;:..; .. , ._ (f- Aryaez P. Lat,6, r . -
- ._ +4444.14++++.4 .:. tit.. -. . 4444 , ++. tSLIBJECTIONI T s .,. - . , ; - ^ . ., 44. IN ALL HIS . 44 O R .Z? I NA N C E S , f, *V, AND , it* APPOINTMENTS, é LIBERTY. I': . TREATISE of dneffetfHal Hearing the Word; How we may know whether we have heard the fame effetivally : Andbywhat means it may become effeauall unto us. With fome remarkable Paffages ofhis life. By Thomas shephard, late Paftor of the Church ofCiar'f} in Cambridge in New-England. 4 .` LONDON, Printed by S. G. for John Rethwell at the Fountain in Cheapfide. i 6 5 7. The belt means to preferve our Together with a MATT i-L ta. 29. Take my yokeupon you,
S ` --»`rf ri'v3 ..
Neof the fweetefl refrefh:ng mercies of God, to his New England Pepe, a- naidit all their wildernefs- tryals, and (rte 1iraitr, and forrows, wherewith they " atfirst conflil}ed in thofe ends of the earth, bath been theirSanaivary- enjoyments, in the beauties ofhoiinetre, where they have feen andmet with himwhom their bodies love, and hadfamili- ar andfill converfe with him, above what they could then enjoy in the land fromwhence they came. _This is that that loath fweetned many a bitter Cup to the remnant of I1rael; TheLord alone led hint$ and there was no strange God with him, was faidconcerning Israel ofold, and this was accounted mercy enough when he led them intoa landwhere no mandwelt, and which no manpared thorough.What God bath donefor New- England in this refpeÌ,and what their Sanauary mercies be, thouhaft here tafte, though but a tafte. Thefe notes may well b0 thought to be lef a accurate , than if the Authorhim- felfhadpublifbed them, and to want famepolifhments and trimmings, which it 3-cere notfitfor any other to wide; however tbo i wilt find them full of ufefu/Í A A bloke,
To the Reader. truths, and mayefi eafily difcern .his Spirit, and a Spirt above his own breathing in them. Concerning the Author; it were worth the while to write theftory ofhis life. It is needleffe to fpeak in his commendation, His works praife him in the gates. They that brow him, !know he had as real apprehenfions of the things ofGod, and lived as much with God , andwith his own heart, andmore than the molt of Cbriftiansdo. Hehad bis education at Immanuel -College in Cambridge. The Converfion and Change of his heart was wrought betimes when he lived in the Vni- verfity, andenjoyedfir. Preftons lilinilgery,where- by Godhad the very heft andftrengthofhis parts and years for himfelf. When he was firft awakened to looks after Religion,hflying beforefu am quietly in the fireamof the times, he was utterly at a lope which way to take, being much 3nolejledwith fuggeftions of At.iieifrn, (in the depths whereof Junius was quite loft for a time) andmovedand tempted to the wayes of Familifm alfo; for (me advifedhim in this con iition to go to Grindiefone and to hear Mr. Brier icy, and being informed that the people were wont to finda mighty puff(frog over powering prefince, and workof the Spirit when they beardhim, he ;Ion the journey ; but Godin mercy diverted him; having referved himfor better things, Tel he read what they f;id, and the Books ofH. N. amongft the re/t, where meeting with this pottage, That a Chri'b an is fo fwallow'd lip in the fpirit, that what nllion foever the fpirit moves him to, fuppofe whore- dome, he may do it and it is nofin tohim; this was enough for being againfi the light of his natural confcience, it bred inhim anutter abhorrent ofthole loofè andvilewayes and principles ever after. 4'bis ad. :.
To theReader. adantagèalfo he had, that Donor Tuckney was then his Tutor, whom he 'acquainted with his condi* tion, andhad his diretlíon andhelp in thofe mi(ra, Ile fluúuations and 'traits of his foul. Happy is the man whofe doubtings end in eftablifhtnentf, nil tam certuni, quàrngaod de dubio certuni, but when men,rrrive in Scepticifm,as the lajl iure felt ofall their debates and thoughts of heart about Religion, it had been good for filch if they had ne. ver been born. After his heart was changed, it was obfervedof him,that his abilities ofmind were alfa much enlar, ged,divinity, though it be chiefly the Art andrule f the will, yet raifing and perfetiing the underftan, ding alfo; which I conceive came to pafs chiefly by this means, that the fear of God fixed him, and made him ferious, and taught him to meditate which is the main improvement ofthe underfianding. Therefore fuch as came to him for diretiion about their fiudies,hewould often advife them to be much in meditation, profeffing, that having (pent fame time in meditation every day in his beginning times, and written down his thoughts ; he faw caufe now to bleffe Godfor it. He was affigned to the workof the Minifiery at a folerrirt meeting and conference ojfùn. dry godly Minifiers about it:, there were to the rum- ber of twelveprefent at the meeting,whofe folemn ad- vice was that hefllould ferve the Lord in the Goípc1 of his Son; wherein they have been the falvatio i of many a foul : for upon this he addrejt himfelf to the sorb, with that reality and feriouînefe in Wooing andwinning fouls, that his words made deep ime prefons, andfeldome or neverfell to the grouvd He was let'turer a while at E iries-cone inE T C (which I take it was the fill fl place ofhis lllinifiery) 3 where
To t qleader. where he did much good, and the people there, though now it is long fnCe, and many are gone,yet they have a very precious and dyep remembrance ofhim, oftke nighty power of God by him to this day. But W. Lawd then Bijhop of London foonflops his mouth, and drove him away, as be did many other godly Minifters fromE(1cx at thefame time. After this be lived pr Butter chrome in York4Hire, at Sir Richard 1 rleys boule,till the Iniat ity ofthole ties hunted him thence all. Then he went to Nor- thumberland tillfilenced there alto ; andbeing thus anolefted and chafedup anddown at home, hefled to New, Enp,1,,nd, and afterArne difficulties andde- layes, by great flornis and difaiters at Sea upon the Sand c and Coafls of Yarmouth, which retardedhis voyage till another year, he arrived there at laft ; where 1 e was Pajior to a precious flock- at Gm- (bridge about fourteen yeers. He was but 46. or 47. years old when be dyed. His ficknefje began with a fore throat; and then a (quinacy, and then a fever, whereof be dyed August 25. 1649, This was one t? ing hefaid upon his deathbed, Lord, I am vile, but thou art righteous ; and to thole that were ,about him, he bade them love yelus Chrift dearly, that littlepart that Ihave in him, is no (mall com- fort to me now. His manner ofpreaching was clofe andfearching, and with abundance of aff~eú it n and covnpaffion to his hearers. He tookgreat pains in his preparati- ons for his publick lahOurs, accounting it a turfed thing to do the work of the Lord negligently ; anti therefore pend;rrgufiraly twoor three whole dayes in preparing for the work of-the Sabbath, had bis Ser- mons f nift.ed ujualy onSaturday by two ofthe clock F bath f meti»te expreft himfelf thus in ,pubfick; g 00
