TWO, TRE A I. W 1 1 3 OGICAL co;>^ roan OR, The C hurches Salvation .] ^ T tmf or all, ? l_ Spiritually ^ The Dtfire and foy of SAINTS. II. nefitpef&a. ^The Spirituall Vertigo or Turning Sickneffe of Soul-Unfettledneffe IN Matters of Religious Concernment. Both lately delivered to the Church of God at Great TAR MO VT H, By J O H N BRINSLEY Minifter of the Gofpel there. And now published, as being feafonable and ufcfull for the prefent i imes. j London, Printed for Tbo~ Vwbcr.j, and are to bcToid at his Shop' j 1 in Corn-hiJJ near die Royal Excharge, 1 6^. AN Advertifement to the Chriftian Reader. Reader, B E pleafed to take notice , that this Treatife was (according to the date of the Efifile prefixed) divers Moneths'fince tendred to the Prefle; Being (with an Humble pre- fatory Addrejfe thereunto annexed) in- tended as a word in feafon to the then living, and hopefull Parliament. But there meeting with fome unexpe■* WwX* Uil, icoac, pBtTfr ^,ii‘ * A Groan for Ifrad \ or, The Qkttrches S a hat ion The Defire and fioy of Saints. ounr, 1 'if 7 tor m •14 t8. ir Tor an. # \i4-p r Pfal. y C Verf. tall.’ Gp O that the falvation of ifracl mere come out of Sion l When God bringeth hack the Captivity of his people , facob jhall re- Joyce , and ifr ad (hall be glad. N this 14th. pfalm (as iKo J 0 ** of *k the 53 a. which for fub~' ‘ ‘ n ‘ ftanceis one and the fame) David the Penman thereof %> km ( as Calvin and fome other Expofitors look upon it) deferibeth and j J»* "Zm hie dtfenbi , queminvixit Saul qviim palam furtre coepijfet : Calvin, /* ver. i; Pcrdiium r€prni SautiiM ft mum hx Pfaltj.O Atfttibi nullum dubikUt j • Sculcctus, ibid. B fetteth ' *Thc Churches Salvation fetceth forth the fed and deplorable ftatc and condition of the Kingdom of ffrael under the mifgovernment of Km/satd: ihewing vvhat a general depravation and corruption of manners, (cauled by the malignant deftudhon of a diftempered ^u P °n the whole Body,) there was therein How little either Piety or lnte- gm h Holme ft , or Righteoufncfle , there ^Athe r C ^ lt: * How much Hthafme, profanenejfe, difolutenefe, at- ^nded with Tyrannic and Opprehon. 5£ ° f£he B 1$ r 6 Ve yf ee H'y conaplaineth of, a (Prayer, f,k?, Ut: Which having 1 Prophecic. done, necloteth up all with a Prayer and varies du ? a ^(hallre- ] 2' y Atlil ftnel hall he gladl Thefeare the parts of the Text : upon which* my fa T R-i G0;, fed 4 lb of b- le the Defirs of Stints. j Applic. Which, let it be taken no- Applic. ticeof by all that hear it. Amongft Incvii, , dmc5 whom I queftion not but there are [ws^o fome , and many who will be ready Supplications. . enough to do what David doth in the former part of this Pfalme * to com- plain of the J Evill of the Times they live in .• that things are ftill out of Order •, that it is ill with the State, and worfe with the Church. But in the meantime, where are your Prayers for the Reformation of what is amifle i Thus man heareth of you , but God hearethnot from you. Man heareth of your Difcontents , but God heareth not of your Supplications. Thus it is; but thus it fhould not be: neither lec it be fo with us. If we follow David in the one ^ fee that we alfo imitate him in the other : not fpending our breath in bootlefl'e complaints about what it is not in our power to redrefle , have werecourfe to heaven for Reformation , feekingit by Prayer : So doth David here. But I fliall not dwell upon this General. Come we to a more particular hand- Three rank- ling of the words. Wherein we may la »- take notice of three things. For B 3 whom--, ' V I 4 I m J I T. P attic. Whac meant by Ifrael . I The Churches Salvation whom -. For what • and From whence i. For whom the Pfalinift here pray- eth , ifrael. z. What lie prayeth for the Salvation of ifrael , [ o that the S jIv at ion of Ifrael were come I] 3 . From whence he defirethand lookech for that falyation, Out of Sion> [ o that the Salvation of ifrael were come out of [f* \ ~1 , *hele' arc c ^ c Particulars which I fliall deal with in their Order beginning with the firft: For whom it ^ Wflt David here putteth up this Re- ’ \^ uc we are herehy to un.-.ierft v ind, I preOime I (hall not need t 9 tell you. ifraef h was firft a pro- per name given to the Patriarch Ta- ct«, who was called fo for his firtLb * **d prevailing with Cod (as you may fee it , Gen. 32.28.) From him it was transferred to ah his pofie- rt h the people of the stems of wuom condftcd the vifible Church Pd the coming of ChriR: And from tmn. to the Whole Caiholick 'church padeup of believing fcwes and Gen- dll A U Ch m f k “3 g U P° ne m yfiical Bo- ^beingthefeedof ^acoUccotd- Pg to the Spirit are called by the name Sf ) of Pi ti< it w t 3 his cor h 1 IT a rt ct ■ pray, i for, tttk Ton thn tht t >f liars ier, tit le- 1 to led aro- '% l ora :ch am the Defoe of Saints. of if rad. And for this ifrttel it is that the Pfalmift here putteth up this Supplica- tion s the Church of God, which was then among the Jewes. This it was whofe ftate and condition he was here fo affeded with •, not fo much his orvn particular , (which was at that time fad enough ; Saul looking upon him with an envious and evil eye , and feeking his life, which through his malice was continually in danger) as the generall jlate of the Church. This it was thac lay fo fadly upon Davids fpirit, that made him to breath forth this affectio- nate groan, 0 that the Salvation of if r ad vo ere come \ . > vt See what it is that fhould lye nearefl. the heart of every true ifraelite ; the ftate and condition of the Church of God. This it is which Gods people are to be affeCted with, more then with their own private concernments. So were the ferns in Babylon. However they were touched, and that deeply, with the fenfeof their own grievances, yet the common ftate and condition of the Church was moft grievous to them. So we may hear them moft pathetically B 4 expref- Obferv. The ltate of the Church is that which ihould lie nca- reft the heart of every true lfraclitc. Ifridem libtruri cupic , bine . cognofci - mus non tim privatim do /i CQ&Ua(ft> qulim de emmmi Ec cleft a fa- ( utejuiffe folli- . cnkM % Calvin, ad loc. $ ' — ^ The Churches Salvation exprefling it in that 137. Pfafm, verf. 5 , 6. If I forget thee, o ferufalem, let my right hand forget her cunning, if I do not remember thee Jet my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouthy if 1 prefer not ferufilem before my chief joy']. This it was which lay neareft their hearts * the common condition of the Church. This was now the head of their forrow, to fee that lying under fo fad a defolation 5 fitting down by the Rivers of Babylon , we wept (fay they) wc fCmanbred Sion^ verf. i. And ^ lls t ^ e y profefle fhould be to them y.6. the head of their joy , (as the Original there hath it) to fee that reftored again. Such was their affection to the common caufe of the Church and Religion of God, that they preferred it before their own particular interefts. The like did the wife of Rhine as ^ who was more affected with the Cafe of ifratf ana of the Ark } then either with the lolleot her neareft Relations, the death of her Father tn law , and her husband, or vet with the birth of a fon , when me heard of both thefe, she ML The glory ts departed from I fr del, for, the Ark the Defire of Saints. to£ of God is taken , i Sam. 4. laft. And *, la the like we read of Uriah, whom when if l David would have perfwaded to go (lun home to his houfe to eat and to drink, tr/fa and to folace himfelf with his Wife, he If} returns him this Anfwer , The Ark, their and ifrael , and fttdah abide in T ents,&c. the and fhall 1 then go into my houfe , to eat dof and to drink , and to lye with my Wife ? ider 7 Sam. 11. 1 1. Thus did he prefer the the publick before his own private. The :y) like did Nehemiah , as we may read it, tod Nehem. 7.3. And the like fpirit there m fhould be in all thofe who profeffe jiial themfelves ifraelites. pin. Apphc. But, alas ! how far other- \Afplic. non wife is it with many < I fear I may fay ZJ/e 1 . 1 of with many amongftour felves. So it fore is, generally men are all for themfelves. all for their rk There be many that fay , WhowMJhew us was any good < Pfal. 4. 6. So long as it the Publick. ■jtl goeth well with them in their own pri- vum p^pn M the vate, what care they what becommeth ■ath of the publick. At the prefent it is /w negigitur J .fad enough with the Church of God en as elfewherc, lo in this and the neigh- in Xcxt< 'Ik bouring Nations : But how few are ri there that lay this to heart as they { • ought Vfe 2. Exhort. the Mem ber$ of the Church fym- pathize with it. Mmfcnl. ad loc. ^ ^nur cfocs d aivatto yi ought to do ' As for their own ,W culais, they are fenfJble enough of what ever preflures lye upon them. But • in the mean time thepublick cafe of the Church and of the Religion of God vS S l tk !' egarded Now what is this, but as if a Paffenrer at Sea bemg in a ftrefle , ftould S ^ onely of his Cabbin^ in the mean time SHS&g t!,e **'«" te S felm fuch m a7a V* apf>rove our that w 7 mkr> of With it- w l th r We fy m P**hiz>e publick condition thereof before our own private. So did DaJd here When he faw 7/W in f uc h a condiS eis^ L^ 5 hlS ? SheS and bispray- m upon that, o /&, ^ fdvatL If tyaelmn come l Non diet* Q UIS d A Zt*7J ay ’ W A Z>° we Sed 1** titbit ifraeli ? Lt m> will gmt ta toj. Thus the defire of Saints. 11 irti- 'fiat ••in the od 3 )w te le is ? $ It ir )f t e r r< Thus was he more thoughtful of the ?ublick, then of his own private. And let the like fpirit be in every of us who are before the Lord this day. We are here met together to joyn with other of the Churches in this Nation in feeking the face of God, Now here- in let us all be mindful of jfraef of the Church of God. Lee that be written upon all our hearts, Even as the names of the Tribes were upon the Brcafl- plate of the High Priejl when he came to (land before the Lord •• Even fo let the name of ifrael be written upon every of our hearts, who this day, as ffiriiual Prtefts , draw nigh unto God to prefent our prayers and fupplicati- ons unto him. Be we all of us inti- mately affe&ed with the ftate and con- dition of the Church of God? pitying it , and praying for it. This is a duty which the publick neceflity calls for at our hands : And therefore withhold it not. Thereby (hewing our felves to Private Chri- be, what all Chriftians ought to be, ftian? ft,ouid Publick fpirited. Such was the man ( ” £ !S| U ,c after Gods own heart here : In an evil! time ( however himfelf was as much concerned as any other in his own par- ticular. 1% 2. Partic. What defil ed for Ili ad. Salvation two- fold. JL» Temporal. The Churches Salvation I ! CJJ * a! \ y«) he is moft thoughtful for 'M; for tv-tach he I?, ft*, 1 "* "* Sfe Dthat «#/"«/ ^ , md C the jalvation salvation^ Jefhugnath. But what Salvation? ForAnlwer I m I Z; j h ^ZTfi i s t">- from 1 -Piv.rt^ n Ie ™t or ^\ deliverance fared nS? OTls > "' hethcr fchor reared, prefent or imminent, with l^jArtfeof? and P ro fP eri ty. This P™ of Scripture is often called [I \ e n f™ oi/ahatton, as Exod.14 the f /¥ l , (faith Mofcs) and behold the Lords fah atl0!J i his deliverance in this fenfe David faith of his I'd ^ tion, that it did not grow ^ aSam^f^ meaning the outward felicity and proiperity of his Houfe Z \ ^ dome. the defiri of Saints. ' jj dome. This is Temp or all falvati- on. Befides which there is a Spirituall 2 . Salvation *, deliverance from ipiricual Spiritual, evils and Enemies $ from Stn , Satan , ffell. Death 5 which being begun here, (hall be perfected hereafter * begun tfpon earth, (hall be perfected in hea- ven. Of this Salvation fpeaketh our Saviour to Zacchetcs, L'jk.19. 9. T his day is falvation come unto thine houfe : fpiritual falvation , which was begun in his Converfton , and was to be per- fected in his Glorification. Of which Salvation Chrifi is the meritorious and procuring caufe , and therefore called the falvation of the Lord, f Mine eyes have feen thy Salvation ] (faith Simeon fpeaking of Chrifi, ( whom he had in his Armes, Luk. 2.30.) who is the An- thour of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him , ( as the Apoftle defcribeth him, Heb. 5.9.) Here is a twofold Salvation. Now of which of thefe (hall we underftand the Pfalmift here to fpeak? About this Expofitors are not unanimous. Some underftanding it of the former, a Temporal Salvation. Ochers of the latter. *4 The churehes Salvation latter, a spiritual Salvation. And fame Both compre- there are who put them both together Text. In lhc And with them I (hall chodfe & to go along: underftanding hereby both a Temporal and Spiritual Salvation. Both thefe it is conceived the Patriarch Ja- cob had an eye at in that paflage of his, Gen. 49. 18. where giving his Sonnes his lad Benedittion, he breaketh forth into this abrupt and pathetical ejacula- tion, I have waited for thy falvation , O Lord% meaning both his Temporall znd. Spirituall Salvation, both which he defireth for his poflerity. And in a like fenfe I underlland the Pfalmift here in the Text •, o that the Salvation of ifrael were come ! meaning both the Temporal and Spiritual Salvation. Both thefe doth he here earnefily defire and wilh for ifrael. And both thefe ought all true If- raelites with like earneftnetfe to defire for the Church of God 5 the Salvation thereof both Temporal , and Spiritually Upon .thele two I (lull infill leverally. Beginning with the former. Temporall Salvation. This, que- ' vation a dcfirc- (lionlefle, David here hath an eye at, SthecS. Takin § notice ^owit was with the out- ward obferv. Both to be dc- fred for thc Church . of God. I. Temporal Sal- t the deftrt of Saints. ward ftate of ifrael 5 how all things were out of order, and tending to Con- fufion and defolatien , he laying this fadly to heart, breaks forth into this Apprecation* o that the Salvation. of Ifrael were come ! wiihing fome fpeed j remedy for thofe deftru&ive evils •, that both Church and State might be put intoa quiet and fettled condition, en- joying both tranquillity and profperity* Such a Salvation it is that he (if he were the Penman of that Pfalm, as it is raoft probable he mas) elfewhere fpeaketh of, Pfal, 85 . making fuit for it, verfe 7. Shew us thy mercy , O Lord , and grant m thy falvation : ] and making promife ot it , verle 9. Surely his jalvation is nigh them that fear hm.~\ What falva- tion ? why even Temporal falvation 5 deliverance from thofe long continued evils under which the Church then groaned, of which he complaincth, Verf 1( 4,5 . with the fettlement of a hap- py and blefled peace-, attended with out- ward prolperity: So the 9. and 10. verfes explain it. {That Glory may dwell in our Land. Mercy and truth arc met (or Jhall meet) together •, Righteoufnefe and. peace have kijjed each other. 3 AH 1 which ' ^ The Churches Salvation which are exprelfions of happy and flourifliing times $ a fettled felicity founded upon righteoufnefle and mer- cy, by which Kingdomes are eftablilh- ed. And fuch a falvdtion it is that he here wifheth for ifrael. And the like are all true Ifraelites to do for the Church-, earneftly to defire her temporal falvation $ her deliverance from out- vvard troubles. This is the requeft which David elfewhereputceth up for 2 * where bemoaning the lad ftate and condition of it, as un- der the Reign of King W, fofome- time after his death, during thofe Ci- viU Commotions, under Which the Land trembled and was broken he eggeth healing for it. Heal the Brea- cks thereof^ f or itjhaketh ]. And with a like Requeft he clofeth up his 25*. 1 lalm where having begged delive- 1 ance for himfelf in his own particular, he doth the like for the Church in ge- neral Redeem ifrael , 0 God . , out of all hts troubles f A pattern for Chriftians teaching them in their prayers, not one- ly to be mindful of themfelves, and of r £ °' vt ? ,P nvate condition, but alfo of the Publick, of the Church , feekin* (lie and city QK- i. he kc tie id iQt- aeft for ling un- roc- Ci- the he Ur ith ;,b. !(• r« the defire of Saints. tbe peace and welfare of it. So doth David again in that 51. Pfalm, firffc praying for himfclf, for Remifsion of fins , and Sanlfification , then he re:nem- breth the Church, beftowing a Prayer upon it, ver’e 18. Do %ood in thy good fleafure unto Sion , build thou the walls of ferufalcm,] that is, fave, protect, de- fend, maintain and profper thy Church 5 bringing it into, and keeping it in a peaceable and flourishing State and con- dition. And what himfelr there doth, elfewhere he exciteth others to do the like, Pjal. 122.6,7. ^ray for the Peace of fernfalem, &c. Peace be within thy wads, and prof per tty within thy palaces']. This are all Gods Saints earnestly to de- fire for his Church. And great Reafon they Should do Reafon. fo. For which I ihall not need to look Th sU0JS - p °T far. That Pfalm laft named, in 2. or arc t0 aK 3. verfes of it, will furnish us with as many Arguments or Motives Serving topreSTeand inforce this duty. Gods people are to Seek the peace of fent fa- lent, the temporal Salvation of ifrael. This they are to do, firft, for thetr own fakes 5 Secondly, for their Brethrens fake 5 and thirdly, for Religions fake. C 1 .For i8 The churches Salvation i. i. For their orvn fake. In fo doing For Aar own they themfelvcs fliatt be gainers. f>| for the peace of ferufilem , they (hall proffer that love thee, veried.] Chri- ftuns in feeking the Churches profpe- rity, they leek their own welfare, ha- ving each an adventure in that Bottome. And jiupon that account they are to be defirous of it. Upon this ground the Prophet feremy willeth the femes in their Captivity to feek the peace of Babylon, Jer . 29.7. Seek the peace of the City, whither I have caufed yon to he coined away Captive , and pray unto the Lord for It: For in the peace thereof ye Jhall have peace .] And upon this ground Chriftians fbould much more leek the peace and welfare of ferufa- lem, of the church. In the peace thereof they lhall have peace : they (hall have a lhare in the bleflings of it. They mail be no lofers by their well- willies to 2. For their Brethrens fake. \_Formy Brethren and Companions fake / will nerv Jay, Peace he within thee, verfe S.l Chri- Ss a Sr * V a? r u h u n f? Companions (as St. fohn ftilcth himfelf, Rev. 1 9 ) Brethren, having one and the lame ‘ Fa- ther, 2. For their Bre- thren* fake. *9 in- oe- w- le. be he in of :kc he \k )re (t- ice all ey to ¥ the dtfire of Saints. ther, God : one and the fame Mother, the Church , that ferufalem which is from above , which is the Mother of us all : (as the Apoftl'e deferibeth her, Gal. 4. 26.) And Companions, partners in Grace here, and Glory hereafter. Now being thus nearly related, they fhould have a re* gard each to other : Each one feeking the peace and welfare of the Church, that fo all thofe who profeffe the fame faith with themfelves may have a (hare in it. Thirdly, For Religions fake. {_ Be- 3. caufe of the houfe of the Lord our God I f a ^ l e R * ligl * nir will feek thy peace , verf. 9. 3 David knew that if it went not well with f cruft - lem, it could not go well with the Tern- plejmd with the worihip of God there - in. If it go ill with the Church in out- ward refpeefts, that that be troubled, and difquieted, it cannot go well with the Religion of God, which is there held forth ^Religion is to the Church, as rich lading fo the Ship: If the one mif- carry,the other is in danger. In thefe regards then, and upon thefe accounts,- (befides many other which might be named jit lyeth ah Gods people in hand fo defire and feek the peace of ferufa- C a 20 The Churches Salvation lent , the Salvation of Israel $ the out- ward welfare and happineffe of the Church. Applic. Applic. And this let all of us be Ex- Exkorr hotted and excited to do-, to feck the Temporal fd- Nation of jfracl ; the peace and wel- vadon of the iareof the Church. Not'dciigning c ^°} [ lie ***** .^d Dcjlrttftion of it. theruincand did the Edomites of old • who (hid deftruaion of of $ erufalem . , Rafeit, Rafeit, even to the foundations thereof , Pidl. 137,7. And iuch Edomites there are to be found at this day, who bear like ill-will to the tiue Church of God, dcfirin°' and defigning the ruine of it. df which tank would to God there were none to be found among our felves* Which if there be, let them know, how clofely foever they may carry it, how cunningly foever they may diflemble this Enmity, God will in his time find them out 5 he will Remember them. Remember , 0 Lord . , the children of Edom in the day of erufalem 5 j vho faid Rafe ii, Rafe it This was the Churches rrayer •, and not more a prayer then a Prophetic : fhewing not onely what they would have God to do, but what they were allured he would do. Thofe Edo- V * mites 21 the Dejire' of Saints. mites who in the day of ferufalems ca- lamity joyned hands with the Baby lonians , endeavouring the utter ruine and defolation of it^ in the hopes where- of they rejoyced and triumphed, when they beheld what was done to it, ( as the Prophet obadiah chargeth it upon them, obad. verfe n, 13. ) the Lord who faw it would not forget it : He would Remember it, and them. And fo will he do to all the Enemies of his Church •, be they open, or fecret : Take we heed there be none amongft us found in that number. Such as defire and de- fign the ruine of theChurch. Or yet any wayes procure or promote Nor yet pro- the trouble of it. A thing which Gods 3 C ^ own people may be accefjory to , and difqchcmcnt fometimes are * by makings maintain- ^ h “*j KrasAc . ing breaches in the walls of fentfalem-, ceifories, which railing or fomenting divifions in the Gods o.vnpeo- Church which are as fo many leakes plc may bc * in the fides of this Ark, threatening the finking of it : And all wicked and un- Qr p rincip:iIs . godly perfons are principals in : They which wicked are the Achans and Ahabs , the Tronblers men atc . of ifrael : They are they who by their wrath-provoking abominations do, as it were, prelfe and overcharge it, nay, C 3 " over- 22 The Churches Salvation overcharge God himfelf. So he com- plains againft I fracl, Amos 2. 11,13. Behold -,j am prefled under you-as a Cart is pre fed, that is full of (heaves']. Their fins were as a burden to him • wearying him with the bearing of them (as elfewhere he complains, Ij. x.i 4.) Such a burden are the fins of wicked and ungodly per- fbns, prelfing God himfelf ^ as it were cracking and breaking the axletrec of his Patience •, fo drawing down wrath and vengeance upon the places where i - they live. In this way had Saul brought wrath upon ifracl^ the evils which in his time lay upon it being the fruits of his Rebellions. Every of us take heed of being in any of thefe wayes either Principals or Acccflories in procuring or promoting jfraels Calamity. , But wh “ we for the falvation fare of it. °r it s for reitormg and continuing the peace, welfare and happinefle of the Church. This do we (what in ns ly- eth) for the whole Church : In parti- cular, for thac part of it wherein we live, and whereof we profefle our felves members. I mean the Church of En- gland. David being a member of if- W l > he earneftly wifherh the falvation of the defir e'of Saints. Din- of it , Co that the falvation of ifrael i], nere come ! ]. And let us lay the like a is {at England, it being' the Land of our Specially in fins Nativity, f o that the falvation of En- ^ iiic gland might come ! ] O that Englands ere Breaches might be healed ! O that [en England might be delivered out of all er- her troubles, and reftored to a quiet. jfit peace of the Gofpel , with fuch other i in mercies and bleffings as may make their s of outward condition comfortable to them, eed This let all of us defire. her And defiring it, do what we may Not ' hinlc n ' or tor the procuring and obtaining ot it. dear to pm- Not thinking any thing too dear in this chafe it. m way-. No, though it were our lives. It ^ was fonts his offer to the Seamen with him, being in a ftrefie 5 T, ake me up, l (faith he) and cafl me forth into the Sea, f 7 fhaU the S ea be calm , Jon. 1 . 1 2 . And re fuch a fpirit Ihould there be in every of s the Lords people in reference to the Church. So dear fhould the publick peace and welfare be unto them, as that ! they fhould not be unwilling to be of- :re peaceable and flourilhing ftate ! fo as of the Lords people therein might come to ith fit under their vines and fig-trees, en- se joying the Gofpel of Peace , and the C 4 fere A 2 4 ' — ^ The Churches Salvation fered up (if God fhall call them there- unto) to have their bloods poured forth as a drink-offering upon the Sacrifice and fervice of the Churches peace. All facrificing In the mean time all of us faenfee % ““ ws ‘ cur Jins. Caftthem over-board. Like as the Paflengers in Paul’s Voyage(Jc7. 27.38.) dealt by their Lading for the lightning and laving of the Ship .• So deal we by our fins . They are they which threaten the finking of the Na- tion^ and therefore caft we them over- board, disburdening it and our felves of them by ferious and unfeigned Repen- .tance and Reformation. Thus, put we away the Evil of onr doings front kef ore the eyes of our God , as the Lord requires his people to do, Jfai.j 16 , .Wlrich having clone, then (as it there folio wet h) Come rve and reaf on with him about this great work, ifraels, Englands falvation humbly and earneftly beg- ging it from him, that he would look down from heaven , and vi fit this vine which his own right hand hath planted putting forth and manifefting his pow- er, wifdome, mercy and goodnefle in bringing light out of our Darknefle, or- det out of our Confufions, cauifing joy and the Dejfrc rf Saints. 25 and comfort to arife unto his people out of the midft of their paft and pre- fent forrowes and fufferings-, giving unto his Church and people in this ana the neighbour Nations Beauty for ajhes, the oyl of joy for mourning, and the gar- tnents of gladneffefor the fpirit of heavi- neffe y ( all which he promifeth to the mourners in Sion, ifai. 6 1.3.) And in order thereunto, as the moft ABicffing » proper and likely means for thedfeft- ing hereor, beg we a hlefling upon the ta ry Coun- Counfels of that Honourable Affembly fels > lately by the general luffrage of the peo- ple in thefe three Nations convened for this very end, that they might be un- der God the Saviours of this our jfrael, his Inftruments in healing the Breaches thereof, and eftablilhing thefe Nations upon the fure foundations of Truth, Rightcoufnefje and Peace. To this end were they called together. Now that they may be ufefull and ferviceable in this way , and fulfill the end of their calling, let them not want the help of our prayers. This is the fervice which fome of them have required at out hands this day. And being now met about it, let us (in the Name and fear of 2 ^ > — y The Churches Salvation God) be ferious in it 5 Taking notice of the great need they have hereof. And that , as in regard of that fad breach which Providence hath already made upon them , which calleth aloud for prayers for the healing of it, fo alfo of man y great and important t ran fr- actions which are to pafle under their hands, being of fuch high concernment, as that the welfare or woe of thefe three Nations (if not of the whole Church) is wrapped up in them, and depends up- onthem. In this regard be we ferious and earned; with God on their behalf. Jigging from him that he would fuft he and prepare them for this fervice- and that, as by fetting their hearts right’ rna ing them men after his own heart finch as David was) men of upright fm^e^d p ubli<*Tpirits, fuch as may not leek themfelves, their own things, (driving on their own private defignes andmterefts) but the things which are Cods and his Ptofhs . his Glory, and their Iff? *¥* fo alfo by fur- iflnng them with fuch other qtialifica- 2 ^ereqmfitefor fuch afervia. and rl S th , e S P irit of mfdmi and Coimfcl, of z,d mi course to rdf upon ceof And ‘tick rude I for > of :nf- leir % ree :h) ip- 0I1> alf, fit# «; fo at, fo i ay S s > 16 ire dr IT* I* 5 f t i the Defu.c of' Saints. upon them. And then that he would %ive a hltftng to their Counfels and Endeavours, making them fuccefsfull, fo as they may not be nipped in the bud, or blafted in the bloflome (as heretofore too often they have been), but may be kindly ripened, and brought to full maturity, fo as wejand all the people of God in thefe Nations may tafte the fruit thereof, and have caufe to blefTe the God of heaven with them, and for them, for the bleflings reached forth unto us through their hands *,that foour eyes (if it be the Will of God) may yet fee the Salvation of this our jfrael , the Temporal Salvation of it • which is the firft thing that the Pfalmift in the Text is fo defirous of, Qo that the Salvation of ifraelmre cornel'] But this is not all. There is another a. Salvation of a higher nature, a jfiritual Sal * Salvation. And this we may well con- a ' ceive David here, to have an eye at. T a- king notice of the Spiritual^ as well as the Temporal condition of that King- dome*, how little Piety as well as Inte- grity there was to be round among the generality of that people •, how they were generally all corrupted and debau- The Churches Salvation ched, how little or no power of Reli- gion and Godlineffe there was to be found among them, he defireth this Salvation for them 5 that they mi^ht be faved as well from their fins , as° from their mi fines, Ablfc, wi ft" d H t f e !' kea f all , G0 ? W 1 ' ‘0 •fcc wiflied by . anc f ^ ec ^5 as for themfelves, fofor ,jal! Gods pco- their Brethren 5 as their Temporal fo their Snirit.,*! r.t ~. .1 v » 5 . ] » r i x -~ « i a* uicir i emporaL^ lo 'J«r Spirited the Jalvation of the tr I o ules. Thi\ of their foules. This was Pauls defire or his Brethren, his Countreymen the T etves - Brethren , ( faith he to his Ro- mans, Chap. io. verf. i.) my hearts ekfire and prayer to God for ifiael is, that they may he faved f This was his defire for them, and his earned defire. Info- much, that elfevvhere fin the Chapter foregoing, chap.p. verf. 3.) he profef- feth, that for their Hikes he could even have wiihed himfelf accurfed from 5 ?' */}, So earnefily defirous was he t] P W i UOa of , that P eo P le > ^e peo pleof the femes, that he preferred their vation* b fju hlS ° VVn P articu!ar fal- fhoulH* -iK^ nd t f| 1S ^ w h* c h Chrifiians lhould above all other things defire for their Brethren : Their (pirtfual and eter- fahatton h that they may be freed and la au tin HJ DO iHi k kl F Rei- so-bt tfiis htbe ron to for fo ion Sre the h- :®ti . tk elite nfo- )ter fcf ?en HAS she co- al- ns or IV i i the defire of Saints. and delivered from that captivity of Sin ' and Satan * under which all men by na- ture are. Leaf. And great Reafonthis fhould Rcafon i. be defired for them in thefirft place* Of aucapti- in as much as of all Captivities there is none like this. No Captivity like fiiri- Captivity. total Captivity: No bondage like the bondage of sin and Satan. Thofe were hard and cruel bondages wherein the people of ifrael were firft in Egypt jhen in Babylon- And they are no letter which Chriftians are in under thofe Turkifh In- fidels. But, alas ! what are any of thefe compared with this, being cap- tived under fin and Satan ? In thofe Captivities men may be fiaves, and yet free. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (faith the Apoftle, % Cor. 3. 17). Whileft their Bodies are in- thralled, their Spirits may be free. But in this fpiritual Captivity there is no- thing but flavery * perfed flavery : the whole man both Soul and Body bein" under the power and command of thofe hard task-matters, Sin and Satan * from whom they can expettt no other wages for the fervice they do them, but Hell 30 The Churches Salvation 2. and Death, No Captivity like ipiritual Captivity. r -• . n On the other hand, No falvation like like fpirkua” ' spiritual falvation. This is the great Salvation, falvation : So called by the Apoftle, (as our Tranflation renders it) Heb. 2. 3. HorvjhaU tveefcape if m neglect fo great S alvation ? d liiMKnuTitf tfaTnftxt ; ftich a falvation as is tendered to us in and by the Gofpel , which in comparifon of all other deliverances may well be called the great falvation . Other falvations are onely the falvation of the outward man, the Body or eflate, or the like , but this of the Soul. Receiving the end of your faith 5 even the falvation of sour foules^ 1 Pet. 1 ,9. Thofe are temporal* this an Eternal Salvation , ( as the Apo- ftle calleth it ) Heb . 5. 9. Great Rea- son this Salvation fhould be defired above all other falvations. xipplic. And fo let it be by every of us * Do we wilh well to others leek fcS ^ k f J‘ sth »s falvation for them, their frirituai thofethey w ;{h Salivation. This let Parents feek for well unto. their Children, Husbands for thcirWives F ” e f? s .f° r f heir friends , and this lee’ a Chiiftians feek for their Brethren . And •sfptlic. Exhort. mi i life ■y,i; »(* * at u by all led MS ird kt; ■fW I w nl, po- ea- red ■of efc J >r ’ % I Defirs of 'Saints] And in fpecial this let publick Perfons ( Magistrates and Ministers) feek for P *** bit «- thofe committed to their charge, feek firft their fpiritual falvation. Being Mufcui.adic*. afraid of any wayes hindering it; of hindering the falvati on of any one. A thing which men nuay be many wayes k. m cru ’ S guilty of, and acceffory to •, as, viz. by giving offence through their fcandalous lives, or evil examples or by the abufe of their Chriftian liberty 5 or by pro- voking others unto fin-, or encouraging them in it; not hindring according to ability, or nor p uniihing according to Authority; bett conniving at it, which, is interpretartively a confenting to it. In thefe and many the like waies men may be back ft iends, hinderers of the falvation of othi ;rs. This let all of us take heed of. On the other haj ad promoting it in Praying fork, what we may; pray ingforit, and fur- “^hoW S thering it by all holy r endeavours, onely endeavours . 1 keeping within our 0 wn fphear. This do we for particular perfons. And this do we f or Kingdomcs and f ^ at ^ n Nations. Such place ; as yet fit in dark- for tL Nacu nelle, and in the iliac low of death, ( of ons which yet which kind there are many in the world dl k ‘ at wmggm The Churches Station at this day) for them let our defire be, that this lalvation may come unto them; that the Gofpel of Chrift may be prea- ched unto them, and his Scepter fet up in the midft amongft them ; that fo fal- vatisn may come to their houfes. Among other, this defire we for thofe poor Indians, the Native Inhabitants of that other world ; whole cafe,as it hath been already recommended to moft parts of this Nation, fo I prefume it will erelong be to you. Which if it be, let me now, in way of preparation thereunto, defire you, that by your free and liberal contributions to fo pious a work, you may manifeft that you are earneftly defirous that this falvation may come unto them. And what we do for them and all others in a like condition , do we it in a fpecial manner for Ijrael, ifrael accord- ing to the flejh, that ancient people of God, the people of the 5 which have now for fo long a time been held under a double Captivity, both Corporal and Spiritual. Beg we this for them, that this falvation may come unto them, o that the Salvation of ifrael rvcre come ! (faith the Pfalmift): And it 1 r< (i I .4 F 7 an *f ov fa I w A i a l t f o. C, be 33 k Ml; :ea- ; ap (l ' )le of th )ft it it on ;k is a are ion na ri- of ch :ld •j/ * ) l i the defire tf Saint 's. in this let every of us Eccho back to him, faying, O that the falvation of t lf- rael were come ! Certainly this falvati- This Salvation on (hall come unto them : So much the ^hem? 6 un ~ Prophets of God have long fince clearly foretold, if at. n. 12. Zach. 12.10, See. And the Apoftle after them moft ex- prefly,(to whom I conceive this myfte- ry was more clearly revealed, then to any of the Prophets) Pom. 11.25, 25 . where forbidding the Gentiles to infulc over the ferves in regard of their pre- fent condition, he giveth them to take notice , that that fpirituall blindnefle which is happened unto them, it is buc lor a time f For I would not^ Brethren , that ye fhould be ignorant of this myfterie, &c. that blindnejje in particular is hap - -pened unto ifrael until thefulnejfe of the Gentiles be come in $ and fo all ifrael (had be faved~\. Mark it : So it is , that Blindnefle (or Kardneffe, (for the word vra iignifieth both) a fpiritual obdu- racy, hardneffe of heart) is happened in part unto ifrael , viz. to the greatefl part of them , who have reje&ed ffefus Chrtjl, and that falvation which hath been held forth and tendered to them in and by the Golpel. And under this D blind- 34 Which C hr i Ri- ans believing arc c ofeek lor them. Hoc video ro* half. ian Wherein we (hall do no more for T he i ewsha - ’»tl them, then heretofore they have done dcncthe )le, for us. The Church of the f ernes ^ for them, ball while that was in grace and favour with fal- God, pitied the ftate and condition of the us Gentiles, defiring our Converfion. So hall that place is commonly (and I think isflt properly ) expounded. Cant. S. 8. We im- have a little Sifter, and jhe hath no breafts* lible what I hall rve do for our Sifter < ] Such tel was the tender affe&ion and refpeft yet that the femes (as many of them as the underftood the Myftery of the Gentiles tj), Converfion , which queftionlefle many ebe of them did, it being a thing fo clearly n- and frequently held forth by the Pro- ith phets ) bare unto them, that they pitied lj- their prefent condition, in regard of the :th want of the means of grace, the Ordi- •rs nances of God * which are as the Brea ft/ y f wherewith the Church as a tender Mo- ti ther nourilheth her children; thofe ji Breafis of Confolettion , (as they are cal- J D * led®' 3 * Ch.ifiians praying fir the Jews Conven- tion. mtift cake heed of hin- dering it. Which is a : nc by Scandalous 1 ves, and Un- charitable di- Vdiohs, i nc ^rnnnes. Salvation led, I fai. 66, it.) from whence poor hungry foules might fuck and be fatif fied., and as new- born babes might fuck the fincere milk of the Word (as St. Peter hath it, i Pet. 2. 2.). Thefe Breads the Gentiles then wanted ; Salvation bein? then of the Reives, (as our Saviour tells the woman of Samaria, Joh. 4. 22 .) in an ordinary way not to be found, fave one.y m that Church. And in this re- ipedthe Godly part among them pi- tied the condition of the Gentiles . wip- ing that they might do any thing for them to make them partakers of the fame grace with themielves. What (hall we do for our Sifter ? This have they done for us. Now, by way of a reli- gious retribution, do we the like for them. 1 aking notice of their fad con- dition, under which for fo long a time they have lyen, pity them, and do what m us lyeth, that falvation may come un- to them. This fray we for. And praying for it, take heed of hindering it. Which fowT’ r? ^ ochei ' wayes and means „ i M y J r al ° Me ** m f' le ’ ar *d uncha- ' liable Divifions Surely by thefe two this great work of the Converfion of the foot H fid hta ftk rim :ei i in ive re- pi- ilh* for ‘jli they reli- for rbx for ich ins K- ;o of it the Deftr'e of Saints. the ferns hath been, and is not a little retarded and hindered. The fcandalous Lives of Chriftians. When they do (as he (aid ) Gentes agere fib no wine Chrifti under the names of Chrijlians live like Heathens. And uncharitable Divifions when thofc who profcfle ' themfelves the Dilciples of Chrift, and pretend to his Religion, run divijion up- on it, breaking themfelves into parties and factions, being divided and fevered both in judgment and Affection, Sure- ly thefe have been, and at this day are no fmall Rumbling blocks in the ffcws way? And being fb, let every of us do SrumbKnp- whatin us lyeth to remove them, and removed and to prepare the way for them. This is the way to te that which the Lord tfiaketh froclama- prepared for tion about, ifai. 57. 14. Cafl ye up , cdfi lhem - yeup^ prepare the rv.iy, take up the finm- bling-block out of the way of my people J. And this let us give ear unto. Defiring the Converfion of the ffewts^ take we away the fumbling- blocks , what ever might retard or hinder this work 5 and prepare the way for them, cafiing up , (as it were) making caufies for them y en- deavouring by all wayes to promote, D 3 and 3 * The Churches Salvation The T w to **** furttier this Meflcd work. To that be'provoktd cnd Provoking them. Provoking them, by chriftians. not to tfealoufie and Anger, This the lou°fi c t0 a J nT Gentiles have already done, as the Apo- -SVrath. lHe expounds that of Mofes ^ Rom. io. ip. Mofes faith , (or the Lord by Mofes) 1 will provoke you to jealoufte by them that are no people ; ' and by a foolif ), > Nation I mil anger youf This hath been alrea- dy done by the Gentiles , whom God hath made victorious over the fewes, delivering both their Kingdome and Covenant into their hands. Of this Provocation there hath been enough. Buc ro a hcly Now provoke we them to a holy emu- Emotion. Ution. This was Paul’s defign upon them, as he tells his Romans, Rom. 1 1. 14* if by any means I may provoke to Emulation them which are my flejh , and might favefome ofthemf. meaning his Countreymen the fewes. And let this be the joynt defign of all Chriftians 5 not to provoke that people to wrath any more, by perfecuting of them, re- viling them, infulting over them, timAith tft furor qumrJvn w ^ c h ( as Luther taketh 5 ct '(tiinorum (/> ct,rip,a,:os tpi,. POtlCC of it, WTltinff UP- leupp'i/oreWfe /„ Uc arbi / rt „_ h T ’ • {? “ J tir, ' ob/equmm Deo praiUre , > • 1 cxt ) *S molt UH- pnjiquwur.&c. c Writable, and unchri- ftian, . otk them, is the Apo- 1,10, 'tfts ) that i» I lrea* God ms, and this 4, » upoc 7. II. hit mi g his tthis «; rath ,*■ cm, tetb op* tin- I B* 0; the dejjre of Saints . 33 ftiim *, but by all holy wayes and means to provohe them to a Religious Emula- tion , that by coming in, andimbracing the Gofpel of Chrift,they may be made partakers of the fame falvation with themfelves. To which end, feeking by all fweet and gentle wayes to draw them, let them go before them in an exemplary Converfation , being unto them patterns of true Piety and charity , Bcin R t0 tliera caufing their light jo to fhine forth before them, that they feeing their good works. Charity, (their Lives anfwering to their Profef- lion) may glorifie their Father which is in Heaven. And thus I have done with the fecond Particular in the Text, the fluid, what it is that David here wifh- eth for jfrael-, viz. Salvation *, Tempo- ral and Spiritual: O that the Salvation of ifrael were come ! Come we now to the third and laft $ 3. Partic. the Unde, from whence it is that David 1 ' ruin , w . hc ‘ KC , defireth and expeð this Salva- foTthe salva- tion. And that is, from Sion, fo that ifrul. the falvation of jfrael were come out of Sion ! Sion ] What it was I prefume I (ball Sion, » vhat, not need to tell you : A Mountain in ; ferufalem , upon which David being D 4 come 4 ® ' ' The Churches Salvation come to the Kingdome, firft built his own Royal Palace , (from whence it is i called the City of David, 2 Sam. j. 7, 9 .) and where afterwards he ere&ed a Tnbernacleferthe Ark, placing and fix- ing it there, ( as we may read in the Chapter following, Chap. 6 . verfe 12, • 1 7*)i and upon part whereof afterwards Solomon built the Temple, 2 Chron.3.1. ! whereupon it was called, the Mountain of thi. herds houfe , I ini. 2 > 2. and the I Holy Mountain , Ifai. 11. g. This was a Mount Sion. S&ft- ^.But here a Queftion arifech How hi.a someth Co here to make mention , mention of this Mount&in ? which was not of any fuch repute in Sauls time. Nay , then, and fometime after, it was a Fort 2 ili oa g hold of the Philijlines , who kept Garrifon there, (as we may learn from that place forenamed, 2 Sam. 5. 7 ) 5 *. ) So as defruciion might fooner be expefted to come to Jfrael from thence, then Salvation. How then is it that David, (peaking here in this Pfalm, (as jt is conceived,) of what happened in * > e time of King Saul, and was occa- fioned by his Government, (hould make 1 ■snyiuch mention of Mount Sion, as to ' loot the defire of Saints. look for the S ah at ion of ifracl from thence i A. To this I find a double Anfwer returned. Either 'David might write this by a fpirit of Prophecy, forefeeing and foretelling what (hould afterwards conae to pafle. Or elfe, however the Occafton of this Pfalm was before, in the time of King San l, yet thecompofing and penning of it might be afterwards. Thus faith (Mr. Calvin ) David as he found leifure , for the benefit of Pofterity, he com- mitted divers things to wri- ting, which had happened fome- time before. And lo he might do this. A probable Conjedure-, which of the two he rather inclineth to. But yet (whether fo, or fo) the £uejl. Queftion runs on. How was it that wh >’ David looketh for falvation thence < what was there there, that might any waies draw his eyes thither- ward, that might induce him to look for falvation from thence i A. To this I fliall return a threefold Anfwer •, giving a threefold Ground or Reafon hereof* each of which will be Scimus Davidem , pofttris confultYCt , oi inm a w na m ; mor i a mindafl'c qua longo itntt import aciilcrvu. Cal- vin. Cora, in loc. r _ „ tion out of * rorn Sion J i -Anf. A Threefold Ground of this wifh. 42 The Churches Salvation be 11 Tefal to us* Let me crave your Attentions to go along with me. Themin' / X * Here was the Arkt > "the^r* of Mount' sicn a and that being there,that token of Gods was place of Gods fpecial prefence pi citnc: there, (whereof the Ark was a token and fym- ii’lTlJdtiv- k 0 ?’, AV J ence ic is that Sion is called, nji/,>Mn,„s je Cods dwelling place ^ Pfal.76 2 . And ssrz- ™® f wj i' hc pIace from whencc Goci ram pneer, P® 1 * 01t: h his rower ^ and manifefted his f le /l> w “ ence it is that the Ark is cal- Y h * s ' r ?z‘k wdhisc/^.pays. Jirbtcr f )m - And that was the place from /‘:«SSi:*" ce h ™1 “ d anfwered *e vi.. . ad loc. P ra y ers of his people, I King. 8. 2 ' &c , And hereupon David, in Iook- dai,t tx ln § tor ifraels falvation, direfteth his JSfttS T Sth c ther ; Vard ’ * ^ Sion , the *[' ptus, qut place or Gods habitation; widiing that *” * ^ J ff ae/s Salvation might come from thence viz. from God himfelf who welt there. So the words following explain ir. [ when the Lord brinzeth u e * the Lord who dvvelleth in S/cn. Ohferv. See here whither the Lords 7P (> /1YP ft » ln*L J^r if . * # . qm cfl in Sio/t. Hicronvnius ad loc. ' Ohferv. In evil Times "T ' , tht Lo ^ look 'up to the y !> P' c mc to look in deplorable and de- & whither they are the defire of Saints. 43 arc to look for T emporal Salvation : viz. to the place of Gods Habitation % to the Throne of his Glory. Thither doth Davidlook. f I t vi!l lift up mine nmim, fym the hits, frm rtknct j";' rny help > Pfal# 12 1 . i # Whcit hills . Calvin, Why, Mount Sion and Moriah , where ibid, the San&uary was. Whence they are called help Mountains , Pfal. 77. 1 . Or, unto the Heavens where God is *, look- ing up to him who is as high above all _ Creatures; as the Hills are above the rallies. So the next verfe expounds it, \_My help cometh front the Lord , which hath made heaven and earth joe rfe 4.3 To him will David look, as in his own pri- vate difhefles, fo in Publick Calamities. And the like courfe are the Lords peo- ple to take in the like cafes. Look up- wards •, look unto the Htlls *, to Godin his holy Habitation * to God in the Heavens. There is now the place of Gods fixed prefence (of which Mount Sion was a Type): And therefore thi- vc „. thcr are Gods people to look •, to God in the Heavens. Unto thee lift 1 up mine eyes , 0 thou that dwellefl in the hea- vens, (faith David) Pfal.123. 1. And , wherefore doth he look up to him ? why, i he Churches Salvation why, sox Temporal falvation for him-' ielf , and the publick. So the next verfe explains it. Behold, as the eyes of fe r - vants look unto the hand of their Mailers and as the eyes of a Maiden unto the hand of her Mi/lreJJe, fo our eyes wait upon the ^rd our God untill he have mercy upon us verfe 2 . untillhe extricate and deliver us from tbele preflures, (of which he complains in the verfes following verf. 3, 40 This are Gods people to’do in evil times-, when it goeth ill with them- felves m particular, or with the church rv§ " a i* S eyare now to ] °ok up to Habitation ^ eaVtns ’ to '^ e P^ ce “this The place of look UD th j rh b the y lilOuId Cods Habita- r , . P . , There is promptuarium tionafiore- M**, a ftorehoufe off, alvation. Such of Sal- WilS Mount Sinn wrUnm +u ~ ^ =ofS. was J UCh '«• p And AetCr^f S 5° ■ I lalm, (which he competed ( as feme conceive) that it might be as a Publick form of prayer to be ufed bv the people foil, thcil . Kj . ^ Areas them to feet for help for him fiom thence , The Lord (Jdtboe S from the Sanctuary, W Lmrthen the, tuttf stm, verfe 2 . Andflh fs'he heavenly 4S the Defire of Saints. heavenly Sanftuary : There is a ftore- houfe, a fountain, a well-fpring of fal- vation. A fountain that can never be drawn dry. So can it not be faid of hu- mane helps , and creature-fuccours They are all but Pits , Ciflerns firoken Cifierns. God onely is a fountain , z fountain of Citterns. living maters. So the Prophet feremy deferibeth both him, and them in that known place, fer. 2. 13 . where the Lord complaining of the folly and in- gratitude of the people of the femes. My people (faith he) have committed trot evils , they have forfaken me the fountain of living waters, and have hewed them out ciflerns , broken cifierns that can hold no water'} : Such were their idols , in which they truQied *, and fuch were ' Ajhur and f Egypt their Confederates, upon whom they relyed for help they were Cifierns, nay broken Cifierns , un- able to afford a drop of water, any com- fort or relief to thofe that confided in them. And fuch, and no better, are humane , creature- flay es , whatfoever that men, relinquiihing God the onely fure flay , put confidence in , and fo make idols of, they are all but Cifierns, which having no more water in them then God oncly a fountain ofl ving wateis. 'the Churches Salvation then what is put into them, may Toon be drawn dry. Nay, broken Cifiernes that can hold no water, cannot afford a drop of comfort or refrefhment,when men fhall (land mod in need of it. But Cod is a Fountain of living waters : Like a firing, that runs continually, all the year long, Winter and Summer : And fo is called living waters^ inoppofition to (landing Pits or Ponds , which being without motion, feem to be dead 5 or cite to Land-floods , which (hooting down from the Hills, run with a violent torrent in the Winter-feaibn, but in the heat of Summer, having no fpring to feed them, they are dryed up and fail. Even fuch are humane helps, and Crea- tui e-Comforts , like fuch brooks in the bummer (&sfob faith his friends were to him, fob 6 . 13,170 failing men when they have moil need of them *, being either unable to help, or unwilling to help. Like thofe Cartel whofe milk is either dryed up, or elfe they will not let it down. Onely God is a fountain of living waters, wanting neither Power nor Will, Even as it is with a (bring a fountain-, it hath alwayes water in’ it felf, and it is free in giving it forth to thofe the Defire of Saints, i thofe that, (landing in need of it, come wj for ic. Such a Fountain of living waters fotd is God. ton i . Able to keif $ and that in the moft { # But defperate conditions. A fountain hath Able tohdp, ike water in it in the heat of Summer, when the pits and ponds are dry ed up. Thus M when humane fuccour taileth, (as often tioa^ it doth) yet divine holdeth out: Ubi sculccc. cmh. flag humanum anxilium deficit , T sijonicum ai loc . tad; juvat. When there is no help elfe- >tiog where, yet there is help in Sion. When )k Men and Angels cannot help, God can. itk So much David apprehended; and * to thereupon maketh that prayer of his, fail, Pfal. 60. n. (repeated, Pfal. 108. 12.) ;ca* Give us help from trouble , O God , for tit vain is the help of man ; the Salva- ;to tion of man (as the Original hath it) .* ioi So it often is. Mens Arms ( like fero- ing boams hand in the ftory, which he put to forth againft the Prophet, i King. 13. ili 4.) they are dryed up and withered, fo 10 t as there is no help, no falvation in them. (f Not in the wifeft, not in the greateft, 7) not in the mightieft of them. Put not 1 your trufl in Princes , ( faith the Pfalmift) t nor in the f on ofman> in whom there is no 0 helpfi Pfal. 146. 3. Em 7 ejbugna. No . Salva- The Churches Salvation Salvation]. But God is the God of Sal- vation ,(as he is often ftilcd in this Book of the Pfalmes, and elfewhere). A God able to fa viable to deliveries thofe three Worthies told that Babylonian Tyrant , Dan. 3.17.,). A God that hath a pong -Arm , and a mighty hand. \ as the Pfalmift defcribeth the Power of God, Pfal.Sp. V. 1 o. Thou hajl fcattered thine Enemies with thy pong arm] . Again, verf. 1 3. Thou hajl a mighty arm , pon g is thy hand^ and high is thy right hand]. Ail Arm that can neither be fhortned, nor vveakned. is my hand fhortned at all ± that I CiiYwot redeem ? er have I no pow- er to deliver'^ kith the Lord) ifai. 50.2. where the Interrogation hath in it the force of a ftrong Negation. So the fame Prophet afterwards explains it. Chap. 59 ' t. Behold the Lords hand is not Jhort- nedj that he cannot fave]. This the mightieft of the Tons of men are iubjeft to. I hough they have had long and pong Armsi as Princes are faid to have); and have been mighty S aviours ; yet their Arms (as I faid) may (brink and wither-, their Power, their ftrength may fail. Bat, In the Lord fehovah is ever - laftmgPength, if at. 2 6 ; 4 . Thus he is able to (ave, ,, And 'sit bok God thiec r om nil 89. 