Rihgt [sic] thoughts, the righteous mans evidence a discourse proving our state (God-ward) to be as our thoughts are, directing how to try them and our selves by them, propounding schemes of right thoughts, with motives and rules for keeping thoughts right : in two parts / by Faithful Teat.

RIHGT THOUGHTS The Righteous Mans EVIDENCE : A DISCOURSE ,

Proving Our state ( God-ward ) to be as Our Thoughts are .

Directing how to try them , and Our Selves by them .

Propounding Schemes of Right Thoughts .

With Motives and Rules for keeping Thoughts Right .

In Two Parts .

By FAITHFUL TEAT .

For as a man THINKETH in his Heart , So is He , PROV. XXIII . VII . Let the Unrighteous Man forsake his Thoughts , ISAIAH LV. VII . Doth not He that Pondereth the HEART , Consider ? PROV. XXIV . XII .

London , Printed for George Sawbridge , dwelling on Clerkenwell Green , 1669.

The Preface . Little Book ,

I Am very sensible that thine Entertainment in the World is likely to be the same with His , on whose Errand Thou art sent , who is said to have endured , Hebr. 12.1 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the contradiction of Sinners against Himself . For to tell men of making Conscience of THOUGHTS , for Setting and Keeping them RIGHT , when the most do even hate to be reclaimed from the most Outward Enormities in Words and Actions , Psal. 50.17 . Gen. 27.9 . compared with Gal. 4.28 , 29 is likely but to tickle the Spleen of too many Ishmaels to an Impious scurrility , and prophane Derision .

But ( whether they will hear , Ezek. 2.4 , 5. or whether they will forbear ) Go Thou and tell the wicked WITS that thou dost meet with , Dan. 5.3 . That whilst they are Quaffing Themselves into a drunken merriment in the Vessels of the Temple , Verse 25. Verse 27. Verse 26. ( making sport of things Spiritual ) there is a tremendous MENE TEKEL upon the Wall , Their wit is weighed in the Ballances ( of the Sanctuary ) and found wanting ; Their Dayes are numbred , and themselves shortly , to give up the Ghost , and a sad account therewith to God that gave them their active Phansies for better use .

And here I could tell thy Reader , that I have been lately an Eye-witness of some ( taken for Wits of prime magnitude in the Orb of Prophaness ) who upon their Death-beds , could allow no rest to themselves , or those about them , without procuring the Visits and Prayers of such as themselves had by a mimical way of Praying , and Theatrical mock-Preaching , been wont to expose to Derision among their Companions ; Unhappy Partners in their prophane LIFE , and again unhappy in that they were not Spectators of their penitent DEATHS !

Exod. 10.16 . Chap. 8.8 , 28. and 9.27 . Hebr. 11.26 . When Gods Plagues are upon Aegypt , Oh then call for Moses and Aaron in hast , O Pray , pray , pray s●r us ; Yet this Moses is the man , that at other times , must bear the Reproach of Christ in Aegypt , as the Apostle ( to the Hebrews ) testifieth . For though the Hearts of the Sons of men are fully set in them to do Evil , and Madness is in their Hearts whilst they Live ( as Ecclesiastes observeth ) yet , Eccles. 9 3. Job 28.22 . compared with Verse 28. saith the Holy Ghost , Destruction , and DEATH say , We have heard the Fame of Wisdom with our Ears , that is , of the true fear of the Lord , as the Text expounds it self . Now Mr. W●●ler quoted by Mr. R. B●yl . 'T is not that which first we Love . But what Dying We approve .

2 Cor. 5.11 . Go thou therefore , and tell the World that thine Author , knowing the Terrour of the Lord , ( and in the many years leisure he hath had for Thinking , finding no more Noble Theme than Thoughts ) hath sent thee forth to perswade Men , to be so far from daring to adventure . Their Souls in naked and open Prophaness , as not to rest under the fairest Fig-leaves of superficials , or the best of OUTSIDES whatsoever ; but to consider seriously , That there is a Sanctifie the LORD GOD in your HEART ; 1 Pet. 3.15 . Eccles. 10.12 . Hebr. 4.22 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . and a Curse not the KING , no not in thy Thought ; That the word of God is quick and powerful , a ( critical ) discerner of the Thoughts of the Heart .

And therefore thou canst be unfit for the Hands of none , for that all have HEARTS . Discourses of other sorts may more particularly concern some one sort of Readers , Prov. 27 . 2● . and some another , but that Counsel of Solomons , Be thou diligent to know the state of thy FLOCKS , concerns every one , if that of Holy Herbert be true , My Soul 's a Shepheard too , a Flock it seeds , Herbert in Temple . Of THOUGHTS , and Words , and Deeds .

Let all sorts therefore be diligent to know the state of their Thoughts .

As for the Poor in this World , they have the more need to be rich in ( that which our Saviour calls the good treasure of the Heart , that is , Mat. 12.33 . ( amongst other things ) good THOUGHTS ; and as for the Greatest , go thou and tell them , that as the Bereans were the More Noble for wearing the precious Pearl of Gods Word at their Ear ; So , Thoughts regulated by that Word , Acts 17.10.11 . are the best Jewel that can sparkle upon the most Honourable Brests , Mal. 3.16 . Verse 17. to make them orient in his Eye , who hath said of those onely , who so THINK upon his Name , They shall be Mine , in that day when I make up my JEWELS .

1 King 8.38 . But if the sick of the Plague of the Heart ( which Scripture speaks of as the worst of Plagues and ) whose Cure thou designest , will not receive thee , because the Divine patience doth as yet suffer them to walk abroad free from Outward and bodily Maladies ; Then go thou , and visit my old Neighbours in Doleful Colchester , and other such sad places , where the Plague in their Houses , hindring their freedome of converse with others , doth the more oblige , and may perhaps the more dispose them to turn in to Themselves , Psalm 4.5 . to stand in aw , and not to sin , but to commune with their Own HEARTS ; And the God of all Grace go along with thee , and succeed thee , for the effectual Turning of many Hearts from Darkness to Light , and from the Power of Satan unto God .

CONTENTS OF THE FIRST PART .

CHap. 1. Of Self-discovery : its Nature and necessity .

Chap. 2. Dams this Principle , That Thoughts are Free ; The less so in Gods Eye , because free from Mans. Evil Thoughts sin to us , Abomination to God ; Damn'd in the old World , Exclude from Salvation , like Devils , and worse .

Chap. 3. Thoughts the Souls Pulse . In Churlishness , Liberality , Envy , Goodness , Impatience , Patience , Uncleanness , Chastity , Covetousness , Pride , Humility , Purity . Judge we Our selves by what we would others ( if we could ) .

Chap. 4. God chiefly eyeth mens Thoughts , they have Feet , Tongues and Hands . Thought-Adultery , Prophaness , Presumption , &c. Evil and Good Characterized from their Thoughts : known to God afar off . Our Possessions , Companions , &c. 1. God made us for Thinking . Gods Good will towards us , and Ours to Him set out by Thoughts , so Our Ill will by not thinking of Him , &c. 2. Grace first stirs in Thoughts . 3. Thoughts can reach further then our Deeds can , and God requires our utmost . 4. Thoughts are the Hearts first-born , Gods part Mans Heart a Fountain , Mint-house , God-eyes our hearts first setting out . 5. God judgeth ( as Man cannot ) most by what is in-most . 6. Conscience ( Gods Deputy ) judgeth us by our Thoughts .

Chap. 5. Right Thoughts how to be known , not thoughts of , but in our selves . Conscience the Lords Candle to search .

Tryal 1. By their Original , not from Nature , but Grace . The occasion and season of Gods first working them . A Scheme of a Converts first thoughts , agree with natural motions in 1. Facility , 2. Frequency , 3. Perpetuity .

Tryal 2. By their Radication , when good thoughts are deepest . Rule explained , Reason of the Rule , Instances in good and bad , Godly ( at lowest ) excel Hypocrites at best . Bodily temperament how considerable in this tryal .

Tryal 3. Right thoughts operative in a Right Conversation . Thoughts without Works vain and dead . Right application of this Rule .

Tryal 4. Right Thoughts are Regular , Here 1. Think there is a Rule for Thoughts . 2. Have Right Thoughts of the Rule .

RIGHT THOUGHTS The Righteous Mans EVIDENCE : A Discourse upon Proverbs 12.5 . The Thoughts of the Righteous are Right . The I. Part.

CHAP. I. Sheweth how Self Discovery is to be had and made : bewails Self-Ignorance ; Perswades to Self-studying and Self-acquaintance .

Sect. I.

COgito , ergo sum , Thinking the Evidence of Being . is a prime Conclusion with the modern and ingenious Philosopher . Thinking is the surest proof of Being . For since Operation doth certainly suppose Essence , Man doth most certainly conclude his Being from that Operation that he is most certain of . I cannot so surely conclude I am , because I walk , or talk , or eat , or drink , or see , or hear ; for I may be deceived as to these Operations ; senses are not seldom deluded ; Phantasie obtrudes falsity ; A man dreams and thinks he eats ( saith the Prophet ) and awakes and his soul is empty : Isa. 29.8 . Man is not so sure he eats when he thinks he eats , as he certainly knows he thinks , when he thinks he thinks ; and if he be sure he thinks , he is sure he Is , for Thinking is an Operation and flows from Being . Right-thoughts of a right-Spirit Acts 8.21 . Psal. 51.10 Prov. 23.7

And as naked Thinking is the surest argument of meer Being , so is well-thinking ( if our Text be true ) an Evidence of Well-being , Right Thoughts ( as this Scripture calls them ) of a Right Heart and a Right Spirit ( as other Scriptures call it , ) for ( saith the Holy-Ghost ) As a man Thinketh in his heart , So is He.

Sect. II.

Self-sight how to be had . 1 Cor. 2.11 Ephes. 5.13 NOw this Self-sight or Self-discerning , as it is only to be had and made in the Looking-glass of thine one Thoughts , so only by the Eye of thine own soul , for what man knows ( saith the Apostle ) the things of a man , save the Spirit of man that is in him ? Yet must that Light , that makes manifest , be held rightly to thee , even the Word of God which is quick and powerfull and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart : Hebr. 4.12 . 2 Cor. 2.10 so also must that Spirit , that searcheth all things , give thee visive power , and help thee in the search , ( as David saith , Ps. 193.23 Search mee , O God , and know mine heart , try me , and know my thoughts . ) For this is the Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation ( saith the Apostle ) not only in the knowledge of God , Ephes. 1.17 and 18 but also for our selves ; that the eyes of our understandings being enlightned , we may know not only what is the hope of his calling , but also what is his working in us . Wherefore , Reader , though the Author know not what thy spiritual state is , yet for the loves sake he bears thy soul which he knows to be inestimably pretious , most earnestly desirous he is to meet and help those self-discovering Thoughts of thine , by these few Thoughts of His , here presented to thy view , and to thy value no farther than they carry the Evidence of that Word which shall judg thee at the last day ; Jo. 12.48 . Praying that as thou readest , 1 Jo. 2.20 . thou may'st receive an unction from the Holy One , that knowing all things , thou mayest not be ignorant of thy self .

Sect. III.

TH Scripture saith , Eccles. 2.14 . Pro. 17.24 . The wise mans eyes are in his head , but the fools eyes are in the end of the earth . How many How do ●ou's do many make ( for which they will one day make a sad account ) without bestowing one poor hour in a Moneth or year in a profitable How do You upon their own souls , which if thou thy self neglectest , though I might say ( with the Prophet ) Who shall pitty thee ? Jerem. 15.5 who shall bemoan thee ? Who shall go aside to ask thee , How thou do'st ? yet ( me thinks ) it greatly pitties me for the multitude of Our Wandring Jews ( miscalled Christians ) that gad like Dinah , Gen. 34.12 . or rather flee from themselves , and the presence of the Lord like Cain , whose feet abide not in the house , their own heart , Pr. v. 7.12 . Psal. 78.33 nay scarcely their own home ; but their dayes are consumed in vanity ( as the Psalmist speaks ) betwixt making and shewing themselves fine and brave . But Oh , have not such heard , Jude 13 have they not known that for wandring Stars ( though they glitter like them for a season ) there is yet reserved a blackness of darkness for ever ; surely the Lord will say to such as now depart from themselves depart from me ; to such as know not themselves , Mat. 7.23 I know you not .

O how diligent is the Tradesman in his Counting-House ? Pro. 27.13 . and the Country-Man in knowing the state of his Flocks ? How anxious are Thousands about Titles , Evidences , Bills , Bonds , in matters of dirty Mammon , yet prodigiously careless as to what Scripture calls pretious ; Faith , ( 2 Pet. 1.1 . ) Promises , ( 2 Pet. 1.4 . ) Souls , ( Psalm 49.8 . ) Christ , ( 1 Peter 2.7 . ) Never so much as asking themselves , or others , for any Evidences for Heaven , or what they might do to be saved ? like those that prepare a table for a Troop , but forget Gods Holy Mountain ; Isaia . 65.11 Luke 10 , 41 , 43 Our thoughts are with Martha , cumbred about many things , But O when shall we make choice of Maries part ? What looking amongst others of the naturall face in a glass ? Mean while Gods glass thrown by ; James 1.23 the Souls complexion never enquired after ; Its state not searched into , even though the most offensive excrements of nature are diligently examined for the discovery of the vile bodies condition , Phil. 3.21 when threatned with the least hazarding distemper ; and the Soul , the Soul of man drudging at all this . Cant. 1.6 . Ah poor Soul who made thee the Keeper of all these Vineyards , wh le thine own is unkept ? What spending of time amongst others , Acts 17.21 Athenian like , in hearing and telling some new thing ? who , mean while are never acquainted with the Old Man , Eph. 4.22 who hath so long dwelt in their own bosoms . What looking ( like the Mother of Sisera ) out of their windows ( and like that cursed woman the wife of Ahab ) yet not in at their hearts ? Judg. 5.28 hearts looking out , not looking in . 2 Kings 9.2 Isaiah 48.4 John 21.11 Jerem. 8.6 There , are open Casements ; here , are brazen shuts , and Iron sinews to keep all close , even from their own eyes : What busie inquiries by unconcerned Idlers after Alien and Forraign things , like his in the Gospel , And what m●st this Man do ? yet I hearkened and heard , but they spake not aright , no man repented him , saying , what have I done ? or how shall I do ? Intelligencers from abroad are gladly received , those in mens own breasts are checked and choaked . What will become of such and such Interests ? what will times come to ? what will become of Trade ? such and the like are frequent Inquiries , What will be the issue of this mans Contest , and the other mans Law suit , Nay of this Cock-Fighting , or that Horse-race , of this Game at Cards , or that Cast at Dice ? But where shall I meet the Man or Woman that seriously , that seasonably cryes out , but what will become of my own Soul , my immortal Soul to all eternity ? What will you do in the end ? Jer. 5.35 . this is a Query of Gods putting to us , and methinks ( amid all other our Inquisitiveness and Curiosity ) we should not neglect to put this to Our selves .

Alas ! how deplorable and lamentable a thing it is that Man that would be wise , should be so vain ? Job 11.12 he ●reedily drinks in the knowledge of all about him , yet is willingly ignorant of himself . If man do but meet a Ghost ( if his mettle will serve him ) he presently cries ou● , In the name of God what art thou ? yet carries a Spirit about him every day , whereunto he never moveth that Question . Miserable man that thou art ! Is thy Conscience such a Fiend to thee , and thi●e own Soul such a gastly Ghost , that thou darest not stay to talk with it ? Put thy self to it : Temptation will put thee to it , Affliction will put thee to it : Death and Judgment will put thee to it , and ask thee plainly what thou art ? Ask thy self before-hand , that thou mayest know what to answer them that ask thee .

Sect. IV.

SUrely that Antient , Apostolick , Self-knowledge necessary . 2 Cor. 13.5 may pass for a Catholick challenge 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; Know you not your own selves ? you know your conditions and outward concernments , do you not know your spiritual state ? you know your Herds , do you not know your Hearts ? you count your Coin , take you no account of your Consci nces ? you try your Gold , do you not prove your Faith ? nay more , you are acquainted abroad , and know others , know you not your own selves ? Must that needs be true of you , that is said of the Witch in the Fable , that she wore eyes when she went abroad , and still laid them by when she came at home ? you take upon you to judge one another , to know the hearts , and fore-know the ends and future states of others , and know you not your own selves ? surely God may say to that his Officer ( though a bribed one ) that self-discerning power and faculty , that he placed in mans breast , as sometimes he did in another case , Isa. 42.19 , 20 who is blind as my servant , or deaf a my Messenger , that I sent ? seeing many things , but tho● observed not the one thing that more concerns thee than all other things . But God knows thee , though thou know not thy self ; and will tell thee what thou art ( as Ahijah did Jeroborams wife ) whether thou make or take thy self to be another ; 1 Kin. 14.6 And that bribed Officer will ( one day ) do his office , and will make thee , too late , to know thy self , when thou wilt not know what to do with thy self . Luke 16.24 Thy tormented tongue will then tell thee , what this little Treatise would fain acquaint thee with in a better season , and more to thy profit , yea and those very thoughts of thine that thou wilt by no means put thy self upon the trouble now to reflect upon , will turn upon thee , and fly in thy face , and gnaw at thine heart as so many never dying worms and roundly tell thee then , what they might have told thee before , even before thou hadst come into that place of torment . Those thoughts that are now thy pulse , thou mayst try thy self by them , will then be thy pain , thou wilt torture thy self with them . Son remember , Verse 25. said Abraham to Dives , Oh thy Memory will then be thy misery , and thy thoughts thy tormen● . Those thoughts of thine that might now make a Jury , whilst , if thou be cast , thou hast time before thee to sue out thy pardon , if thou empannel them not for this better service , they will then turn thy Executioners , when there will remain neither help in thy self , nor hope in God , Pr. 5.11.12 Jer. 2.5 Psal. 50.21 . Think now what thy eternal thoughts will be if thou miscarry . for thee . O then thou wilt think of thy Soul , thy Sin , thy misery , means neglected , mercies abused .

Reader , pause here , and think of what is past , before thou proceed ( a whet's no let . ) Thou canst not endure to spend a little time now in the unpleasing work of self-Reflection , whilst self-reflection might do thee good ; And can thine heart endure to spend an Eternity in the same work to a worse end , save that Eternity can never be spent ? My heart is enlarged to thee , O Reader , fearing thine may be straightned towards thy self , yet do but promise me that thou wilt well weigh this one word , what the work of thy thoughts will be to all Eternity ; ( if thou shouldst miscarry ) I say to Eternity ; And I will leave the porch of my discourse ( built larger for thy sake then was intended ) and so lead thee to its principal parts .

CHAP. II. Damneth this licentious principle that Thoughts are free .

Sect. I.

ANd now that we might make a right Judgment of our selves by our thoughts , Thought 's Free a damned Principle it will be necessary that we first Judg aright of our Thoughts ; and therefore we must come in the first place to damn that hell-born Principle , to the place from whence it came , That Thoughts are Free : for hardly can I think a more evident token of a Reprobate mind ( as the Apostle calls it ) then for a man to think of his thoughts as some will say of their words , Rom. 1.28 Our lips are our own , who is Lord over us ? Psal. 12.4 But I may say to all those that promise liberty to their thoughts as the Apostle speaks in another case , 2 Pet. 2.19 Whilst they promise them liberty , they themselves are the servants of Corruption , for as we shall finde , the first stirrings of grace are in thou hts , 't is as true that the first motions of Corruption are there also ; James 1 , 15 for Lust concerves ( saith the Scripture ) and then brings forth sin . Thou●ht is the Cockat●ice , Isai 59.49 Egg ( as the Prophet calls it ) that Breaks forth into a Viper . And thus are they miserably requited by their own thoughts being themselves enslaved by them , to whom they proclaim a liberty .

Thoughts not right , except we think aright of our thoughts in point . In this discourse we shall soon see that thoughts are the test by which God will try us and we should try our selves ; Now as Thoughts are reckoned amongst the highest acts of the mind , so Reflexive thoughts are ranked in the highest order of Thoughts , and hence it will clearly follow , that thoughts are not right in specification , that as to this Principle are not so in reduplication , that is to say , That God will approve the thoughts of no man that thinks He is unaccountable to God for his thoughts , for if the thought , of the Righteous be right ( as our Text speaks ) it follows that he that thinks not in this very point aright of his thoughts , is unrighteous . Isaiah 55.7 And now let the unrighteous forsake his thoughts , even these unrighteous thoughts of his thoughts , for as Scripture mentions a judging of unrighteo●s thoughts , James 2.4 Evil thoughts are sin to us Pro. 24.9 Pro. 6.18 Abomination to God so this surely is an unrighteous judging of Thoughts , for any man to think that his thoughts are Free . No , no , but the very thought of foolishness is sin . A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations , is one of the seaven things that the Lord hates , and it is placed by the wise man ( as the Sun in the midst of the Plan●ts ) as that , from which all the rest do derive , what they have . Evil thoughts are iniquity to Those that harbour them . Isaia . 53.2 They conceive mischief , their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity ( saith the Prophet ; ) And as they are iniquity to themselves , so the thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord , Pro. 15.26 Condemnation of the old world Gen. 6.5 Verse 8 as Solomon saith . This was the Grand wickedness and great Condemnation of the old World . God saw that the wickedness of man was Great , for the imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually , and therefore it repented God that he made man , and it grieved him at his heart .

The evil thoughts of our hearts grieve God to his heart ; and surely man hath great reason to repent of that , that made God to repent that he made man .

'T is a sad Complaint that God makes by his Prophet , I am broken , saith God , with their whorish heart , Break Gods Heart . Ezek. 6.9 . Jer. 4.18 . Jer. 4.14 . Prov. 30.32 . ( as the Fountain of their whorish practices . ) Be not deceived , Iniquity is bitter , when it reacheth to the heart , and so must our sorrow for thought-sin be , if we ever be saved . If thou have thought evil , lay thine hand upon thy mouth , nay upon thine heart . Wash thy heart from wickedness , that thou mayest be saved , Exclude from Salvation . how long shall vain thoughts lodge within thee ? If a man may think himself to Hell by vain thoughts , what shall we think of evil thoughts ? for even vain thoughts lodg'd and allowed , are plagued and punished by such vile thoughts oft times as are abhorrent to nature , as it is said of the old Romans , Rom. 21 . 2● . they became vain in their imaginations , and God gave them up to vile affections .

Sect. II.

FOr the Truth is , God knows thoughts . that which most likely induceth Men to think that their thoughts are free , ( viz. ) that they seem , and in some sort are so in respect of Men , doth render them the less so in the sight of God , who understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts , 1 Cor. 28.9 . more infallibly then Men do words and actions . I know their works and their thoughts ( saith God in Isaiah ) . We may know Mens works , Isa. 66.18 . but we know not what the thoughts were , that put them upon those works , whether for the glory of God , or to be seen of men ; But God knows both .

What though mans eye cannot see , or his Law bind , And eyeth them the rather , because less lyable to outward inducements . or outward weights and plumbets force the thoughts of men ( when threatnings or rewards may make men act against their minds , or speak what they do not think , yet all the world cannot make a man think what he doth not think ; God that is himself an Independent Agent , doth the rather judge of the conformity of the minds of men to his own , by those Acts that have least dependency upon outward Inducements , or Inforcements .

A man may seem to do many Acts for God , and speak many words for God , and yet only make man his debtour , they do it ( saith Christ ) to be seen of men , Mat. 6.5 . and verily they have their reward ; But he that layes out his thoughts upon God , and for God , he trusts God without a witness , and the Righteous God will place what we thus lend to his own Account , and will pay us again in our own Coin , but with infinite Interest ; Psal. 40.5 . Holy David had many thoughts for God , and saith David , Many , O Lord my God , are thy thoughts which are to us-ward , they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee , If I would declare and speak of them , they are more then can be numbred , so that whilst the outward Actions , if they be no more then bare outward Actions , can look for no more then an outward Reward ; there is upon good thoughts , which are a spiritual exercise , an Intail of spiritual blessings in heavenly places , Rom. 8.6 . for to be spiritually minded is life and peace . Here is Use upon Use , for what thou lendest to the Lord ; Life and Peace , Salvation and Assurance , for what can be more an uncontrollable Evidence that the man is Spiritual then that the mind is so , 1 P●t. 3.4 . which Scripture calls , the hidden man of the heart .

From carnal fear . A Cudgel may make a Dog to let go a Bone out of his mouth , when it doth not go out of his mind ; Laws of the Land , and shame of People ( as we say ) may keep a man from committing Adultery in the outward Act , but all the world cannot keep him from committing Adultery in his heart . But the fear of God in a Josephs heart could make him afraid to look upon a woman to lust after her , Gen. ●9 . 10 . to lie by her , saith the Text , or to he with her ; he dreaded all exterior incentives to adulterous thoughts ; and so also in a Jobs , Job 31.1 . why then ( saith he ) should I think upon a Maid ?

And again , Carnal self-love , Self-Love . if thou be a Preacher , may raise thy tongue to the high praises of Christ , and fill thy Pulpit with Hosannahs in the highest to the son of David , but it is only love to Christ that can make thee take him to bed and board with thee , to lay him all night between thy brests , to remember his love more than Wine , Cant. 1.4 , 13. and that not so much for that thou art to Preach upon it the Lords-Day , as that thou art to Live upon it all the week , as St. Paul saith , to me to live is Christ ; Phil. 1.21 . for 't is one thing to prove our parts to men , and another thing to approve our hearts to God : neither are we so much to desire to evidence to others a Proof of Christ speaking in us ( as the Apostle speaks ) as to find a proof of Christ living in our selves , least while we preach to others , 1 Cor. 13.3 . Chap. 9.22 . We our selves prove 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , unapproved .

So then for a man to think that his Thoughts are Free , that is , that he is unaccountable to God for his thoughts ( according to which God especially judgeth men ) is to admit a contradiction , not only to all Scripture , but to all Right Reason .

Sect. III.

Evil ; thoughts like Devils . LEt me freely tell thee , O Reader , ( whosoever thou art ) whose thoughts are not right , thine heart is but an hell , and thy thoughts are but so many Devils , and worse then Devils to thee , for First ,

In their Original . As Angels ( the most Excellent of Gods Creatures ) became odious Devils , by departing from God , so that our Thoughts ( that in their own nature , are the Off-spring of the noble and most excellent Mind of man ) should become Iniquity to us , Isa. 59.7 . Prov. 15.26 . Hebr. 3.12 . and an abomination to God . This is from our evil heart of unbelief , in departing from the living God .

Nature , spiritual wickedness . Eph. 6.12 . Luke 22.3 . Ezek. 18.10 . Mat. 23.27 . In high places . And as Devils for their nature , are called spiritual wickednesses , can enter into men ( 't is said , Satan entered into Judas , ) and fill their hearts ( as in Ananias his case ) why hath Satan filled thy heart ? so also Evil thoughts are said to come into mens , minds , and fill their hearts ; Inwardly they are full of rottenness ( saith Christ . ) And as Devils for their pride and power are called , spiritual wickednesses in high places , so also evil thoughts are said to be those high things that exalt themselves against God , 2 Cor. 10.5 . and against Christ , ( Casting down Imaginations , and every high thing , &c. and bringing into captivity every thought of the heart , &c.

Number , Legions . Mark 5.9 . Luke 8.30 . Mat. 17.34 . And as Devils for their number made the possessed man cry out , My name is Legion , for we are many ; so may Evil thoughts say , for these are called the abundance of the heart , Like the swarmes of Flyes in Aegypt , as if they were of Beelzebubs Army , who , by the Etymology of his name , is Lord of the Flyes , and by the account of the Pharasees , Prince of the Devils .

And as Devils for their agility , Agility . made answer to God ( when he demanded , Satan , whence comest thou ? ) From going in the Earth to and fro , Job 1.7 . and from walking up and down in it ; Just so may evil Thoughts say ; for the wandring of the desire is by the Thoughts ; they go where we cannot , Israelites in the Wilderness , Eccles. 6.9 . Acts 7.39 . yet in heart went back to Aegypt .

And as Devils for their Vigilancy , Vigilancy . 1 Pet. 1.8 . Psal. 104.20 , 21. are said to walk about as roaring Lyons , which are stirring when we are sleeping , ( as the Psalmist observes ) Therefore saith the Apostle , be vigilant , so the worldlings thoughts are at work while himself is asleep , for as his dayes are sorrow , so his heart taketh not rest in the Night , Eccles. 2.23 . Chap. 5.8 . for a dream comes through the multitude of business ; And oh how often cause have we to be troubled , when we awake , for the Thoughts of our sleep , Daniel 4.1 . as Nebuchadnezzar was with his Thoughts in his sleep ?

And Devils for disturbing in good Duties , Disturbing in Good . Mat. 13.4 . 1 Sam. 1.13 . are called the Fowls of the Air , that steal away the word ; such are evil thoughts , and so do they ; As when Hannah was a Praying , Elie's thoughts were running upon that , that was neither charitable nor true , ( viz. ) that she was drunk . And when Simon should have been minding what Christ was a saying , his Thoughts were wandring , He said within himself , Luke 3.37 . if this man were a Prophet , he would have known who and what manner of Woman this is that toucheth him , for she is a sinner . Vain thoughts can dog us when and where vain company cannot come at us , even in our closest places and performances .

And as Devils are signalized for disturbing us in what is good , so for tempting to evil , Tempting to evil . Math. 4.3 . James 1.14 . ( therefore Satan is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , The Tempter , ) so every man is tempted ( saith the Apostle ) when he is drawn away of his own lust , and enticed ; so that Evil Thoughts are our Tempters as much as He , and we should belie the Devil should we say otherwise : for they have made ready their heart like an Oven , Hose● 7.6 . saith the Prophet ; What though Satan bring the Fewel , yet men put it into the Oven , and stir it about by their own Thoughts , in their own hearts , so that if He , like a cunning Baker , seem to sleep all night , ( as 't is there expressed ) yet he knows that they will tend it , and so look to it , that in the morning it shall burn like a flaming fire .

And then accusing . And as Devils , when they have been Tempters , will be sure to be Accusers , ( so that , as many men are called by such a name , Alias , such a name , so Satan is called Tempter , Rev. 12.10 . alias the Accuser ) so also are Evil Thoughts , Their thoughts mean while accusing , &c. as the Apostle speaks . Rom. 15.2 .

And tormenting . Mat. 18.34 . Luke 16.25 . And as Devils are Tormenters as well as Tempters and Accusers , so also the Thoughts of the damned shall be a principal part of their torment , Son , remember , &c. saith Abraham to Dives , that is , bethink thy self , &c.

And thus have we seen that Evil Thoughts are as bad as Devils ; Yea worse then Devils to us . yea that they are worse then so , we shall now make appear in a few lines , and so conclude this head . And that .

In themselves . First in themselves , ( in some respect ) Let me tell thee , O Reader , that thy thoughts may be guilty of such a sin , as Satan himself is not , nay cannot be guilty of ; Psalm 14.1 . For saith the Psalmist , The Fool hath said in his heart , that there is no God ; whereas the Apostle saith expresly , James 2.10 . that the Devils believe and tremble . And Oh that we could tell how to bewail it sufficiently , that there should be more Atheisme in one heart upon Earth , nay in one thought , than in all the Devils of Hell . We pitty others when possessed with Evil Spirits , how much more should we lament bitterly over our own selves when possessed with Evil thoughts , in some sort worse then the worst of spirits .

II. As to those whose thoughts they are , And to us . For these are the Heifers wherewith Satan Ploweth , whose Temptations could only di●turb● , not destroy us , If our Thoughts did not take them in ( as the Trojans in the Story , the deceiptful Horse , ) and make them ours ; so that our Destruction is of our selves ( as the Prophet speaks , Hose● 13.9 . ) for if Satan cannot know our Thoughts ( without us ) much less can He force them ; But as Christ saith in one place , You are of your Father the Devil , John 8.44 . Jerem. 7.44 . Chap. 9.14 . Chap. 11.8 . and 13.10 . and his Lusts will ye do , so the Prophet saith in many places , that in and after the imaginations of their own hearts they do and will walk ; So that as Christ saith , the Devil is the Father , the Apostle makes mans heart to be the Mother , which receives the Temptation ; and Thought the Womb that Conceiveth and Hatcheth it , when he saith , James 1.15 . Lust when it hath conceived , brought forth sin , whereas were there a Cordial crying out , as by the forced Damosel in the Law , Deut. 22.24 , 25. Rom. 7.24 . or the Apostle in the Gospel , Oh wretched man that I am , who shall deliver me ? God would lay the sin upon Satan , and not upon the Soul disturbed by , and afflicted with it .

Now then since Evil Thoughts are as so many Devils , and worse then Devils to us , let us dread them as we do the Devil ; resist them as we ought to do Him , and Pray against them as we would against Him , and when they break into our hearts ( which are such unruly and untamed Evils , ) let us serve them as the People of a Country Village would a ravenous Wolf , or cruel Bear , that should break into th●●r Town , all the Town would be after them , either to kill them in , or to force them out of it .

Prov. 23.26 . And since the heare is the thing that God Principally requires , and that out of it are the Issues of Life , Let us keep the heart with all keeping ; Prov. 4.23 . Mal. 3.16 , 17. and be choice of our Thoughts as of Gods Crown-Jewels .

Phil. 4.8 . And now finally Brethren , whatsoever things are true , whatsoever things are honest , whatsoever things are just , whatsoever things are p●●e , whatsoever things are lovely , whatsoever things are of good report , if there be any vertue , if there be any praise , Think of these things .

CHAP. III. Sheweth the Thoughts of man to be the Souls Pulse , and that they evidently discover his Inward Estate .

Sect. I.

YOu see then where this wisdom is to be found , Thoughts the Souls pulse . and where is the place of self-understanding . Reader , Thou art before the Lord , dost thou unfeignedly desire to know thy self truly ? then say not in thine heart , who shall ascend , or who shall descend to tell thee , whether of the two , Heaven or Hell shall be thy place and portion ; As the words are nigh thee , Romans 10.6 , 7 , 8. even in thy mouth ; so the Thoughts are nigh thee , even in thy mind ; for what Christ saith of thy words , I may say of thy Thoughts , Mat. 12.37 . Verse 34. By thy words ( saith the text ) and by thy thoughts ( saith the reason of the text ) Thou shalt be justified , and thou shalt be condemned . For out of the abundance of the heart doth the mouth speak ; If then thy Thoughts be Right , Thou art Right . The thoughts of the Righteous are Right . All the Righteous have Right Thoughts ; and All , whose Thoughts are Right , are Righteous .

'T is a Laudable fairness in our Law , Thoughts our Neighbourhood . that it puts All Tryals for Life and Death , upon God and the countrey ; that is , the Neighbourhood . This little Book allowes thee the Birth-right of thy Native Law in thy greatest tryal , more Important then for Life and Death . 'T is for Salvation or Damnation . Tryal by them fair . Thy Thoughts are thy Neighbourhood , they walk and talk with thee , they know thy lying down , and thy rising up ; Put thy Soul tryal upon God and them , and God send thee a good deliverance .

Sect. II.

Instances of churlishness . 1 Sam. 25 , 26. Isaiah 32.5 . Isaiah 32.5 . Isaiah 31.8 . Liberality . A Nabal-like Heart may seem sometimes to put forth a liberal hand , and make a Feast like a Prince , yet shall not a Churl be the more called liberal , The liberal man deviseth liberall things . He onely is the liberall man that hath the liberall mind , whose thoughts are free in a better sence , then the old saying hath it ; T is not the drawing of the Purse to the Poor though that must be too where there is a Purse , but the drawing out the Soul to the Hungry that is true Charity , Isaiah 58.10 . Mark 12.21 . Two mites bestowed with one truly Generous and Liberal thought , is a righter Almesgiving then the giving of the two Hemispheres of the whole world , would be without it .

Sect. III.

Envy . Prov. 26.25 . Psal. 55.21 . THe Envious may carry smooth , and speak fair , yet never a whit the more to be trusted if there be seven abominations in the heart , The Oyl of smooth words may float at top , whilst Waters of strife are at bottome , war in his heart : His words kind , his thoughts Cruel ; now He is what his thoughts are . 'T is not said as a man speaketh with his tongue , but as a man thinketh in his heart so is He. Nay such are Evil whose thoughts are so , though God turn the fruit of their heart to good , to those to whom they intend evil , Gen 50.20 . as in Josephs case , ( Ye thought Evil against me , saith He , But God turned it to good ) , and to His own Glory , Isaiah 10.7 . to whom they intend dishonour ; as in the Assyrians ( howbeit He meaneth not so , neither doth He think so , Goodness . ) He was what his thoughts were : on the other hand , Joseph was a good Brother to them , that had been otherwise to him , though his carriage were course , and his speaking rough , for He thought them good , and meant them well . And thus God himself , Isai●h . ●0 . 3 . when He sheweth his People hard things , and ( it may be ) incurs their hard thoughts , yet then he approves himself to be a merciful Father , and a tender Friend by his gracious thoughts and tender purposes , I know the thoughts that think towards you , Jer. 29.11 . thoughts of peace ; And as He thinks in His Heart so is he , ( though they think hardly of him ) his thoughts are of Peace , and He is the God of Peace . Rom. 15.33 .

Sect. IV.

THe Impatient are not alwayes Clamorous , Impatience . but sometimes like froward Children that declare their doggedness by not speaking at all , Job 36.19 . Prov. 23.39 . as well as by speaking doggedly . 'T is said of the Hypocrites in Heart , they cry not when God bindeth them , He strikes them , yet they will not be thought sick , and beats them , yet they seem not to feel , they have not grieved , Jerem. 5. ● . they make their face , harder then a Rock , yet are never the more quiet ; never the more patient ; for , mean while , Habak. 2.4 . their minds fret , their thoughts boil within them , their Hearts are lifted up , therefore they are not upright . Their thoughts are froward , and so are they , for as a man thinketh in his Heart so is he . Prov. 19.3 . The foolishness of man perverteth his way , and his Heart fretteth against the Lord . He frets in Heart and thought , though not in word . Patience .

On the other hand , you have heard of the Patience of upright Job , yet how often did His Impatience ( like some Mens sickness ) break out at his lips , when the distemper had made no mortal seisure upon his heart ; for search but his Heart and his History to the bottom , and you shall find it full fraight with thoughts of Penitence , of Patience , of Piety , of Humility , full of God-exalting , self-abasing thoughts , thoughts of calmness and sweetness towards God , and onely of bitterness and Indignation against sinful self . Job 40.4 . and 42 , 2 , 3 , 6. Behold I am vile , what shall I answer thee ? and again , I know that no thought can be with-holden from thee : who is be that hideth Councel without knowledge : I have uttered that I understood not , wherefore I abhor my self , and repent in dust and ashes .

Sect. V.

Uncleanness . Prov. 30.20 . Prov. 7.14 . Verse 18. SOlomons strange woman keeps a stir about wiping of her mouth , whilst she never regardeth the cleansing of her thoughts ; She can talk of Pe ce-Offe ings , and of Her paying her Vows in the day , and think the same moment , of pleasing her bruit●sh Lust all the night , Come let us take our fill of loves till the morning . Her thoughts were unclean , and so was she . Whatever mens garbes and pretensions are , how demure soever their deportments , Rom. 13.14 . and 8.5 . Chastity . Job 31.1 , how mortified soever their appearances , they whose profoundest thoughts , are how to make provision for the Lusts of the Flesh , are fleshly , and they that do mind the things of the Flesh are after the Flesh : On the contrary , Chast Job will not only make a Covenant with his Eyes , but will not allow himself so much as to think upon a Maid . His thoughts were Chast and clean , and so was He.

Sect. VI.

Covetousness . THe Covetous walk not alwayes in open and naked view for every one to see , perhaps not for themselves ; but often wear a Cloak ( as the Apostle calls it ) a Cloak of zeal , and seeming sanctity , as Iehu , 1 Thes. 2.5 . John 12.10 . and others . Their thoughts boil , but the fervour of their spirit is , for the serving of themselves , not the Lord Jesus Christ ; Judas talks of the Poo , but he think● of the Purse , 2 Pet. 2.1 . and of his Prey ; yet he carryed it so plausibly , that the Eleven suspected themselves more than Him . Mens Hearts may be exercised with covetous practices , Jer. 23.31 . Jer. 22.17 . whilst their hands seem not so , They come and sit before the Lord as his People , but their hearts run after their covetousness ; nay , their hearts are not but for their covetousness , as the Prophet smartly expresseth it . They may talk of better things , but their thoughts are for no other , their tongues may run of heavenly things , but their thoughts still run after their e●vetousness . Their thoughts are for to morrow , Mat. 6.31 . Psal. 49.11 . what they shall eat , and what they shall drink , and wherewith they shall be cloathed . Their Inward thoughts are , that their Houses and Inheritances are to them and their Heirs for ever . Such are the thoughts that they drown their Souls in , and bury themselves in alive , working like Moles under-ground , Phil. 3.19 . and if they sometimes appear above ground , they are not in their Element , till rooting in the earth again , Mat. 10.17 . they mind earthly things , The young man in the Gospel , His tongue ran of Heaven , What must I do that I may inherit Eternal life ? but his thoughts ran after Earth , if I go with this Christ , I must forgo my Estate , if I cleave to Him , I must leave that : Deut. 15.7 . He went away sorrowful , for he had large Possessions . But saith God to his People , Beware there be not in thy wicked heart a thought , &c. which he there cautions in this case of Covetousness . A Covetous thought reigning in the heart , Allowed , Loved , Liked , Maintained , customarily entertained there , is the Evidence of a wicked heart , of a bad man , for as a man thinketh in his Heart , so is He.

Sect. VII .

THe Proud person may be tryed by his Thoughts , Pride . be he never so much in the disguise of his voluntary humility . Isaiah 58.53 . His thoughts do swell and rise high , whilst He cringeth low ; like those in Isaiah , who hung down their heads like Bulrushes , yet their Hearts were lifted up in proud thoughts against God , as if He were in their Debts for their formal devotions ; wherefore have we fasted , say they , Luke 18.11 . and thou takest no notice ? The Pharisee was the worse for his good thoughts of himself ; God I thank thee , that I am not as other men ; Yea , and thousands in the world have cause enough to think ill of themselves , if they had no more then their thinking too well of themselves : God will punish the fruit of mens stout hearts ; Isaiah . 10.18 . compared with the 12. now the fruit of the stout heart is in the same place , explained to be the proud Thought . The Psalmist complains , the wi●ked through the pride of their countenances will not seek after God , Psal. 18.4 . Ezek. 28.16 . God is not in all their thoughts . He fetcheth proof of their wicked pride from their Godless thoughts . The proud Prince of Tyrus did set his heart as the heart of God , in high thoughts of Himself , as the Sequel there shews . Humility . But the best Men on the contrary are least and lowest in their own thoughts . Thus Abraham , Gen. 18 27. and 23.10 . Psal. 22.6 . Psal. 73.22 . Prov. 30.2 . Isaiah 6.5 . 1 Cor 15.9 . Col. 3.12 . Mat. 11.29 . but dust and ashes ; Jacob , less than the least of Gods mercies ; David , a worm and no man . Asaph , a beast before thee . Agar , more bruitish then man . Isaiah , a man of unclean lips . Paul , the very least of the Apostles , but the chiefest of Sinners . Put on humbleness of mind , saith the Apostle . The Humble man is humble in mind , and lowly in heart and thought as Christ was , for as a man thinketh in his heart so is He.

Sect. VIII .

Purity . Matth. 5.3 . BLessed are the pure in heart , saith our Saviour , they shall see God . Are thy thoughts holy ? then thou art happy . In a good mans heart there is a good treasure , Mat. 12.35 . Psal. 139.17 . and 10.4 Prov. 10.20 . and the Psalmist tells you what it is , How pretious are thy thoughts , O God , unto me ? But for the wicked , God is not in all his thoughts , therefore the heart of the wicked is little worth , and he , whose Heart is little worth , is wicked .

Sect. IX .

To draw this head towards a conclusion , let me perswade thee , O man , but to judge of thy self , which thou canst , by the same way , that thou wouldst judge thy Neighbor if thou couldst . If anothers thoughts lay as fair to thine eye , as his words do sound to thine ears , thou wouldest try his thoughts towards thee , before thou wouldst too much trust his words , for the wise man observes , these too may be very wide each from other , Eat and drink saith he to thee , and yet his heart is not with thee . But God hath purposely lockt up thy Neighbours thoughts from thee , Prov. 23.7 . to correct thy curiosity and over eager propension to Censoriousness abroad , and hath said , Iudg not that ye be not Iudged , Math. 7.1 . 1 Cor. 11.32 . but hath made thee Tur●-k●y to thy own , because its best for the to turn often in at thine own door , for if we wo●●● judge our selves we should not be judged . Mans Law doth what it can in the triall of those that are under Inquest , for discovery not onely nor chiefly of the Act , but the Mens ●●a , the Intent and thought of the Heart in the Act , whether a Traiterors , Malitious , Felo●ious Intent , and of M●lice fore-thought or no ? When smooth-tongued Simon Magus came with Honey in his mouth , and his well-tuned tongue had a fair freedom to make a plausible profession , he was received and Baptized , Acts 8.12 . Verse 22. but as soon as the Apostle Peter came to discern his thought ( Repent and pray God , saith he , if perhaps this thought of thine may be forgiven thee ) he presently perceives that his heart was not right , and that his state was nought , for he saith not , I perceive that the ●a●● of bitterness is in thee only , but that thou art in it a●d in th● bond of Iniquity . Verse 23.

Sect. X.

IN one word , as the Pulse so the Thoughts derive immedia e●y from the heart , both as to Temper and Distemper , the one in a Physi●al , the other in a moral notion & respect , and wert thou but as careful and S●i●fu to observe thy flowing thoughts , as thy Physitian is to examine thy gliding pulse , thy Thou●hs would ●s●●ste● deceive thee , then thy Pulse him , and thou needest not be so much at a loss as the most are for the knowledg of thy spiritual and everlasting state , haveing so fair as Index to Eternity so near at hand , Commune then with thine own hea●t upon thy b d , and be still . Psalm 4.4 . 'T is Scripture Councel , and it will never hurt thee to take it . Thy thoughts may talk with thee when none else will , when none else can , when there is none but God , and thou , and they together . Thy faculty will be true to thee , if thou be so to it , thy Thought will not flatter thee if thou do not daub with them ; but and if thou dost , God will not . And so I pass to the next .

CHAP. IV. Proves that the Judgment that God passeth upon Men is by their Thoughts .

Sect. I.

WOuldst thou then , O Man , Try thy self by the same M asures that God will try thee , and judge of the state , as He judgeth of thee , who judgeth not according to the appra a●●● , but judgeth righteous judgment ; Let me trie thy thoughts and thee together again . For the Lord search th th● h●a t and t●y●th the reins , Jer. 17.10 . and 11.20 . Psal. 16.7 . those reins the Psamist speakes of , My rein●s iest uct me in the night season , His solemn thoughts and setious self-reflections . Those are they that God tryed , and thee by them . Psal. 139.1.2 . O Lord thou hast searched me and known me , thou understandest my thoughts afar of ; As Christ said to Nathaniel , John 1.48 . I may say to others in other cases , before that Philip called th●e , I saw th●e when thou wast under the Fig-tree , so before others called thee to the Ale-Bench , or into the ●hore-ho●se , he saw thee , he knew the pr●p●●sions of thy Thoughts , the motions in thy mind , the tendency of thine heart , He understa●deth the thoughts afa● off , and by these He dooms , sentenceth , and judgeth thee , though ( to speak strictly ) God judgeth of us or knows us by pure and simple intuition● abstractly as well from thought as from words and actions , that is , He needs no more any thought or thing , then he doth any man , to testify of man , for He knows , John 2.25 . as what is in man , so what man is , by a more perfect way then discursive inference , or argumentation . He knows all things in their prin●iples before they operate , For known unto the Lord are all his workes f●o● the beginning . Acts 15.18 :

Sect. II.

THoughts have feet , they have a tendency , be they good or evil . Thoughts have feet . Prov. 21.5 . can go . Eph. 4.17 . Jer. 7.24 . Tongues . Math. 3.9 . Lam. 3 60. The thoughts of the diligent tend to plenteousness , the Lord takes notice of the tendency of thy thoughts , and counts thee go●e the same way that they go . The Gentiles are said to walk not onely after but in the vanity of their mind . And the wicked Jewes not onely after but in the imaginations of their evil Hearts . Thoughts can speak as well as go , Think not to say within your selves , &c. and God hears them , ( thou hast heard all their imaginations against me , saith the Church ) when the voice is not hard Hannah prayed in her heart , and her lipes moved , Can pray , 1 Sam. 1.13 . Verse 14. But her voice was not heard . Old Eli that measured her by the bare moving of her lipes , misjudged her ; but God had an eye to the Motion of her Hea●t , Thoughts can Curse too , Curse not the King , no not in thy thought . And curse , Eccl. 10.20 , 19 Prov. 23 33. And lie , Acts 5.3 , 4. The Heart of the wicked is said to utter perverse things . The Holy Ghost heard An●●●as thoughts tell the he before Peter and the rest heard his tongue do so , Why hath Satan filled thine Hea●t to lie unto the Holy Ghost ; thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God . Thoughts have Ha●●s too as well as Tongues and Feet in Gods account . And hands . The hea●t of the vile pe●son is said to work Iniquity , Isa. 22.6 . can work . and to pra●tice hypo●risy . Therefore saith God of the false witness , thou shalt do to him , as he thought to do to his Brother . David thought to build God at House , and thus God reckons , Deut. 19.19 : 1 Kings 2.26 . thou didst well in that it was in thine heart . When Esau thought to slay his Brother if his Father were but once dead , ( Esau said in his heart , Gen. 27.41 . the dayes of mourning for my Father are at hand , then will I slay my Brother Jacob ) ; God Books it down , though he never did it . How are the things of Esau searched out , Obadiah 6. how are his hid things sought up ? and so shall all mens be , 1 Chro. 28.9 . for the Lord searcheth all hearts , and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts .

Sect. III.

Thought , Adultery . Mat. 5.28 . Prophaness , Psal. 50.21 . IF a man looking on a woman do but send after her an Impure thought , God writes down Adultery committed already , if he look , saith Christ , to Lust after her . If thou do but think profanely , he notes it , thou thoughtest I was altogether such an one as thy self , But I will reprove thee ; I say , he observes it , and accordingly judgeth thee . If presumptuously , he dooms it , and thee for it . Presumption , Deut. 29.19 , 20. If a man hearing the words of this curse , bless himself in his heart ( that is , in his own thoughts ) saying , I shall have Peace , though I walk in the Imagination of mine heart : the Lord will not spare him , &c. If thy thought be vain and foolish , Vanity . wicked and worldly , God will pronounce thee such as he finds that . The grounds of a certain rich man brought forth plenteously , Luke 12.16 , 17 , 19 , 20. and he thought within himself what shall I do , &c. I will say to my Soul , Soul , thou hast much goods laid up for many years , take thine ease , eat , drink , and be merry ; But God said unto him , thou fool , &c. If thy thoughts be Viperous and Venomous , Venome . blasphemous and malitious against the Lord and His Christ . He will damn thee for such as he finds them . Mat. 12.25 . compared with verse 34. Psal. 2.4 , 5. Jesus knew their thoughts , and said , O Generation of Vipers , &c. Why do the Heathen rage , and the people imagine a vain thing ? they take Councel against the Lord , and against his Anointed , &c. The Lord shall speak to them in his wrath , &c. The Consult , He condemns , they Think , and He Speaks ; that is to say , speaks in judgment .

