LETTERXXIX.[To a minister in prison.]Worthy Sir,IT was but a little after my release from my own confinement, but I heard of yours: and now write to you, as one that hath taken a higher degree than ever, being commenced prisoner of Christ. I was once affected with the picture of a devout man, to whom a voice came down from heaven, saying,Quid vis fieri pro te?To which he answered,Nihil domine, nifi pati ac contemini pro te. Undoubtedly, Sir, it is our real glory to be throughout conformed to Jesus Christ, not only in his sanctity, but in his sufferings. I doubt not your consolations in Christ superabound in all your tribulations for him. Yet let me add this, that you have a whole shoal of promises come in to you, which you had not before; I mean all the promises to suffering saints, in which they have not so immediate a part, unless in a suffering state. And doubtless he hath got well, that hath gotten such a number of exceeding great and precious promises.I can tell you little good of myself: but this I can tell you, that the promises of God were never so sweet to me, as since my imprisoned state. It shames me that I have let such a treasure lieby so long, and have made so little use of it. Never did my soul know the heaven of a believer’s life, till I learnt to live a life of praise, and to set home the unspeakable riches of the divine promises, to which, through grace, I am made an heir. I verily perceive that all our work were done, if we could but prevail with ourselves and others to live like believers; to tell all the world by our carriage, that there is such pleasantness in Christ’s ways, such beauty in holiness, such reward to obedience, as we profess to believe!It is but a little while that prisons shall hold us, or that we shall dwell in dirty flesh.Porphyrytells us ofPlotinus, that he was ashamed to see himself in the body; to see a divine and immortal soul in a prison of flesh (for so they held the body to be;) but the worst shackles are those of sin. Well, they must shortly fall off; our Lord doth not long intend us for this lower region: surely he is gone to prepare a place for us: yea, and he will come again, and receive us to himself, that where he is, we may be also. And what have we to do, but to believe, and wait, and love, and long, and look out for his coming, in which is all our hope? ’Twill be time enough for us to be preferred then. We know before hand who shall then be uppermost. Our Lord hath shewed us where our places shall be, even at his own right hand; and what he will say to us,Come ye blessed. Surely we shall stand in his judgment: he hath promised to stand our friend: let us lookfor the joyful day: and sure as there is a God, this day will come, and then it shall go well with us. What if bonds and banishment abide us for a season? This is nothing but what our Lord hath told us,The world shall rejoice, but ye shall lament: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Oh how reviving are his words!I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.If that miserable wretch leapt chearfully off the ladder, saying,I shall be a queen in hell: with what joy should we do and suffer for God, knowing that we shall be crowned in heaven? They are wonderful preparations that are making for us: the Lord make us meet to be partakers. *It was the highest commendation that ever that worthyR. Baxterreceived, which fell from his scoffing adversaryTilenus, Totum, puritanismum totus spirat. Oh that this may be true of us and ours!Let your true yoke-fellow, and my Christian friends with you, have my hearty commendation: and these counsels I pray you give them from me.1.To habituate themselves, both as to their thoughts and discourses, more throughly than ever to holiness.Brethren, I would teach you the lesson that I resolve to learn, that your minds and tongues may as naturally run upon the things of heaven, as others on the things of this world. Why should it not be thus? I am sure God andheaven as well deserve to be thought on, and talked of as froth and vanity. There are many that have in a great measure learnt this lesson, and why should not we? What if it be hard at first? Every thing is so to a beginner. And is not ours a religion of self-denial? If we do but force ourselves awhile to holy thoughts, and heavenly discourse, it will grow habitual to us, and then it will be most natural, familiar, and sweet. O what gainers will you be, if you learn this lesson?’Tis the shame of religion, that Christians are so unlike themselves, unless upon their knees. Our lives and language should tell the world what we are, and whither we are going. Christians, let little things content you in the world, but aspire after great things in the grace of God. Many little think what high degrees of holiness they may grow up to even in this life with pains and diligence. Sirs, be you men of great designs: think it not enough if you have wherewith to bear your charges to heaven; but aspire to be great in the court of heaven, favourites of the Most High, of tall growth, singular communion, that you may burn and shine in your place, that you may savour of heaven wherever you come, and that there may be an even-spun thread of holiness running through your whole course. ’Tis our disgrace, that there is so little difference to be seen in the ordinary conversation of believers and other men. Is it not a shame, that whenwe are in company with others, this should be all the difference that is to be seen, that we will not curse and swear? If you will honour the gospel, bring forth your religion out of your closets into your shops, trades, visits, and exemplify the rules of religion in the management of all your relations, and in your ordinary converse. Let there be no place or company that you come into, in which you do not drop something of God; this will be the glory of religion, and we shall never convince the world ’till we come to this. May you come, my brethren, out of your prisons with your faces shining, having your minds seasoned, and your tongues tipt with holiness! May your mouths be as a well of life, from whence may flow the holy streams of edifying discourse! May you ever remember, as you are sitting in your houses, going by the way, lying down, rising up, what the Lord doth then require of you.2.To improve their present retirements from the world, for the settling their spiritual estates.’Tis a common complaint amongst Christians, that they want assurance. Oh, if any of you that wanted assurance when you came to prison, may carry that blessing out, what happy gainers would you be? Now you are called more than ever to self-searching. Now bring your graces to the touchstone. Be much in self observation. Rest not in probable hopes. Think not that it is enough that you can say, you hope ’tis well. Be restless till you can say, that youknow ’tis well; that you know you are passed from death to life.*Think not that this is a privilege that only a few may expect. Observe but these three things:1.To take heed of laying the marks of salvation either too high or too low;2.To be much in observing the frame, and bent, and workings of your own heart:3.To be universally conscientious, and to be constant in even and close walking, and then I doubt not but you will have a settled assurance, and know and feel that peace of God that passeth all understanding.I wish your prison may be a paradise of peace, and aPatmosof divine discoveries,Lord Jesus set to thy Amen. I am, Sir,Your unworthy brother and companion in the kingdom and patience of Jesus,JOS.ALLEINE.January 10, 1664.
[To a minister in prison.]
Worthy Sir,
IT was but a little after my release from my own confinement, but I heard of yours: and now write to you, as one that hath taken a higher degree than ever, being commenced prisoner of Christ. I was once affected with the picture of a devout man, to whom a voice came down from heaven, saying,Quid vis fieri pro te?To which he answered,Nihil domine, nifi pati ac contemini pro te. Undoubtedly, Sir, it is our real glory to be throughout conformed to Jesus Christ, not only in his sanctity, but in his sufferings. I doubt not your consolations in Christ superabound in all your tribulations for him. Yet let me add this, that you have a whole shoal of promises come in to you, which you had not before; I mean all the promises to suffering saints, in which they have not so immediate a part, unless in a suffering state. And doubtless he hath got well, that hath gotten such a number of exceeding great and precious promises.
I can tell you little good of myself: but this I can tell you, that the promises of God were never so sweet to me, as since my imprisoned state. It shames me that I have let such a treasure lieby so long, and have made so little use of it. Never did my soul know the heaven of a believer’s life, till I learnt to live a life of praise, and to set home the unspeakable riches of the divine promises, to which, through grace, I am made an heir. I verily perceive that all our work were done, if we could but prevail with ourselves and others to live like believers; to tell all the world by our carriage, that there is such pleasantness in Christ’s ways, such beauty in holiness, such reward to obedience, as we profess to believe!
