flocks to rest at noon . Where thou feedest ? yea , where thou [ art , ] whether feeding or fasting , whether rejoycing or mourning ; where thou causest thy flocks to [ rest ] at noon ? yea and where thou sufferest thy flocks to be scattered in the night . Where thy flocks are , thou art not far away ; tell mee where thou feedest , tell mee where thou art . My beloved that feedeth among the lillies , feedeth sometimes among the thorns . When his love is a lilly among thorns , there hee feedeth . Hee feedeth among the thorns ; he feedeth with his sheep , he feedeth with his Lambs where ever they feed ; when darkness , and desolation , and devils , and death feed upon them , even then he feedeth them , and takes his feeding with them .

O where ever my Lord is , there let my lot fall . Let me dwell amongst the thorns , so my dwelling be with my Lord amongst the lillies . Let me wander amongst the mountains , whilest he is with me telling all my wandrings . Let me be scourged , so he will wash my stripes ; let me weep , so he will wipe off my tears ; I would not want wounds , whilest I have such oyl to pour in . Come all yee thieves and robbers , I fear you not , my dear Samaritan comes by ; come yee bulls of Bashan , yee boars of the forest , let my beloved kiss mee with the kisses of his mouth , and I regard it not , though you kick me with the heel . O my Lord , bring me where thou feedest let me live in thy face , let me feel thy smiles upon my heart , let me love thee , tell me thou lovest me , remembrest , pittiest , acceptest , takest care for me , and then chuse my condition , my dwelling and entertainment for me .

Fainting Christian , lift up thine eyes , comfort thine heart ; here 's that thou fearest and tormentest thy self withall . Here is the inside of that formidable cross , the light side of those dark clouds , the sunny side of that shady thorny hedge that so wounds and afflicts thine heart . Fear not , bee strong and of a good courage . Thou still sayest , woe is me I can find no such thing ; Ah , Lord God , doth he not speak parables ? O that I were assured it might be thus with me ; why , art thou in Covenant ? believe , and all is thine . I believe , and therefore have I spoken ; believe , and thou shalt see the salvation of God ; as sure as the cross is thine , all the comforts of the cross are setled upon thee . Read over all the gracious words thou hast before thine eyes ; view over all the instances of suffering Saints that have gone before thee , on whom these good words have been made good ; in conspicuous increases of divine grace , in the signal discoveries of divine love , in the clearest and fullest revelation of divine glory , in the intimate sense of the divine presence ; quickning , enlarging , encouraging , supporting their spirits , in the darkest dens , in the sharpest conflicts , with reproaches , mockings , bonds , banishments , torments , and deaths ; and know that all these things are written for thy learning , that thou through patience and comfort of the Scriptures maist have hope .

Read over , Isa. 51. Hearken to mee yee that follow after righteousness , yee that seek the Lord , look unto the Rock whence ye are hewen , and to the hole of the pit , whence ye are digged , for the Lord shall comfort Zion , hee will comfort all her wast places ; hee will make her wildernesse like Eden , and all her desarts like the Garden of the Lord , joy and gladness shall bee found therein , thanksgiving and the voice of melody , lift up your eyes to the Heavens , &c. Verse 7 , 8 , 12 , 13. Hearken unto me , ye that know righteousness , the people in whose heart is my Law , fear yee not the reproach of men , neither bee ye afraid of their revilings , for the Moth shall eat them up like a Garment , and the worm shall eat them like wool , but my Righteousness shall bee for ever , and my salvation from Generation to Generation . I even I , am hee that comforteth you , who art thou that thou shouldest bee afraid of a man that shall dye , and of the Son of man which shall bee made as grass ? and forgettest the Lord thy maker , that hath stretched forth the heavens , and layd the foundations of the earth ; and hast feared continually every day , because of the fury of the oppressour , as if he were ready to destroy , and where is the fury of the oppressour . I even I am he , &c. [ and where is the fury of the oppressour . ] where is the fury of the oppressour ? where is it not rather ? is it not in the house , and in the field ? is it not in the City , and in the Villages ? is it not upon my Cattel , upon my Purse , upon my body , upon my Children , upon my friends , where is not the fury of the oppressour ? I , but when thou remembrest the Lord thy maker , the Oath , the Promise , and Covenant of God ; the Presence , Protection and Comfort of thy God , when thou remembrest this , then where is the fury of the Oppressour ?

CHAP. V. The Angels of Light in the Covenant .

5. THe Angels of Light are in the Covenant , Heb. 1.14 . are they not all Ministring Spirits , sent forth for them who shall bee Heirs of Salvation ? Whilest our Lord himself was sent down to Minister , behold his servants are to bee ministred unto , the Angels are made their Ministers , Psal. 91.11 . Hee shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy waies : they have received a charge , and they have great advantages for the keeping the charge of the Lord .

1. They are mighty , Psal. 103.20 . Bless the Lord yee his Angels , that excel in strength , an Angel is more than an Armie , what slaughters have the Angels made in the Armies of the Aliens ; an hundred fourscore and five thousand Assyrians are slain by one Angel of the Lord , when encamped against Judah , Isa. 37.36 . It is hard service indeed , that is too hard for an Angel .

2 They are numerous , there are great multitudes of them , Psal. 68.17 . Thousands of Angels , a multitude of the Heavenly Host , Luke 2.13 . An Angel is more than an army , but what then are an Army of Angels ?

3. They are faithful , They can do much for the Saints , but will they do it ? yes , they are faithful , They do the Commandements of God . Psal. 103.20 . God bids them keep , and they are faithful , they will keep his sheep ; wee are taught to pray , that the will of God may bee done on earth , as it is in Heaven ; that men may bee faithful as the Angels of God .

4. They are Favourites , they behold the face of God , they dwell in his presence , they are admitted to stand before his Throne , they can bee heard ; they have favour in Heaven , and therefore such power on earth , Mat. 18.10 . Take heed yee despise not one of these little ones , for I say unto you , that in Heaven their Angels do alwaies behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven .

Touch not mine annointed , let alone my little ones , take heed , how you offend them , their Angels are before my Father , and are mighty with him , to engage his power , for their aid and deliverance .

O the great security of the least of Saints ; These Mighty ones , these Multitudes , these Faithful ones , these Favourites of Heaven , the Holy Angels of God , have all received a charge from the Lord , to preserve and defend them ; Lord open their eyes that they may see . Behold the Mountains full of Chariots and Horses of fire round about Elisha , 2 King . 6.17 .

Should a mighty Prince commit any Subject of his to a potent and faithful Life-guard , with this charge : Look to this man , keep him in safety , see that hee come to no harm ; whoever offends , do you defend him ; where-ever hee goes , go you with him ; where-ever hee lodges stand you as a guard about the house , while hee sleeps do you watch ; see that hee want for nothing , nor hurt come to him ; If this were thy case , in what great security wouldst thou count thy self ; But O! what is a life-guard of men to a guard of mighty Angels . Fear not little flock , in Heaven your Angels behold the face of God , and in Earth have they pitched their Tents round about you .

CHAP. VI. The powers of darkness delivered over in the Covenant .

6. THe powers of darkness are delivered over in the Covenant ; Satan and all his Instruments . We are naturally in bondage to Satan , held captive by him at his Will , 2 Tim. 2.26 . His Prisoners , his Slaves , his Vassals . By the blood of the Covenant , the Lord hath brought forth his Prisoners , and redeemed his Captives , Zach. 9.11 . and also hath spoiled Principalities and Powers , and led Captivity Captive . In this Covenant there is deliverance of the Prisoners , and a delivery over of them , by whom they were held ; a Gaol-delivery and a delivery of the Jaylors too , into their hands ; and they are delivered over bound , the God of this world in Chains , limited , spoiled , banished , and cast out , Mat. 16.18 . The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it . The Gates of Cities were antiently their special strength , and in them were their great Councels held , for the contriving and managing of all their concernments ; by Hell understand the whole Infernal Corporation , all that belong to that dark Region , Satan and all his Instruments ; the dragon with his armies , the serpent and all his seed . By the gates of hell understand , the power and policy , the combination and councels of Sathan and his whole party . These gates of hell shall not prevail against it ; that is against the Church ; neither against head , nor any member of it : they shall not prevail , that notes two things .

1. They shall fight against it ; they are all combin'd and listed against the Church , making a war upon it ; Raze it , Raze it even to the foundation thereof . Down with it root and branch , let it not have a being , let it not have so much as a name under heaven : particular quarrels there may bee betwixt devil and devil ; Herod against Pilate , and Pilate against Herod , yet the tails of these smoaking fire-brands are united against the Lord and his anointed ones . Against their profession , against their Religion , against the soul of every Saint . What-ever vails or specious pretences they varnish their quarrel with , this is it that lies at the bottom of all their counsels and machinations , wherein all their aims are concentred , to root out godliness and the professours of it out of the earth ; to deceive and destroy souls for ever .

2. Though they shall fight against them , yet they shall not overcome . They shall not prevail against it , that is , not finally , in the end the victory shall be the Saints . Zach. 12.3 , Jerusalem shall be a burthensom stone to all people . 1. Such a stone that they shall not be able to lift , or move it out of its place ; it shall stand as a rock , against which the impetuous waves may dash themselves , but they cannot move it .

2. They shall not be able to bear it . It shall crush them that burthen themselves with it ; those that shake the Church , they are pulling an house about their ears ; a rock upon their loins ; it shall break the backs of all those that contend against it ; they shall bee cut in pieces ( saith the Text ) that burthen themselves with it ; though all the earth , yea and hell too , be gathered together against it . It is a vain design that Sathan and his partakers are driving on , Psal. 2.1 . Why do the heathens rage , and the people imagine [ a vain ] thing ? it is a vain design , and it is a fatal design to themselves ; Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron , thou shalt dash them in pieces like a Potters vessel .

Gen. 3.15 . In the first dawning of this glorious day light , it 's promised , that the seed of the woman shall break the serpents head , I will put enmity between thee and the woman , and between thy seed and her seed ; It shall bruise thy head , and thou shalt bruise his heel .

John 12.31 . Now is the judgment of this world , now shall the prince of this world be cast out .

Cast out , whence ? why cast out of his kingdome , out of his hold , cast down from his throne and dominion . His prison is broken , and now the prey is taken from the strong , the captives of the mighty are taken away .

But how was this now done , at the death of Christ , to which these words referre ? Doth not Sathan still reign ? Is hee not still the god of this world , and the prince of the power of the air ? Yea , what hold hath hee yet of the Saints that are in the earth ? what a tyrant is hee to them ? how doth hee entangle and ensnare them ? what havock doth hee make in their consciences ? lording it over them , leading them captive by lusts and temptations ; what a strong party hath he still within them , bearing arms against their Lord , fighting against their souls ? what sad spoil doth he make upon their grace , upon their peace ? they cannot rest for him day nor night , abroad nor at home , alone nor in company ; hee 's ever following them ; whither ever they go , the Devil is at their backs ; they cannot pray , nor read , nor spend a thought , nor cast a look , nor dispatch a sigh towards the Lord , but Sathan stands by to resist , and hinder them ; what a yoke hath he still upon their necks ! what clogs and weights hath he still upon their loins ? how do they mourn in their souls , whilest he vexes them from day to day ? how do they groan , and travel in pain , sighing in themselves , and waiting for their redemption ? How is it then said , now is hee cast out ? why now hee hath received his judgment ; the prince of this world is judged , Joh. 16. Now is the fatal blow given ; now is the serpents head broken , though hee still may bruise , and hang in the Saints heel . The blow he levelled at our Lord , hath rebounded on his own head . Though hee be as Gad , a serpent in the way , yet you may now tread upon this serpent , and it shall not hurt you . The strong man is now bound , if hee be a god still , hee 's a God in chains , a prince in fetters ; he must ask leave of your father , ere he can touch one hair of your heads . Hee cannot tempt you , nor cast a bank against you , nor shoot an arrow at you , without a commission from heaven . The devils are subject to you . He is cast out , and in your Lords name , you may cast him out . In my name shall ye cast out devils ; out of possessed bodies , out of possessed souls ; you may be instruments to bring many a soul to repentance ; that they may recover themselves out of the snares of the devil , who are held captive by him at his will . Every sinner that is converted by you , you have cast out a devil out of that soul .

Though he be an adversary still , yet such an adversary as may be resisted ; whom resist stedfast in the faith , 1 Pet. 5.9 . And if you will resist , hee shall flee from you , James 4.17 . Stand , and your enemy runs .

Nay more , hee is not only a conquer'd enemy , but made your servant . This viper shall yield you medicine against his own poyson . His smitings shall be an excellent oyl ; his messengers he sends to buffet you , his thorns he sticks in your flesh , shall be a prevention of greater evils . The very destruction he intends to bring upon you , shall promote your salvation , 1 Cor. 5.5 . Deliver such an one to Sathan for the destruction of the flesh , that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus . Behold the devil is the Churches servant ; and such a servant as in their present state , they cannot well want . The executioner of their censures . A Common-wealth may as well want a Jaylour or an Hang-man , as the Church a Devil . Behold Sathan divided against Sathan ; the devil without , against the devil within ; the destroyer of souls , become the destroyer of sin . Deliver such an one to Sathan [ for the destruction of the flesh . ] Though much against his mind , his hand is against his own party . Hee 's made to kill his own friends , which otherwise would kill the soul . Whether he will or no , the very tormentour is made a saviour ; that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus . Christians as much as you feel of the devils malice , you could ill want his service ; there 's many a soul lost and undone by a sleeping , that might have been recovered and rouzed by a raging devil . His winds shall blow off your chaff , his floods shall wash away your filth , his earth-quakes shall open your prison-doors , his tempests shall drive you to harbour . Some men want a tempest , to save them from a wrack .

Nay once more ; he is not low enough yet ; he shall be yet brought lower . You have assurance of his total and final overthrow . Rom. 16.20 . The god of peace shall tread Sathan under your feet shortly , Rev. 20.10 . The devil shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone : 'T is but a little while , and when he hath done his work , he shall be sent to his place , where he shall be shut up , and a seal set upon him ; whence he shall come out no more for ever . He shall tempt no more ; vex no more , deceive no more , destroy no more , torment you no more ; he shall be thrust out , he shall be chain'd up ; the tormentour shall be tormented , day and night for ever and ever .

Stand Christians , stand your ground a little while ; follow your work , hold up your holy profession , hold on your holy course ; keep your hearts , keep your garments , keep on your armour , keep under corruption , resist temptation , bear your affliction ; hold out faith and patience , fight against your adversaries , watch with your Lord , this one hour , and behold hee that shall come , will come ; he cometh quickly , and hee that is in the world , shall bee consumed with the breath of his mouth , and destroyed with the brightness of his appearing . Hee shall bee cast out , hee shall bee cast down , and rise no more for ever .

CHAP. VII . Death in the Covenant .

7. GOd hath put Death into the Covenant , 1 Cor. 3.21 . Whether Paul , or Apollos , or Cephas , or the World , or Life , or DEATH , all are yours . Death , there is a great purchase you 'l say ; what advantage is that ? yes , death is advantage : To dye is gain ; For ,

1. The Commission of Death is changed . 'T was once , take him Jaylour ; away with him , carry him down , to Prison with him , there to bee reserved to the Judgement , of the great day ; It is now , take him Janitour ; take him Porter ; take him in , give him an entrance into his Master's joy : Death doth but take the Bride when shee is ready , and lodges her in the Chamber of the Bride-groom ; this made death the Apostles desire , Philip. 1.23 . I desire to depart , and to bee with Christ , which is far better .

2. Death is conquered . What does this mean , Your enemie is yours ? other than this , your enemy is conquered to you , a conquered enemy , is made a Tributary , death is dis-armed ; it hath lost its sting ; when a Serpent hath lost its sting , you may take it into your bosome .

Hee that can say : Death where is thy sting ? may go on , and add , Thankes bee to God , which hath given me the victory . A Signet sent from Heaven , with a Death's head , is a precious token ; Come Christians , bee of good courage , set your feet on the neck of this King of terrours .

3. Death is at once , The destruction of all their enemies , when once death hath done its office upon them , then farewel Edom , and Ammon , and Amaleck , and Aegypt ; fare-well the pricking bryer , and the grieving thorne ; then farewel sin and sorrow for ever ; the Egyptians they have seen , and fear'd , and felt , to day , they shall never see again for ever . It destroys it self , their last enemy by destroying them , it hath its welcome , and farewell the same moment ; it is but welcome death and farewel death for ever . Death dies with them ; once dead , they dye no more for ever ; mortality is swallowed up of life , death is cast into the lake of fire ; that is its Region ; there , there they die , and dye , and dye again ; over , and over , for ever , and ever ; but for the Saints it doth but set them on the banks of that good Land , whether it cannot follow them ; our Lord by death [ by ours as well as his own ] hath delivered those who for fear of death , were all their life time subject to bondage .

Christians , you may now not onely with patience , but with desire , expect the assault of this King of terrours . What , shall tribulation , and persecution , and famine , and nakedness , and peril , and sword ? shall sorrows , and fears , and mortality dye with mee ? yea , shall sin dye with mee ? then welcome death , Lord strengthen me this once , let mee dye with the Philistines . Would it bee good for thee to bee with thy Father ? in the bosome of thy bridegroom ? the presence chamber of thy Lord and Love ? would it bee a mercy to thee , to weep no more , fear no more , suffer no more , bee tempted no more , sin no more ? to bee uncloathed of corruption , and be cloathed upon with immortality and incorruption , then bid death welcome .

Blessed souls , when you come a shoare , and see the light , the love , the joy , the rest , the glory , that is on the other side ; you will then more fully understand , what this meaneth ; Death is yours . Hee knew something , who said : I cannot tell you what sweet pain , and delightsome torments , are in Christs love ; I often challenge time , that holdeth us asunder , I have for the present a sick life , much pain , and much love-sickness for Christ ; O what would I give , to have a bed made to my wearied soul , in his bosome ! O when shall wee meet ! O how long is it to the dawning of the Marriage-day , O sweet Lord Jesus take wide steps ; Come over the Mountains at one stride , O my Beloved , flee as a Roe , or a young Hart upon the Mountains of separation ! O if hee would fold the Heavens together like an old Cloak , and shovel time and daies out of the way , and come away .

CHAP. VIII . The Kingdome in the Covenant .

8. GOd hath put the Kingdome into this Covenant Matth. 5.3 . Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven , Luke 12.32 . It is your Fathers pleasure to give you the Kingdome ; Glorious things are spoken of thee , O thou City of God . I might here enlarge in describing the glory of this Kingdome , but when I had said all , I must at last leave it within the Vail ; and therefore shall only tell you , from the Apostle , 1 Cor. 2.9 . Eye hath not seen , nor ear heard , neither have entred into the heart of man , the things which God hath prepared for them that love him , &c. Ephes. 1.18 . When by the Spirit of Wisdome , and Revelation , the eyes of your understandings are opened , yee shall know , what is the hope of his calling , and what is the riches of the glory , of his Inheritance in the Saints .

CHAP. IX . All the means of salvation in the Covenant , both outward and inward , in special , [ the blessing of a new heart . ]

LAstly , God hath put into the Covenant all the means of salvation . And all things on their parts necessary , to the obtaining the everlasting kingdome .

1. All the outward means of salvation . Ordinances , Word , Sacraments , and Prayer ; Officers ; Prophets , Apostles , Evangelists , Pastours , and Teachers , Ephes. 4.11,12 . 1 Cor. 3.22 .

2. All the inward means of salvation . Every grace , every duty ; their obtaining the one , and performing the other , and perseverance in both . These are all comprehended in the second part of that great promise , They shall be my people . Which though it be properly , the matter of their own stipulation , yet for this also the Lord himself undertakes .

You shall be my people . Two things are hereby signified .

1. I will account you , and reckon you for mine . You shall have the priviledge and the blessing of my people . I will set you apart , and separate you to my self , out of all the tribes and kindreds of the earth ; and will avouch you for my portion and peculiar possession . I will set you as the apple of mine eye , as a seal upon mine heart , and upon mine arm .

I will mark you out for the people of my love ; of you will I take care , for you will I provide , with you are my delights , over you will I rejoyce , with you will I dwell , and you shall dwell with me for ever .

2. I will not only reckon you for my people , but I will undertake for you , that you shall consent to me , accept of me , own me , follow me , and cleave to me as my people . I will not only separate you to my self , but I will fashion you for my self . I will sanctifie you , and guide you , and teach you , and help you . I will fulfill in you all the good pleasure of my will . I will work all your works in you , I will avouch you for my people , and you shall avouch me for your God . You shall love me , fear me , obey me ; I will keep you from falling , and preserve you to my heavenly kingdome .

Particularly , the Lord hath promised to give them , 1. A new heart . 2. An heart to know the Lord . 3. One heart . 4. An heart of flesh . 5. An heart to love the Lord . 6. An heart to fear the Lord . 7. An heart to obey the Lord . 8. An heart to persevere to the end .

1. A new heart . Ezek. 36.26 . A new heart will I give you , and a new spirit will I put within you .

This new heart ( I take it ) is the genus of all the following graces ; and therefore the less shall suffice , to be spoken of it here . A new heart , that is , not physically new in regard of substance , but morally onely , in regard of qualities .

This new heart signifies both another heart , and a more excellent heart . 'T is said of Caleb , Numb. 14.24 . that he had another heart . And this other heart is declared to be a more excellent heart , than was in the rest of the people . Whilest they , either followed not the Lord , or but haltingly , hee followed the Lord fully , Prov. 17.27 . A man of understanding is of an excellent spirit .

There is another heart , that is not a new heart ; Nebuchadnezzer had another , but no new heart ; the heart of a beast , for the heart of a man ; an evil heart grown worse , is not a new heart , but the old heart grown older .

We read 1 Sam. 10.9 . that when Saul was anointed King , God gave [ him ] another heart ; this was a more excellent heart , than he had before , and yet not the heart here promised . He gave to him another heart , that is , the spirit of government ; the heart of a King , for the heart of a private person ; a more publick , raised , heroick heart ; the heart of a King , fitted to the station and office of a King .

The excellencies of this new heart are not natural , but spiritual excellencies , as will appear more in the handling of the particular graces promised ; and are such as fit them for their new state work reward .

1. For their new state ; Christians are made the children of God , vessels of honour , a royal Priesthood , an holy Nation , a peculiar people ; and God gives them an heart , answering the dignity of their high calling .

2. For their new Work ; a Christian hath other work to do , than other men ; whilest their business lies all here below , in this earth ; in their fields , and vineyards , &c. Christians work lies above , with their God , and their Jesus ; and within , about their nobler , and immortal part ; their work is spiritual , and such is the heart that 's given to them .

3. For their new reward . God intends better things to them ; a better portion ; a better hope , better comforts , joyes , delights here ; and a better inheritance hereafter ; and he prepares them better hearts , to receive these better things ; he will not put his new wine into old bottles .

The excellencies of this new heart may be reduced to these three .

1. A new light ; discovering the dignity of their state , the spirituality of their work , the glorie of their reward .

2. A new law , or frame , or bent of spirit ; inclining ; disposing , and fitting them to all that which they are made for . And this is the meaning of Gods writing his Law in the heart . The Law written in the heart , signifies , not only the Law made known in the heart , but the heart made suitable to the Law ; and adapted to the obedience of it . There is a kind of connaturalness betwixt the new heart , and all that the Law requires .

3. A new power , enabling them for their new work . We have all these mentioned in one Scripture , 2 Tim. 1.7 . God hath not given us a spirit of fear , but of power , and of love , and of a sound mind . [ A sound mind ] there 's the new light ; [ a spirit of love ] there 's the new law , or frame ; and with these , [ a spirit of power . ]

In summe , this new heart is the divine nature ; the image of God renewed ; the life of God begotten , Christ formed in them . An heart after Gods own heart , containing in it all those graces of the Spirit , wherein stands their likeness to God , and their capacity of serving , and enjoying of him . This is the heart the Lord will give . A new heart will I give unto you .

Against all those glorious things promised before , it would be objected ; A kingdome promised ? glory , and honour , and everlasting blessedness , granted ! Alas , what 's all this to me ? to whom is it promised ? or upon what terms ? when I consider what is required , 't is all one to me , as if there had been nothing promised . The way to this blessedness is too narrow , the gate is too strait for me ever to hope to enter . What-ever the Price be , the strictness , and severities of a Christian course , the very fore-sight of them does amaze , and confound me . Live a new life ? deny my self ? take up my cross ? follow Christ ? spend my daies in fasting , and praying , and mourning ? live by rule ? look to every step , to every word , to every thought ? &c. all these things are against me . A new life ? a new course ? if this be it , I shall never bear it . No man having tasted of the old , will endure this new way ; for he saith , the old is better . 'T is all one to me , as if there had been no Christ , no Gospel , no Kingdome promised , if it cannot be obtained upon other terms than these . I were even as good sit down as I am , and run the venture of what follows , as to feed my self with hopes , of that which I see , I can never obtain . If I do but move heaven-wards , the stream carries me down ; If I do but take up a thought , make an essay , set a foot forwards towards this new course , I find mine old things hang in my heels . My old customes , my old companions , mine old pleasures , and ease , and liberties , quickly pull mee back . Oh what shall I do ? I must bee undone , I must bee a lost and damned wretch . Fain I would be happy , but I cannot be holy . I dread , I often tremble to think of losing Christ , and the blessings of his Gospel ; but this wretched heart is too hard for me , and will not come on towards it . I am ashamed , I am plagued to think , what I am like to lose , and for how little ; but I cannot help it ; the way is such , that this foolish heart will never endure it .

Why hearken soul : The Lord that hath called thee to this new course , will give thee a new heart . And there is not any thing required in an holy life so irksome , and so contrary to thee ; but this new heart is so fitted , and suited to it , that it will become easie to thee . It s pain will bee pleasant , its severity will be liberty , its very drudgery ( as thou countest it ) will be a great delight . Psal. 40.8 . I delight to do thy will , O God , thy Law is within mine heart . And Psal. 1,2 . of the renewed soul it s said , his delight is in the Law of the Lord . In the original , his will , his heart , is in the law . The law is in his heart , and his heart is in the law . Gods will and his are the same . What-ever God bids him do , his heart bids him do ; and his hand will never say his heart nay . He that delights in the law , and as 't is a law , commanding such things , will never grudge to do what it commands . Where t is a pleasure to be commanded , t is no pain to obey . What-ever work the law cuts him out , 't is work he loves . Bid him pray , bid him watch , bid him walk humbly with his God ; 't is work he loves ; 't is in his heart to do it . Bid a Saint draw nigh to God in any duty ; 't is as if you bid the hungry to eat , or the thirsty to drink , the naked to be cloathed , the beggar to come for an alms , or the poor labourer for a daies work . Bid a Christian to deny himself , to crucifie his flesh ; 't is the same as if you bid him , deny thine enemy , revenge thy self on thine enemy ; such revenge is sweet : but O how pleasant is it to him , to be called to a life of praise ? to live above in the light , in the love , in the joy of the Lord ? to be searching , and studying , and looking into , and admiring those everlasting treasures of spiritual and heavenly delights laid up in God ? to behold his face , to live in his presence , and to dwell in the light of his countenance ? 't is true , there is some remaining difficulty , and irksomness in the sweetest works of religion , as far forth as the heart is unrenewed and is yet carnal ; deny my self ? mortifie lust ? forsake my companions ? withdraw from iniquity ? Why what 's this but to cut off my hand ? to pluck out mine eyes ? to tear my flesh ? walk with God ? seek his face ? dwell in his presence ? 't is all one , as to bid me feed on the air , wander on the mountains , dwell in the wilderness ; and as much pleasure can I find , in the one as in the other . 'T is so indeed , as far as thou remainest carnal ; the Lord God and all his ways are a wilderness , a land of darkness to thee ; but as much as thou hast of this new heart , so much ease and pleasure , thou wilt find herein .

Desponding soul ; thou saist , thou art yet ignorant , and hast little knowledge of the way of the Lord ; but behold a new light to lead thee . Thou art yet carnal , and thy heart is contrary , and ever quarrelling at it ; but the new nature will end the old quarrel . Thou art weak and impotent , the work is too hard for thee , if thou lovedst it never so well ; but what will this be ; when thou art endued with power from on high ?

O Friend wouldst thou indeed live this new life , get this new heart . But oh there lies the difficulty ; how or where shall I get it ? Why , have recourse to the Covenant , there it lies for thee . But how shall I get it thence ? why hath the Lord promised to give it thee ? take the word from his mouth , and put it into thine own ; turn the word of promise , into a prayer ? Doth he say [ I will give ] ? let thy soul answer , [ give Lord ] give me this new heart . I am weary Lord , and thou art weary also of this wicked heart , at once ease thy self and me ; Take away this , and give me a better heart . Turn the word of promise into a prayer , and then turn the word of Prayer , into a word of Faith . He says [ I will give ] let thy Faith say , [ thou wilt give ] I shall have it ; since thou hast said , thy servant also may boldly say [ Thou wilt do it . ] Thou wilt give me a better heart . Farewell my old sins , lusts , and companions ; farewell mine old pleasures , and ways ; now for heaven in earnest , now welcome the strait gate , the new and living way . Old things are past away , all things shall become new . Turn the word of promise into a prayer , turn thy prayer into a word of Faith , and God will turn the word of Faith into a word of Command . Bee it according to thy word . Let there be a new light , let there bee a new law , let there bee a new power ; let there no more bee a spirit of fear in this heart , but a spirit of power , of love , and of a sound mind . And as when he said in the creation of the great world , Let there bee light , let there bee a Firmament , let there bee a Sun and Moon , It was so : so when he shall say , in the new creation of this little world , let there bee light , let there bee love , let there bee power ; let us again make man in our image , after our own likeness ; It shall be so . The Lord hath said [ I will , ] let thy Prayer say [ Do it Lord ] let thy Faith say [ thou wilt do it ] and God will say , Amen , so be it .

CHAP. X. An heart to know the Lord .

2. AN heart to know the Lord , Jer. 24.7 . I will give them an heart to know me . The knowledge of God is the first excellency of the new heart . As in the old so in the new creation ( as was said before ) the first word is , let there bee light . There is not so glorious a preheminence of day above night , as of the knowledge , above the ignorance of God . As the Firmament without a Sun , as the body without an eye , so is the soul without knowledge . What this knowledge of God here promised is , will appear , if wee consider .

It s Object . Act.

1. The Object of this Knowledge is , God , not only the Nature , or being of God , manifested in his Essential Perfections , his Glorious Attributes , his Infiniteness , Eternity , Omnipotency , &c. In his Personal Relations , the Subsistences in the Godhead ; but God in Christ , God in Covenant ; yea , the whole Minde and Will of God , all that which God hath revealed to us , as our Duty , or Happinesse .

God known in the heart , is the whole Bible opened ; The Law opened , the Gospel opened ; Duties , Comforts , Priviledges made manifest . Christ opened in his Sufferings , in his Satisfaction , in his Spirit , in all the Riches of his Glory ; the whole mystery of Godliness revealed ; The Heart opened , man made known to himself , all the depths of the heart , all the deceits of the heart , all the faculties and powers of the heart ; with their motions , operations , inclinations , the rectitude , or obliquities of them . Heaven opened , the Crown , the Kingdome known ; everlasting rest , glory , honour , immortality , brought to light . Hell opened , sin known , the devil known , wrath , temptations , the curse , eternal fire known . All this , even all that God is , and all that hee hath revealed in his Word and Works , are the object of this Knowledge of God .

2. The Act. To know , is to apprehend , or understand God , and the things of God ; Jer. 9.24 . Let him that glorieth , glory in this , that hee ( understandeth ) and knoweth mee . Ephes. 3.18,19 . That yee may [ comprehend ] with all Saints , what is the heighth and length , and breadth , and depth . that yee may [ know ] the love of Christ : This apprehension of God , doth not barely note our having received some natural , or metaphysical Notions of God , and the Truths that are in him ; But farther , it notes :

1. An Approbation of him ; an approving or liking the things that are excellent , Phil. 1.9,10 . That your love may abound more and more in [ knowledge ] and in all Judgement , that yee may [ approve ] the things that are excellent .

2. Appropriation , The knowing of God as a reconciled God ; a God , and a God to mee ; good , and good to mee ; wise and wise for mee : My Lord and my God : To know God in Christ , reconciled through Christ ; propitious through Christ , this is saving knowledge . To know , and not possess , to see and not eat , to know an angry God , a wrathful God , a God lost ; to know goodness , mercy , loving-kindness , compassion , alsufficiency , and to have the heart recurre , what is this to thee ? this is none of thine ; the damned thus know and dye .

3 Affection , As Psal. 9.10 . Those that know thy Name , shall trust in thee ; So those that know thy Name , will love thee , and fear thee , and rejoyce in thee , and bless thy Name ; to know and hate God , to know and contemn God , to know and fly from God , to know and Blaspheme and curse God , the Devils thus know and tremble .

But especially that which distinguishes , this saving from common knowledge , is ;

Its Power . Savour .

1. It s Power , the Knowledge of God is mighty ; my preaching was not weak , but mighty , in you , 2 Cor. 13. It hath , A Transforming , A Fructifying , Power .

1. A Transforming Power , 2 Cor. 3.18 . Wee all with open face , beholding as in a glass , the Glory of the Lord , are changed into the same Image , Rom. 12.2 . Bee yee not conformed to this present world , but bee yee transformed , by the renewing of your mindes , [ by the renewing of your mindes ] the renovation of the minde , both is this change , and works it farther upon the whole soul , this new light is the new creature ; old things pass away , all things become new , where the minde is savingly enlightned ; God known in the soul , is God united to the soul ; Christ revealed in the heart , is Christ formed upon the heart ; there 's life in this light , it is no other than the light of life . The Knowledge of God comprehends in it , and is involved in , and Spirits , and animates every grace and duty ; as the same soul , in the eye sees , in the ear hears , in the palate tastes ; as the same juyce which is in the Olive fatness , in the Fig-Tree sweetness , in the Oake strength , in the Rose fragrancy , in the Lillie beauty ; So the same grace , which in the minde , is light ; in the heart , is love , holy desire , holy fear , holy joy ; and one says , that as feeling is inseparable to all the Organs of sense ; the eye feels and sees , the ear feels and hears , the palate feels and tastes , the nostrils feel and smell ; So knowledge is involved in every grace ; Faith knows and believes , Charity knows and loves , temperance knows and abstains , patience knows and suffers , humility knows and stoops , repentance knows and mourns , obedience knows and does , compassion knows and pitties , hope knows and expects , confidence knows and rejoyces ; And therefore wee believe , and love , and obey , and hope , and rejoyce , because we know . God gives us this knowledge as the eye of our souls , and by that eye , hee enters with all his power and Glory , Ephes. 3.19 . That ye may know the love of Christ , which passeth knowledge , and bee filled with all the fulness of God . Day-light is not that light wee receive by reflection from the Moon and Stars , at second hand ; when the Sun is risen , and come in among us , then it is day ; When the Sun of Righteousness is risen in the heart , there 's the light of life ; God is , and God dwells in this light , and where God dwells , every unclean thing vanishes ; can Darkness dwell with the Sun ? can Death dwell with Life ? according to the measure of the manifestation of God in us , so far forth is sin necessarily vanished . Thou art but the carkasse of a Christian , the light that is in thee , is darkness , the life that is in thee , is death , if thou bee not in the whole man renewed , after the Image of him that Created thee . If Christ bee not formed in thy heart , if the Love , the humility , the meeknesse , the patience , the compassion , the holiness of the Lord Jesus , be not begotten in thee ; whatever thou knowest , thou knowest nothing as thou oughtest to know ; if thou hast all knowledge , and hast not charity ; and so , if thou hast all knowledge and hast not humility , meekness , holiness , thou art nothing ; thou art but as sounding brass , or a tinkling Cimbal . Doubting Christian , that complainest of , and bewailest thine ignorance , and fearest that thou knowest not God , look upwards , where his Glory dwells ; lift up thine eyes and see , or if thou canst not see , lift up thy heart for eyes ; Lord , where dwellest thou ? let mee see thy Face , shew mee thy Glory , pitty thy blinde , let the eyes of this blinde bee opened , and the tongue of this dumb shall bee loosed , and speak forth thy praise : Look upward , and if yet thou seest not thy God , look inward ; canst thou see his Face in thy soul ? canst thou see his Image on thy heart ? canst thou behold in ( this ) Glasse the Glory of the Lord , and finde thy self changed into his Image ? Comfort thine heart , how short sighted soever thou seemest to bee , how dimme soever thy Candle burns , how weak soever in the Knowledge of God thou complainest thou art ; thou hast seen God , thou hast seen his Face in peace ; God that commanded the light to shine out of darkness , hath shined into thine heart , and given thee the Knowledge of his Glory in the face of Jesus Christ .

2. A Fructifying Power , this Sun-shine makes a fruitful soil , Colos. 1.9,10 . my desire for you , ( saith the Apostle ) is , that you may bee filled with the Knowledge of his Will , in all Wisdome , and Spiritual understanding . That yee might walk worthy of the Lord , unto all pleasing , being fruitful unto every good work , and encreasing in the Knowledge of God ; Strengthened with all might , according to his glorious Power , unto all Patience , and long suffering , with joyfulness ; and Phil. 1.11 . Being filled with the fruits of Righteousness , which are by Jesus Christ , unto the Glory and praise of God . Full of Light , and full of Love , of Faith , of Patience , of Humility , and fruitful in every good work ; Mat. 12.35 . A good man out of the good treasure of the heart , bringeth forth good things ; an evil man out of the evil treasure , bringeth forth evil things . A good man hath a good treasure within him ; a treasure of Heavenly Wisdome , of Divine Truth ; a treasure of Light ; God hath shined into his heart ; Hee 's filled with all the fulness of God ; And what is laid up within , hee brings forth without ; An evil man hath an evil treasure , Satan hath been filling his heart , Act. 5.3 . Why hath Satan filled thine heart ? the treasures of darkness are there ; a treasure of lust and lies ; Falshood and folly are found with him , these treasures of darkness within , bring forth darkness ; dark souls , lead dark lives , their way is dark , their deeds are darkness ; O how fruitful are sinners in their unfruitful works ; filled with all unrighteousness , fornication , wickednesse , covetousness , maliciousnesse , envy , murther , debate , deceit , malignity , &c. Rom. 1.29,30 . Their hearts are full , and thereupon their mouths full , their eyes full , their hands full ; mouths full of cursing , eyes full of adultery , hands full of violence , filled with all unrighteousness : O Generation of Vipers , how can yee being evil , ( having such hearts ) speak good things ? all is evil that comes from you , and how can it bee otherwise ? Out of the abundance of the heart , the mouth speaks : And in like manner , O Generation of Believers ! How can yee being good , but bring forth good things ? Or how can you say , or think , there is a treasure of Grace , a fountain of light within , when no streams spring forth ? Penury in the life , speaks no great plenty in the heart ; the Truths of God within you are the Seed of God , the good seed that hee sows in his fields ; where there 's good seed sown in good ground , you will expect a fruitful Harvest ; a barren crop , speaks a barren soil , or no good seed sown there .

1 John 2.3 . Hereby we do know that wee know him , if wee keep his Commandements . We know God ; but are you sure of it , are you not mistaken ? No , wee are not mistaken , wee know that wee know him : But how do you know it ? Why , how are trees known ? By their fruits ye shall know them . How do yee know that this is indeed the Tree of Knowledge ? Why , see what fruits are hanging upon it , wee keep the Commandements ; Here 's Obedience growing , here 's Holiness , and Righteousness , and Mercy ; Doubtless this is the right Tree , for behold all the Commandements , the two Tables , hanging upon the boughs of it , and not broken , but kept and observed : Wee may as well say , Obedience is no Obedience , Duty is no Duty , Faith and Love and Humility , and Patience are not what they are , as that the Tree that brings forth this fruit is not the Tree of Knowledge ; Wee know that wee know him , because wee keep his Commandements ; Yea , and the Tree of Life too , both in one ; a Tree of Life to them that lay hold upon her , Prov. 3.18 . Where these fruits are not found , where are nothing but shews , and sounds , painted fruits ; where are nothing but the fruits of unrighteousness , contention , strife , covetousness , sensuality , and the like ; he 's very ignorant indeed , that is not able to say , what ever I am ignorant of , this one thing I know , that I know not God . Christian , boast not of what thou hast , but consider what thou doest , try thy head , by thine heart , and thy heart , by thine hand ; Judge of thy light by thy love , and thy love by thy life ; say not that God hath shined into thine heart , unless thy light shine ; thy works shine before men ; The path of the just shineth , Prov. 4. 'T is but a forme of Knowledge that brings forth but a forme of Godlinesse ; hee that holdeth the Truth in unrighteousness , hath not the Truth , in truth in him ; thou sayest thou knowest the Lord , but what say thy waies , do these speak the same things ? Action is the best Interpreter of the inner man , feel the pulses of thy heart , what watchfulness , what holiness , hath thy Knowledge brought forth ? hast thou received the spirit , who yet walkest in the flesh ? what Heaven in thine heart , and nought but Earth in thy hand ? Truth in thine heart , and Lies in thy mouth ? Holiness in thy heart , Glory in thine heart , and in thy tongue nothing but filth or froth ? What an heart so full , and a life so empty ? how can these things bee ? Hath the light in thine heart given laws only to thine heart ? or doth thine heart submit , whilest thy tongue rebells , and thou kickest with the heel ?

Woe to us Christians , that sinners should be so full , and Saints to empty ; that they should speak what they have seen with their Father , and we should speak no more what wee have seen with our Father ; that oaths , and lyes , and blasphemies , and scoffs , and cursing , should be so rife in theirs ; and that truth , and goodness , and holiness , blessings and praises should be no more in our mouths ; that there should be so much guile in theirs , and so little grace in our lips ; that the shade should be more fruitful than the Sun ; that the good , should be only the barren ground ; that their habitations should be so full of violence , and oppression , and wantonness ; and no more mercy , and righteousness , and sobriety in ours .

Woe to us , that we know so much to so little purpose ; that we should be bushels to hide , and not rather candlesticks to hold forth the candle of the Lord , he hath lighted up in us ! Oh how many dark souls , might our candle lead on to the Sun . The light that is in Israel , might do much to the turning Egypt into a Goshen ; speak , Christians , speak what you have seen , and testifie what you have believed ; bring forth out of your treasure ; pitty the blinde world ; or at least be more helpful one to another . Instruct as you have been instructed ; convince as you have been convinced ; comfort as you have been comforted of God . Out-vie sinners , let not their mouths be so full of cursing , as yours of blessing ; whilest theirs are so full of blasphemies , let it be said of you as of your Lord , full of grace are their lips . Good words are not wind , you may reckon them not amongst the leaves , but the fruit . Whilest you are speaking of the things of God , you are therein doing the will of God . I confess the Proverb is true , The greatest talkers are not alwaies the greatest doers . But 't is true also , he is seldome a great doer , that hath nothing to say . There is a speaking which is our doing . There is a speaking in a way of boasting , to magnifie and set up our selves ; beware of that ; and there is a speaking to the use of edifying , to build up our brethren . When we are thus speaking to instruct , to convince , to awaken , and whet on our own , and others spirits to our work ; wee are then in doing our work . Speak Christians , and speak often the things that you know ; onely let me adde , let your lives speak also , and not onely your lips . If you would not bee vain-talkers , bee all tongue , let your lips speak , and your hands speak , and your feet speak , let your works and your ways speak , the wonderful things of God . Bring forth what you have received ; hee that 's all inside , and hee that 's all outside , are equally nothing . The one is a shadow without substance ; the others substance is but a shadow . The one is a deceiver , the other a deceived soul . The one boasts himself , the other thinks himself something , but neither is any thing .

Christians , bee full of good fruits , and you will make full proof that your wisdome is from above . If yee know these things , happy are yee if yee do them .

Weakling Christian , that knowest but little of God , and callest that little nothing ; whilest thou doubtest the light hath not shined into thee , dost thou walk in that little light thou hast ? dost thou shine as a light in the world ? dost thou know how to be holy , and humble , and harmless , and honest ? dost thou live under the power of those truths thou knowest ? dost thou fear the Lord , and obey the voice of his servants ? trust in the Lord , and stay thy self on thy God ; thou art a childe of light , though through thy trembling heart , thou walkest in darkness . Having not seen thou lovest , and believing thou shalt rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory .

2. It s favour . 2 Cor. 2.14 . And maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge , by us in every place . The Knowledge of God is sweet-sented ; it casts forth a fragrancy , where it comes . It hath a gratefulness to the heart , leaves sweet impressious on the senses of the Saints . They taste that the Lord is gracious . As their breathings go up as sweet incense , so his beams come down with like sweetness to them . As 't was said of Christ , so of God : Cant. 1.3 . The Name of the Lord is an ointment poured forth . Why what is his Name ? Exod. 34.6 . This is his Name . The Lord , the Lord God , merciful , and gracious , long-suffering , and abundant in goodness and truth ; keeping mercy for thousands , forgiving iniquity , transgression , and sin . Oh what a bundle of myrrhe , what a garden of spices , is here enclosed ? what a sweet smelling savour doth it send forth to them who have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil ?

The Name of the Lord is a precious ointment , and the knowledge of God , is this ointment poured forth . Where God is known in the soul , there his sweet savour is shed abroad . The thoughts of God are pretious , the wayes of God are pleasant to them , that understand them . His fruit was sweet unto my taste . O the ineffable pleasures of Religion ! the carnal world count it a jejune and insipid thing ; they cannot taste ; and no wonder , for they do not see the things of God , nor can they , because they are spiritually discerned . Let God be savingly known , and then you will find what the savour of his Knowledge is . This light is sweet , it is a pleasant thing to behold this Sun . O my soul , let thy walks , let thy dwellings bee in this garden of the Lord ; let the Sun shine , and the smell of his spices shall flow forth unto thee . O my Lord , shed abroad thy sweet ointments , let the smell of thy garments refresh my soul . Let mee taste and see , let me see , and I shall taste , that the Lord is gracious .

Vanish all yee carnal pleasures , and sensual delights ; these rose-buds rot , the flowers of your gardens wither , dead Flyes are in all your ointments ; the light of the Lord hath shined all your glories into darkness . The waters of the Sanctuary have made all your waters brackish ; there remains no pleasure in them .

Hee that hath known the Lord , hath more or less according to the measure of his knowledge , received in the relish and sweetness of it ; and what hee hath received in , hee sends forth before men ; he hath received , and hee is a sweet savour . As the Preachers , so the Practitioners of piety , are a sweet savour of Christ unto God , and hand down the sweetness of God unto men . They are of savoury lips , and of savoury lives ; the savour of their graces is shed abroad in the Churches of Christ . Carnal hearts send forth a stench , instead of a sweet smell ; they are all rottenness , the savour of a sepulchre is all they have . Their waies stink , their words stink , their very breath smells of a rotten heart . Yea , the very best they have , their pleasures stink , their garments , their gallantry , their powders , and perfumes , and sweet odours stink , of their proud , and vain , and sensual hearts . But O what a sent do their ulcers , and their excrements , their oathes , and their curses , and their scoffs , and their lyes send forth ? Sinners , learn to know the Lord , and this will quickly change your savour . And you that know any thing of God , think not that your knowledge is saving till your souls have received in , and your waies do send forth the savour of his Knowledge .

The last of these , the savour of this Knowledge , the pleasure that it brings in to the soul , though taken alone , it is but of uncertain signification ; there may bee some pleasure and joy arise from the common Knowledge of God ; and sometimes but little taste , where there is the truth of Religion . But taken in conjunction with the former , where is found both the power , and the savour , the evidence of its soundness will be more full . Find all together , this transforming , this fructifying , this savoury Knowledge , and you may rest satisfied , that this is the saving Knowledge of God . And of this is the promise , I will give them an heart to know me .

Oh! how much need have wee , still to wait , and beg , for the accomplishment of this Promise , how little sound Knowledge is there found among us ? Some are weak in Knowledge ; who have been long taught of God , and yet are not taught of God ; God hath been teaching them , but they have not learned of him ; They have had a good Master , but have been ill Schollars ; weak men , so wee call a man of low understanding , a weak man . Oh! how many weak Souls are there , even among professing Christians ? who , though for their time , they might have been teachers of others , had yet need bee taught , the first Principles of the Oracles of God . Some men have not knowledge of God , I speak this to their shame , 1 Cor. 15.

Others are men of Knowledge , but of weak Knowledge ; who know much , but to little purpose , their great Knowledge hath little power in them ; their Lusts are too strong for their Light , Isa. 8.11 . I spake unto thee with a strong hand , and instructed thee ; If God have spoken to these men , yet his hand hath not instructed them ; the nail hath not been struck deep enough , it dwells in the head onely , it hath not reached their heart , they have an eye , but far enough from having an heart to know the Lord : their Knowledge doth not lead them on to Religion , but must serve them instead of Religion , it is all the Religion they have , to know what it is ; 't is made to serve , and not suffer'd to guide , and govern ; to serve their turns , to serve their interest , to serve their pride and their covetousness ; Their Knowledge of God makes them Devils , it helps them to play the Hypocrites , to bee Deceivers of others , yea and of their own souls : It will seek them out acceptable words , put prayers into their mouths , praises into their lips , spirituallize their language , furnish them with savoury discourses ; carry them plausibly through Duties ; wherein , though God hath the Name , though Souls have the Name , yet are they all but sacrifices to their Lusts ; The Knowledge of God humbleth , but this Knowledge puffeth up , and lifteth up ; puffeth them ●p in their own , and lifteth them up in others thoughts ; and when it hath done this , it hath done them all the service they have for it to do , unlesse it may bee , they have some worse work for it ; To make rents and divisions in the Church of Christ , to maintain disputes , to cavel , and quarrel , to divide , and make parties , to make twenty Religions out of one , till at length they make that one to bee none . Whilest the Apostle saies , some men have not the Knowledge of God : I speak this to your shame ; I may say also , some men have the Knowledge of God , I speak this to their shame . What , the Knovvledge of God , and no more Humility ? the Knowledge of God and no more Charity ? I speak this to your shame . Have the Faith of Christ in respect of persons ? have the Knowledge of God in respect of Parties ? Know God and yet divide and scatter , and confound them that are of God ? yea , and contend , and quarrel about such small differences , as somtimes is seen ; here is God and not there ; with us and not with you ; when it may bee a little Charity would tell you , for the main , hee may bee with both ; and so much uncharitableness makes it a question , whether with either ? The more such men pretend to the Knowledge of God , the greater their shame .

Friends , beware you bee not undone , either by your Ignorance , or your Knowledge . Love not darkness , and call not darkness light ; call not that the Knowledge of God which is not ; mis-use not that which is ; hast thou no Knowledge ? What , and such a Promise before thee ? I will give them an heart to know mee ; they shall all know me ! What , and such a Gospel before thee , the work whereof , is to open blinde eyes , and to turn from darknesse to light ? open thy mouth sinner , and God will open thine eyes ; ask , and thou shalt have , seek , and thou shalt finde ; See , wink not at the light , that shines round about thee ; Love not darkness , if thou love not death ; This is Eternal Life to know thee . What then is ignorance ? there 's death in thine heart , if there bee no light in thine eye .

Hast thou Knowledge ? bee thankful , and bee humble ; bee not high minded , but fear ; prize it , but do not abuse it . Hast thou received the Knowledge of the Truth ? Live under the Power of the Truth , thou Knowest ; resign up thy self to it , to its transforming Power ; give it leave to work , and to change thee into its own Image . Let this new light make thee a new man , to its governing Power ; let it teach thee , and rule thee ; let it teach as one that hath Authority , let it Rule , till it hath put all thine Enemies under thy feet ; till every thought , imagination , every high thing be made low , and brought into captivity to Christ . Let not the light of the Lord , help thee to do the Devil's Work ; Let it not bee fodder for thy flesh , lest it bee fuel for thy flames ; Let it not repent thy God nor thee , that ever thou hadst such a talent committed to thee ; Let it neither be loss to God , nor the eternal loss of thine own soul : Hee that hath appeared on earth in beams of light , will bee revealed from Heaven in flames of fire , rendering vengeance to all that [ Know God ] and obey not the Gospel of Christ : Woe to those that neither know nor obey , but Oh! what to those that obey not , though they Know ?

