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diff --git a/old/62944-8.txt b/old/62944-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8fdb413..0000000 --- a/old/62944-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3412 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Experiments of Spiritual Life & Health, And -their Preservatives, by Roger Williams - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Experiments of Spiritual Life & Health, And their Preservatives - In which the weakest Child of God may get Assurance of his - Spirituall Life and Blessednesse etc. - -Author: Roger Williams - -Release Date: August 16, 2020 [EBook #62944] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EXPERIMENTS OF SPIRITUAL LIFE *** - - - - -Produced by Brian Wilson, MFR, Christopher Wright, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - - EXPERIMENTS - - OF - - Spiritual Life & Health, - - And their - - PRESERVATIVES - -In which the _weakest_ Child of _God_ may get _Assurance_ of his - Spirituall _Life_ and _Blessednesse_ - -And the _Strongest_ may finde proportionable _Discoveries_ of his - _Christian Growth_, and the _means_ of it. - - By _Roger Williams_ of _Providence_ in - _New-England_. - - [Illustration] - - London, Printed, in the Second Month, - 1652. - - RE-PRINTED BY - SIDNEY S. RIDER, - PROVIDENCE. - 1863. - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -As the existence of the following tract was, until quite recently, -unknown,[A] a few words of introduction, exhibiting its character and -the circumstances under which it was written, may not be inappropriate. - -[A] Professor Knowles, in his Memoir of Roger Williams, makes the -following statement: Mr. Williams is said to have published, in London, -in 1652, a work entitled "Experiments in Spiritual Life and Health, and -their Preservatives." Of this book, no copy has come to our knowledge. - -The object of the work is, briefly to present to the christian the -evidences of personal piety and guard these evidences from abuse and -misapprehension. It is divided into three parts. The author first -treats of the evidences of a piety, which, though real, is weak and -imperfect; secondly, the evidences of a vigorous and maturer piety; -and the third part contains directions for maintaining and increasing -piety in the soul of the believer. It is written with clearness and -discrimination, and much resembles the treatises of Baxter on the same -subject. It is as well adapted to the condition of christians of the -present day as to the condition of those for whom it was written, -two hundred and ten years since. There cannot be found in it a word -of sectarian bitterness; on the contrary, it everywhere breathes the -spirit of catholic, christian charity. - -The circumstances under which it was written are certainly peculiar. It -seems that his wife, to whom he appears to have been tenderly attached, -had been dangerously ill, but was now recovering. During her sickness -he had been from home, laboring among the Indians; and while absent, he -wrote this little treatise in the form of a letter to her, his object -being simply to promote her spiritual improvement. At the request of -his friends, it was published in London; and a dedication was prefixed -to it, addressed to Lady Vane the Younger. In this dedication, occurs -the following remarkable passage: "The form and stile I know will seem -to this refined age too rude and barbarous, and the truth is, the most -of it was penned and writ, (so as seldom or never such discourses -were,) in the thickest of the naked Indians of America, in their very -wild houses, and by their barbarous fires, when the Lord was pleased -this last year (more than ordinarily) to dispose my abode and travel -among them." - -As a writer, Roger Williams has generally borne the reputation of a -violent and bitter controversialist. I believe that in this respect he -has suffered great injustice. It would seem from this tract, that, on -the contrary, his spirit was eminently candid and catholic, and that -controversy was to him a painful duty. In the same dedication he says: -"It is true, I have been sometimes prest to engage in controversies, -but I can really and uprightly say, my witness is on high, how harsh -and dolefull the touch of these strings are, [is,] and especially -against such worthies both in old and New England, in whom I joyfully, -before the world, acknowledge (in many heavenly respects) a lively -character and image of the love of God." Every thing in this tract is -in harmony with such a declaration. - -STEPHEN RANDALL, Esq., a descendant of Roger Williams, a gentleman who -cherishes a proper respect for the memory of his great ancestor, has -been at much pains to procure the use of one of the only two known -copies of this work, and at his instance it is now re-published. It -is nearly a _fac simile_ of the original copy, retaining, unchanged, -all the obsolete words and phrases, with all the peculiarities -of orthography. In this form it will be more interesting to the -public, and especially to antiquarians, than it could be made by -any change whatever. In the hope, that, after the lapse of more than -two centuries, it will again be acceptable to christians of all -denominations, and exhibit in a new light the character of a great and -good man, it is now presented to the descendants of the Puritans. - - F. W. - - _Providence, December 1st, 1862._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -To the truly Honorable the Lady _Vane_, the Younger. - - -Madam, - -_Your favourable, and_ Christian respects _to me_ (_both of former -and latter date_) _your_ Godly _and_ Christian Letters _to me, so -many thousand miles distant in_ America: _And your many gracious_ -Demonstrations _of an humble and_ Christian Spirit _breathing in -you; are a three fold_ Cord _which have drawn these lines into your -presence_. - -_While I have sometimes mused how to express a_ Christian gratitude, -_I am at last perswaded to crave your_ Ladyships acceptance _of these -poore_ Experiments _of each true_ Christians personall union, _and_ -communion _with the_ Father _of_ Spirits. - -_It is true, I have been sometimes prest to engage in_ controversies, -_but I can really and uprightly say, my_ Witnes _is on_ high, _how -harsh and doleful the_ touch _of those_ strings _are, especially, -against such_ Worthies _both in_ old _and new_-England, _in whom I -joyfully before the world acknowledge_ (_in many heavenly respects_) _a -lively character and_ Image _of the_ Son _of God. This broken_ piece, -_is a breath of a_ still _and_ gentle voice, _none but the_ God _of -this_ world, _and the_ men _of this_ world, _can I lightly_ (_at this -turne_) _expect my_ opposites. - -_At other times I have been drawne to consider of the little_ flock -_of_ Jesus, _his_ Army, _his_ body, _his_ building, _that for these -many hundred years have been_ scattered, routed _and_ laid wast _and_ -desolate: _At present, I onely examine who are the_ personall _and_ -particular Sheep of Jesus Christ, _his_ Souldiers, _his living_ -materials, _though_ scattered, divided, _and not_ compos'd _and ordred -at their souls desire_. - -_I confess_ (Madam) _it was but a_ private _and_ sudden discourse, -_sent in private to my poor_ Companion _and_ Yoak-fellow, _occasioned -by a sudden_ sickness _threatening_ death, _into which, and from which -it pleased the_ Lord _most graciously to cast and raise her_. - -_The_ forme _and_ stile _I know will seem to this refined_ age, _too -rude and barbarous: And the_ truth _is, the most of it was penn'd and -writ (so as seldom or never such discourses were) in the thickest of -the naked_ Indians _of_ America, _in their very wild_ houses, _and -by their barbarous_ fires; _when the Lord was pleased this last year -(more then ordinarily) to dispose of my_ abode _and_ travell _amongst -them. And yet, is the_ Language _plaine? it is the liker_ Christs: -_Is the composure rude? such was his outward_ Beauty: _Are the tryals -(seemingly) too close? such is the two edged_ Sword _of his most_ holy -Spirit, _which pierceth between the very_ Soul _and_ Spirit, _and -bringeth every_ thought _into the_ obedience _of_ Christ Jesus. - -_Amongst the many_ Crowns _of_ mercy (Madam) _which it hath pleased -the_ Father _of mercies to crowne your_ soul _with, as_ David _speaks -of his_, Psal. 103. _there are two which justly challenge (and your -Ladyship I know doth humbly acknowledge them) to be the fairest_. - -[Sidenote: 1 Cor. 3.] - -_The first, That he himselfe most_ high, _most_ holy, (_who makes his -common_ choice, _the_ poor, _Jam. 2. and chooseth few_ Lords, _few_ -Knights, _few_ Ladies, (_few_ wise, _few_ noble, _few_ mighty) _hath -freely chosen you_ Madam, _in so gracious and blessed a_ measure, _to_ -desire _to_ feare _his_ Name. - -_A second, That for your dearest_ Companion _and_ Guide _in this vale -of_ tears (_amongst the famous_ Worthies _of this_ age) _he hath -graciously guided you to such a blessed_ choice, _of such an_ Husband -_on_ earth, _who beares so bright an_ Image _of your_ Husband _in the_ -Heavens, _and in whose most holy and gracious_ hand, _he hath been such -a_ mercifull _and_ faithfull Instrument, _for both the_ freedoms _both -of the_ outward _and_ inner _man_. - -_I doe humbly acknowledge (that upon an absolute account) all is -mercy, and yet I am also humbly confident, that in a_ respect (_as -he graciously remembered his old friend_ Abraham, _and tels us of a -speciall love he yet bears the_ Jewes _for_ Abrahams _sake, even so, he -hath graciously vouchsafed at this present an_ honorable remembrance -_to the NAMES of some of his more_ eminent _former_ friends _and_ -witnesses. - -_How hath he crowned the_ memory _of those his 2 zealous_ Servants -_in K._ Henry _the 8th. his days[B] with a most eminent and blessed_ -succession _of such_ names _and_ spirits _at this day? and in a -gracious_ remembrance _of his love to that blessed_ daughter _and_ -witnesse _of his the_ Lady Vane _in Q._ Maries _dayes; how hath it -pleased his_ wisedom _and_ goodnesse, _to remember and to honour that_ -Name, _both in your Ladiship and so many otherways, with so many loving -kindnesses at this day_? - -[B] Cromwel and Lambert. - -_My humble cry_ (Madam) _to the_ Lord _shall never cease, those all -those your many_ obligations _of both_ temporall _and_ eternall -mercies, _may_ (_like chaines of_ Adamant) _draw and bind your -precious_ Soul _more and more to resolve (by his grace assisting) to -make his name_ great, _who hath made your so and so to love his_ Name, -_his_ Son, _his_ Spirit, _his_ Truth, _his_ Children, _that others at -the_ Torch _of your_ exemplary meeknesse _and_ fear _of_ God, _may -light and kindle theirs; That your_ Souls-eye _more and more brightly -may see him who is_ invisible, _and may so experimentally resent -those_ invisible _and_ internal Honors, pleasures _and_ profits _that -are in him that in comparison_ _thereof the_ visible _and_ worldly, -_may be accounted by you but_ dreams _of_ shadows, _&c. That your_ -great desire _may be a_ likenesse _of so_ high _and_ holy, _and so -dear a_ Saviour, _and_ (_as in other_ excellencies _so_) _in that -especially of a desire_ of saving _others_, _your_ Children, Kindred, -Servants, Friends, _yea_, Enemies: _that neither the pleasing_ calme -_of_ prosperity, _nor the dreadfull_ storms _of_ changes, _may quench -or dampe that holy_ fire _of your souls_ love (_in_ Life _and_ Death) -_to_ Him _whom your_ Ladyship _hath so much infinite cause to love, but -never yet saw, in whom, and for ever_ - - _I desire to be_ - - Your HONOURS unfeignedly faithfull. - - =R. W.= - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -To every truly _Christian Reader_. - - -[Sidenote: Thy Maker is thy Husband. Isa. 52.] - -As it is in the _Earthly_, so it is in the _Heavenly Marriage_ of a -poor _Sinner_ to his _Maker_. There useth first to passe a _private_ -kindling of Love, and a private _consent_ and _promise_ (which -sometimes are long) before the _open solemnity_, and the _publike -profession_ of a Married Life together. This is my present _designe_, -(not to controvert the matters of publike _Order_ and _Worship_, but) -to present some poor Experiments of those Personall _excellencies_ of -each true beleeving _soule_ and _spirit_. - -[Sidenote: Isa. 40.] - -[Sidenote: Prov. 21.] - -The Holy _Spirit_ (in _Isaiah_) tels us of _Ballances_ wherein the most -_High_ weighs the _Hills_ and _Mountains_: As also in _Solomon_, of -_Ballances_ wherein hee weighs the very _Spirits_, even of men whose -way is right in their owne eyes. And in _John_ (14.) he commands us to -try the _Spirits_, pretending to come from _Christ Jesus_, whether they -be of _God_, or no. - -[Sidenote: Great pretences to the holy Spirit of God.] - -There is not the grossest _Protestant_ or _Papist_, but pretends to -the _Spirit_ of _God_; yea that horrid _Monster Mahomet_, blusht not -to avouch that in the _Forme_ of a _Dove_, the holy _Spirit_ of _God_ -did whisper in his _eare_ from _Heaven_. Now blessed is that _Spirit_, -_publike_ or _private_, who is truly willing and joyfull to lye downe -in the _Ballances_ of the _Lords_ weighings. - -Hitherto tend these _Experiments_ of personal Communion with _God_ in -the _Spirit of Holinesse_, _Rom. 1. 3_. - -[Sidenote: To counterfeit the holy Spirit dreadfull.] - -'Tis true, all publike and private _Christian Spirits_, pretend the -_Spirit of Holinesse_: yea, how great a part of the _World_ pretend -to be _Christendome_, the _Christian world_, that is, anointed with -the _Spirit_ of _Christ Jesus_? But was it _Death_ in _Moses Rites_ -to counterfeit that ceremoniall and figurative _Ointment_, _Exod. 30_. -what shall it be to counterfeit the _Spirit_ of _Life_ and _Holiness_ -it self? What I beleeve therefore (as _David_ and _Paul_ once spake) -I freely speak: Yea, who can but speak (saith _Peter_ and _John_) the -Things they have seene and heard? I confesse I spake these first but in -a private _Letter_ in _America_, and thought not that the _light_ in -_Europe_ should have seen them: But a two-fold _desire_ hath prevailed -with me to expose these _Tryalls_ to the _Trying_ of all men. - -1. The earnest _desire_ of some _Godly Friends_. - -2. Mine owne _desire_ of sowing a little handfull of _spirituall seed_ -while the short _Minute_ of my _seed-time_ (the _opportunity_ of life) -lasteth. - -[Sidenote: The least of the little ones of Christ Jesus ought to -rejoyce.] - -My scope is to fill each truly _Christian soule_ with _triumphing_ -and _rejoycing_: I speak _peace_ and _joy_ to the Weakest _Lamb_ and -_Child_ (in _Christianity_) that is so _low_, so _weake_, so _litle_, -so _poor_ in its owne eyes, that it sometimes saith, it hath no -_Christ_, no _Spirit_, no _Faith_, no _Love_, no nor true _Desire_ -in it selfe. To this poore weake one I speak _peace_ and _joy_, and -say, this _spirituall poverty_ is blessed, and is the first _step_ or -_round_ of that spirituall _Ladder_, _Mat. 5_. Blessed are the poor in -_spirit_, for theirs is the _Kingdome_ of _Heaven_. - -Secondly, I found joyfull _Alarums_ of _Encouragement_ to the _strong_ -to grow (as _Peter_ exhorteth) in the _Grace_ and _Knowledge_ of the -_Lord Jesus_. - -[Sidenote: Communion of Saints most sweet, and to be lamented after.] - -Tis true, the _communion_ of _Saints_ is _sweet_ and joyfull, -_strong_ and powerfull, eternally _gainfull_ and profitable; and holy -and blessed is that _Spirit_ that makes the _Saints_ (who are the -_Excellent_ of the Earth) its _Delight_, and after that blessed hour of -the _Saints uniting_ in _one Heart_, _one Spirit_, _one Worship_, let -all that love _Christ Jesus_ mourne and lament, and breath and pant: -And yet the weakest and the faintest _Lamb_ that comes but stealing -in the Crowd to touch the hemb of the _Lord Jesus_ his garment, that -is content to be esteemed a _Dog_, and to wait for _crums_ of _mercy_ -under the _Table_ of the Son of _God_: let them I say rejoyce also, -for he that hath begun that blessed work by his owne free and eternall -_Spirit_, will by the same his owne holy _Arme_, gloriously finish it. - -I end (_Deare Christian_) with the _proposall_ of two _Christian -knots_, or _Riddles_, not unsuitable to these present _Times_ and -_Spirits_? - -[Sidenote: Two Christian Riddles, suiting these times and spirits.] - -_First_, Why is the _Heart_ of a _David_ himself (_Psa. 30._) more apt -to decline from _God_, upon the Mountaine of _Joy_, _Deliverance_, -_Victory_, _Prosperity_, then in the dark _Vale_ of the shadow of -_Death_, _Persecution_, _Sicknesse_, _Adversity_, &c. - -_Secondly_, Why is it, since _God_ worketh freely in us to _doe_ and to -_will_ of his owne good pleasure, that yet he is pleased to command us -to _work_ out our owne _Salvation_ with _Feare_ and _Trembling_? Let -us all humbly beg the _Finger_ (the Spirit) of the Lord to untie these -_Knots_ for us. - - _I desire to be thine unfeighned in_ - Christ Jesus, - - _R. W._ - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -The _Contents_ of this _Discourse_. - - -_The_ Heads _are three_. - - _Under the_ first _are contained the_ Arguments _of_ Spirituall Life, - _wherein the_ Weakest _and the_ Sickest _Child of_ God _may finde - its_ Spirituall Life _apparent, though over-cast and_ eclipsed _with - spirituall_ Weaknesse _and_ Distempers. - - _Under the second_ Head, Arguments _of the strength and_ vigour _of - the Spirit of_ Life _and_ Holinesse: _In which the_ strongest _and - the_ eldest _in_ Christ, _may find_ Experiments _of Spirituall_ - Health, _and Christian_ Activity _and chearfullnesse_. - - _These_ Experiments _respect_, - - 1. _The Souls private_ correspondency _with the Lord himselfe_. - - 2. _Converse and_ correspondency _with_ Men. - - 3. _Private_ Retirednesses _with it selfe_. - - _Under the third_ Head _are proposed some_ Means _wherein the_ Spirit - _of_ God _usually breatheth for the preserving and maintaining of a - truly Spirituall and_ Christian _Health and Chearfullnesse_. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - - The Letter which the Author sent with this Discourse to his Wife - _=M. W.