It is but a little while that prisons shall hold us, or that we shall dwell in dirty flesh.Porphyrytells us ofPlotinus, that he was ashamed to see himself in the body; to see a divine and immortal soul in a prison of flesh (for so they held the body to be;) but the worst shackles are those of sin. Well, they must shortly fall off; our Lord doth not long intend us for this lower region: surely he is gone to prepare a place for us: yea, and he will come again, and receive us to himself, that where he is, we may be also. And what have we to do, but to believe, and wait, and love, and long, and look out for his coming, in which is all our hope? ’Twill be time enough for us to be preferred then. We know before hand who shall then be uppermost. Our Lord hath shewed us where our places shall be, even at his own right hand; and what he will say to us,Come ye blessed. Surely we shall stand in his judgment: he hath promised to stand our friend: let us lookfor the joyful day: and sure as there is a God, this day will come, and then it shall go well with us. What if bonds and banishment abide us for a season? This is nothing but what our Lord hath told us,The world shall rejoice, but ye shall lament: ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Oh how reviving are his words!I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
If that miserable wretch leapt chearfully off the ladder, saying,I shall be a queen in hell: with what joy should we do and suffer for God, knowing that we shall be crowned in heaven? They are wonderful preparations that are making for us: the Lord make us meet to be partakers. *It was the highest commendation that ever that worthyR. Baxterreceived, which fell from his scoffing adversaryTilenus, Totum, puritanismum totus spirat. Oh that this may be true of us and ours!
Let your true yoke-fellow, and my Christian friends with you, have my hearty commendation: and these counsels I pray you give them from me.
1.To habituate themselves, both as to their thoughts and discourses, more throughly than ever to holiness.Brethren, I would teach you the lesson that I resolve to learn, that your minds and tongues may as naturally run upon the things of heaven, as others on the things of this world. Why should it not be thus? I am sure God andheaven as well deserve to be thought on, and talked of as froth and vanity. There are many that have in a great measure learnt this lesson, and why should not we? What if it be hard at first? Every thing is so to a beginner. And is not ours a religion of self-denial? If we do but force ourselves awhile to holy thoughts, and heavenly discourse, it will grow habitual to us, and then it will be most natural, familiar, and sweet. O what gainers will you be, if you learn this lesson?
’Tis the shame of religion, that Christians are so unlike themselves, unless upon their knees. Our lives and language should tell the world what we are, and whither we are going. Christians, let little things content you in the world, but aspire after great things in the grace of God. Many little think what high degrees of holiness they may grow up to even in this life with pains and diligence. Sirs, be you men of great designs: think it not enough if you have wherewith to bear your charges to heaven; but aspire to be great in the court of heaven, favourites of the Most High, of tall growth, singular communion, that you may burn and shine in your place, that you may savour of heaven wherever you come, and that there may be an even-spun thread of holiness running through your whole course. ’Tis our disgrace, that there is so little difference to be seen in the ordinary conversation of believers and other men. Is it not a shame, that whenwe are in company with others, this should be all the difference that is to be seen, that we will not curse and swear? If you will honour the gospel, bring forth your religion out of your closets into your shops, trades, visits, and exemplify the rules of religion in the management of all your relations, and in your ordinary converse. Let there be no place or company that you come into, in which you do not drop something of God; this will be the glory of religion, and we shall never convince the world ’till we come to this. May you come, my brethren, out of your prisons with your faces shining, having your minds seasoned, and your tongues tipt with holiness! May your mouths be as a well of life, from whence may flow the holy streams of edifying discourse! May you ever remember, as you are sitting in your houses, going by the way, lying down, rising up, what the Lord doth then require of you.
2.To improve their present retirements from the world, for the settling their spiritual estates.’Tis a common complaint amongst Christians, that they want assurance. Oh, if any of you that wanted assurance when you came to prison, may carry that blessing out, what happy gainers would you be? Now you are called more than ever to self-searching. Now bring your graces to the touchstone. Be much in self observation. Rest not in probable hopes. Think not that it is enough that you can say, you hope ’tis well. Be restless till you can say, that youknow ’tis well; that you know you are passed from death to life.
*Think not that this is a privilege that only a few may expect. Observe but these three things:
1.To take heed of laying the marks of salvation either too high or too low;
2.To be much in observing the frame, and bent, and workings of your own heart:
3.To be universally conscientious, and to be constant in even and close walking, and then I doubt not but you will have a settled assurance, and know and feel that peace of God that passeth all understanding.
I wish your prison may be a paradise of peace, and aPatmosof divine discoveries,Lord Jesus set to thy Amen. I am, Sir,
Your unworthy brother and companion in the kingdom and patience of Jesus,
JOS.ALLEINE.
January 10, 1664.
LETTERXXX.To the most beloved people, the servants of God inTaunton, salvation.Most dearly beloved and longed for,my joy and crown.MY heart’s desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved. This is that which I have been praying and studying, and preachingfor these manyyears: and this is the end of my suffering, and writing at this present time. I seek not other gifts, give me your hearts, let me but part between your sins and you: suffer me but to save you; give me leave to carry you over to Jesus Christ, and I will not ask you any more. I will serve you gladly, I will suffer for you thankfully, so I may but save you. Do not wonder why I follow you so pressingly, why I call upon you so frequently; let not my importunity be grievous to you, all this is but to save you. Christ did not think his blood, and shall I think my breath too dear in order to your salvation; what pity is it, that any of you should miscarry at last, under the power of ignorance, or by a profane negligence, or a formal and lifeless profession of strict godliness?Beloved, I am afraid of you, lest (as to many of you) I have run in vain. I cannot but thankfully acknowledge, that there are not a few of you who are the joy of your ministers, and the glory of Christ. But it cannot be dissembled, that far the greater number give little ground to hope, they are in the state of salvation. And must not this be a pinching thought to a compassionate teacher, that he cannot persuade men, but that the most of them will wilfully throw away themselves? Is it not a woeful sight, to behold the devils driving a great part of our miserable flocks, (as they did once the herd of swine) violently down the hill, till they be choaked in thewater, drowned in the gulph of endless perdition? Ah miserable spectacle! What through the wilful blindness of some, the looseness and sensuality of others, the halving, and cold, and customary religion of others, how great a number of our poor flocks, is Satan like to carry utterly away from us, after all that hath been done to save him?Yet I cannot but call after them. Hearken unto me, O ye children. How long will ye love vanity, and trust in lying words? As the Lord liveth, you are lost, except you turn: wherefore turn yourselves and live ye. Ah how mercy wooeth you! How it waiteth to be gracious? Hear, O sinners, hear. See you not how the merciful Saviour of the world stretcheth forth his hands all the day long, and spreadeth forth his wings, and calleth you as a hen doth her chickens! Hear you not the sounding of his bowels? He hath no need of you: Yet how do his compassions melt over perishing sinners? His heart is turned within him, and shall not this turn your hearts? His repentings are kindled together, and shall not this lead you to repentance? Behold, he standeth at the door and knocketh. O man, wilt thou keep Jesus at the door, and lodgeBarabbasin thy bosom? Oh his melting love to sinners! He calleth after them, he weepeth over them, he crieth to them. How long, ye simple ones, will you love simplicity? Will you not be made clean? When shall it once be? Whywill you die? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you. Sinner, art thou not yet melted? Oh come in at his loving calls. Come out from thy sins: touch the scepter of grace and live: Why shouldst thou be dashed in pieces by his iron rod? Kiss the Son: Why shouldst thou perish in the way? Set up Jesus as thy king, lest he count thee for his enemy, because thou would not that he should reign over thee, and so thou be called forth and slain before him. Oh how dreadful will this case be, to die by the hand of a Saviour! Oh double hell, to have thy Redeemer become thy executioner! And the hand that was so long stretched forth to save thee, to be now stretched forth to slay thee! And the merciful heart of Christ himself hardened against thee, so that he should call thee forth, and hew thee in pieces, asSamueldidAgagbefore the Lord.*Beloved, I despair of ever bringing you to salvation, without sanctification: or possessing you with happiness without persuading you to holiness. God knows I have not the least hope ever to see one of your faces in heaven, except you be sanctified, and exercise yourselves unto godliness. This is that I drive at, I beseech you study to furtherpersonal godliness, andfamily godliness.