The Parable of the Ten Virgins

SECT. I.

N Ow this coming of Christ is set forth and amplified from two things.

1. From the time of his coming; While the foolish went to buy, he came.

2. From his different entertainment of the Virgins, and carriage towards them being come.

First, The wise they went in with him to the Marriage.

Secondly, The foolish were shut out, &c.

By this coming of the Lord is (as hath been oft said) meant the coming of Christ to Death or Judgment; but especially and principally his coming to Judgment, as may appear by the whole series of this Chapter and the next, wherein the Lord answers to the second question of the Disciples, viz. the signs and •• me of his coming; i. e. his second coming, which is called his coming to judge the the world, &c.

That there is and shall certainly be a Second coming of Christ to Judgment.

This truth the Prophets have foretold; Enoch, Jude 14. Solom • n, Eccles. 12. ult. Rom. 14. 11. with Isa. 45. 23. The Apostles have preached thus, as 2. Cor. 5. 10, and it was ever in their eye, and the main part of their Ministry when they pressed people to believe in Christ as a King; where is he? He shall come, they tell the unbelieving world; Angels also have published this, Act. 1. 11. and Devils believe this, who are in their chains bound over to that day; and all the Saints have looked for this, 1 Thess 1. 〈◊〉 and hence promises of mercy at that time are made to such, Heb. 9. ult. And lastly, the consciences of many wicked people have confessed this; Paul preacheth of Judgment to come, and Felix trembles, and Heb. 6. 5. divers felt the powers of the world to come, and by judgments on them have been made to know that he is the Lord.

SECT. II.

Quest. 1. BUt when shall the Lord Jesus come?

Ans. In general, when all the E •• ct are gathered under the wings of Christ; hence Matth. 24. 22. For the elects fake those days shall be shortened, i. e. an utter ruin of all had then come but for them; and therefore when they are once collected, the Lord will come; and hence in particular Judgments the Lord doth thus; only a few Elect keep a whole land from being utterly wasted, Isa. 6. ul • . 1 Cor. 15. 23, 24. first Christ is quickened, i. e. in soul and body raised, then those that are Christ's at his coming, and then comes the end; and hence the tares are spared, lest in pulling up them, the wheat also be plucked up.

Now as for setting down the particular time, the Lord Jesus doth it not in this Chapter; only gives some signs of it, by which we may give certain credit that it is not far off (as of the death of a crazy man) and there are two that are not yet accomplished.

1. The destroying of Antichrist, at least in the principal power of it, and throne of it.

2. The calling of the Jews, Rom. 11. who must have a great day of it again; which dry bones shall live; and their restoring a kind of resurrection and life from the dead: Some have thought two thousand years before the Law, and under the Law, and under Christ; and then when these six days of a thousand years a piece are ended, comes the great Sabbath; this is already proved to be false in the second two thousand years. In the Primitive times and Churches the Apostles, especially • ames and Peter, spake of the end of all things to be at hand, who writing to the scattered Jews had good reason to tell them of it, viz. the end of the Temple. Though Bar ••• s to weaken the Authority of Scripture, thinks they spake only their own apprehensions; divers Christians thought then it was nigh; and hence Paul 〈◊〉 them to beware of those thoughts, seeing much danger in them, 2 Thess. 2. 1, 2. And in succeeding ages, Tertullian expresseth the affection of the Christians to the Roman State, that they sought not the ruin of it, but prayed pro mor â finis, as fearing it was then coming upon the world for sin; and so many Saints seeing wicked • ess abound, have thought that time is not far off; but yet the times and seasons are not in our hands to know, Act. 1. 7. and that must quiet us, that come he will.

SECT. III.

Quest. 2. WHere will he come to judge?

Answ. Into this visible world again; for if it should be in heaven, as no unclean thing shall come there, so we should then rather come to Christ to be judged, than for him to come to Judgment▪ No, there is a second coming; that as his first was into this visible world, so shall his second, Act. 3. • 1. Wh •• the heavens must contain until the time of the restitution of all things; and then shall he break out of heaven again for this work; Now to what particular place in the world he shall come to judge is disputed on by many, especially some of the Schoolmen: Some think that it shall be in Mount Calvary, where he was crucified; some in Mount Olivet, where he ascended; others in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, Joel 3. 2. which as it cannot contain all people that ever were, so the place only speaks of the terror of God against the enemies of his scattered Jews at their conversion; I would not be wise above what is written, all that I read most plainly of, is, 1 Thess. 4. 17, 18. That then we shall meet the Lord in the air; now how high, or where the Lord's Throne shall be set, those things are not for us to inquire after, but so the Lord will order it, as that all Nations, all the dead, small and great shall stand before him and see him in one place; which shall not be very low; where men have sinned, there they shall be judged; and hence as Judges have their Circuits; so men having sinned in this world, shall be judged here.

SECT. IV.

Quest. 4. HOw will he come to judge?

Answ. He shall come in power and great glory, Matth. 24. 30. As first, The glory of the Father, Matth. 16. 27. the brightness of his Diety, his infinite wisdom was hid in the dark lanthorn of his humanity, but then he shall appear, as 'tis said, Rom. 1. 4. manifested to be the Son of God by his Resurrection, so then much more when he comes to raise the world, all the world shall see his power, wisdom, greatness then.

Secondly, All his mighty Angels with him, Matth. 16. 27. all shall be there, so that heaven shall be left empty; a thousand times ten thousand▪ shall then minister unto him; and you know how gloriously the Lord made the Angels shine at Christ's Resurrection.

Thirdly, With the voice of the Arch-Angel and the trump of God, and with a shout, 1 Thess. 4. 16. He shall descend with a shout, i. e. of joy to the Saints, as in the day of victory and triumph of God; as at giving the Law the Trumpet did blow to work dread and terror then, so now.

Fourthly, With burning and consuming of the world, 2 Pet. 3. 7. 2 Thess. 1.

Fifthly, Raising and call • ng all the dead before him, small and great, good and bad, in earth and sea, and that in a moment it shall not be a long work, 1 Cor. 15. 52. and thus the Lord shall appear at this day, that as he came before with baseness, so he shall now come in glory, and nothing then shall have any glory but himself, and those that are his, because he will damp all the glory of the world; and thus sitting in the clouds in a Throne of glory, he shall judge, i. e. examine, convince, and condemn; examine all secrets, and convict men of their evils, and then condemn them and pass sentence upon the wicked, and grace to his Saints; the Saints examinations, and all their duties and actings for God opened, and that all the world that censured them may see then the infinite wisdom and love of God in his people, in making and keeping them sincere.

SECT. V.

Quest. 4. WHy will he come?

Answ. 1. If it was only for his people's sake, for their perfect redemption, and refreshing, there were reason enough for it; hence it is called a day of redemption, and a time of refreshing; here they are captived under miseries, and sadded by them under sin, Satan, world, but then they shall be redeemed: Now that it shall be so;

First, He hath come already to redeem his people from sin, which is the greatest evil, and which redemption w • s performed by his blood; now if he hath redeemed from the greatest evil, viz. Sin; then from Corruption, then from Death, and Satan, &c. If he once came by blood and baseness, then he will come in glory and greatness; if he came through fire to them, then he will come through fair ways to them; if by death to them, then by life to them; and hence John. 5. 24. all judgment is committed to him, because he is the Son of Man. And though it be long, yet surely he will, he must come, especially seeing himself hath perfectly redeemed his people, and is now himself exalted above all: A man that hath been in prison himself, with his poor brethre • that are left there still, the price of their redemption being paid, and there being nothing for their delivera • ce wanting, but one to fetch them, if none help, he will do it alone: So here.

Secondly, in regard of the Justice of God, that that may be cleared before the eyes of all the world; men sin now, and are not punished; but flourish, and the Saints are grieved; every man sees patience, bounty, long • sufferance exercised; but the wrath of God against the least sins is not yet made known; there must therefore be a day to declare it, and the equity of it.

Thirdly, In regard of the Wisdom of God: Look in all Commonwealths well governed in the world, and we shall not find any but they have Court days, and their Petty Sessions, and great Assizes, as in Israel; for to what extremity of wickness would places come to else? so here; Shall the wise Governor of the world never have a day of hearing and trying causes? hath he no care? others are but in his room under him till that time: neither is it enough to say that there is Judgment of death▪ Answ. That is only Christ's judging the soul in private either to his shame or glory before Christ; but the body is to be judged as well as the soul, to shame before men, or glory before all the world.

Fourthly, In regard of Christ's sovereignty and excellency; the coming of Christ is called his Kingdom, 2 Tim. 4. 1. Why, doth not Christ rule now in the world? Yes, but it is in the midst of his enemies; his enemies rule and he rules also; but there must a time come that no enemies must rule, but Christ alone▪ and this is his kingdom in a most illustrious manner; for the things of Christ are said to be with us, when they do in a special manner appear; as the coming of his Spirit, and his love, so his Kingdom; now Christ must reign till all his enemies are put underfoot; for it is not fit he should lose his Kingdom; hath the Lord suffered others to reign and rule, and himself to be hid, and his glory lost, and that so long? and will he never return to his Kingdom to be glorious, there to reap all his glory that he hath lost by all his enemies in the world? Was there ever King that would ever endure one generation of Rebels after another, and never make himself sole Sovereign? however Man may suffer it, yet the Lord will not, he must reign. And wherefore doth Christ reign? It is to trample 〈◊〉 underfoot, his and his people's enemies; Christ sets death his enemy, to destroy his enemies, and keep them as in a Goal; but afterward Christ will call them forth, and pass an irreversible doom upon them.

SECT. VI.

SEE therefore and believe the truth of this Point as well as hear it: At the first coming of Christ, Heb. 11. 13. they did thus, saw the Promises afar off, and embraced them; so see it afar off: There be divers people that profess this truth that do not fully believe it; for if they did, they would never live as they do: That look as men that know the Judge rides Circuit within half a year, dare not commit any open sins; so if you believed this, you would make conscience of secret sins which this Judge shall judge.

Others there be that do believe it as they do reports that every man saith, but they do not see that really to be true indeed, which their hearts literally believe; and hence men's hearts are not a whit moved with grief, or sorrow, or joy, or fear at the remembrance of this day. For as it is with us in reports of news out of Germany, many hear things, but are not affected with their misery, because they do not see it acted before their eyes; God presents not their sorrows; and hence they are not moved; but when they do see them acted, then they are moved much; so here. Look as it is with a man awake and in sleep; a man awake believes the day of Judgment, and never stirs; but when asleep he dreams of it, and is much affected with that because he sees it acted before his eyes; much more when men have not dreams but real visions or sight of it, it will affect: And hence set, painted fire before a Malefactor, it affects not, but show him really it wherein he must be burnt, now it amazeth him; and hence 2 Pet. 2. 11, 12, 14. looking for; and hence Peter saith what manner of persons ought we to be ! and where ever there is Faith, thus it will be, Heb. 11. 1. it makes things absent present, and things unseen evident.

Oh that God would show you this truth, you young men, Eccles. 11. 9. you would not spend time vainly, but know God: You aged men whose hearts are rooted in this world, Oh know that God will come and burn up your delights; will you never see this day and fear it before you see it, and mourn because of it!

Oh take heed of rash judging and condemning, and suspecting, and censuring other men: In Paul's time Rom. 14. 10. one Brother in a Church there judged another about indifferent things in a Christ-like manner, as if he had no Grace, &c. You shall stand before Christ's Judgment Seat, saith Paul▪ and hence Paul, 1 Cor. 4. 3, 4, 5. accounts little of man's Judgment, and bids them judge nothing, &c. What if Christ find that to be a lie which thou judgest to be true.

Many of God's Servants lie under hard thoughts and speeches in private, not only from Enemies abroad, but from inhabitants at home; men out of the Church censuring and judging of Members; men in the Church, one of another, especially if they take to a side; The Lord will discover hard speeches, and an edition of all your hard thoughts put out in print at the last day: This breaks love, this breaks Church-fellowship, and is the cause of breach • in this Country.

Oh take heed of an hypocritical heart; if the Lord should come to judge according to the seeing of the eyes of the outward man, then well were it with many; but when the secrets of the hearts shall be judged it will be terrible; if there should never be a calling over of things again, happy were it for many, but 'tis otherwise, 2 Cor. 5. 10. Paul sought only to please the Lord, for we must all appear, &c. Civil men if they can carry it so as men may not say hurt of them, they think 'tis well; Hypocrites if they can maintain a name of Religion, so as they may maintain their interest in good men's hearts, it is well; if they get some enlargement in duties, that they are common ••• of them, well; if they can get so much mercy as to get the Lord to accept of Christ's righteousness for them, it is well; but saith Paul, We laborto be accepted of him. I am persuaded godly men do not think of this; we think the wicked shall have all their secrets laid open, but the Saints come not into condemnation; 'tis true not of wrath, but of trial, so as that their righteousness shall be laid open to all, to their glory at the great day, 1 Pet. 1. 6, 7. And therefore get that life which Christ himself may commend; that as Christ said, I have not found such faith in Isr • el: So here, when thou hast spoken a good word, repeated a Sermon, spent a Sabbath, ask thy heart, is this worth showing to all the world? that though at be vile, yet Christ himself will commend this? Oh you will find only acting for him will commend the act, Mat. 25. 40. there is that needlework, and golden Arras of Holiness which is lapped up in the Saints, that Christ will open before all the world another day.

Oh therefore repent, Act. 17. 31. Paul tells them times past were spent in ignorance without God, time to come was a time of Judgment and wrath of God against all sin; Oh then repent: Mourn for all wrongs done against Christ: You will •• il then, if you take not your season now; mourn therefore for time past, and for time to come agree with him; now he sits on a throne of Mercy in Heaven if thou wouldst not be put to shame; then, Oh be ashamed for all sins now; if not judged then, then condemn and judge thy self now; the Lord looks for no more; Oh welcome him as King into thy heart as his Kingdom.

SECT. I.

T Hat the Lord Jesus Christ shall come as a Bridegroom to his 〈◊〉 people, at his Second coming; that as it is said of the Sun, •• ariseth as a Bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth &c. so will the Lord arise upon the world at this day, Psal. 19. 5.

This Point will be cleared and proved by opening the several degrees wherein he will manifest himself to be a Bridegroom then to his people; not but that Christ is a Bridegroom to his people now, but then he shall be so also in a more eminent manner, and then the perfect accomplishment of all.