Christians , know the Lord , but know and fear , know and serve , know and honour thy God ; Know God , and know thy self , thy sinne , and thy misery , thy dangers , and thy temptations ; Know and mourn , know and bee ashamed , know and fear , and watch , and fight , and overcome . Know God , and know his Will , thy duty , and thy way , thy priviledges and opportunities , thy Race , and thy Crown . Know and do , and run , and suffer , and wait , and hope , and rejoyce in hope of the Glory of God . Know God , but God in Christ ; God reconciled ; pardoning , absolving , accepting , through him . Know , and believe , accept , adventure upon , resign , commit thy self to him . Know thy God , and behold him , look upon thy God ; in his power , in his wisdome , in his holiness , in his goodness , in his loving-kindness , in his mercy . Behold him in his Word , in his Works , in his Providence , in his Saints , in thy Soul , in his Son ; Set him before thine eyes , look upon thy God , and never leave looking , till thou art changed into his Image , and satisfied with his Visage ; and when thou art brought up to this , then hee hath done for thee , what he hath said : I will give them an heart to know mee .

CHAP. XI . One Heart .

3. ONe Heart , Ezek. 11.19 . I will give them one Heart ; Wee read , Hos. 14.11 . Ephraim is like a silly Dove ; without an Heart , Hath no heart at all ; none for his God , that 's as good as none ; and Psal. 12.2 . Wee read that Israel had a double Heart , an Heart , and an Heart ; more hearts than one , but saies the Lord , I will give them an Heart , and it shall bee but one , and no more .

For the opening of this ( to let passe the signification it hath , as it respects Christians collectively ) as it respects each particular Christian : This one Heart may bee taken as opposed .

To A wavering A divided A double Heart .

1. As opposed to a wavering , unstable Heart , Jam. 1.6.8 . VVavering minded men have almost as many hearts as they live daies , or meet with cases ; An heart that changes with the weather , and tacks about with every winde ; that resolves and repents , that chuses and changes ; that like a wave of the Sea , is tossed about with every VVinde : This you may call , either many hearts , or no heart , as you will ; Thus this one heart is a fixed , established , resolved heart , Heb. 13.9 . It is good that the heart bee [ established ] with grace . Grace fixes , and establishes the heart , brings it to a consistency in it self , which before was any thing or nothing .

2. As opposed to a divided Heart , Hos. 10.2 . An Heart cut in two as it were ; some talk , that the Devil hath a cloven foot , but what-ever the Devils foot bee , to bee sure , his Sons have a cloven heart , one half for God , the other for sin ; one half for Christ , the other for this present World ; God hath a corner in it , and the rest is for sin and the Devil : Thus this one heart , is an entire heart ; all the powers of it are united within it self , and go the same way ; God hath the whole heart . Psal. 103.1 . Bless the Lord , O my soul , and all that is within me , bless his holy name . All its springs are in him , and thither do all its streams bend their course .

3. As opposed to a double heart , or an hypocritical heart , properly so called . Psal. 12.2,3 . that 's it which is called an heart , and an heart ; an heart in the breast , and another in the tongue . Our outside is presum'd to be an expression of our inside ; what wee speak , wee pretend to bee our very hearts . 'T is the heart in the tongue that speaks ; the heart in the eye that weeps ; the heart in the hand that works ; the heart in the foot , that walks ; no , 't is not so with the Hypocrite , he shews another heart in his tongue , in his waies , than that which is within him . He hath an heart , and an heart , one in his tongue or life , and quite another in his breast . His course speaks him another man , than hee is : and thus one heart signifies a single or a plain heart .

To summe up all together ; this one heart is such as 1. Pitches on one end . 2. Has but one thing to do . 3. Does what it does .

1. Pitches on one end . God is its end . There it wholly bestows it self : I am thine . Psal. 119. And there only it takes up its rest . Psal. 39.7 . And now Lord what wait I for ? my hope is in thee . God is both its work and its wages . To please God , this is its whole business , and to enjoy God , this is its happiness . This is the mark it hath in its eye , this is the scope of all its motions , to honour and enjoy God . This it wills , this it loves , this it desires , designs , hopes , labours for , that the Lord may possess , and be the possession of it . Particularly , it gives God , the place the power of the end .

1. The place of the end . God is its first and last . Hee 's first in the eye , and it looks no farther . It makes him not onely the chief , but in a sense its onely aim . It will have no other God , and therefore no other end , but the Lord . It makes all things else , not onely to stoop and stand by , but to serve to him . Get you hence , stand off , is its language , to all that stands up in his room , or stands in his way . Evil men , what-ever honour they pretend to have for the Lord , they do but make him a servant to their other Gods . Religion they will take up , but 't is onely to serve their own turns ; to bring about their carnal ends ; they serve not the Lord , but their own bellies ; saith the Apostle , Rom. 16.18 . Phil. 3.19 . Nay , they make the Lord their fellow-servant . They serve , and their Religion must serve their sensual appetites . Hee that will have so much religion onely , as he may live upon , ( which is the measure of the most ) makes the Lord no longer his God , but his servant . A sincere Christian will set God upon the throne , and makes all things else , his servants , or his foot-stool . What-ever will not be serviceable must bee trodden in the dirt . Nothing will bee loved , and embraced , but what will set God higher , or bring God nearer to his heart .

2. The power of the end ; the end hath a four-fold power ; it draws . directs . governs . rewards .

1. It draws the heart to it ; God who is a Christians end , is also his beginning . Our first step heaven-ward , wee owe to the influence of heaven upon us . Draw mee , wee will run after thee . Cant. 1. No man can come unto mee , unless the Father which hath sent mee , draw him . Nothing but God will do it ; as nothing will draw the soul another way ; the pleasures of sin , the wages of unrighteousness , are poor and low baits to entice a soul away from God ; that is , so far as 't is renewed ; so 't is nothing but God that draws the soul on its way , and he will do it . God draws the soul not by an act of power onely , but by moral swasion , that 's the proper casuality of the end . Not by efficiency onely , but by sympathy ; as by the water , the thirsty soul is drawn to the water-brooks .

It is God that draws hearts after him ; there are instruments , as his Word , and Ministers ; and and there are arguments by which God draws ; but whatever the instruments or arguments are , 't is God that does it . What is the work of either Word , or Ministers , but to set God before them , and this draws . Instruments can do nothing , unless God bee the Preacher by them ; arguments can do nothing , unless hee bee the medium of them ; as 't was said concerning the peoples following Saul , so much more concerning those that follow the Lord .

Those onely follow him , whose hearts God hath touched . 'T is not mans teaching , but Gods touching the heart that draws it heaven-ward . The tongue of man may touch the ear , 't is God onely that touches the heart . And when he touches , then the heart will follow . As you know the needle , when it s touched with a Loadstone , then it turns after it . The Loadstone is not more naturall attractive of the needle , than God is of that heart which he hath touched . Cant. 5.4 . My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door , and my bowels were moved in mee . He did but touch the door , and her heart felt him , and moved tovvards him .

O Christians , when you have been waiting upon God , in prayer , hearing or any other spiritual duty , or ordinance ; consider , hath mine heart been touched this day ? my tongue hath been touched , mine ear hath been touched , mine heart hath been treated with , but hath the Lord touched it ? hath there vertue come forth from him , which hath enticed and drawn my soul after him ? Sometimes by a message , or visit from heaven , the Lord hath drawn a good word from the lip , a tear from the eye ; but O for touches upon souls , for turning of bowels , for the flowings out of hearts after the Lord ; Hee is the only load-stone that prevails on gracious souls .

Others that have many hearts , have many attractives ; every heart hath its peculiar god ; twenty gods it may be , in one man ; because so many hearts . Their pleasures are their Gods , their profits , their gods , their belly their god ; their wives , or their children , their gods ; and so many gods , so many ends . And every end is a loadstone to draw them after them . Every heart will after its God . A Christian , that hath but one heart , hath but one God , and this is he that draws it on its way . Thou sayest , the Lord is thy God , thou acknowledgest , thou ownest , thou hast chosen him for thine ; but what doth thy God whom thou hast chosen do upon thine heart ? what will the sight of God , or thy love to God , or thy hope in God , do upon thee ? how far will it carry thee ? which way runs thy heart ? which way dost bend thy course ? dost feel thy God drawing thee ? and is thy heart running after him ? running , notes motion , and a swift or violent motion .

I shall lay before you these six or seven expressions , the Scripture uses , to note the running of those hearts after God , whom he hath drawn .

1. The desiring of the soul after God . Isa. 26.8.9 . The desire of our soul is to thy name — with my soul have I desired thee in the night , yea with my spirit within me will I seek theee early . Desire is the soul in motion God-wards . Towards him are their desires , and they come deep , ab intimis , ab imo pectore , from their inwards , from the bottom of the heart . With my soul have I desired thee , with my spirit within mee will I seek thee . Psal. 38.9 . Lord , all my desire is before thee ; 't is not all my desires , but my desire ; thou seest all , and 't is all but one desire . Hee desires pardon , hee desires peace , hee desires help , and the heealing of his wounds ; but all this is but one desire . God is all . One thing have I desired , Psal. 27.4 .

2. The thirsting of the sout . Psal. 42.2 . My soul thirsteth for God , for the living God . Thirsting is the extremity of desire ; hunger and thirst are the appetite or desire heightened ; violent and painful appetites ; my soul thirsteth , and is in pain till it be satisfied .

3. The longing of the soul . Psal. 63.1 . O God , thou art my God , early will I seek thee , my soul thirsteth for thee , my flesh longeth for thee , in a dry and thirsty land , where no water is . Longing causeth languishing , and abortions , if it be not satisfied . Psal. 119.20 . My soul breaketh for the longing desire it hath to thy judgments . My heart panteth , my flesh faileth , the light of mine eyes is gone from me , Psal. 38.10 .

4. Calling after God , Psal. 4.1 . Hear mee ( when I call , ) O God of my righteousness . Calling upon God , is the voice of desires . The desiring soul will not keep silence ; the tongue , the eye , the ears , the hands , the knees , must all be oratours , when the flame is once kindled within .

5 ▪ Crying after the Lord . This is an expression answering the thirsting of the soul . Crying is a passionate , and importunate praying . I cryed unto the Lord with my whole heart , Psal. 119.145 .

6. Crying out after God . This is the manner of the longing soul . Crying out , notes more than bare crying ; loud cryes , strong cryes , forced out by a paroxisme of love , or an agony the soul is in . Psal. 84.2 . My soul longeth , yea even fainteth for the courts of the Lord ; my heart and my flesh [ cryeth out ] for the living Lord .

7. Following hard after the Lord , Psal. 63.8 . My soul followeth hard after thee . This expression is more comprehensive , it notes , both all the workings , and breakings , and breathings of the soul within , and its diligent pursuing in the use of all outward means , and pressing on after the Lord . All those labourings , and watchings , and runnings , all that holy violence , wherewith a Saint presses into the Kingdome of God .

Put all this together , and you will see the power and influence the Lord hath on holy Souls , to the drawing of them after him , they are in motion Heaven-vvard ; desiring , thirsting , longing , calling , crying , crying out , follovving hard after him . What aileth these souls ? vvhat 's the matter vvith them ? vvhat vvould they have ? Judg. 19.23 . What aileth thee said the Danites once to Micah , that thou comest thus after us ? vvhat aileth thee ? Why , you have taken avvay my Gods , and vvhat have I more ? VVhat aileth these crying , longing , running Souls ? vvhy , 't is after their God they cry , 't is after their God they run , 1 King . 19.20 . Go back Elisha , said once the Prophet to him , vvhen hee had cast his Mantle on him ; Go back , for vvhat have I done unto thee ? VVhat hast thou done ? enough to hold me from going back , there vvent vertue vvith the Mantle ; the Mantle fell on his heart , as vvell as his back , and drevv it after the Prophet . Should you say thus to these , go back soul , go back from follovving thy God , for vvhat hath hee done unto thee ? Oh hee hath gotten mine heart ; no , no ; I cannot go back , hee is my God , and vvhat have I more .

2. The end guides and directs to means : Whither shall I go from thee ? thou hast the words of eternal life .

3. The end governs ; I shall put these both together , what is it that Governs sinners but their ends , this points them out their work , and their way , this holds them to their work , and keeps them in their way ; what ever fetters , and chains , their lusts are to them 't is their carnal ends , to which they are in bondage ; these are they that Lord it over them , and hereupon it 's impossible to perswade a sinner to make a through change of his way , till hee hath changed his ends ; herein stands the conversion of a sinner , in the changing of his ends ; when hee ceases to bee any longer to himself , to his flesh , to the world , and for a worldly happiness , and is brought about to pitch on God as his portion , and happiness , to whom hee devotes , and dedicates himself ; there 's conversion ; Sin is our turning away , and conversion is turning back to our God . Beloved , consider not barely how , but to what you live ; not onely what you do , but what you would have ; and never count your selves truely Godly , what-ever of God bee in your way ; till God bee in your heart , and eye ; Hee that hath first chosen God , and therefore a Godly life ; whose Godliness of life , springs forth as the fruit of his choice of the Lord , that 's a Godly man .

God Governs as our King , and as our End , as our King by his Soveraignty , as our End by his Excellency ; by his worthiness and goodness , as our King by Laws , as our end by love ; Love will find out our way , will tell all our wandrings , will check us for our sins , sweeten our labours , quicken us on our course , cut out our way through dangers and difficulties , and keep us in our way till wee come to the fruition of our end ; Therefore 't is said by the Apostle , 1 Tim. 1.9 . The Law is not for a Righteous man ; Love will save the law a labour , the Law is not for a Righteous man , not so much at least as for sinners ; not as to the coertion of it , though still as to its obligation , the constraint of Love will much supersede the coertion of Laws .

4. The end , Rewards , they have their Reward . Mat. 6. that is , they have their end , the reputation for devout and charitable men , was the end of their Devotion and Charity : They prayed , and fasted , and gave almes , for no other end ; and the obtaining that reputation , was their reward . Verily , I say unto you , they have their reward .

God is the reward of his Saints , Gen. 15.1 . I am thy exceeding great reward , Isa. 46.4 . My judgement is with the Lord , and my reward with my God . God is the reward they [ shall ] receive , and the reward they look to receive , Heb. 11.29 . Moses had [ respect ] to the recompence of reward .

And therefore the Argument is weighty , which Christ us'd to disswade his Disciples from being in their Devotions , in their Alms-deeds , as the Pharisees and Hypocrites are ; who disfigured their countenances in their fasts ; who sounded a Trumpet to proclaim their Alms , Bee yee not like them , for they have their reward . The Argument was strong to the Disciples , who being men of another Spirit , could not bee satisfied with such a reward .

In these two things Saints greatly differ from the men of this world ; 1. They are not willing to defer their Duties till hereafter , and

2. They dread it to have their reward here , they would dispatch their work , and are willing to go upon trust for their wages : Sinners would have their wages in hand , and bee trusted for their work till hereafter ; they would bee happy here , and can bee content to stay for holiness till hereafter ; 't is soon enough to bee Saints in Heaven . But Oh! it would bee a dreadful word to Saints , there are thy good things ; take them , these are thy reward , these are not their end ; and therefore they cannot take them for their reward .

Poor foolish worldlings , how are you dis-joynted ? how are your weary hearts scattered through the ends of the earth ? how many masters do you serve ? how many matters have you to minde ? you weary your selves in the greatness of your way , and what is your reward ? What the fields can give , you have ; what your sheep , or your oxen can give you have ; what your beds , or your tables , or your houses , or your cloathes can give you have ; here a little , and there a little , you get up , your beds give you ease , your houses shelter , your sports and companions pleasure , your parasites honour ; and that little you can pick up here and there , this is your reward . Verily I say unto you , you have your revvard ; unhappy souls ▪ you are troubled and carefull about many things , for nothing ; one thing is needful ; and if yet yee will be wise , chuse that good part , which shall not bee taken from you .

2. This one heart hath but one thing to do , Philip. 3.13 . This one thing I do . There are all things in that one thing ; all things needful . How many things soever his hand findeth to do , all is but one . Hee intends in all , God . A renewed heart designs God , and is making God-wards in all hee does . Whatever journy he goes , 't is God is his home ; whatever race he runs , 't is God is his mark , and prize . Whatever battel hee fights , against flesh and blood , against principalities and powers , 't is that hee may cut his way through all to his God . What-ever he does , hee does it for God ; what-ever hee suffers , hee suffers for God . When hee hears , or fasts , or prayes , 't is all for God . When yee fasted , did yee at all fast to me ? Yes to thee , a Christian is able to say ; hee hath many things to pray for , and fast for ; hee hath bread , and cloaths , and friends , and health , and safety , and liberty , to pray for ; but in all , hee prayes for God . Hee entitles God to all hee hath , and marks it up for him , and he sees and enjoyes God in all hee has ; hee will not own that for a mercy , that hath not God in it , and is not a foot or wing , to carry him on towards him . And therefore what-ever hee begs to himself , 't is that he may have it for God . What hee gives , he gives to God ; whom hee forgives , 't is for the Lords sake ; whether hee eats , or drinks , or works , or buyes , or sells , or what-ever else hee does , hee does it all to the glory of God . 1 Cor. 10.31 . For him hee prayes , for him he waits , for him he labours , for him hee suffers , for him hee lives , to him hee dies . To me to live is Christ , Phil. 1.21 . according to my earnest expectation and my hope , that in nothing I shall bee ashamed , but that with all boldness , as alwayes , so now also Christ may bee magnified in my body , whether it be by life or by death . This is the one thing hee intends , this is the one thing he seeks , in all , take his whole course together , hee can say with the Apostle . This one thing I do , forgetting those things which are behinde , and reaching forth unto those things that are before , I press toward the mark , for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus .

3. Hee does what hee does . And that 1. Not feignedly , but really . 2. Not faintly , but heartily .

1. Really . Hee pursues this end , in a plain and honest way . He that hath this one heart , hath but one way . Heart and life go hand in hand ; he makes strait steps to his heart , and his heart makes strait steps to his feet , he doth 〈◊〉 , and he doth also 〈◊〉 . As hee looks strait on , so hee walks strait on to his mark . Hee doth not look one way , and row another . Hee is a Jacob ; a plain man , a plain-dealing man ; a Nathanael , in whom is no guile . Hee turns his inside outwards ; his life is not a Cloak , but a Commentary on his heart . The expositours of his inward man . His end is in his heart , and his heart is in his face , in his tongue , in his duties , and all his wayes . He is no Politician . 2 Cor. 1.12 . Not in fleshly wisdom ; his Religion is not a blind , or a device to delude the simple , hee is down-right , and in earnest in all hee does . Hee does the same thing he seems to do ; his praying is praying indeed ; his fasting , and almes are such indeed ; his very profession is practice ; he would not believe , nor make others believe , but that hee is what hee is . Hee seeks not commendation from men , but approbation with God . His design is not inordinately to commend himself to the good opinion , though hee would bee made manifest in the consciences of others . Hee would not bee a lye or a cheat . Hee abhorres all lying , but most of all a religious lye . He would not lye for God , much less against him ; such a lye is as blasphemy to him . Hee loves not Images ; hee would have a soul in all his practices . A prayer without a soul , a sacrifice without an heart , a religious carkass is an abomination to him . Hee would not make such a noble medium as Religion , to serve to so base an end , as the serving the flesh .

Hee hath other work to do than to serve times or tables ; then to please himself or men ; than to serve wills , or humours , or lusts ; hee hath a soul , a conscience , a God to look after ; he hath but one business to do , but one Master to serve ; if hee be a Magistrate , he rules for God ; if he bee a Minister , hee preaches for God ; if he bee a Parent , he educates for God ; if hee bee a Master hee governs for God ; to him he dedicates himself and his house ; hee writes on his doors , this is Bethel , this is none other but the house of God . If he be a childe or a servant , he obeyes in the Lord and for the Lord ; he knows he hath to do with God in all hee does ; when hee is dealing with men , with his friends , with his family , in his calling , in his recreations , in all hee hath to do with God : and hee can take comfort in nothing , but what God will take pleasure in . Thou hast no pleasure in iniquity . Thou lovest truth in the inward parts . And there 's no truth in the inward parts , but when there 's truth also in the outward parts : when the heart , and tongue , and wayes agree . 'T is vain to say , mine heart is good , when the ways are naught . A false tongue , deceitful wayes : will give the lye to the heart . Hee cannot subsist , longer than hee hath smiles from heaven . Communion with God is his life , his all is in God . His heart dies , when that fountain is stopp'd . If hee cannot have clearness , and boldness in the presence of God , hee can no longer look himself in the face , but blushes and hangs downs his head with shame . Hee values not either the applause , or the scorns of men , so hee may have a witness of his acceptance with God . O Lord , dost thou regard ? wilt thou accept of me ? 't is enough . Let all the world call me , Thou Fool , Thou Pharisee , Thou Hypocrite , so the Lord will say , my childe , 't is well . 'T is falsely spoken , 't is foolishly , 't is weakly done ; 't is pride , 't is singularity , 't is scrupulosity ; thus the world cry ; let them alone oh my soul , I will hearken what the Lord God will say ; if hee saies , Thou hast been faithful ; I will hearken what conscience will say , if it says well done , let all else say what they please ; this is my rejoycing , mine onely rejoycing , the testimony of my conscience , that in all simplicity and godly sincerity , not in fleshly wisdom , but by the grace of God I had my conversation in the world .

2. Heartily . What-ever hee does for God , he does it with a good will . Hee hath cast up all his business into one , and hee is intent upon it . Hee works righteousness , as sinners work wickedness ; with both hands , earnestly , Micah 7.3 . Hee is religious in good earnest , hee prayes in good earnest , he hears in good earnest , hee runs in good earnest ; the powers of his soul being all united in one chanel , run more strongly , his many springs falling all into one stream , make a river , that bears down all bayes before it . The Psalmist prays , Psal. 86.11 . Vnite mine heart to fear thy Name . Unite my heart to thee , and unite mine heart in it self , that it may all run toward thee . Unite my heart to fear , and so unite my heart to love thy name , unite mine heart to serve , and follow , and live to thee . As if he should have said , O my God , mine heart is divided , and discomposed , scattered up and down , I know not where ; my pleasures have a part , my estate hath a part , my friends have a part , my family hath a part , there 's little or none left for God ; I have too many things to fear , too many things to love , and care for , too many things to serve and follow , to follow the Lord with any strength or intention of mind . Call in all Lord , all my parts , all my powers , command their joynt and united attendance upon thee . 1 Pet. 1.13,14,15 . Gird up the loyns of your mind , and bee sober , and hope to the end ( in the original 't is hope perfectly ) for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ . As obedient children not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance , but as hee which hath called you is holy , so bee yee holy in all manner of conversation . Gird up the loyns of your minds . Gird and bee sober , gird and hope perfectly , gird and bee obedient , gird and bee holy . Here 't is true ungirt and unblest , ungirt and unholy : the girding is the gathering in the strength of the heart to its work . Ephes. 6.14 . Stand with your loyns girt . [ Stand ] do not gird and ungird , stand alwayes girt ; call in your hearts , and hold them in ; be alwaies in a readiness to every duty , in a readiness against every temptation . Oh how loose are wee ! what loose praying , and loose hearing , and loose meditation , and loose walkings , do wee satisfie our selves with ! our hearts are to seek , our thoughts and affections are gadding abroad , we know not where to finde them , and our work is done thereafter . Wee excuse our non-proficiency in Religion , by our many hindrances ; by the difficulties of our work ; but the great hindrance lies here , our loyns are ungirded , our hearts are not united in our work , nor intent upon it . When God and the things of eternity are gotten so deep into the heart , when there is such a deep sense , of the weight and importance , of the things that are eternal , abiding upon us , as over-powers ; carnal objects , and loosens the heart from them ; when wee feel the evidence , and the consequence of these things commanding our whole soules after them , then there 's Religion in earnest ; then wee go on and prosper . And thus 't is with this one heart , there are not some light touches onely upon it ; God is gotten deep into it , eternity is gotten deep into it , this is all ; this is all I have to minde or do . My hope , my comforts , my life , my soul , all hang upon this one thing ; if I speed well here , I am made for ever . What have I to do in the way of Egypt , or to drink of the waters of Sihor ? what have I to do in the way of Assyria ? what have I to do in the way of pleasure ? What have I to do in the way of the World ? To build Tabernacles for my self here below , or to drink the waters of mine own Cisteron ? How little am I concerned in the interest of this flesh ? VVhat matter 's it , what becomes of it , or which way it goes ? My God , my God , my soul , my soul , there lies my concernment ; of these let my care onely bee . Get thee behind me Satan , hold thy peace sinful flesh , keep silence worldly cares ; hinder mee not , speak no more to me of hearkening to you , away from mee ye evil-doers , I will keep the Commandements of my God ; Let others do what they will , run whither they please , chuse whom they will serve , what they will follow after ; come my soul , follow thou the Lord , gird up thy loyns and come away ; for the other world , for the other world ; make haste , linger not , let others loyter as they will , escape for thy life , look not behinde thee , get thee up to the Mountain and live .

Object . One Heart , why 't is never more two ; Two men , a new man and an old , two Nations , two selfs , there are twins in the womb of every Saint ; the ungodly seem more one than they , all for sin , and for Hell ; all dark , all hard , all but one stone .

Sol. Yet 't is true , the Saints , and they onely have but this one heat ; For ,

1. The old heart is not an heart , the old self is not the self ; this old man is not the man , this is not hee , that 's the heart , that hath gotten the dominion , and the rule in the man . The new heart hath the dominion ; though Sin as Esau , bee the first born , yet the elder must now serve the younger ; the old man is but a dead man , Col. 3.3 . Yee are dead , that is , your old man is dead , your sin is slain and Crucified with Christ , and when 't is dead , you may say 't is not .

2. The meaning plainly is , I will give them one heart ; that is , a single , sincere upright heart ; they shall bee no longer an Hypocritical people . If there bee something of Hypocrisie in them , yet Hypocrites they shall no longer bee ; their hearts shall bee upright before mee ; sincerity stands in pitching upon chusing , and giving up our hearts to God , as our chief good , and last end . When God is our all , there is perfection , and when God is our chief , there is sincerity . I say , when God is our all , when the world hath nothing left in us , to entice or draw out our souls after it , but God carries them wholly without any the least liking , or lusting after sinful objects , there 's perfection ; This is not attainable here ; the heart cannot bee thus perfectly one , till corruption hath put on incorruption ; But though it bee not perfectly , yet it may bee sincerely one , and then 't is so , when however , the flesh hath too great an interest in it , and influence upon it , and often pulls it aside , and puts it back ; yet it still bends its course Heaven wards , and that way the stream , and strength of the soul is running , the flesh will bee putting in for a part ; it would have all , it would not take its turns with God ; God will not take his turns with the flesh , hee will have all or none ; and the flesh would not take its turnes with him ; it is not contented with now and then , it would not bee served in the fields , or in the shop , or at the Table , or in the bed onely , but in the Church , in the Chamber , in the Closet ; 't would carry away all from God , but if it cannot have all , 't will divide with God ; where-ever God is served , the flesh will bee putting in for its share . The best of Christians feel too great a truth in this ; their frequent humblings , and mournings , and breakings , and self-shamings before the Lord , are mostly upon this account ; This is the voice of their deepest groanings , and bitterest tears ; the burthens of their mournful groans . I cannot do the things that I would ; when I would do good evil is present with me ; with my minde I serve the Law of God , but with my flesh the Law of sin ; Woe is me my soul , how am I straitned ? how am I divided Whither am I hurried ? wherewithall do I come before thee Lord ? Oh! what halting , and heartless , and distracted duties , do I serve my God withal ? This flesh eats up the fat , and the best ; and onely the lame , and the lean , and the sick , are left for a Sacrifice to the Lord . Woe is mee , my leanness , my leanness : my God , my God , how art thou served ? how art thou robbed of thy due ? these strangers are gotten into thy Sanctuary , and eat up all thy pleasant things , and what have they left thee ?

Such are their complaints , and their very complaints are their comfort , and the witness of their sincerity , whilst they can with openness of heart make their approach and appeal to God ; yet thou art my Lord , thou art my God , and I will serve thee . I have chosen thee as mine heritage for ever , and I will wait for thy salvation . Hear the sighing of thy prisoner , deliver thy captive ; mine heart is with thee , let not this flesh intrench upon thy light , let sin no longer reign in my mortal body ; let mee have no more to do with the Throne of iniquity , unty the cords , loose the fetters , bring my soul out of prison , search mee , O Lord , and know mine heart , prove me , and know my thoughts ; Is there any [ way ] of wickedness in mee ? do I willingly go after the Commandments ? Do I [ regard ] iniquity in mine heart ? Here it lies , 't is true , it warres , and raises tumults , and insurrections against thee ; but do I resign up my self to it ? is it a pleasure to mee ? am I at peace with it ? O Lord , thou knowest . I cannot get rid of it , I cannot doe the things that I would , I cannot pray as I would , nor hear as I would , nor think , nor speak , nor live as I would ; whither I goe , sin goes with mee ; where I lodge , it lodges ; If I sit still , it abides with me ; If I run from it , it follows me ; I can neither rest nor work , I can do nothing for it . I can do nothing for it , and yet blessed bee thy name , this one thing I do ; what I cannot attain , I follow after ; I cannot conquer , yet I fight against it ; I wrestle with it , though it so often give mee the fall . I trust it not , though it flatter me ; I love it not , though it feed mee ; I prostitute not my self unto it , though it commits so many a rape upon mee ; my heart is with thee Lord , my foot is making after thee ; I groan , I travel in pain , waiting for thy redemption ; till I die I vvill not give over . I will die fighting , I will die hoping , I vvill die praying , Save me , O Lord , make no long tarrying , O my God .

And thus you have the description of this one heart . It pitches on one end , and God is that end . It gives him the place of the end , hee is its first and last . It gives him the power of the end ; this one thing the obtaining of God to be theirs , draws them on , guides , governs them , in their whole course , and is accepted by them as their onely and exceeding great reward . This instructs them , this rules , and encourages them , calls them off from sin , calls them on to duty , carries them out in suffering ; all their powers are united in this one business ; all their arguments are resolved into this one argument ; all their rewards are summ'd up in this one reward . God shall bee glorified , and therein my soul shall bee satisfied ; God shall bee mine , and glory shall bee his .

In all this wee see what this one heart means , but oh how little of this Grace have wee received ? how many hearts have wee ! how many gods have wee , to divide these hearts betwixt them ? how small a corner .

How low a place , must the Lord take up with us if hee will have any at all ? how often is hee made to stand aside , or to stoop to a lust , God made to give place to the devil ? Is God our All indeed , have wee none else to please , have wee none else to serve ? have wee no portion , no inheritance , no other God but the Lord ? Is hee out Alpha and Omega , our first and our last ? our spring and our ocean , our summe and our scope ? the rise and the rest of all our motions ? what-ever our tongues speak , do our hearts also and our lives say , To mee to live is Christ ? none but God ? none but Christ ? nothing but heaven , and glory ? when wee are driving so hard for our flesh , for our pride , for our ease , for our gain , when wee are so busie this vvay , and so hearty and so zealous this vvay ; vvhen these must have so great a share in our Religion , Is this still the voice , To me to live is Christ ? Oh how little power hath the Lord vvith us ! hovv far is it that the single interest of God vvill carry our souls ? hovv little is done purely for God ? wee have often many strings to our bow : there are some services , wherein there is something coming to the flesh , as well as to the name of God . Some credit , or honour , some outward advantage to bee gotten by Religion ; but when all the other strings crack , but this one ; when there 's nothing to move us but God , oh how weak do our motions grow ? The flesh often goes partner with God ; there 's a double trade driving in the same actions ; a trade for heaven , and a trade earth together ; there 's something to bee gotten by our religion , besides what 's coming to God ; there are fields , and vineyards , and olive-yards , friends , and honours , and preferments ; as it sometimes falls out , when godliness is in the rising side ; and when 't is thus , we go smoothly and vigorously on . Come see the zeal that I have for the Lord of Hosts . But when the interest of God , and the flesh divide , and part asunder ; when the flesh is like to bee a loser by our Religion ; when God puts us on such duty , as will spend upon the flesh , and eat out , and devour its interest ; when our hearts tell us as Deborah did Barak , Judg. 4. This will not bee for thine honour , or this will not bee for thine ease , or thy safety ; then what becomes of our zeal ? oh how heavily do we then drive on ? how seldome is it that this word ( yet God shall bee glorified ) will ballance all the prejudices , and confute all the cross reasonings of the flesh , and carry us on our way , without and against it .

How little hath the Lord of the government of us ? if hee doth govern as a King , yet how little , as our end ? how little doth goodness govern ? how little will love do with us ? wee must have rigour , and severity ; wee must have spurres , and goads , and rods , and stripes , and scorpions too , and all little enough , to drive us back from those other gods which wee have chosen , and to bring us on after the Lord . If the Law be not made for the righteous ; if they need not a Law , then what are we , whom a Law will not suffice ? if commands , threatnings , terrours , penalties , judgments , can do no more upon us ; if wee are yet so loose , and so carnal , and so earthly , and so froward , and so false , and so formal , under severest discipline ; if wee will not bee whip'd into more humility , spirituallity , self-denial , watchfulness , care , activity , zeal ; but are such drones , and such sleepers , such earth-worms , and such sensuallists still , under all the corrections and compulsions of the law ; oh what should we be , did wee want a law ? were there nothing but love , to restrain us from sin , and constrain and quicken us to duty ?

Christians , have wee but one thing to do , in all wee do ? sometimes wee are busie in doing nothing . Though there bee a Prayer in our mouths , the praises of God in our mouths ; Christ , heaven , holiness , glory , a new heart , a new life upon our tongues ; there 's nothing within ; no prayer , no praise , no Christ , nor heaven ; what have we been often doing , in the closet , in the family , in the congregation , when wee seemed to have been praying ? nothing , nothing , but sowing wind and good words . Sometimes we have too many things in our hearts ; what a world of carnal devices , and fleshly projects have wee wrapt up in the garment of our Religion ? Peter's sheet had not a more heterogeneous miscellany of creatures ; four-footed beasts , wilde beasts , creeping things , and fowls of the air ; than our religious duties have of designes and ends . Wee have men to please , our pride , our bellies , to offer sacrifice to ; wee bring our farms , and our oxen , and our trades before the Lord ; are not our hearts , which should bee the houses of prayer , the houses of merchandise ? are wee not talking , or pursuing , or in a journey , or a sleep , or driving bargains ? O Christians , if wee were privy to one anothers hearts , as God is privy to them ; what abominations should wee see , brought into the holy places ? What monsters would our most sacred services appear ? VVhich whilst the out-side is onely viewed , are applauded and admired . Is this our singleness of heart ? Oh! for shame , and blushing , and confusion of face ; Oh! for a Vail to hide such hearts from the jealous eyes of the holy God , a varnish a fair out-side , hides all from men ; but nothing but a dark Vail , of shame and sorrow , and tears , and repentance ; a Vail dipt in Blood , in the blood of Christ ; will hide them from the eyes of the Lord .

Oh how little plainness and singleness of heart is there , in our ordinary course ; in our dealings and conversings in the VVorld ? how little faith , or truth is there in us ? how little trust is there to us ? what doubling , what deceitful dealing , defrauding , over-reaching , undermining , are wee guilty of ? how false are wee in our promises ? how insignificant are our words ? what an uncertain sound do they give ? our yea may often stand for nay , and our nay for yea , Psal. 12.2 . They speak vanity , every one with his neighbour , with flattering lips and a double heart do they speak ; trust yee not in a friend , put not confidence in a guide .

Blessed bee God , the Lord hath a Generation , on whom this cannot bee charged . Children that will not lye , nor deceive ; though Satan and this evil world , binde up all in a bundle ; they are all naught , they are all false , vain boasters , and deceitful workers , there 's none up-right , no not one ; but thanks bee to God , Satan is a lyer ; the accuser of the Brethren , is a false accuser . God hath his children that will not lye . But woe bee to those professours by reason of whom the offence cometh .

Christians , hath God promised to give you one heart ? Let it bee once said , this day is this Scripture fulfilled ; O may you bee the accomplishment of this good word . Hath God promised to give you one heart ? Do not you say , but I will not take it ; two are better than one : I have found so much the sweet of deceit , that there 's no life like it ; Hath God said , I will give one heart ? let not any one among you say , But I fear he will not . Make not the promise of God of none effect , either by your impiety or unbelief : Doth God promise to give this one heart ? hee that promised it , doth also require it . Bee thy self Christian : Let it bee said thou art what thou art , bee true , bee but one ; have but one heart , and let thy one heart have but one tongue , but one face ; and but one thing to do . Beware of hypocrisie , beware of carnal policy ; make not thy God to serve thy flesh ; call not the serving of thy flesh , a serving of God , and make not thy serving of God to bee a serving of the flesh . Bee not divided betwixt God and the World : O how easie would our lives bee , did we finde our whole souls running one way ? taking up w th God as the adequate object of all our powers ? the marke of all our motions , and the reward of all our labours ? did all our streams empty themselves into this Ocean , and all our lines meet in this one center ? Did God onely draw and allure our hearts , and the sincerity of our hearts , give motion to all our wheels ? Guide our eyes , govern our tongues , order our steps , animate our duties , direct and quicken us in all our goings ? Oh how sweet , oh how beautiful , were such a life ? the Sympathy betwixt our hearts and end , there 's sweetness ; the harmony of our hearts and waies , there 's beauty . O how sweet are the drawings of love , the free and full closure of our Spirits with God , dissolving themselves into his Will acquiessing , resting satisfyed in his goodness , is a sweetness which no man knows , but hee that tastes it ; the harmony of the power of the soul within its self of its motions and actions in the life , there 's the beauty , which will eclipse the glory of the world . Christian bee it thus with thee , and thou hast the blessing , that covenant blessing , which the Lord hath promised , in saying , I will give them one heart .

CHAP. XII . An Heart of Flesh .

4. AN Heart of Flesh , Ezek. 36.26 . I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh , and I will give you an Heart of Flesh . The old heart is a stone ; cold as a stone , dead as a stone , hard as a stone ; but I will take away the stone , and give an heart of flesh .

An heart of flesh , is a soft and tender heart ; Flesh can feel any thing that 's contrary to it , puts it to pain ; Sin makes it smart ; it cannot kick , but it is against the pricks , by its rebellion , and resistance against the Lord , it receives a wound ; it cannot hit , but it hurts it self . A soft hand gets nothing by laying on , on an hedge of thorns . A soft heart when it hath been medling with sin , is sure to smart for it . It can neither escape the pain , nor yet endure it : and what it cannot bear , 't will take warning to avoid it .

Flesh will bleed . A soft heart will mourn , and melt , and grieve , when hard hearts are moved at nothing . Flesh will yield . It s apt to receive impressions . The power of God will awe it ; his justice fear it ; his mercy melt it ; his holiness humble it , and leave the stamp , and image of it upon it . And as the Attributes , so the Word and Works of God , will make sign upon it . Who sets a seal upon a stone ? or what print will it receive ? upon the wax , the print will abide . God speaks once and twice , but man , hardned man will not regard it . Neither his Word , nor his rod , neither his speaking , nor his smiting will make any signe on such hearts . 'T is the heart of flesh that hears and yields . And with such hearts the Lord delights to bee dealing . Acts 28. The heart of this people is waxed gross ; they will not hear , they will not understand ; and the next word is , away to the Gentiles , they will hear . Hee will no more write his Law on tables of stone : hee 'l write in flesh ; there the impression will take , and go the deeper : and therefore , where-ever hee intends to write , hee prepares his table : makes this stone flesh , and then engraves upon it . Particularly this tenderness admits of a double distinction .

1. Respecting the object of it : so there is a tenderness , 1. Of Sin . 2. Of Duty . 3. Of Suffering .

1. Of Sin ; and That 's twofold , such as discovers it self , ante factum . post factum .

1. Ante factum . Or before the commissiion . Whilest it is under a temptation , or feels the first motion to sin . A tender heart startles , starts back at the sight of a sin , as at the sight of a devil , Gen. 39.9 . How shall I do this great wickedness , and sin against God ? the manner of the speech , presents Joseph as a man in a fright , startled at the ugliness of the motion . So David , when hee had an opportunity , and a temptation to slay Saul , 1 Sam. 26.11 . rejects it with an absit . God forbid . The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against the Lords anointed . And that not onely at the higher and greater , but it resists the little ones , the smallest of sins . Is it not a little one ? is no plea with it . Little or great , 't is a sin , and that 's enough .

2. Post factum . After the Commission ; if it hath been brought on upon sin , yet it cannot go out with it . The skirt of Saul's garment , was too heavy for David's heart to bear . His heart smote him ptesently , 1 Sam. 24.5 . Sin in the review , looks dreadfully . It s pleasant flowers quickly turn to thorns ; it pricks the heart how much soever it pleas'd the eye . It ordinarily enters by the eye ; and often runs out the same way it came in ; runs out in tears . When hee thought thereon , hee wept . At least , it warns , and makes more watchful after . Thou seest what 't is , take heed ; take it for a warning , and do no more . The pain of sin , if it do not force a tear , 't will set a watch .

2. Of duty . A tender heart will neither slight a sin , nor neglect a duty . It 's loth to grieve and offend , and careful to serve and please the Lord . It would not that he should suffer by it , nor so much as lose his due . It watches against sin , and unto duty . It cares how to please the Lord , and its care is tender . It would not displease by its neglects or performances ; all must bee done that ought , and as it ought to be done . It will neither stand out with its offering , nor will it offer an unclean thing . It considers not onely what , but how . Both matter and manner , substance and circumstance , all must bee right , or 't is not at ease . It will keep time , and as much as may bee , keep touch with the Lord in every point . It is not satisfied that it prayes sometimes , it would not lose a praying time . God will not , and it cannot lose a duty . It would neither lose by non-performance , nor lose what is performed . It would neither leave undone , nor do amiss ; any failing , not onely in the matter , but in the principle , end , affection , intention ; any failing pains .

3. In point of suffering . A soft heart will not bee careful what , or how much , but why , and upon what account , hee suffers . Will neither sinfully shun the cross , nor run upon it unwarrantably . He waits for a call , and then follows . Hee is patient under the hand of the Lord , but not insensible ; can be touched with an affliction , though not offended at it . The hand of the Lord hath touched mee . Hee suffers more than his own , his brethrens sufferings . His brethrens burthens , all lie on his shoulders . Hee weeps in their sorrows , bleeds in their wounds , his heart is bound in their chains . As the care , so the trouble of all the Churches , come daily upon him . Who is weak , and I am not weak ? who is offended , and I burn not ? hee espouses all the sufferings of Christ as his own . In all his afflictions hee is afflicted .

2. Tenderness may bee distinguished in respect of the subject of it ; and so there is a tenderness of the conscience . the will . the affections .

1. Tenderness of conscience stands in these three things . 1. Clearness of Judgment . 2. Quickness of sight . 3. Uprightness or faithfulness .

1. Clearness of judgment . When it s well instructed , and understands the rule ; and can thence discern betwixt good and evil . Heb. 5.14 . There is a tenderness that proceeds from cloudiness ; scrupulosity ; that fears every thing , stumbles at straws , starts at shaddows ; makes sins ; picks quarrels at duties ; and so sometimes dare not please , for fear of offending God . This is the sickness , or soreness of conscience ; not its soundness . 'T is the sound conscience that is truly tender .

2. Quickness of sight , and watchfulness . I sleep , but my heart waketh . It can espie the least sins , and smallest duties . It can see sin in the very temptation ; it can discover the least sin under the fairest face , and the least duty , under the foulest vizor . Call it singularity , nicety , cloud it with reproaches ; yet conscience can discover light shining through all the clouds ; duty within , whatsoever unhandsom face it bee presented in , the former stands in consciences understanding the rule , as was said , this in strait applying the rule to cases ; and distinguishing of them by it . The truly tender hath his eyes in his head ; and his eyes open , to discover and discern all that comes , bee it good or evil , little or great . If but a thought comes in , what comes there , saies conscience ? what art thou ? a friend or an enemy ? whence art thou ? from God , or from beneath ? 't will examine whatever knocks , before any free admission . O what a croud of evils do thrust into loose and careless hearts ; the devil comes in in the croud , and is never discovered . If the eye bee either dim , or asleep , there 's entrance for any thing . Little do wee think oft-times , who hath been with us , what losses and mischiefs wee have sustained , while our hearts have been asleep ; which had they been wakeful , and watchful , might have been prevented .

3. Uprightness , and faithfulness . Which discovers it self , 1. In giving charge concerning duty . 2. In giving warning of sin . 3. In giving check for sin when committed .

1. In giving charge concerning duty , look to it soul , there 's a duty before thee , which God calls thee to ; do not say , 't is no great hurt to let it alone , 't is no great hurt to do it , it is questionable , whether it bee a duty or no ? Many wiser than I think otherwise ; do not say , 't is a nicety , 't is but a punctilio , 't is meere folly , and preciseness ; and there will bee no end of standing upon such small matters ; see to it , 't is thy duty , beware thou neglect it not , the baulking of the least duty , is the neglecting of the great God of Glory .

2. In giving warning of Sin ; Take heed to thy self , sin lyes at the door , thou art under a temptation , the Devil is entring upon thee ; do not say , 't is but a little sin ; as little as 't is , there 's Death and Hell in the bowels of it , look to it , 't is sin , have thou nothing to do with it , keep thy self pure , and though it run upon thee , shake it off .

3. After commission , it gives check for it ; reproving , judging , and lashing the soul for it , where hast thou been Gehazi ? say not thou hast been no where ; went not this heart with thee and saw thee , running out after thy covetousnesse , gadding after thy pleasures , feeding thy pride , dandling thy lusts , playing the Hypocrite , playing the Harlot from thy God , pampring thy flesh , pleasing thine appetite ; and where hast thou been ? What hast thou done soul ? think not to excuse or mince the matter , it cannot be excused ; thou hast sinned against thy God , and now bear thy shame . This is our heart smiting of us , 2 Sam. 24. Our hearts condemning of us , 1 John 3.20 . If our hearts condemn us , God is greater than our hearts , and knoweth all things .

2. Tendernesse of the Will , that stands in its flexiblenesse , and pliableness unto the Will of God . And this is that tenderness wherein chiefly stands the blessing of a soft heart ; an hard heart is stubborn and obstinate ; thy neck is as an Iron sinew , and thy brow Brasse . Thou wilt not bee rul'd , there 's no bending thee , or turning thee out of thy course , thy Iron is too hard for the fire , it will not bee melted , and for the Hammer , it will not bee broken ; there 's no dealing with thee , thou art an untractable piece , thou wilt go neither led nor driven ; thine heart is set in thee to do evil , thy will is set upon sin , and thou art set upon thine own will . The word which thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord , wee will not do , but wee will do , whatever proceeds out of our own mouth ; Jer. 44.16,17 . Wee will do what we will do ; who is Lord over us ? Psal. 12. and Jer. 2.25 . Thou saidst there is no hope : no , for wee have loved strangers , and after them we [ will ] go , come what will of it , say what thou wilt against it ; Be silent Scriptures , hold thy peace , Conscience , 't is to no purpose to speak more , there is no hope of prevailing ; wee are at a point , wee will take our own course . These are hard hearts , stubborn , obstinate hearts .

When the Iron sinew is broken , when the rebellion and stubbornnesse of the Spirit is subdued , and tamed , and made gentle , and pliable , then it becomes a tender heart .

There may bee some tenderness in the Conscience , and yet the will bee a very stone ; and as long as the will stands out , there is no broken heart . Conscience may bee scared and frighted , Conscience may fly upon the Sinner ; what dost thou mean soul ? whither are thy rebellions carrying thee ? look to thy self , hearken or thou wilt bee lost e're thou art aware . But however , God hath gotten conscience on his side , yet the Devil still rides the Will ; and there sin takes up its rest . There 's a double resting of sin in the soul , In Peace . In Power .

1. In Peace , when it dwells and rules in the soul without disturbance , or contradiction ; when it carries all smoothly before it ; when God lets it alone , and conscience speaks not a word against it ; When notwithstanding those Armies of lusts , fighting against the soul , there 's not so much as one weapon lift up against them ; not a prayer , nor a tear , nor a wish for freedome ; nor the least fear concerning the issue ; this is the most dreadful hardness .

2. In Power , When though it can have no Peace , yet it hath still a Place in the heart . Though it can have no quiet , but conscience is still quarrelling with it , and warning it away ; yet it still holds its power over the Will , the Master of the house , is content to bee its Servant , O how many persons are there , even amongst the Professors of Religion , who cannot sin in quiet , they are proud , or passionate , or intemperate , or covetous or false in their words , in their dealings ; they are formal , and hypocritical , and slight , in their duties ; but they cannot go out with it with any quiet . Conscience smites them for it , they feel many a pang , and deadly twinge in their heart ; insomuch that sometimes they cry , and groan , and roar in their spirits ; O for redemption , O for deliverance from this false , this proud , this covetous and wicked heart ; and yet after all this , the Will remains a captive still ; Sin holds its power there ; though it cannot carry it on in peace , though it cannot bee proud , or play the Hypocrite , or be covetous , or an oppressour , without some galls , and gripes in the soul ; yet on it goes , the same trade is kept up , the same course is held on . God commands , cast yee out , cast yee out , come off from all your wickednesse , and evil waies , and I will receive you ; No , though Conscience would , the Will cannot come , whatever rendings , and tearings ; whatever terrours and torments , and worryings , such souls are at any time under , whatever stings , and plagues , and fires , they find their sins to be in their souls and bones ; what-ever wishings and wouldings they wring forth , that they were well rid of these plagues ; whilest the will is still for them , there 's an hard heart ; damnably hard ; there 's none of this heart of flesh . When the will is once broken loose from sin ; when it will be content to let all go , and give up its self to the dominion of the Lord , there 's a broken heart . Now speak Lord , and I will hear . Now call Lord , and I will answer . Now command me , impose on mee what thou wilt , I will submit . None but the Lord ; none but Christ ; no other Lord , nor lover . I am thine Lord , thine own , do with thine own , demand of thine own , what-ever thou pleasest . What God will have mee bee , vvhat God vvill have mee do , that vvill I do , and bee . No longer vvhat I vvill , but the Will of the Lord bee done , When 't is come to this , there 's a tender heart ; there 's the blessing of a broken spirit ; the stone hee hath taken away , hee hath given an heart of flesh .

Christians , never trust to tears ; never talk of terrours , trouble of conscience ; of the passionate workings , and meltings , which at any time you feel upon your spirits ; though there be something in these , as you shall see more by and by ; yet these are not the things you are to look at . A subdued , tractable , willing , obedient heart , that 's the tender heart . Isa. 1.19 . If yee bee willing and obedient , yee shall eat the good of the Land ; but if yee refuse and rebel , yee shall bee slain with the sword ; the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it .

3. Tenderness of the affections . I shall instance onely in three , viz. Love . Fear . Sorrow .

The tenderness of love is seen in its Benevolence . Jealousie .

1. In its benevolence . Our goodness extends not to the Lord , but our good will does . Our love can add nothing to him ; can a man bee profitable to God ? Job 22. If thou bee righteous what givest thou to him ? chap. 35.7 . Yet though it can adde nothing , it would not that any thing be detracted from him ; whilest hee can have no more , it would that hee should have his own ; all that is due ; his due praise , his due honour , and homage , and worship , and subjection , from every creature ; it would have no abatement , not the least spot or stain upon all his glory . What 's an affront to God , is an offence to love . Love beareth all things , saith the Apostle , 1 Cor. 13. all things from God , all things from men . And yet there are two things , the love of God cannot bear ; his dishonour . his displeasure .