*1.Personal godliness.Let it be your first care to set up Christ in your hearts. See that you make all your worldly interests stoop to him,that you be entirely and unreservedly devoted to him. If you deliberately and ordinarily harbour any sin, you are undone. See that you unfeignedly take the laws of Christ, as the rule of your words, thoughts and actions; and subject your whole man, faithfully to him. If you have a true respect unto all God’s commandments, you are sound at heart. O study to get the image and impress of Christ upon you within. Begin with your hearts, else you build without a foundation. Labour to get a saving change within, or else all external performances will be to no purpose. And then study to shew forth the power of godliness in your life. Let piety be your business. ’Tis the highest point of justice, to give God his due. Beware that none of you be a prayerless person: for that is a certain discovery of a Christless, and a graceless person. Suffer not your bibles to gather dust. See that you converse daily with the word. That man can never lay claim to blessedness, whose delight is not in the law of the Lord. Let meditation and self-examination be your daily exercise, else the Papists, yea the Pagans will condemn us. If ever you come to any growth in holiness, without the constant use of this practice, I am grossly deceived. And therefore I beseech, yea even charge you by the Lord, that you would daily examine yourselves.But piety without charity is but the half of Christianity, or rather impious hypocrisy. Seetherefore that you do justly, and love mercy, and let equity, and charity run like an even thread, through all your dealings. Be you temperate in all things, and let chastity and sobriety be your undivided companions. Let truth and purity, seriousness and modesty, heavenliness and gravity, be the constant ornaments of your speech. Let patience and humility, simplicity and sincerity shine in all parts of your conversation. See that you forget and forgive wrongs, and requite them with kindness. Be merciful in your censures, and put the most favourable construction upon your brethren’s carriage. Be slow in promising, punctual in fulfilling. Let meekness, innocency, affableness, yieldingness, and courtesy, commend your conversation to all men. Let none of your relations want that love and loyalty, that reverence and duty, that tenderness, care, and vigilancy, which their several places and capacities call for. This is true godliness. I charge you before the most high God, that none of you be found a swearer, or a liar, a lover of evil company, or a scoffer, or malicious, or covetous, or a drunkard, or a glutton, unrighteous in his dealing, unclean in his living, or a quarreller, or a thief, or backbiter, or a railer: for I denounce unto you from the living God, that damnation is the end of all such.2.Family godliness.He that hath set up Christ in his heart, will be sure to study to sethim up in his house. Let every family with you be a Christian church; every house a house of prayer; every houshold a houshold of faith. Let every housholder say, withJoshua,I, with my house, will serve the Lord, and withDavid,I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.First, Let religion be in your families, not as a matter by the by, but the standing business of the house. Let them have your prayers as duly as their meals. Is there any of your families, but have time for their taking food? *Wretched man! Canst thou find time to eat, and not time to pray?*Secondly, Settle it upon your hearts, that your souls are bound up in the souls of your family. They are committed to you, and (if they be lost through your neglect) will be required at your hands: Sirs, if you do not, you shall know that the charge of souls is a heavy charge, and that the blood of souls is a heavy guilt. O man, hast thou a charge of souls to answer for, and dost thou not yet bestir thyself for them, that their blood may not be found in thy skirts? Wilt thou do no more for immortal souls, than thou wilt do for the beasts that perish? What dost thou do for thy children, and servants? Thou providest meat and drink for them, and dost thou not the same for thy beasts? Thou givest them medicines, and cherishest them when they are sick, and dost thou not so much for thy swine? More particularly.1. Let the solemn reading of the word,and singing of psalms, be your family exercises. See Christ singing with his family, his disciples,Matthewxxvi.30.Lukeix.18.2.Let every person in your family be duly called to an account of their profiting by the word heard or read, as they are about doing your own business.This is a duty of consequence unspeakable, and would be a means to bring those under your charge to remember and profit by what they receive.3.Often take account of the souls under your care, concerning their spiritual estates.Make enquiry into their conditions, insist much upon the sinfulness and misery of their natural estate, and upon the necessity of regeneration, in order to their salvation. Admonish them gravely of their sins; encourage beginnings. Follow them earnestly, and let them have no quiet for you, till you see in them a saving change. This is a duty of high consequence, but fearfully neglected by some. Doth not conscience say, Thou art the man?4.Look to the strict sanctifying of the sabbath by all of your housholds.Many poor families have little time else. O improve but yoursabbath daysas diligently in doing your Maker’s work, as you do the other days in doing your own work, and I doubt not but you may come to some proficiency.5.Let the morning and evening sacrifice of solemn prayer, be daily offered up in all your families.Beware they be not found among the families that call not upon God’s name; for why should there be wrath from the Lord upon your families? O miserable families without God in the world, that are without family prayer! What have you so many family sins, family wants, family miseries; what, and yet no family prayers? How do you pray with all prayer and supplication if you do not with family prayer? Say not I have no time. What hast thou all thy time on purpose to serve God and save thy soul, and is this that for which thou can’st find no time? Pinch out of your meals and sleep, rather than want for prayer. *Say not, my business will not give leave. This is thy greatest business, to save thyself, and the souls committed to thee. In a word, the blessing of all is to be got by prayer. And what is thy business without God’s blessing? Say not, I am not able. Use thy one talent, and God will increase it. Helps are to be had till thou art better able.*6. Put every one in your families upon private prayer. Observe whether any perform it. Get them the help of a form, if they need it, till they are able to go without. Direct them how to pray, by minding them of their sins, wants, and mercies, the materials of prayer.7. Set up catechizing in your families, at least once every week. It was my parting, dyingrequest, that you would set up and maintain this duty in your families. Have you all done it accordingly? Cannot your confidences witness, cannot your families witness you have not? Well, I thought my parting words would have done something with you: I hoped the fervent request of a dying minister, would have prevailed for such a small matter with you. To this day are you without solemn catechizing in your houses! Ah, what a discouragement to your teacher is this? Brethren shall I yet prevail with you? Will you reject me also? O let me persuade you before you take off your eyes from these lines, to resolve to set upon the constant exercise of this duty. Surely I have done and suffered more for you than this comes to: Will you deny me? I beseech you, let me find, if ever God brings me again to visit your houses, that the words of a suffering minister have some power with you. I have sent you help on purpose: What shall all my persuasions be but speaking to the wind? Beloved, have you no dread of the Almighty’s charge, that you shouldteach these things diligently to your children, and talk of them as you sit in your houses, and train them up in the way they should go? Hath God so commandedAbraham, that he would teach hischildren and his houshold,Genesisxviii.19.and given such a promise to him thereupon, and will not you put in for a share of either in the praise or the promise? Say not, they are careless andwill not learn. What have you your authority for, if not to use it for God, and the good of their souls? You will call them up, and force them to do their work; and should you not at least be as zealous in putting them upon God’s work? Say not, they are dull and not capable. If they be dull, God requires of you the more pains and patience; but dull as they are, you will make them learn how to work; and can they not learn how to live? Are they capable of the mysteries of your trade, and are they not capable of the plain principles of religion? Well, as ever you would see the growth of religion, the cure of ignorance, the remedy of profaneness, the downfal of error, fulfil ye my joy with going through with this duty.I have been long and yet I am afraid my letter will be ended before my work is done: how loath am I to leave you, before I have prevailed with you to set to this work? Will you pass your promise, will you give me your hands? Oh that you would? You cannot do me a greater pleasure. Beloved, why should you not give the hand one to another, and mutually engage to each other, for more vigorous and diligent endeavours, in promoting family godliness? I must tell you, God looks for more than ordinary from you, in such a day as this. He expects that you should do both in your hearts and in your houses, somewhat more than ever, under these extraordinary dispensations. My mostdearly beloved, mine own bowels in the Lord, will you satisfy the longings of a travelling minister? will you answer the calls of divine providence? Would you that your children should bless you? Oh, then set up piety in your families. As ever you would be blessed or be a blessing, let your heart, and your houses be the temples of the living God, in which his worship (according to the fore-mentioned directions) may be with constancy reverently performed.OFATHER of Spirits, that hast set me over thy flock to watch for their souls as one that must give account: I have long studied thy will, and taught in thy name, and do unfeignedly bless thee, that any have believed my report. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them. I have manifested thy name unto them, and they have kept thy word. And now I am no more with them, but I come unto thee! Holy Father, keep them through thine own name; for they are thine. As they have kept the word of thy patience, so keep thou them in the hour of temptation. They are but a little and helpless flock: but thou art their shepherd, suffer them not to want. Do thou feed them, and fold them. Let thy rod and thy staff comfort them, and let not the beasts of prey fall upon them, to the spoiling of their souls.But what shall I do for them that will not begathered? I have called after them, but they would not answer; I have charged them in thy name, but they would not hear; I have studied to speak persuasively to them, but I cannot prevail. Then I said, I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nought, yet I cannot give them over, much less may I give thee over. Lord, persuadeJaphetto dwell in the tents ofShem. Lord compel them to come in, and lay thy hands of mercy upon them, as thou didst on lingeringLot, and bring them forth, that they may escape for their lives, and not be consumed. Lord, I pray thee open their eyes that they may see, and lay hold upon their hearts by thy omnipotent grace. Do thou turn them, and they shall be turned: O bring back the miserable captives, and suffer not the enemy of mankind to drive a way the most of the flock before mine eyes, and to deride the fruitless endeavours of thy labourers, and boast over them, that he can do more with them, though he seek to ruin them, than all the beseechings, counsels, and charges of thy servants, that seek to save them. Lord, if I could find out any thing that would pierce them, that would make its way into their hearts, thou knowest I would use it. But I have been many years pleading thy cause in vain. O let not these endeavours also be lost. O God, find out every ignorant, every profane sinner, every prayerless soul, and every prayerless family, and convince them oftheir miserable condition while without thee in the world. Set thy image up in their souls, set up thy worship in their families. Let not pride, ignorance, or sloth keep them in neglect of the means of knowledge. Let thine eyes be over the place of my desires for good, from one end of the year to the other end thereof. Let every house therein be a seminary of religion, and let those that cast their eyes upon these lines, find thee sliding in by the secret influence of thy grace into their hearts, and engaging them to do thy pleasure.Amen. Amen.JOS.ALLEINE.