Sect. IV.

THis was the Condemnation of the old world , as we have seen , Evil men characterized by their thoughts . Gen. 6.5 . Gods proof of mans wickedness was from the Thoughts of his heart , and the punishment thereof was proportioned thereunto , an over flowing scourge upon them for that superfluity of naughtiness that was in them . Yet were there many amongst these that because of their profession were called the sons of God . Gen. 6.2 . The sons of God saw the daughters of men , &c. 'T is not what our professions are , or what our Names are , but what our thoughts are that the Lord looks at , and accounts of us by . 'T is said of our Lord Jesus that though many believed on his Name , when they saw the Miracles which he did , Joh. 2.23 , 24 , 25. yet did not Jesus commit himself to them , because he knew all men , and needed not that any man should testifie of man , for he knew what was in man . The Text saith , he judgeth of Man , by what was In Man : Our words proceed out of us , our professions are on us , but our thoughts are in us ; and these are they that the Lord Christ looks at , Luke 2.3 , 35. and was himself set ( amongst other ends ) for the manifestation of , That the thoughts of many hearts might be revealed .

Sect. V.

ON the other hand , So the Godly . those blessed Souls whom the Lord Crowns with so high a testimony , and so Honourable a Character of being his , Mal. 3.16 , 17 whom he will spare , his Jewels which he will make up , for whom a Book of Remembrance was written before him , they are briefly thus described , such as feared the Lord , and that Thought upon his Name . 'T was not the Name of God upon them , but the Name of God in them , 't was not the bare speaking of his Name , though ( no doubt ) they did that too , ( for they speak often one to another , ) but their thinking upon his Name , that God Characterizeth them from ; whereas be the wicked grosly such , Psal. 9.17 . Job 8.13 . or Hypocrites , they are stigmatized for such as forget God .

Sect. VI.

THere are two things that God is said to know afar off . God is said to know thoughts afar off , Psal. 13.8 , 6. a●d 139.2 . Ezek. 38.10 . The Pride of man , and the Thoughts of man . He hath it seems a severe eye upon each of these . I know their Imaginations which they go about ( saith God of Israel ) even now before I have brought them into the Land which I sware , and of Gog , thus saith the Lord , it shall also come to pass , that at the same time shall things come into thy mind , and thou shalt think an evil thought . God minds our thoughts before they come into our minds ; and knows what we are about to think , before we think it ; Then needs must he know what we think , when we think ; and what to think of us too whilst we are a thinking , before we speak or act . Psal. 94.11 . The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vanity , saith the Psalmist , the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise , that they are vain , saith the Apostle . 2 Cor. 3.20 . The variation in the version speaks thus much , Amongst all the vain Children of men , there is not one wise enough to hide his thoughts from being known to God , and himself by them . The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord . He cannot keep the noisom stench of them from the Almighties nostrils ; Prov. 15.26 . Yet abhors evil thoughts though at a distance . Prov. 11.20 . nor can God endure them without declaring his abhorrence of them . Who smells them at a distance ( afar off ) and abhors them , so they that are of a froward heart are an abomination to the Lord , If thy thoughts be froward , though thy words ( through thy subtil or hypocritical restraint of them ) be not so ; as appears by the Antithesis , but such as are upright in their way are his delight . You see then how God reckons men by their Thoughts .

Sect. VII .

WE value men according to their Possessions , and God according to their Thoughts : We value men by their possessions , Our thoughts are so . A man of mean parts , of low acquirements , of mean Possessions , we reckon a mean person : A man of high Improvements , of large Acquisitions , of great Possessions , we reckon a Great Man , a substantial person ; now Mens thoughts a●e their Possessions ; and 't is observable that one word in the Hebrew expresseth both , therefore when the Text in Job reads , Job 17.11 . My purposes are broken off , even the Thoughts of my heart ; The Margin ( according to the Hebrew ) reads the possessions of my heart . Luke 21.19 . 'T is by patient thoughts that we possess our Souls , under Affliction : By Chast and pure thoughts that every one should possess his vessel in Sanctification and Honour , 'T is by believing thoughts , 1 Thes. 4.4 . we possess the Lord Jesus , put him on , dwell in him , Rom. 13.14 . Col. 2.6 . Job 7.3 , 4. walk in him having received him . On the other part ; when Jobs thoughts were restlesse and unquiet , tossing and tumbling from morning to evening , from evening to morning , from week to week , from moneth to moneth , then it is said , God made him possesse moneths of vanity , When God presented all his youth-sins ( as so many frightful Ghosts ) fresh to his Thoughts , then it is said , Job 23.26 . God made him to possesse the iniquities of his youth . So when the Heart is full of good Thoughts , God calls that the good treasure ; if of evil Thoughts , the evil treasure of the heart ; Math. 12 35. and we value Men to be , as their treasures and possessions are .

Sect. VIII .

WE Judge men by their constant Companions .

We judge men by their companions .

Our thoughts are so .

Noscitur ex socio qui non dignoscitur ex se . Now our thoughts are our eonstant Company , They are ever with us at Bed and Board . Company draws out answers from us ( sometimes , when we have no great mind to speak , ) so do our Thoughts . Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer said Zophar . Job 2.2 . 1 Kings 12.8 . These are as Rehoboams Councellours , that were brought up with him from his youth ; so the Imaginations of mans heart are said to be ; Gen. 9.21 . Jer. 4.14 . These are our Inmates and Intimates ( be they good or evil , Divine or vain ) . They lodg● with us , nay within us ; these are guests that never part with us , till we bid adue to our selves . 'T is not till that very day , Psal. 146.4 . that our thoughts perish : no nor then neither in some sence , but they go with us into another World , and there God will judge them , and us by them . Prov. 13.20 . He that walketh with the wise ( the word , Men , is not in the Hebrew ) shall be wise . He that walks with God , who gives wisdom , and he that walks with the word of God which is able to make a man wise to Salvation . 2 Tim. 3.15 . He that hath that dwelling richly in him , and dwells upon it by wise and holy Thoughts and Meditations ( as the Psalmist saith , I have more understanding then all my teachers , Psal. 119.9 . Good thoughts good company . Prov. 6.21 , 22. for thy testimonies are my meditation ) as well as he that converseth with wise and holy persons , shall be wise . If thou bind them continually upon thine heart , when thou goest it shall lead thee , when thou sleepest it shall keep thee , and when thou awakest it shall talk with thee , that is , wisdom shall . Under God thou canst not have better Company then good thoughts ; God cannot be had without Theirs . nay , thou canst not have His without theirs . Thou mayst have his Company when thou canst not have good mens ; but thou canst not have His , except thou have good thoughts . But the companion of fools ( saith another Proverb ) shall be destroyed ; Prov. 24.9 . of foolish sinners without us , of foolish thoughts within us , ( for even the thought of foolishness is sin . ) If we choose either for our Companions , especially the later , they will undo us , and bring us under that doom of Destruction . This made holy , David choice of his Company , Psal. 26.4 . but curious of his Thoughts ▪ I have not sat● with vain persons , saith he , but I hate vain thoughts , when his Company was bad his thoughts were good ; Even while the wicked was before him , ●sal. 39.1 . his heart was hot within him , while he was musing , the Fire burned : his Thoughts inflame his affections with godly Zeal ; and this Holy Fire , as by an Anteperistasis , burnt so much the hotter for the Frost of cursed Contrariety that was about it . When the careful Magistrates or Officers of a City break into a suspected house in the Night time , the great question is , what Company have you here ? so when God breaks in upon our dark hearts , the Inquiry is , what Thoughts have you here ? Gods inquiry in mans heart , What thoughts have you here ? Luke 24.38 . James 2 4. why do Thoughts arise in your Minds ? Are ye not become Judges of evil thoughts ?

Sect. IX .

FIrst , God made Man to think of his Maker , Remember thy Creatour , God made man to think of his maker , Eccles. 12 1. We value things as they suit their ends . there is Mans end and duty sumd up in short . God gave man a mind higher then oth●r Animals , that he might mind high●r then they ; a mind above other things , that he might mind things above ; An Heathen could say , Os ho nini sublime dedit , Cael●mque tu●ri jussit . We chiefly estimate things as they suite their Ch if end , as Fewel by its burning , a Knife by its Edge , an Horse by his good heels , &c. Otherwise though they look well , if they do not ●urn well , or cut well , or go well , we like them not : So God will have none of thy ( Naphthali like ) goodly words without Godly thoughts . Gen. 49 21. We do not reckon Parrats or Mag pies men ; because they are taught to talk ; We know they have not Thoughts like Men , though they have words like Men ; And is it possible that for a little professions sake , God should have good thoughts of thee , whose thoughts are not good ? Let me tell thee once for all , He thinks better of thy Oxe or Ass that in its kind minds thee its Owner , then of thee who mindest not Him whom thou callest thy Lord and Maker , ( and so perhaps often swearest by him , when thou dost not once think of Him . ) 'T is a dismal Charge and Challenge that , Isaiah 1.5 . But my people do not consider ; They call themselves Mine , but they MIND not Mo ; Deut. 32.18 , 19. Of the Rock that begat thee , thou art unmindful , and hast forgotten God that formed thee , And when the Lord saw it , he abhorred them , because of the provoking of his Sons and his Daughters . Alas , how little do Names , Titles , Priviledges , Professions stand for in Gods Account , where God Himself is not minded ? Jud. 16.15 . As she said , How sayest thou that thou lovest me , seeing thy heart is not with me ? how is it that thou pretendest to God , seeing thy mind is not with him , Psal. 10.4 . God is not in all thy thoughts ?

Gods good will to us set out by his thoughts , Psalm 115.12 . Psalm 111.5 . Neh. 5.19 . and 13.22 . Luke 23.4 . Psalm 4● . 9 . Cant. 1.4 . Psalm 44.17 , 18 , 20 , 21. Isaiah 64.5 . So ours to God . As Gods good will towards men in Scripture is called his being mindful , his remembring , his thinking upon them . He is ever mindful of his Covenant . Think upon me , O my God : Lord , remember me when thou comest into thy Kingdom ! So ours also to God-ward . We have thought of thy loving kindness , O God! We will remember thy love more then Wine . ●f we have forgotten thy Name , shall not God search this out ? All this is come upon us , yet have we not forgotten thee ; our heart is not turned back . Therefore it is said , thou meet st them that remember thee . A good God will be sure to be even with them : They remember him , and he minds them . He is in their thoughts , and they are in his . But on the other hand , Think not , O man , to be regarded by him that is forgotten by thee ; or that God should have any good thoughts of thee , who never harbourest any good thoughts in thee , And our evil will , by our not thinking of him . Psalm 9.17 . and 50 , 22. or that God should mind thy good , who never mindst God nor good ? No , no , if God think upon thee , it will be to destroy thee , for not remembring him that made thee . The wicked shall be turned into Hell , And all the Nations that forget God ; Now consider this all ye that forget God , lest he tear you in peices while there is none to deliver you . Even such are the paths of all that forget God , and the Hypocrites hope shall perish . Job 8.13 . In vain is hope in God harboured where thoughts of God cannot be .

Sect. X.

Secondly ,

GOd looks especially to mans thoughts , Because if there be any Grace , Grace first stirs in thoughts . 1 John 3.9 . 1 Peter 2.2 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . which is called the seed of God in Man , it first stirs there . The new-born babe ( as the Apostles expression is , ) it first breaths in Prayer , but it first stirs in thought , and its stirring ( as in Nature ) is before its breathing . Nay even that privation , which according to the Old Philosophy ) is as it were a kind of principle of this Spiritual Generation , begins there . This is called a Casting down Imaginations , 2 Cor. 10.5 . and a bringing of every thought of the heart into captivity to the obedience of Christ . Grace , I say , Psal. 119.59 . first stirs in the Thought . I thought on my ways , and turned my feet unto thy test monies . Luke 15.17 , 20. Deut. 30.1 . 1 King . 8.46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50. The Prodigal came to himself before he came to his Father . First , thought of his Fathers house , and then turned his feet thither-ward : Solomon in his Prayer ( a Type of Jesus Christ our Lord in his Intercession ) speaks thus , If they sin against thee , &c. Yet if they shall be think themselves , &c. and so return to thee , &c. Then bear thou their Prayer , &c. and forgive thy People , &c. First , they bethink themselves , and then return . Thus the Accomplishment of the new Covenant in the work of Grace is called the putting of Gods Laws into mens minds , and the writing them in or upon their hearts . Hebr. 8.10 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 1 Cor. 10.5 . 1 Pet. 1.23 . Hebr. 4.12 . The Greek word signifies , I will give them into their Thoughts , and write them upon their hearts . Thoughts are the Gate and In-let to all the affections . Grace first knocks at this door . Therefore also the word of Grace , which is the great Engine for the foresaid Privation , and the very Seed of Regeneration is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a strict and curious observer of the thoughts and intentions of the Heart . And if Gods Word be such , sure God is so .

Sect. XI .

THirdly , God principally requires the heart , and therefore especially looks at the Thoughts . Thoughts to the Heart are as motion to the Watch , Therefore especially looks to the thoughts . Prov. 23.28 . Deut. 32.46 , 47. Psal. 119.41 . Sailing to the Ship ; and 't is those that render these valuable . My Son give me thy heart . We must give God our Hand too , and our all , but out heart in All , and above All. Thus set your Hearts unto all th● words , &c. for is it not a vain thing for you , because it is your life . We must lift up our Hands too to Gods Commandments ( saith David ) but especially our Hearts and Thoughts , and therefore he adds , and I will meditate in thy Statutes . Thoughts can reach farther than deeds can , and God requires our most . Psalm 137.1 , 5 , 6. Rom. 7.24 , 25. Our Thoughts can reach farther , than our Deeds can , and God requires and looks for our utmost . The poor Captivated Souldier when he cannot get to his party , he can think of his party . As the Captives in Babylon could think of Sion , nay , could not but think of it : the Apostle captivated to the Law of sin by the Law in his Members , did yet with his MIND serve the Law of God . And God minds carefully how your minds stand , which way they serve , to the World or Heaven , Sin or Holiness , Christ or Belial .

Sect. XII .

Thoughts the Hearts primary productions . Exod. 13.1 . First born Gods part . Job 5.7 . Fourthly ,

THoughts are the primary productions of the Mind , and Heart , therefore God principally eyes these . Of old times , the first born were under Gods especial eye . The Hebrews call sparks , the Sons of the burning coal , as you may see by comparing that Text in Job with the Margin . The Thoughts are the sparklings of mans Mind , the very Issue of it , if it be enkindled with Heavenly Fire , Mat. 3 11. that inward Baptisme , what numberless numbers of these Divine sparks are there daily flying upward ; if with Fire of Hell ( as the Apostle James speaks of the Tongue , James 3.6 . ) thy very thoughts , as it were , stink of Brimstone , and look like Hell in Gods eye ; they are earthly , Ver. 14.15 , 16. sensual , and Devilish , there is confusion , and every evil work . Thoughts , I say , are the proper Issue , nay the first born of the heart , Mat. 15.19 . for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts , Murthers , Adulteries , Fornications , Thefts , Blasphemies ; Mark , First Evil thoughts , and then all the rest . Evil Thoughts are the File-leaders , these stand in principal view . Evil Thoughts are the hearts first begotten , which no sooner are they born , but the heart incestuously begets on them again , Murthers , Adulteries , Thefts , Blasphemies , what not ? Thoughts you see lie next to the heart ; and if we would judge of a Fountain , we judge of it by the waters that flow next and immediately from the spring head ; going farther , Fountain to be judg'd by what flows most Immediately from it . they may come to be altered from their natural taste or look . The waters of a salt spring by being distreined and percolated through the fresh earth may loose their brackishness . So that which is hatred in heart , and every Brine in the Thoughts may seem sweet in the mouth through the intermediation of the dissembling tongue of him , whose hatred is covered by deceipt : he that hateth dissembleth with his lipes , maketh his voice gracious , Prov. 16.24 . Verse 26. so the Hebrew , Hail Master ! may be in the mouth while Bloud and Treason are in the thoughts , and the very Devil and All in the Heart . Contrariwise , the waters of a pure and wholsome Fountain may receive some other kind of tincture from the Channel they passe through , and thus too often Holy thoughts springing from an Heavenly heart , may seem lost as it were in the croud of wordly occasions , temptations and perturbations . Thus Isaac went to MEDITATE in the Field in the evening tide , Gen. 24.63 . and behold the Camels . 'T is not said he went out to meet the Camels , and some good thought dropt in , ( as a good Thought may now and then fall in a wicked mans way , as the Angel in Balaams ) But he went out to meditate , and the Camels fell in . Rebeckah , Verse 65. God eyes ●he hearts first setting our . Jerem. 2.2 . she thought ( as she said ) he came to meet her ; but the Lord saith , he went out to meet God . God will take notice whether our hearts set rightly out with him , though after in the journey we may for some season loose our way . Thus , saith the Lord , I remember thee , the kindness of thy youth , the love of thine Espousals , when thou ●entest after me , Psalm 110.7 . &c. Christ hath a dew of youth in a gracious heart , as well as Holy Church , and this Divine and early dew of pretious thoughts is fairest when freshest , Coin fairest out of the Mint-house . as from the Womb of the morning . Gods Coin is brightest when it first comes out of the Mint-house of mans heart ( for such is mans Mind , a Mint-house for thoughts ) when it passeth farther , it comes to be discoloured , to contract blackness , especially by lying for some time in the Earth , and so sometimes to grow suspicable to others , perhaps hardly discernable to our selves , without much rubbing , &c. Repentance and Reformation ; yet if it were right for mettal and stamp at its first setting out , when we our selves dare hardly trust it , yet God ( that knows its Original ) will own it . It is said of King Asa , 2 Chro. 15.17 . that his heart was perfect all his dayes , perfect with the Lord , yet the poor man took many a wrong and wretched step , 1 King . 15.14 . for a man of a right heart ; yea how was Gods stamp sometimes , as it were , worne off ? little left of his Image or Superscription to be seen : for besides that the high places were not remo●ed , which was a blot upon his Government ; In the business of Baasha , 2 Chron. 16. Verse 8.19 . He relyed on the King of Syria , and relyed not on the Lord his God ; And when he ( that had eminent experience of God in the business of the Ethiopians and Lubims ) had done thus foolishly , and Hanani the Seer had reproved him faithfully , Verse 10. he was wroth , yea in a rage with him , and put him in Prison . and oppressed some of the people at the same time ; nay , in the very evening of his dayes , and towards his very E●●t , 't is said , that in his Disease he sought not to the Lord , Verse 13. ● but to the Physitians ; yet there was something found at bottom notwithstanding all this . Contrariwise , 2 Chr● . 25.2 . Amazia did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , but ( saith God ) not with a perfect heart . Like some counte●se pieces now abroad , that being ●ased or plated over with Silver , are observed to have fewer cracks and flaws in the Edges , perhaps than the Kings own Coin , and yet they are but Copper-hearted .

The gratious soul is the Spouse of Christ , Cant. 6.8 . who as she is attended with a number of Holy and Royal affections as so many Queens , so also with pure thoughts , as with Virgin without number ; And our Heavenly Solomon eyes them most that wait next and immediately , as it were , upon his Queens person ; now our thoughts , as you have heard , they he next to our hearts .

Sect. XIII .

Fifthly ,

IT cannot but be granted , that God judgeth as man cannot , We look at each others outsides , God judges as man cannot , therefore by the thoughts . Luke 6.45 . Prov. 26.23 . 1 Sam. 16.7 . and oftentimes are not deceived , for ordinarily the abundance of the heart will break out either some ti●e or other , by the tongues clinking what the heart thinks , ( as the Proverb hath it , ) or some way or other , so that the wary observer may come to discern the Potsheard , notwithstanding the covering of Silver dross : oft times , I say , but not alwayes , That 's Gods , Prerogative ; so : the Lord seeth not as man seeth , How then ? for man looketh on the outward appearance , but the Lord looketh on the heart . We hear mens words , He seeth their thoughts ; we weigh their Actions and Appearances , Prov. 24.12 . Chap. 16.2 . the Lord ponders their hearts , and weigheth their spirits ( as the wise man speaks . )

In the Levitical Law the Swan was pronounced unclean , a Bird whose Feathers are excceeding white , Lev. 11.18 . God judges most by what is in most . 2. Cor. 11.14 . Ma●. 23.27 . Verse 28. Verse 25. but her Skin black . God judgeth most by what is In-most . God can easily discern the trans-formed Devil , under the Angel of Light ; the rottenness within , through the whited Tomb , and painted Sepulchre . Wee unto you Hypocrites , saith Christ , for ye make clean the outside of the Cup and of the Platter , but within they are f●ll of Extortion and Excess ; Even so ye also appear outwardly righteous unto men , but within ye are full of Hypocrisy and Iniquity . Oh what horrid Spectacles were the most of men , even of many that desire to make a fair shew in the flesh , Gal. 6.12 . as the Apostle speaks , if their Insides were but turned out-side ; But alas ! They are all out-side to him that is All eye .

Sect. XIV .

Conscience Gods Deputy judgeth by our Thoughts , Rom 2 13. Verse 16. LAstly , That God sentenceth and Dooms us by our Thoughts , is hereby evident , in that Conscience , that is , Gods Vicegerent in mans brest , doth so , which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts , their Conscience bearing witness , and their Thoughts the mean while accusing , or excusing one another : it follows , In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel ; God , and Christ , and the Gospel , they will judge men by their Consciences ; and their Consciences they will judge them by their Thoughts in the great day ; Judge we therefore our selves now , as then we must be judged .

CHAP. V. Disc vers what those Right Thoughts are , that are the Righteous mans Evidence : and how to be known .

Sect. I.

Objection . Psal. 64.6 . Jer. 17.9 . BUt alas ! may some one say , Is not Mans heart a great deep , and desperately wicked , and deceiptful above all things ? I am afraid of Judging my self by my Thoughts of my self , least I should Mis-judge of my self , finding my self so apt to think amiss ; doth not the Apostle speak of some that measuring themselves by themselves are not wise . 2 Cor. 10.12 . Prov. 16 2. and 21. 2. There is so much Pride , Partiality , and Self-love , that almost every way of man will seem clean and right in his own eye , if his own Thoughts may but be his Judges .

Why all this is true ; Solution . Not what Thoughts we have of our selves , but in our selves . Gal. 6.3 , 4. yet all that hath been said before true also , We never said that every mans Case is , as his thoughts are of himself , but yet by his thoughts that are In himself , he may come to discover his own state . For if a man Think himself to be something , ( saith the Apostle ) when he is nothing , he deceiveth himself . But yet let every man prove his own works , and then he shall have rejoycing In himself alone , and not in another . This he speaks in respect of Sincerity , not of Righteousness , or Justification in the sight of God , for of the later , he saith , we rejoy●e only in Jesus , and have no other Confidence ; Philip 3.3 . 2 Cor. 2.12 . But as to the former , this is our rejoycing , even the testimony of our Conscience , that in simplicity and godly sincerity , &c. 1 John 5.10 . so also he that believes on the Son of God , hath the witness in himself .

Nay in as much as the Apostle condemns him for a self deceiver , who is in some respect the worst kind of deceiver ( as self-Murther is the worst kind of Murther ) , that thinks himself to be something when he is nothing ; even this makes it evident , that his high thoughts of himself were evidences against himself , had he but rightly considered them .

Sect. II.

WHereas Reader , on the other hand , Self suspition a better sign than high thoughts of our selves . if thou be but honest in what thou pretendest , and not Hypocritically humble-tongued , as many men are , when thou complainest of thy self , and declarest thy jealous thoughts that thou hast of thine own heart ; Here is something like a token for good ; For even right jealousy falls much in with that Carefulness , Indignation , 1 Cor. 7.1 . Fear , &c. that were approved signs of godly sincerity . But and if it be thus with thee , right gladly wilt thou go along with me in the following particulars , and say as David , O Lord , thou hast searched me , Psalm 139.1 , 2 , 23. and known me , and thou understandest my thoughts afar off ; and yet again , search me , O God , and know my heart , try me , and know my thoughts ; Search me , O search me , thou blessed word of God , that canst not lie ; Thou Messenger of Christ that darest not flatter me , O try me and know my Thoughts . Thou wilt receive Gods spies with peace , Hebr. 11.31 . Lend Gods Servants the Lor●● Candle . Prov. 20.27 . Conscience to search thee by . as Rahab did ) yea wilt willingly lend me the Candle of thine own Conscience to hold to thee , whilst we are together searching the secrets of thy own soul ; for the spirit of man is the Candle of the Lord , searching all the inward parts of the belly . And the reason why so many Hearers and Readers of the most searching Books and Sermons , are yet ignorant of , or mistaken in themselves , is because they deny the Lords servants the Lords Candle to do his work by .

I. Tryal of Right Thoughts .

Sect. I.

First ,

1. Tryal of thoughts is b● their origin●●● Good thought● grow not in an evil heart . Luke 24.38 . THen let us begin with thy Thoughts in their Original , and so judge the streams , as near as we 〈◊〉 to the Fountain head . Wouldst thou approve thy thoughts to be right Thoughts , such as indeed are the Righ co●s mans Evidence , let me ask thee plainly how th●● cam●st to thy Thoughts ? have they their Rise in thy self ? ( why do Thoughts arise in your hearts ? ) then know they are but Carnal at best , for all that is born of the flesh is flesh . John 3.6 . The heart I know is a Vine that is alwayes bea●ing , a Fountain that is ever springing up : Isaiah 10.12 . Mat. 15.19 . and Thoughts are called the Fruit of the heart , as we saw before , and ( as it were ) the streams of the Heart , they proceed from it , saith Christ ; but , saith he , Mat. 7 18. James 3.22 . a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good fruit , nor a Fountain wel● , saith the Apostle James , salt water and fresh . Now every natural heart is a corrupt tree , a Vine of Sodom , and therefore its Crouds of thoughts naturally are but the Clusters of Gomorrah , Deut. 32.32 . Is●ah 57.20 . a troubled Spring of Sea rather , that cannot 〈◊〉 , but is ever casting up mire and dirt . Amongst all the Unbelievers in the world , there is not one pure mind , therefore not one pure thought ; Titus 1.15 . Job 14.4 . for who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean ? 'T is a vain and ignorant boasting that I have observed in some , that have thanked God that they were never troubled with evil thoughts in all their dayes : sayest thou so ? then I dare tell thee that thou never yet wast owner of one good one , such as God will own and accept for such : That they think no body any hurt , who never truly thought themselves or others any good : surely there are none greater strangers to good thoughts , than such as brag most of their good meanings , nay , that can tell you they hope to be saved by them , And how came they by them ? why , they thank God , they have had them ever since they can remember , God forbid else . They have as good hearts to God , and think as well of Jesus Christ as the best of them , though they cannot speak so well . Yet do but ask these of the New birth , and you are unto them as a Barbarian , and speak as it were in an unknown tongue , ( as our Saviour to Nicodemus , ) and shall only receive a frump or a frown for your freedome ; Jam. 3.3 , 4● what do you think they stand in need to be Catechized ? if you do , they thank you , they do not think so meanly of themselves , and this is one of their good thoughts .

Sect. II.

BUt let me plead with thee , O Man , No sufficiency in our selves for one right thought . thou that findest good Thoughts , as free as the Rode , and as Common and easie as the high way : Art thou greater than the ●postle Paul , he saith expresly , that we are not sufficient of our selves to Think any thing of Our selves . Therefore we must be taken off of Our selves before we can possibly Think one Right Thought . But our sufficiency ( saith the Text ) is of God . As we cannot think at all Physically , nor exert one motion of the Mind in Thought , but by a sufficiency of God , working by Nature : so much less can we think Morally , 2 Cor. 3.5 . Amongst all Unbelievers not one pure thought . Titus 1.15 . Thoughts good in a spiritual notion , in the account of God , but by his own sufficiency working by Grace . To the unbelieving , ( saith the same Apostle , ) there is nothing pure , but even their very Mind is defiled ; And if their Mind drop its uncleanness and defilement upon all about it , surely much more upon the thoughts , that lie next unto it . Some men think their thoughts are certainly good , Reason why their thoughts trouble them not . because they never trouble them . They do not complain of blasphemous thoughts , and horrid injections , as many do ; And alas ! the only Reason why the thoughts , the Treasures of their H arts , their goods are in peace , is because the strong Man Arm'd keeps the Palace , Luke 11.21 . the Devil is Lord and Master there . But if ever that stronger one than he , the Lord Jesus Christ , Verse 22. 2 Cor. 10.5 . ( by the weapons of that warfare that are spiritual and mighty through God , ) had come and prevailed upon thee , 't is strange if all would have continued so quiet in thee ; thou wouldest likely have seen troubles , and heard amazing noises in thy own Soul , for there would have been the pulling down of strong holds , and this would have awakened thee sure to purpose , and raised Commotions in thy Thoughts : for the very First motions of Grace , as I said before , and stirs , would have appeared there . The casting down of some , the bringing in others into captivity to the obedience of Christ , Luke 2.24 . who is set as for the rising and falling of many in Israel , so in the soul ; the thoughts that thou wert best acquainted and pleased with , must have come tumbling down ; and the thoughts , whose faces thou never sawest before , would have risen up in their room , own thoughts must have been unthoughts , Old thoughes amongst other things , must have past away , 2 Cor. 5.17 . Isaiah 55.7 . and all things must have become new . Let the unrighteous forsake his thoughts , His Thoughts , that is , Thoughts growing in corrupt natures Garden , for Regeneration is especially called , a Renewing in the spirit of the Mind . Ephes. 4.23 Search the Scriptures and if things be not thus , then blame me , and think as well as ever thou thou didst of thy self , and as ill as ever thou canst of the Author , for giving thy calm and quiet thoughts any needless trouble ; But alas Reader ! be not deceived , Gal. 6.7 , 8. God is not mocked ; but if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing , he deceives himself . Let me tell thee , thy thinking well of thy own thoughts , will no more make them good , than thy thinking thy self such , will make God to think thee so . And yet , believe it , I beseech thee , O Reader , that my end and design in all this is not to disturb , but to direct thee . The Apostle delighted not in making the Corinthians sorry , but that they sorrowed after a godly sort , 2 Cor. 7.9 . It is no pleasure to me , to think that thy thoughts are wrong , but desirous I am to set them right , and to help thee how to judge rightly of them , and of thy self by them .

Sect. II.

SEeing then , Reader , Seeing grace first stirs in thoughts . that we are now at the very root of the matter , and have told thee once again , that the grace of God first stirs in the Thoughts . Give me leave to lay before thee a plain Scheme and Map of such Thoughts as Divine Grace doth usually work in true Penitents , of such Right Thoughts , as it doth first give in to those whom it will accept , and own as Righteous persons . And herein , that I may the more distinctly proceed , I shall premise something , ( First , ) Concerning the Season and Occasion ,

Premised two things , occasion and method of Gods working them .

Gods usual season to bring sinners to right thoughts ( such as for mad men to right minds . )

and the Method , ( Secondly , ) Of Gods working such Thoughts as these in the Heart and Mind of Man . In all which , if thou wilt go along with me , I trust thou wilt find both Scripture Evidence and Christian Experience to bear thee Company .

Sect. IV.

FOr the Season that God takes to bring Sinners to Right Thoughts , 't is such as the Physitian takes , to bring mad men to Right Minds , ( for even this great and Inward Change in Scripture is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Acts 3.31 . Repentance a coming to Right minds . a coming to our Right minds , so the word signifies ) when they have them under Chains , and in the dark . If they be held in Cords of Affliction , and bound in Fetters ; THEN he sheweth them their work , &c. He openeth their Ear to Discipline , &c. For God speaketh once , Job 36.8 . Verse 9.10 . Job 33.14 , 15. Verse 19. Verse 16. yea twice , yet man perceiveth it not ; But in a vision of the Night , ( when he is chastened with pain upon his bed , as it there follows , &c. ) then he openeth the Ears of men , and sealeth their instruction , In the day of Adversity , saith God , Consider , when the Patriarchs were reduced to a sore strait , then they are brought to think seriously of their Sin against their Brother Joseph ; And 't was he that brought them into it , for that very end ; so doth our heavenly Joseph , Jesus Christ , Eccles. 7.14 . Gen. 41.21 . often do for the very same purpose ; he sends troubles oft times on the outward , for the reducing of the inner man ; and straitens the Garrison , that he may take it in . 1 King . 8.47 . Luke 15.17 . The Israelites by their Captivity must be taught to Bethink themselves , and so the Prodigal by his Famine . Or however , when the mighty God takes the weapons of the spiritual warfare into his own hand , Hosea 6.5 . and hews men by his Prophets , and stays them by the words of his mouth , and his Judgments are as the light that came upon Saul ( in his full ca●●ar ) and struck him to the ground , Act. 9.3 . and a ●oice from Heaven with it , that strikes him to the heart ; Soul , soul , Verse 6. what dost thou mean by this hardening thy Heart again●t Heaven , and setting thy self against God ? Are thy heels harder than his pricks ? canst thou dwell with ever●asting burnings ? Verse 4.5 . The Commandment comes , Sin revives , the false conceited Righteous person is struck dead ( I dyed , saith Paul ) knows not what to think ; Rom. 7.9 . w●o art thou Lord ? nor what to do , Lord what wouldest thou have me to do ? such , I say , is the season and occasion that God takes for reducing sinners to Right Thoughts . Act. 9.5 .

I know indeed that Grace is a Soveraign agent , Grace not to be limited . Acts 16.15 . Sometimes slips the lock of the heart with little noise . and works as it will : sometimes It slips the Lock of the hear , as Lydia's , with little noise , and so makes ●oom for Right Thoughts there , It may possibly steal into the heart , if I may say so , like Josephs cup into Benjamins sack , And he , that hath it , wonders when , or how , It first came thither . All women that do well too , have not the same troubles and pains in Child-bearing , that the most have ; And so it is also in the new birth . And if thou be one that canst say indeed , that there is a Change in thee from what thou wast by Nature , one thing thou knowest that whereas thou wast born blind , now thou se●st , John 9.25 . ( as the man in the Gospel , ) The grace of God hath brought t●ee to thy right sight , a Right mind , Right Thoughts ; Canst thou say I was born blind , but God has brought me to Right sight , mind , and thoughts with lesse : do Blesse God for the thing , Repine not at the manner . Gen. 44.13 . but by what Sickness , Sermon , Affliction , Conviction , it began with thee , thou canst not say ; which is the case of some ( especially some such that have been all their lives , much under the power of the restraining Grace of God , and of a strict and holy education ) , let me exhort thee rather to magnifie that Grace that hath appeared to thee , and ( taught thee to deny ungodliness , &c. then to repine because thou dost not know , or by what means and gradations , the work of God hath grown up in thy heart , or to deny what God hath done for thy Soul . But yet withall , this I must add , that as it is observed that the coming of the Cup into the Sack , in an unknown way , left them in the more trouble and perturbations afterwards , though it came from a friendly hand ; And those women that have less fore-pains , then others , have many times greater After-pains , ( as they call them ) . So they that have less signal Spiritual troubles preceding their conversion , and have known least of the terrours of the Lord , are by so much the more full of Anxiety many times , almost all their dayes , 2 Cor. 5.11 . full of doubtful thoughts whether they were ever savingly wrought upon , because not wrought upon as such and such ; Haunted , many times with Hideous thoughts , and Temptations to Atheism , Blasphemy , &c. which make them even weary of life , and afraid of death , and yet may be very pretious in the sight of God , and dear to Jesus Christ .

Sect. V.

ANd as Gods usual Season is the time of trouble , of spiritual trouble , to bring men to Right Thoughts : Psal. 77.2.3 . Verse 16. To remember God , to Consider the dayes of old , to commune with their own hearts , to make diligent search into their own spirits , to take notice of their Infirmities , Verse 10. Verse 11. to Remember the years of the right hand of the most High ; to Remember the works of the Lord , and to meditate of his doings , &c. ( All which is Right-Thought-work , and which the Psalmist was set upon in the day of his Trouble . Psal. 77.2 . Gods ordinary method to bring to right thoughts by setting home some particular sin . ) So the Method that God ordinarily useth , Is , to bring to their thoughts some one particular Sin , and to present it to their Souls view in all its ugly shape and monstrous deformity , with its heightening circumstances , and hellish horrour , that , ( like the tail of a Pr●digious Comet ) , it draws after it ; now as Ghosts are most terrible and confounding when they appear in the Dark , so is Sin when it stares a man in the face in his time of trouble . Thus the Patriarchs were struck with the appaling thought of their savage cruelty to their innocent Brother when themselves were in Distress ; Gen. 42.21 . no doubt , they had other Sins to trouble them , but this first flew in their face . Saul , with the thought of his furious persecuting of Jesus . Thus some for telling a known Lie , Acts 9.4 . others for some Theft , or known Fraud , others for prophaning the Lords-Day , others for some prophane Oath , others for Disobedience to Parents , And some , though few , like Mary Magdalene , for the foul sin that brings a wound and a dishonour , and a rep●oach that is hardly wiped away . Prov. 6.33 . So that as men ordinarily single out some one special Sin to set their heart upon , though they entertain and practice all the rest , Rom. 7.8 . with 24. so God singles out some special Sin to fix their thoughts upon , and thereby to bring them in due time to sight and sense of the whole Body of Death ; nay sometimes when men ( by a blameless appearance , and moral conversation ) have got the good thoughts of other men , & their own much more , Heb. 3.1 . Luke 18.6 . God sometimes suffers civil men to fall into some foul act to discover t●●hem the plague of the heart 1 Kings 8 38. Sometimes thoughts are in an uproar , troubled , and distinct cares not known . Acts 19.32 . Verse 40. Yet God sometimes out of this Chaos draws a new Creation . As in Genesis . Reduceth thoughts to proper places and things to order . Rev. 3.20 . Prov. 18.14 . Acts 2.57 . Prov. 38.4 . trusting ( as Christ speaks ) in themselves , that they are righteous , God suffers them to fall into some gross act of Sin , perhaps Drunkenness , perhaps making a mock at Godliness to please vile company , perhaps Perjury , or some other palpable act of wickedness , that by such a rising in the flesh , he may bring them to know , and to bethink themselves of the Plague of the heart that Scripture speaks of .

Indeed I have sometimes observed , some persons troubled with a strange unusual throng and croud of Thoughts , Sermons trou●led them , and Sins troubled them , but their Thoughts w●re like that confused concourse in the Acts , of which no distinct account could be given , and the Assembly knew not why they were come together . And as such a croud of thoughts have been thus in an uproar for some space of time , and they knew not distinctly why , so a little time hath brought it to they know not what , nothing for good hath come of it . And yet sometimes the All-wise and powerful grace of God , even out of such a Chaos of confusion , is pleased to draw a New-Creation , reducing things to their proper places , and thoughts to their right order .

Sect. VI.

BUt generally , when Grace first knocks at the door of the heart , and finds the Sinner in distress , wounded in Spirit that he cannot bear it , prickt at the very heart , ( the pressing sense of Sin lies upon him , and goes over him as a burthen too heavy for him ; ) It brings him to speak within himself ; Or , ( which is all one ) to think thus , The Scheme of a Converts first thought . Lament. 3.1 . or to this effect ;

I am the man that have seen Affliction by the Rod of his anger , and now I stand here a miserable Malefactour before the Lord , who perfectly knows all my secrets , and infinitely hates all my Sins : My Conscience hales me to his Bar , for my sin hath found me out , Num. 32.23 . Gen. 42.21 . Prov. 28.13 . Job 9.4 . And I am verily guilty concerning this thing : should I then either hide my sin , or harden my self against God ? who ever did either of these , and prospered ? This then is my proper station , though my feet be hurt with setters , and the Iron enters into my very Soul , though the Chain of Gods Indignation be heavy upon me , Micah 7.9 . yet I must bear it , because ( it is my own Chain ) I have sinned against him . Excuse my sin . Alas , I cannot ; I knew my Masters will , Luke 12.57 . Rom. 7.12 . Malac. 1.6 . and knew it to be Holy , just , and Good , and did it not ; I call'd him Lord , yet fear'd him not ; I knew he forbad the thing I did , yet I did it ; I knew he looked on me , and yet I did it ; I knew he would call me to an account for it , and yet I did it . Accuse my Master , Alas , I dare not ; No , no , Jam. 1.13 , 14. He tempted me not , but I was drawn away of my own lust and enticed ; my own lust , I may call it so , as much as I may call my Heart my own ; an Heart so vile , but yet my own ; such a Fountain of Poyson , such a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird ; an Heart , nay an Hell ; yea and worse to me then all the Devils there ; I should bely them , as bad as they be , should I say otherwise ; an heart so desperately wicked , Jorem . 17.9 . that if all the men of the world had told me that I had such a heart , or should have done such a thing , 2 King . 8.13 . I should with disdain have replyed ( with Hazael ) am I a Dog ? or a Devil ? that I should do such a thing ; Nay , when Gods own word told me , till this cursed Sin told it me , I could not have thought that I carryed such a heart about me . Is this the Heart I so long trusted ? that I so often excused ? that I so much applauded ? Is this the honest , the good heart ? the heart full of good meanings ? the heart that thought no harm ? O mistery of Iniquity ! O Hell of Hypocrisy ! and unsearchable depth of deceipt ! Well , deep as thou art , God hath now searched out thy deep things , O my soul ! and now my Sin is ever before me , Psalm 51.3 . Gen. 4.7 . Job 14.5 . and my punishment is following hard after me , Sin lies at my door ; My fatal moment is set , that I cannot pass it ; and yet secret , that I cannot know it , Mat. 24.42 . Mat. 13.35 . Heb. 9.27 . whether in the evening , or at midnight , or at cock-crowing ; only this I know , that after death ( come it when it will ) comes Judgment ; Judgment unavoidable , before a Judge impartial and unexorable ; The Crime naked ; The Prisoner speechless ; Heb. 4.13 . Mat. 22.12 . The Sentence speedy ; The Execution certain ; The Torment intolerable , yet must be born ; without any ease , yet without all end ; Mat. 18.13 . through millions of millions of Ages ; nay without help , or hope of help to all Eternity ; And this not a Phantasie , but a greater reality , then what I see with my outward eyes ; nor a forrain concernment , but thy own case , O my own Soul .

Sect. VII .

UNder such doleful thoughts as these , the pensive Sinners Life ( for some part of it more or lesse , even as it pleaseth God ) is spent with Grief ; Psalm 31.10 . as Davids , yea sometimes whole years with sighing , so that his very strength faileth because of his Iniquity , and his very bones are consumed . But then the working thoughts do not thus leave the spiritual mourner , But in such like sort as this they do proceed .

Alas then ! what shall I do ? Shall I think of giving my overwhelmed Spirit , my aking Heart some present ease by breaking away from Gods Bar ? But whither , O whither shall I go ? shall I fly out again to my cursed courses , and riotous Company ? Oh these have been my Bane already , and methinks I still see upon the wall , over against the place where I too lately sate amongst them , Daniel 5 5. the Fingers of a mans hand writing and drawing up a bloody Indictment against me , Iam. 3.19 . Prov. 7.23 . I remember the Wormwood and the Gall , the Dart , that then and there struck through my Liver , and the wound that hath been festring ever since because of my foolishness . Psal. 38 5. Shall I turn me then to the harmless creatures , and beg of them some relief ? Alas ! my Sins have engraven vanity there , with a pen of Iron , Eccles. 2.11 . yea Vexation of Spirit , with the very point of a Diamond . Shall they ease my Servitude and cruel Bondage , who have wearyed them with mine Iniquities , Isaiah 43.24 . and made them serve with my Sins , and God in them ? shall they help my groaning , who have made them all groan under the bondage of my corruption ? Rom. 8.21 . and 2● . Job 7.13 , 14. Psal. 102.4 . No , no , If I say my bed shall comfort me , or my Couch ease my complaint , then am I scared with Visions , and terrified through Dreams . Sometimes I forget , sometimes I fear to eat my Bread , least the Morsel should prove a Messenger of Death to me , and hasten me away to the place from whence I shall not return . Sometimes God holdeth my eyes waking that I cannot sleep ; Psalm 77.4 . and sometimes I dare not , least I should awake no more , till Fire and Brimstone are about mine ears . In vain then do I think of running away from God , for whither shall I fly from his presence ? Psal. 139.7 . Shall I think then of fleeing to him , and of b●wing the knee before him ? Alas , He is a consuming Fire , and the Mountains smoak , Heb. 12.29 . Isaiah 63.3 . 1 King . 20.31 . and the Hills flow down at his presence . Yet have I heard that the God of Israel is a merciful God , I will put a Rope upon my head , and make my Supplication to my Judge . But Alas ! wherewithal shall I come before him , Job 9.15 . Mich. 6.6 , 7. and bow my knee to the most High ? Shall I think of Pilgrimages or Penances , of coming before him with burnt Offerings ? to give him , If I had them , thousands of Rams , or ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl ? or my first born for my transgression , or the fruit of my Body for the sin of my Soul ? Will he take any Bullock out of my House , Psal. 9.50 . Deut. 4.24 . Prov. 6.35 . Exod. 34.5 . or He-Goats out of my Fold ? No , no , He is a Iealous God , and Iealously regards not any Ransom , or many Gifts ; He will by no means clear him that is guilty , and I dare not plead Not Guilty , though I die for it . Shall I think then of stretching out my hand in the way of some Legal Righteousness and self-wrought Reformation , to take hold of the Tree of L fe , now that I have eaten of the forbidden Tree ? Alas ! Gen. 3.22 . and 24. behold Cherubims with a Flaming Sword , blocking up the way of the Covenant of Works , so that by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified . Alas ! Gal. 2.16 . my Sights for Sin are an Impure vapour ; and my Tears for Sin , need washing ! my Righteousness are filthy rags , Isaiah 64 6. and like the cloths of a removed Woman ; If I should justify my self , my own mouth would condemn me , Job 9.20 . and prove me perverse ; And I have too long already added this sin of perverss R bellion to my other wretchedness , that I have gone about to establish my own Righteousness , Rom. 10.3 . and have not submitted to the Righteousness of God .

But yet , O thou pure God , hast not thou said that there is Forgiveness with thee , Psal. 130.4 . Jer. 8.22 . John 4.29 . that thou mayest be feared ? Is there no Balm in thy Gilead ? is there no Physitian there ? But this very day there was a Messenger of thine with me , of a truth he was none but thine , for he told all that was in my heart , is not this the Interpreter ? the one of a thousand ? Job 33.23 . He told me withall from thy own mouth , that though I could not , yet thou hast found a Ransome , and given a Name , Job 33.24 . Acts 4.12 . Mat. 9.13 . and 18 , 11. though but One under Heaven whereby men might be saved ; Who came not to call the Righteous , but Sinners to Repentance ; to seek and to save that which was lost ; That help was laid upon him , Psal. 89.19 . Hebr. 7.25 . and that he it mighty , even able to save to the utmost . That therefore there was hope in Israel concerning my soul , a possibility , nay a probability , nay a Certainty that if I would agree quickly , even while I am in the way , Mat. 5.25 . Job 22.25 . acquaint now my self with God , I should be at peace : That thou art not only Reconcileable , but in Christ reconciling the world to thy self ; 2 Cor 5.15 . V●rse 20. And therefore as though thou wert beseeching me by Him ( thine Ambassadour ) He did pray me in Christs stead , that I would be reconciled to God ; And O my Soul was moved within me at that word ; shall the Judge , though I ( as it were ) petition ? and not I , the Offender entertain the motion ? 1 Kings 20 23. Lam. 3.29 . nay catch at the words ( as Benhadads Servants , ) and put my mouth in the dust if there may be hope .

But then withal he told me , That Christ must be Lord as well as Jesus ; Zach. 6.13 . Rom. 3.27 . Mat. 13.45 . and 46. and 19.21 . chap. 19.24 . Hebr. 3.15 . and 10.30 . Luke 17.32 . a Priest indeed , but a Priest upon his Throne ; That Faith was not Libertinisme , but a Law ; That all must be sold , and not a farthing would be abated , if I would buy the Pearl of great price : That there was a dear self to be denyed ; A da ly Cross to be taken up , A crucified leader to be followed , a severe example to be imitated ; No time to be delayed before I began , ( to day if I would hear his Voice , &c. ) nor looking back ( with Lots Wife ) to be endured , after I had once begun . Wherefore he charged me in thy Name , before I went farther , to sit down , Luke 19.28 . and consider the Cost .

But O the consternation that this new Thought breeds in my perplexed Spirit ! I had almost said in my heart , 1 Sam. 15.32 . like Agag , the bitterness of death is over ; Alas ! my Sea-sick Soul would fain have been at shore any way , though she ventured a drowning for it ; But now I see there is no remedy , but I must out again into the tempestuous Ocean . But O the unexpressible torment of a divided distracted mind ! Alas the contrary struglings in my poor soul , Gen. 25.22 . as if there were two Nations there ! One throng of Thoughts breaks in Impetuously , Isaiah 57.10 . Luke 19.21 . did not we tell thee from the very first , silly soul , that there is no hope in God for thee ? we knew that he was an austere Lord , whatever others might tell thee , that his sayings are hard , so that none could bear them ; And shouldst thou set out , thou couldst never hold out , and so thy last end would be worse than thy beginning ; John 6.60 . 2 Pet. 2.20.21 . Jerem. 2.25 . Isa. 22.23 . And now thou mayest find our words true ; Come , come , there is no hope , no : but we will throw up all , Let us eat and drink , for to morrow we must die : did not we tell that these Micajahs though , at first , they might seem to sooth thee in some flattering hopes , yet would never prophesie good concerning thee ?

But let not thy heart say so , saith a contrary thought , And so flies ( with indignation ) in the face of the former ; And behold a Troop cometh after it , which when it hath forc't them to give some ground , This new Troop seizeth upon mine heart , and speaks thus to it .

Sect. VIII .

UNngrateful sinner ! Rom. 5.8 . is this thy kindness to thy Friend ( that herein commendeth his love to thee in that whilst thou wort an enemy he dyed for thee ) that thou art still listening to the cursed Off-spring of that old and evil heart of unbelief that ever was , Heb. 3.12 . and ever will be , for departing from the living God ? who , had he had a mind to destroy thee , might have done it , and never have shewn thee such things as these . Judg. 13.23 . Phil. ● . 7 . Isaiah 30.18 . He took upon himself the form of a servant ; And he still waiteth , that he may be gracious ; He stretcht forth his arms , to open thee a way to his Bosome love , upon the Cross ; and he stretc●eth out his hands again to thee , Isaiah 65.2 . Mat 26.26 . Rev. 3.20 . in the Preaching of the word . It hath been said , Ask , and have ; 't is now , Take , and have ; Take , eat , this is my body broken for thee : Salvation knocks , 't is but thy opening and the work is done .