To theReader. God will curfc that mans labours that lumbers « up and down in the world all the week, and Ci then upon Saturday in the afternoon goes to « his Study, when as God knows that time were CC little enough to pray and weep in, and to get RG his heart in frame, &c.He affelled plainneffe " to- gether with power in preaching, not feekng abjlruj- ties, nor liking to hover and foar aloft in darkex- preffions , and fo fhoot his Arrows (as many Prea- chers do .) over the head, ofhis bearers. It is a wretched(tumbling block toTome, that his Sermons are f mewhat flriet, and (as they termit) legali : fome fouls can relifh ;tone but meal.mouth'd Preachers, who come withloft andfmootb,and tooth- lejfe words, byfíina verba byflinis viris But theft. times need humbling Minijieries, and blefed be God that there are any ; for where there are no Law- Sermons, there will be few Gomel- lives , andwere there more Lawpreaching in England by the men of gifts , there would be more Gofpel, walling both by tl emfelves and the People. To preach the Law, not in aforc'daffeled ;wanner, but wifely and powerful- y, together with the Gofte4, as Chrift hhnfelf was wont to do (Mat. 5. and elfewhere) is the way to carry on all three together, remit, of mifery, the appli- cation of the remedy, and the returns of thankefulneffe and duty. Nor is any doarinemore comforting than this humbling way of God, ifrightly managed. It is certain the foundations of after-forrcws and ruines to the Church, have ever been laid in the days of her profperity, and peace, and reft, when rye in- joyes all her plea things. This the watchmen of Ifrael Ihould fore,fee, and thereforewhat fhoul 1 they do but feels tóbumble and awaken, and fearch end melt wens hearts, and warn every one night and A 4 day
n theikeader day' with tears, that in the day of their peace, they may notfin away the things of tl.; eir Peace. There are therefore three requeffs, which we would defire to beg of God, with beaded lfneesfor England, toperpe- uate theprefent profperity andpeace thereof ; and let us commend them to the mourning andpraying ones amongft us, that they wouldbe the Lords remembran- cers in there Petitions. r. A right under'landing andfober ufe of liberty. For when People comefi r(f out of hondage,they arc apt to be not only fome»batfond of their liberties, but to waxgiddy and wanton with liberty, and in/leadof Jhakng offrlae 11 Jodyyoies of men, to calf ofat leaft inpart the Government and bleffedyoke ofChriff al- to. Hence it c a sres abort', that a day of rejt from pertcution, rs highjhould be a day of liberty to the Saints to ferve God, may become a day of great fe- rdu1ion, and ofliberty to reducing Spirits, to deceive, and damn end miflead them from the truths and way's of God. But the nrachinatlons ofmen, though in conjuration with the powers andgates ofhell,fhall certainly fall at laft before Truth and Prayer. And ofthis is theftrff Treatife which is feafonably pub- lifi°d. To be raft bound to the rule with all the bonds and cords of God and Man is the Perfelionof liberty. Hence there is not aPurer Corner(lone of ruine to a Chrjtian Commonwealth, that God will break them withu. parallek d deffrullionsby fame ovcî flowing fcourge, when the day ofvengeance is in his heart4 than to O. inkthat Religion is none of their Liberties, erndyet howmany fans of 13 :Hai, are there void of ounfcll, neither is there any undcrfanding in them, who imagine vain things, andfay, Let us !wok his bands at-under and c411 away his cords from
To theReader. from us ? How do men run into extremes, either firetching and paring every one to the Gyants bed, and thereby denying liberty to the Saints to ferve him, according to the meafure of their 1ature in Cbrill', or elfe on the other hand opening the door fa wide, as to plead for liberty to all the difguifed ene- mies andfins againft Cbriff, thereby inl}ead of uni- ting the Saints in one, indeavouring through a dreadful! miitaie to uniteChrift andBelie! ? It is a fadthing when a man is come to this papa, that he is not able to refolve his confcience whether Baal be God, or the Lord be God, and therefore would not bave the war[kippers ofBaai punifht, forfear let Ba- al fhould be God. Is liberty nothing but indifferen- cy and irrefolution offpirit in the things of God ? wo to the valley of vision, even to a finfull Nation laden with iniquity, and ledaway from the truth as it is in fetus, and to the Hof} of the high ones that fit on high, in the day ofhis vifitation, ifthis be the fpirit of thefe times ; for in the day when he vifits, Godwill vifit for thefe things. 2. That his Word, efpecially the Word of his Gofpel, may be precious andpowerful!, may run and be glorified in England. Alas ! as there is much preaching, but few ferious, few hcart-breakng Ser- mons : fo there is much hearing, but littleeffec7ual hearing. Men (land like the Oakes of Bafhan, be- fore the words of theGod of Ifracl, no terrour ofthe Lord, no news of everlafiing dellruction; no evidence of thefierce anger ofGod upon them, which burns down to the bottom ofhell , can take hold upon theirfpirits, or awaken their confciences, to m,zl inquiries after God in this their day :yea ifthe bars of thepit of hel, were broken, and if thedevils of hell Jhould comeflying up amongff us, inour folemn .Af- fèmbl es,