To the most beloved people, the servants of God inTaunton, salvation.
Most dearly beloved and longed for,my joy and crown.
MY heart’s desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved. This is that which I have been praying and studying, and preachingfor these manyyears: and this is the end of my suffering, and writing at this present time. I seek not other gifts, give me your hearts, let me but part between your sins and you: suffer me but to save you; give me leave to carry you over to Jesus Christ, and I will not ask you any more. I will serve you gladly, I will suffer for you thankfully, so I may but save you. Do not wonder why I follow you so pressingly, why I call upon you so frequently; let not my importunity be grievous to you, all this is but to save you. Christ did not think his blood, and shall I think my breath too dear in order to your salvation; what pity is it, that any of you should miscarry at last, under the power of ignorance, or by a profane negligence, or a formal and lifeless profession of strict godliness?
Beloved, I am afraid of you, lest (as to many of you) I have run in vain. I cannot but thankfully acknowledge, that there are not a few of you who are the joy of your ministers, and the glory of Christ. But it cannot be dissembled, that far the greater number give little ground to hope, they are in the state of salvation. And must not this be a pinching thought to a compassionate teacher, that he cannot persuade men, but that the most of them will wilfully throw away themselves? Is it not a woeful sight, to behold the devils driving a great part of our miserable flocks, (as they did once the herd of swine) violently down the hill, till they be choaked in thewater, drowned in the gulph of endless perdition? Ah miserable spectacle! What through the wilful blindness of some, the looseness and sensuality of others, the halving, and cold, and customary religion of others, how great a number of our poor flocks, is Satan like to carry utterly away from us, after all that hath been done to save him?
Yet I cannot but call after them. Hearken unto me, O ye children. How long will ye love vanity, and trust in lying words? As the Lord liveth, you are lost, except you turn: wherefore turn yourselves and live ye. Ah how mercy wooeth you! How it waiteth to be gracious? Hear, O sinners, hear. See you not how the merciful Saviour of the world stretcheth forth his hands all the day long, and spreadeth forth his wings, and calleth you as a hen doth her chickens! Hear you not the sounding of his bowels? He hath no need of you: Yet how do his compassions melt over perishing sinners? His heart is turned within him, and shall not this turn your hearts? His repentings are kindled together, and shall not this lead you to repentance? Behold, he standeth at the door and knocketh. O man, wilt thou keep Jesus at the door, and lodgeBarabbasin thy bosom? Oh his melting love to sinners! He calleth after them, he weepeth over them, he crieth to them. How long, ye simple ones, will you love simplicity? Will you not be made clean? When shall it once be? Whywill you die? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you. Sinner, art thou not yet melted? Oh come in at his loving calls. Come out from thy sins: touch the scepter of grace and live: Why shouldst thou be dashed in pieces by his iron rod? Kiss the Son: Why shouldst thou perish in the way? Set up Jesus as thy king, lest he count thee for his enemy, because thou would not that he should reign over thee, and so thou be called forth and slain before him. Oh how dreadful will this case be, to die by the hand of a Saviour! Oh double hell, to have thy Redeemer become thy executioner! And the hand that was so long stretched forth to save thee, to be now stretched forth to slay thee! And the merciful heart of Christ himself hardened against thee, so that he should call thee forth, and hew thee in pieces, asSamueldidAgagbefore the Lord.
*Beloved, I despair of ever bringing you to salvation, without sanctification: or possessing you with happiness without persuading you to holiness. God knows I have not the least hope ever to see one of your faces in heaven, except you be sanctified, and exercise yourselves unto godliness. This is that I drive at, I beseech you study to furtherpersonal godliness, andfamily godliness.
*1.Personal godliness.Let it be your first care to set up Christ in your hearts. See that you make all your worldly interests stoop to him,that you be entirely and unreservedly devoted to him. If you deliberately and ordinarily harbour any sin, you are undone. See that you unfeignedly take the laws of Christ, as the rule of your words, thoughts and actions; and subject your whole man, faithfully to him. If you have a true respect unto all God’s commandments, you are sound at heart. O study to get the image and impress of Christ upon you within. Begin with your hearts, else you build without a foundation. Labour to get a saving change within, or else all external performances will be to no purpose. And then study to shew forth the power of godliness in your life. Let piety be your business. ’Tis the highest point of justice, to give God his due. Beware that none of you be a prayerless person: for that is a certain discovery of a Christless, and a graceless person. Suffer not your bibles to gather dust. See that you converse daily with the word. That man can never lay claim to blessedness, whose delight is not in the law of the Lord. Let meditation and self-examination be your daily exercise, else the Papists, yea the Pagans will condemn us. If ever you come to any growth in holiness, without the constant use of this practice, I am grossly deceived. And therefore I beseech, yea even charge you by the Lord, that you would daily examine yourselves.
But piety without charity is but the half of Christianity, or rather impious hypocrisy. Seetherefore that you do justly, and love mercy, and let equity, and charity run like an even thread, through all your dealings. Be you temperate in all things, and let chastity and sobriety be your undivided companions. Let truth and purity, seriousness and modesty, heavenliness and gravity, be the constant ornaments of your speech. Let patience and humility, simplicity and sincerity shine in all parts of your conversation. See that you forget and forgive wrongs, and requite them with kindness. Be merciful in your censures, and put the most favourable construction upon your brethren’s carriage. Be slow in promising, punctual in fulfilling. Let meekness, innocency, affableness, yieldingness, and courtesy, commend your conversation to all men. Let none of your relations want that love and loyalty, that reverence and duty, that tenderness, care, and vigilancy, which their several places and capacities call for. This is true godliness. I charge you before the most high God, that none of you be found a swearer, or a liar, a lover of evil company, or a scoffer, or malicious, or covetous, or a drunkard, or a glutton, unrighteous in his dealing, unclean in his living, or a quarreller, or a thief, or backbiter, or a railer: for I denounce unto you from the living God, that damnation is the end of all such.
2.Family godliness.He that hath set up Christ in his heart, will be sure to study to sethim up in his house. Let every family with you be a Christian church; every house a house of prayer; every houshold a houshold of faith. Let every housholder say, withJoshua,I, with my house, will serve the Lord, and withDavid,I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
First, Let religion be in your families, not as a matter by the by, but the standing business of the house. Let them have your prayers as duly as their meals. Is there any of your families, but have time for their taking food? *Wretched man! Canst thou find time to eat, and not time to pray?