1. His dishonour . Love would have God to bee God ; to live in the glory of his Majesty , in the hearts and eyes of all the world . His reproach is grievous to him that loves , for this is the cloud that takes God out of sight . Hee loves and honours , and would that God should bee loved and honoured of all ; hee fears , and would that the whole world should fear him . Hee would receive in his own breast , every arrow that 's shot against his maker ; hee would that his own name , and soul might stand betwixt his God , and all reproach , and dishonour . Hee would bee vile , so the Lord may bee glorious ; so God may increase , he 's content to decrease . Hee 's not so tender of his own heart , and bowels , as of the holiness of his God . Hee would suffer , and die , and bee nothing , rather than that God should not bee all in all . Hee would rather never think , nor speak , nor bee , rather , then not bee , in word , and thought , and life , holiness to the Lord . But O what , or where would hee bee , rather than his own hand should bee lift up against him ?

To see the Lord robb'd of his holiness , wrong'd in his wisdome , or his truth , or his soveraignty ; to see sin , that devil ; to see the world , that Idol , set up in the throne , and the God of glory made to stand aside as insignificant ; to hear that blasphemy , God is not worth this lust , or not worthy this labour , ( and what is said less in every sin ) is a sword in his breast . The reproaches of them that reproached thee , are fallen upon mee . Love hath tasted of God , it hath fed on his fulness , it hath its nourishment from his sweetness , it hath been warmed in his bosom , all his goodness hath passed before it ; upon this it lives and feeds ; and having found and felt what the Lord is , its impatient that all this goodness should be clouded or belyed . Love kindled from heaven , is keen ; and the keen is a tender edge ; the least touch of what offends , will turn it . Lam. 1.20 . I am in distress , my bowels are troubled , mine heart is [ turned ] within mee , for I have grievously rebelled , Psal. 42.3 . My tears have been my meat , continually , while they daily say unto me , where is thy God! Where is that care , and help , and that salvation of thy God , thou trustedst in ! thy God is not such an one , as thou boastedst him to bee : when I remember , when I hear such things , my soul is poured out within mee . Love is large ; hee that loves hath a large heart , hee can never receive , or do too much ; hee would have all hee can , and he would give all hee hath to the Lord . Hee 's tender how any thing bee withheld that is due , how any thing bee wasted elsewhere , that might bee useful to the Lord .

2. His displeasure . The displeasure of men it bears and rejoyces ; the wrath and rage of Sathan , it bears and triumphs ? though all the world , and hell to boot , bee displeased , and provoked , so God smiles , 't is well enough . Lord , lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon mee , and mine heart is glad , Psal. 4. Thou didst hide thy face , and I was troubled , Psal. 30.7 .

Let him correct mee , but O not in fury ; let him smite , but not frown ; let him kill mee , so hee will but love mee . And though hee smite , though hee kill mee , yet will I love and trust in him . O my God , let mee rather die in thy love , then live in thy displeasure ; there 's life in that death , this life is death to me . Let mee not be dead whilest alive ; turn away thine anger which kills my heart .

It is impatient of divine displeasure , and thence 't is grievous to it that it does displease ; thence it quarrels with sin , and falls so foul with it self for it . Is this thy kindness to thy friend ? lovest thou God , soul ? what and yet provokest him thus daily ? love , and yet neglect to seek , and follow thy God ? love , and yet so lame , and so slow , and so heavy , and so sparing in thy services to him ? Is this all thy love will do ? not deny thine ease , or thy pleasure , or thy liberty , or thine appetite , or thy companion , for the sake of the Lord ? chuse rather to pleasure thy friend , or thy flesh , than to please God ? Is this thy love ? Is this thy kindness to thy friend ? O false heart , O unworthy , unworthy spirit ; how canst thou look thy God in the face ? how canst thou say I love thee , when thine heart is no more with him ?

2. In its Jealousie . Hee that loves the Lord is jealous ; and Jealousie hath a tender edge ; hee is Jealous , not of , but for the Lord , not of his God , but of himself ; least any thing should steal away his heart from God . Love would bee chaste , would not bestow it self elsewhere : and yet is in great Jealousie it may bee enticed and drawn away . Hee that loves the Lord , there is not any thing , whether Wife , or Childe , or Friend , or Estate , or Esteem , that gets near his heart , but hee 's jealous of them , least they steal it away : Get you down , keep you lower , this heart is neither yours , nor mine ; O my God , 't is thine , 't is thine Lord , take it wholly to thee , keep it to thy self , let no other Lovers bee sharers with thee .

2. There 's a tenderness of fear ; The tender heart is a trembling heart , the tenderness of fear is manifested in its Suspition . Caution .

1. In its Suspition , the fearful are suspitious ; they look farther then they see , hee that is in dread , will bee in doubt , what may befall him , hee suspects a surprizal ; every bush is a theef , every bait , he doubts may have an hook under . There is a foolish , and a causeless fear ; and there is a prudent , and an holy fear ; this fear is a principle of wisdome , Psal. 111.10 . Prov. 22.3 . The prudent man fore-seeth the evil , but fools go on ; the snare is never nearer , than to the secure ; bold venturous sinners never want woe , the Devil may spare his cunning , when hee hath to do with such ; nothing that looks like sin , offers it self to a tender heart , but hee presently suspects it ; every pleasant morsel , every pleasant cup , every pleasant companion that comes ; any thing that tickles , and gratifies the flesh , hee looks through it e're hee will touch with it , least it betray his soul from God ; there may bee a snare in the dish , a snare in my cup , a snare in my company ; and what if there should ? he feeds himself with fear , dwells , walks , converses , works , recreates himself , vvith a trembling heart , and jealous eye .

2. In its Caution ; Fear is warie ; some Commanders have set their scout watches unarmed , that fear might make them watchful , a fearful Christian , will take heed what , and whom hee trusts ; hee dares not trust himself in such company , as may bee a snare unto him , hee dares not trust his heart among temptations , hee 'l keep the Devil at a distance , hee will not come near where his Nets do lye . Blessed is hee that thus feareth alwaies ? O the unspeakable mischief ! O the multitudes of sins that wee run upon , through our secure hearts ; I never thought of it , I never dreamed of any such danger ; Oh I am undermined , I am over-reach'd , I am surprized ; my foot is in the Snare , the grin hath taken mee by the heel , my soul is among Lyons ; Sin hath gotten hold on mee ; mine heart is gone e're I was aware , the enemy hath come in and carryed it away ; hath given it to lust , to the world , to pleasure , to divide it amongst themselves , my faith hath failed , my conscience is defiled , my love is grown cold , my grace withered , my comforts wasted , my peace broken ; and my God , O! where is hee become ? Woe is mee , the evil that I feared [ not ] is come upon mee , had I feared , I had not fallen : O that I had been wise , had kept my watch , had stood upon my guard ; had I thought , had I thought , I had escaped all this danger : O Christians , bee wise in season , and take heed of the fools , too late [ had I wist ]

3. There 's a tenderness of sorrow ; Sorrow is the melting of the heart , the stone dissolved , sorrow is the wound of the heart , a wound is tender , love is tender , and therefore Godly sorrow , which is the sorrow of love ; you may call it a love sickness , love is both the pain and pleasure of a mourning heart , 't is love that wounds , and love that heals ; it is both the weapon and the oyle ; this sorrow hath its joy , the melted is the most joyful heart ; 't is love that makes it sad , it therefore weeps because it loves , and 't is love that makes it glad too ; It therefore joyes because in its sorrows , it sees it loves . 'T is love that makes the wound , the matter of this sorrow being love abus'd , what hast thou done Soul ? who hast thou despised ? against whom hast thou lift up thy self ? thou hast sinned , thou hast sinned , and hast thereby smitten and grieved thy God that loves thee , and whom thou lovest ; Thou hast but one friend in Heaven , and earth , and him thou hast abused ; to pleasure thy lust , thou hast pierced thy Lord , thou hast transgressed his Commandements , and trampled upon his Compassions ; hast broken his Bonds , and kick'd at his Bowels ; his greatness , and his goodness ; his Law and his very Love hath been despised by thee ; him who loved thee hast thou smitten . Is this thy kindness to thy Friend ? O vile ungratious , unkinde , unthankful , unnatural heart ; what hast thou done ?

Put all this now together , and you have the heart of flesh which the Covenant promises , a Tender Heart ; an heart that is tender of sin and duty , that carefully shuns sin , or is sure to smart for it ; that neither slights sin , nor duty ; that sayes not of the one or the other ; 't is but a little one ; that can feel sufferings , but not fret at them , a Tender Conscience ; that will neither winck at sin , nor excuse the sinner , that will not hold the sinner guiltless ; nor say unto the wicked , thou art righteous ; that will not bee smitten , but it will smite again , that will give due warning , and due correction , a flexible tractable heart ; that will not resist and rebel ; that sayes unto the Lord , what wilt thou have mee to do ? and will not say of any thing , hee will have ; any thing but this . A willing , ductile heart , stiffe against nothing but sin , that a word from Heaven , will lead to any thing . An Heart of Love ; that bears good will to the Lord , and all that hee does or requires ; in which good will lies , radically every good work ; that saies not of any duties or sufferings , this is too great , or of any sin , this is nothing ; that would bee any thing , or nothing ; So God may bee all . That would rather bee displeased , than displease ; that is not displeased , where God is pleased . A trembling Heart , that fears more than it sees , and flies from what it fears , whom fear makes to beware . A melting Heart , a mourning heart , that wounds it self in the wounds it hath given to the Lord , and his Name ; that can grieve in love , and can love and grieve , where it cannot weep . In summe , 't is an heart that can feel , that can bleed , that can weep ; or at least that can yeild and stoop , where it cannot weep , nor feel but little , that will easily bee commanded , where it is not sensibly melted , this is a soft heart , this is the heart of flesh ; I will take away the stone , and give them an heart of flesh .

Oh what a blessing is such an heart ! what a plague is an hard heart ! oh what prisoners are the men of this evil world : in prison under Sathan , in prison under sin , bound under a curse , shut up under unbelief , and impenitence : the hard heart , is the iron-gate , that shuts them in that they cannot get out . Rom. 2. Oh what an hospital is this world become : of blind , and lame , and sick , and creeples , and wounded creatures ! whence are all the calamities and distresses that befall them , but from the hardness of their hearts ? the stone in their hearts breeds all their diseases , brings all their calamities : hath blinded their eyes , and broken their bones , and wasted their estates : there is not one misery that befalls them , but they may write up over it , this is the hardness of my heart . Oh what a Sodom is this world become , for wickedness as well as for wrath : what drunkenness , what adulteries , what oaths , what blasphemies , and all sorts of monstrous sins do every where abound ! whence is all this , but from the hardness of mens hearts ! if you say 't is from other causes : 't is from unbelief , from ignorance , from impotence , from temptations ; let it bee granted : yet still 't is from hardness of heart . They are wilfully ignorant , wilfully weak , vvilfully run into temptations ; they shut their eyes , and stop their ears , they wil not see , they will not believe . Oh what losses do they sustain ! how many Sabbaths are lost ? how many Sermons are lost ? how many reproofs , counsels , corrections are lost ? a Gospel lost , and souls thereby like to bee lost for ever ! oh what prodigies are they become ? under all this sin and misery ? and yet merry , jolly , laughing , and singing , and sporting , and feasting , and braving it out , as if nothing ail'd them . Feeling nothing of all that is come upon them , and fearing nothing of all that is coming . Warn them , reprove them , beseech them , 't is all but preaching to a stone . It may bee you have sometimes wondred , to see a company of thieves in prison , to bee drinking , and carousing , and milking merry , when they know that in a few daies they must bee brought out , and hanged . When thou wondrest at these , wonder at thy self . What bitter complaints do wee sometimes hear , even from the best of Saints ! oh this hard heart , oh this stubborn spirit ; I cannot mourn , I cannot stoop , I cannot submit . Isa. 63.17 . Why hast thou hardned our heart from thy fear ? Or why hast thou left us , or given us up to an hard heart ? why hast thou not softened , and humbled , and broken us ? thou hast humbled us , and wee are not humbled ; broken us , and wee are not broken ; thou hast broken our land , broken our peace , broken our backs , but the stone is not yet broken ; oh for one breach more Lord ; our hearts , our hearts , let these bee once broken ; our streets mourn , the Cities of our solemnities mourn , the wayes of Sion mourn , oh when wilt thou give us a mourning spirit ?

Oh what sorrow-bitten souls are the Saints , for want of sorrow ! I mourn Lord , I lament , I weep , but 't is because I cannot mourn , or lament as I should ; If I could mourn as I ought , I could bee comforted ; if I could weep , I could rejoyce ; if I could sigh , I could sing ; if I could lament I could live ; I die , I dye , mine heart dies within mee , because I cannot cry : I cry Lord , but not for sin , but for tears for sin ; I cry Lord , my calamities cry , my bowels cry , my bones cry , my soul cries , my sins cry , Lord , for a broken heart ; and behold , yet I am not broken .

The Rocks rent , the Earth quakes , the Heavens drop , the Clouds weep , the Sun will blush , the Moon bee ashamed , the foundations of the earth will tremble at the presence of the Lord , but this heart will neither break nor tremble ; O for a broken heart ! If this were once done , might my soul have this wish , thenceforth my God might have his Will ; what would bee hard , if my heart were tender ? Labour would bee easie , pains would bee a pleasure , burthens would bee light ; Neither the Command nor the Cross would bee any longer grievous , nothing would bee hard but sin . Fear , where art thou ? come and plough upon this Rock ; Love where art thou ? come and thaw this Ice , come and warm this dead lump ; come and enlarge this straitned spirit , then shall I run the way of his Commandements .

Oh Brethren , how little , how very little of this tenderness is there to bee found amongst the most of Christians ? The sacrifice of God , is a broken heart ; Oh how far must the Lord go to finde himself such a Sacrifice ? wee do but cast stones up to Heaven , when wee lift up our hearts ; 'T is a wonder , that such hearts as wee carry do not break themselves ; that our marble weeps not ; that if nothing else will do it , our hardness doth not make us relent ; that wee should so labour under , and complain of , and yet not bee sick of the Stone .

Broken hearts , yeilding and relenting spirits , tender consciences , Oh where are they ? afraid of sin ? tender of transgressing ? or mourning under it ? when shall it once bee ? our lusts no more broken ? our pride , our passion , our envy , our earthliness no more broken ? So venturous on temptation , so bold on sin , such liberty taken to transgress , such mincing , and palliating , and excusing of sin , as wee finde : Is this our brokenness ? wee are tender , 't is true ; but of what ? of dishonouring God , of abusing Grace , of neglecting Duty ; of defiling Conscience , of vvounding of our Souls ? No , 't is of our flesh , that wee are so tender ; tender of labour , tender of trouble , tender of our carkasses , of our credits , of our Names and reputations , a tender shoulder , a tender hand , a tender foot ; they can bear nothing , nor do nothing ; nothing can touch our flesh , nothing can touch our Idols ; our ease , or our estates , but wee shrink , and smart , and are put to pain . God may bee smitten and wee feel it not ; the Gospel may bee smitten , the Church may bee smitten , conscience may bee smitten , and it moves us not ; Wee can fear an affliction , fear a reproach , Oh did wee so much fear a temptation , or a sin ! wee cannot want bread but wee feel it , wee cannot want cloathes , or an house , or a friend , but wee feel it ; Wee cannot want our sleep , our quiet , our pleasure , our respects from men , but wee feel it , any thing that pinches upon our flesh pierces our hearts . Wee cannot pine , or languish in our bodies , but wee feel it ; a feaver ; or an ague , or a consumption , or a dropsie , or any bodily sickness ; Oh it makes us sick at heart ; a froward yoak-fellow , an unthrifty servant , an ill neighbour , a scoffe , a sleight cannot bee born ; but Oh! how much sin can bee born , while our flesh will bear nothing ? Oh! how can conscience bear , and never complain ?

Christians consider , when our flesh must be thus tendred , what ever come of it ; must be tenderly fed , must have soft rayment , soft lodging , soft usage , deal gently with it , though to maintain it , Conscience must bee racked , and wracked and wasted .

When our Wills cannot bee crossed , our appetites cannot bee denied , but a tumult follows , the soul is in an uproar ; and conscience mean while , must be denied , rated , and must go away in silence .

When the Word works no more , when the prints of it are not received ; the power of it is resisted ; when the rod works no more ; when our stripes make no sign , when the lashes on our backs fall all besides our hearts ; when wee remain so vain , and so wanton , so wilful , and so carnal , and so earthly ; after the Lord hath been preaching , and whipping of us into a better frame , when wee stand upon our terms , keep our distances , our animosities , our heats , and heighths of spirit , our censurings , our quarrellings one with another , Christian with Christian , Professour with Professour , after the Lord hath been beating us together , to make us friends , and all to learn us more humility , and charity ; Is this our brokenness ? is this our tenderness ? when upon any the Lords rougher dealing with us , spitting in our faces , throwing us on our backs , trampling us in the dirt , wee are yet no more brought on our knees ; Is this our brokenness ? when the Lord hath been awakening us out of sleep , putting his spurres and goads in our sides , to quicken us on our way ; calling to us , arise sleepers , put on sluggards , stirre up your spirits , mend your pace , I will not bee put off as I have been ; no more , such loitering , and idling , and trifling , and halting , as hath been ; I must have other manner of service , other manner of praying , and hearing , and walking , and working , than hath been ; be zealous , and amend , more labour , more care , more watchfulness , more activity , more of the Spirit , and Soul of what you professe : When the Lord hath been thus goading , and spurring us on , and though our flesh feels , yet our hearts will not feel , nor answer the Goad or Spur ; Is this an argument of tenderness ?

When great duties are little , and lesser are none ; when great sins are infirmities , and little ones are nothing ; when lying and defrauding , when false weights , and false wares , and false dealings ; when defaming , back-biting , tale-bearing , railing , reviling , do stand for little more than cyphers ; when fellowship , and familiarity , with evil men in their sins ; when compliance with , or connivance at their wickedness ; when sinful courtings , and complementings of such , to the fleshing them , and hardning them in their waies , do pass for virtues , and civilities ; when frothy , vvanton discourse , and communication ; vvhen scoffing and making a sport at the sins , or infirmities of others ; vvhen sinful vain jesting , vvherein rather Conscience than wit must bee deny'd ; when all these pass for our ornaments , rather than our evils . Where 's our tenderness ?

When upon the auditing of our accounts , the examining our books , and reckoning up our scores ; where a talent is owing , wee bid conscience take thy bill , and write down a shekel ; where twenty or an hundred sins to be reckoned for , take thy bill , and write down ten or but one , and that a little one , when wee are so free in multiplying , and so false , in numbring our iniquities ; where 's our tenderness ?

Well Christians , the Lord hath promised a tender heart , to make these stones flesh ; and something possibly is done already upon you , towards it ; O let this sad sight now laid before you , this view of what 's wanting , have some influence upon the making it up ; let the sense of no more done , work what is yet undone ; as is said before , let your unbrokenness break your hearts ; let the stone that yet remains , make your flesh to bleed . If you yet feel no more , may you at least feel this , that you feel not .

CHAP. XIII . An Heart to love the Lord .

4. AN heart to love the Lord . Deut. 30.6 . The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart , and the heart of thy seed : to love the Lord thy God , with all thine heart , and with all thy soul . Love is the soul of the new creature ; the closure of the soul with God . He that hath most of God is most a Christian , and hee that hath most of love , hath most of God . God is love .

In the opening of this love to God , wee shall consider its Object . Act.

1. It s Object . The Object of divine love is God . God is good , and good is amiable . God is all good , There is none good but one , that is God . God is essentially good , goodness in the abstract ; hee is infinitely excellent , hee is all perfection . In this one Attribute , all the rest of the Attributes of God are included , and this in each of them . However the Scriptures , speaking to our capacities , describe God and his glorious Attributes , in several and distinct notions ; yet in each one all are included ; each one is infinite , and infinite perfection is essentially all perfection . God is originally good ; the fountain and pattern , of all that moral good that is in the creatures ; hee is bountifull , and gracious , ready to do them good ; and hee is the felicitating end , or the blessedness of the soul . The goodness of God to his creatures , according to its different respects to them , hath its different and various appellations . As it is freely bestow'd , 't is Grace : As it respect them as needy , so 't is Bounty : as in misery , so 't is mercy and compassion ; as Provoking , so 't is Patience : as it intends their good , so 't is love : as it answers both their necessities and capacities , so 't is Al-sufficiency . All these , his bounty , mercy , compassion , patience , love , al-sufficiency : all these are in one word , his goodness , and goodness calls for love . The Object of this love is God . Particularly , 1. God in himself . 2. God in Christ . 3. God in all the things of God .

1. God in himself , as hee is infinitely excellent , ( as before ) and so worthy of all love . God is to bee loved in himself , and for himself , for his own worthiness . God is good in himself , and therefore to bee loved for himself .

2. God in Christ . In whom alone , considering us as sinners , hee can bee said to be good to us .

There is a four-fold incentive of love . Perception . Proportion . Propriety . Possession .

1. Perception ; or the apprehension or understanding of the Object to bee loved ; wee must know before we can love ; now God cannot immediately be seen by mortals ; hee dwelleth in light , but that light is to us invisible . Christ is the glass , in which this glory may bee seen . We cannot see God but through a vail of flesh , in the face of Jesus Christ . 2 Cor. 4. No man hath seen God at any time , but the only begotten of the Father , who is in the bosome of the Father , hee hath revealed him .

2. Proportion . And there is a double proportion requisite . 1. In respect of quantity , there must bee sufficiency . 2. In respect of quality , there must bee suitableness .

God himself is proportioned to us , consider us as rational creatures , and in our state of innocency ; is both a sufficient and a suitable good ; but God in Christ onely , being considered as lapsed creatures , in a state of sin .

God in Christ , is a God of pitty , and compassion to us ; a God of patience , a God of mercy , with whom is plentious redemption . A God , pardoning iniquity , and passing by transgression ; loving us in our low estate , loving us and pittying us , loving us and pardoning us ; loving us and washing us , loving us and saving us from our sins , and from the wrath to come . And such love is the great flame that kindles love ; love breaking forth out of a cloud of wrath , and fury , and displeasure ; abused love provoked love , and yet forgiving love ; to whom much is forgiven , they will love much .

3. Propriety . What 's good , good for us , and [ our own ] good , that carries our hearts . Wee most love our own good , because wee most love our selves . Our love to God is heightened from our due self-love ; there is a sinful self-love ; when either wee love that for a self , which is not our self ; when wee love our flesh and fleshly interest ; or when wee love our selves inordinately , more than God , and God only for our selves ; and there is a lawful self-love ; when wee love our selves , in the Lord , and for the Lord . And the more wee thus love our selves , the more is the Lord loved by us ; and the more hee is our own , the more love hee hath . Now in Christ the Lord is [ our ] God . Our own God ; even our own God . Psal. 67.6 . O God thou art [ my ] God , and I will praise thee . Thou art my God and I will love thee .

The Lord is God , and wee therefore love him ; the Lord is good , gracious , merciful , and wee therefore love him , yea , and ought to love him , whether he bee ours or no ; but when both meer , hee is God and our God ; hee is good and our good ; gracious , merciful , all-sufficient , and all this to us ; hence is our love made perfect in us .

4 Possession ; wee can love a distant , an absent good . A good that 's only possible ; there 's love in hope ; but by how much the nearer good is to us , ( that is really so ) by so much the more attractive and acceptable ' t is . 'T is then most in our hearts , when 't is most in our hands . Indeed those things which have only speciem boni , that are fancied good ; or those things that are finite good ; and good over-rated ; that are judg'd better than they are , are lov'd most at a distance ; because when they come to hand , wee see our mistake . But that which is what it seem'd ; much more , that which is above our thoughts , beyond our expectations , infinite good ; by how much the nearer , 't is ever the dearer to us . All worldly good is most valued , ( at least by carnal hearts ) at a distance ; they promise themselves more contentment in it , than it hath to pay them ; their possession is their disappointment . Whilest they lusted , they idoliz'd , they ador'd ; but when they have tasted , and eaten , it comes out at their nostrils . Or else they sit down , with the shame of the disappointed ; they are either surfeited , or hungry still . Is this all ? all you can do for mee ? all the pleasure , and comfort , I shall have of you ? is all my expectation of delight , and satisfaction , come to no more but this ? Miserable comforters are you all ! possession and fruition is the proof of all things . And vanity proved , is the less loved . But God being an all-sufficient , incomprehensible good ; by how much the nearer to us , by how much the more hee is ours by so much the more wee prize and love , because now wee find ( when wee have him , wee enjoy him ) that before , the one half was not told us .

Now in Christ , wee have not onely a propriety in God , but in some degree , a present possession . Hee that hath the Son , [ hath ] the Father also . We see his light , wee feel his love , wee taste of his goodness , wee enjoy his presence , wee have God with us , wee have God in us , wee have fellowship with him , he dwelleth in us , and wee in him , and hence wee love , and herein wee rejoyce .

3. God in all the things of God , in his Word , Ordinances , Sabbaths , Saints , in graces , duties , in all his waies , the Saints love God , and love his word , 't is God in the word they love ; they love God , and they love Ordinances , and Sabbaths , and Saints ; 't is God in all these they love ; They love the waies , and works , and all the dispensations of God , and 't is God in them all they love , they see God in every thing , and they love God where ever they see him . They look on all these things with another eye , and therefore embrace them with another heart then other men .

The Saints love to the things of God , is their love to God ; for 't is God in them ( as was said ) that they love , their love to them is founded either on , their participation of God , or , relation to God .

Or else you may say they love the things of God , because they are , the Off-spring the Images the Chariots of God .

1. The things of God , are the Off-spring of God , as the Saints are born from above , so all the things of God , are 〈◊〉 , they come down from above , and therefore may also bee called as the Apostle stiles them , 〈…〉 , things above , Phil. 3.1,2 . If yee bee risen with Christ , seek those things that are above , set your affections on things above ; things above , and the things of God , come all to one , whatsoever is from God , and belongs to his Heavenly Kingdome , is divine , and heavenly ; and hee that loveth him that begets , therefore loveth those which are begotten , and whatsoever proceedeth from him .

2. The Word and the Saints are the Images of God , the character , and impresse of God are upon them ; the Grace in the Saints , and the holy truths in the Word , are the very face of Christ ; who is full of Grace and Truth , and this is their Rule , love God , and love his Image .

3. The things of God are the Chariots of God . Hee that makes the Clouds his Chariots , makes also his Word , and his Ordinances , and his Ministers , his Chariots , wherein he rides down into these lower parts , to give the World a meeting . When Ministers come , and the Word comes down , God comes down in them to visit his people ; as 't was said of Paul , So 't is true of Apollos , and Cephas , and all the dispensers of the Gospel , they are chosen Vessels to bear his Name , before the Sons of men ; and as they are the Chariots in which God comes down , so are they also the Wagons which hee hath sent them , to fetch them up to himself ; The Saints send up their hearts in their duties , their hearts in their prayers , in their praises unto God . Old Israel's heart leap'd , when hee saw the Wagons which Joseph had sent . Oh what love doth the Psalmist expresse , to the House and Courts of the Lord ! O how amiable are thy Tabernacles , I was glad when they said unto mee , let us go up into the House of the Lord . Hee was glad to go thither , because thence hee hoped to bee carried higher , from the Mountain to the Mansion ; from Mount Zion here below , to Jerusalem , which is above .

It 's the duty , and the delight of the Saints to bee ascending Heaven-wards , they are dead with Christ , they are risen with Christ ; and 't is not as they would with them , but when they are ascending up with Christ , they are dead with Christ , by repentance and humiliation , they are risen with Christ , by faith and sanctification , and they ascend with Christ , by love and holy affection , this is their Chariot of fire , a Chariot , within a Chariot , that through Duties and Ordinances rides up in its own flames to the God of Love .

Or if you will , the Ordinances of God , are our Jacobs Ladder reaching from Heaven to Earth ; by which , Angels descend , and souls ascend , God comes down , and hearts go up , praises go up , and blessings come down ; thou hast not prov'd what an Ordinance is , what Prayer means , or Preaching means , or Sacraments mean , that hast not seen God coming down , nor felt thine heart ascending by them ; hee that hath felt this , will say , here let mee dwell ; let others bee where they will , amongst their flocks , amongst their herds , upon their beds , or at their cups , amongst their Harlots , or in their houses ; It is good for mee to bee here .

No wonder Christians , that carnal hearts are such strangers to the Word , can so well fit out at Duties , and can want Ordinances ; Preaching and Praying , and Sabbaths , they can spare , and not feel their want , what wonder ? What is Heaven to Earth ? what is God to flesh ? these Chariots would carry them away from their Gods , carry them out of their own Country , into a strange Land , where they have neither possession nor acquaintance ; But oh ! what a sad wonder is it , that Saints should go up so often into the Chariots , and yet be gotten no nearer home , that they should be still so much on the Earth , that have been so often mounted for Heaven ; that those hearts should still bee on the dunghils , whose feet are so often on the mountain of the Lord ; that the Wagons should bee so often sent down , and go up empty ; scarce an heart sent up in them ; yea , that they should be so far from God , when God is among them . Where 's your love , Christians ? how is it that it is still below ? what have you here ? your City is above ; your home is above ; your God , your Jesus , your treasure is above : oh how is it , that where your treasure is , your hearts bee not also ? hear from God , and not God with the messenger ? send up to heaven , your eyes , your hands , your prayers , your complaints , your promises , and still leave your hearts below ? send up hearts to heaven , and let them return again down to this earth ? remain earth , and flesh , and filth , and vanity , after so much converse or pretence to it , with the holy God of spirits ? lovest thou God ? when thou canst so often go where hee is , and not care to see him ? or if thou meet him , canst let him go without a blessing ? or if he bless thee , canst go presently and exchange thy Fathers blessing for a mess of pottage ? canst lose a duty in a dinner , the comforts and revivings of a Sermon , of a Sacrament , of a Sabbath , in an hours carnal converse in the world ? did wee love our God more , certainly wee should bee more with him , and to better purpose . His meetings would bee more precious , and the fruits of them more lasting . Wee should neither go away without his blessing , nor throw it away when wee had gotten it .

Thus much for the object of love .

2. It s Act. Love is a natural Affection . The love of God is the souls clasping or closing with the Lord . It is the expansion , or going out of the heart , in its strength , after God , the uniting or knitting of the soul vvith God , vvith a complacency and acquiescence in him .

There are three things included in this love .

1. The strength of the heart making out after God . This is that vvhich is commonly called our amor desiderii , or our love of desire , the breathing , or thirsting , or panting of the heart , after God , Psal. 42.1 . The hearts vvorking God-vvards with its might ; loving him above all things , desiring him above all things ; and that both Intensivè vvith the greatest vigour and intention : and adaequatè as its compleat , and adequate object . God is its All. Whom have I in heaven but thee , and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee .

2. The uniting of the soul with God . Our cleaving to him . By love heart cleaves to heart , soul cleaves to soul . It s said of Shechem , Gen. 34.3 . that his heart clave unto Dinah . Hee loved her vvith his heart , shee vvas gotten into his heart , and there his heart holds her . Acts 11.23 . Barnabas exhorts the Church , that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord . It is the knitting of the soul vvith God . Its said , 1 Sam. 1.18 . That the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David , and Jonathan loved him as his own soul . And of Jacob , Gen. 44.30 . to express his tender love to Benjamin , 't is said , his life was bound up in the lads life . Of the multitude of believers wee read Act. 4.32 . that they were all of one heart and of one soul . Their love had knit them up all into one . By love wee are one with God , and hee with us . It is the souls willing of God , as I may so speak . Willing of God to it self , and willing it self , and all to God . All praises , all honour , all blessedness to him . Bee thou mine Lord , nothing less , nothing else . Bee thou mine , I need no less , I desire no more . Let mee bee thine , be to thee , bee for thee , thy servant , thy sacrifice , or what thou wilt , and let all mine bee thine ; mine heart , and my hand , and my tongue , and my time , and mine interest . Let all thine bee to thee ; thy heavens and thy earth , with every person , with every creature in them . Let every heart , every mouth , every limb , every creature , bee a praise to the Lord. Let the Lord live , and blessed bee my rock , let the God of my salvation bee exalted . Let every knee bow , let every tongue confess unto God . This is the amor unionis , our love of union , as 't is called . And 't is the heart , the very essence of saving love ; wherein are included both our accepting of God , and our surrender or resignation of our selves unto God . Amor non est nisi donum amantis in amaetum . And our wishing and willing all glory , dominion , and blessedness to him . And so here also is our amor benevolentiae , our love of benevolence . All these may bee included in that opening of the heart , mention'd , Acts 16.14 . It s there said , that the Lord opened Lydia's heart . The heart is then savingly opened , when it freely lets out it self upon God ; all its streams run in to the Lord ; and when it takes in , and takes down , God into the depth of the soul . The heart thus opened to the Lord , when God is come in , will close upon him . Abide with me ; thou hast entred upon thine habitation , oh let this bee thy dwelling for ever . Onely this must bee farther added , that with God it takes in all the things of God ; his Word , his Ordinances , his waies , and all his dispensations . With his love his laws ; with his comforts his counsels ; with his counsels his corrections ; with thee , I accept of all that 's thine ; both thy staff and thy rod ; both thy yoke and thy cross ; thy self Lord , thy love Lord , and what thou wilt with thee .

3. The souls talking pleasure , and taking up its rest in him . This is call'd our Amor complacentiae . Where wee love there will bee a delightful stay or immoration of the mind upon God . Ubi amor , ibi oculus . The object dwells in the eye ; we are still looking where we love . Anima est ubi amat . When I awake , I am still with thee ; there his thoughts are , of him is his meditation all the day long .

My meditation of him shall bee sweet . Hee that loves dwelleth in God . I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever . And why there ? why there his God dwells , and therefore there his soul takes up its dwelling . There is also an acquiescence of the heart in him . Return unto thy rest , O my soul . But this is not felt , till love hath obtained . Till the soul feels it self to love and to have what it loves ; to love and to bee beloved ; to accept and to bee accepted of God . When it comes to this , then I have enough . I am my beloveds , and my beloved is mine . And here is the sweetness of Religion ; the marrow and fatness of godliness , the pleasure of love . When I love I can rest ; when I can rest I can rejoyce ; when I feel my self to love , I know I am beloved , and then what is there wanting ? where love is a stranger joy is not known ; wee can never take comfort in any thing , but in that which wee love . When take wee pleasure in eating , but when we have meat that wee love ? what is a friend , or a wife , or a childe , when wee love them not ? what is society or communion , where love hath not first made an union ? can two walk together except they bee agreed ? with little comfort sure ; they would bee better pleased , were they parted asunder . 'T is love that is the pleasure of our lives . 'T is love that makes heaven sweet ; there wee shall have our fill of joy , because there wee have our fill of love . Heaven would bee no heaven , God himself could not bee the joy , if hee were not the love of his Saints . What bitter draughts will love sugar ? sin , and lusts , and all the filth of the flesh , are sweet morsels to carnal hearts ; 't is meat they love . God is nothing , Christ is nothing to them ; What is thy beloved more than other beloveds ? Religion is a bondage to them , holiness a weariness ; not the labours onely , but the joyes of the Saints , are empty and unsavoury things ; there are no feasts , but love-feasts . Love is both the best dish , and the onely sauce to every dish ; 't is the best dish , he that feeds on divine love , will never complain of a short meal ; and 't is the onely sauce for every dish , 't is but unsavoury meat that is not seasoned with love ; wee may a little change the proverb , love is the best sauce . Bee the meat never so excellent , it will not relish if it bee not loved . Love will make any thing down . When it puts such a sweetness into sin , that even death , and hell will down with carnal hearts for its sake , oh what a feast will love make of holiness and glory ? get love to Christ , love to Religion , and you will never demand , where is the blessedness ? where is the sweetness ?

Love will sweeten , both the comforts , and the exercises of Religion ; 't will make duties sweet , yea , and sufferings sweet . There are two things that are naturally sweet to love . To please . To praise .

1. He that loves will please , and observe whom hee loves . How careful are such to watch themselves , that they grieve not their friend ; what study does love put them upon , to find out what 's grateful and acceptable . Acceptable looks , acceptable language , acceptable entertainment ; what wilt thou Lord ? what wilt thou have mee to bee ? a servant ? a door-keeper ? a servant of servants for thee ? I will bee nothing but what thou wilt ; any thing that thou wilt have mee . What wilt thou have mee to do , Lord ! let mee know thy vvill , appoint mee my vvork . O that my waies were so directed , that I might keep thy statutes . What vvilt thou have of mee ? vvilt thou have mine Idols ! mine ease , or mine honour , or my pleasure , or my house , or mine estate ? vvilt thou have mine Isaacks ? is there any thing dearer to me than other , that might bee an offering to the Lord ? wilt thou have my liberty , or my life ! behold all is at thy feet ; I can keep back nothing thou callest for .

Hence love is said to bee the fulfilling of the Law . There is in this good will , radically every good work . It would walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing , being fruitful in every good work . Love is generous ; it would do great things , noble things ; what shall I do for him , whom my soul honours ! oh for a gift , that might bee worthy of him ! but I have nothing ; my goodness extendeth not to thee ; it would give more than it owes ; but where it cannot do so , where it cannot bee generous , yet it would bee just ; it would levell all accounts , and pay all debts ; love would have nothing but love owing . It would give to all their due ; it would not die in the debt of a servant , of a stranger , much less ( could it help it ) would it defaulk from the God of glory . That 's the daily charge of love , pay what thou owest . Its receipts and returns , are a pleasure to it ; any thing that comes down from heaven , and every present it has to send thither , is a joy to love . This is the message that both speak , happy soul , thou lovest and art beloved . It catches at all opportunities , to send up messages of love , and knoweth no fitter messenger to send by , than by the hand of duty . Every duty is dispatched with this superscription , the tribute of love .

Love is the spring , that sets all our wheels a going ; the womb , in which all our works are formed ; the fire in the heart , that vents it self in our words and wayes . The fire kindled , then spake I with my tongue . Love is to a Saint , what malice is to Sathan ; that which gives force to all his actings . Sathans temptations are called fiery darts ; and this , not onely because they are headed , and barbed with fire ; as poysoned arrows , they burn where they hit ; they set sin on fire , they set the soul on fire ; burning with lust , and wickedness . but because they are winged with fire , and forced with fire ; the bullet is fired out of the Gun , and thence it flies so fiercely . 'T is the malice of Sathans heart that fires out all his darts . What malice doth with Sathan , that doth love with Saints . It sets the heart in a flame , of holy zeal , and activity for God . Jer. 20.9 . Thy word was in mee as fire , ( it hath kindled a fire there ) I was weary with forbearing . An heart of love is weary , but not of action , but of idleness . Weary with forbearing , not with doing ; never weary of doing much , ever weary of doing nothing . O God my heart is fixed , my heart is fixed ; saith the Psalmist , I will sing and give thanks . Love will adde , O God , mine heart is fiered , my heart is fiered ; there 's a flame kindled ; mine heart burneth , in holy desires , and zeal for thee ; and where love hath set the heart a burning , the heart will set the hand a working , and the feet a running .

2. He that loves will praise whom he loves . Praise is comely , and praise is a pleasure to the upright in heart . 'T is the delight of love to be speaking of the perfections , of the vertues , of the beauties , of the excellencies of her beloved . The Spouse in the book of Canticles whose whole language is all love , her heart is so full , that her lips overflow with the mention of the excellencies of Christ . My beloved is white and ruddy , the chiefest amongst ten thousand . His head fine gold , his eyes Dove's eyes , his cheeks a bed of spices , his lips are lillies , his hands are gold-rings , his legs pillars of marble , his countenance excellent , his mouth sweet , yea , hee is altogether lovely ; this is my beloved , and this is my friend , O Daughters of Jerusalem . Cant. 5. Who is a God like unto thee , glorious in holiness , fearful in praises , doing wonders ? Great is the Lord , and greatly to be praised , in the City of our God . Thy mercy O Lord , is in the heavens , thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds . Thy righteousness is like the great mountains , thy judgments are a great deep . How excellent is thy loving kindness , O Lord , therefore the sons of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings . I will speak of the glorious honour of thy Majesty , and of thy wondrous works ; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion , slow to anger , and of great mercy . The Lord is good to all , and his tender mercies are over all his works . Let all thy works praise thee , O Lord let thy Saints bless thee ; let them speak of the glory of thy kingdome , and talk of thy power . Let them abundantly utter the memory of thy goodness , and sing of thy righteousness . O my God , thou art all love , all goodness , all grace , all glory ; O let thy servant bee all praise . Let this heart bee an altar , and every service a sacrifice ; let this mouth bee a trumpet , and every word a Psalm ; let my breath bee as incense , and every member a censer . Let all that is within mee , my soul with all its powers ; let all that is without me , my body with all its members , shout for joy , and sing forth the high praises of God . This is the voice of Love .

And now you have another excellency of the new heart , laid open to your view : Love ; An heart to love .

Christians , prize this precious grace ; prize it , and you will write down , this word also , among the great and precious Promises ; and if you would prize it aright , take your estimate of it , from its worth , and its want ; as we use to prize Jewels , from their excellencie , rarity .

1. Prize it , according to its worth , and excellency . Why , what is the worth ? Cant. 8.7 . If a man would give all the substance of his house for love , it would bee contemned . The whole world is not of that value , to bee a price for love ; no it must come by gift , it 's not to bee bought for money , love is worth as much as a soul , and that 's more than all the world . What shall it profit a man , to win the whole World , and lose his own Soul ? love is as much worth as all Religion ; 't is the soul and the substance of all Religion ; all the Graces , the Duties and Exercises of it , are onely valued , according to the love that is in them ; what is knowledge , faith , hope , patience without love ? what is prayer , fasting , alms , without charity ? They are worth nothing , shall I say ? nay they are nothing ; If I had all knowledge , and all faith , and were all prayer , and all labour , and all suffering ; and had not charity , I were nothing . Love is worth as much as Heaven is worth , as Christ , as God is worth to us . God is love , and God is not , if love bee not in us . Dost thou prize thy substance ? Is thy house , or thy mony , or thy lands , any thing to thee ? Dost thou value thy soul ? Is Religion , is Heaven , is Christ , is God himself of any account with thee ? Then prize the love of God ; Without love , God is no God to thee , Christ is no Christ to thee , Heaven is no Heaven for thee ; better thou hadst no soul , no being than no love . O prize the Love of God ; prize and seek , prize and pray , pray as for thy life , as for thy soul , as for thy everlasting Kingdome ; Lord let mee love thee ; Get love , and get all , love and thou wilt bee holy , love and thou wilt be humble , love and thou wilt bee fruitful , love , and thou wilt please , praise , and enjoy thy God , love and thou wilt fear , serve , suffer , and die for him , love , and thou shalt live ; prize love , prize it according to its worth . And

2. Prize it according to its rarity . Things excellent are rated something the more for their scarcity ; scarcity raises the Market , the VVord of God was precious in those daies , 1 Sam. 3.1 . that is , when there was a Famine of the Word , when there was no open Vision : O were the love of God , as precious as 't is rare ! what a spiritless carkass is the Religion of many Professours ? what 's become of the soul of it ? Oh! we freeze in our Duties , we freeze in our Devotions , wee are almost frozen out of them all ; if vvee have a Sacrifice left , vvhat fire is there to offer it up ? The God that answereth by fire , let him bee God , said Elijah : the heart that asketh by fire , that ascendeth in fire , let that bee the heart for God : Behold the wood , and the fire , but where is the Lamb for the Sacrifice ? Wee may say behold the wood and the sacrifice , but where is the Fire to offer it up ? our Spirits have taken a cold , the chill of them appears in all our duties . Rabbi where dwellest thou ? Love where dwellest thou ? Zeal of God , where is thy abode ? how many houses must wee search ? how many hearts must wee walk through , e're wee finde thine Habitation ? The Apostle tells the Romans , Rom. 10.2 . that they have a Zeal of God , but not according to Knowledge ; wee have the Knowledge of God , but oh ! where is the Zeal ? the Zeal of thine house , saith the Psalmist , hath eaten mee up ; but is not that eater eaten ? The house hath burnt up the fire , or if there be any fire left , is it not strange fire ? not the fire of Love , but of Lust , of Pride , or Covetousness ; or that wilde fire of envy , and contention , that heats our spirits ? Jehu was all on fire against the house of Ahab ; Come see my zeal for the Lord of Hosts . That fire was fury , not love ; or if 't was love , 't was self-love , not the love of God , that made all that flame ; such hearts are like the evil tongue , James 3. set on fire of Hell . Such heats are not from above , but are earthly , sensual , devilish ; wee freeze still , while wee thus fry ; our praeter-natural heats have extinguished the super-natural .

O! how little kindly warmth do wee find in our spirits ? do wee feel our hearts working upwards , ascending in our flames ? wee all pretend to love , but consider , are our hearts making out in their strength after God ? Wee wish well to his Name and Interest , wee wish hee were ours , wee wish our selves his ; O if wishing were loving ! what Christians should wee be ? But doth the Kingdom of God suffer violence ? who are they that so run , as if they would take God by force , take Heaven by force ? The Kingdome of Heaven may offer violence if it will , and take us by force ; but how little violence doth it suffer ? We say wee love God , but is there not something else wee love more ? wee desire to be holy , but is there not something else wee desire more ?

Oh how few hearty friends hath Christ in the world ? and how little love from these few ? so little , that we cannot tell our selves , whether it be any thing or nothing ; how hard are we put to it ? what a narrow search must we make ? how many arguments must wee consult ? how many marks must we consider , e're we can prove we love him ? and yet at last , are still in doubt , whether we love him or not .

When we love our carnal Friends , our Wives , our Children , we can feel that we love them ; when we love our Ease , or our Estates , or our Liberties , we can feel that we love them ; but our God we cannot tell whether we love him or no ; How few of us can boldly make our appeal to him , Lord , thou knowest that I love thee .

Oh! how many wounds doth Christ receive in the house of his Friends ? how many sleights must hee put up ? how often when hee hath sate down , in his own , ( in the highest ) room , have we said , to him give this man place , give this friend or this business place ; and so made him take the lower room . How hath hee when he hath come to our doors ( his love hath often brought him thither ) how often hath hee stood , and knock'd and call'd , open to mee my Love , my Sister ; and there been made to stand , and wait , when strangers have been gotten in , and taken up all the rooms ? The world can never come out of season , but Christ is fain to wait his seasons , when he can finde us at leisure ; if there bee any other guest with us , our Lord must wait ; Go thy way for this time , when I have a convenient season , I will send for thee ; how often have we agreed , and appointed to meet the Lord , at such an hour ; in our Chamber , in our Closet , to have converse and communion with him in Duty ; and if any thing come in , ●o carry us another way , then presently , I pray thee have mee excused ; or if we do keep our time , and shut in our selves with the Lord , and sit down to Duty ; what a multitude of thoughts presently fall a knocking at our doors ? and away our hearts go presently with them , to the ends of the earth , and leaves nothing but our carkasses behind with the Lord ; O were our love stronger , our cries would bee louder , and would drown the noise of these knockings , that they would not bee heard nor heeded , it would command silence to every impertinent thought . I charge you , O Daughters , that you stirre not , that you disturb not my Beloved , and my Soul ; more love would command their attendance , upon the work of the Lord , would gird up the loins of the mind , and gather in all its scattered Messengers ; come all yee powers of my soul , come and do your homage , come and help in the service of my God .

Oh! at what distance are wee content to live from the Lord , sometimes for many daies together ? Our souls and our God are grown strange , and yet wee can bee merry , and quiet ; wee can bee without the presence of God , and yet never miss it : not a smile from his face , nor a look of love from us to him , and yet no trouble follows ; the Sun may bee Ecclipsed , or under a Cloud , and yet no darkness upon our Spirits : wee do not walk in darkness , when wee have no light , sorrow and sadness is as far from us , as God is from us ; we can warm our selves at our own fires , and rejoyce in the light of our own sparks , as if these were the Sun ; wee can do as well in a Mist , as in the Sun-shine , day and night are both alike to us ; The Children of the Bride-chamber do not Fast , but can Feast , and make merry , when the Bridegroom is taken from them ; their carnal contentments , they can make a shift with , to supply the room of their Lord . Can wee not sometimes go where our Lord feeds , and never finde him ; go to pray , or go to hear , or go to a Sacrament , and the Lord never meet us there , and yet can return well enough satisfied ? When wee thus want communion with God , and [ can ] want it ; where 's our love , what love is that ? which can so well bear the absence of her Beloved ? Call mee no more Naomi , pleasant ; but call mee Marah , bitter ; I went out full , but I return empty ; Full of Grace , full of Joy , because full of the Lord ; but behold all is gone , my Husband is lost , my God is departed from mee : Call mee no more Naomi , but call mee Marah , for the Almighty hath dealt bitterly with me , hath hid his face from me , for these things I weep , mine eyes , mine eyes run down with tears , because the Comforter that should relieve my soul , is farre from mee ; such are the tears of Love , for her absent Lord .

Oh! how little Conscience is there made of bestowing that on the Lord , which wee have bestowed on him ; wee give and take , wee pretend to have given all to God ; but are wee not often taking away , what wee have given , and bestowing it elsewhere ? Love would have all we have running into God , and would have nothing run besides ; but Oh! what waste is there made ? of our time , of our parts , and other Talents , which were they well husbanded , would come to much , and bee given to the Lord ? when so many daies , and hours run out , and no account taken of them , on what , or on whom , they are consumed ; when our eyes , and our ears , and hands , and tongues , which were made for God ; the Devil , and Lust , must so often have the using of them ; when back and belly , and friends and companions , must carry away , what should bee spent on God and Souls ; when what should be allowed for Religion , and Charity to have the spending of , must bee at the disposure of Pride , Prodigality , and Gluttony ; when our Prayers , our Fasting , our Preaching , and hearing ; all our Duties must become sacrifices to our Lust , our Idols are suffered to devour the Sacrifices of the Lord ; when our pride and fleshly ends , must have the offering , and the eating of our Sacrifices ; this must make our Prayers , and preach our Sermons , and keep our Fasts , and give our Almes , and wear the credit , and honour of them , as its own Crown ; when God is thus robbed , and wee let the thief run away with all , and is never pursued , or questioned , Oh! where is our love ?

Oh! how little pleasure do wee take in the Lord ? what a weariness is it to us , to wait upon him ? how glad are wee , when wee come [ back ] from the House of the Lord ? when wee come off our Knees , come out of our Closets , when the Sabbaths are gone , and the new-Moons are over , and wee make our returns from Heaven to Earth ? How much work have wee , to keep our hearts by the Lord ? how do they slink away e're wee are aware ? and whilst wee are in his Presence , how seldome do wee rejoyce in his Presence ? What hungry meals , what jejune feasts do wee make before the Lord ? Wee relish not his Daintys , his Wine is but lees , his Marrow and his fat things , are but leanness to our Souls ; a little love would sweeten every drop , would season every morsel , that comes from his Table ; would make our very Fasts to bee pleasant bread : Wee feed upon the dish , or the trencher , and not the meat ; on the bone , and not the marrow ; Ordinances , and the external Exercises of Religion , are but the bone , or the shell , or the dish , it is God that is the Kernel , the Marrow and Fatness . How little Communion have wee with the Lord , in our approaches to him , and how little sweetness do wee finde in the little wee have ? Communion is the pleasure of Love , and Love is the sweetness of Communion ; Now I am where I would bee ; O! how amiable are thy Tabernacles ? very pleasant art thou to mee O Lord ; that is the voice of Love . Had wee more love , wee should bee more spiritual ; and spiritual things , would bee more grateful to spiritual hearts ; Divine Love , is like the fire , it rarifies , and changes hearts into its own likeness , and then there 's sweetness ; O we are carnal , and that 's enough to evidence , that there 's little of the love of God abiding in us .

