Seventhly.
Joy in Sorrow.
Seventhly, Then are our hearts in anhealthfullframe, when we are not onely willing to suffer for the name ofChrist Jesus, but when we also conceive a kinde ofpleasurein it; so saithPaul, I takepleasureinnecessities, indistresses, and forChristssake; Hence the Saints (Heb. 13. 10) not onely suffered the spoyling of theirgoods, but they took the spoyling of theirgoodswithjoy.
Object.May notHipocritessuffer joyfully forChrist?
Hypocrites pretend to suffer for Christ.
I answer, AnHypocritemay doe and suffer with a seemingjoyforChrist: But he can never doe this out oflovetoChrist,1 Cor. 13. but always out ofself-lovefor his ownegloryandhonour, out of strong conviction ofconscience, least he be damned in denying hislight,&c.OnelyGods childrencan out oflovetoChrist Jesusrejoyce (as some truefriendorwife) to beafflictedand tosorrowand loose for theirSouls beloved.
Object.Why then are many ofGods childrensoheavyin theirsufferingsandlossesforChrist Jesus?
I answer, This hapneth sometimes out of distemper ofbody; sometimes out of distemper and weaknesse ofminde, which they labour against, and chide themselves for as didDavid,Psal. 42. & 43.why art thou disquieted O mySoul, and why art thou so heavy within me? still trust in GOD, for I will praise him, who is thehealthof mycountenanceand myGod.
Eightly.
Christian weanedness from this worlds comforts.
Eighthly, It argues strength ofGracewhen we use thisworld, and all thecomfortsof it with aweaned eyeandmind, as if we used it not: asEnglish Travellersthat lodge in anIndianhouse, use all the wildIndianscomforts with a strangeaffection, willing and ready to be gone: or asPassengersin aShip, willing and ready (whenGodwill) to land, and goe ashoar in our owncountrey, to our owneHouse, andcomfortsin theHeavens.
ThusGideonsSouldiers (in a figure of such as are fit forChrists Battels) are not onlycouragiousand depart not with thecowards, but also lap at thecomfortsof this life, with a speedynecessity, but lye not downe to them inexcesseofaffectionanddelight.
Object.May notHypocritesuse this world with a strangeaffection, weaned from the vanities of it,&c.
The heavenly use of earthly comforts.
I answer, Doubtlesse not onely a falseChristianorHypocrite, but other naturall men (out of thesenceandexperienceof thevanitieanduncertaintyof this life, and thecomfortsof it) may attaine to a great seemingdispisingof theseearthly things, though never withoutsorrowthat they are not morefullandcertain, as being theirportion: OnelyGods childrenwho have made theLordhimselfe their portion, and hiswordandOrdinancestheirinheritance, they only I say use them as fromGod, tokens of hisLoveandgoodnesse, and asgolden chainesto draw them unto him, and humbly submit toGodsholy pleasure, in his graciousbestowingorwithdrawingof them.
Ninthly.
Ninthly, It is anargumentof a strongfearof andaffectiontoGod, when in all our earthly businesses, we seeGod, and minde hisnameandpraise. Hence saithJames: Yee ought in all Journeys and purposes to say, IfGodwill: HenceBoazthat holy man, when he comes into hisFieldhathGodin hismouth: TheLordblesse you sayed he to hisReapers: Hence the poorestChristianable to contribute (1 Cor. 16.) observesweekly, and thereforedailythedispensationsofGodtowards him; He observes thegivingsandtakingsofGodshand, and walks with him though in the poorest and meanestcallingandcondition.
Object.But may notHypocritesobserveGodsblessing inworldlythings, infaire winds,good voyages, in theencreaseofchildren,corne,wine,cattel,&c?
The glorifying of God proper to Gods children only.
I answer, Naturall convictionenforceth evenPagansto confesse (aManittoo) anInvisible DeityandGod-headin these visible things; But to make it aworkeandBusinessein all these earthly things to see andglorifie God, to walke with him, and to be full of hispraiseall the day long; this is onely theCharacterofGods children, who only truly see hishand, and love hisnameandglory.
Tenthly.
The true watch of Gods people over their Tongue.
Tenthly, It is anArgumentof strength and vigour ofgrace, to keep a constantwatchandbridleon ourlipsandtongue, that no words passe but such as are seasoned withSalt, to theglorifyingof ourMakerwith ourglory, and theedifyingorbenefitingof others. ThisTongueof ours theLordcompares to thebridleof aHorse, to theHelmof aShip, which if well managed rules thehorseandship, withsafetyandcomfort: and theSpiritofGodconcludes; that he is aperfectandstrongman inChrist, that is thus able to command hisSpeechandTonguein this world.