*Secondly, Settle it upon your hearts, that your souls are bound up in the souls of your family. They are committed to you, and (if they be lost through your neglect) will be required at your hands: Sirs, if you do not, you shall know that the charge of souls is a heavy charge, and that the blood of souls is a heavy guilt. O man, hast thou a charge of souls to answer for, and dost thou not yet bestir thyself for them, that their blood may not be found in thy skirts? Wilt thou do no more for immortal souls, than thou wilt do for the beasts that perish? What dost thou do for thy children, and servants? Thou providest meat and drink for them, and dost thou not the same for thy beasts? Thou givest them medicines, and cherishest them when they are sick, and dost thou not so much for thy swine? More particularly.
1. Let the solemn reading of the word,and singing of psalms, be your family exercises. See Christ singing with his family, his disciples,Matthewxxvi.30.Lukeix.18.
2.Let every person in your family be duly called to an account of their profiting by the word heard or read, as they are about doing your own business.This is a duty of consequence unspeakable, and would be a means to bring those under your charge to remember and profit by what they receive.
3.Often take account of the souls under your care, concerning their spiritual estates.Make enquiry into their conditions, insist much upon the sinfulness and misery of their natural estate, and upon the necessity of regeneration, in order to their salvation. Admonish them gravely of their sins; encourage beginnings. Follow them earnestly, and let them have no quiet for you, till you see in them a saving change. This is a duty of high consequence, but fearfully neglected by some. Doth not conscience say, Thou art the man?
4.Look to the strict sanctifying of the sabbath by all of your housholds.Many poor families have little time else. O improve but yoursabbath daysas diligently in doing your Maker’s work, as you do the other days in doing your own work, and I doubt not but you may come to some proficiency.
5.Let the morning and evening sacrifice of solemn prayer, be daily offered up in all your families.Beware they be not found among the families that call not upon God’s name; for why should there be wrath from the Lord upon your families? O miserable families without God in the world, that are without family prayer! What have you so many family sins, family wants, family miseries; what, and yet no family prayers? How do you pray with all prayer and supplication if you do not with family prayer? Say not I have no time. What hast thou all thy time on purpose to serve God and save thy soul, and is this that for which thou can’st find no time? Pinch out of your meals and sleep, rather than want for prayer. *Say not, my business will not give leave. This is thy greatest business, to save thyself, and the souls committed to thee. In a word, the blessing of all is to be got by prayer. And what is thy business without God’s blessing? Say not, I am not able. Use thy one talent, and God will increase it. Helps are to be had till thou art better able.
*6. Put every one in your families upon private prayer. Observe whether any perform it. Get them the help of a form, if they need it, till they are able to go without. Direct them how to pray, by minding them of their sins, wants, and mercies, the materials of prayer.
7. Set up catechizing in your families, at least once every week. It was my parting, dyingrequest, that you would set up and maintain this duty in your families. Have you all done it accordingly? Cannot your confidences witness, cannot your families witness you have not? Well, I thought my parting words would have done something with you: I hoped the fervent request of a dying minister, would have prevailed for such a small matter with you. To this day are you without solemn catechizing in your houses! Ah, what a discouragement to your teacher is this? Brethren shall I yet prevail with you? Will you reject me also? O let me persuade you before you take off your eyes from these lines, to resolve to set upon the constant exercise of this duty. Surely I have done and suffered more for you than this comes to: Will you deny me? I beseech you, let me find, if ever God brings me again to visit your houses, that the words of a suffering minister have some power with you. I have sent you help on purpose: What shall all my persuasions be but speaking to the wind? Beloved, have you no dread of the Almighty’s charge, that you shouldteach these things diligently to your children, and talk of them as you sit in your houses, and train them up in the way they should go? Hath God so commandedAbraham, that he would teach hischildren and his houshold,Genesisxviii.19.and given such a promise to him thereupon, and will not you put in for a share of either in the praise or the promise? Say not, they are careless andwill not learn. What have you your authority for, if not to use it for God, and the good of their souls? You will call them up, and force them to do their work; and should you not at least be as zealous in putting them upon God’s work? Say not, they are dull and not capable. If they be dull, God requires of you the more pains and patience; but dull as they are, you will make them learn how to work; and can they not learn how to live? Are they capable of the mysteries of your trade, and are they not capable of the plain principles of religion? Well, as ever you would see the growth of religion, the cure of ignorance, the remedy of profaneness, the downfal of error, fulfil ye my joy with going through with this duty.
I have been long and yet I am afraid my letter will be ended before my work is done: how loath am I to leave you, before I have prevailed with you to set to this work? Will you pass your promise, will you give me your hands? Oh that you would? You cannot do me a greater pleasure. Beloved, why should you not give the hand one to another, and mutually engage to each other, for more vigorous and diligent endeavours, in promoting family godliness? I must tell you, God looks for more than ordinary from you, in such a day as this. He expects that you should do both in your hearts and in your houses, somewhat more than ever, under these extraordinary dispensations. My mostdearly beloved, mine own bowels in the Lord, will you satisfy the longings of a travelling minister? will you answer the calls of divine providence? Would you that your children should bless you? Oh, then set up piety in your families. As ever you would be blessed or be a blessing, let your heart, and your houses be the temples of the living God, in which his worship (according to the fore-mentioned directions) may be with constancy reverently performed.
OFATHER of Spirits, that hast set me over thy flock to watch for their souls as one that must give account: I have long studied thy will, and taught in thy name, and do unfeignedly bless thee, that any have believed my report. I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them. I have manifested thy name unto them, and they have kept thy word. And now I am no more with them, but I come unto thee! Holy Father, keep them through thine own name; for they are thine. As they have kept the word of thy patience, so keep thou them in the hour of temptation. They are but a little and helpless flock: but thou art their shepherd, suffer them not to want. Do thou feed them, and fold them. Let thy rod and thy staff comfort them, and let not the beasts of prey fall upon them, to the spoiling of their souls.
But what shall I do for them that will not begathered? I have called after them, but they would not answer; I have charged them in thy name, but they would not hear; I have studied to speak persuasively to them, but I cannot prevail. Then I said, I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nought, yet I cannot give them over, much less may I give thee over. Lord, persuadeJaphetto dwell in the tents ofShem. Lord compel them to come in, and lay thy hands of mercy upon them, as thou didst on lingeringLot, and bring them forth, that they may escape for their lives, and not be consumed. Lord, I pray thee open their eyes that they may see, and lay hold upon their hearts by thy omnipotent grace. Do thou turn them, and they shall be turned: O bring back the miserable captives, and suffer not the enemy of mankind to drive a way the most of the flock before mine eyes, and to deride the fruitless endeavours of thy labourers, and boast over them, that he can do more with them, though he seek to ruin them, than all the beseechings, counsels, and charges of thy servants, that seek to save them. Lord, if I could find out any thing that would pierce them, that would make its way into their hearts, thou knowest I would use it. But I have been many years pleading thy cause in vain. O let not these endeavours also be lost. O God, find out every ignorant, every profane sinner, every prayerless soul, and every prayerless family, and convince them oftheir miserable condition while without thee in the world. Set thy image up in their souls, set up thy worship in their families. Let not pride, ignorance, or sloth keep them in neglect of the means of knowledge. Let thine eyes be over the place of my desires for good, from one end of the year to the other end thereof. Let every house therein be a seminary of religion, and let those that cast their eyes upon these lines, find thee sliding in by the secret influence of thy grace into their hearts, and engaging them to do thy pleasure.Amen. Amen.
JOS.ALLEINE.