1 nics thy An nor dl, 0 .2. the ame hop. i art- the >jei } an i 1 ij r- is id the dtfire of Saints i 4 9 ' 2. And not more able then Willing. 2. He is ready to give out his falvation • Willing to to let oat his Power, Wifdome, and Mercy for the fuccour and comfort of them that feek and fue unto him for it. Thence is it that he is called a Prefent 5 Pfal. 46.1. Godts our refuge and firength , a very prefent help in trouble ready to exercife his power and mercy in thefavingand delivering his people in, and out of all their troubles. His falvation is nigh unto them, as the fame Pfalmift elfewhere hath it, Pfal. 85 .9. Surely his falvation is nigh them that fear him~f even his Temporal falvation , fo far forth as it (hall be good for them. Great Reafon then why fas David here •, fo) the Lords people, as in their perfonal diftreflfes, fo in publick Cala- mities, fhould look up unto Sion , the place ot Gods Habitation. There is a fountain of falvation. God is both Able to help, and Willing to help. 3. To which I might adder This 3. is his time to (tep in, h’heri other helps £«ao.iijr . fail. Ubi humanum definite ibi incipit tiivinum aux ilium. Where humane help ends ^Divine begins. When Jfrael was brought to that eminent (trait, having E the 1 « 50 The Churches Salvation the Enemy behind them, the Sea be- fore them, and the Rocks on each fide of them, no way left toefcape, then was the time for God to (hew his falva- tion. But I (hall not dwell any longer upon Do&rina! inlargernents. ' Applic. Applic. By way of Application, Where V;e r. let me fin the fir ft place) fpeak a word to J f ra ?! s . enemies. Let not them tri- th«n triumpii. umph in and over the Churches ruines, as if her cafe were defperate, and help- lefie. No, let them know, there is yet Salvation in Sion. There is a Well of Salvation which can never be drawen in the nioft s till there is help for Ifrael in the there r i* C yet tS God. of their falvation. And let not Salvation in their Enemies fay otherwife. So in- s>ion. deed faid Davids Enemies of him, Pfal. 3. 2. Many there be which fay of my foul , There is no help for him in Cod']. They held his cafe for defperate, as if God either could not , or would not help him. And fo poflibly the Enemies of the Church may look upon her condi- tion at this day, as helpleffe and hope- lefle. But let them not herein triumph. Were the ftateof it far worfe then it is, yet were it not defperate. Still there is hope in, and fpr Ifrael concerning this the defire of Saints. this thing.' There is yet Salvation in Ston. Which though it may be hid tor a time, yet indue feafon it {hall come forth, j Behold} the Lord comet h out of his place (faith the Prophet, lfai.i6.zi ,) (out of Mount Sion), as to take venge- ance upon his Enemies, f to punifh the Inhabitants of the earth for their iniqui- ties^ fo to fuccour and relieve his poor Affli&ed Church. 2. Which, on the other hand/peaks vfe i. a word to ifraels Friends • Let not To if; ads them doff and. So did David concern- ing his own particular. Notwithftand- Defpond! ing he had received a promife and afl'u- rance concerning the Kingdome, yet in his diftrefle, when he fled before Saul, being huntedby him as a Partridge in the Mountains, he then /aid in his hafie , That all men were lya?s, Pfal . 1 1 6 . 1 1 . All men , Yea even Samuel and all, who had brought him that promife. He thought he fhould never live to fee that day. His heart mi fgave him that he fhould one day perijh by the hand of Saul, i Sam. 27.1. But this Dependency was his Dc r FOn( , f * v Infirmity. So much he ( if that Pfalm the Saints in be his, the Title whereof maybe read as well IF or Afaph ] as [To Jfaphf]) E i con*. The churches Salvation ) confefTeth and acknowledged, Pfal. 77. where having in his Paflion let fail fome paifages which might feem to favour of defpatr, [Will the Lord cut off for ever ? 1 will he be favourable no more c’ verfe 7. Is his mercy clean gone for ever *f doth his promt fe fail for evermore ? verfe 8. Hath God forgotten to be gracious ? Hath he in anger Jhut up his tender mercies? verfe 9. Then in the verfe following he cometh to correct himfelf fas thofe words are not amifl'e by fome Expolitors looked upon). And I faid , This is mine infir- mitf ], my weaknelle in giving enter- tainment to fuch thoughts as thefe. An Infirmity which the cleared of Gods Saints are fubjetft to in like cafes. But let them not give way to it: knowing that whatever their condition I \ be, be it never fo hopeleife as to man, yetisitnothelplelle as to God. And therefore let not them defpond. Let them not do this in their own particu- lars. Neither let them do it in the cafe of the Church • which, though it may be ) |ad and deplorable, (as at this day it is, and that as in other parts, lb even in this Nation, where it feemeth to lye < wade, 1 53 '■Th ome ii of ml n. ’ his 'stk •in 9- ith are ;ed ¥ ifr lefe. tods it: :ion 1311 , W [ft III- a, ie t n 1 e the Defer eof Saints , wafte, as a City without a Wall, or a Vineyard without an hedge), yet is it not delperate. Still there is Salvation in Sion. The God of ifrael is able to fave and deliver his poor Church,which we truft in his due time he will do, fending falvation out of his holy place. Ufe 3. In the third place then, what u[ e remains but that all of us who defire i.ook up 5 to the Salvation of ifrael , look up to Sion Sion for lhc forit. This did David. And this do£f noi we. Look upwards. T ruly , if we look downwards , we can at theprefent fee but little Incouragement for the poor Church of God •, little ground to build the hopes of a peaceable and flourifh- ing eftate upon. And therefore look upwards. Look up, and that to Mount Sion. In vain is falvation to be expell- ed from any other Hills. This is that the Prophet feremy tells the fewes , Jer. 3. 2 3- Truly tn vain is falvation ho- ped for from the Hills, and from the mul- titude of the Mountains f Hills and Mountains 5 the fortifications in or abouc ferufalem , or Samaria , which the fews had formerly put great confidence in 5 or thofe forreign aides which they ex- E 3 petted The Churches' Salivation pe&ed from beyond the Hills 5 or great Kings and Princes , which were as Hills or Mountains *, or elfe their idols whom they worfhipped in thofe Hills and high f laces-, (fo thofe words are variously expounded;. Now take it which way we will, it holdeth equally true. Tru- ly in vain is falvation hoped for from any of thefe Hills , thefe (or the like) Mountains. Whence then 1 Why, (as it there followeth) Truly, in the Lord our God is the falvation of Ifracl. And to him therefore let us look, (as at other times, io; in this day of fernfalem, this time of the Churches Calami ty. Now let our eyes be unto him that dwelleth in the Heavens, waiting for his falva- tion. So did that dying Patriarch, I have waited for thy falvation - O Lord! Gen.49. 18. And fo do we. .We have heretofore now for along time waited for Mans falvation % but that hath hi- therto failed us. So as we may take up the Churches Complaint, for. 8 . 15. IVe have looked for peace , hut %o good came ; and for a time of health , hut be- hold trouble. Let us henceforth then turn ^our eyes elfewhere. Not but tnat ChrifHans alfo may have an eye at Inftru- the Defire of Saints. 55 Inftruments, and means: But fo look How chrifti- we upon them as not to truft on them. Ceafe from man (faith the Prophet, ifai. and Means." 2 . laft.,) As to fear him, fo td trust in him. And thus look we upon that Great Counsel afiembled together for the faving of this our ifrael. Let our eyes be upon them as Inftrumenas in the hand of our "God *, begging this mercy for them, that being faithful to him and his people, their endeavours -may through his biefting prove fuccels- full. But in the mean time, truft not on them. That is the next way to break iuch (laves , by leaning too hard upon them. And therefore in this way let our eyes be onely to God in the Hea- vens*, looking through Inftruments and Means unto him, waiting for his fal- vation. That is the Counfel which Mofes giveth unto the people of ifrael in that great ftrait of theirs at the Red- Sea. \_Stand fill (faith he) and fee the falvation of the Lord , rvhtch he will fherv unto yon, Exod.14.13. 3 A Text which Stand fiilt, or I have heretofore handled in this place, t Bt l dlc fo £ having alfo given an account of it to the p r «ch.d nnn» world. And let me ftill defire you to '(+''■ puMiiv make ufc of what was then delivered, Ik apoa upon as not having yet had the full ac- m, complifhment ) lfai. ^.9. 22. where and foretelling the bringing in of the ful- peo- riefte of the Gentiles, Behold, (faith the 1 m - Lord) 1 mil lift up mine hand to the Gen- tiles , and fetupmy fianctard to that peo- ich pkj an d they Jl> all bring thy fonsin their by armes,&c. Thus will. God bring in r- his Eleift , both among Gentiles and % fcws> SB MPg— M T&f Churches Salvation i §C what David doth here in the Text, figh and groan for it, o that falvation in this way might come unto tbefelflands 1 This let them beg front God 5 and as occafion is , from Men, Publick perfons , Magijirates and Mini- jfierSy let them be adive in promoting it in what they may- improving whac opportunities and advantages GodihaH put into' their hands to that end. And this in fpecial may they do, whom God r i atifd The Churches- Salvation and his people have at the prefcnt be- trufted with this fervice ! I mean thofe truly Religious Patriots in, and belong- ing to that Supreme C ounce f the High Court of Parliament •, whom were I now to Ipeak unto,l know not what I ihould with more earneftnefle propound unto them, and in an humble way, (as from the Lord) prefle upon them,then (what we hear and hope is already under their ferious confideration) that, as they de- fire the Salvation of Ifrae l, they would fet their heads, and hearts, and hands a work for the Jetting of the Ark upon Mount Sion ; as they defire the true welfare and happinefieof this and the neighbour Nations, fo they would cor- dially intend, and ftrenuoufly endeavor the fettling and eftabliihing of the true Religion of God in the midft of them - the fettmgupof all the Ordinances of ?tfus chrijl in fucha way, as that they may be difpenfed not onely with Liber- ty bu t Purity, and Evangelicdl Glory according to fuch Order as God hath prefcribed and layed forth in his Word And that (b, all Divifions (as much as maybe) being removed and healed that rraj } that one way may be fee out and be- hofe Mg. ¥ now )uld nto Dm tut eir fe- tid is Me die or- for roe h i iey y- > ) ' l ^ the Defire of Saints. v *— ' ^ and laycd forth, which God hath faid his people fhall walk in Jer.3a.39, where- in if they /hall be Inftrumental, we and all they which wifh well unto Ifrael , dhall have caufe to blefle God for them! And which chat they may be, let not us be wanting in our prayers and Sup- plications for them. And thus! have alfo done with the fecond of thefe Grounds, or Reafons, which induced David to look for the Salvation of ifrael out of Sion. A third is yet behind, which I look Reafon y. upon as of no leffe import then either Thc Authour of the former. The Salvation ot ifrael ota of Sion -, in as much as both the Au- tion coming t hour and Means of their falvatioa was to out of sion - come from thence. 1. The Authour and Procurer of it ; I* and that both of their "Temporal and Authour. Spiritual Salvation, 1. Of their T tmporall Salvation 5 j. (under God ) jx*vid himfelf- who be- Of their Tem- ing defigned to rule over that people , pcra * falirati ’ wa« to have his feat in ferufalem , in ° n> Mount Sion 5 which (as I laid ) is there- fore called the city of David. Now this David forefeeing, and having a promife for it, he wiflieth the time F ? were JO The Churches. Salvrtion Dlodate An not ad loc. obferv. were'come for the- accompliihment of it. fy that the Salvation of I fir del were come out of Sion ! That is, (as Died ate expounds it) O that the time were come , that I coming to reign in ferufalem , might free the people from Saul’s Tyran- ny, and his ivicked officers ! and fo be under God an Inftrument of their fal- vacion, their deliverance. ohfer See here, What it is that Ru- Rulers fliould 'Mr’s and Governotirs Jhoidd defign and dime at in undertaking the office of Go- pbpie vcr'rment,v iz.thatthey may b eSaviours tQ the people over which God fetteth them . Such: were thofe firft fudges of ifrael, which were raifed up by God to govern his people * they were Saviours to them. Thou gavejl them Saviours (fay the Levites in their Confeflion ) Nehem. 9. 27. meaning the fudges of Ifrael , who were temporal Saviours to that people • faving them out of the hands of their Enemies (as it there fol- loweth). Such a Saviour was Othniel pf whom we read, fudg.^,^. The r jC rd raifed up a Deliverer (a Saviour f aith the Paginal) to the children of ifrael. And , the like we read of fehoafh , 2 King. 1 3. & Tfc. Lord gave Ifrael a Saviour. And fuch The Hefre'cf Saints. filch a Saviour it is which the Lord pro- mifeth to fend to his people, ifai. 19.20. He fhall fend them a Saviour and a % reat one , and he fhall deliver them. And fiich are the Saviours which are promifed to come upon Mount Sion , Obad. it, Such as ihould judge the Mount of Efau : Such as ihould avenge the wrongs which the people of God had fuffered upon the heads of their Enemies. Now fuch Saviours ihould all thofe whom God fetteth over his people, endeavour to be • making this their main and chief defign, even Sal us populi , that Salvation may come ■> unto the people *, that they may £>e freed from Tyranny and Oppreffion • that they may be reftored to, and protected in their juft Rights and Liberties. This was the thing which Ahfalom afpiring to the -Grown, pretended to, making ufe of it as a wile to fteal the hearts of the people by. 0 (faith he) that I were made Zfudge in the Land ! that every man which hath any fuit or caufe might come unto me, and I rvotilddo him right, 2 Sam. 15.4. What he cunningly pretended, his Father David feriouily intended. Bei ng a candidate , an expedant of the F 4 Crown, fi ' The Churches, Stalvrtion Crown, his defign is (if ever he come to it) to fet all things in a right order in his Kingdome •, to free and delivea his Subjects from thofe thofe Cannibals , Men-Eaters , of whom it is faid, verfe 4. of this Pfalm, that they eat up the people at they eat bread * thofe Ty* rannical Oppreffors, Officers and others, who made a prey of the poorer fort. Davids defign was, if ever he came to reign in Mount Sion , to deliver the peo- ple from thofe and all other their pref- fures and grievances : And fo, as much as in him lay , to be a Saviour unto them. life 1 . Applic . And herein let all Rulers and Davids p..i- Govern ours propound him as a pattern Ruier° r aU c ^ eu Station. Knowing that they are appointed by God to be his Minifiers for tbe good of hit people (as the Apoftle faith of them, Rom. 13.4.), let them make that their end. Not looking fo much at themfelves, as at the Publick . So did David , whole wifh here is, not 0 that / might fee my Throne erected upon Mount Sion, and my (elf eftabliflied there in honour and dignity ! but, O that the falvation of ifrael might gtforthfrom thence / Thus let Rulers Me •det vea it is m r y . re. to o- if- ch so aod ern k bis (as I* sol at i ut i if I f It s i * \ the T>}firjs of Stunts. 11 and Governours prefer the publick wel- fare before their own private interefts : Soapproving themfelves ynto God and his people fuch as fometimes they are called. Shepherds. [That faith of Cyrus , Rulers she[- He is my shepherd Ifai. 44. 28.] Such herds, alllawfull Rulers and Governours are, Cods Shepherds , by him fet over his flock. And being fo, let not them take upon them to fleece them, and flea them, as Tyrants too often do, who, as if the people were made for them, and not they for the people , difpofe of their eftates, liberties, and it may be lives too at their pleafure. So did Saul, who taking difpleafure againft any one , (though never fo caufelefly), maketh nothing in his fury to cafl his javelin at him, to fmite him even to the wall-, as he did twice at David his Son in Law, 1 Sam. 18. 11. & ip. 10. and once at Jonathan his natural Son, Chap. 20.33. But (as Shepherds do their flocks) to fold them, and feed them 5 to proreft them from injury , and ( as much as in them lyeth) to provide for their wel- fare. Such was the defign of the Man after Cods own heart here. And fo let it be of all Chriftian Kings, Princes and Gover- 74 The Churches Salvation Governours, whether fupremeor lubor- dinate. life 2 Ufe i. And fuch Governours the SuchRuicrs to §p od L°rd give unto his people in all be dc&ed as places / Even fuch as David was. This t maybe Savi- is that which God.maketh promile of unto his Church, Ifai.i.2^,26. After that he had turned his hand upon it , and purged it , taking away the droffe , and the tinne thereof* that is, wicked Inftru- ments, whether perfons openly profane, fet forth by Dr offeror inwardly unlbund, reprefentedby tinne (as fome expound thofe Metaphors)* or elie the grofle iniquities, and glittering hypocrilies of \ that Nation (as others)* having made a riddance of fuch wicked ones and wickednefles, Then (faith he) / will re- {lore thy fudges as at the firjl^and thy Counfellours as at the beginmng.~\ . Thy fridges,-} thy Rulers and Governours t Them will I re fore as at the firjl] not by railing up the dead, but others in their room, who Ihould be like them, fuch as Mofes , fofhuah , David were. C 4nd thy Counfellours 3* fuch as by their j advice may be afliftant to the Supreme Governours. [As at the beginning"^ hke that firlt Sanhedrim, the firft Coun- cell tt- $he)dejirc. of Saints . cell of thofe feventy Elders .given by God to be aififtant to his feryanc Mofes > of whom we read. Numb, u . 24. This the Lord there maketh pr.omife of the Church of the ferns ; which a afterwards he performed to them, a that both before and after the Capti ty, railing up unto them, worthy ] lets and Governours, fuch as Heze fofia, Zorobabel , f ehojhua , Nebemiab i who wanted not prudent and faithfd Counfe Hours, who were as props to Church and State wherein they lived. Now fuch Rulers, and fuch Counfe Hours may the Lord in mercy ever vouchfafe unto this Nation : That fo it may be called (as it is there faidof ferufalem , I fu. 1.2 6.) the Land of Righteoufneffe , and the faithful Land: And that this our Sion ( as the Prophet there goeth on, verfe 27.J may be redeemed in judg- ment , and her converts in right eonfneJJe:~] The whole Nation both Church and State may be delivered from what ever prefent or i mminent Judgments, as alfo from her many crying fins the caufers and procurers of them. And that thofe who defire in all things to be reformed according to the rule of the Word, may w: enjoy 7 > MONTREAL 1$ The Churches -Salvation enjoy the bleffings and benefits of a juft and righteous Government : To which let every one that heareth it, fay Amen ! Even fo Lord . , Amen. And thus I have done with the former of thefe Branches: Come we now to the latter, i. “ Asthe Authour of ifraels Tern for all The Authcur falvation was to come out of Sion, fo riJKl-*' alfoof th eir Spiritual-, viz, the Mefiiab vacion, the $efus Chrifi , of whom David was a Mefliah. Type. Of him fpeaketh the Apoftle , Rom. 11*26. where citing that Text of the Prophet Efay y Chap. 5 9. 20. (one- Iy with a little variation of the words) ^mg C S 1 of he 5' aith ’ There [hall come out of Sion the Sion. Deliverer , and fhall turn away ungodli - nejj'e from facob.’] The Deliverer , o pjopt?®-. The Mefiiah , fefus Chrijl , who (as the Angel interprets his name fefus, Matth. 1 .2 1.) fall fave his people from their fins * delivering them from the guilt and power of them , free- ing them from the bondage of Sin and -^uh Jtbit ex Satan under which by nature they lye. Sion faint &e This Saviour , this Deliverer cometh SLjw“'? u ft of s>m , cujut bumiiiu- htf t coming (at which the Prophet Efay tenconumifi- there airaeth), his coming in the fleih. Enarrac.fnloc. ^ Came unt0 Sion » fo he Came OUt of Sion : 77 \i Sion: coming out of theloynesof zu- ch vid y and being of his honfe and linage, i/ whofe feat was upon Mount Sion. Blef- ft fed be the Lord Godof ifrael , (faith Za- KS charm in his Song) for he hath vijited and redeemed his people , and hath rai fed til up a horn of falvation out of the houfe of b his fervant David,L\tk.\.6^f9. This \b he (pake concerning fefus chrijl, whom a he caWeth a horn of Salvation, that is, a * \ ftrong and mighty Saviour, that (hould t be able to fave and deliver his people from their enemies , and from the hands of all i) that hated them ( as the next verfe ex- ht plains it,); viz. from the power of Sin 2nd Satan , their fpiritual Enemies,with , whom they have a deadly feud, a truce- , lefie war. Now this Horn fprung ouc . of the houfe and (lock of Darvid-, Chrift i being made of his feed according to the i flefh (as the Apoftle hath it) Rom. i . 3. thence called the Son of David , Matth. 2 1. s?,&c. So as upon this account this Deliverer may be (aid to have come out of Sion: And this the Pfalmift is con- ceived here alfo to have an eye at, wip- ing that he were come. O that the fal- vation of ifrael were come out of Sion O " * that the Mefsiah % the Saviour of the World 7* The Churches .Salvation Chrift in the fiefh longed for by David and othes. World in general, of ifrdel in fpeciall, '' were come, that he were exhibited and manifefted in the fleflY: - That the de- fires and expectations of the people of CyriUus, Eufe- God might therein be fatisfied, who bius , Euthi- have looked for a Saviour to come from Lo rinu malhc thence. So divers Expofitors , both MoUcius.Ainf- Ancient and Modern, here 'look upon vorrhjDio- the Words. * Thus did David wifh and long for The coming of the fir (l comin? of Chrifi v his : coming in the flefh. And this did not he alone. The fame did other of the Saints of God , both before and after him. So did Abraham the Father of the faithfull. Tour father Abraham (faith our Saviour to the Reaves) rejoycedto fee my day .] Joh. 8 . 5 <5. Rejoyced- y fiivit y cupiit y (fo Beza and Gretius , both - therein following the Syriac k render it), he de fired , earnefily defired. That feem- eth to be the proper import of the word there, ha 'ihv, exult a- ^ here wiihech it* And what fruit fhall we pluck from ^ thefe Branches r svhac A^JSSl ^ we make of thefe Truths ? dfl'r ^i| C *k r H place, from hence ufe i MufaLs wdleth us to take notice what Th/fc. p ace it is that deferveth above all other t ' 1,urch » noc m the world to be called Mater ere Je„- tnm, the Mather if belt evert, t he Maker ® \ hUTch ; Not but ferula- S’!!** !oc Urn. Here was theGofpel firft preach- ed- haewas the Scepter and Standard fa! ?“ s "fr* or Jefus Chrift firft erefted. / have hi*" *“ m *, hdyktUef SionJ^ZX- 1 . • 2 * And from thence went fo r th nm ,Uo Clic this i* to all other parts of the work S./S. even to Rome among ft the reft. ' So is cuL Cora - m it any one place upon this account de- Text ‘ ferve a fupremacy of honour and digni- ty above other, nlhouldbe J-eeulSem. But to let that paffe. Ufe z. In the fecond place, fee tve here the truth of that which Peter de- M„?chrf clares in, and to the Councel at ferufa- tlle Common' lem. Aft, 15. n. we believe (faith he) ? aviour c ?, that through the grace of our Lord fefus ^ S«” d Chrtfi we (we femes) fhadhefaved even * tbe b ( they Gentiles'), femes and G 2 Hr rtd ®4 The Churches Salvation Gentiles both faved in, and by the fame ' way and means, fefus chrift being alike Saviour to all Nations, and to all ages-, as to thofe under the Gofpef To to thofe under the Law- who were not 1 faved by the works of the Law, but by the grace of Chrift. The falvation of jfrael cometh forth, not out of Sina y but out of Sion. They and we have one and the fame common Saviour. Even as the jfraelites in the wildemeff’e had one and the fame Brazen Serpent for the whole Camp. In this no difference; fave only that, (as it was with them, fome looked upon the forepart, others upon the hinder part of that Serpent, fo here,) the Fathers before Chrift they looked forward, we backward ; they up- on Chrift to come, fo that the falvation oflfrael were come ! 3 we upon Chrift already come. In the mean time both receive alike benefit from him. He being falvation as well to the one, as to the other. life 3 . Ufe 3 . Here take notice of the hap* Jte^appnefs pinefs of Go (pel-times above thofe before 2n« above ai ^ un ^ er the Law : and the Priviledge thofe before of thofe that live in them • they fee and aruiuruicr ihc en j 0 y w hat their forefathers defired and longed j t 1 vt the fame the Defrrof Saints. f being longed for. So our Saviour telleth his id to all Difciples in that place forecited, Matth. '^foto 13 - 1 7 - Verily many Prophets and righ- ?re no* teous men have defired to fee thofe things but by which ye fee, and have not feen them ^ and itmoj to hear the things which ye hear , and have ‘ sint, ™t heard them ]: What things ' why, have f° ^ ee Chrift exhibited and manifefted dour. 111 the flefh.* And to hear that great 1 ?e/Te myftery of falvation revealed and layed it for open as then it was. Thefe things the ence* Patriarchs and Prophets defired to fee anc l hear. So dfd Abraham, fo did oto David ^ O that the falvationffsxz Saviour ) )tnt,fo ■ °f 'tftrael were come ! O that mine eyes l they might fee that bleffed time ! fee the ex- ey up- hibition of the promifed Mefsia. This him be and others defired to fee ; Chrift but they not fee it. They did not teboth ke Chrift with their bodily eyes, as the n. H( Apoftles did. They indeed believed « as this Promt [e , but received it not , Heb. 1 1 . 1 3 . Neither did they fo clearly fee him le k , with the e y e of their m ‘nds. Some before knowledge of him they had, but it was ikfa k ut: dark and obfcure. They Jaw him t i ff ar */>( as the Apoftle there iaith ) .The dand nght which they then had was but as Mged ^ 2 the The Churches Salvation the light of the morning before the Sun arife, a twylight. Such was theft the light of the Seers • fuch was the light of the moft illuminated Prophets , of whom St. Peter tells us, i iVM.io.that They enquired , and Je arched diligently concerning that falvatien that was to come']-, that is, concerning Chrift, and the myftery of Chrift ^his Incarnation, Death, Rdurre&ion all which were in a great meafure myfteries to them, hidden under thofe Ceremonial vailes of types and figures. But fo are they nottothftewho live under th eGoJpel, fince the coming of Chrift. Now all thofe vailes are taken off-, fo as belie- vers with open face behold the glory of the Lord (as theApoftle hath it, 2 Cor. 3. 18.) They now fee and hear what thofe Qld-Tejl ament Saints defired , but did not. A Hefted Priviledge, if thofe who enjoy it have grace tomakeufe of it. Bleljed are your eyes, for they fee y and your ears y for they hear (faith our Saviour there to his Difciples, verf. 16.). They faVv his Perfon, and they heard his Do- ctrine j and that not onely with their Bodily 0 ° theSun then the he light Wfj of ro.fhat j and ition, were hem, vailes ilto #>, /on’ all belie- !.# Cor,], it thole ofeirho e of it, 'd)» lavioar The] s Do- ha ViS] ’ThedefiFe'of Saints. «7 Bodily Eyes and Ears. So did many others who were never the better for it. Multi viderunt dr oderunt ^ Many fan him and hated him * and many heard him, who underftood not his do&rine, much lefle believed it, and fo (as the Prophet had fotetold ic, verfe 14.) in feeing they faw not , and in hearing they heard not. But it was otherwife with the Difciples $ their eyes farv, and their cares heard 5 not onely the eyes and ears of their Bodies, but of their minds ; they underftood and believed what they faw and heard concerning Refits chrifi. And upon this account our Tllc ufe Saviour there pronounceth them blef- t0 , be fed. And O that every of us who in meafure partake in the like priviled- ges , might make the like ufe of them ! Though we fee not Chrifi in the fie fk, as they did-, yet we now fee and know that he is come in the flefh: And though we hear not him fpeak to us in his own perlon , as they did, yet we have the fame doctrine preached unto us. The Myfiery of cbifi is as clearly held forth unto us as it was G 4 to ss The Churches . Salvation rhfihjtimrf Ifratl U „m come forth out come forth out of Sion. There, under of Sion. the Law it lay hid, as the Ark under his Covenngs 5 hid under thole obfeure T y pes and Figures. But now it is come forth. Now the Vatic is taken off from the face of fief us chrifi 5 the great my- ftery of Salvation being now fully re- vealed. O then that we may not be wanting to our felves, and to this grace of God in the improvement of this blefled priviledge / which if we be, it will be no fmall aggravation of our Ig- norance and Infidelity. How fhall we efcape (faith the Apoftle to his Hebrews') if we neglcEi fo great falvation ? Heb. *■ 5. that Salvation which is held forth unto us under the Gofpel the Do&rine whereof was fir ft preached by chrifi : , and after confirmed by them that heard it f viz, by the ApofllesJ, (as it there follow- This Salvation eth). That Salvation , the myftery negipfled bc whejpof is fo clearly revealed and made known to us, let not us negleft it by negletfing the means of it. But let us all now apply our felves to the feeing and nearing, the undemanding and belie- ving of the things which belong to our ev erlafting peace and falvation. T aking notice the Define*/ stints. notice that this is the day of Grace the pay of Salvation, fas the Apoftlecalleth it, 2 0.5.2.) Now is the day of falva- tton, (peaking of Gofpel-times Which may not unfitly be fo called, in as much - as the Sun of Right eoufnefje ( according to that forecited Prophecy, Mai. 4. 2 .) is now rifen unto us. So it was not to the Patriarchs, and the Prophet s : The/ had onely (as I (aid) (bme dawnin^ of the day, caufedby the approaching of this 5 un. But now this Sun is rifen - fo rilen as the Sun in the morning arifeth upon the earth - which fas the Pfalmift defcnbeth it, Pfal. i 9 . 5.) C0W€th f mh at a Bridegroom out of his Chamber!, cometh forth in his glory, difphying his beams, and bringing light to the earth, which 1 before was covered with darkncfle. Even thus hath this Sun of Righteoufnejfe arifen: Thus hath this fahation of ifrael come out of Sion.chri/l being mamfefted in the flefh •, appear- ing upon the earth, he hath difplayed the Beams of his Glory, brought a glo- lious light unto the world. O let us then who live under it, fee that we walk anfvvcrably to it ! walking as children of ! )c Light , as children of the Day fas the Apoftle po The ChurcheTSalvation Apoftle exhorts, Ephef. 5.8. Every of us taking out that leflon which this t mi ■*/>/©-, this falntiferous grace , this Grace of God bringing falvation (as the Apoftle defcribeth the grace of the Gofpel, the do&rine of the grace of God exhibited to us by Chrift,and held forth in the Gofpel, Tit. 2. 11.) which hath now appeared to aU men (ftiining forth as a light out of thofe Legal fha- dowes, under which before it was in a great mealure hid) teacheth us , viz, That denying ungodlinefje and worldly lujls , we fbould live foberly > and righteoujly , and Godly in this prefent world~\. Thus walk we fo as becometh the Gofpel (as Patti cx- hortethhis Philippians , Chap. 1. 27.)-, Resetting that light which from thence fliineth upon us, in a holy and exem- plary converfation. As the Lord faith to the Church under the Gofpel, I fat. 60 : t. Arife^fhine,for thy light is come , and the glory of the Lord is rifen upon thee ; fo let me (with a little variation of the fenfe) fay to every member of it, every particular perfon that liveth in thefc Gofpel-times , under Gofpel difpenfations, Arife^ and Jhine, for your light is come , and the glory of the Lord is rifen c, irayof ch this on (as rifen upon you, Chrijt, who is a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people ifrael (as S imeon describes him r ..L - \ U„ : . • • - > the dejire of Saints. 91 °r f Luk.2. 32.), he is come, he is rifen upon ™ us - And therefore let us (in the Name f ?j God) arife and fhine, jhine as lights Jf? in the w orld (as Paul faith his Philippians did, Phil. 2.15. \ Causing our light Co to jng Jhine before others ( (6 manifefting the !™' g race of God in us), that they feeinr our ‘J 3 g° od ™orks , (our works ef Holineflfc and Righteoulndle, which are as the beams of that light ) may glorife our Father , w which is in Heaven (as our Saviour pref* « feth it, Matth. 5. 1 61 ). Such ufe make ’/«• we of this our Gofpel-priviledge. Ufe Which whileft we our felves Ufe a ien;e enjoy (in the next place) let it be Olir Oofpti Pri\ m ‘ dehrethat others may be made parta- c ° b bX kers of it. That that light which fhineth thofe dm )T‘ torth to us, might break forth to them*, wanC them, to thofe who yet Jit in darknejfe, that they alfo may fee this marvelleus light , won and fo come to have a (hare with us in :r Oi this common faivation. To which end rerj do what we may for the fpreading and ¥ propagating of the Go/pel. This is Davids mr delire, that the faivation of ifrael might if go forth of Sion 5 that Chrift might not oncly The ChttrcheTSalvation j onely be exhibited, come unto Sion ( as the Prophet hath it in the place fore- named,//^'. 5p. 20.) but go forth out of Sion , be revealed and made known to the world. And let this be the defire of every of us, that the Gofpel, which we through the mercy and goodnefie of God do yet enjoy, maybefo propaga- ted, as that even the utmoft ends of the earth may fee this Salvation of our God. life 5. life 5. But one thing more (which Chriiis fecond Mufculus puts into my hand). Is David 3 c nwft here fo defiroas of the frfi coming of si tr.no difii:- Chrift, that he would come in the flejh, he would come out of the earthly faiiJem lfiacli Sion ? how defirous then fhould we e Sion futu- be of his fecond coming, his coming in 'aniens q ’dXt Glory, that he would come out of the # >n noth tx- heavenly Sion ? Then, and not till then, ptilitio faints salvation of ifrael conapleat %umu> 27 «- and perfect. Then fliall all the Lords tints firm am people be by him fully delivered out of the hands of all their Enemies Jooth Tern- Mufcul. Hx- poral and Spiritual* Then (hall they be plan, ad Tixt. cJelivei'ed not onely from Sin and Satan-, but from Death. Then (hall that lajl Enemy he defiroyed. Then (hall they be f et fide upon the fhore of Eternity •, be- ing ing for ever freed not onely from the fenfe, but danger of all finful and penal evils and put into an unchangeable ftate of happinefle and bleflednefle. Let all the Saints ef God then be looking out, and longing for that day. Every one faying, Come. So faith the spirit and the Bride, Rev. 22 . 17. The spirit and the Bride fay, Come, (the Spirit of God in the hearts of Believers, in whom it worketh fuch unfeigned delires for the coming of Chrift, as are in a Bride for the coming of her Bridegroom) } And (as it there followeth ) Let him that heareth fay. Come. All that hear of the glorious things which fliall be done for the Church at the appearing of fefut '.Chrift, let them all joyn in this defire of his coming. This we are fure of, that he will come, and that erelong. Surely l come quickly, (faith he, verf.20.) And this that he may do, come, and haften his coming , let all of us fay Amen to it. Amen, even fo come Lordfe- fus. And thus I have done with the for- mei part of the Text 5 Davids Prayer. Come we now to the latter, his Pro- part. 2 d . fhecy. Which may be looked upon as The prophec a Reafon of the former : David therein fhewinar 9 4 ~7hCk mrches Salvation {hewing wherefore it was that he was fo defirous that falvation {houM come unto ifrael in fuch a way • viz. In as much as this would be a moft joyous and gladfome time, as to himfelf, fo to all other the people of God* When the Lord bringeth back the Capti- vity of ha people, facob fall rejoyce } ana ifrael (hall beglad~]. If raels Parts i. "fiT N which words we may take notice c 1 of two things; the thing foretold \ Exu'i- ^and the Confequence thereof. The taiion. thing foretold, ifracls Reduction [ When the Lord bringeth back the Captivity of his people The Confequence of it. If- raels Exultation [ 'When the Lor d^c. fa- cob fall rejoice, and ifrael fall be glad~\ : Thefe two I {hall handle diftin&ly ; beginning with the former, I fuels Re- duction. When the Lord bringeth back the Cap- tivity of his people ,] Which words be- ing refolved and taken in pieces, ( as Muj cuius hath obferved before me) will naturally fall into four diftind Propoft- tions^ox Concluftons: i. That Cods peo- ple Part i. Ifracls Re du&ion. fie are fubjeff tt Captivity. 7, That // The words re ts the Lord who reduceth , bringeth back folv n c<1 into that their Captivity. 3. That there is a J ns Propofiti * time when he will bring back that Capti- vity. 4. That the time when he will do this is , as to man , uncertain. You may fee them all lying plainly before you in the words* I ihall touch upon them feverally. Gods people are fubjett to Captivity . Propof.i. [When the Lord bringeth back the Capti - Gods people vity of his people']. Gods people may fub,ed to Ca P- be a Captived people. So Ainfworth not Z!Zi n . . amiffe here explains the phrafe. Capti- bun c°apn'J'u- vtty put for Captived 5 the Abflratf for l tm - Mukul . the Concrete. So he obferveth another m loe ' word of like fignification to be elfe- where ufed, Ezek. 1 1.24,25. where the Prophet fpeaking of the Captives in Babylon , calleth them, them of the Cap- tivity. So again, Pfal. 126.1 . When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion 5 that is, brought back the Cap- tives carried from thence. So here, the Captivity of his people, that is, his Captived people. Such Gods people may be. They are fubjeft to Capti- vity. - ^ The Churches Salvation * pi- »^T(* Ik their , dance speo- H Being x telk lb0 ithfflf called f te- sty dilfi- differenced and diftidguiflied from all .other Nations; of whom the Apoftle faith, they were not the people of God, which the Rom. g. 2$. i will call them my people Gcncil « were topic h were not my people^ fpeaking of"** the Gentiles, which not being in Cove- nant with God, were faid not to be his people. No more were the fern them- felves after that they fell from that Co- venant, Call his name Loammi , ( faith w . + the Lord to the Prophet Hofea con- «K a yTe cerning his Child J for ye are not my peo- u X ‘ r ^e lihe St. Peter telleth the believers among the ten Tribes to whom he writeth, i Pet. 2.10. Which in times paft were not a people but are now the people of God Now) now that they were, by imbracing the Gofpel, brought into Covenant again, horn which before they were fallen. Such are they, all they, and onely they who are within the Covenant } fuch as own God, and fejus Chrif the Mediator . J-“ e Covenant, at lead by an outward viable profeflion ; thefe are fliled Gods people. Even as Idolaters in Scripture , . , . «eca!la|,& of that god/ t ha t wt'p™fc fdol, which they were worfhippers of of tflac Thus the Hub* are culled tkfufu lHtp . H of 1 98 ^ The Churches Salvation of Chemofh, Numb.2 1 .2 9. Jer. 48.46. and the Ammonites, the people of Malcham , Jer. 4 9. 1. And theTen Tribes which wor (hipped feroboams Calves are called populus vitulorum,the people thereof , Hof. i®. 5* And the Edomites the people Of thofe gods which they ferved, 2 chron. 25.15. Even fo thofe true worfhippers, who worfhip the true God, are called his people , being his by Covenant. Now fuch were the ferns when David pen- ned this Pfalm , and thereupon he fti- lech them, the Lords people . And of this people he here infinuates, that they were in Captivity. \_When he bringeth back the Captivity of his people 3 This then Gods people are fubjedt to: they are fubje. 2 - But what Captivity ? vity 3 here**" A p ,] n hereunto ’ ( as before meant. or Salvation , fo here again j Anfw. 1 here is a twofold Captivity which we a twofold meet with in Scripture 5 A Corporal, a (Corral. l Spiritual Captivity, the one of the t Spiritual, r Body, the other of the Soul , the one a bondage under the Tyranny of Men , the other under the power of Sin and Satan. Now which of thefeisit that this people is laid to be fubjedt to * I Anfwor, 99 An&ver, not to one oncly, but both. Both here in- Bath thefeit is conceived the Pfalmift tcoded - here hath an eye at. And therein I ihall follow him , handling them diftindly. Gods people are fubjeft to both thefe. For the former, we lhall need no other inftance,fave this of ifrael, the people of i the fetvs, who being Gods people, were pods people yet a people of Captivity. So they were iri Egypt-, where they indured a hard and ty. cruel bondage under Pharaoh^ his74.fi:- maflers. And Co they were afterwards m Babylon-,vMzrz they continuedfor fe- venty years together. Y ea, and fo they were in Davids time , though being in their own Land, yet they were Cap- tives, So they were under the Tyranny of King Saul during whofe reign they lay under many and great preflures. This David (as Calvin and others ob- ferve upon it) here calleth by the name ba of a Captivity. And fo we find the Emetua op- word fometimes ufed : As '-fob 42 .10. Cai«. it is faid {The Lord turned the Captivity of ‘ fob. What, was fob ever carried away Captive i Not fo •, but he was under great Afflidion and Mifery in his Body r and eftate 3 being Gods prifoner, and in fome fenfe, Safaris. And this is there H 2 called 100 The Churches Salvation m called his Captivity. And in a like fenfe David may be conceived here to ufe the word. [ When t he Lord bringeth back the Captivity of his people-]. Not that ifrael was carried away Captive in his time * but they were under ranch Tyranny and opprefston during the reign of King Said. And this he calleth their Capti- vity. r %!£*£ Thus (faith Calvin writing upon the ?"■ c . . i* 0rds > when Tyrants play reakes, ma- -S'r r‘" gthClrwd L aLaw and <« ubi impii lo Pivoting due order in the Church and right and jultice in the State- now di .im feney- • , * . e ? n ^iyP t -> a Babylon even uni h miio m tnemidftof Canaan , in the bofhme ssftfr ° d t? urch - €f[e vti ‘ . b y may be made Cap- S' CaW T S V^ own Land ’ the Land of their Inheritance , being diverted of then jiirt rights and liberties - and fub* jeded to the lawlefle rule of Tyrannical 9 ae(l G ° veinmenr - g;- . ^ But wherefore s it that the Lord VOr 5 F eo P^ to Inch Captivi- Vnfo, , -f- Toth ' s the general Anfwer is 1 e f " fraI M> • a r ^ aed L Jt ls tor their Jwj.This k> Sin - ; ^ tha tturneth a fruit ful Land into bar- rennejfe , ? fells ifcthe ijri me ; 'm d fy pti- iie la- sm fflf % tf of fc ical 3fif vi- is the f'oy of Saints. renneffe, even the wickednefe of them that dwell therein , Pfal, 107.54. And this it is that turneth &«? ; into Babylon , that bringeth Vaflalage upon a free people. This it is that moveth God to fubjeft iiis. people to domeftical,and fometimes forreign Captivity. They firft deferr- ing him, whofe Jervice is perfect liber- ty, and making themfelves the fervants of Sin y and flaves of Satan , thereupon God in his juft judgment giveth them over to be captivated by the Inftru- ments of Satan. This it was that was the procuring caufe of ifraels Captivity , their Captivity in Babylon. So the Pro- phet EJay fetteth it forth mod fully, ifai. 5. where having lay ed forth their abounding in all kind of impiety and wickednefle, their Covet oujnefje, their Luxury and Drunkcnnejje , their Lafci- yioufnefje , their regardlefneff'e of Godi judgments impendent, or incumbent; ver. 8,9,10,11,12. then hedenounceth their doom,verfe 1 3. Therefore my people is gone into Capt ivityfecaufe they have no knowledge .] Becaufe they are fo brui- tilh, fenlual and fenfelcfle, lo given over to all kind of impiety, therefore they are gone into Captivity *, they (hall as furely H 3 go. IOJ 1 102 The Chmbgs. Salvation A Specrall Caufe, Abufe of Liberty. go, as if they were earned away alrea- dy. Here is the general Caufe, as of all judgments, foof this, Sin. In fpecial, the abufing of pcqce and li- berty when in joyed; when a people lhall turn this grace into vvantonnelTe, fo as to wax fee ure by it. For this it is that the Lord threatneth to bring Captivi- ty upon this his own people, the people ofthejewes, Amos 6.7. Therefore no* Jhalltheygo Captive with the firjl that go Captive 3. (So far is God from conni- ving at his own people, that if they provoke him they lhall feel of it with the firlt). And wherefore will he deal fofeverely with them' why, for their abufe of their peace. Liberty, plenty They were at eafe i# Sion, ver. r, fecure and fearlelfe, not regarding Gods me- naces denounced by his Prophets, but drowning themfelves in their carnall pleafures. And they trufled in the Moun- tain of Samaria] being proudly confi- dent of their owp flrength, fo as they put tor ay ay from them the evil day, and eaufedthe feat of violence to come near ver. 3. The great ones amongft them puttmgoff the thought of Gods judg- ments, they exercifed all kind of Ty- ranny 10 ? te- as of h y )iS Vf ri- •1c w S* n* y a deal ieit lty. me me- bat till to d k ni tm I r* F theffoyof Saints. ranny and Oppreflion upou their infe- riours. And they lay upon their beds of ivory , chanting to the found of the viol, drinking wine in bowles , &c. as the Pro- phet goeth on, verf. 4, 5, 6. Such was their ftate: And therefore fee their doom: Therefore now Jhall they go cap- tive with the fir/l that go captive. This it was that foil brought famine, and other judgments upon them in their own Land, and at length Captivity abroad. And this it was that brought this ifraels difeon- homebred Captivity upon them in vids time-, even their ingratitude and f«nt condition, unthankfulneffe for Gods, former mer- a caufc oftheir cies, with their difcontentedneffe with c °™ y .J£ - their prefeat condition. They would not be contented with the Governors and Government of Gods choofing. No, they would be like other Nations -, they would mould 3 Government for them- felves, they would have a King. And hereupon God hearkning to their de- lires, giveth them one in his anger, as the Prophet Hefea tells them, Hof 15. ix. I gave thee a King in mine anger. So he did Saul , who inftead of being a father to them (as they expected,) pro- H 4 ved ved a 9te\ means 7MT r ^ r i nt ‘ Andb ythis Gods people ,l ™Zr ifl m uV hlS Cd r tivi 4- not to bear Which let it be a warning -XiV”.' 5 1 m! vvarn- on the Covi nant. no w " w ^ ** w »>• Letlt a$"e” noProteftion. ln g«> us, us of this Nation, who being under a vifible Covenant with God are huptfle. Such we are. Butletus’noc fo bear our felves upon this Priviledee Sift '^7'^ a P r0Kffi 0 „ S s S gamft the Judgments of God. No rmone y have I k„m„ „/ tk " R, f f h 7 K m - ,hm f° r ‘ > m * V Jit fir alt year tmqmnn , (faith the Lord to Jfrael) Amos j. ^ SofaT.s %*r com ?‘ agn the rebellions ,h,fi n r r , e0fi c ' that they Ml be the firft that he tvtli deal with, making them to feel his dtfpleafure as foo„ 0 ? fooner then any others. And therefore ake we heed that we do not ink a e Jfrael in their fins, tnabufing thenw! ctesweyetenjoy, ourpeacetourlfc. Ss' y ’ l ^ abOVC ' lll ’ the Gofpel or peace. Surely this it is which famona Other our fe; hath fo far prSokef God agamft us already as to let in thofe htvfhSvn” us " h,ch ° f “ hjd fofad experience of. Take • heed. ' n tht $oyef Saints. ' n\k heed, left by adding to former provoca- /•. nons we bring in a perfeft Captivity r f,S up ? n our feIvcs » depriving our felves ™ and pofteruies of thole remainders of mercy which are yet (through the pa- * ln & tience and long-fuffering of a gracious ”> 3re G °d) continued unto us. Kifrael break us not Covenant with God, and prove un- thankful unto him , notwithftanding ro us that they are his people, yet they fliafl wo, reel of Captivity , a Corporal Capti- mi- vity. r He- ) i« all be n, or efore litate :mcr- But befides this, (in the fecond place) 2. there is another kind of Captivity people which though lefli feared, yet re rearrul, and that is j tyirituul Cup'ivity. vicy. And even this Gods people are liibjeft to. For which again we fhall need no other inftance then this of Ifracl, the people of the $cvps y who notwithftand- ing that they were once the people, and the onely people of God, yet have now for fo long a time lyen under fuch a Captivity $ under a Spiritual blindnefs and hardnelTe of heart. This is that which the Apoftle St. fWfaith of them in the place foreciced,Inw.u.2j. Blind- nejfe in part hath happened unto jfrael A lpiritual blindoefle of Ignorance and The Churches Salvation Unbelief. So before he explains it Be- caufe of unbelief they were broken offver. 20. If they bide not ftill in unbelief ,v.2$. This is the blindnefle and obduracy which hath happened to them in fart , in great part, even to the generality of that people,to the body of that Nation. And under this blindnefle do they lye even to this day fo as they do not, they will not fee and know the things which helong unto their eternal peace. And thus are they who were once the people of God, now brought into this fjiritual Captivity . Afflic. Which taking notice of, let us hear and fear : taking heed left we alfo fhould fall under the like Judge-; ment left that which hath happened to them alfo happen to us. So it hath done to many, many of the Go[fcl-Churches % What is now become of thofe feven Churches of Ajia, fo famous in their times, to whom the Spirit direð thofe Epiftles, Rev. 2. & 3? How are they fallen under not onely a Corporal, but a " Spiritual Captivity f blindnefle haying in part, in a great part happened totho CcEaJlern, as alfo to many of the Weflern Churches. O that the like may never a; & s an of lib 1 H yd S* htt, ilgi mr. k j «r iw the hoi Gc rejf S wh m 1lf y VC. fxkiacy in fat, ilityd taa eyiyt ) nor, things peace. :e tbe a this : of, let leim Judge- raeato hdooc wtb, : {even ate redeih mrp tKfi Me 'the may terci the $oy of Saints. never happen to the Church of God in this Nation : that what ever Cor for all do, yet this Sfirituall Captivity may never break in upon it. Which that it may not, make much Direlt. of the Lfirl, we ye? hive, I mein the liberty of the Gofpel. T aking heed, the Gofpci, i. Of rejecting it $ of oppofing the v J Ucft en i°y* Truths of God, and the nates ok God”' , held and layed forth unto us in the Go- Beware *f op- fpel. This it was that brought the-^ow ^ u fi t n h f into this fad condition, even their re- W aic$! jetting of the Gofpel when it was tende- red to them. This is the reafon which f-aul and Barnabas render for their turn- ing from jthem to the Gentiles , Att. 1 46. ft tpas necefjary (fay they) that the Word of God fhould be fir (l (poken unto you, but feeing you put ft from you, and judge yoitr [elves unworthy of ever lafting life Jo, m turn to the Genttles.^ Thus it was,as the Law was firft given to them, fo the Gofpel was firft tendred unto them, (this honour being done unto them as to Gods fir ft- born) but they refilling and rejecting it,and thereby as it were j udg- ing themfelves unworthy of that grace which was there brought unto them, it was thereupon taken from them. A juft Judg- io8 The Churches Salvation Judgment,that they who (hut their eyes againft the light, fliould hare the candle removed from them, and be left in dark- nelTe. That they who would not fee, Ihould be ftruck blind. This was their cafe, as our Saviour in a moll paflxonate manner lamenting over Jerufalem, tells them in that known place, Luk. ip. 41 , 42 . When he was come near , he beheld the fn ast Cit^and weft over it faying, if thou hadft Vmt 1 ’ known, even thou, at leafl in this thy day , the things which belong unto thy peace! But non they are hid from thine eyes' ]. Had they but received and imbraced the Gofpel of their falvation, Which was held forth unto them by Chrift himfelf in his own perfon, happy had it been for them. But they reje&ing him and it, God in his juft Judgment ftruck them with Ipiritual blindnefle , that feeing, they mould not fee * arid fo delivered them over, as to a temporal, fotoa fpintual Captivity. Take we heed, left being guilty of the like contempt, we fall un- der the like Judgment, Again , taking heed of thus rejecting P i-Amol . enlrA -If. r » « utcu u i urns rejecting take heedolfoof mthank- Imdunfoiitfiii' fahirffe tor it, and uttfruitfulHejfe under ntfle. it. It is that which the Apoftle faith ©f m gave suit ink PC jr a to u our! wast mr mor tit: able litre kt Him fc the fry of Sams: ~ \^J ^ , of the Gentiles, Rom. i.ti. Becaufe when they knew God, they did not glorifie aeca him as God, neither were thankful •, there - jj* , /Am *wr,dv. In as much an0l : as they were not thankful for, neither “ did walk anfwerably to that light of na- pitim t ure which they had 5 therefore God mtt gave them over unto blindnefle of ’fff mind [Their foolifh heart was darknedl, “ and to all kind ot Moral impurities, as ” it there followeth, \zyi 6 . Thus when W men enjoy the light of the Gofpel, and Mm yet are not thankful for it, nor walk daflthe anfwerably to it, it is but juft with God t Gote to take it from them, and to leave them re ion in darknefle. This is the realbn which »«* our Saviour giveth why the Vineyard >r thee was taken away from thofe Husband- ed men which had it in their pofleffion, and :m wit given unto others $ They would not render to the Lord of it the fruits in their edttr / tafon, Mat th. 2 1 .4 1 . This Vineyard (to 1 ftinfc moralize the Parable,) was the Church of df kin the fervs, which God having bellowed ei® great coft upon, requireth fruit anfwer- able 5 which they not yielding, he un- churcheth them. So our Savioue him- ihd felf explains it, ver. 47. Therefore the unde Kingdome of God ( the Gofpel of the King- x it " — S -The Churches Salvation Kingdome) (hall be taken from you , and given tit a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof' ]. Surely this it is which hath caufed the tranflating of the Gofpel from one Kingdom to another *, even the unthankfulnefle and unfruitfulnefle ef thofe that enjoyed it* their not walk- ing worthy of it, anfwerably to ic. This alfo take we heed of. That we mgy ftill in joy our Gofpel-light, and liberty, fee that we fet a high price upon it.fo walk- ing as becometh Children of Light. 