HenceChrist JesuspreachethJudgementto theworld, for theabuseof theTongue, and theidle wordsof it, when ourwordsare notworking words, and tend not to heavenly profiting of others.
Hence theSpiritbyPaulcommands (Ephes.5.) that neitheruncleannesse, norcovetousnesse, norfoolish talking, norjeasting, be once heard from the mouths of theSaints, but rather giving ofthanks, and praising ofGod.
Object.But may notworldlypersons set a watch before the door of theirlips?
I answer, Morall wisdomemay teach persons thevanityand grossewickednesseof theTongue, but onelyGods spirit(and strength of it) doth teachGods children, in truefeareandloveofGod, not onely torestrainefromvaineandfoolish, but also to attaine to aspirituallandheavenly Language.
Lastly, It argues strength and life andGraceinChrist, when ourheartsbyGods spiritare wrought to such a degree ofhatredof sin, that we not onely abhor theactsthereof, but also fly and shun thelooksandappearanceof it; so that we not only flyprideandpassion, andcovetousnesseanduncleannesse, but also theappearanceof them.
HenceBoaz, whenRuthlay downe at his feet in the night, as claimingmarriagebyright, he not only refrained fromuncleannesse, or uncleanetouches, but also he gravely advised her to be gone so early in the morning, that no man should say there came a woman into the floar.
Object.But may notworldlypersons not only avoid sin, but also theappearanceof it?
Only Gods children can truly hate sin.
I answer, Noworldlyorunregenerate personcan truly hatesin, or the appearance of it, for it is hisnatureandElement, they can onely hate thedammagesanddisgrace, anddiscreditof it, and so aWhoremay hatewhoredome. 'Tis only thepropertyofGodschildren, and thenew-borneto hatesinassin, with the sinfullappearancesof it asoppositeto theirnewandheavenlynature inJesus Christ.
I now come to the third head of the tryals of spirituallhealthandstrength, and that respects ourconversationwith men, in which
Christ and Christians worke to glorify God in doing good.
First I argue, that it is a strongargumentof a strongconstitutionandspirituall health, when we can make it ourworkeandtrade, to aime atglorifyingourMakerin doing good to men.
Thus our great exampleChrist Jesusmade it hisworkeandtrade, to goe about to doegood, which he did abundantly and constantly to thesoulsandbodiesof men.
Obj.Christ Jesusand hisApostlesandmessengerswere endued withpowerfrom on high, not only to preach theWordforconversionbut also withpowerof calling outDevils, and healing bodilydiseases.
Holy women great helps in the Gospel ofChrist Jesus
I answer, as anholy witnesseofChrist Jesus(aWoman) once answered a Bishop,I am a member of Christ Jesusas wel asPeterhimselfe. The leastBelieverandFollowerofJesuspertakes of thenatureandspiritof him their holyheadandhusband, as well as thestrongestandholiestthat ever did or suffered for his holyname.
Therefore it is that we read not only of theserviceof those greatmaster-buildersandwork-menofChrist Jesus, theApostles, but also theserviceand helpe ofChristianwomen, for instance (Rom.16.)Phebe,Priscilla,Mary,Persiswere eminently noted for helping forward the work ofChrist Jesus, to wit, the glorifying ofGodin the saving of the poor sons of men.
Object.But is it not possible forGodschildren to be slack in thisworkandtradeof doing good to thesoulsandbodiesof others, and yet be strong ingraceandhealthfull?
I answer, DoubtlesseGods Childrenmay bestrongone way, andweakin another,strongin onegraceandweakin another,strongin onetryalandweakin another: But it is theirweaknesseandsicknesse, when they are slow and negligent of sogloriousand heavenly aworke.
ThusPaulcomplains of the Saints ofAsia, that he found none that stuck close to him butTimothie. Thus was it inBarucks weaknesseandsicknesseto seek great and earthly things, andJeremie(strong in spirituallhealthandlife) chides and reproves him for it,Jer. 45
Secondly.
Secondly, It arguesstrengthof spiritualllife, when we bear a strongaffectionto theseedof thewoman,Christs seed, Gods children. To doe good to all men is aChristians trade, but especially to thehousholdoffaith.
