gods fudgement onManscarriage. 2.2.9 The good things exhibited, That God hath written our names in thebookof fife. t. The good Here is the fountain of fpiritual joy to a true Chriítian ; R ejoyce ( faith Chrift ) ! things exhibi- . not that the devils are fallen beforeyou, but that your names arewritten in thebook ted oflefe. 'Secondly, the other ground of fpiritual joy, is thegood things promifed us. And. z The good thofe may be reduced to two heads. things prom._ God hath made promifes, either in regard of evil things, ( as we call them ) of fed. afflictions that befal us. Or the weaknefs ofthe graces that are in us: Now in thecvil ofAffliäion,we may rejoyce fìrft; In the promifeof proteftion in affli&ion. z. In the promife ofEdification, by affliction. 3. In the promifeof deliverance from affliction. All in thebelt feston. Again, for the defeds of grace in us, (which indeed is a thing exceedinggrie- vous to a true Chriftian.) Here we may rejoyce. Firft; Inthe promife ofprefervingofgrace. z. In thepromife ofaugmentation and growth in grace. 3. In thepromife ofbringing the weakeft grace to perfeftion. Here youhavethe well -head ofJoy. Oh that young men would know God,and ChriftJefus, and.the wordofGod, and the promifes,that they might leavethis finful and fottifh joy whereto they are fo adiEted. This is the means to be rid of it, by getting into their fouls , the fence and feeling ofthe trueJoy of the children of God. Again in the fecónd place ; ,Young men should be exhorted not to walkafter The fecotid their own heart ; which is the next thingthat Solomonnoteth as a fault in them. The Exhortation heart ( faith feremy ) is deceitful above meafore, and de/,eratel %' wicked. It is fo not to ;Falk tr afttt ,óeie deceitful, fuch a Cheator, that weare not able to comprehend it it is defßerately own beau. wicked. Who will follow a fade guide ? and a defperate wicked guide ? fo is the heart ofman. . Laftly, they 1bould not walkafter thefight oftheir eyes. Davidprayed ; Turn The thirdEá -. away mine eyes that I regardnot vanity, andquicken me in thy Law. And again : hottatiom .not to walk aftct Open mine eyes, that I mayfie the wondrous things ofthyLaw. the fight of Therè is much danger in following our eyes. Eve was miffed by her eye, {he their eyes. looked upon the forbiddenfruit, and taw it beautiful, and fo lufted afterit. " And, when I taw ( faith Achan) among the fpoils a goodly Eabylonif a garment, and a 'till. 7. Si. wedge of gold, then I covered them, and tookth,m. Davidwas defiled by the eye : He fins Eathfheba from the roofof his boufe walking ber felf, and then lie sSam tufted. Holymen have prayed toGod that he would keep their eyes in a right frame and temper. Thefe are the particulars that Solomon giveth to young men in direEhion, to, take heed of carnal joy : to take heed of walking after their hearts, or af- ter their fenfe. Andthefe things ( brethren) I have now committed in direaion toyou: The laft of this Doflrine is, forold men. For if young then maynot rejoyce Vfe ; carnally, much leismay old men. Youthmay pleadfor it felf, in want ofwifdome, To old men. andgravity, fobriety, andexperience, better than chofeofage. If youngmenmay not have evil hearts, and evil eyes, much lets old men. Look to it, youthat hear me this day, that are flricken in age, (as the Scripture fpeaks) that are 'mitten in your limbs with age, that you cannot walkwitha&ivity and nimblenefs : and are (mitten inyour relates with age, that youcannot wellfee, and hear,and tafte. Oh that your hearts would finite you for your fins. Maynot youngmen rejoyce in pleafures, in friends, in honours, in wealth ? Much lets may thofe ofold age. Muff youngmen be careful to chafe away all carnal joy, and to get fpiritualjoy, that beginneth in godly forrow? muchmore mull old men. It is no time for chofe that are old to rejoyce in carnal things : a few dayes will makean end ofthem, and lay themin theGrave. Oh then, youthatare ofyears, break off your fens by repentance, and tour iniquitiesby mercy. Itejoyce in being good, and nn doing good. This Joy will continue with you : as foe the Joy earn, and wine,
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