A work indeed , saith the drooping soul ; which before it be done , I am like for all this to be undone ; 't is but taking ! but opening ? a sad BUT , God knows , for me who am weak , and cannot : Vile , and dare not . Alas what have Dogs to do with Childrens Bread ? should I presume , thinking to believe , and Blaspheme , thinking to pray ; Mat. 15.26 . call Christ my Saviour , Rev. 2.9 . and God my Father , and be rejected of both , O whither should I make my shame to go ? No , no , had I an Hand fit to receive such a Guest , gladly would I go through Fire and Water to open the door to Jesus , and take him with ten thousand welcomes into my Soul .

And is it such Presumption , saith a thought on the other hand , and such pride to be dutifull and obedient ( for this is Gods Commandment that thou believe on Jesus Christ ) what pride , 1 John 4.13 . what presumption then is it to be undutifull and disobedient ? He that believeth not , the wrath of God abideth on him . And wilt thou needs be damned , that thou mayst have the credit of being modest , and going mannerly to Hell ? Thou sayest , Luke 5.8 . Mat. 9.12 . depart from me , for I am a sinfull man ! Why , he is the Physician , what should he do with thee , if thou wert not sick ? Chap. 8.8 . Thou art not worthy Grace should come under thy Roof ; neither would it be Grace if thou wert worthy , for if it were of works , ( saith the Apostle ) it were no more grace . But whilst thou speakest thy Fears and dismal dread of presumption , Rom. 11.6 . didst thou never hear of such a Sin as despair ? presumption indeed , were it so , might undo thee ; but bold and blasphemous despair , ( which thou thinkest modest and humble ) la●ours to undo Jesus Christ , Other sins make work for Christ , who came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance ; Math 9.13 . Chap. 13.58 . and 17.20 . but black desperation shuts him out of work , as 't is said , he d●id not many works there , ( that is , in his own Country ) because of their unbelief . And dost thou thus requite the Lord ? foolish sinner , and unwise ! as to spill the Wine of his precious blood , in thy proud humility and Impudent Modesty ( like water upon upon the ground , ) and that for no other reason than this , Isaiah 55.1 . Job 15.11 . that he offers it to thee that hast no Money , nor price : Must the consolations of God needs be small with thee , that thy modesty may be great ? Thou hast no money , but hast thou mind ? thou hast no desert , but hast thou no desire ? Christ hath a healing hem in his garments for thee , be thy Issue never so foul , Mat 9.20 . and 14.36 . Mat. 5.25 . Verse 17. Zach. 9 . 1● . Mar. 9.27 . so shameful , so inveterate . If thy desires be creeping towards him , while that Issue of thine continues Running ; Break then , O prisoner of hope , through the throng of all thy contradicting Thoughts , and steal 〈◊〉 ●he least one blessed touch , till thou find virtue going one of him . Come , Come , Chap. 9.30 . The Spirit saith Come , and the Bride saith Come , and l●t him that heareth say Come , And let him that is athi●st come , and whosoever will , let him take of the water of Life freely . Rev. 22.17 . Heb. 12.27 . Now see that thou refuse not him that speaks from Heaven .

But alas thinks my Soul , after all this , I sadly fear , that if Christ would indeed accept me , I should never be able to accept Christ ; I find now 't is a hard thing to be a Christian ; Acts 26.38 . Numb. 13 28 , 31 , 33. I thought I had been almost perswaded ; but O the sons of Anak ! The walled Towns in the way ! the Cross ! the Yoke ! not a Lust , not a Thought , not a Word , not a Look , in all the remainder of my life , but by Law ? Alas ! who can bea● it ? I dread to begin to draw , least I should draw back , and better then I had never known the way of truth ; Heb 10.38 . Isaiah 38.14 . I know thy Soul hath no pleasure in such ; O Lord , I am now oppressed , undertake for one ! I would believe , my God , but cannot , help thou my unbelief ! I would take thy yoke upon me , Mark 9.24 . but I dare not ; for I have been a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoke , But turn thou me and I shall be turned , Jer. 31.18 . and thou shalt be the Lord my God : I see , O Lord , I must have my yoke , which way soever I turn my self ; Sins and Satans I have too long born ; And should I die under thine , I cannot bear the thought of going back to theirs : For I am sure to die under theirs . I am indeed in a great straight ; 2 Sam. 24.14 . let me now fall into the hand of the Lord , for with the Lord there are mercies , but as for Satan and Sin , the mercies of these are cruel . Prov. 12.10 .

Sect. IX .

CAst out then the Shete Anchor of thy hope , O thou afflicted , Isaiah 54.11 . tossed with tempest , and not comforted ; and cast it O my soul , as near as thou canst , into that within the Vail ; Heb. 11.19 . If thou venture not on Jesus Christ , thou perishest : And if thou dost , thou canst but perish ; 2 King . 7 4. If he save thee alive , thou shalt live , And if he kill thee , thou canst but die ; There hath been high and hainous , and ( in their own eyes ) the very chief of sinners , 1 Tim. 1.15 . 1 Cor. 6.11 . washed , ●ustified , sanctified , in the name of the Lord Jesus , and by the spirit of God , yea that hath been set forth even for a PATTERN to all that should afterward believe of him , 1 Tim. 1.16 . Isaiah 26.12 . who not onely ORDAINETH peace for us , but also worketh all our Works in us ; Wherefore O thou blessed Jesus , with fear and with trembling , I cast and ●oul my self upon thee , Hester 4.16 . And if I perish , I will perish at those feet that were therefore p●●●ced , that whilst I put my fingers into the print of the Nailes , John 20.27 . the weak hand of my Faith may have the better hold .

Sect. X.

LO here the Restless Mind of Man toucht with the Load-stone of Divine Grace , tremblingly wavering , Numb. 24.17 . seeking rest but finding none , till the thoughts fix upon the Star out of Jacob , the Lord Jesus Christ ! Lo , here the Heavenly conduct of Divine light ( newly arisen in the mind of man ) bringing his Thoughts from a far Country , Matthew 2. Verse 5. and never leaving them till it leave them in the very place where the Holy Child lies , The sweet bosom of the Fathers love . Lo , here the Celestial Call , Isaiah 41.2 . raising up the Righteous man from the East his Native Countrey , or ( if you will ) natural condition ) . Acts 11.23 . Heb. 11.15 . And bringing him to Gods foot , with full purpose , and fixed Thought of Heart , ( should opportunity of returning into the old Countrey , The old state , The other Gods on the other side of the Flood ) serve never so fair , yet ) never by the Grace of God , to return unto them more ; cleaving to Christ for fear of leaving of him , or being left by him , Leaning on its beloved , that it may not be lost any more in the old Wilderness , Cant. 8.5 . the perplexing maze of its old unbelieving thoughts ; fastening it self upon him , that it may by no means be shaken off by him , with such mental speakings as these .

Intreat me not to leave thee , Ruth . 2.14 . or to return from following after thee ; neither say thou to me , let me go ; Ah my Jesus , I will let all go , rather then let thee go ; for I should let infinitely more than the Worlds All go , in letting thee go , I should loose my self in loosing thee , and be cast away , Luke 9.25 . and that too in the very sight of Harbour . No , mo , my heart is fixed , O Christ , my heart is fixed ; whither thou goest I will go ; be it to thy Crown , or to thy Cross : and where thou lodgest I will lodge ; Ruth 2.16 , 17. be it a Paradise or a Prison : Thy people shall be my people , ( though the world hate them . ) And thy God shall be my God , ( notwithstanding all the ungodliness that is in the world , and the world of ungodliness that is in my heart , ) where thou dyest I will die , Rom. 6.4 . Verse 6. and there will I be buryed ; thy death shall mortifie my members that are upon earth ; My Lusts shall thy Cross kill , and thy Grave bury ; Nay , God forbid that death should part , Col. 3.3 . but more closely , yea unseperably , eternally unite thee and me , And so shall I ever be with the Lord .

And thus have you seen the returning Shulamite ; Cant. 6.16 . and what will you see in the Shulamite , but as it were the company of two Armies ? On the one hand the struglings of unbelief , on the other , the work of Faith with power till at length the house of Dav d grows stronger and stronger , 2 Thes 1.1 . Isaiah 23.33 . Gen. 32.25 , 28. Isaiah 40.1 , 2. and the house of Saul grows weaker and weaker : Old thoughts pass away , and new prevail , the lame divides the spoil , the halting Jacob becomes a Prince with God , the mourner is comforted , the warfare accomplished , the sin pardoned , the bruised Reed lifts up its hanging head , Chapter 42.3 . the smoaking slax breaks out into a flame ; In one word , ●n the multitude of the thoughts within , Psalm 94.19 . Gods comforts they delight the Soul .

And thus the soul falling into a place where , all this while , Acts 27.41 . Psalm 143.10 . two contrary Seas have met , runs at length a ground on the and of uprightness : where the sore-part , the Thought that presseth forward toward the Lord Jesus Christ , sticks fast and remains unremoveable , while the hinder part is broken with the violence of waves , O blessed H●art-breaking , O blessed storm , that drives the tumbling Thoughts upon this shore ! Psalm 107.30 . well mayst thou be glad because thou art quiet , for God hath brought thee to thy desired Haven .

1 Pet. 1.8 . Phil. 4.7 . O sweet serenity , Joy unspeakable , peace passing all understanding , that now keeps the heart and mind ! yea the heart , by the MIND ; flowing down like the pretious Oyntme●t from the head of Aaron to the skirts of his garment , Luke 2.29 , 36. perfuming and embalming , by the thoughts of the mind , all the inferior powers of the Soul and affections of the heart ; That the former can now present unto the later , even a deaths head without horrour , nay with amiableness in its Aspect , whilst the Soul can think with Simeon , Psalm 133 2. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace , for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation . So that hardly could the Convert now be kept from impatient desiring to be disso ved and to be with Christ , but that he THINKS withal of something to be done for Christ before ●e die , Psalm . 51.13 . Luke 22 . 3● . 2 C●r 1 Phil. 1.23 . of teaching transgressors Gods wayes that sinners may be ●●verted ; of strengthening Brethren : of comforting others with the same consolations , and so be hasteneth to be doing , that he may also hasten to be dying .

Sect. XI .

BUt Alas ! These Thoughts cannot alwayes hold without interruption . This brood of Travailers dig up Wells as they go , Psal. 84.5 . Gen. 2.5 . and the Philistines follow after as fast as they can , to stop them up with earth and stones : worldliness and earthliness , deadness and dulness return and repossesses the Mind and Thoughts of the eager Convert , and threaten to undo whatever Grace hath been a doing . So that the confident young Christian ( who thought that if he had but once gotten the Red Sea on his back , his Saviours blood betwixt him and his soul oppressors , there would be but a few dayes direct and easy journey , through the Wilderness of the World , to the Land of Canaan , Deut. 8.15 . ) falling amongst many fiery Serpents , violent and virulent temptations and lusts ( not thought of at his first setting out ) and being bitten by them , he proceeds as more heavily so more humbly ; And his After-thoughts are such as these .

Now woe is me that I should ever put my hand unto Gods Plough , Luke 9.62 . and thus look back O why was I not contented to have dwelt on the other side of Jordan , Nay , to have stayed by the Flesh-Pots of Aegypt , Joshua 7 7. Exod 16.3 . rather than to die in this Wilderness ? It had been better sure for me not to have known the way of Righteousness , 2 Pet. 2.2 . Gal. 4 15. then after I have known it , thus to turn from the holy Comman●ment . Where is then the blessedness that I spake of ? The Scripture saith indeed , Job 17.9 . Gal. 3.3 , 4. that the Righteous shall hold on in his way ; But alas ! I have begun in the spirit , And after all must I foolishly end in the flesh ? Have I suffered so many things in vain , if so be that it be yet in vain ? Have I sustained such corrections , and received such convictions , and brought forth such Purposes and Resolutions with so great Pain and Difficu●ty , and to so little purpose ? Hos. 10.12 . Isaiah 28.14 . I cannot deny that the fallow ground of my heart hath been indeed broken up , and Gods Plo●●●●s have plowed all day to sow , and 't was good seed at the S●●ers did sow , when they sowed the Wo●d ; Mark 4.14 . But alas I now find , to my Woe , that it was not sown in a good and honest heart , for no sooner was the blade spring up , Luke 8.15 . Mat. 13.16 , 21. Luke 8.14 . Mark 4.19 . but early temptation made it ●ither away , so that it brought no fruit to ●erfection ; the cares of the World , the decoiptfulness of Riches , and the lusts of other things , these coming in have choaked the word , and it ●●th become unprofitable , Job 4.6 . And is this thy confidence , O my soul , the uprightness of thy wayes ; and thy hope ? O think then that the word will prove true to thee , though thou hast not been so to it , for it told thee that the back-slider in heart should be filled with his own wayes , and I am sure thou hast found it so . Prov. 14.14 . Heb. 6.7 . Thou art the ground that hast drunk in the rain that came oft upon it , and hast brought forth Thorns , and what can now be thy doom , but to be rejected of God , to be nigh unto cursing , and thine end , but to be burned ? Thou art the House out of which the unclean Spirit went , Math. 12.33 , 44 , 45. and into which He returned , taking others with him , which though he found empty , swept , garnished , yet leaveth the last state worse than the first . Thou hast wearyed thy self with lies , Ezek. 24.12 , 13. and thy great scum went not forth of thee , what remains but that thy scum shall be in the fire ? In thy filthiness is lewdness , because God hath purged thee , and thou wast not purged , therefore how canst thou hope to be purged from thy filthyness any more , till he have caused his Fury to rest upon thee ? 2 Peter . 2.20 . for if after Men have escaped the pollutions of the World , through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ , they are again entangled therein and overcome , the later end is worse with them than the beginning . Thou art that girdle marred by lying in the Babilonish waters of worldly Lusts , Jer. 13.7 , 11. and now profitable for nothing , who didst sometime seem to cleave so closely to the Lord Jesus Christ , as the girdle cleaveth to the loines of a man . Jer. 6.28 , 29 , 30. Ah! grievous Revolter ! Reprobate sinner ! the Bellows are burnt , the Lead is consumed in the Fire , the Founder hath melted thee in vain , for the wicked are not plucked away , thy wicked pride , and worldliness , and wantonness , &c. and now what canst thou think O my Soul , but that the Lord hath rejected thee ? Jerem. 2.5 . But what Iniquity hast thou found in thy God , that thou art gone far from Him , and that thou hast walked after vanity and art become vain ? Micha 6.3 . Ah my Soul ! What hath he done unto thee ? or wherein hath he wearyed thee ? testifie against him . No , no , I am sure thou canst not , thou darest not reprove him , Jerem. 2.19 . But thine own wickedness shall correct thee , and thy Back-slidings shall reprove thee , know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and a bitter , that thou ha●t forsaken the Lord thy God , and therefore surely his fear is not in thee . What fruit ha●t thou then of this foul Apostacy whereof thou h●st so great reason to be now ashamed ? Thou didst run well , Rom. 6.21 . Gal. 5.7 . Jerem. 2.11 , 12 , 13. who did hinder thee ? Hath a Nation changed their Gods , whi h yet are no Gods , but thou hast changed thy glory for that which doth not profit ; Be astonyed at this , and be horribly afraid , yea , be very desolate O my heart , For thou hast committed two Evils , Thou hast forsaken the Fountain of living waters , and hewed thee broken Cisterns that can hold no water . O prophane Heart , Heb. 12.16 , 17. that for a morsel of meat hast sold thy Birth-right ! How sain wouldest thou now inherit the blessing , couldst thou but find a place for repentance , Ezek. 37.11 . Lam. 3.18 . Job 19.10 . chap. 8.13 . though thou shouldst seek it never so carefully with tears ? But alas for thy part , thine hope is cut off , thine hope hath God removed like a tree ; and indeed what else can be expected , but that the Hypocrites hope should pe ish ? O false heart , and flattering hope ! Exod. 14.13 . must I be thus deceived by you both which I so much trusted ? I said ( with Moses ) of my strong corruptions , when I thought I saw them drowned in the Red Sea of my Saviours Blood , I shall see them again no more for ever , and ( with David in his prosperity , ) I shall never be moved ; Psalm 30.6 . Luke 10.15 . and must I now , like Capernaum , after I have been thus lifted up to Heaven , be thrown down to Hell ? and so everlastingly seperated from the blessed presence of the dear Jesus ; whom I fondly thought I had loved better then my life , but now find I did love him less than my laziness , and my lusts ; and indeed I am convinced that if any man loves any thing more than Christ , He is not worthy of him . Mat. 10 37.

But , ah my dear and blessed Jesus , must thou and I thus part ? part Eternally ? Oh no! not for a World , no not for a World of Worlds . Why then , Psal. 88 14. O Lord , castest thou off my soul ? why hidest thou thy face from me ? Yea rather , O Lord , why hast thou made me to erre from thy wayes , Psal. 63.14 . Job 10.1 . and hardened my heart from thy fear ? yet will I leave my complaint upon my self , and I will speak in the bitterness of my soul ; I know indeed that God cannot be tempted with evil , J●m. 1.13 , 14. neither tempteth he any man : But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed . Therefore , Psal. 42.6 , 7. O my God , my Soul is cast down within me , and deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water spouts ; Verse 4. thy waves and thy billows are gone over me . When I remember these things , I powre out my soul in me ; For I had gone with the multitude , I went with them to the house of God , with the voice of joy and praise ; I call also to remembrance my song in the night , Psal. 77.6 . and commune with mine own heart , and my spirit makes diligent search ; Job 16.12 . I was at ease , but God hath brok●n me asunder ; He hath also taken me by the neck , and shaken me in pieces and set me up for his mark . Job 29.3 , 4 , 5. Oh that I were as in moneths past , as in the da●es when God preserved me , when his Candle shined upon my head , and when by his light I walked through darkness , when the secret of God was upon my Tabernacle , and when the Almighty was yet with me . Psal. 42.3 . But now alas my tears are my meat day and night while my returning Corruptions and prevailing Lusts say to me continually where is thy God ? As with a Sword in my bones do they reproach me , Verse 9. while they say daily to me where is thy God ? But w●ll the Lord cast off for ever ? will he be favourable no more ? Is his mercy clean gone for ever ? and doth his Promise fail for evermore ? Hath God forgotten to be gracious ? hath ●e in anger shut up his tender mercies ? 2 Sam 23.5 . Surely this is my infirmity ; but I will remember the ●ears of the right hand of the most High . Although my heart be not so with God , yet hath he made with me a Covenant , an everlasting Covenant , ordered in all things and sure ; I will therefore say unto God , Psal. 42.8 , 9. my rock why hast thou forgotten me ? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the Enemy ? Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day-time , and in the night his song shall be with mo , Verse 11. and my Prayer unto the God of my Life . Why art thou cast down , O my soul , and why art thou disquieted within me ? Hope thou in God for I shall yet Praise him , who is the health of my Countenance , and my God . O Lord though mine iniquities testifie against me , do thou for thy Name sake , for my back-slidings are many , Jerem. 14.7 . Verse 20. and 21. Psal. 42.2 . Psalm 63.2 . I have sinned against thee : But I acknowledge O Lord my wickedness , Do not abl or me , for thy names sake , Remember , break not thy Covenant with me . For truly my Soul thirsteth for God , for the living God , to see his Power and his Glory , so as I have seen him in the Sanctuary .

Be watchful therefore , O mine heart , Rev. 3.2 . and strengthen the things that remain , and are ready to die , for here is yet a Pillar of Fire before thee , Neh. 9.12 , 19. Jer. 3.24 . the token of a Divine presence with thee . Hath not God said , Return ye back-sliding Children , and I will heal your back-sliding ? Behold I come unto thee for thou art the Lord my God .

But surely if God will allow me to set my hope on high , He will yet have me to keep mine Heart low , for though he be still saying , H●sea 14.4 . Jerem. 3.14 . I will heal thy back-sliding , and love thee freely , and again , Turn O back-sliding Child for I am married unto thee ; yet he still feeds me like the Israelites in the Wilderness , as it were , from hand to mouth ; The water of his Rock , not my Cistern , must supply me , and I be undone if it do not follow me ; 1 Cor. 10.4 . I must fetch my food by daily Faith , my Manna out of the Heaven of his Promises , not by Plowing , for it is in the earth of my s●lf-Righteo●sness , and legal performances ; and my Medicine too ( for all venomous bitings by all sorts of fiery temptations ) from him only , who for that end was lifted up upon the Cross , Joh● 3.14 . and still is on the pole of the Gospel , and still must be in the THOUGHTS of my heart , as my only strength , my health , my life , my All ; And if at any time he allow me but a touch or taste of the hoped for Clusters , Numb. 13.23 . 't is to feed not my high , but my diligent Thoughts ; Phil. 3.12 , 13. and to mind me that I have not already attained , either am already perfect , but that I press forward , forgetting the things that are behind , towards the mark for the price of the high Calling of God which is in Christ Jesus . What shall I then say to these things ? The Lord hath both spoken unto me , and himself hath done it , Isaiah 38.15 . I will go ( with him though I go but ) softly all my years , even in the bitterness of my Soul .

So then the Thoughts of the Righteous pick up encouragement , Numb. 14.9 . as the Good Spies , from their very difficulties , They are Bread for us ; I will go with this man , saith Rebeckah ; I will go with this Jesus , saith the fixed Thought of heart ; Though I go sadly , yet I will go , I will go though but softly in my souls bitterness all my years ; Isaiah 38.16 . But yet O Lord , by these things men live , And in all these is the life of my spirit , so wilt thou recover me , and make me to live ( so saith the gracious Heart . ) And thus is the soul fed with Manna , aad led about many years , it may be , in the Wilderness of Anxiety ; Deut. 8.2 . And all this to humble , to prove , to know what is in the heart , and to do it good in the later end .

The end of the draught or scheme of Thoughts . 1. Wrought in conversion . And thus have I given you as briefly as I could , though more largely then I thought , a Scheme or draught , of such Thoughts in man as do ordinarily flow from the Grace of God , as I have received from that sure Word , that is a discerner of the Thoughts , and a discoverer as well as a discerner , and as I have known , and perhaps felt in some small experience , And the Holy Ghost , Prov. 27.19 . that knows all hearts , saith expresly , As in water , face answers to face , so the heart of man to man .

Regenerate mans thoughts flowing from a new nature agree with other natural motions in three things . Sect. XII .

NOw because as I have said , The Regenerate mans thoughts are sparks from a new Fire , fruits of a new heart , stirrings of a new Nature , Therefore it must needs be , that they partake with all natural motions in these Three points .

I. Facility . Natural Acts and Motions , 1. Facility , Good thoughts delightful , if from a right principle . Prov. 2.10 . If Nature be not oppressed ( as sometimes the New nature seems to be ) are facile , yea pleasing and delightful , as to eat , to drink , to sleep , &c. So are right Thoughts to a Righteous person . When wisdome entereth into thy heart , and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul , &c. A naughty heart is like a vitious stomach , those very thoughts that are as an hony Comb , Prov. 27.7 . or as pleasant bread to others , do make it turn , as it were , at the very sight of them ; Go thy way Paul , for this time , I have no stomach to think of Righteousness or Judgment to come ; No , no , Acts 14.25 . Felix his Thoughts were another way , suitable to his Corruption ; He thought ( saith the Text ) there was no money coming , Verse 26. and 't was the thought of money that made Musick in his Mind ; But saith David of his God , not of his Mammon , My meditation of HIM shall be SWEET , Psal. 124 34. I will be glad in the Lord . When the Miser receives his Mammon , Oh how it glads him ? nay he loves the Thought of it , when he cannot come at it ; Nay , he can Think with delight of the Bills or Bonds , he can lay them in his bosome , that do but Name it , Money is his God , and Worldliness his Nature : So doth a gracious heart with sweetness entertain the Thought of his God , nay hide his word in his very Heart ; Psal. 119.11 . It goes down with him with delight , as his food when he is most hungry ; Thy words were found , and I did eat them , Jer. 15.16 . and they were to me the joy and rejoycing of mine Heart . The Bar drinks in words , but it is the heart that eats them , by setting the Thoughts to chew upon them . And as it is with a man that is in health , if he want his set meals , so is it with a good Heart , kept in good order , without many gripes , and secret gnawings , it cannot want its set MEDITATIONS , And surely it would be better with most Christians then it is , were they but careful with Isaac , to set a part some little time of the day for Meditation , who are so little able to say with David , O how love I thy Law ! Psal. ●19 . 67 . It is my MEDITATION all the day . And this leads me to the

Sect. XIII .

Frequency Davids thoughts good all the day . Psal. 119 97. How to be understood . II. ANd that is Frequency . A good pulse strikes many a good stroke in a day , and so doth a good heart , as you may see in David , when he was in a good state of soul health ; you cannot think that he thought of nothing but Gods Law in the whole day , when he sayes , It was his Meditation all the day ; his Crown was lined with Cares , And his Head with Thoughts as other mens : But he would allow no Thought in the day contrary to the Law ; He would order all his Thoughts in conformity and subordination thereto ; And his Thoughts thereof were better pleasing to him then all other Thoughts , He was in his Element when in such Meditations ; and reckoned so much of the day lost , as wherein he was hurryed by Temptations , to any contrary cogitations : If a Bird fall into the water , 't is not her Element , she neither useth nor delighteth to be there ; If a Mole get above ground , he is not where he would be , or is wont to be . Tryal what Thoughts thy Element . Psalm 77.5 . Ask thine heart seriously what Element it is that thy thoughts most use , and with most ease ; ( My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness when I think upon thee , when I remember thee upon my bed , and meditate upon thee , &c. ) And thereby discern whether it be a Bird of Paradise , or a meer Mole , for to be carrnally minded is death , but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace . Romans 8.6 . A bad man may have a Thought of God now and then , and a Thought for God ( or the most are very much mistaken . ) But a David can say of his divine Thoughts , how great is the sum of them ? Gods Thoughts of him , and his Thoughts of God , and the reflection of his Thoughts upon Gods Thoughts , Psalm 137.17 . for ,

Sect. XIV .

III. 3. Perpetuity . THere is Perpetuity as well as Facility and Frequency in Natural acts and motions . The pulse beats not only all the day , but all a mans dayes : so do good thoughts in a Godly mind . What a blessed frame was holy David in when he could never awake , but he found his pulse beating Heaven-ward ? when I awake I am still with thee . Psam 139.18 . Psalm 1.12 . The blessed mans delight is in the Law of the Lord , and therein doth he meditate day and night . O happy He whose Thoughts are holy day and night , that is , continually .

I know Grace is lyable to its languishings , Grace may languish , soul pulse intermit , as the natural . But good Thoughts never quite die . as well as Nature , and the souls pulse to its Intermissions , as the bodies is , whereof more hereafter ; only the Pulse of Nature may cease totally , nay it must , because Nature it self must expire ; But Grace is a Caelestial , an Heaven-born principle , an Immortal Fire , which can never be extinguished , but burns brightest when Nature goeth out , Psal. 146.4 . as in Jacob and Joseph when they lay a dying : so good thoughts do usually most flourish in that very day when other Thoughts perish , Heb. 11.21 , 22. the day of Death , and after Death especially . And thus much for the first Tryal of Thoughts , whether Right or no , from their Original :

II. Tryal .

Sect. I.

Secondly , THoughts are to be known to be right by their ROOT , as Plants are , 2. Tryal . Thoughts are to be known or no by their root . especially in Winter-season : now this is as it were the Winter-state of Grace .

We have seen in the first Tryal , that Right Thoughts are to be discerned by their Soil , They grown not in the Wild , or common Field of corrupt Nature , but in the Garden of Grace ; so now , in the second Tryal , by the occult and inward manner of their growth , which I call their Radication . This I say then , If good thoughts be our deep thoughts . if good Thoughts be thy DEEP Thoughts , if ( as we say ) the best be at bottom , thy thoughts are then Right , and thou art Righteous : for as the deep thoughts of Worldlings are worldly thoughts , and the deep Thoughts of wicked men are wicked thoughts , so the deep thoughts of good men are good Thoughts . 'T is a notable observation of the Holy Ghosts concerning worldly men , That their INWARD THOUGHT is , Psal. 49.11 . that their Houses shall continue for ever , &c. Why ? is there any Thought that is not an Inward Thought ? No ; But the meaning is , that though they have some floating Thoughts of their mortality , and the vanity and transitoriness of all worldly things , swiming , as it were , on the top ; yet they do not suffer such Thoughts to sink into their Hearts , or to go to the bottom , But the Thoughts that lodge there are such as His who is said , by our Saviour , to have thought within himself , Luke 12.17 . Verse 19. Soul , thou hast much goods laid up for many years , Take thine ease , eat , drink and be merry . Note the phrase , he thought within himself ; There are other kind of thoughts that sometimes knock at the door of the worldings Heart , Nay sometimes look in at his windows , as Pauls Sermon began to press in upon Felix his Heart , Acts 24.25 . and to set him a Trembling , but there are other Thoughts within , which if they cannot keep good Thoughts quite out , they will keep them off from making any due or deep impression upon the Heart . Now these Thoughts that nestle themselves , as it were , at the very Heart-roots , to keep others out from reaching thither , these deep thoughts are they which the Scriptures call the inward thoughts , Psalm 64.6 . according to that of the Psalmist , the inward thoughts of every one of them , and the heart is deep . And so if thy inward Thoughts and deep Thoughts be good thoughts , Rom. 2.19 . 't is a good signe . Thus He is a Jew , that is one inwardly . When God has put wisdom in the inward parts , as it is in Jeremiah ; Jer 21.33 . Psalm . 5 9. Luke 11.39 . Jerem. 9.8 . as 't is said of the wicked , that their inward part is very wickedness , and that their inward part is full of Ravening and wickedness : even when he speaketh peaceably with his mouth , yet in Heart he layes his wait .

Now the Reason of this Rule is this , Reason of the Rule . because as corruption ( like the Worm at Jona's Gourd ) loves to lie at the Root to wither all ; so Grace ( to work out Corruption ) loves to lie at the very Hearts root , as it were ; and the work of Grace being to fix the Heart aright , ( as David saith , My Heart is fixed O God , my Heart is fixed ) like a wise Master Builder , Psalm . 108.1 . Grace goes to the bottom , and looks especially to that ; the Foundation being that that fixeth all the building . The Latines do very elegantly express heighth and depth by the same word , thus , altas radices agere , Good thoughts build high , therefore must be b●●tomed low . Acts 16.30 . is to take deep Root , and yet we call it the Altitude of a Star : He that will build high , must dig his Foundation deep and low ; Now Grace , where it comes , never aims lower then the Raising of the Thoughts as high as Heaven , Sirs , what must I do to be saved ( saith the ●ayler . ) A Converts first Thoughts are for no less than SALVATION ; and therefore Grace layeth them in the very depth of the heart , Thus Gracious Thoughts are called the good Treasure , not of the Head ( for a Toad , they say , may have a Pearl there . ) A wicked man may have excellent notions and speculations like Balaam , Numb. 24.34 . whose Heart is full of Poyson . ) But the good treasure of the Heart .

Our Saviour , comparing Gods Word to Seed , Math. 13.4 . Verse 5. Mans Heart to Soil , Thoughts and purposes to a springing up of that Seed in the Soil , expresly saith of the stony ground in opposition to the good ground , ( that is , Luke 8.14 . the good and honest heart as himself explains it ) that therefore it was that all came to nothing , Ma●. 13.56 . because there was no depth of earth for the Seed , and they that sprung up had no root , and therefore they withered away .

Mat. 25.1 . And in the Parable of the Virgins , where he designedly puts the difference between the sound Believer and the Hypocrite , He denies not the foolish to have Lamps and Lights , and Oyl in their Lamps , to keep them burning for a season ; but denies them to have any Oyl in their Vessels , as the Wise had . The Lamps were the Outside and shallow appearances of splendid Notions and Professions , but the Vessels are the very inwards and depths of the Heart ▪ and therefore it s said , Prov. 13.9 . The light of the righteous rejoyceth , but the Lamp of the wicked shall be put out . The Light of the Righteous ( which may be understood of their good Conversation , according to that , Let your light so shine before men , that th y may see your good works ) hath a Vessel within full of Oyl , to keep it burning perpetually , and therefore it rejoyceth , but the Lamp of the wicked hath not so , and therefore time shall put it out .

And when he represents the Grace that he gives , by a Well of Water in a man springing up to everlasting life ; John 4.14 . Good thoughts a well-spring . This Phrase is most accurately to be attended to our present purposes ; We are not in judging of a man so much to consider what may be put into a man , or what may for some time float at top , nay flow from a man , but what the SPRINGINGS UP are that are IN A MAN . And so the Apostle James also puts the Tryal upon what the FOUNTAIN yields , James 3.11 . Verse 14. whether it be sweet water , or bitter , salt water or fresh ; which expression he doth enough explain , when he saith , Verse 12. If you have bitter envying , or strife in your hearts , glory not and lie not against the truth ; Mark that , IN YOUR HEARTS , that is , when these bitter waters are the springings up of the inward Fountain , glory not , and lie not : sweet words and pleasing professions , shews and appearances will be no good Testimony for you when these BITTER springings up within you bear witness against you .

In Nature , there are Springs or Wells of diverse sorts , the diligent observation of which will much clear the scope of these Texts of Scripture , and the thing in hand ; I shall only instance in such as I have seen . There is the salt spring at Nantwich , where the springings up are naturally salt ; Now let never so much fresh water be poured into it , though it may for the present abate its saltness , and make its present waters the less brinish , yet that which springs up will in some time work out all the fresh water , and will continue ( as before ) perfectly salt . Again , there is the generous and famous Spring , called the HOLY WELL , in Wales , that is perpetually boiling up with an admirable activity , so that if never so much salt water should be poured into it , though all the waters ( for the present ) would tast salt or brackish , yet give it time , and it would certainly work out all that Heterogeneous mixture , and retain its sweetness , and ( as I may say ) its Native excellency and purity .

This then is a grand Rule for the tryal of Right Thoughts , if thy good thoughts be such as continually springing up , do work out evil thoughts which sometimes do seem to defile and deprave thee , 't is a good Scripture-Evidence both of thy thoughts and state : for this is that which the Apostle calls a clearing of our selves , which he saith expresly , that Godly sorrow worketh where it worketh Repentance to salvation ; 1 Cor. 7.10 , 11. this self same thing , saith be , that ye sorrowed after a Godly sort , Behold what carefulness it wrought in you , yea what clearing of your selves , &c. Now this Godly sorrow ha●h its spring in the Thoughts , as the Evangelist saith of Peter , when he thought thereon he wept . Mark 14.7 . As the Jews in their Captivity , wept when they remember Zion ; so Peter , in his spiritual Captivity , Ps l. 137.1 . wept when he remembred Sin . But a little before , the stoods of the ungodly had overwhelmed the good man , and the waters of bitterness had come into his soul ; And had we but tasted of his spirit , by what came from him in the High Priests Hall , we should have been apt to have concluded him in the gall of bitterness , when with swearing and cursing he denied that ever he knew Jesus : and all this issuing from the Thoughts and apprehensions of his imaginary danger , that his sorry sinful slavish fear suggested to him in case He had held fast the profession of his Faith without wavering ; these were the Thoughts that were uppermost , and so nearest his tongues end , to influence that under this surprise of Temptation ; and little doubt but at that very time his deep and bottome Thoughts were full of real kindness to his Lord and Master , which shortly after ( by their springing up ) discover themselves ; For these Thoughts work him to Godly sorrow ( as the Text affirmeth ) and godly sorrow to a clearing of himself of that which had now so sadly stained the Glory of his Profession , so that we read after of his dying for Christ , but never more word of his denying him .

Sect. II.

Instances of good thoughts deepest . Gen. 25.25 . AS this therefore is the grand trouble of many gracious Persons , that they find many strong and boisterous and evil Thoughts , like rugged Esau , that present themselves first to view , and seem to be strongest and most impetuous , yet this may be a comfort , if they can find good Thoughts , like another Jacob , taking those other thoughts , as it were , by the heel , Verse 26. and continually labouring to supplant them ; for instance ,

If you look on David ( a Gracious man , and one of a very tender spirit ) as He first appears under Nabals provocation , David . 1 Sam. 25.21 , 22. you find all the waters , as it were , turned into blood , and nothing meditated but Cruelty and Revenge ; But when Davids deep and bottom Thoughts are set on work , How quickly do they work out all that Cruelty ? The waters return to their proper nature and right colour ; and now all becomes goodness , meekness , gentleness . And David said to Abigail , Verse 32.33 . Blessed be the Lord God of Israel , who sent thee this day to me ; and blessed be thy advice , and blessed be thou , which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood , and from avenging my self with my own hand . So that whereas there was a Root of bitterness springing up , which would have brought trouble enough upon himself and others , there is also a deeper root of sweetness supplanting the former , and yielding the peaceable fruit of righteousness . And , by the way , the Reader may remark that they whose Thoughts are right and good , Note well . are very apt to Think well of those that set them right , ( as any prudent serious Travailer that hath been out of his way will be ) O blessed Sermon , Sickness , Person , Providence , will such a one say , that hath been an occasion or means to set me clear of such a Temptation , or from such or such wicked , proud , or passionate or unclean , or worldly Thoughts that have so disturbed and distempered me .

Take another instance in good King Hezekiah , Hezekiah . whom when God had raised up , the Text saith , presently his Heart was lifted up , 2 Chro. 32.25 . so that there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem ; His heart swells with proud and haughty thoughts ; Notwithstanding , saith the next Verse , Verse 24. Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart , so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the dayes of Hezekiah . Here was Humility at the bottom , His lowly Thoughts were his lowest Thoughts , and his deepest Thoughts , which did wear and work out the former .

Thus holy Asaph , Asaph . Psal. 73.16 , 17. what dark and discontentful Thoughts had he concerning the prosperity of the wicked in this world , and the equitableness of divine providence therein ? When I thought to know this , Verse 21. saith he , it was too painful for me ; But when he comes into the Sanctuary , Verse 23. and applyes himself to the due use and help of Holy means and Ordinances , how plenteously do better thoughts then the former spring up , and work out the former ? and how doth his Heart presently flow not only with truly penitent Thoughts , like Peters for his former distemper , Thus , saith he , Verse 24. my heart was grieved , and I was pricked in my reins ; but also with sweet serenity and Coelestial satisfaction ; for you instantly find him in the mount of contemplation , which becomes to him a Mount of Transfiguration , when he thus saith , Verse 23.24 . Nevertheless I am still with thee ; thou shalt guide me with thy Councel , and afterwards receive me to glory : Verse 26. Whom have I in Heaven but thee ? and there is none in Earth that I desire besides thee . And thus you see in gracious Hearts , that gracious Thoughts are still the bottom thoughts .

Instances of evil thoughts deepest Pilate . On the contrary , How many are there that have many good thoughts , as to the matter of them , floating at top , but there is still some Evil , wicked thoughts at the Bottom , to worm and work them out ? Thus Pilate had many thoughts that were good in themselves , He thought Jesus was a just person , and he thought it just in Himself to acquit and justifie the innocent , and he had many thoughts and contrivances how to set him at liberty ; but then the bottom thoughts of all , were base thoughts , and his Root thoughts were rotten thoughts , for he thought it better for him to displease God than the Multitude , and to offend his Conscience rather than Caesar ; for this was the hinge upon which the whole matter turned , John 19.12 , 13 , 17. the Jews cryed out , saying , if thou let this man go , thou art not Caesars friend ; When Pilate therefore heard that saying , He brought out Jesus , &c. and delivered him to them to be Crucified .

Agrippa . Thus Agrippa , no doubt , had many good Thoughts and motions in his mind , when he cryes out to St. Paul , Acts 26.28 . Many followers of Christ . Almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian . And many of Christs followers thought , no question , to have continued longer with him , at their first coming to him , and are therefore called his Disciples , from that time ( saith the Text ) Many of his Disciples went back , John 6.66 . and walked no more with him . And so that rich young man that came running to him with so much eagerness , Young man , Math. 10.17 . and kneeled before him with so much Devotion , thought ( without all peradventure ) that Christ was a most excellent person , and that it was a most desirable thing to be saved ; But then his ultimate Thoughts were , that if He could not have Heaven and Earth too , it was best to venture the first , and to hold to that which he had in his Hand , and these thoughts carryed him , ( as the like Thoughts do thousands ) away from Christ . And therefore the Antithesis to the Text is remarkable , The thoughts of the Righteous are right , but the Counsels of the wicked ( that is , their Deep , Deliberate , Bottom thoughts ) are deceipt . Saints at worst of a more excellent Spirit then Hypocrites at best . Daniel 6.3 .

So then by this Rule we may discern what an Excellent Spirit there is , as 't was said of Daniel , in the meanest Saint , take him at his very worst and lowest , that is not to be found in the most flourishing Hypocrite in the world when he is arrayed in all his Glory . A gracious heart , ( like a faithful Souldier ) be it never so oppressed and trodden down by its Enemy , yet its bottom thoughts are still working at a Holy Revenge ( as the Apostle saith yet what Revenge ? 1 Cor. 7.11 . ) contriving how it may cast off its Enemy , and having cast it off , to cut it off ; for it is to every upright person in the World that the Holy Ghost applyes that of the Prophet , thine heart shall MEDITATE TERROUR ; Isaiah 33.18 . Thou shalt be thinking how to kill this corruption , and how to Conquer that Lust , How to mortifie this uncleanness , that inordinate affection , this Evil Concupisence , that Covetousness , how to be revenged of these uncircumcised Philistines for thy two eyes , Jud. 16.28 . for all that light of Holy Joy and Peace , they have deprived thee of . Whereas on the other hand the best Hypocrite , even whilst he seems to hold out the Garrison with greatest Gallantry and Resolution for God and Christ , yet even then his secret thoughts , his inward , deep , and bottom thoughts are trucking with the Enemy , to betray and yield up all , when He spyeth His season , and pleasing advantage ; Thus Esau resolves to carry it most demurely during His Fathers life , but his Deep thoughts are all along , Gen. 27 41. ( Esau said in his heart saith the Text ) the dayes of mourning for my Father are at hand , then will I stay my Brother . And Oh! How many are there that can palliate a foul and rotten heart , with the fairest pretences and appearances , whilst Godly Magistrates , Ministers , Parents , Guardians , Governours , continue with them , that all the while have a months mind , as we say , to the license that other debauched or vain persons take , and secretly please themselves with the thoughts thereof , which they purpose to themselves , when the Awe of such , as at present hinder them , shall be removed and taken away ? A kin to these are those , who ( though they will not sell Wheat on the Sabbath day , Amos 8.5 . yet ) are still thinking when will the Sabbath be over ? So then the test of our Spirits is our Deep thoughts .

And thus also we have a reason of a Following Rule in this , for it cannot but be supposed that Right thoughts must needs be ( not idle or unactive but ) operative and abounding in fruit that are so happy in their Root , Isaiah 37.32 . they take root downward , and therefore will bear fruit upward .

Sect. III.

Thoughts are to be considered with special respect to the Temperament of the body . Hebr. 4.12 . NOw a grand Reason why I have desired to speak so fully and distinctly to this , is this , which I desire most heedfully may be observed . The THOUGHTS of men ( whereof the word of God is ( as hath been said ) the great discerner , and to the touch whereof we have been bringing them in these tryals ) I say , THOUGHTS of mens minds , which , in the manner of Exerting and putting forth their operations , do much depend upon the various Temperaments of those bodies wherein those operations are put forth , are to be considered with a special respect thereunto ; for most certain it is , that neither Grace nor Corruption , Temperaments may help to more stability of thoughts in some then in others . neither Sincerity nor Hypocrisie find all mens minds , be they good or bad , to work alike , but according as their diverse workings are influenced by the diversity of bodily constitutions ; Now some temperatures ( being naturally more heavy , lumpish , and melancholick , more easily dispose their minds to greater measures of Resolution , stability and fixation of thoughts , when once the Thoughts are set , be the minds or matters good or bad ; In worldly , nay wicked things some are of one mind , and who can turn them ? truly none , but God Omnipotent ; who , if God come once to set their Hearts aright , have a marvailous advantage in point of consistency , and as to the stability of their good thoughts even from their Natural temper ; whereas some others in Constitution sanguine , and more symbolizing with the Air , their minds seem commonly volatile , and so their thoughts more fluid , and less fixed , be the habit of their Minds , Difference of natural constitution may appear , as in conversion . or Objects of their Thoughts , good or evil : Now this difference of Natural constitution , occasions many mistakes in the spiritual judging of Mens Estates . A man may be very serious , yet not Religious , though John Baptist was naturally ( 't is probable ) very austere , John came ( saith Christ ) neither eating nor drinking : Mar. 11.28 . and another man may be very pleasant , and yet not vain ; and it would seem our Saviours Natural bodily temper was differing from the Baptists , and disposed him to a complaisant conversation , Verse 29. The Son of Man came eating and drinking ( for even in that sence his delights were with the Sons of Men ) Rejoycing in the habitable parts of the Earth : The Hebrew word signifies sporting , Prov. 8.5 . and so the Margin reads it , and yet he was the pattern of all Perfection . And as in Conversation , So in thoughts . so in thoughts , the Natural temper may ( if not attended ) occasion dangerous mistakes in judging the spiritual state . Take an instance in two , whom I take to be Eminent Saints , King Solomon , and the Apostle Paul , Instance in King Solomon and St. Paul . concerning the later none doubt , nor dare I of the former , ( who was Gods Iedidiah , from whom God , saith he , will never take his mercy . A Pen-man of Holy Writ , and so numbred by the Apostle among the Holy men of God , a grand Type of Christ , and one of those Prophets of whom Christ saith expresly , that all the Prophets are in the Kingdom of God , Luke 15 . 2● ) yet I suppose a vast difference in the Natural temper of these two excellent men : Paul , no doubt , was of great natural resolution , Acts 26 . 9● and fixation , I verily thought ( saith he of himself before his Conversion ) that I ought to do many things against the Name of Jesus , Verse 10 , 11. which thing also I did in every Synagogue . He never alters his mind ( as we say , ) never changeth his thoughts , never turns , nor ever would , had not God overturned him ; but then when God called him by his Grace , and set the Watch right , Oh! this Natural temper of His was an Excellent Ballance , and kept the motion admirably : What do you mean ( saith he ) to weep and break mine heart ? Acts 21.17 . I am ready not onely to be bound , but to Die for the Name of Jesus ; And when he would not be perswaded ( say they ) we ceased , &c. You see He was fixed before Conversion , and fixed after ; for Grace rather useth then altereth Nature , though it cures its corruption , But now Solomon , He was naturally ( I question not ) of a more Airy Constitution , and so of a more doubtful mind ( as our Saviours Phrase is which He borrowes from the Aiery Meteors , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Luke 12.30 . which are now here , and now there , and you can hardly find them fixed any where , ) and so His thoughts more fluid and volatile , flying up and down from one thing to a contrary thing , from Wisdom , Eccles. 2.2 . to Wine , to Women , to Madness , to Folly , yea from one thing to a thousand things , Even from the Cedar of Lebanon , to the Hyssop upon the Wall ; and being naturally ( like Reuben ) unstable ( as water ) his Wives turned away his heart , 1 Kings 11.4 . and the Lord was angry with Solomon , because his heart was turned away from the Lord God of Israel , which had appeared unto him twice ; and yet there was a well of Water after all this , springing up in Him to Everlasting Life ; for you may see what was in the bottom of his heart ( what his deepest thoughts were ) by what you find in the bottom of his Book of Penitence and Recantation ; Let us hear ( saith He ) the CONCLUSION of the matter , FEAR GOD , Eccles. 12.15 . and keep his Commandments , &c. Now All is well ( We say ) that ends well .

Sect. IV.

THis then ( to shut up this scrutiny ) is that which we are most accurately to observe amongst all that variety not only of Temptations , Conclusion of the Rule . but of Tempers , and consequently of Thoughts , Purposes , and Resolutions , Psal. 94.14 . Several instances of good thoughts at bottom , working out evil thoughts . Isaiah 8.13 . if ( as David saith in another respect In the multitude of our thoughts within us , We can find Divine and gracious Thoughts to be deepest in our Soul . As to add to the instance forementioned , when our slight Thoughts of God , and slavish fear of Man , and thoughts of sinful security as to our selves , are wrought out by our sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts , and making him our FEAR , as the Prophet speaks ,

When ones high thoughts of himself , who is ready to say in his heart , Deut. 8.17 . My power and the might of my hand hath ●otten me this wealth , are removed by remembrance of the Lord God , Verse 18. and that it is he that gives power to get wealth .

When our self-justifying , self-exalting thoughts are taken down and let fall ( as Job's plumes were ) by his thoughts of his black feet , behold I am vile , Job 40.4 . what shall I answer thee ? &c.

When over-eager thoughts of the world are worn out by thinking on what He saith , who hath charged us to take no thought for to morrow ; Luke 12.22 . Matth. 6.34 . Prov. 11.4 . and over-valuing thoughts of the World , by thinking that the world was not Crucified for Us , cannot deliver , or profit in the day of wrath , that labouring for the World , is but labouring for the Wind ; Eccles. 5.16 . whereof the more a man g●asps ( for the most part ) the greater are the gripes , that their end is Destruction that mind earthly things ; but especially by Thinking that the Lord hath said , Love not the World , nor the things of the World ; for if any man love the World , 1 John 2.15 the love of the Father is not in him .

When Flesh-pleasing thoughts are supplanted by thinking that to be carnally minded is death ; Romans 8. ● . James 5.5 . that living in pleasures upon the Earth , and being wanton , is but the nourishing of the heart as in the day of slaughter ; that a St. Paul himself must 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 1 Cor. 9.27 . beat down his body , and bring it in subjection , least he himself should be cast away , Phil. 3.8 . or when thoughts of the Excellency of the knowledge of Christ come to make a man think other things to be but dogs meat , or dung , that he may win Christ ; when the thoughts of the Rivers of pleasures , that are at Gods Right hand for evermore , do challenge the Heart , Jerm. 2.18 . What hast thou to do in the way of Aegypt , to drink the waters of Sihoi ? Heb. 11.25 . what hast thou to do with the puddle pleasures of Sin , that are but for a season ?

When our wandring thoughts take Heaven for their home . In a word , when the wandring Thoughts ( like weary Travailers , ) take Heaven for their Home , and though they fetch too many a compass , yet still they ultimately are making thitherward : when they ( like so many busie Bees have been flying about all day perhaps , yet never rest till they have housed themselves in God , as an Hive of sweetness , and there find satisfactory Repast , and sweet Repose , Thou mayst well say , Psal. 116.7 . Return to thy Rest , O my Soul , and that the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee , for this was it that the Church comforted her self in the thoughts of , that the desire of her soul was to the remembrance of Gods Name , Isaiah 26.8 , 9. Verse 13. with her Soul she desired him in the night ; even when other Lords had dominion over her , &c. for though Temptations ( which are called ) the fiery Darts of Satan may sometimes make thee black , Ephes. 6.16 . Cant. 1.7 . like the Spouse in the Canticles , and real mixtures of darkness may be found in thee , in respect of which thou mayst fitly be compared to smoak , yet if thy Thoughts , like h●rs , be like Pillars of smoak , Cant. 3.6 . still winding and working upward . Thou art black indeed , but yet beautiful in Christs account . As in the Levitical Law the creeping things going upon all four , ●ev . 11.20 , 21. were unclean , yet , if they had legs above their feet to leap withal , as the Locust , or Grashopper , they were clean in the Laws account .