To theReader. f^mbiies, from thefiery corners of the Pit below, with everlafting burnings about their eares, and with chains of darknefs ratlisrg'at their heels , theymight fright men out of their wits perhaps, or from the acts offin it may be for a time, but it 'Would not work up- on their hearts, their defperate, dead,befatted hearts. 7hr foles in Ifrael will have their fwinge in their Tufts, andgo to hell in a full cariere, let Goddo his belt. Oh the bardneffe of mens hearts ! And the main seafan of it, is becaufe they hear but afoundof words, but they do not hear theLord in that Word they hear words that arefpoken by God, but they hear not, they fee not God him fel f therein. Ifever thou rrouldefi profit by reading or hearing, take every word as a fpeciall mufage to theefront God ; andof this fruitlefs bearing, and the rules of hearing a- right is the other Treatife. . Confcience of his Sabbaths. Of which there is an elaborate difcourfe of this Author, formerly pub- lifh'd by him jet'., Therefore we 'hall adde no more. The blunt ofheaien go with thefe, to snake us awil- litag People in the day ofhis power, tofrebmit to his Ward, and to conic under the wing of the Govern= anent of Jefus Chri/t , as efteeming thefe fpirituall mercies our belt mercies, ourchoycelt and dearefi li- berties.Ifever the Lord Jefcs (which mercyforbid) ,(Mould take his dolefull and fnall farewell of the EnglifhNation,as when he laid the tomb-Jtone upon Jcrufalcm, finch as thefe will be bis sssournings over r;s : Oh Jerufaletn, Jcrufalem, thou that killeft the Prophets and butnett them that are lentunto thee, as they did in the timeof Popery, howoften would I have gathered thy children together (by my Word and Spirit therein) evenas a Rai gather- eth her Chickens and :r the wings (ofmy fpeciatl Governi
_ TotheReader. Government and Protection e ?) but ye would not; behold your houfc is left unto you defolate. But the Lord who Both not only make the day dark with night, but alfo turneth the Jhadow of death into the morning, even the Lord avert thefe evils, and the Lord make the Englifh Nation his Hcphfibah, and the land Beulah, which is the prayer of his Mour- ners in Sion, and of ThyServants in Jefus,"and for Jefus fake, WilliamGreenhill. SamuelMather. TQ wwwwwi f;:
TO THE Chrillian READERS He precious memoryof the Author of thcfe cnfuing SE B. MONS, needs no reviving to any gracious heart, that had any knowledge of him. Yea the world knows in pare (thoughbut in a little part) by fome pieces ofhis formerly Printed (while he was yet with us)who this Author was, what it owes toGod for him, and how juf}ly it might figh over his grave, with that of the Apofile, Of whom the World was not worthy! His praifcthroughout all the Churches, is farm above any addition by fo mean a pen as writes thefc lines. But it is not fit that the fieft page of any thing publifhed after his death (for I doubt not but his death is long ago publickly took notice of) fhould go without fome wit- flare ofa mournful' remembrance thereof, which indeed no tears can fufficiently lament. We who fometimesfate under his fhadow, and were fed fromGod by him, (the poor flock of this Shep- herd) amongwhom he lived,tejli f ving Repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jefus Chrif; and whom he fomctimcs exhorted, comfor- ted andcharged every one ofus as a Father doth his Children ...r......... .. ..< .^`-..
To the chri ian & ider. Child, en ; we cannot but carry forrow , in the bottoms of our hearts to this day, that wee uwf here fee his face nomore. Neither do we bdicve that his loffe remains with usalone, oronlywith- in the limits of this remote wilderneffe ; the be- nefit (and confequcntly the want) of fuch a bur- ning and (piningLight, is of more general! con- cernment than we eafily apprehend , cfpecially in this Agc, wherein not only many fit in utter darkneffe, but which is tore, the new Light thereof is darknrffA; and the Love of many wax- inggcold. But we muff all be hlent before Him, whole judgements ate unfearchable. Néither may we prcfume fay to him, What doefi thou ? It is inflantly and not without caufe defired by many, that fuch ofhis Labours as do fur- vive him, may be (at lea( fome ofthem) impart- ed to the publick. To a c& any thing confide- table that way, is not an caiîe or fudden work. But this fmall piece being at prefent attained ; it fcemed not arniffe to let it pats the Prefs. Thefe were fome of his Lecture-Sermons, Preached molt ofthem in the year, 1641. They are now tran- fcribcdby a godly Brother, partly from the Au- thors own notes, partly fromwhat he took from hismouth: The fubjc& (in both the Texts) is ofgreat ufe, andneedful! for thefe times 9 wher- in there is more Liberty, than good ufe ofit ; and much morecommonand outward, than Caving and effc&uall knowledge of the word of God. Thefe polihumous editions arc far thort of what) theAuthor waswont todo, and of what the Ser- mons were in preaching. But though the fcnfc be not every where fo hall, nor every thing fo tho- --°:
?'o the :Chri ian Reader.° thorowly fpoken to, nor the file fogood by far, (as the Authors manner was) yet the intelligent Reader will find a precious trcafurc of truth in it not fit to be buried or neglc &ed. The Prophets . do not live for ever, but their words do : The Lord make them fuch ever-livingwords as may takehold ofall our hearts, not for judgement, but for mercy , for one ofthefe wayesthey (hall live ; yea, rife up at the laft day. * 00#fi+044#44i44i.***** March 29. 1652. Imprimatur, EDM. CALAMYò 444.44444.44444444444.44.44