AWORDto aSABBATH-BREAKER.Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy.HAVE you forgotten who spoke these words? Or do you set him at defiance? Do you bid him do his worst? Have a care. You are not stronger than he.Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth: but woe unto the man that contendeth with his Maker; he sitteth on the circle of the heavens: and the inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers before him!Six days shalt thou do all manner of work. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.It is not thine, but God’s day. He claims it for his own. He always did claim it for his own, even from the beginning of the world.In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it.Hehallowedit; that is,he made it holy: he reserved it for his own service. He appointed, that as long as the sun or the moon, the heavens and the earth should endure, the children of men should spend this day in the worship of him, whogave them life and breath and all things.Shall a man then rob God? And art thou the man? Consider, think what thou art doing. Is it not God who giveth thee all thou hast? Every day thou livest, is it not his gift? And wilt thou give him none? Nay, wilt thou deny him what is his own already? He will not, he cannot quit his claim. This day is God’s. It was so from the beginning. It will be so to the end of the world. This he cannot give to another.O render unto God the things that are God’s: Now!To-day, while it is called to-day!For whose sake does God lay claim to this day? For his sake, or for thine? Doubtless, not for his own. He needeth not thee, nor any child of man.Look unto the heavens and see, and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him? If thy transgressions be multiplied, what dost thou unto him? If thou art righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thine hand?For thy own sake therefore, God thy Maker doth this. For thy own sake he calleth thee to serve him. For thy own sake, he demands a part of thy time to be restored to him that gave theeall. Acknowledge his love. Learn, while thou art on earth topraise the king of heaven. Spend this day, as thou hopest to spend that day which never shall have an end.The Lord not onlyhallowedthe sabbath-day, but he hath alsoblessedit. So that you are an enemy to yourself. You throw away your own blessing, if you neglect tokeep this day holy. It is a day ofspecial grace. The king of heaven now sits upon his mercy-seat, in a more gracious manner than on other days, to bestow blessings on those who observe it. Ifyoulove your own soul, canyouthen forbear laying hold on so happy an opportunity? Awake, arise, Let God give thee his blessing! Receive a token of his love! Cry to him that thou may’st find the riches of his grace and mercy inChrist Jesus! You do not know, how few more of thesedays of salvationyou may have. And how dreadful would it be, to be called hence in the abuse of his proffered mercy.O what mercy hath God prepared foryou, ifyoudo not trample it under foot?What mercy hath he prepared for them that fear him, even before the sons of men!A peace which the world cannot give: joy, that no man taketh from you: rest from doubt and fear and sorrow of heart; and love, the beginning of heaven. And are not these foryou? Are they not all purchased foryou, by him who lovedyou, and himself foryou? Foryou, asinner!You, a rebel against God!You, who have so long crucified him afresh! Now,look unto him whom you havepierced! Now say,Lord, it is enough. I have fought against thee long enough. I yield,Jesus, Master, have mercy upon me!On this day, above all, cry aloud, and spare not, to theGod who heareth prayer. This is the day he hath set apart for the good of your soul, both in this world and that which is to come. Never more disappoint the design of his love, either byworldly businessoridle diversions. Let not a little thing keepyoufrom the house of God, either in the forenoon or afternoon. And spend as much as you can of the rest of the day, either in repeating what you have heard, or in reading the scripture, or in private prayer, or talking of the things of God. Let his love be ever beforeyoureyes. Let his praise be ever inyourmouth. You have lived many years in folly and sin. Now, live one day unto the Lord.Do not ask any more, “Where is the harm, if after church, I spend the remainder of the day in the fields, or in a public-house, or in taking a little diversion?” You know where is the harm. Your own heart tells you so plain, thatyoucan’t but hear. It is a base mispending your talent, and a bare-faced contempt of God and his authority. You have heard of God’s judgments even upon earth, against the prophaners of this day. And yet these are but as drops of that storm offiery indignation, which will atlastconsume his adversaries.Glory be to God who hath now givenyoua sense of this. You now know, this was always designed for a day of blessing. Mayyounever again by youridlenessorprophaneness, turn that blessing into a curse! What folly, what madness would that be? And in what sorrow and anguish would it end? For yet a little while, and death will close up the day of grace and mercy. And those who despise them now, will have no moresabbaths, orsacramentsorprayersfor ever. Then how will they wish to recover that, which they now so idly call away? But all in vain. For they will thenfind no place for repentance, tho’ they should seek itcarefully with tears.O my friend, know the privilegeyouenjoy. Nowremember the sabbath-day to keep it holy. Your day of life and of grace is far spent. The night of death is at hand. Make haste to use the time you have: improve the last hours ofyourday. Now providethe things which make for your peace, thatyoumay stand before the face of God♦for ever.♦duplicate word “for” removed
Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy.
HAVE you forgotten who spoke these words? Or do you set him at defiance? Do you bid him do his worst? Have a care. You are not stronger than he.Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth: but woe unto the man that contendeth with his Maker; he sitteth on the circle of the heavens: and the inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers before him!
Six days shalt thou do all manner of work. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.It is not thine, but God’s day. He claims it for his own. He always did claim it for his own, even from the beginning of the world.In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it.Hehallowedit; that is,he made it holy: he reserved it for his own service. He appointed, that as long as the sun or the moon, the heavens and the earth should endure, the children of men should spend this day in the worship of him, whogave them life and breath and all things.
Shall a man then rob God? And art thou the man? Consider, think what thou art doing. Is it not God who giveth thee all thou hast? Every day thou livest, is it not his gift? And wilt thou give him none? Nay, wilt thou deny him what is his own already? He will not, he cannot quit his claim. This day is God’s. It was so from the beginning. It will be so to the end of the world. This he cannot give to another.O render unto God the things that are God’s: Now!To-day, while it is called to-day!
For whose sake does God lay claim to this day? For his sake, or for thine? Doubtless, not for his own. He needeth not thee, nor any child of man.Look unto the heavens and see, and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him? If thy transgressions be multiplied, what dost thou unto him? If thou art righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thine hand?For thy own sake therefore, God thy Maker doth this. For thy own sake he calleth thee to serve him. For thy own sake, he demands a part of thy time to be restored to him that gave theeall. Acknowledge his love. Learn, while thou art on earth topraise the king of heaven. Spend this day, as thou hopest to spend that day which never shall have an end.
The Lord not onlyhallowedthe sabbath-day, but he hath alsoblessedit. So that you are an enemy to yourself. You throw away your own blessing, if you neglect tokeep this day holy. It is a day ofspecial grace. The king of heaven now sits upon his mercy-seat, in a more gracious manner than on other days, to bestow blessings on those who observe it. Ifyoulove your own soul, canyouthen forbear laying hold on so happy an opportunity? Awake, arise, Let God give thee his blessing! Receive a token of his love! Cry to him that thou may’st find the riches of his grace and mercy inChrist Jesus! You do not know, how few more of thesedays of salvationyou may have. And how dreadful would it be, to be called hence in the abuse of his proffered mercy.
O what mercy hath God prepared foryou, ifyoudo not trample it under foot?What mercy hath he prepared for them that fear him, even before the sons of men!A peace which the world cannot give: joy, that no man taketh from you: rest from doubt and fear and sorrow of heart; and love, the beginning of heaven. And are not these foryou? Are they not all purchased foryou, by him who lovedyou, and himself foryou? Foryou, asinner!You, a rebel against God!You, who have so long crucified him afresh! Now,look unto him whom you havepierced! Now say,Lord, it is enough. I have fought against thee long enough. I yield,Jesus, Master, have mercy upon me!
On this day, above all, cry aloud, and spare not, to theGod who heareth prayer. This is the day he hath set apart for the good of your soul, both in this world and that which is to come. Never more disappoint the design of his love, either byworldly businessoridle diversions. Let not a little thing keepyoufrom the house of God, either in the forenoon or afternoon. And spend as much as you can of the rest of the day, either in repeating what you have heard, or in reading the scripture, or in private prayer, or talking of the things of God. Let his love be ever beforeyoureyes. Let his praise be ever inyourmouth. You have lived many years in folly and sin. Now, live one day unto the Lord.
Do not ask any more, “Where is the harm, if after church, I spend the remainder of the day in the fields, or in a public-house, or in taking a little diversion?” You know where is the harm. Your own heart tells you so plain, thatyoucan’t but hear. It is a base mispending your talent, and a bare-faced contempt of God and his authority. You have heard of God’s judgments even upon earth, against the prophaners of this day. And yet these are but as drops of that storm offiery indignation, which will atlastconsume his adversaries.