3 . Again, thirdly, T ake heed of abufing Take heed of the true Prophets of God, the Meffen- MiSmrf gers and Minifters of Chrift. This it , God. was that haftened ifraels temporal Capri* vity, as it is exprefly noted,: 2 chron.^6. 16. They mocked the Mejfengers of Cod, j and dejpifed his Words, and mifufed his Prophets, untill the wrath of the Lotdrofe again ft his people, till there was nor erne* <«jQ. No Remedy but they muft go into Captivity. And this it was which had a fpecial hand in bringing upon them their fpiritual Captivity ,wz,.their harih dealing with the fervants whom J the Lord of the Vineyard fenc to require \ fruits from them, and afterwards with ^ his Son alfo, (as the forefaid Parable fets it < 1 Wkjti ft hat « Iff; flf itfuk’ Iff. Tt Tty, ft (b'wali gbt. Men , % mfC* Mil yk e f vuM bJefc the $oy of faints'. tn it forth). Thereupon it was that he took the vineyard from them 5 un- chutched and ancovenanted them.Now take we heed again of falling under any degree of the like guilt, left we alfo fail under the likepuhdhment. And (in the fourth and laft place ) 4. whileft all due refpe&s are yielded unto® ewarc °f the true Prophets of God, take heed of falfc ProphtK ‘ hearkfiing to thofethat ar c falfe. In this way, and by this means it was that the Jews came to fall into that ditch wherein to this day they lye, viz. by following of their blind Guides , as our Saviour calleth the Scribes and Pharifees , Matth. 15. 14. And take we heed of fuch falfe Prophets, fuch Blind Guides. Surely fuch there are feme, and that not a few, walking abroad in the midft of this Nation at this day. I mean falfe Teachers , Seducers 5 not unlike to thofe falfe Prophets of whom the Lord com- plains,^. 14. 14. They prophefe lies in my Name ylfent them not , neither have l commanded then* jteit her fpake unto them. They prophejie unto you a falfe vifon» f peaking the deceit of their own hearts : ] Thus did many at that time amongft the ftwes. And furely the like do too many many amongft us at this day, who Vent the fancies ot their own brains, ftrivin^ to introduce all kind of erroneous do- drines , l'ome of them deftrudive to the very foundation of Chriftianity Now m the fear of God take you heed of hearknmg to them , of following of them •, which if you do, they will lead you into Captivity, So did thofe falfe teachers in Paul's time, of whom he \ Tim , 3- * that creeping mohoufes (lnfinuating themfelves into thofe that would g 1V e°entertainment to them) they led captive filly women. Such was their pradice-,they wrought chiefly upon the weaker fex,and upon the wea- / r ,° : Muliercnlas > Jtmple y filly mmen; whom inveighing and intangling, they led Captive • bring? ing them into a fpirituall Captwifv through their falfe dodrines, andftiper? ftmous obfervances. Now that none of you may be fo led, flop you your ears chaImVh he V ° 1CC °r fucH charme ”i charm they never fo wifely , holding faft that form of defame which hath hew *™ v ' red wto you s not receding from the Ancient truths of God, nor fuffcr- ln g your felyes to be turned aiide from thole 'm teflity Wilfftj S'ingof ill lead : falfe m he ■n > into to leivei- rain, ghing xing- mvf fuper- ,0011? m m, % i fa fa oni iof« Thetfoy of Saints „ 113 thofe old and good wayes , wherein the people of God have walked 3 fearing left being led afide into by-paths, you fhould be carried into this lpiritual Cap- tivity : which (as you fee) even Gods own people, thofe who are under a vi- fible Covenant with him, making pro- feffion of his Religion, are fubjeft to. And thus I have done with the firft of thefeConclufions. Gome we to the fecond. It is the Lord that bringeth hack the Propofi. Captivity of his people ] So faith the It is the Lord pfalmifl here •, Not When the Captivity tha f b L rin g eth of Gods people /hall be brought back •, but, ^ty 1 of his' When the Lord /hall bring back the Capti- people. vity of his people. The Lord, fehovah. f™, /f/rZ. He it is, and he alone, that bringeth «. tumuli back, that returneth the Captivity of De > f ul (lum \ his people. A truth, and that m refe- rence both to their Corpora /, and S piri - cul. ad loc. tua /Captivity. 1. For the former. Corporal Capti- j. vity. It is the Lord that turneth it 1 heir corpo- back. This is that which the Lord fal ( -'V tmc y- minds ifrael of in the Preface and Intro- duction to his Law, I am the Lord thy God^ which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt) out of the houje of bondages I ' Exod; 114 The Churches Salvation Exod. 20. 2. Thus, what ever Capti- vity, what ever Bondage Gods people are freed and delivered from, it is the I.ord that worketh chat deliverance for them. True indeed, therein he may (as for the mod part he doth) make ufe of Inflruments. So he did of Mofes and Aaron in bringing Israel out of Egypt but in the mean time thew'orkis nis. So much the Church acknowledged concerning all her former deliverances, Pfal. S5. 1. Lord^ thou haft been favou- rable to thy Land , thonhajl brought back the Captivity of'ftacob. Th- fame And who elfe can do icf He it is h md bringeth that delivereth them into Captivity, into and out yyho rave Tdcob for a fpoyl, and ifrael to o aptmty. ^ fcbbers ? Did not the Lord? Ifai.42. 24. He it is that giveth his people into the hands of Opprefjors, whether Dome- ftical oxforreign. Being provoked there- unto by their fins, ( as it there follow- ed =, Did not the Lord ? he againft whom we have finned ? For they would not walk in his wayes , neither were they obedient unto his Law)-, hereupon he giveth them over unto thefe Captivities. Now (as M ufc ulus notes upon it) Ejufdem eft li- ber are^ cujas eft trader e. The fame hand bringeth » I tlj Opti- woplt futfee meek lenu] iJceofc /"wand A 5 is hits, ■dgeth inces, ftw k W i Hen poVity, IjM ti ' Ifai,y.. ile into r dmm- tdttee- ifoik- tbtten loir (as i tjHi- iehttd //; being .,11 fcgt fldves to fin and Satan. This the Apo- ftle layeth down for an irrefragable Conclufion, putting a Prebatum eft up- on it, flow. 3.9- We have before proved both fews and Gentiles, that they are all under fin.'] Not onely the Gentiles, who were not Gods people-, but alfo the ferns Who were his people. For the further proof whereof ( among other Texts of Scripture) he maketh ufe of this P faint , whereof the Text is the Clofe. As it is written, (faith he, verle io.) There is none righteous, no not one, there is none that under fiandeth, there is none that feeketh after God, &c. Now where is this written i why, in the for- mer part of this Pfalm where though we do not meet with all the fame words, yet with the fame fenfe. Such ^gene- ral depravation there was in the time of King Saul, in the Kingdom of ifrael, an Epidemical Corruption among all eftates IZO The Churches Salvation and conditions of perfons , infomuch that the Pialmift complains. They are corrupt, the y have done abominable works ■ tncre is yione that doth good^ ver. i They' are all gone afide • they are altogether be- come filt hy , there is none that doth rood no not one. xj «fc 3 . So he defcribeth the ttl a fr ? that , tIme * Now this the Apoftle there looketh upon as a Typical reprefentation of the Bate and condition of all men by nature * Before the Grace of God meet with them they are a un der. Sin •, and fono better then Captives. So called exprefiy Z 6 l Ji 70 froclam liberty to the Captives and the opening of the prifon to them that are bound ’]: And who were they r why t ter /fS .fhe people of the ferns' in their’ ^Wr Captwtty, but M y fiscally pooi ftnners, who are under the thral- dome ot Sin and Satan. And fuch are tiles ■ lQ1 § ° £ men by n3ture > a11 Ca p- Ssif M (fuch is their conditi- j*»; ' h? ' are 110 weyes able to free them- &w, lh f Ca F ,iyit r- SomSs IJJfZ T ted f ‘"'Text, [When the b If l , t'” gUk ,k CmMty of his Not, when they theiKs 1 fliall the f-oy of Saints. 12 ) Tkj at 'huh • r 4f fieri t- til the vt his i as a eand c fore the^ :then »Ui. iflivts, their M) thral- :haie Cf b ciia » tin hi m Shall return and come out of Captivity. No, this is a Divine and fupernaturall work : Man being in the nrft aft of Conversion no other but a meer patient^ not working but wrought upon. So were the Israelites in their deliverance from that Egyptian Captivity. When the Lord firft lent Mofes to them; they weremeerly inapaSfive Capacity, no wayes *able to free and deliver them- felves. That they were fo delivered, this was the Lords work, who brought them forth by Jlrength of hand , (as Mofes inculcateth it upon them again and again, Exod.1 3. v.5,14,16.) And even fuchis the condition of poor captived Sinners (of which that Captivity was a Type); being under the power and do- minion of Sin and Satan, they are no wayes able to work deliverance for themfelves. This is the Lords work, whobringeth forth his Elea aid fo fwjytr *»««? hud of sente opleof privity, and Sa- iled, /* ym ifiw mi ) (#> jtr to i {toffl fAe ’-fty of Saints*. the power of fin. So the Apoftle there explains it in the next words f And {hall turn away nn^edlinefie from facob{\ freeing his people, as from the guilt and punifhment, fo from the power and do- minion of Sin. This is the work of fefus Chnfl, thus to deliver his people out of the hands of all their Spiritual Ene- mies, (as Zac ban as hath it in his Song, Zwki.74. ), and fo to bring back their Captivity • of which deliverance he is both the Meritorious and Efficacious caufe. 1 . The Meritorious y having paid their . J* . . Ranfome. This he did in and by his ousVaufc of death. The Son of man came to give his thc-r ddivc- Itfe a ranjome for many, (faith our Sa- tance ‘ viour ) Matth. 20.28. He gave himfelf a Ranfontcfor an< ^ applies. This alfo is working ft! his work. Being the Meritorious^ he is alfo the Efficacious caufe of this Re- demption •, actually freeing and deli- vering his people out of this their fpiri- tual Captivity: Which he effefteth by his Word, and Spirit, I. i. By his Word y as the Infirument • By his Word making ufe of it as his Trumpet to pro- hlflrU ’ claim this Redemption •, to proclaim li- berty to thofe Captives. So the Pro- phet Efay hath it in the place forecited, jfai.6 1. 1. where fpeakingof chrift as his Lord, and himfelf as his Minifier , he faith. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, he caufe the Lord hath anointed me to preach good ty dings unto the meek , to pro- claim liberty to the Captives, drc.J This did ^efus Chrijl in the dayes of his flefh in his own perfon, in preaching of the Gofpcl. So himfelf applies and ex- pounds that Prophecy, Lnk. 4. where falling providentially with that Text upon his firft opening of the book deli- vered unto him, ver. 1 7. he tells his Au- ditors, verfe 2 1 . This day (faith he; is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears. That Scripture w ®l> then, feilfo is ■his h id del;- itfpiri- lech by »ntf • )pro- mh- Pro- sited, ;Wf» ijltr, he ium 'm tn ttfrt- I This isflefh oithe ind ei- where tT® ideli- ^ tit If ji That )tie the $ ‘oy of. Saints. Scripture which he had then read to them out of the Prophet, was fulfilled spiritual l;- in his Preaching. He being that princi- pal Herauld of whom the Prophet there himfeif. fpake , who proclaimed liberty to the Captives, fpiritual liberty to thofe who were held Captive of Sin and Satan. This he proclaimed in and by his preach- ing. This he then did in his own Per- fon. And this afterwards he did by his Apoftles and lb (till doth the fame by an ‘ ‘ n ‘ cr$ ‘ his Minifiers : whofe Commtfiion is the very fame, viz. to publifh thofe glad tydings of Redemption and Salvation to all Nations. Go ye into all the worlds and preach the Gofpel to every creature , Mark 16. 15. Thus doth Chrift pro- claim this Liberty, making ufe of this as the ordinary means for the bringing back of the Captivity of his people. Even as it was with the ^fem in Baby ' Ion •, they were reduced and brought back from their Captivity there in a like way, viz. byafolemn ProcLmatt- on made by Cyrus throughout his King; dome, as you may read it, Ezra 1.1,3. Even thus doth the Lord Chrifi ( of whom C)r«rwasaType, of whom the Lord %*6 " — S The Churches Salvation Lord faith that he was his Shepherd, and Jhould fulfill all his pie afire, Ifa1.44.laft.) bring back the fpiritual Captivity of his people*, by making the like Proclama- tion I by caufing his Goff el to be preach- | ed throughout the world. Here is the outward Inftrument. i. 2. To which (in the fecond place) for By Bis spirit the making of it effectual , he joyneth bisWord ; nS ^' s spirit. So it was in bringing back that Corporal Captivity of the fews out of Babylon *, there was a Spirit which went along with the Word. Cyrus ma- keth Proclamation for a returning, but it was the Spirit of God which inclined * • the hearts of the people to hearken to it. So you have it exprefty noted, ver. 5. of that hrft of Ezra , Then rofe up the chief of the Fathers of fudah and Benjamin , and the Priefts , and the Le- vitts, with all tvhofe Spirit God had raifed to go up to ferufalem. Thus there was an inward work of the Spirit of God, which went along with that Word, in- clining the people to hearken to it. And even fo is i t in bringing Gods Elect f people out of this Spiritual Captivity, the Spirit of Chrift accompanieth his Word, letting i[ on and making it ef* / feftual. Which ft) 'inifr is die jfoc mh jack out aich ma- st w ver. fen? is mi tU- tu\d ;e® : God, •d, in- to it. » \0 litas ittf' 0 ^oy of. Saints i r Which it doth by a twofold Att •, the j. one upon the Underfunding , the other Working upon upon the JP/X* upon the Underfunding, L ' n ^ 1 rft ^' inlightning it. Even as it was with Pt?- ning that. ter in the Pr/ptf, when God had a de- fign upon him to bring him forth, the firft a< 5 i was, he caufed a Light to fhine in the Prifon , A cllons - Captivity 2 . Such as are in part' freed, and delivered from it* i , For the former, fuch as are whol- t. ly under this Captivity, (fuch are ^5^ “^ meer natural men, who are yet in their , his Captiwiy, natural ftates and conditions). Let them be direfted and exhorted to look up un- to this their Redeemer , the Lord frcfus. He it is, and onely he, that rauft let them at liberty, if the Son fha/( make you free, then are you free indeed, (faith K a -our The Churches Salvation our Saviour to the Jewes) J-oh. 8. 36. The tfews, however they were by birth the feed of Abraham, and the children of thefreemman (a priviledge which they flood much upon, as we may fee there verfe 53.), yet they were by nature bondflaves to fin and Satan, as well as others. Neither was there any way to make them free, but by the Grace of God in fefm chrijl . Let all poor fia- ners then, whofe eyes God hath in any meafure opened, and made them appre- henfive and.fenfible of this their Con- dition, be dire&ed to look up unto this their Lord and Saviour . In this way and by this meanes the people of the T etvs come to be freed both from their Corporal and Spiritual Captivity viz. by looking up unto him whom they have pierced, lach. 1 2 . 1 o. And to him let all poor finners look, with earneft de- fires of obtaining deliverance by and through him : Knowing for their Com- lort,that this is a benefit which he hath merited and purchafed for them, and for all others who fiiall defire to be freed from this Captivity. And therefore let lem come unto him that they may 1 eceive this benefit from him. To )n ebybirib m'ia tf wchtbty ?e there. mm well as my to race of )r fia- in any ippre- ; Con- hisway, :of rlie h from otivity, mat] him let left de- byaad' irCffl- behath j, and tfati vela. may To the ffoy of Saints . >33 To which end, let them be directed Direct, to give ear to his Word , and to give way Give ear to the to his Sprit. Give ear to his Word. ^ a ° r t * t a ," c d Hearkning to the Goff el Proelamation : Spirit of . hearing Chrift proclaiming liberty to the chnft - Captives which he doth intheMini- ftery of the Gofpel. And thus giving ear to his Word, let them alfo give way to his Spirit not refitting, not quench- ing the motions thereof. This is that which Stephen chargeth upon the fervs, Adi. 7. 51. Te ft iff'- necked , and uncir- cumcifed in heart and eares , ye do alwaies reftft the Holy Ghoft , as your fathers did , fo do you. Let not the like be charged upon any of you. This it is which hath brought them into , and kept them un- der that Captivity , wherein they are even to this day.That you may be freed from it, give way to the motions of the Spirit fpeaking in and by the Word. Doth the Spirit of God in the Minifte- ry of the Word awaken you, calling upon you (as the Angel did unto Peter, Adi. 12. 7.) bidding you Arife quickly, and come forth, and follow him, do not ftop your eares againft the motion, but clofewithit, yield to it, forthwith (ha* k'ngolf the Chaines and Fetters of all K 3 (infill J 34 The Churches Salvation ftnfuland inordinate I ufts, which have here tofore held, and led you Captive, henceforth refolving to follow the Lord fifab Even as the ifraelttes followed Mofes (of which I fpake before)* yield- ing up your felves unto him to be difpofed of according to his good will and plealui e, to be ordered, guided and governed according to the Rules and directions held forth in his Word. This is the way, and the onely way, whereby poor Captivated linners may come to : . march out of their fpiritual Egypt * to be treed and delivered from this their fpiritual Captivity. 2. Which being in meafure delivered f F caka ™ rd fo the fecond Sort) ft 41 be you exhorted to look up to this your Deliverer. Knowing that this your deliverance is as yet imperfedh So 1 1 is in the mod fandtified foules. Blef- fed Paul, even Regenerate Paul (fo I there look upon him, what ever ochers do), How may we hear him complain- ing ; of himfelf, that he was carnal , fold under fin ^ llom. 7 . 14. Carnal^ viz. in pau, in regard of the remainders of Carnality in him (upon which account ihe tame Apotlle calleth forae of his be- 2.. ‘Such as a.i'2 Regenerate ffujes yet in ♦Captivity in iF^c. on hill be CipuVe, tkhrJ f ol/oivd i yield- co be od will led and :s and .This lerehy me to \h t0 iste '(timed farad kupto bat this ebb So . U il(io/ rflD&ers rap ifli i'i:- it dfflf room sbe- the ffoy of Saints.. lieving Corinthians , Carnal , i Cor. 4.) yfW fold under fin]. Though not as a voluntary (lave , willingly obeying fin in the lufts {hereof. Such a one was Akab, whofe Chara&er is, that He fold himfelf to work evil in the fight of the Lord , 1 King.2 1.20. But luch a Cap- tive Paid was not * but rather like fo- feph , whom his Brethren fold into Egypt) a Captive full fore againft his will being, notwithftanding all the re- ludtancy and thriving of the inward man, the Regenerate part, ftill in mea- fure detained under the Captivity of his natural Corruption-, which being that iwif'u; e.7©* ciiMfii*, ( as the Apoftle cal- lech it , Heh. 12. 1.) the encompafimg fin , the fin which hangeth fo f aft on , ( as the former T ranflation hath it)he could not wholly (hake off, and rid himfelf of j but fo as that it would ever and anon be aflaulting him, yea, and fometimes con- quering, prevailing againft him, even bringing him into Captivity. So he there exprefteth it, verle 2%. But I fee another Law in my members warring againft the Law of my mind , and bring- ing me into Captivity to the Law of Si tf, which is in my members 1 . Thus did K 4 Cor- 135 The Churches Sdlvdtion Corruption ftir, and work in him, fo as fometimes it prevailed to draw, or drive him into thofe fins which the Law of his mind, that inward principle of Grace wrought in him by the Spirit of God regenerating and renewing of him, did wholly wkhftand and oppofe. Thus was it with him. And thus it hath been is, and will be with the moft fanftified foules upon earth 5 being fanftified but in part, ( as the Apoftle hath it i Cor. 1 3. 9.) their deliverance from this Spiritual Captivity is impcrfeft. ^ £ nd ^ ein 8 r °’ them look up to petfeaing o£ $ e fa thrift ‘for the compleating and this deli vc- pene&ing of it. So doth the Apoftle in the clofeof that Chapter, (Bom. 7. 24O where complaining of the Body of Sin,t\\t old which he there calleth “Body of Death , in as much as it was fo ofrenfiye unto him, as a dead Corps would be to a living Body being tyed to it, continually infefting and annoying him, being even a death to him, and tin earning him with eternal death) and earneftly wifiung that he were freed rom i t , o mijerahle man that I am ! • ai [ n whofhall deliver me from this Bocy of death ? in the next words he tempers *37 m Win, fos ‘V'tfrive £ Ian of o/'&k of God im, did ■ Thus h been, i Med fed but lath it ; from left. to icing and ’.ip fit tmj. M tf ecaUrth i was fo i Corps gtyedro Wfin* m tti tb) and ■eM [a! wthit •ds he mpffs the tfoy of Saints. tempers and correds that his Paffion, (laying his fou! by looking up unto ffe- fits Chrift , [_I thank God through our Lord tfefus chriftf] who as he hath in part already freed me from the power and dominion of fin, foin hisduecime he will alfofreeme from the moleftation of it, bringing me into a perfed liber- ty. And for this let all Gods Saints look up unto him, by faith committing themfelves unto him, begging it from him, that he who hath begun this blef- fed work in them, would go on to per- fect it till his appearing : That he may every day more and more dilTolve and deltroy the work of Satan in them, (which was the principal end of his Coming, i $oh. 3. 8 . ) breaking off their chains and fetters, freeing them from the prevalency of all finful lulls 5 ading that in their fancf if cation^ which he is faid to have done in his own Af- cenfion, Ephef. 4. 8. Leading Captivity Captive *, Captiving thofe rebellious lulls, which have heretofore led them Captive •, giving them vidory over all their Corruptions, bringing into Capti- vity every thought to the obedience of him- felf , and fo efiablijh them with his free Spirit , The Churches Salvation Sprit , that being delivered out of the hands of all their (fpiritual) enemies, they may ferve God without fear in holineffc and right eoufnejje before him all the dales of their lives ; and that their hearts may befo inlarged. , as that they may run the waits of his Commandements : And that in the end, he would bring them into that glorious Liberty of the Jons of God- freeing them not onely from the Domi- nion and moleftation, but even from the indwelling and inbeing of fin, fo making them perfect free-men. Which alfo he will do for all thofe who look up to him for this Redemption: He Jhall caufe their Captivity to return. That is the third Conclufion, to which I fhall now pafie. Propof. 3 . T ^ ere is a time when the Lord fhall There is a time bring back the Captivity of his people "I WUnth, Lord jhall fhal bring back / • , , , ’ W f ^OrU Jhall the Captivity ^nng back the Captivity of his people J l hi , s t*°Pl e - N °n diatji convert eret, fed dum conver- Tcxr. a 3 (faith Mufculus upon it) He doth not fay, if the Lord convert, but when he Jhall convert. In convert 01 do ( faith the Original), in Converting , denoting 2 etermined a<5i ; whicn Mont anus jsxtd. our Tranflatprs after him, fitly exprefie by; 2W2 w to »w,* irtsm id dm i into . God-, >omi- frora i, fo ftich da\ lt)U his tiflt ] w- ffe the -f oy of Saints, \ / by $ Quando convertet , ^ [had turn , or Captivity of his people. This the Lord will do-, and that both their Corporal , and Spiritual Captivity. i. For the former Exprefle is that i. promife which the Lord maketh unto T ^f Cor P°' this his people, the people of the fews , ra aptmty * Deut.30. 1, a, 3. It jhall come to paj[e y when all thefe things are come upon thee , 3 viz. thofe Curfes before denounced up- on their difobedience among which this is one, Captivity, to root them out of their Land , and to cajl them into another Land, ( as the 2 8. verfe of the Chapter foregoing hath it)Then (faith the Lord) if thou I halt return unto the Lord thy God , (fc. then the Lord God will turn thy Cap- tivity ^and will have companion upon thee, &c.-\ This will the Lord do for his people when being provoked by their fins his wrath hath broke forth upon them, fo as to bring them into Capti- vity, forreign or domeftical, yet upon their turning he will turn * upon their turning from their fins , he will turn from his wrath-, upon their returning unto him , he will return unto them, turning back their Captivity-, putting a flop H° ^ The Churches Salvation flop to his Judgments, and working j gracious and comfortable inlargements for them. Like promifes we meet with many made unto that people, the peo- ple of the Serves. I (hall onely Angle out that one other which we meet with $er.29. 10,1 r .Thus Jaiththe Lord,(fpea- kingtothe Captive ferns) that after feventy years he accomplijhed at Babylon , I will vifit you, and perform my good Word towards you, in eau/ingyou to return to this place : For 1 know the thoughts that J think towards you ( faith the Lord), i thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give ’ you an expected end. Such- were Gods thoughts and purpofes then towards them : And luch they are to his people f in like cafes ■ Not thoughts of Evil, hut c of Peace. He intendeth good to them by their Afflictions, and will give them an expected end ; he will give an ifjue with the Tentation, (as the Apoftle hath it, i Cor . 10. iy.) hCxj/r, an outgoing, making a way for them to efcape 5 and that, if it be good for them, by way of temporal deliverance 5 bringing back j 1 i their Captivity. So the Promlfe there l goeth on in the following verfes 5 Then t full ye call upon me, and ye Jhallgo and / pray 1 the [foy of % Saints. woriij» fray unto me , when ye feek for me with all gEffleatS your hearts-. And I will be found of you, eftnitft- (faith the Lord) and will turn away your 'hefty Captivity, ver. 12,13,14. Now what finglr the Lord there promifeth unto them, he ttw’tli, will do for his Church and people in ,(/pca- like cafes, upon like conditions. Upon 1 eftir their feeking of him, and turning to tylcn, him, he will be found of them, and turn goii back their Captivity. (turn £L' And wherefore will he do this < ^' Il , crc ^ rc , A. Take a threefold Reafon of it. ve r his people (r/|) ? He will do it for his Names fake ; he ^ c ^ cfold will do it for his Covenants fake-, he will ma on> Gods do it for his Peoples fake. nards R.i. He will do this for his Names R ea J 0>t T - eople fake. This is the Reafon which is ren- ^ own' I dred by God himfeif, why he would Names fake, then, bring again the Captivity of facob, Ezek. 3?. 2f. I will he j ealous for my holy , t y Name *, viz. that that may not luffer, t y that that may not be blafphemed by mine and their Enemies. This is the f Argument which David taketh up and ^ maketh ufe of to expreffe and inforce f. that requeft in behalf of the Church, w pfal. 74. 1 9. that God would not deliver • m the [oid of his 1 urtle-dove unto the multi - 1 tude of the wicked-, and that he would not ul rl 1 forget 1 The Churches Salvation forget the Congregation of his poor for ever , in as much as this would expofe his Name to the Blafphemies of his Enemies j Remember this ({aith the vcrfe foregoing, ver.18.) that the Enemy hath reproached [ O Lord. \ and that the foolijh people have blafphemed thy Name. This is a thing which the Enemies of God are very prone and ready to do when they fee him as it were neglecting his people in their Calamities, they are rea- dy to conclude that he regardeth them not, that either he cannot, or will not ftep in to their help. Now this is a thing which God cannot endure. His Name being a (acred and a precious Gods Name to thing, ( Holy and Reverend is his Name thhg iircc,ous P& 1 * iri * 9 .) which he cannot endure to have touched in fuch a way. Hence is it that he is (aid to fear the wrath of his Enemies , Deut. 32. 26, 27. / fiid } / would have fcattered them into corners , f faith the Lord concerning his people -Ifrael) / would make the remembrance of them to ceafe from among men , were it not that I feared the wrath of the Ene- mtes ■ lefi their adverfaries fhould behave them fives fir ang e ly y and left they fhould rh Our hand ts high, and the Lord hath '# This : God when g his ere> them 'll not sm His earn Vote, ndure tee def W w, xdt vtf unit la- de di id The Joy of Saints. not done all this.'} Such Blasphemies God cannot endure. And therefore (fpeaking after the manner of men) he is faid to fear them. And fb upon that account he is induced to re- ftrain his wrath towards his people; not to deal with them according to their deferts. Thus God will bring back the Captivity of his people for his own fake. For my own fake , even for my own fake wilt l doit , (faith the Lord, fpeaking of the bringing of his people out of Babylon ) for how Jhould my Name he polluted ? and 1 wifi not give my glory to another. This God would do for them ; though not for their fakes, (they deferving no fuch favour at his hands) yet for his own fake 5 having therein a regard to his own honour •, not induring that his Sacred Name (hould be pollu- ted by the unhallowed mouthesof his Enemies, who would be ready to blaf- pheme him, as if he had no regard to his people, or were not able to deliver them out of their hands. In fuch re- fcues and deliverances God workethfor his Names fake. So he inculcates it again, and again in that one Chapter, Ezck. 20. where (hewing how he con- tinued *43 \ 344 C7 Churches Salvation tinued his gracious purpofe towards his people in working their deliverance* notwithftandingthey deferved nothing lefle at his hands.£»jf (faith he)/ wrought '• for my Names fake, that it fhouldnot he polluted before the Heathen , ver. ^,14, 22. Reafon 2. R ‘ 2 - God will do this for his Cove- Tor his Cove- nants fake. This is that which the Pfal- iwnts fake. praying for the Churches delive- rance, puts God in mind of • Have re- ject unto the Covenant , Pfal. 74.20. the Covenant made with his people. And this the Lord will have refpect unto *, Remembringit: And remembring it’ j he will have mercy upon his people * • bringing back their Captivity upon their repentance. Exprefle and full to this purpofe is that known promife, \ Lev. 26.40,42. Jf they fhall confeffe their iniquity , and the iniquity of their fathers , with the trefpajje which they have trejpafjed again ft me, and that they have j- walked contrary unto me, and that I have j walked contrary unto them , and have brought them into the Land of their Ene - 1 mics. if then their uncircumcifed heart ■■ be humbled, and they accept of the punifh- ment of their iniquity •, Then will I re- member f Wdslltf Cove- ic re- ). the And TOO-, ringS ttfkj smite, # f tto ii kr tjh ilk / k't ■fit- in/l- in- :kr the Joy of. Saints. J 45 member my Covenant with Ifaac , and alfo my Covenant with Abraham will / member , 4 W rvi// remember the Land~\. Thus God will remember his people for his Covenants fake. So runs that other Promife which God maketh to David concerning his feed, Pfal 89. 5 r , 3 2 j33< tf they break (or profane) my Statutes, and keep not my Commandments, then will I vifit their tranfgrefion with the rod and their iniquity with (Inpes.. Neverthelefe my loving kindneffe I will not utterly take from htm , nor fuffer my faithfulnejfe to fail my Covenant will I not break. Thus, though Gods people Should profane his Statutes, yet God will not profane his Covenant That being to him a facred thing, he will havearefpeft unto it. R. 3. And fo he hath alto unto his Rcafon J. People, to his Eleff among them •, For F? r his Elcc * the Elefts fake thofe daiesfhall be fhortned y ' a 1 (faith our Saviour, fpeakingof jerufa- lems calamities) Matth. 24. 22. Thus in Calamitous times God hath a refpeft unto his Eleft people. And for their fakes he meafureth out his Judgments.//? meafure thou wilt debate (or contend) with it, (faith the Propherof Gods dealing L with 1 ' 1 46 The Churches Salvation with his Church,) ifai. 27. 8. So he doth. In correcting his people he mea- fureth out his Judgments. mh^out And t ^ iat < ^ 0 ^ 1 both f° r breadth, j'dgments to 3n< ^ Length. For breadth , how far they his people, (hall extend : . moderating his fury : Not For Breadth, faring up all his wrath, (as the Pfalmift hath it) Pfal. 78.3 8. Contending with his Church onely in the Branches there- of (as the former Tranflation readeth that place oi E fay lalt cited) In meafure in the branches thereof . , thou wilt debate with it. Not (Inking at the root, but onely lopping and pruning it * intend- ing not the eradication and deftru&ion, but the Reformation and fructification of it. Thus he meafiireth out hir Judg- ments to his people for the breadth of them. F01 length. And fo in like manner for the Length, and continuance of them. Wherein al- fo he hath a refpeftto the jlrength (or rather weaknefje) of his people $ fo as he will not l'ufter them to be overpref- fed above their ftrength. And confe- quentlyhe will notiuffer them to lye too long under an Affliction, left there- by they ftiould be put upon defperate wayes and courfes." So. the Pfalmift lay- eth the foy of Saints. cth it down, rfal. 125. 3. 7 he rod of the wicked fhall not reft upon the lot of the righteous , left the Righteous put forth their hand to iniquity, thus God fotne- timcs fufFers his people to be under the Crofle, under the Rod (or Scepter ) of Tyrannical men,fuch as Pharaoh and his Taskmafters were * but he will not for ever fuffer this Rod to reft upon their lot , but will work feafonable deliveran- ces for them, that fo they may not be' driven upon the Rocks of defpair, put upon defperate defigns, unwarrantable' pradHfes. God in afflicting his people,, he intendeth their mendings not their breaking. And thereupon he will not contend with them for ever. So him- felf declareth it, I fat. 57-16. I will not contend for ever , neither will / be alwaies wroth , for the j fir it (houldfail before me^ and the ft lules which I have made. Upcrt this confideaation it was that the Lord dealt fo favourably with his people If- rael. He being full of Companion (taith the Pfalmift, Pfal. 78. 38, 39.) forgave their iniquity , and cteftroyed them not.- Teaynany a time he turned his anger awap and did not ftir up all his wrath ^ for hi rernernbredth.it they were but ftejb, a wind h £ mUf *47 *4^ ' ^ The Churches Salvation that pajfetb away, and comet h not again. Such is the frailty of humane nature here upon earth. And this God hath a regard unto in his own people 5 and therefore will not deal with them in a way of ftrid: Juftice, according to their demerits : Thus you fee both that God will do this ^ and why he will do it. AppUc. And will he do this for his Church and people, thus to bring back their Captivity ? why then, as I faid before, fohere again, Vfi i . Ufe i. Let not the Churches Enemies cLXs'Ene- So the Church her klfbefpeaks micsinfuic, them, Mic. 7.8. Rejoyce not againjl me > O mine Enemy ; when I fall, 1 fhall arife 5 when I Jit in darkncfje the Lord jha/l he a light unto me. So it was 5 The Church being fallen into a deep dungeon of di- ftrefle, her enemies intuited over her (as at fuch times they are ready enough to do), but herein the raifeth up her felf, repelling their reproaches , by giving them to take notice, that this her con- dition was not detperate •, but fo as five thould in Gods good time recover again. Such washer confidence in her God, that he would be a light unto her, com- forting her in that ha difconfolate •a* - eftate. efore, mitt rnjl m, ifaifc I dkt thatch iOfdi- ■her (as jasjb to w tfj '§ng ■Cod, com- fob# f/v (to be the Inter- t preter ot his powerful and gracious i purpofe towards that people): And fay \ unt 0 1 hem, 0 ye dry bones , hear the Word { pf the Lord. Thus faith the Lord God j] unto thofe bones-. Behold , / will caufe I breath to enter into you , and ye Jhall live. 1 Thus, be the Churches condition as to ] man never fo defpcr^te, yet is it not fo ; to God. He. that will raife up dead r bodies at the laft day, can and will work / z Re fur re Elion for his Church. This is i the firjl Refumction ( faith the Spirit, a Rev 2o. 5.) (peaking (as that place is ' t | probably expounded ) of that ( tny fiscal Refurreftion of the Church, \yhich (hall be alter the coming in of K the I wkl sty fa j to* (« y fa? ^/hooSi and re- 1? To him/cli tot, but lira in d Pro- :ker- Axijtj reedrh th pin 'rhani 1 Joy; 3f the This jlhar- cktht mm me he : forme thck- :kthe he 5pi- This : People t it if vt at] ieip »i. i e 0 llixls, fflper- !j U the tfoy of Saint Si. *53 befavcd (as the former part of that verfe hath it ), the Body of that Nation (liall be reduced, and brought again into the way of falvation j and as many amongft them as belong to the Ele&ion of Grace fliall be effectually brought home unto God. This will God do for them. Reaf. And the Verfe there next fol- Re of on. lowing giveth a Reafon for it, [For this Tll!s 5s 11 IS Co-. is my Covenant with them'}. What Co- fa™ * WK venant ? Why even that which we meet withal, (as elfewhere, fo) fcr. 31. 33. This fha/l he the Covenant , that I will make with the Houfe of ifrael. After thofe dayes ( faith the Lord) I will put my Law in their inward parts , and write it in their hearts}. That Law, which be- fore he wrote in T ables of (tone by his own finger (his own immediate work), he will write it in their hearts by the finger of his Spirit, whereby they (hall become conformable unto his mind and will both in heart and life, and fo (hall become his people again (as it there fob- loweth), and that not in title and pro- feffion onely, but in reality and truth. This is the Covenant , the New Cove- nant^ (as it is there called, verfe 31.) the Gofpel-Covenant, which God promi- The Chuych.es Salvation feth to make with the hottfe of 1 fraef and with the houfe of ffudah, (as that 3 i.verle 2H0 hath it), viz. with his Eledfc among that people. And this in his time he will perform , fo bringing back their fpiritual Captivity. The like he And the like he will do for all his will do for his Elctt among the Gentiles - who bein^ Sfc’S g"™. t0 ?'/*“ chnftby his Father? Hlcctipnj to be unto him 3 peculiar pco~ pie and being to him a purchafed pofjejsion , he will have a regard to them to reduce them from their wan- dring, and to bring them into his fold. This is that he tells the Jews, foh. io. 1 6 . Other fheep have 1 which are not of this fold, (meaning the Gentiles , who were then fir angers to the Covenant , and altens from the Common-wealth of Ifrael out ot the Church) them alfo muft } and they ft all hear my voice. This Jefus Chrift hath already in part done, and will yet do it more fully • bringing in the fulnejje of the Gentiles • the whole number of- his Eledt among them; whom though for a time he fuffer to go aftray, and wander from the way of fal- t ation, being held Captives under Sin and Satan, yet in his due time he will reduce,' the fpoy of Saints. ! H d reduce, bringing back that their (piritual 't ftnrft Captivity . This the Lord Chi i ft (hall do for his people. certain. So much the fourth Conclu - ill his fion holdeth forth * which give me leave being to touch upon briefly, and I (hall put ithers the Application of both thefe toge- h\$L hack 3 Saith David here • intimating ‘ 4 . io. that, of the thing it felf he was confi- hispcopk, '(as mt if dent, that God would do this, but for t0 m “) un ' ( who the time when he would do it, that he * f and neither knew, neither did he curioufly enquire after it. Such an uncertainty % Gods gracious difpenfations towards his tdom; Church. Thefe are things .which God for the mod part referveth to himfelf. For the mod part (I fay), not alwayes. As for ifraels bondage in, and delive- ranee out of Egypt, the tearm of it was 0 determined, and made known by God 5i n unto AhrahamfieaA^.ig. Exod.12.4x. f/meh JK But when will he do it i ■k ’tha A. Why, as to Man the time is un- there is about the times and periods of And fo was the term of the Bahy/owjh Captivity ; The Churches Salvation Captivity * 7 it was made known to the rrophets, and by them to the people, $cr. 25.11,12. Dan. 9.2. But this is not ordinary : In an ordinary way thefe are things which God referveth to him- felh So our Saviour tellethhis Difci- ?! es 5 vv ^en they were curioufly inquifi- tive about that fecular Kingdome which them (elves had fancied that the Media fliould fet up, when it (hould begin 5 Lord, (fay they) wilt thou at this lime rcftorc the Kingdom unto jfrael ' Adi. 1. 6. he returns them this Anfwer, It is not for you to know the times and the feafons, which the Father hath put in his own power , verfe 7. Giving them to take notice, that fuppofing ( what he was far from a (Tenting to, having before told them in exprefle words, that his Kingdome was not of this world, Joh. 1 8. 36. not a Temporal Kingdom) that fuch a thing (hould be,yet it did not become them to be fo inquifitive about the time when it fliould be. This being a thing which the Father referved in his own bofome : So he doth for the mod part the periods of his own gracious di~ fpenfations. Reaf Which he doth (as for other ends m ttteis i/thei; o him- Difc'h iquifi- vhich leflii gin ; time ir. It is »i \k ink sn to it he efoie c his i. iS. tfucb some ulx ki a his mi li- ra iA the $oy of Saints. ends beft known to himfelf, fo) for themed rcfovcth exercife of the faith and patience of his fo^thc «Trdrc people, in depending upon him, fub- of the faith mitting to him, and quietly waiting for his falvation. Applic. Which taking notice of, let Applic. not us be over- curious in oar inquiries after them. This was a thing which the dvcafwr K Apoftles were very prone unto: Their Mafter foretelling to them the deftru- hecaufe it will furely come , and will j™ in not tarry, Hab. 2. 3. So it is, (and let y us with confidence build upon it ) what t iu ever God hath promifed, it fiiall cer- ^ tainly be performed * and it fiiall not £ c j be deferred beyond the appointed rime: log And therefore wait till that time come. w This do we for our felves, and for the Nation wherein we live. And A '>d 'his do we for the Church in for theChurch; general $ for firjt RcfurKe£fion } thcLt r“'“d general Refurredion which of it lhall be before the end of the world Surely fuch a time there lhall be, when this Prophecie in the Text lhall have a plenary accomplilhment, when God [hall bring back the Captivity of his people, both their Temporal and Spiritual Captivi- ty 5 \\ nen the Lord fejus chrifl letting up his Standard, his Scepter, his King- dome {hvs Spiritual Kingdome) in the world, (half bring in his ancient people the people of the Jews, by a general Converfion of that Nation. A thing fo ceaily held forth in many Scripture Prophecies both of the tfWTeftament iHui cerium c(t, and New, as that the generality of Mo- icHimndum ci£=rn FvnnfirA^ ° , ' * ***** ifr,ti , K Lx P° n iK0K > n °t onely Proteftants ac fateh / ub ^ut Romtjo j (therein having many of §oins Yt th ™) d ° cb.if.ispu. ;. uli y confent to it. And then Chrift tuait rtgnum Hull have a glorious Church upon TEStS.***?. Then feu m cehfte. Lo- Pftje m the earth , ( the new ferufaleml 3* %£ It' 62 ' 7- Then tall therebe n ww c*p m x.\.6. c ^ en And a new earthy in a fpiritual ubi iidef.'ura. ienlc, jjai. 6 5 . ij . Then lhall the light the foy of Saints. 161 on *() « wori, e> who 'I kve j fyboth 'aptivi- letting in the Aitiing bpm ■fa rat ofMo- ittppH nanyo! kid)® nClrf :!i i fi \tnit r/lfM. tw of the Moon be as the light of the Sun , light of the Sun fhall be Jevenfold y in the dap/ that the Lord bindeth up the Breach ofhispeople,and healeth the fir oak of their mund^ Ifai. 30. 2 6. Such hull the glory; of the Church (the fpiritual Glory thereof) be^ as never eye yet faw. All the Glory of former ages {hall not be compared to it. Many, many fuch Promifes we meet with Mat- tered among the Prophets in the Old Teftament, feconded by St. fohn ux his Revelation , foretelling happy and glorious times to come unto the Church in the latter dayes. When the Enemies of it, both Anticbriftian and Mahumetan being deftroyed, the Saints fhall reign voith Chrifl a theufand years , Rev. 20. 4. enjoying a kind of heaven upon earth : The Church daring that time of Satans binding being in a molt flouriihing con- dition ; free from all her former perle- cutions, and troubles, enjoying outward tranquillity and peace, with abundance of fpiritual glory (as that Text laft men- tioned may lately be expounded). Such a time furely there fliall be. K ot b e ; t;u . Now being comfortably perfwaded over-pijou* hereof, reft we contented in that per- e M fwafionV ' The Churches Salvation fwafion, not overcurioufly enquiring after the particular period of time, when it (hall be. This have many (efpecially of late times ) done , fpending many thoughts, much time and pains about ; but how fruitleffe their endeavours therein have hitherto been, the Church of God well knowes. Let their Ihip- wracks and mifcarriages make others wary how they come too near thofe quickfands, where they may fooner lofe themfelves, then find the bottom. Not that I would forbid all fober en- quiries after what the Word hath re- vealed concerning this, or the like par- ticulars. As fecret things belong unto God , fo revealed things to us, and to our children. But taking heed of being too inquifitive about this which we may well look upon as a needlefe thing : So Paul looked upon the like enquiry tou- ching the end of the world, as a thing needlefte for the Churches. So he tells his ThefJ'alonians ; of the times and fea- fi*s , brethren , ye have no need that I write unto you, i Theft - . 5. r. So it was ( as it fecmeth) that fome of them were very inquifitive concerning the time of the laft Judgment, when it ihouldbe. But w me ; w6en (peaty gmac about; avoars "harch ‘ i hip- others thofe boner worn. atten- atW ike par- it Mb he m rig too •( may V So ;ty ton- atti? i bed wijb- UkU inn mere ineof Id be, Jot the foj t of Saints. y_ J But P4»/ telleth them, this was a need- iest thing $ '« x?'' ictv «x ?T *. They had no need of his guefles and conjectures about it ^ it being no other but a fond curiofity for them, or any other, to enquire after that which neither Man nor Angel was able to fatisfie them in. And truly fo may we look upon thofe enquiries, which trouble many at this day * about the beginning of the thou- [and years reign, and Chrifts fetting up his Kingdome in the world. This is a thing which Chriftians have no need that others (hould write to them about. It is enough ^ fitch a time there (hall be, when Chrift (hall have a glorious fpiritual Kingdome upon earth. For our parts believing it, wait for it. And p ray for waiting for it, pray for it-, ddiring if hafteamg cf it were the will of the Lord, that opr 11 * eyes might be fo happy as to fee the dawning of that day that we might fee the beginning of the accomplilh- mentof thofe blefled Promifes touch- ing the bringing in of the fulnefje of the Gentiles , and calling and converfion of the Reives : Which time when it (hall come, it (hall be a happy and joyous' time to all the people of God * a time' Part 2*. Ifraels Gratu- lation. Jacob and If- racl, properly names of the kfiac perfon. The Churches Salvation of great joy and gladnefl’e. So it fol- loweth , when the Loyd bringeth back the Captivity of his people, Jacob fhall rejoyce, and I (rad fhall be glad. And fo I am fallen upon the laft branch of the Text : Wherein we have the Confequent of this great de- Jiverance,. viz,. Ijracls Cr at ulation. $acob full rejoyce , and ifrael fhall be glad. ‘ Jacob and Ifrael? who are. they ? Why, properly thefe . were two names given to the fame Perfon, the lame jpa- triarch 5 who was called Jacob at his birth, and ifrael afterwards. Each name being fas the names Of the Patriarchs all were; hgnificative. Jacob y z Sup- planter. Such was he to his elder bro- ther F.fatt , whom he held by the heele when he came out of the womb? A piefage and prognoftick of what he jbould do to him afterwards yfup plant him, trip up his heeles • which accord - mgly he did, when by a wildehegoc we birthright from him, and upon that account was called by the name of Ja- * cob : n Soitfd- tdjpi he h& so ive Jiitdf- i Junes wfr ft bis inane mis iSuf- .aW fc i t? , m ' kf ■ i to fi- the Joy of 'Saints'. cob: So you have it, Gen. 2 5. 2 6. ifrael , (not a Beholder of God , as fome of the Ancients expound it, which fenfe alfo the word will bear, butj A pr evatler with God. Such a one was Jacob, who wrefiled with the Angel f the Angel of the Covenant , with God himfelf) and pre- vailed by his flrcngth , having power with God , (as the Prophet ffofea fetteth it forth, Hof 12. 3) 4.) And upon that account was he honoured by God him- felf with "this name of ifrael •, as you may fee it,Gen. 32. 28. Thus did he bear this double name-, the former a name of Infirmity -, the other of preva- lency and Principality. Two Names belonging to the fame perfon : So they are properly. Improperly, they are transferred from the Perfon to his pofie- L .^J” fer ’™ to rity , who are called by the name of the his pofterity. Root from whence they fprung. Thus the Family of Aaron are called by his name, Aaronites, 1 Chron. 12. 27. and 27. 17. and Davids pofterity is called by his name , David , 1 Chron. 4. 31. Even fo the pofterity of Jacob having his name called upon them, they are called Jacoby or Ifrael. M 3 «g*But \66 Jacob and lf- rad why put together. Y^ide l onnum in Com . ad Ycxtum. The Churches Salvation But what do thefe two names here put together , p Jacob and I fra- el, J o ©ns A. Why, here Jerom and fome others, having an eye to the literal fig- n fications of them,they conceive them to point at two different things, diffe- Not im porting *^nt dud conditions of pcrfbns * CfJr one * the Ch “ rch the - 1 °' he „ r , at the Triumphant ■ the one here wrefthng and conflicting upon earth the other reigning and triumphing in hea- ven enjoying that beatifical Vifi on be- hold ing God face to face: But this I look upon as too carious Mae plainly and folidly Amuftine , r ■"«. , iVlt 1 1 general ftream of Exptfitors, Ancieqt md Modern, looVopon faithful. theie woids, when put together as Sy- tsstg. S”“’f ^ ifying one and toe ti quod e/2, ex- " ln & ’ j"’ 01 ” together comprehending "laj. *= "hole CW „/ Gad, the whole So- XhJJi. Community of the faithful, whether Jems or Gentiles-. One the feed ot Jacob, according to the fiefh . the other according to the Spirit. And erefore called fometimes by the name ?, d^oh-Thts is the generation of them . a fee thy face, o Jacob 5 So our Tranflation Bi'% fipnlf^’ng one and the fame things T*t 167 w d font ral fig. e them , diffe- rfons; the 1 here th,tfie ilea* ta- lk! rftm, c upon as Sj‘ : fame aending iolefr aitf, our aiion the foy of Saints. Tranflationreadeth that 6 th . ver. of the 24 tk . Pfalnte , but the original hath ic onely facob : which {landing alone, may fitly be looked upon, as Expofito- ry to the former words, {hewing who they are that feek the face of God, £ even facob~\ the true pofterity of fa- cob, true believers, who are all'o called by the name of ifrael, So was f ether the Father of Amafa ( as it is noted by our Ainfrvorth upon the Text,) though he was by birth an ifhmaelite , as we find it, 1 Chron. 2. 17. yet in regard of his faith and Religion he is called an ifrae- lite. So you have it, 2 Sam. 17. 2 5. Thus all true believers, not onely fern, but Gentiles, are called by this name of Ifrael. As many as walk according to this Rule , (faith the Apollle, meaning the Gofpcl-Rule, the Rule of the new Creature) peace be upon them , and mercy , and upon the Ifrael of God, Gal. 6. 