Gods children cannot but naturally love one another.
This wasDavids affection(Psalme 16.) when he look't uponGods childrenas the excellent of theEarth, and placed all hisdelightin them: ThusJonathanthough he lost hisFathers loveforDavids, though he was to loose aKingdombyDavid, yet he loves him as his ownSoul.
ThusRuthso loved that holy womanNaomi, that although she were growne poor, a widow, and now in a tedioustravelfromMoabtoIsrael, andNaomidid also intreatherand hersisterto goe back, andOrpahher sister was already returned to her kindred and herGods, yet such was the flame of her holyaffection, that she intreatsNaominot to intreat her: Intreat me not to leave thee, for whether thou goest I will goe, where thou dyest I will dye, and there will I be buried: thyGodshall be myGod, &c.
Worldly men may in a kind love Gods people.
Object.May notwicked personsfavour, love, and respectGods children? Did notSaulgreatly respectSamuel; and for a whileHerod,JohntheBaptist? Did notMichollove KingDavid, as well as did her brotherJonathan? yea did notDavidfinde wonderfull favour in the eyes of aPhilistian Achaz?
I answer, Thenatureand the grounds of the love ofnaturall personstoGods childrenmust be rightly distinguished:Gods childrenthemselves may and ought to love each other, and others also, according to anynaturallandcivill Relation; yet onelyGods childrencan loveGods childrenfor thegraceandspiritofGod, which they see and finde in each other.
But Gods children can only love each other with a spirituall love.
Thus as twoCandlesorTorchesthey spiritually close and embrace each other with heavenly affection, being of one commonheavenly naturetogether. ThusCountrey-menmeeting in strange and forraignnationspresently know each other by theirlanguage, &c.
ThusBrethrenrejoyce to finde each other instrangeplaces, and to know themselves the sons of oneFatherandMother.
ThusFellow-souldierswhich stick close each to other inlifeanddeath, yea, althoughrouted,disorderedandflying, if possible they can discerne and know each other.
Gods children may possibly be unkind and cruel each to other.
Object.But did not holyDavid(who was a man strong ingrace) did not he layplotsfor thelifeof an holy man, noble and faithfullUriah? Did notAsahthat holy King ofJudah, practice falseImprisoning, in committing the man ofGodto prison, and that onely for hisfaithfulnessein reproving him fromGod?
I answer, This shews that bothDavidandAsahat this time were very sick, andDavidupon hisrecoverylaments hisweaknesseandwickednesseandBlood-guiltinesse,Psal. 51,
Gods people in case may be sharp each to other, so wasDavidsharply reprov'd byNathan.
Quest.But may notGodschildren have just cause of exercisingsharpnesseeach to others?
Yea doubtlesse, forPaulwithstood evenPeterhimselfe to his face, and theChurchofCorinthmust put away and deliver theincestuousperson to the Devill; though probably yet deare, and a brother, according to that ofPaulto theThessalonians, yet count him not as anEnemie, but admonish him as aBrother.
In a way ofJustice, in a way ofPhysick, the dearestfriendorBrothermay exercise muchbitternesse, though with muchsweetnesseoftemper, and with much tender melting and bemoaning ofaffection.
One of the blackest transgressions in the world for
Thus in cases have we seen mounfull violence used, to awifeorbrotherin some kind ofdistempersanddistractions.
But whenGods childrenshall so far degenerate, as topursuethe life of each other, though it be with desire to cover a sin, and to keepGods namefrom being dishonored (as inDavidscase) it is aweaknesse, it is asicknesse, which although it be not unto death, yet bringeth it neer untoDeaths door,and madeDavidcry out withbitternesseof his soul,Deliver me from blood-guiltinesse O my God, and my tongue shall sing loud of thy righteousnesse.
Thirdly.
A compassionate heart even towards enemies is a Christian heart.
A third tryal of spirituallhealthandstrengthis acompassionateandpitifull, melting-heartover theafflictedormiserable, yea, although ourenemies, orenemiesof their owneSalvation.
Thus the LordJesussighs for thehardnesseof theheartof hisEnemies: thus heweepsoverJerusalemthat was to kill him, and prayed for hispersecutorsandenemies.
ThusJeremypowres forth hisBookandRiversofLamentationsforJerusalemof old, asChristfor the latter.