=_ upon her recovery from a dangerous sicknesse. - - - My _Dearest Love_ and _Companion_ in this _Vale of Tears_. - -[Sidenote: The true use of sicknesse.] - -Thy late _sudden_ and _dangerous Sicknesse_, and the _Lords_ most -_gracious_ and _speedy raising_ thee up from the _gates_ and _jawes_ of -_Death_: as they were wonderfull in thine _own_, and others _eyes_, so -I hope, and earnestly desire, they may be ever in our _thoughts_, as a -_warning_ from _Heaven_ to make ready for a sudden _call_ to be gone -from hence: to live the rest of our _short uncertaine span_, more as -_strangers_, longing and breathing after another _Home_ and _Country_; -To cast off our _great cares_ and _fears_ and _desires_ and _joyes_ -about this _Candle_ of this _vaine life_, that is so soon _blowne_ -out, and to trust in the living _God_, of whose wonderfull power and -mercy thou hast had so much and so late _experience_, which must make -thee sing with _David_ (_Psal. 103_.) _Blesse the Lord O my Soul, -and all that is within me blesse his holy Name: Blesse the Lord, O my -Soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgiveth all thy sins, and -healeth thine infirmities: who redeemeth thy life from destruction, and -crowneth thee with mercy and loving kindnesse_. - -My _dear Love_, since it pleaseth the _Lord_ so to dispose of me, and -of my affairs at present, that I cannot often see thee, I desire often -to send to thee. I now send thee that which I know will be sweeter to -thee then the _Honey_ and the _Honey-combe_, and stronger refreshment -then the strongest _wines_ or _waters_, and of more value then if every -line and letter were thousands of _gold_ and _silver_. _Hezekiah_ upon -his _recovery_ from his _sicknesse_, made a _writing_ (_Isai. 38_.) as -an _everlasting monument_ of his _praise_ unto _God_, and as a _Goad_ -or _spur_ to _himselfe_ and _others_ in the _wayes of godlinesse_ for -the future. - -Thy _holy_ and _humble_ desires are _strong_, but I know thy _writing_ -is slow, and that thou wilt gladly accept of this my _poore helpe_, -which with _humble thankefulnesse_ and _praise_ to the _Lord_, I humbly -tender to his _holy service_, and thine in him. - -[Sidenote: The outward and inner man.] - -I send thee (though in _Winter_) an handfull of _flowers_ made up in -a little _Posey_, for thy dear selfe, and our dear children, to look -and smell on, when _I as the grasse of the field shall be gone, and -withered_. - -Wee know how it pleaseth the _spirit_ of _God_ to distinguish between -the _outward_ and the _inner_ man, _2 Cor. 4_. [Though our _outward_ -man perish; yet our _inner_ is renewed day by day:] It hath pleased -the most _high_ to cast downe thy _outward_ man, and againe graciously -to lift him up, and thereby to teach us both, to examine and try the -_health_, and _strength_, and _welfare_ of the _inner_. - -I will not now enter upon the _Disputes_ about that _question_, what is -the _Inner-man_, whether _Christ himselfe_, as some say, or an _Image_ -or _likenesse_ of _Christ Jesus_, as others say. That is a _Candle_ or -_Torch_ to me, which is written _Ephes. 3_. That _Christ_ may dwell -in your _Hearts_ by _faith_: unto which agrees that of the first of -_John_: As many as received him, that is received _Christ Jesus_ -into the _house_ of their _hearts_ to dwell there by _believing_ and -_obeying_ of him, they are borne of the _Spirit_, and are the _Sons_ of -_God_. - -[Sidenote: What the _inner-man_ is.] - -[Sidenote: Subject to many distempers.] - -This _Inner_ man, this _new-man_ (which after _God_ is created in -_holinesse_ and _righteousnesse_) I say, this _Inner-man_ hath his -_tempers_ and _distempers_, his _health_ and _sicknesse_, as well as -this _outward-man_ this _body_ of _Clay_. - -Hence we hear so often mentioned, the _renewing_ of the _inward-man_, -the _growing_ and _increasing_ of _Faith_ and _Love_, and other -_breathings_ of _Gods Spirit_: the _losse_ (that is in a measure,) -of the _Ephesians first love_. Hence the many _falls_ of the _Lords_ -best _Servants_, recorded in _Scripture_, and the _sleep_ of the -_Spouse_ of _Christ Jesus_, although her _heart_ wake in the truth of -_marriage-love_, which can never wholly dye in her and be extinguished. - -[Sidenote: A threefold person in _Gods_ children] - -The holy _Scripture_ mentioneth a _three-fold person_ in all that are -borne againe, First, the body of _Flesh_ and _clay_, this _outward -naturall being_, which must be dissolved and dye, then rise againe to -_Glory_. - -The second is the body of _corruption_, or _old man_, which being -deadly wounded by the _Son_ of _God_ alreadie in all that are his, -shall shortly give up the _ghost_, and rot, and never rise again. - -The third is this holy, heavenly _inner_ man, of whose _health_ and -daily _renewing_ I now discourse, who is born of an immortall seed, and -therefore can no more die then _Christ_ himself: _Rom. 6_. - -[Sidenote: A spirituall cheerfull temper.] - -Now as this _outward man_ desires not onely _life_, and _being_, but -also _health_ and _cheerfulness_ in all the living _motions_ and -_actions_ thereof: So, (and much more ten thousand fold) requires -the _inward_ and _spirituall_ man, an _healthfull_ and _cheerfull -temper_. For as the Lord loveth a _cheerfull giver_: So loves he also -a cheerfull _Preacher_, a chearfull _hearer_, a chearfull _prayer_, -and a chearfull _sufferer_ for his Name sake: He loves that the shoes -of _preparation_ be on our _feet_ ready to run (all _wayes_ and -_weathers_) the _paths_ of his _Commandments_: That like a _vessel_ -our _leaks_ be stopt, and our whole _soul_ be ready in an holy _trim_, -and _tightness_, for all his holy employments of us in the greatest -_tempests_: that like heavenly _souldiers_, our _Arms_ be fixt, or like -an _Instrument_, the _strings_ of our _affections_ and _parts_ be all -in tune, to make heavenly _musick_ in the holy _ears_ of our heavenly -_Lord_ and _King_. - -Tis true, as it is between a loving _couple_, (and as it was in the -Church at _Ephesus_) it is not easie to keep in the first _flame_ of -_Love_, _fresh_ and _equall_, although the _fire_ of the _truth_ and -_sinceritie_ of _marriage love_ never die, or be extinguished. - -[Sidenote: Spirituall distempers.] - -It is true that _Paul_ cries out (how much more may we) _O wretched man -that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death?_ - -Tis true, that sometimes _corruption_ and _Satan surprize_ and carry -away the strongest _champions_ of _Christ Jesus_, as _slaves_ and -_captives_ for a time, untill _Christ Jesus_ rescue, redeem and -ransome, by giving _repentance_ unto his _Israel_, as he did to -_David_, _Peter_, _&c._ as _Abraham_ rescued _Lot_, and as _David_ -recovered all his precious _captives_, led _slaves_ away from _Ziklag_. - -I am far therefore from passing the _sentence_ of _death_ upon the -least of the little ones of _Jesus_, (notwithstanding their _spirituall -weaknes_, and _sicknesses_) in whom the least _spark_ or breathing of -the _spirit_ of _Life_ can be discerned. - -And I desire to see and lament the _spirituall sicknesses_, and -_diseases_ of mine own and others _Spirits_, which yet are not unto -_death_ (as _Christ Jesus_ spake of _Lazarus_) but for the _glory_ of -_God_, in the _fall_ and _rising_ of his _servants_. - -[Sidenote: Distinction between spirituall _death_, spirituall -_sickness_ and spirituall _weakness_] - -Yea as _Paul_ distinguisheth of _Gods_ afflicting hand on his _Saints_ -at _Corinth_, so must I distinguish, between these three, _death_, -_sicknes_ and _weakness_: Every _sicknes_ of _Gods Children_ is not a -_death_, for the _inner_ man cannot die, no more then _Christ_ himself. -_Rom: 6_. - -Again, every _weaknes_ is not a _sicknes_, for some are _weak_, little -_ones_ in the _knowledge_ and _love_ of _Christ_, while others are -grown to be _strong_ and _aged_ in _Christ Jesus_; Yea, the _strongest_ -and oldest _Souldiers_ of _Christ Jesus_, who have not thought -their dearest _Heartblood_ to dear for such a _Lord_ and _Master_, -have yet been troubled with some _weaknes_, and fits of spirituall -_distempers_: _Weaknes_ in their Eyes is not discerning aright the mind -of _Christ Jesus_, _weaknes_ in their _hands_, and _Feet_, hindring -their spirituall _chearfulnes_, and _activity_ in _Christs_ wayes, -which weaknesses yet have not brought them to a down right halting in -_Christianity_. - -I propose therefore (with the assistance of _Gods holy spirit_) to -examine these three particulars. - -[Sidenote: The Heads of this Discourse] - -First, what are the _Arguments_ of that measure of _spirituall life_ in -_Christ_, which yet may stand with great _spirituall weaknesses_ and -_diseases_. - -2ly. What is the _measure_ of the _grace_ of _Christ Jesus_, which may -be called the _health_, and _chearfull temper_, and disposition of the -_inner_ man. - -3dly. What are those spiritual _preservatives_, which may keep the -_Soul_ in an healthful _temper_, free from spirituall _sicknesses_ and -_distempers_. - -In these _Examinations_ I professe two things: First not to _oppresse_ -thy _thoughts_ and _memory_, with any long _discourse_, intending only -to send thee after thy sicknes, a little posey fit and easie for thy -_meditation_, and _refreshing_. - -2ly. All my _Flowers_ shall be some choice _example_, or _speech_ of -some _son_ or _daughter_ of _God_, pickt out from the _Garden_ of the -holy _Scriptures_ for our spiritually _refreshing_ and _consolation_. - -I begin therefore with such _trialls_ and _arguments_ as declare, the -true life of the _inner man_, notwithstanding spirituall _weaknes_, -_sicknes_, and _distempers_. - -[Sidenote: The weakest of Gods children cry unto God as to a Father.] - -First then when the _Spirit_ of the _Lord_ in _1 Job. 2._ describeth -the severall _Ages_ and _grouths_ of this inward _man_ (to wit a -_child_, a _strong_ man, and an _old man_) it pleasath him to describe -the young or little one by this _difference_, that [He knows the -_Father_] to wit, that he knows the _Lord_ so, as to look upon him (in -his measure) as to a _Father_, that he fears him, loves him, obeys him, -and calls upon him as on a _Father_: according to that of _Gal: 4_. -Because you are sons, he hath sent forth the spirit of his Son crying -in your Hearts _Abba Father_: _Father_ pardon me, _Father_ help me, -_Father_ give me, _&c._ - -[Sidenote: _Obj._] - -But may not the _Hypocrites_ call upon God, (and sometime more boldly -then _Gods little ones_,) _Lord Lord, Almighty_ and most mercifull -_Father_, &c. - -[Sidenote: _An._] - -I answer, an _Hypocrite_ hath many _Lords_, and many _Fathers_, -besides, and joyned with their (pretended) heavenly _Father_. Whereas -_Gods little ones_ cry out, (_Isa. 63_.) Doubtles thou art our -_Father_, though _Abraham_ be ignorant of us, as if they had said: Thou -art our only _Father_, above all _Fathers_, &c. - -[Sidenote: False calling upon God as upon a Father] - -2ly. The _Hypocrite_ saies _Lord_, _Lord_, but cares for no more of the -_will_ of the _Lord_ then may serve his own _turne_: But a child of -_God_ declares his child like _submission_, to an heavenly _Fathers_ -will in all things, according to the difference proposed by the _Lord -Jesus_, (_Mat: 7_.) Not every one that saith unto me _Lord_, _Lord_, -but he that doth the wil of my _Father_ which is in _Heaven_: The -difference lies not in the _words_, but in the _Heart_, in the upright -_submission_ of a _child_ of _God_, to all that he believes to be the -_will_ and _pleasure_ of his heavenly _Father_. - -[Sidenote: 2 _Argum:_ Gods children long for more and more knowledge of -God.] - -For a second _triall_ therefore: Where _spirituall life is_ -(notwithstanding _weaknes_ or _distempers_) there is always a professed -_willingnesse_ to get more and more _knowledg_ of this heavenly -_Father_, of his _name_, of his _works_, of his _word_, of his -_Christ_, of his _Spirit_, his _Saints_, and _Ordinances_. - -Hence _Beleevers_ in _Jesus_, both _Men_ and _Women_, are called -_Disciples_, or _Scholars_ of _Christ Jesus_, professing continually to -learn more and more of this heavenly _teacher_. Hence his _Disciples_ -or _Scholars_ petition to _Christ Jesus_, _Lord_ teach us to pray: -_Lord_ increase our _Faith_, &c. - -Hence they ask him many _Questions_, and are by little and little -instructed, though for a while they were ignorant of the mystery of his -_Death_, and _Resurrection_. - -[Sidenote: _Obj._] - -But may not an _Hypocrite_ desire to know more and more of _God_, of -_Christ_, &c. - -[Sidenote: _Ans._] - -I answer, although an _Hypocrite_ out of an itching desire, of -_knowledg_, of _novelty_, and out of _self love_, to make use of so -much of _God_, and of _Christ_, as may serve his own _ends_, may -_desire_, and _attain_, and _professe_, and _preach_ much of _God_ and -_Christ_, yet will he pick and choose as _Saul_ did, while _David_ -and all _Gods children _uprightly desire to have respect to all the -_Commandements_ of _God_ in _Christ Jesus_. - -[Sidenote: 2] - -Again, the _obedience_ of _Hypocrites_ is but the task of a _slave_, -or _Hireling_, when the obedience of a _child_ of _God_, is that of -a dutifull _child_ to his _Father_, or an endeared _Wife_ to her -_Husband_, not caused by _terrour_ or _wages_, but hearty _Reverence_ -and _Affection_. - -[Sidenote: _Arg._ 3. Gods children hunger and thirst after Gods Word.] - -Hence follows a third _triall_ of _spirituall life_, (though -accompanied with much _weaknes_,) to wit a vehement _hunger_ and -_longing_ after the _Ordinance_ of the _word preached_: Hence that -_similitude_ by _Peter_. As _New born Babes_ desire the sincere _milk_ -of the _word_, that you may grow thereby, _1. Pet: 2_. - -[Sidenote: _Obj._] - -But may not _Hypocrits_ and _counterfeits_, both affectionately hear -and preach, _&c_? - -[Sidenote: _Ans._] - -[Sidenote: Gods word in Gods way.] - -[Sidenote: _Cant 1_.] - -I answer, no question, but _false worshippers_, and _false Christians_ -may easily satisfie themselves, and stop the mouths of their -_consciences_, with any formal _performance_ of a _Sermon_ by an -_houre-glasse_, or other _traditions_, or _customes_ of _Fathers_, -or the _times_. But a child of _God_ desires to be as well carefull -(according to his _sight_, for the true _Mothers-Breast_, (a true -_Ministrie_) as for a Womans Milk, the opening of the word by any in -any way, _&c._ And therefore cries the _Spouse_ to _Christ Jesus_: -Oh thou whom my _soul_ loveth, shew me where thou _feedest_, for why -should I be as one that turns aside to the _flocks_ of thy _companions_. - -2ly. A true _child_ of _God_ (though weak) looks chiefly at _God_, and -_Christ_, himself in the _Ministry_, and _dispensation_ of the _word_, -and therefore saith (_Cant: 1_.) Let _Him_ kisse me with the _kisses_ -of his _mouth_, for his _love_ is better then _wine_. - -[Sidenote: True hunger after Gods word.] - -3. While the _Hypocrites_ find their natural _delight_ in the word, as -in _musick_, while yet they obey not: The child of _God_ comes to the -_breasts_ of the _Church_, as a child hangs upon the Mothers _Breast_, -not only for the _delight_ of _sucking_, but out of a vehement -painfull _longing_, to have its _soul_ satisfied, and its strength of -_spirituall life_ and _grace_ increased in the ways of _God_: according -to that in _1. Pet. 2_. [That you may grow thereby.] - -[Sidenote: True _desire_ in all Gods people.] - -A 4th. Argument of the _life_ of the _inner man_, (though in much -_weaknes, or sicknes_, is a true and unfained _desire_, to do that -which it finds it cannot do, but falls short in doing or suffering the -_will_ of _God_: So _Nehemiah_ pleads with _God_, from the _uprightnes_ -of their hearts, that they desired to fear his _Name_, when a _soul_ -can say uprightly in _Gods_ presence, I desire, that is, unfainedly -longing to know his will, although I am much _ignorant_, I desire -to _believe_, though I find an _unbelieving heart_, I desire to be -_willing_ and _able_ to _suffer_, though I find much _fearfulnesse_, -_&c._ - -_Ob._ May not an _Hypocrite_ desire to _know_ and love _God_, &c. - -[Sidenote: Difference between the true and false desire.] - -[Sidenote: God must be chosen for himself.] - -I answer, an _Hypocrite_ may desire to know so much of _God_, and -to have so much of his _grace_, and so much of his _power_ against -some sins, as may serve to save his _soul_, when he sees he cannot be -_saved_ without it: But a _child_ of _God_, only can desire _God_ for -_himself_, and desire to be like unto _God_ in his holy _Nature_, and -to have every _thought_ brought under the _obedience_ of _Christ Jesus_. - -Hence though an _Hypocrite_ may weep as _Esau_ and _Saul_, and others -have done, yet a true _child_ of _God_ can only in truth cry out, -with the _Father_, of the possessed _child_ in an humble sence of his -own _weaknes_, and _spirituall poverty_, _Lord I believe_, help thou -my _unbelief_, that is, help me against my _unbelief_, against my -_passions_, against my _uncleanesse_, against my _pride_, against my -_covetousnes_, &c. - -[Sidenote: Gods children cannot live in known sin without strugling & -mourning.] - -A 5th: _triall_ of a true _life_ (though in _weaknes_, or _sicknes_) -is a constant _resisting_ and _fighting_ against all known _sin_, as -_sin_. He that is born of _God_, (_1. John 5_.) keepeth himself that -the _evill_ one toucheth him not, unles he be suddenly _surprised_, -or violently _forced_, by mighty _temptations_, or _cousoned_ and -_deceived_ by the _deceitfulnesse_ of _sin_, he can no more willingly -touch it, then _fire_ or _poison_, or the _Devill_ himself. - -Hence is there a continuall war between the _flesh_ and the _Spirit_, -_Gal: 5_. The _law_ of the _mind_, wars against the _law_ of the -_members_; The _New-man_ against the _old_, &c. For instance, although -good _Jacob_ was overcome by his _Mothers_ powerful _perswasion_, yet -suspecting a _sin_ he first strugled against it, my _Father_ saith he, -will feel me, and I shall bring a _curse_ instead of a _Blessing_. - -[Sidenote: _Obj._] - -[Sidenote: No hypocrite can fight against sin as sin.] - -But may not an _Hypocrite_ resist _temptation_, and fight against -_sin_? I answer, No, not against _sin_ as _sin_, but as it is dangerous -and hurtful to _soul_, to _body_, to _purse_, to _credit_. So _Balaam_ -(I conceive in earnest) refused _Balacks_ mony, and would not _sin_ for -an house full of _gold_ and _silver_, when as yet he loved that _sin_ -of cursing _Gods_ people, and the _wages_ of it. - -2ly. An _Hypocrite_ cannot resist the sin of _Hypocrisie_, and other -_darling sins_: but a child of _God_ with _David_ (_Psal: 139_.) begs -of _God_ to search him, that is to help him against _Hypocrisie_ it -self, and every false way, and to lead him in the _way everlasting_. - -[Sidenote: A true childe of God tender of Gods name.] - -Sixtly, a _child_ of _God_ though overwhelmed with many _weaknesses_ or -_temptations_, yet he cannot possibly be brought