17. under that compellation comprehending the whole companie of true believers, whether fewes or Gentiles. And fo look we upon thefe words here in the Text 5 by facob and ifrael undemanding the whole fociety of true believers^ all Gods faithfull people. M4 ^ The Churches Salvation bcg r iid> P S a f^ And what faith the Pfalraift here *jx-ngtimcto and people of God. As the Apoftlc l ™ cior,h ' 9. fpeakingof t 't LvcrUfting Sabbath which God; People of Go d. ( c • which ooas Saints qiaU keep ln the Heavens, when ’ e y horn all their labours There remainetharefi (faith he) to the -pcoj) e of Cod- y So fay I of Re joy tin? 1 here remaineth a time of Joyto the people of God there is a time a co- ™»«,»Uien they fhall rejoyce and be ° , / 4r b forven for the rirbtcotts, * n . & ' ldne lt c f or the upright in heart , ■ ‘ (faith m fndfoju 0 wore u there- them hvk y joy-, in the 'intjie 1 other toperly i m, trm- Church Apoftle king of h God; s, when bboun, W ' to the % tifr ' wit (ms, hurt, (faith the Joy of Saints. KJ 166 (faith the Plalmift) Pfal. 9j. u. The Light of joy and comfort. This is fowen, referved and laid up for them. And that fo as it (hall in due time come forth. So doth the grain, though it be buried in the earth for a time, yet in its feafon it putteth forth, and that with increafe: So (hall it be with the joy of the righteous*, though for the prefent it appears not, nothing leffe then joy, yet being fowen in the promife, in Gods time it (hall come forth 5 yielding them a plentifull Crop. Though for the prefent they may have a wet feed-time, yet they (hall have a joyful harveft. Sowing in teares , they jhall reap in joy y (as the Pfal mill hath it) j Pfal. 12 6. 5. This Gods people (hall do. And that And that upon not onely in Heaven , where they (hall Eirth * receive the full harveft of their 5%, Joy without any mixture of forrow, an abundant compenfation for all their for- rowes and fufferings upon earth ; but upon earth-. Here is the Captivity of Gods people, and even here there is a rejoycing time referved for them. The Church of God (hall aft her Comedic upon the fame ftage, where (lie hath afted her Tragedy 5 Even here Jacob frail rejoyce lyo the Churches Salvation reject, and lfrad fhall be glad. No:e. But fo fhall not Efau. It is the #e- “;f„ touch upon it, Be Efau mad, joydng for ftullAy tlCC u€ ^oJlctlS Her € is flO wicked men. mention of Efau, nor of his fofierhjy but onely of facob and I frael. There is a time of rejoycing referved for Gods people, not fo for others. ExprefTe to this purpofe is that of theProphet//^, E. 65 . 13' ! 4) *5- therefore thus faith ^ Xdr rGods •e/ft to t ffiM, is fifth 5 Of Ill's m»od- tit, hut fawu ; kblli , ■Jam aim tj lr fcve- iexpref- theit iy of iW into the (foy of ^Saints. 171 into forrow, their mine into water *, The one (hall frejoyce and be glad, whileft the other weep and ivail. Both theie we find pronounced by our blefled Sa- viour, Luke 6. BleJJed are ye that now weep, for y efhall laugh , ver. 2 1 . But, ivoe unto you that laugh now, for ye (hall mourn and weep, vc r. 25. So (hall all wicked men do, fuch as live at eafe, and in plea- fure here, giving themfelves over to fenfuality, and voluptuoufnefie , they (hall mourn and weep. They (hall do fo hereafter, when they (hall be cart in- to that bottomlefle pit, where there is nothing but weeping and wailing and gnafhing of teeth. And it may be, they maydofo here, meeting with a hell upon earth: when being ftript of all creature comforts, and having no inte- reft in the Creatour, they (hall be left in a moft difconfolate condition. This is that which all wicked men may, and fooner or later muft expeft and look f°r A mourning And that in fpecial the Enemies of the time a coming Church fach as are ready to laugh at the Churches Captivity: So did the mites, They looked on the day of their brother , in the day that he became a flran- S er » the Churches Salvation ger,and they rejoyced over the children of 1 fudah in the day of their deftruclion \ 1 [peaking proudly in the day of their di- pt ffe. So the Prophet obadiah char- geth it upon them. obad. 12. That was their laughing time; but there was a mourning time referved for them. When the Lord turned hack the captivity of his people, he would then meet with them*, lo it there followeth in the laft verie of that Chapter, AndSaviours [hall come upon Mount Sion to judge the Mount of Efau, ver. 21. God would raife up In- ilruments, as to lave and deliver his Church , fo to take vengeance upon their 1 Enemies ; among which the Edomites weie chief. Which Prophecy (fay i iome) was fulfilled in the time of the Maccabees who fubdued the idti' means, 1 Maccab. 5. 3. Thus was God even with them for what they did againft his people, their Brethren. So he foretold that he would be alfo by his Prophet Ezekiel, chap. 2 5 .ver. 12, 13. Thus faith the Lord God \ Becatife that Edom hath dealt againft the houfe of fu- dah by taking vengeance, and hath great- ly offended, and revenged himfelf upon them, therefore thus faith the Lord Cod, I mil the foy of Saints. T •will (Iretch out my hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beafi from it, and l will make it defolate , &c. Thus will God deal with the Enemies of his Church * requiting into their bofomes all the wrongs and injuries which they have done unto his people. The Lord Cod of recommences fhallfurely requite , (faith the Prophet fercmy, fpeaking of Gods taking vengeance upon Babylon for Ifraels fake) fer. 51. 56. So as there is a time of mourning, weeing and wailing referved tor them; when as tfacobfball rejoyce^and Ifrael (ball be glad. Applic. Othat all of us then might Applic. be found in this number / True faco- See that we be bites, lfraelites indeed - y (as our Saviour c " c u ‘ acllte5 - faith of Nathaniel , Joh. 1. 47. Behold an ifraelite indeed, \\Mha>s ’\a atjjrvf: notonely in name and profeflion, but in truth. So were all that had the name of ifrael called upon them. They are not all ifrael , which are of Ifrael , (faith the Apoftle) Rom. 9* 6. Not all that defeended out of the loynes of ffacob, and fo were of ifraef were the true ifrael of God ; Onely thofe who were of the faith of facob , imitating and refembling him. Such and oaely fuch *74 The Churches Salvation fuch our Saviour looked upon as the Children of Abraham, (To he tells the Jews, Jeh. 8. 39 .\ fuch as did the works of Abraham. And fuch are the true genuine children of Jacob, true if- raelites , fuch as imitate Jacob in his faith and obedience. AndO that eve- ry of us may be found in this number- Such as net onely make an outward 5 profeffionof the true Religion of God bearing the names of Chrifiians s and of the ftri&er fort of them ,Protefiams- but that we may be fuch in truth, the feed of Jacob according to the (pirit : And fo the people of God, not onely at large (as 1 all within the pale of the Church arej but in regard of a ftritfer relation •, Such as have taken the true God to be our did Jacob, who by a folemn Vow bound himfelf thereunto, as we- may fee it, Gen. 28 . 21 . And fo do we- In imitation of him let all of us who nave the Name of (Wand of chrifi cal- led upon us, let us take God to be ourGod. , and Jefus chrifi to be our Saviour and iW,ingaging our feJves as to believe 1 on him for life and falvation, fo to be guided and governed by him. So do- ing, now take we this Prtviledge to our t felvesj 'min upon at! kalii } ® 'il Ik ich ffitiu ■ob in t that at ; nmbc. outward of God, ■, ancfot Mi- but \kfieJ •' haifc t large (a ichiv), Of}^ Such ) be on: 2 folem o,aswt; bdowi; fiisiifo Clinfd- kti/dd, ;m'd )beHffC / Unix So do- tod Mrs; the $oy of Saints . l 7 S felves •, We are in the number of the Children of facob true ifraelites. And being fucn,fee here what we may expert and look for. What ever our condition be for the prefent, God hath referved a rejoycing time for us, as for all his peo- ple. f-acob fhall rejoyce , and jfraeJ JhaH be glad. But when fhall this be ? A. Why, when the Lord bringeth back the Captivi- ty of his people. So then, Whilefi the Lords people are t °hf. under Captivity , this is no rejoycing time for facob and ifrael * no rejoycing time people while for the people of God, buc a time of th * church is mourning : So it was to the fetvs y du- tr Cat * m ' ring their Babylonian Captivity •, then they hung their harpes upon the vvil- lowes, as you have it, Pjal. 137 . 1 . By the rivers of Babylon, there we fatedmn^ (as men opprefled with grief, little af- terted or taken with the pleafantnefle of the land wherein they were) Tea , we wept when we remembred Sion (the ftate and Condition of the Church of God with the precious liberties and Ordinances which once they enjoyed in their own land), we hanged our harpes upon the willowes in the midfi thereof \ (laying The Churches Salvation (laying afide all their mirth). So fadly were they affe&ed with the deplorable eftateofthe Church, as that what ever delights or contentments they met with in that fruitful and pleafanc land, they were as nothing unto them. And this did not onely the meaner fort of people, who happily might feel more hardfhip there then others, but even the chief of them • Yea, thofe who had met with preferments there. That was Nehemi- *h$ cafe, who was there advanced to a place of honour and truft, to be the Kings Cup-hearer , and fo wanted not what contentments • the Court could afford yet when he remembred how it was with 5 terufalem, his heart was fo fadded therewith, as that the King could read it in his face. Why is thy countenance fad, feeing thou art notfick? (faith h t) this is nothing elfe but forrow of heart ^ So the King putteth the queftion to him, Neh. 2 . 2 . To which he prefently returnes this anfwer, why fhould not my countenance be fad , when the City , the place of my Fathers Sepulchres < lyeth wiijle , and the gates thereof are con- fumed with fire ? ver. 3 . Thus was he affe&ed with the fad arid defolate Hate , of turn ). So ity what at 'met it j thff Aadtk t people, b nip chiefot et with 'tikm- :ed to a sbe the mdtfit tirr coiii it was lo he King Vkf f$ llj t netful! yjirm f mi«s he fee to; cf the foy of Saints. V” 177 of fferufalem, that he could not any lon- ger diflemble his grief, as before-times he had done. Thus were they aifeded with a forreign Captivity. And thus was David affected with a David deep} dowftical^ a home-bred Captivity: when hefawwhat havock was made both in- Captivity of the Church and State of T/rae/ during the ^ ruel * Tyranny of King Saul 3 how the people were eaten up like bread by merciletle Oppreflors : And how (amongft other things) the Priejls of the Lord were ufed $ whofe blood was fpilc without any regard had to their facred function-, nolefle then eighty five perfons of them being facrificed at once to the fury of a latvleffe Tyrant ^by the hand of a defperate Doegi Yea, a whole City of theirs, the City of i\to£,expoled to a cruel Maj[acre> men, women and children all put to the fword, without any relpeft either to fexorage* and that without any juft caufe, or the leaft demerit of theirs (as you may read it, 1 Sam. 23. 18, 19), Such ill will did Saul, and his party bear to the Minifters of God,that they were ready to take any occafion to fall foul upon them, leeking their utter ruine and extirpation. So it was by Saul de- N fit 175 ' — ^ The Churches Salvation figned, who upon a pretended Confpr- racy with David, and for a fuppofed fiding with him in relievingof him,gi- veth fentence againft Ahtmelech the High Prieft, that he Jhouldfrtrely dye^and See New An- bis fathers houfe. Which fentence not. Engiirh, was by his officers to the uttermoft of mi Sam. their power executed 5 info much that there was at that time (as tfofephus re- ports it) no leffe then 385 perfons be- longing to that family put to the (word. Now David beholding of this, he could not but look upon that as a fad time 5 wherein there was no room left for re- joycing for himfelf, or any of the peo- ple of God. No •, when the Lord fhonld bring back the Captivity of his people ,(f ree them from that Tyranny) then facob fhould rejoyce , and ifrael (hould be glad. In the mean time, it was a mourning time for him and them. And fo fhould the time of the Churches fuffering be unto all the people of God, to all that ne 3 a time, fly away, . . .. what /hall their "cjiwbg " re C ^ en °f them , who make this umc. their re jbycing time f So did fbme, and Vft 1 • reel ot it, or hear of it, a lad tit Reprdicnt. to wherein mirth and joy fhould wake the° 35 being then out of feafon. Churches sipplic. And fhould it fo ? the foy of Saints . many in the Prophet Amos his time, of whom he complaineth, Am.6. that they ate the Lambs out of the flock, &c. v. 4. and they chaunted to the found of the viol, ( not hanging their Inftrumenti upon the willowes, or by the walls, but playing upon them, and linging to them,) and drinking wine in bowlcs, v. ( eurowfing by meafure without mea- furej and anointing themfelves with the chief oyntments , v. 6. ( fo giving them- felves by all means to delight and pleafe all their fenfes). But in the mean time, they were mt grieved for the Affliction of f ofeph, not at all afte&ed with the cala- mities of the Church. So long as it went well with them in their own per- fonal refpe&s, What cared they for the publick : how it went with . other of their brethren, or with the Church of Gbd : < A hainousand inexpiable wick- ednefle. So the Prophet ifaiah tells the ^*jw,Ifai.22. 12,13. that day (fpeak- ing of the time when the Judgments of Gbd were abroad in the Land, in part executed upon their Brethren, the ten T ribes, who were already carried away Captive by Salmanaffer into Ajjyria&nd the like Judgment alfo threatned againft N 1 — i8o The Churches Salvation themfelves by Sennacherib , who was then coming againft them 5 of bdth which you may read , 2 King. 1 8. 1 1,1 3.) Jn that day (faith he)' did the Lord Cod of hoafls call to. weeping and mourning,ahd to baldnejje,and girding with fackclotk (this he expefted from them as fuitable to the times wherein they lived, but it wls clean other wife,) And behold , joy^and gladneffe, (laying of oxen, and killing of jheep , teafting and making merry. Thus were they not at all affefted with the publick Calamities of the times. Now what faith the Lord to . all this < That you have in the verfe following, ver.13. And it was rtndred in mine e ares by the Lord of hoafls • Surely this inicftatyfhall not be purged from you fid yon die, 'faith the Lord God of Hoafls. A dreadful doom. The vengeance of God lhould purfue them to their dying day, if not to eter- nity. n h Application tcf O that the like guilt may never cleave |*5 r refeiir to any of our fpirits ! It cannot, I fup- pofe it will not, be denyed, bat that the times of late have been calamitous times in this and the neighbour Nations , wherein the people of God, many of themjhave feen and fuffered hard things. Though * >vbo ms ofbdth -n, \].) t.Gflif y/M'o (this ble to itwtis r|W htf Thus th the ^ow 'M tlirj I# lldoOffi mvt isdR ot,lif : tbit it SU0 h ny d rhoasb the foy of Saints. Though we have not been given over to aforreign, yet we have been under a domeftical Captivity * And what our condition at the preient is, and what {'unleffe God in mercy ftep in by a ti- mous prevention) it is like to be, I leave it -to thofe who are wife-hearted to judge. Sure we are,what ever it is with the State, it is fad enough with the Church . How is the hedge of the Lords vineyard amongft us broken down, lo as though the nilde hoar hath not yec broke in to root up the vines, yet how is it (to ufe the Pfalmifts words in a fenfe fomewhat different from his, Pfal. 63.10.) how is it made a portion for Foxes for the great foxes, and the little foxes which (poyl this vine , plucking off the grapes thereof, (as the Church com- plains, Cant. 2.15.) fubtle Seducers ,both Romifh and others, no lefle, but ( if I may make comparifons)far more dange- rous then they, Hereticks , and Seffartes, fuchas without difpute defervc thofe brands of juft ignominy. How doth the Lords vineyard , the Church of God lye open to the continual incurfion of thele? and all through the want of a hedge, the want ofChurch-Difcipline. Surely this N 3 in 181 Jfad caufe cf mourning for pot mourning in it felf is a Lamentation^ and it Jhall be for a Lamentation. But whether it hath been fo to us, or no, there is the Queftion. How have • we been affetfted in the midft of thefe times ? Hath this been a mourning time to as? Herein the good Lord be merciful to us, and to the generality of his people in this Nation, (wherein I de- fire to judge my felf as well as others). Alas, how few mourners in this our Sion? Mourners (I mean) upon the publick account t upon the private, ma- ny 5 but upon the publick fcore how few ? Generally how is it clean contra- ry < Let our eyes and ears be witnefles. \\ as there ever more pride and vanity in apparel? More vain expence, and foolifh affeftation of uncouth and un- feemly falhions $ and that (I would not difclofe it, were it fothatl could hide it) even among thole who pretend to the higheft form of Godlinefle ? and amongft others, more prodigality, luxu- ry, wantonnefie, fenfuality ? Plain evi- dences that the publick Calamities of the times are little laid to heart, as they pught to be. Now the good Lord grant, that among other of Englands iniqui- ties. fOK,0f nv hat f riiefe >urnuig . ord he % of ilde- hers), lisour m the r\s» i contra- kfe. 'vanity c, and md on- mldnot aid hid; etendw ft'jd iy,ta* laioevi- mot vthq grant, nif- ties, the foy of Saints vT 183 ties, (which are many), this may never be charged upon the head of it. Ufe 2. For our felves then, taking no- vfe 2. tice how unfeafonable Joy is at fuch Chriftians to times, referve we ours for better. So j 0 ”fo r b *X will David do. When the Lord fhali times* have turned back the Captivity of his people, then will he, among other true Israelites , rejoyce and be glad. But till then he will be reckoned among the Mourners . And be we herein like affect- ed with him : Referving (as I fay) Joy and Gladnefle for better times, if ever God (hall give us to fee them. Not but that the Lords people both How Chrifti- may & ought to rejoyce in the Lord at all times. So the Apoftle not onely allowes, j oyC c acVu but requires them to do •, Rejoyce ever- times . more^ 1 Theft. 5. 16. Rejoyce in the Lord alrvaies, and again, I [ay, rejoyce , Phil. 4. 4. Yea, even in the faadeft times of pri' vate, or publick calam'ty, they may and ought to mix and feafon their for- rovves with a tinfture of fpiritual Joy. Yea, and they may and ought to rejoyce o»ioy uukii in hope (as the fame Apoftle exhorts, Rom. 12. 12.)*, In hope of mercy from XX' * the Lord, hope of better times to come. But in the mean time, for the prefent, N 4 as i8 4 The Churches Salvation SZtpT hints it upon the Text; Joy fuii iccntiim ^nd Gladneile are to be fafpended • the mSs. w?® 005 : thcieof to bc «r«- dtf ra:, &c. Y ,, 01 gtadlome times, viz. when it Calvin. Cera, mall go well with the Church of God m 0C< when thc Lordjhall bring buck the Capti- vity of his people, then Jacob (hall re- joyce and jfraelfhalf be glad, obferv. Which giveth me the hint of a third The churches Observation, concerning the time when Be yon glad, and rejoyce for ever in that which 1 create. For behold , I create feru~ f ale at a rejoycing, and her people a joy 5 I am reftoring my Church to fo glorious a condition, as will minifter abundant matter of joy unto all that wifli well unto it. Such a joyous time (hall that be, when God Ihall thus bring back the Captivity of his people. Then (hall the Church have a conftant time of rejoy- cing, without the intermixture of fuch fufferings as formerly it hath been fub- jetted to. Then the voice of weeping jhaU be no more heard nor the void of crying, (fo the Prophet goeth on, v.19.) Such ihall be the ftate of this new $e- rufalem Which the Spirit of God un- der the New T ejlament, not without an eye unto that Prophecie, deferibeth af- ter the fame manner, making ufe of; di- vers of the fame expreffions, Rev.zv.i . And if aw {faith S.fohn) a new Heaven , and a new Earth ], a new ftate of the Church, much changed from what it was (as before I (hewed that Text may without any inconveniency, and moft fuitably to the Context, be expoun- ded). And in this new world (faith he) there was no more Sea no more troubles The Churches Salvatiori and difquietments, as formerly. Such a quiet, and fettled ftate (hall the Church enjoy, when the Be a ft and the Dr Agon, all her confiderable Enemies, both open and fecret, (hall be deftroyed. And not onely a quiet and peaceable, but a joyous ftate. So the fourth verfe there deferi- beth it, And God frail wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there frallbe no more death, neither forrow, nor crying’, neither ftall there he any more pain for the former things are pa(fed away Such (hall the ftate of the Church then be, when Gog and Magog, Turk a nd Pope, and other Enemies of it (hall be deftroyed, it (hall then be freed from tho(e perfections, which before lay fo heavy upon it 5 and from other calamities which made the condition of it before very difconfolate, and (hall be fettled in a happy eftate, enjoying abundance both of fpiritual and temporal Comforts. Thus, when the Lord frail thus bring hack the Capti- vity of his people, freeing his Church from Mahumetan and Antichriftian ty- ranny, under which it long hath, and yet in a great meafure doth ftill lye. Then frail facob rejoyce , and Ifrael (hall a ^ iac .^all be a joyous time to all Gods people, I $ri eCkrcli % bid not 3 jtjm defcri- iimn Hither mer I the and ie the folate, ttate, Ipuul tijUto ktfti- iai the foy of Saints. vT IPX neto And fuch then much more fhall that Th « time of time be, when God (hall work a full and led^Mi- perfetf Redemption for all his people, on aVtheiaft that Redemption whereof all the afore- d . a y> a j?y ous faid Redemptions and deliverances were urac 10 * cni * but Types. When he (hall free them from the Captivity of the Grave, under which their Bodies (hull be held, till that great day offubike, the day of the general Refurrcction ; and withafl free them for ever from all moleftations of Sin , and Satan , and the Inftruments of Satan, br inging them into that glorious liberty of the Sons of God fas the Apoftle calleththe Rate of the biefled in hea- ven, Rom . 8 . 21). That fhallbeto fay cob and Ifrae l , to all Gods Saints, a joy- full time indeed, a time of Rejoycptg, As it (hall be to all wicked men a time To wicked of m,{i^ yMnttf. So fttA ci*™ Savioqr fy' the children oj the Kin? dome (meaning thereby the Apoflate ferns, who were indeed fprung f rom the Royal flock, defeended tromfrbofe Parents to whom the Kingdom belonged (both the earthly and heavenly Canaan ), being the feed of Abraham according to the flejh , but through their Apoftafie and de- tection from the faith of Abraham , had made The Churches Salvation made forfeiture of that priviledge), The children of the Kingdom: (faith he) fhall be cajl out into utter darknejfe- , (continu- ing in that their infidelity, they fhall be caft into the prifon of H ell) there jhall he weeping and gnajhing of teeth : weep- ing for their own nailery, and gn&fliing of teeth with indignation and envy at the felicity and glory of thofe whom once they defpifed, when they fliall fee them let in to the Marriage Chamber, whileft themfelves are (hut out •, being in a place and ftate oppofite and con- trary to theirs ; A Palace, a place of light, a ftate of foy $ Enter thou into the f oy of thy Lord, (hall the Lord Chrift then fay to all his faithful fervants, (Matth. 25. if) who having been here faithfull in a little , (hall then be made Rulers over much ; and having here done and differed for Chrift, fliall' hereafter reign with him, partaking with him in his that Joy which hiinfelf is en- tred into •, even that celeftial joy, where there (lull never be any the lead intermixture of forrow. When God Rial! have thus brought back the Captivi- ty of his people , (brought them into this glorious and perfeft liberty) then fhall ■ M to (comisni- yMk imjhi ' weep- nsfl]in» my at whom hall fee imber, i being aiton- pkeoi Miilx IChrill rats, ratete le made are done weaker thhimin lek'isffl- ffialff, rheleii lenGftl Of* jurothis b M the foy of Saints. m facob re Joyce , and ifrael (hall be glad. Applic. That which now remains is Application, wherein I ihall be as brief as I may, that fo I may difmifle you and the Text , which I confefle hath been longer upon my hand then I intended when I firft took it up. life i. In the firft place, let this ferve Ufe i as a fpur unto all Gods people, to put The .-hutches them on in defiring and feeking this ,cftaur “ ion mercy at jhe hands of God in the behalf “ITt'J bi of his Church.Of luch ufe it was to Da- y« rejoyce we in the and aiturancc tliought and appreheofion of it, lifting of that tune. U p our heads in a joyous expectation, and aflui ance of it, that it fhall come. This is that which the Lord requireth • his people to do in that place forecited, Jfai. 65. x 7, 1 8. where foretelling what he would do for his Church in the lat- ter dayes, how he, would feta new face upon > ■lUs (r m 5 t he lesir. iceivc iCon- biirchf dbefo beoffis m tbe *«* if face upon. IP7 fee, 6) ithooi' )f one (faith the foy of Saints, upon it, alter the ftate of it for the better, he infers> But he you glad and re- joyce for ever in that tvhtch / create. Which words are raoft properly looked upon as the fpeech of God himfelf, cal- ling upon his people to rejoyca in the good intended by hitn towards his Church in the reftitution and renova- tion of it. And in this let all Gods peo- ple rejoyce. However the Church may be for a time under Captivity , in a fad and fullering ftate, which is juft matter of mourning to all her children and friends *, yet the time will come when the Lord will bring back that Captivity , working a Iplefted and a glorious change for it •, Now in the alfuied hopes there- of, let all that wait for the falvadon of jfrael rejoyce and be glad. And much more then in the expeda- Much more ; n tion ot that lull and perfed Redemption tll£ - 1lklrtJ which them tel ves , and the whole fuiianT per-* Church of God (ball be made partakers fed Rcdc mpc;. of at that laft and great day * the day of Redemption. This, is that which our of chrift. Saviour faith to his Di fa pies, Luk. 21. 2 8. where foretelling the fignes of the laft judgment, Andrvhen thefe things Jhall c.Qme to p$e (faith hej then look up, , O 3 and s — ' The Churches Salvation and lift up your he ads for your Redemption drawethnigh. Their Eternal Redemp- tion, a perfect deliverance from all nn and forrow. This (hould then be at ^ hand *, and therefore he willeth thofe f who flietold be then alive, that they would then look up, viz. with joyous expedation, and lift up their heads. Exhilarate cor da , (faith Gregorie) chear up your hearts, and lift up your minds unto your heavenly Countrey, rejoycing in the approach of your full and perfed Redemption and falvation. And this let all Gods people at all times do. Even in their faddeft conditions, yet let them K look up, look up to that joy that is prepared for them. So did our blefled Saviour in all his Agonies , of whom the Apoftle tells us, that For the foy that was fet before him , he indtired the CroJJe , and defpijed the fhame,&c. And the like let all his followers do •, In the midft of all their fufferings for him , or in what ever other tryals they are exerci- fed with,let them by faith look through all thefe clouds , and behold the foy that is fet before them, that Glory and happinefle which is prepared for them. And looking up thereunto, let them i rejoyce , I fy«r WTO. lira i be it ' thoit I : they oyous hauls, char ninds feing erteft dthis i,lra thitis Wed raitte ij tint :C 4 , foslil® kimI 1, orii tow* the# lon-ffll ifrfieffl* j the® rejoyce the $oy of Saints, rejoyce in the hope of it (as the Apoftle exhorts in that place forenamed), Rom. 12.12. Rejoicing in Hope * and fo being (as it there followeth ) upon that ground Patient m tribulation. Being comfortably allured, that though weeping may endure for a night , (during this night of Affli- ction hereof foy jhall come in the morn- ing (the morning of the Refurreftion). Then, When the Lord Jha/l fo bring back the Captivity of his people, (freeing them from the power of the grave, and bring- ing them into that glorious Liberty of his Sons) then Jha/l facob rejoyce , and ifrael Jha/l be glad. Then (hall everlajf- tnr foy be upon the heads of all true Israelites ^ Wherein the good Lord of his infinite mercy grant that all of us who now hear of it, may then bear a part in it •, and that for his fake who hath purchafed and prepared it for all thofe that love him, the Lordfefus , to whom with the Father and Spirit be Praile, Honour and Glory now and forever. Amen. 1 99 FINIS. lief t(pef eta. THE Spiritual] Vertigo: OR TVRffJJfCf SICKWESSE OF SouI-Un/ettledncfle IN Matters of Religious Concernment. The Nature of it opened, the Caufes afllgned the Danger difeovered, and Remedy preferred. 5 As it was lately delivered to the Church of CocUt Great TAR MO VTH SjrJOHN BRINSLEY, Minifter of the Gofpel there. And now prefented unto a Publick View, as a needful Anti- dote agaiaft the lnfcaion of thofc divers anj (1 range Dtfhincs wherewith in tUcfe unfcttlcd 1 imes many (pofl'ibly wcll-meanin^ but) unwary and unftable foulcs arc carried about, to the gieat difquittraent of the Church, die dirtionour and prejudice of Cods tine Religion, the hazarding of othcis, and eminent indangering of their own Saules ° b Jam. 1.8. ’Av>)p v^Joc. Eph. 4 . 1 4. That we hence forth he no move children, tofrd to and fro&ci Rom 1 6.ij. Now I be fetch you, Brethren , tntrh them which canto z>j- vifions And Offences, &c. London, Primed for Tbo. timber, j, and arc to be fold at his Shop ~ . in Corn-hill near the RoyaJ Exchange, 165$ ” 535- TO All the Fixed S t a r $ in Englands Horizon, Whether Minifters or others, who id thefe loofe and unfettled times, do yet (through Grace) remain ftable as to matters of Religious concern- cernment. Specially thofe in the Town of Great YARMOUTH. ( Highly 3 and defervedly honoured in the Lord,) IOh fee what Matters they are I have here to deal with% Not Civill, hut Religious; The former of thefe 1 leave, to the wife Providence of that Moft High, who ruleth in the King- dome of men, and giveth it to whom- foever he will, Dan. 4. 17. The latter 1 look upon as properly within the Sphere, cf my f acred funHion. And being fo , / . Ja 2 hihfe The Epiftle Dedicatory. have taken oceafion to deal therewith ac- cording to the exigence of the prcfent Times: which being t hem fe Ives unfta- ble, are apt to render thofe that live in them like unto themfelves , as the Ship doth the Paflengers that are imbarked in it. Hence is it that vertiginous diftem- pers {as to a fccondary caufe of them,) arc grown fo Epidemical in this our Climate at this day that in this our Heaven ( fo the Church is frequently f iled in the Book of Revelations ) there fhould be fo many Planets, wandring Stars {it is St. Jude’s word , Jude 13.) to be feen in eve- ry quarter of it * fo many every where carried about with divers and ftrange do&rines, to the no [mall difquietment of the Church, the high dijhonour , and great prejudice of Gods true Religion, with the eminent indangering of their own foules. That you are not in this number , this you oive to that Grace, by which the Heart of man is eftablillicd. And that you may not be fo , is my defign in this Treat ife : where- in I have , according to my weak skilly done {or at leaf endeavoured to do ) what becomcth a i'piritual Phyfician, Opened the Nature, aligned the Caufes, difeo- vcreJthe Danger of, and preferibeda Remedy V" I The Epiftle Dedicatory. ^ Remedy proper and Soveraign for, this Malady. And thefe my good Intentions I do here prefent to a public k 'view • defi- rtng (what I do net wholly deft air of ) that they may he in fome degree ufeful and fuc- cejsfull , if not for the reclaiming ofthofe who are already turned afide from the way of truth , yet for the preventing of the like deviations in others. Which that they may be , let them not want the additional Ingre- dient of your Prayers : For which 1 Jbatl reft Yours obliged toferve you in the Gofpel Yarmouth , of Jefus Chrift, March 19. 16 54 * * n«6 tfipua. THE Spiricuall Vertigo* or TURNING SlCKNESSE OF SOVL-V 7i,SETTLEDNESSE IN Matters of Religious concernment. . -V . of ap- And hrs of ' iks i>f rk, as lets it m- ftiJW i . eoi^aod d, In fophet 17.)^ ( til tie 1 Ward I mint. immon- Eplj ; ide this I ieA . ip itoi ,i$ a m of Soul-unfettlcdneffe. Kent ember (faith he) that by the (face of three years I ceafed not to warn every one night and da y with teares. And writing to his Colofiiansfcvz inculcates the fame, telling them how this was one thing which he ever had an eye at in his prea- ching of Chrift •, Whom we preach, (faith he ) warning every man , Col. 1.28. And this is the dejign which my felf have upon you at theprefent. God having by his Providence and Occafion ef Ordinance fet me as a Watchman in u P thit this place, my defire is to approve my 1 ' xc ' felf faithful in difcharging that truft committed unto me, by giving a fea- lonable warning unto you of that which may indanger your foules. I prefume there are few, or none of you, but take notice of a flood of dangerous and foul-deftroying errors , which in thefe unfettled times have broke in upon the Church of God in this Nation. Some of which have already entred in at thefe gates ^ and others in all likelihood are treading upon their heeles, ready every day to follow them. Now upon this account it is, that I have fingled forth this portion of Scripture, wherein the Apoftle giveth the like Caveat to his Hebrcwes j Hebrews, that I intend to you ; fore- warning them of the like danger, wil- ling them to beware of it* [Be not carried about with divers and firange jCatitu doctrines-, 3 Then feconding and back- * tReafon. * n § t ^ iat Caution, that Admonition with ' a Reafon of it , wherein alfo he com- prehends an Antidote, or Remedy againft it. [For it is a good thing that the heart be ejlablijhed with Grace. J Thefe are the Parts of the Text, which by Gods affiftance I (hall handle diftindtly ■, be- ginning with the firft the Precaution or Admonition fdrfi. Be not canted about with divers and Caution. 1 0n '° l firange Do£trines.~] Wherein (for the better handling of the words) we may take notice of two things •, The Affect, or Malady, and the ’Ground os Caufe of <■ M=la- it. The Affetf or Malady, a fptritual to chc ■ cll fc Vertt Z°-> or Giddinejfe, [Be not carried C about 3. The Ground or Caufe of it, C Divers and ftrange Doctrines 3. T ouch ive upon thefe feverally by way of Ex- plication •, beginning with the Affect ox , Malady it felf. The Valady. Be not carried about~\. M» tnfifipt&t, Hem. the Original)* which fome Ma- «3.adioc. nu Scripts (as both Be sea and Gr otitis take ■ -fore- 's Wi- ll Ml /% 'W. with com- »ainft ktrt : are jods ibe* llKS, iti- fiSor #6*1 ■Ma* 'ttm tali "• of Sottl-unfettlednefe. S take notice of it) 'read, Be not carried away. So the vulgar Latine (therein following the Syriack ) renders it, Nolite abduct, Be not led, or carried away : Or be not tranjported be- yond the truth, and your felves. Or Ke infanite (as Grotius expounds it). Do not dote , be not frantick and mad. So he obferves the word to be ufed by the Seventy , i Sam. 21. 13. where it ntj&tpin 1 * is faid of David , that he feigned him-\*\ W t,v felf mad diftrafted, frantick. A fenfe which will very fitly fuit with the Apoftles meaning in the Text. Mw tip Be not dif raffed, made frantick and mad with divers and ftrange do- ctrines. So it is With fome Err OUrS , fome Amadneffcto Herefies -, It is even a Madnefe to em- “g^ ron,e brace them. As it was in the doting Prophet Balaam, who would ftill go on in his way, in attempting to curfe the people of God, though exprefly con- trary to the mind of God, untill fuch time as the brute and dumb creature reproved and convinced him , this was in him no other but Madnejje. So the Apoftle St. Peter exprefly termeth it, 2 Pet. 2. 1 6. The dumb Jjje (faith he) /peaking (> The Turning Sickneff'c [peaking with mam voice , forbade the madneffe of the Prophet. Even fofareth it with many Hereticks , as of former ages, fo in theprefent times, who have broached and maintained divers Opini- ons and Doctrines fo dearly and ex- prefly contrary to the revealed will of God in the Scriptures, as that it can be accounted no other then Madneffe in them : A plain evidence that they have been, and are be fide s themfelves. This was that which Fejlus thought and faid of Paul , when he heard him preaching oh fuch ftrange dottrine , fuch as he had never heard of before. He cryed out , Pa.%1 thou art befides thy fe/f , Ad. 2 6 . 24. And truly, what he fpake ignorantly and falfely, we may lay it knowingly and juftly of (ome He- reticks in this and former Ages ; when we hear of their ftrange, monftrous, and unheard ofDodrines, foexprefsly contrary to the word of truth, we may without any breach of Charity con- clude they are befides themfelves, they m m y is oppofed to TTiZJifaicfruLy Eflablijbment to Unfettlement. So reading the word, come we in the Senfe of the next place to enquire concerning the J c ° rd cx P oun ' fenfe and meaning of it. Be not carried about ]. A Merapho- a Metaphor rical expreflion, very fitly fetting forth |«chcd from the nature of this Malady , the unfet* iivt ' s ca H ledneffe of fome Chriftians,who heark- ning to divers and ft range doctrines, are carried to and fro, and carried about. The Metaphor I find derived and fetched from divers heads. Pareus writing upon the Text,giveth me the choice of two. 1. It 50 The Turning Sicknejfe i. t. It maybe taken from a Wheel, 'T hich is “™ ed round > “<• carriecf oip i&u Meu. about ; which it is either by its own phwam habet motion, or by the hand that moveth coiuimiolnotu “• A Hvdjr Embleme otlnconftancjM ckcuma&a , llnjettlednejje. David imprecating the &TmL t i™P hcable Enemies of God and his commutat, cc Churchy maketh ufe of this expreffion ; nanquam con- 0 my God , make them like a wheel , Pfal. ftipuiis qua* 1 ^ • } 3 - A wheel being fet upon a de- ventus hinc clivity, the fide of a hill, it is reftleffe verfai" SS? never Iea , vin g rolling and turning till it in Text. come to the Bottom. And fuch a con- r^J here wi ? eth ‘° of inc«nftan- ^ ls 3 an a Gods enemies 5 that they might c y. have no reft or peace ; but as they were inlb uments of dilquiet to others , (b they might have no quiet themfclves; but that being fet in flipper) places , they might be cap down to deflruftion (as elfe- where he lpeaketh , pfal. 73. 1 8.), ftill roiling downwards , till they came to their own place, the bottom of Hell. And truly fach is the condition of fomc poor unftable foules 5 who are ready to follow every new doftrine, and way; they are like a wheel , which turneth SffV • 7f (which is the proper fignifiSS t«c. cx Hen- of the word in the Text): So do they with \ H i onied tscini io?ei ^aod igtlie d his lion; m i de* left, attic mu- tt ■ ytrere is,fo cites-, iselfe- imeto rfHdl, offome ady» Imjfi > tad iadoii uhey ffi^ of Sbul-unfettledneffe. H with the times and places wherein they live. Being now of this mind, then of that. Up *nd down. Even as the wheel} which turning round hath now this fpoke uppermoft, then another, and thenanother,untill at length that which was uppermoft cometh to beloweft. Even fo is it with them in matter of Opinion and practice. Up and down . Now crying up this dottrine , or this way, as the truth and way of God: And foot* after decrying, renouncing, declaiming, trampling upon it. Now joyning in fellowlhip and Communion with this Society, foon after, without any juft caufe, falling off from that to another, and from that to a third ; and fo going on till it may be not knowing whither further to go, either they come round again, re-imbracing their jirfi love ) or die (as the fad experience of thepre- fent times tells us) they come to tram- ple all Rdigion under their feet. And fuch wheeles how many in this Thi woril kind Nation at this day. ? unftableChnftians, w1kc1 “ ’ Amongft whomiomc there are,yvhom Apoftate*. I look upon as the worft kind of them) who inftead of fewing the Lord , ferme the times (and that in a far other ienie Bb therf « t 11 Ec -bolus infa- mous for turn- ing with the 1 lines. E'Cbo & Sophi fta ad motes lmpcratoium mutabat Rd, gionem. A1 t au Text. ProQrati s :r\X Templum dice- bat, Calcate\mt ft tm ttfjipidum. Arct. ibid, vide bocrattsHiftor. fcce). The T timing Sickneffe then ever the Apoftle meant it, if we (hould read that Text, as fome Copies do, Rom. 12. n. which for k v tier c/ Soul-Unfettledneffea I their Profeflion, bidding them to tread and trample upon him, Calcate me infi- pidu/n falem, Tread upon me unfavoury fait, worthlefle creature, good for no- thing. Such was he in his own appre- hen fion. And (truly) this is that which fuch Weather-cocks, fuch Time-fer- vers. fuch Turn-coats muft look for. However for the prefent they may this politick pradice of theirs in chan- ging their coat fave their skin , efcape fome fufferings, and gain fome tempo- ral advantages, yet in the end they will come to be juftly accounted and looked upon as unfavoury fait , neither owned by God, nor his people. Which let ic make all you that hear it afraid of it.. Take heed that ye be not thus carried about , turned about as tvheeles. This isafirfthead from whence this Meta- phor in the Text may be derived. A fecond is from chaffe, which be- i„ ing a light empty husk is carried to and chaff t fro, and whirled about with the wind. That is another of the Pfalmifts Im- precations, P/4/,3 5 . 5 * Let them (faich he,fpeaking of the Enemies of God) bd at Chaff e before the mnd •, which our new Annotation explains , Let them be 1 The T tuning Sicknefl'c fmitten with the fpirit ofGiddineffe. And the Prophet ifaiah, letting forth the doom oi lfracts Enemies, makethufe of the like expreffions, Ifai. 17.13. God (had rebuke them, and they (hall flee afar off, and (hall be chafed at the chaffe of the Mountains before the wind, and like d rolling thing before the whirlwind 3. Lively expreffions of a total rout, of an utter diffipation. chaffe being (as I faid) onely an empty husk, it flyeth before the wind. So doth the Chaffe upon the floor, in the valley 5 much more chaff upon the Mountain 5 where i the wind hath more force, there being nothing to retrain the violence of it , or to flop or ftay the thing which is driven before it. And like a rolling thing~] Like Thiflledown, (fo the Mar- gine in our new Tranflation readeth it) then which nothing is lighter. Or (as fome others render it) St cut pulvis rt • tatus , as duft whirled about with the whirlwind. Such a condition is there threatned to jfraels enemies in a Tempo- rail way. And (truly) even fuch is the Condi- tion of fome poor unftable foules in a ffiritual way. Thus are they carried " aboyc ff«. And mb the kctWfe • ■ij.fi/ fa ifi ' I'etftk t Itkt i mil], Hit, of g(asl flyeth Chaffe •, track i^vta ere being :e of it. which is 4 rtllii' ' the MU' tadethit! fukiifi- t wtk the niither; 12 fflf* sfCbndi dies iti2 ( few®* fo/ Soul-unfettledneffe. about, and carried away. Being but Chaff e , having in them onely an empty husk of a formal profeflton, wanting the kernel, the truth of grace, not ha- ving in them the Root of the matter ( as fob phrafeth it, fob i p. 28.), they are carried about with the wind of every Tentation. Being as light as the Thifile- down , having no fubftance or folidity in them, they are tofled to and fro with every breath of wind that bloweth up- on them. Both thefe are very apt and elegant Similitudes , fitly explaining and illuftrating the force and meaning of the Phrafe in the Text. But befides thefe, there are two other (which our netv Annotation putteth in- to my hand) no lefle apt and proper then either of thofe. The one is of the Waters of the Sea $ the other of the Clouds of the Ayr: Both which are carried about by the wind, now this way, now that way. Such are the wa- ters of the Seay never (landing ftill,efpe- cially if there be any wind ftirring: whence it is that water is made an Em- blem of Infi ability ; Unfiable as water (faith facoo of his fon Reuben , Gen. 4 9 - 4*) And for the Clouds of the ayr , efpe- Bb 3 cially daily if they be light and empty, want- ing thofe libr amenta^ thofe BalUncinrs which the Lord fpeaketh of to Job, Job 37. 1 6. how are they carried about from one quarter of the heavens to an- other ? And even fuch is the condition of fome unftable foules. p They are, in the third place, like the Waves of the- Wa ters or waves oi the Sea, That is St. James's comparifon, Jam, 1. 6. He that waver eth (faith he) is like a wave of the Sea , driven with the wind and toffed. So are the waves of the Sea * by the force of the winds they are driven to and fro, carried fometimes this way, fometimes that * one while lifted up to Heaven, and by and by deprefled again as low as the Deep. And even fo fareth it with unfettled fpirits •, they are (fill fluctuating to and fro, up and down-, now of this mind, this opinion, this Judgment , this Refolution , then of that. Or ( in the fourth place,) like the Clouds of the Ayr. That is St. Judes pomparifon, ver. 12. of his Epiftle, where fpeaking of fome Herecicks iprung up jn his time, among ocher jCharaders which he giveth of them, - f ' A \ 4 . Cjouds o£ the W ' — T y»«ac- iatiwj toW, ediwit is to an- i •ndidoti ike the rhatis 6. Ht uvttj I ttftJ. ^ the m to 11s way, , :e dupto ct/agaio ofareth aieftil down; an, this tknct' life die it .}& £pl$ * midi j ether them, . h of Soul-tmfettledneJ[e e. *7 he calleth them «Wp w » Empty Clouds-, Clouds without water carried about of winds. me&*pt* rQ, > the word is the fame with that in the Text. Carried about. Here is then a fourfold head from whence this Metaphor may be derived. And to fome one or more of thefe I conceive our Apoftlc here to allude in the Text, whileft he giveth this Caveat to his Hebrews , that they (liould not be thus carried about. Be not carried about, as Wheeles, as chaffers Waves ^ Clouds. And thus I have (he wen you the AfFedt, or Malady it felf. Spiritual Unfettled- netfe . Come we (in the next place) to take notice of the Giound, or Caufe of it; which we have in the words follow- ing. . With divers and ftrange marines'}. Here is the wind which carrieth about t ^ 5 Malady, thefe Waves, thefe clouds. A wind of a wind of d» VoZtrine. So the Apoftle calleth it m ftnne - that place, to which I have had, and (hall have frequent recourfe, £^.4.14- Be not carried about with every wind of Doftrine, mL:n Every wind. An Bb 4 elegant i8 the Turning Sickneffe ^hlra^duin ' e J e S ant Metaphor (faith Calvin upon o'nncs iiomi- it) fitly expretfing the nature of all n\im dcdrinar, thofe doctrines of men (as the Apoftle all falfe do&rines, Col. 2. 22.) viicitatc d ftra- which draw men afide from the fimpli- co!. eit y of the Gof P eI whate ver they may xin.\d loc. feem to be , what noife foever they may make in the eares of thofe that hearken to them, and how prevalent foever they may be with them, yet they are but jwW, vain and empty (pecula- tions. And concerning this wind it is, that our Apoftle here (as elfewhere) vvarn- eth Chriftians, that they fliould take heed of being carried about with it. Hence is that natural dileafe in the Head,which we call a Vertigo , the Turn- ing Sickneffe or Giddinefe it is caufed by wind, by flatulent vapours affe&ing the Brain. And from a like caufe many * times is this fpiritual Vertigo, the unfet- ledneffe of Chnfiians in the matters of Cod- They are turned and carried about with this wind of Doctrine. jy.L and He- But what Doctrine < That we have here fet forth by a twofold Epithet: ftrLge uo- Divers and, ft range Doifmnes. Two words ft * ttpcn i ofatt ! Apfc ! l.Vi] I fimpt •> eymay r they !e that valent :t they lecula- 'is, that :) TO- m old take mb k, ' in the ieT«w- scaiifeii lifting , Am] tiffl'tf iecabout cf Soul-unfettlednefte. ^ — 19 words (as Lafidee noteth upon them) fitly agreeing to Falfe and Heretical! doctrines : Which are, i. wo/xiV/, Various, divers. So they »• maybefaidtobe, in as much as they ^bincc differ al wayes from the truth, and often veriuti confen. from ihtmf'hv "t5, P ""‘ i . Altvaies from the T ruth. Being t no other but Lyes. So Paul callethHe- Aiwaies’differ- retical doftrine, z Theft, z. u. a Lye. '«ng fr<*n the And fpeaking of Heretical Teachers, lruth - he calleth them 'lwfo\oyoi i teachers of lyes , z Tim. 4 . 2. And fo , Divers. Truth (as Aquinas notes upon the Text) is but one, being like the Center ; Errors m€ dio,cujuscft are many, like the feveral points of the unitas, &c. Circumference which as they all dif- y ei fer from the Center, fo one from ano- &c. *Aqui». ther. And fo do Errors 5 all differing Cora. »d loc. from the truth, which is but one * they differ betwixt themfelves. 2. Yea, aud often differ from them - 2. [elves. Such is the guize of Hereticks, And often from having no fure ground to ftand upon, tlcme VCs * • they are often flitting, running from one Error to another 5 they do not ftbt con fare •, but arc often inconfiftent .with themfelves, felf-contradi&ing, faying and unfaying with the fame breath* y * 20 Scran^c. To i he Seri pturcs. The Turning Sickneffe breath; denying and deftroying that by Confequence, which pofitively they aflert and maintain: Thus falfe do- ctrines are faid to be Divers. And, 2. Strange , So tearmed again in a like double refpeft. Being ftrange to the Scriptures , and ftrange to the Church. . To the Script ures^not to be found IP f~* Ai/i/ r\ i- fUrt J n Zv"'.'< i '\yn.7 rct r * etthw- 0*r.T% 7rt p * vuot. Chry- foft, ad loc. in the Canon of the Old or New Tefta- ment ; Not known to Chrift or his Apo files. Were they alive again they would be ftrange to them. They prea- ched no fuch doCtrine. They are no other but humane Inventions, Com - mandments and Doctrines of men (as the Apoftle calleth them in the place fore- cited , Col I. 2. 22,); not delivered by God ih his Word, but invented by men. And being fo, they may upon that account well be called ftrange y ha- ving no acquaintance with the Scri- ptures. _ u V-u u ^ ^nd, fecondl y> Grange to the Church. To thcChutch. Such Doctrines as the true Church ei- ther never heard of, or atleaft never owned , never acknowledged. New Dottrines. Such was Paul’s doCtrine to thole Athenian PhilofopherSj Ksvrn (as 2 * «r f :o the found Tejh- or his a they 1 P aruo > Cm- (sthe fore- :edby ed by iupon I'M it Seri- Chi rdie- 4 flfir 0 jet® kf> ' (a. #/ Soul- unfettled neffe. it (as they call it) A new dottrine , Ad.i 7. 19. whereupon they charge him to be a fetter up of ftrange gods, verf. 18. tiro, d&fto «*. Strange deittes-^nd a bringer of (irange things to their eares , verf. 20. Strange , becaafe »rtr. And fuch are Hereftes unto the true Catholick Church of God-, either not known to it, or not known by it. And upon that accountmay well be called ftrange. Now concerning fuch dottrine it is The ApoMc* that the Apoftle here giveth this Caveat ^ a y > eat to j 1 * to his Hebrews, that they ihould take Lotto'S car- heed of being feduced, ot being carried ried about with about with them. Be not carried about ruch d ° armes with divers and ftrange dottrines.~] A ttfeful , a needful Admonition. So a ufcful Ad- it was to the Church at that time when SJ^meuJon the Apoftle gave it. And that in a two- a double ac- fold regard: 1. In regard that fome cwnt - fuch dottrines were then abroad. 2. Some Chriftians were then carried about with thofe doctrines. Both which are infinu- ated in the T ext. And fo it was. 1. Some fuch Do&rines were then 1. abroad in the world. Divers and ftrange Such dodrines dottrines. Such was that do&rine JJJJ, J" 1 which was then preached by the falfe ApoftleSy whofe defign was to make a • ' ' / ' mixture t i The Turning Sickneffe mixture of the Law and Gofpel, tojoyn them both together ; prelling the Ob- fcrvation of the Mofaical Law, hot one- ly the Moral, but Ceremonial Law, as neceflary to j unification and falvation. This did fome and many in Paul’s time* who placed a great part of Religion in Ceremonial Obfervances. Such were thofe Ordinances which he fpeaketh of. Col. 2. 21. where he blamethhis Colof- Jians for dogmatizing , for complying with the falfe Apofties in fubjeding themfelvesto them why are ye fuhjecl i How is it that ye fuffer your felves to be fo inthralled unto luch do&rinal Errors, and fuperftitious Rites and Obfervances, viz. Touch not, tafle not , ; handle not? ] Thefe were the prescriptions and injundions of thofe falfe Teachers •, who by crying up thefe Ceremonial Rites, corrupted the minds of thofe that would hearken to them, from the fimplicity that was m Chrtjl (as he fpeaketh, (2 Cor. 1 r .3.) , drawing off the hearts of Chnftians from looking onely unto chrift , and the free grace of God in him for Juftification and Salva- tion. And this was one of thofe dodrines, thofe /lotat* , Law,* j- ifotu « ’'StitDfc jion in i were ech of, Ciltf- plying ie&ing &\Vfh) yefc cd onto *- rln'ous d»tt, ere the i thole pthefe : mi> tin«, * thole ' i ~T of Swl'ttrfettledntffe. 25 thole iivm W flrmg‘ which out Apoftle here in the Text U p by fairs hath an eye at. So much we may col- tcadms. left from the latter Claufe of the verfe*, w here he faith. It is good that the heart be eftablijhed with grace, pot with meats .3 ].e. Not with the choice of meats, mi drinks *, ufmg of fome as clean, attain- ing from others as unclean* under which (by a Synecdoche) he comprehendeth all other Ceremonial obfervances (as I (hall (hew you hereafter). This did fome of the' Teachers of thofe Times preffe upon Chriftians •, therein teach- in^ them a Doftrine diverfe from, and contrary to that which Paul had before taught which was, that the Kingdoms tfCod is not meat and drink, Rom. 14. 