First then, the • re shall be a personal meeting between his Spouse and himself, as it is in marriage; before the marriage i • consummated, there are the friends of the Bridegroom and Spokesmen, and he sends letters and tokens, but then he comes himself; so here Christ sends his Spokesmen, 2 Cor. 11. 2. and his word and spiritual refreshings; but when this time comes, he appears himself in person, and both meet in person; 1 Th • ss. 4. 16, 17. here we meet the Lord spiritually in his Ordinances, but then visibly in the clouds; while we live in this world, it is a time of parting, 2 Cor. 5. 8. and when we come to die, in respect of the whole man, it is so also; but then the whole man shall meet him; these eyes shall see him, and those arms shall embrace him; you are left as Orphans here in this world alone; it will not always be thus, for there is a time of meeting.

Secondly, Then all deformities shall be taken away from his people, and he shall adorn his Bride in perfect beauty; for this is one part of Christ's con • ugal love to his Spouse and People, Ephes. 5. 25. different from other Husbands, who find but do not make them beautiful; for if the Lord should meet his people, and they him with their deformities, they would do it unwillingly and with shame: as in this life why are Saints unwilling yet to be with the Lord? viz. because there be so many deformities and spots abiding on the Spouse; sometimes the soul would not have Christ, and such a heart too, though he offers himself to it; Lord depart, I am a sin • ul man, Luk. 5. 8. Oh but then all deformities shall be removed; Phil. 3. ult. Who shall change our vile bodies, not destroy them; and make them like his glorious body, which shines brighter than the Sun: Matth. 13. 43. Then shall the righteous shine like the Sun; is there any beauty like that of Christ's? then shall they be like unto him; 1 John. 3. 2. it is a dishonor for a mighty Prince on the day of marriage to let his Queen go in rags; they shall be Christ's then; And look as it was with Joseph, all his shame, baseness, imprisome • ts, did but • ache way for his glory; and hence he was delivered out of prison by the Kings command; now his apparel, and countenance, and name, and estate, and all is changed; so here, all your sheme, imprisonment in the grave-chains of sins, that enter into your soul, doth but make way for this certain glory; As it was with Iehosuah, Satan stood at his right hand to accuse him, he only stands before the Lord, at last the Lord saith, Take off these filthy garments; is not this a brand? So Satan and Conscience accuse often here, but then it shall be so that all thy filthy garments shall be taken away.

Thirdly, Then there shall be an open manifestation, and glorious declaration of the dearest love of the Lord toward them; before the great day of marriage comes, there is love expressed, concluded between the parties, and it may be some few know of it, as Friends, and some of the Family; but the open declaration is at the day of marriage; so Christ loves his people now, &c. and will not only love them then, but openly declare his love before all the world; Come ye blessed; he shall declare then his own love, Matth. 10. 32. Luke 12, 8. He that hath made it his glory to confess Christ in a holy life, Christ will confess him before God and before Angels; and so before all the world: Men in great place will not know their poor friends, especially in open places; but the Lord Jesus will, and he will divulge the Fathers love to them also, Act, 3. 19. You blessed of the Father, John. 17. 22, 23, 24. I have given them that glory, united them and made them flesh of my flesh, that the world may know thou hast loved them as thou hast loved me. Here the Lord doth love his people dearly, but it is not so known; the Sun shines on good and bad; the world hates and persecutes them as Hypocrites; civil men think them like themselves; worldlings think them as little loved as any, their estates thrive not; Hypocrites bear a base esteem of them; and if they love them, 'tis because they love them; Saints themselves many times suspect them; or if not, yet they judge as well of others as them; nay it may be they are so disfigured sometimes by those sores that break out of them; that they know not themselves; but now the Lord will openly declare his love to them, and to all the world besides; These are the men which I have born on my breast, and carried on my shoulders; for whom I have built and planted Churches, and destroyed enemies, and trod the wine-press alone, and prefered above mine own life, and blood and glory; whose hairs have been numbered by me, whose walls have been continually before me. No greater misery to a holy heart than this: Psal. 42. 10. Where is now thy God? So when conscience saith, and men say it here: Oh what a mercy is it that then it shall be heard, I am now come to comfort thee!

Fourthly, Then they shall be brought into actual possession and fruition of all the glory promised unto them, of all their inheritance and portion: Before marriage there be promises made of such an estate; but when the day is come, then they come to actual and full possession of it, and become equal possessors of the estate; so much in this life the Lord doth promise to possess his people of; there be promises of peace, redemption, victory, and triumph over all enemies, fellowship with God, and all the Saints and Angels together, an incorruptible inheritance, and now they shall enter into possession of all these; nay, all that Christ hath, signified by that word Kingdom, Matth. 25. Come and take the kingdom prepared for you; 1 Cor. 15. 54. Then shall be brough • to pass the saying written, O death where is thy sting, &c. Isa. 25. 7, 8. So that reckon what Christ hath, you shall have it then. Much mercy the Lord shows to his people now, but Psal. 31. 19. how great is that which is laid up! then it shall be brought forth; now you shall have an end of all your desires, prayers, faith to feel that which you have believed, &c. as it was with Joshua 23. ult. Not one thing whereof God hath failed. Here the poor hardly get bread; here many prayers get nothing, &c. but there, 2 Thess. 1. 9, 10. God doth then what he can for them and gives what he can give to them, then all treasures are broken open.

Fifthly, Then there shall ever be cohabitation and living with him, never to be anymore parted from him, or he from them; for while any is a Suitor to one in a far Country, he comes and goes away again; but when marriage comes, then he carries her to his own house, and now live they must together; so the Lord in this life is sometime with his people, sometime absent from his people, but then they must cohabite together, and shall; 1 Thess. 4. ult. And then we shall ever be with the Lord. If the Lord should do all the former, and not this, it would be a bitter cut: When the Disciples had Christ's presence for a time, it was sweet; but when parting came, that was bitter; but here is no more parting with the Lord; to be in a Kings dominon where peace rules, when other places are slaughter-houses, and Golgotha's, tis good; but to be with the King, and ever with him, and to follow him where ever he goes, and to be familiar with him, this is wonderful; Husbands depart either because not pleased at home, or because of business abroad; all such motion arguing imperfection; but now there shall be nothing in the Saints to displease; and Christ's business shall then be done, he shall have no more to do but only to give up the Kingdom to God the Father; that is the last work of Christ in this world: To see the Lord in his beauty of grace and love, will be wonderful; but for dust and worms to be with him forever; the poor things of the world to be with him, when thousands are cast by! we say that's the beauty of a thing which no picture can express; now to see that beauty in Christ is marvelous; but to be in the bosom of one so amiable, how great is this?

Sixthly, Then shall the Lord rejoice over his people, and they in him; Marriage day is the great day of joy, they long for it before; and when it comes, the longer it hath been deferred, the more feats of parting, the more are they affected with joy then; so here, the soul hath desired the Lord in grace first, and then in glory, Rev. 22. Christ hath been desiring after them in glory, John 17. 24. now their desires being fulfilled, all his scattered lost Elect gathered, now he rejoiceth with exceeding joy; and the longer lost, and meeting deferred, the greater joy now; hence Zeph. 3. 11. he shall rejoice over thee with joy, &c. Look as the Lord when they were but converted to him, poor, and miserable, and sinful, and some of them but very babes, Luk. 10. 21. yet he rejoiced in Spirit, and falls admi • ing of the Father; so here much more when they shall become glorious and perfect, and altogether at this day. If the Lord, Isa. 40. 1, 2. would have his Prophets speak to the heart of Jerusalem, when it had but Seventy years captivity, much more will the Lord himself then do it at that day; and look as it was with them, Rev. 19. 1. to 6. Alle • uja • for the destruction of Antichrist, and that Christ reigneth, Oh let us rejoice; so shall all Saints meet him with joy, being delivered out of the hands of all their enemies; they shall cry Allelujah with joy to see them destroyed, and the Lord reigning; and then shall they up to heaven in a shout of joy with Allelujah, &c.

SECT. II.

HEnce see how ill the sin of worldliness or any sinful l • st suits with a gracious godly man: Shall the Lord come as a Bridegroom to you, and will you run a whoring from him in this day? A man can bear it when others that he never set his heart upon, depart from him; but these to do it, it is a sin against his kindness, against his person most immediately, and against his name and honor. As a virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; so here. Covetousness is a vile sin in any, but especially in these; and hence Ier. 3. 4, 5. Wilt thou not from this time cry my Father. When Baruch sought great things, Wilt thou seek great things when God came to destroy all? so will you keep great things here when the Lord is destroying all • , when your Husband will be all in all? when a woman knows that a great Prince loves her, she scorns all other Suitors, &c. So should you be content, though poor, though sinful, &c. Col. 3. 4. 5. as long as Christ loves thee.

Hence see what a great sin it is not to receive evidence of mercy and comfort from any promise of Christ wherein he reveals his love to his Spouse; if Christ shall come as a Bridegroom to you, by what promise soever (therefore) he shall manifest his love to you, receive it; some would not have Christians to receive evidence of Christ's love by any conditional promise; but remember this, that if Christ doth not speak them, if they be not the Bridegrooms voice, or if not true, then do not receive them, or any evidence from them; nay if he doth not by his own Spirit clear them, and apply them; but if they be the voice of the Bridegroom, if you be friends, or show yourselves friends, rejoice at it, John. 3. 29. As for that immediate revelation of his love, expect it at his meeting when you shall see him face to face; in the mean while if he by his letter reveals his love, Oh make much of it because it is your Bridegrooms; if the day of Judgment be come, and Resurrection past, and Christ seen immediately, then look not for your evidence from such Scriptures; but if otherwise, then own his love here if he speaks. It is true, it would be a sweet thing if that day would come; yet as Christ said to Tho • as so say I to you, Blessed are they which have not seen and yet believed; and therefore when ever the Lord doth this, first or last; hear his voice, and believe his word. Do not say you see nothing in yourselves; suppose a woman should make a match by love and consent, though hardly; she did • ath him, but he was so mighty as to prevail for her goodwill, and now she is comforted; and another should come and say to her, How do you know this? Why thus he sought me, thus I concluded with him, and so fixed: 'It is no match; Why? You must see no consent, no love no embracings, &c. would not such a one be counted a deceiver? 2 Tim. 4. 8.

Of Terror; What will become of you that refuse the Lord's kindness now, that regard not the Bridegrooms voice, that refuse to bestow your hearts upon the Lord! he shall never be a Bridegroom to you at this day, when others meet him in the clouds, &c, Now you see Saints absent from the Lord, • oor and mean, and question the Lord's love to them; but then all shall be seen, and all this you shall lose, John. 3. 32. No man receiveth his testimony, &c. you that never mourned as widows without him, never felt need of his love, what will become of you at this day!

Of Consolation to all those that be espoused, and contracted to the Lord, who have chose him, who have given themselves to him, who look now no further but content themselves in him, or have a frame of heart so to do, though fears keep them from possession of him; Oh Christ shall come as thy Husband at that day. Many Christians fear this day, and hence do not sensibly love, nor long for this day, being under the whip continually of fears, and questioning their estate; but why do you fear, when the Lord shall come as a Brid • groom! Isa. 54. 4, 5. why dost fear, himself the Judge so holy, when he is thy Husband! thy chains and debts, and sins, when the Judge is thy Husband! thy accusers or enemies, when the Lord is thy Husband! You should rather long for this day, and rejoice in it, because now comes your full Redemption from all sins, all sorrows; the coming of a Husband is sweet.

First, Though the people of God have weaknesses and wants, the Lord hath none.

Secondly, Though they must part for a little while, the Lord is ever with thee.

Thirdly, Though they car not help out of all evil, yet the Lord Jesus will. Oh they should rejoice, that when he comes like a Judge, and all the wicked shall melt like wax before his presence, and burn up before him, Oh yet a Husband to thee!

SECT. III.

Object. IF I knew this!

Answ. Yes, you know it; but there be some things that are false Objections against it: as,

Object. 1. Because the Lord is such a stranger, and the Lord absents himself so much.

Answ. Is that a good Argument for a Woman? Isa. 54. 6, 7, 8. It is not the time of being ever with the Lord in his time of wooing; John 16. 20. I will depart, and you shall mourn, the world will not, and your heart shall rejoice.

Object. 2. Because my heart goes so soon, so oft a whoring from him.

Answ. It may be that you are sorely tempted, and thy heart may begin to be taken, &c. but yet if you cannot yield to lie in your falls, this is not an evidence of a breach of the match. Psal. 73. he was almost gone, yet the Lord recovers him, and saith he, the Lord is with me; therefore as it was with Christ, it was not possible that the bonds of death should hold him; so here shall it be with the poor doubting believer.

Object. 3. Because my heart cannot love him.

Answ. Why do you then sigh under captivity and bondage of your love? you cannot love him, other things do keep you under; oh but can she say she loves not her husband, that doth sigh in bondage to be with him • Consider how it is at Christ's absenting himself from thee (as thou thinkest) at any time; for then love is seen, especially at the time of parting.

Object. 4. Because he is so unkind to me, he hears not all my prayers.

Answ. This is a great Objection; if Christ would give them all their portion together which he promiseth them freely in his time, then they think he is kind, not else.

First, Though he doth not hear all prayers at once, yet he hath given thee that which is better than all prayers; ( viz. ) himself, and a pledge of all the rest, and this is better than ten sons.

Secondly, It would do you hurt; oh therefore rejoice in this day, whatever thy condition be now: Give some women their will, and you give them your lives, and loss of all; so here, and therefore saith Christ, I will be Lord in my house.

SECT. IV.

OF Exhortation: To those that are out of Christ, or do not know that they be in Christ, to labor to get your souls espoused, and matchit to the Lord Jesus; it is a laudable custom grounded on Scripture, that before marriage there is the time of espousals or contract; and such may know though there be absence for a time, yet that when he saith he will return to marriage, he will come as a husband, though others in the family cannot look for any such thing; so here the great work of the Ministry is to espouse people to Christ; now that they may be presented chaste Virgins unto the Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. 11. 2. you may look then that he shall come as a Bridegroom to comfort you; others cannot look for any such presence of Christ, to them that are not espoused to him now;—Now Christ is gone up to his Kingdom, but let base dust, and vile man hearken, the time is coming, that he shall come in glory to the amazement of the World; before whom all the wicked shall melt, but the Saints shall live in glory, caught up in the clouds of heaven; Christ infinitely rejoicing in them, and they in Christ. Would you have him come thus to you, or as a revenging Judge, and consuming fire for your contempt? • if so, then get your souls espoused to him now.

SECT. V.

Object. A las! What can I do? the Lord must do it.

Answ. True, but he doth it by means; the Ministry of the Gospel; else what need there be any Scripture writ, or Gospel preached? use you the means, and wait on the Lord thereby, for the effecting of this:

Quest. What should I do?

Answ. Look as it is in marriage here, or espousals here; there be but two things that make up the match.

1. Earnest suit on the one side.

And 2. Consent on the other; and therefore if anything hinder, it ever lies either on the one side, the man is unwilling, he desires it not; or on the other side, if he be desirous, she is unwilling; but both these finish the business; if therefore you would be ever espoused to the Lord Jesus, look to these two things.