to an ill _opinion_ -or _thought_ of _God_, but is always ready to take his _part_, to -_speak_ well of him, and endures not, with a quiet mind, to hear his -name dishonored: Hence _Job_ in his great _passions_ and _cursings_, -could not be brought (no not by his _wife_) to speak ill of _God_: -but although he complained much of his own _affliction_, and stood to -his _uprightness_, against the _charge_ of _Hypocrisie_, yet still he -magnifies the name of his _God_ in all his _discourses_, and professeth -to trust in him, although his _God_ should kill him. - -[Sidenote: Instances of _Samson_ and _Jehosaphat_.] - -Hence _Samson_, though carried away first by a _Philistian wife_, and -then by a _Philistian whore_, yet can he not be carried away so from -the _God_ of Israel, but that still he acknowledgeth his _high_ and -_holy hand_ in his _victories_ and _deliverances_, and accordingly -poures forth his _soul_ to him for _grace_ and _assistance_. And -hence good _Jehosaphat_ though very strongly carried away with the -flatterie of the _idolatrous King_ of _Israel_, yet he endures not to -hear the name of his _God_ smitten through the sides of his _servant_ -the Prophet _Micaiah_, but plainly (though weakly) takes part with his -_God_ and his _Prophet_, against the _King_ of _Israel_, and all his -_Priests_ and _Courtiers_, saying, _Let not the King say so_. - -_Obj._ May not _Balaam_ and other _hypocrites_ pretend the _name_ of -_God_ and _Christ_, be _preachers_ of him, call out _devils_, and in -_Christs name_ do many _wonderfull_ things? - -I answer: _Hypocrites_ use the name of _God_ onely as _Jehu_ did, -for a _stirrup_ to get up into the _sadle_ of their own _Names_ and -_Honours_, or as a _commodity_ to get something by it, as an _hireling_ -(of whom the _Lord Jesus_ speaks _John 10_.) that serves _God_ for -_wages_, and while he cries, let the _Lord_ be glorified, (_Isa. -66_.) he _persecutes_ his servants, but a child of _God_ cannot be -brought except by surprisall for a time, to prefer his _name_ before -_Gods_, but upon _cool thoughts_, is seriously willing to be trodden -in the dust, and to be cast out, that the _name_ of _God_ alone may be -exalted, and glorified, as _David_ after the causing of the name of -_God_ to be blasphemed. - -[Sidenote: A true childe of God is patient under the rod of his -Heavenly Father.] - -A 7th. Argument of the true _life_ of _grace_ (though in much _weaknes_ -or _sicknes_,) I observe to be an humble _acknowledgment_ of, and a -_submitting_ unto the _correcting_ and _afflicting_ hand of _God_, in -_sicknesses_, _crosses_, _losses_, &c. - -This admirably appears in old _Ely_, who though he were a bad -_Father_ to his own sons, in suffering them _unpunished_ (though not -_unreproved_) in their outragious _transgressions_: Yet was he at the -same time a good son to _God_, his heavenly _Father_, in giving that -heavenly _and_ submissive _answer_ to that fearfull _threatening_ sent -from the _Lord_ by _Samuel_ against him, saying, It is the _Lord_, let -him do what seemeth him good. - -_Ob:_ But did not _Pharaoh_ acknowledg, and the _Philistines_ -acknowledg _Gods_ hand in smiting them, did not _Ahab_ humble himself, -_Pharaoh_ sues unto _God_ by _Moses_, the _Philistins_ send a trespasse -_offering_, and _Ahab_ humbles himself by fasting, _&c._ - -[Sidenote: 1. The enemies of God, and flatterers cannot submit to God -as to a Father.] - -I answer, a _Saul_, a _Pharaoh_, &c. if it were in their choice, would -not submit to the _Lord_ at all, and when they do acknowledge and -submit, they are forced to it, by _Gods_ powerfull hand, whom yet they -look at as a conqueror of _Julian_ said of _Christ Jesus_, and _Jaolor_ -or _executioner_, not as a _Father_, with a child like _submission_, as -appears by _Pharaoh_, the _Philistines_, _Ahab_, and many more wofull -_instances_, when the _hand_ of _God_ is removed, _&c._ - -Whereas a true _child_ of _God_ desires, as to acknowledge his -_Fathers_ hand correcting his _righteously_, because he hath deserved -it, so also _graciously_ and _faithfully_, because he hopes _God_ aims -at his good, as a _Father_ doth at a _childs_, in giving him fatherly -_correction_, bitter _Pills_ and _Phisick_. - -[Sidenote: Gods children less grieve for their own affliction, then for -Gods displeasure.] - -And therefore (2ly:) as when the _Lord_ strikes an _Hypocrite_, he -either _runs_ from him as a _strange child_ stricken by another man, -or _flies against_ him in _murmuring_, or _howls_ out for anguish as -a _Dog_, (_Hos: 7_.) They howl upon their Beds: So contrarily the -true _child_ of _God_ truly desires to run to his heavenly _Father_, -and it as well, yea infinitely more _grieved_, for the _anger_, and -_displeasure_ of the _Lord_, as for his own _smart_ and _affliction_. - -3ly. The _Hypocrite_ if he might have his own choice, had rather be rid -of his _pain_ than his _sin_, and therefore when his _pain_ is over, he -returns with the _Dog_ to his Vomit: But a true _child_ of _God_, truly -(though weakly) desires to _see_, and _abhor_, and slay his _dearest -sins_, because he knows they are but flattering _traytors_ and _guilded -poysons_: Hence _Job_ cries out in the midst of all his _weaknesses_ -and _passions_, Oh teach me wherein I have offended. - -[Sidenote: Gods children joyn with Gods rod against themselves.] - -In a word, the _Lord_ is fain to force _affliction_ upon an -_Hypocrite_, as men force down a _drench_ into the throat of an -_Horse_, but a true _child_ of _God_, (if under _Gods rod_,) desires to -joyn with the _Lords hand_, and the _Lords ends_, as a child of some -understanding is willing to have its _wormes_ killed, and therefore -strives (_willingly_, _unwillingly_) to swallow down the bitter -_aloes_, or other bitter _medicine_. - -An 8th: Triall of true _life_, (though in _weaknes_) is a _true_ -(though _faint_) _willingnes_ and inclination to enjoy more and more -of _Christ Jesus_, in the _society_ of his _Saints_, after his own -_appointment_, although with _hardship_ and _difficulty_ attained unto. - -[Sidenote: Gods people long after Gods true worship in Christ Jesus.] - -Hence the _Spouse_ was both _asleep_, and _awake_, toward _Christ -Jesus_: _Cant: 5._ She was _willing_, and _unwilling_ to rise to _open_ -to _Christ Jesus_: Hence she thinks she hears her _Husbands voice_: -It is the _voice_ of my _Beloved_: She thinks _Christ_ is knocking at -the _door_ of her _heart_, and _will_, in such and such _arguments_, -in such and such _Scriptures_, in such and such _professions_, and -_professours_, in such and such their _suffrings_, &c. - -_Obj._ May it not possibly be that the true _children_ of _God_, not -only may neglect, but even deny the _Ordinances_ of _Christ Jesus_, -appointed and practised in his first _Churches_. - -[Sidenote: Gods people both awake & asleep as to Christ Jesus.] - -I answer, _Gods Israel_ and _people_ under the _Gospel_, may as -possibly be spirituall _slaves_ and _captives_ to _Egypt_ and _Babylon -spirituall_, as _Israel_ of old was to _Babell_, _literall_ and -_materiall_, in respect of the _worshipping_ of _God_, according to the -_appointment_ of _Christ Jesus_. - -In respect of false _worship_, _Gods Israel_ may be a _slave_, and -_asleep_, and yet _awake_, and _free_, in true _inclinations_ and -_desires_, _willing_ (though mixt with _sleepy unwillingnes_) to be at -any pains and cost, to enjoy her _souls beloved Christ Jesus_, in his -own appointments. - -Hence such _expressions_ with _sighs_ and _tears_, if I were perswaded -of _Gods will_, if I were perswaded of the _necessity_ of such public -_ordinances_ and _formes_. - -[Sidenote: Gods people cannot but be full of strugling of spirit as to -the visible worship of God in Christ Jesus.] - -Hence others _expressions_, if I were perswaded of _such_ and _such -ordinances_, that _such_ a people, or _such_ a people were in the true -way of enjoying _Christ Jesus_, how _joyfully_ should I joyn with them? - -Hence holy _David_, though not so thoroughly awaked, to enjoy the _Ark_ -and _presence_ of _God_, he and all _Israel_ brings up the _Ark_ of -_God_ with _rejoycing_, though not after the _Lords_ due _order_, which -caused his holy _jealousie_ to send that _perez Uzza_ that _breach_ of -_Uzzah_ amongst them. - -[Sidenote: True marriage affection in all Gods people to Christ Jesus, -yet with much difference.] - -It is in the _heavenly_ as in the _earthly marriage_, there are degrees -of _marriage affection_, and yet all true: The _affections_ of some are -more _lively_ and _strong_, of some more _dull_ and _weak_: When yet -the _truth_ and _life_ appears in a true and longing desire to enjoy -the _Lord Jesus_, in what way soever, himself is pleased to appoint, -and to turn from the _bed_ and _bozome_, (that is the _worships_) of -all _false Christs_, and _strangers_. - -[Sidenote: Gods children have no peace in sin unrepented of.] - -A 9th. discovery of true _spirituall life_, in _weaknes_, I find to -be a _painfull_ and a _restles_ mind, in _temptations_ to _sin_, in -_yeelding_ to _sin_, and _lying_ in _sin_, the _breach_ not being made -up with the _Lord_ in humble _confession_ and _suit_ for _mercy_, in -the blood of a _Saviour_. This was _Davids_ painfull _case_ in his -_silence_, _Psal. 32_. When I kept silence my _bones_ waxed old, through -my _roaring_ all the _Day_. - -So that as a _Fish_ out of the _water_ (its element) as a _bone_ broak -or disjoynted, is the _troubled mind_ of a child of _God_, upon his -_discovered_ or but (strongly) _suspected_, sinfull _way_ or _practice_. - -_Obj._ May not _Hypocrites_ be troubled in the sence of _Gods -displeasure_ for _sin_, as _Saul_, _Ahab_, and _Judas_, &c. - -[Sidenote: Only _Gods_ people can truly desire _peace_ with _God_.] - -I answer, an _Hypocrite_ like some _Traytor_ or _murtherer_, may -desire a pardon from the _King_ of _Kings_, whose person he hates, so -did _Saul_ and _Ahab_, and so may any dissembler for his own ends of -_peace_ and _safety_, &c. But _Gods children_, and they only grieve at -_Gods displeasure_ and grievance. Only a true _Wife_ and _Spouse_ of -_Christ Jesus_ can grieve and mourn for the displeased _absence_ of -_Christ Jesus_, and cries out in humble _bitterness_ of _soul_, saw ye -him whom my soul loveth? - -[Sidenote: Two sorts of Gods people enquiring & longing after Christ -Jesus.] - -[Sidenote: The liking of _Gods_ gracious _Spirit_ in others, a true -_Argument_ of the same _Spirit_ in ourselves.] - -A 10th. triall of the true _life_ of the _inner_ man, (though _weak_ -and _sickly_,) is a _discerning_, and _liking_, and secret _wishing_ -that _beauty_ and _shining_ of the _grace_ of _Christ Jesus_, which -appears in others of _Gods Children_, and which we see wanting in -our _selves_. Thus were there a sort of _Gods children_, which could -see _beauty_ and _excellency_ in those which so affectionately -inquired after _Christ Jesus_, in his visible worship, and the -severall parts thereof, although themselves were not so zealously -affected. Thus therefore say they: O thou the _fairest_ of _Women_, -(an _acknowledgment_ of heavenly _grace_ and _beauty_, and they also -enquire, and desire to see that _beauty_ of _Christ Jesus_, which the -other _Saints_ so praised. And in _Cant: 6_. they say, whither is thy -_Beloved_ gone, oh thou _fairest_ among _Women_, that we may seek him -with thee: Hence many of _Gods_ dear _Saints_ in _Qu: Maries_ time, -and other bloody days, in our own and other _countries_, have praised -_God_ for, and have been ravished with the _beauties_ of the heavenly -_love_ and _zeal_, and _patience_ in others of _Gods servants_, -which they have seen wanting in themselves: And thus, (whatever be -our _weaknesses_) it must needs argue a _life_ of _grace_, when -we can view the _lives_ and _deaths_ of the blessed _martyrs_, or -_witnesses of Christ Jesus_, (either in the holy _scriptures_, or other -_Records_, I say can view them with a _liking_ and true _affecting_ of -their _graces_, with an humble acknowledgment of our own _wants_ and -_poverties_, and a mourning _desire_ of _attaining_ to such a beauteous -_profession_ of _Christ Jesus_. - -Such a _beauty_ (doubtles) did many of _Gods children_ apprehend in -the _Lords Ordinances_, and in such as suffred for them in _England_, -who yet found not strength themselves, to stand and suffer for, and -with them, yet left much and fled to _New England_, hoping to enjoy -there (though with too much weak desire of _peace_ and _liberty_) the -_Ordinances_ of _Christ Jesus_, their _souls Beloved_. - -_Obj._ But did not _Balaam_ see the _beauty_ and _excellency_ of _Gods -Saints_, when he cried out, let me dye the _death_ of the _righteous_, -and let my last end be like his, _&c._ - -I answer, it is usually well said, _Balaam_ desired the _death_, -and _blessednes_ of the _righteous_, but not the _life_ and -_righteousnesse_ of the _righteous_. - -_Obj._ _Balaam_ seems to have seen the _beauty_ of _righteousnesse_ it -self. - -[Sidenote: _Dissemblers_, in a respect may desire _righteousness_, but -only _Gods children_ can long for it in truth, and for it self.] - -I answer, he might see and like _righteousnes_ in the _end_, and -_fruit_ of it, and yet not in the true _nature_ and _beauty_ of it, -for then he would have as well desired the _life_, as the _death_ of -the _righteous_, just as these _Indians_ (amongst whom I write these -lines) they see the _excellency_ of the _English industry_, joyned -with _plenty_, and a better _condition_ then their own, but endure not -that _life_ of _labour_ and _indeavour_, wherein that _plenty_ and -better _state_ is found. But _Gods children_ beholding the _beauty_ -and _excellency_ of the heavenly _lives_ and _deaths_ of others, (like -_souldiers_ in a Field) are provoked by those _examples_, to desire to -follow _Christ Jesus_ in those holy _paths_, and secretly to bemoan -their own _infirmities_ and _deformities_. - -These and many more _discoveries_ of the _life_ of _Christ Jesus_ in -the _soul_, (though in the midst of many _weaknesses_, and spirituall -_sicknesses_) I hope (my _dear love_ and faithfull _companion_) thou -in truth discernest in thy _self_, and I, and others have discerned -in thee: But oh search diligently in the _Lords_ holy _presence_, and -humbly beg his help, that as the _Spirit_ of _God_ admonisheth, (_Gal. -6_.) thou maiest have rejoycing in thy _self_, and not in anothers good -opinion of thee. - -[Sidenote: Gods children cannot but desire spirituall health, as wel as -life and Christian being.] - -But grant all these, and the _assurance_ of a true and blessed _life_ -of _grace_ within us? - -Grant this _life_ is as the _life_ of _Christ_, never again to be -extinguished. Yet who rejoyceth not in _health_, who mourns not under -the _pains_ and _weaknesses_ of a sick bed? - -Next therefore to the _discovery_ of _spirituall life_, all that are -born of _God_ must try their _spirituall strength_, and _health_, -and _chearfull temper_: The particular _instances_ whereof, being -propounded as _examples_, _copies_, and _samplars_ for us to follow in -the holy _Scripture_, I shall pick, and gather, and bind up, for both -our _incouragement_, and comfort. - -I confesse the beholding of such _heavenly patterns_ may astonish and -amaze us, and make us dispair to attain to the like heavenly _temper_: -I pray thee therefore (_dear love_) observe, (what before I said) that -these _particulars_ next following are not _discouragements_ from -_Christ_, as if we had no _life_ at all: but _incouragements_ to draw -neerer to _Christ Jesus_, when we see such _virtue_ proceed out from -him, to such poor _sinners_ like our selves. - -These _particulars_ then following are as an holy _looking-glasse_, to -discover to us our souls _spots_, & _blemishes_, as also sweet _cordial -flowers_, to refresh and incourage our _drooping spirits_. - -The severall particular _trialls_ of this _spirituall health_, and -_chearfulnesse_, I shall bind up (as I may so speak) into three -severall _parcells_, as sometimes we see sweet _flowers_ bound up into -smaller _bundles_, to make up at last one larger _bundle_ or _posie_ in -one. - -The three severall sorts shall be according to that _division_ of the -_holy Spirit_ by _Paul_ to _Titus_. - -First such as concern _holines_, respecting our _communion_ with _God_ -in _Christ Jesus_. - -2. Such as concern _righteousnesse_, respecting others. - -3. Such as concern _sobriety_, respecting our private _selves_ and -_persons_. - -[Sidenote: Incomprehensible nature of God.] - -First, then it is an _argument_ of the _strength_, and _healthful -temper_ of the _inner_ man, when our _apprehensions_ of _God_ are -always such, as bring us to holy _wonderment_ and _amazement_, at the -_nature_ of incomprehensible _God_, at his _properties_, and _works_, -from the _Sun_ in the _Firmament_, to the poorest _Worme_, at his -wonderfull _dispensing_ of his _justice_, and _mercy_, and _disposing_, -and _ruling_ all things in _Heaven_, _Earth_, and _Seas_, from the -highest _Angels_ in _heaven_, to the lowest _Devils_ in _Hell_. - -[Sidenote: Gods children ought to walk in constant amazedness of spirit -as to God his nature, works, &c.] - -This was _Davids temper_ when he cried out, (_Psal: 104_.) Oh Lord how -_wonderfull_ are thy _works_, in _wisedome_ hast thou made them all! -Also (_Psal. 8._) O _Jehovah_ our Lord, how _wonderfull_ is thy _Name_ -in all the _earth_! And _Psal: 139_. he brings this wonder nearer -to _himself_, saying, I will praise thee, for I am _fearfully_ and -_wonderfully_ made. As if he would say, _fearfully_ and _wonderfully -bred_ in the _womb_, _fearfully_ and _wonderfully_ brought forth; -and we may further say, ever since we came thus _fearfully_ and -_wonderfully_ into the _world_, _fearfully_ and _wonderfully brought_ -up, _fearfully_ and _wonderfully preserved_, _delivered_, &c. - -_Obj._ But may not _naturall_ men, and _Hypocrites_ admire the -_Nature_, and _works_ of _God_. - -I answer, yes, but the _wonder_ which doth possesse a _child_ of _God_, -causeth him to cry out with _David_, _Psal. 119_. Thy _hands_ have -made me, and fashioned me, give me understanding that I may learn thy -_statutes_. Tis such a wonder as _draweth_ up the _heart_ unto _God_, -with _longings_ to be _united_ unto him, to fear his _Name_, to partake -of his divine _Nature_, and to be like unto _Him_ in _holines_, and -_true Righteousnes_. - -_Obj._ The _Devills_ believe, and tremble at _God_. - -I answer, to tremble at the _word_ of _God_, is alone the _property_ -of _Gods Servants_, Isa. 66 The _Devills_ may