17. The Kingdome of Chrift under the Gofpel did not confift in fuch out- ward obfervations. And befides this there were at that time {unary other Dodrines abroad of like nature-. Divers and grange Do- Urines. Such were thofe which Saint rfude fpeaketh of, verfe 4-ofhis Epiftle, (ffude 4.) Inhere are certain men (faith lie,fpeakingof falfe Teachers) crept in unawares!: mfutUum, {ubrep(erunt,Jul>- introifrunt\ The Turning Sicknejfe introiermt they came in clofely and covertly, coming under-ground, as Pio- ners do, who fometimes enter a City by a Mine, while the guard isftanding upon the Walls. So did they infinuate themfelves into the Church, coming both unloekedfor^ and unfent. Not ex - pefted, or fufpedted by the Church 5 nor yet fent by God 5 but taking the Mimftery upon them of their own heads ( as our New Annotation para- Cofpei- Liber- phrafeth upon that word). And fo en- Can 1 .ic e r tr L ng v ^f did the y • wh y ( among tioufnefl'c. other things) they turned the grate of Cod into Lafcivioufnejfe , and denyedthe only Lord God and Saviour J-eftts Chrijl. Both thefe they did •, and that as by their pratticc , fo by their Preaching. Un- der a pretence of crying up Gofpel- liber- ty, and advancing the free grace of God in the pardoning of fin, and juftifying of finners, they fet open a wide door to all kind of fenluality. So turning Evangelical Liberty into Carnal Licen- tioulnefie. And they deny ed the onely Lord God , and their Saviour ■fefns Chrijl']. Such St. Peter had foretold or, 2 Pet. 2. i. But there were falfe Prophets among the people (faith he, meaning of Soul-unfettlednejfe. 3 j mc ning the people of ifrael under the O'dTeftament), even at there {ball he falfe Teachers among you (you Chrifti- ans under the New) who privily Jhall bring in damnable fferejies , even denying ^nyed. the Lord that bought them. And what he foretelleth, St. fude (having an eye to that Prophecy , as he hath almoft throughout his whole Epiftle unto that fecond Epiftle of St. Peter $ the one being looked upon but as a kind of ab- ftratt and fummary of the other)(hewe$ how even in his time it was come to pafle. Such falfe and Heretical Tea- chers then there were, who denyed the Lord that bought them ? denyed the onely LordCod,and their Saviour fefus Chrijk denyed Chrift to be God, who having paid a price in it fclf fufficient for them, and being their Matter and Saviour by an outward profeffion, they ought to have owned him. But they denyed him: And that as by their deeds, (oby their doftrines. This among others did thnt Simon, s, min Mtyu of whom we read. Aft. 8. who was in thi Father of his time, and ftill is, famous, (or rather Htcetu:k$ . Infamous ) for three things j his Sor- cery, his Simonie, his fterefe. His Sor- cery, The Turning Sicknejfe cer y, for which he was admired by the peopIe,who cryed him up for little lefle thenatW (This man (fay they ) is the great power of God> ver f. i o J • and was afterwards called for diftindions fake by the name of Simon Magus , Simon the Magician . His Simonie , in offering money to purchafe the Holy Ghojl, the extraordinary and miraculous gifts of it, from the Apoftles, verf.18. from whence it is that that Sin (for fuch a fin ftill there is, what ever the prefentTimes think of it) beareth his name, being called Simonie. And laftly, his Herefie, for which he is no lefle famous in Eccle- fiaftical, then for thofe two other in Sacred ftory. He being the Father of Hereticks (as he is called), the firft Apo- ftate under the Gofpel, who broached and maintained divers Blafphemies, and vide AugufUn. damnable Opinions 5 Among other, Je H * refil>< denying the Trinity , and denying any other Chrift but himfelf •, affirming himfelf to be the true God, (as after- wards he was accounted at Rome , where (through the juft Judgment of God giving them up to that ftrong delufion^ that they fhould believe a lye\ they who who in the dayes of Tiberius would not acknow- of Soul-unfettlednejfe. 37 • the acknowledge the Divinity of Chrift , yet effe focta after in the dayes of Claudius , tie erected a Statue to this Impoftor with ws this blafphemous Infcription , Simoni afe Deo Sanfto , Tio tf/aww the Holy G^.Thus tk did he bewitch the people, as by his ing Sorcery , fo by his Here fie. Wherein he :he being the Ring-leader, wanted no fol- of lowers. Divers there were who within m a few years after, when he was gone off In from the Stage, ftept up in his room 5 :s owning moft-of his opmions,and adding g to them many other no lefle monftrous ft, and abfurd. Such was Menander, and cle- j?£/V#,and Cerinthns * The laft of which in was that Heretick,with whom St ,fohn if is faid to have refufed to enter into the po- fame Bath •, and who is the reputed bed Father, the firft Authour of the Mille- and nary opinion concerning the temporal her, Kingdome of Chrift upon earth after aw the Refurre&ion, wherein his Subjects iniog ftiould live in the full enjoyment of all iter- kind of carnal and fenfual pleafures and bete contentments. , , God Thefe and fome other Here ticks and HereGes in the k Here fits did the firft age bring forth. /ho . Among whom St. Paul taketh notice Bjmentui not ®f two , Hymeneus and Phtletus by vttum qfi , Ge name-; * 28 The 'Turning SicknefJ'e name, who (among other Errours, as Errour feldome goeth alone) denyed the Hxici’b Ac R e f Mrre tti on °f the Bodp (as Simon Mo* gus is laid to have done before thetiijl faying, That the Re furrdiNon was pafi Al- ready, 2 Tim. 2. 17. acknowledging (as is probable) no other Refurretfion , bur that of the Soul , or of the Church in the Renovation, the new ftateerf it under the Golpel. The Serofei(i en Age !f being eacben ‘hurcb, i ever; ngl s, m as it i any them, ifteri- t, and kl more of toom toes ftcome isprfl- litVOlt yc ivo the® fir#, of Soul- tinfcttlednefl r, 31 Fir ft, bloody Perfection, whom he calls Wolves , and grievous Wolves , ^'xw /2*p£<, being like-thofe Lupi vefpertini , the evening Wolves , which the Prophet feremy fpeaketh of, fer. 5 . 6. which fhould .not (pare the flock , but make a prey of the poor Lambs of Chrift, fucking their blood. Such Wolves there were many after Paul’s departure (his diflolution) in that Neronian perfe- ction, and others following it. But befides thefe, there was another kind of Wolves , whom Paul looked upon as no lefle dangerous, if not more. And thofe were white Wolves , Wolves in fheeps cloathing. So our Saviour de- fcribeth falfe Prophets , Matth. 7. 1 5. Men who had fair and promifing out- fides, fpecious apparances of a ha'rm- lefle innocency* yea, and pretenders (it may be) to a more then ordinary piety $ but inwardly (faith he) they are ravening wolves fuch whofe defign is to make a prey of the foules of men, to deftroy them by their falle do&rines. Now fuch alfo the Apoftle took notice of, that they (hould come after hisde- . parture. So he tells them there more ' plainly in the verfe following, verf. 30, ^ Cc 3 Alfo The T urning Sickneffe Jlfo of your own [elves j hall men arife , [peaking perverfe things , ( preaching falfe and heretical do&rines, croffe to the truth, and wrefted con- trary to the mind of God in the Scri- ptures) that they may draw difciples af- ter them. ' , draw and pluck them as members from the myftical Body, fq making a reparation therein, that they may gain a party to themfelves, and fo be reputed lingular and popular.Such Paul forefaw would arife to the great indangering of the Church .* which (as Grotius and others look upon it) was made good in the forenamed Nicolai- tans and Gnoflicks. Thus then in thofe firft times there were fuch do&rines as the Apojlle herefpeakethofin the Text, Divers and ft range doctrines . And (in the iecond place) thefe do- &rines were then taking with fome, fc'STi? 1 * '''^divers. So (it feemeth) was that with fomc, doctrine of the falfe Apoftles concern- ing the obfervation of the Ceremoniall Taw with the Hebrews, the [[ewes, who had been educatedand brought up in it, having fucked it in (as it were ) with fheir mothers milk, it was taking with them* lqfomuch that they were alrea- dy. % Thefe falfe *«fr, brines, 'd coo- ? Seri- 'es J them M they and Such ft* i(as .■y vis • link thofe v es as Text, ifedo- Come, as tk m- of Seul-unfettlednejfe. ^ — dy (fome of them; carried away with it, and others in danger of being fo, (as the Caveat in the Text is conceived to import;. And not onely they, but others alfo. This was that which Paid took notice of in his Galatians, charging it upon them not without a wonder- ment to himfelf. Gal. 1.6. J marvell (faith he; that ye are fo foon removed from him that hath called you into the grace of Chrijl , unto another Goff cl. So it was •, By the means of the talfe Apo- ftles, they were either already turned, or turning. Both which are looked up- on as imply ed in that word, « which being of the Pa five voice , ljyeth the fault primarily upon thofe falfe tea- chers, by whofe means they were per- verted : [Te are turned 3 And being of the frefent tenfe, it imports what was in fieri , doing if not done. They were turning. y well nigh turned. AnrfPfrom what , and to what were they thus turned ' Why, [from him who hath called you into the grace of fefus Chrijl 3 from Paul and his Doctrine, who by the preaching of the Gofpel to them, had called them to feek for Juftifica- tion and falvation onely by faith in Cc 4 Chrift. TJ The Turning Sicknejje Chrift. From this doftrine they were turned to another Go [pel • taught and brought to feek fuftifi, cation in another way, (at leaft in part) by the obferva- tion of Mofaicall rites and Ceremonies; Which Paul there calleth another Gofpel: Not that it was fo in truth. Well did he know that there was no other Gofpel but one 5 A o other Name under heaven given among men ivhereby they muflbe faved(as Peter elfewhere tells the^W A ‘ ir ^]i f h he) left by any means , Serpent beguiled Eve through his pwtlety ,f 0 your mm ds ftoidd be corrupted, from 35 of Soul- unfettle dneffe. y ^ from the [implicit y that is in Chrift. This W ad alfo (peaketh in reference to the do- ^nottier ftrines of the falfe Apo files • who bfem- m ade a medly of the Gofpel, mixing ionies; their own Philofophical fpeCulations, or Gofptl Jewifh Traditions, or Ceremonial ob- ■uaid fer vances with it. By which meanes jffftl they corrupted and adulterated that 'even pure doftrinc, even as pure and precious f fl be liquors are imbafed and corrupted by ■ms, other mixtures. And concerning this E fal- Corruption Paul’s jealoufie was, that they man- were ready to fwallow it down y and fo to be carried about with thofe divers and Mm ft range doctrines. ifffe A thing that was no newes in thofe Many reduced true firftandpureft times. This was that *‘ n u *j^ cs * nd as he which our Saviour himfelf foretold a p How- little before his death, Matth. 24. 24. . kt Where (hewing what ihould come to wtiti paffe before the deftrudion of ferufa- .H® /cw, among other things, he faith, There (hall arife falfe chnfts and falfe Prophet s y done, &c> lnfomuch that {if it were poftibk)they s 0 Jhall deceive the very Eleft. Intimating )£■, ‘ that many (hoqld be feduced, and de- ^ ceived by them. And the like Pro- his . phecy we meet withali in that forecited id, place of St. Peter 3 2 Pet, 2, where ha- y. . ' ■ ving U The Turning Sickneffe v*ing in the firft verfe ( as you have heard) foretold of falfe Teachers that Ihould come, in the next verfe he fhew- eth what fuccefle they fhould have-. And many jhall follow their pernicious wayes, ver. 2. And what he there fore- relleth , St. fude iheweth us how in his time it came to pafle. Having in the fourth verfe of his Epiftie in like manner defcribed the falfe Teachers of his time, in the fequelof the Epiftle he fets forth their followers 5 whom he calleth Clouds without water ^carried about of winds , ver . 1 x. and in the next verfe Waves of the Seay and wandrinr ftars - thereby denoting Chriftians who were mconftant in their profe/Tion 5 not like fixed ftars which are regular in their Motion, but like Planets , or Comets , wandring from one opinion or way to another, being conftant onely in in- conftancy. Thus were there fome, and not a few in thofe times, thofe proto- primitive times, who were thus carried about with divers and flrange dotirines. This is that which our Apoftle faith of Hjrneneus and Philetus in the place fore- cited, 2 Tim. 2. 17, 18. that by their peftilent do&rine in denying of the Re- furre&ion, , 11 r t Foobt lies that heller / J) 3 V(; Y ntcm\ e fore- low in ing in i like rs of :lehe n he iiW p> me dike te mi j, ly to in ki- te, ad pro©- wW tow. v tbtf heir Ke- Son, ■ of SouTurJfettledneffe. furre&ion, they overthrew the faith of fome. So as there was then a juft caufe why he fhould here give out fuch an Admonition as this, Be not carried about > &c. A ufeful and a needful Caveat then* a u f c f u i c»- And no lelfe in all the ages of the vcat at a11 Church fince •, In every of which ftill time ** there have been fome fuch do&rines held forth. So it hath been *, fo it is at this day (that I fhall not need to tell you), and fo it will be. This Calvin significat pr*. looketh upon as a truth not obfeurely “ rca Ap«(to- hinted by the Apoftle here in the Text*, Dei rem^ that 'The Church in all ages mu ft account f* rc certamen to conflict and combate with divers and firange dollrines. And if there be tea-'vln, c*tn. ia C hers of them, it is not to be imagined loc * but that there will be fome Difciples , (ome followers. But how cometh it fo to be? flu. i. How cometh this to paife ? firft, that How cometh it there fhould be fuch doffrwes held forth < * c p r e fhould be and then, that fo many fhould be carried fuch Doftrbes about with them? Tothefe two queries UcUforth? I (hall return Anfwer fevcrally. x A. i. For the former *, Know we (in By G Jf $ p * ro . the firft place) that this cometh to paife vidential and not withqut a providence, and a fpecial l>cr * ■ provi- 3$ / Tfo Turning Sichejfe providence. Herein (as in all other things ) God hath a hand *, concurring therewith not barely by his Permifiion, EffiaxPeimif- but (as Melanfton calleth it) by his Ef- no. mass. jr e ff ua i pertnifiion * moft juftly decree- ing that they fhould be •, whence it is that the Apoftle faith, There mufi he Herefies , i Cor. 1 1 . 19. Muftis by rea- fonof $ at ans malice , and Mans corrup- tion , fo of Gods decree , who having de- termined that they fhould be, moft wifely ordereth and dilpofeth of them when they are. Which he doth for di- vers ends. As, For the manifeftation of his own So ri&rptiing hereof for di- vers ends. I. I. The manifefla- power in maintaining his Truth, and that non of his againft all oppofttion. own power. & _ , rr I r r • r 2. For the honour of truth ltfelr. For the honor r which by thefe conflids with Err our is ©t Truth, rendredmorc illuftrious. Thathoufe which ftandethout all ftorms and tem- peftsof wind and weather, fliewoth it felf to have a good foundation. 3. 3. For the Probation - and tryal of r or the mani- fuch as are found in the faith. There fcft.ng of fuch aifg fo jferefies, (faith the Apoftle in the Text laft named, 1 Cor. 11 . 19 ) Af >3.p 19 finth\C).- prian) Light empty Chaffe is whirled fundatam pro- to and fro with the wind*, while the ^ c 1 j ubv i c 1 ^ c * Wheat lyeth dill in the floor. Thus tempeftate whileft empty and formal ProfelTours, jaftantur ; i n- who have taken up the proteihon or [U;binis incur . the truth either pro format for falhion (lone cvcrtun- fake, or elfe for tome by, and ends, wanting the kernel and truth or f ia: . grace, are carried away : thole which are e ibxtpci, approved unto God, fincere and found^tfearted Chriftians, they are hereby made manifeft,as to themfelves, fo to others. Thus doth God by this means (as C,fria» in the fame place no- teth) make a kind of a previous iepara* fid i detegun- tion, feparating the Chaffe from the tur : fc«an- Wheat before the day of Judgment, jit durum ct in- juftorum ankn* dividurKUr, ec a fruipcuro pales fcparantur. Cjr* privt, ibid. • : 4. This ■ 40 J The Turning Sicknefle 4. 4. This God permits for the juft con- The juft c«n- demnation of others ; and that froth of dcmn^icn of anc j s cholars • of fuch as broach and preach fuch doctrines ; and fuch as believe them. , of (aife Tea- the former of thefe, expreffe is ehcr* them- that of St. fudeia the Text forecited, fclvcv $ude v. 4. There are certain men crept in unawares, (faith he) who were before of old ordained to this condemnation. This he fpeaketh of feducers, falfe teachers, whom God in his moft juft and righ- teous decree did from eternity pre- ordain fo far to leave them to their own natural corruption and malice, as that they ihould dare to corrupt and faliifie his truth, and thereby juft- ly incur the lentence oi condemnation, and bring upon t hemf elves Jjvift defirn- ition (as the Apoftle St.fWi&ithof them, 2 Pet . 2. 1.) Of thofe that And for the latter, that of St. Paul them.'" I# r n ° ex P ref]fe > 2 Thefi 2. i. where lpeaking of Antichriflian errours, that fliould come into the Church, and iliould be prevalent with many, he af- ligneth this as one end of Gods difpen- facion in permitting and fending them. God Jball fend them Jlrong delufton , (faith he) llftt «W vacfc :bx re i YJX i lis ■tf 1 - «• n «i J* ft- »> ric i of y r; lilt ini K : b of Soul-unfettledneffe. 41 tic) ta*w, Efficaciam deceptio- ns, the Efficacy of Errour , or deceit, that is, fuch errours as fhould be effe- &uall for the deceiving of them, fo as they jbottld believe a lye , receive and imbrace thofe forged and falfe do&rines. And wherefore this ? Why,7^4t they all might be damned who believed not the truth , but had pleafure in unrightequf- nejje^ ver. 12. Thus hath God not one- ly an eye to, but alfo a hand in thefe di- vers and flrange dottrines 5 which come abroad not onely with his prefciencc and permifsion , but alfo by his moft wife and juft Ordination. 2, This is Satans doing. He it is that is the father of lyes . When he Jpeaketh a ‘ s Sata,M lye he fpeaketh of his own^ (faith our Sa- viour) proingenio fuo , according to his natural difpofition, (fo it is, if ever Sa- tan fpeak trutb,{as fometimeshe doth) heborrowcthit, to make fome advan- tage of it, that he may the more eafily deceive by it ); Lyes are his proper and natural off-fpring •, Tor (as that Text goeth on) He is a lyar, and the father of it. So he is of all Lyes: Among which falfe dottrines are none of the leaft. And therefore defervedly called by that name. The Turning Sicknejfe name, z Thtff.T. n. i Tim. 4. 2. He jt is that wa,s the fir & Preacher of divers And flrange doctrines. This he did in paradife. Where when God hid preaT ched to our firft Parents*hi$. Do&rine, that The da y that they ate of the forbidden fruit, they (hould certainly 'dye the death , (Gen. 2. 17.) hefoon after preacheth to them the clean contrary. The Serpent [aid unto the woman, Te fhallnot furely dye, Gen. 3. 3, 4. And. ftill this is his work. He that was a lying [pint in the mouthes of A hubs Prophets ,(2 King.22.' 22 .) he is fttll the fame in the hearts and mouthes of all falfe Prophets * He is the fecdsman that foweth theferaw.So the Parable in the Golpel fets'it forth, Mat. 13.24. The.Kingdome of heaven is like unto a man, which [owed rood feed in hit field', but while men flept , his Enemy came and jawed tares among, the wheat . -The Moral of the Parable" is obvious. The field is the true Church of God. The feed is the Word, the do&rirte of truth. The Seeds-man fowing this feed, is God himfelf, who hath .caufed this dotflrine to be preached and published, as by his Son, foby his Minifters. The , T ares are Hcrefiesf alle Doctrines, which are of Soul-urift ittledneffti 4j •Hi are fitly reprefented Sy tares, which as fan they are of a different kind from the to wheat, fo they are hurtful to it, pulling pit it down 5 and withal have a peculiar frint quality of intoxicating the brain 5 All Ok fitly appliable to falfe doctrines. Now Mi thefe were of the Enemies fowing, the M Devils work, who is rightly called Sa- turn tan , an Adverfary, an Enemy •, being fo rely both to God, ( '^ ° faith the Ori- his ginal there, his Enemy )$ and to his Peo* lie fie, ( your Adverfary the Devil , (faith Pe- ns te r) 1 Pet. 5. 8.) This is properly his work. The Enemy hath done this (faith sis. the Matter there to his fervant, enqui- Otlie ring of him how thofe tares came, v. 2 8. Mtt, etrUpwr&'i The envious man, (as the 1 like former Tranflationhath it) Satan, who 11* lii doth this out of Malice and Envy. En- iiKPi] vy, Firft, to the Owner of the field, to tkl God himfelf, whofe profefled enemy he jvioiii. is, and fo feeketh by all means to erode fGoi, him in his work, and to fruftrate his ^ of defigns. Secondly, Envy to the fields j s lid, the Church , which he cannot endure to dtiiis fee flourilhing and profpering-, and jfrj, therefore ftirreth up againft it, as Per - The • fecution on the one hand, fo falfe do- vUicli ' efrines on the other ■, both to difquiec, ire D & The T urning Sicknejfe and hinder the growth of it. And, thirdly, Envy to the Wheat : Both to the doff rine of truth, which he being a lyar hateth, and fo by this means feek- eth to pull it down, to hinder the pro- pagation of it: Andalfotothe Profef fours of it, true believers, whofe falva- tionhe envies, and fo feeketh to turn them afide from the way of Truth. 1 hus this is Safaris work. A : h This is mans own work. Natural Cor- ruption the Mother of fa!fc dottrines* conceiving and breeding their. Falfe doctrines brought forth by 3 . This is mans own work the pro- per fruit of his Natural Corruption. Even as the ground by reafon of that firji Curfe , not being tilled and cultured, it bringeth (orth briars and thornes ; and being tilled it bringeth forth Ccckle and darnel , and fuch other heterogenous plants, which are never fowen. Even fo doth the heart of man by reafon of that Corruption which is in it, it is apt of it felf to conceive and breed fuch ei> rours indodtrine, divers and f range do- ctrines. Which being thus conceived aad bred , there are fome particular luffs which have a fpecial Midwifery in the bringing of them forth unto an open view: of thefe I fhall inftance onely m three. 45 And, thto •iogi fed- pH i‘i W • turn uth, iro- fen irjl 5> it jnd ; ind ous jrca not sapt tier laid ■lifts ( irk' yen ttely 1 * • of S oul- unf ettlednef e, ^ — 1. Hypocrifie. This was that which fet thole falfe Teachers, thofe [educing Hypc«:fie. [firsts on work, to broach and vent thofe dottrines of Devils , as the Apo- ftle calleth them and their Herefies, i Tim. 4. i. they fpake thofe lyes in Hy- pocrite , (as the nexc verfe hath it ) pre- tending to a more then ordinary holi- nefTe and ftri&nefle •, And thereupon they forbade to many (as it followeth, ver. $.)> even as the Religious Orders in the Church of Rome upon the fame account at this day do. And truly (with- out any breach of Charity) this may be conceived to be either the Mother , or 1 Vttrfe of fome of thofe ftrange doctrines which are abroad in this Nation at this day. 2. Ambition , vain-glory. This was Z; that which moved that notorious Im- AmbitwnV poftor Theudas (mentioned, ./ 4 c?/ 5.36.) to that factious undertaking, who under pretence of being a Prophet, moved (edition among the Jewes •, this he did (faith the Text there) Boafling himfelf to be fome body 5 %**!■ h-a irSlbv* i.«. vide Grotiuiii Ttv* nijar, (as fome Copies there have ^ c Bc2a ‘ n ad it) fome great one. So it is noted of Simon Magus ^ it he bewitched thepco- X) d % ftt 4 ^ N — S The Turning Sicknefje pie of Samaria with hi s Sorcery, giving out that himfelf was fome great one. And this it is that fetteth fome falfe Tea- chers a work to invent and publifh fome new and ftrange doftrines, that fo they may be thought to be fome body , fome more then ordinary perfons. This is that which Paul faith of thofe Here- ticks which he forefaw fhould arife af- ter his departure, Atf. 20. 30. They fhatl (peak perverfe things (faith he, preach ftrange and Heretical do&rines) to draw away difciples after them , affe&ing po- pularity. And furely in all times this hath had no fmall influence upon fuch kind of perfons. 3. 3 • To thefe adde (in the third place) Covctoui'ndTf. Covet onfneffe. This Paul wafheth his own hands of ^ appealing to God as a witnefie of his innocency therein, 1 Theft, , 2.5. For neither at any time ujed we flattering words {as ye know ), nor a cloak of Covet oufneffe , God is w/tnefje. As he was free from vain~glory{ of which he fpeaketh in the next verfej fo alfo of Covet oufneffe. He had no Covetous defign in his preaching. So he tells his Corinthians •, / fee k not yours , but you, 2 Cor. 12. 14. not their^Wjjbut their _ good } • of Soul-Unfettledneffe 47 , And h i font 'they' fom lis is fere- ?jf- hH ach m F this *) fe as a 0i 4 tech his good ^ not their eflate , bat their falva- 'tion. But fo did not the falfe Apoftles, and other falfe Teachers ot that time. What ever they pretended, they fought their own things more then the things of fefus Chrift (as Paul fpeaketh of the greater part of Teachers in his time, Phil. 2.2i.)*, their own things, as their own hononr. , fo their own profit. And fuch for the mod part are falfe teachers , they arc felf-feekers *, feeking rather to make a gain of others, ( which thing Paul difclaimes both for himfelf, and Titus, 2 Cor. 12. i7, 1 8.) then to gam them to Chrift. This is that which St. Peter for etelleth of the falfe teachers that lhould come in after-times, among other things, they rtiould make merchan- dize ot their followers. So you have it, 2 Pet. 2. 3. And through Covetouf- neffe [hall they make merchandize of them 3. Thus do falfe teachers too of- ten ('witnefte thofe in the Church of Rome)-, they endeavour to lay hold of the goods of others, though it be with the ruine of their foules. Thus do they follow the way of Balaam , (as the Apo- ftle there fpeaketh of them. v. 1 5 . And after him St, fude, ver. 1 1. ) who loved 7 Dd 3 the o The Turning Sickneffe' the wages of unright eoufnefe *, To as he cared not what he {aid or did , fo he . might bat gain that reward which Ba- lack proffered him 5 though it were to tuc Cuiiing of that people which he to be Gods people, the people ot Jfraef had not God withheld him, by earning the dumb Afle to reprove b:m as you haveit recorded, i\W. 2 2. *£ i > 37 - * Pet. 2. 16. Even fo is it with tome falfe teachers , having an heart exerctfed with covetous or apices (as St Peter ipeaketh, verfe 14. of that ChapterJ, they care not what they fay, or do for gain. And thus do they tnah merchandize of the joules of men. This is laid to be part of Baby Ions Mer- chants, Rev. 18. 12, 13. As cold, and Jil'per , and precious jlones, and divers other commodities there reckoned up, *o among other ,the fades of men. Which may very well be taken literally, in as much as Babylon s, Romes Merchants , her Ido.atrous Pnefts and falfe Teachers, do make a Tpiricual Merchandize of p r J*’ ? ut ^efe together, and mreyoamayfee, how many of thefe *”fft*»ge dottrines come to be f ncejved, bred and brought forth. And T ) 2$lj , foil chi* we « !chl» •eoplt him, •rove ’. 22 , s it A» (as hat (ay, they n. i r- ind 'CIS up, uch oas her trs, :of ml v it je L »/ tf Soul-Uttfettlecfneflc. A 9 And being thns brought forth, now Faifedoannc* they come to Propagate and increafe, to ^ 7 X»Jyc 4 fpread themfelves 5 which they do, (as through the by other wayes and means, fo) through the finful connivance, orcarelelle negn- Magiftute*. gence of thofe to whom God hath com- mitted the care of his Church. So faith the Parable in the Text forecited. Mat. 13.25. While menjlept, the Enemy came and jornd tares."] Whileft thofe to whom God hath committed the Care of his field, his Churchy (which he hath done to Magi grates and Minifters , to whom he hath given the like charge concerning Herefies , that the King of Egypt did to the Hebrew Midwives con- cerning the Male children, Exod. 1.16. viz., that they fhould ftifle them in the birth) whileft they fleep *, whileft they are remifle and negligent in difeharging of their duties, for the fupprefling ot falfe and Heretical Teachers, with their do&rines, by fuch wayes and means as are agreeable to Scripture, and Gofpel- rules-, in the mean time Satan , (that vigilant Adverfary, who vvatcheth all fuch opportunities), he taketh advan- » tageto fowe and fcatterthefe feeds, to propagate and fpread abroad thelc dt- Dd 4 v*ri . .. i j . f° ^ The Turning Sickne^fe vers And firange dotfrines. And thus you have the former JQuefiion- refol ved, How it cometh to pajfe that there ar juch divers and fir ange doctrines abroai tn the world \ and in the Church < Hofr«iia„ s G T e 1V » n0,v t0 the bttCT > Um it come co be OOlflCthtO pilffe that Chriftians profefiin? C f/ : i kT tbe f ait r h °f chri ft> fauldbe carried about T h f Uch D f rines? So they are fometimes, oft times; and yet eatily, quickly. So were the Galatians , in fo much} that P aul could not but wonder at it. Gal. x.6. 1 marvel (faith he) that you are fo foon ( itm t ***»*, fo quickly, fo fuddenly) removed to another Gofiel. And truly, fo it is ; It is a wonder to fee, how eafily, how quickly fome Pro- leflours are turned about, and carried away, and that with firange Doctrines. Now how cometh this to palle < In Anfwer to this I might again re- fledt upon iome of thote generals which I made ufe of before. Through Co Th eir Jffivtty^d A more parti- cular Refolu- tion ; fetched f ing to is/in- fork at if fray it be a, to i; oh- no M, Me it in lit m k- alH > iif we ad of Soul-unfettledneffe. 5i Their Atfivity: As .S' at 4#, fo his i. In fir time nts arc very active in this Thcii Aftiviry. work. St. Peter fpeakingofhim, (of Satan) faith, He walketh about as a Lyon , feeking whom he may devour, I Pet. 5.8. and we may as truly fay, that he creep- eth about at a Serpent , feeking whom he may poyfon *, in both kinds Composing the earth fa6 himfelf fpeaketh, Job 1. 7 .). And our Saviour fpeaking of fome of them, (his Infiruments) the Scribes and Pharifees in his time, he faith, that they compaffed Sea and Land to make one Prefelyte , Matth. 23. 15. They were indefatigable in their endeavours of bringing the Gentiles over to their own Religion, of turning them from Hea- thenifme to Judaifme which when they had done fas our Saviour there further chargeth it upon them), they made them twofold more the children of the Devil then themf elves $ i. e. more fuperftitious then themfelves 5 fas oft- times Difciples do in the way of Errour, exceed and go beyond their Maftersf. And thus for the moft part it is with falfe and Heretical teachers. They are *, very adfive and unwearied in fpreading their Errours, not caring what paines ' • - they the Turning Sickneffe they take that way : In Co much that they are willing to Compaffc Sea and Land, to go far and near (as the fefnites are notorioufly known to dp, who tta- vel into all parts of the habitable world; and as fome Sectaries among our felves are laid at this day to do, into all parts of this Nation) , that they may by fpreading their doftrine , make Profe- lytes, gam difciples. To this end fome ol them thru ft themfelves into publick Congregations : more of them creep in- to private houfes, (as the Apoftle fpea- keth of them) 2 Tim. 3, 6.. Such is their Activity. And no Iefle (in the (econd place) is their Subtilty. Wherein oft- times (and for the moft part) they fhew them- felves to be the children of their father, a Serpentine brood, a fubtile Generation. Such a one was Elymas the Sorcerer, (who fought to turn away the Deputy from the faith, and to pervert the right waves of the Lord ( as it is charged upon him, aBs 13.8, 10.) laying falfe im- putations upon the do&rine of the Golpel, that l'o he might hinder the work of Gods grace, and obftrutf the / Apoftle in the work of his Miniftery), m lira fifa. fefforli r felr: nay fc Prtft- fome dlich rp in- ' (pea- ukir "T”T o/ Soul-unfettledneffe. > — " he was a man (as P4«/ there fetteth him forth) full offubtilty and mifchtef. And fuch (in their meauice) ordinarily are feducers , falfe teachers They are- (as Solomon defcribeth the Harlot ,Prov. 7. io ) Subtile of heart , Cunning, and crafty, andw.ly. And I by this means they come to feduce and deceive thole t i wt hcaikcn that will hearken to them-, viz., by coth<:tn - their Subtilty. This is that which the Apollle taketh notice of as a principal Engine, whereby thefe wheeles come to be turned about as we may collect from that intimation of his to his Ephe- fians , in that Text to which l have had fo frequent recourfe, Eph. 4. 14. where he giveth them this Caveat, that they (hould not be carried about with every wind of Doctrine, by the Jl eight of men, and cunning craftineffe , whereby they lye in wait to deceive. T wo words exptef- fing (for fubftance) one and the lame thing : Ku/Sfti, 7 iu>xpy'i& • The former of which is a Metaphor , taken from Chea- ters. , who by Cogging of dice, and by Jleight of hand cheat and coufin thofe whom they play with. Even lo do falfe Teachers , by their fleight and cunning craftineffe deceive thofe which bave^ to , Scripture. deal with them. Which they do di ^ Inlbnceinfo ™ of B, M.d.u, . Firft ’ ®y /«Uw Arguments ta- ^gnmentSt Thefe are the faife Dice ken from which thefe Cheaters play with : Sub- tile and intrapping Arguments which they take out of divers boxes * fetch from feveral Heads : As, i. From Scripture • which they make ule of this way, by wr effing it. Even as Davids Enemies made ufe of his wrds, as he complaines, pfal. 56. c Every day (faith he) they me (l my words' ‘ perverting them, and turning them to’ another fenfe then ever he meant when he uttered them: fodo faife teachers , being Gods Enemies , make ufe of his Word. This is that which St. Peter l , °. ( ° me ^learned, and unfiable joules in his time, they wrefted f me things m Paul’s Epiftles, as they did alfo divers other Scriptures to their own de- puZiion, 2 pet. 3t l6 This did th by mif-mterpreting of them, and draw- ng them violently from their true and fhevH e H fenre d t0 3 fa,fe one > which they did to that end that they mi°hc x Cre °y u PhoId their errours. And truly <■ 57 #/ Soul-unfettlednefte. fki truly fuch is the ordinary pra&ice of Jlcjjj Heretic ks mdfalje teachers •, they weft the Scriptures $ detorque nt , de- tSjtiK fravant , writhe and wring them about, ft j) t turning them this way or that way, as : 5^ may beft ferve for their purpofe. Dea- ^ ling by them as Chimifts fomctimes f etf |j do with natural bodies , which they (as it were) torture, to extraft that out of them which God and nature never put \ 7en into them : Or as cruel Tyrants fome- j,j s times deal by innocent perfons, whom , . they fet and ftretch upon the Rack, and ' f j‘ fo make them fpeak that which they never thought. After the like manner u do falfe teachers ufe to deal by the Seri- ;r ftures , wrefting them to draw a fenfe out of them, which the Spirit of God J never intended. A practice common m, to ail Hereticks, fave onely thofe Anti- r feripturians , who will not acknow- ledge the Divine Authority of Sacred a. And as herein they make ufe of Scripture, fo alio of Reafon % which it may be fomedmes they oppolcagainft Scripture, or elfe make ufe of to vouch that fenfe which they put upon it. So dealt thofe falfe teachers in the Primi- 2 * Writ. tive times: Such ufe they made of their Philofophy. Thereupon it was that Paul gave tint Caveat to his Colofsians , Chap. 2 . v. 8. Beware (faith he) left any man ftoylyou through Philofophy^and vain deceit that is, by fuch fubtile and plau- fible Arguments as are drawn from the principles of Naturall Reafon : which however in it felf it is ufeful , yet when it is made the meafureof fpiritual my- fteries, this is a dangerous abufe of it. Now, it cometh to be no other but (-as he there calleth it) mh £m } a vain de- ceit. And this deceit did thofe falfe teachers in thofe firft times make great ufe of ; by iuch Arguments both oppo- fing the dodrine of the Gofpel, and fupporting their own errours. And the like ufe do not a few make of it at this day. In fpeciall the Socinians , who make this the meafure of their faith, and the Touchflone to try all Evange- lical truths by, viz. humane Reafon 5 not allowing any thing to be believed, (how clearly loever in Scripture held forth) but what that may apprehend and comprehend. Upon which account it is that they defperately difclaim divers ; Articles ot the Chriftian faith, for which of Soul-mfettledneffe, 59 which Scripture is exprefTe, and which the Church of God in all ages of it hath looked upon as truths, the belief where- of was necellary to falvation. And by this means it is that they pervert the faith of fome, who have not learned to fubmit their car ml Reafon to divine Re- velation. And (in the third place) fometimes 4 ° they plead Cuflome^ Tradition. So did the Scribes and Pharifees in maintenance of their fuperftitions. That is the Ar- gument which they ufe to our Saviour, blaming his Difciples( and him in them) for not complying with them in fome of their Ceremonial obfervanccs. Mat, 15 . 2 . why do thy dtfciples tranfgreffe the traditions of the Elders ? Not obfer- ving fuch Cuffomes and ufages as they had received from their AnceftorS, and fo had been of long continuance. And this Argument the falfe Apojl.les ini Paul’s time made great ufe of. There- upon it is that he giveth the like Caveat to his Colofsians concerning that, as he doth concerning Philofoph y putting them together in that forecited Caveat, Col. 2. 8 . Beware left any man fpoyl yon through Philofophy, and vain deceit , after Ee M ini aw rury£ aiiKnt\\Z the Traditions of men. This was one thing which they pleaded for their do- drines again ft the dodrine of the Apo- ftles Tf adit ion , Cujlome. Wherein they are followed by the Dodors of the Church of Rome , who take up the like p'ea for many of their Errours ; BM.op fm their doftrines by immediate Revela- l ' tion from God himfelf ; whence it was that fome of them (as the MeffalUns ) ‘ were called Enthufiaft^Enthufiaftsfiom their pretended Infpirations. And it is well known what ufe that grand Im- poftor Mahomet made hereof, who held 1 forth his new and impious do the Spirit in an immediate and extraor- .* I ' . 1 dinary way moved them to. ( 3. And f' i God ia heceitej Rah- ceitffs folk; Is, from nditii id fa 0 held if, n kid-, k to iiife idedto it lilt f the is ate 1 and s, ot i been lion aicd to iot- Ini of Soul-unfettlcdneffe\^ ' 6 $ 3. And to tbefe Tome joyn Miracles • 3. being; in like manner pretenders unto ^ ned Mira them. Such were fome under the Old c L, ‘ Teftament, as, viz. fames and $am- hres , of whom St. Paul maketh men- tion , 2 rim. 3. S. Two of thofe Egyp- tian Magicians (fpoken of, Exod.y^vtho are there faid to mthftand Mofes. This they did, as by other wayes and means, fo by vying Miracles with him, as the ftory fets it forth, Exod. 7. 11. And the like (it feemeth) did many falfe Pro- phets in thofe times. Thereupon it was that the Lord gave that Caveat to the people of Ifrael , Deut. i$. 1. if 1 there arife among you a Prophet ,4 dreamer t of dreams , and giveth thee a fign or a wonder , &c. Such it feemeth then there were, fome who pretended to Revela- tions by dreams, and confirmed their Prophecies by fignes and wonders. And the like have divers falfe Teachers done under the Gofpel. So our Saviour fore- told it that it fhould be, Matth. 24. 24. There (hall arife falfe Chrifis , and falfe Prophets , andjhalf (hew great fignes and wonders. And accordingly foon after his departure it came to pafle, Many fuch falfe Teachers arofc. Among Ee 3 other, <• 0£ her, and in the firfi: place, the fore- Jc cowing ihe me “ cloneci Simon Magus, who for the people there- confirming or his impious opinions aa tr ? f , hi s L had Djvme yen- P ^ ec * berore his Teeming Conver- geance, ixon, by the power of Satan working many wonders, counterfeit miracles, in fotnuch that thepeopleof Rome gene- rally thought of him, as the people of Stun Ati a had done before, Aft. 8 io mat he was the great power of God, and fo both admn ed, and adored him. Such me did he make of thofe his Impoftures to gain credit to his perfonanddo- drine. In which way he went on, un - till he was flopped by the hand of Di- Vine fujlice which as the hand of Pro- vidence faith to the Sea, Hitherto / Kilt thou come but no further, and here {had m ‘ V > S U Job. 58.' 1 1. fofaidthattohim, not onely/w ^ bonndmg hjiii, (as it did faints Wdfambres, who were permitted to b on in their Inchantmencs,till it came wJe«T7 S ° f mo lice ^ then ^%ed,^8. l8 j but alfo ar- v^ kln f hlm in the Sc 4 l n h,S S T er y- So Eccle- • 4 CaU Hlft ones tell us, how that at- ' tempting , . of Seul-unfettlednejfe. 65 tempting on a time to flye in the am in the fight of many people, lus divclhfh Art failing him, he fell to the ground, and brake his leg, which proved to him mortal, in a little time bringing his wretched life to a miferable end. Thus was he moft defervedly made a fpeftacle of Divine vengeance, and a laughing- ftock to the people, who befoie taking him for a God, now fawhim to be what he was no other but a notorious Inv poftor/ God therein dealing by him, as the Apoftle there faith he had done by Cannes and fambres, and wou.d c.o by other falfe Teachers, 2 Tim 3 . 9* Not (uttering him to froceed any P rth ' r f but caufmg his folly to be made mamfejt to ““ And what that father of HereMs did, the like have divers of his follow- d«s E ers after him done. It is the Charader which the Apoftle giveth of the great Jntichrifl, zTheff. 2.9. He is one. Me coming is after the working of Sa- ta » , with all Powers andfignes , and lying wonders. Adefcription fitly agreeing to the Antichrift of Rome , who maketh , ufeof this as afpeciall meanes for the confirming and upholding of lus ciro- Ee 4 neous $ 6 KJ The Turning Sicknejje aeous doAines, and falfe worihips Am°ng all the Engines which he era- pioyeth in this way, there is „ 0 ne mo7e .hen th" 'h?s“f t £“’■ <»**». So rnv Sfe± h f ' '%?£*> b 4 feigned, neeefetf! wtpoftures and ill u /Ions, cheats Jed th^bTholdm'.’ ofltlh? ture & fhTf he ? d,nar y courife of na- ma y 3lter and diangf P S™jfj"/ 4 ^' 7 RomiH] Miracles Xvi uc “»Ifay>3re j? 4 " i fi? make ufe of for the co„ helxpoS’ed ) ”“ y wySf co„fi ,tab Thls ' vas Chrifts ; y * ^firming hif dpftrine, by Mj 7 TAcleSy , if Soul-Unfettledne(Jec 67 racks , and wonders, and 'fignes, which God did by him( as the Apoftle Peter tells the Jewes, Aff. 2. 22.) And by the like means Antichrift attempteth the confirming of hisdodtrine, his coming being after the working of Satan , with all power and fignes, and lying wonders. And the like hath' been the pradiice of divers other Hereticks , and falfe teachers. Some of which are faid to be abroad among our felves in this Nation at this day, who pretend as to Revela * tions , fo to Miracles. Of all which we are to judge as of the former. And thefe are fome of thofe falfe dice, thofe falfe Arguments , which thefe fpirituaU Cheaters , falfe teachers makeuleof in the feducing of Ample and unftable foules. Befides which there are fome other Other Artifices Artifim which are very ufefull to them i n this way •, As, viz,. The G lo(J e which they fet upon their Dodtrines, and the yizottr which they put upon their own faces. Thev ufe to (eta Glojfe upon their AGloffefcc doctrines. Even as Trades-men do up- Ef * Do ‘ on their Stuffs and other Commodities, which they fet a gloffe upon, to make The Turning Sicknejje them more pleafing to the eye, and fo the more vendible. So deal faJfe Tea- chers by their doffrines, putting a fpe- cious glofle upon them, to make them more taking-, fet ting them forth with Such a dr efle of words,as may commend them to thofc that will hearken after them. This is that which St. Peter fore- te lech and forewarneth the Primitive Chnftmns of, , Pet. 2. where fpeaking ot fa,le y eache rs , who ftould com? among them , privily bringing in of damnable Herefies, verfe 1. he addeth v er. 3. And through CovCtou/nelJe (hall they with feigned mrds make merchan- dize of you. rtctnlf xfyti, fmooth lan- guage, a feigned kind of fpeech, fra- med fit may be) to a Ihew of more then ordinary piety, zeal, Charity. By this means do fubtile ieducers oft-times wind and infinuate themfelves into the bolomes of their Auditors ; withall, crying up the doftrines which they hold forth 5 decrying all other doflrines and wayes but their own, fat the beft weighting them, as not worthy to be 00 ,e after ) but crying up their own, as the onely wayes and truths of God 5 making ufe fit may be) of high and lofty # ' € 9 9 %• ■he dm rth will Oinmend fn after ftfixe- imitivi viking i come 8# of ■tik\ f y ’Mrciun- dik- l, fa' ittkn By this t-times ito the fas itM to A? rut, ioi-, and of Soul-Unfettlednefa lofty and confident expreflions to that end : As St. Peter defcribeth thofe fe- ducers which he fpeaketh of, to be luch as fhould J peak great fuelling words of •vanity , ^ Pet. 2.1 8 . vm*«y*ih pratumida, words fwelling with pride, and arrogan- cy, and felf-conceitedneffe, as bubbles do with wind. And hereby they oft- times exceedingly take the eares of the ignorant multitude, carrying them about like pitchers : So putting off their Dotfrines, as cunning chapmen do their Wares, which by their fmooth Lan- guage, and high commendations they obtrude upon the fimple and unskiltull buyers. . And thus fetting a Glolfe upon their 2. Doctrines , they alfo oft-times put* vizour upon their own races 5 pretend- faces< ing to a more then ordinary Piety, and Santtity. Thus doth Satan fometimes transform himfelf into an Angel of light, (as the Apoftle fpeaketh, 2 Cor. 1 1 . 14 .) either affuming unto himfelf the like fhape that fome of the heavenly Angels have fometimes-, done or doing the of- fice of a good Angel, by fuggefting fuch things as have in them a ihew ot piety, as if it were the motion of one Scribes and 1'harifecs pre- tenders to fpc c;ai bandity. j m i timing d tcknejjc Of the holy and blefled Angels. And ll: Satan do this , no wonder if f t du- cers » f al f e Teachers , being his Inftru- ments, and adied by him, do the like. So the Apoftle there inters in the verie following, fver. 15.) Therefore it is n» gnat thing if his Mimjlers alfo betranf- °f ri g hte oufneL This did the falfe Apoflles, (as the mf e foiegoing there hath it) verfe r ?. They ynsformedthemfehesinto the Apoflles lLf n P' P r « cnd,n g not onely to the like Commiflion that they had to • P^he GofpeI ; but alfo 3 to equa- 1 ze > y e :f t0 exceed and excell them in their ^ and Graces. Thus were they fas they are there called; i f> & w workers 5 making ufe of thole fhewes to gain a high efteem of their perfons, and fo to pro- mote their doftrines. F Such were the Scribes and Pharifees ■- ! n ^ ejr tI me, whom our Saviour cal- ieth whited^ or painted Sepulchres , Mat ]J‘ 2 7 * D , eyvvere outwardly, feeming- 7 very R r ell gtous, pretending to a high degree of Santtity • to be more de- out then others. For a pretence matin? - long prayers , v. 14. and very zealous the 7.- othelfc the vci *#*» 'ketrd (oufmjji, ■be wit * Tbcf Afojllts tytothe I hid to to «pa- i them in ratify vtiKlH) miki^ a high to pro- Haifa imd u,k «• oai^ ’ w ti- lting slots tkf, ' ; of Soul-uttfettledneffe. 7i they were in their way. Comparing Sex and Lxnd to make one Profelyte ( as the next verfe hath it): And elfewhere we read how drift and precife they were in their outward deportment in their habits, geftures, diet, waitings, and fuchlike ceremonial obfervances. By all which their defign was to ingratiate themfelves, and To their doftrines, with the people. _ . /\nd fuch deceitful workers oft-times Therein imka- are falje Teachers -, having (as the Apo- ftle faith of them, 2 Tim. 3. 5 -) chew. civ 3 . form? a fhew of Godlinefe , pretending to extraordinary ftriftnefle. So did many of thofe ancient Here- ticks in the firft ages : who therein have been, and at this day are followed by thofe Religions Ordersitxs they call them) in the Church of Rome y both the fe- As m the fuiucal and other, who tye themfelves “ fo ftriftly to their Rules, being many of them very exaft and precife in the obfervation of them ; and very demure in their carriage *, out- fide Saints , feem- ingly more devout, more juft, more temperate, and abftemious then others; Thus thefe Locufls (as it is faid of thofe in the Revelation, Chip. 9. 7.) they have •the Turning Sickneffe have tu it were crorvnes of gold on their beads, and their faces are as the faces of men, and they have hair as the hair of women-, being outwardly very demure- ty which meanes they and their do- ftnnes gain no fmall efteem with the vulgar, who look no further then to tne outward appearance. So among our And it cannot but be thought that there are feme fdjc u M hrs afehis L ? IS ^ ;ltlon > ' vho do therein tread m heirfteps making uf e c f the fame ratagem. Such as pretending to an extraordinary piety, zeal, devotion,mAt uie oi that vizour to commend, fir ft their perfons, and then their doflrwes to the credulous multitude 5 who having the perfons of men in admiration, , do rea- dily yield up themfelves to them, to be carried about by tho k divers and dr awe fhem " WhlCh thCy Md forth ‘° r ^ nd th r us ^ve l done with the firft remn Cf r “ fr0m , which thi $ dm- • f -f s . ec [u<5hon may be conceived to ThiS ™*‘ S . omewhat ^ the Teachers of thefeDoftnnes, Their Affivity, their mt? y f K T d ] m their deceitf ul Argu- - s ’ tecched irom Scripture mefted-, from '* 7 $ , w 4ir wklij their i nth rfcf then to it that hi s fay a tread he fame ?toan iw,make a IM ! mro do tea- 1 , tobe ioithto -of Sod-unfettledneffc. xT from Reafon abufed 5 from Cuflome al - lodged-, backed with pretended Reve- lations and Miracles * ? and fet off by falfe Clones put upon their do&rines, and vi- gours put upon their own faces. To all which I might yet adde two other Qualifications , which being p r om®ting this fometimes found in the Teachers ot Seduction, thefe Doctrines, do not a little promote this Sedaftion in the Hearers of them * as, vise. i. It may be they are Learned men, i. who either broach, or maintain fome Learning, of thefe Opinions Poffibly, eminently learned •, at leaft reputed fo to be. And this is a weight which fwayeth not a lit- tle in the vulgar balance. This it was that had a prevalent influence upon ma- ny of the Serves ♦, the reputed learning of the Scribes and Pharifees , who were their Teachers. Them they looked Upon as great T>o£f ours , as Scribes fully inftrutted unto the Kingdom of heaven 3 as knowing tnen > ipecially in their own fcience, in all mat* ters of Religious concernment: And thereupon they yielded up themfelves . to be led and carried about by them, as the jhadow is by the Body. And truly 2 . Piety. To hath it been, and yet at this day i s If men of eminent learning ( really nr repmedly foj (hall be turned Ifide from the truth, to the unbracing and holding forth of any errour, fas fometimes,and not feldome, they are, whereof many Caufes and Reafons might be affigned) it is not to be wondered, if thofe who being unlearned themfelves, have them in admiration that way, and look upon them in Spirituals, fas Achitop he l in his time was accounted for Politicks ,2 Sam 16. 23.) as the Oracles of God, be carried about with them, after them. Or, (fecondly) They may be Godin • really, yea, and eminently f uc h. Now being io, and being themfelves fedu- ced (which the moft holy men are fub- jed to; 'they become eminently inftru- mental in feducing of others , upon w om then example hath a prevalent influence. That was Peters cafe, recor- T d b £; St ' liW > Gal - 2 - He being thron^afear of fcandal h\\tn intoa [can- f °% difiimulation , tfudaizinr with th cfewes, for fear of difpleafing them, n ^observation of fome Legal Cere- monies which before being among the ^ eHi ' cs j he had feemed to renounce and ^ { ' 1 k'l really® ies,ajj many gnedj ; win) them upon n his Sum. ®d GtJIj-, Sow fedu- : Ma- lta* upon n?alent bag ij& nib :bffl the luce and difclaim, by this meanes he drew many after him. So the 1 3.verfe there fetteth it forth •, And the other Reives dif enabled hkew/fe with him infomucb that Barnabas l/kewife was carried away with their dijsimuldtion. Of fucti preva- lency oft- times are the examples' of men , eminent for piety and holinefle (as Peter was) that if they mifearry whether in Practice or Dottrine , they draw many other well-meaning, but ilnfhble follies after them. But I (hall hold you no longer in this firft Head. Come we now to the fecond Head, From 'he Hea- to take notice of iomewhat in the ffea- rers and Receivers of thefe Do&rineS.'D a ine* } And here again we ih ill meet w th di- vvho » vers things which help forwird this Se- du&ion I (hall onely infhnce in fome' Of the moft obvious. i. It may be they are Chafe. And i} fo they may be upon a double account;' Ic p*y Either in regard of their Natural Levi- Chat * e ' ty, or Spiritual Vanity. i. chafe , in regard of Natural Le- *vity : Bern j by natural dlfpofitiOrt Weak la rgird^ Of apprehenfion, and fo fickle and i'ii* conftant, like J£uickjilver, Which can- hot be fixed-, *V*s*K like a ir.ati Itand- F f m * The T timing Sickneffe Or fpiritual "Vanity. ing upon one leg, waveringand unftea- dy, un fable in all their tv ayes (as Saint fames hath it, fam. i . 