THE TABLE. B. Page Ondage : What it is towhich God delivers them that caft offhis government. 7 Invafien by fruit' enemies, 7 By feat/1g authority agaitill them. 7 Oppreffing them by one another. 8 Taking away good Governours: 8 Giving them up to Satan, 9 And to their own lufls. 9 What are thefins, for which God into Bandage? 13 Bondage of thegood and the wkked, how it differs. 5 C. CHurch ofGod, wby deprivedof her liberty. ii Church-members that are private men in their duties are.48. what &c. The cafes of their neglea oftheir duty . 52,&c. Why men receive not more good from them than they do. 53 Covenant ofGod, ifbroken, God re jells fuch as breakit. 3 10 breakCovenant with chrift, is to caft offhisgovernment as King. 31 People of God may be faid to break, Covenant, andhow. 33 G. ('V Overmnent : fee Power. To ,lowir coil of Gods Government, alovannfts provokes God, to bring into ban- dage. Reafons of it. 9,10 What Gods government is. 4 The forts ofit. 4 Internal!. 4 And External 5 Want ofgovernmen rya judgement. 8 When men may be faid to caft off Chris government. 18. fee 24.and fee Ordinances, When menfubmit to Chg. 20,21. to 29 In Chrifts government, he ufeth a threefold power. Motives to come under Chrifis Go- verntnent. 8 L. Awes, the caujes of the breach ofLawes. 67 What rudence is to be ufed in niak7 ing Laws. 7o And how for human laws bind o c Gods Law onely can immediately bind the Confcience. Good Lawes have relation to the word and lawofGod. 7 thisproved. ib. OfPenali Laws. 74 Liberty fee Government ;the fweeteft Liberty, is to be under Chrift. 11 Liberty, how its abufed. 7 9 Love to Chrift, afign offubjellionto him. 84 Love to Gods people, anotherfign ?it Who do not love Gods people. 8 5
THE NÍ. MAgiftrates, We are to be fub- jell to them, andwhy. 64 When Chriffs power is calf offin this refpeíl, not being fubjel! to them. 64 And objeaions about this anfwered. 66 Minifteriall power what it is. 54 And ifthis be not fubmitted,Ch,ri is caft of 69 And when men dofpifed it. 62 O hdinanr,es, When men adde their own inventions to Gods Ordinances, they call off'Chrifls Go- vernment. 34 We muff tale heed off this; and why. 35 Whenmen deffroy Ordinances and de- ny them , they caft off Chrifts go- vernment. 3 5 o caft ofordinances, is a temptation ;ofSatan. 36 When Chrift is thru(t out of ordinan- ces, his government is call off. 39 To pollute Ordinances what it is. 39 To contemn them. 39. 40 s. To ufe them with unbroken hearts. 40 t. To ufe them withoutfaith. 41 4. By not looping to Chrf in them. 41 P. Ower, fee Government. Power of Chrift .in Government. I; Abfolute. 2. Derivative. 3. Mi- nifteriatl. 30 a.Abfolute andKingly:b. when men cafe off this. 3 r a. Derivative power which ChriJt gives to the Church,wlaat this is,fee 45 a &C. , AB What power a private member of the Church path. 41,&c. 3. There is a MinifleriallPower. 54 What this Power is. Power of aril. ,in a Commonwealth, when its calf off.. 63 See Majeffrates. Of interiors power, andwhen that is, cu1i o 68 K. Eproofs , to be taken, and the taing ofthem, is the tryall ofa d rît tan, and a Hypocrite. 47 S. Aran, to be given over to him, a judgement ofGod. 9 Service, what it is. i Servants cenfured for running from their Mailers. 95 SubjeSion, fee Government. Dangerous not to yeeld fubjeílion tb Chriff. 76 Subjetlion to Chrift, when it is to be yeelded. 82 Direilions how to yeeld fithjellion to Clorift. 8, T. THanTcfulnefs. We are to be thanIefull for our liberty and freedomfrom bondage. 71 Motives and Direllions to it. 77,&c. Oblations anfwered that binder this duty. eo 1(. U Nbelief ; Tbe occafzons of it. 83 lrii'. Ill ofChrift, twofold. 23 How man c4f off ChYes will, s4 A
arAnrtAlra,OrlitIrt 6-*-AaViffsWViff'4Aff A WHOL ESOME CAVEAT For a time of L I B E T 2CHR.ON. I2. 8. Neverthelej they(hall be hisfervants, that they may know rayfervice, and thefervice- ofthe kingdoms ofthe Countrey. He greateff part of this Chapter is Tpentii fetting down that famous War which Shifliak,KingofEgypt made againft Re. hoboamKingof Judah. The caufe of this War in regard of Shifhakis not fet down; probable con- /calves there be : jeroboamprobably might be treache- Irons, who having a party in Egypt, left.Rehoboam fhould grow too great, together with fome other pretended wrongs, might awaken this Bear from hisden;. but in re- gard ofGod, you may fee the Reafon fet down, Verl. z.. Becaufe they had trapfgreffedagaint the Lord. The time of this War is fet down in . the g. Vert. When he had effablifhed the Kingdome by wholefome Lawes, e- reaing Gods worfhip, and countenancing godly men, Chr¢, ti. pi, i 7: which continued three years, and fftengthened'
Awholef ®ane Caveat. firengthened himfelfby fortified places, and munition fit for war, as in the foregoing Chapter appears. Now when he hadmolt peace and quiet, heand all Ifrael fuddenly forfake the Lord, which was the fourth year; and in the fifth year comes Shijaak., andwith a mighty hoaft wafter all before him until! he come to the chief City. Now in Verf. the 5. and 6. is fet down the repentance of thepeople with their Princes efpecially. Shemajah, whono doubt had fpoke against their idolatrous courfes before, takes his feafon when theywere low and tamed, and tels them the true caute of their mifery, Verf. g. Ma- ny fins there were in the Land, as Idolatry, and Whore- domes, &c. yet the venom was, They had forfaleen the Lord : Let the fin be what it will be, yet let it be Inch a one as men forfake the Lord by ito,that's theprovocation; hereupon they humble themfelves, come effe&ually,fome hypocritically, yet all outwardly, and fay the Lord is righteous; they extenuate not their fin, they laynot the blameon man, no not do Shifhak, but fee the Lord, jufti- fie his proceedings, The Lord isrighteous, we unrighte- ous, although it were more heavythen it is. Now in the7. Verf and in the words read is fet down the mitigation of Gods plague, and the-moderation ofhis chaftifement, I will not pour out all my wrath, yet I think it not fit to Phewperfea deliverance, Fie ma!ee themfer- vants, to let them ,know, &e. There are two parts in thewords read. x.The: punifhment or chaftifement on Judah for forfaking , the Lord, and backfliding from him, which is bondage and privation ofthe liberty they had, they muff be Shi. 'Wks fervants. 2. The Lords end, it was very gracious, That they may l<,noWmy fervice, c. For explication. i. What is meant by fervice ? Anfw. There are :two things in fervice. r. Govern meat. 2. Subpetiion : cheerful! :obedience to that go- vernment. Both the Hebrew word, as allo the nature -of the thing it fell hath thefe two. GodPets up his Government over a people,his people do or thould fubgea cheerfully to this government; Bymy fervice is therefore meant my government, and your fub- jeltion wrought by me to this government.