wonder and tremble at -the just sentence, and threatening part of _Gods word_: But _Gods -children_ tremble at the _commanding_ part, yea at the _comforting_ and -_promising_ part of it also, least they should depart or fall off from -it, or loose, though but for a time as _David_, the joy and sweetnes of -it. - -[Sidenote: The glorifying of God the great work of Gods children] - -Secondly, it is an _Argument_ of _health_ and spirituall _strength_, -when the _hallowing_, the _magnifying_, and _glorifying_ of the _name_ -of _God_ is our great _work_ and _business_ in this _world_, unto which -all the _businesses_ and _works_ we have in hand in the world beside -give way, &c. - -Thus _Christ Jesus_ teacheth all his to make it their _first request_ -to _God_, that they may _hallow_, or _glorifie_ his _name_: Thus he -professeth (as it were upon his _death bed_) _John_ 17. that he had -done his _work_, that he had _glorified_ his _Father_ upon the _earth_: -Hence he professeth at his most solemn _Arraignment_, _Job 18_. for -this _end_ was I born, and for this _end_ came I into the _world_, that -I might bear _witness_ to the _truth_; that is, to give his _Father_ -the _glory_ of his _truth_, and to destroy the _lyes_ of the _devill_ -the _father_ of them, who belyeth _God_ in all his holy _attributes_, -and _works_, and _servants_, and _ordinances_, and profaneth and -dishonoreth his holy _name_ in them all. - -_Obj._ _Hypocrites_ professe to glorifie _God_, and to say, _Isa. 66._ -Let the _Lord_ be glorified. - -I answer: No _hypocrite_ can make it his _work_ to _glorifie God_, when -it crosseth his own _glory_: No _hypocrite_ can purely and simply, out -of _love_ to _Gods name_ and _glory_, be content to loose the offer of -a _kingdom_ as _Moses_ did, when the _Lord_ himself offered it him, -and as _Christ Jesus_ did, when the people offered and would have made -him a _King_ by force, and the _devil_ proffered him all the _kingdoms_ -of the world, and the glory of them. - -[Sidenote: Delightfull privacie with God argues strong affection.] - -Thirdly, it is an _Argument_ of _strength_ of Gods grace and Spirit -in us, when we perform _actions_ of _godliness_, with a _single_ and -upright _eye_ unto _God_ himself in secret. _Frequent_ and _constant_ -delight in private _converses_ argues strong _affection_ to _God_ or -_men_: _Hypocrites_ (saith _Christ Jesus_) will _pray_ and _fast_, -and give _alms_, but with a _squint_ eye of _private_ and _sinister_ -self respect to be _seen_ of men, &c. But _Gods children_ pray, and do -good, and fast in secret, regarding no eye but the eye of an heavenly -_Father_, who seeing in _secret_ will not fail to reward _openly_. - -_Ob._ But may not _hypocrites_ speak and _preach_ against _hipocrisie_, -against _self-love_, _self-respect_, and _fleshly and_ worldly _ends_ -in the performance of _spirituall duties_? And is it not possible for -_Gods children_ to perform _spirituall duties_ with carnall _ends_ and -_respects_? - -[Sidenote: Hypocrites pretend far in glorifying of God.] - -I answer: _Hypocrites_ may do this, and pretend pure and upright _ends_ -for _God_, as _Jehu_ did: yet discover they _hypocrisie_, in the very -pretence of _sinceritie_, for not content with the _Lords_ eye and -approbation, Come see my _zeal_ (saith he) _Jonadab_, which I have for -the _Lord_. - -2ly, _Gods children_ (doubtless) may look aside, and mark who _sees_ -and _hears_, and _rewards_ their _performances_ of _service_ unto -_God_: But this is either in _sins_ of _ignorance_; as for _instance_, -many of _Gods_ dear _children_ perform _service_ to _God_ in -_preaching_ as _hirelings_, and conceive themselves not bound although -to glorifie _Christ Jesus_ in saving _souls_) to preach without an -_hire_, and so in other _cases_. - -Or 3ly, this may be knowingly and discerningly, as _Paul_ saith, _Rom. -7_. When I would do good, _evil_ is present with me: such _temptations_ -come in as water into a ship, or as _dust_ and _diseases_ into a sound -eye, and then _Gods children_ be never quiet untill such _distempers_ -be cleansed, and got out again. - -[Sidenote: A frequent & constant spirit of prayer an argument of much -of Gods Spirit.] - -Fourthly, it is an _Argument_ of _spirituall strength_ when the -_Spirit_ of _prayer_ breatheth forth _frequently_, and _constantly, -and fervently_ to _God_ in us: Hence _David_ prays and cries in the -_morning_, at _noon_, and in the _evening_, he riseth at _midnight_ to -pray, and prevents the _dawning_ of the _day_ to pray: Thus _Daniel_ -is thrice each day on his knees to _God_, and would not be beaten off, -with the _powers_ and _terrors_ of cruel _enemies_ and _lyons_. - -Thus the Lord _Jesus_ _frequently_ retired alone to private _prayer_, -and sometimes spent the whole _night_ in _prayer_ to _God_ with strong -_cries_, _tears_ and _supplications_: And therefore is it that all true -_Christians_ are the _spirituall Israelites_, that is, _wrastlers_ -and _strivers_ with _God_ in prayer; like unto their _Father Jacob_, -who wrastled all night in prayer with _God_, with _weeping_ and -_supplications_, and would not let the _Angel_ go until he blessed him; -and therefore his name was called _Israel_, a _wrastler_ or _prevailer_ -with _God_, as well as _Jacob_ a supplanter and prevailer with men. - -_Ob._ But may not _Hypocrites_ be frequent and fervent in prayer to -_God_? Did not the _Pharisees_ and _Jews_ pray and fast often? Do not -the very _Turks_ solemnly pray five times each 24. houres? And the -_Papists_ not onely keep their solemn morning and evening times of -_prayer_, but many other solemn prayers unto which the severall orders -of _Friars_, _Monks_ and _Nuns_ bind themselves? And how easie is it -by worldly engines to wheel about the _Indians_ of _America_ to become -frequent prayers unto God, &c. - -I answer: Many are the differences between the true prayers of Gods -children, and the false of dissemblers and hypocrites: I will name a -few for instance. - -[Sidenote: True prayer is the souls breathing unto God.] - -First then _hypocrites_ pray but in a _form_ and _lip-labour_, as -a _task_ and _work_ to be done for _carnall respects_, to merit at -_Gods_ hand, or to stop the mouth of _conscience_, which tels them -they cannot be Gods children except they pray: But true prayer is the -pouring out of the heart to God, the true breathing of the _soul_ to -God, arising as _Incense_ and _perfume_ unto God: Hence (no doubt) -although _Paul_ before his conversion prayed much unto _God_, (for he -was a Pharasie) yet he never praid _indeed_, untill his great _change_, -and the descending of the holy _Spirit_ of prayer upon him; And -therefore the Lord sends _Ananias_ with this incouragement unto _Paul_: -Behold he prayeth, _Act. 9_. - -[Sidenote: and hath more or lesse some soul-pleasure in it.] - -Hence _Gods children_ find a kind of holy _pleasure_ and _delight_ in -_prayer_, whatever be the event or issue, it pleaseth _God_ to give, -like as a man finds delight in casting off an heavy _burthen_ from his -_shoulder_, or in the _unbossoming_ of a _grief_, into the _bosome_ of -a _friend_. Thus _Hanna_ opprest with _grief_ weeps no more, when she -had _powred_ forth her _supplication_ before the _Lord_: And the _Lord -Jesus_ _powred_ forth his _prayers_, and _tears_, in the bosome of his -_Father_, and then rests quiet in his _Fathers pleasure_, as touching -the _passing by_, or _drinking_ of the _bitter cup_. - -_Obj._ But may not the _children_ of _God_ want holy _pleasure_ and -_delight_ in prayer, and depart from _Gods presence_ as _heavy_ as they -came? - -[Sidenote: Gods children are most in private with God.] - -I answer, some _spirituall distempers_ may hinder, and _obstruct_ -the _operations_ of the _Spirit of prayer_: nevertheles the _soul_ -and _spirit_ praies and mourns for the _absence_ of holy _pleasure_, -and _delight_ in this holy _exercise_. Hence _Davids mourning_ (as -a _Turtledove_) in his _prayers_, and _Jeremies lamentings_ for the -_obstructions_, between the _Lord_ and their _souls_, in this holy -_Communion_. - -The second _difference_ is, the _Hypocrites_ prayers more respect -the _ears_ of _men_ then _God_, as the _Lord Jesus_ tells us; They -pray that men may know so much, and esteem them _Religious_: _Gods -children_, like true _lovers_, delight to be private, and fervent with -their heavenly _Father_ and _Husband_. - -[Sidenote: The prayers of Gods people most respect spiritual and soul -mercies.] - -Thirdly, _Hypocrites_ in their _prayers_ most commonly respect -_earthly_ things, (and therefore _Hos. 7_.) they cry and howl upon -their _Beds_, for _corn_ and _wine_: or at the best they respect but -_themselves_, &c. although it be in the _pardon_ of their _sins_, -and _saving_ of their _Souls_: But the _prayers_ of _Gods children_, -chiefly eye _heavenly_ things. - -Hence the wonderfull _spirituallity_ of _Christs prayer_ to his -_Father_, (_John 7_.) for the _glorifying_ of his _name_, and _spirituall -Grace_, and _mercy_ in the _souls_ of _Beleevers_: Hence the admirable -_spirituality_ of _Davids_ prayers, for _spirituall_ and _soul_ -mercies, _Psal: 119_. And the fervent prayers of _Paul_ in all his -_Epistles_ for heavenly and spirituall mercies to the _Saints_ of _God_. - -_Hypocrites_ like _Dogs_ howl and fawn for _bones_ and _crusts_, &c. -But _Gods_ children beg the proper _tokens_, and characters of a -spirituall _Father_, to his spirituall children, and Beloved. - -[Sidenote: Gods people wait for, and rest in Gods answer.] - -4thly, _Hypocrites_ will not always cry unto _God_ (_Job. 27_.) but -at last with _Saul_, if _God_ answer not, they run to the _Devill_ -in _evil_ means, murmur and despair: But _Gods_ children can no more -cease to cry unto _God_, then to live a spiritual _life_, and therefore -resolve to give _God_ no _Rest_ untill they receive an _answer_, and -therefore also wait for his holy _pleasure_, and _leasure_, and at last -are satisfied with the _Lords_ holy pleasure, and sentence, although it -seem crosse, add bitter to _flesh_, and _blood_: So _Moses_ in respect -of his suit to _God_, for his going into the land of _Canaan_: So -_David_ praying for his _child_: So _Christ Jesus_ in respect of his -_bitter cup_. So _Paul_ praying against his great _temptation_. - -_Obj._ But may not _Hypocrites_ pray long, and also wait upon _God_? - -I answer, they may, yet at last, out of unbelief, and anger, like an -_angry Dog_, or _sturdy Beggar_, they cry out in murmur, and wrath, as -the unbelieving King of _Israel_, what should I wait upon _God_ any -longer? But _Gods_ children never give over: for when they grow weary, -they (like _Moses_) beg help to their fainting hands in _prayer_, -and desire their _eyes_ may never cease trickling tears unto _God_, -_untill_ he look down from _Heaven_, _Lament: 2_. - -A 5th: Argument of _spirituall health_, and _strength_, is a constant -holy sence of our own _unworthines_, _vilenes_, and _basenes_ in _Gods_ -presence: Hence _Jacob_ professeth himself less then the least of -_Gods_ mercies, that is, then the least _crum_, or _drop_, or _rag_, or -_look_ of mercy: Hence the _Centurion_ professeth himself not worthy -that _Christ_ should come under his _Roof_: Hence _Elizabeth_ her holy -wonder, whence is it (saith she) that the _Mother_ of my _Lord_ should -come unto me? Hence _Mephiboseth_ wonders that _David_ should look upon -such a _dead Dog_. - -_Ob._ But may not _Hypocrites_ professe they are not _Papists_, that -they can deserve nothing at _Gods_ hands, that if they had their -_deserts_ it were woe with them? - -[Sidenote: Gods people are only truly sensible of unworthines.] - -I answer, _Hypocrites_ may say so, but yet are angry when _God_ seems -to deal with them, as he deals with others. Hence they quarrell -with _God_, as if that _God_ seemed not to respect their offerings -of _prayer_, and _fasting_, _Isa: 58_ But _Gods_ children confessing -themselves _Beggars_ at _Gods_ door, and _Dogs_ under his _Table_, -they wait for, and are humbly thankfull for every _crum_ of grace and -mercy: So _Christ Jesus_ teacheth us to give thanks for the mercy of -a little _bread_, and then for a little _Fish_, (_Mark 6_.) So after -most heavy and wonderfull _afflictions_, _Jeremie_ cries out _Jehova_ -is _righteous_, and professeth it is _mercy_ that it is not worse, and -that they were not burnt up and consumed. - -[Sidenote: 6thly.] - -A 6th. Argument of the spiritual _health_ and _temper_, is when the -_affections_ work strong and lively after _God_, after _God_ for -himself, after _God_ as a _portion_ and _inheritance_, after _God_ as -an _Husband_: when as the _Heart_ panteth after the _water-brooks_, so -pant our _Hearts_ after _God_, when as the thirsty _ground_ longeth -for the _showers_ of _Rain_, so long our _souls_ after _God_: When his -words are sweeter then the honey, and honey comb, and of more esteem -then thousands of _gold_ and _silver_. - -_Ob._ But may not _Hypocrites_ (as _Balaam_) professe so much and that -in earnest? - -[Sidenote: Hypocrite affection to God.] - -I answer, the deceitfull _heart_ of a man will go wonderfull far this -way: Yet certain it is an _Hypocrite_ respects _God_, but as a _Dog_ -respects his _Master_, yea sometimes a _stranger_, and an _Enemy_ for -a crust, or as an _Hireling_ for his _wages_: But _Gods children_, in -the want of all things, are content with _God_ alone, his _Christ_, his -_Spirit_, his _Favour_, his _Word_, his _Ordinances_: Hence _David_ -professeth _Psal. 4_. Thou puttest more _joy_ into my _heart_, then in -the time when their _corn_ and _wine_ increaseth: And _Habacuck_, when -_Vine_, and _Fig-tree_, and _Flock_ and _Heard_ fail, he professeth to -rejoyce in _God_, and to glory in the _God_ of his _salvation_. - -[Sidenote: God himself the portion of his.] - -2ly. In the losse of all things, in the greatest _straights_ and -_extremities_, _Gods_ children yet find comfort in _God_, that -_God_ their portion is not lost. Thus as _David_ when his _wives_, -and _children_, and _friends_, and _servants_, and _cattell_ were -all devoured by an enslaving and captivating _sword_, and he finds -no _Remainder_, but burnt _walls_ and _ashes_, and his own company -ready to _stone_ him, yet as _David_ they take comfort, and incourage -themselves injoying their _God_. - -[Sidenote: 7thly.] - -[Sidenote: Ready obedience to God.] - -7tly. It is an argument of spirituall _health_, and _strength_, when -the holy _Commandments_ of _God_ are not grievous, but pleasant and -delightfull to us: when we can say as the _Lord Jesus_ said, it is our -meat and drink, to do our heavenly _Fathers will_: when we are active -and ready at the _commands_ of _God_, and can say (when the _Lord_ -asketh whom shall we send) _send_ me, as the _Prophet Esay_ said: And -as the _Lord Jesus_ Psal: 40. Here I am, I delight to do thy will O -my God: when we can without repining, grudging, or delaying, obey -_commands_ most grievous to _flesh_ and _blood_, against not only -_flesh_ and _blood_, but against carnall _reason_, yea against _Hope_ -and _Faith_ it self, as _Abraham_ did, in offering up his most dear and -only son _Isaac_. - -_Obj._ But may not _Hypocrites_ obey the _commands_ of _God_, as _Saul_ -did, _&c_? - -I answer, they may indeed obey _Gods commands_ by halves as he did, and -as a _servant_, and _hireling_, serve _God_ for _wages_, and with _eye -service_, with opinion of _merit_, and boast of their _halt_ and _lame_ -service, as _Saul did_. But _Gods_ children imbrace all the _commands_ -of _God_ with delight, even the _least_, and most despised, with the -greatest and most _difficult_, and when all is done, they confesse they -have need of _mercy_, and are _unprofitable Servants_. - -_Obj._ But may not _Gods_ children live in the _disobedience_ of some -_commands_ of _God_, and yet be healthfull, and strong in grace? - -[Sidenote: The sins of Gods people.] - -I answer, it is impossible that a child of _God_ should (either in -spirituall _health_ or _sicknes_) live in the breach of any known -_command_ of _God_ his _Father_. Tis true, _Abraham_, and _Jacob_, -and _David_, and others, lived long in the sin of many wives, out of -_ignorance_ of _Gods will_, and _Gods_ children to this day, even the -holy _Martyrs_ or _Witnesses_ of _Jesus_, (who accounted their heart -bloods not too dear for _Christ_) have and do live in the breach of -many _Commandments_, that concern the _worship_ of _God_: But they are -herein like a _traveller_ deceived, by a false path, which when he once -really _suspects_, he cannot walk a step with ease, now do they cry -out with _David_, _Psal: 119_. I will walk at _liberty_, for I seek thy -precepts: And when _God_ saith seek my _Face_, their _Hearts_ answer, -_Lord_ thy face will I seek. _Psalm 27_. - -[Sidenote: 8thly] - -[Sidenote: The patience of Gods children, under Gods hand.] - -An 8th. discovery of _spirituall health_ and _strength_, is an -humble, a patient and thankfull _submission_ to the _aflicting_, -and _chastising_ hand of _God_. Thus it is said of _Aaron_, in that -dreadfull stroak of _Gods_ hand, depriving him of his two sons in -the _floure_ of their _Youth_, in the midst of their _sin_, in the -_performance_ of their _Priests Office_: it is said, _Aaron_ held his -peace: I was dumb and held my peace, (saith _David_) _Psal. 39_. for thou -didst it: Thus _Jeremiah_ (Lam: 1.) _Jehovah_ is righteous, for I have -grievously transgrest against him. Yea _Job_ not only exprest an humble -and patient mind, but also (which is wonderfull, but proper to _Gods_ -children, when in right temper) he blessed _God_ in the midst of so -many fearfull and astonishing _losses_, of so many Cattel, Servants, -and Children, saying, Blessed be the name of the _Lord_. - -_Obj._ May not _wicked_ men and _Hypocrites_ acknowledg _Gods_ -afflicting hand, and humble themselves? - -[Sidenote: The counterfeit patience of Hypocrites] - -I answer, _Hypocrites_ may see _Gods_ hand, and humble themselves as -the _Egyptians_, and the _Philistins_ did, but cannot possibly be -thankfull for it: They acknowledg _Gods_ hand as a _Dog_ his _Masters_ -when he is beaten, but not as a child his _Fathers_. As a loving and -dutifull _Wife_, receiving _Pills_ or _Phisick_ from the hand of her -loving _Husband_, a _skilfull Physitian_, who knows her _sicknes_, -and out of _love_ and _care_, prepares them for her, she cannot but -be thankfull for those bitter _medicins_, and earnestly desire a -kindly working: Thus _David_, _Psal: 119_. I know O _Lord_ that thou in -_faithfulnesse_ hast afflicted me, for all thy commands are _righteous_. - -[Sidenote: 9thly.] - -[Sidenote: The mournful confession of Gods people.] - -A 9th. Argument of _spiritual health_, and _strength_, is an humble -free _confession_, and giving _glory_ unto _God_, in the rising up, or -recovering out of any _scandalous transgression_, against _God_ Hence -the _Israelites_ confession of their sin in desiring a _King_, (so -impatiently, and imperiously as they did, with large confessions, _1. -Sam. 6_.) - -Hence the many bitter and lamentable _confessions_ of holy _David_ -and other holy Servants of _God_, after their committing of _known -evils_: Hence the _Corinthians_ repenting of their fellowship with the -_incestuous_ person in his sin, they give such an exemplary _evidence_ -of their true _Repentance_, that their holy _practice_ is set as an -holy _Samplar_, and _Copy_ for all _Saints_ afterward to follow, and -write after. - -_Obj._ But did not _Pharaoh_, _Saul_ and _Judas_ confesse their sins, -_&c_? - -[Sidenote: 1.] - -I answer, not with intent to glorifie _God_ as _Gods_ Saints do, taking -shame before the _world_ unto themselves, lying down in the Dust that -_God_ may tread upon them, and be exalted. - -[Sidenote: 2.] - -[Sidenote: False confessions.] - -Not with hatred of their _sins_, but in horrour and trouble at the -_danger_ of them, or in the _evidence_ of them flying in their faces. -Thus a _Merchant_ casteth those _goods_ over boord into the _sea_ in -a storme, which afterward he wisheth in again: Like a _Dog_, they -vomit up the filth which (after their _stomach_ is eased) they return -unto, and lick up by new _Commissions_: But Gods _children_ confesse -in hatred of their _sins_, and loathing of themselves, and (like men -in some _sicknesses_) are willing to take those _medicines_ which may -_provoke_ and cause _vomit_, which afterward they are so far from -returning to, that they abhor to touch, or look on it. - -_Obj._ But may not _Gods_ children return again to their vomit, and -commit the same _sins_, which they have cast, up by humble _confession_? - -[Sidenote: The sins of Gods people distinguished.] - -I answer, the sins of _Gods children_ are either, 1. _grosse_ or -_scandalous_, which when they recover out of, and give _glory_ -unto _God_, by _publike_ confession, we seldome or never find them -returning to such their _vomit_ again. Hence we hear no more of _Noahs -Drunkennesse_, of _David's Adultry_, of _Peters deniall_ of _Christ -Jesus_, _&c._ - -Or 2ly. Their _sins_ are _sins_ of a more private and ordinary -_distemper_, wherein their _passions_ of _anger_, or _neglect_, or -_forgetfullnes_ prevail against them, never without some _bitternes_, -and _grief_, and _humiliation_, and _endeavour_, with _resolution_ of a -more watchfull, and heavenly, and spirituall _conversation_? - -[Sidenote: 10thly.] - -[Sidenote: Gods people long alter visible enjoyments of God.] - -10thly. It is an _argument_ of _spiritual health_, and _strength_, to -_maintain_ or _recover_ an holy vehement longing, after the _enjoyment_ -of _God_, and of _Christ_, in a _visible_, and _open profession_ of -his own holy _worship_ and _Ordinances_, separate from all false -_worships_, _Gods_, and _Christs_, &c. - -Hence that of _David_, _Lord_ I have loved the _Habitation_ of thy -_house_, and the place where thine _honour_ dwelleth: Hence he -professeth he had rather be a _Door keeper_ in the house of the -_Lord_, (that is in a low condition, in _Gods_ house,) then to dwell -in the _tents_ of _wickednes_, though in never so safe and pleasant a -_condition_. - -Hence he sums up all his _desires_ in one, _Psal: 27_. One thing have I -desired of the _Lord_, that I may dwell in the house of the _Lord_, &c. - -Hence (though _David_ mist of the _Lords Order_ in carrying of the -_Lords Ark_, and afterwards he mist in his _thoughts_ about the -building of _God_ an _house_ and _Temple_: Yet in both he discovered -his holy strong _affection_, to _Gods_ publike _honour_, and _worship_. -The very same which afterward the Prophet _Jeremy_, and _Daniel_ -declared in their bitter _Lamentations_, for the _Ruine_ of _Gods_ -house. And both _Daniel_ and _Zacharie_, and _Haggie_, mightily -declare this _affection_ for the _rebuilding_, and setting up again -this _Temple_ and _worship_ of _God_, and what they prophesied, that -both _Ezra_ and _Nehemiah_, and afterward _Jehoshua_ and _Zerubabel_ -zealously performed and executed. - -[Sidenote: True Christians affection to Christ Jesus in his visible -worship.] - -Hence it is that in the heavenly _Love Song_, the _love_ of -_Christians_ to _Christ Jesus_ in his _ordinances_ is most elegantly -set forth by a _similitude_ taken from the _strong affection_ of -_married_ persons: I am, saith the _Spouse, sick_ of _love_, and O ye -daughters of _Jerusalem_ tell _Christ Jesus_ so: If I finde him without -I will _kisse_ him openly in the _streets_, and will not be ashamed: -True heavenly _affection_ (like _marriage love_) at first kindles -from some private _sparks_, to an open flame of publick _profession_, -without shame before all men. - -_Obj._ May not _Hypocrites_ (as _Saul_ in slaying the _Gibeonites_, -and _Jehu_ in slaying the _Baalites_) discover strong _affection_ and -_zeal_ to the _Lord_ and his _worship_, and consequently in these times -to Christ _Jesus_ and his holy _kingdom_? - -I answer: _Hypocrites_ and _counterfeits_ in their profession of _love_ -to _Gods_ publick worship ever run upon one of these two _Rocks_. For, - -First, either they set up, and maintain, and fight for a _fancie_, a -_counterfeit_, a false _Christ_, according to the _prophesie_ of the -Lord _Jesus_, that many (that is, _thousands_ and _multitudes_ of -people) should so use his _name_, that is, with a willing ignorance and -delusion. - -Or 2ly, if it be the true _worship_ of the true _God_ according to the -_appointment_ of _Christ Jesus_, yet ever in two things the sincere -_wife_ (the true love of _Christ Jesus_) out-goes the _whore_ and -_counterfeit_. - -First, the true _wife_ contents not herself with the bare _exercise_, -_ordinance_ or _administration_ (as the _hypocrites_ do) but in all -is restless to enjoy the _Lord_ himself: For as the _ordinance_ -is _spirituall_, and heavenly; so longs the true _beleever_ for a -_spirituall_ and heavenly _communion_ with the _Lord_ himself in it, -that he may become one _spirit_ with him more and more in all these -outward and _subordinate means_ and _administrations_. - -Hence it pleaseth the _Spirit_ of _God_ to resemble his _worship_ to -the _marriage bed_, which satisfies not the heavenly _Spouse_, when the -_Husband Christ Jesus_, is not spiritually embraced therein, but absent. - -2ly, The desire of the true _beleever_ in the enjoyment of _Christ -Jesus_ in any of his _appointments_ is to be made _fruitfull_ by -him: but the desire of a _whore_ extends no further then _Lust_ or a -_Reward_. Hence _Rom. 7_. We are married unto _Christ Jesus_, that we -should bring forth _fruit_ unto _God_: A _whoorish heart_ willingly -endures not _fruitfulnes_, but kills her own _conceptions_ which the -true _Wife_ cherisheth, and tendreth as her _life_. - -_Obj._ What should be the _reason_ why so many of _Gods children_ -who in all _ages_ have discovered their strong _affection_ to _Gods_ -visible _worship_, and _communion_ in _Christ_, have yet so varied, and -wandred from the right, and first _institution_ of the _Church_, and -_ministry_, and _Ordinances_ of _worship_? - -I answer, Gods _councell_ touching the _spirituall captivity_, and -_desolation_, must be fulfilled, when yet notwithstanding, the strength -of the _affection_ of _Gods_ people hath appear'd in their _mourning_ -and _weeping_, and lamenting after, and contending for the truth of the -_spiritual injoyment_ of their souls _Beloved_, in all the _means_ of -his own holy _appointments_. - -[Sidenote: 11thly.] - -11thly. Again it is an _Argument_ of _spirituall health_, & strength, -in respect of _God_, when the _Heart_ is fixed, and readily prepared -for all the holy _pleasure_ of _God_. Hence _Hezekiah_ praies for such -whose _hearts_ were prepared to seek _Jehovah, God_ of their _Fathers_: -Hence this _readines_, and _preparation_ of mind, is compared to the -_shoes_ on our _Feet_, without which we are unfit for _travelling_, -_walking_, &c. and with which we are _ready_ for any _spirituall -imployment_. Hence _David_ professeth that his _heart_ was fixed, -and ready, and when the _Lord_ said seek my _Face_, _Davids heart_ -answered, _Lord_, thy _Face_ will I seek, _&c._ - -_Obj._ What is the reason that _Gods children_ are sometimes hardly -brought on to difficult _services_, and _duties_? - -I answer, _unreadines_, and _unfitnes_ is a _spirituall sicknes_ or -_distemper_, which when _Gods children_ recover out of, then they say -as the _Lord Jesus_ in _David_ _Psal: 41_. _Lord_ my _heart_ is willing, -my _heart_ is ready to do thy will O my _God_: And they say to _Christ -Jesus_, as his holy servant _John Bradford_ said to _Queen Mary_; If -she keep me in _prison_, I will thank her; If she _release_ me I will -_thank_ her; If she _burn_ me, I will still _thank her_. - -[Sidenote: 12thly] - -Lastly, it is an _Argument_ of _spirituall health_, and _strength_ -when _Gods children_ walk in a continuall sence of their own -_insufficiencies_, and _distempers_, when they discern the evill -_inclination_ of their own _spirits_, and the _excellency_, and -_sufficiency_ of _Gods_ most holy _Spirit_: And therefore continually -say with _David_, _Psalme 143_. Thy _Spirit_ is good, lead me, _&c._ -and Psal. 139. Search me O _God_, and try my _heart_, and see if -thou findest any way of _wickednes in me, and lead me in the way -everlasting_. - -These and many more, are the _trials_ of _spirituall strength_, -_health_, and _cheerfulnes_, in matters concerning _God_: We now come -to the second Head of _trialls_ of _spirituall health_, and _strength_, -in matters concerning our selves. - -[Sidenote: Brokennes of spirit.] - -First, then it is an Argument of _spiritual health_, and _strength_, -when (especially) after known sins committed, our _hearts_ are in -a _broken_ frame and temper, when our _spirits_ are as it were -_contrite_, and pounded like _spice in a_ Morter, then yeelding the -most delightfull _smell_ and _savour_ unto _God_. - -Hence (_Isa. 66_) a _contrite_, and broken heart is an _House_ wherein -_God_ dwels, an House well ordered, _swept_, and _garnished_. - -Hence a _Spirit_ of _trembling_, (_Isa. 66_.) is an _Argument_ and -_character_ of the most dutifull _children_ of _God_: but of this -formerly. - -[Sidenote: 2dly. - -Spirituall battels.] - -2ndly. It is an _Argument_ of _spirituall strength_, when we make it -our _work_ to _observe_, _watch_, and kill our _corruptions_, and -_rebellions_, and labour to keep under, and beat down our _body_ to -an holy fitnes, and readines for _Gods service_, in _fasting_, and -_prayer_ against _temptations_. - -_Obj._ But may not _Hypocrites_ humble themselves, and labour to -mortifie their _lusts_ and _corruptions_? - -I answer, no question, but in horrour of _conscience_, and fear of -_Gods judgments_, an _Hypocrite_ may humble himself in fasting, -as _Ahab_, &c. but to kill sin, as sin, and to desire to be ready -for _Gods_ will, in _denying_, and _subduing_ his own, is only the -_character_ and property of a child of _God_. - -[Sidenote: 3dly. Godly loathing for sin.] - -3dly. It is an _Argument_ of _spirituall health_, and _strength_, when -we so look upon our _sins_, and our sinfull _dispositions_, that we not -only loath our _sins_, but also loath our selves for them: So saith -the _Lord_, (_Ezek 6_.) My _people_ shall loath themselves for their -_abominations_, and for their _whoorish heart_ against me: Thus _Job_ -when he recovers himself from his _murmurings_ against _God_, he cries -out, Behold I abhor my self, and repent in _dust_, and _ashes_. And -_David_ (Psal: 73.) looks upon himself for his murmuring against _Gods -providence_, as an _ignorant_ person, as a _fool_ and a _beast_ in -_Gods_ presence. - -_Object._ But may not an _Hypocrite_ loath and abhor himself for _sin_? - -[Sidenote: Hypocrites may in a respect loath themselves for sin.] - -_I answer_, It is possible for an _Hypocrite_ to be sorry for some -_sins_, and to be angry with _himselfe_, and to loath himselfe, but not -properly for his _sins_, which he loveth, but (as _theeves, whores, -drunkards, &c._) for the _danger_, _damage_ and _disgrace_ which his -sin may bring upon him. It is onely the property of _Gods children_ to -look at _sin_ as _sin_, with a loathing _eye_, and to behold themselves -_vile_ and _loathsome_, even for the most _pleasing_ and _profitable_, -and _delightfull_, and most _secret sins_. - -[Sidenote: _Fourthly._] - -[Sidenote: True selfe denyall.] - -Fourthly, It is an _Argument_ of the _strength_ of _Spirituall life_, -when we lay downe our selves at the feet of _God_, when as a _Servants -will_, our _wils_ are subdued to the _Lords will_, when the _Lord_ -is become our _selfe_, when his _ends_ are our _ends_, which give us -content and _pleasure_, although our _selves_, our _ends_ are lost and -destroyed, that wee may finde new _ends_ and _delights_ in _God_. - -Hence _Epaphroditus_ to further the worke of the _Lord_ (_Phil. 2_) he -regarded not his health, and consequently not his _life_; as a true -_Souldier_ in the Service of his heavenly _King_ and _Captaine_. - -_Object._ But may not an _Hypocrite_ deny himselfs; his owne _ends_, -his _pleasures_, his _profits_, his _credit_, his _liberty_, his -_life_. - -[Sidenote: No Hypocrite can truly deny himselfe.] - -_I answer_, It is impossible; for all that he doth is still for -_himselfe_: like _Israel_, _Hosea_ 7. He is an _empty vine_, he -bringeth forth fruit to _himself_: All that he aims at in using the -name of _God_, his _glory_, his _Christ_, is still to exalt _himselfe_, -to save _himselfe_: But _Gods children_ eye ever a greater _end_ then -_selfe_, to wit, the glorifying of their _God_, although it be in their -own _destructions_. - -[Sidenote: _Fifthly._] - -Fifthly, Our hearts are then in an healthfull frame and disposition, -when we are _cordially_ willing to goe from hence, that we may be with -_Christ_, _Phil. 3_. yet for the service of _Christ_ and his _Saints_, -we are cordially willing to stay in _hard_ and _difficult_ Service. - -_Object._ But may not an _Hypocrite_ desire to dye, and to be with -_Christ_? - -_I answer_, An _Hypocrite_ may desire to dye, and to be with _Christ_ -in a glorious _condition_, but no _Hypocrite_ can endure to dye, to be -with _Christ_ in an holy and spirituall _condition_, free from _sin_: -and therefore can he not endure uprightly, &c. to _worke_ for _Christ_ -on _Earth_. - -[Sidenote: _Sixtly._] - -[Sidenote: Spirituall contentation in Gods will.] - -Sixthly, Then are we in an healthfull _frame_ of _Grace_, when _God_ -hath brought down our _hearts_ to be content with the changes of his -_right-hand_ upon us: when we have learnt the _lesson_ of _Paul_, to be -content with _food_ and _raiment_, with a _travellers_ and _strangers -portion_, of so much as may serve us in our _Journey_: When we can tell -how to abound without _Pride_, or _security_, or _trust_ in earthly -things, and when we can tell how to want all outward _mercies_ with -_quietnesse_ and _contentation_. - -_Obj._ But may not _Hypocrites_ be contented with smal _matters_, and -suppresse their desires of great _things_, and say with _Esau_ unto -_Jacob_: Keep that thou hast _my brother_, I have enough? - -[Sidenote: All changes and losses are made up to Gods people only by -himselfe.] - -_I answer_, the desires of all men are not alike _greedy_; but yet -the desires of men are truely satisfied without _God_: Now when -_changes_ and the _losse_ of all things fall upon the _Hypocrite_, he -cannot finde those _changes_ and those _losses_ made up in _God_: No -_Habakkuk_ tels us, That it is the _Character_ of _Gods_ children, when -the _corne_ is gone, and the _flocks_ and the _heards_, and the _vine_, -and the _figtree_ faile, to rejoyce in _God_ alone for a _portion_, and -to _glory_ in the _God_ of their _Salvation_. - -[Sidenote: _Seventhly._] - -[Sidenote: Joy in Sorrow.] - -Seventhly, Then are our hearts in an _healthfull_ frame, when we are -not onely willing to suffer for the name of _Christ Jesus_, but when -we also conceive a kinde of _pleasure_ in it; so saith _Paul_, I take -_pleasure_ in _necessities_, in _distresses_, and for _Christs_ sake; -Hence the Saints (_Heb. 13. 10_.) not onely suffered the spoyling of -their _goods_, but they took the spoyling of their _goods_ with _joy_. - -_Object._ May not _Hipocrites_ suffer joyfully for _Christ?