First, See evidently that earnest suit the Lord makes unto thee for thy consent, for thy good will; and this will appear by his own speeches, and this is a sufficient testimony; by what speeches? by his voice in these Scriptures; for is this the Bridegrooms voice or no? if not, away with it; if it be, and that they do breath the Holy Ghost, then know it, it is as if he spake from heaven to thee now.

Object. But he doth not speak to me there by name particularly; he speaks to others, not to me.

Answ. 1. The Lord when he calls any to himself, he doth not in his ordinary Call speak to them by name, and yet they have so received the Lord in the Word, as if he had called them by name; for look, as when the Law saith All that sin shall die, the Lord speaks to all by name; and if conscience be awake, it will apply it, This sentence is against me; so when the Lord saith, All that will receive the Lord, shall live before the Lord; and therefore receive him; if conscience be awake, it will apply: As in the three thousand that were converted, What shall we do? they were not called by name; but when they heard that they that repented should live, because the promise was to all, they gladly received the Word; so here it should be so; and therefore we see when the Spirit makes particular application to a man, he so sets on a truth, as if the Lord spake to the soul particularly; and therefore if you do not, it is because you are left of the Spirit of God, and the power of the Word; for it is your duty so to do.

2. Though your names are not set down in the words of the promise, yet your names are wrapped up in the meaning and sense of the promise; and this is as good as that; for though the Lord doth not desire every man to keep the Sabbath by name, yet he means every man, and there your names are; so when the Lord Jesus makes suit to a wretched heart to receive him, he meaneth every man, as if he had named them; that which is set down in Scripture, and written to others, God means not them alone, but all others in like case;—as I • r. 3. 12. What the Lord spake to Israel to return, he meant especially Judah; so Isaiah 2. ver. 1. to 5. There is a Prophesy of the Gentiles to flow to the Mount of the Lord; what means the Lord by that? the Lord meant hereby to stir up the Jews, and therefore he saith, Oh come house of Israe • , &c. And hence Rom. 15. 4. What is written, it is for our learning, that we might have hope; i. e. God meaneth us therein also, so that when you see the Lord calling the wretched Jews in his Word, the Lord calls thee; and when the Lord in his Ministry comes to them, he comes to you; and to have thy name in the sense of the Scripture, is most for the glory of the Spirit, and s • iting best with the work of faith, and most sure, and most sweet to you; but especially I say, when the Messengers of God come to you, they make things particularly clear, which were but generally set down: O consider therefore the Lord is earnest in his suit to have thee receive him.

SECT. VI.

1. IT breaks the heart of the Lord Jesus to see thee depart away, and go a whoring from him; when a man is so set in his desires that when he is crossed of his hopes in marriage, it makes him sick and pine away with grief, because he is very earnest for the match; so it is here, Ezek. 6. 9. And therefore we shall see Mark 8, 12. the Pharisees who had seen all his works, yet an adulterous generation sought after a sign, it is said Christ sighed deeply in sp • rit for this; nothing grieves the Lord so much as this; to despise any part of his will, or poorest member of his, grieves him; but to despise himself, this much more; as we shall not find any joy in Scripture • ike this, when the Lord hath overcome the unkind heart of a rebellious sinner; and hence heaven and earth and deserts are commanded to rejoice at this: devise to grieve him, and you cannot do it so much as by refusing him.

2. The Lord is so desirous of it, that he will pass by all thy former lewdness, if now thou wilt receive him, Ier. 3. 1. with 4. men will not do so, yet the Lord will; what, when so many vanities are loved more than the Lord, can the jealous • e of Christ receive me? Yes that he can.

3. When the Lord hath cast off a poor creature for refusing him, yet then his heart yearns and his soul longs for it (many times) again, I a. 54. 5, 6. the Lord hath called thee as a wife of youth when refused; i. • . when God did appear to them, to refuse them; Oh wonderful! that when the soul hath refused the Lord, and the Lord it, and all creatures refuse to love it, yet these the Lord calls agan; and hence the Lord comes upon his people Isa. 50. that complained, God had utterly re ected them, and all the fault is • n him: no their sins had done it; but then he blames them that when he came, no man answered, &c.

4. All the anger of Christ, especially his greatest anger is expressed against a soul for want of this being willing to receive him; when you say How doth the Lord regard or desire me, when he fights against me?

First, Is there an evil not inflicted, but devised against thee? (as many a one fears what is not yet made known) this is to make you r • turn, Jer. 18. 11.

Secondly, Are there any sorrows upon thy conscience, upon thy outward man, that God takes all comfort from thee? Hos. 2. 9. 14. 16.

Thirdly, Are there any evils inflicted upon others in this life, especially whole Churches, their Ordinances broken, Temples consumed, and laid into dung-heaps? it is to get thy good will, Jer. 3. 8.

Fourthly, Are there any gone down to Hell, who did once flourish here, that you have even seen the flames and tears before you of crying Ghosts; if so, then know it, it is that thou mightest draw near the Lord, Psalm 73. 26, 27.

5. The Lord professeth that he will give the choicest of all blessings to them that receive him; and this argues strong desire, Psal. • 1. 11, 12, 13. Honey out of the rock.

1. Thou shalt have himself taking infinite delight in thee, because he will make thee beautiful with his own beauty, and clothe thee with it, Psa. 45. 12.

2. All creatures shall be servants to thee throughout the world, Hos. •• lt. As when one is married, all the servants in the Family are to serve her or him, so here it is in regard of the faithful: Oh that you could hear the voice of the Lord Jesus, and his earnest suir to you herein. This you see is clear.

There now wants nothing but for you to give your consent unto him, and therefore this is that which the Lord lays to the charge of men, viz. • heir breaking off the match; and so Rev. 2 • . 17. Whoever will, let him come and take; Prov. 1. 29, 30. they did not choose the Lord, nor would none of the Lord's counsel; and this made the Lord cast them off; so that now there is nothing but thy wll: Shall the Lord desire it, and wilt not •• ou be glad of it? there is no beauty in thee, why he should do this to thee: there is in him beauty and excellency; Oh shall not this love win thee? Shall it be said another day, Wherefore is all this evil come upon such a one? had he not means? had he not offers? But this shall come against thee, You would not, Oh you would not.

SECT. IV.

ONly take these four Cautions concerning your consent.

Take heed that your consent arise not only from fear of misery, for this is a forced consent, and is ever naught, and it appears so when the misery is past; many do thus in fears of death, or times of calamity; Oh then the Lord, Hos. 8. 1, 2, 3. Psal. 78. 34, 35.

Secondly, Take heed it be not a conceit of your own making in days of peace; for that which you make from yourselves, you will break also; but that it arise from the sense of thine own insufficiency to give consent, and the Lord's Almighty power and infinite grace to work it, and then no powers of any creature can untie that knot.

Many hearing of this, Will you have Christ? Oh yes, withal my heart, and force a consent by their own labor; this is naught; and hence Ezek. 16. 60, 61. The Lord will receive that harlot but not by he • covenant, i. e. which she undertook in her own name; no, the Lord must work it, Ier. 3. 19. How shall I do this for thee, &c. Hos. 2. 19. I will • etroth her: For no creature can incline the heart to another but the Lord; there is a natural antipathy between Christ and the Soul; and hence we see it in many a Christian, ask him, Why cannot you love the Lord, nor cleave to him? Oh because I know not why; I cannot, I have no heart; the truth is, you have hearts that do loath him; unless the Lord overcome you, you can never submit indeed unto the Lord.

Thirdly, Look that your consent be not made according to your own terms and conditions; for look as it is with a woman, if she shall say she is content to love such a man; but if she keeps an open Inn to entertain all strangers, and love all comers, or if there is one she is in league with; there can be no marriage; so therefore the conditions are so, Receive the Lord, and give your consent to love him only, Prov. 8. 17. I love them that love me, otherwise the match will never be made, Isa. 50. 1. if you keep your wretched, unruly, stu • bo • w • lls st • ll, never hadst thou, or shalt thou have the Lord; Let thy sin be never so little, so close, as (it may be) sloth, it is death to pray; it may be 'tis pride; or whatever else it be, you must have your hearts first divorced from them, or thou canst not have Christ.

Fourthly, Take heed then that sense of want of dowry, beauty, portion in or from yourselves, doth not hinder you from consent; for the Lord requires no such thing of you; hence M • tth. 22. 4. All things are ready in Christ to receive from him, Ephes. 5. 25. 'It is not for you to make ready to bring to him; only come; and the Lord doth bring his people to sense of vileness, that they may do thus, know that it is his Grace that makes the Lord close there.

SECT. VIII.

NOW will you refuse, and not let the Lord have your hearts this day?

First, is there anything in the Lord that should keep thee from consenting? what good is there else but in him? what want of perfection there? his love is better than life; if there be anything in the world that can be better to thee, or do greater things for thee, make thy match; but who can pay thy debts? who can fetch thee out of prison? who can put beauty on thee? whoever did thee good but the Lord? therefore there is none like him; he will cloth thee, possess thee, &c.

Secondly, is there anything in thyself that keeps thee from consenting; hast thou no need of him, or consenting to him? you may, it is true, have other creatures to adorn you; as they Ezek. 16. 37, 38. But the Lord will gather your lovers together, and give you blood and fury in his jealousy: I mean, when the Lord shall come at this day, to embrace, comfort, glorify others; thou shalt not have a smile from him; Oh men now despise the Lord, and his Grace and Patience; tell them of a match with the Son of God, they regard it not, no more than a tale that is told; well, the Lord will bring you into horrors, wherein you shall prize and be glad of this, before you die, even one glimpse of his love.

SECT. I.

T He coming of Christ, we have heard is set forth first from the time of it, viz. just then when the foolish went to buy: Could not the Lord so patient and long suffering, tarry a little while longer for them? especially seeing they went not about any sinful work, but were using the means to get that grace now which their vessels were empty of before? No, but the Lord deals with all men, especially that live under the means; as he did with these foolish Virgins.

That as God is longsuffering towards men, whiles through ignorance of their spiritual wants and security of heart they have no hearts to use the means for supply. So if once his time of forbearance be slept out, he will not tarry one moment longer; even when men are most diligent in the use of means for spiritual supplies; when Christ hath a heart to help, many people have none either to see their wants, or seek for help; when men have hearts thus to do, then Christ hath none, because his time of tarrying is out; when men are worst and most secure, Christ's door is open to them many times; when men are best and indeed awakened, Christ's heart and door is shut against them, as it was here; for what are the best endeavors of foolish Virgins? what excellency is there in them, that the Lord of glory should stay their leisure, after long neglect of himself, and loss of precious time?

SECT. II.

BE sure you sleep not out the day time of Grace; especially you.

1. That know you want oil in your vessels, and Grace in your hearts, and mercy to your souls, and think I would not die yet for a world.

2. You that being asleep with these foolish Virgins, dream you are rich, and want nothing, and would be half offended with them that should tell you to your face, or bat think in their hearts that you have no grace, when indeed you are poor and empty, and naked;—Take heed you give not that answer to time that tarries for you, and unto Christ that waits upon you, as Felix to Paul, when his heart trembled to hear of judgment to come; I will speak with you at a more conv ••• ent season; The Lord hath not left Churches without examples of the terror of Christ's patience in this kind, who upon their beds of distress have lamented before men; Oh my time is out, Call time again, call tim • again; and who have besought it of God with tears, as he did the blessing, and cried out, What Lord, wilt not give me one hour, one day more! and so like men sinking have ca • ch'd hold on anything to save them, whiles others have stood upon the shore lamenting of them, the Lord be merciful to them; this may be your case, that neither your tears nor blood can purchase a moments time.

Look to it that your vessel be not found empty at the coming of the Lord; it is a dying time in this Country, and the Lord hath taken away some, and those that were ready are gone into the Marriage. Consider of it that faith, that grace which you think you have now, may prove but chaff and stubble when it comes to be tried in the fire of the Lord's coming; the best man will fi • de all l • ttle enough; then be sure you miss not of it now: Do not think I will pray, and seek then, and I hope to find, though thou art secure now; think of this point, When did Christ come and shut the door, but when the Virgins went out to buy? but woe, woe to thy dead heart; some here present shall seek Christ, and not find him, but shall die in their sins; till arrows are in your hearts, you will not cry.

SECT. III.

THat after long profession of godliness, it is a piece of foolishness to have any thing then to do but to die, and so to give welcome to the Lord Jesus: These Virgins when they were to die, were then to buy; when they were to receive Christ, were then to seek for oil in their Vessels, that so they might be ready to receive Christ; but of this hereafter.

Oh their sad condition that have all to seek yet!

Be not ever seeking, never find • ng; but so seeking, as that when you die, you may say, Com • Lord, I am ready!

SECT. IV.

lie. THis Coming of Christ is set fo • th from the different entertainment of the Virgins, and Christ's different carriage toward them.

1. For his entertainment to the wise Virgins; that is set down to be an entering or admittance into marriage, fellowship, communion and joy with the Lord Jesus; which • s amplified

First, From the Antecedent (not cause) of it, and that is their readiness.

Secondly, The Consequent of this their Communion, the Doo • was shut.

That the last end, and full blessedness of all the Elect espoused here to Christ, it consists in immediate communion with Jesus Christ alone.

What becomes of these Wise Virgins? they enter into near comm ••• ion and fellowship with the Bridegroom Jesus Christ. What becomes of the souls of all the Elect when they are separated from the body, and from this World? the spirit returns to God that gave it; so the soul returns to Chris • that bought it. When this World shall be burnt up, what will become of the souls and bodies of the Elect, when there shall be no more Sun to shine, nor Kingdom to rule, nor Creatures to comfort? they shall ascend from the clouds up into the marriage-chamber of the Son of God, and be forever with the Lord, and the Lord alone; and this is their blessedness, &c. Blessedness, yea, the last and only blessedness, even of heaven itself.

John 17. 23. There are variety of creatures here, and in everyone there is dropped some sweet; but the Lord's end is to make his people perfect in one; how is that? God in Christ communicating all his goodness to his Son, and so living in him, then Christ communicates all his own and Fathers love and goodness unto them, and so lives in them, and now they are in him, and so made perfect in one; as those that are thirsty for a time, are refreshed with some drops, or waters running in their Channels, at last they come to the wellhead, where they partake of all together.

1 Thes. 5. 10. This is the end of Christ's death, that we might live together with him; not live only from him, but live with him, and together with him; in beginnings here, hereafter fully.

SECT. V.