or a timeof`Liberty 2. They /hall morn. I. Not by the knowledge ofthe' bain, for that they know now, but knowledge of experience, as it's laid in EZek b tilt. When I (hall have made the Land defolate in all their habitations , they (hall know that I am the Lord. Nowwhat (hall they know ofit ? Anfv.The difference beta ecn them, thefarrow of the one, the_fweet ofthe other; the miferyof the one, and bleffedneffe of the other ; the bondage of the one, an the liberty of the other. - É) Theremight be many things obferved from the words, but I note only thegeneral". Obfer. That when ' any people of God forfake the Lord, Doifr. and raft off`his government over them, they provoke the Lore to put them under the bondage ofanother government. they that abufe Gods liberty mutt be under bondage; the Lord path a Kingdome in this world molt glorious;hence when 'Den will not he under it, if they will not be ruled 'by him, they mat be ruled by the whip; and if Chrifts laws can- not bind, thriftschains muffler. 5, 19. And it(hall come topaffe whenyefball fay, Wherefore loth the Lord all thefe things unto us? then/lialt thou anfwer them, Like 'asye have forfaken cn^, andfervedtrange gods inyour land, fofhallye ferve (bangers in a land that is not yours. Pfal, 107. to, II. Such as fit in darkne,jfe and in the /hadow ofdeath, being in afflitlion andiron, becaufe they rebelled againft the words ofGod, and contemned the counfell of the molt high. Ijzek. 20. 24, 25. Becaufe theyhadnot executedmy Judge®. silents, but had defpifedmy Statutes, andpollutedmy sab- baths, &c. Wherefore Igave them alfoftatutes that were not good, andjudgements,whereby theyAould not live, &c.Zach. 16. And theLord unto me, Take unto thee yep the it f rumentsofa foolifh Shepherd. Veri.. s 6. 1 er lo I will saife up afhepherd in the landwhich/hallnot vifit thofe that be cut off, norfeekthe young one, nor heal that that it, broken,. norfeed that thatftandethRill, jc. Whenpeople break covenant with God, and loath hits, then faith the Lord, I'le notfeed and then he fees o4 <ver them Idol- fhepherds. ' This is certain, when the foul will not-fubjeh it felf to God, hegoes about tofubjea Gód tohim,nay to his lulls, Mfr." 43.24. Thouhaft made me to fame with thyfins. For Q114 ofthem moll ftoep, and a man would have the Lord tae ereitiall, patiog, and pittifull oohim, when he is in 2 league
e".`t? n. wbolefon2e Caveat, league with his lulls, now this the Lord will not do :And hence, if he does not deftroy him, he with- draws him- fellfrom ferving of the creature, and hence other evils take hold of it; and bring it under. When Adam flood, and, was for God, all creatures ferved him, and the riches of Gods goodneffe preferve4 him, the Lord communicated the fweet of his government or fervice to him: but when turned away from' the right wayes of God : Now if the Lord fhould ferve him by gover- ningof him in goodneffe, he fhould ferve a left, andbow to the creature,. nay to a haft, which is a viler thing, then for one creature to fall down and wc:lhipano- ther. Therefore nowhence it comes to paffe, becaufe the Lordwill not be a fervantto anymans luit,there mull beTome other government that molt feize upon them. Hence fet all the Saints in the Churches with their faces fubje£ted to the Lord , his good evil and righte- ous wayes, and then his goodnefs fia:ii flowdown up- on them in a through Chrift, for o her'. ife we have nothing to do withgood, but whenwe tie itt right for God. Hof 2. 19. I will betroth thee unto me for ever, yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteoufne(fe, in judgement, in loving kjindneff'e and mercy, &c. ' The Lord will then command all creatures tobe ferviceable to his Church andpeople ; Verf. 21, 22. But on the contrary mifery mull needs feii upon the foul that loth call off thego- vernment of the Lord iefus : Thus much for the gene- rail explication of the point. Now in . particular. I. What is this government or fervice of God ? 2. What is that bondage he captivates his unto ? g. WhyBoth the Lordde thus ? Qeft . i. What is this government or fervice of God which being flaaken off the Lordgives themover to bona dage? Anf. There is a double government of the Lordover his people. 1. Internall or inward, of which our Saviour fpeaks, Luk; e7. 2 r:: he kingdome of God (faith Chrift) antes not by obfervatttn and outward pomp; For behold the kingdome of God is within you a And this is nothing elle in generali , but when the Lord doth by hisSpirit in the word of his grace caufe the whole foul willing- ly to fubmit and fubjee`t itfelf to the whole will of Go d o
for a timeofLiberty. fo far as it'S made known to it ; this is the inward king- dom ofGod and government ofChrift in the foul. Ro. 8 14. So many as are ledby the Spirit are the fans ofGod. Pf., I t o. 2. The Lord(hall fend the rod of thy ftrength out of Zion, &c. 2. Cor. r o.4. For the weapons ofour warfare are not carnali, but mighty through god the pulling down of ftrorg holds. Vert. 5. Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience ofChrift. Thereare mighty boifterous di= fiempers, but the Lord when he comes in his Kingdome, to fit upon the royall throne ofthe hearts of his people; now they flue : and this is the inward Kingdom of Chrift, like a poop Subjea pardoned and received to favour, he is before the face of the Prince continually attending on him. Revel. 7. r 4, 15. Thefe are they which came out of great tribulation, and have 'wafhed their robes, andmade them white in theblood of the Lamb. Verf. -i 5. Therefore are they before the throne ofGod, and ferve him day and night in his Temple, &c. Now this is meant in part by Gods fervice in thefe dayes; do you think the Lord cared for thoiàfandsof Rams ? no, but to wall, humbly, Mica. 6. Did he care for Temple aid Ordi- nances ? no, but Ira. i. i 9. If he be willing ands obedient, ye fhall eat the goodof the land. Neh. 9. 20. Ii nthafe dayes hee gave them his good Spirit to infirulF them. 2. Externall or outward , the end and infligation of which was to let up and help forward the inward; for external' Ordinances are nothing in thernfelves, mean things, but as they are appointed- and fanaifi- ed for this end, they are moft glorious : and there- fore Chrift threatens the Hewes, Matth. 21. 43. That the Kingdome fhould be taken from them; what was that? Surely not inward , for that they had not, but the out- ward and external' means calledGods kingdom; all thefe eÍ1,s,and means anal.' f e4.taken from you, and all laid úrrtRinoys. Now this external Kingdom ofChrift is don - blc -. q-. The externall kingdonne or government of God 1y his Church, in the, adminifiration an I execution, and fubjetion to the bleffed Ordinances of God, where- in the power and Kingdome of Chrift is fen, and thus, Dan. 2. 44, 45. Dan. 7. 27. It flhall be given to the Saints of the molt high, &c. Not to prophane herds of beafts, or cages of unclean birds, but to the Saints B 3 of