_ - -[Sidenote: Hypocrites pretend to suffer for Christ.] - -_I answer_, An _Hypocrite_ may doe and suffer with a seeming _joy_ for -_Christ_: But he can never doe this out of _love_ to _Christ_, _1 Cor. -13_. but always out of _self-love_ for his owne _glory_ and _honour_, -out of strong conviction of _conscience_, least he be damned in denying -his _light_, _&c._ Onely _Gods children_ can out of _love_ to _Christ -Jesus_ rejoyce (as some true _friend_ or _wife_) to be _afflicted_ and -to _sorrow_ and loose for their _Souls beloved_. - -_Object._ Why then are many of _Gods children_ so _heavy_ in their -_sufferings_ and _losses_ for _Christ Jesus_? - -_I answer_, This hapneth sometimes out of distemper of _body_; -sometimes out of distemper and weaknesse of _minde_, which they labour -against, and chide themselves for as did _David_, _Psal. 42. & 43._ why -art thou disquieted O my _Soul_, and why art thou so heavy within me? -still trust in GOD, for I will praise him, who is the _health_ of my -_countenance_ and my _God_. - -[Sidenote: _Eightly._] - -[Sidenote: Christian weanedness from this worlds comforts.] - -Eighthly, It argues strength of _Grace_ when we use this _world_, and -all the _comforts_ of it with a _weaned eye_ and _mind_, as if we used -it not: as _English Travellers_ that lodge in an _Indian_ house, use -all the wild _Indians_ comforts with a strange _affection_, willing and -ready to be gone: or as _Passengers_ in a _Ship_, willing and ready -(when _God_ will) to land, and goe ashoar in our own _countrey_, to -our owne _House_, and _comforts_ in the _Heavens_. - -Thus _Gideons_ Souldiers (in a figure of such as are fit for _Christs -Battels_) are not only _couragious_ and depart not with the _cowards_, -but also lap at the _comforts_ of this life, with a speedy _necessity_, -but lye not downe to them in _excesse_ of _affection_ and _delight_. - -_Object._ May not _Hypocrites_ use this world with a strange -_affection_, weaned from the vanities of it, _&c._ - -[Sidenote: The heavenly use of earthly comforts.] - -_I answer_, Doubtlesse not onely a false _Christian_ or _Hypocrite_, -but other naturall men (out of the _sence_ and _experience_ of the -_vanitie_ and _uncertainty_ of this life, and the _comforts_ of it) -may attaine to a great seeming _dispising_ of these _earthly things_, -though never without _sorrow_ that they are not more _full_ and -_certain_, as being their _portion_: Onely _Gods children_ who have -made the _Lord_ himselfe their portion, and his _word_ and _Ordinances_ -their _inheritance_, they only I say use them as from _God_, tokens -of his _Love_ and _goodnesse_, and as _golden chaines_ to draw them -unto him, and humbly submit to _Gods_ holy pleasure, in his gracious -_bestowing_ or _withdrawing_ of them. - -[Sidenote: _Ninthly._] - -Ninthly, It is an _argument_ of a strong _fear_ of and _affection_ to -_God_, when in all our earthly businesses, we see _God_, and minde his -_name_ and _praise_. Hence saith _James_: Yee ought in all Journeys -and purposes to say, If _God_ will: Hence _Boaz_ that holy man, when -he comes into his _Field_ hath _God_ in his _mouth_: The _Lord_ blesse -you sayed he to his _Reapers_: Hence the poorest _Christian_ able to -contribute (_1 Cor. 16_.) observes _weekly_, and therefore _daily_ the -_dispensations_ of _God_ towards him; He observes the _givings_ and -_takings_ of _Gods_ hand, and walks with him though in the poorest and -meanest _calling_ and _condition_. - -_Object._ But may not _Hypocrites_ observe _Gods_ blessing in _worldly_ -things, in _faire winds_, _good voyages_, in the _encrease_ of -_children_, _corne_, _wine_, _cattel_, _&c_? - -[Sidenote: The glorifying of God proper to Gods children only.] - -_I answer, Naturall conviction_ enforceth even _Pagans_ to confesse -(a _Manittoo_) an _Invisible Deity_ and _God-head_ in these visible -things; But to make it a _worke_ and _Businesse_ in all these earthly -things to see and _glorifie God_, to walke with him, and to be full of -his _praise_ all the day long; this is onely the _Character_ of _Gods -children_, who only truly see his _hand_, and love his _name_ and -_glory_. - -[Sidenote: _Tenthly._] - -[Sidenote: The true watch of Gods people over their Tongue.] - -Tenthly, It is an _Argument_ of strength and vigour of _grace_, to keep -a constant _watch_ and _bridle_ on our _lips_ and _tongue_, that no -words passe but such as are seasoned with _Salt_, to the _glorifying_ -of our _Maker_ with our _glory_, and the _edifying_ or _benefiting_ of -others. This _Tongue_ of ours the _Lord_ compares to the _bridle_ of -a _Horse_, to the _Helm_ of a _Ship_, which if well managed rules the -_horse_ and _ship_, with _safety_ and _comfort_: and the _Spirit_ of -_God_ concludes; that he is a _perfect_ and _strong_ man in _Christ_, -that is thus able to command his _Speech_ and _Tongue_ in this world. - -Hence _Christ Jesus_ preacheth _Judgement_ to the _world_, for the -_abuse_ of the _Tongue_, and the _idle words_ of it, when our _words_ -are not _working words_, and tend not to heavenly profiting of others. - -Hence the _Spirit_ by _Paul_ commands (_Ephes. 5_.) that neither -_uncleannesse_, nor _covetousnesse_, nor _foolish talking_, nor -_jeasting_, be once heard from the mouths of the _Saints_, but rather -giving of _thanks_, and praising of _God_. - -_Object._ But may not _worldly_ persons set a watch before the door of -their _lips_? - -_I answer, Morall wisdome_ may teach persons the _vanity_ and grosse -_wickednesse_ of the _Tongue_, but onely _Gods spirit_ (and strength of -it) doth teach _Gods children_, in true _feare_ and _love_ of _God_, -not onely to _restraine_ from _vaine_ and _foolish_, but also to -attaine to a _spirituall_ and _heavenly Language_. - -Lastly, It argues strength and life and _Grace_ in _Christ_, when our -_hearts_ by _Gods spirit_ are wrought to such a degree of _hatred_ of -sin, that we not onely abhor the _acts_ thereof, but also fly and shun -the _looks_ and _appearance_ of it; so that we not only fly _pride_ -and _passion_, and _covetousnesse_ and _uncleannesse_, but also the -_appearance_ of them. - -Hence _Boaz_, when _Ruth_ lay downe at his feet in the night, -as claiming _marriage_ by _right_, he not only refrained from -_uncleannesse_, or uncleane _touches_, but also he gravely advised her -to be gone so early in the morning, that no man should say there came a -woman into the floar. - -_Object._ But may not _worldly_ persons not only avoid sin, but also -the _appearance_ of it? - -[Sidenote: Only Gods children can truly hate sin.] - -_I answer_, No _worldly_ or _unregenerate person_ can truly hate _sin_, -or the appearance of it, for it is his _nature_ and _Element_, they can -onely hate the _dammages_ and _disgrace_, and _discredit_ of it, and -so a _Whore_ may hate _whoredome_. 'Tis only the _property_ of _Gods_ -children, and the _new-borne_ to hate _sin_ as _sin_, with the sinfull -_appearances_ of it as _opposite_ to their _new_ and _heavenly_ nature -in _Jesus Christ_. - - * * * * * - -I now come to the third head of the tryals of spirituall _health_ and -_strength_, and that respects our _conversation_ with men, in which - -[Sidenote: Christ and Christians worke to glorify God in doing good.] - -First I argue, that it is a strong _argument_ of a strong -_constitution_ and _spirituall health_, when we can make it our _worke_ -and _trade_, to aime at _glorifying_ our _Maker_ in doing good to men. - -Thus our great example _Christ Jesus_ made it his _worke_ and _trade_, -to goe about to doe _good_, which he did abundantly and constantly to -the _souls_ and _bodies_ of men. - -_Obj._ _Christ Jesus_ and his _Apostles_ and _messengers_ were -endued with _power_ from on high, not only to preach the _Word_ for -_conversion_ but also with _power_ of calling out _Devils_, and healing -bodily _diseases_. - -[Sidenote: Holy women great helps in the Gospel of _Christ Jesus_] - -_I answer_, as an _holy witnesse_ of _Christ Jesus_ (a _Woman_) once -answered a Bishop, _I am a member of Christ Jesus_ as wel as _Peter_ -himselfe. The least _Believer_ and _Follower_ of _Jesus_ pertakes of -the _nature_ and _spirit_ of him their holy _head_ and _husband_, as -well as the _strongest_ and _holiest_ that ever did or suffered for his -holy _name_. - -Therefore it is that we read not only of the _service_ of those great -_master-builders_ and _work-men_ of _Christ Jesus_, the _Apostles_, but -also the _service_ and helpe of _Christian_ women, for instance (_Rom. -16_.) _Phebe_, _Priscilla_, _Mary_, _Persis_ were eminently noted for -helping forward the work of _Christ Jesus_, to wit, the glorifying of -_God_ in the saving of the poor sons of men. - -_Object._ But is it not possible for _Gods_ children to be slack in -this _work_ and _trade_ of doing good to the _souls_ and _bodies_ of -others, and yet be strong in _grace_ and _healthfull_? - -_I answer_, Doubtlesse _Gods Children_ may be _strong_ one way, and -_weak_ in another, _strong_ in one _grace_ and _weak_ in another, -_strong_ in one _tryal_ and _weak_ in another: But it is their -_weaknesse_ and _sicknesse_, when they are slow and negligent of so -_glorious_ and heavenly a _worke_. - -Thus _Paul_ complains of the Saints of _Asia_, that he found none that -stuck close to him but _Timothie_. Thus was it in _Barucks weaknesse_ -and _sicknesse_ to seek great and earthly things, and _Jeremie_ (strong -in spirituall _health_ and _life_) chides and reproves him for it, -_Jer. 45._ - -[Sidenote: _Secondly._] - -Secondly, It argues _strength_ of spirituall _life_, when we bear -a strong _affection_ to the _seed_ of the _woman_, _Christs seed, -Gods children_. To doe good to all men is a _Christians trade_, but -especially to the _houshold_ of _faith_. - -[Sidenote: Gods children cannot but naturally love one another.] - -This was _Davids affection_ (_Psalme 16_.) when he look't upon _Gods -children_ as the excellent of the _Earth_, and placed all his _delight_ -in them: Thus _Jonathan_ though he lost his _Fathers love_ for -_Davids_, though he was to loose a _Kingdom_ by _David_, yet he loves -him as his own _Soul_. - -Thus _Ruth_ so loved that holy woman _Naomi_, that although she were -growne poor, a widow, and now in a tedious _travel_ from _Moab_ to -_Israel_, and _Naomi_ did also intreat _her_ and her _sister_ to goe -back, and _Orpah_ her sister was already returned to her kindred and -her _Gods_, yet such was the flame of her holy _affection_, that she -intreats _Naomi_ not to intreat her: Intreat me not to leave thee, for -whether thou goest I will goe, where thou dyest I will dye, and there -will I be buried: thy _God_ shall be my _God_, &c. - -[Sidenote: Worldly men may in a kind love Gods people.] - -_Object._ May not _wicked persons_ favour, love, and respect _Gods -children_? Did not _Saul_ greatly respect _Samuel_; and for a while -_Herod_, _John_ the _Baptist_? Did not _Michol_ love King _David_, -as well as did her brother _Jonathan_? yea did not _David_ finde -wonderfull favour in the eyes of a _Philistian Achaz_? - -_I answer_, The _nature_ and the grounds of the love of _naturall -persons_ to _Gods children_ must be rightly distinguished: _Gods -children_ themselves may and ought to love each other, and others also, -according to any _naturall_ and _civill Relation_; yet onely _Gods -children_ can love _Gods children_ for the _grace_ and _spirit_ of -_God_, which they see and finde in each other. - -[Sidenote: But Gods children can only love each other with a spirituall -love.] - -Thus as two _Candles_ or _Torches_ they spiritually close and embrace -each other with heavenly affection, being of one common _heavenly -nature_ together. Thus _Countrey-men_ meeting in strange and forraign -_nations_ presently know each other by their _language, &c._ - -Thus _Brethren_ rejoyce to finde each other in _strange_ places, and to -know themselves the sons of one _Father_ and _Mother_. - -Thus _Fellow-souldiers_ which stick close each to other in _life_ and -_death_, yea, although _routed_, _disordered_ and _flying_, if possible -they can discerne and know each other. - -[Sidenote: Gods children may possibly be unkind and cruel each to -other.] - -_Object._ But did not holy _David_ (who was a man strong in _grace_) -did not he lay _plots_ for the _life_ of an holy man, noble and -faithfull _Uriah_? Did not _Asah_ that holy King of _Judah_, practice -false _Imprisoning_, in committing the man of _God_ to prison, and that -onely for his _faithfulnesse_ in reproving him from _God_? - -_I answer_, This shews that both _David_ and _Asah_ at this time were -very sick, and _David_ upon his _recovery_ laments his _weaknesse_ and -_wickednesse_ and _Blood-guiltinesse_, _Psal. 51_, - -[Sidenote: Gods people in case may be sharp each to other, so was -_David_ sharply reprov'd by _Nathan_.] - -_Quest._ But may not _Gods_ children have just cause of exercising -_sharpnesse_ each to others? - -Yea doubtlesse, for _Paul_ withstood even _Peter_ himselfe to his -face, and the _Church_ of _Corinth_ must put away and deliver the -_incestuous_ person to the Devill; though probably yet deare, and a -brother, according to that of _Paul_ to the _Thessalonians_, yet count -him not as an _Enemie_, but admonish him as a _Brother_. - -In a way of _Justice_, in a way of _Physick_, the dearest _friend_ -or _Brother_ may exercise much _bitternesse_, though with much -_sweetnesse_ of _temper_, and with much tender melting and bemoaning of -_affection_. - -[Sidenote: One of the blackest transgressions in the world for] - -Thus in cases have we seen mounfull violence used, to a _wife_ or -_brother_ in some kind of _distempers_ and _distractions_. - -But when _Gods children_ shall so far degenerate, as to _pursue_ the -life of each other, though it be with desire to cover a sin, and to -keep _Gods name_ from being dishonored (as in _Davids_ case) it is a -_weaknesse_, it is a _sicknesse_, which although it be not unto death, -yet bringeth it neer unto _Deaths door_,and made _David_ cry out with -_bitternesse_ of his soul, _Deliver me from blood-guiltinesse O my God, -and my tongue shall sing loud of thy righteousnesse_. - -[Sidenote: _Thirdly._] - -[Sidenote: A compassionate heart even towards enemies is a Christian -heart.] - -A third tryal of spirituall _health_ and _strength_ is a -_compassionate_ and _pitifull, melting-heart_ over the _afflicted_ or -_miserable_, yea, although our _enemies_, or _enemies_ of their owne -_Salvation_. - -Thus the Lord _Jesus_ sighs for the _hardnesse_ of the _heart_ of his -_Enemies_: thus he _weeps_ over _Jerusalem_ that was to kill him, and -prayed for his _persecutors_ and _enemies_. - -Thus _Jeremy_ powres forth his _Book_ and _Rivers_ of _Lamentations_ -for _Jerusalem_ of old, as _Christ_ for the latter. - -[Sidenote: _2 Tim. 2. 26_.] - -Thus _Gods_ people are commanded to _weep_ with them that _weep_: And -when any oppose themselves, wee ought in _meeknesse_ and _patience_ to -bear it, as knowing their wofull and miserable _bondage_ and _slavery_ -to _Sathan_: And who knows whether it will please _God_ in infinite -mercy and compassion to deliver them by vouchsafing _repentance_ in -_Christ Jesus_, as he hath done to us? - -_Object._ But may not _Gods_ children exceed and over-grieve for others? - -[Sidenote: Gods people mourn for others.] - -Yea doubtlesse, and therefore _God_ chideth _Samuel_ for over-grieving -for _Saul_, because _God_ hath rejected him: _Gods_ children may as -well exceed the bounds of _griefs_ as of _joy_ and _anger_, and any -kind of _Passion_ or _affection_: but it is ever safer to fall on the -right hand of too much _mercy_ and _compassion_, then on the left of -_Anger_, _Wrath_ and _Cruelty_. - -Hence _David_ weeps over _sinners_ with _Rivers_ of _Tears_, because -they kept not _Gods Law_. Hence we are commanded to bear the _burthens_ -of others, and so fulfill _Christs Law_. All sin is a _burthen_, but -especially to _Gods children_, whether they commit it out of a deceived -_judgment_, and _conscience_, or out of _passion_, and sudden _slight_ -of _temptation_: Their _sins_ therefore (especially if _superiours_,) -we must cover, and with shame, and sorrow go backward like _Shem_, and -_Japheth_, as grieving, and unwilling to behold their _nakednes_. - -_Obj._ But we are commanded not to suffer _sin_ upon our _Brethren_, -but reprove them? - -_I_ answer, then is the _tongue_ a fit _instrument_ to reprove others, -when it is tuned by a grieved _heart_, that considers, and ponders it -self, as subject to _temptation_, and _sin_, as others, except _mercy_ -make the difference, and deliver from _temptation_. - -[Sidenote: 4thly.] - -[Sidenote: Impartiall reproving a character of Gods people.] - -Fourthly, it is a good evidence of _spirituall health_, respecting -others, when we endure not sin to lie upon them, or rather them to -lie in the pit of _sin_, but endeavour to help them out by wise, and -loving, and seasonable _reproof_, and _exhortation_. - -Hence _Job_ endures not _sin_ in the wife of his _Bozome_, but chargeth -her with _folly_ for her impatient, & impious _counsell_: Hence _David_ -smites deeply his dearest _Michol_, when she mocks at his holy zeal for -the _Lord_, and his _worship_. - -Hence _Christ Jesus_ sharply reproves his faithfull servant and -Apostle _Peter_, and that only for (seeming) loving, and affectionate -_councell_: Get thee behind me _Satan_. - -[Sidenote: Bold reprovers for sin.] - -Again, as true love, and zeal for _God_, (when strong) spares not the -dearest: so neither doth it balk, or shun the _highest_. Thus deal -_Gods Prophets_, even with _Kings_, and _Princes_: Thus _Samuel_ spares -not _Saul_, nor _Nathan_ _David_, _Eliab_ _Ahab_, nor _John Baptist_ -_Herod_ and his _Queen_, even for those most neer, and darling _sins_, -which were most _dangerous_ to touch, and meddle with. - -_Qu_: How stands such bold, and sharp _language_, (as some of the -_Prophets_ used) with humble _Duty_, _Fear_, and _Reverence_, due unto -_superiours_? - -I answer, as true _affection_ stands with plain, and sharp reproof of -_dearest_, so true _humility_ in bold dealing on _Gods_ behalf, with -the most _supream_, and highest. - -Hence are _Gods_ people also commanded not only to reprove, but to -separate in case of finall _obstinacy_ in _sin_. - -_Obj._ This course may seem to destroy humane _society_, yea _nature_, -and civillity out of the world. - -[Sidenote: Godliness makes civilitie more beautifull.] - -I answer, it is true that _Godlines_, and _Christian affection_, -and _zeal_ for _God_ destroys corrupt _nature_, and _humanity_, -but otherwise _Godlines_ sanctifieth, and directeth _nature_, and -_civility_, in the fear of _God_. - -[Sidenote: 5thly.] - -Fifthly, it argues _strength_ of _spirituall life_, and _grace_, when a -_Soul_ is able to withstand, resist, and repell such _sins_, unto which -the _opportunity_ of _temptation_ sollicites, and invites us. - -[Sidenote: _Joseph_ and _David_ admirable for resisting of temptations.] - -Hence holy _Joseph_, and _David_, are propounded to us for heavenly -_examples_ of _power_, and strength of _grace_, in resisting those -most, two plausible _temptations_ (to which the wicked _nature_ of -man is so _prone_, and _subject_:) the one of _lust_ to _Women_, when -strongly and often solicited by his wanton Mistris: the other of -_revenge_ toward man, when his bloody _persecutor Saul_, seemed by -_God_ himself to be delivered, and brought into his hand. - -_Obj._ But _David_ himself was conquer'd by _uncleannes_, and _Asa_ -wreaks his _wrath_, upon the very _servant_, and _Prophet_ of the most -_High_, and yet both _David_, and _Asa_ were thought to be _strong_ in -_grace_, and _power_ of _Godlines_? - -[Sidenote: The fals of Gods children and to what end.] - -I answer, _Gods champions_ are sometimes strong, and sometimes weak, -_strong_ in some things, _weak_ in others, and (as the strongest -_bodies_) subject to spirituall _colds_ and _falls_, and _hurts_, which -are most graciously recorded for our _comfort_ in our _falls_, as well -as the holy _victories_ of the _Saints_, to make us _watchfull_, and -_couragious_. - -[Sidenote: A Christian bearing of reproof a good argument of much of -Christ Jesus.] - -Sixtly, in matters concerning others, it is a good _argument_ of -_strength_, of _grace_, when we can patiently, and thankfully bear a -_Reproof_, and _Admonition_, when we can esteem a _Reproof_ for our -evill _words_, or _ways_, not as a _blow_ or _stroak_ on the _Head_, -but