Consider these things , and you will see that love is a rarity ; there 's but little true love in the world ; O prize the love of God ; let its want make it prized ; shall it bee so rare , and yet so cheap ? prize it , and press on after it .

What do these hearts below ? are they not still below ? so cold , such clods of clay , and yet above ? so carnal , so sensual and yet in Heaven ? so hungry , and so greedy in sucking the juice of this earth , in taking in its pleasures ; so busy in digging out the Wealth of the earth , and searching for its treasures ; [ hearts ] so busy this way , and yet not here ? how canst thou say , I am walking with the God of Glory , when thou art still worshipping the Gods of the Earth ? how canst thou say , this heart is risen , it is not here ; when it may bee said to thee , behold the place where it lyes ; it is still in the field , in the ridges and furrows thereof ; it is still in the Mines , in the heart of the earth , see the place where it lyes ; we sow our hearts with our seed , we send them down to dig in the heart of the Earth .

But what do these hearts below ? sursum corda , get you up , get you up ; leave nothing but the Mantle here , your carkasses ; Earth to Earth , Dust to Dust . Come heave these souls Heaven-ward ; let them take the wing and be gone ; O that I had the wings of a Dove , that I might fly up , and be at rest ; Be lower than ever by humility , but let love be on high .

Behold those cords of love , that are let down in every Ordinance , in every Providence ; there 's a cord let down to gather up hearts ; hearken to those calls of love , come up hither , come up hither ; we come Lord ; thou bid'st us come , O lend us thy hand , and lift us up .

Come on Christians , come let 's be happy , if wee love wee are happy ; Come let 's rejoyce , if wee love wee joy ; come let 's live , wee dye , wee dye ; while wee linger on this earth , if wee love , wee live ; let 's live , and let our life bee love ; let our works bee , labours of love , our sufferings seals of love , our sorrows , the sorrows of love , our wounds , loves scars , our prayers the cryes of love , our praises , love songs , to our Lord and God . Let every duty , every exercise , let every member , every power , let our bodies , let our souls , bee loves Sacrifices ; as we see in all his , so let the Lord see love in all our waies .

Canst thou not love ? look till thou canst , look up to thy God , send up thy thoughts thither ; let thy Meditations bee of him , these will not bee long before the Throne , e're they fetch up thy heart ; Look on thy Jesus , behold his hands and his feet ; come and put thy finger into the print of the Nails , and thrust thine heart into his side ; and there let it lie , till thou feel it warm ; Look up to thy Jesus , lift up a prayer , Lord let mee love thee ; if thou lovest let mee love thee ; I will seek till I can see , let mee see till I can love . What have I here Lord ? my all is with thee , my help , my hope , my treasure , my life is hid with Christ in God . And yet behold this all is nothing to mee , while mine heart is no more with thee , take it Lord , take it up ; where my treasure is , there let mine heart bee also .

Doubting Christian , who because thou lovest so little , fearest thou lovest not at all ; cry for more , but bee thankful for what thou hast ; bee ashamed thou lovest no more , but bee not dismayed , thou complainest thou canst not love God ; but dost thou love his Image ? his Saints , his Word , his Works , his Waies ? Whilst thou sayest thou lovest not God , dost thou love Godliness ; if thou canst not love , can'st grieve , can'st lament after him ? hast thou chosen , dost thou hang upon , trust in the Lord ? If thou canst not love , can'st fear and follow the Lord ? If he be not sensibly in thy affection , is he in thy thoughts , in thy mouth , in thine eye ? Is hee thy aim , and thy scope ? doth thy course bend towards him ? Comfort thine heart in these things , thou mayest see , though thou canst not feel thou lovest .

CHAP. XIV . An heart to fear the Lord .

AN heart to fear the Lord , Jer. 32.40 . I will put my fear in their hearts , that they shall not depart from me , I shall proceed to the opening of this by these steps ; I shall shew 1. That the Lord God is a dreadful God . 2. That the Lord hath put the dread of himself upon the hearts of all the earth . 3. That yet by sin the heart of man is much hardned from the fear of the Lord . 4. That God will recover his Honour , and again put his fear into the hearts of his people . 5. What this fear of the Lord is , that he will put into them .

1. The Lord God , is a dreadfull God ; he is dreadfull in the Excellency and Glory of his Majesty , Job 13.11 . Shall not his Excellency make you afraid , and his dread fall upon you ? His Power is dreadfull . Fear ye not me , saith the Lord ? Will ye not tremble at my presence ? Which have placed the sand for the bound of the Sea by a perpetuall decree , that it cannot pass it , and though the Waves thereof toss themselves , yet they cannot prevail ; though they roar , yet can they not pass over it . Fear ye not me , saith the Lord ? He that did this , what can he not do ? His wrath is a dread , Jer. 10.10 . At his wrath , the earth shall tremble , and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation . Yea , his Holiness , his Truth , his Righteousness , and all his Name , Deut , 28.58 . That thou mayest fear this glorious and fearfull Name ( the Lord thy God . ) The Lord God is a dreadful God .

2. The Lord God hath put the dread of himself upon the hearts of all the earth . Not the best onely , but the worst of the sons of men . I am a great King , saith the Lord , and my Name is dreadful among the Heathen . This dread of the Lord breaks forth upon them ,

1. From the impress of God upon the natures of all men . As the Law , so the being of God is written in their hearts , he hath his witness in their Consciences . If the Atheists of the Earth could answer all the Arguments from without , proving that there is a God , yet they can never confute their own Consciences . If the works of God do not , their Reins shall instruct them ; If they will not see , whether they will or no they shall feel that there is a God ; and where ever God is felt , he is feared : Even when their mouth speaketh proud things , their heart shall meditate terror ; and when nothing else is , they shall be a terror to themselves .

2. It is increased by the great works of God , his Wonders that he doth in the world ; his Thunder , and his Hail , his Wind , and his Waves , and his Earth-quakes , make an Earth-quake in hearts .

3. It s further heightned , by his Judgments which he executeth on the Earth . The Judgements of God , are God revealing himself from Heaven , against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men ; and do then strike most terror , 1. When he smites suddenly , and makes quick work with sinners : as when Herod was smote by an Angel of God , Nadab and Abihu consumed by fire from God , immediately upon their sin . Sudden strokes shake secure hearts . 2. When he executes strange judgments , makes a new thing , as in the case of Korah and his company , he made the Earth to open her mouth upon them and swallow them up ; so he made the flies , and the froggs , and the lice , &c. to be the Executioners of his Wrath on Pharaoh . 3. When he executes great Wrath for little Sins , as men account them ; as in the case of Uzzah , whom he struck dead , for but touching the Ark when it shook . 4. When he exercises great severity on his own ; on those that are near him . If he spareth not his Sons , what will he do with his Enemies ? If these things be done on the green Tree , what shall be done on the dry ?

4. Yet further , By their Conscience of guilt , and their binding over to the judgment to come . The sin of Judah is written with a Pen of Iron , with the point of a Diamond , it is graven upon the tables of their heart . The sin of [ Judah ] is written ; yea , and the sin of the Gentile also , Rom. 2.15 . Their Conscience also bearing witness , and their thoughts the mean while accusing . And where their sin is written , there their judgment is written ; which even nature it self will teach , doth inevitably follow upon sin : and this is the great dread that is upon them . The very mention of judgment to come , made a Felix tremble , at the face of a poor Prisoner . This is the terror of the Lord , mentioned by the Apostle , 2 Cor. 5.10,11 . We must all appear before the Judgment-seat . — Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord , we perswade men . Death is said to be the King of terrors ; and this is the terror of death , after that the judgment . All these , the impress of God upon their hearts ; the wonders of God in the wor●d ; the vengeance of God executed on sin ; the sence of gui●t , and of a judgment to come , do preach to the Consciences of sinners , that It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God .

3. Yet by sin the heart of man is much hardned from the fear of the Lord . Sin blinds the eye , and hardens the heart ; brings into danger , and puts out of fear . Who in such danger , and yet who so bold as the blind sinner ? When the understanding is darkned , the next word we read is , Past feeling , Eph. 4.19 . There is included in the very nature of sin , a slighting of God ; and by once slighting , we learn to slight him more . Slight the Command , and you will quickly slight the Curse : Laugh at duty , and 't will not be long ere you laugh at tear : And when sin hath thus hardned , God will also harden ; le ts the sinner alone , suspends his judgments , smites the sinner with judicial blindness , and gives him up to a Reprobate mind , Rom. 1.28 . And when once they come to this , then Hell is broke loose : For what follows ? ver. 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness , fornication , wickedness , covetousness , malitiousness , and what not ? Psal. 36.1 . The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart , there is no fear of God before his eyes . Gen , 20 When Abraham had such a thought , Surely the fear of God is not in this place , what thought he was there then ? Murther , Adultery , Rapes , all manner of villany . What sawest thou amongst us , that thou hast done this thing ? What hurt , what evill didst thou see among us ? What evill ? Evill enough , to make me afraid ; I thought the fear of God was not here , and there needs no more to make me afraid . Say of any Person , The fear of God is not in this man , and you therein say , The Devil is in him , here dwels sin , and all manner of wickedness .

Say of any place , The fear of God is not in this place , and if you find it an Egypt , or Sodom for abominations , you will not wonder . Psal. 19.9 . The fear of the Lord is clean . That is , not only Formaliter , but Effectivè , it cleanseth . Where this is not , every unclean thing may dwell . The reason why this world is such a world as 't is , such a wicked world , such a treacherous , deceitful , ungodly world ; why there is so little Faith , or Truth , or Mercy , or Charity , or Sobriety , is , because there is so little of the fear of God . Sin hath cast out fear , and this hath brought forth sin in abundance . The Law is nothing , Threatnings are nothing , Conscience is nothing , God is nothing to men , because he is not their fear . Wickedness is as righteousness , villany as honesty ; prodigality , debauchery , as temperance and sobriety ; yea , and hath gotten the start of it ; it faceth the Sun , it lifts up the head , it wears the Garland ; it paints it self Vertue , Generosity , Gallantry , the beauty and ornament of the World , where the fear of God is departed .

God may promise , threaten , command ; Hearken to my voice , turn at my reproofs , cast away your transgressions : Awake from your wine , be chaste , sober , be humble ; let your merriment be turned into mourning , your jollity into heaviness . Remember your Creator , remember your souls , why will you die ? Turn and live : God may speak thus , once , and twice , and ten times , but is not regarded ; his words have no weight , his counsels have no credit , his warnings are of no value with hardned fearless hearts . If the Devil speak but on●e , he is heard ; if Lust speak but on●e , 't is obeyed ; if a proud companion speak but once , he is followed ; whilest the word of the God of glory is made a reproach and a scorn . Oh the intollerable contempt that 's poured out upon the most High , by men that fear not God! Make thy promises , and give thy gifts to whom thou wilt ; give Grace , and give Glory where thou pleasest ; the World for me , my Pleasures , mine Honours , my Liberty for me ; this world for me , look after the other who will . Let the Lord threaten , let the day of the Lord come , let it hasten that we may see it , let the Almighty do his worst , I will not hearken nor turn : This is the blasphemy of hardned fearless hearts .

4. God will recover his Honour in the hearts of his people . He will put his fear in their hearts , whilest others are hardened , they shall tremble ; whilest others kick , they shall stoop ; who ever despise me , of these will I be had in honour .

5. What this fear of the Lord is , that he will put into their hearts . The fear of God is taken in Scripture ,

1. Sometimes more largely , as it comprehends all Religion . Job was said , Chap. 1. to be a man fearing God , that is , a godly man ; but in this ●…nse I shall not here speak of it .

2. Sometimes more Strictly , as a distinct grace , as distinguished from Faith , Love , Hope , and other graces of the Spirit . And being taken in this sense , there are these two things included in it . 1. A Reverence of God . 2. An Abhorrence of evill for Gods sake .

1. A Reverence of God . To fear God , is to have the awe of God abiding upon the heart , to be under a sence of the Majesty and Glory of the Lord , shining forth in all his Attributes , especially in his Holiness and Omniscience ; the glory of his Holiness , and the sence of such an holy eye upon the soul , strikes it with dread and consternation . This is exprest in Scripture by Sanctifying the Lord in the heart , Levit. 10.3 . I will be sanctified in them that draw nigh me . Isa. 8.13 . Sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself , and let him be your fear , and let him be your dread . There is mention in Scripture of a sanctifying of God , and a justifying of God : As God doth justifie , and sanctifie his people , so they are to justifie and sanctifie God . These two , the justifying and sanctifying of God , though they be much the same , yet there is some difference betwixt them : To sanctifie God , is to reverence him in our hearts , and to represent him in the glory of his Holiness before men . To justifie God , supposeth a sinful judging , and foolish charging of God , in the hearts of men , and is our vindicating of him from such charges . Is God righteous ! How is it then that he is so partial in his dealings with the righteous and unrighteous ? that he deals worse with those that fear him , then with those that fear him not ? Is God good ? How is it then that he is so hard , not onely in imposing , but inflicting such hard things upon his own ? Is God true ? How is it then that he fails his people so often , when he hath said , I will never fail them nor forsake them ? Our flesh hath failed , and our heart hath failed , yea and our God hath often failed us too ; we have often called , and have had no answer ; we have often trusted , and have had no deliverer . Yet God is righteous , yet God is good , yet God is true ; he hath not been unrighteous , he hath not been an hard Master , he hath not failed nor forsaken ; this is to justifie God .

Our justifying of God , hath some kindes of resemblance with Gods justifying of us . Gods justification of us , stands in his not imputing sin to us , and accepting us as righteous ; and our justifying of God , stands in our not imputing evill to him , and our acknowledging him to be true , just , and good . God hath justified me from my sins , and that 's enough to proclaim him good and faithfull , whatever his other dealings be : Let him afflict me , let him chastise me , since he will not judge me nor condemn me with the world . God hath justified himself in my Conscience . I have found that the Lord is gracious , I have found that God is faithfull ; he hath said he will not , and I must say , he hath not forsaken ! He hath not failed , when he hath most failed me ; when he hath been farthest off from my help , he hath even then been a present help in trouble : He hath answered , when he hath been most silent ; he hath been most good , when he hath been most hard ; I have never found more sweet , then in his bitter Cup ; I must judge my self , not my God : I have sinned , I have sinned against him , and therefore I must justifie him when he speaketh , and clear him when he judgeth . Hold thy peace querulous heart , be silent all the Earth before the Lord , for truly God is good to Israel , and to them that are of a clean heart . There be few among the worst of sinners , but if Conscience might be suffered to speak , it would justifie God . 'T is Lust that quarrels , not Conscience : 'T is vain to serve the Lord , and what profit is there to keep his Ordinances ▪ His waies are unequal and hard , his promise failes , take one time with another , oftner then 't is made good . Who is it that plagues and disappoints , and crosseth and vexeth us ? This evill is of the Lord , why should I wait on the Lord any longer ? Nay whom doth he punish mo●e then those that are nearest him ? Who have sorrow , who have trouble in the flesh ? Who are reproached , scorn'd , hunted up and down the world but these ? This they may thank God for , and their following of him . 'T is better being the servant of sin , then the servant of Christ . Thus Lust blasphemes ; but speak Conscience ; Is God unrighteous ? Is God false of his word ? Are the pleasures of sin better then the gain of godliness ? Have the children of this world made a wiser choise then the children of light ? Speak sinner , let thy Conscience speak whether it be thus or no. God hath not left himself without witness in the hearts of sinners ; much more will his Saints , when they do speak their hearts , speak good of his name . But this by the way .

To return to the matter in hand . To sanctifie God , is especially to reverence him in the heart ; to have such an high , an holy , and honourable esteem of him , as commands an awe upon the heart ; and that

1. At all times : My son , be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long . [ My son ] 'T is not only for Slaves , but for Sons to fear . [ Be thou in the fear of the Lord. ] 'T is not only , Let the fear of the Lord be in thee , habitually in thy heart , but actuate and stir up this holy fear , keep up an holy awe , a deep sence of God alwaies upon thee ; let the fear of the Lord be before thine eyes ; be possessed and swallowed up of this fear [ all the day long ] where ever thou art , with whomsoever thou hast to do , remember thou hast still to do with God . A Christian should stand alwaies pro tribunali ; every day should be as the last day , the day of judgment to him . So speak ye , and so do , as those that shall be judged , Jam. 2.12 . The Judge stands at the door , yea , and thou mayest see him through every window , yea through every wall ; every wall is a window , through which God may see and be seen . A Christian ( when he is as he should be ) cannot wink God out of sight ; can look no where , but he beholds that eye that strikes an awe upon his spirit .

This abiding reverence of God , what an influence will it have upon the whole course ; we shall then serve God acceptably ; when we fear , we shall please God ; That we may serve God ( acceptably ) with reverence and godly fear . We shall then serve God universally in every thing . When we fear , we shall watch , unto every duty , against every sin , Gen. 42,18 . This do and live , for I fear God , said Joseph to his brethren ; as if he should have said , Do not you fear to find falshood or any evil dealing from me , for I fear God ; I dare not be false to you , you may trust me , you may take my word , for I fear God . We shall then walk before the Lord steadily ; When we fear , we shall fix , and hold in an even frame and course . Fear will be our Ballast , whilest Love fills our Sails , Fear will Ballast our Vessell . How are slight and frothy spirits tossed up and down ? Whither do they wander ? How many hearts , and faces , and frames have they every day ? What contradictions are they to themselves ? The reverence of God upon them , would fix them , and hold them in a more even and equal poise . We should then serve the Lord more Honourably ; When we fear , we shall shew forth the vertues of God before the world ; so much of the reverence , so much of the holiness of God upon us , The presence of a Christian walking in the fear of the Lord , is as the presence of God ; the reverence of God upon his heart , casts a beam of Divine Majesty into his face , and oftentimes begets an awe and reverence of him in the hearts of the worst of sinners ; they reverence , even whilest they revile and persecute him ,

Iohn Baptist , who was a man of a just and holy and austere life , 't is said of him , Mark 6,20 . That Herod feared him , and observed him . The austerity and holiness of his life , commanded a respect from an Herods heart . Such Christians , their waies are a conviction , and their very countenances are a rebuke to the wanton world ; they speak with authority , they exhort with authority , they reprove with authority , and sin often hides it self from them , even as from the face of God .

2 Especially in our drawing nigh to God , Psal. 89.7 . God is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of the Saints , and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him . I will be sanctified in them that draw nigh me . He that fears God , trembles at the word of God : And God loves he should , Isa. 26.2 . To this man will I look — that trembles at my word . That which makes him tremble is , that he sees the Word carrying upon it . The Holiness . The Authority of God .

He reads the word , as the Epistle of God sent down to the world ; his Epistle Commendatory , that sets forth the Excellency and the Glory of God , and his Letters Mandatory , that charge subjection and obedience upon him ; he takes every word as comming from the mouth of the holy One of Israel ; he lies prostrate before the Lord , his soul bowes the knee , his heart falls down at the feet of the Almighty . The word , by how much the more it 's considered as the word of God , by so much the more awe it works upon him . Every look he casts upon his Bible , is a looking into Heaven . He that fears God , fears when he comes to worship , reverences his Sanctuary : In thy fear will I worship , Psal. 5.7 . That which works this fear , is that he looks upon the Duties , and Ordinances of worship , as The Institutions of God . His Application unto God .

This is that which the Lord hath sanctified ; behold his Image and Superscription ; here he hath appointed me to wait for him ; here he hath appointed to meet my soul ; now I am going up to the Mount of God ( the Mount of God is every where , where the worship of God is . ) My soul where art thou ? I am before the Lord of the whole Earth . Put off thy shoes from off thy feet ; the place where thou standest is holy ground . I am before the High and holy One , the God of all the Earth ; and upon transactions of Eternal consequence ; to do my homage to the everlasting King ; to kneel before the Lord my maker ; to kiss the golden Scepter ; to begg my life at his hands , to behold his goings in his Sanctuary ; his wisdom , and his mercy , and his goodness , are all passing before me . How dreadfull is this place ? This is none other but the House of God , and the gate of Heaven , Gen. 28.17 . How dreadfull is this word ! This is none other but the word of God . How dreadfull is this Ordinance ? This is no other but the door of glory . Tremble thou heart at the presence of the Lord , at the presence of the God of Jacob.

2. Abhorrence of evill for the Lords sake . Here we shall consider its Object . Ground .

1. The Object of this abhorrence , in general is evill , Rom. 12.9 . Abhorre that which is evil , cleave to that which is good . Good is the Object of Love , evill of Fear . Evill is twofold , Present , or to come . The former is the Object of Grief , the latter of Fear . Particularly , the Object of this abhorrence is The wrong of God . The loss of God .

1. The wrong of God . The great and onely wrong of God is sin . Sin is the turning away of the heart from God . The great thing in all the world which God respects , and requires as his own , is Hearts . My son give me thi●e heart . Keep thine heart with all diligence , Prov. 4.23 . Keep thine heart , that is , Keep it for me ; keep it clean for God , and keep it safe for God ; see that it be not defiled , nor carried away . When the heart 's gone , all 's gone with it . If the VVorld hath gotten hearts , if Satan hath gotten hearts , let them take all , saith God ; let me have either an heart or nothing ; and all they are like to have that have the heart . The heart where-ever it goes , carries all with it . VVhere we bestow our hearts , we bestow all that we have . Sin is the turning away of the heart . This is the very nature of sin , The hearts departing from the living God , Heb. 3.12 . And therefore this is the great wrong of God . There is but one thing in the world that God respects , and this sin steals away .

Sin is the insurrection and rebellion of the heart against God ; it turns from him , and turns against him , it runs over to the camp of the enemy , and there takes up arms against God . Sin is a running from God , and a fighting against God : it would spoil the Lord of all the Jewels of his Crown . It opposeth the Soveraignty of God : A sinfull heart would set up it self in Gods Throne , it would be King in his stead , and have the command of all . Sinners would be their own Gods : Our tongues are our own , who is Lord over us ? God shall not be God , where sin is gotten up as Lord . It assaulteth the wisdom of God . Vain man would be wise , wiser then his Maker . It charges the Lord with folly , and proclaims it self the onely wise . Sinners pretend to know how to choose for themselves , and order themselves to their advantage , better then God . If God would let me alone to my self , to be at mine own finding , at mine own ordering , it should quickly be better with me . If every thing might be with me as I would have it , my case would be well mended from what 't is now that every thing must go as God will have it . All our quarrellings at Providence , all our murmurings and discontents at our Lott , are our hearts charging the Lord with folly . It casts dirt on the holiness of God , it disparages the goodness of God ; it abuseth mercy , violates his Justice , despises his Power : In summe , it disgraceth the Throne of his glory , and layes his honour in the dust , sets the Almighty below the lowest of his creatures .

Every companion shall be respected more then God , every pleasure shall be loved more then God , the Devil shall be feared more then God . Where is his love ? VVhere is his fear ? VVhere is his Honour ? Nay where were the Lord , might sin carry it ? Sin is the wrong of God , and this wrong is the especial Object of this abhorrence . A gracious heart would do no wrong , he would not wrong his Neighbour , he would not wrong his Servant , his Enemy , no not his Beast that he possesses . But Oh should I wrong my God ? Hath he ever done me any wrong ? Hath he not been just to me ? Yea hath he not been ever good to me ? Kinde , pityful , patient , bountiful ? Who hath fed me , cloathed me , kept me , succoured me comforted me ? What friend have I in all the world ? What Father what Portion , what Hope but the Lord ? What were I ? What had I , but vanity , but woe , and misery , had I not a God ? I cannot wrong my God , but I wrong my self , Prov. 8.36 . He that sinneth against me , wrongeth his own soul . But if I did not , if my Arrowes would not recoil , could I go out with all this injury , and suffer nothing by it : Yet he is God , whom I wrong ; he is holy , he is righteous , he is good , he is glorious , he is excellent ; he onely is God , and shall I be injurious to him ? He is worthy , he is worthy of all that I have , of all the service I can do , of all the respect I can give , of all the Praise I can offer up ; if I had a thousand tongues , if I had a thousand hands , if I had a thousand lives , if I had a thousand soules , if I had all the Earth for an offring to the Lord , all would be nothing to shew forth the praise that is due to his Name as he is God , and I his creature : and when I owe so much , and have nothing to pay , shall I steal from him ? Shall I rise up against him ? Wast thou not afraid to lift up thy hand against the Lords Anointedi 2 Sam. 1. Shall I not be afraid to lift up mine hand against the Lord himself ? To kick against God , to fight against God , Oh the Lord forbid . What art thou O my soul ? What servest thou for ? If thou canst not tremble , if thou dost not turn within me , if thou dost not start back , at the very thought of so great wickedness .

2. The loss of God . As was said before , He that finneth against God , wrongeth his own soul : His loss is thy loss , and more thine then his ; though no thanks to thee , the Lord will be no loser at last , when sinners have done their worst ; he can get up his Honour out of Dishonour ; he can recover his spoils out of the ashes ; if he had lost all the world , he had lost nothing , he is all things in himself . When Earth and Hell have spent all their malice , God will be God ; Holy Wise , Glorious , blessed for ever . Though such be the malignity of sin , that it would not give over , till God ceaseth to be God , yet God is above , too high for sin to reach ; its Darts fall short of its Mark , God cannot , God will not sit down a loser by all that sin can do .

But what dost thou suffer , what dost thou lose that sinnest against God ? The carnal world understand not what , nor would make much reckoning of it , did they understand it . The loss of two pence goes often nearer them , then the loss of God . But now a Christian knows no other fear , fears no other loss ; let God be secure and all is well . Sin will be the wrong of God , and the loss of God ; it may be a total and eternal loss for ought he knows , at least if not assured : God lost , is the soul lost , the Kingdom lost ; this is Hell , the loss of God . Better have no being , better be a Dog , or Toad , then a man without a God : or if he be not utterly lost , yet to his present sence 't will be all one as if he had no God : his peace is lost , his comfort is lost , and his soul is often given for lost , from whom God is departed , though but for a season ; he can take pleasure in nothing , he can find rest no where , whose God is out of fight . He knows not what a God means , who can spare him till Death or Judgment . A Christian cannot live a day without him ; 't is night , 't is all dark , he knows no day while the Sun is set upon him . How grievous do they find this loss , who have proved what it is ? What wilt thou do for me , whilest I go childless ? What can be done for me , whilest I go Fatherless ? Here is my house , here are my friends , and my lands , but where is my God ? My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken me ? Now I see what this Earth is without an Heaven ; now I see what ease , and pleasure , and carnal friends are , and how little they can do for me : Yea what is prayer ? What are Sabbaths ? What are Sermons , Sacraments , Promises , whilest God looks not down ? Oh I was wont to meet with God here , these glasses were my Windows into Heaven ; and then how pleasant were they to me ? Sabbaths were a delight , the Word was a Treasure , Sacraments were the clusters of Canaan . But now , now all 's dark and dry ; Ordinances are Wells without water ; Promises are Breasts without Milk ; Ministers are Stars without Light : Oh the Stars are but Clods , whilest the Sun is a Cloud to me ; wo is me , I had a God .

I am pained , I am pained , my head is sick , my heart is faint , my bowels are turned , my liver is poured out , the light of mine eyes is gone from me . I am weary of my groaning , I am full of tossings and turnings , there is no soundness in my flesh , no rest in my bones , while my soul saies daily to me , Where is thy God ? And if the sence of this loss worketh such grief , what wonder if the hazard of it worketh fear . Now sin divides , breaks the peace , makes God and the soul two ; sin alienates , breeds a distance and estrangement betwixt God and the soul . That soul can either not see him at all , or not as a friend , whom sin hath drawn away . Sin will either clo●d the face of God , or clothe him with fury ; will cause him either to turn his back upon the soul , or set his face against it . He that knows what 't is to enjoy God , will dread his loss ; he that hath seen his face , will fear to see his back ; he loves , and therefore would not lose .

2. The ground and reason of this abhorrence , that is Two-fold : Gods Jealousie . His Peoples Ingenuity .

1. Gods Jealousie . The Lord thy God is a jealous God , Exod. 20. The same Arguments which the Lord useth to keep up , and enforce his Authority upon the Consciences of his people , the same Arguments they do , and ought to make use of , to press it upon themselves . I am a jealous God , saith the Lord ; 't is true saith Conscience , the Lord is jealous ; and therefore take heed to thy self soul , how thou fallest into his hands . It 's a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God .

The Jealousie of the Lord includes in it , His Tenderness of his Honour . Terribleness in case of Dishonour .

1. His tenderness of his Honour . The Honour of God is very tender to him , he will not lose a tittle of it ; Jer. 48.8 . My glory will I not give to another , nor my praise to graven Images . I will not , and look you to it , that you do not give away my glory . What was the reason that God dealt so severely with Eli and with Herod ? What was Elies sin ? Why that he gave away the Honour of God to his sons , 1 Sam. 2.29 . Thou Honourest thy sons above me . He was so tender to his sons , that though they were become sons of Belial , and dealt so wickedly before the Lord , yet they must be dealt gently with ; Nay my sons , it is no good thing that I hear of you . Such a slight reproof must serve in so dreadfull a case ; he was afraid to displease his sons by a sharper reproof ; this the Lord interprets , an honouring of his sons above him . Indulgent Parents , stand and tremble , you that can see your children sin , and let them go out with a Nay my sons , it is not good ; a slight or cold reproof , this is no other but your honouring your sons above your God . What was Herods sin ? Acts 12.22,23 . that he gave not God the glory . He made an Eloquent Oration , and the people thereupon made him a God ; The voice of God , and not of man , and he accepted of the applause ; and thereupon the Angel of the Lord smote him , that he dyed . Eli sinned , in giving the Honour of God to his sons , and Herod in taking it to himself ; but God taught them both , how dear his glory is to him .

2. His Terribleness in case of his Dishonour . The mentioned instances speak him both Tender , and Terrible . Deut. 4.24 . The Lord thy God is a consuming fire , even a jealous God . The jealousie of a man , is the rage of a man ; Prov. 6.34 . and the jealousie of God , is the rage and fury of a God . Our God is a consuming fire ; that 's the fire of his jealousie . The wrath of a King , is as the roaring of a Lyon ; when the Lyon roareth , the Beasts of the field tremble ; what then are the Terrors of the Lord ? The threatnings of the Lord are terrible , Psal. 50.22 . Consider this ye that forget God , lest he [ tear you in pieces , ] and there be none to deliver . Hos. 5.14 . I even I will tear and go away . Tearing , and tearing in pieces , the very expectation of it is enough to tear the heart in pieces . I will tear them saith God . I my self will do it , [ I even I ] will tear . It s terrible to be torn of men , or of wilde Beasts ; but take heed of Gods tearing . I will tear [ in pieces : ] I will not tear off their Hair , or their Garments , or their Ornaments ; I 'll tear their flesh from their bones , Limb from limb , yea soul from body ; I 'll tear them in pieces . I will tear them [ and go away , ] tear them and leave them ; wound and not heal ; I will tear them , and deliver them who can : yea I will tear them and trample upon them , Isa. 62.3 . I will tread them in mine anger , and trample them in my fury .. Trampling notes contempt and indignation . I will make them as the dirt in the streets ; the mark of my scorn and fury .

His Judgments are terrible , he doth terrible things in righteousness . Go to Jerusalem and Mount Sion , and behold the Monuments of his fury there . Go to Shiloh ( saith God ) and see what I did to it , Ier. 7.12 . But if you go down to Sod●m , or look down to Tophet , and behold the terrors of the Lord there ; or if you look on particular Persons , let Nadab and Abihu , Corah , Dathan , and Abiram , Uzz●h Uzziah , Ananias and Sapphira , Herod , &c. be for instances of his dreadfulness and severity . This jealous God , this terrible God , is the God that his people fear ; and they therefore fear him , because he is such a jealous God . Who would not fear thee , thou King of Nations ? Who can stand before thee when thou art angry ? My flesh trembles for fear of thee , and I am afraid of thy judgments .

Christians , Let none say , this fear is not the fear of his Children ; this be to his Enemies and Slaves , not his Children ; Fear ye not their fear . But are not all these things written for our learning ? Is this written onely for their sakes ? Or saith he not also for our sakes ? For our sakes no doubt this is written saith the Apostle in another case . Consider that full Scripture to this purpose , 1 Cor. 10.6 . to the end of v. 12. Now these things were our examples , to the intent we should not lust after evil things , as they also lusted ; Neither be ye Idolaters as were some of them ; as it is written , The people safe down to eat and drink , and rose up to play . Neither let us commit fornication , as some of them committed , and fell in one day three and twenty thousand . Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted , and were destroyed of Serpents . Neither murmur ye , as some of them also murmured , and were destroyed of the Destroyer . Now all these things happened unto them for exsamples ; and they are written for our admonition , upon whom the ends of the world are come . Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth , take heed lest he fall .

Mark , these things are our examples . Are they examples to us , and not warnings too ? Are they warnings to us , and must we not by them learn to fear and beware ? Let him that thinks he standeth , take heed lest he fall . My soul standeth in a sure place , my mountain is so strong , that I shall never be moved . I am safe enough , I am in Christ , and shall not come into condemnation . But whatever thou thinkest , as sure as thou thinkest thou standest , take heed ; take heed lest thou fall : That is , not onely into the same sins , but into the same condemnation ; that 's the sence of the place . Rom. 11.20 . Because of unbelief they were broken off , thou standest by faith . Be not high-minded , but fear .

No need of fear ? No need of threatnings ? What may we burn half our Bibles ? Can we spare so great a part of what is written ? Have we out-grown the use of judgments , assoon as ever we are partakers of mercy ? Have we out-grown the use of the Scourge , assoon as ever we are entred into Christs School ? Do we finde all too little , Mercies , Threatnings , Judgments , to keep our hearts in order ? And yet is it more then needs ? There are two Parties in us ; we are flesh as well as spirit , and must not the flesh be frighted ? Will Love prevail with Lust ? This Slave sure , this son of the Bond-woman must be kept in awe . Hath God no wanton children ? No rebellious children ? And must these have no other Discipline , but stroakings and dandlings ?

Believe it Christians , God will not have his terrors lost , nor lost to you ; God will sometimes make his children feel , that he is a terrible God . He is Terrible out of his holy place . Beware you be not presumptuous children . There is a threefold Presumption . There is a Presumption Upon Temptation in confidence of strength . Upon sin in confidence of Mercy . Upon sin in contempt of Mercy and Justice .

1. A Presumption upon Temptation , in confidence of strength . Some unwary souls , not knowing what spirit they are of , supposing themselves too hard for the Devil , will be venturing within his reach ; as if they would dare him to try his skill and power : who having forgotten this Prayer [ Lead us not into temptation , ] put themselves into the Tempters hand ; the falls of such will teach them to understand their folly .

2. Presumption on sin , in confidence of Mercy . And that either in confidence of mercy already obtained , I am in Christ , and my sin shall not separate me from him ; whatever I do , I have a Pardon in my hand . Or in hope of mercy at last , I have to do with a merciful God , and therefore may venture on a little farther ; hereafter I will repent , and then I need not doubt of remission .

3. Presumption on sin in contempt of Mercy and Justice . I will have my sin , though I never find mercy . I will have my will , and my way , and run the hazard of what follows ; I will take my course , and come on me what will .

This last sort , who presume to sin in contempt of Mercy and Judgment ; who are so drunken with their sensual delights , and given over to the hardness of their hearts , that they neither value Mercy , nor fear wrath : What do you talk to me of Mercy , and Judgment to come ? Give me my pleasures , and my liberties , and my mirth , and my money : think not to make me such a fool , to let go the pleasure and comfort of my life for I know not what uncertain fears or hopes : Such as these , have one foot already in Hell . If it be not yet thus with thee , thou darest not contemn either Mercy or Judgment : Beware thou be not Presumptuous neither in the former sences . Be not bold upon Temptations ; think not that thou art strong to overcome a Temptation , when thou art so weak as not to fear it ; he that fears not a Temptation , understands not it or himself . But especially beware thou presume not upon sin , in confidence of Mercy . Grow not over bold upon love or patience ; Laesa patientia fit furor . God loves me , therefore I may be bold to take the more liberty ? the less care , the less watchfulness , the less fear , because so much Love ! Spit in thy Fathers face , because he weeps over thy neck ? Smite him on the face , because thou hopest he will not strike again ? Tear his Bowels , because they are so tender towards thee ? Be froward , stubborn , wanton , and idle , because thou hast found him so indulgent ?

Christians consider , whether such wickedness hath not sometimes been found in some of our hearts . But take heed , you will finde , though he be a tender , yet he will not be a fond Father ; where he loves , he will be feared . Some as bold and as confident as you , have felt to their cost , what 't is to abuse patience and kindness ; his Arrowes in their hearts , his Terrors in their souls , hath made them to know , that the God of love is a terrible God . And look to it , if thou yet wilt adventure , wilt be a wanton still , froward , or idle , or heedless still , he will either lash thee into better manners , or cast thee out as no childe of his , but a Bastard , and Rebel . If thou wilt not take warning by others , take heed lest he make thee a warning to them which shall come after .

Christians know , that though God be tender of his Saints , yet he is jealous for his Name ; he tenders them as the Apple of his Eye , but not above the least title of his Honour . As God will have us love our Neighbour , so he will love his childe ; but as himself : First himself , and then his childe . He will not bate an Iota of his glory , to save a world . As little offences done to his little ones , so little sins allowed by them , are as Mill stones about the neck . If they allow it in themselves , yet Heaven and Earth shall pass away , and fall to nothing , ere he allow it in them . God will not , and therefore his children dare not indulge themselves in little sins . They therefore fear , because he whom they serve is a jealous God .

2. Their own ingenuity . This fear is from Love and good Nature , and is most properly the fear of children . Children fear , because God is jealous , and so do Slaves ; but onely Children because God is good . Children fear , because they love ; Slaves fear , although they hate : Children fear to be unworthy , Slaves onely to be unhappy and miserable . There 's nothing more contrary to an ingenuous nature , then to abuse goodness and kindness ; to abuse goodness , hath as black an aspect with him , as to provoke Wrath. Hos. 3.5 . They shall fear the Lord and his [ goodness ] in the latter dayes . But how can goodness be the Object of fear ? We fear evill and not good . The meaning is , they shall fear to wrong or abuse goodness : They shall fear to wrong the Lord , because he is good . [ in the latter dayes ] These latter dayes that this Promise refers to , shall be dayes of more grace ; wherein there shall be , not onely a more clear revelation of the goodness of God ; they shall know the Lord and his goodness : But a more plentifull communication , and diffusion of the goodness of God ; they shall love the Lord and his goodness : They shall see themselves both more obliged by goodness , and shall feel themselves more seasoned with goodness . By grace they shall be better natured . Religion doth not make morose , but more generous , free , and ingenuous . There 's nothing more abhorrent to an ingenuous spirit , then to be base and unworthy . Abuse of goodness is an unworthiness , which an ingenuous nature abhors as death to be guilty of ; 't is its destruction , 't is disingenuity . The abuse of the goodness of God , is great unthankfulness , and unthankfulness is great disingenuity .

Ingratum si dixeris omnia dixeris . Call me unthankfull , and you call me all that 's naught . Call me any thing else but unthankfull . Indeed were I all thanks , I should still be unthankfull ; I should still be behind-hand with the goodness of the Lord ; my debt is greater then I can pay , yea greater then I can acknowledge ; but shall I return evil for his good ? If I cannot pay , should I deny my Debt ? He that is unthankfull , whatever God requires of him , saies wickedly , this is more then I owe thee . God I owe thee nothing , I care not for thee ; Oh this is dreadfull to a gratious heart .

If this be in sin , ( for all sin is unthankfulness ) if this be in sin , if this be the signification of all my neglects of God , and my duty to him ; then the Lord forbid , what ever I suffer , that I should yeeld to sin . How shall I do this wickedness ? How shall I neglect this duty and sin against God ? How should I look my God or my own soul in the face , should I be so unworthy ? For thy sake Lord let me not sin against thee ; thou art good , thou art kind , thou art gracious , thou art holy , O let me not be a Devil ; what heart , where a Devill is not , but such goodness will charm it into love ? Shall I sin ? Shall I rebell ? For thy sake Lord I will not do it . I will not for mine own sake , for where then shall I appear ? In sinning against God , I sin against mine own soul ; I dare not for my life ; sin and Death , sin and Hell , are link'd together ; but were it not so , might I sin and escape , sin and not die , yet for thy sake Lord , I will not do it : Thou art good , good in thy self , good to me ; thou att my God , thou art my Father ; love , care , tenderness , compassion , kindness is all that is in thine heart towards me ; what I am , what I have , what I hope for ; that I breathe , that I live , all is thy goodness , thy bounty to me . Oh let me not rise up against the Womb that bare me , and the Paps that give me suck . I would not to my childe , to my servant , to my friend ; but Oh let me never to my Father , to my God , return evill for good , and hatred for his good will . Let not this evill which I fear , ever come upon me ; put thy fear into mine heart O Lord , that I may not sin against thee .

CHAP. XV. Obedience in the Covenant .

7. OBedience , Ezek. 36.27 . I will put my Spirit within you , and cause you to walk in my statutes ; and ye shall keep my judgments , and do them , Obedience is either of the Heart , or of the Life . In this Scripture , God undertakes for both .

1. For the obedience of the Heart , he undertakes in the former words , [ I will put my Spirit in your heart ; ] where the Spirit dwells , be rules . Where Satan dwells , he rules , and where the Spirit of the Lord dwells , there God rules ; the Spirit in the heart , is the Law in the heart . Those two Promises , I will put my Spirit in your hearts , and I will write my Law in your hearts , signifie the same thing . The Law in the heart , is the will of man melted into the will of God . The Law of God may be in the mouth , and the heart a Rebel ; its reception into the heart , notes the hearts subjection to it .

The Obedience of the heart includes two things : 1. The opening of the heart to the Word . 2. The resolution of the heart for the Work of the Lord .

1. The opening of the heart to the Word . What wilt thou have me to do Lord ! That 's the voice of an obedient heart . Veniat verbum & submittemus . Speak Lord , command Lord , what wilt thou ? And when he speaks , whatever it be , the word is embraced and accepted of the heart , Dan. 4.27 . Let my counsel be acceptable to thee . The acceptance of the word in the heart , is signified by its hearkening to it . To hearken , is more then to hear ; though they sometimes note the same thing , yet ordinarily , hearing is of the ear , hearkening of the heart , Psal. 81.11 . Israel would not hearken , my people would none of me . They heard what the Lord spake , but they would not hearken ; that is , as t is there interpreted , they would none of the Lord . They rejected the word of the Lord which he spake unto them . When the word is let come in with Authority , suffered to rule in the soul , when the heart gives up it self unto it , then it is accepted ; there 's its hearkening to it .

2 The resolution of the heart for the work of the Lord , Psal. 110.106 . I have sworn , and I will perform it , that I will keep thy righteous judgments . I have vowed , and I will perform . I have covenanted , and I am determined to keep thy statutes . The word which thou hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord , we will not do , that 's the rebellious ; Whatsoever the Lord shall speak , we will do , that 's the obedient heart .

Where the heart is thus resolved to obey , this is that obedience , which shall be accepted unto salvation . Where this resolution is , as there is opportunity there will be practice ; and where there 's not opportunity , in Gods account , this is it . This is Praying , this is Hearing , this is giving , and feeding , and cloathing , and visiting ; this is walking circumspectly , working righteousness , shewing mercy , exercising Faith , and Patience , and Repentance ; this is our keeping the Commandments of God , and walking in his Statutes ; an heart to obey , is our obeying ; an heart to do , is our doing ; an heart to suffer in Gods account , is our suffering for his Name .

But here it must be carefully noted , that though sincere resolution for Obedience , be Obedience , yet every resolution , is not that resolution . Resolution for Obedience is then sincere , where 1. It flowes from an inward and rooted inclination . 2. It 's bottomed on a firm belief of Scripture Revelation . 3. It 's built on the highest and weightiest Reasons . 4. It 's the result of the most mature and deep deliberation .

1. A sincere resolution flowes from an inward rooted inclination , Psal. 119.112 . I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes . Our new purpose , is from our new nature : It is not produced by some sudden fright , or sence of danger ; or meerly by a present force of Argument : but by a Divine power , working the heart to a suitableness to the will and waies of God , and an habituall propension and inclination thereto . Resolution for holiness , without an holy inclination , is a Blade without a Root ; as fresh and as green as it looks , 't will wither and come to nothing ; no Ropt , no Fruit , nor lasting . The heart is the root of action , and grace is the life of the root : When our Resolutions are the Blade , sprouting forth of this living Root , then they will abide , and bring forth the Ear , and an Harvest .

2. A sincere resolution is bottomed on a firm Assent , to the truth of Scripture Revelation . A Christian resolves for godliness , because he believes God , that he is as he hath said , the Rewarder of them that diligently seek him . He is built on the Scriptures ; as his hopes , so his purposes have the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles , on which they stand . Whatever Resolution hath not this Foundation , is but as an house upon the Sands .

3. A sincere Resolution is founded on the highest Reason . Where we resolve without Reason , we will quickly find a Reason to change . Where we resolve we know not why , we shall change we know not how soon . To resolve we know not why , and to resolve on we know not what , will be alike unstable . Though there be Reason for Religion , yet Religion may be taken up without Reason . Whatever Reason there be for it , yet if it be not understood , or considered , 't is all one as if there were no Reason at all . And if there seem some Reason for it , yet if it be not the highest Reason , when a stronger then it comes , we quickly change our purpose .

The Reasons we have for our serving and following God , are the highest of all Reasons ; and that whether we respect it as our duty , or our happiness . For ,

1. There 's none can lay such claim to us as God . Whose am I ? Who hath made me ? Who hath bought me ? 1 Cor. 6.20 . Glorifie God in your bodies and in your spirits , which are his . Psal. 100.2,3 . Serve the Lord with gladness . For the Lord he is God , it is he that hath made us , not we our selves , we are his people , and the sheep of his Pasture . What reason have you to serve men , or to serve sin or the world ? Men think they have reason for it , but what reason ? Are any of these Gods ? Are men your Gods ? Is sin or the world God ? Do you owe your selves to them ? It is he that hath made us , and his we are : As the Apostle concerning obedience to Parents , much more may it be said here ; Children obey your God , for this is right . This is his due , and your duty ; if any one can lay as good a claim to you , let him carry you away for servants .

2. There 's none can be better to us then God . None can require , and none can reward our obedience as he . Where can you be better then with God ? Hee l require no more , then that you serve him till you can find a better Master . He that saith 't is best to serve sin , and the world , is a fool , and hath said in his heart , there is no God . If God be God , he is the chief , yea the onely good . If any thing in the world , upon what account soever , be thought better then the Lord , that 's set up for a God in his room .

3. Whomsoever we serve , 't is God must pay us our Wages at last . God is Judge , he is the Rewarder both of the evill and the good , both of those that serve him , and those that serve him not . If you receive the Lord , he will be your reward ; if you serve him not , he will reward you ; but what reward have you ? Those mine Enemies which will not have me to reign over them , bring them and slay them before me ; There 's their reward . Sin hath its rewards , but what are they but vanity and vexation ? Or if they were better , how long will they last ? But when sin hath paid the most it can , Oh what a reward is there behinde that God hath to pay you ! This shall ye have of mine hand , ye shall lye down in sorrow .

4. The Wages which God will give , shall certainly be blessed or dreadfull , according to our Obedience or Disobedience . The reward that God hath to give , is an eternal reward : Eternal salvation to them that obey him , everlasting destruction to him that serveth him not .

I have a soul , this carkass is the least part of me ; there 's another world , a world to come ; a few years is the most I have to spend in this ; I must abide eternally , eternally in the other world .

How inconsiderable is it what I have here , whether little or more , better or worse ; in a short time that will come all to one . But oh my eternity what 's that like to be ? Why t is God that must determine it , and he will certainly reward every man according to his works , Rom. 2.6,7,8,9,10 . Who will render to every man according to his deeds . To them which by patient continuance in well doing , seek for glory , honour , and immortality , eternal life . But to them that are contentious and obey not the truth , tribulation and anguish , &c. There 's glory and shame , mercy and wrath , life and death set before me ; there 's no third state , one of the two must be my lot , and this is it that doth determine which ; If I obey I live , if I disobey I die for ever .

Now when my resolution is founded on such Reasons as these , then which none can be imagined higher and more weighty ; ( till eternity become of less regard then time , and an immortall soul be set below a perishing body ) and when the question being put , Shall I follow God or not ? God or the world ? God or my lust ? Speak soul , give in thy Answer ; when this is the Answer it gives , Why there 's none can lay such claim to me as God ; there 's none can be as good to me as God ; whomsoever I serve , its God must be my Rewarder ; my everlasting blessedness , or eternal ruine depends on him , and must be infallibly determined , according to my obedience or disobedience : This is the plain case , Obey , and Live : Obey , or die for ever . And therefore what can I say less or more , but that I am the Lords , and will be his Servant . Let others chuse whom they will serve , as for me , O my soul , serve thou the Lord . This resolution thus founded , is like to stand .

4. A sincere Resolution , is the fruit of mature deliberation . Deliberation gives Reason its full weight ; makes the strength of it appear ; it layes all things in the Ballance ; it s the comparing of Reasons for , and against ; the weighing of Arguments and Objections ; encouragements , and discouragements ; casting the cost , as well as the gain : particularly , In this deliberation there must be a considering ,

1. What there is in this Obedience .

2. What it is attended with that may discourage .

1. There must be a considering , What there is in this Obedience : Or otherwise we resolve upon we know not what . Now there are five things in this Obedience : Subjection . Activity and Industry . Integrity . Circumspection . Spirituality .

1. Subjection . Servants must be subject , must not be at their own wills , but at the will of another : The heart of man naturally affects Dominion ; that 's the great controversie of sinners with God , Who shall be Lord ? We are Lords , ( we would be at least ) we will come no more unto thee , Jer. 2.31 . Obedience yields that God should be Lord ; yea and all others also , whom he hath made Lords over us . The servants of Christ must not be , and yet must be the servants of men ; they must not serve the lusts , but must be subject to their righteous Lawes and Commands . God must be obeyed ; and Magistrates , Ministers , Masters , Parents must be obeyed in the Lord , and for the Lord ; yea and they must be , when God will have it so the Servants of servants .

While they must not serve the humours of the greatest , they must serve the necessities of the meanest ; must stoop to the lowest of Offices , even to the washing of the feet of the least Disciple : All this the Lord expects of them , and they must be subject . They must not dispute , but do his will ; onely it must be considered , that there is a double disputing the will of God : There is a disputing whether that which is pretended to be the wil of God , be so or no ; this ought to be done . And there is a disputing or questioning that , which is granted to be the will of God , whether it be fit to be done or safe to be done : Is it not better to let it alone ? What advantage is there in it ? What reason is there for it ? No , they must not thus dispute ; this is Reason enough , God will have it so . Gods will is ever Reason , and it must be our Reason . It 's enough for thee to say , This is that which the Lord hath commanded , and I must be subject . This is one thing that must be considered , I will Obey , but can I be Subject ?

2. Activity and Industry . The servant of the Lord must be Active , and Industrious . Whom he sends into the Vineyard , he sends to work , and not to sleep . The life of a Christian is laborious ; whilest others are in their beds , he must be on his knees : whilest others take their Pleasure , he must take Pains : whilest others take their times , now a little , and then a little , he must sit at it , be ever about his Masters business . An active spirit , is an excellent spirit and t is necessary in a Christian .

1. An Active spirit , is an Excellent spirit ; Sluggards are the refuse of the Earth .

But here it must be considered , that there is a double Activity , Naturall , and Gracious .