III. Tryal .

Sect. I.

Thirdly ,

COme we then to the Third Tryal of Thoughts , ( viz , 3. Tryal , Right thoughts have influence upon ordering the conversation aright . Psal 50.23 . 1 Iohn 8.9 . Ephes. 2.2 . Acts 5.3 . Right Thoughts have a natural Energy and influence unto the ordering of the Conversation aright , as the Scripture speaks : Now the reason of this Rule is this , The Grace of God which ( as we have seen ) first stirs in Thoughts , is called in the Scripture the seed of God , and therefore 't is not possible that it should prove abortive : for if the evil Spirit worketh effectually in the Children of Disobedience , by working first upon their Thoughts ( why hath Satan filled thine heart ? &c , Satans work begins there . Isaiah 1.15 . ) And if Lust when it hath conceived in the Thought , brings forth sin in the life , which is an Anomy or Transgression of the Law ; True Grace when it conceives in the Thought , must accordingly bring forth Newness in the Life , Rom. 6. Gal. 6.16 . Hebr. 8.8 . ( as Scripture speaks ) which is a conformity to the Rule of the new Creature , the Law and the Tearms of the new Covenant , which first saith , I will put my spirit within them , and then they shall keep my judgments and do them , Ezek. 36.27 . which is to be understood of Evangelical Obedience . First Grace works in us , and then it sets us a working ; for after that it pleased God , who called me by his Grace , to reveal his Son in me , immediately , saith Paul , Gal. 1.15 , 16. Acts 9.6 . I conferred not with Flesh and Blood , &c. With whom then ? why ▪ Lord what wouldst thou have me to do ? His thoughts were working in the verse before , and they see him a work in the verse following .

The works of God , which we call Providence , are All pursuant to the thoughts of God , Ephes. 1.11 . Jer. 23.20 . which Scripture calls his Purpose . Thus God is said to perform all the thoughts and intents of his heart . Now Grace is called a partaking of the Divine nature , 2 Pet. 1.4 . and therefore cannot spend it self in bare thinking . In Nature the motions of the hands and feet , without the command or express dictate of the Tongue , do readily pursue the thoughts and motions of the mind , and therefore it is said , Prov. 16.9 . that a mans heart deviseth his way ; A man thinketh to go such a way , and goes it ; He thinks to do such a thing , and does it . And it is so in corrupt Nature , Isaiah 65.2 . they walk in a way that is not good , after their own hearts ; And it is as truly so in Grace . I thought on my wayes , Psal. 119.59 . Right thoughts are rectifying thoughts . 1 John 3.7 . Isaiah 59.4 . Micah 2. saith David , and turned my feet unto thy testimonies . Right Thoughts indeed may we well call them , when they are Rectifying thoughts , when they make us to do Right ; as , the Apostle saith , He that doth Righteousness , is Righteous . 'T is said of the Wicked , They conceive Mischief , and bring forth Iniquity . And can We think it proper to Grace only to prove abortive ? Woe to them , saith God , that devise Iniquity , and work evil upon their Beds ; when the morning is light they practice it , because it is in the power of their hand . This is the Case and Character of the wicked , Psalm 39.7 . He first deviseth mischief upon his Bed , and then sets himself in a way that is not good ; And thus the Sincere Convert , Rev. 2.2 . what good he thinks to do , when God holds him down on the Bed of sorrows ( as Scripture phrase is ) and in the Night of affliction , he will not therefore forbear doing , because God lifts up the light of his Countenance upon him , so far as it is in the power of his hand ; Psal. 66.11 , 12 , 13. but will rather say with David , with a little variation , thou laidst affliction upon our Loins , but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place , I will pay thee my Vows , which my Heart hath purposed , and my mouth spoken when I was in trouble . Purpose often outgoes power . 'T is true indeed , that in both cases the purpose of the Heart doth oftentimes outgo the power of the hand ; A wicked man thinks to do more mischief then he can possibly compass ; Gen. 27.42 . 2 Sam. 18.25 . Thus , Esau purposed to kill Jacob , and Saul thought to make David fall by the Philistins : It is said , Sanballat and Geshem thought to do Nehemiah mischief , Neh. 6.2 . yet they could not do it : So a Child of God perhaps purposeth greater exactness , and more close walking with God . ( in a sicknes● , under a Sermon , or a Sacrament ) then he can possibly attain unto afterwards , by reason of renewing of Temptation , and remaining corruption , and then ( it may be ) he is ready to cry out , Oh my thoughts were never right , my purposes were never sincere , for if they had , I had never fallen so short in performance ; I thought in such a straight , if ever God brought me out of it , I should never forget my self , and God , and it , as ( to my shame and confusion of face I may speak it ) I have since done ; I thought under such a trouble of mind if God would ever speak pardon to my sin , and peace to my soul , Job 15.11 . Ephes. 4.30 . the Consolations of God should never more be small with me , I would never neglect my Evidences for Heaven , never grieve the Comforter , as I ( like a wretch ) have since done ; Psalm 85.8 . I would never return to folly , never indulge corruption , never dally with Temptation any more ; I thought I should never have been so slight in holy Duties , in Closet or Family , never have past a day without some soul-repast by sweet and solemn meditations , never have restrained Prayer from the Almighty ; Job 15.4 . I thought I should never have spent so many Lords-dayes so carelesly , heard Sermons so unprofitably , read Gods Word so unattentively , as I have since done ; I thought also I should have taught Transgressors Gods way , Psal. 51.13 . and that Sinners should have been converted unto him ; Hebr. 5.25 . that I should have expressed more Zeal for the Glory of God , more compassion on the ignorant , and on them that are out of the way : more Courage in reproving Sin in others , and care in being exemplary unto others in my own Conversation : But alas ! How may I complain ; as Job , Job 17.11 . that my purposes are broken off , even the thoughts of my heart : that I went out ( like Naomi ) full of purposes , Ruth 1.21 . but Returned empty of performances ; I thought to have gone forth victorious like Sampson , Judges 16.17 . and 20. Mark 14.29 but found my strength upon tryal , but like another mans ; I thought like Peter , that though all should have been offended in Christ , yet should not I ; But , alas , I have found slender temptations too hard for me , as the Damosel was for him ; Verse 66. and truly now the thing that I feared is come upon me , I thought this Tryal would find me out , that my thoughts and purposes were never right , for they have never reached their intended performance .

Sect. II.

Right application of the Rule . Isaiah 42.3 . Job 13.25 . BUt for the right application of this Rule , and that the bruised Reed may not be broken , or the leaf that is driven to and fro , you must know that the right ordered Conversation before mentioned , as the genuine issue of Right Thoughts , is not to be estimated by Legal , but by Evangelical measures ; and so the Thoughts themselves , not so much by the successfulness of attainment , as by the sincerity of endeavour , for ( what the Apostle saith in another case , is true here ) if there be first a willing mind , 2 Cor. 8.12 . it is accepted according to what a man hath , not according to what he hath not ; Now where this willing mind is , there will be reality of endeavour to do what it can , though it cannot do what it would , as the Apostle Paul saith , Rom. 7.18 . The good that I would do that I cannot ; and again , not that I have already attained , either were already perfect , Phil. 3.12 . but one thing I do , I press forward , &c. there will , and there must be a pressing forward . Grace is a Warfare rather , then a Triumph , and a Plowing , rather then a Reaping , Phil 21.5 . and therefore the Holy Ghost to right Thoughts adds diligence , and to that a tending to plenteousness ; if plenty do not presently attend them , yet they intend it , Good purposes how seconded with Evangelical disobedi●●● . and tend towards it ; We say , He that will shoot high , must aim at a Star , though he cannot hit it . He therefore that purposeth Holiness , as God is Holy , whose careful and real endeavours in all holy means and wayes are pursuant to his purposes ; whose daily short comings are his daily burden and bitterness , who ( unfeignedly bewailing them ) humbly rowls his Penitent Soul upon the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ ( which was the case and practice of the Apostle in the place before quoted ) is a compleat man in Christ , Phil. 4.9 . and a Conversation thus ordered is a Scripture Evidence that the Thoughts are Right , and that the man is Righteous .

But then on the other hand , Psal. 146.4 . Thoughts without works dead thoughts . James 2.17 . what the Scripture speaks of the day of Death , is fitly applicable to a state of spiritual Death , That all a mans Thoughts perish ; for as Faith without Works is a dead Faith , so Thoughts without works may be said to be dead thoughts ; Nay these are sometimes the Evidence of one whom the Scripture calls twice dead , Jade 12. Twice dead , how meant . pluckt up by the roots , that is once dead as to his Natural sinful condition ; and then again dead in regard of the motions and stirrings of thoughts and purposes which seemed to shew some spiritual life , and yet after all come to nothing . Therefore , saith Solomon , 1 Kings 8.47 , 48. if they bethink themselves and return , &c. For a man to bethink himself , and not to return is to add an high aggravation to his former Impenitency ; 't is sin enough to crucifie the Son of God afresh , and not to bethink ones self what one is a doing ; but to consider Jesus , and yet to trample his Blood under feet , ( As They said , Come this is the Heir , Mat. 21.38 . let us kill him ) this leaves no room for that very Prayer of Christ , Father forgive them , they know not what they do ; For a man to bethink himself of Heaven , as Esau of the Birthright , and yet to despise it , Gen. 25.32 . or to bethink himself of Hell , and yet to rush into it as the Horse into the Battell : This is as it were to deal cruelly with Christ in cold Blood , to bid defyance to the God of Heaven upon Advice and set Councel , which too many do upon inadvertency , and non-consideration ; or at least , like the vile Gadarenes , when Christ comes into our Thoughts , as he came into their Coasts , for our Swines sake , our filthy Lusts sake , to bese●ch him to depart out of our Countrey ; Luke 8 . 3● . nay , with the wicked Jews , when conviction puts it upon our Thoughts ( as Pilate did upon theirs , shall I crucifie your King ? ) shall I Crucifie the Lord Jesus , by continued Impenitency , and unbelief ? When Barabbas and Jesus lie both before our Thoughts , deliberately to deny the Holy One , Acts 3.14 . and to choose a Murderer . And Oh! how sad will it be to perish without Christ , under so many Thoughts of Christ ? or to go to Hell with so many Thoughts and fruitless purposes of going to Heaven .

Sect. III.

Folly of trusting to idle thoughts , and purposes . Mat. 25.11 , 12 YEt alas , how many are there that have many confident Thoughts of Heaven , because they have now and then a few cold , unactive , unoperative thoughts for Heaven ; and carry these confident Thoughts with them to their very Graves , as the foolish Virgins , that roundly knock at Christs door with a Lord , Lord , Open unto us , but the Answer is , I know you not . Foolish Ones , may I well say ; for as in ease where prudence might foresee the Evil of Event , or Consequence , to a thought or purpose , we say , Stultum est dicere non putaram , 't is a foolish thing to say , I never thought that this would have come of it , or else I would never have engaged in it , so in all cases where we have the Highest assurances from Religion and Reason that the understanding of a man is capable of , 1 Cor. 15.58 . that our labour shal not be in vain in the Lord , stultum est dicere putaram , 't is a foolish thing to say , I thought to have repented , and I thought to have believed , and to stick there , and go no farther , What doth it profit my Brethren , saith the Apostle , If a man say he have faith , James 2.14 . and hath not works , can faith save him ? So I may say , if a man say he have Thoughts , and hath not works , can Thoughts save him ? If a man think over night to be so far onwards of his journey by such an hour in the morning , and sleep out the time he should go it in , can Thoughts carry him ? If a Prince command his Servant in the morning ( on pain of Death ) to do such a thing , of most high importance to his Crown and Dignity , and that must be done that day or not at all , and promise him withall a munificent Reward in case of performance ; suppose this servant goes forth of his Princes Presence , full of many busie Thoughts , and present purposes of going about the business ; but by the way falls into evil Company , or into some other business , trivial & vain in respect of his Great Masters , but more pleasing to the wicked & sloathful Servant ; but returns at night , Mat. 25.26 . & ( with Confidence shall I say , or Impudence ? ) sues for his reward ; shall the Princes bounty reward this mans vain purpose ? or his just severity punish his inexcusable neglect of performance ? Reader , what thinkest thou ? Even so saith God , Verse 30. Cast ye he unprofitable Servant into utter darkness , there shall be ●eeping and gnashing of teeth ; He saith not the Servant that never purposed , but the Servant that never did what he should have done , and so never profited . And on the other hand , it is not said , well thought , or well meant , or well purposed , or well intended , but WELL DONE thou good and faithful Servant , Verse 21. thus David describing the Blessed man , saith not only that He meditates in the Law day and night , but also brings forth his fruit in his season : But , saith he , Psal. 1.2 , 3.4 . the ungodly is not so .

Sect. IV.

THis then is a sure Rule . Thoughts no wayes right , when wayes alway grievous . Psalm 10 5. Isaiah 32.8 . His Thoughts are no wayes Right and Good , whose wayes are alwayes grievous , as the Scripture speaks . There is no such thing as GOOD MEANINGS , ( a Delusion that damns thousands ) where there is no GOOD LIFE ( as before explained ) The libe●al saith the Prophet , deviseth liberal things , and by the liberal thin●s he shall stand . 'T is well when THOUGHTS and THINGS go together ; otherwise the very Thoughts of GOOD , or of doing GOOD , or of becoming GOOD , are not GOOD , because they are vain , and Scripture reckons all VAIN THOUGHTS to be wickedness of heart , and such a One as the continuance whereof excludes from Salvation ; Jerem. 4.14 . Wash thine Heart from wickedness , that Thou mayst be saved , how long shall vain thoughts lodge within thee ?

Thoughts not only vain , when set upon vain objects , but upon the best objects in vain .

How purposes may be said to be to no purpose .

Now , Thoughts are VAIN , not only when set upon vain Objects , but if they be placed upon the best objects in vain , or to no purpose , as our Phrase is , when a thing doth not reach its real or practical end , we say such a thing is to no purpose : and so purposes themselves may be said to be to no purpose . They say in Philosophy , Frustra fit potentia quae nunquam producitur in Actum , that power is vain that is never produced into Act ; so may I say in Divinity , Those Thoughts are vain that are never produced into Exercise or Operation , as the Drunkard , who often thinks of amendment , but still turns like a Dog to his vomit , 2 Pet. 2.24 . or the unclean Whoremonger , or Harlot in the Proverbs , that after her Vows and her Peace-Offerings , Prov. 7.14 . returns with the Swine that was washed to her wallowing in the mire , or as those in Malachy , Ma●. 2.15 . of whom the Holy Ghost thus complains , and against whom he thus witnesseth , And this have ye DONE AGAIN , Covering the Altar of the Lord with Tears , with weeping and with crying out , insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more , or receiveth it with good will at your hands . Not that we are therefore not to purpose , much less to purpose against purposing that which is good , but to take care to fulfil our purposes ; for if they perish that go so far as this Text mentioneth , what shall be the end of those that come so far short of them , that come short of Heaven ?

And so we come to .

The IV. and Last Tryal .

WOuldst thou ( Lastly ) know whether thy Thoughts be Right , 4. Tryal of Right thoughts by the Rule . Remember that RIGHT is a Relative word , and refers to proportion and Rule . As in THINGS so in THOUGHTS ; Est modus in rebus , sunt certi denique fines , Quos ultra citraque , nequit consistere RECTUM .

THOUGHTS have their Measures , SHORT , or OVER-LONG , cannot be RIGHT , but both extremely WRONG .

Thy Thoughts are Right if Regular , and conformed to Right measures : And here are two things 〈◊〉 be presupposed to thy Right judging of thy Thoughts .

First , that thou think there is a Rule for Thoughts ; Two things prerequired a Rule for Right thoughts . Secondly , that thou have Right Thoughts of the Rule .

Sect. I.

AS to the First , 2. Right thoughts of the Rule . It was a sore spiritual Plague and Judgment , A black Vail upon the heart , upon the Jewish Rabbines and Expounders of the Law , that they did not extend Its Rule to the Thoughts , but taught for Doctrine , what we have in the Proverb , that Thoughts were FREE , ( even in that sence ) Mans Thoughts from Gods Laws ; Some of them are observed to have given that cursed gloss upon that Text , If I regard Iniquity in my heart , Psal. 66.18 . Rabbi Kimchim loc. God will not ●●ar ; God will not hear ; that is , say they , If it go no further then my Thoughts , God will not mind , he will take no notice thereof , nor call to any account for it . And this made them think so well of themselves , because they thought no worse of their thoughts . Blessed Paul ,

Acts 22.3 . Paul brought up at Gamaliels feet , Ignorant of thoughts . Rom. 7.7 . Verse 9.

Till the Commandment came to him Christs own teaching .

Christs exposition of the Law spiritual teaching thoughts , Matth. 5.3 . Verse 8. Verse 22 , 28. Chap. 6.25 , 28 , 31.

Last Commandment . Rom. 7.7 .

Against evil Thoughts . Rom 7.14 . 1 Cor. 4.6 .

Gods writing is Rule for mans thinking . Reasonable sence , Rom. 12.1 . what , Chap. 7.21 .

though brought up at the feet of Gamaliel a Doctor of Law , yet was alive once , without the Law , and gives this as the Reason , He did not by all their Doctrine , know LUST ; He knew not that thought-sins were such sins untill the Commandment came in another manner , and by another kind of teaching then ever he had from them . For this was our Saviours great business , in that Incomparable Sermon upon the Mount , to vindicate the Spirituality of the Law , from their carnal and corrupt Dotages ; they put the great stress of the Rule upon the outward man , He puts it upon the Heart also , Poverty in spirit , he begins with that : He layes the breach of the Sixth and Seventh Commandments in heart and thought as well as outward Act , He condemns carking cares , Anxiety of Thoughts . 'T is strange indeed they should be so blinded , seeing the very last of Gods Ten Words , goes down to the very bottom of the mind and thought , Thou shalt not COVET , so that when the scales were but fallen from the Apostles eyes , He could easily-see , in the light of that Law , that THOUGHT was Sin ; He knew LUST to be SIN then : He knows now that the Law is Spiritual , Yea , and thus he Schools others 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , That ye might learn not to think above what is written . Gods written WORD is the measure of mans Right THOUGHTS , yet even some Heathens had some glimmerings of this , Deut est animus , therefore mente colendus , God it a Spirit , and requires mental worship and conformity to his will : And this is indeed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , our reasonable Service , when the Internal 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , THOUGHT and mind serve the Law of God .

Sect. I.

Secondly ,

AS a man must have a right Rule for his Thoughts , Right thoughts of the Rule . James 4.11 . 1 Cor. 2.14 . so he must have Right Thoughts of the Rule . The Apostle speaks of some that Judge the Law , Take we heed that we do not misjudge it . Therefore it is necessary that we look on the Spiritual Law with a Spiritual eye . To carnal Thoughts , the Right wayes of the Lord seem crooked and unequal , Gods right Rule , why seems crooked to men . not that the Law is so , but because the medium is such through which it is looked upon ; as if a man put part of a strait staff into the water , it appears crooked , because of the inequality of the medium . All Gods Rule to David . Psal. 119.228 . All right . But now a right heart hath right thoughts of the Rule , I esteem all thy Precepts , concerning all things , to be right . So we Read it , but the Text is , I esteem all thy Precepts to be all right , every one , and every way , Right . 'T is true , There may be some kind of approving the things that are excellent , Rom. 2.18 . Some approve some excellent things . As Herod , Mark 6.20 . And yet the Heart not be Right ; But if there be not an approving of excellent things , the Heart cannot be Right ; A bad Heart may think good of many good wayes , as Herod , but a good heart thinks good of every good way , as David . Then shall I not be ashamed , when I have respect unto all thy Commandments . Psal. 119.6 . But David all Gods Laws . Universal respect , fair evidence . 1 Tim. 3.16 . Men may have a fair respect to many of Gods Laws , yet have hard Thoughts of some . But an universal respect is a fair Evidence of Sincerity . For ALL SCRIPTURE is given by Inspiration of God , and is profitable for Doctrine , for Reproof , for Correction , for Instruction in Righteousness , &c.

THE Second Part. Contents of the II. Part.

AN Introduction of particular Instances of Thoughts suited to their several Subjects according to Scripture Rule .. 1. In thinking of Scripture it self . 2. Of Our Selves . 3. Of others . 4. Of Creature-comforts . 5. Of Ordinances . 6. Of Sin . 7. Of Holiness . 8. Of Afflictions . 9. Of Temptations . 10. Of Persecutions . 11. Of the present Condition of Life . 12. Of the present Time of Life . 13. Of Death . 14. Of Judgment . 15. Of Eternity . 16. Of Angels , Evil , Good . 17. Above all in Thinking of GOD.

To have High Thoughts and Sweet Thoughts , but in all points Regular and Scriptural .

Of his Being , Highness , Holiness , Unshangeableness , Unity , ( yet Trinity in Unity , ) Eternity , Omnipresence , Omniscience , Omnipotence , Invisibility , Terribleness and just Severity , Truth & Verity , Loveliness and Goodness , not only in his sparing Mercies and means of Grace , but even in His Judgments and Destruction of the ungodly : in the First Covenant , especially in the New ; Covenant of Grace richest Theme for thoughts . CHRIST the Obje●t of Gods Eternal thoughts , and of all good mens of Old , and of Angels , though Men otherwise concerned in Him than They. Immanuel God with us , makes All in God Ours , Justice , Holiness , Highness , &c. Gods Love in Christs Incarnation , Suffering . The Necessity and Excellent Vertue of Christs Death . Right thoughts of Christs righteousness Imputed . High thoughts of Christ , sweet thoughts of Christ , Holy thoughts of Christ as tho great Enemy of Sin , though Friend of Sinners , right thoughts of God the Holy Ghost . High thoughts of God the Spirit , in his Essence , Subsistence , and Operations , Sweet thoughts of him , and our high Obligations to Him ; the finishing work in mans Salvation the Spirits , Holy Ghost , the great Promise of the New Testament as Christ of the Old . Fruits of the Spirit sweet .

Thoughts For God must be Scriptural as well as Of God .

Conclusion .

Exhorting to Self-reflection by and upon Our thoughts .

Giving Motives and Rules for keeping thoughts RIGHT .

THE Second Part.

WHICH Contains an Induction of particular Instances of Thoughts suited to their several Subjects , according to Scripture-Rule ; and concludes with an Exhortation to self-Reflection , and Motives and Rules for keeping Thoughts Right .

NOw then supposing a Man have a right Rule for his thoughts , and right thoughts of the Rule : The great inquiry for the tryal of thoughts is ; whether they be suited to their several Subjects according to that Rule .

Right thoughts of Scripture . Adoro Scripturae plenitudinem , Tertul. cont . Hermog. See B. Tayler's Dissuasive from Popery . 2 Tim. 3.15 , 16 , 17. John 5.39 . As for Example .

Sect. I.

IN thinking of SCRIPTURE , that it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , All divinely inspired , and a sufficient Rule in all things pertaining to God and our Souls , Able to make the man of God perfect , throughly furnished to every good work , able to make wise to Salvation , and therefore to be searched by every one that desires to be Saved ; Search the Scriptures ( saith our Saviour ) for in them ye think to have Eternal Life , and they are They that testifie of Me. Now to think otherwise of Scripture then we are taught by it , is to think strangely of it , which is a thing the great God takes strangely at their hands that do it , ( a dishonour done to our Spiritual MAGNA CHARTA , the great Charrer of our Salvation . ) I have WRITTEN to Him ( saith God ) the GREAT THINGS of my Law , Hosea 8.12 . but they counted them as a strange thing . Great things , indeed must we needs think them , being sent from the Great God , Exod. 8.19 . John 11.74 . confirmed by Great Works and Miracles , Many in Number , Mighty in Nature , uncontrolable and infallible in their Evidence , witnessed by Friends , confessed by Enemies , admired by All , in succession of Ages attending the Holy Pen-Men , and the Doctrine thereof .

And yet alas ●how strangely have these things of HOLY WRIT been thought of ( even as the Holy men themselves ) as Troublers of States , Acts 24.5 . and Movers of Sedition throughout all the World , and as Ring-leaders of all Sects and Schismes . And therefore 't is the wisdom and the piety of Popery to take away this dangerous Key of Knowledge from the Common People , Luke 11.52 . and to perswade that ignorance is the Mother of Devotion , ( they mean sure their own Devotion , ) but God calls Ignorance the Mother of Destruction , when he saith , Hosea 4.6 . My People are destroyed for lack of knowledge .

But thanks be to God , We have not so learned Christ , Scriptures must be searched by All. Psal. 119.7 . Magistrates . Deut. 17 . 1● . Psal. 119.24 . Ministers . as to dare to think that Book unfit for the study and reading of the meanest , which God hath ordained for making wise the simple , that cryes to the simple , turn in hither , and declaredly puts it self ( as I may say ) into the Hands of all sorts and sizes , conditions , ages , and sexes , The Prince must read in it all the days of his Life , and think it his safety to take the Testimonies thereof to be the Men of his Councel . And the Officers in Gods House must be ready Scribes in the Law of God , ( as was said of Ezrah , ) Yea , Ezra 7.6 . People . Rom. 10.8 . this is the Comfort of all the People of God , to have this Word nigh them , even in their mouths , and in th●ir Hearts , for saith the Apostle to Community of the People , Col. 3.16 . Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly , that they through patience and comfort of the SCRIPTURES might have hope ; Rom. 15.4 . Deut. 3.6 . Old . Yea , this is their wisdom ( saith Moses ) in the sight of all Nations . Here none may think themselves too old to learn , for David by this study came to understand more then the Ancients ; Psal. 11.10 . Young . Psal. 119.9 . Women . Children . 2 Tim. 3.15 . Nor too young neither , for wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking beed thereto according to thy Word . Yea , and Women and Children are commended in Scripture , for their study and knowledge of it ; Thus Timothy is commended for this , that from a Child he had known the Holy Scriptures , continue in the things that thou hast learned and been assured of ( saith S. Paul ) knowing of whom thou hast learned them , Chap. 1.5 . ( viz. of Lois his Grandmother , Acts 16.1 . and his Mother Eunice , which was a Jewess , and believed , but his Father was a Greek .

And the truth is , for any one to think that the Scripture is not to be read by any but those that understand it perfectly , is to think that it is to be read by none , till there will be no more need of Reading it , for here the Ablest and most knowing do know but in part , 2 Cor. 13.9 . and do Prophesy but in part ; And therefore it is that We have this sure word of Prophesy , 2 Peter 1.19 . whereunto ( we are to think that ) We do well to take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place , until the day of Glory dawn , and the Day-Star arise in our Hearts , the Interpretation and Explication of which word of Prophecy we are taught , Verse 20. True meaning how to be sought . 1 Cor. 2.15 . in the next Verses , not to seek as some do ) from our own private Phansies , but by comparing the New Testament , with the Prophecies of the Old , Scripture with Scripture , Spiritual things with Spiritual , and in all our study and reading most humbly to implore , and believingly to wait for the guidance of that Spirit that indited and gave it forth , for as was the Genesis , 1 Peter 1.20 . so must be the Analysis , for it came not in old time by the will of Man , therefore may , by no means , be expounded by mans will , but Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost . And therefore the Bereans are highly commended in that they received the Word preached with all readiness of mind , Acts 17.11 . and searched the Scriptures whether those things were so .

He therefore that thinks rightly of SCRIPTURE , esteems it his Darling , to be laid in his Bosom , to be bid in his Heart ( as the Psalmist speaks ) the incorruptible seed , Psal. 119.11 . whereby he was born again from the miserable state of Corrupt Nature ; 1 Pet. 1.23 . for the Law of the Lord , and the Testimonies of the Lord are they that convert the soul , and make wise the simple ; Psal. 1.7 . the sincere milk , whereby he was nourished as soon as new born , and his strong meat when he is grown up to be a strong man , for man lives not by Bread only , Heb. 5.13 , 14. Math. 4.4 . Jer. 15.16 . Job 23.12 . but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God . Therefore when he finds these words , he eats them , as Jeremy ; Yea esteems them , as Job , more then his necessary food ; And as his food when he is well , so his Physick when he is sick , he holds fast the form of sound words , 2 Tim. 1.13 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , of healing words , so the Greek ; for God sends his Word and heals , and delivereth from destructions ; his Antidote against Infection , Psal. 17.4 . for concerning the works of men ( saith David ) by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the Destroyer ; his weapon , when he warreth , for the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God , Ephes. 6.17 . and this was it that our Saviour foiled Satan with , and kept him off at the points end of , Mat. 4.4 , 7 , 10 , 11. It is WRITTEN ( saith Christ ) thus and thus , then the Devil leaveth Him ; his light when he walks or works by day and his Lamp or Lantern to his feet by night , his best friends Will and Testament , confirmed by the Death of the Testator ; Heb. 9.16 . Psal , 119.111 . He takes Gods Testimonies as an Heritage for ever , and thinks it less pernitious to the World to have the Sun plucked out of the Firmament , then the Bible taken away from the sight of the Sons of Men.

Sect. II.

〈◊〉 our selves . Rom. 12.3 . Low thoughts of our selves . 2 Cor. 11.11 . With high thoughts of the Grace of God in and toward us . IN thinking of OUR SELVES , for no man to think of Himself more highly then he ought to think , but to think soberly , as God hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith : not boasting beyond his measure , nor yet denying the grace of God that is given to him . The great Apostle speaks thus of himself , in Nothing am I behind the very chiefest of the Apostles , though I be nothing . He hath high thoughts of the Grace of God , yet low thoughts of Himself ; Not I , but the Grace of God with me .

1 Cor. 15.10 . Self performances . Luke 17.10 . And as we must think thus of what we are at the best , so also of the best that we can do ; We are taught to say , and therefore to think , that when we have done all , we are unprofitable servants .

Carnal self to be denyed . Mat. 16.24 . In its wisdom . 1 Cor. 1.10 . and 2.14 . Prov. 3.5 . Will . Gal. 5.17 . 1 Pet. 2.11 . Righteousnesses , Isaiah 64 6. Rom. 3.20 . Job 10.20 . and ver. 31. Strength . Rom. 5.6 . And if we must think thus of our Regenerate self , what can we think of Carnal self , but that it is to be denyed , ( if any man will be my Disciple , let him deny himself ) denied in its Wisdom , which is Foolishness for the Natural Ma● receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God , neither can he know them ; and therefore we must not think of leaning to our own understandings : in its Will , which is wickedness , and perverse Rebellion , for the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit , and these lustings war against the Soul ; in its Righteousnesses , which are Rottenness and filthy rags , for no Flesh can be justified in the sight of God , and if we should say we are Righteous , our own lips would prove us perverse , and our own cloths would abhor us ; And finally in its strength , which is weakness , for whilst we were ungodly ( saith the Apostle ) at that time we were without strength , and we have already seen , if we will think rightly of our selves , we must think that we are not sufficient , as of our selves , so much as to think one good thought . And therefore we are to think in all this , Eccles. 7.29 . Rom. 3.12 . Verse 23. How is the Gold become Dross ? Man that was made upright , Oh how is He come short of the Glory of God , and altogether become unprofitable ! His Destruction is of Himself , but his help of the mere Mercy , and Free Grace of God , Hosea 13.9 . Rom. 9.16 . for it is not of him that willeth , nor of him that runneth , but of God that sheweth Mercy .

But yet we are to think of our selves , Job 10.3 , 8. as to our Natural Beings , that we are the works of Gods hands , though thus defiled and defaced by our sins ; that Our Bodies are yet capable , by Grace , 1 Cor. 6.19 . to be made Temples of the Holy Ghost , and therefore that we are to possesse these our Vessels in Honour and Sanctification ; 1 Thes. 4.4 . And that our Souls are more worth then as many Worlds , for what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul ! Mat. 16.26 . That in neither are we our own . But in both bought with a price , 1 Cor. 6.19 , 20. Self-love the standard of Love to others . Lev. 19.18 . and therefore that we are to glorifie God both in our Bodies and in our Souls , for both are Gods .

For certain it is , there is a SELF that is to be tendred , as well as a Self that is to be denyed ; nay the Love that we owe to It is made , both by Moses and Christ , the Rule or Standard of our loving our Neighbour , which is called the second great Commandment like unto the first , which is ( Love God , Mat. 22.93 . ) Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy SELF ; First GOD , and then our SELF , and then our Neighbour as our Self ; For the Rule hath a natural priority to the thing Ruled ; And therefore we are to THINK thus of our selves , 1 Cor. 6.18 . that for a man to sin against HIS OWN Body , ( as the Apostle speaks ) or to wrong HIS OWN Soul ( as it is in the Proverbs ) being against that LOVE which Scripture makes the Standard of our loving one another , Prov. 8.36 . Sinning against our selves , greater then to sin against o●hers . is by so much greater then our sinning against , or wronging others ; for Charity may and must begin at home , though it must not end there . And therefore as we have already intimated , that self deceipt is the worst deceipt , and self-Murder the worst kind of Murder , so I might add that in this ( as in some other Respects , as is largely observed by Mr. Capel in his choice and rare Treatise of Temptations ) SELF Pollution is a more hainous kind of pollution , then many perhaps are aware of , and so in other cases .

And therefore we are to THINK All those SELF-Tormentings used by IDOLATERS of an elder Date ( as was the manner of the Priests of Baal to cut themselves , 1 King . 18.28 . till the blood gushed upon them ) or by others of a later Edition , yea and All those SELF - Neglectings so much magnified by a new Sect of Self-●ustitiaries sprung up lately amongst us , whose Religion lyes so much in Touch not , 1 Cor. 2.21 , 22. Verse 20. Verse 23. taste not , handle not , &c. after the Doctrines and Commandments of Men ; as the Apostle concludes them to be unscriptural , when he calls them Worldly Rudiments , though he confesseth them to have a shew of wisdom in Will Worship , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . and humility and NEGLECTING the Body , ( or not sparing the Body ) not in any Honour to the satisfying of the Flesh ; so are we , I say ( by the same Apostolical Authority ) to think them UNNATURAL , Eph. 5.28 , 29. for he expresly saith , He that loves his Wife loves HIMSELF , for no man ever yet hated his OWN Flesh , but nourisheth and cherisheth it , even as the Lord the Church . So that we are to think these things so far from justifying us in the sight of God , as that he condemns them , and will condemn all that trust unto them .

Sect. III.

Right thoughts of others . 1 Cor. 4.1 . IN Thinking of OTHERS , some are short in estimating some men , Let a man therefore ( saith the Apostle ) so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ , Not under what was written . 1 Cor 3.5 . Nor above . Chapter 4.6 . Others better then our selves . Philip. 2.3 . Acts 12.21 . ●ude 8. ●ccles. 19 20. and Stewards of the mysteries of God . Some think too highly of some , ( therefore saith he again , ) Who then is Paul , or who is Apollos , but Ministers by whom ye believed ? and this was spoken , That they might learn in them not to think of Men above what was written , and not be puffed up for one against another . On both hands there are great Evils ; We may think others better then our selves , but none better then the word declareth . 'T is a great sin to cry up the Greatest , as the people did Herod , And on the other hand , to despise DOMINION ; or to Curse the KING in our very THOUGHT .

Sect. IV.

IN Thinking of CREATED COMFORTS , Of created comforts . 1 Tim. 4.4 . All good . Gen. 32.10 . Our selves unworthy of the least , yet the greatest not enough . Psal. 4 6. Without Christ . Phil. 3.7 , 8. Happiness not having , but in having sanctified . 1 Tim. 4.4 . Job 31.25 , 27. as the Apostle Paul , every Creature of God is good , &c. and of our selves in respect of them , as Jacob , I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies ; yet not to think them the chief good , or the best of them good enough for the precious soul to sit down with . Many will say , who will shew us any good ? But Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance , &c. Yea doubtless , and I account all things but loss , and do count them but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Dogs meat , not Mans meat . ) All things of all sorts , civil advantages , Church priviledges , &c. as nothing for the Soul without Christ ) that I may win Christ . These , I say , were his thoughts of the highest humane attainments , of Outward Church Priviledges , of Creature Enjoyments in the World ; And so not to think Him happy that hath them , but that hath a sanctified title to them and sanctified use of them , If they be sanctified by the Word and Prayer . If I rejoyced because my Wealth was great , and because my Hand had gotten much , and my Hand hath been secretly enticed , or my Mouth kissed my hand ; He did not think himself to be the better or the happier , for being the wealthier ; 't was the gain of the heart , Heavenly treasure true . Job 23.12 . not the Gettings of the Hand that Job estimated to be true treasure . I have esteemed the words of his mouth , more then my appointed portion , so the Margin , then my necessary Food , so the Text. No doubt he accounted that good too , but not the chief good , Psal. 49.8 . not a suffici●nt good for his Soul , for the Redemption of the Soul is precious , It ceaseth for ever . And ( Alas ! Whole world not worth a Soul , Mat. 16.26 . thinks a Man that knows the worth of a Soul , ) what is a man profited , if he gain the whole world , and loose his own Soul ?

Sect. V.

Right thoughts of Ordinances , what Mat. 23.19 . IN thinking of ORDINANCES , as the good wayes of God , to be gone in , not rested in : He thinks not so greatly of the Gift , as of the Altar sanctifying the Gift ; of his attendances upon them , as they are performances of his own , but as appointments of God , for the Communication of Himself to the Soul . One thing have I desired of the Lord , Good wayes to be gone , not rested in . Psal. 27.4 . that will I seek after , that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the dayes of my life , to see the beauty of the Lord , &c. not the beauty of the House ( though that was very beautiful ) and to inquire in his Temple ; not onely the way to his Temple , but to the sight and fruition of him in his Temple .

Sect. VI.

Right thoughts of sin , what . Greatest evil . Job 32.21 . Isaiah 33.24 . IN thinking of SIN , as the only contrary to the Supream good : Therefore Jobs Friends would have fastened it on him , as a Brand of in-sincerity , that he had chosen Sin rather then Affliction . The inhabitants shall not say I am sick , for the people that dwell there shall be forgiven their Iniquity . They shall think all well , when sin is done away . Sin , in a good mans Thoughts , is the very Gall of bitterness , the very core of all troubles , the very sting of Death it self , 1 Cor. 15.56 . Heart-sin worst . Heb. 12.15 . 1 King . 8.38 . Jer. 17.9 . Rom. 7.23 . ●●rom . 9.5 . Hiba● . 2.5 . and the very Hell of Hell . And as he thinks Sin the worst of Evils , so Heart-sin the worst of sins , that Root of bitterness , that Plague of the heart , that desperately wicked thing , that cannot cease to Sin , that Law in the Members that wearies them to commit Iniquity , yet it self is unweariable , and unsatiable as Death and Hell , ( and therefore called the Body of death ) which never saith it is enough . 'T is this evil that makes good men cry out of themselvs as of the chief of Sinners ! Rom. 7.24 . For whatsoever they know of others , as to other Evils , they know more of this by themselves then by all the World . 'T is this Evil that makes many a man thought humble by others , cry O my pride ! counted mortified by others , Spiritual wickedness . cry O my potent passion ! my strong corruption ! my unruly Lusts ! how many a man is there of unblemisht life , that is weary at heart of his own Heart , yea of his very Life , because of the evil of his Heart : his spiritual pride , filthiness of Spirit , Earthly-mindedness , 2 Cor. 7 ●1 . James 4.1 . Spirits lusting to envy , with the spiritual wickednesses abroad in the world , as Hypocrisie , Heresie , &c.

But yet though he think Sin ( Root and Branch ) to be the greatest Evil , Yet no sin so great an Evil as Christ a good . Heb. 7.25 . yet not so great an evil as Jesus Christ is a Good ; nor so mighty ( though mighty ) to destroy , as He is ( Almighty ) able to save , He thinks Sins demerits great , Christs merits greater , whereby he is not only secured from Hell , but to be saved in Heaven . And therefore He may plead even the greatness of his sin , as an argument for his Pardon , Psal. 25.11 . because He thinks the great Salvation to be so much the greater , that it triumphs most in the spoils of the proudest sins , in the thing wherein they have dealt proudly , to be still above them . When Sin groweth up unto the Heavens , Ezek. 9.6 . Psal. ●08 . 4 . 1 John 4.4 . Gods mercy ( in his Son ) is above the Heavens ; As when the wicked one is great that is in World , yet greater is he that is in the Saints , than he that is in the World .

Sect. VII .

IN thinking of HOLINESS , Of holiness . Isaiah 2.8 . not only way to , but part of happiness . Psal. 119.11 . Philip. 3.20 . 1 John 5.3 . Mat. 11.30 . not only as the high way to ( as the Prophet calls it , ) but also a principal part of Happiness ; the Duties of holiness , to be the Beauties thereof ; Its Practise , Priviledge , Its Performances , great Rewards : Its inchoation , an Heaven upon Earth ; Its Consummation and perfection , the very Heaven of Heaven : And therefore Its Commandments not grievous , Its Yoke easie , It s Burden light .

Of Affliction not so evil as s●● . Good to the good . Ps lm 119.67 , 71. H●b● . 1.12.11 . Verse 10. Profitable , 1 King . 17.18 . Monitors of our frowardness , but Fruits of Gods Faithfulness and Love . Psal. 119.75 . Rev. 3.19 . John 16.33 . Christs Legacy , Mat. 10.25 . For many good ends . Sect. VIII .

IN thinking of AFFLICTIONS , though Evil , not so Evil as Sin , and therefore their being Sanctified desirable , rather and more then their removal Evil in themselves , yet good to the good , and for the making of them Better ; It s good for me that I have been afflicted ; before , I went astray , but now I have learnt thy Precepts : sharp and bitter twigs , bearing sweet Fruit , peaceable Fruits of Righteousness : A Fathers Rod , not for his Pleasure , but VERILY for our Profit , that we may be partakers of his holiness . Remembrancers of our Sin , yet not so much products of his Justice , Power , and soveraignty , as Fruits of his Faithfulness : I know O Lord that thou in Faithfulness hast afflicted me ) Tokens of his Love ( as many as I love I chasten , ) Payments of our Legacy left us by Our crucified Lord , a little before his Death ( in the World you shall have tribulation ) and confirmed thereby ( For if they did so in the green Tree , If such things befal the Master , 't is sufficient for the Servant to be as his Master , and as his Lord ) And all to make Man more humble in himself , more awful of God , more careful to please him , more fearful to offend him , more conformable to Christs sufferings , more contemplative of his sufferings , more compassionate and fellow-feeling as to others , Sin more bitter , Christ more sweet , the World more contemptible , Death more desirable , Heaven more delightful , and glorious Grace more admirable in the Saints , 2 Cor. 4.8 , 9. thus troubled on everyside , yet not distressed ; cast down , but not destroyed ; a burning Bush , yet not consumed ; in a fiery Furnace , yet receiving no hurt ; nay more , that the very fiery Chariot of affliction should be prest for the service of carrying them to Heaven , their very tribulations made the door for their entring into the Kingdom of God . Acts 14.22 . Iames 5.11 . and 1.2 . And therefore the Scripture counts them hapyy which endure , and teacheth us to count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations .

Sect. IX .

IN thinking of TEMPTATIONS , Of Temptations . 1 Pet. 4.12 . 1 Cor. 10.13 . Heb. 11.37 . Best tempted . Heb. 3.18 . Chap. 4.15 . Christ himself in all points . Lust of the eye . Mat. 4.2 , 3. Verse 9. Pride of life . Verse 3. Verse 6. not as strange ( or as though some strange thing had happened ) but as common to men ; yea the best of men , They were tempted ( saith the Apostle ) yea the worst of them to him that was more then MAN , who himself suffered being tempted ( and that in all points as we are , ) that he might know how to succour them that are tempted . In all points ; To the Lusts of the Flesh , Thou art Hungry , Make these stones Bread ; To the lust of the Eyes , thou art poor , ( Thou hast not a hole where to lay thy head ) All these will I give thee ; To the Pride of Life , Thou pretendest high , prove what thou pretendest ; shew thine Authority , Command Stones to be made Bread ; If thou be a King , let us see thy Court , thy Heavenly Guard , and that the Angels are indeed but thy Ministers , If thou be the Son of God , do something or other , that ordinary men either cannot , or at least dare not do , never fear to die like a man , Cast thy self down , and let us see whether Angels will bear thee up . Now All that is in the World , 1 John 2.16 . is the Lust of the Flesh , and of the Eye , and pride of Life . And as the wind of Temptation thus blew all the points of the Worlds Compass , Christ tempted with temptations , base and forbid . Bloody and unnatural . Hellish and blasphemous . so also all the points of highest and most hideous aggravations ; most base and forbid , transgress for a morsel of Bread , sell thy Birth-right for a meals meat , break thy Faith with God , that thou mayest break thy Fast with the Devil ; Most bloody and unnatural , if thou wilt not break thy Fast , break thy Neck , Cast thy self down ; Most Hellish and Horrid , If thou wilt not , or canst not prove thy self to be the Son of God , disown God , and own me for thy God , Fall down and Worship me ; Math. 4.9 . and is the Nature of Man capable of any thought more hideous , injections more black and blasphemous then such as these ? And yet for all this , Highly subtil and deceiptful . Profit and pleasure . Verse 8. Wrested Scripture . Verse 6. Gods ends pretended . All points too of highest subtilty and hellish deceipt that spiritual wickedness could possibly hatch or imagine : This Hell of Temptations must not only be covered over with a Paradise of Pleasures , the World and all the Glory of it , but also with an Heaven of Scripture-warranty , Cast thy self down , for It is written , &c. and so thou mayst shew thy Faith , without hazard of thy Life ; nay of most High , Glorious , Good ends , the Manifestation of his Divinity , the Credit of his Ministry , the Glory of God in having such a Son , the Glory of Christ in having such a Father , ( And all this in a seasonable point of time , when all this was challenged , and called boldly in question by the great Goliah , that at the very first word , Verse 3. defyeth the Living God , ) If thou be the Son of God , &c. which is as much as prove it if thou canst . Thus was Christ Tempted in all points , therefore well may the Tempted think thus of his sorest Temptations , 2 Cor. 12.7 . These are thornes in my Flesh , but no other then what were platted together by Satan , and worn as a Crown by my head and Saviour ; Saints tempted only , if need be . 1 Pet. 1.6 . 1 Cor. 12.7 . 1 Pet. 1.7 . Revel. 3.10 . Rom. 5.4 . 1 Pet. 5.8 . ● Cor. 12.8 . Gal. 6.1 . And for excellent ende . And now ordered by his hand that they cannot touch me sooner or longer then need is for the Pricking of my puffing Pride , the tryal of my Faith , the exercising of my Patience , and experiencing of me by it ; the exciting of my watchfulness , the spirit of Prayer in my self , and the Spirit of meekness in the restoring of others ( when they are overtaken in a fault , considering my self least I also be tempted . ) The teaching of me to know more throughly both my self and my Saviour ; both where my weakness , and where my strength lyeth ; That I am but a Reed shaken with the wind , that Christ is the Rock , higher then I ; yea higher then the highest ; that when the proudest Temptations dash against it , Shall be carried through all . they are broken by it , that is Grace is only sufficient for me , and that his strength shall be made perfect in my weakness , 2 Cor. 12.9 . 1 Cor. 10.13 . and that God is faithful , who will not suffer me to be tempted above what I am able , but with the temptation will make a way to escape ; 1 Pet. 2.9 . May triumph over all . For the Lord knowes how to deliver our of Temptations ; And therefore , though now in my m●nority , I may think of the day when I shall be at Age , the time appointed of the Father ; Gal. 4.2 . Though now in my Apprentiship , that I shall be one day made Free from mine infirmities , and Temptations , 2 Cor. 1● . 9 . and therefore I will even now Glory in my infirmities , that the power of Christ may rest upon me ; for when I am weak then am I strong , nay , in these things , I am more then Conqueror , Verse 10. through Christ strengthening me .

Sect. X.

IN thinking of PERSECUTIONS for Christ , Of Persecution , our Patrimony . Mark 10.30 . Honour . Acts 5.41 . Phil. 1.29 . Gods gift , therefore cannot merit . Loss , gain . Heb. 10.34 . Disgrace , riches . Heb. 11.26 . Verse 24. Persecuted happy . Verse , 25. Mal. 3.15 . Prosperous miserable . Psal. 73.12 . Psal. 4.9 , 6. Verse 18. The dispised excellent . 1 Cor. 4.13 . Psal. 16.3 . Heb. 11.38 . Acts 20.24 . Persecution not enough without love . 1 Cor. 13 3. as part of a Christians Patrimony ( Ye shall receive an hundred fold in this life with Persecutions . ) An Honour to be counted worthy to suffer , a Gift to be able to suffer , as well as to believe , ( to you it is given . ) And therefore he is so far from thinking , that he merits by it as that he is but so much the more beholding to God and to Christ for it . He thinks losses for Christ and the Gospel to be gain , the spoiling of his Goods to be joyfully taken , As knowing in himself that he hath in Heaven a better and more induring substance . He esteems disgrace for Christ , the highest Honour in the World , and the Reproach of Christ greater Riches then the Treasures of Aegypt . He refuseth to dwell in the Tents of Wickedness , to have his portion in this life , He chooseth rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God , then to enjoy the Pleasures of ●in for a season . Those whom men think to be the happy men , ( who call the proud happy , ) having ONLY their portion in this life . Those that prosper in the World , that increase in Riches , that boast of their Wealth , that say they are rich and possessed with goods , &c. Such He thinks Poor , and Wretched , and Miserable , and Blind and Naked . And those whom such men think the off-scouring of the World , He thinks the Excellent of the Earth ; And whom they think unworthy to live in the World , He thinks that the World is not worthy of them . He thinks his Life not too much , nor too dear for Christ , nay not enough , if it want the sincerity of his Love , and therefore labours as much that his heart and love be found staming towards him , as ( if he call for it ) to give his body to be burnt for him .

Sect. XI .

Right thoughts of the outward condition of life . Prov. 13.8 . As fittest for us , 2 Sam. 15.4 . Hebr. 13.5 . Contentment , without covetousness . Thinking of the promise . Psal. 23.5 . For supply . Psal. 17.3 . IN thinking of his present CONDITION of Life , that his lines are fallen in the best place for him , that his own food is most convenient for him , That Sauls Armour would not suit him , That anothers Condition would not fit him ; not as Absolom , O that I were Judge in the Land . He thinks it is his duty to be contented with such things as he hath , without coveting anothers : And thinks it his Relief , that the lesse money he hath , he may go the more upon trust ; The less he finds in his purse , seek the more in the promise of him that hath said , I will never leave thee nor forsake thee ; The Lord is his Shepheard , and he thinks he shall not want ; And therefore he will trust in the Lord , and do good , And he thinks verily he shall be fed , or Truth shall be his feeding ; ( as some read ) so that he thinks no man can take away his livelihood , unless he can first take away Gods truth .

Sect. XII .