BEcause God the Father hath laid up all his glory most abundantly in Christ. Col. 2. 3. Treasures of wisdom; it shines in the face of Christ. 2 Cor. 4. 5, 6. and all our glory also. Luk. 2. 32. Glory of his people Israel. Psal. 29. 19. In his Temple he uttereth all his glory; in the world, there it sparkles in every creature, and the heavens declare it; but there is but some, and that common to all tongues and languages; but in this Temple, the Lord Jesus especially, there all the Fathers glory is uttered, and himself doth utter it. Treasures are such things where there are

1. Precious things.

2. Abundance of them.

3. Hidden, not open to all.

4. They are sure and safe there, for their owners to take and enrich themselves withal; so it is in Christ, there is first, precious things; all God's preciousness, and all our precious things; our life, our peace, our joy, our strength, &c. and secondly, abundance of them; thirdly, hid from the world, and unknown in part to the Saints; fourthly, but sure there for their owners, and Christ is the treasure of all these treasures, which are infinite as God himself is; now if all our glory, and the glory of God be in Christ; then as privation of, and separation from this glory is the last and only misery; so conjunction to, and communion with, and fruition of this glory, must be the last and great happiness of the Elect. I would convince any carnal heart by this Argument; Didst ever find any comfort from any creature? that comfort is not from it, but from the Lord by it; for creatures are but as cold water, all their warmth is from the fire; now there is but a little of the sweetness of God, because creatures can hold but little, it is so narrow a vessel; but in the Lord Jesus all the goodness of God is gathered together there, which is scattered in several creatures here; nay, not fin • te, but infinite goodness and glory; therefore this is our blessedness.

In regard of God the Fathers exce • ding great love, and the purpose of God to manifest it to the sons of men; this is the nature of love, when one is in a blessed condition himself, he will labor to bring those it loves to that condition; now the blessedness of God lies in fellowship with his son, Prov. 8. 30. Now God the Father loves them dearly, and would have all the world to know that he doth so, and hence brings them at last into the same fellowship with himself in his son; John 17. 23. That the world may know thou hast loved me; the Father out of his infinite love commu • icates himself to Christ, and his fellowship is with the Father; all know this is a dear love; in mean while love to his Saints is unknown; they and the wicked share all alike; and the Saints have the least portion and worst part many times; so that men cannot see by any outward thing anymore love to them, than unto others; the time will come that they shall be made perfect in one, as near the Lord as can be, that the world may know this love, &c.

When Abso • om had slain his brother, and fled from his father, it is said, 2 Sam. 13. 39. that the s • ul of David longed, or was consumed to go forth to him; David might have said, I will never look after him more; so might the Lord have said to us; or if he l • ved, he might never have manifested it (as David ) but the Lord must show his love, &c.

Because this is the end of all the prayers and endeavors, and all the workings of the Saints in this World: Suppose all glory be in Christ; let a thing be never so good, but if a man hath no desires after it, hath no mind to it, it would not be blessedness to him; but this is the end of all the prayers, duties of the Saints, if at last they may be with the Lord, Phil. 3. 8, 9. Joh. 4. 14. He shall never thirst, their desires are taken off from other things, • ut only their hearts are to this. If there be any pillow the Lord lets them sleep upon in this world, they shall find it hard at last, and arise with a Kings head and heart, and say, Oh here is not my rest; the best entertainment this world can give, hath ever somewhat mixed with it, that makes the people of God say, Oh that I might be with the Lord!

SECT. VI.

Quest. SH • ll not the happiness of the Saints partly lie in fellowship with • he Sai • s?

Answ. 1. True, but this is but a consequent to the former; as separ • tion from God is • he substance of misery in hell, but other things follow upon it; viz. communion with Reprobates and Devils; so here we have first communio • with Christ, here is the substance of our blessedness; then this is acciden • all • and follows upon that; viz. the communion with the Saints, which is exceeding sweet.

2. That good we shall have in communion with Saints, is not from themselves, but Christ in them; as 2 Thess. 1. 10. Christ shalls be admired in all his Saints; so Christ shall • hen in his Saints and Angels; it is the light of the Sun that shines in the Stars, and they shall do nothing but set out the praises of Christ.

Quest. But what blessedness is there in this, seeing it is in one thing only? when a man is s •• k or poor, can grace refresh him, can he live by that? (thus many carnal hearts think.)

Answ. 1. The Lord shall then take away all fleshly appetites or desires; for then our bodies shall be spiritual bodies; in this life sometimes God takes away the stomach, when he takes away food. Christ forgot his weariness, because he had other bread to eat.

2. It is therefore blessedness, because it is in one; there is

First, Trouble in seeking and fetching our comfort out of many things.

2. Unsatisfiednesse, because one thing can give no more than it hath; now all things in this one thing are there together; the sweet of all creatures, all Ordinances, nay, variety of unknown mercies, (Prov. 8. 21.) shall center here in Christ Jesus.

SECT. VII.

OF marvelous Consolation to the Saints of God: Now you have many wants, many sorrows, many temptations, many sins, many cares and fears of livelihood; but the time will shortly come when you shall be with the Lord alone in communion with him, and so out of the crowd and press of troubles, and temptations, and sins, and evils in this world; that as he himself is above all these, so shall you. John 14. 1, 2, 3. Their hearts were grieved for the loss of Christ; I will come to you, and take you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also; sometimes outward losses and fears trouble thee; sometimes absence of Christ from thee troubles thee; hear what the Lord saith, L • t not your hearts be troubled; for the Lord will take you to himself again, John 16. 22. Christ tells them, I will see you again, and your hearts shall rejoice; what if he had said, I will come down from heaven to you again? I tell you the Lord will do so to you, but that he is in a better place preparing i • for you, and doing better things for you; but he sees you for the present, and you shall be with him at last.

The Apostle prays that they might know what is the inheritance of the Saints; so I desire of the Lord for you, that you may know what it is to have communion with Christ alone; oh see your blessedness, &c.

SECT. VIII.

1. This Communion it shall be by sight, not chiefly by faith, as it is in this world: Many go many Miles to the supposed Sepulcher of Christ, and account their time, though superstitiously, yet happily spent; oh but what will it be to see the Lord himself, not as he was here in his abasement, but in all his glory, brighter than ten thousand Suns! now we see, 1 Cor. 13. as in a glass where we see the glory of God in the face of Christ; but then we shall know as we are known; as a child knows not the father, but at ripe years it doth; but as Philip said to Nathanael, who said, Can any good come out of Nazareth? so can any such mercy come from heaven? come and see him of whom all the Prophets have spoken of; so then the Father and Spirit, and Saints and Angels will say, oh come in and see him of whom all the Prophets have written; come and behold him that hath shed his dearest blood for thee, that hath taken thought and care for thee night and day; that hath been all thy life in • erceding for thee; Revel. 22. 4. There you shall see his face.

2. This come • union it shall be spiritual and inward wi • h t • e soul and conscience; suppose the soul should be with Christ, and not have spiritual communion with him, what were it the better! as many • ad when Christ was here in this world, that eat and drank in his presence, and yet are now shut out: Oh no! the glory, beauty, goodness of Christ is not to be seen with bodily eyes, nor tasted, nor handled with ou • carcasses; and hence Angels though in heaven with Christ's person, yet look to the Gospel, to hear, see, and enjoy the spiritual excellencies of the Lord; hence Simeon when he had Christ in his arms, yet now desires to depart, because he should then come near him into his spiritual commun • on; Oh this the soul shall have, inward light, love, peace, &c. it is Christ's great love to live with the soul; but so to live with them that are his own, as to live in them; Oh this is exceeding love, for Christ to live in one that was a dunghill: It comforted the Disciples when he went away, I will end you the comforter; Oh but what a blessedness wi •• this be, to be with him, and the comforter in us also?

3. It shall be a f • ll and perfect communion, communicating himself out to the utmost ext • nt of the capacities of his people; for here we have spiritual communion, but we see but little and know little, and receive but little, the first fruits and tastes of what we shall drink; but there fully. 2 Thess. 1. 9. They shall be separa • e from the Lord and glory of his p • we • , i. e. as much as ever the Lord is able to fill or load the soul withal, a crown of glory as weighty as ever it can bear, it wraps up the heart sometimes; the soul lies down confounded before the Lord; Oh that ever the Lord should here look upon such a one so vile! much more then shall there be wonderment; he will set open all his treasury; Oh come take thy fill of love! there he shall pour out all his heart, &c.

4. It shall be an exceeding familiar communion: When Christ was here on the earth, we know how familiar he was with his poor Disciples; how one leaned on his bre •• , could come to him, speak to him, &c. (Oh brethren) much more shall it be then, John. 21. 17. • ouch me not, I am not asc • nded • as if he should say, Oh then there shall be sweet embracing, as Joseph that 〈◊〉 • ver the neck of Benjamin; Oh the spiritual embracings there! the Lord and Christ will say, I love thee dearly.

5. It shall be an everlasting uninterrupted communion; We have here communion with other creatures, but they as passengers will leave us; we have also communion with Christ, but it is interrupted; many clouds come between us and him; but then it sha • l be everlasting without any interruption. • • hess. 4. ul • . We shall e • er be wi • h the Lord; hence comes comfort; infinite is the glory of the Lord, we cannot see it nor enjoy it in a short time, we have no leisure here, no • time enough to see it; hence we shall be to ••• eternity behold •• g and enjoying of it.

6. A 〈◊〉 most sweet 〈◊〉 , Psa. 16. ult. filling the h • art with 〈…〉 of glory ▪ much more than feeling. And Three things make it so.

SECT. IX.

First, IT will be after many troubles, labors, and conflicts here in this world; there's not a godly he • rt but hath his burden, if not of misery, yet of sin; if not from flesh and blood, yet from • ell; and he fears also (it may be) that he shall never come to heaven; now hence this communion must be the more joyful, as Jacob that thought he should never see Joseph; and as Isa. 9. 2, 3. those that divide the spoils, and reap the harvest; then there shall be an answer to all thy • doubts, &c.

Secondly, It will be thus because this communion shall be chiefly in sucking ou • the sweet of all God's love, past, present, and to come, Ephes. 4. 9. Psal. 24. 6. Love from a friend is sweet, but from a God sweeter; it doth us good to think of their love, their honor and respect to us, much more the Lord's; Oh this will like wine, cheer the heart, that as the damned shall suck the fierce wrath of God, Oh it shall sting them; so this e contra, we shall see all his bowels open.

Thirdly, The Lord Christ himself shall rejoice over the soul, and so all Saints with him, Luk. 10. 21. And the soul shall see this, and all Saints rejoice in its communion. Oh consider this and comfort your hearts with this all ye people of the Lord! I only say as Joseph dying, God will surely visit you when I am dead, Gen. ult. 24. So when thou art dying the Lord will surely visit thee with his presence, and you shall surely be with him. You have been praying for this, and hearing, and now and then you taste a little, but think it is too good to be true; yet if Christ be blessed, thou shalt at last, thou shalt not miss (though thou find but little of him here, and walk in the dark) of being with him forever; God hides his face from some of you, and you mourn, though the world rejoiceth; but happy art thou, for thy mourning shall be turned into joy.

SECT. X.

TO mourn for our strangeness now to Jesus Christ, and our distances from the Lord Jesus, may not the Lord take up that speech as to Philip, Have I been so long with thee, and hast thou not known me? So hath Christ been so long with thee, and shalt thou be forever with him, and yet dost not know him?

There are five things that are ever conjoined with a near communion with Christ.

First, Knowledge of him; Alas, how little do we conceive of the Lord?

Secondly, Perswasion of his love and faithfulness; Alas, we have little assurance of him, Psal. 9.

Thirdly, Love to his fellowship; and the more in it the soul is, the more desirous it is of it: Oh but the weariness of being with him that we ha • e! no o •• ner are we with him now than needs must; but hereafter it shall be otherwise.

Fourthly, Likeness to him in his virtues, as Moses comes shining down; a man imitates them whose fellowship he loves in all their imitable excellencies. Alas, how unlike to him now are we, to what shall be?

Fifthly, A daily opening of, and bemoaning daily evils to him; Oh it easeth the heart; if a man is gone from his friend, yet troubles will fetch him in again; but we pour not out our souls thus to him; hence he pours not out his blood into our souls to heal us; Oh may not we take up that complaint of Agur, Prov. 30. that we are more foolish than any man! speaking of Christ; Oh therefore mourn for it; David, when God hid his face for a little time, was troubled.

It was the complaint of the Prophet of evil men, That in their eyes, he was rej • cted and despised, and we hid our faces from him. Let the world do so, will you do so also? it should not trouble so much that he hides his face from you, as that you have from him.

When David turned aside to Bathsh • ba, the Prophet comes and tells him, I ano • nted thee King, and d • l • vered thee out of the hands of Saul, and gave the • thy Masters Wives, and more also; now wherefore hast thou despised the Lord? the sword shall not depart; Oh (saith he) I have sinned against the Lord; so say I to you: if the Lord had never made known himself to thee, it had been another matter; but the Lord hath delivered thy soul from hell, thy eyes from tears; the Lord hath anointed thee to partake of the glory of Christ, the Lord hath given himself to thee, and saith Suck my blood, take my life, and more I would have given; and hast thou looked after Baths • eba, other l • verse, and despise the Lord? Oh say I have sin • d, and mourn for it, 2 Sam. 12. 9.

There are two evils in this. 1. Forsaking thy own good, nay blessedn • ss, Jonah 2. 8. own mercies.

2. It is despising the Lord and his f • llowsh • p for other things, base things; that whereas you shall be forever beholding of him hereafter, yet you should proclaim him not to be worth looking on now.

Object. But I would have fellowship with the Lord, and he will not.

Answ. First, Never did any desire thy fellowship so much as the Lord when he wants it.

Secondly, Nor love it, and glad of it when he had it.

Thirdly, Nor mourn and lament more when he wants it, as Ier. 2. 2, 5. God pleads for it.

Fourthly, he calls to the heavens, 2 Ier. 10, 11. Did ever nation deal thus with Idols! If this will not break thine heart for strangeness, I know not what will do it: It is your sin that breaks off communion, not the Lord's unwillingness.

SECT. XI.

HEnce see the exceeding great worth and excellency of Jesus Christ; and learn hence to esteem a right of him; there is no blessedness in the fruition of all the creatures together; good there is, but no • blessedness; or if there were, yet it lies in many things; no one • hing, no • twenty blessings can make blessed; and it is but a broken blessedness in divers pieces; or if there were a kind of blessedness to be found in one, yet it is not a lasting blessedness, it is so but for a time, and so the loss of it at last will trouble us more than the having of it for a time.