1. Natural , which arises from an innate vigour and vivacity of some mens spirits : There needs not industry in such , to bring forth action , 't is but leaving nature to its course , and that will fly high enough of it self . It requires more Industry to regulate and sometimes to restrain , then to put forth into Action . It s more labour for them to rest , then to be doing .

2. Gracious : Which is either Natural Activity , managed and improved for God , turn'd into a right course , running in a right Channel ; or a Naturally Unactive spirit , raised and quickened by grace , and Religious Industry . This gracious , this holy Activity , this is the Excellency ; it is the extract of the spirits and life of all our Parts and graces ; and will go further , and do more high Honour , and more abundant service to God and his Gospel then is done by a thousand others .

An Active Sinner , is by accident the worst of men : How much service for the Devil will he dispatch in a little time ?

An Active sinner is life and death met together . He is all life , and yet dead , and the more he hath of death , because so much of life ; like poyson in Wine , he destroyes the more effectually : Yet the evill is not in his Activity , but in the matters wherein he is imployed ; the good mettal , or keenes of a Weapon , is its Excellency ; but in a mad mans hand better a wooden then an iron sword . An Active Spirit is so Excellent , that its pity that ever sin should have the using of it ; 't were well for Religion , if the Devil were a Drone , and had no other servants but the Sluggards of the Earth . But Activity when set right is of great price in the sight of God : It is of great price in the sight of God , because it sets a great price upon God . Slothfulness puts a slight upon God ; when the Scriptures have set forth the Magnalia Dei , the great things , and the deep things of God , when the Lord Jesus is evidently set forth as crucified before our eyes , as the Propitiation for sin ; when the preciousness of his blood , the tenderness of his bowels , the riches of his grace , the sufficiency of his righteousness , his satisfaction and pardons , are all held forth in open sight ; when the beauties of holiness , the joyes of the spirit , that peace which passeth all understanding , are laid forth to view ; when the most glorious things are spoken of the City of God , Jerusalem which is above ; when God in his word calls to us , Awake sleepers , arise sluggards , see what 's before you ; all this may be yours , if you will ; Sloathfulness puts this slight upon all , Tush , all this is not worth the breaking my sleep for ; 't is not all worth my labour to seek after ; my ease and my quiet is better to me , then God and all his glory .

We may best understand the value we put on things , by the pains and the cost we are content to be at to purchase them . When sinners bestow themselves so upon the world , will bear such labour and travell , are so constantly so , indefatigably industrious in the pursuance of it ; and withall , run such hazards and dangers for it , they make it evident enough what rate they put upon it ; he whose time , and his strength , whose days and his nights , yea whose soul , and his hopes , must all be laid out in a purchase , must all go for a piece of Land , or a little money , or pleasure ; we need no other proof , what a bargain he thinks this world to be . I care not much for this world , 't is a vanity , a shadow , the fashion of it passeth away ; I hope t is far enough off my heart , how ever I am charged with greediness after it : But what then mean all the expences of thy time , of thy strength , of thy spirits , that thou daily layest out upon it ? What means so much hunting after , and heaping it up for thy self ? What , hast thou been hunting all this while after shadowes ? Heaping up vanities ? No , no , thou mistakest thy self , these shadowes are thy substance ; these vanities are the God whom thou adorest : If thou didst not prize , thou wouldst not venture so deeply for them .

And so on the other side , when so little is done for God : When any thing must suffice to be spent on souls , or eternity ; what cheap things do we count them ! I love God above all ; with all my heart , with all my soul ; he is all my hope , and all my desire ; what a miserable creature were I , if it were not for my hope in God ? What would all the world be to me , should I lose my soul ? But dost thou speak in earnest ? Dost thou think what thou speakest ? What , and so very a Drone in seeking of God ? What , and so indifferent , so cold , and so spiritless in thy enquiries after him , in thy motions towards him ? So sparing of thy labour , so negligent of duty , so seldom at it , so soon weary , so many delayes , so many excuses ? How many times hath God called thee after him , and all thine answer hath been an excuse ? An excuse instead of an Ordinance , an excuse instead of a Prayer , an excuse instead of Action , an excuse instead of an Alms , an excuse instead of an Admonition , or a Reproof ; if he will be served with excuses , he shall have service enough , but little besides . I am weary , or t is too late , or t is cold , and and so a short , and hasty Prayer must serve , or none at all . I have much business upon me , a Family , a Farm , and the cares and trouble of it , that I cannot have so much time nor freedom to attend upon God as others have ; and so a Sermon lost , a Sacrament lost . I live amongst ill neighbours , if I should be so forward , and so active for God , so zealous , and so spiritual in my Discourse , in my way , I should be but a scoff and a reproach , and it may be a prey to evill men . I want ability to speak to the edification of others , I have not the boldness as others have , to reprove or admonish ; I pray thee have me excused . Wise men indeed , an Excuse instead of a Duty ! 'T is all one , as if when the Lord calls to thee , Come to me and be saved , thy Answer should be , I pray thee excuse me , I must to the Devil and be damned .

But is this thy love ? Is this thy zeal ? Is this thy valuing of God above all ?

Tremble Sluggard , whatever excuses thou findest out , ro substitute in the room of duty , this is that thou canst never excuse , nor acquit thy self of a slighting of God . Thy very excuses will accuse thee for a sloathful servant , and this for a slighter of God : Whilest the Apostle sayes , I reckon that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed : But I reckon saist thou , that all that glory to come , is not worthy to be compared with the present labour .

But now Activity and Industry puts a great price upon God , this is written upon all our labours , He is worthy for whom I do all this . some of the most humble watchful laborious Christians , do sometimes complain , Oh I fear , I love not God ; his Favour , his Honour is little set by me ; but whence then is thy care to please God ? Whence are all thy labours of love ? Do'st watch , and pray , and work , and run ? Can'st spend and be spent for God , and yet not love him ? Do'st live to God , can'st dye for God , and yet not prize him ? What greater proof can'st give of love , then such labour .

2. Activity is necessary . It is a vain thing to think of making any thing of Religion without it ; the work of it is too great , to be done by lying still ; the comforts of it lye too deep , to be gotten out by a wish . There 's many a poor man in this world , that would be the richest man in the Countrey , if riches may be gotten by a wish ; he may assoon with himself into wealth , as thou into grace and comfort . This one thing , mens not being able to bear the labour of Religion , is a Rock , at which many a soul hath split , and suffered an eternal wrack .

He that hath some love to holiness , and yet not so much as to carry him through the work of holiness , is short of sincerity ; and short of sincerity , short of salvation . He that sticks not at labour , will not stick at suffering : He that sluggs at doing , will shrink back from suffering . Say not , There 's a Lion in the streets ; overcome the Lion , and you will not fear the Bear : Get over ( Difficulties ) and there 's but one still more . ( Distress ) betwixt thee and glory . Pass the first , and thou wilt be the more bold to venture the latter . Holy Activity will be a witness of thy sincerity ; carry this witness in thine heart , and then , which way ever the world does go , and what storms soever may fall , thou wilt have this to uphold thee , Integrity and uprightness shall preserve me , and eternity reward me . Where Sincerity is the root , and holy Activity the blossom , an eternal weight of glory shall be the fruit . Lye idle , and all will be lost . Take heed of ( Soul take thine easie , ) lest the next word thou hear be [ This night shall thy soul be required of thee . ]

Well , this is a second thing included in Obedience , Activity ; and this also must be considered ere thou resolvest ; I will Obey , but can I Labour ?

3. Integrity . The Obedience which God expects , must be entire Obedience ; not onely the Obedience of the whole man , but to the whole will of God . Psal. 119.8 . Then shall I not be ashamed , when I have respect to all thy Commandements . 1 Pet. 1.14,15 . As obedient children , be ye holy in ( al● manner ) conversation . Matth. 28.20 . Teaching them to observe all things , whatsoever I have commanded you . But of this having spoken more largely elswhere , it shall suffice to give some short hints ,

1. Of one comprehensive duty , wherein all the rest are included , and on which they depend ; and that is , The holding up , and maintaining Gods Authority in the soul . As God hath set up his Authority over the soul ; his word which is to have the government of it , so hath he set up an Authority in the soul ; the Understanding and the Conscience . These Powers , as they are under Authority , under the Authority of the word ; so they are set in Authority , over the subordinate and inferiour faculties , the Will , and the Passions , or Affections . But sin now hath made a mutiny , and Insurrection ; the Will rises against Reason , and will not be guided ; the Passions rebell against Conscience , and will not be governed ; nay they do not onely resist , but take upon them to command , and impose upon Conscience : What the Will would have , Conscience must say t is Reason it should have ; must be put upon it , to finde out Arguments , to prove Will to be Reason ; and to determine , that what the Will would have done , ought to be done , facile credimus quod nimis volumus : We easily bring our Opinion to our Affection ; bring our selves to believe that to be right , which we are unreasonably willing to have to be tight : But if it cannot prevail thus far , to gain Conscience to say that 's right , which it would have to be right , then it will put hard for it , to carry it whether it be right or wrong . And this rebellion of the Will , and so of the Passions against the Reason , is the great reason of the souls rebellion against God .

When Conscience hath lost its Authority , Gods Authority is gone . Whilest the Understanding and the Conscience are maintained in their due Authority , where the Will and Affections are held in their due subjection , there the Lord reigneth . While Conscience rightly inform'd hath its due , God shall have his due : Where the Will and the Passions have no more then their due , he shall have his own . God shall be will'd the more , where nothing else is will'd too much . God shall be loved the more , and feared the more , where nothing else is lov'd and fear'd too much . The more Anger , the more Hatred , the more Grief will be spent upon sin , if it be not inordinately spent elsewhere . Oh how much service might be done , and how much quiet would be enjoyed in the heart , were this Authority and Subjection maintained and held up .

We may say of our Affections , as men say of Fire and Water , They are the worst Masters , but the best Servants . How much should the Lord have of us , were these onely the Executioners of his will . If Conscience be commanded by the word , and the Will and Affections would be commanded by Conscience , what would there then be wanting ? We should then not onely be abundantly serviceable , but all would be serene , and sweet , and comfortable within us . If nothing were will'd , but what should be will'd , we should ever have our will . If nothing were desired , but what should be desired , and no more then it should be lov'd or desired , we should ever have what we love . If we were not angry , or grieved , or afraid , but where we ought , and no more then we ought ; what a calm would there be upon our spirits , even in such cases , wherein the spirits of others are like a troubled Sea , that cannot be at rest , whose waters cast forth mire and dirt : But where there is such disorder , such rebellion of the Inferiour against the Superiour Faculties , there we are at a perpetual loss , both in point of duty and comfort . This therefore is necessary , if we will be obedient : And those that have prov'd what there is in it , do understand that this is hard work .

2. I shall instance in some few particular duties that are harder then others . He that will be entirely obedient , must stick at nothing that God will have . There 's scarce any thing that God requires , but Lust will be quarrelling at , as too hard ; but there are some duties harder then others . It shall suffice onely to name them : The denyal of our selves . The disobliging our nearest friends . The loving our Enemies . The disobeying all the world , in their unrighteous commands . Obeying God , rather then men ; returning good for evill . Reproving men for sin , especially if they be S●periours , or such on whom we have dependency . The sacrificing our Isaacs , yea parting with all that we have .

Well , this also must be considered ere you resolve ; you will obey , But are you for any thing , for every thing the Lord requires ?

4. Circumspection and care , Ephes. 5.15 . See that ye walk circumspectly . A little labour will go far with care , but will be nothing without it . 'T is not he that is hot , and busie , and active at all adventures ; he that keeps to his Line and his Rule , hee 's the obedient Christian . 'T is not so much Action , as regular Action , wherein the life of Christianity lies . He that lives by rule , peace be on him , and mercy . Activity without care , is Extravagancie : 'T is care that keeps within compass . He that is all Action , has the more need of caution . A Christian must have his eyes in his head , as well as a soul in his body . He that resolves well in Generals , and comes not off in Particulars , does but build Castles in the Air. What we ordinarily are , pro hic & nunc , in Particulars , will best prove what we are . He that is for any thing but this , any time but now , is for nothing .

Circumspection notes two things : Taking notice . Taking heed .

He that will be circumspect , must eye and observe what 's before him ; must have his eye upon his End , his Rule , and his Goings ; must eye duty and sin , opportunities and temptations , his times and seasons ; he must take heed , as well as take notice ; must keep a strict eye on himself , and hold a strict hand on himselfe , that he leap not over a duty , nor turn aside to iniquity ; must set a guard upon himself , upon his tongue , upon his eyes , upon his appetite , upon his company , upon his habit , upon his thoughts , upon his passions , upon all the motions of his soul , and the actions of his body .

This will require something . What not a word but must be weighed ? Not a look but must be look'd to ? Not a thought but must be examined ? Not a sin to be allowed ? Not a duty to be abated ? Not a circumstance to be neglected ? Must all be in Weight and in Measure , by Line , and by Rule , and this alwais too ? If something might serve , if sometimes might suffice , it might be borne ; but to keep touch in every point , and that every day , this is an hard saying indeed . But thus it must be , to live as a Christian , and to walk exactly , accurately , precisely , is the same thing . Duty and sin , though they be as far distant as Heaven and Hell , yet there is but an hair betwixt them . The least latitude is a transgression , either all this , ( that is as to the purpose of the heart ; ) either all this , or nothing .

Well , all this must be considered ; You will be Obedient , but will you be circumspect ?

5. Spirituality . This Obedience must be the Obedience of faith , Rom. 16.26 .. It is the very life of Jesus made manifest in our mortal flesh . I live yet not I , but Christ liveth in me , and the life which I now live in the flesh , I live by the faith of the Son of God . Christians Obedience is their walking in Christ , Coloss. 2.6 . All the Acts of it are exerted and performed in the strength of Christ . I will go in the strength of the Lord , without him they can do nothing , but can do all things through Christ which strengthneth them . I live , yet not I , bur Christ liveth in me . I work , I wrestle , I run , yet not I , but Christ in me ; as the Apostle speaks of his sins , It is no more I that do it , but sin that dwelleth in me . 'T is sin that sins , so may it be said of duty , It is no more I that do it , but Christ that dwelleth in me . Though both be the act of the Person , both the sin and the duty ; yet the Principle of the one , is Lust , the Power of the other is of Christ . Christians cannot go through , and they dare not set upon a duty , without looking up to Christ , and leaning upon him for assistance . They cannot go through , and therefore they will not set forth , but it the strength of the Lord. All t●eir Acts of Obedience are exhibited , and offered up in the name of Christ . Their services are their sacrifices to God , and Christ is their Altar . What is a sacrifice without an Altar ? Christ is our Altar , which sanctifies our gift . God looks on all , and so do they , as nothing worth without Christ ; God will not accept , and therefore they will not offer other then the Lamb for their sacrifice . All their acts of Obedience are acknowledged to the praise of Christ , It is no more I that do it , but the grace of God which was with me . Grace does the work , and Grace shall carry away the praise . Christ is all in the race , and therefore on his head the Crown is set . Not unto us Lord , not unto us but to thy Name be the pra se . Not of us , and therefore not unto us ; of him , and therefore unto him . If I am any thing , what others are not , if I have done any thing more then others , no thank to me , and therefore no praise . To him be all , who is All in all to me . Christians Obedience , is their walking in Christ .

Christians Obedience is their walking in the Spirit . They have received the Spirit , and they walk in the Spirit , Gal. 5.16 . they have not received the spirit of this world , ( their spirit is not flesh ) but the Spirit which is of God , 1 Cor. 2.12 . They are dead to things carnal , the spirit of the world is departed , they have given up this ghost : 'T is the Spirit of the living God that lives in them , and in this they live and walk . They walk in the Light of the Spirit , in the Power of the Spirit ; the Spirit of the Lord steets their Course , and fills their Sails ; is their Pilot , and their Star , and their Wind that carries them on . When they pray , they pray in the Spirit ; when they hear , they hear in the Spirit ; through the Spirit , they mortifie the flesh , are crucified to the world ; they obey , they suffer , they fight , they overcome , through the Spirit of the living God that is in them : They live in fellowship with the Spirit , and by him with the Father and the Son . They dwell in the invisible world , their acquaintance and converse is in Heaven , thither they have access , and there they have acceptance ; thither they have their recourse , and thence they have their returns . Duties and comforts , are the tokens that are passing betwixt Heaven and Earth . Their life is Love , and Joy , and Praise ; these are the most noble acts of their Obedience , and these give Wings to their hearts , carry them on more swiftly , and more sweetly through all their course .

Oh how heavily do we drive on , how slowly do our Wheels move , when the Spirit of the living God is not in the Wheels . Oh how dead are our Duties , how lame are our walkings , what low and poor spirited creatures are we : How weak are our hearts , how unripe our fruits ; we do but half do what we do , there is no heart in our life , we are as bodies without souls , whilest our soul is without a Spirit . Oh how sad is it with many of us , upon this account ! By our estrangement from God , we have even lost our selves ; we are not what we are , because we are no more where he is . By our distances from Heaven , we are even choaked with the damps of the Earth . We are fit for little , we prosper in nothing , God takes no pleasure , and we take no comfort in any thing we do , our spirits are so chil'd and benummed within , as that we neither make sign in our work , not ridance of our way And what are we in our Societies ? To how little profit do we meet ? How little heat do we get yea how much do we lose at our brethrens fires ? We serve often , but to damp and cool each others spirits ; as if it might be no longer said , Wo to him that is alone , but wo be to him that is in company ; alone hee 's more warm .

Christians , I solemnly profess , I am ashamed of my self , and my heart is pained within me , to observe how insipid , how spiritless , how carnal our converses are ; how often may we meet ? How long may we sit , Christian with Christian , ere any thing that savours of the spirit of a Christian comes from us ? Oh how hard must we strain for a few gracious words ! How little does come ? How heartless when it comes ? How very few of us are there , whose ordinary converse speaks us to be men of another world , whose business , and whose delight lyes above , and are in good earnest pressing on towards Heaven ? How seldom , and how short-breath'd are our spiritual discourses ? How little must suffice ? How quickly are we diverted to things carnal and sensual ? Sure 't is our little communion with God , that hath thus incarnated and communion of Saints .

Oh let us live more in the fellowship of the Spirit , and we shall have fellowship one with another , to better purpose . Le ts warm our selves at the Sun , le ts dwell more in his Beams , and we shall get and give more Light and Heat . Thus must it be considered ere we resolve , what there is in this Obedience .

2. It must be considered , What it is like to be attended withall from without . What suffering it may cost us , what scorn , and contempt , and reproaches , and persecutions of all sorts ; it 's like to set Earth and Hell upon our backs ; if carnal counsels , and fleshly policies , if all the powers of darkness , if might and malice can do it , this way will be made too hot , and too hard for thee : Tribulation , great tribulation thou must expect , and canst not escape ; and the more strict and circumspect , the hotter must thou look thine Assaults will be .

Professors of Religion that are of the largest size , that are not so strict to their Rule , but they can dispence with Duty : nor so forward in point of Zeal and Activity , but they can remit and abate as occasion serves , may escape this persecuting world the better ; but he that will be faithful , who ever escape , is sure to be made a Prey . This also must be well considered , I will follow Christ , but can I drink of the Cup that he drank of ? Can I be baptized with the Baptisme , the Baptisme of Blood that he was baptized with ?

There are persons , who sometimes take up the profession of Religion , and resolve all on a sudden they will follow Christ ; not understanding what there is in it , or what Christianity may stand them in ; who by that they have look'd a little farther , and finde it another manner of difficulty , then at first they imagined ; and withall finde the Armies of the Aliens to fall on , the Doggs to tear , the Wolves to worry , the Eagles , and the Vultures , and all the Birds of Prey , to pitch upon them ; and begin in earnest to feel the smart of Religion , in those persecutions that are rais'd upon them for it , presently make their retreat , and go back . Where am I ? What have I chosen ? Is this to be a Christian ? Doth Christ look for all this from his followers , and will he leave them to such violence and rapine , as the reward of their faithfulness to his name ? I never thought it had been such hot service , and if I cannot be a Saint at a cheaper rate then this , follow Christ who will for me ; let those that have nothing to lose , or can bear so much labour , and pains , and violence , take it up if they please ; for my part , I must look to my self , I must not be undone .

Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest , said that Scribe , Matth. 20.7 . Man thou understandest not what thou sayest . Doest know whither I am going , where my dwelling , what my lodging is ? The Foxes have holes , and the Birds of the ayre have nests , but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head : And behold there 's an end of the Scribes Christianity , we hear not one word more of it .

But now , he that both knows what 't is to be a Disciple , that hath look'd through Religion , through the length and breadth of it ; hath duly weighed all that can be said for , or against his taking it up ; hath examined the grounds and reasons he hath for it , what weight there is in them ; hath considered the Objections , hath cast up the cost and charges of it , and as the issue and result of the most serious debate , stands settled in his judgment , that all things considered , it is indisputably the best , and wisest , and safest course he can take ; it s beyond all controversie , without all dispute incomparably better for me , to hearken to the Lord in all that he shall require , and to run all hazards with him and that presently , from this day forward , to the end of my life : He that stands thus settled in his judgment and thereupon feels his soul fixing it self in this peremtory resolution ; well , through the grace of God , I will be his servant ; I give up my self to the government of his will ; to follow him in righteousnes and holiness all my daies . I am sensible it s no light thing to be a Christian , I see I must be subject , I see I must be circumspect I see I must be active , I must stick at nothing that God will have ; I see this flesh wil be pained and put hard to it wil fling & groan under so severe a yoke : I see the Devil and this evil world will be upon me , laying on more lord , to make my bargain as dear as they can : But be there in it what there will , let it cost me never so dear , I am at a point ; I will venture all upon it , the Lord is my God , and him will I follow in all things that he shall speak ; I put my self into the everlasting Arms ; I trust upon everlasting strength ; I will go forth in the Name of the Lord , and now speak Lord , for I will hear .

This sincere resolution , this will hold out ; when our holy inclinations are so rooted and strong , that they hear down all fleshly inclinations ; when our assent to Scripture is so firm , that it over balances all Objections against it ; when our Reasons for Religion are so high and weighty , that they weigh down the highest pretences against it ; when we have throughly considered what there is in it , and compar'd all that can be said , for or against our following the Lord , and upon the whole matter we judge it our best course , and accordingly resolve for it , this is sincere resolution , this is the Obedience of the heart .

2. Obedience of the Life , This is the Decree bringing forth , or holy inclination and resolution springing up into action , and is a necessary proof of the soundness of the resolution .

Though sincere resolution be Obedience in Gods account , yet that resolution which ( supposing there be time and opportunity ) does not break forth into act , is undoubtedly unsound and deceitful . There are two things infallibly included in Spiritual life ; a Will , and a Power . Grace is the disposing , and the enabling the heart for an holy life , and where there is both a Will , and a Power , performance will certainly follow . This sincerity of actual Obedience , is that which the Prayer of the Psalmist looks to , Psal. 119.80 . Let my heart be sound [ in thy statutes ] that I be not ashamed .

There is a soundness in the Faith , and a soundness in the Statutes of the Lord . Faith notes in Scripture , either the Doctrine of faith , or the Grace of faith . And accordingly , soundness in the faith , signifies both the receiving and entertaining sound Doctrine , and the sound or sincere imbracing that Doctrine . Soundness in the Statutes of the Lord , notes especially the Practice , the living or walking uprightly , under the Power of that Doctrine , under the Government and Obedience of the Statutes of the Lord . What this Obedience of life is , its easie to gather out of what hath been spoken touching the Obedience of the heart ; I shall onely adde , that this Obedience is then sound and sincere , when

1. In General , the whole course of life is the issue of the mentioned sincere resolution ; when the life is the birth of the purpose , the fruit growing up out of the holy Root . There may be actions Materially good and holy , that yet are not gracious actions ; because they arise not from a right spring . When the soul hath devoted it self to God in Christ , and believingly , understandingly , and deliberately decreed and determined in his strength to keep his word ; and this decree or determination , goes into the performances of the life , and is the root and soul of that holy course we walk in , there 's sin●erity .

Some persons may be found , who have taken up the Profession , and go farr in the practice of godliness ; abstaining from gross sins , yea and making attempts upon the mortification of inward Lusts ; applying themselves to the duties of Religion ; Praying , Hearing , Reading , Meditating , Discoursing of God , and the things of God ; exercising themselves in the works of righteousness and mercy ; being Meek , Temperate , Patient ; and yet if all this do arise onely from the advantages of a good Nature , good Education , good Society and Acquaintance , a powerful Ministry , or the workings of natural Conscience ; as possibly it may , and doth not spring forth from such a fixed , well bottomed resolution , it is short of sincerity . Whatever the Blades be , they have no Root , and will certainly wither away .

2. In Particular actions , when they are done in simplicity ; and singleness of heart unto the Lord ; when whatever sinful mixtures there may sometimes be of carnal respects , that may have an influence upon the exerting and bringing them forth ; yet the great poise that moves the Wheels , the swaying motive that brings us on , is God , and our respects to his will and Honour .

Now for this also the Lord undertakes , promising not onely assistance , but success , sufficient grace , and efficacious grace ; I will cause them to walk in my Statutes , and they ( shall ) keep my judgments , and do them . I will not onely teach them my Statutes ; I will not onely incline their hearts to my testimonies ; I will not onely strengthen them for my work , but I will cause them to walk in my Statutes . The even shall be sure , they ( shall ) keep my judgments , and do them ; my word shall fail , my promises shall be of none effect ; let me be accounted unfaithfull , if I do not make them faithful to me .

CHAP. XVI . Perseverance in the Covenant .

8. PErseverance . Jer. 32.40 . I will make an everlasting Covenant with them , that I will not turn away from them , to do them good ; but I will put my fear in their hearts , that they shall not depart from me .

The Perseverance of the Saints , is founded on the Election of God , and the immutability of his Counsel ; The foundation of the Lord standeth sure , Rom. 8.38 . Whom he did Predestinate , them he also called , and whom he called , them he also justified , and whom he justified , them he also glorified . This golden Chain will hold , not a link of it shall be broken : on whomsoever the first link Election hath taken hold , it will infallibly bring him up to the last , Glory . God is not as man , that he should repent . But not to wade farther into this deep , our business lyes in the Promise of God .

There are two sorts of Promises concerning Perseverance . There are Promises — To Perseverance . Of Perseverance .

1. The Promise of eternal life is made to Perseverance . Hold out to the end , and be saved . Overcome and reign . Be faithful to the death , and I will give thee a Crown of life . Rev. 2,10 . If thou forsake him , he will cast thee off for ever . 1 Chron. 28.9 . If any man draw back , my soul shall have no pleasure in him . Christians , beware of Apostacy , beware of Presumption ; Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear . Let it not be said of you , ye ( did ) run well : He runs well , that gives not off , that sits not down on this side the goal . So run that ye may obtain .

2. There are Promises of Perseverance . The Covenant of God , is an everlasting Covenant . He hath commanded his Covenant for ever , Psal. 111.5 .

There are two things in the fore-mentioned Scripture , Jer. 32.40 . secured to Believers , which secure their Perseverance . 1. God will not depart from them . 2. They shall not depart from him .

1. God will not depart from them . I will not turn aw●… from them . God is with me , but I fear I shall provoke him away ; I shall weary him out by my sins , and drive him from me . No saith the Lord , I will not turn away from them , to do them good . I will never fail thee , nor forsake thee .

2. They shall not depart from him . 'T is true , the Lord will be with me , but t is onely while I am with him ; if I depart , he wil depart : if I forsake him , he will ca●… me off for ever . Here 's my great fear , that I shall turn away from him ; there is in me an evil heart of unbelief , that 's ever departing from the living God . Oh this false and fickle heart , I dare not trust it for a day , I dare not undertake for it for an hour ; I doubt it will be gone ere I am aware ; my corruptions are strong , my temptations are many , every day brings its temptations ; and I am in great fear that by one means or other , one day or other , I shal fall before them , and depart from the living God! No saies God , fear not , thou shalt not depart ; I will put my fear in their hearts , that they shall not depart from me . They shall be kept by my Almighty Power , through faith unto salvation . My grace shall be with them , and my grace shall be sufficient for them ; and shall preserve them to my Heavenly Kingdom .

And here is the Saints security : The Lord God will not turn away from them , nor ever suffer them to run away from him . If the Promise fail , then may their faith also fail . It s true , there may be gradual declinings , and departures of the Saints from Christ for a season , but total or final there shall not be : They shall not be of them that draw back unto perdition , but of them that believe to the saving of the soul . Though they fall , they shall rise again ; they may turn , but they shal return . As Hypocrites will not stay ( with ) Christ alwaies , so neither will Saints alwais stay from him . And there 's a like reason of both : Sinners sometimes will step aside , and salute Religion , and take some turnes with Christ ; but after a while , away they must again : And there is a double Reason of it , 1. There 's that within them 2. There 's one without them That will fetch them back .

1. There 's that within them that will fetch them back . Corrupt nature , the power of unmortified Lust , this it that bears the sway in their hearts ; and however for the time , the stream may be somewhat turn'd out of its course , or bayd up ; however by the impetus of some external Motives or Arguments , or the impulses of an awakened Conscience , or some sudden heat of affection , they are carried on after , and in some fair compliance with the Lord Jesus ; yet when the Bay is removed , when the external force is spent , Conscience laid to sleep , the heat of affection allaid , which is often almost as soon out as in ; thou very natures will reduce , and bring them back to their old course . What is it that pulls a Stone , or a lump of Clay down again , that is thrown into the Ayr ? Why when the vis impressa by which they were forc'd up , is spent , their natures , their innate gravities will bring them down to their place . Sinners need no other weights to pull them down to this Earth , then their earthly hearts .

2. There 's one without them that will fetch them off . Satan the god of this world , whose they are , and whom they serve ; who though he indulge them so much liberty for their Religion , as is consistent with their captive state , and may possibly secure them the more under his Dominion , ( Hypocrites are often the faster to Satan , for being so near to Christ ) the very Religion they have , is but the Devils snare , by which he holds them back from Religion ; yet lest by venturing them too farr , they should be lost to him at last , he that first tempted them so near to Christ , ( Hypocrites are often beholding to the Devil for their Religion they have ) will quickly tempt them back again .

And so on the other side , there are the like Reasons why Saints cannot alwaies wander , or stay sway from Christ .

1. There 's that within them , which will bring them back . the grace of God within them , will bring them home . The grace of God , is now their nature . Sinners whilest walking with Christ , and Saints whilest wandring from Christ , are both under a force ; they are carried against the stream , when the winds are down that carried them on , they will return to their course . The grace of God is the seed of God , He that is born of God , sinneth not ; ( that is , not unto death ) the seed of God remaineth in him . Thy seed of God is immortal seed ; it may languish , and be ready to dye , but it shall not dye , it shall recover .

2. There 's one above them which will bring them back . Though he suffer them for a time , to wander from the way ; yet he will not suffer them to perish from the way . Of those whom thou hast given me , I have lost none . He hath lost none , and he will lose none . He sends a word of command after them , Jer. 3.14 . Return O lack sliding children , for I am married to you . Whither are you running ? Whom are you following after ? Come back from your Lovers , return to your Husband ; I am married to you , and we may not part ;

After the word of Command , he sends a word of Promise , ver. 22. I will heal your back-slidings . Return from your back-slidings , and I will heal them . I will forgive your back-slidings , and I wil cure you of your back sliding heart . All the Breaches they have made , shall be made up ; I will pass by all that you have done , and be reconciled to you . If you will return , return and I will receive you . And this word of Promise , is a word of Power . I will bring you to Zion : then shall she say , I will go and return to my first Husband , Hos. 2. Behold we come unto thee , for thou art the Lord our God , Jer. 3.22 . He that will not leave his Israel after the flesh , with their Idols much less will he leave his Israel after the Spirit . Phil. 1.6 . Being confident of this very thing , that he that hath begun a good work , will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ .

A good work may be said to be begun in double sence .

1. When there is some good think a doing : Or when something is done towards it ; when it is in fieri . When the Lord hath been ploughing up the fallow ground , making his Batteries against the strong Hold , shaking secure hearts , breaking false hopes , awakening Consciences , convincing sinners , spreading sin , and death , and hell , before them entring upon a Treaty with them , and perswading them over to Christ , to make an escape : There may be hopes in this , The pains of Travel gives hopes of a Birth . But this may go back , and after the highest hopes , prove an abortion . Sinners , awakened sinners , beware you make not a stand at the Threshold ; beware that your Plough'd ground be not left to lye fallow . Beware that the Womb prove not the Grave of all your hopes . Mistake not Conviction for Conversion ; make on , let not your God , nor your souls lose the things which here been wrought .

2. When there is some good thing done . When 't is in facto esse . When the Rubbish is removed , and the first stone is laid ; when the Plough hath been going , and the good Seed is sown ; when the New-creature hath passed the Birth ; when Christ is formed , and the light of life is newly sprung up in the soul ; it there be but a grain of Mustard-seed , the least and the lowest degree of saving Grace , broken forth in the heart , the question is not , whether it be much or little , if it be grace , there 's the immortal seed , there 's the good work begun , which shall be carried on till the day of Jesus Christ . Grace is a security for Glory : Yet beware Christians , let not this security make you secure ; though there be an Harvest in the seed , yet the seed must be cherished , watched , and well looked to , that it may grow up to the Harvest : He that lets it dye for want of looking to , proves that it was dead whilest alive . Let not your falling short of Glory , prove that your Grace was not Grace .

Christians lay hold on the Promise , and lift up your heads ; you are under fears , however it be with you for the present , you are in doubt how it may be ; your way is long , and dangerous ; yet your hearts are deceitful and unstable ; you are going on at present , but doubt how you shall hold out : I may meet with Lions in the way , which may fright me back ; I may lose my way , and never recover : I may be weary , and faint in the way , and lye down and give off . My Lord and my soul , have been often upon the parting point ; I have been almost gone , and I tremble to think what may yet become of me : Yet remember who it is that hath said , I will not turn from you to do you good , I will put my fear in your hearts , and you shall not depart from me . Rise soul , take care for to day , and take no thought for to morrow . Mind the present duty , go on thy way , though weeping and trembling , and hard bestead ; go on thy way , and then commit thy way , and thy self to him , by whose mighty Power thou shalt be kept through faith unto salvation . Faithful is he that hath called you , and will do it

And now you have all . Let us hear the Conclusion of the whole matter . God hath made a Covenant with his people , hath given himself for their Portion , his Son for their price , his Spirit for their guide in the way , his Earth for their accommodation by the way , his Angels for their Guard , the Powers of darkness and death for their Spoils , everlasting Glory for their Crown . And because their way is difficult , and their work is contrary to them , he hath given them all that grace that is necessary to bring them to Glory . In General , a new heart , in all things suited to their way , and throughly furnished for every good work . In Particular , Knowledge to guide , oneness to fix and intend , tenderness to submit ro and yeeld , love to constrain and bring on , fear to fence and hold in , obedience to perform and bring forth , and perseverance to go through , and hold out to the end ; and there grace and glory meet . This is the Covenant of grace , this is the word , which by the Gospel is preached unto you .

It will be said , But if God hath undertaken all this for us , what is there then left on us to do ? Here 's a Doctrine according to sinners hearts ; if this be Gospel , then soul take thine ease , take thy liberty , cast away care , make much of thy body , God will take care of the rest .

But is there nothing required of us ? Let the Scriptures speak , Ezek. 36.37 . Yet for all this will I be enquired of , or sought unto by the house of Israel ; otherwise let them look for no such things . He that will not ask in faith , let not that man think he shall receive any thing of the Lord , Jam. 1.7 . And can he think to receive any thing , that neither believes nor prayes ? That neither prayes in faith , nor prays at all ? Phil. 2.12,13 . It 's God works in you , both to will and to do . What then ? Therefore sit you still and do nothing ? No such matter ; therefore work out your salvation , with fear and trembling saith the Apostle . The promise of God was never intended , to make the command of God of none effect . God in promising grace , promises a power for duty ; and as he doth not give , so we must not receive ●hat power or grace of God in vain . Whilst he gives what he requires , he still requires what he gives . That promise of God ( ye shall be my people ) though he undertake to make it good , yet it is also the matter of our stipulation . And in this promise wherein the Lord assures us , what de facto we ( shall ) be , is included a Precept , wherein we may understand what de jure we ( ought ) to be .

In undertaking to give us a new heart , a tender and obedient , a persevering heart , the Lord doth promise , both to make us what we should be , and to help us in what we are bound to do ; and gives us at once a clear hint , both of our mercy and our duty . This is the sence and summ of that Promise , The Lord will work all that in us , and will help and cause us to perform all that which ( is required ) unto salvation ; and so the Promissum on Gods part , doth not make void , but establish the Debitum on ours . Do we then make void the Law through Faith ? Nay we establish the Law .

Though , it be certain as to the event , that all that 's necessary to salvation , shall be accomplished in us , God hath undertaken that , yet it is altogether as certain that God hath made our loving him , fearing him , obeying his whole will , and our sincerity , and perseverance herein , so necessary , that we cannot otherwise be saved .

Christians , mistake not , nor abuse the grace of the Gospel . The Lord never meant your mercy should make void your Obligation to duty . Redemption from sin , was never intended as a toleration of sin . He gives not his Spirit , in favour of the flesh . What he undetakes to work for you , was never with a mind to maintain you in idleness , Tit. 2.11,12 . The grace of God that bringeth salvation , teacheth us , that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts , we should live soberly , righteously , and godly in this present world .

Though you are saved by grace , yet you are still ( in a sense ) debtors to do the whole Law . Perfect Obedience to the whole Law , even to the utmost Iota , is still due from you ; and if it be not in your hearts , to pay all that you owe , that is , if there be any duty commanded , in the whole book of God , that you must be dispensed with , that you will not set your hearts to observe and obey ; if there be any one sin that you must be excused in , and will not part with ; if there be any , the highest pitch of holy Care , Activity , Industry , Zeal for God and Holiness , that you will not be perswaded to press hard after ; this is an evidence of such an unsound heart , as hath no part in the Gospel , or the salvation thereof . Perfection is still due , though sincerity will be accepted . Sincerity shall be accepted , but what is sincerity less , then an hearty willingness to be perfect , attested by a striving and pressing on to that mark which is set before us .

O admire and bless the Lord , the Lord for grace , but do not turn the grace of God into licentiousness . Shall we continue in sin , because grace that abounded ? Will ye thus requite the Lord ? Will ye thus deceive your selves , O foolish people and unwise ? Will you slight him because he hath loved you ? Kick at him because he hath cared for you ? Shake off his Yoke , because he hath secured you the Crown ! Will you serve his enemies , because he hath saved you from them ? Will you nourish your diseases , because he hath said he will cure you ? Will you live and not eat ? Reap and not Plough ? Will you not eat , because he hath given you meat ? Will you not run , because he hath given you Leggs ? Nor work , because he hath given you hands ? Nor watch , because he hath given you eyes ? Or will you tempt the Lord , and call that your trust in him ? Awake from such madness .

Christians , say not ( If God will I shall ) whether I take care or no , believe or no , repent or no , be obedient , or rebellious , whether I wake or sleep , work or be idle ; my unbelief , my disobedience , my negligence , shall not make the faith of God of none effect . But rather , since God hath said , ( you shall ) let thine heart answer ( I will ) walk in his statutes . Arise O my soul , up and be doing ; work out thy salvation , because its God that worketh in thee to will and to do : Shake off thy sloth , set to thy work , run out thy race , since God hath said , thou shalt not run , nor labour in vain . And look to it , for however thy Idleness , or greatest Unfaithfulness , will not make void the Covenant of God , yet will it make manifest , that thou hast no part nor lot in it .

But to all these glorious things that have been spoken , possibly some will reply ; O if all this be so , then happy Saints indeed ; Happy are the people that are in such a case , yea blessed are the people whose God is the Lord . But will the Lord indeed do all these things for Mortals ? Will he take notice of Worms ? Shall such dry bones live ? Will he set such vile dust as the Apple of his eye ? Is not this too good to be true ? Too great to be believed ? Are we not all this while but in a Dream , or a fools Paradise ? Oh that I were sure the one half were as it hath been told me . Too great to be believed ? As if it must be questioned whether the Sun light , because it dazles our eyes . But what certainty would you have ? Is all this too great for the great and Almighty God to do , who hath said , Isa. 55.9 . As the Heavens are higher then the Earth , so are my wayes higher then your wayes , and my thoughts , then your thoughts . Can he not do it , who can do all things ? Will he not do it , when he hath said he will ? Will the Lord mock ? Can God deceive ? Shall his Word , yea and his Oath too , those two immutable things , in which it is impossible for God to lye , can these fail ? If you should hear the Lord himself speaking to you from Heaven , with audible voice , My Covenant I make with thee , and it is my intent and purpose to perform every word that is written in it , according to the plain import and meaning thereof ; there shall not a tittle fail , neither will I alter the thing that is gone forth of my lips . Heaven and Earth shall fail , but my word shall not fail ; trust to it , trust everlasting truth , trust to everlasting strength . Fear not , for there shall not fail one word , of all that I have spoken by all my servants the Prophets .

If you should hear the Lord speaking thus to you from Heaven , what would you say ? Would not this satisfie you ? Why search the Scriptures , that more sure word of Prophecy , 2 Pet. 1.19 . Read them diligently , understond what thou readest , and then say , if thou doest not there finde the Lord speaking fully to thee the following words ,

CHAP. XVII . God speaking from Mount Gerizim . Or , the Gospel in a Map ; being a short view of the exceeding great and precious Promises * * Mr. I. A. by another hand .

The voyce of the Herauld . O All ye Inhabitants of the world , and dwellers on the Earth ; Come see , and hear ; gather your selves together , unto the Proclamation of the great King . Hear , you that are farr off , and you that are near : He that hath an ear to hear , let him hear . I am the voyce of one crying in the Wilderness , Prepare ye the way of the Lord . Let every Valley be exalted , and every Mountain made low , for the glory of the Lord is to be revealed . Go thorow , go thorow the Gates ; prepare the way : Cast up , cast up the High-way ; gather out the Stones , lift up the Standard for the people ; for the Lord proclaimeth salvation to the ends of the Earth . Tydings , tydings , O ye Captives ! Hear all ye that look for salvation in Israel ; behold I bring you glad tydings of great joy , which shall be unto all people . Blessed newes ! Prepare your ears , and hearts ; the Lord hath commanded me , saying ; Go unto the people , and sanctifie them , l●t them wa●h and be ready , for the Lord is coming down upon Mount Sion , in the sight of all the Nations : Not in Earthquakes and Fire ; not in Clouds , and Darkness ; not in Thundrings and Burnings , rending the Mountains , and breaking the Rock in pieces : He speaks not to you out of the Blackness , and Darkness , and T●mpest ; you shall say no more , Let not God speak to us lest we dye ; He cometh peaceably , he Law of kindness is in his mouth , he preacheth Peace , peace , to him that is far off , and to him that is near .

Behold how he commeth , leaping upon the Mountains , he hath passed Mouth Ebal , no more wrath or cursing ; he is come to Mount Gerizim , where he standeth to bless the people : As Mordecai to his Nation , he writeth the words of truth and peace , seeking the wel●are of his people , and speaking peace to all his Seed .

Behold how he cometh , clothed with flames of Love , with bowels of Compassion , plenteous Redemption , and multiplyed Pardons . O how pregnant is his Love ! O the rollings of his Bowels ! Oh how full are his Breasts , even aking till they are eased by the sucking of his hungry Children !

Hearken therefore O ye Children , hearken to me . To you it is commanded , O People , Nations , and Languages , that at what time you hear the joyful sound , the Trump of Jubile , the tydings of peace in the voyce of the everlasting Gospel , that you fall down before the Throne , and worship him that liveth for ever and ever .

Arise , and come away ; Prepare , prepare you ; Hear not with an uncircumcised ear ; you are not upon a common thing . Behold the Throne is set , the Throne of grace , where Majesty and Mercy dwell together : from thence will the Lord meet you , from thence will he commune with you , from the Mercy-seat , from between the Cherubims , upon the Ark of the Testimony . Lo , the Lord cometh out of his Pavilion , the mighty God from Sion . Selah . His glory covereth the Heavens , the Earth is full of his praise . A fire ( of love ) goeth before him , mercy and truth are round about him , righteousness , and peace are the habitation of his Throne ; he rideth on his Horses and Chariots of Salvation , the Covenant of life , and peace is in his mouth .

Rejoyce ye Heavens , make a joyful noise to the Lord all the Earth . Let the Sea roar , the Floods clap their hands , and the multitudes of the Isles rejoyce . Stand forth the Host of Heaven , prepare your Harps , cast down your Crowns , be ready with your Trumps ; bring forth your golden Vials full of Odours , for our voyces will jarr , our strings will break , we cannot , we cannot reach the note of our Makers praise .

Yet let them that dwell in the dust arise and sing . Bear your part in this glorious service , but consider and attend . Call out your souls , and all that is within you . Lift up your voyces , fix your eyes , enlarge your hearts , intend all their Powers ; here is work for them all . Be intent , and serious , you cannot strein too high .

Come forth ye graces , beset the way , be all in readiness . Stand forth Faith , and Hope : flame O Love , come ye warm desires , and break with longing : Let fear with all veneration do its Obeysance . Joy prepare thy songs , call up all the Daughters of Musick , to salute the Lord as he passeth by . Let the generations of the Saints appear , and spread the way with Boughs and Garments of Salvation , and songs of Deliverance , Deut. 29.10 . to the 13. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God , your Captains , your Elders , your Officers , with all the men of Israel ; your little Ones , your Wives , and the stranger that is within thy Camp , from the hewer of Wood , to the drawer of Water : That thou shouldest enter into Covenant with the Lord thy God , and into his Oath , which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day : That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself , and that he may be unto thee a God , as he hath said unto thee , and as he hath sworn .

I have done my errand . The Messenger of the morning disappeareth , when the Orient Sun cometh forth , out of his Chamb●rs . I vanish : I put my mouth in the dust . The voice of the Lord ! The soft and still voice ! O my soul , wrap thy face in the mantle , and bow thy self to the ground , and put thee in the clif of the Rock , while Jehovah proclaimeth his Name , and maketh all his goodness to pass before thee .

The voice of the LORD . HEar , O ye ends of the Earth . The mighty God , the Lord hath spoken : Gather my Saints unto me , those that have made a Covenant with me by sacrifice . a a Psal. 50.1,5 . Behold I establish my Covenant between me , and you . b b Gen. 17.7 . By my holiness have I sworn , that I will be your Covenant-friend . I lift up my hands to heaven , I swear I live for ever ; and because I live , you shall live also . c c Ioh. 14.19 . I will be yours : d d Jer. 32.38,40 . Yours to all intents and purposes : Your refuge and your rest , e e Jer. 50.6 . Psal. 90.1 . Psal. 46.1 . your Patron and your Portion ; f f Psal 73.26 . Esay 25.4,5 . your Heritage and your Hope ; your God , and your Guide . g g Psal. 48.14 . While I have , you shall never want ; and what I am to my self , I will be to you . h h Psal. 34.9,10 . And you shall be my People , a chosen generation , a Kingdom of Priest , an holy Nation , a peculiar Treasure unto me above all people . i i Exod. 19.5.6 . 1 Pet. 2.9 . I call Heaven and Earth to witness this day , that I take you for mine for ever . My Name shall be upon you , and you shall be Pillars in the Temple of your God , and shall go no more out . k k Rev. 3.12 .

My Livery shall you wear , and the stamp of my own Face shall you carry ; l l Ezek. 36.25,26 . with Eph. 4.24 . and I will make you my Witnesses , and the Epistles of Christ unto the world , m m Esay 24 8. 2 Cor. 3.3 . and you shall be chosen Vessels , to bear my Name before the sons of men . And that you may see I am in earnest with you , lo I make with you an everlasting Covenant , ordered in all things , and sure ; n n 2 Sam. 23 5. and do here solemnly deliver it to you , as my act and deed , sealed with sacred blood , o o 1 Cor. 11.25 . and ratified with the Oath of a God ; p p Heb. 6.17 . a God that cannot lie , that knows no place for repentance . q q Tit. 1,2 . 1 Lam. 15.29 . Come ye blessed , receive the Instrument of your salvation : take the writings , behold the s●als ; here are the conveyances of the Kingdom . Fear not , the do●ation is free , and full . See , it is written in blood , founded on the All-sufficient merits of your Surety , r r Heb. 9.16,17,18 . in whom I am well pleased , s s Matth. 3.17 . whose death makes this Testament unchangeable for ever ; so that your names can never be put out , not your Inheritance alienated , nor your Legacies diminished ; nothing may be altered , nothing added , nothing substracted , no not for ever . t t Gal. 3.15,16,17 . Happy art thou O Israel ! Who is like unto thee , O People ! The blessings of the Covenant , are either its glorious Liberties , and Immunities , or its Royal Priviledges and Prerogatives . u u Deut. 33.29 . Onely believe , and know your own blessedness . Attend O my Children , unto the blessings of your Father , and hear , and know the glorious immunities , and the Royal Prerogatives that I here confirm upon you .

The Immunities and Liberties of the Covenant consisting in 1. Our general discharge from all our debts . Here I seal you your Pardons . Though your sins be as many as the sands , and as mighty as the Mountains , I will drown them in the deeps of my bottomless mercies . w w Micah 7.19 . I will be merciful to your unrighteousness : I will multiply to pardon x x Heb. 8.12 . where your sins have abounded , my grace shall super-abound ; though they be as scarlet , they shall be white as snow ; though red like crimson , they shall be as wooll . y y Esay 1.18 . Behold I declare my self satisfied , and pronounce you absolved : z z Job 33.24 . The price is paid , your debts are cleared , your Bonds are cancelled . a a Esay 43.25 . Coll. 2.13,14 .

Whatever the Law , or Conscience , or the Accuser hath to charge upon you , here I exonerate you , I discharge you . I , even I am he , that blotteth out your transgressions , for my Names sake . Who shall lay any thing to your charge , when I acquit you ? Who shall impeach , or implead you , when I proclaim you guiltless ? b b Rom. 8.33,34 . Sons , Daughters , be of good chear , your sins are forgiven you . c c 1 Ioh. 2.12 . Mat. 9.2 . I will sprinkle your consciences , and put the voice of peace into their mouths , d d Ezek. 36.25 . Heb. 9.14 . Esay 57.19 . and they shall be your Registers , in which I will record your Pardon , and the voyce of Guilt , and Wrath , and Terrour shall cease . e e Heb. 10.22 . Esay 27.4,5 .

2. Our release from the house of bondage ; particularly , Here I sign your release from the house of Bondage ; f f Rom. 6.17,18 . 1 Cor. 7.22 . Come forth ye captives , come forth ye prisoners of hope ; for I have found a ransom g g Job 33.24 . : I proclaim liberty to the captives , and the opening of the prison to them that are bound . h h Esay 61.1 . & 42.7 . Behold , I have broken your bonds , and shook the foundations of your prisons , and opened the iron gates i i Luke 4.18 . . By the blood of the Covenant have I sent forth the prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water . k k Zech. 19.11 . Arise , O redeemed of the Lord , put off the raiment of your captivities , arise and come away .

From the dark and noisome prison of sin . The dark and noisome prison of sin shall no longer detain you . l l John 8.34,35,36 . I will loose your fetters , and knock off your bolts . Sin shall not have dominion over you . m m Rom. 6.14 . .

I will heal your back-slidings , I will subdue your iniquities , n n Mic. 7.19 . Jer. 3.12 . I will sanctifie you wholly , o o 1 Thess. 5.23,24 . and will put my fear in your hearts , that you shall not depart from me . p p Jet . 32.40 . Though your corruptions be strong and many ; yet the aids of my Spirit , and cleansing vertue of my word , and physick of my corrections shall so work together with your prayers and endeavours , as that they shall not finally prevail against you , but shall surely fall before you . q q Ezek. 36.27 . Eph , 5.26 . Esau 27.9 .