Right thoughts of the present time of life . 1 Pet. 1.17 . Heb. 4.1 . To be past in fear , that work may be done . Phil. 1.12 . Jude 23. 1 Cor. 9.24 . Luke 16.2 . Before time done . Time for work . Therefore be up and doing . 1 Chro. 22.16 . A time for every Work . Eccles. 9.4 . Therefore hope while time , no room for dispair . Eccles. 3.1 . Time for best purposes . Rom. 13.11 . Hos. 10.12 . 2 Pet. 1.10 . But a time , therefore no place for presumption . Time pretious measured by moments . Ephes. 5.16 . Right thoughts of death . Job 18.14 . Chap. 11.20 . Eccles. 11.3 . Luke 16.26 . IN thinking of his present TIME of life , as the time of his sojourning here , and therefore to be passed in fear ; in fear , least he should come short , nay or seem to come short , at his going out of the World of that which he came into it for , the working out of his own Salvation , and the saving of others , pulling them out of the Fire , and both with fear ; with fear least his day be done , before his work be done ; least his Glass be run , before his Race be run ; least his accounts be required , before they be stated ; with fear , and yet in hope , that though his time be little , and his work great , yet if he be up and doing , the Lord will be with him ; And therefore as he that plows , plows in hope , so he when he prayes , prayes in hope , and repents in hope , &c. For to him that is joyned to all the living , there is hope . So that his fear is a spur to his hope , and his hope a bridle to his fear ; That despair do not run away with him , and Cast him quite down , for want of hope ; Nor presumption make him loiter , and loose both his time , and his soul for want of Fear . He thinks there is a time for every purpose under Heaven ; And therefore thinks he , can I find a time for Eating and Drinking , and Sleeping , Buying and Selling , Building and Planting , Marrying and giving in Marriage ? and is there not a time , nay a high time to awake out of sleep ? A time to seek the Lord , to make my calling and election sure , &c. surely there is a time , therefore there is hope ; And no room for desperation ; And but a time , therefore no place for Presumption : But a time , and therefore that time is most pretious , ( God measuring it , to us only by moments , as we do pretious Liquors by drops , ) and therefore to be redeemed , and so imployed in looking out for a pretious Christ , and in looking after the pretious Soul .

Sect. XIII .

IN thinking of DEATH , to the Unbelievers and Hypocrites , as a King of Terrors , a grave of their hopes , which will then be as the giving up of the Ghost , as the falling of the Tree ( that must lie till judgment , as then it falls : No work there , nor devise , no wisdom , no calling upon God with hope of help , or promise of pardon ; As the fixing of the gulf , ( no passing , no returning , from a state of torment , no means of Grace , no hope of Glory any more ) as a cruel Jaylor haling the Soul to the dreadful Tribunal of God , and then to the Tormenter and Executioner , even to him that hath the Power of Death , the Devil : Hebr. 2.14 . And alas , how many thousands of black , yea bloody self-murthering mouths shall then come to have their woful wishes , before they thought of it , when God shall damn them , and the Devil take them .

But to the Righteous ( that hath hope in his death ) ● King of Terrors too , Prov. 14.32 . To the godly , what . but with a broken Scepter ; A Serpent , but without a sting ; A ghastly countenance with an open mouth , but without teeth ; A sturdy Porter , yet standing only to open them their Fathers door . The Saints Bed-maker , Isa. 52.10 . Hos. 13.4 . Col. 3.41 . hard-handed , yet that makes their Beds soft and easy : An Enemy frighted into a Friend by him that is the very Death of Death , but the believers Life . So that their dying is but an entring into peace , Isa. 57.2 . a resting in their beds , and from their labours of Sins , Sorrows , Cares , Fears , Temptations , Afflictions , Persecutions , Sicknesses , Pains , Wants , Weaknesses , Wearinesses , Doubts , Difficulties ; nay of Duties , of Fastings , Watchings , Tears , which shall then be wiped away , and done away , Revel. 14.13 . as to the Labour , not the Reward , for so their Works follow them .

Sect. XIV .

Of judgment , Psal. 49.14 . Mat. 25.19 . IN thinking of JUDGMENT , As that glorious morning wherein the upright shall have Dominion , shall sit with Christ on Thrones , judging the World , being openly justified themselves , and set as Sheep on the right hand of God , 1 Cor. 6.2 . and Proclaimed by Christ the Blessed of his Father ; As that glorious meeting of that spiritualized body with its blessed Soul , and so with Christ , Mat. 25.34 . To the sheep . and with Abraham , and Isaac , and Jacob , and all the Saints , to be dissolved , divorced , divided , dissipated , dispersed no more .

1 Cor. 15.44 . Math. 8.11 . Mat. 25.33 . and 41. To the Goats . Psal. 1.5 . Mean while those Goats on the left hand , that burned with Lust , shall burn with horrour inwardly , shall be accused , accursed , sentenced and condemned openly ; And , as they would not indure the Sheep to live by them in the World , they shall go by themselves , shall not come into the Congregation of the just , and as they loved Cursing , It shall now come into their Souls , and like Oyl in their Bones . And so their miserable bodies ( made vessels of wrath , fitted to Destruction , ●ide to receive it ( without spilling , Rom. 9.22 . ) strong to hold it ( without breaking , ) being re-united to their tormented Souls ; shall together be partakers of Misery ( as they formerly had been of Sin ) unto all Eternity .

Sect. XV.

IN thinking of ETERNITY , Of Eternity , Right thoughts of it . as that which is so shortly approaching , and nearly concerning every one , that he thinks it strange that any one should almost think of any thing else , for thinking of Eternity ; But that he thinks again of that World of Atheisme that is in the World , never fully to be confuted , But by Death and Judgment ; and oh , thinks he , Atheists in this world . what a sad thing it is that they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , we read , without God in the World , but the word is , Atheists in the World , Eph. 2.12 . No Atheists to Eternity . yea but as soon as ever they go out of the World , they continue Atheists no longer . Those that would not believe that there was a God , and a Christ , by his patience and providence , by his preserving them , and proffering to save them , Shall see there is a God and Christ . Rev. 1.7 . Mal. 3.19 . shall then see that there is a God , and a Christ too ( every Eye shall see him ) and feel that there is a God by his terrours taking hold upon them ; Then shall they return and discern ( though they would not see the Lord when his hand was lifted up in his Word and Works in the World ) they shall see God , and be ashamed . Isa. 26.11 . Psal. 58.11 . So that a man shall say verily there is a GOD. And those that would not believe that there was a Devil , by their daily conversing with him , and his influencing them , by his filling their hearts , because they say they never saw him , Feel there i● a Devil . shall then certainly know they are with him , as he knows now that he is with them ; for , as he shares stakes with them in sin , they have their part , and he hath his part ; In Hell share stakes with him . so shall they be forc't to share stakes with them in Hell , for they shall have their portion with the Devil and his Angels . Mat. 25.41 . As he with them here in sin . And Oh thinks he , how will the dainty Dives , and the careless and delicate Daughters do to spend that Eternity ? That must have so many devices and divertisements , Misery of the wicked . Playes and Pastimes , ( Ah! wretched word that thinks he , ) and all to wear out the tediousness of a little time . To spend that Eternity , when the smoak of that bottomless pit , Rev. 14.10 , 11. must be their only Air ; to breath in Fire , their Food ; Brimstone , their Perfume ; full Viols of Divine wrath , their Drink ; Astonishment , their Wine ; Bitter weeping , and flowing Fountains , Mat. 22.13 . and ever Running Rivers of Tears , in stead of their Rich Baths , and pleasant Springs , Luke 16.28 . and artificial Fountains ; And wailing , yelling , and howling , their only Musick ; And so other mens torments an accession to their pains . As they had taken pleasure in other mens sins ( which made Dives so loath of his Brethrens Company , Rom. 1.32 . as we may well think . ) The Books must be opened , in stead of their pleasing Play-Books , and Romances , Gods Book , and the Book of their Consciences , Rev. 20.12 . ( that they never could endure in all their lives to look into ) must now be pored upon by them , by the Fire of Hell , without intermission , recreation , or other diversion ; and the wanton Eye , that busie and unsatisfied Gazer upon every thing ( but the Bible ) must be ( otherwise ) imprisoned in utter darkness for ever ; Mat. 25.30 . Psalm . 12.4 . And the Lordly tongue that must needs be their own , shall be their own to torment them ; as formerly set on Fire of Hell with a world of wickedness , James 3.6 . so now of woes ; Red hot then with Rage against God , and revilings of his Saints , now burning with flames , and not receiving so much as one single drop of cold water , Luke 16.24 . that was wont to swim in Wine , and for that bewitching sence of touch , its dalliances and delights , there shall only succeed those hideous gnashings of teeth , and gnawings at Heart , in the woe that never ceaseth , and by the worm that never dies . Josh. 8.7 , 16. And thus , Ah thinks he , as Joshua taught the men of Succoth with the Thornes and Bryars in the wilderness , ) The Hebrew is , He made them to know ; to know who he was , and to know what they had done , jn despising his Messengers , in rejecting his motions , &c. ) so will Jesus teach the Atheistical world with tortures to Eternity , 2 Chro. 36.16 . Psal. 50.17 . Prov. 1.3 . and make them to know who He is , whose Messengers they mocked , whose Laws they cast behind their backs , whose Councels they hated , and would none of his Reproofs .

But thinks He on the other hand , Eternal happiness of the Saints . of those in whose Hearts are the wayes of them that are holy Pilgrims , the true Travailers , that declare plainly that they seek a Countrey , ( viz. ) an Heavenly , that can say of a good Sermon , John 6.34 . Lord evermore give us of this Bread , of a lively stirring Sacrament , a Soul-humbling Confession and Prayer , an Heart-raising Meditation , 't is good to be here ; that think the present time too short , and their Hearts too narrow , to hold enough of God and Christ ; what a blessed state will they count that , when the perfecting of their holiness , and so of their spirits , Heb. 12.23 . Phil. 3.21 . and the changing of their vile bodies , and the fashioning them like unto Christs Glorious Body , shall widen them as much from the straits of their hearts , as Eternity shall do from the straits of time , And so they shall have as much of God and Christ as their heads and hearts can hold , and these shall hold as much as they can desire , without Interruption , or Change , 1 Thes. 4.17 . or fear of Change for ever , for they shall EVER be with the Lord .

Sect. XVI . Right thoughts of Angels . Evil , worlds God . 1 Cor. 4.4 . Sinners his Slaves . 2 Tim. 2.26 . Works in their Will. Ephes. 2.2 .

IN thinking of ANGELS , The EVIL as many in Number , ( though for the undividedness of their Kingdom ) called the Devil and Satan ; As the worlds God , yet Gods Slave ; having sinners in his chain , Taken Captive by him at his will , yet cannot force their will , though he work effectually in their will , 't is with their will ( for his Lusts will they do , ) nay cannot so much as find out their Riddle , except he plow with their own Heifer , But with it . John 8.44 . nor known their actual thought , ( that 's Gods Prerogative Royal , I the Lord search the Reins , ) but ( as the cunning Angler doth the nibling of the Fish at the Bait under water , Knows not our thoughts but by indication . Gen. 4.5 . Gen. 3.3 . by the motion of the Cork and Quill above water , ) by some little outward indication of the minds inward motion ; as when Cains countenance was fallen , He knew he was very wroth , and so hurtyeth him to Murther ; and by Eve's mincing the Threatning ( least ye die , ) when God had said , Verse 6. ye shall surely die ) and by her eying the forbidden Tree , He knew she had a moneths mind , as we say , to the Fruit. Thus when he seeth the eyes of the Adulterer full ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) of the Adulteress , 2 Pet. 2.14 . he easily perceives how the Game goes ; and so in other cases ; yet that he is himself much more in Gods Chain , Gods slave in his chain . 2 Pet. 2.4 . 2 Cor. 12.7 . Rev. 10.12 . and reserved and kept therein ( ever since he left his first estate ) and shall be to the Judgment of the great day ; And therefore though he vex and disquiet , buffet and tempt , and accuse the Brethren before God night and day ; and though he set his Cloven foot , the foot of his Pride , upon the greatest part of the World , so that the whole World lyeth ( as it were ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 1 John 5.19 . in the very Maw , not Jaw only , of that wicked one ; yet shall he never be able to hinder Christ , or to hurt the true Christian : but as a Lyon in the Grate , though his roaring be terrible , 1 Pet. 5 8. Rev. 12.12 . yet his reach is but short ; and he knows it , therefore we may think it ; Nay because he is but a Slave in Gods Chain , therefore all his tugging at the Oar , shall but promote the purposes of Gods grace for his own Glory , and the good of his chosen ; And 2.7 . and ( as Jonah in the Whales belly was said to be as it were , in the belly of Hell , yet was afterward cast up alive upon dry ground ) the Devil shall be forced to disgorge his Prey , and leave all Gods Elect safe upon the shore . Shall the Prey be taken from the Mighty , or the lawful Captive delivered ? Verse 10. Isaiah 49.24 , 25. But thus saith the Lord , even the Captives of the mighty shall be taken away , and the Prey of the terrible shall be delivered , for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee , and I will save thy Children . So that after longest and sorest Temptations and Assaults of the great Red Dragon , Rev 12.3.9 . John 8.44 . the Old Serpent , the Deceiver of the World , the Lyer and Murtherer from the beginning , with all his Policy and Power , Rage and Experience , James 4.7 . Mat. 4.11 . Good Angels . He shall be forced to flee from those that resist him by Faith , as he left Christ ; Then the Devil leaveth him , and the ANGELS , ( viz. ) the GOOD Angels , came and ministred unto him .

And such indeed even Ministring Spirits , Heb. 1.14 . Ministring spirits to the Saints , innumerable . Chap. 12 22. Rev. 5.11 . 2 Chro. 32.21 . 1 Kings 19.5 . Acts 12.7 . Psal. 91.1.12 . Luke 16.22 . Mat. 21.31 . A comfortable thought . 2 Chro 6.27 . Psal. 103.10 . Heb 1.6 , 14. Rev. 19 10. And an awful thought Mat. 18.10 . 2 Cor. 11.10 . must we think them to be , even all of them sent forth for the good of those that shall be Heirs of Salvation . So that all the innumerable company of ( Good ) Angels , that ten thousand times ten thousand , and thousands of thousands , are even all of them sent forth for the Good of them that are Good ; to right their wrongs , and to relieve their necessities , to Guard and Protect their Persons while they live , to attend their Souls when they Die , and to gather their dust together at the Day of Judgment , and the Harvest at the end of the World . And therefore it may be a comfortable thought to Believers , that they have innumerable invisible friends , to oppose to their visible and invisible Enemies , Angels of God excelling in strength , worshippers of Christ , not to be worshipped themselves ; and Servants of the Saints , therefore called their Angels ; And an awful thought too , as one would not do any thing uncomely in the sight of an Excellent person , so neither to admit any thing unseemly for Saints , though no man should see them , because of the Angels .

Sect. XVII .

ANd above all in thinking of GOD , to have High , Right thoughts of God . Holy , Reverend , yet withall Delightful , Affectionate and Comfortable thoughts , but in ( all points ) Regular and Scriptural . For thus saith the Scripture , Let him that gloryeth , glory in this , Jerem 5.24 . that he understandeth and knoweth me , that I AM THE LORD which exercise LOVING KINDNESS , JUDGMENT and RIGHTEOUSNESS in the Earth , for in these things I DELIGHT , saith the Lord . When the mind is thus intent upon this most glorious Theme of Thoughts , the most Glorious LORD , in his Essence , ( I am the Lord , ) in his Attributes and Operations ( which exercise Loving kindness , Judgment and Righteousness ) then is this Kings Daughter All glorious within , Psal. 45.13 . 2 Cor. 3.18 . for we All with open face , beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord , are changed into the same Image , from Glory to Glory , as by the spirit of the Lord .

The Heavenly mind is an Heaven-like mind ; Right thoughts of Him whose Name is I AM , Exod. 3.14 . and whose Title is THE LORD , must needs resemble Heaven in pureness and clarity , Amos 4.13 . ( for He declareth to man what is his THOUGHT , and must be thought of by Man just as He declareth , ) yea rise above the Heavens in Celsitude and sublimity ( for his Glory is above the Heavens ) and be dapled , Psal. 113.4 , 5. ( like Heaven ) with Love and Holy Joy ( because of his loving kindness , ) and with Reverence and Godly Fear ( for his Judgment and Righteousness , ) and with delight in all these , the Exercise of all which is his Delight . For though the L●●d be High , Psal. 138.6 . yet hath he respect unto the Lowly , and as He condescends to think of us , so also ( provided we do it regularly ) to be thought of by Us.

High thoughts . God most HIGH . Heb. 11.6 . Gen. 14 18. Isa. 57.15 . Eccles. 5.8 . Isa. 40.18 , 25. Psal. 76.12 . Psal. 135.6 . J●b 33.13 . Psal 97.9 . Psal. 113.4 . Psal. 16 2. Neh. 9.5 . No thought of God high enough . Job . 11.7 , 8 9. But that God is above all thoughts . Yet minds the least and least thing● . To begin then at the beginning of all things , we are instructed by Scripture , to think that GOD IS , and that he is the MOST HIGH , and therefore to have High Thoughts of him as of the Holy One that inhabiteth Eternity ; HE is higher then the Highest , To whom there is none like , no equal , none to be compared , That cuts off the Spirit of Princes , That is terrible to the Kings of the Earth , That doth whatsoever pleaseth him in Heaven and in Earth , in Seas and all deep places ; That giveth no account of any of his matters : That is high above the Earth , and exalted far above all Gods ; High above the Nations , yea His Glory above the Heavens ; High above our Services , for our Goodness extendeth not to him ; High above our Praises , nay above Blessing and Praise ( Mens or Angels , ) And therefore that we can never think high enough of God , but in Thinking that he is too high for our Thoughts . Canst thou by searching find out God ? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection ? It is high as Heaven , What canst thou do ? Deeper then Hell , What canst thou know ; The measure thereof is longer then the Earth , and broader then the Sea . And yet they think amiss that think Him , as some do , too high to mind the lowest matters ( non vacat exiguis . ) Some think it a disparagement to his Highness that He should mind and order every minute action , motion , inconsiderable worm or sly , the stirring of the hand , or moving of the foot , &c. but all these must be left without particular providential concourse , and all in respect as they think ) to his Highness : But Scripture teacheth us to think , that not only in him we live , but move , Acts 17.18 . Psalm 36.6 . Mat. 10.29 . Psal. 104 29.14.9 . and 139.16 . Mat 10 30. Psal. 147.5 . as well as have our being ; Nay that He preserveth Man and Beast , that a Sparrow doth not fall without him , That he takes away their breath when they die , gives them their Food while they live ; Nay that not onely our members book'd by Him , but even our Hairs , the very hairs of our head numbred , and all this no difficulty nor diminution to him whose understanding is infinite .

Sect. XVIII .

TO have Holy and Reverend Thoughts of Him , Right and Reverend Thoughts , Psal. 111.9 . Isa. 8.13 . Gods eyes pure and piercing● Hab. 1.13 . for HOLY and REVEREND is his Name , and therefore to Sanctifie the Lord God in our HEARTS , that he be our Fear , and that He be our dread , as He was the FEAR of Isaac . To think Him a God of purer Eyes then to behold Evil , or that He can look upon Iniquity , ( viz ) without loathing ; And yet to think Him a God of such piercing E●es , as that he beholdeth the Evil and the Good , Job 24.21 , 22. for his Eyes are upon the wayes of Man , and He seeth all his goings , there is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of Iniquity may hide themselves ; Dan 10.6 . Psal. 139.12 . for his Eyes are as Flames , or Lamps of Fire , and unto him the night shineth as the day , Neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his sight : Heb. 4.13 . But all things are naked and open in his sight with whom We have to do .

Sect. XIX .

God unchangeable . Iames 1 17. Ordering all changes . Psal. 106.20 . TO think him God UNCHANGEABLE , without Passion , Perturbation , Variableness , or so much as shadow of turning , Though as a Vesture , he shall change both the Foundations of the Earth , laid by himself of old , and the Heavens , the work of his hands , and they shall be changed ; and mean while orders all Changes under the Heavens and in the Earth ; He prevaileth against man for ever , Job 14.2 . Chap. 23.13 . and he ceaseth ; He changeth his Countenance , and sendeth him away ; But as for Himself , He is of one mind , and who can turn him ? Do Sinners provoke me to anger ? Jerem 7 9. Job 35 6. saith the Lord , Do they not provoke themselves , to the Confusion of their own faces ? so that If thou sinnest , what dost thou against him ? or if thy Transgressions be multiplyed , what dost thou unto him ? though thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art , &c.

Yet seems as moved with sin . Psal 1●6 . 32 . and 43. Heb. 3.10 . Isaiah 63.10 . and 43.24 . Amos 2.13 . Ezek 6.9 . S●●● suffering Deut ●● 36. Jer. 31.20 Isaiah ●2 . 9 . Yet withall to think him a God so holy , hating sin so infinitely , that He is said to be angred , to be provoked , to be grieved , to be vexed , to be made to serve , to be wearyed , to be burthened , nay even to be broken by it . I am broken ( saith God , ) with their whorish heart ; yea , a God so gracious , as that He repents himself for his Servants , His bowels are troubled for them , and in all their Afflictions he is Afflicted with them .

Sect. XX. Onely God , John 17.3 . 2 Cor. 16.26 . Gal. 4 8. Rom. 16.27 . 1 Tim. 6.15 , 16. Levit. 16.4 . Mat. 19.17 . Deut. 6.4 . Unity yet TRINITY . Psalm 2 7. Heb. 1.5 . John 1.14 . Chap. 15.26 . 1 John 5.7 .

TO Think Him the ONELY true GOD , ( and the Gods of the Heathen but vanity . Idols , and by Nature no Gods , ) The Onely Wise God ; The blessed and onely Potentate , who onely hath Immortality , who Alone is Holy , And there is none good but HE , And therefore no GOD but HE ; Hear O Israel , the Lord thy God is but ONE GOD.

That the Being is One , the Substance undivided , and yet the Subsistonce distinguished ; so that the Father is not the Son , but Begets him ; The Son is not the Father , but Begotten of him ; The Holy Ghost is neither the Father nor the Son , but proceedeth from both , ( The Spirit that proceeds from the Father , whom I will send , saith Christ ) yet these three are God , and yet God is but One , for these three are One , without Division , Composition , or Confusion . And O how High , and Holy , High thoughts . & Reverend ought the Thought to be that receives this Mystery ? And therefore to help his weak Thoughts in this , The Believer perhaps fixeth his Thought on the Sun in the Firmament , where he finds light , heat , Sun and Soul of man short shadows of this Mystery . and motion , yet but One Sun ; or to come nearer both to the Thing and Himself , He thinks perhaps of the Soul in his Body , where he finds an Understanding , Will , and Memory , yet but One Soul . But alas , thinks he , these are short shadows , and dark resemblances of so great and high a Mystery , for that light is not the Sun , though it be Sun-light , &c. and that Understanding is not the Soul , but the Souls understanding power or faculty ; But Jesus Christ is the LORD , and the holy Spirit is GOD , and yet to us there is but One God , and One Lord . But this He thinks , 1 Cor. 8.6 . All in God , GOD. That All that is IN God ( Eternally , Imminently , Unchangeably ) must needs be God , As verily He thinks that GOD IS . And that God the Father hath a perfect KNOWLEDGE of himself in himself , God know● himself . This also He cannot but Think ; and that this Knowledge , WISDOM , Wisdom . Prov. 8.22 , 23 , 25. John 1.1 . Word Ver. 30. Image of God . Hebr. 1.3 . Loves Himself . Fathers love to the Son declared by the Holy Ghost . Verse 16. or WORD is God , because it is IN the Father , who is God ; And further , that He cannot but LOVE himself , whom He thus Knows , and seeth in that express Image of Himself , begotten in Himself ; and this Image or begotten WORD being in God , and therefore being God , cannot love God again ; And this Infinite , Mutable liking , Loving and good will Proceeding from Both , and being in Both , cannot but be , what Both are , ( viz. ) GOD. Thus We see , when there was a visible manifestation of the Divine complacency ( with a loud voice from Heaven , saying , This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased . ) The Word being now made Flesh , It was made by the Descending of the Holy Ghost , like a Dove , from the Father , and resting on the Son . But Alas , after all , thinks He of Himself , who is he that hideth Counsel without knowledge ? Mystery exceeding thought . Yet is to be thought , for God is able to do above thought . Eph. 3.26 . Therefore is above thought . Trinity one in working , yet each his peculiar work . John 5.17 , 19 , 20 , 21. Phil. 1.19 . compared with 4.19 . God onely properly E●c●●●● . Psal. 106 48. Therefore have I thought that I understood not , things too wonderful for me , which I knew not . God hath indeed told me that THESE THREE are ONE , And if I cannot tell how to think it , yet I will think it ; For seeing Scripture teacheth me to Think that he is able to Do exceeding abundantly above all that I can think , well may I Think that He Is above All that I can Think ; And therefore though it be above my thought 't is the fitter ( seeing He saith it ) to be thought of him that is so much above me . These three thus gloriously , but mysteriously , coequally , coessentially , and coeternally One , must be thought also to be One in Working as well as Being , and yet each one to have his own peculiar work . Thus Gods supplying by Jesus Christ , is called the supply of the Spirit .

Sect. XXI .

THis God We must think an ETERNAL Being , and nothing properly Eternal but God ; Created Spirits , Angels , and Souls of men ( and the bodies of these raised Spiritual bodies at the last day ) being Onely E●erlasting ; But from Everlasting to Everlasting thou are God ; Art not thou from Everlasting , Psalm 90.2 . Hab. 1.12 . Isaiah 48.12 . O Lord my God ? And as if God were making answer to this Question , saith He , Hearken O Jacob , and Israel my Called , I am he , I am the First , I also am the Last , Chap. 44.6 . Verse 8. Jerem. 2.32 . I am the First , I am the Last , and besides Me there is no God , ( and after saith he , ) Is there any ? I know not any . There is no Eternal , no First and Last but God onely : Hebr. 7.3 . And therefore Our First Thoughts and Our Last Thoughts , yea and all our Thoughts should be of him , and for him . Thoughts should be Lasting where the Theme is Everlasting . But O burning shame that We should forget him dayes without number , who hath neither Beginning of Dayes , nor end of Life , but is Eternal .

Sect. XXII .

THoughts also must be holy and Reverend of the Infinite Immensity , Gods Immens● omnipresence filling all things . Psalm 33.5 . as well as Eternity of this one true God , His OMNIPRESENCE filling all things , Hell with his glorious Justice and Severity , Heaven with the glory of his Grace , Earth with his Goodness , Patience , and Providence ; If I ascend up into heaven thou art there , Psal. 139.8 , 9. If I make my Bed in hell behold thou art there ; If I dwell in the utmost parts of the Sea , even there shall thy hand lead me . Jer. 23.23 , 24. Am I a God at hand , saith the Lord , and not a God afar off ? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him ? saith the Lord , do I not fill heaven and earth ? saith the Lord . And 't is repeated so , that the Lord saith this , because vain men do so little think of this . Thus doth he fill all things , but is contained of none ; Contained of none . 2 Chron. 6.18 . But will in very deed dwell with men on earth ? behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee . Alas ! How , should it ? Can a Man be contained in his own span ? My right hand hath spanned the heavens , Isaiah 48.13 . saith God . Alas , how little can Our very hearts hold , or Our Thoughts contain , of this Great God! now the less we can comprehend , the more and the greater should our Admiring Thoughts be .

Sect. XXIII .

God All-wise omniscient . HE is also to be Holily and Reverently remembred in the Immensity of his Wisdome and OMNISCIENCE as well Omni-presence , That He is All Wise , Knows Us. 1 John 3.20 . as well as Onely-Wise , that knows us , better then we know our own Hearts , who is greater then our hearts , and KNOWS all things . He knows whereof we are made , Our frame . Psal. 103.14 . Psal. 139.16 . Our Sins . Job 13 27. Chap. 14.16 , 17. his eyes did see our substance being yet imperfect , He books our members ; He knows wherein we have sinned , he looks narrowly to all our paths , and sets a print upon the heels ( or as the Hebrew , upon the Roots ) of our feet ; And as he books our Members , so he bags ●our Sins ; Thou numbrest my steps , dost thou not watch over my sin ? my transgression is sealed up in a bag , and thou sowest up mine Iniquity . But then he knows our Sorrows too as well as our Sins , Our sorrows . Psal. 56.8 . thou tellest my wandrings , put thou my tears into thy Bottle . Thou seest how I have Sinned , observe how I mourn ; and indeed he doth so ; I have heard Ephraim bemoaning himself . Jer. 31.18 . I saw him sinning , and I hear him groaning . He that hath a Book for our Members , a Bag for our Sins , hath a Bottle also for our tears . He knows our Soul in Sin , and he hath ( saith David ) known my Soul in adversity ; Psal. 31.7 . Our need . Matth. 6.8 . Job 23.10 . 2 Pet. 2.9 . All Man . 1 Cor. 3.20 . Isaiah 2.15 . So that he knows also whereof we have need . Our heavenly Father doth so , even before we ask , as he knows our sins before we confess . He knows the way that we take , and he knows what way to take with us , He knows how to deliver , if we be Righteous , And how to reserve the wicked to the day of Judgment to be punished . He knows the Thoughts of the wise , the way that they take ( yea though they dig deep to hide their Counsel from the Lord , ) and knows too how to take them in that way that they take , 1 Cor. 3.19 . so that the Wisdom of the World is foolishness with God , as it is written , he taketh the wise in their own craftiness , Knows how to bring good out of sin . Be they Men , or Devils . We must think him a God so holy , as that he would never suffer Sin in the World , and so Pittiful and Gracious , that he would never suffer sorrows and sufferings on his Saints , Sufferings . but that he is a God so WISE that he knows how to bring Glory to himself , and good to his Chosen , out of All , to break Leviathans heads , Psal. 74.14 . and to make it Food for his People ; As the Apothecary would never suffer so many Poysons in his shop , but that he knows one way or other how to make them to conduce to the honour of his Art , And good of his Patient ; for known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the World : Acts 15.18 . And his wayes are higher then our wayes , because his Thoughts are also higher then our Thoughts , as the heavens are high above the earth ; Isaiah 15.18 . Isaiah 55.9 . Chap. 40.28 . James 1.5 . Job . 13.3 . Psalm 2. Psalm 9.12 . Psalm 16.11 . Psalm 43.3 . So that there is no searching out of his understanding . And therefore think , If any man want wisdom , he is to ask it of God ; Would I know my Sins , Lord make me to know my Transgression and my Sin ! Would I know the measure of my dayes , how frail I am , Lord make me to know my end , so teach me to number my dayes , as that I may apply my heart unto wisdom ; would I know thy Path of Life , Lord shew it me ; In thy light I shall see light ; O send out therefore , thy light and thy truth , let them lead me , and bring me to thy holy ●●ll , O thou Father of lights , James 1.5 . in whom there is no darkness at all .

Seeing therefore that we are to light our Fire at this SUN , this Parent of Lights , 1 John 1.5 . All wisdom to be fought of God , but only in means and measure prescribed . 2 Tim. 3.15 . Rom. 12.3 . who affords us the Burning Glass of his Word for our help herein , We are to think thus , surely , of his Wisdom , if we will think of it rightly , That as we are to be thankful for the Means , so contented with the Measures of KNOWING that he prescribes and allows , inasmuch as they are such as are able to make us WISE to Salvation ; for he hath expresly cautioned us 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ne quis sapiat supra quam oportet , &c. ( for so Beza , uulg. &c. not to be wise above what we ought , but to be wise unto sobriety .

I know indeed that there is in corrupted man a Natural desire to KNOW , Rom. 1.25 . but it is to study the Creature more then the Creator , who is blessed for ever ; to pursue the Science of other things , whilest the EXCELLENCY of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord , Phil. 3.8 . is neglected , All which Natural Knowledge should designedly be made subservient to such a Spiritual end as the holy Psalmist pursues in his ASTRONOMICAL Observations , Psal. 8.3 , 4. When I consider ( saith he ) THY heavens , the work of thy Fingers , the Moon and Stars which thou hast ordained , What is Man that thou art mindful of him ? &c. But when Solomon himself who knew more , 1 Kings 4.29 . Eccles. 2.12 . in Naturals , then any meer Man , since Adam , casts up the total sum , he tells you , that what he did arrive at by all this knowledg , was to know this , that the increase thereof is the increase of sorrow , Chap. 1.18 . and most notorious it is that ever since , who so comes nearest to him in that point of knowledge , Troublesomeness and uncertainty of natural lawful knowledge . doth so likewise in that part of experience . Alas how long have some of us been learning , how ignorant we are ? And how great is his Wisdom , that hath lock'd up from us , in the intricate labyrinths of vexatious uncertainty , the knowledge of that which he finds so apt to draw us from him , who make so little right use of so much that is clearly revealed , being sufficient in its kind to draw us to him ? We know where it is said , Deut. 29.29 . that secret things belong to God , but things that are revealed belong to us , and to our Children ; that it is not for US to KNOW the times and seasons that the Father hath put into his own power ; Acts 1.7 . 2 Pet 2.18 . But grow in Grace , and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ , John 17.3 . Sinfulness of affecting to know by familiar spirits . Wizards . Isaiah 8.19 . for this is life Eternal , &c.

But besides a natural and lawful ( if duely moderated and ordered ) Desire of natural knowledge , there is a desire of knowing such things , and by such means , as we are to think sinful and Satanical , being no way approved in the Word or the Wisdom of God ; such is theirs , who seek unto them that have familiar spirits , and unto Wizards that peep , and that mutter ( as 't is expressed by the Prophet Isaiah ) or that use divination , Ezek. 21.21 . that consult with Teraphim , that look into the liver , ( that is , the intrails of Birds or Beasts , &c. as Ezekiel speaks ) to direct actions , or foretel future events thereby . Judicial Astrology . Isaiah 47.13 . So also we find a severe and black brand fastened by the Scripture upon ASTROLOGERS , Star-gazers , and Monethly Prognosticators , and such as are drawn by them from their sole Dependencies upon God ; 1 Tim. 6.20 . for admit we forbear to say that here is Science falsly so called , as the Apostle speaks , whose Principles and Conclusions are certainly uncertain , It s uncertainty . and delusory ( for the Conjunctions and Aspects of the STARS being the same when divers Children are conceived or born in the same Place and instant of Time , ( as in some great and Populous Cities , ) how come they to divers and contrary Fortunes , ( to use their own phrase ) some to live longer , others under the same Stars to die sooner , some to live and die in Wealth , Honour , and Prosperity ; Others born in the same article of time , and under as auspitious and benigne a Planet , to a life of Misery , and a death of Shame ; or to add , that undeniable experience frequently confutes the most positive Predictions from the most acurately erected Schemes , and of the most confident Practitioners and Masters in these curious Arts ; Admit , I say , Pernitiousness . Curiosity of forbidden knowledge . Out first Ruine . Gen. 3.6 . that some gratification might indeed be expected to the curiosity and pride of Knowing more then others , or then otherwise we could possibly arrive unto , say the Tree were to be desired to make one WISE , yet methinks the Burnt Children of EVE , should Dread that Fire that God will certainly make even of a Tree of KNOWLEDGE if a Forbidden Tree ; Verse 17. and certainly were the BOOK of GOD admitted in its power into the hearts and minds of Men , it would bring such BOOKS OF CURIOUS ARTS , Acts 19.19 . as the prevailing Gospel sometimes did , to be burned in the Fire , instead of the Authors , and such as trust to them who are ( except they repent ) doom'd to the same Condemnation by the same Book of God , Isaiah 47.13 , 14. for of Astrologers , Star-gazers , and monethly Prognosticators , saith God by the Prophet , BEHOLD , they shall he as Stubble , the Fire shall burn them , &c. read also Deut. 8. to 16.

Sect. XXIV .

Omnipotent . Job 42.2 . TO have High , Holy , and Reverend Thoughts of Gods OMNIPOTENCE as well as Omnipresence , and Omniscience , He fills all things , and knows all things , and saith Job , ● know , O Lord , that thou canst do every thing , and that no thought can be with-holden from thee ; or ( as it is read in the Margin ) no thought of thine can be hindred ; mine cannot be hid , thine cannot be hindred . Seeing now , saith God , that I , even I am he , and there is no God with me : Deut. 32.39 . I kill , and I make alive ; I wound , and I heal : neither is there any that can deliver out of mine hand , ( and thinks the Believing Soul further , neither is there any that can hinder thy hand from delivering . Isaiah 43.10 , 11 , 13. ) Ye are my Witnesses , I even I am the Lord , and besides me there is no Saviour , Yea before the day was , I am be , and there is none that can deliver out of my hand ; I will work , and who shall let it ? He , and He only hath power after the body is killed , to cast the Body and Soul into hell , therefore we should fear him ; Num. 14.17 . He also , He onely speaks in Righteousness , mighty to save , and therefore we should trust in him . Sin would hinder , the great guilt of Sin , but saith Faith , let the power of my Lord be great in pardoning sin ; Sin would hinder , the Dominion and prevailing power of sin ; and O thinks the Soul , 't is impossible I should ever be rid of such strong Lusts , that my proud heart should be made humble , my froward heart be made patient and meek , my filthy heart made clean , my worldly heart made heavenly ; but thinks Faith , what things are impossible with Men , Mat. 12.26 . Rom. 6.14 . Micah . 7.19 . Jer. 32.14 . Amo● 5.12 . are possible with God , who hath said that Sin shall not have Dominion over us , and that He subdueth our Sins under us , who hath great power , and a stretched out Arm , and there is nothing too hard for him , no not an hard heart . In one word , it thinks Sin Mighty , but God Almighty ; Genesis 17.1 . Satan a Principality and a Power , but the God of Peace able to bruise Satan under the weak feet of the Saints , Ephes. 6.22 . Rom. 16.20 . Revel. 13.3 . And 17.6 . and to do it shortly ; Antichrist Rampant , The Woman upon the scarlet Beast Triumphant , especially when All the World is wondering after the Beast , yea the Saints wondring , though with abhorrency ; and yet even then He thinks that in one hour he shall utterly fall , Revel. 18.8 . and be destroyed Everlastingly , because strong is the Lord GOD that judgeth her . 1 Cor. 1.26 . He hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the Mighty , He calleth the things that are not , as though they were ; can make a Worm to thrash the Mountains , Isaiah 41.14 . Mat. 15.39 . Ezek. 37.3 . Revel. 11.11 . 1 Cor. 2.9 . Isaiah 38.16 . 1 Cor. 1.25 . 2 King 19.7 . Psal. 107.20 . ●oh. 24 12. 1 Kin. 17.4 , 6. 1 Cor 10.1 , 4. 2 Pet. 2.16 . 1 Cor. 1.21 . is able of stones to raise up Children to Abraham , to make dry bones live , dead witnesses revive : yea for this cause usually suffers a sentence of Death , and so will he recover and make alive : for as the foolishness of God is wiser then men , so the weakness of God stronger then Men. He can do what he will do , and by what means he will do , He can send a noise and trouble , and a word and heal ; Stars in their courses to fight against Sisera , and the dust of the Earth to Plague Pharaoh ; The Hornet to chase the Amorite , and Raven to feed the Prophet ; can dry up the Sea , and make a path for his people , and strike the Rock into a River , and make it both slow for them , and follow after them ; He can reprove a Prophets madness by an Asses mouth ; and by the foolishness of Preaching convert a Sinner , and save a Soul ; He can silence the Oracles , Cessant Oracula Delphis . Psalm 8.2 . Heb. 11.34 . Isaiah 40.29 . by the crying of an Hebrew Child in a Manger ; and out of the mouthes of Babes and Sucklings ordain strength to still the Enemy and Avenger ; out of weakness he makes strong , yea to them that have no might he renews strength ; He makes the little one like David , and David as the Angel of the Lord .

Then lift up thine eyes on high , O my Soul , Isaiah 40.26 . and behold who hath created all these , that bringeth out their host by number , He calleth them all by their names , by the greatness of his might , Psalm 145.11.12 . for that he is strong in power not one faileth . Speak thou also , O my Soul , of the glory of his Kingdom , Psalm 29.1 . and talk thou of his Power , to make the Sons of Men to know his mighty Acts , and the glorious Majesty of his Kingdom . And Give unto the Lord ye mighty , give unto the Lord Glory and strength , Be wise by the Worms that told him to his face , Acts 12.23 . that he was but their Brother , and should instantly die like Man , whom the shout of the people cryed up for a God ; and learn ( O thou Man of Sin ) who opposest and exaltest thy self above all that it called God , 2 Thes. 2.3 , 4. or that is worshiped , so that thou sittest in the Temple of God , shewing thy self that thou art God , Even learn in him that was once in the Chair , that there needs but Gods hissing for a flie to stop thy mouth of Blasphemies . Isaiah 7.18 . Job 9.4 . Behold he takes away , who can hinder him ? who will say unto him what dost thou ? He is wise in heart , and mighty in strength ; And if God will not withdraw his anger , the proud helpers do stoop under him . But alas , Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord ? Verse 12.13 . Psal. 106.2 . who can shew forth all his praise ? Indeed Great i● the Lord , and greatly to be feared , but his greatness is unsearchable . Go on , O my Soul , to admire what thou canst not utter ; and think this at least of what God is able to do , Psal. 145.3 . Ephes. 3.2 . that he is able to do above what thou canst think .

Sect. XXV .

God Invisible . TO think also , but to think holily , and with awful Impressions upon our Hearts , of this INVISIBLE Lord God , dwelling in light which no man can approach unto , 1 Tim. 6.16 . No Image to be made of God . Deut. 1.12 , 15. and 24.24 . whom no man hath seen , nor can see ; of whom they saw no similitude in Horeb ; Therefore saith God , take good heed to your selves , least ye corrupt your selves , and make you a graven Image , or the similitude of any figure , &c. for the Lord thy God is a consuming Fire , even a jealous God . So that the making of any shape of God , though men may pretend they do it to advance God in their thoughts , Images no help in godly thoughts . or to help them in their thoughts of God , whether it be by Hand or Heart , Work or Thought , IMAGE or IMAGINATION , doth nothing conduce to the making man Zealous , but God jealous ; nor to the stirring of the Fire of mans affection to his Maker , but of Gods Indignation against his Creature ; whom whilst vain man presumes to measure by his vain mind , He denies him to be God , for he is not God except he be greater then our hearts . And thus the old Romans changing the glory of the incorruptible God into an Image are charged not to like to retain God in their Knowledge ; Rom. 1.23 . A Text of Scripture that cuts off every Dagon by the very stumps ; for whilst this is pretended as the great use of Images , Banish Gods knowledge . Pictures , Shapes and Figures , to help the ignorant , to keep God in their minds , to be Lay-mens Books , to help Devotion , to heighten Holy Thoughts , The Text saith expresly , that as these come in , God goes out ; Verse 21. because when they knew God , they glorified him not as God , but became vain in their IMAGINATIONS , their foolish heart was darkened , and that in this particular , professing themselves to be wise , they became fools : Verse 22. so the Idolatrous Israelites , make us Gods that may go before us , These be thy Gods , O Israel ; Say they to the Golden Calf , and Aaron built an Altar before it , Exo. 32.1 , 4 , 5. and made Proclamation , and said to morrow is a Feast to Jehovah . ( A Ghostly device to keep God in peoples minds , ) those very Images that they made to be HELPS in Worship , ( for we see there was an Eye , Jehovah looked at through the Idol . through the Image to Jehovah ) exclude God out of their knowledge , and Conclude them to be such as liked not to retain God in It ; And seeing this comes in as a Charge upon Pagan Rome , Pagan Rome excluded from the knowledge of God by Images . when they wanted the discoveries of this invisible God , and glorious Christ , which they after received by this great Apostles Ministery , and other blessed helps ; for even before this , saith God , you had better Books , then Pictures or Images , to have read me by , for the invisible things of God from the Creation of the World are clearly seen , being understood by the things that are made , Verse 20. even his Eternal Power and Godhead , so that they are without excuse ▪ I say , After that Faith is come , ( which is the Evidence of things not seen ( that spiritual Eye that sees him that is invisible ) for Rome called Christian , Heb. 11.1 . Verse 27. 2 Cor. 4.4 . Rome Papall censured . 1 Tim. 4.2 . having received the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ , who is THE IMAGE of God , to return to dumb Pictures , Images , Doctrines of Damons , &c. may give us occasion sadly to think and say , How is the faithful City become an harlot ! Isaiah 1.21 . Rev. 18.24 . Psalm 57.7 . come out of her ye People , that ye be not partakers of her Sins , and that ye receive not of her Plagues ; for saith the Holy Ghost , Confounded be all they that serve graven Images .

True Pictures of God , what Living Pictures . But may a man Think , if I love my Friend , I love his Picture , yea & love to have his Picture ; And shall I love the Father , the Son , and the Holy Ghost , and may I not have and love their Pictures ? Yea , God forbid else ; But then canst thou Think , if thou Think Rightly , Eph. 4.24 . Col. 3.10 . Grace . Rationally , and Scripturally , that the Living God will have any other but living Pictures ? Grace in the heart is a true not a lying , because not a dead , but a living Picture of the Living and true God , which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness , Christ . Heb. 1.3 . have that and keep it : Jesus Christ himself is an express or a lively ( because he is a living ) Image of the Father , have him , and hold him , and much good may it do your very Heart with him : The Saints , Saints . Psalm 16.3 . 1 Cor. 15.44 , 50. 1 Cor. 14.25 . the Excellent Ones in the Earth , these also are Gods own Pictures , They bear the image of the heavenly ; love them , and like them , and admire God in them ( for of these it may be said , God is in you of a truth , ) make much of them , and learn as much as you can by them , for these are good Books indeed , as well as Living Pictures , being but transcripts of Gods Book , 2 Cor. 3.2 . Living E●●stles , as well as living Pictures , known and read of all men . But alas , These true Pictures of the living and true God are as much befriended by the curious Pictures , that blind Devotion and Superstition have drawn for God in all Ages , as mans Native Fire is by the Feaver , or the Natural heat of the Stomach by the praeternatural .

But may not Pictures be made of the Trinity , Whether Images of God may be made for History or Ornament . Bp. ●aylors D●●svasive from Popery , Chap. 1. Sect. 8.9 . See page 58. The Historical use of Images , did quickly pass into Superstition . The Father , The Holy Ghost , and of Christ , especially ( seeing he took Flesh , and was seen in humane shape ) for ORNAMENT , and help in the History , and such like ends , though not for Worship ? What saith the Doctrine of the CHURCH of ENGLAND ?

They be convict of foolishness and wickedness in making Images of God or the Trinity ; Homily against the peril of Idolatry , 3d. part , pag. 41. Edict . Lond. 1640. Condemns all Pictures of God , Trinity , &c. Refutes the great argument of descriptions in the Old Testament . yea and once to desire an Image of God cometh of Infidelity , thinking not God to be present , except they might see some sign or Image of him , as appeareth by the Hebrews in the Wilderness , willing Aaron to make them gods whom they might see go before them , &c.

Thus it goes on ,

Where they obje●● , that seeing in Esaias and Daniel be certain descriptions of God , as sitting on an High seat , &c. Why may not a Painter likewise , &c. seeing that Scripture , or writing , and Picture differ but a little ? First , It is to be answered , that things forbidden of Gods word , as Painting of Images of God , and things permitted of God , as such descriptions used of the Prophets , be not all one ; neither ought , nor can , mans reason ( Although it shew never so goodly ) prevail any thing against Gods express Word and Statute-Law . Furthermore the Scripture , although it have certain descriptions of God , yet if thou read on forth , it expoundeth it self , declaring that God is a Spirit , Infinite , who replenisheth Heaven and Earth , which the Picture doth not , nor expoundeth it self , but rather , En langer the bringing in the Heresie of the Anthropomorphites . when it hath set forth God in a bodily similitude , leaveth a man there , and will easily bring a man into the Heresie of the Authropomorphites , thinking God to have hands and feet , and to sit as a man doth , which they that do ( saith S. Augustine in his Book de side & Symbolo , cap. 7. ) fall into that Sacriledge , Sacrilegious wickedness . which the Apostle testeth in those who have changed the glory of the incorruptible God , into the similitude of a corruptible Man . For it is wickedness for a Christian to ere●● such a one in his heart by believing it . But to this they reply , that this reason notwithstanding , Images of Christ may be made , Argument from Christ taking flesh refuted . Hom. against peril of Idolatry 3. part . Images of Christ , lying Images . for that he took upon him Flesh and became man . &c. The answer is easie . For in Gods Word , and Religion ; 't is not onely required whether a thing may be done or no , but whether it be lawful and agreeable to Gods word to be done , &c. and yet it appears no Image of Christ can be made , but a lying Image ( as the Scripture peculiarly calls Images lies ) for Christ is God and Man , seeing therefore for the Godhead , which is the most excellent , no Image can be made , It is falsly called the Image of Christ ; wherefore Images of Christ be not onely defects , but also lies , &c. wherefore as soon as an Image of Christ is made , by and by is a lie made of him , &c. and now if it should be admitted and granted that an Image of Christ could truely be made , Unlawful . yet it is unlawful that it should be made .

unavoidable danger of Idolatry . pag. 43. Greek the Soul . Page 44. And so it proceeds to urge the unavoidable danger of Idolatry , and the Judgment of Irenaeus , Epiphanius , Lan●tantius , Augustine , affirming that they make the Soul more crooked , rather then teach it , And therefore it adds , that as it is written , Sap. 14. that Images were not from the beginning , neither shall they continue to the end : so were they not in the beginning of the Primitive Church , God grant ( saith the Homilie ) they may in the end be destroyed . Page 45. Hinder conversion of Jews and Turks . And farther , that , Truth it is , that Jews and Turks , who abhor Images and Idols , as directly forbidden by Gods word , will never come to the truth of our Religion , whilst the stumbling blocks of Images remain amongst us and lie in their way : Thus the Homilie . So then as Pictures in windows , ●o darken the light with a fine shew , so such representations of Divine things in the wisdom of humane Imagination doth hinder , Instead of helping , our sight of God and Christ ; who in this ( as in other respects ) is called the SUN of Righteousness , Mal 4.2 . God and Christ only to be seen in their own light . 1 Cor. 2.11 . Chap. 1.21 . because as that glorious luminary is only to be seen in its own light , so will God and Christ manifest themselves onely in that way of discovery , which themselves have sanctified through the Holy Ghost . So that while the World by wisdom knows not God , In Gods own light the Saints of God do see light . And O that God would help the blinded world to see the difference between fancy and faith , Psalm 36.9 . Difference between Faith and Fancy . 1 Cor. 2.14 . the Ones being affected in a carnal manner , and by carnal means , and the others being acted upon that which is only spiritually discerned , by spiritual means , and in a spiritual manner : So that whilst one man being gross in his Imagination , and made the more so by his Images , embraceth a Crucifix for a Christ , a piece of Wood , Stone , Metal , or painted Cloth , and printed Paper for God , like him in the Fable , embracing the Cloud for the Goddess : Math. 5.3 . Another being pure in heart is blessed with a true sight of God , so far as Faith can reach , and the present state bear : for no Man hath seen God at any time ; the only begotten Son , John 1.18 . which is in the bosom of the Father , he hath declared him ; and this of him , that not the carnal mind , 1 Cor. 2.18 . or by carnal means , not the gross hearted , but the pure hearted , the sublimated soul , the spiritualized mind , such and such onely have the blessed sight of God here and hereafter . Therefore let us not think of bringing God down to us , shaping his invisible and incomprehensible Excellencies by our foolish phantasies and vain thoughts , but rather by Faith let us say with David , unto thee , O Lord , do I lift up my Soul . Psalm 25.6 .