But as he saith, I • him is light and no darkness; blessedness, and no misery; peace, and no trouble; fullness and no want; beauty, glory, and no blemish; life, and no death; pure, dear, infinite love, and no anger; and it is in him alone, Psal. 148. 13. His name alone is excellent; all our glory and the glory of God also is met together in him, all things i • one thing; whatever good there is in other things, it is borrowed from him; base, begga • lie things; but the fullness and plenty of all is in the Lord, so that we shall not need to cumber our selves about unnecessary things; we need not a candle when the sun shines: and our last blessedness is here; when everything else will make them wings to hasten from us, this will continue and last; when all our vessels we are tossed in here are sunk, and where our entertainment hath been very good, yet the shore sinks not, it is above over-whelmings; here alone we are fast.

However the world sees not this, because their blessedness lies in preserving themselves by creatures, from feeling that misery which lies upon them now, as also because they shall never share in it; yet the Saints have been exceedingly taken with this that David accounted them blessed that might dwell in his Courts in this world; Solomon was blessed that might but wait at wisdoms gates, and so be ready to be received when they be opened; Abraham rejoiced to see Christ's day afar off; Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ great riches; what did he then esteem of the presence of Christ here! but what i • glory ••

Think of this, you that say you cannot find in your hearts to esteem of the Lord Jesus; especially let him be precious to you, you espoused of the Lord; for others may say he is precious, but I shall never enter into this fellowship: No, no, but you shall, but he will take you to fellowship with himself: It was a great favor to Moses, Exod. 24. 1, 2. when others might come towards the Lord, yet Moses alone might only come near; and he was in the Mount alone with God; so that the Lord should let others come towards him; but that you alone above many thousands in the world may be suffered to draw near to him, this should make the Lord precious to you at least. Lev. 13. 46. The Leper was to dwell alone without; the Lord might have dealt so with thee; but when thou wert vile indeed, and most vile, nay when thou didst separate thyself from thy self, then for the Lord to come near thee, and (as if thou couldst never be near enough) to manifest himself to thee forever in glory! When David found out Me • hibosheth (saith he) What am I • dead dog that I should sit at the Kings table! 2 Sam. 9. 7, 8. It was a great favor to Christ himself, that when rejected of men, yet that he was chosen of God and precious, and taken up to him; it may be thou thinkest thyself unworthy of fellowship of any man, and men do, or men man reject thee; yet for the Lord now to receive thee, it is much; but whereas thou wert not only rejected of men, but of God also, Isa. 54. 6. now for Christ to take thee to him; that as he lies in the Fathers bosom, because thou couldst not for sin immediately lie there, he should lay thee in his bosom, and say, Father love this soul as thou hast loved me: Besides, the Father took Christ because he had worth; but for Christ to take thee when thou hadst no worthiness! for one to take dross and prize it when others cast it away, it is much; it is no wonder if pearls be so esteemed of, but for dirt to be prized! Oh therefore let the Lord be precious, and his fellowship precious to thee, seeing thou and thy fellowship is so to him.

Object. But I cannot believe it, why should the Lord do so?

Answ. It is hard to believe it when we look upon our own vileness; but consider the reason why the Lord doth this; it is not because he loves any for fleshly respects as we do; but

First, Because of his own grace and glory; the Believer is infinitely beloved of him, without moving him thereunto; and hence if his grace be exceeding dear, and his glory dear to him, thou art so to him.

Secondly, Christ loves not first because men are holy, but that he may make them so.

Thirdly, He loves because the father loves them.

SECT. XII.

HEnce learn to be content with the Lord alone, Heb. 4. 9. there is a rest; hence labor to enter into it; so if he will have rest and blessedness hereafter, that you shall be content and forever glad in him and with him alone; Oh labor to possess this blessedness now: You are in your worst condition now, your best is behind; shall the blessedness of thy best condition, not be blessedness in thy worst cond • tion unto thee? shall that which satisfies thy soul in heaven, not satisfy thy soul here. Mos • s, Deut. 32. 10. reckons this as the happiness of Israel, (viz.) That God alone did lead them when they were in a wilderness, a land of drought, and pits, and wants, and the shadow of death; so Christ now.

Solomon reckons it as one part of his folly, madness and vanity, when he forsook the Lord in his degenerate condition, Ec • les. 2. 3. that he gave up his heart to vanit • y, and to wisdom also; as if that was not sufficient alone.

Men are not contented with the Lord alone; Solomon as you heard, was gone, whom God appeared twice unto; David's heart was sorely assaulted, P • all. 73. until he wen • into the sanctuary of God, and then, saith he, whom have I in earth but thee? but as for others they are far from this; and hence come the many murmurings and sinkings of heart; why do not men sink and drown? because they are not in the ark or ship, and stay there alone; so it is here, Psal. 16. 4. their sorrows 〈◊〉 multiplied, &c.

SECT. XIII.

LAbor for this contentedness in spirit, in four cases especially, wherein the heart is apt to withdraw from the Lord;

First, In case the Lord takes away the dearest, nay, all outward blessings from us; men can • ub it out with quietness of spirit, when some of their money loose in their pockets is lost; but when their jewels are lost, their dearest blessings singled out, Wife, Husband, Children, then as Jonah, the soul is almost angry with God, when his gourd is smitten: 1 Thess. 4. 13. without hopes; again some can rub this out till they come to part with all; when some of our boughs are cut and branches lopped, we can be content; but to have ou • top boughs cut off, and to strike at the root too, that we should remain as w • thered • ry trees, this can hardly be born: Men can be content to follow Christ, if they may carry something on their backs beside the cross; some can endure • ny thing but poverty, because covetous; others anything but disgrace, beca •• e proud; if something or many things be cast over-board in a storm, men can be sometimes contented therewith, if something escapes; but when there is a w • a • k of all, now to be content is as hard as to walk upon the waters; Israel when they be fed and led by God, all was still; but when they want bread and water, then they murmur, and also ques • ion, Exod. 17. 7. Is God among us now? And truly it would break ones heart to see what sinkings of heart there be among us (the fruits of ex • ream pride and Christlesness) and what vexations men are to themselves, that men are become devils to themselves, their own torme • tors; what cares, fears, griefs, losses, decays, that their heads are dawled, and their memories lost, and their hearts sunk, and their count • na • ces all • ered, and the Ordinances comfortless, and themselves heartless, and pining away in their iniqui •• es, because of outward sorrows: Oh consider, either thou shalt shortly be with the Lord, or not; if not, there is cause of • ourning: Oh to go home and see Abraham, Isaac, and Iac • b in God's Kingdom, and thyself shot out, it were a lamentable thing indeed; but if it be otherwise with thee, Oh consider thou shalt be happy enough without these things in heaven; and therefore though these things be lost, thou shalt not lose one jot of thy happiness: A man that is blessed with • lessedness it self, and yet sunk, either should say Christ is not blessedness, or else recover.

Object. Oh but though I have lost my estate, yet that doth not so much trouble me, as to have lost friends and their love!

An • w. And what if thou hadst lost thy life, and thy body were rent from thy soul, if that goes to the Lord! Heb. 11. They were • awn asunder. It may be thy heart hath gone from Christ; Oh therefore re •••• ! for it may be this is God's end; and methinks this should make you content with any cross, thou art not near enough to the Lord; Oh therefore you poor Saints, be not in heaviness by many temptations; the Lord doth it to try your fai • h; can you be content with him alone? It was Justin Martyrs speech, Nothing else to care for.

Secondly, In case the Lord makes outward peace and blessings to abound upon you, set not now your hearts upon these things; sometimes when miseries abound, and there is wracks of all, now the soul is glad to stand upon the rock to save its life, Psal. 78. 35. When he smote them, they then remember • God was their rock; but when the Lord begins to fill the soul with outward blessings, it is then exceeding hard not to lodge them in the Lord's own room and habitation for himself, and the Lord is forgotten and fo • saken also, Jet. 2. 1, 2, 4, 5.

But when these things are removed, or with you continued, yet let your hearts still be kept for the Lord; for if these things were necessary, you should have them in heaven; but there is no need of them there, but only of the Lord. Psal. 17. ult. It was David's prayer that he might be delivered from the men who had their portion in this world; but I shall behold thy face, and therewith be satisfied when I awake; i. e. Some outward troubles now made him heavy, that he slept the sleep of death, saith Calvin, but then he should be satisfied; it was David's argument to prove his faith, Psal. 16. The Lord is the portion of my lot and cup; not his crown nor kingdom; 1 Cor. 7. 30. Paul mixes this with his counsels, use the world as if you used it not, possess as if you possessed not, for the fashion of it passeth away. The love of Christ sweetens these things; nay, the sweet of them is Christ's; he lets into them his love and his sweetness, &c. Oh the peace that comes by this means, when a no outward evil detracts, and no outward good thing adds to your blessedness! It is so in itself; Oh that it were so indeed unto you, Psal. 23.

Thirdly, In case the soul comforts itself in hopes and desires after good things to come in this world; for sometimes that which fills the heart, is not things present; a man finds a bottom here, but he looks for things to come, and so launcheth out his heart in the deep, lets the rains of his heart go strongly after things to come, and so the Lord alone doth not quiet him; many men's blessedness here is imaginary, and chiefly because of that which is to come.

Oh consider when it will be found to be blessedness to enjoy the Lord alone, without hope or desire of any good else to come; thy soul shall say, Let me ever see and love this God, and none else. It was the sweet affection of Paul, I desire much to be with Christ; he did not desire these things, no not body nor life; nothing else but to be with him; and that not faintly but earnestly, 2 Cor. 5. 1. because he was now absent from the Lord; Oh the sinful lusts of men • men think themselves miserable if they be not satisfied; and they are not satisfied because Christ is not enough alone. Oh but know it, he will be so shortly, soul-satisfying blessedness to his people: And this I add, the way to have all desires satisfied, is, to joy in Christ alone, Psal. 37. 5.

Fourthly, In case of all spiritual wants; for this troubles the heart above any other thing; thou sayst thou hast such wants and such sins; Oh but remember this, thou shalt have thy fill of him hereafter; he is absent now, but thou shalt be with him; he hides his face now, but he will arise upon thee and never set more, and will supply all thy wants. Thus the Apostle persuades to love the Scriptures, though they gave but a little light, and they were in darkness, until this day-star arose; so then all darkness shall be abolished; so the Saints complain, If a Son, why so unlike Christ? yet remember When he appears we shall be like him, 1 John 3. 2. Col. 1. 3.

Object. But these things are to come, how can I be content now?

Answ. 1. Carnal hearts feed themselves chiefly with hopes, and false hopes of base things to come; why will not you now with this? Rom. 5. 2, 3. we rejoice in hope, and live by hope.

2. Faith makes things absent present, Heb. 11. 13. They saw the promises afar off, and were persuaded and embraced them; so do you, and the Lord in them here, but the fruition and possession of those things promised is more.

3. Though there is not perfect and full fruition of the Lord here, yet it is in part here, which gives unknown sweetness, Revel. 21. 23. They need not the Sun, but the Lamb is the light of that Temple, P • all. 23. ult.

4. What though the Lord keeps thee short, yet for his sake be content whiles he keeps thee in want; there is not a cross but the Lord saith, • or my sake bear it; nor a denial of any mercy, nor a putting by any prayer, but Christ saith, For my sake be content with it, as they Psal. 44. 22. and be content a little while; glory is not yet ready for thee, nor thou for it; now let this prevail with you; be content to be afflicted, buffeted, forsaken; q • iering the heart with this, I shall one day be with the Lord; Christ was thus for thee.

And as for you that never had heart to receive Christ yet; oh that this thing might make your hearts come off from all creatures to him; Isa. 55. 3. Why spend you your money for no bread, and for that which satisfies not, and for that which continues not; what though thou lose by parting with thy lusts, all • comforts, friends, favor of men, gain? thou shalt find all these in him; lose him, and thou canst not find these in them: Oh but this you will not come to; but yet remember, Psal. 81. 11. Heb. 5. 9. and therefore is there any soul here that as Hannah was praying for a Child, so you for Christ alone? I offer thee Christ; in the name of the Lord take him; thou canst not exalt Christ more by any act than by taking him; and therefore, as hers, so let thy heart go home quietted, mourn no more, and let it ever bear up thy heart, as the ark above all waters, that thou art shipt safe in him.

SECT. XIV.

OH therefore be as near the Lord Jesus now a • you can be in this world; be as much alone with him as you can; there will be a very near conjuction and communion between you and Christ another day; and herein alone lies your blessedness; you are yet in your race, and absent from home; yet be as near home, and reaching after the price of your high calling; when David could not come to the Temple, yet his heart was as near it as it could; he would be coming after it, and accounting them happy that might be near, even the very Swallows. That is the nature of love, Where it cannot go, it will creep; it will be as near the thing beloved as it can: So here.

The Saints when they were cast from the Temple, when they could not go to it, yet they would look towards, and pray towards it; Daniel did it though he died for it; Jonah, though discouraged, and thought he should never come there, but be cast out of God's • ight.

Jacob and Joseph, though they might have had honorable burial elsewhere, yet such was not only their faith in the promise, but their love to the Land of promise, where they knew God intended his presence, that their very bones must lie there, Heb. 11. 22. when they could not live there, their very carcasses shall lie there.

'This was the power of the timo • ous faith of Joseph and Nicodemus (when they had lost the life of Christ, and Christ was departed) yet they loved and begged the dead body of Jesus; so though you have neglected the Lord, yet now be as near the Lord as you can; Christ himself when he was to depart from his people, yet he would be as near to his as he could; hence he sends the Comforter; Oh so be you towards him! I know his love to us exceeds ours to him; but there is no reason why it should, for we are vile; there is reason ours should exceed, for he is worthy; this is the honor of the Saints, To be a people near to him; as it is the curse, and shame, and misery of all the world to be far from him.

Men's hearts lie further out from Christ than we are aware of; some stars seem to be within a hands breadth of the moon, when they are indeed far off, because of our weakness not able to judge of things at that distance; so it is with many; nay many of God's own people are far off, or not near enough to the Lord: And hence come

First, All afflictions for the most part; why are they sent but to fetch you in from your strayings? hence Psal. 23. 4. the rod of God comforted David.

Secondly, Hence comes your sleeping in your strayings from God; as Jonah that went away from the presence of the Lord, and the Lord let him alone for a time; I know there are daily strayings; but to lie and live in them not lamented, this argues your hearts are gone, and lie out from the Lord, at least, for a time.

SECT. XV.

Quest. HOw should we be near unto the Lord?

Answ. In Four particulars.

First, Be near to him in his Providences; the Lord is exceeding near to all men thus, Act. 17. 27, 28. in him we live and move, as the beam is in the Sun, so as he may be felt; it is wonderful to think how near the Lord is to men, not only by the immediateness of his virtue, but of his person; yet they are far from the Lord, and men are to seek for him; hence verse. 30, 31. he persuades unto that, especially to be near God, not only as a Creator, but as a Mediator, by whom the affairs of all the family in heaven and earth are ordered.