8.). So they are even in matters of civil concern- ment •, they are in and out, to day of one mind, to morrow of another, ea- fily turned this way or that way. And being fo in the matters of the world, it is the lefle to be wondered at if they be fo in the matters of God. a. Others who have nofuch defeft in nature, yet are Chafe ftill, and that in regard of ffiritual vanity. Having at the beft but the empty husk of an outward Profeflion, wanting the inward grain , the truth and kernel of Grace. This it is, and onely this, which efta- blifheth men in the matters of God-, as the latter part of the Text will (hew us, \_lt is good that the heart be efiablijhed with Graced This is the baUafi of the foul. Now what wonder is it to fee un- ballafted veflels, light Skiffs and Cock- boats , to be tolled to and fro upon the waves ? (a Metaphor to which the Apoftle alludes, Eph. 4. 14. Benottof- fedto and fro $ nwj 091^0^01, or to lee light and empty clouds, clouds without ■ water (which is St. fudc’s Coroparifon, verfe Gk iiini'4. S Sin; So they oncer- cf^y c: er, & Anc rU ) ii leyb; le/ed i that Ising oian inwatd fe lefta- &,# lib bltjh if A ifeena- lot ch At tilts \ itkt' • :vtoo, ' of S oul- unfettledneffe. 17 verfe n. of his Epiftle, borrowed from St. Peter , i Epift. 2. 17.) carried about this way or that way, which way foever the wind bloweth. No more is it to fee ; empty fo tiles , being wholly void and empty of true faving Grace 3 to be car- ried about by divers and grange doflrines. Here is a firft fuppofal , they may be Chafe. ,, 2 . If not fo, yet (in the fecond place) a » they maybe Childron. that we hence- forth be no more children > tofjed to and fro , and carried about with every Wind of Doflnne^ Eph. 4. 14. Children , Such are many Chriftians. Though they may have more then a bare empty profeflion, they have fome truth of Grace in them, yet they are but Chil- dren. So Paul looked upon fome of his Corinthians , when he wrote that Epiftle to them, 1 Cflr. 3. 1. And I, bre- thren , (faith he) could not Jpeak unto you , as unto Jpiritual , but as unto Carnal, even a* unto Babes in Chrifl. Such was their eftatethen. They were fuch as had received the frfl- fruits of the Spirit , and fo were in meafure Spiritual , yet he cal' ieth them Carnaf which he doth Com parativeli , in as much as there was a - f Ef % The Turning Sicfaejfe great deal of Carnality yet in them, much flefh, and little Spirit. And they were Babes in Chrift •, <* They were in Chrift , being engrafted into him by faith 5 but they were Chil- dren , Babes in Chrift. So they were though not in refpeft of time ( they had been long enough in him, to have grown up to fome degree of Maturity) yet in refped of Proficiency. They were Babes in Chrift, that is , in the knowledge, faith and Myftery of Chrift. And fuch at this day is the condition of mmy Chriftians- Though it may be they are//? chrift , and have had a long funding in him, being Ancient Profel- fours, yet they are but Babes , Children. Children in under ft anding, (as the Apo- ftle explains it, icor. 14. 20.J Unskil- ful in the Wcrdef Righteoufne([e(as thofe Babes are defenbed, Heb. 5.1 3. j Such there are fome (and too many ) among us at this day, who (it may be) have been old ftanders in the Churches Grove-, they have been long in Chrift before many others, (as Paul faith of Andro- meus and $unia, that they were in Chrift ef ore him, Rom. 1 6 . 7.) and yet they are but Dwarfe-trecs , (like the Adam ' Apple- _ * If#, jrafe 'Cbb ivere, ' they have M rhey the lift. »of tofel- fa, dll- tbofe Such ite 10 i «fee ley hw PK- L of Soul- unfettledneff \ Apple-tree) Babes. Children in under- (landing. So the Apoftle complaines of fome of his Hebrews, Heb. 5. 12. When for the time ye ought to be Teacher s y ye have need that one teach you again , which bet he frjl Principles of the Oracles of God , and are become fuch at have need of milk, and not of (trong meat. Upon which account he calleth them Babes in the verfe following (verfe 13.): And truly thus fareth it with fome at all times, with many at this day. They have been a long time Scholars in Chrifts School, and have not wanted meanes of Inftrudtion, luchas,had not they been wanting to themfelves and them in the improvement thereof, they might have been in a degree, ( as the Apoftle there calleth them, Heb. 5. 14.) adult i, of full age, grown men in Chrift. But through that negleft they ftill continue Babes, Children, ( uch as have need to be Catechized, and inftrudt- ed in fome of the principles of Chriftian Religion. Thus (it may be) they have good Affections, but weak judgments 5 having but little knowledge , lefle Expe- rience. And by this means they come to be un (table foules , (as St. Peter calleth h Tf 3 them, The Turning Sickneffe them, i Pet, 2. 14.) d^nejatjoi, not well grounded. And being fo, they are apt to be feduced by falfe Teachers. So he there (heweth it •, where (peak- ing of thofe impious and blafphemous feducers which were to come, he faith. They fliould beguile unftablc forties, a «- ***t' Ti k Ine f Cdntes -> a Metaphor taken either from fowlers, who by their Calls , and Stales , and other devices, draw the *1 tuple birds in to their Nets or Snares } or rather from Anglers , who by cover- ing their hooks with deceitful baits , take pie lilly fifhes. Even thus are fimple and unftable foules taken oft-times by fubtile feducers. Wanting judgment, and fo not being able to difcern the hook that lyeth hid under the bait that *: s P to fee the danger v 1 j o^'e erroneous dodrines, which are held forth unto them under fair and fpecious pretences , they are by that tneans taken and carried away by And Purely this is the cafe of many at this day in this Nation $ Of whom Chanty requireth us to hope the beft, that they are fuch as whofe hearts are ' opright with pod j they have good deiires, ^ del bo 1 hi U in w fo tv da tit roa; M ma 1. as. \vh fa IT i t. lOjtltt]! rack fp» icmo'ii t faith, it taJcea Calls, / the MS; necji war, 1 the tta danger rid, t sate ) of Soul-unfettledneffc. ** defires, good Affetfions, and fochas both have had, and have {reall Saints bein' through Grace exempted from ^To- tal and final Apoflafte ) the truth of Grace in them •, yet being but chtUren, not well grounded in the truths of God, and fo wanting judgment to difcern be- twixt truth and laHhood , they ar drawn afide out of the way of truth to the imbracing of dangerous , and ( it may be) in themfelves, damn* kOp nions. Here is a fecond fuppofal •, They m Or (in the ddrd place) they may be 3, for a time Blinded, or Blindfolded. Even BlindeJ . 1 as men fometimes deal by their horfes, which they firft blindfold, by patting fome covering over their eyes, and then make them go round » their Mills, So dealeth Satan fometimes by fome Chrt- ftians , the eyes of »hofe undemanding God hath opened , mlightning them with the faving knowledge of his truth, re- vealing Chrift unto them, and t» them, (as the Apoftle fpeaketh of himfelf. Gal 1. *0 thoughhecannotpat^t their eyes fas the Phtltpnes did Samp Z judg. i6.ai0 quite extinguilh and put out that fork of Divme^ht * J 4 J urrnng Mcknejjc which God hath kindled in th«Vh-, ye. (P 0 ffibl {°f he r n thr0U § h hl s Temptations . and io by that means carry them about m the imbracing of Avers and frame do frims And th s he doth d. vis fives' according to the di vers kinds of r/ ’ ■ ^oas Which fe majteth ufe oi . Z,7i , & **«>& Co,, to he tells t he„w7„°Tfo was it with them, they Were */J/ towards God manvofrfi e ‘ e ieal ons 'A'orfhip and fervice n? 7 ’ and to his light oi' tno.vlcdge for the "2, nS ordering of ***$££&& w^-uns they mifcarried anrl fn carried m.r ' ’ and were 27; God, for God : they have an./ ^ «™> d f ft- Affedionsf°buc "g Wgadne proper, ion of Ww^eior the of Soul-Unfettled»efJ'e a the regulating of that zeal, it becom- W eth to them as a mi ft before their eyes, hindering their fight-, fo as through ° 0llt l > the vehemency of that boiling Papon fomingup from the heart to the head, l «y«, they do not fo judicioully dilcern be- femp. twixc things that differ, as they ought to s >p, do, and otherwife might do j and fo are l Zti carried, as into fome unadvifed atfions y the fo alfo to the imbracing of fome erro- )thg neous opinions, which have fome fhew and femblance of piety in them, as it 2. As inordinate zeal may occafion EWto- this, fo alfo fometimes may inordinate 2 . j j lo fear , fear of fuffering. This was that Fear. 'ttlm whit h wrought that ftrange change up- Qgin on Peter y turning him about contrary to tohis his confident relolutions,to the denying g tk and abjuring ofliis Lord and Matter, igipd Mattb.i6.7o,ji, Fear having poflefled that his he art ft for the prefent bred a ludden i w at vertigo in his head \ fo as he was turned e try about like a tvheel by the hand of every ull'/o damfel. And like operation it hath Cha- fometimes upon holy and precious if • Saints, caufing them either to diftemblc i [it | the truths of God, as Nicodemtts did , 2t- ! • who came to Chrtft only by night, foh. [ot I * 3,2. This he did for fear of the ferns, tit' 1 ^ ; Which The Turning Sickneffe Which To far in thofe times prevailed with many true believers, whofc hearts were towards Chrift, that they durft not own him. So it is noted, X 0 h 7 *f>he A„d%hf s / t ; 7 wS Irir e P arcnts of that blind child lflemble their knowledge of Chrift. item' Th 7 (it may be ^ t0 den ) Th “ s . do timorous Chriftians too often, (like the Weathercocks upon this and many of our Church- fteeples ) turn round under the Croffe: being through fear brought not onelyto dit fahle their ProfeiTion, but to deny it. That was the cafe of thofe Primitive Chriftians among the Jewes , whom raul faith that he by his perfecutincr of them, caufedto blafpheme, A (ft. 26^11 to deny Chrift, ye;?, and (it may be ) to ^ V1 j. °f thofe truths , that way. which before they had owned. Thus is this Vertigo fometimes caufed bv few. 3 j r' fometimes again through defire of gam, and outward advantage. 5 ° is it with grofle Hypocrites. With them jtevtpbt & are a \\ one> GairJ . ts Godhneffe the Apoftle faith of ' fome _ sprenU mkh : hiti i fib}. vfurja s wine id c| CM. to Juj riflw nipon i "fits) fail wim whom rag of 16, a fbejtc it m g i 0 fain oof 1 of Sotil-Unfettkdnefe, fome feducecs in his time, i Tim. 6. 5.) they make it their defign to turn that way which may bring in the beft in- come of profit to them*, and to are carried about with the hope of gain. This is that which St. fiude faith of fome in his time, in that Text forfei- ted, fiude 11. They ran greedily after theerrourof Balaam for reward-, which fas Diodate notes upon it; the Italia* verfit n underftands of fome who were {educed by thofe falfe T etchers fpokeii of before, verfe 4. rendring it They fuffered themfelvts to he carried away 5 that is, (as he expounds it) they were carried away by the bait of gain, which they ran greedily after. *$tx v * naw, > (faith the Original ) a word very Emphatical, properly fignifying Bffufi font, or erant y They were poured out •, a Metaphor ta- ken from water in a Bottle , which being poured forth maketh hafte to get out (as our New Annotation explains it). Even fo did they So earneft were they in feeking of gain, that they cared not what Errours they clofed with tor the comparing of their bafe ends ^ which they followed with fuch eagernefie, that they cared not though they poured j urning btcknejjc their Joules in the pur fait thereof- though they poured them forrhas «*.’ ter that is Jfilt upon the ground. Ipft hitoh ' times,vith By-refpcfts And I wifl i there were no caufa tn SSZsf&S S? th r ^ b ° a h - SB?;ssgi£ss ol fome opinions and waits, which were t not for feme temporal advantage they expert to meet w,th mthem, and Such ft?' ' h 7 "'° uld not look after. eve o fZ* ‘t ' 5 f 0 maimes u P°n the eyes of thoie who are ochtrwife feeing htuOdnk'i? eno “S h > that for thetinfe cJ l h T ^ as it is fa,d of a Clip z Bribe, Exod. 2 2. 8 . A riftblinA- • hatht as ^e OriginaJI hath ^ *tnming the eyes of fud^e- mentand Confcience in chofe who are ofomvife underftanding and Judicious, udn t ™?" h l h ‘ mrd! °f’ k nor thcm nelt her to fp?afc nor judge aright, according tothe evi- dence . truly time fom i$fl the: nlusij Bteiflj :aBfe t oy fie parts ci oaiUj irtsare i they n, aid : after. K»tk feeing. letitM lid ofa m li fjd juke- boat . evi- ence of SouUUnfettledneJfe dence of truth given into them. And truly it is to be feared, fuch effed fome- times the hope of Gain may have upon forae who are otherwife godly, that it isrlike a Pearl in their eye, dimming their fight for the prefent, fo as they do not fee the Errour of thofe Opinions andwayes which are fo promifing to them. And thus I have done alfo with the fecond of thefe Heads. pafle we to the third •, To take no- 3* tice of fomewhat in th edotfrints them- | r f ken felves, which may caufe, or rather oc- from the Do- cafion this feduftion. And here again **»- I (hall fingle forth three or four parti- culars. l . It may be they ate fuch dogrms R mij ^ |hty as dopleafe and tickle the fancy through arc n c vv and th t Novelty and ftrange nefte of them, ftrange. They are fuch Do&rines as the Text fpeaketh of. Divers and ftrange do - Urines. And ftrange it is to think, how fuch dottrines do fometimes affect the Hearers of them ♦, having nothing elfe to commend them but onely their Hovelty and ftrangeneffe. They are net v and ftrange. And Oh ! how ta- - king is this with many < And that not * onely with Children , who are apt to be * - taken The Turning Sicknejfe ' taken with novelties • fuch things as they have not feen before, be they never fuch toye$,yet they are apt to part with things of far greater value for them But alfo with others, perfons who in refpe&of their years might, and fhould be wifer. What is it that induceth many, (l wifh I might not fay fome Profcflours ) to follow every vain fafoion m their apparel, and hair,&c. though in themfelves never fo undecent and unbecoming, (as divers of the fafoions at this day are) but onely this, they are divers and Jlrange ? And what is it that induceth the impure Adulterer fometimes to forfake the wife of his youth, being both for her perfon and Condition every waies amiable, to im- brace the bofome of another no waies to be compared with her ? why, onely this, (he is a fir, anger , the (Irangc woman (as Solomon calleth the Harlot, Prov. j. 20. and often elfewhere). And fo for the abominaole Sodomite to commit that norrid fin againft nature, but onely oecaufe it is (as St. fude calleth it, v.7.) strange flefc of another fex. Thus is Corruption oft-times taken with divers and Jlrange things upon no other ac- tecs D« wi pc *- 1 )' count. [f ' %is heyievr dUlOl’; tlduCK: y foiH Mia rfiougb »t and tkyarc mtisit lidiMi 'of kb foo aad ,10 till' KJlrffl 7 , oncli |{|WW’ W.J. ldlWr cf Soul-Unfettledneffe, count but this, becaufe they ore fo. And truly fo is it fometimes in mat- Novelty sad ters of Relieious concernment , both VoftrintsW&Praffices, they are taking mqnti, with fome * How fo i Becaufe they are new, lights, and new wayes-, fuch as the Church of God in former Ages hath not been acquainted with. This it was that bred that itch in the Athe- nians eares •, that made them fo earneft- ly defirous to hear what Paul's do&rine was •, becaufe it was New and Strange. May we know (fay they) what this new doctrine whereof thou f peake ft is ? For thou bringefl certain ftrange things to our eares $ We would know therefore what thefe things mean, Act. 17* ip, ao. This it was that moved them to become his Auditors, becaufe they would fatisfie their own curiofities. And in likeli- hood, this it is which moveth fome, and not a few, at this day, to run after fome Teachers , and to liften after fome do- ff rines : Onely becaufe they are new and ftrange. So the Apoftle foretold that it fhould be, 2 Tim. 4* 3 * time will come (faith he) when they (fpeaking • of fome Chriftians ) will not endure * found doffrine •, but after their own lufts The Taming Sickneffe fall heap unto themfelves teachers , ha- •vmg itching cares. And what he fore- told we may now fee it verified. The time is now come, when fome, my ma- ny, will not endure found doFlrine • old truths, with the Mimflers that preach them, thefe they cry down ^ cryin<* up new Teachers jsxfd New doctrines • there- by (hewing that they arc infeCtcd with this Leprofte , this Itch. 2. It may be they are fuch Dodlrines as gratifie the fie fh. Such was that fir ft offers and [range dottrine that was ever held forth in the world * I mean that doctrine which was preached by Satan to our firjl Parents in Paradife ; it was a doftnne that gratified them by an in- dnlgence of a greater liberty then God had allowed them. And fuch were lome of thofe doctrines which were held forth by iome falfe Teachers in the Primitive times, which were fo tikuw with divers, whereof St. Peter fpeaketh^ 2 IV/. 2 . 1 8 . For when they (peak great [welling words of vanity ( faith hej thei allure through the lujls of the flefh , through much wuntonneffe, thofe that were clean Uffpj f hw who live in errour. a his did iome falfe Teachers in thofe ' early ^ ' of Soid-un fettle dnejfe. % early times • they held forth fuch do- * fiefe brines as did gratifie the fleih •, under ft the name and notion of Chriflian liber - > ni y®- ^giving a Licence for fome loofe and ' nt \ fli licentious Pra&ices , as the verfe fol- •pad lowing explains it \While they promife yingup them liberty , See.], fo turning the grace ; there- of God into lafcivioufnefje, (as St .%ude, d witt having an eye to that of Peter , expref- fethit, fade 4 .) And by this meanes driiies they allured fome, who ( as St. Peter nt ff there deferibeth them) were clean efca- ffiever ped from them who live in errottr that at tat is, ei ther true Converts ,7*>' « 7 * if San (as moft Copies have if) qtii veil ejfu- itmst gerant (as Beza tranllates it) fuch aS /an in- were really, and truly Converted. Even aiGod fuch (as it feemeth) , fome ot them :h wck were vVrought upon by thofe doftrines j h were being for a time aangeroufly lhaken, rfiatbc though not utterly overcome by thofe )tdw * Temptations. Or however, fuch as had peM onely renounced idolatry , and made an j n t outward profeflion of the Chiiftiart Re- btjikf ligion, withall, walking anfwerably to' ,U • that Profeflion, without any juft faff-; rt 0 dall. Yet they were taken by thefe m , ' - Anglers * as the word there imports, (be- tholt ' i n S the fame with that which we mec 4,-. - vVlttf The T wring Sicknejfe with before in the 14. verfe of that Chapter). a?,\ Inefcant^ue. quafi pi fees Lima captant(ps Beza interpreted it), they take them as Fijhes with a Hook and a Brit. And (queftionleffe) ' in this very way have not a few of late times in this Nation been taken by di- vers of thofe falfe doctrines which have been fpread abroad. They being fuch dodhines as gratife the flejh , indulge men in a great deal of loofneffe and li- centioufneife under the pretence of Chriftian and Gojpel- liberty • giving al- lowance unto them in fome unwarrant- able practices, which true Religion will not admit. And by this bait it is that they are taken, and lb carried away with thofe doctrines. It mav^b- ti-cv „ Ic ll J ay be are fuch do <^nnes artconfonm t as Zx f co »jonant and agreeable to humane tuRcafon. Reafon. Such were the dodtrines of the f rife Apo flies in Paul's time, who made uleof their Philofophy( as I dewed you; their Naturall Reafon-, which they did both Pro and Con , for their own dodtrines, againft the doctrines of theGoipel; pretending the one to be a gieeable to lleafon, and the other con- trary to it. Which (no queftion) can- not cf S out- nnfettlednefft hot but be a very prevalent Argument with fuch as the Apoftle callet'n j-vyj**} or tveuci, i cor, 2. 1 4.meer naturall men, who have no other guide but the light Of Reafon to follow. And hereupon it is that Satan , that fubtle and experien- ced Engineer hath made,and at this day doth make fo much ufe of this Engine, for the battering and overthrowing or divers Articles of the Chriftian faith 5 as, viz,, the doctrine of the Trinity * the Incarnation ofchrifi^ the Creation of the Worlds and the Refurrettien of the Body’ all which being contrary to PhilofophicaU principles , and fo not to be compre- hended by Reafon, upon that ground he dilfwadeth men from the belief of them. And by the fame means he feduceth and draweth them into dangerous, yea, into pernicious and damnable err ours ; prefenting them unto them as doftrines mod confonant and agreeable to their Carnal Reafon. Such are the do&rines, as of fome other Setts among ft us, fo in fpecial of that, of all other (in my eyes; tne moft dangerous, the Socinian: which , by this Engine feeks to undermine di- vers of the Principles of Chriftian Re- ligion, becaufe they are not confonant . Cg a acid 9 4 The Turning Sickneffe and agreeable to their Reafon , though never fo clearly held forth to the eye of faith in Scripture. And upon this foun- dation it is that they eredt and build their own divers And flrange doffrines : which ( prefuming themfclves to be great Majlers of Reafon) with much confidence they hold forth, to the fe- ducing of fome, who are willing to hearken to them, and to be deceived by them. 4 4. To thefe adde one more, which it ma; te they is as taking as any of the former, if not have aihewof more. And that is * It may be they at* fuch dodtrines as have in them a /hen of piety. Such were the dodtrines which th efalfe Apojlles preached, and preffed. They were fuch things (as the Apoftle c; defcribeth them , Col. 2. laft) as had indeed a fhetv of rv if dome in wll-mrfhip , and Humility , and negletting of the Body. Such were divers of thofe Ceremonial obfervances, which were fo eagerly preffed by them upon Chriftians in thofe times. They had a great fliew of Piety and Humility in them being exer- cifes of Mortification and S elf -deny all , which (being rightly performed) are * fervices very acceptable to God. Thus did ^ ^ ad Wi car aw be tfc th m St «h | W tie ac a< th< la- te G fi ( ‘ tf vv b Uf dr W ac ♦ of Soul-unfettled/u([e. ,n ) ityi did they varniih over that fuperftitiout ' tk ¥ WiU-worfhip of theirs 5 whereby it be- this 1® came very ta king with fuch as were not c.. aware of the hook hid under that Mm. ^it. c es ro I And the like may be faid of many of th mii; the do&rines of the Church of Some at 5 the if this day, which pretend to excraordi- % t nary ftriftnefle, and fo carry a (hew of tired b, fingular piety and devotion with them^ whereby many well-meaning, buc un- it) which wary foules are bewitched •, and fo car- io^'iSmi ried away with them, ijbetbf And furely that is the cafe of fome thmijk and divers of . thofe doctrines which mtrbia walk abroad in this Nations at this day : i prefled they have a (hew of ipeciall and fingu- it lar piety in them. Some of them pre- i) as k tending to an high advancement of /res ihirfHj Grdce , which in it felf is a glorious do- iftklM (trine. Such is that Arminian doftnne, (which it feemeth is of late crept into fo fflij- this place, being brought in by forae Lillis it who creep into houf M, and fo beguile un- eatfooi /M* fates), I mean the Vottnne o) Univerfal Redemption , with its Atten- Al dants, (as Error feldome goeth alone), L\ jk which is cryed up as a dottrine highly j Tta * advancing and magnifying the grace of 'a-. Gg s , God > Turning Sickneffe extending it to the Uni- j °f Mankind^ far above that . confines it to a feled number: which yet is but a meer pretence. Fqr if all be alike Eleded in Chrift , alike givepto. Chrift, and alike redeemed by Chiiftj fb as nothing is done > or in- tended more for one then another, where is then that fpecia/l differencing and diftingmjhwg Grace of God, which jsfo adnured by the Apoftle in divers of his Epiftles ? So as in truth this doctrine, being rightly fcanned, is not an exaltation of Grace, but a great de- rogation from it. And divers other do- diines there are of like nature, which have the like varnifh fet upon them: As, viz,, the Antinornian tenents, and fome other, which I (ball not trouble you with the enumeration of. Onely defiring you to take notice of this in the general^ as one fpecial means of thus carrying about fome, and many well- meaning, but unftable foules-, even the fpecious Ihevv of pretended piety that is m fome Dodrines. And thus I have now ( through the fi°° my God leading me . -ong ) dispatched the former of my ' tasks. 4 ; tO t()t St , above t ft nanife cnee. [ ■HI, | tamed; ic, or ii anothe: fertm I, whirl ffl Jim rath this ti,M 0 t .igtotdt- rsotberdo ure, dia ipatka: neats, aai lotrali f, Qnct this intis ssoitte uny re- evff/fe rtpta mMc if me of my * cf Soul-unfettledne([e. tasks, that which I intended by way of doctrinal Explication and liberation . Wherein I have ihewed you what is meant by Divers and ftrange Doctrines , and what by being carried about with thofe Dodtrines. Then that there have been, and are fuch doctrines •, and that Chrijlsans are fubjett to be canted about with them h Giving you the Grounds and Reafons of both. That which now remains of this part of the Text, is Ap- f " Where fin the firft place) I might jtfflu. here make a tend, and taken juft and ^Sj.'SSS. fad Lamentation , pouring forth my tour j, r ^. nt ft ate c f in bemoaning the prefent Rate and con- the church s« dition of the Church of God in this.*- Nation. Wherein, (Lord ! ) what va- riety of Jlrange doctrines are there to be found ? And how many every where carried about with them < For Dottnnes, liow divers ? and many of them how ftrange ? Surely Africa was never more fruitful in variety of Monfters , then England is at this day in variety of Opi- nions: divers of which are to mon- ftrous, fo hideous, as furely Hell it fel affords none more. Such as give us to hope, that the Devil is now pouring Cg 4 if m 9% Jjrfe Turning Sicknejfe out dj/very dregs of his ptjfonous Cup. BijKvithat!, how many are there found yf6be intoxicated therewith C Yea,fome who fome yeares fince were looked up- on as ftayed and lober Chriftians, yet now we may fee rhem reeling and ti- gering like drunken men to and fro- carriea this way and that way, as not knowing how, or where to ftand. Such is the Condition of this poor Nation at this day ? Jnfomuch that this difeafe of the Spiritual Vertigo is grown Epidemi- cally common ip all places. Look where we will, almoft, how may we fee ivbedes turning about , C haft whirled about Waves and Clouds driven about , , linkable Joules carried about rvith the wind of divers and ftrange doctrines, A mat- ter ol: juft and deep Lamentation And lo let it be to every of us.Should any ot you, while your felves ftand fa fe u f on ^' ,e Ikoare, fee others, though Sir angers , much more friends, tolled upon the \vaves among Rocks or 9*ick- (andsy ready toperifti every moment, ( ptelumeit coulcinot but atfcbr theflin- f ™ heat t among you. And furely fuch * tup condition ot many of vour Bre- * tlu-en and Sifters at tjiifc day in'this Na- * ♦ fwitto taefoj y«,fo« tooicd* tons,)- 'and Hi* ►andfij: as He id. Sod toon i Ifeafeo! i Efidtwr- 8 . M navwefe [ tft M mi dit (hk if n i, Aik 'm, os.SWc stondlii s,thoi]i ^toW ttjM’ DOp,f nkk iirel/ddi yorire- ti<& , of Soul-Unfettlednefr. lion, who are thus tofled to and fro with divers and grange dotfrines, fome of which are no better then Rocks and guickfands, defperate , and damnable do&rines, fuch as who ever imbraceth, living and dying in the belief of them, muft needs tplit and periih upon them. Now how (hould the confideration hereof affeft the hearts of all thofe who truly loving God, cannot but bear an hearty affection to their brethren, fo as to defire their everlafting welfare and happineffe ! But I (hall not infift upon this, either the further dtfcovering of this Malady , or the bevailingof ir. I (hall rather come to that which more nearly concerneth your felves •, to pro- fecute that which I told you was my defign in taking up of this Text 5 Which is, J To Warn you^ you of this place, of Ufe 2. this Congregation * To whom let me a double c» in the Name of God here hold forth a “ double Caveat : fir ft. Be not you offen- ded at thefe : Secondly, Be not you fe- duced by them. Of thefe two feveral- ly. Begin with the former. 1. Be not you offended by thefe s by Caveat 1. what either you fee or hear of in this ^ not oScn ' kind *, I m 4 I GO If . W Si £ Turning Sickneft'e kindyw offended, as to like chrijl an^ Hutiligion ever the worfe for them. A fcfled thing not to be thus offended Blcffed is he whofoever fhdll not be often- ded in me (faith our Saviour ) Matth 1 1. 6 . This unftable foules are fubjed un- to upon divers occafions* like queafie A.omachs are ready to take diltalle at every thing that difpleafeth them. But upon none fooner then this $e tnftability , and unfettlednefle of thofe thatprofeffe the faith of Chrift - when they (hall fee them carried about with divers and flrange doctrines. So, much we may,. learn from St. Peter . r' r* ; /- W ^ ere *P ea k‘ n g in the firft v&frotfdje, Teachers , inch as Should broach damnable Hereftes 5 and in the Second verte,' of their /^/Wr, which feW ’ but man f’ {.Many fbaU follow their pernicious waves ], He iubjoynes this to both, [_By reafon of whom the way of truth fhall be evillftohen %1- The way of truth]. The true Chri-. irian Rel.-gion, which fhewes the true • - -4 i nd ,T, dy ,W t0 true happinefle , It mouid by this meanes be expofed to the Reproaches and Obloquies of the Ad- v fanes of it, And furely fo is it with the *4 of Soul-unfettled/iefe. ‘orthtaj iSOfflKj; # ty Mutth, is abj&ftn tequc i to till tfpfafab then (bis, aide of iCkift- w 44 mk irims, So i St. Pop, ia tbe M and itk w, tcto iy, [Mot] w 4 H( ( rli(» (villjjh trueOfi’- 5 rbetnte WM fedwtfc drAd- fiwitb tlic the Protefiant Religion at this day, which is profefled and held forth as the true Religion of God in this Nation •, by reafon of thole divers and Jlrange do - ftr 'wes which are to be found in it (Tome of them confefledly far worfe then any that the Chnrch of Rome is charged with), and the ftrange unfettledneffe of the Pro feff ours of it, who as if they had no fure bottome to ftand upon, are thus carried about with every wind. By this meanes this way of truth is evil (fo- ken of by the adverfaries of it. And that efpecially by out Adverfaries of Rome, who as they have ever been rea- dy to cafl this in the Protefhncs face, their divijions , fo now queftionlefle, they rejoyce in them, and triumph over them-, from hence concluding, that furely this cannot be the way of Truth. which hath fo many windings, and turnings, and Croffe waies in it: This cannot be the true Religion of God, the Profeffours whereof are fo far from that whichGod hath promifed to his Church under the Gofpel, viz. Corunum&via una. One Heart and one way . Thus are r v ' ? J others offended hereat. But let not any • of you be fo offended. No Reafon ' • 1 - why 1C2 Ko Reafon why Chriflians Ihould be of- fended at this. I. This is no other then what luth been. Turning Sicknefje w Should be fo. This being no then what, Hath been. It is no new thing. No other then what hath been in all Ages of the Church 5 even in the fir ft and pureft times of it. Then were there fuch divers and ft range dotfrines fet on foot, and divers carried about with them. And what wonder then to fee the like a&ed over again in thefe dregs of time. It is no other then what hath been. 2. a. And (fecondly) it is no other then No other then wnat hath been foretold jhould be , muft toUii-aiiand * ^ ere fnu ft be Hereftes (faith the Apoftle,) i Cor. 1 1.19, And that as in all, fo fpecially in the latter times. For which moft clear and exprefle is that of Sr. Paul, who writing to Timo- thy, informs him .hereof, 1 Tim. 4. 1. Now the Spirit [pedketh exprejly , that in the latter times fome fhaU depart from the faith, giving heed to [educing fpirits , and Doctrines of Devils, &c. 'And again, 2 Tim. 3. 1. This know alfo, (faith he/ that in the loft dayes perilous times [ball come , For men [ball he lovers of them- felves. Covetous, boaflers, andfohe go- *th on, (hewing what a flood of evills fliould in the laft times ( being, as it were. mull be. Ags firft t 're there r let on h them, ike life )f time, m. ktoi I k. m 4 (W the Item m, tpreffeis to Tim#* 'in. if i. ^ the it t fr»»tk ,nd ^ (latkkj i$/i l'd tfw okf ofA 0it ^ of Soul-unfettledneff’e. were, the lees and dregs, thtworft of times) break in upon the Church, {breading over the face of it j and among other he reckonethup this for one, that there fliould be fome who (hou\d creep into houfes, and lead captive fi/ly women. See. there fliould be ma- ny Seducers , and many [educed by them. „ ... r i l Now wherefore is this to clearly foretold, but to prevent that offence, which any might be ready to take, when they fee thefe things come to pafle. This was our Saviours end in foretelling to his Dt fa pies what harfl> ufage they fliould find in and from the world, after his departure frorn them, Thefe things (faith he ) have tjp 0 ^* unto you, that ye (hould not he offended, Joh. i 6 .i. And again, Thefe things have I told you, that when the time jhaa come, ye may remember that I told you of them, v. 4. And to the very fame end * he elfewhere forctelleth in like manner of falfe Teachers that fliould come,and the prevalencie of their feduftions Uatth. 24 . 24 . There jhall arife falfe Chrifls, And falfe Pmphets, and Jhall jbero great Jignes and wonders^ tnfomuch that Caveat 2. Take heed of being (edu- ced Turning Sickneffe (if ityne pofiible) they / ball deceive the rfEletf. So prevalent fhould they : in their feducements. And where- fore doth he foretell this i why, to pre- vent that offence which any might be ready to take hereat, when they fliould fee it*. So it followeth, Behold . , 1 have told j«u before , v. 25. given you this warning, that you might not be offen- ded or troubled at it, when you (hall fee fo many errours held forth, and fo ma- ny giving heed to them. And of fuch ufe let thefe and the like prediftions be unto us. Now that we fee what was foretold to become to pafle, being thus forewarned of it* be not offended at it, fo as to like the true Religion of God ever the worfe for it. Here is the former of thefe Ca- veats. Paffe we to the fecond, which my eye is principally upon. Not being offended , take heed (in the fecond place) of being feduced. Be not ye carried away with divers and (Irange doUrines . That was the Apoftles ad- monition to his Hebrews^ and let it now be mine to you. Such doctrines there are abroad $ and many there are who are carried about with them. Now taking ' 4 > dutitt it, fcoll ti ad whe;;. ty,tOpir might it M you this * o/fen- iMfee- Kowtte ) kcm o edofit, dike the the wife thefeO leedtiutk i It# Js* tine ate i, taka'; cf Soul-Unfettledneffe. caking notice hereof, take you heed that none of you be found in this nutn- ber, that you be not alfo led away. > - So St. Peter preffeth it in the clofe of his latter Epiftle, 2 Pet, 3.17. Having fore- told them of (what we at this day fee) falfe teachers, and many that fhould be ieduced by them, T e therefore {beloved) (faith he) feeing ye know thefe things be- fore r, beware left ye alfo being led away with the enow of the wicked , fall from your own fteadfaftneffe. And the like let me, with like tender refpe&s to your foules,prefle upon you *, Seeing fo ma- ny feducers are abroad, and 10 many every where feduced by them , take heed that you be not in like manner car- ried about as they are. Which let me beg from you : And that, 1. For our fakes, whom God hath feP Arg. 1. over you. (I begin here; Not that we For your m;- feek our felves in the firft place, (as fome :ililtl$ uk - s * are ready enough to charge it) but in* ** tending a Gradation , I be gin at the low- eft ftayr firft). If you ihouldbe thus carried away , this will be our Lofle, our Grief ; which look you to. So Saint fohn preffeth it, making ufe of this very Argument to this very end, 2 Ep. v. S. The Turning Sicknejfe V. 8. where (peaking to the Elect Lady, nnd her children , and exhorting them to conftancy in the faith, which he doth the rather becaufe of thofe falfe Ten- ders which were then abroad, of whom he (peaketh, v. 7. Ftr many deceivers haveentred into the world'] Then he fubjoynes. Look to your [elves, that rve lofe not the things which we have wrought , J O rw f 1/ r/f ^ ^ Ut t ^ At m receivc a nwrdj. We. hitters Uf So 1C is, where Chriftians come to Apo- ftatize, to fall from the Truth which they have received and imbraced, there their Minifiers , who have been their Teachers and Inftruders, they lofe the things tvhitih they have wrought ; their former labours by this meanes are fru- ftrated-, they are loft and fpilt 5 andfo it cometh to pafle that they do not re- ceive their full reward. True indeed, as for their Eternal reward, that they (hall not lofe. That was the Confidence and Comfort of their Lord and Mafter, the Lord chrijl^ who complaining of the fruitlefnefte of his labours among the $ewcs, (as he is brought in, and perfe- cted by the Prophet ifaiah, being therein a Type of him; ifai. 49 he beareth up his (pirit with this comfor- table . r\ dE k f £ is ( mingth lich hedoti ’ fdfth I, Otf/k 1 Jeetive Then In t,tk * d]. ft tt'o Apo- tsart fra- ill-, Jttifo do not ri- le indeed , tk they Confident: he lot- tihfe . tf Soul-unfettledneJJf. table afTurance, v. 4 . Then I [aid, I have laboured in vain, I have {pent my ftrengtb for nought , &c. jet furely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. This was his comfort,that though his Labours had been in vain as to the greateft part of that people, and of the world, yet God his Father, who knew with what uprightneffe and (incerity he had done the work which he had gi- ven him to do, would , for all that, crown his endeavours with an anhver- able reward. And the like may all his fervants comfort themfelves with. Be- ing faithful in their Miniftration, ap- proving thetnielves unto God, in feek- ing his glory, and the good is ^ the falling oft of lb many Pearles from their Crownes. And lo by this meanes it cometh to paffe, that they do not fas he there fpeaketh) receive their full re- ward, • e And this being thus their Lolfe , it is alfo their Grief So it mud needs be. If this be their foy to fee thofe whom they have gained by their Miniftcry, to continue conftant in the profeffion and pra&ice of the Truth, (as it is) Ireioy- £e Meatly (faith St. John, writing to rti , E c . a Lad y in that his fecond Epi- e) that I found of thy children rvalkinr ***** tm K verfe 4. And fo writing to Gains 4 ftle colic; yhtthn MMi ’otrk ich if, w«/« ’ i>JI fo,thffi m God IF, M :edsbt hhoa ifer);t) W '/iff Gi*' , ^ Soul-Hnfettledneffe. Caw in the Epiftle following , he tells him firft, as concerning his own perfon in particular, 3 5 Poh. verfe 3. 1 rejoyced greatly when the Brethren came , and tefii- fedofthe truth that is in thee , fw» m thou mlkejl in the truth : Then con- cerning all others who were converted by his Miniftery , verfe 4. I have no greater joy then to hear that my children walk in the truth - ]. Now (I (ay) if this be fo great a joy to them, (as it Is to all the faithfull Minifters of Chrift , who do ferioufly intend, ddire and endea- vour the falvation of thofe cogamitted to them) it cannot, on the other hand, but be a great fadding to their lpirits, to fee hopefull branches broke off from the ftock,fair bloflomes falling oft from the Tree-, to fee thofe upon whom their Miniftery hath been in meaiuie effectual, (at leaft to the enlightening of them), deferting the truth, and un- bracing of errour, feduced by falfe Teachers, andfo carried about With di’ vers and flrange doctrines. Even as it is with Natural Parents , Min’ (if they be not fuch as the Apoftle fpea- ,ual keth of, Rom. 1.3 1 . without na- tural affection) it cannot but be a heart- Hh * \ 0 $ ftcrs Parents the Turning Sicknefe grief to them, to fee any of their Chil- dren whom they have bred and brought forth, and brought up to fome maturity, with fo much carefulneffe and tender- neflfe to be taken captive by the ?Ene* my, or to be carried away by Gif fits , or the like. Truly in like manner, it can- not but deeply affeft the faithfullMi- nifters ofChrift (who are as ffiritual fa- rents , as fWcalleth himfelf, i. Cor. 4. 1 5 ) to fee any of thofe whom God hath given them as Children, who have been fas it were) the labour and travell of their fouls, to fee them caftived by Sa- tan, to fee them carried away by thofe Gifftes in Religion (of which there are many walking abroad in this Nation at this day), I mean Seducers, falfe Teach- ers ^ who by their Canting Language ,and other like artifices, deceive fimple foules , and fo carry them about with them into the waies of Error. This (I fay) cannot but deeply affe ^ h 3 ttat 1 tie 1 urntng S ickyieQ e that forecited Text of S t.ffohn, 2 Ep. v. 8. Look to your f elves , that ye lofe not thofethmgs which you have wrought , (or gained; but that ye may receive a full re- ward.'] re ] This Apofiates do- Fal- ling from the troth believed and ac- knowledged, they lofe the things which they have wrought , lofe the reward of them-, fo as all their profeffion fhall not turn to any account to them. For this exprefle is that of the Lord by the Prophet Ezekiel, Chap. 18.24. repea, tea and inculcated. Chap. 35. n, 18. When the righteous turneth away from his right eouj, neffe, &c. All his r i Z h- tcouy/iefe that he hath done fhall not be mentioned , &c. So it is in doclrinall truths. , as well as Practical performances A profeiTour turning afide from the V'vay of truth, to the imbracing of Er- rcui , thereby he blafteth all his former Rebellion, lofeth the fruit and benefit of his former Faith, or Teeming Holt- Ae (J c - And urileffe he look to it be- times, may aKb lofe that full Reward, (as tha Apofile there calleth the reward O eternal Life) piQbv j n 35 muc || ?s , 1C ls an abundant recompence for what ever any fhall either do or fuffer). This f' W ’k[l f/ih 0$ fl- uid X 10k mad MliCiS, m the ; of El- ite toitf M trod 3513 m of Soul-unfettledneffe. This lewM Apoftates are in danger “ Noi that all crrours in Mri»e ( no more then in prttfice) are alike dange- r . usin them - rous. We know what the Apoftle f«ives. faith of thofe Teachers , which build y h mifobiu »m */«?£ Nation i Cor. 3. 12- Holding tail ChriftM his [wing truths ,the and dottnml foundations build Come unwarrantable fuperltr aures upon them, holding forth tome dodrines that will not endure the of fuch he faith, verfe 1 5 • ^t * 0 *8 their work be burnt, (as it M beat hat great day of tryal, when a 1 thing « be tryed (as it were) by fire), an (elves Infer Ioffe , (lofe the praife of their labour, which (hall not be acceptedor rewarded with Godjyet they I ball be [wed , though it be *'• JVc fit qui vos depradetur 5 That no man make a prey of you. Verbum mi- lit are, (faith Beza upon it) A word ta- ken from the Wars, where Souldiers drive away as a prey the Cattel which they have taken * or (as our New Anno- tation hath it) from fuch thieves or Py- j rates, as do not onely take and carry away the goods of thofe they rob, but their perfons a!fo, to make them their own, or other mens (laves. Thus do falfe Teachers deal by thofe that hearken to them. By their falfe dodfrines they carry them away for a prey, making a jpoyl of them 5 fpoyling them, not only of their goods, the things which they have wrought, and gained (as the Apoftle there fpeaketh) but even of their foules, (un- lefle Qa natestii red, CL *«|i 9 diet:: to tilt falfe d) thcm.S ^ 0 9Vh v\ Tk ifainf- Sonldie? tel wte '»6vW btsof joe or of if mfftciin loefin £Vld if silk iogitato itvay^ ! »'l # ispofl^ ire «/“ Soul-unfett lednefft r . fas our laft Tranfiation renders that, Rom n. ?.) But fear . Happy is the man that fcaretb ah aits (Taith ithe Wife- matt, Prov. j 8. 1 4« )• Feareth God, and t hcmfcivcs. himfelf Feareth God with a fear ot Piety and himfelf with a fear of fea- Uufte. Feareth to offend his God, and is no waies confident of himfelf ( as Viodate well expounds it). And thus let us fear; And that Almies. Which well we may, when we fee, or hear (which we mav do) of others, fome of them,fome- times Champions for the Truth, to be thus deceived, thus feduced, thus Cap- tived.Well may we, who in comparifon of them are but poor weak ftnplings, fear. Be wzjuffidtnt of ourfelves. Which whileft we cue, commit mem felves to the Cuflody of another, in b Divine Cu-^ is St. refers advice to Chriftians in all (tody, their fufferings for God , that they fliould commit their foules to God, i Pet. 4. laft. Let them that fuffer accor- ds to the will of Cod commit the keeping of their foules to him in well doing , as un- to a faithful Cr eat our. And this do we : Knowing that we cannot keep our own foules, (If Adam in ftate of Iotegnty could not doit, how much lefte we to Ii 3 / n g — ' The Turning Sickneffe this lapfed condition, labouring under io great Imperfe&ionJ, commit them to the cuftody of another, even of that God who is a faithful Cr eat our, who, as he is able to keep that rvhich is committed unto hind, as Paul fpeaketh,2 Tim.\.ii)% fo alfo he will do it for all that truft him. A God that will not forfake the work of his own hands. Thus commit we our felves unto him. Tak'.ngbold Taking hold of him ly faith. Even of cbtir Fa- as children, walking abroad in the winds -bets hand. wa y j Specially if they be to paffe over fome narrow bridge, they will takc hold of their fathers hand. Even fo do we of our heavenly Fathers. Now that the wind of divers and flrange do - Brines is up, and is fo high that every day itcarrieth away fome or other, we being to paffe over a narrow bridge >(for ftich is the way to heaven, Narrow is the way which leadeth unto life (faith our Saviour, Matth. 7. 14.) fo as if our foot flip, or we be turned afide, we may pe- rith for ever, take we hold of our Fa- thers hand, begging it from him that he would hold us, lb keep us that ive inay not turn afide from the way of Truth: not leaving us to our felves-, which- ng undet nit that flofth tvho,a mmiid tat trull fake the :ommit . Era 'Eva to n Nov jlrtqtk thtevq r other, w bridge^ , Kjrrw v [(((aithoJ asifomfe ,we©:' p us ttef ithe^ ;Q Ol^'i of Soul-«nfettledne([e. which if he do, we fhali be found [no better then wheeles, then Chafe, then Clouds , then Waves ,* afily carried about. Thus be not over-confident of our own ^ 'if Nor yet (fecondly) of our own Nw Xudmtnt, by leaning too much upon own j u a & - it. So the TYifeman fubjoynes thisDi-mcnt. redion to the former, Prov. 3 - 5 . in the Lord with all thine heart, and l an not to thine orvn undemanding. A me full Caveat, which let Chnftians nv k ufe of in this cafe. W ould they ftan fure, fo as not to be carried away w Erreurs , let them not lean too rmc upon their own Armes , truft to to their own Judgments. By this me many have been deceived in matters^ th t lo,U, more in the matters °t' C*J. And therefore beware of this Self-ce» ^ And 'that as in other things, fo in p.nicun.lr, *£***: •*. 'Ttsid^'sz* lures. We know what the ApoWreSc. Peter tells us, 2 Pet. i.ao. where he laveth down this as a JW' «; * Sng which he would have all thofe who meddle with to take noticeof. Ktmthufrf (laitn Ii 4 1 St 5‘ j jo The Turning SicknejJ'e he) that no Prophetic of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. ’Wuutm. fiUCl'cf, propria Explications, of a mans own expounding, for a man to inter- pret of his own head, according to his mind, without confulting with others, with God, with Scriptures, with other wen : with God, having recourfe to him by Prayer with Scriptures, comparing one place with another s with other men, confulting with their Writings , confer- ring with their Perfons. This is the or- dinary way for expounding of Prophe- tical Scriptures . And the like we may fay of all other Texts-, fpecially 6ich as have any degree of obfcurity in them. And therefore let all Chriftians take heed how they go about to ex- pound them, that therein they do not go upon their own heads, lean too jmuch to their own Underjlandings. ^Specially being Which as it concerneth all, fomore Ignorant & un- fpecially thofe that are ignorant and un - are apt to pet- learned who leaning to their own (too vm it. often prejudiced') understanding, in in- terpreting of Scripture, may and do, fometimes make Strange work of it s rvrefting it. Thus in Peters time dealt fome by Paul’s E fifties, as alfo by other Scriptures , . Sfrij* fi, W. 'Ik* ) of IE anoint: ijn§ tot ithothe irith elk rfetohi: omp» got fift- likm®j peciaHy te obfcamv : ill (Jriftfi tot tot they dot is, to® Hiding hall, (oie met ait heir own '» aiding,;- may® 1, work M rS naff ialfok^ Stif* of Sonl-nnfettlednejje. Scriptures , as himfelf obferves, 2 Pet. 3. j6. /» iwfcA (faith he, fpeaking of thofe Epiftles) there are fome things hard to be under food, (viz. by reafonol the fublimity , the height of the matter, and fome particular expreffions an the phrafe) which they that are unlearned and unjlable weft *, as they do alfo the other Scriptures to their own deduction. This did thofe kind of men then. And the like they are (till apt to do. Being k, dsnrul a, men void and defti* tute, not onely of Humane Learning , (which is, what ever any, who have ei- ther little acquaintance with it, or affe- ction to it, may think and fpeak of it, no fmall help to the right interpreting and underfttmding of Scripture) , but alfo of Divine * having little acquain- tance with the mind of God revealed in his Word • not having their fenfes v (the faculties of their fonles , Under- * (landings and Judgments) exercifed to difeerngood and evil (as the Apoftle de- (cribeth the growen Chriftian, Heb. 5. laft), to difeern betwixt truth and falfbood, they by this means, medling with the Interpretation ol Scripture, and trufting to their own Judgments, wrejl 131 IJ* Strange per- verting of Scripture in the prefent Times. ATaftc of .it in the Seft of Quakers GIp- fies in Religi- on, me (l it , torment it , fet it upon the rack (as I (hewed you before the word there ufed fignifieth), A truth (I think) never more verifi- ed in any age or part of the world, then it is at this day in this Nation. Where- in how dothefe Stored Records in this time fuffer, being thus me fled , thus tortured by many different feds, (like fomany wild horfes drawing at the fe- verall quarters of man), every one en- deavouring to force them, and bring them over to their own party, to vote with them, and fpeak for them. To which end fome of them put fuch fenfes upon them as the world before never heard of, nor any fober and unprejudi- ced fpirit would ever have dreamed of. It were an eafie matter here to give you fome inftances in this kind. T ake only 3 tafte of them from that poor illiterate ad. ( the noife whereof hath of late ala- tummed thefe Quarters, which gave me the firft occafion to fall upon this fubjed), thofe Gipfles in Religion ( fo I called them, with fome others before, and know not how more fitly to tearm them (vulgarly known by the name of Slathers. Being (as it feemeth) every way d»f< ef Sonl-Unfettledne(Jie, ‘t Upon way fuch as Saint Peter there defcri- 133 ^ the k bethj unlearned and unftabtC'jfAizx. a nofe of wax do they make of the Scriptures-; nore ret which having a low and contemptible rorJd,tk efteem of, they handle accordingly. Bear n. Whet with me a little if I take up a few of 'ii in tii thofe fragments which have fallen from W, tfc fome of them. eds, (Jit Having fall of them) an evill eye up- the perfeft ,at the fe- on thofe two ftanding Ordinances of n one en- God Magijlracie and Mm fiery ^ (which Minifters of spring diverfe look upon as the two mtruffes New-caftk. tyWd fpoken of, Rev. 1 1. 3 . and fome fuppoie to, It to be now about to be Jlain, v. 7. and ha- lt inch te ving a defign (as much as in them is) before ns to Jlay them, to take them out of the dmpitjc way, or -at leaft to render them con- iteameii: temptible in the eyes of the people* ttognej" how do they hale in Scriptures to their Taka aid < not fparing to offer violence to jot it® them , to inforce them to fpeak that [inflate* which neither the Spirit of God, nor which t' yet any man befides themfelves eveE dUpoA thought of. As for inftance. I ?) The Turning Sickneffe the league which they had with the Prophets * and fo were confirmed in their ambitious courfes and corrupt carriages, they envying the Minifters of God that double honour , which the Apoftle,(i Tim. 5. 17 J faith, thofe which rule well , And (pecia/ly they which labour in tk Word and Dotfrine are worthy of, viz. Countenance and Maintenance , and not willing to allow them either the one or the other, but being defirous to muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn, and willing that they which ferve at the Altar fhould live upon the Ayr, fome of them ( and I fuppote none of the meaneftj would have thereby nnderftood their temporal fubfiftence 5 The Prtefts bear rule by their means', i. e. Minifters of the Goff el domineer by their Maintenance *, which upon that ground they would have taken away . And fo finding our Saviour blaming the Pharifees for their ambition , and among other things charging them with this, that they loved the chief feats in the Synagogues , Matth. 23. 6 . they, rot underftanding what the word cTeUf fignifieth, nor yet what r.he manner of the Jewih Synagogues was, C. litre® nentpe pits, w theWc ciesfak ptute-f Ivd u h wgt (ow p# tide the tak faci fain ons 1 tet kil 1 § of Soul- unfett lednejj'e . 