From the strong and stinking goal of the grave . From the strong and stinking goal of the grave do I deliver you . O death I will be thy plagues , O grave I will be thy destruction , r r Hos. 13.14 . my Beloved shall not ever see corruption . s s Psal. 16.10 .

I will change your rottenness into glory , and make your dust arise , and praise me . t t Dan. 12.2,3 . Esay 26.19 . What is sown in weakness I will raise in power : what is sown in corruption I will raise in incorruption : what is sown a natural body , I will raise a spiritual body . u u 1 Cor. 15.42,43,44 . This very flesh of yours , this corruptible flesh shall put on incorruption ; and this mortal shall put on immortality . w w 1 Cor. 15.53 . Death shall be swallowed up in victory , and mortality of life . x x 2 Cor. 5.4 . 1 Cor. 15.54 . Fear not , O my children ; Come , and I will shew you the enemy that you dreaded . See , here lies the King of terrours , like Sisera in the tent , fastened to the ground , with the nail struck through his temples . Behold the grateful present , the head of your enemy in a Charger : I bequeath you your conquered adversary , and make over death as your Legacy . y y 1 Cor. 3.22 . O death where is thy sting ? where now is thine armour wherein thou trustedst ? z z 1 Cor. 15.55 . Come my people , enter into your chambers : a a Esay 26.20 . Come to your beds of dust , a a Esay 26.20 . and lay you down in peace , and let your flesh rest in hope ; b b Esa. 57.2 . for even in this flesh shall you see God . c c Psal. 16.91 . Job 19.25,26,27 . O ye slain of death , your carcases , now as loathsome as the carrion in the ditch , will I redeem from the power of the grave , d d Psal. 49.15 . & fashion those vile bodies like unto the glorious body of your exalted Redeemer . e e Phil. 3.21 . Look , if you can on the Sun , when shining in his strength , with such dazling glory will I cloath you , O ye of little faith . f f Mat. 13.43 .

From the dungeon of eternal darkness . From the terrible dungeon of eternal darkness do I hereby free you . Fear not , you shall not be hurt of the second death , g g Rev. 2.11 . Rom. 8.1 . you are delivered from the wrath to come , and shall never come into condemnation h h 1 Thess. 1.10 . Joh. 5.24 . . The flames of Tophet shall not be able to singe the hairs of your heads , no nor the smell of the fire pass upon you . Stand upon the brink , and look down into the horrible pit , the infernal prison , from whence I have freed you .

See you how the smoke of their torments ascendeth for ever and ever i i Rev. 14.11 . ? Hea● you the cursings and ravings , the roarings and blasphemies k k Mat. 25.30 . ? What think you of those hellish fiends ? would you have been willing to have had them fo● your companions and tormentors l l Mat. 25.41 . ? wha● think you of those chains of darkness of the river of brimstone , of the instruments of torment for soul and body , of those weepings , and wailings , and gnashing of teeth . Can you think of an everlasting banishment of a go ye cursed ? could you dwell with everlasting ? could you abide with devouring fire l l Esay 33.14 . ? This is the inheritance you were born to . m m Eph. 2.3 . But I have cut off the entail , and wrought for you a great salvation . I have not ordained you to wrath , n n 1 Thess. 5.9 . but my thoughts towards you are thoughts of peace . o o Jer. 29.11 .

3. Our pretection from all our enemies . Here I deliver you your protection . From all your enemies will I save you . p p 2 King . 17.39 . From the arrests of the Law . I grant you a protection from the arrests of the Law : your surety hath fully answered it ; q q Gal. 3.13 Rom. 4.10 . my Justice is satisfied , my wrath is pacified , my honour is repaired . r r Dan. 2.24 . 2 Cor. 5.19.20 . Behold , I am near that justifie you , who is he that shall condemn you ? Es. 50.8 .

From the powers of darkness . From the usurped dominion of the powers of darkness . t t Col. 1.13 . I will tread Satan shortly under you , and will set your feet in triumph upon the necks of your enemies . u u Rom. 16.20 . Let not your hearts be troubled ; though you be to wrestle with principa●ities and powers , and the rulers of the darkness of this world : w w Eph. 6.12 . for stronger ●s he that is in you , then he that is in the world . x x 1 Joh. 4.4 . He may bruise your heel , but you shall bruise his head . y y Gen. 3.15 . Behold your Redeemer leading captivity captive , spoiling principalities and powers , and triumphing over them openly in his Cross . z z Col. 2.15 . See how Satan falleth like lightning from Heaven , a a Luk. 10.18 . and the Sampson of your salvation beareth away the gates of Hell posts , and all upon his shoulders , and setteth them up as Trophies of his Victory : how he pulleth out the throat of the Lion , and lifteth up the heart of the Traitour upon the top of his spear , and washeth his hands , and dyeth his robes in the blood of those your enemies . b b Isa. 63.1,2,3 .

From the victory of the world . From the victory of the world , c c 1 John 5.4 . Gal. 1.4 . neither its frowns nor its flatteries shall be too hard for your victorious faith . Though it raise up Egypt , and Amalek , and Moab , and all its whole Militia against you : yet it shall never keep you out of Canaan . Be of good comfort , your Lord hath overcome the world . d d Joh. 16.33 . Though its temptations be very powerful , yet this upon my faithfulness will I promise you , that no such shall come upon you , but what you shall be able to bear : But if I see such trials ( which you fear ) would be too hard for your graces , and overthrow your souls , I will never suffer them to come upon you ; nay , I wil make your enemy to serve you , e e 1 Cor. 10.13 . and do bequeath the world as part of your Dowry to you . f f 1 Cor. 3.22 .

From the cusre of the Cross . From the curse of the Cross . g g Psal. 119.71 . Affliction shall prove a wholsom Cup to you ; your Lord hath drunk the Venom into his own body , and what remains for you is but a healthful Potion , which I will promise you , shall work for your good . h h Rom. 8.28 . Be not afraid to drink , nor desire the cup should pass from you : I bless the cup before I give it unto you . i i Job 5.17 , &c. Drink you all of it , and be thankful ; you shall finde my blessing at the bottom of the cup , to sweeten the sharpest afflictions to you . k k Jam. 5.1.12 . Psal. 94.12 . I will stand by you in all conditions , and be a fast friend to you in every change . l l Esay 43.2 . In the Wilderness I will speak comfortably to you , and in the fire , and in the water , I will be with you . m m Hos. 2.14 . I will be a strength to the poor , and a strength to the needy in his distress ; a Refuge from the storm , and a shadow from the heat , when the blast of terrible ones is as a storm against the Wall . n n Esay 25.4 . Your sufferings shall not be a cup of Wrath , but a Grace cup ; not a Curse , but a Cure ; not a cure of trembling , but a cup of blessing to you . o o Heb. 12.6,7,8 . They shall not hurt you , but heal you . p p Psal. 119 67. My blessing shall attend you in every condition . q q Gen. 26.3 . I say not onely , Blessed shall you be in your Basket , and blessed in your store ; but blessed shall you be in your Poverty , r r Gen. 28.15 . and blessed shall you be in your streights : not onely blessed shall you be in your cities , and blessed shall you be in your fields , ; but blessed shall you be in your bonds , and blessed shall you be in your banishment . s s Mark 9.29 30. 1 Pet. 3.14 . Blessed shall you be when you are persecuted , and when you are reviled , and your name is cast out as evil : Yea then doubly blessed . t t Mat. 5.10,11,12 . My choisest blessings , greatest good , and richest sweets will I put into your evill things . u u 1 Pet. 4.13,14 . Luk. 6.20,21,22 . These happy Immunities , these glorious Liberties of the sons of God , by this immutable Charter I do for ever settle upon you ; and do in , and with my Covenant unalterably , irrevocably , everlastingly convey unto you , and confirm upon you .

The Priviledges , and Prerogatives of ●he Covenant . Yea , I will not onely free you from your miseries ; but will confer upon you Royal Priviledges , and Prerogatives , and in state you into higher , and greater happiness then ever you have fallen from . Lo I give my self to you , and all things with my self .

He gives himself to us for our God . Behold O ye sons of men ! Behold and wonder . Be astonished O Heavens ! Be moved , ye strong foundations of the Earth ! For you shall be my witnesses . This day do I by Covenant bestow my self upon my servants . w w Gen. 17.7 . I will be your God , for ever and ever ; x x Psal. 48.14 . Jer. 32.38 . Rev. 21.3 . Your Own God : y y Psal. 67.6 . Psal. 16.2 . Nothing in the world is so much your own as I. The Houses that you have built , that you have bought , are not so much yours as I am . Here you are Tenants at will ; but I am your eternal Inheritance . z z Psal. 16.5 . with 73.26 . These are loans for a season , but I am your dwelling place in all generations . a a Psal. 90.1 . You have no where so great a Propriety , so sure and unalterable claim , as you have here . What do you count your own ? Do you count your bodies your own , your souls your own ? Nay these are not your own ; they are bought with a Price . b b 1 Cor 6.19,20 . But you may boldly make your claim to me ; you may freely challenge an Interest in me . c c Jer. 3.19 . Esay 63.16 . Come near , and fear not ; where should you be free , if not with your own ? where should you be bold , if not at home ? You are never in all the world so much at home , as when you are with me . You may freely make use of me , or of any of my Attributes , when ever you have need . d d Psal. 50.15 . Jer. 49.11 . Psal. 145.18 . I will be all to you , that you can wish . To be to us instead of all Relations . Our friend . e e Esay 41.8 . Jam. 2.2,3 . I will be a friend to you . f f Psal. 25.14 Ioh. 15.15 . My secrets shall be with you , and you shall have all freedom of access to me , and liberty to pour out all your hearts into my bosom . g g Eph. 3.12 . Heb. 4.16 .

Our Physitian . I will be a Physitian to you . I will heal your back-slidings , and cure all your diseases , h h Hos. 14.4 . Psal. 103.3 . Fear not , never did soul miscarry , that left it self in my hands , and would but follow my prescriptions .

Our Shepherd . I will be a Shepherd to you . i i Psal. 23.1 . and 80,1 . Be not afraid of evil tidings , for I am with you ; my rod , and my staff shall comfort you . You shall not want , for I will feed you ; you shall not wander ( to be lost , ) for I will restore you . I will cause you to lie down in green Pastures , and lead you beside the still waters . k k Psal. 23. I will gather you with mine arms , and carry you in my bosom , and will lead on softly , as the flock and the children be able to endure . l l Esay 43.11 . Gen. 33.31,14 . If Officers be careless , I will do the work my self . I will judge between cattel , and cattel . I will seek that which was lost , and bring again that which was driven away , and bind up that which was broken , and strengthen that which was sick ; but I will destroy the fat , and the strong , and will feed them with judgement . m m Ezek. 34.16,17 . with verse 2 , 3 , 4. I will watch over my flock by night . n n Esay 27.3 . Behold , I have appointed my Ministers as your Watchmen , and Overseers that watch for your souls . o o Heb. 13.17 . Act. 20.28 . Yea , mine Angels shall be your Watchers , and shall keep a constant Guard upon my Flock . p p Dan. 3.17,23 . Psal. 34.7 . And if peradventure the servants should sleep , q q Mat. 13.25,27 . mine own eyes shall keep a perpetual watch over you , by night , and by day . r r Psal. 34.15 . and 33 18. 2 Chron. 16.9 . The Keeper of Israel never slumbreth , nor sleepeth , s s Psal. 122.3,4,5 . nor withdraweth his eyes from the righteous . t t Job 36.7 . I will guide you with mine eye ; I will never trust you out of mine own sight . u u Psal 32.8 .

Our Soveraign . I will be a Soveraign to you . The Lord is your Judge , the Lord is your Lawgiver , the Lord is your King . w w Esa. 33.22 . Fear not the unrighteousness of men . I will judge your cause , I will defend your rights . x x Deu. 32 36. Psal. 140.12 . and 9,4 . You shall not stand at mans Bar ; you shall not be cast at their Vote ; y y 1 Cor. 4.3,5 . 2 Cor. 10.18 . let them curse , I will bless ; let them condemn , I will justifie . z z Esay 50.9 . Gen. 12.3 . When you come upon tryal for your lives , to have your eternal state decided , you shall see your friend , your father , upon the Bench. a a Psal. 88.9 . Eccles. 3.16,17 . Into my hands shall your cause be cast , and you shall surely stand in judgement , and be found at the right hand among the sheep , and hear the King say , Come ye blessed , inherit the Kingdom . b b Matt. 25.33,34 . Matt 10.32 .

Our Husband . I will be an Husband to you . c c Esay 54.5 . In loving kindness , and in mercies will I betroth you unto me for ever . d d Hos. 2.19,20 . I will espouse your Interest , and will be as o●e with you , and you with me . e e Matt 25.40,45 . Acts 9.4,5 . Zach , 2.8 . You shall be for me , and not for another ; and I also will be for you . f f Hos. 3.3 . Though I found you as an helpless Infant , exposed in its blood , all your unworthiness doth not discourage me . Lo I have look'd upon you , and spread my skirt over you , and washed you , and put my comeliness upon you . Moreover , I swear unto you , and enter into Covenant with you , and you shall be mine . g g Ezek. 16.4 , to the 10 Behold I do ( as it were ) put my self out of my own power , and do here solemnly , in this my Marriage-Covenant , make away my self to you , h h Jer. 24.7 , and 30.21,22 , & 31. ●3 . 34 . and with my self all things . i i Rev. 21.7 . I will be an everlasting Portion to you . k k Ezek. 44.28 . Jer. 51.19 Psal. 119.57 . Lift up now your eyes Eastward , and Westward , and Northward , and Southward . Have you not a worthy Portion , a goodly heritage ? Can you cast up your riches , or count your own happiness ? Can you fathom Immensitie , or reach Omnipotency , or comprehend Eternity ? All this is yours . I will set open all my treasures to you ; I will keep back nothing from you .

He maketh over himself to us , in all his Essential Perfections , and Personal Relations . All the Attributes in the Godhead , and all the Persons in the Godhead , do I hereby make over to you . In all his Essential Perfections I will be yours in all my Essential Perfections , and in all my Personal Relations .

In all mine Essential Perfections .

Mine Eternity , shall be the date of your happiness .

His Eternity , as the date of our happiness . I am the Eternal God ; and while I am , I will be life , and blessedness to you . l l Psal. 90.1,2 . with Psal. 48.14 . 1 Tim. 1.17 . with 1 Pet. 5.10 . I will be a never failing Fountain of Joy , and Peace , and Bliss unto you . m m Psal. 36.7,8,9 . and 16.11 . Esay 35.10 . I am the first , and last , that was , and is , and is to come , and mine eternal Power , and Godhead , shall be bound to you . n n Jer. 32.40 .

I will be your God , your Father , your Friend , while I have any being . o o Esay 9. Jer. 10.10 . I have made mine everlasting choice in pitching upon you . p p Psal. 132.13,14 . Hos. 2.19 . Fear not , for the Eternal God is your Refuge , and underneath are the everlasting Armes . q q Deut. 33.27 . My durable riches , and righteousness shall be yours . r r Prov. 8.18 . Though all should forsake you , yet will not I forsake you . s s Heb. 13.5 . Psal. 27 10. When the world , and all that is therein shall be burnt up , I will be a standing Portion for you . When you are forgotten among the dead , with everlasting loving kindness will I remember you . t t Esay 54.10 .

His unchangeableness as the rock of our rest . Mine unchangeableness shall be the Rock of your rest . u u Mal. 3.6 . Psal. 62.6,7 . & 92.15 . When all the world is like the tumbling Ocean , round about you , here you may fix and settle . I am your resting place . w w Jer. 50.6 ; 2 Chr. 14.11 .

The immutability of my Nature , and of my Counsel , and of my Covenant , are sure footing for your faith , and a firm Foundation , for your strong and everlasting consolation . x x 2 Tim. 2.19 . Heb. 6.17,18 . When you are afflicted , tossed with Tempests , y y Esay 54.11 . and not comforted ; put into me : I am an Haven of Hope , I am an Harbour of rest for you ; here cast your Anchors , and you shall never be moved . z z Jer. 17.13.17 . Psal. 46.1,2,5 . and 125.1 .

His Omnipotency for our guard . Mine Omnipotency shall be your Guard . I am God Almighty , your Almighty Protector , your Almighty Benefactor . a a Gen. 15.1 . & 17.1 .

What though your enemies are many ? more are they that are with you , then they that are against you ; for I am with you b b 2 Chr. 32.78 . 2 King . 6.16 . . What though they are mighty ? they are not Almighty . Your Father is greater then all , and none shall pluck you , ( pluck while they will ) out of my hands . c c Ioh. 10.29 . Who can hinder my power , or obstruct my salvation d d Esay 43.13 . Dan. 4.35 . 2 Pe. 2.9 . ? Who is like unto the God of Ieshurun , who rideth on the Heaven for your help , and in his excellency on the skie ? I am the sword of your strength , & the shield of your excellency . e e Deu. 33 26,29 . I am your rock & your fortress , your deliverer , your strength , the horn of your salvation , your buckler , & your high tower . f f Psal. 18.2 . I will maintain you against all the power of the enemy . You shall never sink , if Omnipotency can support you . g g 1 Pe. 1.5 Ex. 28.12 . The gates of Hell shall not prevail against you . h h Mat. 16.18 . Your enemies shall find hard work of it . They shall overcome victorie , or enervate Omnipotencie , or corrupt fidelitie , or change immutabilitie , or else they cannot finally prevail against you , either they shall bow or break i i Rev. 3.9 Es. 66.24 Though they should exalt themselves as the Eagle , though they should set their nest among the stars , even there will I bring them down , saith the Lord . k k Oba . 4. Ier. 49.16 .

His faithfulness for our security My faithfulness shall be your security , l l Ps. 89.33,34,35 . my truth , yea my oath shall fail if ever you come off losers by me . m m Es. 54.9,10 . with Mark 10.29,30 . I will make you to confess , when you see the issue and upshot of all my providences , that I was a God worthy to be trusted , worthy to be believed , worthy to be rested in , and relied upon . n n Psa. 34.4,5,6,8 , & 84.12 . & 146.5 . Ier. 17.7,8 . Psa. 22.4,5 . If you walk not in my judgements , you must look for my threats and frowns , yea and blows too , and you shall see that I am not in j●st with you , nor will indulge you in your sins . o o Psa , 89.30,31,32 , &c. Am. 3.2 . & 2 Sam. 12. to 15. 1 Pe. 4.17 . Nevertheless my loving kindness will I never take from you , nor suffer my faithfulness to fail . My Covenant will I not break , nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips .

His mercies as our store . My mercies shall be your store . p p Es. 54.7 & 63 7. Ps. 119.41 . I am the Father of mercies , and such a Father I will be to you . q q 2 Co. 1.3 . I am the fountain of mercies , and this fountain shall be ever open to you . r r Ps. 36.9 with Rev. 21 6. My mercies are very many , and they shall be multiplied towards you ; s s Neh. 9.7 . with Es. 55.7 . very great , and they shall be magnified upon you ; t t 1 Ch. 21.13 . with Gen. 19.19 . very sure , and they shall be for ever sure to you ; u u Es. 55.3 . very tender , and they shall be infinitely tender of you . w w Ps. 119.156 . with 103.4 . Though the fig-tree do not blossom , nor the vine bear , nor the flock bring forth ; fear not , for my compassions fail not . x x Hab. 3.17 . Lam. 3.22 . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the daies of your lives . y y Ps. 23.6 . Even to your old age I am he , and even to hoar hairs will I carrie you : I have made , and I will bear , even I will carrie and deliver you . z z Es. 46.4 . I will make an everlasting Covenant with you , that I will not turn away from you to do you good . a a Ier. 32.40 . I swear that I will shew you the kindness of God . b b 1 Sam. 20.14,15,17 . with Esay 54,9,10 . I can as soon forget to be God , as forget to be gracious . c c Psa. 77.9 . While my name is Jehovah , merciful , gracious , long-suffering , abundant in goodness and truth , I will never forget to shew mercy to you . d d Ps. 103.17 . with Ex. 34.6,7 . All my waies towards you shall be mercy and truth . e e Psa. 25.10 . I have sworn that I would not be wroth with you , nor rebuke you , for the mountains shall depart , and the hills be removed , but my kindness shall not depart from you , neither shall the Covenant of my peace be removed , saith the Lord that hath mercy on you .

His omnisciency as our Overseer . Mine Omnisciencie shall be your overseer , mine eies shall be ever open , observing your wants to relieve them , and your wrongs to avenge them . f f 1 Pet. 3.12 . Ex. 3.7 . Mine ears shall be ever open to hear the prayers of my poor , the cries of mine oppressed , the clamours , calumnies , and reproaches of your enemies . g g Psal. 34.15 . Exod. 2.24,25 . Zeph. 2.8,9,10 . Surely I have seen your affliction , and know your sorrowes . And shal not God avenge his own Elect ? I will avenge them speedily . h h Luk. 18.7,8 . I see the secret Plots , and Designes of your enemies against you , * * Jer. 18.23 . and will disannul their Counsels . i i Esay 8.10 . with 29.14,15 . Psal. 33.10 . I see your secret integrity , and the uprightness of your hearts towards me , while the carnal and censorious world condemn you as Hypocrites . k k Job 1.8,9,10,11 . 2 Chron. 15.17 . Your secret Prayers , Fasts , and Tears , which the world knoweth not of , I observe them , and record them . l l Matt. 4.6,18 . Act. 10.4 . Your secret care to please me , your secret pains with your own hearts , m m Mat. 25.34,35,36 . 2 Chron. 34.27 . your secret self-searchings , and self denyal ; I see them all , and your Father which seeth in secret , shall reward them openly .

His wisdom as our Counsellor - My wisdom shall be your Councellor . If any want wisdom , n n Jam. 1.5 . let him ask of me , and it shall be given him . I will be your Deliverer . When you are in darkness , I will be a light to you . o o Mic. 7.8 . I wil make your way plain before you . p p Esay 43.19 . and 57.14 . You are but short sighted , but I will be eyes to you . q q Esay 42.6,7 . and 49.6 . I will watch over you , to bring upon you all the good I have promised r r Jer. 31.28 . with 32.24 . and to keep off the evil you fear , or to turn it into good . s s Psal. 91.10,14 . Jer. 24.5 . You shal have your food in its season , and your Physick in its season : Mercies , Afflictions , all suitable , and in their season . t t Psal. 23.2,3 . 1 Pet. 1.6 . Esay 27.7,8,9 .

I will outwit your Enemies , and make their Oracles to speak but folly . u u Esay 19.11,12,13,14 . The old Serpent shal not deceive you . I will acquaint you with his devices . w w 2 Cor. 2.11 . The deceitful hearts you fear , shal not undoe you , I will discover their wiles .

I know how to deliver the godly out of temptation , and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished . x x 2 Pet 2.9 . Trust in me with all your hearts , and lean not to your own understanding . y y Prov. 3.5,9 . I am God that performeth all things for you . z z Psal. 57.2 . I will forfeit the reputation of my wisdom , if I make you not to acknowledge , when you see the end of the Lord , a a Jam. 5.11 . ( though at present you wonder , and reach not the meaning of my proceedings ) b b Jer. 12.1 . that all my works are in Weight , and in Number , and in Time , and in Order : c c Ecc. 3.14 If I force you not to cry out , Manifold are thy works , in wisdom hast thou made them all . d d Psal. 33.4 , & 145.10 . Psal. 104.24 .

His Justice as our Avenger and Rewarder . My Justice shall be your Revenger and Rewarder . e e 2 Thess. 1.6 . 2 Tim. 4.8 Fear not to approach ; fury is not in me . f f Esay 27.4 . My Justice is not onely appeased towards you , but engaged for you . I am so fully satisfied in the sacrifice of my Beloved , that Justice it self , that was as a flaming sword , drawn against you , shall now greatly befriend you ; and that which was an amazing , confounding Terror , shall now become your relief , and consolation . g g Eccles. 3 16,17 . and 5.8 . Psal. 96.10,11,12,13 . Psal 97.1 . with 99.1 . Under all your Oppressions , here shal your refuge be . h h Psal. 6.9 . and 103.6 . Let me know your grievances , my Justice shall right your wrongs , and reward your services . i i Psal. 146.7 , Heb. 6.10 . You may conclude upon your Pardons , conclude upon your Crowns , conclude upon Reparations for all your injuries , and all from the sweet consideration of my Justice , k k 1 Joh. 1.9 . 2 Tim. 4.8 . 2 Thess. 14.5 . 1 Pet. 2.23 . the thought of which , to others , is as the horrour of the shadow of death . If you sin , despair not ; remember , I am just to forgive you . If you are at any pains or cost for me , do not count it lost ; for I am not unrighteous to forget you . I am the righteous Judge , that have laid up for you , and will set on you the Crown of righteousness . Are you reviled , persecuted , defamed ? Forget not that I am righteous , to render tribulation to them that trouble you , and to you that are troubled , rest with me . Though all your services and sufferings , deserve not the least good at my hands , yet as I have freely passed my promise to reward them , so I will as justly keep it .

His Omnipresence , as company for us . Mine Omnipresence shall be company for you . l l 1 Chro. 22.18 . Josh. 1.5.9 . Esay 41.10 . Surely I will be with you , to bless you . m m Gen. 26 24. . I will never leave you nor forsake you . No Bolts , nor Bars , nor Bonds , nor Banishment , shal remove you from me , nor keep my presence , and the influences of Heaven from you . n n Gen. 3● . 21.23 . I am alwaies with you : o o Matt. 28 20. In your darkest nights , in your deepest dangers , I am at hand with you , a very present help in the time of trouble p p Psal. 46.1 . and 34.18 . I am not a God afar off , or asleep , or in a journey , when you need my counsel , mine ear , or mine aid : I am alwaies nigh unto them that fear me . q q Psal. 145 18.

No Patmos , no Prison shall hinder the presence of my grace from you . r r Rev. 1.9,10 . Act. 16 25,26 . My presence shall perfume the noysomest Wards , and lighten the darkest Dungeons where you can be thrust . s s Act. 12.7 Esay 58.10 .

His Holiness as a Fountain of grace to us . My holiness shall be a fountain of grace to you . t t Ioh. 1.16 2 Pet. 1.4 . I am the God of hope , u u Rom. 15.13 . the God of love , w w 2 Cor. 13.11 . the God of patience , x x Ro. 15.5 . the Author and finisher of faith , y y Heb. 12.2 . the God of all grace , z z 1 Pet. 5.10 . and I will give grace to you . a a Psal. 84 11. My design is to make you partakers of my Holiness . b b Heb. 12.10 . I will be a constant spring of spiritual life to you . c c Gal. 2.20 . Ioh. 14. and 8.12 . and 10.10 and 14.6 . The water that I shal give you , shal be in you as a Well of water , springing up into everlasting life . The seed of life , that I shal put into you , shal be so f●d , and cherished , and maintained by my power , d d Ioh. 4.14 . that it shal be immortal . e e 1 Ioh. 3.9 . 1 Pet , 1.23 . Col. 2.19 . The Unction that you shal receive from the holy One , shal abide in you , & teach you all things ( necessary for you : ) and as it hath taught you , you shal abide in him . f f Ioh. 14.16,17 and 1 Ioh. 2.20,27 .

Keep but the Pipes open , and ply the means which I have prescribed , and you shal flourish in the Courts of your God . g g Prov. 8.34 . Psal. 92 13. Yea I will satisfie your souls in drought , and make fat your bones , and you shal be like a watered Garden , Esay 58.11 . Lo I will be as the dew unto you , and you shal grow as the Lilly , and cast forth your roots as Lebanon ; and your branches shal spread , and your beauty shal be as the Olive-tree . i i Hos. 14.5,6 . You shal stil bring forth fruit in old age , you shal be fat , and flourishing . Psal. 92.14 .

His Soveraignty to be ( as it were ) commanded by us . My Soveraignty shal be commanded by you . l l Gen. 32.26,28 . Deut. 9.14 . You shal be my Favourites , men of Power , to prevail with me . m m Hos. 12.4 . Jam. 5.17,18 , All mine Attributes , shal be at the command of your Prayers . n n Esay 45.11 .

His All-sufficiency to be the lot of our Inheritance In summe , mine Allsufficiency shal be the lot of your Inheritance . o o Gen. 17.1 . Lam. 3.14 . Psal. 16.5,6 . My fullness is your treasure . p p Numb. 18.20 . Deut , 10.9 . Psal. 16 5,6 . My house is your home . q q Psal. 91.1,9 . You may come as freely to my store , as to your own Cupboard . r r Eph. 3.12 . You may have your hand as freely in my Treasures , as in your own Purses . You cannot ask too much , you cannot look for too much from me . s s Eph. 3.20 . Mat. 7.8 . I will give you , or be my self to you instead of all comforts . t t Gen. 15.1 . Psal. 84.11 . You shal have children , or I will be better to you , then ten children . u u Esay 56.3,4 . You shal have riches , or I will be more to you then all riches . w w 2 Cor. 6.10 .

You shall have friends , if best for you , or else I will be your Comforter in your solitude , x x Esay 51.3 . Ioh. 14.26 . 2 Cor. 1.3,4 . your Counsellor in your distress , y y Psal. 73.24 . If you leave Father , or Mother , or Houses , or Lands for my sake , you shall have an hundred fold in me , even in this time . z z Mark 10 30. When your enemies shall remove your comforts , it shall be but as the letting the Cistern run , and opening the fountain , or putting out the candles , and letting in the sun . The swelling of the waters shal raise higher the Ark of your comfort . a a Ro. 5.3 . Heb. 10.34 . Act. 5.41 . I will be the staffe of bread to you , your life , and the strength of your daies . b b Deut. 30.20 . Esay 33.16 . I will be the house and home to you , you shall dwell with me , yea , dwell in me , and I in you . c c Deut. 33.12 . Iohn 14.23 . 1 Iohn 3.24 . I will stand and fall with you . d d Psa. 37.17,24 . & 54.4 . Esay 41.10 . I wil repair your losses , and relieve your needs . e e Phil. 4.19 . Mark 8.35 . Mat. 19.27,28,29 . Can you burn out the Lamp of Heaven , or lave out the boundless Ocean with your hands ? why the Sun shall be dark , and the Sea be dry , before the Father of Lights , the Fountain of Mercies shall be exhausted . Behold , though the world hath been spending upon the stock of my mercy , ever since I created man upon earth , yet it runs with full stream still . My Sun doth diffuse its Raies , and disburse its light , and yet shines as bright as ever , Much more can I dispence of my goodness , and fill my creatures brim-ful , and running over , and yet have never the less in my self : and till this all-sufficiency be spent , you shall never be undone . I am the God of Abraham , and of Isaac , and of Iacob , and whatever I was to them , I will be to you .

Are you in want , you know whither to go . I am ever at home , you shall not go away emptie from my door . Never distract your selves with cares and fears , but make known your requests by prayer and supplication unto me . f f Phi. 4.6 . I will help , when all do fail . g g Psa. 73.26 . Esa. 63,5 . Psal. 102.17 . When friends fail , and heart fails ; when your eye strings crack , and your heart strings crack ; when your acquaintance leave you , and your souls leave you , my bosome shall be open to you . h h Psa 49.15 . 2 Cor. 5 1. Luke 16.9,22 . I will lock up your dust , I will receive your souls .

His infiniteness to be the extent of our inheritance . And mine infiniteness shall be the extent of your inheritance . Can you by searching find out God ? can you find out the Almighty to perfection ? It is as high as Heaven , what can you do ? deeper then Hell , what can you know ? i i Iob 11.7,8,9 . with Psa. 50.7 . This heighth incomprehensible , this deep unfathomable shall be all yours , for ever yours .

I am your inheritance , which no lines can measure , no Arithmetick can value , no Surveyor can describe . k k Ezek. 44.28 . Eph. 3.8 . 1 Tim. 6.16 . Psa. 145.3 .

Lift up now your eies to the ancient mountains , and to the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills , all that you can see is yours : but your short sight cannot ken the moietie of what I give you ; and when you see and know most , you are no less then infinitely short of the discovery of your own riches . l l Iob 26.14 .

Yea further , I will be yours in all my personal relations .

In all his personal relations . God the Father to be a Father to us . I am the everlasting Father , and I will be a Father to you . m m Iohn 20.17 . I take you for my sons and daughters . n n Cor. 6.18 . Behold , I receive you not as servants , but as sons , to abide in my house for ever . o o Ioh. 8.35,36 . Whatever love , or care children may look for from their father , that may you expect from me ; p p Mat. 6.31,32 . and so much more as I am wiser , and greater , and better then any earthly parents . If earthly fathers will give good things to their children , much more will I give to you . q q Luke 11.13 . If such cannot forget their children , much less will I forget you . r r Esay 49 15. What would my children have ? your Fathers heart , and your Fathers house : s s ●ob . 7.17 . Ioh. 14 2 your Fathers care , and your Fathers ear : t t 1 Pet. 5.7 . Mat. 7,9 . your Fathers bread , and your Fathers rod , u u Luk. 12.30,31,32 . Heb. 12.7 . these shall be all yours .

He promiseth his fatherly affection . You shall have my fatherly affection , my heart I share among you ; my tenderest loves I bestow upon you . w w 1 Iohn 3.1 . Ier. 31.3 . Esa. 54.8 .

His fatherly compassion . My fatherly compassion . As a Father pittieth his children , so will I pittie you . x x Psa. 103.13,14 . I will consider your frame , and not be extream to mark what is done amiss by you , but cover all with the mantle of my excusing love . y y Psal. 78.39 .

His fatherly instruction . My fatherly instruction . I will cause you to hear the sweet voice behind you , saying , This is the way , z z Esay 30.21 . I will tender your weakness , and inculcate mine admonitions , line upon line , and seed you with milk when you cannot digest stronger meat . a a Esay 28,13 . 1 Cor. 3.2 . I will instruct you , and guide you with mine eye . b b Ps. 32.8

His fatherly protection . My fatherly protection . In my fear is strong confidence , and my children shall have a place of refuge . c c Prov. 14.26 . My Name shall be your strong Tower , to which you may at all times flie , and be safe . d d Prov. 18.10 . To your strong hold ye prisoners of hope . e e Zec. 9.12 I am an open refuge , a near and inviolable refuge for you . f f Ps. 48.3 Deut. 4.7 . Ioh. 10.29

His fatherly provision . My fatherly Provision . Be not afraid of want , in your Fathers house there is bread enough . g g Ps. 34.9 Luk. 15.17 I will care for your bodies . Cark not for what you shal eat , drink , or put on . Let it suffice you , that your Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all things . h h Mat. 6.25 . to the end . Luke 12.22 . to the 34. I wil provide for your souls , Meat for them and Mansions for them , and Portions for them . i i Ioh. 6.32 . to 59. Ps. 15.12 . Lam. 3.24 .

Behold I have spread the Table of my Gospel for you , with priviledges and comforts that no man taketh from you . k k Esay 25.6 . Mat. 22 4. Prov. 9.2 . I have set before you the bread of life , and the tree of life , and the water of life : l l Joh. 6.48 . Rev. 2.7 . and 22.17 . Eat , O friends , drink abundantly , O Beloved .

But all this is but a taste of what I have prepared . You must have but smiles and hints now , and be contented with glimpses , and glanses here ; but you shal be shortly taken up into your Fathers bosom , and live for ever , in the fullest viewes of his glory . m m 1 Thes. 4.17 .

His Fatherly Probation . My Fatherly Probation . I will chasten you , because I love you , that you may not be condemned with the world . n n 1 Cor. 11.32 . Prov. 3.11.12 .

God the Son to be a husband to us . My Son I give unto you , in a Marriage-Covenan● for ever : o o Esay 9.6 . and 42.6 . 2 Cor. 11.2 . I make him over to you , as Wisdom , for your Illumination ; Righteousness , for your Justification ; Sanctification , for the curing of your Corruptions , Redemption , for your Deliverance from your Enemies . p p 1 Cor. 1.30 . I bestow him upon you with all his fullness , all his merits , and all his graces . He shal be yours , in all his Offices . I have anointed him for a Prophet . Are you ignorant , he shal teach you ; he shal be eye-salve to you : q q Esay 49.6 . and 42.16 . Rev. 3.18 . I have sent him to Preach the Gospel to the poor , and recovering of sight to the blind ; to set at liberty them that are bruised . r r Luk. 4 : 18. I have established him by Oath , as a Priest for ever . s s Psal. 110 4. If any sin , he shall be your Advocate : He shal expiate your guilt , and make the Atonement . t t 1 Joh. 2.1,2 . Zech. 13.1 . Have you any sacrifice , any service to offer ; bring it unto him , and you shal receive an Answer of Peace . u u 1 Pet. 2.5 . Heb. 13.15 .

Present your Petitions by his hand , him will I accept . w w Ioh. 14.13.14 . Having such an High Priest over the house of God , x x Heb. 10.19,20,21,22 . you may come , and wellcome ; come with boldness . Him have I set up as King , upon my holy Hill of Sion . He shal rule you , he shal defend you . y y Esay 9.6,7 . Mat. 1.21 . He is the King of Righteousness , King of Peace ; and such a King shal he be to you . z z Heb. 7.2 . Jer. 23.6 . Eph. 2.14 . I will set up his Standard for you : a a Esay 49.22 . I will set up his Throne in you . b b Psal. 110 2. He shal reign in righteousness , and rule in Judgment : and he shal be a hiding place from the wind , a covert from the tempest , and the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land . c c Esay 32 . 1●2 . He shal hear your causes , judge your Enemies , d d Esay 11.3.4,5 . and reign till he hath put all under his feet . e e Psal. 110.1 . 1 Cor. 15.25 . Yea , and under your feet ; for they shal be as ashes under you , and you shal tread them saith the Lord of Hosts . f f Mal. 4.3 . Yea I will undo them that afflict you , and all they that despised you , shal bow themselves down at the soles of your feet . g g Esay 60. ●4 . Zeph. 3.19 . And you shal go forth , and behold the carkasses of the men that have transgressed against me , for their Worm shal not die , neither shal their fire be quenched ; and they shal be an abhorring to all flesh . h h Esay 66.24 .

God the Spirit to be Counsellour and Comforter to us . My Spirit do I give unto you for your Counsellour , and your Comforter . i i Ioh. 16.7 Rom. 8.14 He shal be a constant Inmate with you , and shal dwel in you , and abide with you for ever . k k Ezek. 36 27. Iohn 14.16,17 .

I consecrate you as Temples to his Holiness . l l 1 Cor. ● . 16,17 . and 6.19 . He shal be your Guide , he shal lead you into all truth . m m Gal. 5.18 . Ioh. 14 26. He shal be your Advocate , to endite your prayers , and make intercession for you , and shal fill your mouths with the Arguments , that he knows will prevail with me . n n Rom. 8.26.27 . He shal be Oyl to your Wheels , and Strength to your Ancles , Wine to your Hearts , and Marrow to your Bones , and Wind to your Sails . He shal witness your Adoption . o o Rom. 8.16 . He shal seal you up to the day of Redemption , and be to you the earnest of your Inheritance , until the redemption of the purchased possession . p p Eph. 4.30 . and 13,14 . 2 Cor. 1.22 .

He giveth all things with himself , both present and to come . And as I give you my self , so much more all things with my self . q q Rom 8.32 . Earth , and Heaven , Life , and Death , things present , and things to come . r r 1 Cor. 3.22 .

Things present ours . Things present are yours : Lo I give you Calebs blessing , The upper Springs , and the neather Springs . I will bless you with all Spiritual blessings , in Heavenly places in Christ . s s Eph. 1.3

The upper springs , or blessings spiritual , as Adoption , Access , Audience , Peace , Perseverance , &c. To you pertaineth the Adoption , and the Glory , and the Covenants , and the Service of God , and the Promises . t t Rom. 9.4 To you will I give the white Stone , and the new Name , u u Rev. 2.17 . access into my presence , w w Eph. 3.12 . the acceptation of your Persons , x x Eph. 1.6 the audience of your Prayers . y y 1 Joh. 5.14,15 .

Peace I leave with you , my peace I give unto you . z z Joh. 14.27 . I will undertake for your perseverance , and keep you to the end , and then will crown mine own gift with eternal life . a a Jer. 32.40 . Joh. 10 28,29 . 1 Pet. 1.5 . Phil. 1.6 . I have made you heirs of God , and co-heirs with your Lord Jesus Christ , and you shal inherit all things . b b Ro. 8.17 . Rev. 21.7 .

I have granted you mine Angels for your Guardians . The Protection of his Angels . The Courtiers of Heaven shal attend upon you ; they shal be all ministring spirits for your good . c c Heb. 1.14 . Behold I have given them charge over you , upon their fidelity to look after you , and as the tender Nurse , to bear you in their arms , and to keep you from coming to any hurt . d d Psal. 91.11,12 . These shal be as the careful Shepherds , to watch over my Flock by night , and to encamp round about my Fold . e e Psal. 34.7 .

The Inspection of his Ministers . My Ministers I give for your Guides . f f Eph 4.11 . Paul , Apollos , Cephas , all are yours . g g 1 Cor. 3.22 . I am alwaies with them , and they shal be alwaies with you to the end of the world . h h Matt. 28 20. Eph. 4.13 . You shal have Pastours after mine own heart , i i Jer. 3.15 . and 23.4 . and this shal be my Covenant with you , that my Spirit which is upon you , and my words which I have put into your mouth , shal not depart out of your mouth , nor the mouth of your seed , nor of your seeds seed , saith the Lord , from henceforth and for ever . k k Esay 59.21 .

The Rod of his Discipline . In short , All my Officers shal be for the profiting , and perfecting of you . l l Eph. 4.12 , All mine Ordinances shal be for edifying and saving of you . m m Act. 20.32 . Rom. 1.16 . The very severities of my house , Admonitions , Censures , &c. And the whole Discipline of my Family shal be for preventing , of your infection , curing of corruption , procuring your salvation . n n 1 Cor. 5.5,6,7 . Matt. 18.15 .

The light of his Word My WORD have I ordained , for converting your souls , enlightning your eyes , rejoycing your hearts , cautioning you of your dangers , cleansing your defilements , and conforming you to mine Image . o o Psal. 19 7,8,9,11 . Eph. 5 26. 2 Cor. 3.18 . To you I commit the Oracles of God . p p Rom. 3.2 Here you shal be furnished against Temptations ; q q Matt. 4.4,7 . Eph. 6.17 . hence you shal be comforted under Distresses and afflictio s. r r Psal. 119 92,93 . Here you shal finde my whole Counsel . s s Act. 20.27 . This shal instruct you in your way , correct you in your wandrings , direct you into the truths to be believed , detect to you the errours to be rejected . t t 2 Tim. 3.16 . Psal. 119.105 .

The pledges of his Sacraments . My Sacraments I give you , as the Pledges of my love . You shal freely claim them , they are childrens bread . Lo I have given them as Seals , to certifie all that I have here promised you ; u u Rom. 4.11 . and when these sacred signes are delivered unto you , then know , and remember , and consider in your hearts , that I therein plight you my troth , and set to my hand , and do thereby ratifie and confirm every Article of these Indentures , and do actually deliver into your own hands this glorious Charter , with all its Immunities and Priviledges , as your own for ever . w w 1 Cor. 11.25 . Gen. 17.10 .

The Nether-springs , or Mercies Temporal . And having sowed to you so largely in Spiritual blessings , shal you not much more reap the Temporal ? Be you not of doubtful mind , all these things shal be added unto you . x x Luk. 12.29,31 . The supply of his Creatures . My creatures I grant for your servants , and supplies . y y Psal. 8.3 . to the end Heaven and Earth shal minister to you . All the stars in their courses shal serve you , and ( if need be ) shal fight for you . z z Jud. 5.20 And I will make my Covenant for you with the Beasts of the field , and with the fouls of Heaven ; and you shall be in league with the stones of the field , and all shal be at peace with you . a a Job 5.23 Hos. 2.18 . I will undertake for all your necessities . Do I feed the Fowles , and clothe the grass ? and do you think I will neglect my children ? b b Matt. 6.25 . to the end . I hear the young Ravens when they cry ; shal I not much more fulfil the desires of them that fear me ? c c Psal. 145 19. with the 147.9 . Fear not , you shal be sure to want no good thing ; d d Psal. 34. ver. 10. and you would not your selves desire riches , pleasures , or preferment to your hurt . I will give meat to them that fear me : I wil be ever mindful of my Covenant e e Psal. 111 5.

The Cooperation of his Providences . My Providences shal cooperate to your good . f f Rom. 8.28 . The cross winds shal blow you the sooner and swifter into your Harbour . Y●u shal be preferred , when you seem most debased ; and then be greatest gainers , when you seem to be deepest losers ; and most effectually promote your good , when you seem most to deny it . g g 2 Cor. 4.17 . Mark 10.29 . Phil. 1.29 Things to come ours . Things to come are yours , the Perfecting of your souls , the Redemption of your bodies , the Consummation of your bliss .

At death in Glorification Initiate . When you have glorified me for a while on Earth , and finished the work I have given you to do , you shal be caught up into Paradise , and rest from your Labours , and your works shal follow you . h h Rev. 14.13 . Luke 23.43 . The Convoy of Angels . I will send of mine own Life-guard , to conduct home your departing souls , i i Luk. 16.22 . and receive you among the spirits of just men made perfect . k k Heb. 12.23 . And you shal look back upon Pharaoh , and all his Host , and see your enemies dead upon the Shore . Redemption from all Afflictions and Corruptions . Then shal be your Redemption from all your Afflictions , and all your Corruptions . l l Luk. ●1 . 28 . Eph. 4 30. The thorn in the flesh taken out The thorn in the flesh shal be pulled out , and the hour of temptation shal be over , and the Tempter for ever out of work .

The sweat wiped off from our browes . The sweat shal be wiped off from your browes , and the day of cooling and refreshing shal come , and you shal sit you down for ever under my shadow . m m Acts 3.19 . Heb , 4.9 . For the Lamb that is in the midst of the Throne shal feed you , and lead you to the living Fountains of waters . n n Rev. 7.17 .

The tears wiped away from our eyes . The tears shal be wiped away from your eyes , and there shal be no more sorrow , nor crying , neither shal there be any more pain ; for the former things are passed away , and behold I make all things new . o o Rev. 21.4,5 . I will change Marah into Naomi , and the cup of sorrow , into the cup of salvation , and the bread and water of affliction , into the wine of eternal consolation . p p Joh 16.20.21,22 . Luk. 6.21 . You shal take down your Harps from the Willows , and I will turn your tears into Pearls , and your penitential Psalms into songs of Deliverance . You shal change your Ichabods into Hosanna's ; and your Ejahs of sorrow , into Hallelujahs of Joy . q q Rev. 19.1,4,6 .

The Cross taken off from our backs . The cross shal be taken off from your backs , & you shal come out of your great Tribulations , and wash your Robes , and make them white in the blood of the Lamb ; and you shal be before the Throne of God , and serve him night and day in his Temple , and he that sitteth on the Throne , shall dwell among you , and you shal hunger no more , and thirst no more , neither shal the sun light upon you , nor any heat . r r Rev. 7.14,15,16 The load taken off from our consciences . The load shal be taken off from your Consciences . Sins nor doubts shal no more defile you , nor distress you . s s Rev. 21.27 . and Heb. 12.23 . I will make an end of sin , and knock off the Fetters of your corruptions , and you shal be a glorious Church , not having spot , or wrinkle , or any such thing , but Holy , and without blemish . t t Eph. 5.27 . Rev. 7.9.13,14 .

The souls admission into the chamber of Presence , and Vision of God . Thus shal you be brought to the King all glorious , in raiment of Needle-work , and clothing of Gold ; with gladness and rejoycing shal you be brought , and enter into the Kings Palace . u u Psa. 45.9,13,14,15 . So shal the beloved of the Lord dwel safely by him , and you shal stand continually before him , and behold the beauty of the Lord . and hear his Wisdom . w w 1 Cor. 13,12 . Then will I open in you an everlasting spring of joy , and you shal break forth into singing , and never cease more , nor rest day nor night , saying Holy , holy , holy . x x Rev. 4.8 . Ps. 16.11 .

Thus shal the grand Enemy expire with your breath , and the body of death be put off with your dying bodie ; and the day of your death shall be the birth-day of your glory . y y Phi. i. 23 Lu. 23.43

Have faith in God . z z Mark 11.22 . Wait but a little , and sorrow shall cease , and sin be no more .

At the Resurrection in Glorification consummate . Redemption compleat And then a little longer , and death shall be no more ; a a Rev. 20 14. and 21.4 . but your last enemy shall be destroyed , and your victory compleated . b b 1 Cor. 15.26 . The Return of the Redeemer . Yet a little while , and he that shall come will come , and you also shall appear with him in glory . c c Heb. 10 37. Col. 3.4 . This same Jesus which is taken from you into Heaven , d d Act. 1.11 . shall so come as he went up into Heaven : and when he cometh , he will receive you to himself , that where he is , there you may be also . e e Ioh. 14.3 Behold his sign ; he cometh in the clouds of Heaven with Power , & great Glory , & every eye shal see him , and all the Tribes of the Earth shal mourn because of him ; f f Rev. 1.7 Mat. 24.30 . but you shal lift up your heads , because the day of your Redemption draweth nigh . g g Luke 21.28 . The raising of the body . Then shal he sound his Trump , h h 1 Cor. 15.52 . 1 Thes. 4.16 . and make you to hear his voice in your dust , i i Ioh. 5.28 and shal send his mighty Angels to gather you from the four winds of heaven , k k Mat. 24.31 . who shal carry you in the triumphant Chariot of the Clouds , to meet your Lord ; l l 1 Thes. 4.17 . and you shal be prepared for him , and presented to him , as a Bride adorned for her Husband . m m Rev. 2.2 . And as you have borne the Image of the Earthly , so shal you bear the Image of the Heavenly , n n 1 Cor. 15.49 . Full conformity both in body and soul to our glorified Saviour . and you shal be fully conformed both in body and spirit , to your glorious head . o o Phil. 3.21 . Heb. 12.23 . Then shal he confess you before his Angels , p p Rev. 3.5 . Publick Approbation and Absolution . and you shal receive your open Absolution before all flesh , and be owned , approved , and applauded in the Publick audience of the general Assembly . q q Mat. 10.32 . and 26 32,34,35 , &c. Solemn Espousals . And you shal be with all Royal solemnities , espoused unto the King of glory , in the presence of all his shining Courtiers , r r Rev. 19.7,8 . 2 Cor. 4.14 . Mat. 25.31 . to the envy , and gnashing , and terror of your Adversaries . s s Luk. 13.28 .

The Co●ovation and Enthronement of the Saints . Their sitting in judgment up●n the World . So shal your Lord with his own hand crown you , t t Rev. 2.10 . and set you in Thrones , u u Rev. 3.21 . Mat. 19.28 . and you shal judge men , and Angels : w w 1 Cor. ● . 2,3 . and you shal have power over the Nations , x x Rev. 2.26,27 . and you shall set your feet upon the necks of your enemies . y y Psal. 49.14 .

Lo I have set the very day for your en●aiment ; z z Acts 17.31 . I have provided your Crowns , a a 2 Tim. 4.8 . I have prepared the King●om . b b Mat. 25.34 . Wherefore do you doubt , O you of little faith ? These are the true sayings of God . c c Rev. 19.9 . Are you sure that you are now on Earth ? so surely shal you be shortly with me in Heaven . Are you sure that you shal die ? so surely shal you rise again in glory . Lo , I have said it , and who shal reverse it ? You shal see me face to face , and be with me where I am , and behold my glory . d d 1 Cor. 13.12 . Ioh. 17.24 . For I will be glorified in my Saints , and admired in all them that believe ; e e 2 Thess. 1.10 . and all flesh shal know that I have loved you . f f Rev. 3 9. For I will make you the instances of my grace , g g Eph. 1.5 6. and 2.7 in whom the whole world shal see , how unutterably the Almighty God can advance the poor Worms-meat , and dust of the ground . And the despisers shal behold , and wonder , and perish : h h Act. 13.41 . for they shal be witnesses to the riches of my magnificence , and exceeding greatness of my Power . * * Luk. 16.23 . They shal go away into everlasting punishment , but you into life eternal . i i Mat. 25.46 .