Oh therefore seek him till you come so near as to see him and find him hete; David saw this really, and that in times of peace, when he had far pastures and full cups, Psal. 23. he saw the Lord as his Shepherd; John. 10. 1. who is known of his, feeding, leading, restoring, comforting by rods, adhering to him in the valley of the shadow of death; and then for outward things, furnishing his table, annointing his head, giving necessities and superfluities; he looked not only on second causes, but saw God as really doing all these, as carnal men see second causes doing these: Nay, he so sees the Lord, as that he falls a wondering; and indeed the Lord is never seen in his Providences till then; as Manoah saw the Angel do wondrously, Judge. 13. 19. Psal. 139. 14. Marvelous are thy works, verse. 17, 18. How precious are thy thoughts • he saw from the Lord's works, and gathered an idea of the thoughts of God; so should we; and hence when he did awake he was still with th • Lord; the first thing that appeared was the Lord, Psal. 73. 23, 24, 25.

To the beasts the Lord is near, but they cannot reflect upon their own actions, much less upon the Lord; The Heathens may see we are God's offspring, and see God as a Creator at sometimes; but let them that profess Christ, see and find out Christ as Media • or; as Moses that desired to see the Lord passing by him, whom he had seen a little before; truly the Lord not only passeth by you, but is with you proclaiming his name by the voice of his Providence toward you, patience, pity, love, truth, wisdom; and yet truly this is very difficult and hard to see.

SECT. XVI.

MEn see not Jesus Christ, First, Because second causes seem to work all; this estate my friends gave me, or my labor got me; this house the Carpenter built for me, these provisions my money bought for me; and so the creatureslike broad leaves hide the boughs of the glory of God in Christ on which they grow, and are opake and dense, and not transparent, through which the soul may see the glory of God abroad.

Secondly, Because men have so many businesses and cares that they cannot have leisure really to see the Lord.

Thirdly, Because there is a malice in all men's hearts naturally which suffocates all that which may be known of him, Rom. 1. 28. They delighted not, to retain God in their knowledge; the works of God grow vile and sordid through their commonness to them.

Fourthly, Because men can live well enough without him; hence like a child at nurse, that forgets friends and home, because it is well enough without them; thus men's minds are not fed with the thoughts of him, Ier. 2. 6.

Fifthly, Because Nature never heard of a Mediator governing; all their lives, and comforts, and all; they see not all given them by the Almighty hand of Christ, who hath all power given hi •• in heaven and earth, and who must reign not only friends till they are gathered, but over his enemies also till they are subdued, and to question this is to question Christ's sitting at God's right hand. He is owner of all, and dispose • of all to the least growth of thy stature, and the most careless fall of the least hair; to do not only the greatest, but the meanest offices of love for thee.

You say indeed you believe all is from Christ; oh but you see it not; come near therefore and see the Lord, Deut. 8. 9. they were forty years a learning that Man lives not by bread, nor is warmed by clothes, &c. and though they had mar • ellous wondrous works, yet Deut. 29. To this day the Lord hath not given you eyes to see.

Oh therefore labor to see who it is that nurses you, gu • des you, tends you, leads you, teacheth you, lays you down, and takes you up, and let the works of Christ raise up your minds, to the thoughts of Christ in heaven, remembering thee in his Kingdom of glory, who might forget thee; and the poorer and smaller the mercy is, the more do thou wonder that he should therein be a servant unto thee; see all blessings growing upon this tree, seated in the midst of God's Paradise, Rev. 22. 3, 4. though thou layest thy head with Jacob upon stones, and sorrows, yet see this ladder of the Lord's provi • ence towards thee; common blessings sometimes descending, sometimes taken ou • of thy hand and ascending, and the Angels of God with thee, ministering to thee; but the Lord at the top of them; the Lord his care, his love, in all; and let not this be a dream, but a reality to you. It is a wonderful sin to be thus unmindful of Christ.

1. Because hence all whor •• g from Christ ariseth, Hos. 2. 8. Judge. 2. 12. especially in times of peace.

2. Hence the Lord is forced to hedge your w • y with thorns, and to bring you to extremily of troubles that you may see the Lord, Isa. 41. 17, 18. nay sometime to bring ruin, Isa. 5. 12, 13.

And true • y as it is a great sin, so it is a very great shame, Isa. 1. 2. The ox knows his owner • is the Lord the owner of you, and do you not know him? when he comes by you, and to you, provides for you? It is a worse thing, saith Chyso •• om, to b • compar • d • o a beast than to be so. To let many days and streams of goodness pass by you, and yet not to take any not • ce, and still to be so far from the Lord: I know in heaven this is perfected, and then comes acknowledgement of the Son of God; but here you may be near him; I think unless the Lord did descend in cloudy pillars, and of fire, some men would never see him.

SECT. XVII.

Secondly, BE near him in his promises; for Christ is near to us here also, Rom. 10. 8. the word of faith is nigh thee; so that you need not ascend to bring C • rist down from heaven, &c. When Parents are dead and gone, children w • ll then search out their last Will and Testament, and preserve that, and keep that near them.

Christ draws near to his people, 1. In his Promises, according to his thoughts of them.

2. In his performances, joining the soul immediately to himself, and filling it with himself; this we cannot enjoy yet, the Lord lays it up in his promise, which they have in lieu of the performance: Oh draw near not to words and syllables, but to the Lord there, apprehend him there; as it is with the Attributes of God, his Glory cannot be comprehended by us; hence he manifests himself there according to our capacity, God manifesting himself severally; so in promises we cannot comprehend Christ as yet; hence Christ manifests himself in his glory, in several promises; Oh embrace him there; Heb. 11. 9, 'It is not said that Abraham and Jacob were heirs of Canaan, but heirs of the promise, and Sarah first received her son in the promise; so do you em • ra • e Christ in the womb and bowels of the promises; we live by faith in this life; and hence all our enjoyment of Christ is first in the promise.

First, Labor to draw near unto, and enjoy the Lord Jesus by the Promise.

Secondly, Labor to enjoy him in the Promise.

First, By the promise or by means of it; all that which the Lord conveys to his, is not by me • providence but by promise, Psal. 25. 10. He was free before their calling, but now he hath bound himself by an eternal covenant, to be all, and do all for them, Gen. 17. 1. So that the Saints may and should bring all their empty pitchers to the wells of the promise, Isa. 12. 3. and draw out of though • e breasts, • , and get Christ Jesus Spirit in your hearts by them; now some think the Promise is not theirs, hence they go not thither for spiritual refreshments, or at least, they let other things come by providence, especially common blessings, without going to the promise for their daily bread, or looking to the promise out of whose bowels they are begot, Heb. 13. 5, 6. the Apostle there sends them to the promise. Or else they use not the means, or faint in the use of it; whereby they come to enjoy the Lord by his promise, and that is restless wrestling with Christ by prayer for it, Gen. 32. 12. Thou saidst I will surely do thee good; He might have said, I have a promise, what need I pray? or he might have said, I had a promise of safe convoy, but now I see the Lord is coming out to br • ak it; and so he might have perished; yet he prays, and wrestles, acknowledging himself unworthy of all the truth, &c. So N • h. 1. 8. Men have so little of Christ because so little of the Spirit of Prayer, pressing God's promise; thou hast a barren, empty, weak heart, because the promise is not improved as it should be.

Secondly, Labor to enjoy him in the Promise; sometimes the soul hath a Promise fair, and seeks and finds not; now the heart goes on to seek, but is exceeding unbelieving, or sad and troubled whiles it doth not feel; and unthankful also, and accounts itself miserable whiles it wants, and so doth not glory in the Lord, and his fullness, which is his in the Promise, unless he feels the good come from the promise, like a man that doth not account himself rich while he hath it in his treasure, a most safe and sure place where it is kept for him, unless he gets a little out of it into his pockets; and fears he shall be slain with thirst, though he stands by the Spring and that be full, if his dish be empty; oh this is vile, Heb. 11. 13. These received not the promise, i. e. things promised, yet saw them, believed, and embraced them i. e. in the promise. You say you are sinful and born down by your distempers, and base, and poor; I say you have power, victory over all sin and misery, and have eternal glory already in the promise; only here is thy wound, you think you want it because you have it not out of the promise, though you have it in the swaddling clouts of the promise lapped up there; and by means of this sinful distemper of heart you partake not of Christ, because you apprehend not your exceeding great riches in the promise, 2 Pet. 1. 2. 2 Sam. 23. 4. God made an everlasting Covenant, this is all his desire; sweet was David's spirit. 2 Sam. 7. 22. Who is like to thee, when he had no accomplishment of the promise; Oh so do you say. Heb. 6. 17. The Lord hath appointed we should have strong consolation by promise and oath, not by dreams; it was the complaint of Christ, unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe; so you call in question, like Thomas, unless you feel; Oh close with the Promise, keep it as most precious; and then Psal. 25. 10. He saith not to them that keep their covenants or their feelings, but his covenant as their portion, and get the Lord to undertake to keep it for them, and so make sure.

SECT. XVIII.

3. LAbor to be near the Lord in all his Ordinances also, both privately and publicly, for there is his presence, Ezek. ult. ult. Psal. 26. 8. he not only loved Christ's presence, but the place where it was; it was an argument of his integrity. Psal. 102. 13. They did love the dust of Zion; never think there is a time of mercy till then.

First, Be with him in secret as oft as you can, prayer, meditation, daily calling your hearts to an account; time hath been that you have been so when in affliction, or at first conversion; but now twenty hindrances; and now you cannot only neglect, but think you have reason so to do; there have been tears, and prayers, and thoughts, and pressings hard after the Lord, but now no words, nor groans; you women have children to suck, and families to tend; you servants love your sleep rather than the bosom of Christ; and though Conscience cry out against you for it, yet you hope to be better one day, and so you grow strangers to Christ, and no public Ordinances profit, because private duties are neglected, and thy heart like the sluggards garden is andressed; is this to be as near the Lord as you can? no, if the Lord oves you, look for the death of thy Husband, Wife or Child shortly; look for terrors, and then you shall account it an honor, if you may but once more speak to the Lord.

Secondly, Be with him, and as near him as you can in all public Ordinances, and not only to have them (which some care not greatly for, because they see no glory in them, unless glorified souls should come out of heaven to be members, and Moses and Elias to build tabernacles here, and • o be Elders) but come through them, look beyond them to the Lord; look at them as empty and weak, unless the Lord fill, and be powerful in them; David did enjoy God secretly, yet there was more in public; hence Psal. 63. 2. The Saints are a generation of Seekers, Psal. 63. My soul followeth hard afteh thee; mercy and truth follows you many times when you forsake it, Psal. 23. ult. much more when you cleave to it: Hezekiah 's frame of heart, Isa. 38. ult. is imitable; Act. 1. Christ promised to send the Comforter; wait at Jerusalem, as there they did in prayer, and at last the Lord came.

You have forsaken all for Ordinances; and now you have them, you despise them; I con • ess they are mere outsides, yet the Lord is there; there is a glory which wi • e men can see in Christ in the mange • .

SECT. XIX.

Fourthly, LAbor by thy desires to be 〈◊〉 him, Rev. 22. 20. So desire as to wait for thy change all thy life, look for it, 1 The • . 1. ult.

1. Christ's desire is that thou wert with him, when thou art ready, and when thy work is done; Oh let this make thee to desire it also.

2. If you cannot keep your hearts from vain hopes, and foolish and noyso • lusts, without desiring him, do not then desire to be with him; for you may desire communion with lusts and Christ.

Object. But death is terrible, and separation from him bitter?

Answ. Long for him therefore to come and then take thee, and see thou desire nothing but him • rebuke thy 〈◊〉 llingness of not being with him. If Christ was on earth, you would hazard your lives to get unto him; much more herein.

Obj. But what will become of God's name?

Answ. Let the Lord alone for that; w •• les thou livest en •• avour to the utmost; but its appointed for thee a little season only to be here, and be willing the Lord should honor himself also by others as well as by thee.

Object. What will become of my wife and children?

Answ. Who regarded thee in thy blood? when thou livest, they are thine; but then the Lord's.

Desire to be with him, this will support your hearts in all your changes of this 〈◊〉 .

SECT. XX.

Use 6. YOu that never received Christ, now do it.

Object. Yes, I have.

Answ. No, you have not so received him, as to let all go for him. Why so? because he alone will be blessedness, but he is not so to thee; Oh therefore let all go now; you must part with Christ, or all these things. Which will you do? If with Christ, you cannot find him in these things; but if you part with these things, then you shall find them all in him.

Object. But he will have none of me?

Answ. 1. He cries down thy laying out money for what is not Bread.

2. He promises to give thee to drink, now, and hereafter.

SECT. I.

T Hose only who are ready and prepa • ed in this life for Christ, shall enjoy eternal and immediate communion with Christ; those only who are now fitted for his fellowship, shall partake of his fellowship; for of all these Virgins (though many of them were otherwise very well qualified) only those which were ready, did enter in with the Bridegroom; which readiness in these wise Virgins, was not, nor is not any Popish preparation, either meritorious, or congruous, or wrought by the power of corrupted or adorned nature; but Divine and glorious, wrought by the power of Christ, out of his eternal love to the Vessels of glory, as an Antecedent, not moving cause of this eternal fellowship; it is the first degree of our Resurrect • on with Christ. Rom. 9. 23. Vessels of glory prepared unto glory; the same word which is used here, there are two ends God hath appointed all men to; either to be Vessels of wrath; who are those? Ve se 22. Those that are fitted for des • ruction; others of glory; who are those? prep • red unto glory. 2 Cor. 5. 5. with 8. How comes Paul, and all the Saints to know, and groan for to be out of the body, and to break the Cage, and to be with the Lord? one reason is, they are wrought, and molded, and fashioned for that condition by the hand of a merciful God, even as one may know what Vessels are for special use, by their met • all, and curious engravings upon them.

SECT. II.

Reas. 1. BEcause all men's souls are naturally unfit, and unprepared to enjoy communion with Christ, it is said, Rev. 21. ult. Nothing enters into the new Jerusalem on earth, which is unclean, and defileth; and Heb. 12▪ 14. Without holiness no man shall see God. Now naturally all men are de • iled, and unclean Vessels, and under the power of their sins, loathing Angels food, the grace of Christ, and weary of the fellowship of Christ; and therefore they must be prepared for the Lord first; this is one reason, why preparation to every holy duty is needful, and so needful, that let men perform any holy duty, wherein they draw near to Christ without a heart prepared, Psal. 10. 17. their performances a • e rejected, or not blessed; and hence Rehoboam, though he did maintain the worship of God at Jerusalem, yet he prepared no • his heart, 2 Ch • on. 12. 14. 〈…〉 and begs par • on for this, That he is not so purified according to the purification of the Sanct •• ry. Now if to a holy duty, and comm • nion with Christ here, this is needful; much more to eternal fellowship with him; sore eyes cannot behold the Sun without grief; sick bodies loath the best food; if the Lord should let a carnal heart into heaven with that heart he hath, and not change his nature, he would not stay there if he could escape; but having his swinish nature, he would be in his mire again; and the Government of Christ being a bondage to him, he would break bonds, and break his Prison, if he knew where to fly from the presence of the Lord; And hence no work so wearysome as Christ's now, no time so uncomfortable and tedious as abiding under Christ's wings in his Ordinances now. 1 Cor. 15. 50. If flesh and b • ood cannot enter into the Kingdom of heaven, much less corruption.