1 was, wherein (as in our Churches) there ntt were many chief feats for more emi- *1® n ent perfons, they apply it to the Pul- Mii pi ts , which Miniftersin preaching of Thick: the Word make ufe of for convenien- ce ir c ies fake, not without an exprefle Seri- es Im pture- prefident for it,w'j&.thay)f Ezr a, vert bj i of whom we read, jNch. 8. 4 j 5 • "That % 3 £ zr 4 the Scribe flood upon a Pulpit of her tk wood, which they had made for the our- Srousti pofl . And fo (it is faid) he opened the ttM hook in the fight of ad the people •, For he ik]tW was above ad the people. Kifitk And fo again, while they find the ppolenct pharifees taxed by our Saviour for lo- eikrcb vingto ft and praying in the Synagogues, bfitocf f 0 making their private prayers in thofe nuns', i publick places, which they did for often- mbj ration fake, that they might be feen and hatgror heard of men, (as our Sadiour himlelt ■, there expounds it, Matth.6. 5*) they ® bb® take it up, and caft it as a ftone at the burn,: faces of Gods Minifters, for ufing the rgiflg te fame pofture in their publick devott- ttHH t °ns- _ . t; , 1 1, tbP And fo alfo, where our Saviour bid- the deth his Difciples to beware of the Scribes , which defined to walk in long Robes, Luk. io. 4 6 . wherein he had no ) o l ’ intent m l$6 ^ The Turning Sicknefte Texts perver- ted againft Magiftrates. intent to condemn garments of that fafhion, ( which as the Prophets were ever wont to wear, fo himfelf and his Apoftles did the like, it being the cu- ftome of thole Eaftern Countries then (as to this day it is) to wear veftes taU- res, fide-garments), but their vain af- fectation in wearing them, moft pro- bably having them longer then ufuall, trayhng upon the grotund, thatfo they might be taken notice of to be no ordi- nary perfons ; thcle men apply it to the decent garments of Minifters, whether Govtnes or Cloakes , which they wear,and warrantably may fas Mugiftrates do ) for diftinCtion fake, and that there may appear (as there ought to do) even in their habit a gravity becoming their calling. I might foon weary you with more of this kind; Texts thus perverted againft the Minifters of God. And as they deal with Minifters, fo alfo with the Civill Magiftrate. To whom they refule to give any civil re- fpe&s luitable to their places and offi- ces. Which they do fas it feemeth) chiefly upon the account of thofe two abufed Texts. The one, Mutt ft 23. where our Saviour taxing the ahibicion vtfk li it vain CD lit it fo tk wdoji t kern: era spavc:: jw » ly cir> smcoI tiee» thojjiffo hA n n of Soul’Wfettledneffe. of the Stribes and Pharifees in affe&ing to be called Rabbi, Rabbi , verfe 7. he prohibits his Difciples to do the like. Re not ye called Rabbiy verfe 8. And again, verfe 10. Be not ye called Majlers, fo forbidding them to affetft high {files, and fwelling titles $ from thence thefc menrefufeto give any refpe&ive lan- guage to Magistrates, more then to any others. , Th* other place is that, Luk. 10.4. where our Saviour fending forth his fe- venty Difciples upon that great and earned employment to preach and plant the Gofpel, he orders them that they (hould carry neither Pttrfe, nor Scrip, nor (hoes, nor falute any man by the way’. This kind of men overlooking the for- mer part of the verfe, which equally concerneth themfelves, forbidding that which they ufually pradtile in their journeys, the carrying of purfe,or fcrtp, or (hoes, they take hold of the latter, and from thence refufe to falute any man, andfoto afford any refped unto Ma- gnates, as well as others. Whereas our Saviour therein intended no fucn prohibition to his Apoftles, as to forbid them Comitit aad Cirri l fit (which in the 137 T he T urmng Sicknejfe the verfe following there, heexpreGy enjoynes them, (verfe 5 .) Into rvhatfo- everhoufeye enter, firft fay, Peace be to this ho ufe *, which was a form of faluta- tion then in ufe) 5 butonely that they foould not give way to any unneceflary diverfions,- fo as to be taken off from, or hindered in the executing of that Commiffion which he had given to them. Thus do they make good what St. Peter there fpeaketh, Being unlearned and unflable, they me (l the Scriptures. And that notonely fuch places as he there fpeaketh of, which are dark and obfeure, whether for matter, or expref* lion, but plain Texts, thefenfe whereof is obvious to every eye , that hath not the like filmeof prejudice upon it that theirs hath. And by this means (among other) are they (poor foules) carried about tvith fuch divers and grange do - Urines as they are, to the foaming of that Religion which formerly they have madeprofeffion of, and indanger- ing their foules , and the foules of others. Now let this prefent experience be ufcfnl to you, to warn you to beware of that :exfq t thif act It i )ffak- fade fceffaii oftfc v'en to Mt St. imi jijlirii. :essk !ivhereof tata loniuta s) HITW icrly iiod®'. erieP ^ tP of Soul-Unfettlednep^' 139 that which expofeth you to fuch emi- nent danger in this way •, of being over- confident of your [elves, as not Of your own Strength , fo not of your own Judgment. I paffe to a fecond Di- rection. . j While you are not over-confident. Direct. 2, be not over-Credulous. While you are not over-Confident of your [elves, be credulous, ft not over-credulous of ethers, fo as take dodtrines frdm them upon trait; Truft Whether from any one [tngular Perfon, or from any Community and Society of 1. Not from any one fingular per [on. 1 . This is* an honour due only unto Chri/i h who being the Word of his Father^ ought p C: fon, to be heard, and that with an ah folate credence . Not fo any other • whether Man, or Angel. Though we, or an Angel faith St. Paul, Gal. 1.8. It matters not how qualified, how dignified. HoW qualified, whether for Learning or Pie- ty, How dignified, whether Pa fours, or Teachers , to whom ( being lent by Chrift) he hath promifed a more fpecial alii fiance, Lo, 1 am with you alwayes to the end of the world, Matth. 28.20, yet give not this honour to any of: thele* Kkk 1 *r.i The Turning Sickneffe fo as to pin your faith upon their fleeves t, to take doftrines upon truft from their tongues or Pens . It is the Bert Ans com- mendation, that they would not truft Paul upon his word , but that they would fcarch the Scriptures, to fee whe- ther the things which they heard from him were fo, or no, ABl.i'J. n. Even as wary Princes and States will not truft Jmbajfadoitrs upon their bare word, but they will fee their Credentials under hand and feal : So wary Ihould Chri- ftians be in hearing the Ambafjadours of Chrift, his Miniflers, whether Ordinary or Extraordinary (of which latter fort yet I know none fince the Apoftles times), fo as not to receive any thing (in matters of faith) from the mouthes of 3ny, be they what they will, utftefle they fee their Credentials , good war- rant, and clear evidence from Scripture for it. rrcic ..— .n- In which cafe it matters not what fallibility not p re tcnfions may be made by, or for any, to be regar- the higheft t h at can be, an uner* ring infallibility. That is the preten- lion of him who giveth out himfelf to be Peters Succeffour , and Head of the Churchy that Man of Sin, that Antichrifi of Pretended in- £± iW lenget 1 I dence. : reftio furthe then e St. ft 0 ] ' iceaafl dm. hit M fir t! m. kl the the Ci 2. . nat n its of Sonl-unfettlednejj'e. of Rome *, who upon that account chal- m _ c lengeth to himfelf an abfolute cre- mm dencc, requiring all to acquiefce and or “ reft in his determinations, without any lct ! !t further difcuffion. Which is more then ever Paul or Peter did. And a “ fr® thing diredtly contrary to that which ■ St. Paul enjoynes, i Cor. 7. 23. Te are )ttro ‘ l bought rvith a price , be ye not fervants of ^ mn . i, e . fo as to inflave your felves, “ naer fpecially your confciences unto them, iCtiri- by giving an abfolute credence unto 141 them. OriliM] jsj 0 , though they may pretend Cre- Nor pre- ItfI ® dentials alfo •, Credentials whether from dcnciais^Spi ApJe Earth, or Heaven. From earth, the Re- rit, Word, or If thing p 0rts or Writings of men •, froai He a- Lectcr - mciute -i/e» 5 X)ivine and Immediate Revelations. All thefe three ( it feemeth) fome of add v®’ the falfe Apo files made ule of. And Scripts thereupon it was that St. Paul gave that Caveat to his Theffalonians , 2 Theff. 2. not whi 2. Now we befeech you. Brethren , that ye orfotaf* be not foon Jhaken in mind, or be troubled . | an ins* neither by Spirit , nor by Word, nor by letter jepjfl ft as from ws~\. That ye be not Jhaken in jiiuffliw mind, t** ou/\n 6 m’M, A metaphor taken \idij from Ships , which are tolled to and fro fjficlff if at Sea in a ftrelft of wind. Thus are i . K k ar pbof «4* The Turning Sickneffe poor unftable foules fometimes toffed and troubled, by hearkening to falfe Teachers. But fo would not Paul have his Theffalonians to be by thofe falfe J p o files ^ who to infinuate into them, and to gain credit and credence unto their doctrines, madeu r e of that three- fold Artifice, viz. Spirit , Word, and Letter •, Spirit , pretending Prophetical Revelations : Word. Reports concerning the Apoftle, as it he had changed his mind , recanting what before he had preached, and fo were of the fame mind with them , (as Grotius , I think, fitly expounds the word there)*, Letter , any counterfeit writing, going under the Apoftles name. And the very like Artifices do falfe Teachers frequently make ufe of. Pretending fometimes to Spirit , Revelations, Infpirations : Some- times to Word, Repo; ts, Traditions: Sometimes to Letter , forged Re- cords *, AU frequently made ufe of in the Church of Rome. And fome of them made ufe of by fome falfe Tea- chers among our felves at this day.Now let not Chriftians be Jhaleen in mind> or troubled by any of thefe. 5p fits to be n 0 , not by that which biddeth moft ft* :: : for lx dedl I Argt 1 der i gain i theli A’»: i mot i ted it Ride deuce vice, Itlit rin, ! > If mL | were ; oi ■ , one doc do be! to Ef, Jta i{ !yt f { of Soul-unfettledneffe. w * for belief in this kind. Spirit, Preten • « t0 /‘ ded Revelation. This was the great iWt Argument which th t falfe Prophets un- hofc/f der the Old Te (lament madfc ufeof to to tn gain credit to their dodbrines by. And nee i the like \nve falfe Teachers done in the at thre jq e w : As in the Primitive times, fo in ori a moftages fince-, being therein imita- i tfbttu ted by fome in this Nation at this day. teeming But let not this pretence gain any Cre- ®d bis dence from us. That is St. fohn s ad- ckteJ vice, i foh. 4. 1. Beloved (faith he), k tat Believe not every (pirit. But try the fpi- ) 1 itt rits, whether they be of Cod becau fe ma- »). Lorn, ny falfe Prophets are gone out into the n° m: world. So it was in his time*, there verjtk were many falfe Teachers, whoboafted rteqtKnuj of the Spirit , pretended Revelation, attimesf and Infpiration, by which means their K : Son* doftrines gained belief with over-cre- [taiiaooi dulous foules. But St. fohn forbids to jrsci It believe them ever the more for chat-, bur IjJjjjfi to 7 ry them. So did the Church of id fomtoi Ephejus , for which lhe is commended, gjffl. Rev. 2. 2. Thou hajl tryed them which dav P fa are -dp 6 P €S -> but ure not , and haft Jjot found them lyars.kni the like it ftandech all Chriftians in hand to do. Not light- ly to believe every (pirit. By this means The TurningSicknejfe Merchandizing (if reports be true) many children have bp:rirs * been ftollen and carried away by thofe whom the vulgar call by the name of [pints. Eeing over-credulous, and com- mitting themfelves to them, they have made Merchandize of them. Take you heed of doing the like by your foules • of committing them to every one that pretend to the Spirit, left they alfo do the like by you, make merchandize of you (,as St. Peter foretelIeth/4//e Teachers would do', 2 Pet. 2. 3./: But try fuch whether they be of God: Bring- ing their Do fames to the Touchftone of the Word. That was the Touchfiene to which God requireth his people to bring the Prophets under the Old Tefta- ment, ifai . 8. 20. To the Law^ and to the Teflimony (to the Word, to the Scriptures), if they ( "peak not according ip this Word 3 it is becaufe there is no light in them % No Morning (faith the Origi- nal) , The day far hath not appeared un- to then) , the Sun is not rifen upon them, as they pretend-, they have no light of, divine illumination, or yet can, afford anyjight of tme Conjolation.And in like manner, by the fame means, try \ye the like pretenders under. the Nm ■ i T efi ament. fejt mat' any. (m. i (tod Bei 4 poft Tr« the' ap an mi: m ci A n a a o fi ir A of ii ri raybyl then®! is, and ca theyk Takej: •orfoule y one tk fa lfot wiizc t fiT uctpi lOfl'.feR®- pecpe to JldTefti- ,tx ) di id, tott it mk iitteOffi tievta* iocj®* .us |{r;aeK» 'iiaiut tf Soul-unfettledne([e. 145 refitment. Not taking doftrines ( in matters of faith) upon truft from any. Not from any one finguUr fer- ^ 2. No nor yet fin the fecond place) 2. from any Community Any Society ot men. c °^° u ^* ) n> Be it a Churchy or be it a Synod, a Corn- or society of cel. Provincial or national, yea , (up- men. pofe Oecumenical , General, Umverfal True it is, great refpeft both may and ought to be given to thefe •, fpecially to the lift. But yet none of them having a promife of infallibility, it is too great an honour to yield an abfolute credence unto them, fo as to receive their deter- minations for Articles of faith , without any further difcuffion. Such an impli- cit faith did that ancient Heretick ^ ^ jp'llc, plead for Being gjf 1 ™ reports it of him) taken in tome errors, A / >oy £ufcb. and dealt with for his ConvnShon, he Hiftor. Ecd alledged that it was not for him, or any ^-s- «*p.» j. other to enquire into the truth of Do- ( ttrines profeffed, but every one to abide in that faith which he had received. And the very like do they of theChurch of Rome. Fearing the truth of their doftrines, they forbid the people to try them , fpecially if once they have the Kk 4 Churches The Turning Sicknejfe Hi ~ Churches fiamp upon them , now it is piacaiar fo much as to queftion them. No wonder that poor fouls being over- credulous are in this way carried about, whither it pleafeth their blind guides to lead them. Would not you mifcarry in the like way ? makeufe of this fc- cond Advice *, Be not over-credulous in receiving of Dodrines upon truft from others. I pafTe to a third. pirett.p Would you not be thus carried about, Take hwd of Take heed how ic u com in the winds way, winds way. now you expofe your (elves to Tempta- tions in this way. Under which Head let me give you a twofold Caveat . Caveat i. r* Trke heed of high things That take heed of is the Apoftles Caveat to his Romans , High things. K1fn1.12.i6. Mind not high things. And let it be mine to you. If you would not be thus carried about, take heed of high things. You may remember what I told y ou of Chaff e upon thjdbiountains-, Being there, it is prefhtly whirled about with every guff of wind, where- as had it been in the valley, or upon the floor, poffibly it might have lyen ftill and quiet. Would not you in like man- ner be carried about with this wind of Jlrange dottrines , keep off from the top of the i now: ion tfcc fingovt fdnboii: ’Hides i: mifcffli this ft- iiour, nidi vat, n Tkt ffgj. Ai 311 IVOulc c heed ot kwte r WfilM i »b life® 2 * ; W »/ tit of Sotd-Unfettlcdnefe, ^ 147 Mountain *, take heed of high things. In particular of high thoughts , and high [peculations. I (hall inftance onely in thefe two. 1. ofhirh thoughts concerning your J* felves/of your own wit, your own H ‘g hthou e hts - wifdome, your own Judgment •, as if you were more perfpicacious , more quickfighted then'others. This Caveat the Apoftle fubjoynes to the former, Rom. i2. 16. Be not rvije in your own conceits. Such for the mod part Here- ticks are? they have high thoughts of themfelves, as if they could feek fur- ther then others. And with this leaven (for the mod part) their Difciples like- wife are iowred. And thence is it that having once given entertainment to an opinion, they are fo hardly induced to part with it again. Seeththou a man wile in his own conceit ' there is more hope of a fool , then of fuch a one , Prov. 26. 12 . would not you fall into the like condi- tion ? Be not in this fenfe High-minded, Have not overweening thoughts of your And (fecondly) whiled you take heed 2. of high thoughts, take heed alfo ofH^^aOa high Speculations. Whiled you take 148 The Turning SickntJJe heed of fetting the one into your foules, take heed how you let out your foules after the other * that they do not reach at things above their reach. So our former Tranflation ('not unfitly) ren- ders that of the Apohle, Rom 12.8. That no man f re fume to under (land above that which is meet to under ft and, M W ° pforen: Either, above that which is meet for any man to under- hand, as fome Divine fecrets are, which yet fome will be prying into, or above that which is not meet for fuch or fuch perfons to attempt to underhand. Such are fome high and deep Points in Divi- nity to low , and fhallow capacities. They are too high for them. And thereupon it is, that when they will be riiedling with them, and looking too far into them, they are like weak braines upon an high Tower, which prefently turn round, they are eafily carried about . Even as it is with fmall Skifs and Cock- boats • folong as they are in the narrow and fhallow waters, they are heady, but lanchjng forth into the main, the broad and deep Ocean, then how are they tof- . fed i Even fo fareth it fometimes wkh fome well-meaning Chrihians. So oor life not its . Sou tf y) ra * u.[ Mv Jt?:* •ove that ) under- ct, which atwe ani Sri* t$in ii» an, M a pan] mlk ir 2 nd ft/* tfceMW e fens. of Soul- unfettledneff bng as they keep themfelves within the banks of more plain and neceflary truths, as the doftrines of Faith and Repentance, &c. now they are fteady and (table, but adventuring to lanch forth into the deeps, how are they car- ried about < Such deeps the Apoftle fpeaketh of, Rom. 11.33. where having treated of Gods juft and gracious di- fpenfation, in rejecting of the few, and receiving the Gentile into Covenant in their room, he breaketh forth into this paflionate Exclamation, as a man afto- nilhed with the thought of that which he could not comprehend the reafon of, J: > 0 the depth of the riches both of the wifdome and the knowledge of God I How unfearchable are his Judgments, and his wayes p aft finding out ? So they are in many of his common providences >in difpofing of humane affairs here below, much more in difpofing of men for their eternal eftates. Thofe Decrees of Election and Reprobation, or Pretention ^ Gods choofing of fome to be vtffels of honour, ordaining them to life and fal* yation by Jefus Chrift-,his over- looking and pafling by of others, leaving them to be vtffels of wrath, ordaining them to *49 150 The Turning Sickneffe ' to juft condemnation for fin $ and both thefe before they have done either good or evil , (as the Apoftle layeth it down, Rom. 9. 11.) meerly out of the good pleafure of his own will, without any refpett (as to the Decree)to any thing in the perfons fo difpofed of, this is a depth which neither man nor Angel can found the bottome of. No won- der then when inch Skifs and Cock- boats, unlearned and unftable foules (hail boldly adventure into thefe deeps, that they are toffed to and fro, that they are carried about into Pclagianyorftian, Arminian, and Socinian Errours, which too many veflfels of greater burden, men of eminent learning and parts have been, and at this day are. That you may be fecure from the like danger, take heed of thefe high things 5 as of high thoughts fo of high f peculations •, as how you entertain the one, fo how you meddle with the other. Remembring what the Kingly Prophet faith of him- felf, pfA. 1 31. 1. l do not exercife my felf in things too high for me •, ( things pafling the meafure of his apprehenfion, or limits of his vocation ) As alfo.what the Apoftle faith unto you, Be wife ( under - (KWf \lti] Jill l areth L 0 tbtff more ami j thol non I tW I win nor • con me : 1 1 me on K 1 ter , X i 1 * i; andfc A (it bit dor. the gw limit v this is : f An»e [O (VOS- ICocJr- itWes dtittp, >,kto ji/trjk jrs, which nfo ats tee flays- t danger, rj ; sso: obowyos tnembrag thofte xtrtij It*! («*• of Soul-unfettledneffe. (undcrfland ) unto fobriety, Rom. 12. 15 * 3 ' Secondly, That you may be kept Cavatz. out of the winds way, take heed of™« Eddy winds, (Ifpeakto you in a Lan- guage you are well acquainted with;. Take heed (I fay) of Eddie winds Such arc the winds that we meet with in by Lanes, ot in the Corners of ftreets; where the wind being but ftraicned, blowech more violently then in the open fields, turning light things about like a whirlc- wind. , ... And even like danger there is in C ttifflic if Soul-Unfettledneffe, m Jd iter eve aft to k. tdtxftrine )hqm ^mut, thlkSir-. fkm ‘Hijjrtfui hitbca tl (iters after gmentte redid it sltoeif Jiw,^ W% itt - ;ffri0 m W -/, (i* going down the hill, now it t^neth alone being carried about ol it fell, by its own force. object. True, (will, fome fay) fo long oh ^ as it is rein? down the Hill . But that is Wearing not our cafe. We xe going up the Hill , «P*»“ HJL and therefore though we do begin tp turn, yet there is no luch fear, no fucn danger* i* c 11 * r ' A. This is the common plea ot an A»y»". s 5^ and Setfuries in the world. Th^ The common all think they are going up the HdJ, Scfts and tending to an higher degree or perieCti * Sc&uiics, on then thofc have attained to, whom they leave behind them. But we know how it fared with the Syrian Amy which was fent to furpnze the Prophet Elifha , being fmitten with blindnclle, whileft they thought they were going to Dotb*n> they march into the and of Samaria , ^ Kings 6. i9> 20 - An< * even fo fareth it with thofe Armies of Sectaries that are in this Nation,, and elfewhere. . Being all oi them, Blinded, blindfolded in fome ot the waies atore- faid, they all think they are going up the Hill-, climbing towards pertedhon, whilell in truth they are going down- wards, declining in their rn.nr.ull con- T f . con- >?C-w ‘.e * IS 6 The Turning Sicknefe dition. That none of you may beta- mb ken with this (not more common then ' ttf [ 4. Particular dangerous ) fallacie, let me fubjoyn to that i Caveats under this Generali dire ff ion 3. or 4. particular 5,^ direftion 3 * 1 Caveats ^ every ofwhich will informe G® 1 you , when you are going down the j even Hill. ‘ | onbv Caveat i. Tafchdriof */« Take hccdot Chrijt , or not holding fajt the head (as turning from Paul cautions his Colofjians Col. 2. 19.) Such is piftts c/tri/hhe Head of the Bo- dj ,(- the my fl ’call Rady he churchfZol, 1. 18. The Head of the Corner (as Saint Peter hath it)r. 2. 7. borrowing it from thePfalmiff. Pf 118. 22.) The Head- Jlone , as the Foundation- jlone , fo the Topftone. And being fo, it neceffarily followeth, that whofoever turn from him, which way foever they turn, they are gowing downwards. And this take you heed of, as being at all turns mod dangerous, of turning from fefis Chrtjl to any thing elfe. From Quid to In particular, of turning from chrift Mofes. to Mops. This was the cafe of many in the Apoftles time, who turned from the Gofpell to the Law, from the do- ctrine of free Grace in Chrifi , to feek Ju- ftification in whole, or in part hy the vrorkes a riiif j 0» 1 of Ik j te 1 1 tract I ty 1 ' ! tot’ vn J Of I j viz, j lljllj I ifl'c tha ) TO ill 1 to on or i ot I vi- j it j < 1 - I< I nuyfe nmontts fobjond parties!. II infora lorn fe 157 tot df e mini ef Sonl-unfettlednef[e. works of the Law. So did the Galati- ans (Tome of them) whom PmI tells, that they were fallen from Grace , Gal. % 4 . from the doftruie of Gods tree Grace in Chrift. And To do they,who ever (hall feek fuftification and Salvati- on by the works ef the Low , by any mo- rail performances, much more by Cere- momall ohjervances (which was the cate of thofe Galatians ), or any thing be- fides Chrift, in fo doing they fall from Grace , and they fall from Chrift, w 10 by this meanes is made of none effect to them So unfound is that Teeming- ^ ii unfouni ly politick Maxim, Which of by many in the Chuich of Rome, viz. That a man ftarJcth farer upon two fauehs then upon one. Not fo a ay we), if to be that by ftanding upon a bough that is rotten, he tall from that which was found. Which is the very cate _ot all thofe who truft to Chrift and Mofes, to Gofpell and Z<«*for their Juftificati- on and Salvation. By retting upon the one in part, they fall wholly from the other. Chrift will either be a whole Sa- viour* or no Saviour. So as this is a declining, a going down the Hid with a Witnefle ' 1 LI * Sb ; i*8 To fall from Chrifta dd’pc- ra?e dcclcn- lion. The Turning Sicknejfe So Paul looked upon it in his Galath ans , and would have them fo to judg of it, Gala. 3. 3. where he parlies with them about it. Are ye fo foolifh , ('faith he) having begun in the Spirit, are ye novo made perfe£finthe flefh? Where by. flefh we are to underftand the Ceremo- nies of the Law, which were no other but external and Carnall obfervances, efpecially after that the figurative and Sacramentall ufe (which whileft it con- tinued, was as the foul and fpkit, put- ting life into them) was nowceafed, being taken away by the death of Chrift ; Now they were no other but flefh *, flefh without fpirit. And being fo, the Apoftlecenfurethitasno fmall degree of folly in them, that they fhould fall off to them •, that having begun in the Spirit , having imbraced the do&rine of theGofpell, the commands where- of are Spiritually and having withall found the effe&uall work of the Spirit in their heart, working faith 2nd Rege- neration in them, that they fhould once think of being made perfett in that way. This indeed was that which the falfe ■Apo files promifed them , that they ' fhould by this means receive fome addi- tion of te to the i»l k Ac tiollv m w tolc ifci & [i, nai mi t 1S9 f [his Cu otojufe: [allies c. «/$,( fe >/m, mi Where : theCf/BB renooiij jnw* ft® tj- ■ < deaths ikp* iftheSpn't tbef that®!! of Soul- unfettle dneffe. tion of perfe&ion (Even as the Dolors of the Church of Rome at this day do to their difciples). But l ^ s ^ e « juftly cenfures as folly, and that no fa degree of it, as in the Teachers, fow receivers of this DoSnne *£ %lw Are ye fo ffP>< Aad be you ware of falling under the like Cen ‘"A Cave* not »nn«« ; this being o folly which fame in this Nation at pftheprefcnt this day, who pretend to the highers. degree^of perfection, to be perfea as ^ ^ ^ Adam, nay, forholinefle (fuchtt their Ttlafphemi) perfett as God hmfelf,Jp ljh9 , «. Si ypioiim whileft theyprofeffe to look for Tuftification and Salvation, not by the light eoufneffe of Cbrtfi m- Led to themf but by the ^ghteoufne^e If Chrtjl inherent tn them *, which is ; n other then inherent hohnefje ’. Now if this be not a falling from ^,anda faHine from Grace, furely we mult con elude the Apoftle in that Text fore- named (Gals. 4-7 to have been much miftaken. Let this be a fkft Caveat un- Secondly^ "whileft you thus hold fail T^edrf the Head, take heed of parting with the AeChuKb> j LI 3 *°Q* l6o The Church' a Mountain Paramount. An unwarran- table and dan- gerous be pa- ration. The T timing Sicknefje Body ; of falling off from the Church , by levering a ndfeparating from it. And that, as from any fart of it, any parti- cular Churchy which being found in the faith , wherein the Word is rightly prea- ched, and Sacraments duly adminiftred, though poffi’oly labouring under fome other imperfe&ions, and not fo accom- plifhed in refpe the word properly fignifieth Se- pa/atifisj fuch as feparated themfelves, and t e Ck. mit. Ail any par i •tl/prti ier fonsi bjccoit itot tt dela- isi true U i , J Mm] i'll lljjti i id gfeij it ftiteac in,\ ere in l *v- jnifes St- tl 0 f SoHl-nnfettledneJje. t’XiSSi ' 3 '“ ;:S f KS- lo «!' f ' det of which [aUlUt p d . contended. 1 n n u in a an un- Sea, »»»'“ jj o^aftelie xCealu- iuft and groiindl^ate X ^ vue Bijhef «f C r.ives at this «UT»s» oft the °ther 9 h p p r ’dicament with them), i Tradiwribus in the fame l J iecucamcu D mnarum Kpnu'e he had received his s cr ipiurarum from the hands of as had m i arae Scriptures to be burnt, the Book ot a ) f s arg faid t6 have (even as om M ft h the tan d s ‘ ™ he fell off from the omlj cf the ckf „ cmu upon nereu ^ , • ,-u- wlt h his detotooibe Church , feparating himlelt, witn ieri M ft^m -ill others, as it the Catholics if . party ,from^u otn e » elfe t0 be facft , a V*« foundbuttd tn that C.t«r * 4** nVrtwiftft, lb ‘ d -, where i 6 z Dili pcrftitit hxc Har- rcfis, etc. I'oftca la- mcn jugulata ef>,atq; acquicvcrat , nifi mi- Icri ct infani Aru- baptifbe cam ah t ri- fe ris hoc noflro fc- culo rcvocjflcnt. Da- 7 i*us in Anguftiv. dc Ijlacrcfib. Cap. e.$. Audent ltbaptizarc Caiholcoi Awu/l. dc Harrcfib. 7 - ; The Turning Sicknefje where himfelf dwelt, and that amon* his Society, himfelf and his followers! Thus did that SeEl then. And the very like have the Anabap- tiftsoi the laft age done, who are not unjuftly looked upon by feme as revivers of the Seft of the Domlfts • being therein follow- ed by their SuccefFours among our felves in this Nation, at this day, who by that one Aft of Rebaptization (which alfo they learned from thofe Honatifis , of\ whom Auguftine tells us that * they did the very like, Rebaptize thoje that were baptized before ) do at once unchurch all the chur- ches in the world, in as much as they do thereby make a nullity of that Sa- crament, which the members of thofe Churches have received in their Infan- cy, which being die Initial Seal of the covenant, and the diftinguilhing mark etwixt ch> ijlians and Heathens, none can be looked upon as vifible members «; J h » e , Church Wlthouc An Err our, Vv’hich be you ware of. * nottl § ^ '"S ?M°tJ>tr-Ennr, an d that a Motha-Enor. f.eem.Dg, a frull4il J onfj j n ^ ^ ordtna ® Anii i io aree; ty fo«, ft Of ||{ ofolloir- > among Mt fills 1 of Soid-Unfettledne([e, ^ an ordinarily many erroneous Opinions 'fc are conceived. So it was to tho fe I*- ndtip the firft founders of it *, who be- ing fallen off from the Church ftaye^ not there, but were then carted about with divers and jlrange dottrines, ran in- vide Au - u ft«. to many peihlent rate Schtfme f or the mojtfart turns to Htrtfie) betides feme defperaje f, «S <- „ ^ ^ •; w One of which amongft the reit is mthe very obfervable * viz,, that whileft they Don«ifc. at the firft plead for Liberty of Con- e ntice-, and an UniverfatT olerauon, that no man fhould be compelled to any Re- lioion nor yet hindred from holding torth^ny opm.on • d* < MdgifiratC-) though C j j \ MagiftrauU (lanttne the Emperour then \vas, under quanquam p ,i. whom this Schifme any power for the puntfhingox p / os , caftigan- r,L 0 f any Hereticks or Hetejtes , or to dotj vd com- lake any Coutfe whereby attar broachers or maintaineis of them tnignt num i at iuskt- ua brought to Repentance , or elfe thep*, relutipfi poyfonous breath of their _ Opinions wight be flopped from infecting or j D »w* others , (which is, and not without «b ; fu F a. pule, reckoned up as none of the leal Errours they were guilty of), yet^m B till! Ithjia I ufnt, hek' site ttof* if thole : lnfin- ilifih , nose 164 Turning Sickneffe proceffe of time they came to that obvios fibi^ height of rage, that if they met' anjTn tcis cc agris the field or Jlrects , who were not of their quofq; in pla- pc Mr. ibid. Error. 7. homines a fui s judgment, they made nothin? furiouflyto nos cafdunt tt ff^ u P on ^ }em y to affapnate, to murder jugulant fu- them. , riofi. Dan.xus The Iike ^ whereumo modem Hiftories teil us was to be found among their fucceffours in Germany in the laft age. And God grant England may ne- ver have experience of the one. Well, ( to draw to a conclufion of this Head) take you heed of this fo dangerous a defection , of this turning from the Church. The Church the Pillar and ground of truth, ho vv. Which being the Pillar and Ground (or th estay)of Truths thcApoftle cal- leth it, 1 Tim. 3. 15.) Columna et Firmamcnttm , or Stabili- mentum[g& Beza hath it), holding forth, and ;n fome fenfe bearing up, the truth of God, even as Pillars and Pojls are wont to do the Proclamations and Orders of Magillrates , which are affixed to them, that foall may take notice of them ^ No wonder that they who re- cede from it, turning their backs upon it, recede alfo from the truth, and fo become fubjed to this Peripheries to be ■ thus they oft! toft crive a to inch! cote »hi bar not vet not the he m ■ lea i h ■ H 9 o 1 IDS tO JWjj); MlfM fmk < It mi: o mode odoDlffli’ int/ieJi lirnvnf- n.m iu r fru iltj W frwsl hwftleccj or StM ifcforti: p, them.- id?«[ « e affixed to e notice ct badst” 1 of S. oul-unf ettlednef r. ^ thus rnrmd 46001 with divers and fringe ^Fven as it is with .Derr (Ido not ,p« e ^J h know a fitter comparifon), when once they have lett the Herd, and got out • of the Park , then though they g^t in- to Pikles, yet there .they are reftlefle, driven to and fro by every Paficngg, o as then they leap hedge and ditch. Even fuchis the condition of thole who have once given a farewell to the Church (which is as Cods Park in the world), being once got out of the Pale of it, now though they fall into PtkUs and£- verals, fever al Companies, yet not be expeded that they Ihould l reft there, but that they will be iubjed to be driven to and fro by Errour after Er- rour, till at the length they come to leap hedge and ditch, to wake Shtpmack of faith and a good Conference : (as th Apoftle faith that brace of Hereticks , jjv menetis and Alexander , wit om others in his time, had done, i T/w. i . io 20.): But Ipafletoathird. Whileft you thus hold faft the Head ^“Joi and the Bod y, cbrt(l and his Charcn , taite mrniog from heed of turning from the Scriptures, ^ scriptures. The Scriptures, they are a Chnftians *66 The Turning Sicknejje fight, whereby he is to walk in this World. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path, (faith David) Pfal. 1 1 £.105. Ana St. Peter /peaking of Script ure-P ropheeie, 2 Pet.i. i*.cal- leth it a more fure Word, ( that is, mofl fure, the Comparative put for the Su- perlative, as fomerimes in Scripture it is) w hereunto ( faith he ) ye do veil to. take heed, m unto a light that jhineth in a dark place, &c. S uch is the Undemand- ing, the mind of man in regard of fpi- ritual and heavenly myfteries it is like a dungeon, a dark place, untill it be enlightned by that light which the Lanthorn of the Scripture holdeth forth. Which therefore all Chriftians are to attend unto. How loaf object. True (fayfome) they are fo tado ’ bl " h™ mittk dq to die light of daryrt^and t he day-flar arife in their hearts , the Word, (as it there followeth), that is, untill their hearts be fully enlightened by the Spirit of Chrift, who is as the morning- /^ (fo called, Rev. 2. 28.) and the Sun ofrighteoufnefie, Mai. 4. 2. But when the Sun is up, what need of Canales i once come into the heart or a Chriftian, dwelling there by his Spiri t. j at ft ife * v wr; betc • thi . IOC ih the hr (o tli ti h 1 1 \ i i It WKt tore boldc imtirkit, rf Soul-Unfettlednejf'e. Spirit , what need then any more of this Cxndle-X ightof the Scriptures- This is but to burn day-light . A. To this it is anfwered, that : « * it is the Saints upon earth are thus en ne< i but in lightened. They who Were fometimes part. darkneffe , are. noon-light in the Lord (as the Apoftle faith of his believing Ephe- fians , Ephef.5-8.; having an mittjrd light of the Spirit within them. But this illumination is imperfect. This light is but a Twilight like that of the morning, when the day-fiar appeareth before the Sun arifeth. Now during that time a Candle wUl not be unufefuTl in a darkroom. And of fuch ufe are the Scriptures unto enlightened loules, illuminated Saints here-, who though they have fome light , yet ftitt they have much darkneffe within them, and fo (land in need of a light without them , which is Scripture- Light, lo this Paul directs his Though he was then illuminated by the Spirit, and that in a more then ordinary mea- fure and manner, being an Evxngelijt , vet he bids him, Give attendance to rea- dme, i Tim. 4* *3- ***> of L the S A crl ; puueSj the taw and the Prophets. And i) ' The Turning Sickneffe again in his fecond Epiftle, Chap. 3. y. he tells him, that the Scriptures which he had known from a child were able to make him wife unto falvation. And in the verfes following, (verfe 16, ij.) enlarging himfelf in letting forth the divers and excellent ufes of Scripture, he faith, It is profitable for doffrine , fgc. that the man of God may be made perfect , ihorowly furnifhed to alt good works. Now if Scriptures contribute fo much to Mi- nifterial perfection, furely they cannot be ufelefle to the moft illuminated Saints upon earth. This is their Lizht to fee by. The Scriptures As alfo their Rule to walk by. Even f. Jht'wTc as the Card and Com ?4 e is t0 the Sea- by. and Rule to man, fo are the Scriptures unto the Chri- •;v 3 ik b y% pan, ferving him to ftear his Courfe by. And therefore take heed of laying them afide. Should the Mariner do fo i by his Card and Compare ? lay them afide, and ftear by guefle, no wonder if his Veflelwere carried about to this Coaft, or that,ftriking upon this Rock, that fhelf, this or that Quickfand. And truly fo is it with Chriftians, if* once they fliall come to lay afide the Scri- ptures^ and pretending to Revelations and i.I» ivfhic .bf ab M ll 1 riffi life VXt iflt te 3(01 Dm Into) sols iRii MV 2 j )f Soul-un[ettledne(fe. snd Invitations, (as it tawtb too ma- ny in this Nation at this day do) ftear ■; their Courfe by guefle, following their own fancies, no wonder they be carried about this way or that, to the unbra- cing of all kind of Errours. And there- fore as you would be freed from this kerns J, take heed of this delnfton, of thus turning from the Scriptures : Turn- ing from them, whether in whole, or in part. . _ . -a, j n Turning from i In whole , as Antt-Scriptunjis do, t h c Scriptures /Of which fort it feemeth there are not m whole, i few abroad in this Nation) who .will allow the Scriptures no loch • Dm ‘” ! Authority, as that they (hould be cdled the Word of God above any otha Wri- tings . but onely look upon them as the* writings of holy men fetttng forth their own and others Whence it is that they are ulually r Med, bv fotne.Tfo SMts Conditions-, Mojo s, s „ tb Lvids , lUuht, Jeremies, tMirCor M M', dttims. In the mean time they do no look upon them, either as a i a Rule which they are bound to tol- ,0 "j. Or yet (in thefecond place) of In »“*• tinning from them in fort. This do The Turning Sickne^'e • they, who whileft they receive the New T eft ament, reject and difclaim the old, as being now like art old Almanack cal- culated for the year paft, out of date, of no more ufe for Chriftians under the Letter of Seri- Gotpel. And fo do they who renounce jpture not to be the Letter of the Scripture, as a ufeleffe renounced. shllox Bar ^ a dead Lett er'fr they or- dinarily call it). They are all for the fith, the inward My fiery. To which end they turn every thing into an Alle- gory, as if the Literal (enfe were not at all to be regarded. By which meanes _ they make no other then (as Papifts £am, NanS' of Wax, or Leaden Rule cercum. or the Scripture, turningit which way they will to pleafe their own foolifh fancies. Being fo far in love with the pretended Pith, as that for it they caft away both Bark and Timber too. This , be you aware of ^ of offering fuch force to Sacred Writ. Which literam paulo fcrvilius inter- with him, leaving him to pretatus, fibi vim tube qui non wr •» . r , r minus vim intulerat Scripturx, Ojjer Violence tO bimjelj virq; efie defiit, qui nen dciiit through mif-eXpOUnding Synpdum Dordtaccnam. fenfe who before had done :th iflnim 4ofoe\ tuni shift- % To? :oathu i p v« th ilikii m iletu win ail kpl: mo :que »ev liie' lay) [pel me up on< V! if Soul-unfettlcdnetfe\^_s VJi done the like to many by turning of t them into an Allegorical *, And which whofoever {hall do, no wonder if they be carried about mth divers and flrange doftrines. Here is a third ofthete Ca- To which adde a fourth. Whileft Caveat^ 4. yOU thus hold faft the Hfdd snet Body> turning from chrill and his Church , with' the Scrip- publckOrdi- tures the Rule of faith, take heed of ninces - forfaking the Houfe of God •, I mean his Publick Worfhip and Service. Thisalfo is fet upon the Hill. So was the Taber- mcle which David erefted •, And fo was the Temple which Solomon built, the places of Gods publick worfhip and fervice, the Houfe of God. Wherein we find thefe four precious and facred lle- liques, all mentioned by the Apoftle in one verfe, Heb. 9. 4 . The Golden Cen- fer the Pot of Manna, Aarons Rod , and the Tables of the Covenant , not unfitly (whether intentionally or no I will not fay) reprefentmg thole four great Go- fpel-Ordinances, Prayer, Word, Sacra- ments , DifcipHne thefe were feated upon the Hill-, upon Mount Sion the one, the other upon Mount Moriah- So as whoever in ferufalcm went aiide M m The Turning Sickneffe from this place, they went down the Hill : And fo do they who ever they are that foirfakeihe HoufeofGod , that forfake Yicblii jt Ordinances, What ever they may fancy to themfelves, as too many at this day do, whofe defign it is to get and live above Ordinances { as they call it) , looking upon them as low things , fit for Children •, and fo they think that they are flown above the ordinary pitch •, yet certainly they are gone down the Hill, and (unleffe mercy ftep into them) are not far from the bottome: O be you ware of this fo dangerous a Declenfion,oi this ftrfaktng the Houfe of God. Church- Aflcm- This did fome in our Apoftle’s time , blies not to be as he givech us to take notice. He b. i o. a 5 . where he giveth this Caveat to his Hehrerves , that they fhould not do as fome among them had done, Not for fa' king the jffcmbling of your f elves toge- ther, at the manner of fome is •, that is, not forfliking the publick Congregati- ons and Ail'emblies of the Church, where publick Ordinances are difpen- fed, where the Word of God is right- ly preached, Sacraments duly admini- ftred, Prayers and praifes in a publick way forfaken. srprt Hits slot •jgno tor tan *'«, ! {( Iff, Kit ickr gedii ffwh "is is idtu m It is Sift ■if in i:ftl and Yc an b w of Sohl-unfettlednejJ'e my prcfented unto God. Thefe Aft femblies Come Chnftians in thofe early times forfook j upon what ground (it being not exprefled ) is uncertain, Whe- ther for fear, or through negligence^ or out of Pride , Self- conceit edne\fe > and af n fectation of fingularitj. But whac ever it was, this pradice of theirs the Apo- ftle cenlures and condemnes. And well doth it defervea Cenfure in vvhom- foever , upon what ground foever. True it is, where God feparates men, as by ficknefle, or any juft and neceflary impediment, this pleads their excufe 5 but where men (hall feparate thanfefoes , this ’ is a pradice both unwarrantable and dangerous. In the fear ol God be y °ItTsG^mwhis Note upon the Text, {Heb. io. 25.) and it is a true one *, De- t h e beginning ferere Convent ns eft initium c/uoddani ofApoiufi^ dcfddionis, Toforfakc the publich Afem- blies is the beginning of Apoftafic and defection^ opening a wide door to all kind of Err ours and Mifcarriages in Doctrine and Practice. A truth ium* ciendy evidenced by many and lad Examples in this Nation at this day* .Whence is it that fo many have beeif Mm i 174 Take heed of renouncing a Gofyc 1-Mini- fiery. y The Turning Sicknejfe carried about with divers and Jlrange doctrines ? follow it to the Head, eti- ;'® 1 c quire into the Original of it, and you fhall find it for the moft part to have Js begun here, in their forfaking of the pub- a “P lick Ajfemblies of the Church, falling m off from publick Ordinances. Let this ]P> be a warning to you. Take heed how jkf you fall off from attending upon , or fubmitting unto any Ordinance of 'mu God, which is difpenfed and held forth itsw in the Congregations where you live, «ftrt and whereof you are, or ought to be || m members , according to the Rule of itbe Gods holy Word. • i ve And in particular, take heed of re - nouncing a trueGofpel-MiniJlery. Which ijs, whileft fome havedone in this Nation, |«r. being carried forth , not onely with as, groundleffe diftaftes againft th e per fans j^i of Gods Miniftcrs, but alfo againft uhi their office and calling , crying that a down, as Antichriftian , and I know not ^ what, (as that poor ignorant Sect fore- m named, and fome others do) how have foe they been whirled, and carried about ? the And no wonder it fhould be fo. This being the Ordinance which God hath ^ appointe.l for this very end ( among ~ ' others)' of Soul-unfettledneffe. others)for the eftabliihing of the hearts of Chriftians, to keep them from be- ing thus carried about. So the Apoftle , fetteth it forth exprefly in that Text forecited, Ephef 4. where having rec- koned up divers ends wherefore chrtjt inftituted thofe Mini ferial offices in his Church , Extraordinary and Ordinary whv he rave Come to be Apoftles, \em prophetfy and feme Evangelifs,andfome t dour s and Teachers, among other he points out this for one, ver. 14- henceforth be no more Notel And fro with every it it being worth ypur marking* this ve.y S end Chrift interned, noc onelv Anti's ,™ d Prophets, “d£““- S ordinary Officers, but alfo ft's and T '.chk Otdtory M neonle might not onely be begotten people nugn confirmed and Mm3 vsr The Turning Sickneffe veffels, without a Pilote are upon the waves. And if fo,what wonder if thofe who throw away the Antidote , which is prepared for them, and given to them, beinfeded with that diieafe, which it was proper and foveraign again It i If they who cry down this Ordinance wfriich God hath given them to be a prefervative againft this Turning Sick- nefje , be thus carried about , as generally they are, with fuch divers and flrange doftrines. Thus I have done with this "fourth Caveat , asalfo with this fourth Direction which advifeth you to be- ware of beginning to turn , of beginning to go down the Hitl ; in particular,of fal- ling oflf from Chrtfa from his Church from Scriptures , from Ordinances, 'plreff, 5. To which let me yet adde one more, SS s of ^ ich is ftiI1 npon the Negatfve, ilievv- f d ing you what you ihould not do, what you are further to take heed of, and ' that is, of following 0 ffalfe Lights , By this meanes men are fometimes, oft- times carried, and led wild, by follow- ing of Ignes fatui , falfe Lights , info- much that fometimes they are Jed into ditches^ and bogs, and riuers.' And by fhe very like nieanes are unwary and nnlfable m ;j aboil ijAt ®,1IV i.Tl Si uvefp srto ibw; jsM itiev thef is fir jth 'jthli tely Hey: ifaltll w Hlj te bat St. ? r Su y y k o i by % I m of Sod- unfettledneff u x 77 unftable foules often feduced and car- ried about, by following of fdfe lights. Which are of two forts, Lights without them, and lights within them. ' It i There are falfe lights without the p a if c Lights mm; Such are/# Tuckrs, of whom I have fpoken. Teachers oxe Light . e Teacher*. are the Light of the world (fai th oar Sa- viour to his Apoftles) Matth. 5-M; And being true Teachers, they are true Lights. Such was Chrijl the Mafor, ot whom it is is faid, He was that true light , Joh-itf* So he was Originally the are is the fountain of Light Andfuchaie his fervants , his Miniflers, forth the Word of Truth, they arc Lights alfo , though by P ai ^ cl PJJJ® - but CometsJjlazing Surs , So cal edby St. 9 We, (as tome underhand bis e preffion) JWe v. ** such as Comas are, or Planets l«»““ hts word • ’As*j« ***'•"’") which have n^reguliir motion. Now would you , Mtn 4 U* ' 7 'he Turning Sickneffe not be carried about, take heed how you follow any of thefe lights , how you folio w falfe Teachers. That is our 1 ®* Saviours advice concerning them, Luk. $ ; 17. 23. Go not after them, nor jo lloiv il |l t ,r them : Yea and, knowing themfo to be, how you come nigh them, how you fl ® 1 reiort unto them, have any unnecefTary fociety , much more familiarity with them. That is St. tfohns advice to the i^‘| Tie cl Lady and her Children, Joh. 2. Ep. ub v. 10. if there come any among you that ®J! bring not this doctrine , ( viz. the do&rine so: of Chrift lpoken of in the yerfe fore- it going, but a doftrine contrary to it) M Receive him not into your houje, neither £tk hid him God [feed. And thus let Chri- ahe : {bans deal by falfe and Heretical Tea- M chers; keep a dilfance from them, as u\ c they would do from thole creatures tith which poyfon with their breath *, not jii (hewing them any countenance , not nth affording them any encouragement, not m having any unnecefTary fociety with m them. Thefe are falfe lights without a th jncui. w 2, 2. Besides which there are other k Falfe Lights falfe lights within him. Thefe are of ’ t withm a man. two forts, Supernatural, Natural. 1. Super* . if S oul tMfcttUdneffe.'^-' *79 i. Sufern^nt, (I mean 8*8 ElSSSZ' fattaat »««•, lb apprehended and ta- ken to be by thofe that are deceived by them*). Such are Enthufufmes, fuppo- fed Inflations. This is the Light which feme, and not a few (it feemeth) in this Nation at this day, (as the ^abapufis inthelaft age alio did pretend to be led by. Not by any light without them, the Scriptures, or any outward teaching. No, this they renounce as a . dirnme and uncertain light. But a lig them: The light of theW is that which thofe poor deluded foul« forementioned lo much boaft o , ing that which they protefle to lollovf as their onely guide - 7 lending all C fti ns to it for direaion. At .fc*gfh* cafe from jonrentfide light,. ™ ofthcm),i»J return It the light of ft within Jon. which light « no, without you tn u hook. So 0 Y men off from Secures, direftrag th m onely to a light within them. This is the ^litht (faith the fame Authour) which Peter biddeth Chriftuns to T^ lb* heed *tf#,»Pet.i.io So Wind was . he (or worfe in expounding that clear Text, which plainly fpeakf * °t «$0 ^nthufiaftnes fee the mod part an Ignis fttUkS. The Turning Sickneffe without , the Word of Prophecie Scripture- Light. But be you ware of this Light. It being for the moil part no other but a meer ignis fatuus. 3 fatfe light , nothing but the fancy of a diftempered brain, or elfe a diabolical Illufion, which who- ever, laying the light of the Word afide, (hall make their foie, or chief guide, no wonder if they fall into bogs and dit- ches, and rivers, into all kind of erro- neous do&rines, and enormious pra&i* ces, as we lee it by fad experience veri- fied at ihis day. Which that you may be kept from, take heed how you fol- low this Ltght, Knowing that you have a more fure Word of Prophecie (as St. Peter there calleth it) *h9»dbe*iLl«er 3 More fure then any pretended private Jnfpiration or Revelation : which where it is not confonant and agreeable to this Word, we may fafely and confidently conclude, that whatever glaring there maybe, as there is in Glow-worms, and in rotten wood, and fome other things which fhine in the dark, yet there is no true light in it (as the Prophet aflerts it ia the place forenamed , If at. 8. 2 . There 1. ifi nisi mis ■j Lis i ico; ac ids .A roar M 1B1 mhc .u S$ ■ 1 mi] pir 14 a? Jostf *ItT rj^nio ;t0- 0/ Soul- unfettle dnejfe. ^ r 2, There is a Light within a man 2. which is natural. This is the Light of Natural Rea Reafon •, that Light wherewith every lon * man is laid to be enlightned , that corn- met h into the rvorld^ Job. 1. 9. And this Light is much cryed up by fome, and not a few, (and fome of them no mean ones) in thefe times, as being fufficient to guide any man to falvation, without the help of any outward light ordifcovery. So it is averred by thofe of that Sett aforelaid •, who upon that account bid every man to mind the light P«r fe ® of God within him-, meaning the Light nree ’ °‘ tI ' of Natural Reafon , as being fufficient without any other. But this alfo may be and often is a falfe Light * which take you heed how you follow in mat- ters of Religious concernment. Take heed how therein you consult with Rea- fon. Not but that Reafon herein How Reafon may may be confulted with For my parti dare noc vouch what Chrj - EVaM'TI of yto iki&f foflome writing upon the Text affirms, that Faith is contrary to Reafon. No, I conceive Aquinas 'his Determination to be more Orthodox and found, that Di- KoyiyjLtf. Chvjf*{L Hoip. ad Text, Rationi naturalive- xx nunquamcoarra- riatur Tlicologia/ed earn exccdit fepc ^evidetur icpugnarc, Tim. Difp. deiidc Artie, io. vimtj r »u i The turning Steknejfe v'tnity is never century to true And right natural Reafon , however oft-times it is above it , andfo may feem repugnant to it. Neither am I of tneir mind who would have Reafon alwaies to be (hut out from Counfel in matters of Religion. No, it may be confulted with, and that oft- times very ufefully. T*ke htei of But yet whileft this is allowed, take making Rea- heed how you make ufe of it, fo as to Con our guide. ma ] ^ /«&»/* her felf to Divinity , ^ Ha- fa . gar is hid to do to her Mi/lrejfe , (Gen. 1 6 . 