Sect. XXVI .

TO think also , but with all awfulness , God terrible . Deut. 10.17 . of the Lord our God as God of Gods , and Lord of Lords , a great God , a Mighty and terrible , which regardeth not persons , nor taketh Rewards , Heb. 12.29 . Mal. 1.14 . Psalm 65.18 . for even our God is a consuming Fire , whose Name is DREADFUL among the very Heathen ; who maketh even the ends , or uttermost parts of the Earth affraid at his Tokens ; who is terrible to the Kings thereof ; Psal. 76.12 . Job 4 18. Job 15.15 . Isaiah 6.2 . who putteth no trust in his Servants , and his Angels he chargeth with folly ; who putteth no trust in his Saints , yea the Heavens are not clean in his sight , Before whom the holy Seraphims do cover both their feet and their faces , ( as coverings of old were used in token of Reverence and Subjection . Gen. 24.65 . ) They cover their feet , in token perhaps of their utter unworthiness to be lookt upon by him , to whom it is a kind of bumbling to behold even the things that are in Heaven ; Psalm 113.6 . and their faces as unable to look upon him ; as the Stars in a morning do carry their Lights , Angels stand in aw of God . Job 38 7. as it were in dark Lanthornes , upon the Suns appearing , So also do these Morning Stars ( as Scripture stiles them ) though of excellent glory themselves , and such as is terrifying to the Children of Men , Though terrible to men . to the best , as to Zechariah , to the worst and most obdurate , as the Keepers of the Watch upon the Sepulchre , who for fear of one Angel did shake and became as dead men ; Luke 1.11 , 12. Mat 28.3 , 4. Heb. 1.7 . Isaiah 37.36 . And now no wonder , for he maketh his Angels Spirits , and his Ministers a flaming Fire . So that one of them is able to turn 185000 armed Men to ashes in a night . And yet as the very beams of the far distant Sun in the Firmament do baffle , as it were , and non-plus the Fire that flames on your hearths , ( which , Oh how frightful is it to you , when it steals but a little out of its place , and begins to reach the bones of your buildings , and ride triumphantly on the tops of your houses ? ) so , and infinitely more then so , doth the Dreadful Majesty of GOD apale the Excellency of all Angelical glory . Job 15.15 . Chap. 26.11 . And if the Heavens ( that were never stained ) thinks the serious Soul , be not clean in his sight , but the pillars thereof tremble , and are astonished at his reproof ; If the Angels that never sinned are so affraid , De●●ls affraid of God . How terrible is his presence to that wicked one that is such a terrour to poor miserable mankind that some Nations worship Him ( as 't is said of the Indians ) that he may do them no harm , whose very Apparition ( though in a visible shape ) is so confounding to poor Man , that he becomes like Saul before the Witch of Endor , or like Eliphaz , 1 Sam. 28.20 when fear and trembling came upon him , which made all his bones to shake , a Spirit passed before his face , Job 4.14 , 15. and the hair of his flesh stood up . It is not needful to present purpose to determine what sorts of Spirits those were . This is certain , that who shall not fear thee , O Lord ? Rev. 15 3 , 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . is an Ode , as Scripture calls it ; and as true , that as Saints and Angels do fear before him , so the Devils also believe and tremble . And therefore when the Soul thinks O I dare not pray , for the Devil tells me , James 1.19 . Job 15.4 . Job 33.7 . that if I go alone , or retire my self to pray , he will appear to me , and affright me ; It thinks again , O I dare less restrain Prayer from the Almighty , for then his Terribleness will make me affraid : And if his slave be so terrible , how dreadful is he that hath him in his chain ? who can restrain him if I go , God terrible to his Saints . Job 31.23 . Cap. 23.15 , 16. and will sooner or later let him loose upon me for not going . Destruction from God was a terrour unto me ( saith Holy Job ) and by reason of his Highness , I could not endure ; Therefore I am troubled at his presence , when I consider , I am affraid of him , for God maketh my heart soft , and the Almighty troubleth me ; When I CONSIDER , &c. Oh what high and awful Thoughts had this Holy Person of God! And indeed who would not fear thee , Jerem. 10 , 7. O thou King of Nations ? For to thee doth it appertain : as the Prophet speaks . Wouldest thou then be made soft , O mine heart , as Job's was under the awful impressions of the most High ? Wouldest thou serve the Lord with fear , Psalm 2.11 . and converse before him with trembling ? Go but to his Water-works , or Fire-works , for many hard things are made sof● by Fire and Water ; And think of them a little seriously . ASK of them of Old times , God terrible in his Water-works . Gen. 7.1 . Psal 107.23 , 25 , 26. when the Fountains of the great Deep were broken up , and the Floud Gates of Heaven opened in the same day , and let them tell thee if God be not terrible . Or if that be too far off , let them that go down into the Seas in Ships , that do business in the great Waters , declare unto thee , when he commandeth , and raiseth the stormy wind , which lifteth up the waves thereof , they mount up to the Heaven , they go down again to the depths , their Soul is melted because of trouble , Verse 27. Fire-works . Gen. 19.24 , 26. they reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man , and are at their wits ends . Or let Sodom say if God be not terrible , and that Pillar of Salt that was set like an Hand in the Margin of that Dreadful Text , Ask also of the trembling Israelites , who saw the Mountain that burned with Fire ; Deut. 10.16 , 18. Heb. 12.21 . and so terrible was the sight , that Moses said , I exceedingly fear and quake . Spo●t thy self on the top of flaming AETNA , or lay thy hand upon the hole of raging Vesuvius : Bath thy self in the melted Minerals that flow in the bowels of the cold Earth ; Cool thy skin with Cantharides , or with the cold leaves of that Plant in which one may feel so much of him that calls himself a Consuming Fire , that a touch thereof doth blister the skin , and burn the flesh : Harden also the Eye-sight against the lightening , and strengthen thine ears against the voice of Gods Thunder . Thunder . Psalm 29.3 . Ask the Heathen , why he ran under his Bed , and that his Imperial Crown was not thought by him a sufficient security to his Head . Ask Lebanon what it ails to skip like a Calf , Verse 6.8 , 9. and Syrion like a young Vnicorn ? The Wilderness of Kadesh why it shakes , and the Hinds why they cast their Calves before their time ? or why men more wild then the Wilderness , and Bruitish then the Beasts , do tremble when the God of glory Thundreth ; especially when he makes his Fire-works and Water-works meet in One , when the Lord is upon many waters , Psal. 29.3 , 7. that is , the Ocean , And there the voice of the Lord divideth the flames of Fire , that is , the Lightenings ; Lightenings . which Seafaring men find to be most terrible in Nocturnal Tempests . Nay ask Men why they tremble without Thunderings , at the still voice of a poor despised Man ? Felix . Acts 24 25. Belstazzar . Da●●el 5.6 . Nay a Faelix , on the Bench ; before a Prisoner at the Bar ? Nay a Bold Bels●azzar without any noise or whisper to affright him in the midst of Merriment , and Godless security , and that upon the first appearing ( not of an Hand with a sword in it but the Fingers of a Mans Hand silently inscribing a few words on the wall ? Pashur . Jerem. 20.3 . Spira . Nay why so many are Magor Missabibs , fear round about , without voice or vision , save what is within ? Ask poor Spira what he ailed , and why he refused to be comforted ? And the many of the present Age that have been hung up in Chains of the Spirit of Bondage , and made terrours to themselves , and spectacles to all about them , Verse 4. Others under the Spirit of bondage . See also M● Brewers S● on Mr. 〈◊〉 Hevenin● As one Dales Wife of Chelmesford in Essex , that lived many years in perpetual horrour to her self , and those that saw her ; and one Maud , a man that ( through terrours of Conscience ) starved himself to death , being otherwise prevented in destroying himself by Hanging and Drowning which he attempted , and in accusing himself that he might have been dispatcht out of the way by the hand of publick Justice , for an old Murther which he pretended , but intended it as a plot upon his own Life , which not taking , he never would admit any sustenance down his throat ( though forced into his mouth ) till utterly famished ; both recent instances and within little more then twenty Miles each of other , and of both which I have been an eye-witness ; and other like might be added .

And now ask such as these , if it be not a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God . Heb. 10.31 . Terrible in praises . Exod. 15.11 . Goodness . Hosea 3.5 . Forgiveness . Psal. 130.4 . Spar'd not Angels . 2 Cor. 2.4 . Old World . Verse 5. Sodom . Ver. 6. Natural branches . Rom. 11.21 . His own Son . He indeed is fearful in his very Praises , and his Goodness to be feared : His Grace by no means to be turned into wantonness , but the forgiveness that is with him is that he may be feared , He that spared not the Angels that sinned , but cast them down into hell , that spared not the old World , bringing in the Floud upon the World of the ungodly , and turning the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into Ashes , condemning them with an overthrow , making them an Example unto those that should live ungodly ; that spared not the Natural Branches , O take heed least he also spare not thee . If by terrible things in Righteousness , God will answer them to whom be is a God of Salvation ; Surely his Justice will be very terrible to the Sons of Perdition ; If God spared no his own Son , but it pleased the Lord to bruise him , Isaiah 53.10 . Rejoycing in the destruction of the wicked . Isaiah 1.24 . Deut. 38.63 . Jer. 1.26 , 27. and to put him to grief who knew no sin , but had sin onely imputed to him ; O how terrible , thinks the Soul , is God when he cryes out , Ah I will case me of mine Adversaries , and avenge me of mi●● Enemies ; I will rejoyce over you to destroy you , and to bring you to naught ; I will laugh at your Calamity , and mock when your fear cometh , when your fear cometh as desolation , and your Destruction cometh as a Whirlwind , when distress and anguish cometh upon you : Thus shall mine anger be accomplished , and I will cause my fury to rest upon them , Ezek. 5.13 . and I will be comforted . And oh how awful a thought it is that it should be both casing and pleasing to God to destroy sinners ? 〈◊〉 . 1.3 . That the God of all comforts , as Scripture calls him , should be Comforted in the Perdition of ungodly Men ; and laugh at their fear , 〈◊〉 6.14 . who forsake the fear of the Almighty ? And Oh how fearful is He in his punishments , who is so in his praises ? How terrible in his Righteousness , who is to be feared for his Goodness ? 1 Pet. 1.17 . If they that Call on the Father must pass their time in fear , because without respect of persons , Isaiah 33.14 . he judgeth every one according to his works , O how may the Sinners in Zion be affraid , what fearfulness may surprize the Hypocrites ? If they be unable to Contend with his burning Agues , God terrible in present punishment . Jerem. 12.5 . Isaiah 30.33 . Chap. 66. ●4 . Nahum 1.2 . Plagues and Feavers , How will they dwell with Everlasting burnings ? Oh what will they do in the swellings of Jordan ? when the breath o● the Lord as a River of Brimstone shall kindle upon them those Eternal flames that none shall be able to quench ? for the Lord is jealous and Revengeth : The Lord Revengeth and is furious ; The Lord will take vengeance on his Adversaries , and he Reserveth wrath for his Enemies . Reserves of wrath terrible . O those RESERVES of Wrath , how dreadful are they ? That , when Millions of Ages are expired , they remain unexhausted ; There is still a certain fearful expectation , and looking for , of Judgment and fiery Indignation still , Heb. 10.27 . Psalm 90.11 . God corrects whom he loves . still . Ah Lord ! who knows the power of thine Anger ? according to thy fear so is thy wrath . Thou Correctest whom thou lovest , what wilt thou do wi●h them thou hatest ? If Judgment must begin at the House of God , what , Heb. 12.6 . 1 Peter 17.18 . What then shall be the end of the wicked . Zech. 13.7 . Heb. 5.8 . Luke 23.31 . O what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God ? and If the Righteous scarcely be saved , where shall the ungodly and sinner appear ? thou gatherest a Rod for every Son thou receivest , nay the Holy Child Jesus was not excepted , nor exempted , who though he were a Son , thine Equal , a Man thy fellow , yet did thy Sword awake against him , and He learnt obedience by the things that he suffered . And if these things were done in the Green Tree , O what shall become of the Dry ? What Scorpions are prepared to be scourges for the wicked ? Psalm 9.13 . surely God hath prepared for him the instruments of death , and ordained his Arrows against the Persecutors , Upon the Wicked he shall Rain snares , Fire and Brimstone , Psalm 11.6 . and an horrible tempest , this shall be the portion of their cup. Psal. 119. ●● Wherefore , O God , My Flesh trembleth for fear of thee , and I am affraid of thy Judgments , Deut. 32.4 . for all the wayes of the Lord are Judgment , a God of Truth , and without iniquity , Just and Right is he ; with him is terrible Majesty , Job 37.22 , 23 , 24. Prov. 23.14 . Neh. 5.15 . He is excellent in Power , and in Judgment , Men do therefore fear him , and well they may . Be thou therefore in the fear of the Lord , O my Soul , all the day long ; and however others may dare to presume upon him , yet so do not thou , because of the fear of the Lord .

Sect. XXVII .

THe Lord thou hearest , O my Soul ! God of truth . is a God of TRUTH is as well as Righteousness , Isaiah 66.5 . O Tremble at his word as well as works , and be thou affraid of the Judgments of his mouth as well as of his hands , For the Lord confirmeth the word of his Servants , Isaiah 64.26 . Math. 5.28 . and performeth the Counsels of his Messengers , neither is there any Iota of his Threatenings any more then of his Promises , that shall pass away untill all be fulfilled ; for the strength of Israel will not he nor Repent , 1 Sam. 15.29 . Isaiah 11.5 . for he is not as Man that he should Repent . The truth is , Gods TRUTH is as the Girdle of his Loins . What ever God is , He is in TRUTH . As God is TRUE , In all He is . 1 Tim. 1.18 . Jerem. 10.10 . saith the Apostle , Our word towards you was not yea and nay , The Lord is the true God , saith Jeremiah , the God of TRUTH ( saith the Margin with the Hebrew ) at his Wrath shall the Earth tremble , &c. Whatever God saith , In all he saith . Psal. 119.160 . He saith in Truth , Thy Word is true ( saith David ) from the beginning , and every one of thy Righteous Judgments endureth for ever . Psalm 19.9 . Revel. 19.9 . In all he doth . Psalm 33.4 . Psal. 111.7 , 8. Psal. 80.7 , 8. The Judgments of the Lord are truth ( saith the Hebrew ) These are the true sayings of God . Whatever God doth , He doth it in Truth , All his works are done in Truth , The works of his hands are verity and Judgment , they stand fast for ever and ever , and are done in truth and uprightness . Therefore 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 , It follows , O Lord God of Hosts , who is like unto thee , or to thy FAITHFULNESS round about thee ? So that as the Girdle goes round about All , and encompasseth and encloseth All , so Gods Truth and Faithfulness doth surround all the rest of his Excellencies , and therefore if our Thoughts of God be Right , We shall have most awful and Reverend Impressions on our Hearts , not onely from the SEVERITY but from the VERITY of God , not onely from his Justice and Righteousness , but also from his TRUTH and Faithfulness .

Sect. XXVIII .

Thoughts of God must be Right . Psalm 2.11 . BUt then again , if our THOUGHTS of GOD be Right and Scriptural , they must be CHEARFUL as well as FEARFUL , There must be a Rejoycing with our Trembling ; Divine Thoughts must be awful but delightful , as a Son thinks of his Father , not as a Slave thinks of his Taskmaster , Chearful as well as fearful . or a Condemned Prisoner of his Executioner ; for God is LOVE : and how can LOVE be Rightly thought of , unless it be thought LOVELY ? 1 Joh. 4.8.16 . Rom. 5.5 . or how can this precious box or rich perfume the love of God be shed abroad in the heart , and the thoughts thereof not be sweet-sented ? and indeed the sweeter ( as perfumes are ) for being held to the Fire of holy Fear ; Our fear not a fear of torment . 1 John 4.18 . There is a Fear that hath TORMENT , which Love labours to cast out ; but again there is a Fear that gives temper to true LOVE of God , and strips it self of its All , as it were , to the service of it ( as Jonathan did by David ) even to its Sword , and to its Girdle , and to its Bow . 1 Sam. 18.4 . Our God is a CONSUMING FIRE , Here is Trembling , Heb. 12.29 . and good cause why ; but this God is OUR GOD ( as the Psalmist speaks ) for ever and ever , Psal. 48.14 . He will be OUR GUIDE even unto death , here is rejoycing with our trembling . And O how amiable is this Chequer-work of Mans thoughts in the sight of God ? surely things are not as they should be with us , when we Remember God and are troubled : what ? Psalm 77.3 . Harbour hard thoughts of the Father of Mercies ? Think evil of the Fountain of all Goodness ? 2 Cor. 1.3 . Good thoughts of God . Ezek. 18.32 . and 33.11 . ah wherein hath God deserved this at mans hands ? Is it because he swears as he lives that he hath no pleasure in the death of him that dies , But that the wicked turn from his way and live , that is , but rather that sinners should Repent and live ? Is it because he cryes out to you , turn ye , Chap. 33.11 . turn ye from your evil wayes , for why will ye die ? or because he cryes out of you , John 5.40 . ye will not come to me that ye might have life ? or because he cryes out over you , how shall I give up ? how shall I make thee as Admah , Hosea 11.8 . Chap. 6.4 . Psal. 81.13 . Isaiah 48.18 . Luke 19.42 . and set thee as Ze●●im ? O sinners what shall I do unto you ? or because he cryes out for you , when it is too late , O that ye had harkened unto my voice , that thou hadst known at least in this thy day the things that belong unto thy peace , but now they are hid from thine eyes ? Wretched Miscreant ! Wilt thou go on to hate Wisdome , and to love Death , Prov. 8.35 . as indeed thou dost , and then think that God is an Enemy to Mankind ; and takes delight in making Creatures meerly to destroy them ? O spit out thy Gall and Venom , and clear thy Thoughts of prejudice against thy faithful Creatour , and most merciful Preserver , and account his long-suffering to be Salvation ; that he , 2 Pet. 3.15 . that reprieves thee , would pardon thee , didst thou sue for his pardon , as thou wouldst beg for thy Life ; for he is so Gracious that he waits that he may be gracious , Isaiah 30.18 . Hosea 12.6 . Gods thoughts not to be measured by ours . Prov. 12.10 . Therefore turn thou to thy God , and wait on thy God continually . And think not to measure his pardoning Mercies by thine which are cruelties , nor by thy frowardness and passions , nor by thy hard Thoughts and evil surmises , as if God was altogether such a one as thy self , till thou canst measure the space betwixt the Heavens and the Earth ( for so high are his thoughts above thy thoughts ) or till thou canst find in thy heart to follow thine Enemy , Isa. 55.7 , 8 , 9. moment by moment , all the dayes of his life with thine unwearied care for his safety , and providence for his supply , and by that time that thou hast done for thine Enemy as God hath taught thee by what he hath done for thee , Gods challenge to Man . 't is like that thou wilt have better thoughts of thy God ; or if thou have not , come and testifie against him , If thou darest , or if thou canst ; for 't is a challenge of Gods own making , Micah 6.3 . O my people , what have I done to thee ? testifie against me ; and I ( as his Herauld ) proclaim this his challenge to thee .

But if thou keep silence , let me speak , and tell thee plainly what he hath done unto thee . He made thee a Man , that might have made thee a Brute , and gave thee a Soul endued with Reason , Jer. 38.16 . Psalm 139.14.15 . Improveable by Grace , and so capable of Salvation . He gave thee thy shape , that might have made thee a Monster , and made thee desirable to others , who might have made thee a burthen to thy self , The Hand of his Providence took thee out of thy Mothers womb , and hath ever since suffered thee to hang upon it , though thou , Psalm 22.9 . like a Viper , hast fastened thy teeth so deep in it that thy venomous biting hath often gone , as it were , to his very heart , and he , with more ease , might have shaken thee off into the Fire of his wrath . Acts 28.5 . Psalm 71.6 . He kept thee from ten thousand Deaths and Dangers in thy fearless Infancy , careless Childhood , hardy and adventrous youth , and troublesome Manhood to the very moment that thou art reading this . He made thy Bed in thy last sickness , Psalm 41.3 . Psalm . 36.6 . Psalm 107.30 . bare thee up in his everlasting Arms the last time that thou fellest from thy Horse , and saved both man and beast , brought thee safe to shore the last time that thou gavest thy self for lost at Sea . He gave thee thy Possessions , Thy Promotions , Thy comfortable Relations , thy loving Wife , thy lovely Children , thy health , strength , limbs , liberty , credit , Comforts of all sorts ; even every good gift ; James 1.17 . 2 Sam. 12.8 . And if these had been too little , as was said to David , he would have given thee more and greater things then these , hadst thou not been wanting to thy self . Mat. 23.37 . How often would he have gathered thee as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings ? How often would he have convinced , converted , humbled thee , healed thee , given thee his Son , and given thee his Spirit ; And now judge , I pray thee , between God and thy own Soul , Isaiah 5.3 . what could he have done for thee more then that which he hath done ? Thou needest a Christ , and all the day long , Isaiah 65.2 . he stretcheth out his hand to tender his Christ unto thee ; and why did he give thee thy Reason , but to lead thee to close with his goodness , for thy good ?

But besides , the Lord is GREAT as well as GOOD , God great as well as good . Mat. 21.34 , 37. else he were not GOD ; And hath done more then he owes thee in spreading a Table , without compelling thy appetite , that is more then thou expectest from thy best friend thou hast , that is but thine equal . 2 Pet. 3.19 . Matth. 22.4 . He hath sent forth his Servants , and with them his Son , and in them his Spirit , And all these say to thee , come , All things are ready , O tast then , Psalm 34.8 . and see how GOOD the LORD is . Away then for shame with all thy sour and harsh thoughts of God , Gen. 3.4 , 5. and purge out thy old Leaven whereby the old Serpent first soured the whole lump of mankind with a hard opinion of God , as if he were not enough enclined to mans good . Right thoughts of God must be sweet thoughts . Our thoughts of God , if they be Right thoughts , must be SWEET Thoughts as Davids were ; Bones of marrow , and not bags of gall ; our Souls must be satisfied with them ( as his was ) as with marrow and with fatness . Yea even for them that were never yet brought into his Psal. 104.34 . banqueting house ( to tast of those dainties , Psal. 65.5 , 6. Cantic. 2.4 . Psal. 106.5 . Revel. 2.17 . God good to all . Psal. 83.3 . Rom. 2.4 . Acts 14.17 . which Scriptures call the good of his chosen , that hidden Manna , the meat and drink which the World knows not of , the sweet repast of the hidden ones ) there is a Goodness , yea Riches of goodness to be thought of by them , and not to be despised , but Improved by affectionate meditation till it lead them to Repentance . For he leaves not himself without witnesse , even as to these , in that he doth good , and gives them Rain from Heaven , and fruitful seasons , filling their hearts with food and gladness ; And if he leave not himself without witness , take heed he leave not thee without excuse . Think with thy self therefore a little seriously O man , of this Riches both of the goodness , and long-suffering , and forbearance of God . Sparing mercies an evidence thereof . Prov. 12.10 . Hast thou not found that there are sparing Mercies , and canst thou not think that there are pardoning mercies with the Lord ? He that hath laid it upon thee to Regard the life of thy Beast , and hath himself had so continual a regard to the life of thy body , ( which indeed is as thy Beast or bruitish part ) but stiles himself the Father of our Spirits , Heb. 12.9 . whilest he calls others the Fathers of our Flesh , canst thou find in thy heart to think that he hath no regard for the life of thy Soul ? Jer. 2.31 . Hath God indeed been a Barren Wilderness to thee , that hath given thee so many fruitful seasons ? or hath he been only so to thy Soul ? surely what ever he is to other Nations , he hath not been so to us : means of Grace have not been wanting to thee , So the means of Grace . not would his Grace have been wanting to thee in the humble and diligent use of those means : Thou hast not been straitned in the Lord surely , 2 Cor. 6.12 . whatever thou hast been in thy own bowels . Hath He been a Land of darkness to thee , who hath caused his Sun to arise upon thee , Matth. 5.44 . though thou art Evil ? Or hath he been onely so to thy Soul ? Hast thou not also heard of a Sun of Righteousness that he maketh to arise with healing in his wings upon those that believe in him that justifieth the ungodly ? Mal. 2.4 . Romans 4.9 . And if all other thy ungodliness be no bar , O why should thy unbelief or hard thoughts of this good God be so .

But some one may think , Objection . Micah 3.6 is there any evil in the City , and the Lord hath not done it ? nay doth he not own it ? where is then the Goodness you spake of ? Out of the mouth of the most high proceedeth not evil and good ? is not He said to frame Evil ? to devise evil , God the Author or evil . Lam. 3.38 . Jerem. 18.11 . Micah 2.3 . Isaiah 45.7 . Answer . Joh 37.23 . Lam. 2.33 . God good in correcting . Micah 6.8 . Chap. 7.18 . Isaiah 28.21 . Mal. 1.8 . Rom. 9.20 . And punishing . Punishment of the wicked good to the good . to create Evil ? And can this consist with so great Goodness ? But think again , O Man , that the Scripture saith , the Almighty will not afflict willingly , nor grieve the children of Men. As a good Parent doth not correct willingly , yet he were not a good Parent , should he not correct . He hath shewed thee , O man , what is good , to do Justice , and to love Mercy ; And cannot God be good , though he do Justice , whilest he love Mercy ? for Mercy pleaseth him , or he delighteth in Mercy , but Judgment he calleth his strange work . But go thou and first offer this to thy Governour , before thou presumest to reply against God , and tell thy Prince , if thou darest , that His Government is not good , because He hath Bethlehems for Mad-Folks , and Houses of Correction for Rogues and Vagabonds , and places of Execution , and instruments of Death for Traytors and Capital Malefactors . But how should the Government be good to the Good , if it should not restrain and punish the Evil ? Nay surely the Lords goodness is never more orient in the eyes of his people , then when he takes vengeance ( not onely of their Enemies but ) of their inventions , and yet pardons their sins , So of their own sins . Psal. 991.18 . and saves their Souls . And oh how shall he come to be glorified in his Saints , and admired in them that believe , 2 Thes. 1.10 . Verse 8. Even when the Lord Jesus shall shew himself from Heaven with his mighty Angels , in flaming Fire , rendring vengeance to them that know not God , and obey not his Gospel ? So that the Goodness of God is never the less conspicuous , but indeed so much the more glorious , being beheld ( as the Apostle speaks ) together with his Severity , Rom 11.22 . Goodness of God no less conspicuous for his severity . as bright colours are the most resplendent when they are heightened from the darkest shadows : Behold , saith He , the GOODNESS and the SEVERITY of God . Lo here a Right Theme for Thoughts . Behold his Goodness , but Remember his Severity ; Think of his Severity , but forget not his Goodness ; That the Thought of Severity without Goodness , may not make thee desperate , nor of Goodness without Severity make thee Malepart and wanton , but that both together may make thee humble and hearty , and dutiful and diligent , fearful and yet chearful in all ways of Holiness and new Obedience .

Objection . If God be so good , why did he not make all mens condition such ? Jerem. 2.5 . Answer . God did so . Eccles. 7.31 . Rom. 7.12 . Gen. 2.16 . Verse 17. Psalm 8.6 . But mayest thou think again , if the Lord be so good , He might have made all Mens condition to be such ? 'T is true indeed , He might do so , and He did so , And I may challenge thee yet again in His Name , what Iniquity did thy first Father ( and all his Posterity in him ) find in God , that he went far from him ( and they with him ) and walked after vanity , and became vain ? Did not God make man upright , and give Him a right Law , a Commandment that was Holy , Just and Good ? was it not Just , that He that gave man all the rest of the Trees of the Garden should keep One to himself , and that , He that put all things under mans feet , should appoint him a test for his obedience to His Supream Lord ? And was it not good , Gods goodness in the first COVENANT . that He gave Him a Law that He might keep , and a Principle and Power that might keep it , if he would ; that He forbad Him , and forewarn'd Him what would hurt Him ; and promised Him Life in keeping a practical Law , a Commandment that was fair and that was facile , proper for Him , and profitable for all Mankind in Him . Must the great God to shew his goodness to poor man , Gen. 1. to 26. Verse 26.27 . Chap. 2.17 . first build a world as a well furnished House , before He brings in his Guest , & then call a Counsel as it were , in Heaven , about molding a clod of Earth into an Excellent shape , and breathing therein a living Spirit and Imprint thereon a Divine similitude , and place Him as his Vice-Roy upon Earth , and to hold all , as it were , but by ( the payment of a Pepper-Corn ) the Forbearing of one Tree ; And when miserable Man after all this , hath not made good his Allegiance , but broken Faith with his Maker , selling Himself and his Posterity for an Apple , or some such like thing , to the evil first of Sin , and so of Suffering , shall mans Impudent Posterity presume in their Hearts after all this to call in Question the goodness of God , for no other reason but his making his Word good , his Threatning good , and so his Commandment good in the penal part of it , which was that part which he undertook to make good , if Man failed to make good the other part of Obedience ? Ah how truly may it here be said , that the foolishness of man perverteth his way , Prov. 19.3 . and his Heart fretteth against the Lord ? When He that transgresseth a good Law , judgeth that Law , and pronounceth it Evil by His disobedience ; How can He that made that Law , vindicate that Law , or be good in his place , without making of it good , by punishing the Transgressor ; Think therefore ( vain Man ) what thou wilt , but know that the Lord is well pleased for his Righteousness sake , Isaiah 42.21 . Gods goodness in rewarding the least good in the wicked . and ( if a man vilify ) He will magnify his Law , and make it honourable . Thou wilt grant him to be a good Master that rewardeth the Good , though He Punish the Evil Servant : produce therefore thy Cause , and bring forth thy strong Reasons ; If thou do well , shalt thou not be accepted ? But and if thou do evil , Is it Gods fault that Sin lyeth at thy door ? Gen. 4.7 . An Ahabs Humiliation ( so good a Master is God , though the Man was but an Hypocrite ) shall have a temporal Reward ; The Lord is so good , As far as he is capable . 1 King . 21 . 29● Ezek. 29.18 , 20. Rewards spiritual good . Mat. 10.42 . With a spiritual blessing . 1 Kings 14.13 . that He will not set a Nebuchadnezzar a poor Heathen to work , but He shall have his wages . A cup of cold water given in his Name shall not want its Reward . If any one perform any Spiritual good , the good God shall give him a spiritual Reward , yea will take great notice even of the least good thing , as in the case of young Abijah in whom was found some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel , in the wicked house of Jeroboam : and will remunerate the performances● of outwardly good things , with compensations suitable to the persons and performances , as the removal of outward Evils , and the Donation of outward blessings : The Ninevites they Repent them of their Sins ( though it were but after a fashion , as appears after by the Burthen of Nineveh in Nahums Prophesy ) And this good God , Nah. 11 , &c. Jon. 3.10 . He presently Repents him of the Evil that he had said he would do unto them , and did it not , till they repented them again of their Repentance . Gen. 39.5 . Potiphar and Pharaoh make much of Gods Joseph , and God blessed their houses for Josephs sake . And must God pervert Judgment , Justice not derogatory to goodness in a Judge . and not punish the wicked , that he may have thy good word , or be well thought of by thee ? Is his Justice derogatory to his Goodness ? Thou canst applaud the sentence of a Judge in Condemning the Injuries that have been done unto thee ; why canst thou not as well say unto God with the Psamlist , Psal. 119.39 . thy Judgments are good ? Yea with many ; He is the best Man that will least bear an Injury , but is most vindictive , Heb. 10.30 . and must not vengeance be the Lords , and may not he repay , without incurring thy evil thoughts .

A wrong thought of Gods goodness , to think He will destroy none . Isaiah 27.11 . 'T is an evil Thought of Gods goodness that some Ignorant Ones have , or at least would fain have , that he that made them will never destroy them , nor indeed ever would he , had they continued what he made them ; But this good God saith expresly , and He knows what he hath to do , It is a People of no understanding , therefore he that made them will have no mercy on them , and he that formed them will shew them no favour .

Sect. XXIX .

Gods goodness in the NEW COVENANT . BUt and if thou thinkest hardly of Gods Dealing with Men fallen under the first Covenant , the Covenant of Works , O busie thy thoughts so much the more on the New Covenant , and surely thou canst not but cry , Heb. 8.8 . Of GRACE . Zech. 4.7 . Math. 22.8 . Chap. 11.28 . 1 King . 21.16 . Verse 6. grace , grace unto it . O this is that where none are excluded , but self-excluders , nor counted unworthy , but those that are unwilling : where the worst are invited , and the most heavy laden best welcomed : where Sinks of Sin ( as Manasseth an Idolater and a Conjurer , who filled Jerusalem with blood ) are made vessels of mercy prepared unto glory : where Mansion-Houses of Devils ( as Mary Magdalen ) become Temples of the Holy Ghost , Mark 16.9 . Acts 9.15 . Isaiah 11.6 . Habitations of God through the Spirit ; where Persecutors ( as Saul ) become Preachers of Righteousness , and the Wolf dwells with the Lamb , and the Leopard lies down with the Kid , and the Cal● with the Lyon , and the little Child doth lead them , &c. Acts 2.23 . Where cruel Jewes are saved by the Blood that they shed , and by putting forth an hand of Faith to take hold on him whom themselves had taken before , 1 Cor. 6.9 , 10 , 11. and by wicked hands had Crucified and slain : And where Sinners of the Gentiles , Fornicators , Idolaters , Adulterers , Effeminate persons , Abusers of themselves with Mankind , Theeves , Covetous , Drunkards , Raylers , Extortioners , are washed , are sanctified , are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus , and by the Spirit of our God . Where blemishes are no bar to admission to the Marriage-Supper of the King , but the Poor and the Maimed , Luke 14.11 . Verse 23. and the Halt and the Blind are entertained , yea the very Hedge-rows are searched , and the very Vagabonds , and High-way-men are compelled to come in . Isa. 35.5 , 6 , 8. Where the eyes of the Blind see out of obscurity , and the ears of the Deaf are opened , and the Lame Man leaps as an Hart , and the Tongue of the Dumb doth sing ; Where the way-faring Man though a fool doth not err ; and they that erred in spirit come to understanding , Isaiah 29 24. Job 33.27 , 28. and they that murmure● to learn Doctrine , Where God looketh upon men , and if any say I have sinned , and perverted that which was Right , and it profited me not , He will deliver him from going down into the pit , and his Life shall see the light . Where Light is given to them that sit in Darkness , Luke 1.79 . and in the shadow of Death ; and where Iniquity is forgiven , and Sin is Remembred no more . Heb. 8.12 . Free Grace . In the First Covenant God was good to Mans Righteousness ; in this New Covenant He is merciful to his unrighteousness ; In that He was Preserver of the Innocent , H●sea 14.5 . Rom. 5.8 . in this a Restorer of Revolters , an Healer of Back-sliders , a Lover of Enemies , a well-willer to Evil-doers . O this is Mercy , tender mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us , Luke 2.14 . Luke 1.78 , 79. Rom. 3.12 , 16 , 17. Verse 24. Verse 25. to guide our feet into the way of peace , who were all gone out of the way , and were altogether become unprofitable , but destruction and misery were in our wayes , and the way of Peace we knew not . O this is Grace , Free Grace , through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ , whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation , &c. willing it seems to gain all sorts of Buyers , though without money and without price , Isaiah 55.1 . as the Salesman is who sets forth his Wares to invite Customers whom He hopes most to get by , whereas all that He expects from us is but our taking what he tenders , and receiving what he gives . O this is Mercy , and rich Mercy , Eph. 2.4 . R c● Grace . Verse 7. and Love , and great love whereby he loved us ; O this is Grace , and Riches of Grace , and exceeding riches of Grace in his kindness towards us : The Apostle speaks of it as if he could never speak enough of it , or high enough of it ; and it was not his study alone , but that about which he declares that all Saints are thoughtful how they may be able to comprehend what is the breadth , Chap. 3.18 , 19. and length and depth , and height , and to know this love that passeth knowledge . Bredth of Love , covering the multitude of sins , ( as it must needs be a broad Plaister indeed that must cover all our Sores , Isaiah 1.6 . Psalm 130.1 . who from the sole of the foot , to the head , are nothing but wounds , and swellings , and putrifying sores ) Depth of love , reaching us in the Deeps of sin and misery , And 40.2 . the horrible pit and miry clay : Length of Love , stretching its wings from Eternity to Eternity ; Eph. 3 , 11. 1 Cor. 15.45 , 47. and Height of Love , beating sinners up from Hell to Heaven , and to a more blessed and glorious state in the second Adam , than they fell from in the first . And O what a Theme for Thoughts is here ? Here is Height for the Highest ; Covenant of GRACE the ●●mplest Theme 〈◊〉 though● . Depth for the Profoundest . Bredth for the largest ; Length for the longest Thoughts Man can possibly have , and indeed Thoughts are the largest things in the World .

Sect. XXX .

THis , this was that , Ephes. 1 9. With 3.11 . that took up Gods own Thoughts from all Eternity , this good pleasure of his goodness , which He purposed in Himself . The Lord possessed me ( saith Christ ) in the beginning of his way , CHRIST . before his works of old , or ever the Depths or the Fountains , or the Mountains or Hills were settled , or the Earth made , Prov. 8.22 . The object of Gods Eternal Thoughts . Verse 30.31 . or the Clouds confirmed , or the Heavens prepared ; Then was He with God as one brought up with him , rejoycing alwayes before him , and was daily his Delight , even he whose Rejoycing is in the habitable parts of the Earth , and his delights are with the Children of Men , that is to say , with Fallen Man ; or , as it is expressed in the Psalmist , even the Rebellious , Psal. 68.18 . that God might dwell among them . The Lord possessed me , saith Christ ; Now the Thoughts as we have formerly said , are the possessions of the heart .

This was that , And of all good men in the first Ages of the World . Of Adam . Gen. 3.15 . that took up the Thoughts of all the best in the first Ages of the World , when they had but a little hole to see day at ; when this Infant Covenant of Grace was wrapt in the Swadling-band of that short and single Promise , the Seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head ; Wherefore when that Son was born , of whom Christ was to come , Gen. 4.25 . Eve calls him Seth , a FOUNDATION : and how glad were they when God did but never so little further open it , and make a way for their further Thoughts about it . 'T was a little plainer to Abraham , Abraham . Gen. 12.3 . Job 8 56. Job 10.25 26 , 27. In thy s●ed shall all the Nations of the World be blessed ; And saith Christ of Abraham , He saw my day , and was glad . How busie was Holy Job about the Thoughts of his Redeemer , of his standing upon the Earth , and his seeing of him with those very eyes of his at the last day : And gracious Elihu ; about the way of Gods dealing with penitent Sinners on the account of a Saviour , Deliver him from going down into the Pit , Job 23.24 . ●gur . I have found a RANSOM . When Agur was discoursing with Ithiel and Ucal , you may see where his Thoughts were by his Question , Prov. 30.4 . What is his Name , and what is his SONS Name , if thou canst tell .

Of David especially , Psalms a little New Testament . And as for David to whom , as to a special Favorite , so large and glorious discoveries were made , O how enlarged and affectionate were his Meditations , So that David and the Book of the Psalms is quoted by Christ himself , as most clear and copious concerning Him , Luke 24.44 . Acts 1.16 . and 20.25.29.34 . & 4.25 . &c. and 13 33. All things ( saith he ) must be fulfilled that were written in the Law of Moses , and the Prophets , and the PSALMS concerning ME ; And so in the Acts and elsewhere , as if the PSALMS were a little New Testament in the middle of the Old .

Davids thoughts busied about Christs Name . Psal. 110. compared with Math. 22.43 . Psalm 2.2 . Psalm 45.7 . John 4.29 . 2 S●m. 22.3 . Psal. 118.14 . and 21. Luke 1.47 . Phil. 3 3. Psalm 3.5 9. How full were Davids Thoughts of this great and glorious Name , the LORD JESUS CHRIST . He calls him LORD in spirit , when he saith , The Lord said unto my LORD , sit thou on my right hand , &c. He calls him Gods Anointed , which , in the Greek Tongue , is CHRIST , Yea the Anointed of God above his Fellows , which is as much as THE CHRIST ( as she asked , Is not this THE CHRIST ? that is Christ above all Christs , for though there were many Christs , they were taught to expect ONE Christ above All ) And he calls him his Saviour , and his Salvation most frequently , which in the Hebrew Tongue is JESUS . So that that saying of the Blessed Virgin , My Spirit rejoyceth in God MY SAVIOUR , and that of the Apostle , We rejoyce in JESUS , seem clearly to be taken from that of David , My Soul shall be joyful in the Lord , it shall Rejoyce in his Salvation , or ( as it may be read to the letter in the Hebrew Text , ) My Soul shall Rejoyce in his JESUS .

Person . Psalm 2.12 . Verse 7. Concerning his Person , his Thoughts were clear ; He exhorts the Kings of the Earth to kiss the SON , and tells you plainly , that he means the only BEGOTTEN of God , when he saith , the LORD hath said thou are MY SON , Psal. 89.26 . compared with Heb. 1.5 . this day have I BEGOTTEN Thee ; and again , I will be to him a Father , and He shall be to me a Son .

So also concerning his distinct Natures , Natures . in one Subsistence , He calls him LORD in Spirit , because he knew him to be GOD , who ( he knew ) was to be his SON after the Flesh , as MAN , Psalm 45.67 . yet saith expresly to him , Thy Throne , O GOD , is for ever and ever , &c. Thou lovest Righteousnesse , &c. therefore GOD thy GOD hath Anointed Thee , &c. He knew that Christ , the anointed of God , was GOD , Hebr. 1.8 . for ( saith the Apostle ) It is unto the SON that he saith thy Throne , O GOD , is for ever and ever , &c. Yet He also distinctly and certainly knew that God had sworn that of the fruit of his Loins He would raise up Christ ( as concerning the Flesh ) to sit upon his Throne ( as the Apostle speaks ) : Acts 2.30 . So that he may be thought to mean this when he saith Truth shall spring out of the Earth , and Righteousness shall look down from Heaven . Psal. 85.11 . He might well call him TRUTH , as he was the Promised Messiah , for in this respect he was to spring out of the Earth , to be born of a Woman in the City of David ; And he might call him RIGHTEOUSNESS , who is called elsewhere ( Jehovah Tzidkenu , Jer. 33.16 . Mal. 4.2 . ) The LORD Our Righteousness , and the SUN of Righteousness ( as another Prophet calls him ) now 't is proper for the SUN to look down from Heaven .

Concerning his Incarnation and Birth , Incarnation . Psal. 142.17 . Luke 1.69 . which he calls the budding of the Horn of David , or ( which is all one ) the raising up a mighty Salvation , or a Horn of Salvation for his people in the house of his Servant David , he brings in Christ plainly thus speaking , Sacrifice and Offering , and burnt Offerings thou wouldest not , Psal. 20.6 , 7 , 8. Hebr. 10.5 . but a Body hast thou prepared me . So the Holy Ghost in the Hebrews renders that of the Psalmist , Mine ears hast thou opened , or pierced through , and applies it to Christs Coming into the World in the Flesh , Then said I , Lo I come , in the Volume of the Book , it is written of Me , I delight to do thy will , O my God , &c.

He had also most clear conceptions concerning Christs bitter Sufferings . Passion .

〈…〉

Psal. 2.1 , 2. Acts 4.26 . In the Raging Combination of the Heathen ( that is the Gentiles ) and the People , ( that is the Jews ) and Consultation of the Kings of the Earth , and the Rulers that is , Herod , and Pontius Pilate ) against the Lord and his CHRIST , as it is expounded in the Acts.

Psal. 118.22 . 1 Pet. 2.7 . By the Malice of the Priests and Elders ( that should have been Builders of the People in the Faith and acceptation of this Promised Messiah ) Refusing that stone which God hath designed to be the Head of the Corner .

By the Treason of Judas that did eat of his Bread , yet lifted up his heel against him . Psalm 41.9 . Job 13.18 , 21. Ps●● 22.7 , 8. Mat. 27.43 . By the scoffs of Spectators , and cruel mocking of passers by , wagging their heads at him and saying , He trusted in the Lord , let him deliver him , if he will have him , and let him save him , seeing he delighted in him .

Psal. 31.11 . Mat. 26.56 . By the faintheartedness of his Followers , and Cowardise of his Friends , I was a Reproach among mine Enemies , and a fear to mine Acquaintance , they that saw me without fled from me ; All this was done ( saith the Evangelist ) that the Scriptures might be fulfilled , then all his Disciples forsook him and fled .

Psal. 69.21 . Mat. 27.48 . By the cruelty of his Inhumane Persecutors , that in his thirst gave him Vinegar to drink , and Gall in his Meat .

Psal. 22.16 , 17 , 18. Mat. 27.35 . By the Savage Souldiers that parted his Garments , and cast lots upon his Vesture , and Bloody Executioners that pierced his Hands and ●his Feet , and so distended his Body upon the cruel Cross that one might tell all his Bones .

Psal. 22.1 . Mat. 27.46 . And most of all by Divine Dereliction , which made him to cry out , My God , my God why hast thou forsaken me ? And yet in all this not casting away his Confidence , Psalm 31.5 . Luke 23.46 . or loosing himself by Impatience , but committing himself and his Cause to God , and crying out with a loud voice , into thy hands I commit my Spirit , and when he had so said ( saith the Evangelist ) He gave up the Ghost .

And as David was thus copions in the Thoughts of Christs Passion , he leaves him not there , Resurrection . but pursues him with lively and comfortable Meditations of his Resurrection : Psal. 16.10 . Thou wilt not suffer thine holy one to see Corruption , from which the Apostle undeniably concludes the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead , Acts 2.26 . nay even from those words in the Second Psalm , Thou art my Son , this day have I begotten thee , Psalm 2.7 . Acts 13.33 . Psal. 110.7 . This God hath fulfilled , saith the Apostle Paul , in that he raised up Jesus , &c He shall drink of the Brook in the way , may be meant of his Passion ( for Christ calls it a Drinking ) the Cup which my Father hath put into mine hand ( saith he ) shall I not drink ? John 18.11 . and therefore shall be lift up the head , in his Resurrection .

And as his Thoughts ran of his Resurrection , so also of his Ascention , When he Ascended up on high , Ascention . Psal. 68.18 . Eph. 4.8 . and led Captivity Captive , he received gifts for men , yea even the Rebellious , that God might dwell amongst them , expounded by the Apostle as meant of Christ by the Psalmist . Session and Intercession . Psal. 110.1 , 4. Heb. 7.21 .

So also of Christs Session at the Right hand of God , and Intercession as an High Priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedeck ; All expounded of in Christ in the Hebrews .

Of his Kindome , Throne , and Scepter ; Kingdom . Psalm 45.6 . Thy THRONE , O God , is for ever and ever , the Scepter of thy KINGDOM is a right SCEPTER .

Of his Prophetical Office in Declaring the Decree , Prophetical Office . Psalm 2.7 . and 45.10 . Success of his Ministry , Psalm 110.5 . Psalm 18.49 . Rom. 15 9. Psal. 117.1 , 2. Rom. 15.11 . in Instructing the Church , Hearken O Daughter , and consider , and encline thine ear , &c. And the wonderful glorious success of his Gospel Ministers . Thy people shall be a willing people in the day of thy power , &c. and that not only as to the Election among the Jews , but also the fulness of the Gentiles , the Calling and Conversion of them by the Grace of the Gospel , I will confess thee among the Gentiles . And again he saith , Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles , and laud him all ye People , &c. for great is his loving-kindness towards us ( us Jews , and you Gentiles ) therefore praise ye the Lord .

Second coming to Judgment . And finally his Powerful and certain second coming to Judgment for the compleating of the work of his Grace in bringing many Sons unto Glory , and in gathering his people together , his Saints and his Covenanted ones , Psalm 50.1 , 5. even from the rising of the Sun , unto the going down thereof . And O how he triumpheth ( and brings in other Creatures exulting as it were ) at the thought of this his coming , Psalm 96. for he cometh , for he cometh to judge the Earth : with Righteousness will he judge the World , and the People in his truth ; Ver. 11 , 12 , 13. for in all this it is evident , that his thoughts ran of Christ , when he saith , He hath remembred his Mercy and his Truth towards the house of Israel , and all the ends of the Earth have seen the Salvation of our God ; and then it follows , Let the Floods clap their hands , Verse 8 , 9. and the Mountains rejoyce together , before the Lord , for he cometh to judge the Earth ; with Righteousness shall he judge the World , and the people with Equity .

In a word , as blessed Maryes Soul did magnifie the Lord , though she were his Mother , so Davids Spirit did rejoyce in God his Saviour , though as to the Flesh , he were his Father ; and O how precious was that thought unto David , which is , as it were , the sum and quintessence of all the rest . Thou spakest in a vision to thy holy One , Psalm 89.19 . thou saidst , I have laid help upon one that is mighty , that is to say ( in the New Testament-Language ) He is able to save to the uttermost , Hebr. 7.28 . all that come unto God by him .

'T is proved that David understood and thought of Christ in all this . Acts 2.30 , 31. But some one may say , was David indeed so well studied in a Covenant of Grace , and did he think of a Christ in all this ? The Apostle Peter saith he did , because he was a Prophet , and knew what God had sworn , that of the fruit of his loins he would raise up Christ concerning the Flesh , to sit upon his Throne , and that knowing this before , he spake of his Resurrection , &c. So that David did not Prophesy ( like wicked Caiaphas the High Priest ) of he knew not what , Joh. 11 50 , 51. but understood what he Prophesied , and thought of what he Prophesied , and was in this respect a man after Gods own heart , 1 Sam. 13.14 . because his heart was so much upon what Gods heart was upon , Prov. 8.30 . the Mystery of Grace in the Lord Jesus Christ : so that as Christ saith , that he was alwayes before God , so David saith of Christ , I foresaw the Lord alwayes before my face , Acts 2.25 . Christ was ever in his eye . But O how great is the advantage that our Thoughts may have of his ? His was but a foreseeing and a fore-knowing ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) and therefore but a fore-thinking of a Christ that was to come , Verse 31. but ours is a seeing ( before whose eyes Jesus Christ is evidently set forth , Gal. 3.1 . even as if he were Crucified amongst us ) and a knowing and a thinking of that which is already , and fulfilled to a tittle in all that he fore-spake , and fore-thought even eight and twenty Generations before it was accomplished : for from David , Mat. 1.27 . untill they were carryed away into Babylon , was fourteen Generations ; and from the Captivity to Christ were fourteen Generations .

What shall I say now ? Heb. 11.3 . the time would be too short ( as the Apostle speaks ) to tell you of Moses , and all the rest of the Prophets , of the Apostles , and particularly of S. Paul , whose heart was so full of a Christ , and his thoughts so big of him , that they deliver themselves almost in every other Verse , of his very Name , and croud it in many times as if it were an ease to that Abundance that was in his heart , to have his mouth speaking , or his pen dropping that sweet smelling Name of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST .

Sect. XXXI .