Reas. 2. In regard of the rich grace and wisdom of his love towards his people; for who sees not, but that it is a curse to be unready as these foolish Virgins, who were therefore shut out! Oh therefore it is grace and mercy to make ready, and indeed an answer to prayers, and a comfort against all fears of the Saints, who are then desi • o • s to be with the Lord when they are indeed ready; readiness for Christ doth not destroy grace, but being a fruit of God's grace, advanceth it. Rom. 9. 23. the Apostle makes it the first fruit of glory, that the Saints are prepared unto glory; glory of mercy is the end, preparedness thereto is the means, or way leading to that end; if God appoints the end, his wisdom also leads first to the means which lead at last to that end; if out of his rich grace he appoints the end, out of the same grace by this other, he leads to this end; and though you think it not now grace, you shall say it is so another day, when with these foolish Virgins, you shall say, Oh that I were ready! I know not almost which is greatest love, to prepare for glory, or to bring into the possession of i • ▪ to make a Vessel of poisonous dross a Vessel of gold, or when it is so, to fill it; for the Lord to look upon a man when he is in his blood, and then to wash him; when a man is as water spilled upon the ground, and a broken Vessel of no use, now for the Lord to pity, and fit for use, it is exceeding rich grace.

Reas. 3. In regard of the honor of the Lord Jesus; it was one part of the honor of Christ, to have John go before him; and Luke 1. 17. to prepare a people ready for the Lord: As it is part of a Princes honor, to have his Bride ready, and attired to welcome and entertain him, when he shall return to her, she owes this honor to him, and he expects this honor from her; So the Lord Jesus deserves this honor from all his people to be in a readiness for him. Suppose these Virgins had turned Harlots, and gone a whoring from him till his very coming, and then had been taken in, what might the world think? doth he love the fellowship of Harlots? for a man's heart to go a whoring from the Lord, after the world, or lusts, to die so, is to disgrace the Lord Jesus; And hence, Phil. 3. 17. to the end, there are two sorts of men professing godliness; some mind earthly things, others look and mind a Savior from heaven; the one disgrace Christ, and are enemies to him; and hence Paul weeps for them; the other are his friends; And are Princes so far respected as all things are ready for them? and is the Lord worthy of no such respect, so as that his People then should be unready? No, know it, as he said, Mal. 1. He is a great King.

The particulars wherein this readiness consists, I have spoken of in the first Part of the Parable, and shall now only speak of them in the subsequent Uses.

SECT. III.

Use 1. OF terror and astonishment of heart, to all those that are wholly unready, that have no readiness at all to meet, or to have fellowship w • th the Lord Jesus; if those that are ready be received • in, then those that be unready, shall be sh • t out.

There is a number among us, young and old, of all sorts almost among us, that swarm up and down Towns, and Woods, and Fields, whose care and work hitherto hath been like bees, only to get honey to their own Hive, only to live here comfortably with their houses, and lots, and Victuals, and fine clothes, &c. but not to live hereafter eternally. Suppose the Lord should stop thy breath, and cut thee off, what would become of thee? I trust to God's mercy, I hope I should go to Christ, though I am not assured; but are you ready for Christ? yes, I hope I am; Oh poor wretch, why dost hope so, if thou never hadst one hours serious thoughts, What will become of me? or how shall I be ready? feeling thy unreadiness and unfitness thereunto. Or if thou hast had any thoughts, never wast possessed with any strong fears of eternity, and separation from the Lord Jesus, which hath damped thy mirth, and sunk thy heart, and perplexed thy thoughts, and made thee think with terror upon thy conscience, What will become of me? nor made thee desirous to ask others that question, as it is commonly one of the first, though but a common work, to think of dying presently, I have lived long without God a • d Christ in the world, and die I must shortly, and what will become of me then?

But you have •• ept 〈◊〉 enough in the night, and sung care away, and 〈◊〉 fear away in the day, and thy heart never had one hours fit of shaking and trembling at eternity to come, when it is the nature of true fea • , ever to have the eye upon what it fears, till it is taken away; and if difficulty attend the same, to remove it; it cannot be quiet, but will cry for help, if possibly help may be had; this you never did: No, thou never hadst so much as these foolish Virgins, viz. to be awakened at all, but a spirit of slumber hath been upon thee; God • ath given thee eyes, but thou canst not see; ears, and thou canst not here; Thou sayst (it may be) that thou dost hope thou art prepared; alas, thou hast not a Virgins name, much less nature, nor dost not deserve it neither; thou hast not forsaken thy loose company, nor yet come to the company of the wise, neither dost thou desire it, or think ••• self unworthy of it; thy Lamp is out; nay, thou never hadst any light at all, never madest profession at all, as of one ready for Christ; but O poor wretch, all is yet to do with thee! if so, then remember that if thou diest now, thou shalt never have communion with Jesus Christ in glory.

SECT. IV.

Object. WHat if I have not?

Answ. I know it is the misery of men, they can make nothing of this till they feel it: But two things I will say.

1. Do but consider what if thou shouldst be deprived of the light of the Sun; nay, only of bread, only that one creature, and have clothes, Sun, Friends, all other blessings but that; would it not be a woe with a witness, would it not cut a man's heart to hear him cry, Bread, bread, a little bread for the Lord's sake, to save my life! there is but a drop of the sweetness of Christ in that. Oh what a misery will it be to pine away, and famish under wrath in chains of darkness, and to cry, Oh a little refreshing from the p • esence of Christ, and canst not get it, but to live ever tormented without that, when thy soul shall cry, Lord, thus long have I been tormented without thee, till my spirits are weary, and my heart faint; Now, O now a little mercy,—Oh no.

2. That though thou seest it no great matter to be separated from Christ now, yet when the heavens shall be in a flaming fire, and the earth shall g • ve up the dead that be in it, and Christ shall appear in infinite glory, admired of Angels, blessed of Saints, Crowned of God, comforting his Elect, Come, oh come ye blessed; then you shall think this separation something. Oh that you would now go home and mourn, and look up to the Lord, that he would make thee ready a Vessel of honor, and acknowledge it's righteous with him, if he should never do it.

SECT. V.

Use 2. IT is of examination to all the Virgins; Would you know whether the Lord will bring you to e • ernal fellowship with him? are you ready for him, made sit to live with him or no? for • e • e only those which are ready, are received in; the foolish Virgins did 〈◊〉 so long asleep, that little did they think they were unready, until the Bridegroom • came, and it was too late. It is the condition of many at this day, that little dream of their separation from Christ, and yet shall be when he comes; but they have some hopes and assurance; they look to meet the Bridegroom when he shall come, and so fall into a sweet sleep; a comfortable condition, until the Lord's coming, puts them upon more narrow searching than ever before; that which many think gold now, shall be found hay, and stubble, and consumed to nothing at the coming of Christ; therefore search now.

I know there is many a gracious soul that is ready, fears to slip in at the passage over that narrow bridge, between life and death, this end of time, and beginning of eternity, and loath I am to sad any; but, hear what I shall now say in fear; when there are these three things in the soul, then it is ready; whiles any are wanting, it is unready; And by these try yourselves.

SECT. VI.

1. WHen the soul, the Spouse of Christ is made lovely by its Wedding Garment, the Royal Robe of his own righteousness in the eyes of Christ; for this Bridegroom, though he finds his Spouse 〈◊〉 , yet he being glorious and lovely himself, makes it lovely and glorious, E • h. 5. 25, 26. A Queen fit for the fellowship of this King of Kings, and thorough this righteousness (though otherwise weak and vile, yet) the object of his, and the Fathers infinite and endless delight in heavenly Glory; now it is fit, Zach. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 2 Cor. 5. 2, 3. Without this righteousness, there is nothing but shameful nakedness in the best; so as the soul 〈◊〉 Adam, will rather seek bottoms of Mountains to hide it from Christ, 〈◊〉 to appear before him. Now examine you Saints; time was, that 〈◊〉 was no shame to thee, though thou didst wallow in that Vomit, and livedst in it, and livedst by it as by thy Trade; or if the Lord did keep and deanse you from foul sins, and that you could pray, and sorrow, and k • ow and remember what you heard, and had some good affections, now you were somebody in your own eyes, and it may be you thought if you died then, you should to heaven, and Christ must needs save you; who should he save else? but now the Lord hath made thee poor in spirit, and ashamed; nay, the Lord hath made thee lie down confounded, because of all thy shame before him; and the Lord hath made thee see a glory, a ri • ing Sun in Christ's righteousness which the Gospel hath brought to light; though thou wert a poor, naked, condemned, vile creature; yet the Lord hath made thee seek for it, so as to esteem all things loss to be found there, and now here is all thou hast to glory in, as that which may make thee lovely in the Fathers sight; and here the Lord hath quieted thy conscience, and heart also; be not discouraged, nor afraid to stand before the Lord, if he should send for thee this night; for though thou art vile in thine own eyes, yet the Lord looks upon thee as lovely.

The Apostle makes a question, why the Gentiles are justified, and not the Jews, Rom. 9. 30, 31. he answers it, verse 32. viz. they sought it by the works of the Law; but if it be otherwise with thee, that in Christ thy righteousness and strength is, then thou mayst glory; so that now thou shalt have peace again, against all the condemning of conscience, Satan, and God himself.

But have you seen your nakedness, known, and stood convinced of your vi • eness, and have heard the voice of God condemning thee for thy sinful, though civil life, and been afraid, and hereupon you have reformed your life, lamented your course, set upon some duties, gone to Christ for strength against some corruptions, and you have had it, and you have looked about you, and have been ready to say, If the Lord saves not me, who should he? and so have sown these leaves and skins together to cover your shame; and now you are well, being strangers to this true righteousness, you shall never see the Lord in peace, if you die thus. Or if thus, you see not Christ to be all, sin is not your shame, but you lie in it, and holiness is not your glory; and hence you esteem it not, but it's a common thing to you, if that was, then it would be your glory to be like Christ, and to live to him: Know it thou art not yet ready, for thou only seest the Garment, and you catch at it, but the Lord helps you not by faith to put it on.

SECT. VII.

2. WHen the soul is filled with the Spirit of Christ, when there is not only some of the workings of the Spirit in the soul, but the soul is filled with the Spirit; for this was the wound of the foolish Virgins, they had Lamps, outward Profession, and glorious, which was a work of the Spirit, and some dipping of their week in the oil, some lighter superficial changes, and works of grace in their hearts; but they had not oil in their Vessel, they had not plenty and fullness of the Spirit; some unripe ears there were, but not full; and hence they were to buy when the Lord Jesus came; but the wise had.

The blood and righteousness of Christ, ever brings the plenty of the Spirit of Christ, hence 2 Cor. 5. 5. earnest of the Spirit.

I speak not now of extraordinary fullness, which Prophets and Apostles had, nor of that fullness which is in glory, as if we must have that here, but of that which the Saints attain to in this life, everyone according to his need and measure of capableness of the same; the Spirit of love is not dropt, but shed into the heart; the Spirit of God in them, is not a Spirit of some light affection, dying affection, but of eternal life, Rom. 8. 2, 3. The spirit of mourning doth not only drip upon them, but it's poured down upon them, Zach. 12. 10. the spirit of wisdom doth not only give them light and knowledge, but Marvelous Light, 1 Pet. 2. 9.

I have opened this at large; only three signs now I shall give you to discern this Spirit by.

SECT. VIII.

1. THis Spirit and fullness of it, the Saints not only pray for, but they follow their • ray • rs to Christ, until th • ir sou • s are sweetly satisfied with it, and so it abides daily satisfying their hearts. John 4. 14. The water I shall give, shall be a spring, so as the soul shall not thirst after more gra • e; i. e. with a tormenting thirst; nor after the world; the grace of God, and the Spirit of God in the heart is so sweet, that the soul saith, Oh it is enough, oh if my soul might ever be thus near the Lord, endeared to him, walking thus humbly, thankfully, cheerfully with him, this should be all my desire; and hence, John 14. 16. it is called the Com orter, which dwells in them, and is known by them, the world knows it not. Now here is the wound of others, they have the Spirit convincing them of emptiness, misery, nakedness, and they lie so, and they desire; but as Solomon saith, Prov. 13. 4. They are forsaken of the Spirit, before they find him to be a Comforter quenching their thirsty desires, making them to feel the sweetness of his Presence, of his Grace. Isa. 58. 11. There were divers that did pray, fast, draw near to God, and did delight in it, but they felt not what they desired at all; there were some lusts, their souls were lean, and like parched deserts; but when the heart is indeed humbled, the spirit comes in, and makes the bones fat, and like a watered garden; Oh therefore take heed you give not over, till the Lord pour out in thy empty heart, of the fullness of his grace.

2. This Spirit ever keeps a man poor and vile in his own eyes, and empty. Take a man that hath no knowledge, nor taste of God's grace, whiles he finds ignorance, he may pray, and be diligent in use of means, and full of life; but when he hath got some knowledge, and can discourse pretty well, and hath some tastes of the Heavenly Gift, some sweet elaps • es of grace, and so his conscience is pretty well quieted, and if he hath got some answer to his prayers, and hath sweet affections, he grows full, and having ease to his conscience, casts off sense, and daily groaning under sin; And hence the Spirit of Prayer dies, he loses his esteem of God's Ordinances, feels not such need of them, or gets no good, feels no life and power by them; and whereas before he could catch at every word, and mourn when he found the Lord passed by him, and speak never a good word to him: now no such trouble, because he is full. This is the woeful condition of some, but yet they know it not; but now he that is filled with the Spirit, the Lord empties him, and the longer he lives, so that others think he needs not much grace, yet he accounts himself the poorest, and feels a need of every truth of God, and Ordinance of God; his sin ('tis true) continues, 'tis not quite abolished, and his sighing within himself continues also to his grave. Isa. 57. 15. poor, and yet the Lord dwells there; how can these sta • d together? very well in those who are the Lord's.