as a sweet, and precious _Ointment_ powred on us. - -Hence the admirable _patience_, and _meeknes_ of _Hanna_, when _Eli -zealously_, but _uncharitably_ reproved her for _Drunkennes_. Hence -when _Christ Jesus_ most sharply reproved _Peter_, and afterward _Paul_ -dealt severely with him about dissembling in the matter of _Communion_; -We hear not of the least _impatient_, or _bitter_ word to either, -yea when he was unjustly charg'd, and that by _Saints_ (Act. 11) he -patiently bears it, and returns a soft, and gentle _answer_, which -turned their murmuring _accusations_ into joyfull _satisfaction_, and -_thanksgiving_. - -[Sidenote: Gods people may possibly be angry at reproofs.] - -But now the _scorner_, yea the godly being (weak) reproved burst out -in wrath. Thus not only _Ahab_ imprisons _Micaiah_, and _Herod_, _John -the Baptist_, but _Asa_ also claps up fast the reproving Prophet, and -the best of _Gods children_ are subject to such sad _distempers_, when -either a mistake of _judgment_, or a _pang_ of _passion_ sinfully -hinders the _receit_ and _working_ of the _Reproofs_ of the _Almighty_, -which are wholsome heavenly _potions_ intended by him the _Father_ -of mercies, for our good, who ever be the _cup_, the _vial_, or -_instrument_. - -[Sidenote: Naturall wisdome goes far, but not so far as spirituall.] - -_Obj._ Many _Philosophers_ by _naturall wisdome_, and many _civill_ and -_morall_ men, out of the _principles_ of _civillity_ and _morality_, -and sometimes for some private ends, will bear a _Reproof_ with -_patience_: And hence that of _Solomon_, rebuke a wise _man_, and he -will love thee: whence it may seem that men by strength of _wisdome_ -may receive in _love_, and _profit_ by a _Reprehension_. - -I answer, _Gods children_ (as well as naturall men) may also act from -_Rules_ of _Reason_, and naturall wisedom, but withall they act from -an higher _ground_, and _principle_, that is they hear they see _Gods -wise_, and _holy_ permitting hand in the foulest _mouth_; So _David_ -acknowledgeth _God_ in _Shimeis_ railing, and _Hezekiah_ in _Rabsheka_ -his _provocations_, and _blasphemies_. - -[Sidenote: Reproaches send Gods people unto God.] - -2dly. _Gods children_ by _reproofs_, by _slanders_, and _reproaches_, -are sent to _God_: So _David_ as a figure of _Christ Jesus_, and so -_Moses_ also, when the people in their _murmurings_, reproached him, as -the _cause_ or _occasion_ of their _miseries_, he runs to _God_, and -praies even for those _unworthy_, and _unthankfull_ men. - -Lastly, with reference to our walking with others, it is an _argument_ -of great strength of _grace_, when _glory_ of the _Lord_ and the -salvation of _Gods_ people is so great, and so _dear_ in our eyes, -that we can with (upon _supposition_ of them two) that we not onely -loose our _temporall_, but our eternall _state_ and _welfare_: Hence -those two famous and _wonderfull speeches_ of those two glorious stars -_Moses_ and _Paul_: Blot me out of thy _book_ saith _Moses_: And I -could wish to be accursed from _Christ_, saith _Paul_, for _Israels_ -sake. - -_Ob._ But can such a _wish_ be lawfull though for the _gain_ and -_glory_ of _Christ_, since to be accursed from _Christ_ cannot be -without sin against _Christ_? - -I answer: I will not dispute what _accursedness_ or _separation_ from -_Christ_, that is, some saying that _Paul_ wished onely a _temporall_, -and some an _eternall separation_ from _Christ_: some a _separation_ -from _joy_ and _delight_ in the _presence_ of _Christ_, but not from -the _puritie_ and holiness of _Christ_: But I say, doubtless so neer as -any soul approacheth to these heavenly _copies_ of _Moses_ and _Paul_, -so neer comes he to the greatest _strength_, and health, and beautie of -a _Christian_ life. - -_Ob._ But can any man now attain to such a _strength_ of _grace_ as -this, so to wish? - -[Sidenote: Different manifestations of Christ Jesus in his people.] - -I answer: as it is in _nature_ so in _grace_, there are _children_ -and _young_ men (or _strong_ men,) and there are _old_ and _aged_ -men in _Christ_: Again, as it is _nature_, so in _grace_; there are -_differences_ of _children_, and differences of _young_ and _aged_ men -in _Christ_: every _Israelite_ had not the strength of _Samson_: nor -every of _Davids_ Souldiers the _strength_ and _valour_ of _Davids -worthies_: yet so neer to these heavenly _copies_ as we approach, the -_stronger_ we are in the _grace_ of _God_ in _Christ_: And doubtless -it cannot be but it is in the desire of every true _childe_ of _God_, -not onely to enjoy a prettie moderate _health_ of _spirituall_ life, -but to be as _strong_ in _faith_ as _Abraham_, in meekness as _Moses_, -in _patience_ as _Job_, in _affection_ to _God_ as _David_, and as -_zealous_ for the _Lord_ and his _glory_, as were this blessed _pair_ -of _zealous_ servants of the most high, _Paul_ and _Moses_. - - * * * * * - -[Sidenote: Some means which Gods Spirit useth as preservatives.] - -I am now come (dear Love) to the third and last _Head_ proposed, which -is some few means of _recovering_ and _preserving_ of _Christian -health_ and cheerfulness, and the preventing of _spirituall sicknesses_ -and _diseases_: In this I shall desire to be brief, lest by too long -a _discourse_ I discourage thy _reading_, and hinder thy use and -_improvement_ of it. - -[Sidenote: Soul-examination a soul means of spirituall preservation.] - -First then, holy _consideration_ of our _estate_, a deep and frequent -_examination_ of our _spirituall_ condition is an excellent means of -_Christian health_ and temper: Thus teacheth us the holy _Spirit_ of -_God_ by _Jeremie_, _Lam: 2_. _Let us search and try our ways, and turn -unto the Lord._ - -This searching and examining of our ways in _Gods_ presence is (as -it were) a casting up of our _accounts_ between _God_ and our souls, -wherein we truly verifie that true saying, That often _reckoning_ makes -_God_ and our _souls_ true _friends_. - -This _dutie_ is hard, and therefore we must often crie to _God_ with -_David_, _Psal. 139_. Search me O _God_, and try my _heart_, and see if -there be any _wicked_ way in me, and lead me in the way _everlasting_. - -[Sidenote: Affliction the season of Examination.] - -This holy _practice_ ought to be frequent, but then especially when -the hand, and _Rods_ of the _Lord_ are upon us: For then (as _Job_ -saith) _God_ softeneth our _Hearts_, and we are most like then to be -as the ground, mollified upon a _Thaw_, fit to be broken up, or like -the ground moistened with _storms_, and _showers_ from Heaven, then in -some hopefull turn for the _Lords_ most gracious _seed_, and heavenly -_planting_. - -[Sidenote: 2dly.] - -[Sidenote: Christ Jesus his appointments undoubted means of Christian -health and chearfulness.] - -Secondly, maintain an earnest longing, and endeavour to enjoy _Christ -Jesus_, who is our _souls_ life in every holy _Ordinance_, which he -hath appointed. If it be possible (with true _satisfaction_ to our -_consciences_, and _doubts_ in _Gods_ presence) let us never rest from -being planted into the holy _society_ of _Gods_ children, gathered -into the _order_ of _Christ Jesus_, according to his most holy _will_ -and _Testament_: Remembering that _Christian health_, _grouth_, and -_flourishing_, are promised to the _Trees_ planted in _Jehovahs_ house: -And that the holy _Ordinances_ are the _Lords provisions_, and soul -_meals_, and _Breasts_ which he hath graciously appointed for his -_children_, of all _sorts_, and _ages_. - -[Sidenote: Prayer with fasting a most Christian and mighty ordinance.] - -Especially be much in holy _prayer_, and _fasting_ before the _Lord_: -this is an _Ordinance_ of which neither _Pope_ nor _Devill_ could ever -deprive a _child_ of _God_: If it be possible practice this duty with -others, however before the _Lord_ in secret: remembring how frequent -the _children_ of _God_ in holy _scripture_ were in this _duty_. -_Daniel_ is an heavenly _pattern_: and so is _David_, who wept and -chastised his soul with _fasting_ although he was reproached for it, -_Psal. 69_. - -Our holy _Bridegroom_ the _Lord Jesus_, tels us that the _Bridegroom_ -shall be taken away, and then his servants fast: as if he had expressly -named the times of the _Antichristian bondage_, wherein the _followers_ -of _Jesus_, like the blessed _Women_, (_John the 20_.) _weeping_, cry -out, they have taken away my _Lord_, and I know not where they have -laid him. - -This holy _Ordinance_ is of such admirable use among the _Saints_, -that even in the first, and purest times of _Christianity_, we read of -_Christian yoak fellows_, consenting to a _separation_ from each other, -for a time that they may give themselves to _prayer_, and _fasting_, 1. -Cor: 7. - -_Obj._ But some say _fasting_ as it seems to be more proper to the _Old -Testament_, so seems it not so usefull in the _New Covenant_, when more -_spirituall_ worship, and _spirituall_ joys seem more _suitable_, and -_seasonable_. - -[Sidenote: The excellent use of prayer and fasting.] - -I answer, all the former _Scriptures_ declare it to be an _Ordinance_ -of the _New Testament_, as well as a _prayer_ itself: And for the _use_ -of it, it is most admirable for the _separating_, and _abstracting_ of -the _mind_, and _spirit_, from earthly _occasions_, and _comforts_, -for the devoting of the _soul_ to heavenly _consideration_, and -_examination_ of our wayes, for the pouring forth of _prayers_, -and _cries_ to _God_ in the many great, and mighty _straights_ -which _Gods_ people passe through in this _vale_ of _tears_, and -_Lamentation_. And indeed it is (as I may say) the taking of a _soul -sweat_, or _soul purge_ for the avoiding and cleansing out our -spirituall _Humours_, and _corruptions_. - -[Sidenote: 3dly.] - -[Sidenote: Spirituall taking of cold.] - -Thirdly, as ever we would preserve our _spirituall health_, let us -carefully take heed of spirituall _colds_ and _obstructions_: For as -it is in the _naturall_ man, a _cold_ it self is a great _distemper_, -and the _ground_ and _beginning_ of others, when the _warm streams_ of -_blood_, and _spirits_ are stopt up, and obstructed: So is it, (and -much more in the _spirituall_) when our heavenly _spirits_ are stopt -by damp _colds_, and _obstructions_ of unnecessary frequenting of -_cold societies_, and _places_ destitute of the _life_ of the _Sun_ of -_Righteousnes Christ Jesus_. - -The _Lord Jesus_ is a _Christians Garment_: O let us keep that blessed -_garment_ always close about us, and in all places, and in all -companies, and upon all _occasions_ expresse the _life_, and _power_ of -_Christ Jesus_, longing to know, and to follow his blessed _words_, and -_examples_ in _life_, and _death_. - -[Sidenote: 4thly.] - -[Sidenote: Gods people must watch against the surfeiting upon worldly -comforts.] - -Fourthly, take heed of _spirituall surfets_, that the feeding too much -upon the _comforts_ of _yoak fellows_, _children_, _credit_, _profit_, -(though sweet, and wholsome as _hony_) turn not to _bitternes_, and -_loathing_. - -_Gods_ children as _travailers_ on the Land, as _Passengers_ in a -_ship_, must use this world, and all comforts of it, with _dead_, -and _weaned_, and _mortified affections_, as if they used them -not: If _Riches_, if _Children_, if _Cattel_, if _Friends_, if -whatsoever increase, let us watch that the _Heart_ fly not loose upon -them: But as we use _salt_ with raw and fresh meats, let us use no -worldly comfort without a savoury _Remembrance_, that these worldly -_Goods_ and _comforts_ are the common portion of the men of this -perishing _world_, who must perish together with them. Let us muse -upon their _insufficiency_ to content, and fill our _Hearts_, upon -their uncertain coming, and going with _Eagles wings_: upon their -_anxiety_, and perplexednes full of _Thorns_, & _vexations_: upon their -_certainty_ of departing, how soon we know not. O let us therefor beg -_grace_ from _Heaven_, that we may use earthly _comforts_ as a _stool_ -or _ladder_ to help us upward to heavenly _comforts_, _profits_, -_pleasures_, which are only _true_, and _lasting_, even _eternall_ in -_God_ himself, when these _Heavens_, and _earth_ are gone. - -[Sidenote: 5.] - -[Sidenote: The power of meditating the joyes that are to come.] - -Fifthly, to maintain a spirituall _health_ and _chearfulness_ is of no -small use (as _Paul_ writes to _Timothie_) sometimes to help our _cold -stomacks_ with a little _wine_ or _strong drink_ of the _hope_ of the -_joyes_ to come: Lay hold (saith _Paul_ to _Timothie_) of _eternall -life_: and as the _Souldier_ meditates upon the _glory_ of his -_victories_: The sick _passenger_ at Sea upon his _sweet refreshings_ -on shore: the _Traveller_ upon his _journeys end_ and _comforts_ -at his home: the _Labourer_ and the _Hireling_ on his _wages_, the -_Husbandman_ on his _harvest_: the _Merchant_ on his gain: the _woman_ -in _travail_, on her _fruit_: so let us sometimes warm and revive our -cold _hearts_ and fainting _spirits_, with the assured hope of those -_victories_, those _crowns_, those _harvests_, those _refreshings_ and -_fruits_, which never _eye_ hath seen, nor _ear_ hath heard, nor never -entred into mans _heart_ the things which _God_ hath prepared for them -that love him: Of which however it pleaseth _God_ to give his servants -a _taste_ in this _life_, yet the _harvest_, and the _vintage_ are -to come, when they that suffer with _Christ Jesus_ shall reign with -him, and they that have sown in _tears_ shall reap the never ending -_harvest_ of inconceivable joyes. - -[Sidenote: 6thly.] - -[Sidenote: Bitter and untoothsome things may yet be of a blessed and -wholsome use to Gods people.] - -Sixthly, as it is in the _restoring_ of the _body_ to _health_, or -in the _preserving_ of it in an healthfull _condition_: it is often -necessarie to use the help of _sharp_ and _bitter_ things, _bitter -pils_, _bitter potions_, _bitter medicines_, _sweatings_, _purgings_, -_vomitings_, _blood-lettings_, &c. So is it with our _souls_, and -_spirits_, and preservation of the _health_ and _chearfulness_ of the -spirituall and the _inner_ man. - -[Sidenote: Two sorts of bitter afflictions.] - -The _sharp_ and _bitter_ things which it pleaseth _God_ to make use of -in these cases are of two sorts. - -First, such as himself is pleased to use towards us in the _way_ of his -fatherly _afflictions_ of all _sorts_: on our _spirits_, our _bodies_, -our _yoak-fellows_, _children_, _servants_, _cattel_, _goods_, &c. -out of which, yea also out of the _injurious_, and _slanderous_, and -persecuting dealing of others, yea and out of our own _sins_ and -failings his most holy and infinite _wisdom_, fetcheth all sorts of -_cleansing_ and _purging_, yea and sometimes a _cordiall_ and healing -_physick_. - -The second sort of sharp and _bitter_ means are such, as we -_voluntarily_ use and _apply_ our selves unto our selves, for -the _slaying_ and the _purging_ out of the _filthy humours_ and -_corruptions_ of _pride_, _securitie_, _uncleanness_, _self-love_, -_covetousness_, and what ever else remains behinde of the _body_ of -_death_ in us. - -[Sidenote: The Scripture the true storehouse of soul physick.] - -It is true that the _word_ of _God_, and all his holy _Ordinances_, -they are not only of a _feeding_, and _nourishing_, but also of a -_purging_, and _cleansing Nature_, of a _preserving_, and a _restoring -Quality_: and therefore out of these, we must take _direction_ for all -our _spirituall Remedies_, against those _foul distempers_, unto which -our _spirituall_, and _inner_ men are subject. - -[Sidenote: 1.] - -[Sidenote: The remembrance of our sins bitter, yet an wholsome pill.] - -First, then it is an _wholsome_ though _bitter pill_, often to call to -mind our _many_, our _great_, our _known_, our _unknown_ transgressions -against; the _Lord_ as a _Creatour_, against the _Lord_ as a _Father_, -against the _Lord_ as a _Redeemer_, against _Christ Jesus_, against his -holy _Spirit_, against his _Ordinances_, against his _Saints_, against -our _selves_, &c. Yea the _sins_ and severall _corruptions_ of our -_Natures_, _callings_, and _conditions_, to which we yet are subject, -and lye open, and without _supply_ of _Grace_, and _strength_ from -_Heaven_, we shall fall, and tumble into, as well as the strongest of -_Gods servants_, of whose wofull _falls_ we read of in holy Scripture. - -_Obj._ It is a part of the _Lords New Covenant_, that he will forgive -our _sins_, and remember our _iniquities_ no more. - -[Sidenote: Gods children bound to beg for pardon of sin.] - -I answer, unto all the _promises_ of all sorts, (_Ezek. 36_.) it pleaseth -the _Lord_ to adde this Gospel _Proviso_; For all this I will be sought -unto saith the _Lord_, according to that most holy direction, of the -_Lord Jesus_, to pray daily, not only for _daily Bread_, but also for -_daily forgivenes_. - -_Obj._ The Lord hath forgiven them already in _Christ_, what need to -pray for forgivenesse of them again. - -_I answer_, We must marke the _Lords Ordinance_, for all this I will be -sought unto: _Prayer_ and other _spirituall Ordinances_ hath the Lord -appointed for our _souls_ good, as well as _corporall meanes_ for our -bodily comfort. - -[Sidenote: Godly sorrow not inconsistent but subservient to spirituall -joy.] - -Hence the many examples of the servants of _God_ throughout the whole -Scripture, both before _Jesus Christ_ and since, _David_, _Peter_, -_Mary Magdalen_, breaking forth into heavenly showres of godly -_teares_. Hence the _Paschall Lambe_, (the figure of _Christ Jesus_) -was appointed by the _Lord_ to be eaten with _bitter herbs_, implying -and teaching that _Jesus Christ_ himselfe, his _blood_, _pardon_ of -_sin_, _Life_ and _Salvation_, and all the _spirituall_ and _eternall -sweets_ that here below we finde in _Christ Jesus_, they have not their -_native_ and proper rellish without the helpe of such sharp and bitter -_hearbs_. - -[Sidenote: Gods councels absolve not us from menes & endeavours.] - -What though therefore in _Gods councel_ before the _world_ was, all -his works of _creation_ and _redemption_, _vocation_, _justification_, -_glorification_ are knowne to him and acted by him? I say, in the -most inconceivable deep _councels_ of his will, according to which he -worketh all things, _Ephes. 1. 