2 Tim. 2. 26.
ThusGodspeople are commanded toweepwith them thatweep: And when any oppose themselves, wee ought inmeeknesseandpatienceto bear it, as knowing their wofull and miserablebondageandslaverytoSathan: And who knows whether it will pleaseGodin infinite mercy and compassion to deliver them by vouchsafingrepentanceinChrist Jesus, as he hath done to us?
Object.But may notGodschildren exceed and over-grieve for others?
Gods people mourn for others.
Yea doubtlesse, and thereforeGodchidethSamuelfor over-grieving forSaul, becauseGodhath rejected him:Godschildren may as well exceed the bounds ofgriefsas ofjoyandanger, and any kind ofPassionoraffection: but it is ever safer to fall on the right hand of too muchmercyandcompassion, then on the left ofAnger,WrathandCruelty.
HenceDavidweeps oversinnerswithRiversofTears, because they kept notGods Law. Hence we are commanded to bear theburthensof others, and so fulfillChrists Law. All sin is aburthen, but especially toGods children, whether they commit it out of a deceivedjudgment, andconscience, or out ofpassion, and suddenslightoftemptation: Theirsinstherefore (especially ifsuperiours,) we must cover, and with shame, and sorrow go backward likeShem, andJapheth, as grieving, and unwilling to behold theirnakednes.
Obj.But we are commanded not to suffersinupon ourBrethren, but reprove them?
Ianswer, then is thetonguea fitinstrumentto reprove others, when it is tuned by a grievedheart, that considers, and ponders it self, as subject totemptation, andsin, as others, exceptmercymake the difference, and deliver fromtemptation.
4thly.
Impartiall reproving a character of Gods people.
Fourthly, it is a good evidence ofspirituall health, respecting others, when we endure not sin to lie upon them, or rather them to lie in the pit ofsin, but endeavour to help them out by wise, and loving, and seasonablereproof, andexhortation.
HenceJobendures notsinin the wife of hisBozome, but chargeth her withfollyfor her impatient, & impiouscounsell: HenceDavidsmites deeply his dearestMichol, when she mocks at his holy zeal for theLord, and hisworship.
HenceChrist Jesussharply reproves his faithfull servant and ApostlePeter, and that only for (seeming) loving, and affectionatecouncell: Get thee behind meSatan.
Bold reprovers for sin.
Again, as true love, and zeal forGod, (when strong) spares not the dearest: so neither doth it balk, or shun thehighest. Thus dealGods Prophets, even withKings, andPrinces: ThusSamuelspares notSaul, norNathanDavid,EliabAhab, norJohn BaptistHerodand hisQueen, even for those most neer, and darlingsins, which were mostdangerousto touch, and meddle with.
Qu: How stands such bold, and sharplanguage, (as some of theProphetsused) with humbleDuty,Fear, andReverence, due untosuperiours?
I answer, as trueaffectionstands with plain, and sharp reproof ofdearest, so truehumilityin bold dealing onGodsbehalf, with the mostsupream, and highest.
Hence areGodspeople also commanded not only to reprove, but to separate in case of finallobstinacyinsin.
Obj.This course may seem to destroy humanesociety, yeanature, and civillity out of the world.
Godliness makes civilitie more beautifull.
I answer, it is true thatGodlines, andChristian affection, andzealforGoddestroys corruptnature, andhumanity, but otherwiseGodlinessanctifieth, and directethnature, andcivility, in the fear ofGod.
5thly.
Fifthly, it arguesstrengthofspirituall life, andgrace, when aSoulis able to withstand, resist, and repell suchsins, unto which theopportunityoftemptationsollicites, and invites us.
JosephandDavidadmirable for resisting of temptations.
Hence holyJoseph, andDavid, are propounded to us for heavenlyexamplesofpower, and strength ofgrace, in resisting those most, two plausibletemptations(to which the wickednatureof man is soprone, andsubject:) the one oflusttoWomen, when strongly and often solicited by his wanton Mistris: the other ofrevengetoward man, when his bloodypersecutor Saul, seemed byGodhimself to be delivered, and brought into his hand.
Obj.ButDavidhimself was conquer'd byuncleannes, andAsawreaks hiswrath, upon the veryservant, andProphetof the mostHigh, and yet bothDavid, andAsawere thought to bestrongingrace, andpowerofGodlines?
The fals of Gods children and to what end.
I answer,Gods championsare sometimes strong, and sometimes weak,strongin some things,weakin others, and (as the strongestbodies) subject to spirituallcoldsandfalls, andhurts, which are most graciously recorded for ourcomfortin ourfalls, as well as the holyvictoriesof theSaints, to make uswatchfull, andcouragious.