ofthe molt high, Whofe kingdome is an everlajing king. dome, and all the Princes of the world fhall fubjea them. fèlves to this kingdomof Chrili. This outward KingdomChrift adminiflreth amongf} his people in this world ; And this was part ofthe Lords government over his people herein, thoughvarious from our formnow. 2. Of the Common- wealth, which may have divers forms, and had in the time ofIfrael ; bur it receiving its law fromGod, and governing for God, hence it was the government of God, and fubje8ion hereunto was fubje- t Lion and fervice to God himfelf : And hence when the people caft off Samuel, r Sam 8.7. They have not re= Jelled thee but me, Rev 1 i . 15. The kingdomes ofthe world are become the kingdoms of our Lord andof his Chriff, and '1)4 flirll reign forever and ever. For although the Com- mon-wealth of Iflacl was made up of the Church, and henceYofephus Gals it a Theocracy,where the Lord govern- éd ; andyet the fame thing haddivers gr o-. c, formes and refpets,and hence there was a diverfe government then, andlence made diverfe, 2 Chron.1 g. 5, 8. Jehofaphatfees judges in the land throughout all the fenced Cities. Such is the wildaefle, Loldnefs, & carelefnefs of wens hcarts,that they do notonly need lawes, but watchmen over them to fee they be kept : and hence the Lord appointed Tome chief, Tome Judges in every City, and allo fame in ever y Village, as by proportion may be gathered, Exod. 18. e- very ten men had one over,them. Now this was the bleffed wifdome of God toput all into [weer fúbordination one unto another for himfelf. 1. Every one profeffinghis name is made for God, for Chrifi, as LordofLords, unto whom every knee me bow, and inwardly fubjea. 2. Hence the Lord it beingnot good to ieaveman tohimfelf) eretsa Kingdonie of the Church with his own power, and authority, and government in it for that end. 7rtN;. 3. This being poor and fhiftlefle againft inward and c'utward revenge, hence the Lord lets up Kingdomsof the world, which either rule for this end or thefe ends or not, if they do not, they are to anfwer it, and fhall`one day to Chriit, whom Godbathmade headover all things to the Church.Eph.l. 22. Ifthey do, then theirgovernment, udgement and kingdome'is the Lords in a fpeciall man- ner
for a time ofLiberty. tier : and hence break the yoak of fubjetion to any one of thefe, you raft offChrift, the Lords government and fervice ; and being fo linked together, in truth if you break one you break all , and this will provoke the Lord to make youkiffe the clink , and to put your necks under iron bondage that refute fubjetion to him. Iueft. 2. What is that bondage or other government/2,gf#. 2: towhich the Lord gives over his people when they have caft off his government, this will provoke the Lord if the Lord be raft off, and the carting off the government ofChrift will bring the molt famous Kingdoms,Churches and Families into bondage; you will fay what is this bondage ? when is it that the Lord takes his fèafon for . the execution of it ? A. i. The Lord takes his own times to do it,thefe wereAnfrr. r. a 12. moneth before the Lord ,:fent Shifbak: Here he was more quick. Nebuchadnezzar comes at Taft, and many years 'cis before the Lord doth it. 2. The Lord is various in working, as he is wonder- Anfw. 2, full andbath divers wayes or means of bondage, he hash moreprifons and chaines than one. Firft, fometimes the Lord opens the door of a King- dom or State, for the inrode offorce forraign, or is may be barbarous Enemy,breakinginfometime bypower, corn- ming in fomerime by craft, and then ruling like Lions, which the Lord makes to vex and prick the people of God; thus here their lives were (pared, but liberties loft. Thus Judg.2. r 3, r4. They forfookthe Lord, and ferved Ba- aland Afliraroth. And in verf. 14. The anger ofthe Lord waxed hot againfl Ifrael, and he dilivered them into the handsof fpoylers that [puled them. Ver. x 5. Whitherfoe- ver they went out, the hand ofthe Lord was againft them for' evill. And this the Lord cloth many timesfuddenly,tlíat one would never think that ever the Lord fhould be fo fodden ; the Lord can beas quick to punifh, as man to fin, and that unexpeaedly. Ecc!, 9. 12. Man knows nrr his time but are taken likefifli in an evill net fuddenly, Lam. 4. I2. The kingdomes of the earth,' and all the inhabitants of the world would not have beleeved,1udg. 5. 8. They fet up new gods, andwar was in the gate. I. Sometimes the Lord turns the edge of that lawfull authorityGod bath fet ever them againiit themfelves, to be a heavy fcourge from God upon them : Thus it was With Ifrael in Egypt, E_ xod. b 8, 9. there arofe a King 13 4 wf1ÍC14
A wholefomeCaveat which knew not 7ofeph, and it's laid then they wereop- preffed. Thus Jeroboam whom the ten Tribes chafe, Hof. 5. i t. he oppreffed the people he will be in novating, and this becomes their opprefhon : Thus the people under the reign of degenerate Solomon ( though their complaint might be in part unjuft.) Such is the ve- rrome of fin an unfubduedneffe to the Kingdom God, that the Lord turns light into darkncèfe , and makes an aking headmatter of forrow to all the flare and bo- dy ofpeople. Ecclef. i o. 16. Wo to i'hee, O Land. when thy King is a child. And one man (hall do a world ofhurt, oneShebna or Amaziah, and this the Lord loth in justice many times for caftiug.off his government. 3. Sometimes the Lord gives a people up into the hands ofone another to be mutual! oppreffors of each other, that a man neighbour (hall be his oppreffor. Zach. t t. 9 ' I will pitty no more the inhabitants of the land, I will deliver them every one into his neighbours hands. I will feed you no more, that which dyeth let it dye, & that which is cut offlet it be cut off, and let the reft eat every one thefefh ofa- nother. Sometimes the Lord is pleafed to fend marvellous !traits into a place, that men are forced to imbondage t iemfelves fometimes by words as bitter as death, as sharp as arrows; the Lord is pleated for theforfaking of his righteous wayes ro make a mans felf rip his own bo- wels, the father againft the childe, the mailer (hall be a fcourge to the fervant,and the fervant (hall be a fcourge to his mailer, weary him of his life, the government of the Lord in a mans heart or family being call off, Mic. 7. 4, 5. Truft not in a friend : No greater bondage in the orld then for men profeIling the Lord, to be defperate- ly let one againft another. 4. By taking from a people all that righteous power ofgovernment the Lord bath let over them, when a peo- plcdelpiting the Lord and inward government firft (for there all begins) and fo not prizing what they have, nor praying for them, nor fubjeaing to them, the Lordhere - upon fends fome fickneffe , or fome other evil!, that they are either fuddenly taken away, or gradually, and when they are goneeall fink, or elfe fuch croffe carriages; that as Mofes faid, fo fay they, Icannot bear this people. Thus fudges 2z. 25. Men did what was right in their own eyes when there was no King in Ifrael. No State fo mifera- ble as an Anarchie , when every one is a flave, becaufe wcrY