11_? yet were it _presumptuous madnesse_ -in us, and a tempting of the _jealous eyes_ of the most _High_, to -neglect the _wayes_, and _meanes_, and _paths_ of _mercy_ for _Soul_ -or _Body_, which his most holy _Wisedome_ out of _infinite Grace_ and -_goodnesse_ hath appointed to us? - -[Sidenote: The due consideration of Gods justice is an heavenly though -bitter pill.] - -A second sharp and bitter _pill_ to purge out spirituall _corruption_, -is a due and serious pondering of the _nature_, of the _justice_ of -the most _High_; notwithstanding all the infinite _sweetnesse_ of the -_Ocean_ of his _mercy_, and notwithstanding all the _colours_ and -_pretences_ which we poor sinners invent to our selves, to hide from -our eyes, the _greatnesse_ and _dreadfulnesse_ and terrours of it. - -Well therefore might _Job_ say: therefore am I troubled at his -presence, and when I consider I am afraid of him; and _David_, _Psal. -119_. My _Flesh_ trembleth for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy -_judgements_. - -_Object._ But _John_ saith, perfect _love_ casteth out _fear_. - -_I answer_, The true love of _God_, never casteth out the true feare of -_God_, but only that which is false and _counterfeit_, that which is -the fear of a _Beast_ of _slaves_ and _Devils_. - -Hence it is that the _Spirit_ of the fear of the _Lord_ was poured upon -the _Lord Jesus_ himself. - -This _feare_ is an holy _awe_ or _reverence_ proper to a true and -heavenly ingenuous child of _God_, even (first and chiefly) to _Christ -Jesus_, the _elder Brother_ (in a sence) of all the _children_ of -_God_. To cherish which holy _fear_ of _God_, let us cast our eyes -upon the fiery flashes of his severe _justice_ revealed unto us in a -three-fold time, the time _past_, _present_, and to _come_. - -[Sidenote: The dreadfull rejection of the Angels] - -For the time past, how dreadfull is that we finde of the _rejection_ -and _ejection_ of so many glorious heavenly Spirits the _Angels_, -tumbled down for their sin of _Pride_, from the heighth of _Heaven_, -and their glorious attendance upon _God_, to the depth of _Hell_ in -horrible _slavery_ to everlasting sinnes and torments. - -[Sidenote: The dreadfull sentence upon all mankind.] - -How dreadfull was that dolefull _Sentence_ upon the whole race of -_mankinde_, for the Sin of the first _root_, our first _Parents_ in -_Paradice_? How wonderfull those _Plagues_ and _Destructions_ upon -_Pharaoh_ and the land of _Ægypt_, for their oppressing Gods people. - -[Sidenote: The destruction of _Egypt_ and _Sodom_, & the whole world.] - -And (before that) how fearfull and horrible was that _destruction_ and -_burning_ up of _Sodom_, and _Gomorrah_ and other _Cities_ with _fire_ -and _brimstone_ from Heaven? - -And (before both these) how wonderfully fearefull and universall -was, the _destruction_ of the whole _world_, in that choaking, and -All-o'erwhelming _flood_ or _deluge_. - -[Sidenote: Fearfull stroaks of Gods justice upon _Israel_.] - -How fearfull were the stroaks of _Gods_ displeasure upon his owne -people of _Israel_, in their many _Destructions_ and _Captivities_? How -fearfull the rejection of the ten _Tribes_ wholly swallowed up and lost -for so many _ages_ and _generations_? - -[Sidenote: Upon the _Jews_ and _Jerusalem_.] - -How lamentable were the _destructions_ (and especiall that by _Titus_ -and _Vespasion_) of the holy _City_, that glorious _Jerusalem_, in the -slaughter and captivity of 1100000 thousand _Jewes_, _men_, _women_ and -_children_? - -How fearfull was the rejection of that whole _Nation_ of the _Jewes_, -ever since but a _curse_ and a _scorne_ to all the rest of the -_Nations_ of the world to this day? - -[Sidenote: Upon the Son of his love the _Lord Jesus_.] - -And (above all) who can but tremble at the _impartiall flames_ of -_Gods justice_ on that _green_ and _innocent_ tree, his owne, and -only begotten son _Christ Jesus_, when he stood surety in the room of -_sinners_ to make _satisfaction_ for their _transgressions_? - -_Object._ Grant _Gods justice_ and _fierce wrath_ to be so hot, so -fiery and fearfull towards his _enemies_, yet, what need his _children_ -fear his _justice_, since that it is satisfied and his wrath appeased -towards his people, by the _sufferings_ and _blood-shed_ of _Christ -Jesus_. - -[Sidenote: The heavy & dolefull stroaks of Gods righteous hand upon his -own people in this world.] - -_I answer_, It is so evident, that although _Christ Jesus_ his blood, -hath quenched the fire of _Gods eternal wrath_ toward his people, -and sweetened the bitter _Cup_ of all present _Judgements_ and -_afflictions_: yet for his _Name_ and _Justice_ sake in this world, -_Gods children_ have temporally felt the fearfull stroks of his -displeasure, and judgment must begin at the house of _God_. - -Hence that dreadfull _blow_ of _Gods_ righteous _hand_ upon our first -_Parents Adam_ and _Eve_, cast out of _Paradice_ with their _posterity_ -(even the whole race of _mankind_) notwithstanding their belief in the -_promised seed of Christ Jesus_. - -Hence the heavy _stroakes_ upon _Lot_, upon _Lots wife_, upon -_Moses_, upon _Aaron_, upon _Sampson_, upon _Eli_, upon _David_, upon -_Hezekiah_, upon _Josiah_, &c. - -_Object._ But some may say, _God_ sees no sin in _Jacob_, &c. - -[Sidenote: Gods holy end in his sore afflictions upon his people.] - -_I answer_, Their calamities are Judgements, that is righteous -sentences of the most high, _Judgements_, though not eternall -Judgements: these vindicate _Gods_ name and _Justice_ before an -unrighteous _world_, and beare him witnesse of his _impartiality_, -even towards his owne _children_; these humble and bring his people to -repentance and confession, and quicken their pace, and their hearts, to -watch against future _sins_ and _provocations_. - -Hence saith the _Spirit_ of _God_ expresly, _1. Cor. 11_. For this -_cause_ (that is for his childrens abuse of the _Lords Supper_) many -are _weak_ and _sick_, and some are falne _asleep_; _God_ chastiseth -his own people, true _christian Churches_, for the abuse of his holy -_Ordinances_ and _appointments_. - -[Sidenote: Gods justice visibly seen in the present sorrows of all -sorts.] - -In the second place, let us cast our eyes abroad and behold the -direfull signs and tokens, of _Gods_ severe Justice executed at this -present in the _world_. How lamentably doe we see before our eyes the -daily and continued effects of that first _wrath_ upon mankind, in so -many _sorrows_ of all sorts for the first transgression. - -Let us consider of the great constant _reproach_ and misery over all -the _Nations_ of the _World_, by reason of _Gods_ righteous _Sentence_ -in the division of so many _Tongues_ and _Languages_. - -[Sidenote: The horrible desolations of late years.] - -O come and see (saith _David_) what _Desolations_ (_Psal. 46._) the -_Lord_ hath wrought in the _Earth_? How many _hundred thousands_ of -_men_, _women_ and _children_ have of late years been swept away in the -_world_, by _wars_, _famines_ and _pestilences_? - -And since we are commanded to _weep_ with them that _weep_; O that -our _heads_ were _fountains_, and our _eyes rivers_ of _waters_, that -wee might weep with _Germany_, weep with _Ireland_, yea, weep day and -night with _England_ and _Scotland_ (to speake nothing of other remote -_Nations_) in laying againe and again to _heart_ the stroakes of _Gods_ -most righteous _judgements_, in their most fearfull slaughters and -_desolations_. - -[Sidenote: The wonderfull spirituall judgements upon the Nations.] - -[Sidenote: The direfull judgement upon the Jewes.] - -The effects and marks of these most dreadfull _blowes_, every _eye_ -is forced to see but yet there are some _stroakes_, more fearfull -and yet not easily perceived; such are the righteous _judgements_ of -_God_, giving up the _Nations_ of the _world_ to so many horrible and -blasphemous _worships_, _idolatries_ and _superstitions_. To speak -nothing of whole _Nations_ and _Kingdomes_, that know not at all the -true and living _God_, how _cold_ and _hard_ is that _stone_ that lyes -upon the _mouth_ of that wonderfull _grave_ of _unbeliefe_, wherein -the _Nation_ of (_Gods_ choice and love) the _Jewes_ lye buried and -o'rewhelmed to this day? - -[Sidenote: The direfull judgement of Mahumatanism, and -Antichristianisme.] - -Who can but _wonder_ and _tremble_ at so many hundreth thousand -and millions of men given up for so long a time (in so many and -so mighty flourishing _Nations_ of the world) I say, given up to -those two monstrously bewitching _Worships_ of _Mahumatisme_ and -_Antichristianisme_, the dire effects of _Gods_ most righteous -judgements upon the _Easterne_ and _Westterne_ professors of the -knowledge of _God_ in _Christ Jesus_? - -[Sidenote: The lamentable captivity of Gods own people to Antichristian -worships.] - -Adde to these that most fearfull and deplorable _captivity_ of the -very _soules_ and _consciences_ of _Gods_ owne people (for so many -hundred years) under false and superstitious _Worships_. A righteous -_judgement_, though not so easily discerned, yet in it selfe most -dreadfull, and exceeding all the temporall calamities in the _world_. - -[Sidenote: The dreadfull and eternall judgement yet to come.] - -But (thirdly) from these two times of _past_ and _present_, let us cast -our eyes on the third which is yet to come, as _sure_ and _wonderfull_, -will shortly be these two most wonderfull and dreadfull _downfals_ of -those two so mighty _Monarchies_ (so great enemies to _Christ Jesus_) -the _Turkish_ and the _Popish_: according to the Prediction of the -holy _Prophets_. How fearfull the _effusion_ of the _Viols_, in part -fulfilled, and yet to be powred forth in their season? And not a -little wonderfull is that mighty _destruction_ of the _Nations Gog_ -and _Magog_ gathered as the _sand_ of the Sea against the camp of the -_saints_ of the holy _City_. - -And (to come to the full _period_ and _finall sentence_ of the most -righteous _Judge_ of the whole _world_) with what _horrours_ and -_terrours_ shall these _Heavens_ and _Earth_ passe away; this _Earth_ -with the works thereof being consumed and burnt up? How inconceivably -direfull will the last _eternall judgement_ be, when two worlds of men -(the former destroyed by _water_, and this by _fire_) shall appeare, -before the most glorious _Tribunall_ of the Son of _God_? When all the -most _secret sins_ shall be brought to _tryal_, and an account shall be -given for _every idle word_? - -O who who can conceive the _terrours_ of that thundering _sentence_ -[_Goe yee cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devill and his -Angels, where the worm never dyes, and the fire never goes out_.] - -_Object._ But some may say, Can these sayings be any other then -a _Parable_ or _similitude_? for is the _Devill_ capable of any -_materiall fire_? such as now is grievous and painfull to _flesh_ and -_blood_? - -[Sidenote: The Parables of holy Scripture are ful of heavenly kernels -of Truth.] - -_I answer_, Grant these sayings _Parabolicall_ or _similitudes_, -as also that of _Dives_ and _Lazarus_: yet what are _Parables_ and -_similitudes_ but _Glasses_ to represent unto us in more plain and -easie wayes the holy _truth_ and mind of _God_? - -[Sidenote: The worme that never dyes, and the fire that never goes out.] - -The _Kernell_ of _truth_ is not the lesse sweet though wrapt up in -the _shels_ and _husks_; Beyond all question therefore _Christ Jesus_ -foretels most sure and inconceiveable plagues to all that know not -_God_, and obey not his glorious _Gospel_: And by this _Worme_ that -never dyes, and this _fire_ that never goes out, declares a _torment_ -to be inflicted upon both _men_ and _devils_ which shall be extream -like fire which shall be universall upon the whole sinfull _creature_, -no part exempted, which shall be also _eternall_, never dying, never -ending, yet we may adore _Gods_ righteous judgements and (working out -_Salvation_ with fear and trembling) make sure of a _Jesus_ a _Saviour_ -to deliver us from the _wrath_ that is to come. - -[Sidenote: The meditation of death.] - -In the next place (my deare Love) let us downe together by the _steps_ -of holy _meditation_ into the _valley_ of the shadow of _Death_. It is -of excellent use to walke often into _Golgotha_, and to view the rotten -_skuls_ of so many innumerable thousands of millions of millions of men -and women, like our selves, gone, gone forever from this life and being -(as if they never had _life_ nor being) as the swift Ships, as the -_Weavers shuttle_, as an _arrow_, as the _lightning_ through the aire, -&c. - -It is not unprofitable to remember the faces of such whom we knew, -with whom we had sweet acquaintance, sweet society, with whom we have -familiarly eaten and lodged, but now growne _loathsome_, _ugly_, -_terrible_, even to their dearest, since they fell into the _jawes_ of -_death_, the _King_ of _terrors_. - -And yet they are but gone before us, in the _path_ all _flesh_ -must tread: How then should we make sure, and infinitely much of a -_Saviour_, who delivers us from the _power_, and _bitternesse_ of -_Death_, and _Grave_, and _Hell_, who is a _resurrection_ and _life_ -unto us, and will raise up and make our bodies glorious, like his -glorious _Body_, when he shall shortly appear in glory. - -It is further of great and sweet use against the _bitternesse_ of -_Death_, and against the _bitter-sweet delusions_ of this world daily -to thinke each day our _last_, the day of our _last farewell_, the -day of the splitting of this _vessell_, the breaking of this _buble_, -the quenching of this _Candle_, and of our passage into the land of -_Darknesse_, never more to behold a sparke of _light_ untill the -Heavens be no more. - -[Sidenote: 3 Terrible uncertainties.] - -[Sidenote: Meditations of death powerfull as to many heavenly purposes.] - -Those three uncertainties of that most certain _blow_, to wit, of the -_Time_ when, the _Place_ where, the _Manner_ how it shall come upon us, -and dash our _Earthern Pitcher_ all to pieces, I say the consideration -of these three, should be a threefold _cord_ to bind us fast to an -holy _watchfulness_ for our _departures_, and a _spur_ to quicken us -to aboundant _faithfulnesse_ in _doing_ and _suffering_ for the _Lord_ -and his _Christ_, it should draw up our minds unto _heavenly objects_, -and loosen us from the vexing _vanities_ of this vaine _puffe_ of this -present sinfull life. - -Oh how weaned, how sober, how temperate, how mortified should our -_spirits_, our _affections_, our _desires_ be, when we remember that we -are but strangers, converse with _strange companies_, dwel in strange -houses, lodge in strange beds and know not whether this day, this -night shall be our finall change of this strange place for one far -_stranger_, darke and dolefull, except enlightened by the _Death_ and -_Life_ of the Son of _God_. - -How contented should we be with any _Pittance_, any _Allowance_ of -_Bread_, of _Cloaths_, of _Friendship_, of _Respect_, &c.? - -How thankfull unto _God_, unto _man_ should we poor strangers be for -the least _crum_, or _drop_, or _rag_, vouchsaf'd unto us, when we -remember we are but strangers in an _In_, but passengers in a Ship, and -though we dreame of long _Summer_ dayes, yet our very life and being is -but a swift short _passage_ from the bank of _time_ to the other side -or _Banck_ of a dolefull _eternity_? - -How patient should our _minds_ and _bodies_ be under the _crossing_, -disappointing hand of our all-powerfull _Maker_, of our most gracious -_Father_, when we remember that this is the short _span_ of our -_purging_ and _fitting_ for an eternall _Glory_, and that when we -are _judged we_ are _chastened_ of the _Lord_, that we should not be -_condemned_ with the world? - -How quietly (without the _swellings_ of _revenge_ and _wrath_) should -we bear the daily _injuries_, _reproaches_, _persecutings_, &c. from -the hands of men, who passe away and wither (it may be before night) -like _grasse_, or as the _smoake_ on the chimnies top, and their _love_ -and _hatred_ shall quickly perish? - -Yea, how _busie_, how _diligent_, how _solicitous_ should we be (like -_strangers_ upon a strange _Coast_) waiting for a _winde_ or _passage_) -to get _dispatched_ what we have to doe before wee hear that finall -call, _Away, Away_, let us be gone from hence, &c. - -How should we ply to get _aboard_ that which will passe, and turne to -blessed _account_ in our own _countrey_? - -How should we over-look and despise this _worlds trash_ which (as the -holy _woman_ going to be burnt for _Christ_ said of money) will not -passe in Heaven? - -How zealous for the true _God_, the true _Christ_, his _praise_, his -_truth_, his _worship_, how faithfull in an humble witnesse against the -_lyes_ and cozening delusions of the _Father of lyes_, though guilded -o're with _truth_, and that _by_ the hands of the highest or holyest -upon the Earth? - -How frequent, how constant (like _Christ Jesus_ our _Founder_ and -_Example_) in doing good (especially to the _Souls_) of all men, -especially to the _Household_ of _Faith_, yea even to our enemies, when -we remember that this is our _seed time_, of which every minute is -precious, and that as our _sowing_ is, must be our eternall _Harvest_: -for so sayeth the Spirit by _Paul_ to the _Galathians_: _He that soweth -to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption_ or _rottennesse, -and he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life -everlasting_. - - -_FINIS._ - - * * * * * - -Transcriber's Notes: - -Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. - -Obvious printer's errors were corrected. - -Every effort has been made to replicate this text faithfully, including -obsolete and variant spellings, inconsistent and non-standard -punctuation, inconsistently hyphenated words, and other inconsistencies. - -There are several places where opening or closing parentheses marks -appear, and it is not clear from the text where the paired parenthesis -would appear. In each case, the single parenthesis was left in place -and no opening or closing parenthesis added. - -However, where printing issues interfere with readability, and the -intent is absolutely clear from the text, changes were made to the -transcribed text. - -For example: multiple spellings of "Iesus" have been changed -to "Jesus". - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Experiments of Spiritual Life & -Health, And their Preservatives, by Roger Williams - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EXPERIMENTS OF SPIRITUAL LIFE *** - -***** This file should be named 62944-8.txt or 62944-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/2/9/4/62944/ - -Produced by Brian Wilson, MFR, Christopher Wright, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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