A Christian bearing of reproof a good argument of much of Christ Jesus.
Sixtly, in matters concerning others, it is a goodargumentofstrength, ofgrace, when we can patiently, and thankfully bear aReproof, andAdmonition, when we can esteem aReprooffor our evillwords, orways, not as abloworstroakon theHead, but as a sweet, and preciousOintmentpowred on us.
Hence the admirablepatience, andmeeknesofHanna, whenEli zealously, butuncharitablyreproved her forDrunkennes. Hence whenChrist Jesusmost sharply reprovedPeter, and afterwardPauldealt severely with him about dissembling in the matter ofCommunion; We hear not of the leastimpatient, orbitterword to either, yea when he was unjustly charg'd, and that bySaints(Act. 11) he patiently bears it, and returns a soft, and gentleanswer, which turned their murmuringaccusationsinto joyfullsatisfaction, andthanksgiving.
Gods people may possibly be angry at reproofs.
But now thescorner, yea the godly being (weak) reproved burst out in wrath. Thus not onlyAhabimprisonsMicaiah, andHerod,John the Baptist, butAsaalso claps up fast the reproving Prophet, and the best ofGods childrenare subject to such saddistempers, when either a mistake ofjudgment, or apangofpassionsinfully hinders thereceitandworkingof theReproofsof theAlmighty, which are wholsome heavenlypotionsintended by him theFatherof mercies, for our good, who ever be thecup, thevial, orinstrument.
Naturall wisdome goes far, but not so far as spirituall.
Obj.ManyPhilosophersbynaturall wisdome, and manycivillandmorallmen, out of theprinciplesofcivillityandmorality, and sometimes for some private ends, will bear aReproofwithpatience: And hence that ofSolomon, rebuke a wiseman, and he will love thee: whence it may seem that men by strength ofwisdomemay receive inlove, andprofitby aReprehension.
I answer,Gods children(as well as naturall men) may also act fromRulesofReason, and naturall wisedom, but withall they act from an higherground, andprinciple, that is they hear they seeGods wise, andholypermitting hand in the foulestmouth; SoDavidacknowledgethGodinShimeisrailing, andHezekiahinRabshekahisprovocations, andblasphemies.
Reproaches send Gods people unto God.
2dly.Gods childrenbyreproofs, byslanders, andreproaches, are sent toGod: SoDavidas a figure ofChrist Jesus, and soMosesalso, when the people in theirmurmurings, reproached him, as thecauseoroccasionof theirmiseries, he runs toGod, and praies even for thoseunworthy, andunthankfullmen.
Lastly, with reference to our walking with others, it is anargumentof great strength ofgrace, whengloryof theLordand the salvation ofGodspeople is so great, and sodearin our eyes, that we can with (uponsuppositionof them two) that we not onely loose ourtemporall, but our eternallstateandwelfare: Hence those two famous andwonderfull speechesof those two glorious starsMosesandPaul: Blot me out of thybooksaithMoses: And I could wish to be accursed fromChrist, saithPaul, forIsraelssake.
Ob.But can such awishbe lawfull though for thegainandgloryofChrist, since to be accursed fromChristcannot be without sin againstChrist?
I answer: I will not dispute whataccursednessorseparationfromChrist, that is, some saying thatPaulwished onely atemporall, and some aneternall separationfromChrist: some aseparationfromjoyanddelightin thepresenceofChrist, but not from thepuritieand holiness ofChrist: But I say, doubtless so neer as any soul approacheth to these heavenlycopiesofMosesandPaul, so neer comes he to the greateststrength, and health, and beautie of aChristianlife.
Ob.But can any man now attain to such astrengthofgraceas this, so to wish?
Different manifestations of Christ Jesus in his people.
I answer: as it is innatureso ingrace, there arechildrenandyoungmen (orstrongmen,) and there areoldandagedmen inChrist: Again, as it isnature, so ingrace; there aredifferencesofchildren, and differences ofyoungandagedmen inChrist: everyIsraelitehad not the strength ofSamson: nor every ofDavidsSouldiers thestrengthandvalourofDavids worthies: yet so neer to these heavenlycopiesas we approach, thestrongerwe are in thegraceofGodinChrist: And doubtless it cannot be but it is in the desire of every truechildeofGod, not onely to enjoy a prettie moderatehealthofspiritualllife, but to be asstronginfaithasAbraham, in meekness asMoses, inpatienceasJob, inaffectiontoGodasDavid, and aszealousfor theLordand hisglory, as were this blessedpairofzealousservants of the most high,PaulandMoses.