for a timeofLiberty. every one will be a Mailer. Thus, Ifa. 3.1 2. 6. Be a ru- ler to us. No, l'le not undertaketo rule. So, a Cbro. is. 3.5. when without a teaching Prieft, then no peace at all, menwill not be under government of them, you thatl not have them , they (hall tell in peace, and you !hall then know the want of them.: 5. By giving them over to Satans, and their own hearts tufts, that feting they will not ferve the Lord,they fhall ferve their lufts and their fins, that now the Lord he hath left off chaf ifing of men, and confcience Tall check no more,profper,fairh the Lord, &go on in thy fin, Yfal. 8I . 12. So I gave them up to their own hearts lofts, and they walkedafter their own counfels. Red`: 22. 11. Let bim that is filthy befilthy fill!. When the Lord (hall give a man over to Satan, not on- ly, towinnow him, to let out thechaffe, and fo to make the grain the purer, or tobuffet them as he did Paul, but to infnare them , and hold them , that he Thal' not only tempt, but his temptations fhall take, and not onely take, but holds, 2 Tim. 2. ult. Who are taken captive by himat his will y taken alive as a fnare doth, that now a man is beyond the reach of all means, only perad- venture God may give repentance, Ifa. z. 5. Why fhould ye beftricken any more ? ye will revolt yet more and more. The Lord leaves fruiting, and fayes, Go on and profper in thy fanne : and which is the worTt of all, Satan (hall fo blinde him and harden him, fill him with pride, pafiîon, lying, hatred of Gods people , cavilling againft the Lords wayesofgrace , fightingof his betters defpifing of wholefome counfell from his deareft friends, that he knows not that gray hairs are upon him.And after this when God hath call out,it may be the Church doth alfo, a aloft fearful" bondage that the Lord gives fuch A foul O- ve`t unto. There are two reafons of this pointwhich I coiled on- ly from the flory in this Chapter. Reafon a. Inregard of the righteous judgement of God. It's juft and equal! that he that will notbe ruled by this bleffedLord Jefus, he Mould be ruled by his lulls ; he that will not be in fubjetion to a merciful! Chrift, he fhould be in bondage to unmerciful) men : this an humbled heart will acknowledge, as thefe do here,Verfà 6. They acknowledged theLord to be righteous e. Map, bbeirig faller), it had been righteous with Go .._......-....,._ .
TO A wholefomeCaveat God to have left all men as the Angels that fell in chains of darkneffe for ever. But among his Church and peo- ple the Lordfends theGofpel to proclaim liberty, and with it fends Chrifl with his Spirit, to come to the prifon- doores of poor finners, to give repentance as well as re- mifìion of fins, and now if theywill not comeout of their bondage, accept of, the Lords. liberty, `tis exceeding righteous to deal with them as wedo with prifoners condemned to die ; if the Prince comes to theprifon- doores, andfayes, I am come to give thee thy life, nay and here is pardon ; nay favour, and to pull off thy chaines alto, now ifhe faies no, I had rather be inprifon ; every one will lay it is jeft; and as it was in the year of labile he that would not go free was to be a bondman for ever. 'Tis very righteous togive men their own choyce, 'tisno wrong to let themhave their own will : If indeed the laws'of Chrift were f)raco's laves, hard and heavy, there were fomething toobjea, but they are molt fweet, and for whichof all other bleflings men have caufe toblare him, Pfat. 147. ult. Reafon 2. In regard of the mercyor merciful' wif- dom ofthe Lord towards his Churchand people, efpecially his peculiar ones, that hereby they keep the clofer to the Lord,fet a higher priceupon the rules and government ofthe Lord, love his kingdome the more, and the liberties thereof , and ufe them better when they:have them again, fo here, that they may know my fervice, &c. a. How fweet >it is. Experience we fay is the/Clarefs offools ; fuch is the foolifhnefs of mens hearts that men are many times never truly taught a truth till theyare taught it by fenfe, Prov. ,. i r and thou mourn at laft when thy ffefh is confumed; tell a man of all the glory of the Saints, theynever underhand it till they feel it. tell men ofthe woe of their wayes ; they will not believe it*till they fee it, Pfal. 3a: 9. Be not or the horfe or mule that bath no underfianding, whofe mouthmuft be held in with bit and bridle. Hofea c e.: r. Ephraim is like an Heifer that is taught. Like untamed Horfes that will cart their rider, unleffe they be held under and backr, and then they are gentle, fo 'tis here ; and truly 'as long before a man can learn the fweetof Chrifls government : hence Ifrael mull be long in Egyptian bondage , and many long miferies, fo that if there be either juftice or mercy in the Lord he will do this, and this point (hall be true. Vie 1. ,Zttaf. a:
for time ofLiberty. it Vfe t. Hence then fee that the greateft libertyand Vre fweeteft liberty is to be under the government of Chrift Jefus, although men do not think fo : hence the Lord tells them here they 'ball lenow my fervice, they might have replyed we do know it. No, till they be in bonds they know it not, nor cannot learn it. So 'tis now ; and hence let men obferve whiles they live loofly, and are guided by their own wifdonie , for their own ends, ac- cording to their own will, at peradventures, at rovers, as they pleafe, they do think this liberty very fweet ; and 'cis better than to be curb'd in : But let the Lord ftrike an arrow in the heart of thefe wilde bucks, that have broke park and pale, fendaffliCtion, and an Iron yoke of forrow upon them or difireffe ofconfcience, if there be any fenfe and feeling left, they will bemoan rhemfelves, and fay, I did think my liberty fweet, but now I fee 'tis bitter in a finfull way : and the Lords way was moli fweet, by their own confeflion. Hence Pfal. a. 3. Let us break their bands, &c. But Oh now hence learn this truth, and di- geff it throughly, that thegreateft liberty lies here : do not in thy judgement thinkChriftian liberty lies, in being freed from the law as a rule ofobedience in refpett of the matter of it to be done, nor in thy prattice ; butknow, though thou didfl meet with a thoufand Sorrows with it and griefs, yet 'tis fweet. Chrifisyoke, (Mat. II. 30.) it eafie ' and his burthen light. What? When not a hole to hidehis head in, when a reproach of men, a worm and no man, when he bore the Fathers wrath ? Yes, when he was meek under it, (not mine but thy will be done) it was thenmoft fweet, i Kings 9. 2,1,22. To be a fervant to Solomon is no bondage, Pfalm. 119. 32. Iwill run, when thoufhalt inlargemy heart. Vfe 2; Vfe z. Hence fee the reafon why the Lord hall de- prived his Churches oftheir liberty, and his government over them at fundry times, and bath put them under Iron yokes, and bonds,and fore preffures, the reafon is fhewn. they have either openly or more fecretly caft off the go- vernment of the Lord, here hath been the very wound the aile ofall Churches famous and glorious, FM. 8 E. - Oh that they hadhearkened, IAmid thenfoon have fub- duticl their enemies. The cattle is nor fo hard to find to a difcerning fpirit who is privy in any meafure to the coun- fels of God, i King. 9. 8, 9. Solomon hath a promife that the Lords eyes and heart full be to his people which are un- der