Glory be to God who hath now givenyoua sense of this. You now know, this was always designed for a day of blessing. Mayyounever again by youridlenessorprophaneness, turn that blessing into a curse! What folly, what madness would that be? And in what sorrow and anguish would it end? For yet a little while, and death will close up the day of grace and mercy. And those who despise them now, will have no moresabbaths, orsacramentsorprayersfor ever. Then how will they wish to recover that, which they now so idly call away? But all in vain. For they will thenfind no place for repentance, tho’ they should seek itcarefully with tears.
O my friend, know the privilegeyouenjoy. Nowremember the sabbath-day to keep it holy. Your day of life and of grace is far spent. The night of death is at hand. Make haste to use the time you have: improve the last hours ofyourday. Now providethe things which make for your peace, thatyoumay stand before the face of God♦for ever.
♦duplicate word “for” removed
♦duplicate word “for” removed
♦duplicate word “for” removed
AWORDto aSWEARER.Swear not at all,SAITH the Lord God of heaven and earth. Art thou without God in the world? Hast thou no knowledge of God? No concern about him? Is not God in all thy thoughts?Dost thou believe there is a God? Where? in heaven only? Nay, he filleth all in all? Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?Whither wilt thou go then from his spirit? Or whither wilt thou flee from his presence? If thou go up into heaven, God is there. If thou go down into hell, he is there also. If thou take the wings of the morning, and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there hishand shall touch thee, and his right-hand shall hold thee.God seeth thee now: his eyes are upon thee: he observes all thy thoughts: he compasseth thy path: he counteth all thy steps: he is acquainted with all thy ways: by him thy actions are weighed; nor is there a word in thy tongue but he knoweth it altogether.And does not power belong unto God? yea, all power in heaven and in earth? Is he not able, even while thou readest or hearest these words, to crush thee into nothing? Can he not just now crumble thee into dust? Or bid the earth open and swallow thee up? O do not set him at nought! Do not provoke him thus. Do not fly in his face! Can he not, in a moment, cast forth his lightnings and tear thee? Shoot out his arrows and consume thee? What hinders him from cutting thee off this instant? Sending thee now, now, quick into hell?Would God do thee any wrong therein? What! In giving thee the request of thy own lips? What words were those thou spakest but now? Did not God hear? Why, thou didst pray to God to send thee to hell. Thou didst ask him to damn thy soul. How, art thou in love with damnation? Art thou in haste to dwell with everlasting burnings? To be day and night tormented in that flame, without a drop of water to cool thy tongue?Dost thou pray for this? I pray God, it may never be either my lot or thine! Alas, my brother! What if God take thee at thy word? What if he say, be it unto thee even as thou wilt? What if he give thee thy wish, and let thee drop into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels?I had rather thou shouldst go to the paradise of God. Hadst not thou? Is not heaven better than hell? Art thou not convinced of this in thy own conscience? Why, then, amend thy prayer, cry to God, “Save my soul, for I have sinned against thee: save me from all my sins. Save me from all my evil words, and evil works, from my evil tempers, and evil desires! Make me holy as thou art holy! Let me know thee, and love thee, and serve thee, now and for ever.”And is not God willing to do this? Surely he is. For God loveth thee. He gave his only Son, that thou mightest not perish, but have everlasting life. Christ died for thee. And he that believeth on him hath everlasting life. Mark that word: hehathit. He hath it now. He hath the beginning of heaven even upon earth: for his soul is filled with the love of God: and the love of God is heaven. He that truly believes on Jesus Christ, hath a peace which earth cannot give: his mind is always calm; he hath learned in every state therewith to be content: he is always easy, quiet, well pleased; alwayshappy, in life and in death. For a believer is not afraid to die; he desires to be dissolved and to be with Christ: he desires to quit this house of clay, and to be carried by angels intoAbraham’s bosom: to hear the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, and to see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven: to stand at his right-hand, and hear that word (which I earnestly beg of God you and I may hear:) “Come ye blessed, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world!”
Swear not at all,
SAITH the Lord God of heaven and earth. Art thou without God in the world? Hast thou no knowledge of God? No concern about him? Is not God in all thy thoughts?
Dost thou believe there is a God? Where? in heaven only? Nay, he filleth all in all? Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth?
Whither wilt thou go then from his spirit? Or whither wilt thou flee from his presence? If thou go up into heaven, God is there. If thou go down into hell, he is there also. If thou take the wings of the morning, and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there hishand shall touch thee, and his right-hand shall hold thee.
God seeth thee now: his eyes are upon thee: he observes all thy thoughts: he compasseth thy path: he counteth all thy steps: he is acquainted with all thy ways: by him thy actions are weighed; nor is there a word in thy tongue but he knoweth it altogether.
And does not power belong unto God? yea, all power in heaven and in earth? Is he not able, even while thou readest or hearest these words, to crush thee into nothing? Can he not just now crumble thee into dust? Or bid the earth open and swallow thee up? O do not set him at nought! Do not provoke him thus. Do not fly in his face! Can he not, in a moment, cast forth his lightnings and tear thee? Shoot out his arrows and consume thee? What hinders him from cutting thee off this instant? Sending thee now, now, quick into hell?
Would God do thee any wrong therein? What! In giving thee the request of thy own lips? What words were those thou spakest but now? Did not God hear? Why, thou didst pray to God to send thee to hell. Thou didst ask him to damn thy soul. How, art thou in love with damnation? Art thou in haste to dwell with everlasting burnings? To be day and night tormented in that flame, without a drop of water to cool thy tongue?
Dost thou pray for this? I pray God, it may never be either my lot or thine! Alas, my brother! What if God take thee at thy word? What if he say, be it unto thee even as thou wilt? What if he give thee thy wish, and let thee drop into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels?
I had rather thou shouldst go to the paradise of God. Hadst not thou? Is not heaven better than hell? Art thou not convinced of this in thy own conscience? Why, then, amend thy prayer, cry to God, “Save my soul, for I have sinned against thee: save me from all my sins. Save me from all my evil words, and evil works, from my evil tempers, and evil desires! Make me holy as thou art holy! Let me know thee, and love thee, and serve thee, now and for ever.”
And is not God willing to do this? Surely he is. For God loveth thee. He gave his only Son, that thou mightest not perish, but have everlasting life. Christ died for thee. And he that believeth on him hath everlasting life. Mark that word: hehathit. He hath it now. He hath the beginning of heaven even upon earth: for his soul is filled with the love of God: and the love of God is heaven. He that truly believes on Jesus Christ, hath a peace which earth cannot give: his mind is always calm; he hath learned in every state therewith to be content: he is always easy, quiet, well pleased; alwayshappy, in life and in death. For a believer is not afraid to die; he desires to be dissolved and to be with Christ: he desires to quit this house of clay, and to be carried by angels intoAbraham’s bosom: to hear the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, and to see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven: to stand at his right-hand, and hear that word (which I earnestly beg of God you and I may hear:) “Come ye blessed, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world!”