THis , this is also that , 1 Pet. 1.12 . Christ the Theme of Angelical Thoughts . Luke 1.13 , 14. which the Angels desire to pry into ; for you may know what all their Thoughts run on , by what their Tongues run of , when they take to them Tongues ( saith the Evangelist ) there was with the Angels a multitude of the Heavenly Host , Praising God , and saying , Glory to God in the highest , on Earth PEACE , and GOOD WILL towards men . On Earth Peace , no Peace for Hell ; Goodwill towards Men , Yet Christ is for fallen men , not Angels . Hebr. 2.16 . but not Devils ; for Christ took not on him the Nature of Angels , but the seed of Abraham . O this is that , the thought whereof is such matter of Admiration to the good Angels , and such horrour and Confusion to the fallen Angels , whose eye towards us is so much the more Evil , because Gods hath been so good . And shall not all this procure God thy good Thought of him ? Why , were there no more but this , that Salvation is Possible for Thee , but not so for Them , this were something to be thought of ; But now that Salvation is Proffered and laid in thy very way , that thou canst not , if thou wouldest , step towards Hell , without trampling upon Gods bowels ( of Mercy , Hebr. 10.13 . ) and treading under foot the Son of God , and blood of the Covenant ; where all is Free to Thee , Covenant of Grace gives what it requires . Isaiah 1.16 . Ezek. 35.25 . and 18.31 . with 13.26 . how ever dear to Christ , and the Yoke easie , the Covenant being GRACE , Requiring onely what it hath to give , and giving what it requires ; saying , Wash you , and make you clean , &c. and again , I will powre clean water upon you , and you shall be clean , and from all your filthiness will I cleanse you , &c. Saying , make you a new Heart , and a new Spirit , &c , and again , a new heart also will I give you , and a new Spirit will I put within you , and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh , and give you a heart of flesh , and I will put my Spirit within you , and cause you to walk in my Statutes , and ye shall keep my Judgments , and do them , &c. Having such Grace , Slighting of Gospel-Grace , a sin of Men , not Devils . I say , proffered us as the Devil never had , let us think what will become of us , if we sin such a SIN as the Devil never did , who never had a pardon tendered him to sling it back into God's face ; who never had a Christ , or a Covenant of Grace preached unto him , but was forced to speak truth in that ( though he be a lyar ) that he hath nothing to do with Jesus , Matth. 8.29 . Isaiah 9.6 . except it be to his Torment . But , saith the Scripture , To us is the Child born , to us is the Son given ; It saith not to Angels , but to us ; Though we may well think that Elect Angels , 1 Tim. 5.21 . as the Apostle calls them , are so in Him ; but if Christ be their Head , yet not so as he is Ours . Men otherwise concerned in Christ then Angels . 1 Pet. 1.12 . A head of Confirmation to them , of Redemption to us ; and so born to us ; And shall He be so much thought of by Angels , and not thought of by us ? Nay 't is our Concernment , that the Apostle saith , the Angels do so much desire to prie into ; Dan. 9.23 . Eph. 3.10 . and They are advantaged herein by the Church ( as the Angel Gabriel by Daniels Prayer ) To the intent ( saith the Apostle ) that now unto the Principalities and Powers in beavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God .

Sect. XXXII .

COncernment is wont to be the greatest Conducement to thoughts ; Our concern . Men will mind their own Business , when anothers shall be out of their Thoughts , and this is our great , nay our onely Concernment , for there is but One thing needful : Luke 11.42 . Christ Ours . Heb. 1.12 . Luke 9.2 . Matth. 1.23 . Immanuel . God with us . Make all ours , Greatness . John 20.17 . for thus we may think , if Christ be not Ours , there is nothing Ours , for Christ is Heir of all things , nay We have lost our selves , and are cast away ; But if Christ be Ours , All is Ours , for his Name is Immanuel , which is , by Interpretation , God with us ; and if God be with us , well may our Thoughts be with God ; and surely they cannot but be well , if they be with God . Gods greatness is amazing , but when his goodness hath made it Ours , how comforting ? I go , saith Christ , to my Father and your Father , and to My God , and Your God .

Gods JUSTICE is terrible , Justice . but his Justice paid off , satisfied , attoned , reconciled , Justice befriending , how amiable ? God is faithful and JUST to forgive us our sins , and to cleanse us from unrighteousness , 1 John 1.9 . if we confess our sins , what a word is there ? If we burthen our selves with them , ●s the matter is ordered in the Covenant of Grace , Justice it self will befriend us by discharging us of them ; if we be but so honest and candid as to own them , and to own him that hath owned them , and paid for them ( who is mentioned there by the Apostle but a verse or two before ) God is so just as to pardon them . 1 John 1.7 . Deliver him , Job 33.24 . saith God , I have found a Ransom , Justice disclaims a double payment .

Holiness . The holiness of God , what a dreadful thought is it ? and how may it make a poor sinful man to cry out as the men of Beth-shemesh , 1 Sam. 6.20 . Rom. 8.3 . Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God ? But then to think again that this Holy God is become Man , and in the likeness of sinful Flesh , and for Sin , that he might condemn Sin in the Flesh , 1 Cor. 1.30 . and that He is made unto us of God , not onely Righteousness , but Sanctification , this may make us to give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness , Psalm 30.4 . as it is in the Psalmist .

Highness . Gods HIGHNESS , what an awful thought is it to Us , that are at such an infinite distance from Him ? But to think withall , that though the Lord be high , yet He hath respect to the lowly , Psalm 138.6 . and 136.23 . and regard to our low estate , and hath so far humbled himself , as to embrace our Dunghil , to cloth himself with our Flesh , to lodge in a Womb without abhorrence , in a Manger , in a Grave , nay by his Spirit in a Sinners heart , so that We may say with the Psalmist , Psalm 113.5 , 6 , 7. Who is like unto our God , who dwelleth on high , yet HUMBLETH himself , to raise up the Poor out of the Dust , and the Needy out of the Dunghill ; for Christ's HUMILIATION and Condescention is our Exaltation ; O what cause is here to rejoyce in his highness , as the Prophet speaks ? And if greatness , Isaiah 13.3 . Cant. 1.3 . Cant. 2.4 . and holiness , and justice , are made such Repast , by a Covenant of Grace , to our Thoughts ; well may We remember his LOVE more then Wine . Here , O here , Wee should muster up our Thoughts , and bring them into a Full Body , and lay Gods Commands upon them to stand to their colours , for the BANNER over us is LOVE .

Sect. XXXIII .

ANd here let me charge thee , O Reader , LOVE . 1 John 3.1 . to think seriously of this , if the Apostle cry out , as he doth , Beloved what manner of Love is this that the Father hath bestowed upon us , that We should be called The Sons of God ? O think then what manner of love is this , that GOD should be called The Son of Man ? Nay become Man ? In Christs Incarnation . John 1.1 . and Verse 14. for the WORD was with GOD and the WORD was GOD , and the WORD was made FLESH . For to think that Christ was onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a Divine Man , and not GOD-MAN , is a thought both beneath a Christ , and below a Christian . John 5.20 . But thanks be to God ) We know that the Son of Son of God is come , and He hath given us understanding , Christ true God . that We may know him that is True , and We are in Him that is True , even in his Son Jesus Christ , This is the True GOD , and the Life Eternal .

This is He of whom it was said of Old , Isaiah 9.6 . To us a Child is born , and yet his Name shall be called The MIGHTY GOD. By whom , saith the Apostle , Hebr. 1.2 . Chap. 3 3 , 4. Hebr. 1.10 . Verse 3. John 1.10 . God made the World , and he that built all things is GOD ; and to him it is expresly said , Thou Lord in the beginning hast established the Earth , and the Heavens are the works of thine Hands . He was in the World , and the World was made by him , and the World knew him not . And that He upholdeth all things by the word of his power , who by himself purged our Sins , and sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high . Christ suffering was God satisfying himself . Acts 20.28 . So that CHRIST Suffering , was but GOD Satisfying himself , and therefore He cannot chuse but have full payment , for the Purchase Blood was the Blood of GOD. Feed the Church of GOD ( saith the Apostle ) which he purchased with his Own Blood . And God did Suffer , though He could not Suffer As GOD , the Nature assuming , adding infinite value and vertue to the Nature assumed , both being one Person ; 1 Tim. 3 . 1● . for God manifested in the Flesh , must needs be justified in the Spirit , or Godhead of Christ , Hebr 9.14 . through which , or upon which , as the Altar , this 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , this middle Person ( as the Apostle calls him ) betwixt God and Man ( God-Man ) as Priest , offers up himself Suffering ( as true Man ) to Himself , 1 Tim. 2.5 . as One true God with the Father and the Holy Ghost .

This is that great Mystery look'd into by the Angels , Preached to the Gentiles , Believed in the World , Lord I believe it , help thou mine unbelief .

Sect. XXXIV .

1 Tim. 3.16 . Mistake to think one drop of Christ's blood sufficient . Acts 20.28 . The Death of Christ necessary . Heb. 9.15 . Verse 16. As Testatour . BUt though I dare not but Think with Scripture that the blood of Christ ( that is , the Death of Christ , for so the Scripture is to be understood when it speaks of his blood ) is of Infinite value and vertue , being Gods own blood , yet dare I not think with those who ( without Scripture ) affirm that One drop of Christs blood was sufficient to save the world , for the Apostle saith expresly , that He is Mediatour of the New Testament through DEATH , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to Redemption ( no Redemption without Death ) for where a Testament is ( saith he ) there Must be the Death of Him that made the Testament . And He proves it by the killing of the Sacrifices in the Law , Verse 22.23 . That without shedding of blood ( he means dying ) there is no Remission ; And that it was Necessary Christ should enter by his own Blood , that is , ( for so he explains it ) by the Sacrifice ( not of a drop or few drops but ) of Himself , and that no otherwise than by Death ; Verse 26. Verse 27 , 28. Surety . Gen. 2.17 . Heb. 7.22 . Rom. 5.21 . Christ suffered in our stead . Gen. 22.13 . Is● . 53.5 , 10. for as it was appointed unto Men once to die , So Christ must be Once offered . For the Debt that We owe to the Covenant of Works is Death , In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt Die : This Debt must Our Surety under the New-Covenant pay , though a Covenant of Grace , for GRACE must reign by Righteousness ; for Christ was not onely for Our Good , but in our stead , ( like the Ram in the stead or room of Isaac ) for the Chastisement of our Peace was upon him . And therefore ( not one drop of his Blood onely but ) his Soul must be made the Offering for Sin , and he must powre out his Soul to the Death , Verse 1● . Verse 4. for He was to bear Our Sorrows , which were the sorrows of Death , as you have seen : which Text , Grot. in loc. though a learned man , who sometimes had written worthily for Christs satisfaction , falling afterwards off by Temptation , would fain distort , by expounding it of the Prophet Jeremiah , yet two great Apostles , Philip and Peter , Acts 8.34 , 35. 1 Pet. 2.24 . do understand and expound it of Christ , and no other , by whose alone stripes we are healed . So Christ himself also , who knew what would serve the turn , tells his Disciples plainly , that there was no way but one , he must go away , he must depart , John 16.7 . yet he had long before this even at eight dayes old , lost more than a drop of blood for them in his Circumcision , Luke 2.21 . Mat. 16.21 . but still for all that , the Son of Man must go to Jerusalem , and must suffer many things , and be killed : and it was his Life , Chap. 20.21 . and no less that He must give for a Ransom for many .

'T is true indeed , The preciousness of Christs Death . Acts 2.24 . 2 Sam. 18.3 . Christ fully Satisfied , was lawfully discharged . this One Life of His was worth Thousands of Ours , as Davids Men said of David , and his Suffering Death ( though it were not possible he should be held of it , ) gave Infinite Justice that Satisfaction and full Payment , because he that Suffered was an Infinite Person , that Millions of Damned ones , ( Men and Angels ) in Hell cannot give or make in Millions of Ages ; but the subjects of the Suffering being Finite , the duration or Term of the Suffering must be in some sort Infinite , that is to say , without End ; But now God sends his Angel , Mat. 28.2 . as a publick Minister , to roul away the Stone from Christs Sepulchre ( not that Christ needed an Angels help to further his Resurrection , John 10.18 . for He that had power to take up his life again , could not want strength like another Sampson , Jud. 16.9 , 12. to shake off those sorry shackles of his Sepulchre , but ) I say , the Key must be turned by Gods own Officer , and the Prison door set open , to declare to All the World that Our Debt , by his Death , was fully paid , in that Our Surety did not Break Prison , but was set at Liberty , which the damned shall never be , because they can never pay the uttermost farthing .

We must not pretend high Thoughts of Christ , to harbour hard thoughts of God . 1 Pet. 1.18 . Verse 19. But still We must take heed while We pretend high Thoughts of Christ , that we harbour not hard thoughts of God , as if he would exact of Our Surety more than was due , or were indeed profuse or prodigal of the Blood of his Son ; No , no , God counted it as precious sure as thou canst do for thine heart , and if Men be loath to be lavish of corruptible things , such as Silver and Gold , sure God would never have been so of the precious blood of Christ , as a● Lamb without spot ; for if a drop would have done it , Circumcision might have excused the Passion , and the Propathia , or Bloody Sweat in the Garden , the Bloody Death upon the CROSS : Gal. 2.21 . and so Christ have dyed in vain , a thought which the Apostle so much abhors ; for as he there reasons concerning the Law , I may argue in this present case , if Righteousness could have been by a drop of his Blood , then ●hri● dyed 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , as one would say , Gratis , in a complement , and for a meer flourish of his kindness , which the Apostle will by no means admit , Joh 2.19 , 21. No , no , The Temple of his Body must be de●troyed , which the loss of a Drop of his blood would not do ; Rom. 6.23 . He must be made SIN for Us ; now the wages of Sin ( for he knew no sin , as to the work of Sin , but he must be made Sin , as to the wages of Sin which ) is Death ; Cor. 5.21 . That we might be made the righteousness of God in him . And that he might Redeem us from the Curse of the Law , he must be made a Curse for Us ; that is , He must hang upon the Tree till he be dead , Deut. 21 22 , 23. Scripture-thoughts of Christ , our onely right and high Thoughts . Luke 24.25 , 26. for in that sence it is , that the Apostle quotes , that in the Law of Moses , where it is written , Cursed is he that hangeth upon a Tree .

And the truth is , as our Scriptural Thoughts of Christ are our onely Right Thoughts , ( O fools and slow of heart , ought not Christ to have suffered these things ? &c. so are they also our high Thoughts ; for herein God comme●ded his Love to us ( not that Christ was Circumcised for us , though that were Love , Rom. 5.8 . Not Christ bleeding , but his dying the grand commendation of his Love . to loose a few drops of his precious Blood for Us , but this is the high commendation of his Love ) that he dyed for , 〈◊〉 for many there are that would willingly enough ●●ose a little Blood for a Friend , that would not die for their Friend , but this was Love , that though We were Enemies , He not onely Bled for Us , but Dyed for Us. For suppose you had been ear-witnesses 〈◊〉 the great Councel of Peace between the Father and the Son , Heb. 10.3 , 4 , 5. ( whereof we have such plain Intimations in Scripture ) saith God , Lo yonder are a multitude of Sinne●● , and a multitude of Sacrifices , but I have no pleasure in the One or the Other , but if Thou , my Son , wilt but come in the Room of both , I shall be satisfied , in whom , Mat. 3.17 . as well as with whom , I shall be well pleased ; But know then , that there must be Dying , or there can be no Doing ; Hebr. 9.12 . for the Sinners should Die ; and the Sacrifices they do Die , and thou must Die , or else my Wrath can not be appeased , the Sinner can not be acquitted ; and then that you had heard Christ thus making answer , If it must be so , Lo I come , Lord , Hebr. 10.9.7 . Verse 5. Isaiah 50.5 , 6. in the Volume of thy Book it is written of me , even to do this thy Will O God ; if this be the way , Let it be so ; a Body hast thou prepared me , and mine Ears ha●t thou opened , and I was not Rebellious , neither turned I away back ; Lo here is my Back to the Smiters , and my Cheeks for them that pull off the hair , and my Face for shame and spitting : And if all this be not sufficient , here is my Soul too for a Sacrifice , for an Offering for Sin , Isa●ah 53 1● . and if Thou be but satisfied , I am Satisfied , for as never had Mother sorrow in her Birth-pains for a Son , like my Sorrow , so never was Mother satisfied in a Son as I am in my Seed . Isaiah 53.10 . When thou shalt make his Soul an Offering for Sin , He shall see his Seed , and the Pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand : Verse 11. He shall see of the Travail of his Soul , and be Satisfied . And therefore well mayest Thou be satisfied , O my Soul , as with Marrow and with Fatness , to think of all this . Verse 1● . If it pleased the Lord to bruise him , that He might spare thee , and if the Son were satisfied to be so served to justify thee , Verse 11. and to bear thine Iniquities ; shall this Thought not be pleasing to thee ? That He should not onely be Cut ( as in his Circumcision ) but Cut off out of the Land of the Living ( as in his Passion ) even Messiah the Prince , Verse 8. Dan. 5.24 , 25. be cut off for thee , to finish thy Transgression , to make an end of Sin , to make Reconciliation for the Transgression , and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness ; That He should be delivered for thine Offences , Rom. 4.25 . and raised again for thy Justification , without thy desert or desire , or thy care or thy Thought before all this was done for thee ; doth it not deserve now thy Love , Jer. 23.6 . and thy Joy , and thy Care , and thy Thoughts , to be laid out upon it ? nay to be taken up with it ? That The Lord should be Thy Righteousness ; Isaiah 32.2 . and this Man thine hiding place , and thy Peace , and that by Blood onely , Eph. 2.13 , 15. Eph. 1.6 , 7. so making Peace ; That thine Acceptation should be in Him , and thy Redemption through his Blood , and neither the One nor the other by Doing , nor by thy Dying , Rom. 5.10 . but thy Rec●nciliation by His Death , and thy Salvation by His Life ; Oh how dear should the Thought of this Dying-Rising Lord be to thee , 1 Pet. 3 . 1● . who once suffered for Sins , the JUST for the Unjust , that he might bring us to God , put to Death in the Flesh , or Manhood , but quickened in , or through the Spirit , that is , the Godhead ?

Sect. XXXVI .

High thoughts of Imputed Righteousness . Rom. 4 24. Phil. 3.8 , 6. ANd how Highly Reported should that Imputed Righteousness be by Thee , which the Apostle counts a Gain , for which He willingly Suffered the loss of All , nay for the working out of which Christ Himself became poor , that We by his poverty might be made ●●ch . 'T was this Righteousness that was look'd at in the Sacrifices , 〈◊〉 8.9 . He● . ● . 14 , 15. and through the Sprinklings of the Law , for saith the Holy Ghost , If the Blood of Bulls and ●oats , and the sprinkling them that are unclean , Sanctifie as to the purifying of the Flesh , how much more shall the Blood of Christ , &c. purge your Conscience ? &c. And that the Thoughts of the Old Testament-Believers ran so much upon , Davids especially , his very Dying Thoughts ran of this , 2 Sam. 23.1 . as appears by his last words , Although mine House be not so with God , yet God hath made a Covenant with me , Ordered in all things and sure , this is All my Salvation , Verse 5. and All my desire , &c. Blessed be God what ever is out of Order , the Covenant of Grace is Ordered in All things and sure ; my help and my hope is not in my self , or in any thing of my own , 't is laid up elsewhere in better keeping , One shall say , Isaiah 45.24 . IN the Lord I have strength , and I have Righteousness : and IN the Lord , the whole House of Israel ( that is , Verse 25. all that ever shall have Peace ) shall be Justified and shall Glory ; thus Isaiah : So Jeremy speaking of the Church , Jer. 33.16 . He that shall call her is The Lord Our Righteousness ; So Daniel , Now therefore , O our God , Dan. 9.17 . Ezek. 14.14 . hear the Prayer of thy Servant , &c. and cause thy face to shine , &c. for the Lords Sake . You see Daniel , who is reckon'd by the Holy Ghost with Noah and Job , one of the best men that ever was , hath not a Thought of any Acceptance or Audience from any Righteousness or Works of his Own ; but onely for Christs sake , Lord do it , saith he , for the Lords sake . 2 Cor. 12.12 . 1 Cor. 15.10 . Acts 24.16 . Nay S. Paul that came behind no Man , and Laboured more abundantly than All , that exercised himself alwayes to have a Conscience void of Offence , both towards God and towards all Men , that Beat down his Body to bring it in Subjection , &c. 1 Cor. 9.27 . 2 Cor. 11.22 . to the end . R m. 4. chap. Rom 5. chap. In a word , Wherein-soever any might seem to have any thing to boast , He had more , yet you find no man more triumphing in an Imputed Righteousness , by FAITH , GRACE , FREE GIFT ; No man more abasing , nay abhorring the very Thought of all self-wrought Righteousness ( not of Works , saith He , Eph. 2.9 . least any man should boast ) but sweeping down , throughout his writings ( especially the Epistles to the Romans , Rom. chap. 5. and 6. Galatians , Ephesians ) the Spiders Web , as the Holy Ghost calls all that Hope and Confidence which Man Spins , Gal. chap. 2. and 3. Eph. chap. 2. Job 8.14 . as it were , out of his own Bowels ; nay disclaiming all compoundings and blendings in the business of Justification , He will have nothing there but a Christ apprehended and received through Faith , and that too not of our selves , Eph. 2.8 . Rom. 11.6 . but the Gift of God ; for saith He , If it be of Grace , it is no more of Works , or else Grace were no more Grace ; but if it be of Works , it is no more of Grace , else Work were no more Work .

And how plain , and indeed terrible is that Text ? What shall We say then ? Rom. 9.30 . that the Gentiles which followed not Righteousness , have attained unto Righteousness , even the Righteousness which is of Faith : Verse 31.32 . But Israel which followed after the Law of Righteousness , hath not attained to the Law of Righteousness . Wherefore ? because they sought it not By Faith , but as it were , by the works of the Law , for they have stumbled at the stumbling stone , as it is written , Verse 33. Behold I will lay in Sion a stumbling stone , and a Rock of Offence ; And every one that Believeth in Him shall not be ashamed . Let Papists then mock on , and call this Imputed Righteousness a Putative ( or an imaginary ) Righteousness , yet what is to them Foolishne's , 1 Pet. 2.6 . Philip 3.3 . and to many a stumbling stone , let it be to thee , O my Soul , a Foundation ; Rejoyce thou in Jesus , and have thou no confidence in the Flesh .

Sect. XXXVII .

P●●l 2.6 , 7 8. H●●h thou his of Christ . BUt then as God hath Highly exalted Him that was Humbled , being equal with God , yet in shape of a Man , even to the Death of the Cross : so think , that if ever thou hope for benefit by Him , thy Life and thy Lips must exalt Him , and thine Heart and thy Thoughts above all , not that thou canst add to , but must own his Greatness and his Glory . nay though thou hadst known Christ after the Flesh , 2 C●● . 5.16 . yet henceforth know him so no more . Away with low Thoughts , carnal conceptions of Jesus Christ , who though He were Crucified through weakness , yet is raised in Power , 1 Cor. 14.4 . Isaiah 62.1 . Heb. 11.34 . yea in the greatness of his strength became weak , that out of weakness thou mightest be made strong : for if the Christian can say by believing in Christ , when I am weak then am I strong , and can Glory in his Infirmities , 2 Cor. 12.9 , 10. that the power of Christ may rest upon him , well may he Glory in Christ , whose Glory , in the very dayes of his infirmity , they that saw him , beheld as the Glory of the onely begotten Son of God , John 1.4 . for whilst he dwelt among Men in the body of his Flesh , The Fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily . Colos. 2.9 . Rom 9 5. And O how awful and stupendious a thought it is , that Gods Benjamin should be this Ben-oni , Nay the Blessed God himself . This man of Sorrows ; Isaiah 53.3 . and 9.6 . Gal 4 4. Isaiah 53.8 . Gal. 4.4 . The Eternal Father , the Son of his Hand-maid , made of a Woman ; The Mighty God , a Child born , so saith Scripture , but who shall declare his Generation ? The Law-Maker , made under the Law , that He might make satisfaction to the Law , and Fulfil all Righteousness , both by Doing and by Dying , by Serving and Suffering ; Matth. 3.15 . Rev. 19.16 . Mat. 20.29 . The Lord of Lords came to Minister , And He that gives Life to All , to give his Life a Ransome for many . Stupendious Thought may I well call it , that my GOD should become GOEL , my near Kinsman , by Incarnation , and gain Right of Redemption as to those in whom he had a right of Creation , for which Cause He is not ashamed to call them Brethren ; Hebr. 2 , 11. That the Infinite should be Confined ; and Content in the Womb , though not Contained in the World ; ( Pellibus exiguis Ingens arctatur JESUS . That a strait low-roof'd Virgin-Cell Should lodge th' Incomprehensible ;

That the Eternal God should be Born , Isaiah 9.6 . Matth. 28.6 . Luke 2.7 . and the Immortal God buried , after a Life of Sorrow , and a Death of Shame ; That the Majesty of God should take up with a Stable , for a Presence Chamber , Mat. 2.11 . and 27.29 . Verse 2. and a Manger for a Throne , where Wise-men must come and worship Him , a wreath of Thornes for a Crown , a Cross for a Scepter , and for a Royal-Robe , the onely Crimson of a Bloody Passion lined with the Ermine of white Innocency , Heb. 1.3 . but spotted with the Contradiction of Sinners . That the Ancient of dayes should become an Infant , The thundring God a Crying Babe ; Heb. 1.2 . Matth. 2.13 . The Heir of All things be born to Banishment as soon as Born , and He that fills heaven to be , as it were , a Fugitive in the Earth at his first coming into it ; That God Our Refuge should be forc't to Flee , John 22.46 . yea to Run for his Life before he could Go , and to hide his Head in AEGYPT , John 6.41 . Psalm 49.12 . who was the Light of the World ; That the Bread of Heaven should be laid amongst Oats and Hay for the food of Man , that was now become ( by his Sin ) like the Beasts that perish ; Acts 3.15 . Luke 21.24 . That the Prince of Life should begin to Die from his very beginning to Live , and the early shedding of his Precious Blood from the first weeks sucking of his Mothers Milk ; That He should be reputed the Carpenters Son , John 1.3 . by whom all things were made ; That He before whom the Devils tremble , Matth. 4.1 . should be lead into the Wilderness to be Tempted of the Devil ; That the Living Bread should suffer hunger , Verse 2. and the Fountain thirst ; That He that gives Rest to our Souls should Himself suffer weariness , John 19.28 . John 4.6 . Luke 9.58 . Isaiah 53.12 . and He that gives us all things richly to enjoy , not have a hole himself where to lay his head ; That He that Justifies the ungodly , should himself be Numbred among the Transgressors ; That God the Judge of All should be tryed for his Life at Mans Bar , And He that did All things well , should himself suffer among Malefactors ; John 14.6 . Mat. 26.56 . Luke 22.22 . That the WAY should be Forsaken , a● He was by his Friends and Followers ; That the TRUTH should be Betrayed , as He was by Judas ; That the LIFE should be Killed as He was by the Jews ; That the Great God should be Sould , to Redeem Man ; Acts 3.15 . And the Living God die , that dead Man might Live ; And be shut up in the grave , to set Man at Liberty ; In a word , That the most high God should humble himself to so sad a Life , and the Lord of glory to so base a death , Luke 22.28 . spending and ending his Doleful days betwixt Perils and Pains , Hebrew 4.7 . Luke 22.44 . and Temptations and Persecutions , and Wants , and Weariness , and Fears , and Tears , and Sweat , and Blood , till at length his tender body was extended to the utmost torture that a cruel Cross could stretch it , and his meek and Innocent Soul stretched to the utmost extremity of sorrow that it could possibly be extended to , and all for poor Man that never deserved it , that never desired it , that never once Thought of it , before he heard of it , ready rather to cry out with Nicodemus , How can these things be ? ( so slow of heart to believe it , John 3.9 . Luke 24.25 . Chap. 6.58 . having heard of it ) crying out with the Jews , How can this Man give us his Flesh to eat ? But oh the Folly of mans wit , and the unreasonableness of their reasonings that have not Faith ? 2 Thes. 3.2 . for why should it be thought an incredible thing that the Condescention of Divine Grace should surmount all Humane Comprehension , Phil. 4.7 . 1 Tim. 3.16 . the Effect of which Grace is peace that passeth all Understanding ? that the Mystery of Godliness should be GREAT , The first Principle whereof is GOD manifest in the FLESH ! Isaiah 9.6 . or that He should be an object of our admiring thoughts in all his Story , Rom. 3.3 . the very first letter of whose Name is WONDERFUL ? But thanks be to God that the unbelief of man cannot make the Faith of God without Effect .

Sect. XXXVII .

ANd Oh how Joyful as well as Awful , Delightful thoughts of Christ . Numb. 24.17 . and truly Amiable as well as highly Admirable a Thought it is ▪ that it was TRUE MAN as well as very GOD that was engaged in all this ; 'T was the Star proceeding out of Jacob that was ushered into the World by that Star in the East , Matth. 2.2 . 't was the Seed of Abraham that was waited upon by the Multitude of the heavenly best , Hebr. 2.16 . Rom. 8.5 . and to whom it was said at his bringing into the world , Let all the Angels of God worship him ; for of the Fathers concerning the Flesh Christ came , who is over all God blessed for ever , Amon. For since man had Fallen , by aspiring to be like God , there was no way for his rising again , but by Gods Condescending to become like one of Us. O comfortable thought to poor Man ! that it was MAN that fulfilled all Righteousness , Math. 3.15 . John 16.33 . that wrought Miracles , that overcame the world , that satisfied Justice , that appeased wrath , that subdued Sin , that destroyed Death , and him that had the power of it , Hebr. 2.14 . that is the Devil , And having spoiled Principalities and Powers , triumphed over them , and having risen from the dead in that very Body wherein he suffered , Colos. 3.15 . Acts 31.2 . and shewed himself alive after his Passion by many infallible proofs , being seen on Earth for the space of 40 dayes , He afterwards in open sight ascended into Heaven , Hebr. 1.2 . and sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high , from thenceforth expecting till his Enemies be made his Footstool . Chap. 10.13 . Cant. 5.16 . Zech. 13.7 . O this is Bone of our Bone , and Flesh of our Flesh ; this is our beloved , and this is our friend ; This is the Man that is Gods fellow ; the Man whom God hath appointed to judge the world , and happy We whose Sur●ty is to be Our Judge ; Acts 17.31 . Hebrews 5.1 . this is the High Priest taken from among Men , to bring us to God , the Ladder reaching Heaven , and touching Earth , that he might gather together in one All things that are in Heaven , Ephes. 1.10 . Hebrews 6.20 . and that are on Earth ; This is Our Fore-Runner that is for us entered , and hath taken possession in that very Nature wherein He paid the Price , and made the Purchase , Math. 25.3 . who entered first into our Sorrows , and acquainted himself with our Griefs , that We might enter into the ●oy of our Lord , John 17.24 . and be where he is , that we might behold his Glo●y .

And Oh methinks the Divine Thought of this Immanuel the Incarnate GOD , notwithstanding All the Magick that the World can use to betwitch our affections , or to Charm our Thoughts to the things below , Exod. 7.12 . should be like the Rod of Aaron among the Rods of the Magitians , even a Thought swallowing up every other thought ! A Thought so great and so good , so admirable and so acceptable , even worthy of acceptation ; A Thought so dearly engaging us , and so nearly concerning us , a Thought without which All other Thoughts can be but a mear Chaos of Confusion , and will prove in the Issue a very Hell of Horrour ; and a Thought with which the thought of Death is without a Sting , 1 Cor. 15.55 . Luke 21.28 . 1 Pet. 1.8 . and the very Thought of Judgment doth lift up the heal , and fill the heart with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory . In a word , a Thought that by mutual entercourses between Love on Gods part , and Faith on Mans part , doth bring Heaven down to Us , and will , if We follow it home , raise Us up to Heaven , 2 Cor. 3.18 . for whilst we with open face behold ( as in a Glass ) the Glory of the Lord , we are changed into the same Image from glory to glory , as by the Spirit of Lord , For as Gods wayes are above our wayes , as high as his Thoughts are above our Thoughts , Isaiah 55.8 . so our wayes will be above other mens wayes , above the Corrupt way of Nature , the bruitish way of sense and Carnal Reason , as high as our thoughts are above their thoughts ; for whilst their God is their belly , Phil. 3.19 , 20. and they glory in their shame , who mind Earthly things ; Our Conversation shall b● in Heaven , from whence we look for the Saviour , the Lord Jesus Christ .

O welcome then the dear and precious Thoughts o● the blessed Jesus ! who thought of thee , O my Soul , Christ deserves . Psalm 136.23 . in thy low estate , and therefore deserves thy Thoughts ; and puts himself purposely in thy way , which way s●ever thou turnest thy self , And desires our thoughts . Luke 22.44 . Knocks at the door of every sence . and therefore sure desires thy thoughts ; for as there was never a pore in his Body but He did sweat out his Blood at it for thee , and thy Good , so is there never a door even of thine Exterior sences , but He knocks at it to be let in to thy thoughts ; Canst thou hear , or see , or feel ? why , that which we have seen and heard , saith the Apostle , 1 John 1.1 . And ver. 3. 1 Pet. 2.3 . Cantic. 2.1 . Chap. 1.13 . Verse 14. declare ●e unto you , and our hands have handled the word of life . Or canst thou tast ? and hast thou not tasted that the Lord is gracious ? or is the Rose of Sharon the onely Flower that can ●●t please thy smell ? The bundle of Myrrhe , the Cluster of Camphire , &c. are there no sweets in All these ? Methinks my Saviour does even court my Thoughts , And puts himself in the way of our thoughts by every good thing about us . Isaiah 11.10 . Eccles. 7.11 . Rev. 12.16 . Mal. 4.3 . Rom. 13 14. John 14.6 . Chapter 10.9 . meeting them and me at every turn , in every thing that is excellent and obvious . If I shut my eyes , He is my Rest , and this Rest is glorious ; If I open them , He is my Light , and truly this Light is pleasant ; If Night fall , he is the bright and fixed Star ; If Day dawn , 't is writ with a Sun-beam upon my wall , that he is my Sun of Righteousness : when I get up , can I forget my Cloths , to put on the Lord Jesus ? Can I go forth , and not think of him that is the way ? or come in again , and not think of him that is the Door ? Can I sit down to Eat , and forget him that is the Bread of Life ? and take a turn in my Garden among all my pleasant Plants , Revel. 22.2 . and forget the Tree of Life ? or refresh my sweating brow amongst Rivers , Verse 1. Isaiah 32.2 . Zachar. 13.1 . Shades and Fountains , and not mind him that is the River of Life , the shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land , the Fountain set open for Sin , and for uncleanness ? Can I gaze upon Gold or Silver , the Mammon of Unrighteousness , and forget him whose very Reproach is greater riches then the Treasures of Aegypt ? or please mine Eye with the Brisk and sprightly Diamond , or beautiful Emerauld , and not call to mind that Pearl of great Price , Mat. 13.42 . for the sake of which the wise Merchant sells all he hath to buy the Field in which He finds it ? Do I see the welcome Officer bringing a discharge to his weary Prisoner , and forget him that hath the Key of David , who openeth , Revel. 3 7. and no man can shut , and shutteth and none can open ? Do I see the Mariner drop his Anchor , and forget him in whom alone is Hope , ( which is the Anchor of the Soul ) is sure and steadfast ? Heb. 6.18 , 19. Do I see the Souldier run to his Colours , and forget the Captain of my Salvation ? Chap. 2.10 . Gen. 31.40 . Do I see the watchful Shepheard expose himself ( as Jacob ) to Sun and Showre , to Wind and Weather , and forget him that laid down his Life for his Sheep ? John 10.11 . Matth. 9.33 . Or the painful Harvest-Man , and forget him that is the Lord of the Harvest ? Or the careful Father setling his Estate by Will , and leaving it to his little ones that he leaves behind him , and can I forbear to call to mind my Saviours Testament confirmed by the Death of the Testator ? Hebrews 9.16 . Do I see the Virgins preparing to receive the Bridegroom , Mat. 25.31 . or the Countrey going out to meet the Judge of Assize , and not my Thoughts run out to meet my Saviour . 1 Thes. 4.17 . In a word , can I think of any thing , and not think of Christ , who is every good thing ; If I be well , Psalm 42.11 . Matthew 9.12 . Philip. 1.21 . John 11.25 . 't is He that is the health of my countenance ; and if I be sick , he is my Physitian ; and if I live , Christ is my Life ; and if I die , he is the Resurrection as well as Life . So that as there is a strange disease that takes some in their Heads , who live many years , but so strangely loose their Memory , that they forget their own Name , it is much more a monstrous disease , that takes Us in our Hearts , that makes us forget the Name of Christ ; that We should be so strange , and so sottish , and so stupid to the thoughts of Christ , which of all the things in the World , ought in duty , and might in Reason , be most ready , frequent , and familiar to Us , since God hath made every good thing about us , a plain prompter to our weak memories , in spelling out the Name of his Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ . We need no sorry Crucifixes , dumb Pictures , or dead Images to be our Remembrancers ( blessed be our God ) to put us in mind of him , Especially by the Lords Supper , instituted for his Remembrance . 1 Cor. 11.26 . who hath drunk to us in his own Blood , and commanded us to pledge him at his Table , and as often as we do it , to do it in Remembrance of him : O there do thou muse , O my Soul , till , the Fire burn ! O there let thine Eye , and thy Touch , and thy Tast affect thy Thoughts , and let thy Thoughts inflame thy Affections , that the more thou think of Christ , thou mayest love him better ; and the better thou lovest him , thou mayest think of him more ; for there the Bread of life is broken , that it may be Eaten ; and this Eaten Bread is never to be forgotten ; there the Blood of Christ is broached , that it may be drunk , and being drunk , Cant. 1.4 . Gal. 3.1 . that his love may be remembred more then wine ; for there is Christ before mine eyes evidently set forth , even as if he were crucified among us . Th●● the King both sits at his Table , Cant. 1.12 . and is set upon the Table ; for Christ is both the Master of the Feast , and the Matter of the Feast ; both my Entertainer , and Entertainment : and whilst I thus see him , and feel him , and tast him , How can I but think of him ? and whilst the Bread that strengtheneth mine heart , strengtheneth also my Faith , and so Christ steals into my Soul , as it were , by my Sense , and becomes the very nourishment thereof , as the Outward Elements ( Bread and Wine ) are of the Outward man , How can I forget my Saviour , whilst I Remember my self ? or shut him out of the thoughts of mine Heart , Psalm 73 26. John 6.5 . who is the strength of mine heart ? whose Flesh is my meat indeed , and whose Blood is my drink indeed ; whose Death is my life and my Reconciliation , and whose life is my Glory and my Salvation ; who , by his continual Intercession , Hebr. 9.28 . Exod. 28.29 . ever bears me upon his heart , before his Father in Heaven ( even as Aaron was to bear the Names of the Tribes of Israel upon his Brest-plate into the most holy place ) till He appear the second time unto Salvation , John 12.20 . and come again to take me to himself , that where my Lord is , there may also his Servant be .

Sect. XXXVIII .

Holy Thoughts of Christ . ANd as we must away with all sou●re thoughts of Christ , and All low thoughts of Christ , so much more with all unsavory and loose thoughts of Christ ; Our Thoughts of Him must be Holy , as well as High ; Rom. 6.1 , 2. and Fearful , as well as Chearful ; The Apostle puts an absit upon the least Thoughts , as if the coming of Grace were for the countenancing of Sin . What saith Moses concerning Christ ? Beware of him , and obey his voice , Exod. 23.21 . provoke him not , for he will not pardon your Transgressions , for my Name is in Him . What saith David ? Psalm 2.12 . Kiss the SON least he be angry , and ye perish from the way , when his wrath is kindled but a little . The Prophet Isaiah tells us , that he comes to give Law ( as well as Liberty ) the Isles shall wait for his Isaiah 42.4 . Law , the Prophecy of our Conversion , who are Islanders in the Sea ) and that this Branch out of the Root of Jesse shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth , Isaiah 11.1 , 2. and with the breath of his Lips he shall slay the wicked . The Angel saith of Christ , that his Name shall be called JESUS , Mal. 1.21 . Acts 2.27 . Mal. 5.17 . because He was to save his people ( not IN their Sins , but ) FROM their Sins . Christ , when he was a Child , was the Holy Child JESUS ; and when he was a Man , He tells us that He came not to destroy the Law , but to fulfil it ; And as John Baptist told the People , that his Fan was in his hand , Mat. 3 12. and he would throughly purge his Floor , they found it so , for He went into the Temple , Chap. 21.21 . and scourged out the Buyers and Sellers , &c. in token that no unclean or prophane thing must expect admittance by Him into the Kingdom of God . No , no , Mat. 3.11 . John 16.8 . Hebr. 10.1 . Mat. 16.24 . John 17.17 . Acts 15.9 . Philip. 4.7 . Col. 3.25 . Gal. 6.16 . The Baptisme of Christ is a Baptisme with Fire , and the Spirit of Christ is a Reprover of Sin , the example of Christ a pattern of Obedience , and the Doctrine of Christ is a Doctrine of Self-denyal , the Truth of Christ a Sanctifying Truth , and the Faith of Christ an heart purifying Faith , and the Peace of Christ is a War with Sin , for it keeps the heart , and rules in the heart , and 't is onely unto them that walk according to Rule , that the Gospel of Christ saith , Peace be upon them ; but Tribulation and Anguish , Rom. 2.8 , 9. Indignation and Wrath upon every Soul of Man that doth evil , of the Jew first , and also of the Gentile .

Take We heed then of thinking basely of Christ , Mat. 11.19 . as the friend of Sinners in their vile sense , who indeed thought him to be altogether such an one as themselves ; Psal. 50.21 . Psal. 35.7 . but Davids Thoughts were otherwise , thou lovest Righteousness and hatest Iniquity , therefore God , even thy God , hath anointed thee with the Oyl of Gladness above thy fellows . A Friend indeed of Sinners , for he Dyed to save them , yea the chief of them , 1 Tim. 1.15 . but yet an Enemy to Sin , for He came to make an end of Sin ( saith the Apostle St. John ) to redeem us from our vain Conversation ( saith S. Peter ) and to purifie to himself a peculiar 1 John 3.8 . 1 Pet. 1.18 . people , Titus 2.14 . zealous of good works , to sanctifie and cleanse us with the washing of water , by the World , that we might be holy , Eph. 5.26 , 27. and without blemish ( saith S. Paul . )

And now tell me , O Reader , is there any shelter for Sin , or license for Lust in all this ? O be not deceived , Gal. 6.7 , 8. God is not mocked , for whatsoever a Man soweth , that shall he also reap , for he that soweth to his Flesh , shall of the Flesh reap Corruption , but he that soweth to the Spirit , shall of the Spirit reap life Everlasting . For the GRACE of God that hath appeared bringing SALVATION , 2 Tit. 11.12 . teacheth to deny ungodliness , and worldly Lusts , &c. Psalm 45.6 . For Christ is KING as well as PRIEST , and LORD as well as JESUS , and the Scepter of his Kingdome is a RIGHT SCEPTER , and We cannot THINK RIGHTLY of it , except we think it so . And O how terrible is this THOUGHT , that if We slight this way , Hebr. 2.36 . Chap. 10.26 . neglecting so great Salvation , by sinning wilfully against this Sacrifice , there remains no ( other ) SACRIFICE for Sin , for there is no other Name given but the Name JESUS : Acts 4.12 . Heb. 10.28 , 29. And if He that sinned against Moses 's Law dyed without Mercy , how much sorer must his punishment be , that trampleth under foot the SON of GOD ?

Then think this of Christ , that if he be not thy Foundation-Stone , 1 Pet. 2.6 , Mat. 21.14 . Rev. 5.5.6 . John 5.22 . Elect and precious to thee , if thou be not built upon him , he will fall upon thee , and grinde thee to powder ; for the Lamb of God is a LYON too , and God hath committed all Judgment to the SON , and the WRATH of the LAMB shall one day be found intolerable to the proudest of Men , when the Kings of the Earth , Rev. 6.15 , 16 , 17. and the great men , and the rich men , and the chief Captains , and the mighty Men , and every Bond man , and every Free man shall call to the Rocks and the Mountains to fall on them , to hide them from the face of him that sitteth upon the Throne , and from the WRATH of the LAMB , for when the great day of his Wrath is come , O who shall be able to stand ?

O think of this ye Loose , Licentious , Caution to loose Christians . Rom 2.24 . ( Sacrilegiously so called ) CHRISTIANS , through whom the Sacred Name of Christ is blasphemed among the Gentiles , what thanks will He give you that a TURK should say ( as they are ordinarily observed to do ) What ? do you think I am a CHRISTIAN that I should break my Oath , or falsifie my Faith ? Or that an HEATHEN should say , as that Indian Prince did to the Spaniards , who being about to put him cruelly to death , but in ( Ghostly Charity ) perswaded him to turn Christian before his death ; He asked them , what he should get by that ? they told him he should go to Heaven with the Christians , He demanded whither went Indians , when they dyed ? They said , to Hell : He shortly Replyed , He would die as he was ; for he had rather go to the Indians Hell , then to the cruel Spaniards Heaven ; 'T was severely said by one , Aut hic non est Christus , — pudet haec opprobria nobis & dici potuisse , & non potuiste refelli . aut hi non sunt Christiani ; Either He , ( whom you profess ) is not the CHRIST , or You are not the CHRISTIANS . Men and Brethren , let me freely speak to you , if CHRISTS coming into the World be signalized by Bacchanalian Rites and Revellings , what shall a Jew or Infidel think either of Christ , or else of Us ? 'T was truly said , Peccatis nostris fortes sunt Barbari . Christians sins make Barbarians more barbarous , Homil. against the peril of Idolatry . 3 P. pag. 45. Jerem. 7.12 . Turks more Turkish , Jews more Jewish , as our Homilie hath observed , that Popish Idolatry gives the great fixation to Turkish and Jewish Infidelity .

But as of old God sent the old Jews to Shilo , where He first set his Name , to see what he did to it , for the wickedness of his people Israel , so may I send the now Christian World to the once seven flourishing Churches of Asia , Revel. 1.11 . for if Christ be not glorified by Us , He will glorifie Himself upon Us ; and therefore let every one that thinks of a Christ , think of this ; 2 Tim. 2.19 . Let Every One that nameth the Name of Christ , depart from Iniquity .

Sect. XXXIX .

Right thoughts of God , the Holy Ghost . ANd as our Thoughts of the Father and the Son are onely Right , when Regulated by Scripture , so also of the Blessed SPIRIT ; For as the Sun is not to be seen ( as we have said ) but in its own light , ( which yet is but a finite Created Emanation from God the Father of Lights ) much less can we conceive aright of the Holy Ghost , Must be Scriptural . 2 Pet. 1.21 . 1 Cor. 2.14 . Thoughts of the Holy Ghost strange to the carnal mind . but by Conceipts congruous and harmonious to that Word which holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ; For if the Natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit , He cannot surely conceive aright of the Spirit himself , without both a spiritual light to discover , and eye to discern him ; Otherwise He must needs be both out of his sight and out of mind ; For Scripture saith , that such a mans very Mind is carnal , and speaks of the Spirit of this World as directly opposite to the Spirit which is of God . 1 Cor. 2.12 . We are great strangers to our own Spirits . John 14.7 . Alas what strangers are We to our own Spirits ? ( How little is our knowledg , and how few are our Thoughts of them ? ) How strange then must the Knowledge and Thoughts of the Holy Spirit of God be unto Us ? This is that Spirit whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not , Thoughts of God the Father . neither knoweth him . The Thoughts of God the Father do more easily occur to the natural mind , for Heathen Poets , and even the light of Nature teach us , Arat. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Acts 17.28 . that We are All his Off-spring , as the Apostle speaks out of the Po●t , and so to seek the Lord , if happily we may feel after him , and find him , ( though the light that Adams Fall hath left in us is little less then Darkness , so our searching after God our Father , Verse 27. is called a Feeling , as blind men use , a Gropeing , as they that have much darkness , and but little light , ) And as God the Father is not very far from every one of us ( as 't is there said ) so the Thoughts of God the Son are the more obvious to us , And of God . The Son more obvious then of God the Holy Ghost . because by his Incarnation he is come so near us , and there is a true Humane Nature in his Blessed Person for humane Thoughts to employ themselves upon ; 1 Cor. 12.3 . And yet it is said , that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord , ( that is , make any right acknowledgment of the Son ) but by the Holy Ghost ; How then can any man have any Right Knowledge or Thoughts of the Spirit , Right thoughts of the Holy Ghost . Acts 9.31 . Are Reverend . Iohn 16 7. The Holy Ghost GOD. but by the Spirit , who speaks by the Scriptures ? And here as before , we are taught to Rejoyce with trembling , walking in the fear of the Lord , and the comfort of the Holy Ghost . For who can but Rejoyce in the Thoughts of Him whom the Scriptures call the COMFORTER ? and can but tremble before the SPIRIT ? who as He is One with the Father and the Son , ( for there are three that bear Record in Heaven , the Father , the Word , 1 John 5.7 . and the Holy Ghost , and these three are One ) so is He to be considered and Thought upon with one and the same joyful Reverence , and awful Rejoycing . A SPIRIT in his E●s●nce . As to his Essence , the Scriptures declare Him to be a Spirit , in declaring Him to be God ( for God is a Spirit ) and declare him to be God , John 4 24. 2 Tim. 3.17 . 2 P●● . 1 . 2● . in declaring themselves to be the Word of God ; for whilest one Text saith , that ( All Scripture ( or the whole Scripture 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is given by Inspiration of God , ( or God Inspired ) and another , that holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost , Isaiah 62.2 . the Natural Conclusion from the premisses is this , Therefore the Holy Ghost is God . And if we ought to tremble at the Word , how much more before him that inspired and gave it forth ? Agreeable hereunto it is , Isaiah 6.1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 8 , 9. that when the Prophet Isaias in that tremendous Text describes the Lord sitting upon a Throne high and lifted up , and Seraphims crying one to another , Holy , holy , holy is the Lord God of Hosts ; which made the holy Man cry out , Wo is me , I am un lone , because I am a man of unclean lips , &c. and mine eyes have seen the King , The Lord of Hosts ; The Apostle Paul expresly saith , that this holy Lord God was God the Holy Ghost ; I heard the voice of the Lord , saith the Prophet , and he said go and tell this people , here ye indeed , but understand not , &c. now saith the Apostle , Acts 28.25 , 26 , 27. well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet , unto our Fathers saying , Go unto this people , and say , hearing ye shall hear and not understand , &c. So one while 't is said the Holy Ghost spake by the mouth of David ; Acts 1.16 . Chap. 4.24 , 25 Another while 't is said , Lord thou art God which hast made Heaven and Earth , and the Sea , and all that is in them , who by the mouth of thy Servant David hast said , &c. and so Ananias his lying to the Holy Gho t is called a lying unto God ; Therefore the Holy Ghost is God . Again Scripture ( and Reason saith ) that He that built all things is God . Acts 5 3 , 4. Hebr. 3.4 . Job 33.9 . Now the Spirit of God hath made me , saith Elihu , and if he made man the Master-piece , Man the Microcosme , well may it be said , Job 26.13 . that by him were the Heavens garnished , and by the sending forth of Him All things else were Created ; which Text by the after clause of renewing the Face of the Earth refers to works of Providence . Psal. 104.30 . Therefore the Holy Ghost is God . And as he made All things , 1 Cor. 2.10 . Isaiah 40.13 . he knows All things ; The Spirit searcheth All things , yea the deep things of Go● , for who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord , or being his Counsellour hath taught him ? And as He is Omniscient , he is Omnipresent ; Psal. 139.7 . Whither shall I go from thy Spirit ? saith David , or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? In a word , He that prepared Christ a Body at his coming into the World is God , Heb 10.5 . for saith Christ , a Body hast THOU prepared me , then said I , Lo I come to do thy will , O GOD. But saith the Angel to the blessed Virgin , Verse 7. Lu●e 1.35 . The HOLY GHOST shall come upon thee , and the power of the highe●t shall overshadow thee ; Therefore also ( the Inference is most full to our purpose ) That Holy thing that shall be born of thee , shall be called the SON OF GOD. Therefore the Holy Ghost is God .