Our Triumphant Ascension into heaven For no sooner shal their doom be past , but the Bench shal rise , k k Mat. 25.41,46 . and the Judge shal return with all his glorious Train ; with sound of trumpet , and shouts incredible shal he ascend , and shal lead you to your Fathers house . l l Psal. 45.14,15 . Mat. 25.23 . Joh. 14.2 . with 2 Cor. 5.1 . Then shal the triumphal Arches lift up their heads , and the everlasting Gates stand open , and the heavens shal receive you all , and so shal you be ever with the Lord . m m Joh. 12.26 . 1 Th. 4.17 .

And now will I rejoyce over you with singing , and rest in my love , n n Zeph. 3.17 . and Heaven shal ring with joyes and acclamations , because I have received you safe and sound . o o Luk. 15.10,23,25,27 .

And in that day you shal know , that I am a Rewarder of them that diligently seek me ; p p Heb. 11.6 . and that I did record your words , q q Mal. 3.16 . and bottle your tears , and tell your wandrings , r r Psal. 56.8 . and keep an account , even to a cup of cold water , of whatever you said or did for my Name . s s Mat. 10.42 . Blessed Eternity ! You shal surely finde , that nothing shal be lost ; t t 1 Cor. 15.58 . but you shal have full measure , pressed down , and running over , thousands of years in Paradise , for the least good thought , and thousand thousands , for the least good word ; and then the reckoning shal begin again , till all Arithmatick be non-plust . For you shal be swallowed up in a blessed Eternity , and the doors of Heaven shal be shut upon you , and there shall be no more going out . u u Dan. 12.2,3 . Rev. 3.12 . Luk. 16.26 .

Glorious company . The glorious Quire of mine holy Angels , the goodly fellowship of my blessed Prophets , the happy society of Triumphant Apostles , the royal Hosts of victorious Martyrs , these shal be your Companions for ever . w w Mat. 8.11,12 . Heb. 12.22,23 . And you shal come in white Robes , with Palmes in your hands , every one having the Harps of God , and golden Vials full of Odours , and shal cast your Crowns before me , and strike in with the multitude of the heavenly Hosts , glorifying God , and saying , Hallelujah ; the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth . x x Rev. 7.9,10,11,12 . and 19 5.6 . Blessing , honour , glory , and Power be unto him that sitteth upon the Throne , and unto the Lamb for ever and ever . y y Rev. 5.13 .

In short , I will make you equal to the Angels z z Luk. 20.36 . of God , and you shal be the everlasting Trumpets of my praise . a a Rev. 7.10,11,12,15 . You shal be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of my House , and I will make you drink of the Rivers of my pleasures . b b Psal. 36.8 . You shal be an eternal Excellency , c c Esay 60.15 . and if God can die , and Eternity run out , then , and not else shal your joyes expire . Beatifical Vision . For you shal see me as I am , d d 1 Joh. 3.2 . and know me , as you are known ; e e 1 Cor. 13 12. and shal behold my face in righteousness , and be satisfied with my likeness . f f Psal. 17.25 . And you shal be the vessels of my Glory , whose blessed use shall be to receive the overflowings of my Goodness , and to have mine infinite Love and Glory poured out into you brimfull , and running over for evermore . g g Rom. 9 23. 2 Tim. 2,20 . Rev. 22.1 .

And blessed is he that hath believed , for there shall be a performance of the things that have been told him . h h Lu. 1.45 . The Lord hath spoken it , you shall see my Face , and my Name shall be written in your foreheads , and you shall no more need the Sun , nor the Moon , for the Lord God shall give you light , and you shall reign for ever and ever . i i Rev. 22.3,4,5 .

He taketh us for his people . And as I give my self to you for your God , and all things with my self : so I take you for my Covenant-people , k k Heb 8.10 Esay 43 1. and you shall be mine in the Day when I make up my jewels , saith the Lord of hosts , and I will spare you as a man spareth his own Son that serveth him . l l Mal 3.17 The Lord shall count , when he writeth up the people , Surely they are my children . m m Psa. 87 6 Esay 63.8 .

I do not onely require you to be mine , if you would have me to be for you : but I do promise to make you mine , Lev. 20.26 . Ezek. 36. 28. and to work in you the conditions which I require of you . I will circumcise your hearts to love me . o o Deu. 30.6 . I will take out the heart of stone . p p Ezek. 36.26 . My Laws will I write within you . q q J●… . 31.33 .

Yet you must know that I will be sought unto for these things , r r Eze. 36,37 . and as ever you expect to partake of the mercies , I charge you to lie at the Pool , and wait for my Spirit , and be diligent in the use of the meanss s s Prov. 2.3.4,5 , and 8.38 . Lu. 11.13 .

I am content to abate the rigour of the old terms . t t Rom. 4.6 I shall not stand upon satisfaction . u u Lu. 7.42 I have received a ransome , and do onely expect your acceptance . w w Rev. 22.17 . 1 Tim. 2.6 . I shall not insist upon perfection . x x 1 Joh. 1.8,9 . Walk before me , and be upright , and sincerity shall carry the Crown . y y Prov. 11.20 . Gen. 17.1 . Psa. 97.11 . Yea , both the faith and obedience that I require of you are mine own gifts . z z Eph. 2.8 Phil. 2.13 .

I require you to accept my Son by believing : but I will give you an hand to take him , a a Phi. 1.29 Joh. 6.65 . and to submit to and obey him : but I must and will guide your hands to write after him , and cause you to walk in my statutes . b b Ezek. 36 27. I will take you by the arms , and teach you to go : c c Hos. 11.3,4 . I will order your steps . d d Psal , 37. ●3,31 . Yea those things will I accept of you , as the conditions of Life , which viewed in the strictness of my Justice , would deserve eternal Death . e e Eph. 3.8 with 1 Thess. 3.10 . Heb. 5.9 . with Eccl. 7.20 .

Grace ! Grace !

The voice of the Redeemed . AMen , Hallelujah . Be it to thy servants according to thy word . But who are we , and what is our Fathers House , that thou hast brought us hitherto ? And now O Lord God , what shal thy servant say unto thee ? for we are silenced with Wonder , and must sit down in Astonishment , for we cannot utter the least title of thy Praises . What meaneth the heighth of this strange love ? And whence is this unto us , that the Lord of Heaven and Earth should condescend to enter into Covenant with his Dust , and take into his Bosom the viperous brood , that have so often spit their venome in his face . We are not worthy to be as the Hand-maids , to wash the feet of the servants of our Lord : how much less to be thy Sons and Heirs , and to be made partakers of all these blessed Liberties and Priviledges , which thou hast settled upon us . But for thy goodness sake , and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things . Even so Father , because so it seemed good in thy sight .

Wherefore thou art great O God , for there is none like thee , neither is there any God besides thee . Sam. 7.18 . to the end . And what Nation on Earth is like thy people , whom God went to redeem for a people to himself , and to make him a name , and to do for them great things and terrible ? For thou hast confirmed them to thy self , to be a people unto thee for ever , and thou Lord art become their God .

Wonder O Heavens , and be moved O Earth , at this great thing ! Rev. 21.4 . For behold the Tabernacle of God is with men , and he will dwell with them , and they shall be his people , and God himself shall be with them , and be their God . Be astonished and ravished with wonder , for the infinite breach is made up . The Offender is received , and God and man reconciled , and a Covenant of peace entered , and Heaven and Earth are all agreed upon the termes , and have struck their hands , and sealed the Indentures . O happy Conclusion ! O blessed Conjunction ! Shall the stars dwell wtth the dust ? Or the wide distant Poles be brought to mutual embraces and cohabitation ?

But here the distance of the termes is infinitely greater , Rejoyce O Angels , shout O Seraphims . O all ye friends of the Bridegroom , prepare an Epithalamium , be ready with the Marriage song . Lo here is the wonder of wonders : For Jehovah hath betrothed himself for ever to his hopeless Captives , and ownes the Marriage before all the world , and is become one with us , and we with him . He hath bequeathed to us the precious things of Heaven above , and the precious things of the Earth beneath , with the fullness thereof , and hath kept back nothing from us .

And now , O Lord , thou art that God , and thy words be true , and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servants , and hast left us nothing to ask at thy hands , but what thou hast already freely granted . Onely the w●rd which thou hast spoken concerning thy servants , establish it for ever , and do as thou hast said , and let thy Name be magnified for ever , saying , The Lord of Hosts , he is the God of Israel . Amen .

Hallelujah .
A SOLILOQUY , Representing The Believers Triumph in Gods Covenant : And the various Conflicts , and glorious Conquests of Faith over Vnbelief . By the same Authour . CHAP. XVIII .

The soul taketh hold on Gods Covenant . YEa , Hath God said [ I will be a God unto thee ? ] Is it true indeed ? Will the Lord be mine ? Will he lay aside the Controversie , and conclude a Peace ? Will he receive the Rebel to mercy , and open his doors to his Prodigal ? I will surely go unto my Father , I will take unto me words , and bow my self before his Foot-stool , and say ; Esay 56.4 . O Lord , I have heard thy words , and do here lay hold on thy Covenant . I accept the kindness of God , and will adventure my self upon thy Fidelity , and trust my whole happiness here and hereafter upon these thy Promises .

Farewel deceitful world , get thee under my feet . Too long have I feared thy vain threats ; too long have I been deluded with thy flattering Promises . Canst thou promise me , or deny me such things as God hath Covenanted to give me ? I know thou canst not , and therefore I renounce thee for ever , from being the Object of my Faith , or Fear . Nor longer will I lean to this rotten Reed , no longer will I trust to this broken Idol . Avoid Sathan with thy tempting Baits . In vain dost thou dress the Harlot in her Paint and Bravery , and tell me , Matt. 4.8,9 . ALL THIS WILL I GIVE THEE . Canst thou shew me such a Crown , such a kingdom , as God hath promised to settle upon me ? Or that which will ballance the loss of an infinite God , who here gives himself unto me ? Away deceitful Lusts , and Pleasures ; get you hence . I have enough in Christ and his Promises , to give my soul full content . These have I lodged in my heart , and there is no longer room for such guests as you : Never shall you have quiet entertainment more within these doors .

Thou God of Truth , I here take thee at thy word . Thou requirest but my acceptance and consent , and here thou hast it . Good is the word of the Lord which he hath spoken , and as my Lord hath said , so will thy servant do . My soul catcheth hold of thy Promises . These have I taken as my heritage for ever . Let others carry the Preferments , and Possessions of this world ; it shal be enough to me to be an Heir of thy Promises .

She maketh her boast in God . O happy Soul , how rich art thou ! What a Booty have I gotten ! It is all mine own . I have the Promises of this life , and of that which is to come . Oh what can I wish more ! How full a Charter is here ! Now my doubting Soul may boldly and believingly say with Thomas , 1 Tim. 4.8 . My Lord , and my God! What need we any further witness ? We have heard his words . He hath sworn by his Holiness , that his Decree may not be changed ; and hath signed it with his own Signet .

Rejoyce ye Heavens , strike up Celestial Quires . Help Heaven and Earth ; Sing unto the Lord , O ye Saints of his . Bless the Lord O my Soul . Oh had I the tongue of men and Angels , all were too little for my single turn . Had I as many tongues as hairs , the whole Quire were not sufficient to utter my Creators praises .

Cant. 2.16 . My Beloved is mine , and I am His. The Grant is clear , and my claim is firm . Who durst deny it , when God himself doth own it . Is it an hard adventure to speak after Christ himself ? Why , this is the Message that he hath sent me ; I ascend to my Father , and your Father ; Joh. 20.17 my God , and your God . He hath put words into my mouth , and bid me to say OUR FATHER .

I believe , Lord help mine unbelief . O my God , and my Father , I accept thee with all humble thankfulness , and am bold to take hold of thee . O my King , and my God , I subject my soul , and all its Powers to thee . O my Glory , in thee will I boast all the day . Oh my Rock , on thee will I build all my confidence , and my hopes . Cant. 2.3 . O staff of my life , and strength of my heart , the life of my joyes , and joy of my life , I will sit and sing under thy shadow , and glory in thy holy Name .

O my Soul , arise , and take possession . Inherit thy blessedness , and cast up thy riches . Thine is the Kingdome , thine is the Glory , and thine is the Victory . The whole Trinity is thine . All the Persons in the Godhead , all the Attributes in the Godhead are thine . And behold here is the Evidence , and these are the writings , by which all is made sure to thee for ever .

Psal. 116.7 . Psal. 16.6 And now return to thy rest , O my Soul ; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee . Say if thy Lines be not fallen to thee in a pleasant place , and if this be not a goodly Heritage ! She quelleth Discontent , and reasoneth down unbelief in Sequentib . Oh Blasphemous Discontent ! How absurd and unreasonable an evill art thou , whom all the fulness of the Godhead cannot satisfie , because thou art denyed in a petty comfort , or crost in thy vain expectations from the world . O my unthankful Soul , shall not a Trinity content thee ? Shall not Allsufficiency suffice thee ? Silence you murmuring thoughts for ever . I have enough , I abound , and am full . Infiniteness , and Eternity is mine , and what more can I ask ?

The Assaults of unbelief . 1. It questions the truth of the Promise . But methinks I feel some secret Damps upon my joy , and when I would soar aloft , and triumph in the riches of my Portion , a secret diffidence plucks me back , as the string doth the Bird , and unbelief whispers in mine ear , Sure this is too good to be true .

The Triumph of Faith in the certainty of Gods Truth . But who art thou that disputest against God ? The Lord hath spoken it , and shall not I believe him ? Will he be angry if I give my assent , and speak it confidently upon the credit of his word ?

Esay 54.5 . Hos. 2.19 . Jer. 3.19 . Psal. 50.7 . 2 Cor. 6.18 . O my Lord suffer me to spread the writing before thee . Hast not thou said , Thy Maker is thy Husband ; I will betroth thee unto me : Thou shalt call me , My Father ? I pray thee O Lord , was not this thy saying ; I am God , even thy God ; I will be a Father unto you , and ye my Sons and Daughters ? Why then should I doubt ? Is not the truth of the living God sure-footing for my faith ?

Esay 31.3 Prov. 23.5 Silence then O quarrelling Unbelief . I know in whom I have believed . Not in Friends , though numerous and potent ; for they are men , and not God . Psal. 146.3,4 . Not in Riches , for they make themselves wings . Not in Princes , for their breath is in their Nostrils . But let God be true , and every man a Lyar. In God have I put my trust , in his word do I hope . Matt. 7.25 . 2 Tim. 2.19 . Oh sure word ! Heaven and Earth shall pass away , but not one jot , nor tittle of this . I have not built upon the sand of mortality . Let the rain descend , and the floods come , and the winds blow ; nevertheless the Foundation of God standeth sure . His everlasting Counsel , and everlasting Covenant are my stay . I am built upon his Promises , and let Hell and Earth do their worst to blow up this Foundation .

Now shall my Faith triumph , and my heart be glad , and my glory rejoyce . 1 Kin. 18.39 Heb. 11.16 . I will shout with the exulting Multitude . The Lord he is the God , and he is not ashamed to be called My God . He is not ashamed of my Raggs , nor Poverty , of my Parrentage , not Pedigree ▪ and since his infinite condescention will own me , will he take it ill if I own him ? 1 Cor. 1.29,31 . Though I have nothing of my own to glory in , ( unless I should glory in my shame ) yet I will glory in the Lord , and bless my self in him .

Deut. 33.26 . For who is like unto the God of Jeshurun ? Bring forth your gods , O ye Nations . Lift up now your eyes , and behold who hath created all these things . Can any do for their Favourites as the Lord can ? Or if he be angry , who is that God that shal deliver out of his hands ? Will you set Dagon before the Ark ? Or shal Mammon contend with the Holy One ! O ambitious Haman , where is now thine Idol-honour ? O rich Glutton , that madest a god of Pleasure , where is now the god whom thou hast served ? O sensual worldling , that knewest not where , nor how to bestow thy Goods : Do riches profit thee ? Could Mammon save thee ? Deceived souls ! Go now to the gods that you have chosen . Alas , they cannot for ever administer a drop of water to cool your tongues .

Jer. 10.16 . Psa. 90.2 . But the Portion of Jacob is not like them : From everlasting to everlasting he is God . His Power is my confidence ; his Goodness is my maintenance ; his Truth is my shield and my buckler .

2. It confounds the soul with amazing Greatness , and difficulty of the things . But my clamourous unbelief hath many wiles , and afresh assaults me with the difficulty of the things promised , and labours to nonplus and confound me with their amazing greatness .

The Triumph of Faith in Gods Omnipotency and Veracity . But why should I stagger at the Promise through unbelief , robbing at once my Master of his glory , and my soul of her comfort . It is my great sin to doubt and dispute , and yet shal I be affraid to believe ? O my soul , it is the highest honour thou canst put upon thy Lord , to believe against difficulties , and to look for , and reckon upon great things and wonderful , passing all created Power , and humane faith .

Let not the greatness , nor the strangeness of the benefits bequeathed to thee , put thee to a stand . It is with a God thou hast to do , and therefore thou must not look for little things ; that were to darken the glory of his munificence , and the Infiniteness of his Power and Goodness . Knowest thou not that it is his design to make his Name glorious ? and to make thee know he is able to do for thee , above all thou canst ask or think ? Surely they cannot be any small or ordinary things , that shal be done for thee , when the Lord shal shew in thee , what a God can do , and shal carry thee in Triumph before the world , and make Proclamation before thee . Thus shal it be done to the man , whom the Lord delighteth to honour . What wonder if thou canst not comprehend these things ? If they exceed all thy apprehensions and conceptions ? This is a good Argument for thy faith : for this is that which the Lord hath said , That it hath not entered into the heart of man , to conceive what things he hath prepared for them that love him . Now if thou couldest conceive and comprehend them , how should his word be made good . It is enough for thee that the Lord hath spoken it . Is not the word nigh thee ? Hath God said I will receive you ? You shal be Kings and Priests unto God , and inherit all things ; and shal sit in Thrones , and judge Angels , and be ever with the Lord , and shal I dare to say him nay ? Unreasonable Unbelief ! What never satisfied ? Still contradicting , and blaspheming ? False whisperer , no more of thy tales . Acts 27.25 . I believe God , that it shall be as he hath told me .

2 Cor. 2.14 . Psal. 71.23 . Psal. 92.4 . Psal. 104.33 . And now thanks be to God , who alwaies causeth us to triumph in Christ ; therefore my lips shal praise thee , and my soul which thou hast redeemed . For thou hast made me glad through thy word , and I will triumph in the works of thy hands . I will praise the Lord whilest I live ; I will sing praises to my God whilest I have any being .

Oh my soul , if thou couldest wear out thy fingers upon the Harp , and wear thy tongue to the Roots , thou couldest yet never sufficiently praise thy Redeemer .

O mine Enemies , where is now your confidence , and where is your Armour , wherein you trusted ? I will set Christ alone , against all your multitudes , and all the Power , and Malice , and Policy wherewith they are Armed . Col. 2 15. 1 Cor. 15.57 . The field is already won , and the Captain of our salvation returned , with the spoils of his Enemies , having made a shew of them openly , triumphing over them in his Cross . And thanks be to God , who hath given us the Victory , through our Lord Jesus Christ .

Of whom then should I be affraid ? Behold he is near that justifieth me , who shal plead with me ?

Matt. 16.18 . O ye Powers of Hell ! you are but chained Captives , and we have a sure word , that the gates of Hell shal not prevail against us . Though the world be in Arms against us , and the Devil in the head of them as their Champion ; 1 Sam. 17.45,46,47 yet who is this uncircumcised Philistine , that he should defie the Armies of the living God ? Behold I come out to thee , as the stripling against Goliah , not with Sword and with Spear , but in the Name of the Lord of Hosts , in whose strength I am more then a Conquerour .

O Grave , where is now thy Victory ? Christ is risen , and hath broken up thy Prison , and rolled away the stone , so that all thy Prisoners have made an escape . Mic. 7,8 . Rejoyce not against me , O mine Enemy ; though I fall , I shal rise again ; though I lie in darkness , the Lord shal be a light unto me . Enlarge not thy desires O Tophet , but shut up thy flaming Rom. 8.1 . mouth for there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus .

Joh. 16.33 1 Cor. 3.22 . O deceitful world , thou art already overcome , and the conquered Enemy is become my servant , and I am fed with the honey taken out of the carkass of the slain Lyon . 1 Pet. 1.5 . 1 Joh. 5.4 . I fear not thy Threats , nor the Enchantments of thy Syren-songs , being kept by the Power of God , through a Victorious faith unto salvation .

O my sins , you are already buried , never to have any Resurrection , and the remembrance of you shal be no more . Heb. 8.12 . I see my sins nailed to the Cross , and their dominion is taken away , though their lives be prolonged yet for a little season . Awake therefore , O my glory , awake Psaltery and Harp , and meet the Deliverer with triumph ; Psal. 98.1,3 . for his right Hand , and his holy Arm have gotten us the Victory , and all the ends of the Earth , have seen the salvation of our God .

3. It upbraids the trembling Soul with its Vnworthiness . Yet methinks my unworthiness flies in my face , and I hear my cavilling Unbelief thus upbraiding me , and crying out , O proud Presumption ! That thou that art conscious to thy self of thy great unworthiness , shouldest pretend a claim to God and glory ! Shal daring dust think to share with the Almighty ? and say of his endless Perfections , They are my right ? Bold sinner , stand off , and tremble at thy presumptuous Arrogance .

Faith subscribes the charge , and Triumphs in Gods free grace . O my God , I lay my hand upon my mouth . I confess the charge of mine unworthiness . My guilt and shame is such as I cannot cover , but thou canst , and dost . Thou hast cast a Mantle upon my nakedness , and hast promised my transgressions shal not be mentioned , and that thou wilt multiply Pardons . And shal I rake up what thou hast buried , and then affright my self with the Ghosts that infidelity hath raised ? Is it presumption to take the Pardon that thou dost offer ? or to receive and claim thee as mine , when it is but what thou hast promised . I durst not have approached thee , but upon thy call ; nor have pretended a Title , but upon thy Grant . I should have thought it Diobolical pride , to have pleaded an Interest in thee , and claimed kinred to thee , but that thou hast shewed me the way .

And thou my soul , art thou ignorant of Gods great Design ? Knowest thou not , that it is his purpose to glorifie Free-Grace ? And how should Grace appear to be Grace indeed , were there any worthiness in the subject . Thine unworthiness is but a foyle , to set off the Beauty and Riches of Free Love and Mercy .

4. It questions the Believers Title to Gods grace and interest in the Promise . But I cannot shake off this Briar . Alas , what a cavilling Sophister is Unbelief ! And will never be answered ! Now is it ready to tell me , What if the Promise should be a sure Foundation ? yet thou mayest not build upon another mans ground . What though the grace and mercies of God are infinite ? yet Doggs may not catch at the Childrens bread . Thou hast not right , nor title to the Promise , therefore cease thy pretended claim .

The Triumph of Faith in the clearness of the B●lievers Evidences . But O my soul , wherefore shouldst thou doubt ? Whose Image and Superscription is this ? Dost thou not bear upon thee the marks of the Lord Jesus ? I have given up my name to him , and taken hold of his Covenant , and therefore may claim an interest .

Esay 56.4 . I have accepted the matter , and closed with the Mediator , and subscribed to the conditions of the Covenant , and therefore cannot question but it is mine .

The Lord hath offered to be my God , and I have took hold of his offer . Psal. 73.25,26 . I have taken him as God , and given him the supremacy . O my soul , look round about thee in Heaven and in Earth ; is there any thou dost esteem or value in comparison of God ? Phil. 3.8 . Is there any thou dost love like him , or take that content or felicity in , that thou dost in him ? Phil. 1 20 Are not thy chief desires and designes to glorifie , and enjoy him ? Thou canst not deny but it is truly thus . Psal 26.8 . and 84 1,2,3 . Psal. 27.4 . and 119.57 . Psa. 119 38 2 Cor. 5.8 Act. 24.16 . with Rom. 6.19 . Luke 14.33 . Psal 16 5,6 . I am sure nothing but God will content me . I am never so well in all the world , as in his company . My soul seeketh him above all , and rests in him alone , as my satisfactory Portion . He offereth to take me as one of his people , and I have resigned my self accordingly to him as his ; and have put both my Inward , and Outward man under his Government , and given up All to his dispose , and am resolved to be content with him , as my Allsufficient happiness .

John 1.12 . Besides I have taken him in his own way through Christ , whom he hath tendered to me as my Head and Husband , and I have accordingly , solemnly and deliberately taken him . Luke 14.26 . to the end . Matth. 11.29 . Phil. 3.9 . 2 Tim. 1.12 . O my soul , dost not thou know thy often debates ? hast thou not put Christ and all the world into the ballance ? hast thou not cast up the cost , and reckoned upon the Cross , and willingly put thy neck under Christs yoke , and ventured thy salvation upon Christ alone , and trusted him with all thy happiness , and all thy hopes ? hast thou not over and over resolved to take him with what comes , and that he shall be enough , though in the loss of all things ? 1 Cor. 1.20 . Thou canst not but know , that these have been the transactions between Christ and thee , and therefore he is thine , and all the Promises . Yea and Amen to thee through him .

Act. 20.21 : Rom. 2.7 . And for the terms of the Covenant , I love , and like them : my soul embraceth them ; neither do I desire to be saved in any other way , then by repentance towards God , and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ , and sincere obedience to his Go●pel .

Phil. 3. ● . to the 10. 2 Cor. 5.7 . 2 Cor. 4.18 . 1 Thes. 1.9 10. Tit. 2.13 . Heb. 10 34. & 11.35 . I am willing to go out of my flesh , and do look unto Jesu for righteousness , and strength , and trust my salvation wholly in this bottome . I am content to deal upon trust , and venture all in hopes of what is to come , and to tarry till the next world for my preferment . I am willing to wait till the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ , and have laid up my happiness on the other side the Grave .

Rom. 7.24 . Gal. 5.17 . And though my sins be many , yet I should belye mine own knowledge , if I should say they were not my constant trouble and burthen , and the enemies against which I daily watch , and with whom my soul hath no peace . Psal. 39.1 . & 17.3 . Mine own heart knoweth that I hate them , and desire and endeavour their utter destruction , and do resolve against them all , and am willing to use all Gods means ( that I know ) to mortifie them . Psal. 119.101,104 . Rom. 7.15,16 , &c. 1 Cor. 9.26,27 . 1 John 1.9 . Rom 6.16 . Psal. 119.6 . Psal. 119.5 30,173 . Mat. 6.33 . 2 Cor. 5.9 . 'T is too true that I often fall , and fail ; yet my conscience beareth me witness , that I confess and bewail it , and do not ordinarily , and deliberately allow my self in any sin whatsoever against my knowledge . And though my obedience be miserably lame , yet , O Lord , thou knowest , that I have respect unto all thy commandments , and do strive to come up to what thou requirest . The Holy Ghost is witness , and my conscience also , that I first seek the Kingdome of God , and the righteousness thereof ; and that it is my chief care to please God , and keep from sin . Psa. 18.23 . & 19.13 . & 119.133 . Matt. 5.6 . Speak Oh my soul , Is not holiness thy design ? dost thou not thirst for it , and follow after it ? dost thou not in thy setled choice prefer the holy wayes of God , before all the pleasures and delights of sin ? Psal. 119.14,15,16 . 111,112 . Thou knowest it is thus ; and therefore no more disputing ; thou hast sincerely taken hold of Gods Covenant , and without controversie it must be thine .

O my God , I see thou hast been at work with my soul . I find the prints , I see the footsteps . Surely this is the finger of God . I am thy Servant , O Lord , truly I am thy Servant ; Psal. 116.16 . Psal. 16.2 . and my soul hath said unto the Lord , Thou art my Lord . It must be so . Wouldst thou ever set thy mark upon anothers goods ? or shall God disown his own workmanship ? My name is written in Heaven . Thou hast written thy Name upon my heart , and therefore I cannot question but thou hast my name on thine heart . I have chosen thee O Lord as my happiness , and heritage , and therefore I am sure thou hast chosen me ; 1 John 4.19 . for I could not have loved thee , except thou hadst loved me first . O my Lord discern , I pray thee , whose are these , the signet , the bracelets , and the staffe ? I know thou wilt acknowledge them .

1 Pet. 1.3 . And now blessed be God , and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , who of his abundant mercy hath begotten me again to a lively hope .

Faith makes its claim to all the benefits of the Covenant , and stirs up the soul to joy and thankfulness , in sequentib . And thou my soul , believe , and wait , look through the window , and cry through the lattice , and rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God . a a Hab. 2.3 . The Vision is for an appointed time , wait for it . It will come in the end , & will not tarry . b b Jam. 5 7. Behold the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruits of the Earth . Be thou also patient . He hath long patience , and wilt not thou have a little patience ? he for the fruits of the Earth , but thou for the joyes of Heaven . He upon meer probabilities , but thou upon infallible certainties . He for a Crop of Corn , but thou for a Crown of Glory . Were he but sure that every Corn would bear a Crow , how plentifully would he sowe , how joyfully would he wait ? Why such is thy harvest . As sure as the Summer delights do follow the Winters severities ; as sure as the wisht-for Harvest doth follow the toilsome and costly Seeds-time , so sure shall thy Lord return , and bring thy reward with him . Revel. 22.12 . Therefore my soul , love and long for the approaching Jubile , and wait all the daies of my appointed time , until my change shall come .

O blessed state that my Lord hath translated me into ! O happy change that he hath made ! I was a stranger , and he took me in , and made me an heir ; and preferred me from the Dunghill to the Throne , and from a Hewer of wood , and Drawer of water , to attend his Court , and know his Counsels , and do his pleasure . Happy am I that ever I was born to partake of this endless dignity .

Hebr. 12.22,23,24 . O my Lord , it is no little thing thou hast given me in hand . I am already come to mount Zion , and the City of the Living God , the heavenly Jerusalem , and to an innumerable company of Angels ; to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born , and to God the Judge of all , and unto the Spirits of Just men made perfect , and unto Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant , and unto the blood of sprinkling . Gal. 4.6 . Luke 5.20 . My heart reviveth , as Jacobs , when I behold the tokens which thou hast sent me , the spirit of Adoption , the pardon of my sins , my patent for Heaven , the chain of thy Graces , the Son of thy Bosome , and the New Testament in his blood , 1 Cor. 11.25 . Luk. 12.32 . Cant. 1.10 . Joh. 3.16 . Joh. 14.21,23 . and the Letters of his love . My Lord hath said that he will love me , and manifest himself unto me ; and that the Father will love me , and both will come unto me , and make their abode in me . But is it true indeed ? Will the Lord dwel on Earth ? Or if he will , shal so foul a Stable , so unclean a Stye , as my heart hath been , shal this be the place that the Lord of life will take up his lodging , and keep his Court in ? Will he indeed come with all his Train of Graces , and live , and walk in me ? How can these things be ? But he hath said it , and I do , and I will believe it .

Psal. 31.19 . Yet all this is but the earnest of what is to come . Oh how great is thy goodness , laid up for them that fear thee ? Yet a little while , and my warfare shal be accomplished , and the Heavens must receive me , till the time of the restitution of all things . 2 Pet. 1.14 . It is but for a short term that I shal dwel in this dirty flesh , in an earthen Tabernacle . Joh. 12.26 My Lord hath shewed me , that where he is , there shal his servant be . Now the living , is tyed to the dead ; and my Soul is a Stage of strife , and a Field of war. 1 Cor. 13.10 . But t is but a little moment , and that which is perfect shal come ; perfect Holiness , and perfect Peace ; eternal Serenity , and a Serene Eternity .

O my sins . Rev. 21.27 . I am going where you cannot come ; where no unclean thing shal enter , nor any thing that defileth . Methinks I see all my Afflictions and Temptations , all mine infirmities , and corruptions falling off me , as Elijah's Mantle at his translation .

O my Soul , dost thou not see the Chariots of fire , and the Horses of fire come to take thee up ? Luk. 16.22 . Be thou as poor as Lazarus , yet God will not disdain to send a Party of Angels to conduct thee home . How canst thou doubt of ready reception , who hast such a friend in Court , who will lead thee with boldness into his Fathers presence . Gen. 45.16 . If there were Joy in Pharaoh's Court , when it was said , Joseph's Brethren are come ; surely it will be welcom newes in Heaven , when it s told , Jesus his Brethren are come .

My Soul , fear not to enter , though the Lord be clothed with Terrour and Majesty : For thy Redeemer will procure thee favour , and plead thy right . Joh. 16.27 I am sure of welcom , for the Father himself loveth me . I have tasted and tryed his love ; Luke 15. and when I had played the wicked Prodigal , yet he despised not my Raggs , but fell on my neck , and kissed me , and Heaven it self made merry over me . Much more will he receive me gladly , and let out his loves upon me , when presented to him by his Son , in his perfect likeness , as a fit Object for his everlasting delight . Fear not , O my Soul , as if thou wert going to a strange place . Why Heaven is thy Countrey , and thy home : wilt thou doubt of leave , or fear of welcome , when it is thine own home ? Why , my Soul , thou wast born from above , and here is thy Kindred , and thy Fathers House , and therefore thou shalt surely be admitted . And then shall I see the glorious preparations of Eternal Love , and the blissful Mansions of the Heavenly Inhabitants .

Doubtless it shal be thus . These are not sick-mens Dreams , or childrens hopes . The living God cannot deceive me : and may not I certainly promise my self , what the Lord hath promised me ? I will sooner think that all my senses are deluded , and what I see and feel , and taste , is but a fancy , then think that the living God will deceive me , or that his unchangeable Covenant will fail . 1 Joh. 3.2 . Now I am a son of God , but it doth not yet appear what I shal be : but this I know , I shal be like him , and see him as he is .

I know it shal be thus . Why , what security should I ask of God ? He hath given me all the assurance in the world . And though the word of God be enough , yet he willing to shew more abundantly to the Heits of Promise , the immutability of his Counsel , confirmed it by an Oath : Heb. 6.17 . that by two immutable things , in which it was impossible for God to lye , I might have strong consolation . O unreasonable Unbelief ! What shal not the Oath of a God put an end to thy strife ?

O my God , I am satisfied : it is enough . Now I may be bold without presumption , and boast without Pride . And will no more call my Duty Arrogance , nor my Faith a Fancy .

O my Soul ! There is but a short life betwixt thee and Glory , where holy Angels , and glorified Saints shal be mine onely Associates , and Love and Praise mine onely employment . Job . 38.7 . Methinks I hear already how the Morning-stars sing together , and all the sons of God shout for joy . O that I could come in for one ! But it was said unto me , I should rest yet for a little season , but I shal stand in the lot at the end of the daies . Dan. 12.13 .

It is well Lord ; thy word is enough . Thy Bond is as good , as ready payment . The holy Ghost tells me , that life and glory abide me ; Luk. 23.43 . that look what day I loose from the body , the same day I shal be landed in Paradise . Amen . It is as I would have it .

But this is not all . When my body hath slept a short Nap in the dust , Christ will call to it , Come up hither . Ah true Yoke-fellow , it will be hard parting , but welcome meeting . I could not leave thee , but to live with Christ . Col. 3.4 . But he will raise thee a glorious Temple ; and when he shal appear , will bring me with himself in glory ; and then I shal re-enter thee as a Royal Mansion , wherein I shal abide with the Lord for ever . For as we have served our Redeemer together , so we must be glorified together with him . And when the Lord hath married us both together again , then will he marry us both unto himself . For I know that my Redeemer liveth , and that he shal stand at the last day over the Earth . And though after my skin , wormes destroy this body , yet in my flesh I shal see God . Whom I shal see for my self , and mine eyes shal behold , and not another , though my Reines be consumed within me . My Lord hath already told me how it shall be . He hath set down the time , and shewed me the Robes of immortality , and the Crown of life , that I must put on ; and the Throne of glory , and the Seat of judgement , that I must sit in . He hath told me the manner in which I shal be presented to him , and espoused by him . He hath told me where he will set me , and what he will say to me , and how he will acknowledge my mean services , and remember what I have forgotten : Mat 25.35,37 . how he will praise the works , that I have been ashamed of , and reward me openly , for what I have buried in secrecy ; Mat. 6.4 . and not forget the poorest Almes that I have given for his Name . Then will he confess me before his Father , and before the Angels of God . Thus saith the true , and faithful witness , and we know that his Testimony is true .

1 Joh. 5.10 Ah my Soul , see that thou make not God a Lyar.

O my God , I have believed thy report , and do look for all these things , according to thy Promise . I know thou intendest me but for a very little while for this lower Region . This world is but the house of my Pilgrimage , and my soul now is but like a Bird in the shel : but when the shel is crackt , then shal she take wings like a Dove , and soar aloft to thee , and flee away , and be at rest .

Yet I doubt not thy care for my despicable dust . I know that nothing will be lost ; Joh. 6.39 . I know not where they will lay me : but thy wakeful eye observeth , and will not be to seeking at what door to knock , nor at what grave to call for me . I believe , and am sure that I shal come a glorious piece out of thy hands , fair as the Moon , clear as the Sun , crowned with honour and glory . And when my Absolution is read , and sentence past upon the world , then must I be taken up to dwell with thee .

Let not my Lord be angry , that thy dust and ashes speaketh thus unto thee . Thou Lord hast raised my expectations , and haste made me to look for all these great things from thee . In vain haste thou written all these things unto me , if I should not believe them ; and a distrustful diffidence would put a high dishonour upon thy Truth .

O Lord it repenteth me , it repenteth me of my jealousies , and my doubtful thoughts about thee . I know thou lovest an humble confidence , and delightest in nothing more then to see thy children trust thee . I know the building of my hopes , lies not an hairs breadth over the foundation of thy Promises ; yea , 't is sure , my expectations are infinitely short of what I shal find .

Joh. 3.33 . Eph. 2.20 Mat 7.25 Psal. 39.7 . O my God , my heart trusteth safely in thee , and I here set to my seal that thou art true . Christ is my Bottom in which I venture , and the Corner-stone on which I build , and therefore my fraught is ensured , and my building shall challenge the winds and floods .

And now , O Lord , what wait I for ? my hope is in thee . O my blessedness , let me enjoy thee . O my life , let me possess thee . O desire of mine eyes , let me see thy face , and hear thy voice ; for thy voice is sweet , and thy countenance is comely . I ask but what thou hast promised : Matth. 5.8 . for thou hast told me , that I shall see God , and thou wilt speak to me mouth to mouth , even apparently , and not in dark speeches , and the similitude of God shall I behold .

1 Cor. 13.9 , ●0 . So shall my knowledge be perfected , and I shall see the inaccessible light , and my tender eye shall not water , nor my sight dazle ; but I shall with open face look stedfastly on the Son of Righteousness , and behold his glory . Then shall Faith be turned into fruition , and Hope into Possession , and Love shall arise like the full Moon in her brightness , and never wax , nor wane more .

O thou God of my hopes , I look for a new body , and a new soul , for new Heavens , and for a new Earth , according to thy promise ; when my whole soul shall be wholly taken up with thee , and all mine affections strained to the highest Peg , and all the Wheels of my raised powers set in most vigorous and perpetual motion towards thee , still letting in , and still laying out : and thus shall there be an everlasting communication of joy and glory from thee , and of love and praise from me .

O my soul , thou art rich indeed , and increased in goods . Thou hast no reason to envy the glory nor grandeur of the mightiest on earth : Psa. 49.14,17 . For their glory shall not descend after them ; like Sheep shall they be laid in their graves , and Death shall feed upon them , and there 's an eternal end of all their pomp and excellency . But my Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome . My Robes shall never wear , my Crown shall never totter , my Throne shall never be vacant ; My Bread shall never mold , my Garland shall never wither , my House shall never moulder , my Wine shall never sowre , but everlasting joy shall be upon my head , and sorrow and sighing shall flie away .

O my God , how happy hast thou made me ! It is better then I could have wished . Thou hast done all things well . Thou hast setled them for ever . The whole Earth cannot shew any such heritage or Tenure . The world can state out her possessions but for years , nor can she make a good title for that neither . But mine Inheritance is for ever , and none can put me out of possession . The thing is established in Heaven ; and in the Volume of the Book it is written of me . My evidence cannot be lost . It is recorded in the Court above , and enrolled in the sacred leaves of the Word , and entred upon the Book of my Conscience , and herein I do , and will rejoyce .

Now my soul wipe up thine eyes , and go away with Hannah , and be no more sad . What though mine House be not so with God , so happy , so prosperous as I could wish ? What though they be encreased that trouble me , and my temptations and afflictions be like the rolling Billows , riding on one anothers backs for haste . Yet shall my soul be as a rock unmoved , and sit down satisfied in the security and amplitude of my portion . For God hath made with me an everlasting Covenant , ordered in all things , and sure ; and herein is all my salvation , and all my desire .

And now what remaineth , O Lord , but that I should spend the remainder of my daies in loving , praising , and admiring thee . But wherewith shall I come before the Lord , or bow my self to the most High God . What shall I give thee to express my thankfulness , though not to requite thy bounty ? Alas my poor little soul ! Alas that thou art so little . How narrow are thy capacities ! How disproportionate are thy powers ! Alas that my voice can reach to no higher a note ! But shall I do nothing , because I cannot do all ?

Lord I resign to thee . With the poor Widow , I cast my two mites ( my soul and body ) into thy Treasury . All my powers shall love and serve thee . All my members shall be weapons of Righteousness for thee . Here is my good will . Behold my substance is thy stock ; mine interest is for thy service . I lay all at thy feet : There thou hast them , they are thine . My Children I enter as thy Servants . My possessions I resign as thy right . I will call nothing mine , but thee . All mine are thine : I can say My Lord , and my God , and that is enough ; I thankfully quit my claim to all things else . I will no more say , My House is mine , or my Estate mine ; I my self am not mine own : Yet it is infinitely better for me to be thine , then if I were mine own . This is my happiness , that I can say my own God , my own Father . And O what a blessed exchange hast thou made with me ! to give me thy Self who art an infinite Sum , for my self who am but an insignificant Cypher .

And now Lord , do thou accept , and own my claim . I am not worthy of any thing of thine , much less of thee . But sith I have a Deed to shew , I bring thy Word in my hand , and am bold to take possession . Dost thou not know this hand ? wilt thou not own this name ? wilt thou not confirm thine own grant ? It were infidelity to doubt it . I will not disparage the faithfulness of my Lord , nor be afraid to averre , and stand to what he hath said and sworn . Hast thou said , Thou art my God , and shall I fear thou art mine enemy ? Hast thou told me , Thou art my Father , and shall I stand aloof , as if I were a stranger ? I will believe . Lord silence my fears ; and as thou hast given me the claim and title of a Child , so give me the confidence of a Child . Let my heart be daily kept alive by thy promises , and with this staffe let me pass over Jordan . May these be my undivided companions , and comforters : When I go , let them lead me ; when I sleep , let them keep me ; when I awake , let them talk with me . And do thou keep these things for ever upon the imaginations of the thoughts of the hearts of thy people , and prepare their hearts unto thee . And let the heart of thy Servant be the Ark of thy Testament , wherein the sacred records of what hath passed between thee and my soul , may for ever be preserved . Amen .

Thus far my Friend . So be it .
CHAP. XIX . An Exhortation to Sinners .

O Earth , earth , earth , hear the word of the Lord : Ye men of this world , ye spirits that are in Prison , held captive to iniquity , under the Prince of this world ; in a Covenant with Death , at an agreement with Hell ; without Christ , Alians from the Commonwealth of Israel , strangers from the Covenant of Promise , having no hope , without God in the world ; who have said , We will not have this man to rule over us ; let us break his Bonds asunder , and cast his Cords from us ; who are joyned to Idols , have chosen you other gods , are following after other Lovers : who walk after the course of this world , according to the Prince of the Power of the Ayr , the spirit that now worketh in the children of Disobedience ; having your conversation in the Lusts of the flesh , fulfilling the desires of the flesh , and of the mind , and being still as you were by nature , the children of Wrath , in the gall of bitterness , and bond of iniquity .

O ye sons of death , ye children of the night , and of darkness , Hear and your souls shal live ; to you also is the word of this salvation sent ; even the strangers , and those that are afar off , that will lay hold on the Covenant , and chuse the thing that pleaseth God , these also shal have a name in his house , even the glorious name of Sons and Daughters . The Lord hath sent a word into Jacob , and it shal light upon Edom and Amaleck , and the uncircumcised Philistines , even as many of them , as the Lord our God shal call , Act. 2.39 .

Hearken O people , you that are polluted in your blood ; written in the Earth , , free among the dead ; come in , let your Covenant with death be made void , and your agreement with Hell be disanulled , strike a League with the Almighty , and your names also shal be written amongst the living in Jerusalem .

Stand ye before the Lord , come and let us reason together .

Where are you ? What is your Portion and Inheritance ? Ye are cursed with a Curse . Fire and Brimstone , and an horrible Tempest , this shall be the portion of your cup , Psal. 11.6 . What are you seeking ? whither are you travelling ? After a few years of your vanity are over , where must your dwelling be ? Who can dwell with the devouring fire ? Who can dwell with everlasting burnings ? Look before you , behold that smoaking Furnace , that burning Lake , that bottomless Pit that 's gaping for you , and at your next step may swallow you up . Escape for your lives , why will ye dye ? Turn and live .

Do you believe the Resurrection from the dead ? the Judgment to come , and the invisible World ? Is it to the spirit of a man , as to the spirit of a beast ? Doth it perish with his carkase ? Dieth a Man as a Dogg dieth ? Dieth a wise man as a fool dieth ? Fall all things alike to all ? just , and unjust , good and bad , after this life , as well as in it ?

Do you believe the Scriptures ? Are they but a Fable ? If you hope they are , are you sure they are ? Dare you venture your souls upon it ? Whilest the Saints venture on the Truth , dare you venture your souls on the Falshood of it ? Dare you stand forth and say , If this word be not a lye , let me be damned for ever ? I am content that the everlasting worm shal gnaw my heart , that the infernal fire shal burn my flesh , and bones , and soul for ever and ever , if it prove not at last a meer Forgery and Imposture .

Do you believe the Scriptures to be true indeed ? If you do , what do they preach to you ? Do they speak any thing if not this , That there is another life and death , besides that which is within the kenn of mortal eyes ; that the other life , and the other death are Eternal ; that upon your being found within , or without the Covenant of God , hangs your eternal judgment , either for life or death ; that whilst you are in a Covenant with death , and in a course of iniquity , you are without the Covenant of God , and can have no benefit by it ; that under sin , and out of Covenant , out of Covenant and out of Christ ; out of Christ , and under Condemnation .

Are there any things which that word which you profess to believe to be as true , and to stand as sure as Heaven and Earth ; are there any things that this speaks more plainly , then these things , and such like ? What and yet secure in a state of sin ? Aliens from God , enemies of all Righteousness , and yet in quiet ? Are you resolved to sell Eternity for time , life for death , a soul for the pleasures of sin ? Is this the choice you have made , and are you resolved to stand to it ? Let me have this world ; my Portion here , my good things here , and then let me be damned in the other world : Let me sin here , and suffer hereafter ; let me laugh here , and lament hereafter ; let me flourish , and prosper , and live at ease , and in honour , and in pleasure and at liberty here , and let my Prison , and my Pain , and my Anguish , and my Plagues be beneath ; there let me be torn , let me burn , let me roar , let me die ; so I may be rich , and be merry , and rejoyce a while here ; let time be my Heaven , and eternity be my Hell ; speak in earnest , is this your choice ? or that you may not be put to it to make a new choice , will you take upon you to make a new Gospel ? And dividing what God hath joyned together , will you joyn what he hath divided ? Will you write this for Gospel ? Holiness and Hell , sin and glory , Christ and the Curse , the Devil and the Crown : Let the wicked hold on his way , and the unrighteous his thoughts , let him still run away from the Lord , and be shall have mercy ; and from his God , and he will abundantly pardon . Strait is the gate , and narrow is the way that leadeth unto death , and few there be that finde it ; but broad is the gate , and wide is the way that leadeth unto life , and the whole world are going in thereat . Blessed are the proud in spirit , for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven . Blessed are they that laugh now , blessed are the froward , the merciless , the impure in heart , the persecutors for Righteousness sake , for great is their reward in Heaven . Within shal be the Doggs , and the Swine , the Whoremongers , the Sorcerers , the Drunkards , the Ruffians , the Blasphemers , the Gallants , the Idolaters , and whosoever loveth and maketh a lye : And without shall be the Lambs , and the Doves , the Holy , and the Humble , and the Meek , and the Merciful , and the Upight in heart , and the Poor in spirit , and Peace-makers , the persecuted for Righteousness sake , and whosoever loveth truth , and maketh God his trust , these shal go into everlasting fire , but the ungodly into life Eternal .

Are these the Articles of your Creed ? Is this your Gospel ? if it be , O what is your Heaven ? If it be not , if the old Gospel must stand , Oh where are your souls ? Are your souls lost , and are they not worth the recovery ? Why will ye dye , turn and live ; Oh when shal it once be ?

As an Embassadour for Christ , to whom is committed the word of Reconciliation , having hinted to you what 's Law , so in the name of the Eternal God , I publish to you the everlasting Gospel .

The Lord God having entred into a Covenant of life , with the first Adam , for himself and all mankinde in him ; this Covenant being broken , whereby sin hath entred , and death by sin , and all the world is now becom guilty before God ; bound over to the vengeance of eternal Fire , and under an utter impossibility of recovery , by ought that that Covenant can do ; hath out of his abundant grace , made a new Covenant , on which whosoever shal lay hold , shal be delivered out of the state of Death and Wrath , into a state of Life and Blessedness , Rom. 8.3 . What the Law could not do , being weak through the flesh , God sent his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh ; and with him this gracious grant , that whosoever believeth in him , shal not perish , but have everlasting life , Ioh. 3.16 . And this is the Covenant that hath been declared unto you .

This new Covenant is a Marriage-Covenant , Hos. 2.10 . I will betroth thee unto me for ever , yea I will betroth thee to me in righteousness , and in loving-kindness , and in mercies . In it the Lord makes offer , and invites you to accept of an Husband , and a Dower : The Husband is the Kings son , the Lord Jesus Christ ; and with him the lost Kingdom , and all that belongs to the Kingdom of God . for a Dower . Liberty for the Captives , the opening of the Prison to them that are bound ; riches to the poor , eyes to the blinde , feet to the lame , healing to the diseased , and life to the dead .

And whoever among you all , who are persons under the Law , held by the cords of your sins , whose souls are fast bound in fetters of Iron , who are willing that your Covenant with death be made void , and your agreement with Hell be disannulled ; and will joyn your selves to the Lord , and be brought within the bonds of this Covenant , all the blessings of this Covenant are made over , and stand sure unto you .

The Grant is made , the Deed is drawn , and sealed ; the Lord hath set to his Seal , come you in , and seal the Counter-part ; set to your seal , and the Match is made up . Christ , and with him all things are yours , and you are his . Accept and live , refuse and dye for ever .

Come on then , sinner , what sayest thou ? Dost thou consent ? Dost thou accept ? Or as Laban to Rebekah , Wilt thou go with this man ? Let me espouse thee to this one Husband ; onely let me first tell thee , The matter is solemn , and thou must be serious . 'T is for life , 't is for Eternity .