Some means which Gods Spirit useth as preservatives.
I Am now come (dear Love) to the third and lastHeadproposed, which is some few means ofrecoveringandpreservingofChristian healthand cheerfulness, and the preventing ofspirituall sicknessesanddiseases: In this I shall desire to be brief, lest by too long adiscourseI discourage thyreading, and hinder thy use andimprovementof it.
Soul-examination a soul means of spirituall preservation.
First then, holyconsiderationof ourestate, a deep and frequentexaminationof ourspirituallcondition is an excellent means ofChristian healthand temper: Thus teacheth us the holySpiritofGodbyJeremie,Lam: 2.Let us search and try our ways, and turn unto the Lord.
This searching and examining of our ways inGodspresence is (as it were) a casting up of ouraccountsbetweenGodand our souls, wherein we truly verifie that true saying, That oftenreckoningmakesGodand oursoulstruefriends.
Thisdutieis hard, and therefore we must often crie toGodwithDavid,Psal. 139. Search me OGod, and try myheart, and see if there be anywickedway in me, and lead me in the wayeverlasting.
Affliction the season of Examination.
This holypracticeought to be frequent, but then especially when the hand, andRodsof theLordare upon us: For then (asJobsaith)Godsofteneth ourHearts, and we are most like then to be as the ground, mollified upon aThaw, fit to be broken up, or like the ground moistened withstorms, andshowersfrom Heaven, then in some hopefull turn for theLordsmost graciousseed, and heavenlyplanting.
2dly.
Christ Jesus his appointments undoubted means of Christian health and chearfulness.
Secondly, maintain an earnest longing, and endeavour to enjoyChrist Jesus, who is oursoulslife in every holyOrdinance, which he hath appointed. If it be possible (with truesatisfactionto ourconsciences, anddoubtsinGodspresence) let us never rest from being planted into the holysocietyofGodschildren, gathered into theorderofChrist Jesus, according to his most holywillandTestament: Remembering thatChristian health,grouth, andflourishing, are promised to theTreesplanted inJehovahshouse: And that the holyOrdinancesare theLords provisions, and soulmeals, andBreastswhich he hath graciously appointed for hischildren, of allsorts, andages.
Prayer with fasting a most Christian and mighty ordinance.
Especially be much in holyprayer, andfastingbefore theLord: this is anOrdinanceof which neitherPopenorDevillcould ever deprive achildofGod: If it be possible practice this duty with others, however before theLordin secret: remembring how frequent thechildrenofGodin holyscripturewere in thisduty.Danielis an heavenlypattern: and so isDavid, who wept and chastised his soul withfastingalthough he was reproached for it,Psal. 69.
Our holyBridegroomtheLord Jesus, tels us that theBridegroomshall be taken away, and then his servants fast: as if he had expressly named the times of theAntichristian bondage, wherein thefollowersofJesus, like the blessedWomen, (John the 20.)weeping, cry out, they have taken away myLord, and I know not where they have laid him.
This holyOrdinanceis of such admirable use among theSaints, that even in the first, and purest times ofChristianity, we read ofChristian yoak fellows, consenting to aseparationfrom each other, for a time that they may give themselves toprayer, andfasting,1. Cor: 7.
Obj.But some sayfastingas it seems to be more proper to theOld Testament, so seems it not so usefull in theNew Covenant, when morespirituallworship, andspiritualljoys seem moresuitable, andseasonable.
The excellent use of prayer and fasting.
I answer, all the formerScripturesdeclare it to be anOrdinanceof theNew Testament, as well as aprayeritself: And for theuseof it, it is most admirable for theseparating, andabstractingof themind, andspirit, from earthlyoccasions, andcomforts, for the devoting of thesoulto heavenlyconsideration, andexaminationof our wayes, for the pouring forth ofprayers, andcriestoGodin the many great, and mightystraightswhichGodspeople passe through in thisvaleoftears, andLamentation. And indeed it is (as I may say) the taking of asoul sweat, orsoul purgefor the avoiding and cleansing out our spirituallHumours, andcorruptions.
3dly.
Spirituall taking of cold.