AWORDto aDRUNKARD.1.AREyoua man? God made you aman. But you make yourself abeast. Wherein does amandiffer from abeast? Is it not chiefly inreasonandunderstanding? But you throw away whatreasonyou have. You strip yourself of yourunderstanding. You do all you can to make yourself a merebeast: not a fool, not a madman only; but aswine, a poor filthy swine. Go and wallow with them in the mire! Go, drink on, till thy nakedness be uncovered, and shameful spewing be on thy glory!2. O how honourable is abeastof God’s making, compared to one who makes himself abeast! But that is not all. You make yourself adevil. You stir up all the devilish tempers that are in you, and gain others, which perhaps were not in you: at least you heighten and increase them. You cause the fire of anger, or malice,or lust, to burn seven times hotter than before. At the same time you grieve the Spirit of God, till you drive him quite away from you. And, whatever spark of good remained in your soul, you drown and quench at once.3. So you are now justfitfor everyworkof thedevil, having cast off all that is good or virtuous, and filled your heart with every thing that is bad, that is earthly, sensual, devilish. You have forced the Spirit of God to depart from you; for you would take none of his reproof: and you have given yourself up into the hands of the devil, to be led blindfold by him at his will.4. Now what should hinder the same thing from befalling you, which befel him, who was asked, which was the greatest sin, adultery, drunkenness, or murder? And which of the three he had rather commit? He said drunkenness was the least. Soon after, he got drunk. He then met with another man’s wife, and ravished her. The husband coming to help her, he murdered him. So drunkenness, adultery and murder went together.5. I have heard a story of a poor, wildIndian, far wiser than either him or you. TheEnglishgave him a cask of strong liquor. The next morning he called his friends together, and setting it in the midst of them, said, “Thesewhite menhave given uspoison. This man (calling him by his name) was a wise man, and wouldhurt none but his enemies. But as soon as he had drunk of this, he was mad, and would have killed his own brother. We will not bepoisoned.” He then broke the cask, and poured the liquor upon the sand.6. On what motive doyouthuspoisonyourself? Only for thepleasureof doing it? What! will you make yourself a beast, or rather a devil? Will you run the hazard of♦committing all manner of villainies; and this only for the poorpleasureof a few moments, while thepoisonis running down your throat? O never call yourself a Christian! Never call yourself a man! You are sunk beneath the greater part of the beasts that perish.♦“commiting” replaced with “committing”7. Do you not rather drink, for the sake ofcompany? Do you not do it, to oblige yourfriends? Forcompany, do you say? How is this? Will you take a dose ofratsbaneforcompany? If twenty men were to do so before you, would not you desire to be excused? How much more may you desire to be excused, from going to hell forcompany? But, “to oblige yourfriends”—What manner offriendsare they, who would beobligedby your destroying yourself? Who would suffer, nay entice you so to do? They are villains. They are your worst enemies. They are just suchfriends, as a man that would smile in your face, and stab you to the heart.8. O do not aim at any excuse. Say not, as many do, “I am no one’senemybutmy own.”If it were so, what a poor saying is this, “I give none butmy ownsoul to the devil.” Alas! is not that too much? Why shouldst thou give himthy ownsoul? Do it not. Rather give it to God.But it is not so. You are anenemyto yourking, whom you rob hereby of an useful subject. You are anenemyto yourcountry, which you defraud of the service you might do, either as a man or as a Christian. You are anenemytoevery manthat sees you in your sin; for your example may move him to do the same. A drunkard is apublic enemy. I should not wonder at all, if you was (likeCainof old) afraid thatevery man who meeteth you should slay you.9. Above all, you are anenemyto God, the great God of heaven and earth: to him who surrounds you on every side, and can just now send you quick into hell. Him you are continually affronting to his face. You are setting him at open defiance. O do not provoke him thus any more. Fear the great God.10. You are anenemytoChrist, to the Lord that bought you. You fly in the face of his authority. You set at nought both his sovereign power and tender love. You crucify him afresh, and when you call him,your Saviour, what is it less than tobetray him with a kiss?11. O repent! See and feel what a wretch you are. Pray to God, to convince you in your inmostsoul. How often have you crucified the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame! Pray that you may know yourself, inwardly and outwardly, all sin, all guilt, all helplessness. Then cry out, Thou Son ofDavid, have mercy upon me! Thou Lamb of God, take away my sins. Grant me thy peace. Justify the ungodly. O bring me to the blood of sprinkling that I may go and sin no more, that I may love much, having had so much forgiven!
1.AREyoua man? God made you aman. But you make yourself abeast. Wherein does amandiffer from abeast? Is it not chiefly inreasonandunderstanding? But you throw away whatreasonyou have. You strip yourself of yourunderstanding. You do all you can to make yourself a merebeast: not a fool, not a madman only; but aswine, a poor filthy swine. Go and wallow with them in the mire! Go, drink on, till thy nakedness be uncovered, and shameful spewing be on thy glory!
2. O how honourable is abeastof God’s making, compared to one who makes himself abeast! But that is not all. You make yourself adevil. You stir up all the devilish tempers that are in you, and gain others, which perhaps were not in you: at least you heighten and increase them. You cause the fire of anger, or malice,or lust, to burn seven times hotter than before. At the same time you grieve the Spirit of God, till you drive him quite away from you. And, whatever spark of good remained in your soul, you drown and quench at once.
3. So you are now justfitfor everyworkof thedevil, having cast off all that is good or virtuous, and filled your heart with every thing that is bad, that is earthly, sensual, devilish. You have forced the Spirit of God to depart from you; for you would take none of his reproof: and you have given yourself up into the hands of the devil, to be led blindfold by him at his will.
4. Now what should hinder the same thing from befalling you, which befel him, who was asked, which was the greatest sin, adultery, drunkenness, or murder? And which of the three he had rather commit? He said drunkenness was the least. Soon after, he got drunk. He then met with another man’s wife, and ravished her. The husband coming to help her, he murdered him. So drunkenness, adultery and murder went together.
5. I have heard a story of a poor, wildIndian, far wiser than either him or you. TheEnglishgave him a cask of strong liquor. The next morning he called his friends together, and setting it in the midst of them, said, “Thesewhite menhave given uspoison. This man (calling him by his name) was a wise man, and wouldhurt none but his enemies. But as soon as he had drunk of this, he was mad, and would have killed his own brother. We will not bepoisoned.” He then broke the cask, and poured the liquor upon the sand.
6. On what motive doyouthuspoisonyourself? Only for thepleasureof doing it? What! will you make yourself a beast, or rather a devil? Will you run the hazard of♦committing all manner of villainies; and this only for the poorpleasureof a few moments, while thepoisonis running down your throat? O never call yourself a Christian! Never call yourself a man! You are sunk beneath the greater part of the beasts that perish.
♦“commiting” replaced with “committing”
♦“commiting” replaced with “committing”
♦“commiting” replaced with “committing”
7. Do you not rather drink, for the sake ofcompany? Do you not do it, to oblige yourfriends? Forcompany, do you say? How is this? Will you take a dose ofratsbaneforcompany? If twenty men were to do so before you, would not you desire to be excused? How much more may you desire to be excused, from going to hell forcompany? But, “to oblige yourfriends”—What manner offriendsare they, who would beobligedby your destroying yourself? Who would suffer, nay entice you so to do? They are villains. They are your worst enemies. They are just suchfriends, as a man that would smile in your face, and stab you to the heart.
8. O do not aim at any excuse. Say not, as many do, “I am no one’senemybutmy own.”If it were so, what a poor saying is this, “I give none butmy ownsoul to the devil.” Alas! is not that too much? Why shouldst thou give himthy ownsoul? Do it not. Rather give it to God.
But it is not so. You are anenemyto yourking, whom you rob hereby of an useful subject. You are anenemyto yourcountry, which you defraud of the service you might do, either as a man or as a Christian. You are anenemytoevery manthat sees you in your sin; for your example may move him to do the same. A drunkard is apublic enemy. I should not wonder at all, if you was (likeCainof old) afraid thatevery man who meeteth you should slay you.
9. Above all, you are anenemyto God, the great God of heaven and earth: to him who surrounds you on every side, and can just now send you quick into hell. Him you are continually affronting to his face. You are setting him at open defiance. O do not provoke him thus any more. Fear the great God.
10. You are anenemytoChrist, to the Lord that bought you. You fly in the face of his authority. You set at nought both his sovereign power and tender love. You crucify him afresh, and when you call him,your Saviour, what is it less than tobetray him with a kiss?
11. O repent! See and feel what a wretch you are. Pray to God, to convince you in your inmostsoul. How often have you crucified the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame! Pray that you may know yourself, inwardly and outwardly, all sin, all guilt, all helplessness. Then cry out, Thou Son ofDavid, have mercy upon me! Thou Lamb of God, take away my sins. Grant me thy peace. Justify the ungodly. O bring me to the blood of sprinkling that I may go and sin no more, that I may love much, having had so much forgiven!