Consider therefore , and let thine heart , lying prostrate before the Almighty , come in and make answer to these demands , which from him , and in his great and dreadful Name I make unto thee .

1. Wilt thou have Jesus for thine Husband ? Understand before thou answer . The taking of Christ for thine Husband , implies , Intimate Union . Ingenuous Subjection . Total Dependance .

1. Intimate Union ; by choosing and accepting of him for thine , and resigning and giving up thy self to him , for his own ; to cohabit and live with him , in the dearest conjugal affection for ever .

2. Ingenious Subjection ; by a free and chearful putting thy self under him , as thy Lord whom thou wilt obey , and be subject to , in all things . The Wife must be subject to her Husband ; yet not as a slave by constraint , but freely , and by consent .

3. Total Dependanse ; holding of him as thy head , expecting nothing , owning nothing , but what descends upon thee from him . Depending on him for all things ; the bearing of thy debts , thy discharge from thy Bonds , and thy whole provision for a livelihood and maintenance .

Consider then , what sayest thou ? Doth thine heart choose , and accept , and resign up it self unto Christ ? Dost thou choose him as an Husband ? Thou canst choose him as a Refuge , to hide thee from danger ; thou canst choose him as a Friend , to help thee in thy need ; but dost thou choose him for thine Husband ? Wilt thou cleave to him ? love , honour , and obey him ? Dost thou understand his manner ? the Law of his house , his Family order , and discipline ? Dost thou know his Commands and Expectations ? how holy , how spiritual , how strict , and self-denying , how humble and submissive he looks thy whole carriage should be ? Wilt thou be at his finding ? Wilt thou look unto him , and lean upon him for all thou needest ? Shal all thy desire be to him , and thy dependance on him ? Thou art a Bondman , who shal be thy Redemption ? Thou art a Malefactor , who shal be thy Satisfaction ? Thou art a Leper , whence dost look for cleansing ? Thou art a Beggar , whence dost expect an Inheritance ? Wilt lean upon thy Beloved for all ! Shal he be thy Wisdom , Righteousness , Sanctification , Redemption , and Inheritance ? Wilt do him this honour , to trust him for all this ? to cast all thy Burthens , thy care , thy fears , thy sins , thy guilt , thy hopes upon him ? Canst say , O my God , I have sinned , I have sinned , thy Law have I broken , thy love have I slighted , I have fallen from thee , and run over to thine Enemies ; I have fallen under thy displeasure , wrath is provoked , justice hath taken hold of me , my soul is undone , how dreadful is thy controversie with me , and I have nothing to answer but this , my Jesus shal answer for me .

O my Jesus , thou hast wooed and invited sinners unto thee , thou hast sent forth thy Messengers , and thy Word , into the high wayes and hedges , into the Goales and Hospitals of the world ; among the poor , the blinde , and the bound , and the diseased , and those that are in debt , and distress ; to take from among them a Wife for thy bosome . Behold thy word hath found among the Captives , this wretched Adulteress , my poor Harlot soul ; which hath dealt treacherously with thee , and hath followed after other Lovers , hath fallen among Theeves and Robbers , is bruised , wounded , and undone ; having Prodigally spent and wasted all that I had .

But behold I come at thy word , if thou sayest , I have no pleasure in thee , if thou spit in my face , and spurn me with thy foot , and trample me in the dirt , or send me back to my Prison , and leave me to bear the shame of my Whoredoms , I must be silent and speechless .

But wilt thou receive me ? Wilt thou take me into thine house ? Wilt thou spread thy skirt over me ? shal I be called by thy Name ? Wilt thou love me , and be joyned unto me ? Wilt thou be Surety for thy servant ? Wilt thou that my debts be upon thee ? my bonds be upon thee ? My wants , my sins , my sorrowes , my fears , my plagues , my help , my soul be upon thee ? Wilt thou Lord ? and can I say thee nay ? wilt thou take them , and can I refuse to lay them upon thee ? I consent Lord , I consent to thee ; be thou mine Husband , and mine helper ; love me , discharge me of this guilt , loose me from these fetters , cleanse me from this filthiness , and then ask what thou wilt ; impose upon me whatever thou pleasest . Love thee ? honour thee ? obey thee ? Oh what is my love , what is my obedience , that thou shouldest accept , or I should deny it to thee ? 'T is but little that I can do , this heart is so false and so feeble , that I am afraid how I undertake for it , but such as it is , take it to thee . I bestow it wholly upon thee , with this promise , that if thou wilt help me I will love thee , if thou wilt help me I will be subject to thee , and lay up all my hopes and expectations with thee . Now Soul , now that thou knowest what it means , now say , wilt thou have Christ for thine husband ?

2. Wilt thou take him for better for worse , for richer for poorer ?

Though thy Lord be a King , yet his Kingdome is not of this world . He came not to be ministred unto , but minister ; he came to serve , and to suffer , and all those that will follow him , must suffer with him . He came not to divide lands , and spoils , and crowns , and temporal dignities , and honours amongst his Disciples ; but crosses , and prisons , and scourges , and wants . Thou wilt joyn thy self to the Lord , but wilt thou take up thy lot with him ? Thou wilt live with him , and abide with him , but dost know where he dwells , and what his entertainment is ? Sometimes he hath bread , and sometimes he is hungry ; sometimes he hath clothes , and sometimes is naked ; sometimes he hath an house , and sometimes he hath none , sometimes he hath friends , and sometimes he hath none ; he is sometimes used kindly , and sometimes as coursly ; sometimes 't is Hosanna , and sometimes Crucifige ; sometimes he is cried up as a King , sometimes cried out against as a Devil ; and as it is with the Master , so will it be with the Scholar ; as with the Lord , so with the Disciple ; where he is , thou must be also . Canst thou say , Whither thou goest , I will go with the ; where thou feedest , I will feed with thee ; where my Lord dwelleth , if in a tent , if in a cave , if in a dungeon , if in a wilderness , where ever my Lord dwelleth , let me dwell with him ? Consider what thou sayest , and be not over-hasty . May be thou dost not yet know , what hunger and thirst , and nakedness mean ; what the wrath of man , what their reproachings , and spittings , and stripes , and bonds mean ; may be thou hast thought , this may be far enough off , and may never come upon me ; or hast taken up a resolution through incogitancy , not weighing how sharp , and how pinching they may be to thee . But suppose thou wert now just come to it ; and that thou sawest , that thy first foot Christ-ward , would be the parting point betwixt thee and all that is dear unto thee in the world ; that thy first step heaven-ward would be into the fire , or the water , or into the camp of the Philistines , whose faces were all fill'd with fury against thee . Hast thou yet such a far deeper sence of the eternal sufferings , thou art in danger of ; such a setled belief , of thy absolute necessity of Christ to thy escaping these ; such an high value of the love of Christ , and the everlasting salvation thou expectest by him , as does over-ballance and swallow up the sharpest and the quickest sense thou hast or canst have , of the greatest things thou shalt suffer by him ? hast thou cast up all afflictions imaginable , and then put thy soul to it ? now resolve what to do ; either this or no Christ , either this or no Crown , either this Cross or the Curse , either the wrath of man or the wrath of God , Scorpions , and Dragons , and Devils ; shriecking and howling , and gnashing of teeth for ever and ever . Confess Christ and be confessed of him , suffer with Christ and reign with him , weep with Christ and rejoyce with him , die with Christ and live for ever , deny Christ , forsake Christ and perish for ever ? hast thou thus put thy self to it ? and after the most solemn debate thou hast had , what is the result ? Now tell me , Christ or no Christ ? wilt thou have Christ for better for worse ? how dear soever he cost thee ?

3. Wilt thou forsake all others ?

Thou hast three Husbands that lay claim to thee ; Sin , the World , and the Devil . Wilt thou renounce , and be divorc'd from all these ? There 's no compounding betwixt Christ and them ; he or they must go .

The renouncing of sin stands , In the disengaging of the heart from it . In the engaging of the heart against it .

1. In the disengaging or loosening of the heart from sin . 'T is an hearty willingness to let it go ; a willingness to part , is our parting with sin . A breaking the Peace , the cutting off the League betwixt sin and the soul , when a sinner stands so clearly convinc'd of the worth of Christ , of the value of a soul , of the enmity of sin against Christ and and the soul , of the unworthiness of sin , with all its pleasures and so advantages , to be laid in the ballance with Christ , is willing to be rid of it . What is there in it ? What can it do for me ? How long will it last me ? Where will it lead me ? O the after births of sin : O the tail of these Locusts , the sting , the sting that I see there ! Can I want a Christ ? or can I hope that he 'll dwell with such Neighbours ? Can I bear the loss of my soul ? or can it escape if these escape ? I see its vain to think of keeping both Christ and Lusts ; its vain to think of saving both my sins , and my soul : t is all one , as to be saved and to be damn'd , I may as well bring Heaven and Hell together . Well , let them go : henceforth hold thy peace sin , plead no more with me for entertainment ; be a stranger for ever to me ; henceforth I know thee no more .

2. In the engaging the heart against sin . When the heart is not onely content to let it depart , but gives it a Bill of divorce , and sends it away . When it can want it , and cannot bear it ; when it deals with it , as the Egyptians with Israel ; at first they have onely leave given them to be gone , but at length they thrust them out , Exod. 12.33 . They were urgent upon them , that they might send them out of the Land in hast ; for they said , we be all but dead men .

Be gone sin , I am but a dead man if thou abidest with me ; and so it will no longer court it as a friend , but curse it as an enemy ; fears it , hates it , and is resolved to be its mortal enemy ; and to this end is determined to use all Gods means , To discover , To destroy it .

1. To use all Gods meanes to discover it ; to bring to light the hidden things of darkness . Sin goes under a disguise , t is hard to know friends from enemies ; they had need have their senses about them , and well exercised too , that can discern betwixt good and evil . Heb. 5.14 . Who can understand his Errours ? Psal. 19.12 . Sinne lies in the dark . The heart of man is desperately wicked , who can know it ? There 's too much wickedness , and it lies too deep to be discerned by every eye ; he that means in earnest to cast out , must first search out his iniquities . Let us search and try our wayes , Lam. 3.40 . He must search the Scriptures which describe these Enemies , and mark them out what they are , and how many , and how they may be known ; where ever you finde them , and under what disguise soever they appear ; must search the heart , where if they walk no more openly , they will hide themselves , that they be not discovered or suspected .

Thou art a fool , a self-deceiver , Sinner , who takest thy self to be an adversary to sin , and takest no care to find it out ; much more who willingly hidest it out of sight . He takes part with sin , which will not take pains to know it . I hate the Devil , and all his works ; I repent , I forsake all my sins , and though I have done iniquity , by the Grace of God I will do so no more : Thus vain men talk , but dost know what thou sayest ? What is sin ? Dost know a friend from an enemy , good from evil ? What are [ thy ] sins ? What hast thou done ? Wherein hast thou transgressed ? What are they that have done thee mischief ? What are their names ? May be thou wilt say their name is Legion , for they are many .

In many things I have transgressed , in many things I have offendied ; but in what things ? Dost know thine enemy when thou seest him ? or wouldst thou know him if thou couldst ? Dost thou make any search or enquiry after him ? when thou readest of a proud heart in the Scriptures , art able to say there 's one of them , that have done me mischief ? or of a covetous heart , there 's another of them ; or of an envious , malitous , froward heart , there are more of them ; or of an hard , and hypocritical , ignorant , unbelieving heart ; this is he : This is my great Enemy ; or if thou canst not tell dost ask ? Is not this he ? Are not these they ? O that I could understand mine errours , Lord make me to know my transgressions .

Sinners , never make your selves believe you are enemies to sin , till you make narrow and particular enquiry after it ; after all sin , the several kindes of it whether of Omission , or Commission ; whether Outward or Spiritual , Open or Secret , Greater or Smaller , sins of Ignorance , or Knowledge , of Infirmities or Presumption ; your beloved , your most pleasing sins , your most gainful sins , whatever they be , you never renounce , till you resolve to make a diligent search after them .

2. To use all Gods means to destroy and overcome them . He that hides his enemy , and he that will spare him when he hath found him , is not an enemy , but a friend . He that sayes I will destroy , and will not use his weapons , either knows not what he sayes , or sayes what he never means . Thou sayest thou wilt renounce and resist all thy sins , but art thou in earnest ? What course dost mean to take ? Wilt thou take Gods way ? He bids thee hear , believe , pray , fast , mourn , strive , fight , watch , &c. Wilt thou hearken to his Counsels ? wilt thou be healed of thy diseases ? But wilt thou take the counsel of the Physition ? Wilt thou use his Medicines ? Thou wilt overcome thine enemy , but wilt thou take heed of him ? Wilt thou fight against him ? Wilt thou take in all the help that 's offered thee ? Wilt thou not onely believe , and lean upon God for his help , but wilt thou pray , and lift up thy heart for his help ? Wilt thou not onely pray against thy sins , but watch against them ? against the occasions temptations , and beginnings of sin ? Wilt thou use ( all ) Gods means , and against ( all ) thy sins ? shall not thine eyes spare any of them ? wilt thou make thorough work with them root and branch , old and young ? Shall there be neither the lowing of the Oxen , nor the bleating of the sheep heard with thee ? Wilt thou destroy the greater , and dash the little ones also against the stones ?

Wilt thou avenge thy self of thine Advetsaries , and wilt thou never again agree with thine Adversaries ? Wilt thou never again say , Is it peace , Jehu , ? is it peace , Jezabel ? So if thy sins say to thee , Is it peace soul , wilt thou answer , What have you to do with peace ? get you behind me . Wilt thou neither make a truce with sin , nor embrace a parley , nor entertain a Treaty for peace with it ? Wilt thou not draw back thine hand , nor put up thy Weapons , nor give over thy watch , nor go off thy Guard , till all thine enemies become thy footstool ; all this is included in the renouncing of sin .

Beware you be not mistaken here , this is the damnation of the world , their mistakes about repentance . They easily say I repent of my sins , I forsake the Devil and all his works ; and they as easily perswade themselves , that they do as they say : But did they understand what there is in this repentance , a searching out their sins , dividing their souls from them ; a painful and watchfull shunning and resisting them in their whole course : did they know what their particular sins are , how near they are to their hearts , how they have been nursed in their bosomes , and how hard t will be now to part ; even this Covetousnesse must go , even this sensuallity must go , these dear pleasures , these beloved gains , these pleasant companions , must all be sent away ; not one to be spared nor so much as once more ; did they understand this , they would then see what wind all their good words be . They as much mean to pluck their eyes out of their heads , to tear their flesh off their bones , as to repent , if this be repentance . Well now say , wilt thou repent ? Wilt thou now renounce sin ?

Wilt thou renounce the world also ? By the world understand , all the substance of the world ; Houses , Lands , Money , and whatsoever worldly Possessions ; all the shadowes of the world ; its Honours , Pleasures , Pomps , with all its glory . The men of this world , the friendship of the world ; all fleshly Relations : Fathers , Mothers , Brothers , Sisters , Children , all sinful Companions , and societies whatsoever is in , and of the world .

These are then renounced , when we are resolved that they shall neither be Our gods or Idols : Our devils or Tempters .

1. Not our gods . Then we make the world a god to us , when we make it out happiness , or end . When we bless our selves in it , and count that our very life consists in the abundance of the things which we possess . When we devote our selves to it , making it as the blessedness , so the great business of our life . He that can want the world , and yet be blessed ; he that can want , or have the world , and yet not serve it ; he hath renounced it , even whilest he hath it ; though t is his still , yet t is not his God .

2. Not our devils or Tempters . The world tempts in a double way :

1. Per modum Objecti ; as Objects , which by somthing that is apprehended desireable in them , entices and invites out the heart after them ; or by somthing apprehended as formidable , affrights us out of our way . Thus pleasant meats tempts the Glutton , and wine the Drunkard , and a Lyon in the streets the Coward .

2. Per modum causae Instrumentalis ; as under devils , or the devils Instruments , or Agitators by which he betrayes and beguiles unstable souls : In the former sence the things of the world , in the latter , the men of the world are temptations and Tempters to us . He renounces the world , that will not be tempted by the world ; that takes up with Christ , and will not be brib'd off by worldly advantages , nor proslyted by worldly companions .

He that is resolved for Christ , though with the loss of all , and with the displeasure of all the world . He that can be poor for Christ , that can be vile for Christ , that can go hungry and naked with Christ , that can go alone with Christ , and that even then , when 't is but turning away from Christ ; and he may be rich , and honourable , and be clothed , and be filled , and have company enough , as much as he desires , he forsakes the world .

He that ( can ) renounce the world , whenever it comes to be a case either Christ must be forsaken , or all things for Christ ; he that [ can ] whose heart is brought to it , he [ hath ] renounced the world What sayest thou now Soul ?

Thou wilt have Christ , but what if thou must leave all behinde thee ? VVhat if he say to thee s●…l all that thou h●st and follow me ? Canst thou be poor ? Canst 〈◊〉 be naked ? Canst thou be hungry for Christ ? Thou wilt have Christ , but how wilt thou leave thy Companions ? What will all thy carnal friends say of thee ? He 's a fool , he 's mad , he 's besides himself . How wilt look thy Father , or thy Mother , or thy Wife in the face , who are all against it ? who will be perswading , beseeching thee , weeping over thee , hanging upon thy neck ; or it may be , scoffing , and reviling , and spitting in thy face , to discourage and hold thee back : What sayest thou now ? Art thou yet for Christ ? VVilt thou forsake them all , cast off all that stands in thy way ?

VVilt thou forsake the devil also ? But I need not now ask thee that ; that 's done already , farewell Devil , when once sin and the world are cast out . If thou wilt not be tempted to sin , if the world ceases to be a temptation , the Devil were as good cease to be a Tempter . There be many that say , I defie the Devil , and yet defie not sin and the world ; wise men ! They like not the Devil , but yet will lick up his Excrements ; they hate the Devil , and yet are never well longer then they are dancing in his chains . Defie the Devil , and yet love sin ? such defiance is his delight . Let sin be defied , let the world be despised , and the Devil is conquered .

4. And lastly , Wilt thou cleave unto Christ , from henceforth , unto death ?

Thou wilt have Christ , but when ? Shall this be the Marriage-day ? VVilt thou from henceforth be the Lords ? or when shall it be ? Must it be to morrow first , or next moneth , or next year , or some time or other thou knowest not when ? May we not take thy promise as they did the Prophecy , Ezek. 12. Is it not for many dayes to come ? is it not of the times that are afar off ? To morrow thou wilt , hereafter thou wilt , as good as thou hast said nothing . As good thou hadst said [ never ] as [ not yet ] Speak Soul , wilt give thy self to the Lord ? wilt presently ? if thou wilt , how long wilt thou abide with him ? wilt thou not endorse on thy Deed of Gift , a power of revocation ? wilt thou not repent , not return again from Heaven to Earth ? wilt be chaste and play the Harlot no more ? wilt be faithful to the death ? obedient to the death ? Is this thy voice , I have opened my mouth to the Lord , and I cannot go back ? As the Lord liveth , nothing but death , no not death it self shall part thee and me . I am perswaded I am resolved , that neither life nor death , Angels , nor Principalities , nor Powers , nor things present , nor things to come , nor height , nor depth , nor any other Creature shall separate me from the love of God , or withdraw me from Jesus Christ my Lord .

Now Soul , gather up all this together ; stand thou before the Lord , the God of all the Earth , and this once more say , Wilt thou have Jesus Christ for thy Husband ? dost thou choose him for thy Lord ? wilt thou cleave to him in love ? wilt thou lean upon him for righteousness and strength ? for righteousness to pay thy debts , and for strength to pay thy vows ? wilt thou be subject to him ? thou knowest the commandments , how holy , how strict they be . Wilt thou obey them in all things ? wilt exercise thy self to godliness in the strictness of it ? wilt be a thorow-pac'd Disciple ? wilt not content thy self with such a cold or lukewarm indifferency in Religion as thy lazy flesh will bear , as thy credit , thy safety , or the temper of the times will bear ? wilt follow thy Lord fully ? Wilt thou take up thy lot with Christ , be it better or worse ? shall his Father be thy Father , his Inheritance be thy Inheritance ? yea and his Sufferings thy Sufferings ? his stripes , his bonds , his poverty be thine ? wilt thou espouse not his Crown onely , but his Cross too ? whither ever he goes wilt thou go ? where he dwells wilt thou dwell ? wilt say , where ever my Lord is , there let his Servant be ? Wilt thou forsake all others ? all thy sins ? wilt thou be made clean ? wilt give up thy sores , and thy ulcers , thy filthy and fleshly lusts to be purged out ? does thine heart stand disengaged from every sin ? is there not any one iniquity , concerning which thine heart sayes , Let this stay with me ? wilt search out thy sins ? wilt accomplish a diligent search , sweep every corner , search every chamber of thine heart & life ? wilt go down to the bottome of thy great deep , to find out what lodges there ? wilt faithfully endeavour , no more to allow thy self in any known iniquity ? wilt use all Gods means for the conquering and casting them out ? Wilt forsake the world ? wilt cast away thine Idols ? shall thy Mammon be no more a god nor a demy-god to thee ? shall it neither carry away thine heart from him , nor so much as share with him in it ? wilt thou not bow down to this golden Image nor serve it ? wilt thou no longer serve thy greedy appetite ? shall thine heart no longer go after thy covetousness ? wilt thou abandon thine estate , thy pleasures , thine honours , thy friends and companions , so far forth as any of these divide or entice , or steal away thine heart from thy Lord ? When ever they say , Come away , wilt thou say , Get you hence ? VVilt forsake the Devil ? wilt fear , and flie from , and no longer hearken to his temptations ? wilt no longer regard his promises nor his threatnings ? his flatteries nor his frowns ? Coming off from the tents of all these , wilt cleave unto thy Lord from henceforth , from this day forward , and not depart from him for ever ? Wilt hold on thy course , wilt run out thy race , wilt be faithful to the death , wilt hope to the end for the grace that shall be brought unto thee at the revelation of Jesus Christ ?

What sayest thou ? If thou sayest [ no ] as the Lord liveth , thou speakest this word against thine own life . If thou refusest to enter into this Covenant , thou sayest , I will not be the Lords , I will none of him , I will not live ; let death , and wrath , and chains , and plagues be my portion for ever . I will not be the Lords ; I will not leave my sins , and my pleasures , and my companions for his love : that is , I will be a Fool , and a beast , and a Devil ; I will die and will not see life . Mistake not thy self , be not deceived , 't is a matter of life and death that is before thee . 'T is whether Heaven or Hell , a God or no God , a Christ or no Christ , a Soul or a lost Soul , everlasting life or everlasting Fire , shall be thy portion , that stands now to be determined , by thy consent or refusal , look to it , be wise ; this once for eternity . Consent and thou art blessed , consent and he is thine , and with him the Kingdome . Thy Lord hath given his consent already ; view the hand-writing , the whole New Testament , which is written in blood , and sealed as 't is written ; there thou hast his [ I will ] in every line almost , visible before thee : put to thine and 't is done . What sayest thou ? dost thou consent ? shall thine heart come in , and put to thine hand , and subscribe for thee ?

I will .

Let that be done and then say after me .

A form of words expressing mans covenanting with God .

O Most Dreadful God , for the Passion of thy Son , I beseech Thee accept of thy poor Prodigal now prostrating himself at thy Door : I have fallen from thee by mine iniquity , and am by Nature a Son of Death , and a thousand-fold more the Child of Hell by my Wicked practice : The Terms of our conversion , are either from which , or to which . But of thine infinite Grace thou hast promised Mercy to me in Christ , if I will but turn to thee with all my heart : Therefore upon the Call of thy Gospel , I am now come in , and throwing down my Weapons , submit my self to thy Mercy .

The Terms from which we must turn , are Sin , Satan , the World , and our own Righteousness , which must be thus renounced . And because thou requirest , as the Condition of my Peace with thee , that I should put away mine Idols , and be at defiance with all thine Enemies , which I acknowledge I have wickedly sided with against thee , I here from the bottome of my heart renounce them all , firmly Covenanting with thee , not to allow my self in any known Sin , but Conscientiously to use all means that I know thou hast prescribed , for the Death and utter Destruction of all my Corruptions . And whereas I have formerly inordinately and idolatrously let out my affections upon the World , I do here resign my Heart to thee that madest it , humbly protesting before thy Glorious Majesty , that it is the firm resolution of my heart , and that I do unfeignedly desire Grace from thee , that when thou shalt call me hereunto , I may practice this my resolution , through thy Assistance , to forsake all that is dear unto me in this World , rather then to turn from thee to the wayes of sin , and that I will watch against all its Temptations , whether of Prosperity or Adversity , least they should withdraw my Heart from thee , beseeching thee also to help me against the Temptations of Satan , to whose wicked Suggestions , I resolve , by thy Grace , never to yield my self a Servant . And because my own righteousness is but menstruous Rags , I renounce all confidence therein , and acknowledge that I am of my self a hopeless , helpless , undone creature , without righteousness or strength .

The Terms to which we must turn , are either ultimate or mediate . And forasmuch as thou hast of thy bottomless Mercy offered most Graciously to me wretched sinner , to be again my God through Christ , if I would accept of thee : I call Heaven and Earth to record this day , that The ultimate is God , the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , who must be thus accepted . I do here solemnly avouch thee for the Lord my God , and with all possible veneration , bowing the neck or my Soul under the feet of thy most sacred Majesty , I do here take thee the Lord Jehovah , Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , for my portion and chief good , and do give up my self , body and soul for thy servant , promising and vowing to serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the dayes of my life .

The mediate terms , are either principal , or less principal . The Principal is Christ the Mediator , who must thus be embraced . And since thou hast appointed the Lord Jesus Christ , the onely means of coming unto thee , I do here upon the bended knees of my Soul accept of him as the onely New and Living Way , by which Sinners may have access to thee , and do here solemnly joyn my self in a marriage covenant to him .

O blessed Jesus , I come to thee hungry and hardly bestead , poor and wretched , and miserable , and blinde , and naked , a most loathsome polluted wretch , a guilty condemned Malefactor , unworthy for ever to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord , much more to be solemnly married to the King of Glory : But sith such is thine unparallel'd love , I do here with all my power accept thee , and do take thee for my Head and Husband , for better for worse , for richer for poorer , for all times and conditions , to love , honour , and obey thee before all others , and this to the death . I embrace thee in all thine Offices : I renounce mine own unworthiness , and do here avow thee to be the Lord my Righteousness : I renounce mine own wisdome , and do here take thee for mine onely Guide : I renounce mine own will , and take thy Will for my Law .

And since thou hast told me that I must suffer if I will reign , I do here covenant with thee to take my lot , as it falls , with thee , and by thy grace assisting to run all hazards with thee , verily supposing , that neither life nor death shall part between thee and me .

The less Principles , are the Laws of Christ , which must be thus accepted . And because thou hast been pleased to give me thy holy Laws , as the Rule of my life , and the way in which I should walk to thy Kingdome ; I do here willingly put my Neck under thy Yoke , and set my Shoulder to thy Burden , and subscribing to all thy Laws , as holy , just , and good ; I solemnly take them , as the rule of my words , thoughts , and actions ; promising , that though my flesh contradict and rebel , yet I will endeavour to order and govern my whole life according to thy direction , and will not allow my self in the neglect of any thing that I know to be my duty .

Onely because through the frailty of my flesh , I am subject to many failings ; I am bold humbly to protest , That unallowed miscarriages , contrary to the setled bent and resolution of my heart , shall not make void this Covenant ; for so thou hast said .

Now Almighty God , searcher of hearts , thou knowest that I make this Covenant with thee this day , without any known guile or reservation , bebeseeching thee , that if thou espiest any flaw or falshood therein , thou wouldest discover it to me , and help me to do it aright .

And now glory be to thee , O God , the Father , whom I shall be bold from this day forward , to look upon as my God and Father ; That ever thou shouldest find out such a way for the recovery of undone sinners ; Glory be to thee , O God the Son , who hast loved me , and washed me from my sins in thine own blood , and art now become my Saviour and Redeemer : Glory be to thee , O God the holy Ghost , who by the finger of thine Almighty Power , hast turned about my heart from sin to God .

O dreadful Jehovah , the Lord God Omnipotent , Father , Son , and Holy Ghost ; thou art now become my Covenant-friend , and I through thine infinite Grace , am become thy Covenant-servant , Amen , So be it . And the Covenant which I have made on earth , let it be ratified in Heaven .

CHAP. XX , and Last . An exhortation to the Saints .

COme ye People beloved , you that are highly favoured ; The Lord is with you . Blessed are you amongst men and women . The Likes are fallen to you in a pleasant place , yea you have a goodly heritage . Come and enter upon your Lot ; let your hearts be glad , let your glory rejoyce , but that your joy may be full , hearken to these following counsels :

Make sure your interest in the Covenant .

Rejoyce not in that that 's none of thine . Make sure , all lies upon this : Your life , & all the comforts and concernments of it , both your eternal safety hereafter , and your success in all the parts of your Christian course here , depend on your interest in the Covenant . VVhat have you if Christ be not yours ? and what have you in Christ , if you be not in Covenant ? whence are your hopes , either of mercy at last , or of prospering in any thing at present , but from the Covenant of Promise ? And what have you thence , if your name be not in it ! Oh give not rest to your selves , till this be put out of doubt ; what ever duties you perform , what ever ease , or hope you finde hereupon , what ever transportation of affection you feel in your hearts , in the midst of all enquiry .

But am I in Covenant ? How shall I know that you 'll say ; why make a strict and narrow enquiry , whether those special graces already mentioned be wrought upon you . Common mercies , though even these be Covenant mercies to the Saints , yet will they not prove themselves so to be ; but specially graces will be their own evidence . Things outward , fall alike to all : No man knowes love or hatred by ought that befalls him , Eccles. 9.1 . Thou mayest be a son or a bastard , notwithstanding all that thou enjoyest or sufferest here ; but not one of the fore-mentioned graces , but is a childes portion : Gods mark upon the heart , to distinguish children from strangers . Prove that thou truly knowest the Lord , hast one heart , a tender heart , &c. and thou therein provest thy self to be a child of Promise . Read over the descriptions that have been given of these graces ; observe diligently where the main differen●e lyes betwixt common and special grace ; compare thine heart with it , and thereby thou mayest give a judgement of thy state . If it be yet questionable , whether it be sound or no ; sit not down till thou hast obtained : but having obtained ,

2. Keep your evidences clear . Have you peace ? maintain it carefully . The hidden Manna will never breed worms by long keeping . Content not your selves that you once had peace ; 't will be but a poor livelihood , you will get out of what 's wasted and lost . Get you good evidences that God is yours , and keep them by you , till you need them no more . Grace is your best evidence , cherish and preserve it . Get a seeing eye , and keep your eye open ; get a single heart , and let it not be again divided ; get a tender heart , and keep it tender ; let the love and fear of God be acted in holy Obedience . An obedient , gracious , watchful , active life , will keep grace in heart ; and flourishing grace will speak for it self and you . Look not that the Lord should so far countenance your declinings to a more fleshly careless state , as to smile upon you in such a state ; God will not be an Abettor to sin . Count upon it , that your grace and peace , your duty and comfort will rise and fall together ; suspect those comforts that accompany you into the tents of wickedness , and forsake you not , when you forsake your God . Keep up your spirits , and then lift up your heads , keep heedfully on your way , and your joy shal no man take from you . Particularly , 1. Keep close by God . 2. Keep hold on Christ . 3. Keep touch with the Spirit . 4. Keep in with Conscience .

1. Keep close to God . Keep thy self under his eye and influences . Both thy grace and thy comforts as they had their birth , so must they have their nourishment from Heaven . Lose the sight of the Sun , and darkness follows . Let thine eyes be towards the hills . Let divine love be the pleasure of thy life . Let it be thy Lords cord upon thine heart , let it binde thee to him ; be loves Captive , let thine ear be bor'd to the threshold , be familiar in Heaven , keep thine acquaintance there , and be at peace ; chide back thy gadding heart , Soul ; whither art thou going ? who hath the words of eternal life ? let the interviews of love betwixt thy Lord and thee , be constant ; let them not be onely on some few holy days of thy life .

Count not thou hast lived that day , in which thou hast not liv'd with God .

Keep close to God , by keeping close to duty . Keep close to duty , and keep close to God in duty . Call not that a duty , which thou canst not call communion with God . Make not duty to do the work of sin , to take God out of sight . Let not Prayer , or Hearing , or Sacraments , be instead of a God to thee . Such praying and hearing there is amonst many , but know not thou any thing for Religion , wherein thou meetest not with God .

Behold the face of God , but behold his face in righteousness , Psal. 17.15 . 'T is ill looking on God with a blood-shot eye . Guilt upon the heart , will be a cloud that will make the Sun as darkness to thee . Walk in the light of the Lord . Walk in the light , as he is in the light . In thy light ( the holiness of thy life ) thou shalt see his light . The light of his holiness in thee , will be attended with the light of his countenance upon thee . By the light of his countenance , thou wilt both see thy self in thy way to thine hopes , and learn thy way more perfectly , Psal. 119.135 . Make thy face to shine upon thy Servant , and teach me thy statutes . God hath many ways of teaching ; he teaches by Book , he teaches by his Finger , he teaches by his Rod ; but his most comfortable and effectual teaching , is by the light of his Eye . Send forth thy light and thy truth , let them lead me , let them bring me to thy holy Hill .

2. Keep hold on Christ . He is thy peace . Appear not before God , but in the blood of the Lamb ; let him carry up thy duties , and own not that for a comfort , which is not brought thee by his hand . Let him be thy way to the Father , and thy Fathers way to thee . Keep fresh upon thine heart , the memory of his death and satisfaction , and let that be thy life , and thine hope . Hast thou cast Anchor on this Rock , lose not thy hold ; hang upon the horns of the Altar : Thou canst not live , but there ; if thou must dye , say ; but I will dye here . Put forth fresh Acts of faith everyday and hour . Believe , believe , believe , and thou shalt be established . Fall not into Unbelief , then thou art gone ; thou departest from the living God , Heb. 3.12 .

3. Keep touch with the Spirit . Observe and obey his motions ; when he excites , get thee on ; when he checks , get thee back ; know the holy from the evil spirit , by its according or differing with the Scriptures ; reject that spirit in the heart , that is not the same with the Spirit in the word . Try the Wind , what and whence it is , by thy Card and Gompass ; To the Law , and to the Testimony . And when thou perceivest it s from above , hoise up thy sails , and get thee on . Quench not the Spirit : Grieve not the holy Spirit of God , whereby thou art sealed to the day of Redemption .

4. Keep in with Conscience . Make not thy witness thine enemy . Deal friendly with it ; thou wilt need its good word , which thou canst not have , if it receive blowes from thee ; it will not learn this Lesson to speak good for evil : or if thou shouldest beat it into it , thou art undone ; if an abuse conscience speak peace , it becomes thy Traytor .

Give due respect to Conscience . Let it abide with thee , in Peace , and in Power . Keep up its Authority , as Gods Vicegerent . Next under God , commit the keeping of thy soul to conscience , as the Lord hath , so do thou make it superintendent in thy soul ; the Judge and Over-seer of all thy motions and actions . Let conscience counsell thee , and tell thee thy way ; let conscience quicken thee , and put thee on in thy way ; let conscience watch thee , that thou turn not out of thy way ; let conscience check thee , and reduce thee into thy way . Whither ever thou goest , carry conscence along with thee ; carry conscience into thy Closet , let it watch thee how thou behavest thy self there ; carry conscience into thy shop , let it eye thee what thou dost there ; carry conscience into the fields , into the market , amongst thy friends , amongst thine enemies , let it observe how thou behavest thy self amongst them ; carry conscience with thee to thy recreation , to thy bed , to thy table ; whither ever thou goest , there 's like to be but sad work , if conscience be not with thee . Commit the keeping of thy Covenant to conscience ; let it be the Ark in which the Tables of the Testimony are kept and preserved ; let it be the Executor of thy Testament . Conscience is bound by thy Covenant , the Covenant layes hold on it , let it lay hold on thee . Is thy conscience bound ? seek not to be loosed ; is thy conscience bound , give it leave to bind thine whole man : let it bind thy thoughts , and bind thy will , and bind thy affections , and hind thy tongue , and thy whole practice ; thou never livest as a man in Covenant , longer then thou livest as a man of Conscience . VVhat becomes of the Covenant , when a breach is made upon Conscience ? Oh what is there in the world when conscience is not ! what faith , or truth , or peace is there left alive ? what are Vowes , and Covenants , and Promises ? what are our duties to the Lord , our dealings with men , when there is no conscience towards God ? Keep thy conscience , and thou keepest thy soul ; keep thy Conscience ? and thou keepest thy Covenant ; keep thy Covenant , and thou keepest thy Peace ; let that go , and all 's lost .

Let conscience govern what God hath put under its power , and let it resist all adverse Power . Let it resist temptations . When ever Satan and thy flesh fall upon thee , and tempt thee ; Pity thy self , spare thy self ; take thy liberty , take thine ease , take thy pleasure , provide for thy safety ; what need is there of so much adoe ? Why canst not take the same liberty , and allow thy self the same latitude as others do ? they have souls as well as thou , and they have dangers as well as thou , and they have hopes as well as thou , and they have reasons and understandings to know what they do as well as thou ; and why canst thou not he content to do as they ? Why let this be thy answer , But what conscience is there for it ? With what conscience can I be idle , when I have said I will be doing ? With what conscience can I take mine ease , when I have said I will take pains ? With what conscience can I serve my flesh , when I have said I will crucifie it ? With what conscience can I love this world , when I have said I will renounce it ? With what conscience can I walk at liberty , when I have said I will walk circumspectly ? If all this were more then needs , ( far be it from me to have such a thought , till the serving my God , and the saving my soul be more then needs . ) But if it were more then needs , yet is it any more then I am bound to ? Are there any such liberties put into my Indentures ? Was there any exception made , of this duty , or that duty ? was there any limitation made , to this measure , or that measure ? hitherto I will go and no further , this little I will do and no more ? Was there any such proviso put in , I will serve the Lord , Provided I may with ease or with safety ? Have I not solemnly engaged to the Lord , to obey him in all things , to follow him fully , to love him and serve him with all my heart , with all my soul , with all my strength , and this to the death ? And Oh shal I lye unto God ? Is it more then needs to be righteous , and to keep my faith ? Come O my soul , come on ; thou hast opened thy mouth to the Lord , and thou must not go back . Be true , be honest ; be honest , though thou must swear for it , be honest , though thou suffer for it . Remember what thy mouth hath spoken , and see that thou fulfil it with thine hand .

Keep conscience pure . It s the book in which all thy Records are written ; let no blot be upon thy Book . Beware of sinning against conscience . Every sin against conscience , is a blot upon conscience ; and blots upon conscience , are blots upon thy Covenant-evidence ; thou wilt not be able to read , whether there be any thing written there for thee or not . Ah foolish soul , what art thou doing ? Dashing out all thy hopes with thine own hand . Beware thou content not thy self with blotted evidences .

Christians , forget not this counsel ; keep your Evidences clear . He who hath his whole estate in bonds or writings , how charily will he keep them ! If these be torn , or lost , or so blured , that they cannot be read , hee 's undone . What ever else be lost , if his money be gone , if his goods be lost , if his house be burnt , yet if his writings be safe , hee 's well enough . Oh take heed and keep your writings safe and fair ; keep your Title to your God clear , and you can never be poor or miserable . Whatever earth or hell can do against you , till they can tear the Covennnt of your God , or make you blot out your own names , they have left you abundantly enough , even when they have left you nothing .

O how highly are we concern'd to be tender of conscience , and yet how little care is there taken of it ! What 's become of the authority of conscience ? when thy thoughts , and thy passions , when thines eyes and thine ears , , and thine appetite , and thy tongue are left unbridled and unconquered ; when every Servant is set up to be Master , and bears rule in thee , where is thy Conscience ? what 's become of its authority ? When thy s ul hath been no better kept ( what poverty and leanness is there grown upon it , what a starveling is it become , both in grace and peace , eaten out with lust , evaporated into vanity , sunk into sensuality , thy spirit even transubstantiated into flesh , ready to perish , and die away for want of good looking to . ) When thy Soul hath been no better kept , where is thy Conscience ? when thy covenant hath been no better kept , when thy duties thou hast vowed to perform , are so hastily and heedlesly shuffled over , if not totally thrust aside ; when thy hours of prayer are such short hours , thy Sabbaths such Winter dayes , so short and so cold too ; when thy God is so shamefully neglected , can never hear of thee , but when thou hast nothing else to do , no nor it may be then neither , when thy spare hours are hardly spared for God ; when this earth , thy corn , and thy cattel , and thy pleasures and thy friends , which thou hast vowed to renounce , are let in again upon thine heart , and have stollen it away from Heaven , where is thy Conscience ? When thou sleepest so , and hast let the enemy come in and sowe his tares in thy field ; when thou art such a busie-body in other mens matters , and thine own vineyard thou hast not kept , but hast let it lie fallow , like the field of the Sluggard , all overgrown with thorns and nettles ; when both thine heart and thine house are so much out of order ; when thy Wife , and thy Children , and thy Servants are left at randome , to do all , what 's right in their own eyes ; when more care is taken for the Asses , then for thy Sons and Daughters ; when thy house is a very hospital , of blind , and lame , and sick Souls , ready to die for want of instruction and good discipline ; where is thy Conscience ? and if Conscience be not , where is thy Covenant ? and if thy Covenant be not , oh where is thy God and thy peace ?

Ah Conscience ! where art thou become ? what is become of that good thing committed to thee , yea what is become of thee ?

Ah Soul ! where is thy peace ? how is the keeper of thy peace laid low , and the covenant of thy peace broken ? what peace whilst no Conscience , and what hast thou left , whilst no peace ? Ah Lord ! thy treacherous dealers , how treacherously have they dealt with thee ? thy Children have forgotten thee , thy Servants are run-awayes from thee ; thou art our Father , but where is thine honour ? thou art our Master , but where is thy fear ? we are thy Servants , but where is our faith ? Ah Lord ! we have dealt falsly in thy Covenant .

Return , O Lord , return ; repair thy watches , recover thine honours , reduce thy wanderers , restore conscience , revive our peace , cause us to return and renew our covenant ; and remember break not thou thy covenant with us .

Christians , let us bewail lost conscience , and let it be recovered ; let us weep over our dead , and let their souls return into them . Let those of us , that have obtained grace to be faithful , and watchful , and tender , rejoyce and take heed : let him that standeth take heed lest he fall . Go on in the Name of the Lord : Remember his counsels ; keep close by God , keep hold on Christ , keep touch with the Spirit , keep in with Conscience ; keep thine heart , keep thy garments , keep up thy watch , keep on thy way , finish thy course , keep the faith ; and then let the devil do his worst , thy peace shall be extended to thee as a River , and established as a Rock ; and thou shalt be able to say in the words , and in the faith of the Apostle , Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness , which God the righteous Judge shall give unto me at that day , and not to me onely but to all that love his appearing .

3. Adde to your covenant , your sacrifice , Psa. 50.5 . Gather my Saints together unto me , those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice . God hath made with you , and he expects that you make covenant with him [ by sacrifice . ] Sacrifices were seals of the Covenant . As Gods part of the Covenant , so our part also must be sealed , and sealed with blood ; his with the blood of his Son , ours with the blood of our sins .

Rom. 12.1 . I beseech you therefore Brethren by the mercies of God , that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice , holy , acceptable to God . The sacrificing of our selves to the Lord conprehends in it three things : Alienation , Dedication , Oblation .

1. Alienation , or the passing away of our selves , from our selves . Ye are not your own , you are bought with a price . Thus he hath said , and he expects that we should say also , True Lord , I am not mine own .

2. Dedication . or the passing over our selves to the Lord , 2 Chron. 29.35 . Ye have consecrated your selves to the Lord . His we are by purchase , but he expects that we be his also by donation : his we are by conquest , but he expects we should be his by consent also . Though he may challenge us as his right , yet the most acceptable claim is , when he hath us by gift . When our hearts say , I am thine Lord ; then his heart will answer , Soul , thou art mine .

3. Oblation , or the actual surrender , or offering up our selves to him . In the offering this sacrifice is included the Immolation , or slaying of it : We must slay our selves ( in a spiritual sense ) be mortified , be crucified with Christ , and so offered up a sacrifice to him . You will say , How is it then required , that we offer up our selves [ a living sacrifice ? ] Answ. We are never truly alive till we are dead , Col. 3.3 . Ye are dead , and your life is hid with Christ in God . When our flesh is dead our spirit is life , Rom. 8. As the Apostle , 1 Cor. 15. that which thou sowest , so that which thou sacrificest is not quickened except it die . Mortificatio est mors viva . Alapid . 'T is onely the mortified Christian that is a living sacrifice .

Christians , come and sacrifice your selves to the Lord . Come and slay your sacrifices , and so offer them up . Your sacrifice is then slain ( as before 't is intimaed ) when your carnal self , your old man is crucified with Christ , and the body of sin destroyed , Rom. 6. when the wisdome of the flesh is crucified , and made to vanish before the wisdome of God ; when the will of the flesh is subdued , and swallowed up of the Will of God ; when the lusts of the flesh are vanquished , and made captives by the Law of God .

Christians , It may be you are willing to make your claim to the Covenant of God , but have you made covenant with him ? you have entred into covenant with God , but will you confirm your covenant by sacrifice ? you will give your selves a sacrifice to the Lord , but is your sacrifice slain ? Is the wisdome of the flesh made foolishness ? How is it with your carnal wills ? Is the will of the flesh broken and brought into subjection , yielding it self up to the Lord ? O for an exinanition of wills , an emptying them into the Will of God! What wilt thou do ? What wilt thou have ? nothing but what God will . What the Lord will have me do , or avoid , or suffer , I can no longer say him nay . Is this the Will of God , my sanctification ? so 't is mine . Is this the Will of God , my humiliation ? so 't is mine ? Is this the Will of God , my tribulation ? so 't is mine . Is God for holiness ? through Grace so am I. Is God for his own Will ? so am I : this is all the Will I have , that the Lord may have his Will of me ; may be all to me , have all from me , rule all in me , and dispose of all that concerns me .

How is it with your carnal affections , and fleshly lusts ? are these slain ? Is your covetousness , your sensuality , your pride , and envy ; are your carnal joyes , and fears , and worldly sorrows , are these destroyed ? those wild-fires , of passion , and fury , and rage , are these quenched ? Come put the Knife to the throat of all these , and then there 's a sacrifice for God . Go and offer it up ; and let it be

A Free-will-offering , A Thank-offering .

1. A Freewil-offering . Offer your selves willingly to the Lord , Psal. 110. Thy people shal be willing in the day of thy Power . O may that glorious day dawn upon us ! God loves a chearful giver ; offer up your hearts , with all your heart ; grudge not that the Lord requires , but bless God , that he will accept of an offering ; this hath a comfortable signification : If the Lord had meant to destroy us , he would not have accepted an offering at our hands , Judg. 13.23 .

2. A Thank-offering . Offer unto God thanksgiving , and pay thy vows unto the most High ; Offer up your selves in token of yuor thankfulness to the Lord. : Be ye both the Priests , and the Lambs for the sacrifice . Present your selves to the Lord , as the accomplishments of his Covenant , as the fruits of the death of your Redeemer , as the Trophies of his Victory , as the spoils which he hath recovered from Death and Hell , making a shew of them openly , that it may be seen that the promise of God is not of none effect , and that Christ did not die in vain . Let your Lord Jesus when he comes down into his Garden where he left his blood , reap his pleasant fruits , and carry up your purified Souls as the signals of his glorious atchievement . Offer up your sins to the Lord ; these unclean beasts will be an acceptable sacrifice . There 's more real honour growing up to the Lord , from one mortified Saint , then from ten thousand Anthems from the most seraphick tongues . Offer up your duties to the Lord ; your obedience for a sacrifice . To obey is better then sacrifice ; then thousands of Rams , and ten thousands of Rivers of Oyle . Let your whole life be this sacrifice : let every day be a Sabbath , every duty an Eucharist , every member a Cymbal sounding out the praises of God , Offer up the calves of your lips unto the Lord . O let your souls be filled with wonder , and your mouths with praise . Whence in this to me , that the Mother of my Lord should come to me ? Oh whence is this to us , that the Lord our Father should come , and come so near to us ! Oh whence is it , That the Mighty God should indent , and come into bond with sinful man ! that he who was free from all men , should make himself debtor to any ! That the high and lofty One , that inhabits Eternity , should dwell in Houses of Clay , and pitch his Tabernacle in the Dust ! That he who humbleth himself to behold the Heavens , should come down into the earth ; and after what is he come down , but after a dead Dog or a Flea ? that he should make a league with the stones of the g●ound , with the beasts of the field , and creeping things ? should espouse dust and ashes , and gather up vile worms into his bosome ? should set his heart upon shadows , and adopt the refuse of the earth for Sons and Daughters to himself ? should raise the poor out of the dust , and the beggar from the Dunghil ? should do such great things , and should choose the foolish , and the weak , and the base , and the contemptible , and bostow on [ them ] among all the world these high honors ? should make them the Head and the honourable , whom the world hath made the Tail , the filth and the off-scouring of all things ? should give himself to be the portion , his Son to be the ransome , his kingdome to be the heritage of bankrupts , prisoners , and captives ? Lord what is man that thou art thus mindful of him ! Soul , what is God that thou shouldst be yet unmindful of him ? How is it that the tongue of the dumb is not yet loosened , that the feet of the lame do not leap as an Hart ?

Oh what is that love , whence this strange thing hath broken forth ? This this is the womb that bare thee ; hence hath thy righteousness sprung forth ; hence have thy dignities , thy astonishing hope , and joys arisen to thee ; this is it that yearned upon thee in thy mercy , that reprived thee from death , redeemed thee from darkness , rescued thee as a brand out of the burning ; that pitied thee in thy blood , washed thee from thy blood ; spared thee , pardoned thee , reconciled thee , and brought thee , an enemy , a rebel , a traitor , into a Covenant of peace with the God of glory . Ah contemptible dust ! that ever there should be such compassionate contrivements , and such astonishing condescentions of the eternal Deity , towards so vile a thing ! O love the Lord all ye his Saints ! O bless the Lord ye beloved , ye people near unto the Lord . Alas that our hearts should be so narrow , that the waters should be so shallow with us ; where are our eyes , if we be not yet filled with wonders ; what hearts have we , if we have not yet filled our lips with praise : Open all thy springs , O my soul , let them flow forth in streams of love and joy ; let every faculty be tuned and strained to the height ; let heart and hands , and tongue , and eyes lift up their voice ; be astonished O heavens , be moved ye strong foundations of the earth , fall down ye Elders , strike up ye heavenly Quires , lend poor mortals your Notes , to sing forth the high praises of God , who rideth on the heavens , and hath caused us to ride on the high places of the earth , and made us sit together in hevenly places , shewing forth the exceeding riches of his grace , in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus .

Awake up my Glory , awake Psaltery and Harps , I my self wil awake right early . My soul doth magnifie the Lord , and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour ; for he that is mighty hath done for me great things , and holy is his Name . Blessed be the Lord God of Israel , who hath visited and redeemed his People ; who hath raised up an horn of salvation for us , in the house of his servant David ; who hath laid help on one who is mighty , and exalted one chosen among the People , and hath given him for a Covenant to them . Bless the Lord , O my soul , and all that is within me bless his holy Name ; who hath redeemed thy life from death , and crowned thee with loving kindness and tender mercies . Salvation to our God , that sitteth on the Throne , and to the Lamb. Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so , Worthy is the Lamb that was slain , to receive power , and riches , and wisdom , and strength , and glory , and honour , and blessing ; for thou livedst , and wast dead , and art alive for evermore . Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood , out of every kindred , and tongue , and people , and nation ; and hast made us Kings and Priests unto our God for ever . Hallelujah , Hallelujah .

FINIS .