1 * . M erin K hr felf to he admonished ^ r and corrected by it. Otherrvife if (he will ], not thus (loop, Ejice Aneillam , Cafi out the Handmaid. Thus make Reafon ftoop to faith , Philofophy unto Divinity. Otherwifeyou will follow a falfe Light , which will deceive and feduce you, car- % rying you about into divers and Jlrange doctrines 5 as it hath done, and doth, the Socinians , and fome others at this x day. Thus have I given you fome Nega- ^ five directions , Ihewing you what you 1 are not to do , what you are to take ^ heed of, if you would not be thus car- ^ vied about. There is yet one Direction 501 more behind, which is Pojitive, ihewing J0 you what you are to do. And that 'f is, I 1 * That you may uot be thus carried ^ about, ' get your foules well hallafted. That is the way, and onely way to make your vefft ds Heady at Sea, to lay in good baliaft ■ of Soul-Unfettledne{fc • V-/ igg hallaft in the bottomed: them. J-ike courfetake you with your Joule s, that they may Be heady , and not carried about, get them mil ba/lajled . ,.j But how {hall that be done i v hat hallajl {hall we get i A. To this the Text itfelf in the v\t. witk latter part of it wll give you a {bort,but Grace * full Anfwer in one word} Grace. This it is that is the btft hallafi for the foul \ which being well laid in with it, it will fo eftablifh it, that it {hall not be thus tolled to and fro, thus carried about. So it follow eth, Jt is a good thing that the heart be ejlallijhed with Grace. To which I fhould now come ♦, were it not that there is another ufeful Admonition or Exhortation that heps in } which I {hall difpatch in a few words. Whiltft you have thus a care of W 2 * your f elves, ihat you be not thus carried be about as much as in you lyeth have tttcir Brethren, alfo a regard to Meri. That is cur HjicttYS ltffon to Telit} 3 - When this Turning thou art converted, flrengthen thy brethren, ^cknctfe in And let it be mine to you. V/hea l>CH) ' you are in meafure through Grcce efta- blilhed, and fo feeuxed from this Turn- ing skfaefre yo.uc fdves, labour what 1*5 The Turning SicknejJ'e you may to ejlablifh others of your Bre- ^ t thren. Taking heed that you be nei- ^ ther Caufes, nor yet Occaftons of their ^ turning. Not Caufes of it , whether Principal or Instrumental, by broaching, ^ or Spreading of falfe Dodrines : Not ;' J; , r.. ■ Occaftons , by your Examples • do what J in you lyeth for the preventing, or cu- " * ring of this Soul-fickneflc in others. ^ Mil.** Which let all do in their places. Pri- £ frees. vote Chriflians m their places, by fug- gefting feafonable Counfel unto their brethren, for the flawing of thofe thac are wavering and beginning to turn, or i for the reducing of thofe that are turned. . j Publick perfons in their places. Heads f tf Families, Ministers, Magistrates. Heads “ of Families, Parents and Maflers, Cate- ^ chizing thofe committed to their a charge, Children znd fervants, inftrud- ^ ing them in the Principles of Gods true Religion, feafoning them betimes with ® divine Truths, which will be of fpccial ® ufe to keep them from the putrefadion 1 1 ot unfound, and erroneous dodrines. • Minifters , watching over their flocks “ '• with all poflible circumfpedion, warn- ing them, as Paul faith he did, Aff .20. f 31. inftruding of them, praying for * them, 1 of Soul-Unfettledneffe. V ^ tSj them, that fo the Sheep and Lambs com- mitted to them may not become a prey siquispudor.ft to Wolves or Foxes. Magipates , lm- ^ rim [ te hanc proving that Power, which God hath petuianiifli- put into their hands for the retraining Srilwdincm?* of Seducers • fo as if they will not be modum impe- brought to believe the truth, yet they rat f. hoirunun i; 1 may not dare to divulge arid publirtl Errours. This is the Magi (l rates work, facicc ut tione intdli - 3 v? U^erffvjding , judgment , Con- tf.LP.7ir? . \trnirh n r t. • • « , which are .the faculties with £S? 'V » to thu w„, or /* tituaiis,’ ArttJ 5 * chcm > properly . have to dealt .Com. a4 Lee. yet fo, *fin as much as they have alfo an influence upon the AjfeCfwc part, the Wdl apd the Affections) as that I (hall not wholly exclude any of them : But father take the word ( Heart ) here in the Compiehenfive fenfe’of it, (as coai- x monly it is to be taken, where it goeth alcinej as pointing at the whole inward "K*V both the InteHctfive, and Affe- % !v f P art of SouJ Mderkandint. Judgment Xonfatnu^Hf Affections. Now fo taking.irf What is if for fhe heart to be Efldmedd- \ • . ' . ■■ A. *• Heart Efia- Wi lament, VHat, i. fe dm Mf ;ne: dtti Mb •l/tr m •Ik s& ake iiui Ifa iin d ij at he f lit tec wl ili rl BO. Cm- A. mi * ; tot Heart-EflahlifhmeVt* j To be firmly and furely fettled, as an boufi that is built upon a (ure foundation, or a Pillar that ftandeth upon a firm and f olid Pedejlal ., fo as it can neither be removed , nor moved. And thus is the Heart of man laid to be tftablifhed , when it is fixed-, fas David faith his was, My heart is fixed , O Go , my heart is fixed, Pfal. 57- 7*). fctded upon a fure bafis, a Cure foundation •, or well ball ailed, foasit is free from fuch fluduations, fuch vertiginous diftem- pers as the former part of the fpeaketh of. When it is neither^?*- 4 tly carried about, nor yet Subje be. When ChtiftUns are not /«» fbaken in mind, nor troubled, w > gftStfiSftt'w.i.w. 'nssr& r - ;: £,vfc . So much is not obfcurely • man natura ^ ted by. the Apoftle herein the Text, ftablc . where he faith, a good thing that the heart Jhotddbe efiabhjhed that wither^ : Intimating that of it left it is not fo: This is a ftower that grow > • Nn 4 «hnot in. natures Garden: A truth. "The heart of man by nature is nothing leffethen Jlable. Even as it is with a Shif, when it fir ft cometh out of the pock y or off from the Stocks (as here you phrafe it), before any ballaft be put into it, being light and empty, it » alfo waltcry, and unfteady, apt to turn this way and that way. And truly 6 ftch is to, as he cometh out of the womb- (Natures Dock,) a light and empty thing. So David who had well weighed him, found him to be. Surely men ef low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lye •, To be layedin the balance , they are altogether lighter then Pari . er -vamty-f that is his verdid, Pfal. 61.9. ■ . 1 ™ Altogether, (facad) Support that all the men upon c^rth were put together in one balance , and vanity it felf° (any light thing as a Bubble , or a feather) put in the other > to be weighed \againft n-iSpb them , they would Afccnd, mount up ^ Ongiml hathi,;, * the lighter fcale ufeth to do, they will be found the lighter of the two. Such was Da- wds apprehension of all the Sonnes of 5 J^e they what they will', whether > pr Beni Ilh, ffl Item inis, . f ,;r i fii s®. ir Shis jilii ait ■a kit m ate rar ■!}tti lit si to th ofti asb ! m 7>ii ) Hit trek fit 'anc I well Wj mi tj in lit tnki , 64 tlfflii ?cftc (if r)pc: igamf liAl e:< is P ! pi f rtkt . litii. ' ' «[ Ueart-E flablijhntent. mfiliiviri, whether men of low degree, or men of high degree , all was one to him. He fets his Tekel upon them all 5 Even the very fame that the hand- wri- ting upon the null did upon Belfhazzer the Ter fan Monarch, the qreateft man of his time, Dan. 5.17 • 1 hou art weighed in the balances , and found wanting ; wanting weight , many graines too light. And fuch are all the Ions of men naturally : And that, as in regard of their outward flate and condition, being not to be confided, trufted in. To alfo in refpeft of their inward dtftofition, the frame and temper of their hearts and fpirits : Before the graceot God meet with them, they are all light as vanity. Being by nature empty things. 1 his it is that maketh the Bubble fo light , becaufe it is empty. And fuch is the heart of man naturally. The Evil fpirit returning into the heart of a man from whence he teemed to have been ejected, findeth it empty , Matth. ii. 44. Empty of Grace : which being the beft and onely ballaft for the foul (as I {hall (hew you anon), without it it mufl Beeds be light, and confequcntly un- settled, fubjeft to fluctuations, and turnings} Ueart-Ejlablifhment. turnings % fpecially in matters of Reli- gious concernment. Thus it is. Obfer. t» But, It is not good that it fhou/d be fa. fceart-unfet- That is a fecond thing we have here hinted unto us. It is good that the heart Jhouldbe eflablifhed. 3 So then the con- • trary is not good. That the heart fhould be unfettled, fpecially in the matters of Cod, this is an Evilly a great Evil. I. So it is ( fir ft) when a man is actually turne< ^- When he is under this fad di- Sr’vwy^f’ fternper, carried about fas the Apoftle Truth. faith} with divers and ftrange doftrines. This is an Evil , and that both a Sinful , and a Penal one. 1. 1 . Sinful. So it was in our frfi Pa - A fiirfui Evil, rents, when they hearkened to the voice of the Serpent, bringing to them a do- Urine diver ft: from , and contrary to that which God himfelf had preached to them. And fo is it in their pofteri- ty-, when they /hall in like manner hearken to the Inflruments of Satan , fubtle feducers, (uffering themfelves to be turned afide from the way of Truth td the imbracing of Err ours. This is a finful Evil. Upon a double " And to it may be called, and looked Account. iipOn ; upon a double accounts As it - ' " ’TT" is Heart- Ejloblifhntent. is a for faking of Truth , and as ic is s cleaving to Errour . Thus the Lord complaineth of his people, $er. 2. 13. My people have committed two Evik(two grand and notorious Evils), they have for fake n me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out Ci femes , broken Cifternes, that can hold no water. They forfook the true God, and turned to falfe gods Idols. This he chargeth upon them as a double Evil. Andfois it, when any one (hall forfake and re- linquish the truth once received, and acknowledged , and (hall follow after Errour r, this is a double Evil. Even as it was in the ifraelites , when being wea- ry of their Manna, they lufted for flefh , (of which you have the ftory,M*w£.i 1. 4, 6 .) this was in them a double Evill. Their loathing one, their lu fling ano- ther •, their loathing of that heavenly Manna, and their lulling after Egyptian flefh-pots. Even fo is it with Chriftians? when they (hall come to loathe divine and heavenly truths, which their foules have formerly fed upon, and found relifh in, fatisfaftion and contentment, and (hall luft after divers and jlrange doftrines. this is a double Evill. So St. Peter 19* Heart-Eftablijbment. Peter looked upon it in thofe Seducers , of whom he complaineth, 2 Pet. 2 . 15 that they hzdforfaken the right way , and mre gone aftray , following the way of Balaam. And fo may we look upon it in the Seducers of thefe times* as alfo in many of thofe that are feduced by them. Their turning from the Truth received , and imbracing of Errour, is in them a double Evil. A (infull evil. 2 . 2 . And as finfu! fo Penal. As a fin , A penal Evil, fo a f uni fitment of fin, and that a dread- ful one. So the Apojlle looked upon it, who writing to his Thefialonians con- cerning the Apoftafie of the latter times, he faith, that For this caufe (viz. becaufe men received not the love of the truth ) Cod (hall (end them ftrong delu- fions that they jhould believe a lye t 2 Theff. 2. u. Thus doth God juftly jpunilh thofe difrefpe&s which men Ihevv unto his truth , when it is held forth unto them, their not receiving and imbracing it with intire and cordial Affedfion, and living up to it, by giving them over to Satanical delufions , to be captived and blinded by them,thar they Ihould believe -a Lie. be carried about with . 3 kin hei' ifiltfe; ic rJ If tfintbi {agree •cobut ,feC0E Ip. 1 iwftc avethi i*«g th the t, am tie to fr> tin# 1. oGot adift & rroor, * l fix, Id wit, f coo* fie art -E ftabli foment , m $ & with divers and ftrange, forged and falfe VoZtrines. Thus is this A ft ml turning an Evil thing. , • And fuch (in the fecond place) is *• Habitual InfiMility When men have unfettled heads and hearts, and fo are Evil, in two fubjeft to be turned, and to be carried ref P c£u - tbout in this manner. This alfo is an w/7, a great Evil. So it will appear, if we do but confider thefe two things : Firft,howit indifpofeth a man to fervice$ and, fecondly, how it expojetb him to danger. Both '• hich may fitly be illu- ftrated from a Ship (a Similitude which I have the more frequent tecourfe un- to, in regard that, as it fuiteth very well with the Subjeff in hand, foitisfamir liar and Well known t6 you. ) A Ship y being tender- fided, and vvahery, is nei- ther ^roz/Ve^/ic, nor faff. Not lervice- able to the owner, not fate to the raj- fenger. Arid truly (ach is the condition of an unftahle foul . * j It is unferviceable. Unferviceable i. ,0 God the profit:: indifpofed unto his fervice •, whether able to do, or to fuffer fox him. Both which require a (table heady and a (table, heart. Where thefe are wanting, it cannot be expected, expend, or hoped, that a man (hould walk uprightly with Godina conftanc courfe of Obedience. We fee how it is with a man in drink (fo we fpeak fometimes, and yet not improperly when the Body being furcharged with any inebriating liquor, the foul (which is the man y the moft noble part of him) is drowned in it), his head turning round, what Indentures doth he make with his feet : He cannot now walk right on , but reeleth to and fro , this way and that way (as the Pfalmift fpea* keth, Pfal. 107. 27.): And truly fo is it with an unfettled Chriftian, haying an unftable head and heart, he hath al- foan unfhblejW, fo as he cannot walk fteadily with God. He cannot do (what our Apofle requires all Chrittians to & ) Make finish t a, h, (or fleps ) unto his feet. This is that which St, fames telleth us in that Text forecited, fam. 1.8. ’Ai»f Tamr&-, 4 double-minded man is unfa- ble in all his tv afes. A man unfettled in his Principles, Opinions, Resolutions, Purpofes, having (as it 4 vvere) his foul divided in him,( which the wor properly fignificch, Bimmis 5 whenr> 'the safe, b A tha put a arf&u Jf, or ag fo tjGhi st fer ds p jhisfi .Xijk 2 , viz aieve Wits ijed i tin* id is 11 they? wic Chur kif 2. tit, u!4 »< fas .with ft him) rninj nakt wlk this fyei* I’lois livin’ dial- dk [whit ns to itta iTt'it J & tifii- rain! m ( l«x# i uta tht f fftart-Eftabhjhmentt 19# the mind is divided betwixt two Ob- jects, that it knowcth not which to choofe, but is like a man (landing m bivio , that hath two wayes before him, and knowcth not which totake) he is ua ft able in all his rnyes, all his pra&ices, courfes, undertakings, whether o« C/'- vill, or Religious concernment. Aftd being fo, it cannot be expefted tha* either God or Man (hould ever have any great fer vice from fuch a one. It was fuobs prophetical prediction concern- ing his firft-born Con, Reuben , Gen. 4 9- 4. tin fl able ns water > thoufhalt not excely &c. viz,, in valour, or any excellent achievements. And the like may be faid of unflable Ckiftms , Being un- fable ns xvatery (which too many are) fubjedt to be moved and carried about with every wind of doctrine, as the wa- ter is with every gale that bloweth upon it •, Let it never be expected that they (hould excell, in doing any fpeciaU fervice whether for God, or for his Church . Thus doth this Hahitsull in- fiability indifpofe a man for fervice. 2. It expofetb hint to danger. Even . %* _ as it is with a Ship (ftilf I have recourfe to the fame funditude,) > being fender- - - * fided *0£ obfer.^, Heart-Efta- blilhmcnt a good thing. 0 I. An Hoficft good. ffeart-EfiabliJh/nenf. tided and waltery, as it will not bur much fail, fo it is fubjeA to be overftt ;i ‘l by every guft. Even fo is it with an ?V un fettled Cbriftian. As he is not cava- . ble of doing Much fervice , fo he is in dan- , i ger of being over-fet by every Tent at ion-, * - to be carried about by fear, or hope of ff . gain and outward advantage, or by the TJ \ fleight and cunning eraftineffe of lubtile K feducers 5 which is a thing of very dan- „ 0 gerous confcquence, making the con' M '- dition of a man moft hazardous arid un- u fafe, continually expofing him to the danger ot noleiTe then the finking of r" his foul in eternal perdition. But I pro- ikl mifed brevity. Thus is it (as you fee) :t A an evil thing to have the heart, the foul of man, unfettled, efpecially as to mat - ters of Religion s concernment. ® ot . But on the other hand. To have the Jr heart ifiablifhed is a good thing. That we have here exprefled. \_it is a good 1IU thing that the heart be ejiablifhed J.K*A«r v , F° a good thing , a Angular good, eminently f good. So it is, being both Honetfum . , J* Utile, and fucundum , (which are the three kinds of good) an Honest good, a Profitable good , a Pledfurable good, i. An Hone ft good. Thisis the good ♦ of » Heart- Ejlablijhment. 203 ef the heart* when it is like the good ground lpoken of, Luk. 8. which our Saviour, verfe 15. expounds to be the hone (l and good heart * : Nowchis it is which makethitfo to be, when it is eftabltfhed , and that with grace. This is as good manure to a light foil which being layed on it and min- gled with it, maketh it good ground And fo doth this a good Heart , an honejt Heart. t _ . n 2. It is a profitable good. So is good i c grmnd to the Owner . And fo ,s good heart, that is thus eftab.ilhed. Now - it bringeth forth fruits unto God •, iruits of New obedience * fruits of Holine\\e and Rirhteoufnefie - } and that both Plen- tifully and Confiantly. Which a heart not to eftabliflied will not do. Poffibly by fits and ftarts an unfettled, unftabie Chriftian may do Come good fervices, ' in themfelves acceptable unto God, and profitable to others. But he is not con- ftant herein. This is the fruit ot this btart-efiablifiment, to make .the Chri- ftian like Davids tree , planted by the ri- vers of water, that bringeth forth bis fruit in his Jeafon, and tvbofe leaf alfo doth not ■ J no wither^ 204 ^ He Art-Eft abli foment. wither , Pfal. 1. 3. Conftant both in profeftion and pact ice of Gods true Re- ligion. 3* 3. It is a pie afur able , a delight full A 0 od igh ful & 09 ^’ ^ * s t0 c ^ e ^hriftian himfelf. g0 ' ' The heart being in a good and conftant temper, it maketh both an equable fulfil and a chearful countenance . And fois it with the Chriftian, when his hearty his foul is fettled and eftablifhed in the matters of God, this maketh him as Conftant in his way, fo chear- full. David having his heart fixed , then he will fing and give praife , Pfal. 5 7. 7* -d n nn fettled heart muft needs be an uncomfortable heart Even as it is with a Traveller , falling with divers wayes, and being anxious and uncer- tain which to take, now he goeth on heavily, though poffibly he may be in the right •, whereas being confident of his way, he goeth on chearfully. So is it with a Chriftian in his journey to heaven, falling with divers wayes, di- vers do&rines , and being in himfelf unfettled, and unrefolved which to cleave unto, this Amity is to him no Email perplexity. Whereas going on refel- Sv r fc At (tot tel 1. want fois with True are t thro mea' Thi' nym m ha in as I for cir tb A . o' ■ t. ‘ O' 2®5 Heart- Eflablifhment . refolvedly, now he walketh comforta- bly . Thus is Heart- ejlablijhment a good thing. \ And is it fo i What then remaines Appltc. (to make a Ihort Application of this threefold obfervation) but that, i. We be allot us convinced of the Ufa. want of this J tfiablifiment •, which who fo is not, furely he is not acquainted kdnsfl'c' with his own heart as he ought to be. True it is , amongft Chriftians fome are more ftable then others, having through Grace attained fome good meafure of this hcart-eflabhfbmcnt . This is that which David faith of the good and Godly man, Pfat. 112. 8,9. His heart is fixed, trufiing in the Lord. His heart is ejlablifhed , &c.]| So it may be in meafure, in good meafure* yet fo as {fill there will be tome flu&uations, fome doubtingS, fome waverings, fpe- ciallyin times of Temptation, being the remainders of natural Injtability. And this let every of us be convinced of. 2. And being convinced of the life 2. , thing, be vvithall convinced of the Evil Be convinced of it, that fo we may be humbled for^” d y^ u °l 00 2 It,' bled u.ut&rc? 20 6 urn. Seek after • Hcaic Efta* biifhmtnc. Heart-E (lablijbment. it, and under rt. And that, as for any aftual deviation , turning afide from any way or truth of God, and being car* riedaway with any divers and ft range dottrinc , which many, many, (I hope well-meaning foules, many of them ) in this Nation (that I fay not in this place) at this day have juft and great caufe for •, fo for that degree of habitual un- fettledne(je which is yet left remaining in us-, that we fhould be fo obnoxious, fo fubjedt to be thus carried about , as the belt of us are if left unto our felves. $. Then (in the third place) be we exhorted to leek after this blefled frame and temper of fpirit, never reft- ing untill we have in meafure attained it. Not refting our felves contented either with that fides implicita , or Con- jeffttralis fiducia, that. Implicit faith y or Conjefiural belief \ which the Dodiors of the Church of Rome would have their Difcipfes to reft contented in. As for any certain knowledge , or 'affurance, (looking upen them as things in an or- dinary way not attainable, fpedally for private Chriftians) , they* would ot jot ha' Andth . itftua- thich offer 1 tofu tc joal'y iadanc theft : tm # the | i ill ft kvc pet tirni^ ilijt it, r few full ' file the den in ' a in ■ fo 207 He art- E flablifbment. not hive them fought after by them. And thus do they keep poor foules in a fluftuatihg, doubting condition •, by which rneanes their Confciences can never be quiet j not having any fure bafts to reft upon*, but they are conti- nually fubjeft to be carried about. A fad and dangerous condition, what ever they may think or lpeak of it. An Evil a great Evill. So much Tarem writing won the Text rightly concludes from it againlt ralcni h. e. fluftua- the tfefuites , and their Co/tjefftt- tionem jkfuUarura , ralfatth. if it be a good thing to cu«a£rf hwe the heart ejla»ltjhed with dubias . Conua aflc- *1 it he dtl evill rit liae *i Trace > then it muj pgttu$ ad Text. fw, ml u haw, I thus eft*- bld:J. And Co looking upon it, reft we not contented under it, bu drive after fuch a Ilenfhme, full ferfteeften and frame as ** ftle Cometimes fpeaketh of. *1 the Thcftdenunt receive, the Aj doftrine, (as he faith! “ h ™,- "rfirTn^helStohhewifti and earneftty defire,as for fo for other of the Saints^ Co . • 0 o 3 1 202 Heart-Eftablifhment. That their hearts might he comforted , being knit together in love , W unto all riches of the full aflurance of undemand- ing, to the acknowledgment of the my fie- ry of God, &c. that is, of the doftrine of the Gofpel. And the like doth Sc. * ftttr beg for the Saints to whom he writeth , x Pet, 5. 10. The God of all grace, &c. make you perfect, fiablifb , ftrengthen you. And this let all of us feek for our felves 5 that our hearts may be cjlablifhed in the Truth of pod. This is the Commendation which that Apo- ftle St. Peter giveth to the Saints, to whom he writeth, that they were efta- blifbed in the prefent truth, 2 Pet. 1.12. i. e. the truth of the Gofpel which was then preached unto them. And O { that the like could be faid of every of us, and of all the Lords people in this Nation 1 that we and they were thus eftabfifhed 1 • SS! mS 3 ' | A n ^er more to be defired need : i m re. then at this day. Wherein, the times , tj] e general face of all things, both in Church and State , being lb unfettled, Chnfoans have need of fable hearts. When the winds are loud, and the.?™ is Heart'Eftdblifhment* W9 is up, then have Ships need to be well ballafted And truly fo is it with Chrt- flians, as at all times, fo fpecially in unfettled and troublefome times, when the win'd of divers and ftrange doZinnes is up, (as is at this day among us) blow- ing upon the Church , as that Wind of the Devils raiftng did upon the houfe where fobs children were, which is laid to have (mote the four Corners of it , Job , . , 9. /a ftrange wind to blow fo many feveral wayes at once, and l uchis the wind of fxlfe doctrines, which the De- vil hath raifed againft the Church in this Nation at this day ) now they have need to have their hearts efta bliihed. , - /*-,-]<■ DireAions for i And this let all of us no\ t hc obtaining for. ' Seeking it from God, who is t e 0 f it. Cod of all grace. ^m h^U^^that ^ 1 .^ Peter beggeth thisb.eflim, in God by Puy . evennow cited im. 5.1°; ThisTshi God of all trace phltfb you This is ms work i„Chr blii tiiabiin ing 10 5 * Ezek. 4. \ 6 , we may inrele- , E, Ordinance, rcnce to ftie apply it to Sacrawn- n ‘ id . ' 211 Heart-Fflablifhment. tal bread , It is*™?0'K* <;>t/ ( as the Se- venty there render it) , the flay and ftaffe of bread •, being of foveraign ufe tor the comforting and ftrengthenmg ot the heart, the cftablifhing of the loul, by fealing up unto it the Covenant ot grace, and all the blefled promifes be- longing thereunto, and engaging it to aclofe and confcientious walking with God. To thefe I might adde, Forget not the Communion of Saints. Frees ftand hirer in the Wood or Grove, where they have company, then inthejfo* where they ftand alone. But I mall not give way to enlargements. I have done with the firft of thefe Particulars, the thine here commended , which is Heart-Zpblifbment. Briefly of the lat- ter, the meanes of attaining this grev «*»<*» heart he efiabhjhed with Grace']. See Hcar ™ ft" here ('what I have told you before, once biifhmenc, and again) what is the be (l ballafi f trtheGtic 'r SouC the beft way and meanes of eft* < blifhing the Heart, Grace. It u a good laft for thc thw Margin hath ) the Grace of God. ™' And again, ver. 28. Let us have grace-, ^ or. Let ns hold f afi grace (as the Margin t{ “ again readeth it, and that, (as is con- ceivedj more properly-, *%w v being r put for r, as Gro.ius there no- teth upon it, and as fometimes el fe- where < ! C)» mg te fell; silk men iiitk (fiitb hk m a$,e : Test iljhJ , asthe tifcd jSsrSB ism- 1 rhdg] »£ JO- M teart'Eftablifhment. where it is). In both places.by Grace (as it is by many expounded) under- ftanding the Doftrine of Grace , thedo- ftrine of the Gofpel , which holdeth forth falvation through the free Grace of God inChiift. And fo,befuics Arenas y; Rra . and fome other Proteflant Expofitors, cult a Dei erga I find BfiM the Jefuite very candidly jj interpreting it here in the Text with a nos & j uftos Maris placet . Though he do not whol- pro nuncianw ly rejeft the Habit of Grace , yet he ra- thet hereby underflandeth the Doctrine ^ r tnut ad of Grace. Voctrina Chrifliana fide U*. Jufcepta : True Chriftian dodtrine ( the do&rine of the Gofpel ) apprehended and unbraced by faith , which is Gratia chrifiiamfrni, the Grace of Chrijlianity (as he there calleth it). The Doctrine of Gods free grace in Chrift ; that fa- cing Grace which fcfns Chrijl as Me- diator hath purchafed, procured, and made known to poor fmners. Of him it is that out Apoftle fpeaketh in the verfe before the Text, verfe t. ffiefus Chrifi the fame yefierday ^ and to day , and for ever* And to him.* (queftionlene,) he hath alfo an eye here in the Text * where forbidding his Hebrews to be carried 116 Heart-Eflablijhment. carried abut with divers And fir am e DoCtrines y (any doftrines which held forth Juftification in any other then a Gofpel way), he gi veth this 'as a Rea- fon for that his Prohibition , For it is a good thing that the heart be eftablifhed with Grace , with the grace of God in Chrift, the Doctrine of free grace held forth in the Gofpel. And of all wayes and meanes for the eftablilhing of the Heart , there is none like unto .this the DoCtnne of Gods free Grace in Chrift. bS’fmnot n “J? fo >“ a y ^ on be demon- to bcexpe&ed 1 here being hut two things from rbc L»w. that can be fuppofed to have any effi- cacy this way, for the eftablifhing of the heart as to God- ward ,viz,. Law or Goftell. Now , as for the former of thefe, the Law^ that will fay to the foul that cometh unto it , This is not in me. Not in the Ceremonial Law. For that the Apoftle is exprefle in the Text ‘ y It is good ( faith he) that the heart be eftablijhed with Grace , not with meats , that is, not with any Ceremo- nial obfervances, among which, choice of meats was one, and lb by a Synec- doche is Ctr K1SC laade :Ap »fi if tit m. i 'not im :Got! 3 iSW 3 ? Ith IV ol M id T kk Not from the Ceremonial Law. toe N. he. h kikr n ad r God I tcehdi 'ways of tht o thii rut it oihuig my i Lull rmer of 1 the snots M ft : intis tk tk Hid, Ceres)* lilM Wf Heart- Bfiablifhmenti ^ \t-f dtche is put for all the reft As for this Ceremony , the choice of meats ^ ufing one as clean, abftatning from another as unclean, and that for Conscience fake> the Apoftle here atfirmes it to be an unprofitable thing. Not to have profited thefe that had been occupied (ox walked) therein . Such as were moft fuperfti- tioufly adduced thereunto, as the $ew- ifh Doctors were , who placed a chief part of their Religion in thofe Legall Ceremonies , yet they merited nothing at Gods hands thereby •, »xop»A«e**w : In this way they did not profit them un- der the Law. Much lefle can they, or any of the like nature , now profit Chriftians under the Gojpel. Feathers and Thiftledown may as loon baliafl a Ship , as Ceremonial obfervar.ee s cfiablifh the heart. This cannot the Ceremoniall Law do. ' , No nor yet the Mtr.ll For that the Apoftle is no lefle exprtfle, Rom. Uw 8.3. where fpeaking of the Chriftians liberty which he hath by Grace , his be- ins made free from the Law of finne and death , he flaeweth this to be a thing which the Law cannot do tor him 5 mmmm iiS — > him ; giving this as a Rcafon of it *, Irt .foil that it was weak through the flcfh. Time (efj was indeed when the Law was able to r yJ tfuftifie and fave, viz. when it was gi- ^ yen to Adam in his ftate of Integri- fl e p ty, becaufe then he was able to have K |f ( fulfilled it. But fo it is not now. Man ^ being fallen from that ftate is grown j ttC | impotent , unable to fulfill the Law: 0 f, Nay, through the Corruption of his Nature , averfe to it. So as by this m [ meanes the Law is, as it were, enerva- ^ ted, it hath no fuch power as fometime min it had, no poffibility of Juftifying and m faving of a man. And confequently it cannot be of ufe in this way, as a im foundation for a Chriftian to ground and build his confidence upon, and fo eye to eftablifh his heart. No, this is but , ve , a tottering foundation. So much that j () great Cardinal , Be liar mine, however he q. was no great friend to free Grace , yet f 0 was inforced to acknowledge, Propter ^ incertitudinem propria jujiitia, etc, A ^ mans own Right eoufntjje ('faith he) is mi an uncertain thing a man may eafily 1 m be deceived in it: And therefore it an cannot be fafe to put any confidence J in Heart- E jfablifhment. fit; In >■ Tae ■able d ks, tote • r. Ml grow ; 1 Las: if in : i y this twrw me ring ad ; iqo ent!y ; V >*\ | grounl , and I) isisk iditk sevetle rtf, t ,Pf ,gt,f 1 be If tjd] 1 retorr it Heart- V. flablijhment. in it. So far he. Which we accept,' (efpecially coming from an Adverfa- ry; owning it for a Truth; though not the whole truth. Advance we a ftep further. A mans own righteouf- neffeis uncertain : Nay, it is certain , being certainly defective and imperfect. Such are the beft duties and fervices of the moft fanctified perfons upon earth , being clogged with many weakneffes and imperfections : which though they do not render and deno- minate them peccata , Sins, yet pecca- minofa , (inful. This is the Churches Confefiion, Ifai. 64. 6. Ad our Righ- ts onfnejfcs are as filthy rags. Not onely their Ceremonial l fervices , but even their morall perforrrtantes •, they were all mixed with Hypocrifie , Vain- glory , or fome fuch like tincture of Corruption , as rendred them loath- fdme in the light and prefence of God. And truly, the like may we fay of the beft actions and fervices of the beft of men, and in the beft manner perfor- med , yet ftill they are contaminated and defiled with fome imperfections, which might defervcdly make them Pp $ \ 220 mm 1 Htf - E (l Mi foment. as filthy rags , • odious and abominable in the fight of God , fiiould he look narrowly into them with an eye of Juftice, and judge of them according to the-exaft tenour and Rigour of his Law, Snchan influence hath Corrup- tion upon the beft of men, and the beft of duties. This is that which regenerate Paul complaines of in himfelf, that when he would do good , evill was prefent with him , Rom. 7. 21. Evil, 1 ° ***»», finful Corruption , either hindering him from doing it at all, or elfein the .manner of pe r formance, from doing it in fuch a manner as he both ought, and defi- ned to have done. Andiffo, here can be no efoablt foment for the heart in this way. In thy fight ( faith the Pfalmifo, fpeaking unto God, Pfal. 143. 2.) foaH no man living be tfoufiified 5. that is, by the deeds of the Law. So the Apoftle expounds it, Rom. 3. 20. % here fore by the deeds of the Law foall no fiefo be jufoi- ficd in his fight}: For which he giveth a Reafon in the words following [_For by the Law is the knowledge of Jin'}. This is the proper work of the Law, to dif- eover m to Sik nafr it w iflth km •Cf iigl Grai onel this ) Crs An \vh wh tfo tat l co H • CO in u 1 Heart-Efiablifhment. 5 2 j cover fin and \vrath , feaiing up con- demnation unto the finner * buc 5 P«- fiifie, it cannot. And if not jufifie the finner, then not fatufie the foul, noc quiet the Confidence. Difquiet and unfettle, nay, torment and excruciate it with the terrours of it, it may : But in this way to fettle and efldhfh the « heart , it can never do. No, this, is a Cowell-work , the fruit of Grace, 1 fill- ing from the DoCtrine of Gods free Grace in Chrift, rightly apprehended, and firmly believed. This it is, and onely this, that efiablijhetb the heart, Had this can doit. And how fo i Becaufe this is like Reafofi; unto the Authourof it, ihe God of all Grace, like the Grace-, He is’A^&fc, All-fnfficient .-jSSriew, And fuch is his Grace. This is that which the Lord from heaven tells Paul, when he was conflicting with that thorn in the fiejh, fome violent Temp- tation or other, (as is moft probably conjeCtured A My grace ( faith he) U fujftcient for thee , 2 Cor. 12. 9. ; Sttfficit , or Sufficiat, It is fiifficienc in it vex for thee, and fo let it be Onto thee, fof the quieting, fettling, efta- P p % blifhing- He Art- E (lablijhrnent. bliihing of thy heart and fpirit. And fo may it well be to every true belie- ver. It is that which the Preacher faith of Money, Eccl. io. 19. Money anfrvereth all things. Whatever it is that a man defireth, if it be to be got. Money will procure it for him. And we may truly fay the like of Grace ; Grace anfrvereth all things. What winds are there that can arife in the heart of a Chriftian , which this one word (Grace ) is not able to lay i What doubts which it cannot refolve? Are his Jinnes many and great < this is fuffi- cient to pardon them: are his Infin mities many i this is fufficient to heal them : are his wants many ? this is fufficient to fupply them. Thus is Grace, this Grace of God in Chrift , fufficient , All - fufficient. And being fo, well may this be attributed to it, as the proper effeft of it, to fatisfie, fettle , and eftabhfh the heart of Man. What then remaines (to make Ap- plication of this Branch) but that all of us who defire to be made partakers of • this .choice bleffing , declining all Other jtbe iwy< 1 tear! die Si ih Ibis reth any ' to 1 Iftl ;hoft ^ 310V »: that mill thot Ape thei whi thi thi tk il- ia Heart-Efiablifhment. 2 2$ other wayes, put our foules upon this way of obtaining it. i. Decline all ether wayes. Not Ufe i. hearkening to any otter which hold forth to os fujtipcanon ana in any ot h er Salvation by any other way and means, way. This is that which the Apoftle here dri- veth at in the Text 5 to take oft his Hebrems from being carried about with any of thofe divers and firange do- ctrines , which were held forth to them by the falfe Apoftles and feducers of thofe Times, whofe defign was to re- move them from their Gojp el- founda- tion dire&ing them to th t Law, and ^ from Ce _ that to the Ceremonial part of .it * pro- rcmenial ob- mifing to them great matters from fcmnt«. thofe external obtervances. But the Apoftle would have them to turn away their eyes from them, as being things which were not able to profit them in that way. And truly, fois it with all things befides fefus Chrifi , and the free Grace of God in him. They can do nothing to the true efiabhjhing ot the foul. Difquiet it they may (as I faid) and trouble it. Nay, fothey will in the end, if ever God come to open Pp r the 224 Heart-Efiahlifhment . the eyes of chofe that truft in them, * and reft upon them. They will fail for them as brooks in the Summer. Nay, or , be unto them as the ftaffe of a broken 0 p reed, fas belaid of Egypt* I fa. 36. 6 .) tra not onely failing the truft repofed in evt them, but running into their hands, fa their hearts, piercing, and wounding, */* and goaring them. And therefore fro ceafe.from them. Not hearkening to m any of thofe Pcmifh doctrines , which , tell us of merit •, and that not onely of $ Congruity, but of Con dignity ■, and hold ^ forth many external, Ceremonial ob- | g|[ fervances , as fajhngs , whippings , wafh- f at tngs, Cr oflwgs , Pilgrimages and the , like : All which they make ufe of as u women do of raUles to ftill their chil- 0 j| dren ' with. So do they think hereby ^ to ftill and quiet the Confciences of p C their difciples. ' But alas, all thefe, and ! jj, the like, they are but (hells, husks, empty ai things i No fit ballafi for the foul. Let c we them go: And not onely them , > j Nor yet from* out c ven all our Morall performances - . y hat e y er ftrvices, or duties we have j done, .or can do 5 duties of piety, or r duties of Char tty 5 duties of hdineffe or rtgh- ‘ Heart- Eftablifbment. ^ »35 right eoufnefje, make Ioffe of all (as Paul faith he did, Phil. 3. 8,9.) carting them over-board, renouncing them as to any opinion of Merit : Not placing any truft, any confidence in them. How- ever we may take up confidence from them (of which I lhail ipeak anon), yec place no confidence in them. Far be it from any of us to think of eftablifhing our hearts in this way. And if not in this tvay, then much Much leffe by any temporal poffefiions or en- joymcnts. joyments all which not being able to fill any corner of the Heart, can never fatisfie, never eftablifli it. The truth whereof we fee fufliciently evidenced by daily experience. Who are fo far off from this ffeart-Eftahlifhment , from having their fpirits quieted and com- pofed, as they that have the greateft fhare of thefe outward things r How are their hearts hereby filled with dif- quieting cares, and tormenting fears ? fo as their bodily reft and deep is of- ten broken thereby, which the poor man quietly enjoyes. And therefore renouncing all thefe ( I mean in refpeft of any foul- confidence in them) look* yJ Pg 4 lift 2. Seek it in a Gofpcl-way, making free Grace our foundation. Concerning which , two pire&ions. Direct.** See that this foundation be well laid. ing upon them as empty pits and bro- ken cifiernes , which will not afford one drop of true folid comfort to the heart. 2. In the fecond place, go we to the fountain of living water , the free Grace of God in fefus chrift , malting that our foundation. Such it is , a foundation^ and the onely foundation, other foun- dation can no man lay , then t hat which is laid , fefus ohrifl ( faith the Apo- fHe, i Cor. 3. 1 1.) This is th eGojpcl- foundation , that foundation of the Apo- files and Prophets^ fpoken of, Ephef. 2, 20. And it is the onely fure founda- tion. That our foules may be efta- blilhed, fet them upon this foundation, l irft, laying the foundation then fit- ting cur foules upon it. Thefearetwo principal requffites in the building of ahoufe, that it mayftand fure-, Firft, that the foundation be well laid: And then, that the building be fixed to it, and fettled upon it. And this courfe cake vye for the eftablifliing our hearts. J. Lay this, foundation. As it is al- bid ip tfie Word, by thofe Ma- Jlcr- builders tk oar Pit req tha An kca 1 inc yoi in wa nei vec all he of in cc S c : ( t £ £ Heart- Ejlablifhment. fler- builders the Apojlles and Prophets , [Other foundation can no man lay , then that which is laid ], So let it be laid in our hearts. And that both Rightly and Deeply. Thefe are the two principall requifites in laying of a foundation'. that it be right fet, and deep laid. And fo let this foundation of the free Grace of God in Chrijl be laid in our hearts. I. Let it be right fet. Get a right i? underftanding of this Dodrine •, that Ri 'ght fet, you may know what this Grace of God in Chrifi is •, and that this is the onely way and meanes whereby poor fin- ners tnay come to be juftified and fa- yed. 2. And being thus right fet, let it 2. alfo be deep laid 5 in a deep appre- D «P kid. henfion of the truth and excellency of this glorious do&rine. Not fuffer- ing it to fvvimme aloft in the brain, contenting your felves with a fuperfi- cial notion , an overly knowledge of this truth. No, that which ballaft- eth the Ship muft not lye aloft upon the Deck, but it muft be put into the hold, into the inward , yea loweft part Direct. 2. Settle the foul upon this foun- dation. ' Durt-EftablijhmeHt. of it. And fo deal you by this Dottrtnt' ti That your hearts may be ftabliihed p with it, think it not enough that you h have it in your Heads , fome generall it apprehenfions of it* but let it fink tl down into the bot tome of your hearts, bt Labour for a ferious and deep appre- fii hehfion hereof * That being convinced of your own loft ftate and condition by w nature, and utter inability to do any jSr thing for your felves, you may come to fel’ admire and adore this rich Grace of God tbi in tfeftis chrifi , fo as it may make a cl deep imprelfion upon your hearts and be fririts. cl. And the foundation being thus 2 laid, now fet your foules upon it, fixing mi ' them to it. Be the foundation never fu fo well laid, yet if the houfe be not L fettled upon it, and fattened to it, it 7 < will never Hand fure. And fo is it with the Soul. Gods Grace is a fure font- it dation, where it is rightly laid. But fe withall, that the foul may be eftablifti- v\ ed by it, it muft be fixed upon it. And a this fee you to. As many as would t have your hearts truly ettablifhed , fix f them , fettle them upon this founda- 1 tion. \ Heart-Eft ablifhment. tion. Which is done by a ferious pur- which is do*i . pofe and firm refolution of cleaving hereunto, refting and relying hereupon Grace, for purification and Salvation. And this (Hay) do you, as many as would be made partakers of this great Bene- fit , to have your hearts eftablifhed. Renouncing all other things in the world , as being no other but mock- fiayes , falfe foundations , pitch your felves wholly and alonely upon this , the free Grace of God in pefus chrifi , believing, refting thereon. So . being ftrong in the Grace that is in pefus Chrifi : (as Paul exhorteth his Timothy, 2 Tim. 2. i.) No way of eftablifh- ment but this, if ye will not believe, furely ye (hall not be eftablifhed fo the Lord telleth his people concerning their Temporal falvation, Ilai. 7. 9. If they would not believe his gracious pro- mife , whereby he had engaged him- felf to them , and reft upon it , but would be looking out after other helps and fuccours, other meanes of fecurity, they fhould not be eftablifhed , they flaould never be firmly fettled , whe- < ther in their eftates, or in their minds. And 2jo Heart -Efiabli foment. And what he there faith of Temp trail, let it be applyed to Eternal falvation . If you will not believe , believe the great Gofpel-Promife, that gracious proraife made unto all poor penitent linners upon their believing on Chrift, and fo reft upon the free Grace of God in him, but will be looking after other wayesand meanesof Juftification and Salvation , you (ball never be eftablifh- ed, your hearts (hall never be fet- led. But I iliall referve a word or two for the latter fenfe here put upon this word , Grace : which . we fliall find not inconfiftenr with the for- mer. 2. Grace, as it is put for the dottrinc, alfo for the Habit of Grace. So we neration. ge ^ n d it frequently in Scripture. And fo both Calvin and Beza here Quum • cibis opponii look upon it in the Text; By qu^TpidtTakmDd f. Me h , ere nnderftanding the cukum, ct RcgeneTir Jpiritual Werfoip and Service of tionem mtciiigat hoc with the inward work of loc. Regeneration^ for which they liTdem ctiam verbis, both give this Reafon in as u^a. Gr. Annot. ad muc h as it i s here oppofed to . Meates. And truly , to this Grace Heart-Eflablijhment. Grace may we in a warie fenfc fitly apply this property of Ejlablijhing the heart. This is a thing which is not done by Ideates , by any bodily exter- nal exercifes , fuch as were preicnbed under the Law •, not by a Ceremonial, but by a true Gofpel-Worflnp », which is (as our Saviour dcfcribethit, foh. 4. 23.) In Spirit and in Truth : And by the work of Regeneration , true San- ctification , the inward work of the Spi- rit in, and upon the Heart. x That which ballafteth the Ship muft not be any thing on the out fide of it, but it muft be within, in the hold. And thus, that which eftabliiheth the Heart muft not be any externall obfervance performed by the Outward man , but that Grace that is within the Inward man , the Soul =, the Grace of Regene- ration, with the fruits of it, as Faith, Hope, and Love, with Humility, Meek- ttefj'e ofjpirit, and other the like gra- cious Habits, which are freely be- ftowed , gratia gratis data, as fruits of Grace , and wrought in the Heart by the preaching of the Do- ctrine of Grace 3 And thence eal- I Heart- Ejfablifhntent, t led by that name, Grace. In which Nomine Gra- fenfe Eftius alfo yieldeth that the word *L?5? may be here taken. Atqui nihil verat genetacim fignificari interna ac fpiritualia Dei dona, quibus homines fanttibcantur , at tidem, Spcni^ Charitateni , cxcerifcp virtutes, EVtius Com. ad loc. Jk How the Ha- bit of Grace eflablifheth the Heart. i. *r way of Evidence. Wl (taking it thus) how doth this Grace eftablifh the Heart ? A. This it doth divers wayes. All which may be reduced to two Gene- rals. Per modum Evidently & Efftcien- tirei- sooth fori taj Htart-E (l abli foment. 235 place J direfily and properly. And Direfilv, by that by fetting the foul' upon a Jure ^f fu ? e oul foundation . This is ( as ia part you foundation, fte have already heard ) the proper work 0o< * of the Grace of Faith-, which taking"' r ‘ the foul off from all falfe and rotten foundations, fetsit upon the true foun- dation, upon 5 Pefus Chrifl , and xXxcfree Grace of God in him: Into which Grace by this meanes a Chriftian cometh to have acceffe. So the Apoftle layeth it down, Rom. 5 . 2 . By whom alfo we have accejfe through faith into this grace, where' in we (land. Here is a Chriltians (land- ing, viz. in the Grace of God -, And into this Grace he cometh to have accejfe, to have the attual enjoyment, and com- fort of it by Chrifl , through faith. By Chrifl, as the meritorious caufe procu- ring it through faith , as the l^jlru- mental caufe, applying that merit, and fo apprehending that Grace . And by this meanes doth this grace of faith come to ejlabhfb the heart by thus fetting and fettling it upon this fire foundation, fixing it upon Chrii f Even as it is with the Stock, and the Craft, though (lender and weak in it Qjl felfj 2$6 Heart- E (lablifbment. fclf, yet being put into the Steele, in- grafted into it, and incorporated with it, now it ftandeth firm •, So is it with a Chriflian , how weak, how infirm> howunftable foever inhimfelf, yet be- ing by faith ingrafted into Chrifl. now he cometh to receive eftablifhment from him •, viz,, by his adhefion unto him, and union with him. Or as the •vine, though in it felf infirm, not - ) b!e to ftand alone, yet by clafping about the elme, or fuch other fupporter, now it ftandeth Cure-, fo doth the Chrifl tan by clafping of "ftefus Chrifl , imbracmg him in the Armes of his faith, by this meanes he cometh to be ejlablifhed. And thus may this Hefted work not amifle be attributed and aferibed to Ta TA » tJ ,7 f this Habit of Grace in the Soul, ipecially &*** to faith, which hath (as you ice) a pecu- liar efficiency this way. Faith com pa- Whence it is that Faith is compared red wan An- by our Apoftle to an Anchor, Hcb.6. 19. Which Hope for Faith) toe have at aft Anchor of the foul both jure and Jtead- fafi. An Anchor, you Well know what the ufe ofi it is 5 To ftay the Shipfrom being carried about. And of Iikeufe is is; \H not . felf ' 211 J tins efta tj No £ m l to. w: /"• it IV h. I I Heart-Ejlablifhmnt. V^ 1 2.37 is PiiiVA unto the foul*,, a meanes to ftay, fettle, eflablifh it. Which it doth not by any worth which it hath in it felf above other Graces, but onely as an Injlrument apprehending, and uni- ting the foul unto that whereby it is eftabliflied. Thus doth the Anchor ftay the Ship, not by its own weight No, were it in the hold , or hanging upon the bom, it would have no luch property *,' but being caff forth , and taking hold upon good ground , be- ing firmly fixed upon a found bot- tom , now it becometh uferul in this way to this end. And fo is it with faith. It is not faith it felf, either as it is an Habit , or as it is an Act, by any worth of its own that can eftablilh the heart of man, but onely as it is an In - ftrument laying hold upon Chrifl , and foupon Gods free Grace through him. In this way it is that it cometh to efta- bhfh the heart. So the Pfalmijl lets it forth in that Text forecited, Pfal. 112. 7,8. His heart is fixed, faith he fpea- king of the righteous man) Tru fling in the Lord ■, His heart is eflabltfhed, viz. by his faith and Confidence, refting upon upon Gods free grace and mercy in Chrid, as for the performance of that great promife of life and falvation by and through him, fooi all fubordinate an$l inferiour promifes. But I ihall not . . give any further way to enlargements. Ybu fee that the habit of Grace doth this, and in what way it doth. Applie. And what then remaines ( to draw Seek aher ihc to a Conclufion ) but that all of US Grace. 0t feek alj:er this Grace ? not reding our felves .contented with the bare outward performance of any Duties or yet in 3 con ft ant attendance upon Ordinances cbyflp, ad ('which fome conceive here hinted by )°c. • the Apoftle in this word, Meates, un- demanding it of the Meates of the Sa- crifices). Alas, thefe being otttftde things, without the man , they aviII not ballad the foul , eftablijls the Heart. See we that our hearts be laid in with this Bal/ajl of Grace. Having an eye : Concerning which have an eye to w cwLihin^s. two things-, nrd to the jQttality, then to the Quantity of it. Thefe are the two requifites in the la'lajling of a Ship : That which is ufed for that purpofe, mud be locnefolidmatfrialfome weigh- ; i* ' w ity Jpt V be At fol n m, th. th, hi at • fi: c n f j ■ Heart - E (lallijhment . ty fubftance •, And there muft be a proportionable Quantity of it. It either be wanting the work will not be done. And thus for the efiablifhing of the Heart. i . See that your Grace be true Grace , Jo the folid and fubftantiall Grace -, thac your ttu y -_ Faith and Love be unfeigned , « mthout Hypocrifte ( which is Paul’s Epi- thet , 2 Cor • 6. 6» i Tim- 1. 5. ^ y * 5 )• that you believe with all your heart (which is that which Philip require* in the Eunuch before he would baptize him, being both a man of yeares, and an alien , Aft. 8. 37-), fmcerely and firmly •, that you love God and fejua Chriflin fwcertty , (which who to doth not, but out of Malice oppofeth him, Paul pronounce* an Anathema Mara - natha upon him, Let him be had in exe- cration unto the death , i Cor. \6. That your foules be purified through the Spirit, to the unfeigned love of the Bre- thren (as St. Peter fat* of the belie- vers to whom he write*, i Pet. 1 . 22 .) And the like I may fay of other Gra- ces •, See that there be truth, fwcertty in them •, that the Boot of the matter g **• Ueart-Fjlablifhment. may be found in you /'as fob pleadeth that u was in him, fob \$. 28 J True Piety, true Grace. ». 2. And being true for Quality, To the Quan- then fee to the Quantity of it. It is though it be of portion of it. Lead , that will ball a ft a Ship, No more will every degree of Grace fta- blilh the heart. True it is, it muft not be denyed * the leaft tneafureof Grace fif true ) it is faving , but not esia- blijhing. This will require fome pro- portionable Quantity, And therefore reft not in the beginnings of Grace, but ftili ftrive after a further meafure • Grow in Grace (as the Apoftle exhorts’ 2 Pet. 3, iH. J: As in knowledge , the knowledge of God and Jcfus Chrift, fo in Faith and Love , and all other Graces* adding one Grace to another (as the fame Apoftle exhorts, 2 Pet.i. 5.), and one degree to another* that fo the Habit of Grace may be more con- firmed in your hearts, and fliewit felf by a vigorous ading in your lives , and fo may be more and more confpi- cuous ana vifible to your felves and others. In this way , and by this means, 'V 'A ■n d ''■f Heart- E/idliJhment. (this be;ng an evidence of x is (land* ng in the Croce of Cod) (ball co. He to be quieted, fet* hlilhrd. Which biefling the - — -/ all Grace , out of his abun- dant Grace and Mercy in Chrtft f ejus t youchfafe to every foul of us. Amen. FI HIS, JC '! • ' ' r ‘ v’;, ' . . : 'vy' J .1 - . >y, ' -t; ■ _ V:5' t , '• > ; 03 , ' ■ \ - » m %