Sect. XL. The Holy Ghost called the SPIRIT as to his subsistence . Joh. 4.23 , 24. Hebr. 1.3 . Heb. 9.14 .

ANd as the Holy Ghost is a SPIRIT in respect of his Essence , being One glorious God with the Father and the Son ; ( for as God the Father is said to be a Spirit , the Father seeketh such to worship him as may do it in Spirit , ( and then it follows , God is a Spirit ) and God the Son ( who is expresly said to be the express Image of his Fathers Person , ) through the Eternal Spirit , ( that is to say ) his God-head ) offered up himself , ) So the Holy Ghost is The Spirit in respect of his wonderful Subsistence in the blessed Trinity by way of ineffable Spiration between the Father and the Son , Mat. 3.16 , 17. betwixt whom He carryeth and re-carryeth the mutual and Eternal expressions of Divine delight and complacency which the Father and the Son have naturally , necessarily , and unchangeably each in other ; Gal. 4.6 . Job 33.4 . Rom. 8.9 . who therefore said both to proceed from the Father , and yet to be the Spirit of his Son , and called in the Old Testament , the Breath of the Almighty , and in the New , the Spirit of Christ ; His Mysterious Subsistence being most nearly shadowed out to our weak apprehensions by our breathing , Rom. 3 8. Mat. 3.11 . Isaiah 44.3 . which is the Going and Coming , Efflux and Reflux of our Breath , ( and so he is compared to the three fluid and moving Elements of Air , Fire , and Water , but never to the dul fixed Element of Earth ) for as the personal property of the Father , is to Beget ; of the Son to be Begotten ; so of the Holy Ghost , John 15.27 . to Proceed . And now how awful should the Thoughts of Him be unto us , who is a SPIRIT in his ESSENCE , THE SPIRIT in his SUBSISTENCE ; in both , Uncreated , Infinite , and Eternal ; who dictated and Indited the Word , built the World , garnisheth Heaven , furnisheth and reneweth the Face of the Earth , made Man , Knows all things , fills all Places , Col. 2.16 . and is every where present at all times ; whose peculiar and stupendious Work it was to Sanctifie the Womb , the Fruit whereof was to be the Saviour of the World , Mat. 28.16 . and prepare him a Body in whom the fulness of the God-head was to dwell bodily ; 2 Cor. 15.14 . in whose Name , together with the Fathers and the Sons we are Baptized , and whose Communion , together with the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ , Hebr. 7.4 . and the Love of God , we do Implore ; Of whom therefore I may say ( as the Apostle of Melchisedec , Now Consider how great this man was ) Consider how great this Spirit is .

Sect. XLI .

The high Reverence we ow to the Holy Spirit . ANd yet Wo is Us ! What slight , and low , and mean Thoughts are the Carnal Minds of Men apt to have of the holy Spirit of God , which the Scripture foreseeing in Deep wisdom ( as in Parental Relation , the Mothers fear to be most easily and usually neglected and forgotten by Children ; It sets a special Guard upon it , Levit. 19.3 . saying , Ye shall fear every Man his Mother and his Father , though her Order be Lust , because the Fear of the Mother is ordinarily too much the least ) so in the cause of the Third Person , whose Order of Subsisting is after the Father and the Son , though in Honour he be Co-equal , and in Essence Co-Eternal , Sin against the Holy Ghost . I say , It ( sets a most dreadful Guard upon that Awe and holy Fear that We owe to the Holy Spirit , when it saith , All manner of Sin and Blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men , Mat. 12.31 , 32 but THE BLASPHEMY against the HOLY GHOST shall NOT be forgiven unto Men , And whosoever shall speak a word against the son of man it shall be forgiven him , But whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him , neither in his world , neither in the world to come ; which last words are no Indication that there is any Forgiveness of any Sin in another world that is not pardoned in this , But a vehement assertion that there is no forgiveness for this Sin in any world , Luk. 1● . 10 . Mark 3.29 . Therefore where S. Luke saith plainly , It shall not be Forgiven , S. Mark explains this Phrase of S. Matthews , saying , It hath never Forgiveness ; And so in the mouths of three Evangelists you have this dreadful Word established , and this Guard set ( like that terrible Cherubim and Flaming Sword ) to preserve that High Reverence that Mortals owe to the Holy Ghost . All other Blasphemies ( saith Christ ) wherewith soever they shall Blaspheme shall be Forgiven , Mark 3.28 . and indeed have been so ; I was a Blasphemer , saith S. Paul , 1 Tim. 1.13 . But I obtained mercy ; But whosoever shall ( wittingly , wilfully , and malitiously ( Reproach the Holy Ghost ( as the Pharisees here did , Mark 3.30 . they said ( of Jesus ) He hath an unclean Spirit , whose works did testify of him , That he cast out Devils by the SPIRIT of GOD , Luke 11.47 . Mat. 8.12 . and that the Kingdom of God was come unto them ( as himself speaks ) Ten Thousand Woes shall be the Portion of such an One.

Sect. XLII .

ANd here once for ever let me caution this Impious Age of coming near unto any thing that looks like , or comes near the sin that is unto Death , Caution against Reviling the Spirit . Numb. 26.16 . even as Moses charged the Congregation of Israel concerning Corah and his Complices , 1 John 5.16 . that they should not come near those wicked persons , Let me charge thee , O Man , whosoever thou art , in the fear of God , that thou entertain not a Contemptuous thought , In Scripture . much less utter a word against the written word of God , for it is ( as you have seen ) the Dictate of the Holy Ghost . And here I cannot but make an Honourable mention of that Honourable Person , Mr. R. Boyl la his late piece of Scripture style . who hath made Himself truly so , by that most serious and ingenious complaint of his , of the Prodigious folly of the Times , whose onely wit seems to lie in a prophane and scurrilous abuse of Holy Scriptures . But it may be observed as of Our Saviours , so of these Scripture-scoffers , that as they were part of our Saviours proof , that He was the Prophecyed Messiah , for even those scoffs , as we have seen , were part of what was fore spoken concerning him Eight and twenty Generations before he was born ; so are these part of the accomplishment of the Prophecies of that Book which told the World of these Men ( sixteen hundred years almost ) before they came unto it , Be mindful ( saith the Apostle ) of the words which were spoken before by the Holy Prophets , 2 Pet. 3.2 , 3. and of the Commandment of Us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour : knowing this first , that there shall Come in the Last dayes Scoffers . Wherefore We revere in our Thoughts what they revile with their tongues , and so much the more Because They do so . Matth. 18.7 . But as Our Lord saith , Offences must needs come , yet they bring their woe with them , so let me say to these Men in the Prophets words , Isaiah 28.22 . Be not Mockers , lest your Bands be made strong .

Further , Take we heed that our THOUGHTS despise not any of the Operations of this Holy spirit , 2 Sam 6.26 . In Prayer . Jude 20. Eph. 6.16 . Zech. 12.10 . Rom. 8.15 . Gal. 4.6 . Rom. 8.26 . as prophane Michal did holy David in her heart . S. Jude speaks of Praying in the HOLY GHOST ; and S. Paul of Praying alwayes with all Prayer and supplication in the Spirit . The Old Testament speaks of a spirit of supplication , and the New of a spirit of Adoption , crying or whereby we cry , Abba , Father . The spirit helpeth our Infirmities , for we know not what to pray for ( there 's matter ) as we ought ( there 's the manner ) but the spirit it self maketh Intercession for us with Groanings which cannot be uttered : Verse 27. And he that searcheth the hearts , knoweth what is the mind of the spirit , &c.

Preaching . Rom. 12.6 . Verse 7.8 . So likewise saith the Apostle , having gifts differing according to the grace that is given us , whether Prophesie , let us Prophesie according to the proportion of Faith , or Ministry , let us wait on Our Ministring , or he that teacheth , on teaching , or he that exhorteth on exhortation ; Now the manifestation of the Spirit ( saith he ) is given to every man to profit withall , 1 Cor. 12.7 . so that where there 's no manifestation of the Spirit in the Preacher , there can be no profit to the Hearer , for to One is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom to apply , Verse 8. to another the word of knowledge to explain , ( some excel in one thing , Verse 3. some in another : but all ) by the same Spirit , And ( saith he ) I give You to understand , that no man speaking by the spirit calleth Jesus accursed : Verse 4. John 15.26 . and 16.14 . Acts 2.4 . 1 Cor. 2.4 . Now there are diversities of gifts , but the same spirit . 'T is the Spirit when we meditate , that must take of Christs , and shew it unto us ; And when we speak , 't is the Spirit that must give us utterance , and Preaching must be not in the inticing words of Mans wisdom , Sanctification● 1 Pet. 1.2 . Rom. 8.9 . Every true Christian is a Saint . 1 Cor. 1.2 . 2 Cor. 1.1 . Chap. 6.11 . Eph. 1.1 , 15. Rom. 1.7 . Mock Saints . Revel. 2 9. and 3.9 . No ground for reviling the True . Gen. 34.30 . Gal. 4.29 . Dan. 7. Mat. 24.24 . All the godly have Gods ●spirit . Rom. 8.15 . Verse 5.9 . Gal. 5.16 , 25. and 6.18 . Rom. 1● . 15 . 1 Cor. 6.19 . Gal. 5.22 . Rom. 8.2 . Ephes. 2.22 . 1 Cor. 3.16 . Rom. 8.9 , 11 , 13. John 16.7 , 8. & 14.26 . and 16.13 . Psalm 51.18 . and 143.10 . Eph. 1.13 , 16. Rom. 8.14 . Eph. 4.3 . & 2.18.22 . 1 John 4.13 . but in the demonstration of the Spirit .

Sanctification , moreover , is a peculiar work of the Spirit in every true Christian ; For if any man have not the spirit of Christ , the same is none of his . The Corinthians were made Saints , when they were Converted and made Christians . To the Church of God which is at Corinth , &c. called to be Saints ; And such were some of You ( saith the Apostle to them ) but now you are sanctified by the spirit of our God so the Apostle salutes the Saints in Achaia , Rome , Ephesus , &c. We have known indeed the Blasphemy of too many who have said they are Saints , and are not , but do lie , but are of the Synagogue of Satan ( like those Brethren in Iniquity , who troubled Israel , and made him stink among the Inhabitants o● the Land ) who shall bear their own judgment , yet this shall no more excuse those Ishmaels , who persecute those that are truly born after the spirit , and Revile the very Saints of the most High ( as the Prophet calls them ) then it doth the Indignities done to the True Christ , because , as was Prophesyed ) False Christs do arise .

The Scripture saith expresly , That the Children of God , are led by the Spirit , do mind the things of the Spirit , are after the Spirit , do walk after the Spirit , are in the spirit , must walk in the spirit , do sow the spirit , do reap the spirit , have received the spirit , who is in them , whom they have of God as Fruit-bearer , Law-giver , yet a Liberty-giver , and Life-giver , as a Builder , and as an In-dweller , to mortifie and to quicken , to Convince and to Comfort , to teach and to bring to remembrance , to guide into the way , to uphold in the way , and lead to the end , to be the earnest of their Inheritance , and the Witness of their Son-ship , the seal and the sealer , wherewith and whereby they are sealed unto the day of Redemption , by whom they have an access to the Father , who are also an habitation of God through the spirit . Such are the undoubted Operations of the Spirit in those that shall be saved , for hereby we know that we dwell in Him , and He in us , because He hath given us his Spirit .

And therefore take heed , good Reader , of reviling any of these workings , or of scoffing at the words ( for surely we cannot but think that the Holy Ghost knows best how to express his own workings ) O think of this , Hebr. 10.62 . that despight done to the Children of Grace supposeth a Trampling under foot the Son of God ; And truly one would think one might say in this Case , as Ahasuerus did in another , who is he , and where is he that durst presume in his heart to do so ? Hestr . 7.5 . O Tremble , good Christian , at the very Thought of such a thing , that the Holy Spirit of God should be grieved or vexed by the sons of Men , Eph. 4.30 . Isaiah 63.10 . but especially that any should presume to Blaspheme him . And let this serious thought dwell with thee , That it is the Sin against the Spirit of Grace , that excludes from Grace to Repent of SIN . Thou therefore that bowest the knee at Our Father , and at the Name Jesus , Remember that there is a Third , who together with the Father and the Son , is to be worshiped and glorified .

Sect. XLIII .

High thoughts of our Obligations to the Spirit . TO proceed , He that hath Right Thoughts of the Spirit , thinks himself alike beholding to the spirit , as to the Father and the Son , in the business of his salvation , for to the working of the Father and the Son , both which are Great and Glorious in Mans salvation , there must be added the supply of the spirit , For God hath chosen us to salvation , Phil. 2.19 . as well through sanctification of the spirit , 2 Thes. 1.13 . John 14.16 . as through the Belief of the Truth . And therefore ( saith Christ ) I will pray the Father , and he shall give you another Comforter , that He may abide with you for ever , even the spirit of Truth , &c. And again , It is expedient for you , that I go away , And 16.7 . that I may send Him to you .

It is expedient ; that 's a great word , He saith not onely , it will be as well for you if He come to you , as if I had stayed with you , but it is expedient for you that I go , that He may come ; As in works that must pass through more hands then one , it is Expedient that the First hand be taken off , that the Finishing hand may come . The finishing work in mans Salvation the Spirits work . And therefore the Finishing work is the Spirits work . The Father ( by his Mercy , ) The Son ( by his Merit and Mediation ) and the Spirit ( of the Father and the Son ) by his Indwelling , ) as these Three are One in themselves , so in Mans salvation , which ( Scripture saith ) is in the Son , 1 John 5.11 . John 3.16 . John 15.21 . given us by the Father , but sent us home by the spirit . When the Comforter is come ( saith Christ ) whom I will send to you from the Father , even the spirit of Truth , He shall testify of Me. The Grace of Our Jesus Christ , 2 Cor. 13.14 . and the Love of God is brought home to us , and We to it , by the Communion of the Holy Ghost . The Son by his Incarnation ( which was the Work which his Father gave him to do ) brought Heaven Down to us , John 17.4 . and the spirit in our Regeneration ( wherein we are said to be Born of the spirit ) makes us his Temples and Gods Habitations , and builds us up to Heaven . John 3.8 . Eph. 2.21 , 22. Hebr. 9.14 . Ephes. 1.6 . The Son Offers up himself , and makes us acceptable to a just God , through his comliness , that is to say , his Righteousness , put upon us ; And there is also an Offering up of us , a making of us amiable to an Holy God by the Holy Spirit , Rom. 15.16 . That the Offering up of the Gentiles ( saith the Apostle ) might be Acceptable being san●tified by the Holy Ghost . 2 Cor. 6.8 . Hebr. 8.6 . The Maker of the New Covenant is the Father , The Mediator of it is the Son ; And the great Matter of it is the Spirit , for this is the sum of All , I will put my spirit within you , Ezek. 36.2 . who is therefore called the holy spirit of Promise . Eph. 1.13 . Holy Spirit the great New Testament promise . Luke 2.25 . Acts 1.4 . Verse 7.8 . For as the Coming of the Messiah was the Great Hope and Expectation of the Fathers of the Old Testament , which is therefore called a waiting for the Consolation of Israel , so the coming of the Holy Ghost in the New , and therefore called a waiting for the Promise of the Father ; And therefore when the Primitive Disciples were curiously inquisitive , and desirous of the Knowledge of the Times and Seasons , Our Gracious Saviour who best knew what was best for them , confines them to and comforts them with this Expectation that the Holy Ghost should come upon them . And Oh that many whole vehement Desires run out that way , ( viz. ) after knowledge of times and seasons , would endeavour more for the sweet Influences and Incomes of the Holy Ghost , Fruits of the Spirit . Gal. 5.22 , 23. whose Fruits ( saith the Apostle ) are Love , Joy , Peace , Long-suffering , Gentleness , Goodness , Faith , Meekness , Temperance , against which there is no Law .

Sect. XLIV .

Blessed fruit . O Blessed Fruit of the thrice-Blessed Spirit ( for this was the Blessing of Abraham come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ , Gal. 3.14 . even that we might receive the Promise of the Spirit through Faith . The Fruit that undid us was Forbidden Fruit , Gen. 3.17 . Chap. 2.17 . Rom. 8.2 . and 6.22 . Fruit against Law , but against such there is no Law : Man Eating of that Fruit , was to die the Death , but this Spirit of Life makes us free from the Law of Death , so that now We have our fruit unto holiness , and the end Everlasting Life .

Sweet Fruit. 2 Cor. 3.17 . Sweet Fruit , may I well say , if Life be sweet or Liberty ( for where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is Liberty ) or if Peace be sweet , or Love lovely , or Joy joyous : Or if these be not enough , here is Temperance , Meekness , Faith , Goodness , &c. We may say here ( as 't is said in the Canticles ) at our good are all manner of pleasant fruits : Cant. 7.13 . Here , I am sure , I may say , and not beguile my Reader , Gen. 3.6 . are fruits pleasant to the Eyes , and good for Food ( for the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink , but Righteousness , and Peace , Rom. 14.17 . 1 Cor. 2.11 . and Joy in the Holy Gho●t ) and truly to be desired to make one Wise , for the things of God knoweth no man , but the Spirit of God , Verse 12.13 . now we have received not the Spirit of this World , but the Spirit which is of God , that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God , which things also we speak not in the words which mans wisdom teacheth , but which the Holy Ghost teacheth , comparing spiritual things with spiritual ; and therefore He is called the spirit of Wisdom and Revelation , Eph. 1.17 , 18. that We might know the hope of his Calling , and the Riches of the Glory of his Inheritance in the Saints .

The Fruit forementioned was of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil , Gen. 2.19 . Eph. 5.7 . In all goodness and truth . but the Fruit of the Spirit is in all GOODNESS , Righteousness , and TRUTH . Here is ALL Good , and No Guile . So then if Goodness it self be Good , if Righteousness be Desirable ( for We through the Spirit wait for the hope of Righteousness by Faith , ) if Truth be amiable , Gal. 5.5 . ( for He is also called the Spirit of Truth , John 15.26 . and 16.13 . Eph. 3.16 . 2 Cor. 3.18 . Phil. 2.1 . and said to guide into All Truth . ) In a word , if according to the Riches of the Glory of God , We are strengthened with might in the inner man by the Spirit , changed into the same Image from glory to glory by the same Spirit ; If there be any Consolation in Christ , or comfort of Love joyned with the fellowship of the Spirit ; If God be a good Guest , ( for Ye are the Temple of God , if the Spirit of God dwell in you , 1 Cor. 3.16 . ) Or if Heaven be worth having , or that it be good for us that dwell in this Tabernacle , to be clothed upon , 2 Cor. 5.4 . that Mortality might be swallowed up of Life , the Earnest whereof is the Spirit , Verse 5. Surely well may the Fruit of the Spirit be said to be in All Goodness . As Mony answers All things , in temporal Respects , Eccles. 11.19 . Spirit answer● all good things . so where one Evangelist saith , how much more shall your Father give good Things , &c. The other reads , How much more shall he give the holy Spirit to them that ask him , so that the Holy Spirit answers All good Things .

Drunkards quench this Spirit . Isa●ah 28.1 . 2 Thes. 5.19 . Hosea 4.11 . Eph. 5.18 . Luke 21.38 . And here I cannot but lament the Drunkenness of our Ephraim , who by abusing good things , sin away the Best Thing , quenching the Spirit with strong Drink , which as it takes away mans heart , so it keeps away Gods Spirit , as Scripture saith , be not drunk with Wine , wherein is excess , but be filled with the Spirit , for that clean Spirit can not dwell in an Heart ( especially ) overcharged with Surfeiting , Drunkenness , and odious excess .

Sect. XLV .

Pray for the Spirit . Psal. 143.10 . & 51.11 , 12. Acts 1.4 . Survey his Workings . Rom. 8.20 . WHerefore , good Reader , say as David , Thy Spirit is good , and Pray as David , O take not thy holy Spirit from me , but uphold me with thy free Spirit , Pray and wait for the Spirit , having put the Promises in suit by Prayer . Survey his daily workings , and work thou with him , for the Word himself useth as to his helping our Infirmities , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , is a Metaphor taken from two that lift together one over against another at the same stone or piece of Timber to lay it in the Building .

Prize his Witnessings . Verse 16.17 . Acts 9.31 . Moreover , prize his Evidence , for as he worketh , so he witnesseth with our Spirit , that We are the Children of God , and if children , then Hens , &c. walk in the comfort of the Holy Ghost ( as Scripture speaks ) even of his Evidence , who is both Earnest , Seal , and Witnesse .

Listens to his motions . Revel. 22.10 . Listen to the Spirit , who never bids us to our hurt , the spirit saith come , take of the water of Life freely ; His Charmings are Wise , his Reproofs an excellent Oyl , his Convictions , Kindness ; and all his motions , James 3.17 . Rev. 2.7.10 , 29 Chap. 1.6 , 13 , 22. Dictates and Counsels are first pure , and then peaceable . He that hath an Ear , let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches , 't is six times over in two Chapters ; it seems We are dull of hearing when Our best friend is speaking ; We could hear the Serpents first hissing , listen to Satan when he doth but whisper to us , but when the Spirit speaks so loud , that All should hear , even to the churches , He finds deaf ears growing upon our Hearts ; and when he comes unto us by his sweet insinuations , we treat this Heavenly Messenger , as Hanun did King Davids , 2 Sam. 10.4 . cutting off his motions in the middle , and so we send him grieved back , to the high provocation of God that sends him . But the Spirit is ( as his Fruit is ) Long-suffering , or else He would not so long strive with Man , with froward and stubborn man , but yet think He will not alwayes do it , as God roundly told the Old World . But Wo , Wo unto thee if thou Sin away the Spirit , Psal. 51.11 . for casting away from Gods presence is inseperably annexed to the taking away his holy Spirit , ( as it is in the Psalmist ) and those Spirits are sad proofs of it , 1 Pet. 3.18.19.20 . to whom God went and Preached by this Spirit in the dayes of Noah , for being then disobedient , they are now in Prison ; And sure We cannot but think it just and reasonable that we carefully hearken to him , when ever he comes on Gods Errand to us , Who ( if ever we would speed ) must go on Our Errand to God , and make Intercession for us . Rom. 8.26 . Grieve not the Spirit . Eph. 4.21 . to 25.26 . How that may be . By Commissions .

And oh how disingenuous and injurious must we needs think it , on the other hand , to grieve him that Comforts us , which the Apostle saith we do , when we put not off , concerning the former Conversation , the Old Man which is corrupt , according to deceiptful Lusts , and put not on the new Man , &c. when we put not away lying , corrupt Communication , undue courses for a Livelihood ( instead of diligence in our lawful Calling , ) anger , Bitterness , Evil-speaking , and all Malice ; even by All such undue Affections , Words and Actions ; Nay that We should Vex , yea Resist him , Isai h 63.10 . Acts 7.51 . as the uncircumcised in Heart and Ears ; nay quench the Spirit , with excess of Wine , &c. as is said before , put him quite out ( as Saul said , God is departed from me , 1 Sam. 28.15 . and answereth me no more ) now Fire is put out as effectually by not putting on of Fuel , as by putting on of Water , and the holy Spirit quenched by Sins of Omission as of Commission , Omission . by Contempt and wilful neglecting of holy Duties , Means and Ordinances ; and therefore Pray without ceasing , give thanks in every thing is put into the front , and Despise not Prophesyings comes up in the rear of that Apostolical grand Caveat Quench not the Spirit . 1 Thes. 5.17 , 18 , 19. Revel. 5.10 . Rather let us ( as made by Christ Priests unto God ) keep alwayes burning upon our Hearts this holy Fire : and stir it up by meditation , How to cherish the Spirit . Psalm 39 3. Psal. 143.10 . Revel. 1.10 . while I was musing , saith David , the Fire burned ; and blow it up by Prayer , Teach me to do thy will , O God , thy Spirit is good , &c. Especially let us Pray , and watch , and wait ( as the Primitive Disciples ) for the Lords Spirit on the Lords Day ; And let us add the Fewel of diligent and industrious Observation to all his fervent motions , when we hear the sound of his goings , 1 Sam. 5.24 . Heb● . 5 3. then let us bestir our selves ; When the Holy Ghost saith , to day if ye will hear his voice , let us not harden our hearts , nor put him off till to morrow , for the Spirit ( is as the Wind that ) bloweth where and when he listeth ; John 3.8 . Rev. 2● . 17 . Harbour no base thoughts of the Spirit . Acts 8.19 , 20. Acts 5.9 . when the Spirit saith Come , let the Bride say Come , and let him that heareth say Come . Let us not harbour any Carnal , Low , base Thoughts of this glorious Spirit , this was Simon Magus his sin . Especially let us not by close Hypocrisie or secret dissimulation agree to lie to the Holy Ghost , and so to tem●t the Spirit of the Lord , this was Ananias and Sa●hira's sin , and it cost them dear , and they are peculiarly said to tempt the Spirit , because it is his peculiar work to search All things . 1 Cor. 2.10 .

Sect. XLVI .

The wonderful condesce●tion of the Holy spirit in the work of Mens salvation . Mat. 6.9 , 3. Rom. 16.24 . 1 Cor. 16.23 . Gal. 6 13 Ph●l 4.23 . ANd now to shut up all , what Holy Fear and Love of this Holy Spirit may at once fill Our THOUGHTS , when we consider that although HOLINESS be the ●eculiar Attribute of the Spirit , from which he receives his Denomination ( even as Greatness is peculiarly ascribed to the Father ( who is therefore said to be in Heaven , and Kingdom , Power , and Glory to be his ) and Grace to be the Son● in respect of which special property of the Spirit , All sin against God is said , in a special manner , to Vex the Spirit , 2 Thes. 3.18 . yet such is the rich Mercy of this Holy Spirit in Condescention to poor mans Salvation , that He undertakes it ( as his peculiar Office and Work ) to come into mans Heart unsitted , and unfurnished , when Zijm , Ochim , and lim have dwelt there , when vain Thoughts have lodged there , into a very sink of sin , a house without windows , a heap without order , a very Hell of cursed Confusion and of every hateful and hurtful lust , and that when there was none to go before him , or to prepare for him , Whereas though herein God commended his love to us in that while We were Enemies Christ dyed for us , yet would not the Son be born to die , or lodge in a Womb , or come into the world , till this Spirit went before him , Hebr. 10.5 . As in the Margin . to prepare a place for him , and to fit a Body to him , for so may the word be rendred , a Body hast thou prepared me , or a Body hast thou fitted me .

O sweet spirit ! what Tongue can praise , or heart prize thee according to thy glorious Grace to poor sinners ? Genesis 2.7 . When God first breathed into man the breath of Life , He was a lump of innocent Clay ; but when thou comest to breath the breath of New Life into sinful man , thou breathest into a noysome Carkasse , an heart full of Rottenness , 1 King . 8 28. 2 Chron. 6.29 . and takest up thy Dwelling in that very part where his Plague sore runs . And now seeing Thou dost not shun those that have the Plague of the heart ; Come in , thou blessed of the Lord , to this Heart of mine , Mat. 3.11 . Isaiah 44.3 . Thou art a Fire that can purge my Dross , and not be impaired ; a Water that can wash away all my filth , and not be defiled ; Now to thee , Blessed spirit , with the Father and the Son , be Glory for ever . Amen .

Sect. XLVII .

FINALLY , As our Thoughts of God , Thoughts for God must be by Scripture Rule . See Bp. Andrews , on the second Commandment . Image and Imagination , Cogitation . Col. 2.23 . Mat. 15.9 . S●e Bishop Taylors Dissuasive , pag. 48. Isa 29.13 , 14. 2 Sam. 7.2 . 2 Chron. 3.3 . and 29 25. so our Thoughts For God are onely Right , when agreeable to Scripture Rules , For as the second Commandment forbids all IMAGES , so also all IMAGINATIONS in the things of God that are not warrantable by the Word of God . The Hebrews express both by one word , for Thoughts are the Images of things in our minds . What the Apostle calls Will-Worship , Our Saviour calls Vain-Worship , though the things may have a shew of wisdom and humility , where the fear towards God is taught ( as in Popery ) by the Precepts of Men.

When David took up thoughts of Building God an House , he consulted Nathan the Prophet , which when Solomon was allowed to accomplish , it is said , Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the Building of the House of God ; which when Hezekiah did restore , 't is said also , he set the Levites in the House of the Lord with Cymbals , with Psalteries , and with Harps , according to the Commandment of David , and of Gad the Kings Seer , and of Nathan the Prophet , for so was the COMMANDMENT of the LORD by his Prophets .

Rom. 10.2 . Zeal without Knowledge is Heat without Light , which is so like Hell , that it cannot be pleasing to the God of Heaven ; Mark 9.44 . Mat 25 . 3● . for Hell is a Fire that never goes out , and yet Outer Darkness . Wherefore , Reader , when ever thou thinkest to do any thing for God , Ask his Word first , whether it will be well taken . How lamentable is it to think how perniciously Our Thoughts for God may miscarry for want of this . John 16.2 . Acts 26.9 . 2 Sam. 6 6 , 7. Bp. Taylors Preface to his Dissuasive . The Roman Church can never justifie her self from Idolatry , yet if it were but suspitious , God is jealous and will not endure any causes of suspition , or motives of jealousy . Things like Idolatry can no wayes be excused . Bp. Tay ors Diss●asive from Popery , pag. 57. Some kill Gods Saints , yet think they do God good service , and saith Paul , I verily thought with my self , that I ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth . Poor Uzzah , no doubt , thought to do God a good piece of service , when He put forth his hand to stay the Ark , when the Oxen shook it , but God smote him for his Errour , that he died . A severe punishment , may some man think , and a slender errour , especially considering that the Man meant well ; But when we consider that of all the Decalogue , the mention of Gods jealousie is onely annexed to the second Commandment , ( now jealousie hath a sharp Eye not onely upon the down right Act , but also upon every thing that comes near it , or leads to it , or looks like it , ) We cannot wonder at the formidable instances of Gods severity recorded in Scripture , such as Uzzah here , Chap. 9.24 . and Nadab and Abihu were , who offered ( 't is not said Forbidden Fire , but ) strange Fire before the Lord , which he commanded them not , and there went out a Fire from the Lord and devoured them . Lev. 6.13 . Onely just in the Verse before there was holy Fire upon the Altar , which God sent down from Heaven in the sight of the People , and God would have this Fire reserved , Levit. 10.1 . and ( it seems ) onely made use of in the case of holy Offerings . I shall shut up his head with that remarkable Text of Scripture , Shew them ( saith God to the Prophet Ezekiel ) the form of the House , and the fashion thereof , Ezek. 43.21 . and the goings out thereof , and the comings In thereof , and all the forms thereof , and all the Ordinances thereof , and all the forms thereof , and all the Laws thereof ; and write it in their sight , that they may keep the whole form and all the Ordinances thereof , and do them .

THE CONCLUSION Of the Whole , With Motives and Rules for the keeping of Thoughts RIGHT .

Sect. I.

Exhortation to self reflection by and upon our Thoughts . ANd thus having given Rules for the Tryal of Thoughts , and certain Schemes of such Thoughts as are according to Rule ; Let me earnestly Exhort Thee , O Reader , to think seriously of thy Thoughts , That Thou mayest know what to think of thy Self , and what God thinks of Thee .

For , Non Aper Auditu , ●phynx visu , Simia gustu , &c. Prov. 12. ●6 . Verse 5. For as man Excels not other Creatures in seeing , hearing , tasting , &c. but in Thinking ; So therefore is the Righteous said to be more Excellent then his Neighbour , in this same Chapter where the Thoughts of the Righteous are said to be Right ; for herein a good man excels Another , more then another excels a Beast , Psalm 49.25 . For even Man that is in honour , and considereth not , is like the Beasts that ●erish , saith the Psalmist . Therefore saith he to God , Psalm 2.5 . Consider my Meditation , and if God consider our Thoughts , it concerns us sure to Consider them ; And therefore saith also of himself , Psalm 49.2 . Ab●eadom Rad. The Meditation of my heart shall be consideration , or Anim-adversion ( for so the word signifies as well a● understanding ) and so may refer to the Reflex Acts of the mind upon it self , as well as its direct A●●s upon other Things .

Sect. II.

ANd yet alas such is the Corruption of Mans Mind by Nature , that few can be found free to think of their Thoughts , except it be corruptly to think them FREE .

But yet They that are Partakers 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , of a Divine Nature , 2 Pet. 1.4 . Hebr , 1.3 . ( to speak with Scripture ) will bear some Resemblance of the Divine Mind , which begets in it self the express Image of it self ( as the Apostle speaks ) by self-Reflection . And as the Internal begotten WORD was the Eternal Delight of the DIVINE MIND , ( I was daily his DELIGHT , Prov. 8.30 . ) So if Thou make it thy Daily Business , conscientiously to converse with the hidden man of thine heart , 1 Pet. 3.4 . in this Excellent way of self-Reflection ; This will be not onely as the Chewing of the Cud in the Levitical Law , a signe unto thee of a clean heart , Levit. 11.3 . but will also embalm thy soul , as it were , with a certain Divine delight , a Caelestial serenity and satisfaction .

Sure I am that the best Christians do find themselves shortest fed with spiritual Joy , when through Sin , Sloth , or Dissuetude , they are least Wont or willing to turn into themselves by this self-Reflection .

The hidden Manna is meat for the hidden Man , Revel. 2.12 . and thou must turn in there , if thou wouldest tast of Gods Dainties . Christ will not sup with Thee , except He find thee at home , Revel. 3.25 . I will come in to Him ( saith Christ ) and sup with him ; And therefore if Thou wouldst sup with Christ , Thou must also turn in to Thy self . The stranger ( to God and the stranger to himself ) doth not interme Idle with this Joy . Prov. 14.16 .

And now hoping , good Reader , that this little Treatise will find thee thus at home , and All well there . I shall onely add a few helps for the keeping Thoughts Right , ( for it is not enough that the Watch be well set , but it must be well kept . )

1. In some moving Notional Considerations .

2. In some practical Rules .

Of each of these very briefly , and so we shall shut up all .

I. Motive to Right Thoughts .

1. Motive to Right Thoughts . Psal. 146 , 3. Thoughts will be alwayes stirring . Psalm 57.21 . Isaiah 57.20 . Isaiah 57.20 . COnsider that as thy Pulse , so thy Thoughts will be alwayes Stirring to thy Dying-Day . Now what is alwayes in Motion , had need be well Ordered . If thy Thoughts boyl not up with a good matter , as the Psalmists did , they will be as the Raging Sea that cannot rest , but is still casting up Mire and Dirt. Though Thou canst not alwayes be waking , yet thou canst Sin sleeping , Prov 24.9 . Deut. 23.16 . because thou canst Think sleeping , and we have seen that the very thought of foolishness is sin . As in the Law , a Man might be unclean by that which happened in the Night , so our Thoughts may drop Defilement upon our Consciences , when we are asleep in our beds : And Oh let this Consideration awaken us to Repentance even for Thought-sins of our ●●ep !

'T is the Policy of Princes to keep working HEADS well imployed , and so must we deal with our working HEARTS .

II. Motive .

2. Motive . Glorious Theme for thy Thoughts . Heb. 12.2 , 3. Colos. 2.3 . NExt Consider what a Glorious Theme for thy Thoughts , God hath provided ( even All GOOD in One ) in that short and sweet Rule , CONSIDER JESUS ( in whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge .

Astronomy doth but survey a Dung-hill , for Stars are but Dirty Clods in comparison of that Glory that lyes within Reach of the ASTROLABE of thy Thoughts if thou do but Rightly Consider JESUS .

Truth is , 't is a wonder a Christian can much think of any thing for thinking of his Christ , but that we are so much Corruption , and so little Christian . Saint Paul could hardly do it ; perhaps He forgat his Cloak at Troas , when he left it behind him ; yet he had nor , good man , much else to think of but the Cloths to his back . But however , we are sure that we find him wrapping himself up , almost every other line , in the warm Thoughts of a JESUS . Blessed Soul ! strip him to the Back , or rip up his Bosom , there you still find the marks of the Lord JESUS . Gal. 6.17 . As 't is said , Callis might have been read in Queen Maries heart , if it had been ript up . And here methinks I could even forget my self , and run along in my Thoughts with this sweet Apostle , but that I must not forget my Reader , for 't is time to be hastening towards a Conclusion .

III. Motive .

AGain , 3. Motive . Keep Right Thoughts , and they will keep thee right . Consider that to keep thy Thoughts Right , is the way to keep Thee so . My Life for thine , He that keeps his Thoughts Right , shall never die Traytour to God or the King . Not to the King ; for Curse not the King , no not in thy Thought , saith the Rule of Righteousness . Not to God , for Right Thoughts will yield the Fruits of Righteousness . Fruits of the Lips , Psalm 45.1 . My heart is Inditing a good matter , I will speak of the things I have made touching the King , Psalm 119.15 . my Tongue is the Pen of a ready Writer , so saith the Psalmist . And the Fruit of good living ; I will meditate ( saith He ) in thy Precepts , and have Respect unto thy Wayes : and again , I have remembred thy Name , and have kept thy Law . Verse 55.

IV. Motive .

4. Motive . Right Thoughts will yield peaceable Fruit. Mal. 3.16 . Verse 17. ANd lastly Consider , That Right Thoughts will yield as the Fruits , so the Peaceable Fruits of Righteousness . For these are thy fair Evidences that thou art in Gods Books ( as we say proverbially of One highly favoured ) that Thou art one of his Jewels ; for a Book of Remembrance was written before him , for them that Thought upon his Name ; And they shall be mine , saith the Lord of Hosts , in that day when I make up my Jewels . And how should We count and keep that as Our peculiar Treasure , in respect of which God counts Us so .

And therefore in the II. place to Direct thee .

I. Practical Rule .

1. Practical Rule . Repent of evil Thoughts . Acts 8.22 . THe First Practical Rule for the Keeping of Right Thoughts , is Diligent and daily Repentance of Evil Thoughts ; what saith the Apostle ? Repent and pray God , if perhaps the Thoughts of thine heart may be forgiven Thee . And O what cause of deep Humiliation for our Thought-sins is here , that the very Thought of a mans Heart may bring a Man to a peradventure , or a Perhaps , whether ever He may be forgiven .

Matth. 3.8 . What saith John Baptist ? Bring forth therefore Fruits meet for Repentance , and think not to say within your selves , &c. Hence thus much is Evident , that where Fruits meet for Repentance are brought forth , Evil Thoughts are expelled and cast forth . Now as nothing can banish Darkness but Light , so can nothing expel Evil Thoughts but Good Thoughts ,

And as the Ablaqueation and laying of the Roots bare in the time of year , is the way to make Trees bring forth Fruit well in their season ; so the laying Our hearts bare in the sight of God by Confession , Compunction , Contrition , deep Humiliation for our Evil Thoughts is one way to be fruitful and abounding in Good Ones .

II. Practical Rule . 2. Practical Rule . 2 Sam. 13.20 . Make the evil of thine heart subservient to thy good thoughts .

NExt , as the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen every man his Share , and his Colter , and his Axe , and his Mattock , because they would not suffer a Smith in Israel ; So deal with the Corruption of thy Nature , that would not suffer One good Thought in thy Soul . Whee thy Thoughts for good , by that very Contrariety that is in thee to good , For instance .

Thou complainest that such is the corruption of thy Nature , that thou canst not of thy self think one Good Thought ; Why , Think then of the Corruption of thy Nature , and even this Thought well followed , shall be a Good Thought in Thee , and a Good Thought for Thee .

Thou complainest that thou canst not think of Heaven for the thoughts of Earth , and of things below ; why , think of these things , onely think of them aright ( viz. ) as Gods Word , and thy Reason , and thy Sense tell thee , as what God hath placed under thy feet ( as the Psalmist speaks ) : Let me tell thee , Psalm 8.6 . that Right Thoughts of Earth , and of things below , may help , not hinder thy thoughts of Heaven .

In Nature , the ambient Winter-cold makes Springs in the Bowels of the Earth , ( they say ) the hotter . Mans heart is a Spring , and Thoughts are its flowings , and thus David ( we have seen ) waxed hot with musing , while the wicked were before him . Psalm 39.1 , 3. God can make Corruption of Nature subservient to Grace ; as Joshua said of the Canaanites , Numb. 14.9 . they are Bread for us ; God can make the very Evil of our hearts to be Food and Fewel to our Good Thoughts .

III. Practical Rule .

3. Practical Rule . Heave at thine heart . Numb. 15.20 . NExt Heave daily at thine heart , for our Thoughts are our Heave-Offerings . Lift at thine heart , as they do at a great Stone , or piece of Timber , which is , by raising , to be laid into the Building . Unto thee , Psalm 25.1 . O Lord , do I lift up my Soul ( saith holy David . )

But not in thine own strength . Pray for the Spirit to help thee to right Thoughts . John 14.26 . But then still Remember , that of thy self thou art not sufficient to think any thing ( aright ) as of thy self . Therefore Pray in aid of the Spirit , whose work it is ( as in Prayer so ) in Meditation , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to lift with us , and to help us to lift . And Pray in Faith of that Promise , the Holy Ghost , whom the Father will send in my Name , shall bring All things to your Remembrance , that is , good Thoughts to your minds . And here let me desire thee carefully to Remember this , That , if Gods Spirit do not , Satan will be filling thy heart . Acts 5.3 .

The very First Petition in the Lords Prayer , teacheth us to pray for Right Thoughts , for by these we sanctify the Lord God in our hearts . Isaiah 8.13 . 1 Pet. 3.15 . Luke 11.13 . And therein also to pray for the Sanctifying Spirit , whom God hath promised to give to them that a●k him .

Be thankful for right thoughts . Psalm 30.4 . And further , be sure to be thankful to God , when he helps thee to be thoughtful of that which is Good ; in this sense , Give thanks at the Remembrance of his holiness , even when he helps thee to Remember it . Humble thankefulness for what we have is a cleanly way of begging for more .

Labour for holy affections . And that thou mayest alwayes be full of good thoughts , Implore Gods Grace to fill thee with those sanctified Affections that carry the Key , and command of the thoughts , ( viz. ) Holy Fear and Love .

Fear . For the first of these , even slavish Fear can carry the thoughts before it ( the Mariners in a storm can easily think of their Danger ) Jonah 1.5 . And shall not an holy and Filial fear ? they feared the Lord , Mal. 3.16 . and ( saith the Text ) they thought upon his Name .

And as for Love , And Love . Levit. 2.7 . Cacabus ● Rad. Hebr. ebullivit . Psalm 45.1 . as the Holy Fire under the Frying-pan , made the Oyl of the Oblation to bubble and boyl up , ( which is the Psalmists very word ) Holy Love is this Fire that makes Thoughts boil up , for the very first word of that Psalm , which is entituled a Song of Love , is this , My heart boileth up with a good matter .

Experience tells us , Animus est non ubi animat , sed ubi amat . that the affectionate and tender Mother can leave her thoughts behind her at home with her sucking Child , when she goes abroad . Thus worldly Love will have worldly Thoughts , and Gracious Love will have Gracious Thoughts . O how I love thy Law ! it is my Meditation all the day . Psalm 19.97 . And 't is a sign Holy Love is but weak and feeble , when holy thoughts are but faint and few . Deut. 6.5 .

And here let the Reader most carefully observe , that where Moses layes down the First and great Commandment , thou shalt Love the Lord thy God , only in three words , with all thy Heart , and with all thy Soul , and with all thy Might ( or strength . Mat. 22.37 . Mark 17.30 . Luke 10.27 . ) Our Saviour ( repeating the Law ) adds a Fourth , ( viz. ) 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ex omni Cogitatione so Bez. & vulg. &c. with all thy Thought or Mind , plainly enough suggesting unto us , that the Strength of the Heart cannot be reckoned as engaged to the Love of God , where the Thoughts of the Heart are not drawn Out by it .

And therefore labour to ascertain and to clear up thine Interest in God , and Christ , Mark 12.30 . and Heavenly things daily more , and more , for Christ saith not where Anothers , but where your treasure is , Luke 10.27 . there will your heart be also , for as Interest raiseth Love , Love hath power to levy Thoughts , and to keep them in readiness for its use and service , so that if thy Treasure be in Heaven , there will thine heart be also . Luke 12.34 .

IV. Last Practical Rule .

4. Practical Rule . Begin thy Days and thy Weeks with Right thoughts . Exod. 12.1 . John . 20.2 . Coloss. 3.1 . Revel. 1.10 . LAstly , As the Israelites were to reckon their Beginning of Moneths from the time of their Deliverance , so let the Thoughts of thy DELIVERER still begin both thy Weeks and thy Dayes ; for it was both upon the First of the Week , and of the Day , that our Blessed Lord Rose again from the Dead , and We must imp our Thoughts , if we would help their flight , upon the wing of Our Saviours Resurrection .

S. John was in the Spirit on the LORDS-DAY , that is , on the First of the Week , for it is generally confest , that the First day of the Week was as well known , by the Primitive Christians in the Apostolical Age , by the Name of the Lords-day , as any other day was or is , by Jews or Gentiles , known and distinguished by any other Name .

Thus did the dear Disciple begin the Week , and thus did Holy David still begin the day , whose constant course was to take his slight for Heaven on the wings of the Morning , Psal. 139.18 . ( when I was awake ( saith he to God ) I am still with thee . ) And thus should the First-lings of the flock of our Thoughts be for God still , Gen 4.4 . Matth. 6.33 . still ; First seek the Kingdom of God , that is , not onely above All , but also every Week , and every Day , first of All.

Of all the Ten there is but One Commandment that begins with a REMEMBER , O forget not that . Exod. 20.8 . Remember the Sabbath day , to keep it holy . This is the standing Law , commanding one Day , or Seventh part of the Week , ( blessed of God above all the rest ) to be set apart for God , for so also the Commandment ends , Verse 11. Hookers Ecclesiastical Policy . the Lord Blessed the Sabbath Day , and hallowed it . The Perpetual obligatoriness of which Law , is strongly asserted by the Learned Hooker , and declaredly owned by the Church of England , there being subjoyned to the publick reading of this fourth Commandment , as well as of the rest , a Lord have mercy upon us , See also the Hom. of the Place and Time , &c. Titus 1.16 . John 1.3 . and encline our Hearts to keep this Law . And if in Words we confess this Law , O let not our Works deny it .

Now as the SON of God , being Maker both of the First Creation and Sabbath , for by Him were All things made , and without Him was nothing made that was made , ( as we have already seen ) First blessed that Day wherein He first Rested , for the Commemoration of that First and Glorious work of his ; So after that He became the SON MAN , Mark 2.28 . being still LORD of the SABBATH , He hath dignified the First Day of the Week with the glorious Title of the LORDS-DAY , having Rested therein from a greater Work ( viz. ) the Suffering and state of Death , which was the last and Finishing Work of his state of Humiliation , and therein blessed and hallowed it for our Commemoration of the more glorious work of Redemption . For as the glory of the later Temple , Hag. 2.9 . was greater then that of the former , because Christ was more manifestly to appear in it , it may be ( as truly and for the same reason ) said of Gods Workmanship , Eph. 2.10 . created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works , that the glory of the New Creature excels that of the Old , for the more manifestation of Christ , still the more Glory , till at last He shall come to be perfectly glorified in his Saints , and admired in all them that believe ; 2 Thes. 1.10 . For herein hath he obsignated , and given an undubitable pledge of that REST or SABBATISM , that remains for the People of God , Hebr. 4.9 . when ( upon the general Resurrection of their Bodies ) they shall Eternally rest from Sin and Death , 1 Cor. 15.20 . for Christ is risen as the First Fruits of them that sleep , and therefore ( saith He ) thy Dead Men shall live , Isaiah 26.19 . John 14.19 . together with my Dead Body shall they arise , for because I LIVE , Ye shall live also .

To allude then to that Word of our Saviour , John 12.31 . When I am lifted up , I will draw all men to me ( and indeed when the King is up and gone , 't is not for the Courtiers to loyter and lag behind . ) O me-thinks this Resurrection of Christ should DRAW All our Hearts and Thoughts to him . Colos. 3.1 . If we then be Risen with Christ ( saith the Apostle ) Let us seek those things that are above , Psalm 24.7 . Psalm 110.7 . and then especially when He arose , Then Lift up your heads , O ye Gates , and be ye lift up ye Everlasting Doors , for this Day did your dearest Lord lift up that head from the Conquered Grave , John 19.30 . which He bowed before upon that bitter Cross , that as his Death was the Death of our Sins , so his Resurrection might be the life of our Souls . Psal. 118 24. This , this is the day that Our Lord hath made , We will Rejoyce and be glad in it ; Every other Sun-Rising can make another Day , Mal. 4.1 . but it is onely the Rising of the Sun of Righteousness , with healing in his wings , that made the Day we stile the LORDS-DAY , and therefore when the Burthen of the Week ( for sufficient to every day is the Evil thereof ) hath made our Shoulders shrink , Mat. 6.34 . and gall'd our back , this blessed Day takes off the Burthen , and layes on the Balm , heals the aking Heart , Relieves the weary Thoughts , and ( in a word ) it brings Heaven half down to us , and takes us half up to Heaven .

Wherefore , good Reader , let thine Early Thoughts and Spicie Meditations begin every morning of this blessed Day ( as the good Women in the Gospel ) with a gracious and holy visit of thy Saviours Sepulchre , Luke 24.1 , 6. till the Heavenly Ordinances of that Day proclaim to thee , as the Angels to them , He is not here , but is risen , John 14.2 , 3. and is gone before thee , to prepare a place for thee , that he may come again and receive thee , that where He is , there mayest thou be also .

And as the First day of each Week thus employed , will sanctifie unto thee the rest of the Week , so will the First of each Day , the rest of the Day ; when by a Sun-beam thou canst climb to God , Herber● in Temple . Close thy dayes with good thoughts . as Divine Herbert most sweetly expresseth it .

And now having found thee with Him and Holy David in the Morning , I would chuse to leave thee with Isaac in the Evening , who was wont at that time to go out to MEDITATE , That as God is Alpha and Omega of all things , He may be the Beginning and the End of thy Thoughts , for with Him it is that this little Book both designs and desires to leave Thee . Amen , Amen .

FINIS .