Thirdly, as ever we would preserve ourspirituall health, let us carefully take heed of spirituallcoldsandobstructions: For as it is in thenaturallman, acoldit self is a greatdistemper, and thegroundandbeginningof others, when thewarm streamsofblood, andspiritsare stopt up, and obstructed: So is it, (and much more in thespirituall) when our heavenlyspiritsare stopt by dampcolds, andobstructionsof unnecessary frequenting ofcold societies, andplacesdestitute of thelifeof theSunofRighteousnes Christ Jesus.
TheLord Jesusis aChristians Garment: O let us keep that blessedgarmentalways close about us, and in all places, and in all companies, and upon alloccasionsexpresse thelife, andpowerofChrist Jesus, longing to know, and to follow his blessedwords, andexamplesinlife, anddeath.
4thly.
Gods people must watch against the surfeiting upon worldly comforts.
Fourthly, take heed ofspirituall surfets, that the feeding too much upon thecomfortsofyoak fellows,children,credit,profit, (though sweet, and wholsome ashony) turn not tobitternes, andloathing.
Godschildren astravailerson the Land, asPassengersin aship, must use this world, and all comforts of it, withdead, andweaned, andmortified affections, as if they used them not: IfRiches, ifChildren, ifCattel, ifFriends, if whatsoever increase, let us watch that theHeartfly not loose upon them: But as we usesaltwith raw and fresh meats, let us use no worldly comfort without a savouryRemembrance, that these worldlyGoodsandcomfortsare the common portion of the men of this perishingworld, who must perish together with them. Let us muse upon theirinsufficiencyto content, and fill ourHearts, upon their uncertain coming, and going withEagles wings: upon theiranxiety, and perplexednes full ofThorns, &vexations: upon theircertaintyof departing, how soon we know not. O let us therefor beggracefromHeaven, that we may use earthlycomfortsas astoolorladderto help us upward to heavenlycomforts,profits,pleasures, which are onlytrue, andlasting, eveneternallinGodhimself, when theseHeavens, andearthare gone.
5.
The power of meditating the joyes that are to come.
Fifthly, to maintain a spirituallhealthandchearfulnessis of no small use (asPaulwrites toTimothie) sometimes to help ourcold stomackswith a littlewineorstrong drinkof thehopeof thejoyesto come: Lay hold (saithPaultoTimothie) ofeternall life: and as theSouldiermeditates upon thegloryof hisvictories: The sickpassengerat Sea upon hissweet refreshingson shore: theTravellerupon hisjourneys endandcomfortsat his home: theLabourerand theHirelingon hiswages, theHusbandmanon hisharvest: theMerchanton his gain: thewomanintravail, on herfruit: so let us sometimes warm and revive our coldheartsand faintingspirits, with the assured hope of thosevictories, thosecrowns, thoseharvests, thoserefreshingsandfruits, which nevereyehath seen, norearhath heard, nor never entred into mansheartthe things whichGodhath prepared for them that love him: Of which however it pleasethGodto give his servants atastein thislife, yet theharvest, and thevintageare to come, when they that suffer withChrist Jesusshall reign with him, and they that have sown intearsshall reap the never endingharvestof inconceivable joyes.
6thly.
Bitter and untoothsome things may yet be of a blessed and wholsome use to Gods people.
Sixthly, as it is in therestoringof thebodytohealth, or in thepreservingof it in an healthfullcondition: it is often necessarie to use the help ofsharpandbitterthings,bitter pils,bitter potions,bitter medicines,sweatings,purgings,vomitings,blood-lettings, &c. So is it with oursouls, andspirits, and preservation of thehealthandchearfulnessof the spirituall and theinnerman.
Two sorts of bitter afflictions.
Thesharpandbitterthings which it pleasethGodto make use of in these cases are of two sorts.
First, such as himself is pleased to use towards us in thewayof his fatherlyafflictionsof allsorts: on ourspirits, ourbodies, ouryoak-fellows,children,servants,cattel,goods, &c. out of which, yea also out of theinjurious, andslanderous, and persecuting dealing of others, yea and out of our ownsinsand failings his most holy and infinitewisdom, fetcheth all sorts ofcleansingandpurging, yea and sometimes acordialland healingphysick.
The second sort of sharp andbittermeans are such, as wevoluntarilyuse andapplyour selves unto our selves, for theslayingand thepurgingout of thefilthy humoursandcorruptionsofpride,securitie,uncleanness,self-love,covetousness, and what ever else remains behinde of thebodyofdeathin us.