12 4wholefome Caveat der him but Vance they flip theCoffer, then wo ; and why ? Becaufe they forfookthe Lord' that brought them out ofEgypt, theyhad liberty, but they caft it off. What do you think was the moving caufe of all thole bloody perfecutions,, when the blood of dogs was more precious then of Chriflian Churches ? were not they godly ? yes, I do not doubt of it but as it was here, though humbled theymuft be in bondage, becaùfe they had cat off the government of the Lord Jefus,- And hence in the Apoftles time evill times were come, fad apoftafies from the truth, and becaufe it was longbe- ll= they were low enough.Ancl hence, Revel. 6. till the fifth feal was opened ; no crying, as it was with Ifrael in bondage, no prayer to purpofe, and becaufe the Lord faw they would abufe all liberties if they had them. And hence in Conflantines time, when peace came in,con- tention came with it, and fo abufed all, that their peace was their poyfon. And hence in the primitive Churches, they began to call off the government of the Lord Jefus, murmurings there were, hence carne perfecution ; but they were a precious people, and madebleffed ufe of it. And the Lord couples their chief perfecution with their refl. And 'ti laid, Atls 9. 3i. Then had the Churches refi, &c- And what doyou think ofrhe reafon of the long reign of Antichrift, exalting himfelf above God and all that's called God, bringing the Church under the heavieft bondage for body and foul that ever the earth faw? Men did not love the truth, either fpeculative to guide their minds, or ',radicall to rule their will& ; and hence left to this day. What is the caufe of Bleeding Germanies wo ? Oh poor Germany ! Whence the Gofpell firft brake out in its full ftrength , that now 'tis a field of blood, that men in woods like fatyres are afraid: ,of men, and men in Cities glad to eat the intrail pf Beans , and fometimes the flefh of their own haPO to preferve their lives. What was there no but the common condition of the Church to be un- der the croffe ? ask them, they cannot tell what Giles them , but curie thi Emperoxr and Swedes, &c. Oh
for a time ofLiberty. Oh think of, it with forrow in fecret for them that know it not themfelves, they have fecretly , I fay, fecretly caft off the government of a merciful! Chrift , and hence are under the hand of untnerci-' full men. What is the caufe in our native Countrey, not- withftandíng all prayers and tears no diliverance ? truly men do not know it but the Lord fees it, they know not how to ufe their liberty. And for our (elves , what Than I fay, I cannot but bleffe God and wonder to fée how 'tis with many, and rejoyce to fee many precious holy ones, to whom one day in Gods *Court is fweeter than a rhoufand elfewhere ; but I mutt profef e and cannot but " mourn for others, Wren that were eminent under bondage, but never worfe then here ; as if the Lord lhould fay, Look here be your eminent ones ; look , and fear, and mourn you Minifters of my houfe; here be the people you had thought had been converted , and that of all others fuch a one would never a fallen fo ; one an opinion takes him, another a lot , another look company, another his loft, another gowes proud , another fierce, another murmuring : what fhould I name all ? Oh that my words might behealing, &c. Vfe 3. Hence fee what will becomeofus that are now ruder the government of the Lord ; ifever we cart it off, either inward, or outward, or both. We arenot dearer to him thenhis people Ifrael here, nay Judah. Whenold Ifrael the great and numerous tribes ofIfrael 'hadfet up calves, little Judah and Benjamin receivedthe Netts, and yet they fell and were in bondage. I know we are not yet inbondage ; yet it is not more unfeafona- ble to (peak now then for the Lord to Solomon,' King kuef. But therebeing much unfubduednefsin the hearts of the belt, how (hall oneknow when there be fuch fins for which the Lord will caft from under his govern- ment Anfwer a. When'men do not loath their own hearts for, the unprofitableneffe, but loath Gods ordinances fecretly, And grow weary of them as of their bur- dens itife 31 1
Awhalefosne Caveat. dens, becaufe of the unprofitableneffe of them. When a people find not that fpeciall good by them which re- conipenfeth all loffea, and fo prize them, but lay blame on them, becaufe unfruitful! to them, Malacbie 3. i 3. He fpeaks to a people got out of Captivity, Tour words have beenfout againff me, no fay they; 'Tis in vain to ferve the Lord, what profit is there in this ? you muff conceive they had many laffes, were very poor, as verf. z r. a temptati- on which a proudheart cannot indure aboveany, here is now no profit in mourning , fafting, &c. and Gods own people began to think fo : and hence, Verf. 16. Thep fpaleoften one to another, there was goodeffeaof his Ser- mon : nowwhat follows ? Chapter 4. 1. Hence r!:e wick- ed fhall come and cut off Branch andRoot in Antiochus time, there is a burning day a- comming, that (hall burn down houfe, root and branch : and hence, Matthew 31. 43. The kingdomfha!t begiven to them that bringforth frail; Youwill lay, wedo ; No thy own mouth (hail condemn thee , you do not, you find no good by all the ordinan- ces of God, and hence come thole - ueftions : what war- rant for fuch an ordinance ? the bottoine is, theynever felt go©d of it, and hence grow wearyof it : well if it be your burthen, the Lord will cafe you ofit. 2. When you fee men (profeflîng the fear of God) mutually naturallycontentious, and continuing fo : I fay, contentious withSaints which they fay they love, &wch they are by covenant bound to love,either from Come con- ceived wrong, andhence cannot forgive as Chrift doth them ; or from aprejudicate groundleffe opinion, they care not for me, nor I for them; or from a fpirit offcorn- full Cenforioufneffe, what are fuch and Inch ? or becaufe diltafled, becaufe offome reproof in their fin; or by fome opinion, or by fome worldly conveniency, or laying out Jots, or reftraint of fome liberty, &c. of becaufe of fn Now can fir and cenfure ; and I fay, when this is mutual; for a godly man may be contendedwith; but he prayes and mourns and pitties, unlefTe it be at fome time; but when it fhall continually abide fo fierce and implaca- ble Eccief. 7. 9. Anger refteth inthe bofome offools , when aman fhall beg1aft ofan occafion ofdifference, that fo he may depart and have fomething to quiet confcience for breachof Covenant, that there can be no healing, but Bellies of pigs are more dear then bowels of Sakai, and when ,quiet;, upon the 1caf1 oscafien apo to p:dc hokes and ,.. -
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