3. This Spirit comes in that fusness, as that it so purifies the heart of sin and self, as that it makes the soul set it seef for God, as his last end and happiness, and so as that the work of Christ is his blessedness. 2. Tim. 2. 20, 21. He that purgeth himself from these things, is a Vessel of honor, and fit for his Masters use. It is with some souls, as it is with some drosly Vessels, they are put out of the fire, and they are taken out before their dross is removed, or they melted, or if melted, yet not fashioned for use, even to every good work; so some have great troubles without and within; now the fire goes out, or they get out of the fire; viz. the trouble, before their dross is removed, or their sinful natures be changed; or if they be melted, yet they are not fashioned, and framed for their Masters use only; they are for their own use, and their lusts use, and seek themselves in all they do, but not for the Lord's use; it is not their life to live to God. Promises are sweet, and Christ is sweet, and Heaven is sweet; but the work of Christ to be of use for Christ, this is not their bliss: I know Saints fall short here much, and seek themselves; but yet their hearts are prepared, fashioned, set for this end, and they through the help of the Spirit, refine themselves for the Lord; that when sin desires them to serve it, No (their answer is) I am no debtor, nor servant to you; I have lived too long to you already, I am now the Lord's, and for the Lord; Oh that I might have that honor as to be employed for him; I say unto you, the Lord hath here filled you, and fitted you for his use, and you may be comforted.

SECT. IX.

3. WHen the soul is recovered out of that security, which usually befalls men after some time of first affection and profession, in that measure, as that now it lives unto the Lord in a daily waiting for him, and longing for him, when the Lord sees it meet to come and take him to himself. For all these Virgins fell asleep, after they came out to meet the Bridegroom with their burning Lamps; and not only the foolish, but the wife also slept. Now I ask you, Do you think they were ready then for the Lord? No, not until they were awakened again, and the wise had got their Lamps burning again, and waiting for him; but yet the foolish had got not only no light to their lamps, but Oil was wanting also to their Vessels; So it is here.

Time h • th been, that the Lord hath awakened you with fears and terrors about your estate, and you have got into the assemblings of the Saints together, and kept company with them, and you have escaped the outward pollutions of the world, and defilements of God's worship and services, and you have seen the insufficiency of all duties and it is Christ you have looked after, and prayed for, and got some peace and comfort that he is yours, and have looked to meet him, hoped if you die, that you should be saved; but have you not fallen into a secure frame again, both wise and foolish? have you not turned Prodigals, and scent, and lost all, after you have had your portions? if not, thank God, be not high-minded, but fear; for very few, but after fullness fall asleep; and after they have had some peace of conscience, but they fall to enter into some peace, if not with some foul open sins, yet some truce with some lesser secret sins; and if their oil be not spent, their sorrows spent in sorrowing, their trouble spent in trouble, their desires spent in desiring (as water spends away itself in running out of a Cistern, not out of a Spring) yet their light hath gone out; the beauty of thy profession is (it may be) lost, that heat and life is gone which others saw, and you saw much more: are you ready now? and though you may have some awakenings, yet are they so far as to cause you to get up, and kindle your Lamps, and wait for the Bridegroom? If it be so that still you keep sleeping, and have not your Lamps ready trimmed, then you are just as all the foolish Virgins were, before the cry came.

SECT. X.

Quest. BUT may not a godly man die in a declining, decaying, secure frame?

Answ. 1. He may die in an uncomfortable frame, without great peace of conscience; for sometimes a man's Lamp may shine brightest, when his peace is least; but the more prayer, the more searchings and washing of heart is then to be attended; a godly man may die mourning for ought I know, and the Lord give him his garment of gladness in Heaven, for the spirit of heaviness here on earth; because though he loseth the comfort of his estate, yet not the safety of it, because he dies under the wings of a Promise; So that though he dies uncomfortably, yet not securely.

2. He may die to his feeling in such a frame, poor, and contrite; for growing in the sense of emptiness, is not decaying in the being or power of holiness; the Lord is now preparing of him to honor his grace, when he doth not help him to honor his Will in that inlargedness of heart to it as he would, so that this soul is not decaying.

3. But yet I do not know that the Lord lets his people die ordinarily in a withering condition; especially if it appear so to others of his discerning servants; the Lord will send some cry to awaken his servants before he comes to them, or they enter into the Marriage with him: I will allow some unusual exceptions against general rules, and put in Asa for one, and leave secrets with God; but ordinarily the Lord doth not let his dear Servants die in a sottish secure estate: When Samson's locks are cut, and his strength lost, he shall lie in the Mill until they be grown again before he dies; and Solomon may run riot, but he shall proclaim his folly to all ages in the world for it, in Eccles. before he dies. Ep • es. 5. 26, 27. Christ presents his Church without wrinkle; you are to be presented by Christ to the Father, and to be set before Christ without wrinkle, without witherings, and decays, if he loves you, he will wash you, that it may be so.

SECT. II.

Quest. BVT must they be so far awakened, as to wait for the Lord, and desire to be with him, having got Vessels full, and Lamps burning?

Answ. Yes, in some measure at least; for there are awakenings to the life of glory in another world, and awakenings to the life of duties in this world; by the one the soul is raised out of this world to the Lord in Glory; by the other the soul is raised up to duties in this world; if the Lord awakens not his Saints to the first, either they are not awakened truly, or not thoroughly and effectually; for till then the soul is not ready, Luk • 12. 40. with 35. As it is with a man who is sent for to enjoy favor and fellowship of the King, he is not ready for it, until he stands waiting at the door, and that it is his business; the patterns of mercy, and Vessels of glory, are ever set out in the New Testament, by this, Heb. 9. ult. Tit. 2. 12, 13.

Look as it was with Simeon, Luke 2. 25. He had a promise he should see Christ before he died; hence he waited for the consolation of Israel; so the soul having a promise of seeing Christ when he is dead, it makes him wait for this time; and when he wants a promise sealed, though he waits not nextly, yet he waits remotely, that the Lord would cause him to believe it, that so he might wait for it; that is his end, this is the mea • es; he knows it is best to be with the Lord, where is no sin, but holiness; he hath found him sweet in his looks, in his words, in his works, in his hopes, his first fruits, but to be with him is best.

This is not such an high pitch which Saints come not to, it is indeed such which Hypocrites come not to; the Hypocrites end is to escape misery; hence they desire comfort by duties, that they shall be freed from it, but not to enjoy Christ; the Lord never tied in their souls such a knot of faith and love which works this.

For 1. Security of Saints, 'tis not the privation of life (that is death) but a suspension of the acts of a heavenly life; there is in them love to Christ, delight in him, happiness in living to him, pleasing of him; but it is suspended by cares or contents of the world, and love of ease; hence a Christian is never thoroughly awakened, till he comes to that life again; his heart is with Christ in heaven; and because he cannot be there, hence he stays a while, and looks, and waits for it; another's security is the privation of life, of empty duties arising from some vanishing affections, as in the foolish Virgins which were to quiet conscience only; Hence their awakening are only to that life again • e at the best, if ever God do awaken them, unless the Lord indeed convert them.

2. Every thing will mightily tend to that to which its nature bends and inclines it; as a stone if thrown upward, will mightily tend downward. Some say there is an Element of fire above, because this here endeavors to ascend, as being out of its place; he that is of the earth, he will be tending to it, though awakened, t • ough lifted up; Saints will be tending upward, because their nature is heavenly, loving, looking, waiting, longing, 2 Cor. 5. 3, 4. with 1. as Angels here be willing to stay to do the work, but yet they long to be before the face of God again, because their natures are heavenly, and there their proper place is.

Now for the Lord Jesus sake examine yourselves here. I hope some are awakened, the Word hath done it; cry of afflictions, inward temptations have made you look about you, and you are wearied out with your own ways; but are you not since grown secure? time was the feet of the Messengers of peace were glorious, but now their Message is mean; Sabbaths longed for, now you are weary of them, heartless in them, sleep with the spoon in your mouths; private duties were seasons of breaking the heart, refreshing and comforting from the Lord, but now you neglect them, sleight them, and the Lord in them, and are not much troubled at it, because you have some excuse or other for it; thy mouth was full of good questions, now thou thinkest thyself more fit to teach than learn; thy society was sweet as the Rose in Spring, now the sweet odour of it is lost; time was thou wer • exceeding tender of the least sin, and not a day past, but thy cheeks were wet in secret before the Lord; now thou art grown blind and bold, and you can defile yourself in all your ways, and your faith in Christ keeps you from repentance for sin; time was, the truth was glorious, and you could make use of your Notes many a day after, when you did not find good in public; but now pen and Ink is left at home, you cast your bread into corners, and feed not your hearts therewith: Time was, you could take a rebuke kindly, when you were little in your own eyes; but now if you think a reproof is meant of you, your hearts can swell, nay, now your judgment decays; What warrant for private prayers twice a day? what warrant for weekly Sermons, when we have six days to labor, and one to rest in? you were formerly more exact, but now wiser, and thus you lie, and as if you were come to the end of your race already, and reach not after things before you, you have enough grace, hence you think you shall be saved, and so sit st • ll, and now play the good Husband: Oh the Covenants you have had, if ever you came hither what you would do! oh the esteem of the Lord afar off! but now you are broken by your Voyage, and your Vessel is cracked, and oil is run out, and Lamp is out, will you die so? if you say yes, I profess you are not ready; it is a question if ever you had grace, if it be so; and therefore bless God, the Lord gives you warning this day; but I fear many will not stir till Christ comes; I say as she to Sampson, Up, for the Philistines are upon thee; so I say, Security is upon thee, and wrath is now gone out to awaken thee, if the word doth not.

SECT. XII.

Use 3. OF Exhortation. Labor to be in a readiness, awaken out of sleep, and get your Garments on, your loins girt, your Vessels full, your Lam • s burning, tha • you may be indeed ready, and he Lord may find you so, as well as men think you so; It is Christ's Exhortation, Luke 12. 40. whereupon Peter asked, Did he speak that Parable only to the Disciples, or of all? Verse 41. he answers all, especially them that know the Lord's mind herein, and do it not, Verse 47. So you may ask me, Whom do I press to make ready? I answer all. Two sorts I shall therefore name.

1. Those who are yet unready, either in whole or part.

2. Those who are ready, but not so ready as those should be who stand before the Lord, and as themselves will wish another day they had been; the wise as well as foolish, may be sleepy, and so unready for a time; but O awake.

First, Those who are unready and unprepared for the Lord and his coming; are there any such? Yes, very many; some there be who know they are unready, and will not yet buy, and yet prepare not for it, because they are young enough yet, or have time enough to provide for that hereafter. Some others, because they cry, Lord, Lord, and look to Christ, and are well thought of by the wise, that think they are ready; but know it, all your thoughts, and cares, and prayers, and endeavors, are little enough for it, even all your life; and yet to prepare for this, hath been the least part of many a man's life; and such is the security of some, that till Christ come, they will not Gird up themselves to this Work.

SECT. XIII.

COnsider the lamentable end of one who dies unready; some (not all) the Lord leaves for terrors to the secure world, who are as good as men risen from the dead, to tell men of the vanity of their sinful courses, who looking upon time past, they see that it is irrecoverably lost, and past away as a dream, and lost as a shadow; look upon time present, they feel their souls left naked, their accounts not made, an end come to all their hopes and comforts here, their body sick, their conscience trembling, if not tearing, their hearts hard, God departed, the grave opened for their filthy carcasses, and Devils waiting for their secure souls; And now say such, What profit have I for all my vanity under the Sun? Look to time to come, there they see the Throne set, the Lord Jesus on it, their souls standing naked before him, whose grace was great toward them whiles they lived, but whose face now is a consuming fire; and they behold eternity, even that eternal black Gulf between them and the Lord; and here they lie wishing they had taken their time, professing now their time is lost, beseeching others to take warning by them, desiring the prayers of others; but yet thinking though Noah and Samuel should stand before the Lord for them, there is no hope. Come and tell them, Do not cast away mercy, cast not away that blood, which is worthy to be gathered up by blessed Angels in Vessels of gold; lament, and return, and the Lord will to you; what tell you me of repenting and believing? is a sick time, a fit time to repent in? but the Lord hath done great things for you, you have thought so, but there were such sins, or such a sin, I knew, you knew not; I knew it, yet I loved it, I had indeed some lazy purposes to forsake it, but the Lord hath taken me in my seemings; but mercy is infinite; oh it's my torment; I have seen an end of my sins, and now I feel the beginning of my torment; happy are they that die in the Lord, and thrice happy that make ready for the Lord.

Consider thou hast but a short time to prepare in, and the time will be then, when thou dost least think of it, Luke 12. 46. The Lord's Arrows are now flying abroad; if you did think you should be next smitten down dead, you would prepare; but you think the Lord delays his coming; Oh Remember, that time thou doest least think of, Christ will come.

If unready now, you will be much more unready next day; grant thy time to be long; you will be the more unfit the longer you delay; thou hast hindrances now, the longer thou livest, thou wilt have more and more; • y heart will be harder every day than other.

SECT. XIV.

PRay unto the Lord that he would prepare you, and fit you, give his Christ, and fullness of his Spirit unto you, which you know the Lord will give to them that ask; for man like the Potters clay, is no more able to prepare himself for glory, than to appoint and elect himself thereunto. Hence Psal. 10. 17. Rom. 9. 23. prepared to glory; therefore pray, not that prayer can move the Lord to it, but because it is a means appointed of God to execute his eternal purposes of grace unto the Vessels of grace, Acts 9. 9, 11. Paul was three days mourning, and he did not eat and drink, and yet was not discouraged, but kept on praying, and ceaseth not, till the Lord sends Ananias that he might receive the Spirit, Verse 17. So say I to you, Time hath been thou hast not prayed, mornings, evenings, your sleep would not suffer you, or if so, yet it hath been without mourning for living without Christ, abusing of Christ, and the sin of your nature; or if so, it hath been on • y by fits, and you could hold up your head again, before God sends Anamias with a Message of peace, or that Message without the Spirit of grace; Are you now prepared? Oh no! oh therefore now begin this work; say, I am thy clay, Lord, and have been a broken unclean Vessel, unfit for any use, to hold any grace; if mercies come, I forget thee, and grow worse; if sickness, I am blockish; if Ordinances, I despise them; if thou forsakest me, I forsake thee; if thou drawest near to me, I resist thee; if Christ be offered, I reject him; if not, I presume, and turn his grace to wantonness; now Lord gather a broken Vessel; if I live, I shall still sin; if I die, I shall blaspheme; if I forsake acts of sin, yet lusts of sin remain; if they be quenched, yet my polluted nature remains not cleansed; and the guilt cries; Now Lord undertake for me, begin thou the work, and take the glory; and here mourn till the Lord comes; know the worth, and prize the presence of the Spirit, and then pray, John 14. 16. The world cannot receive it, because they know it not, with John 4. 10. Sacrifice is unfit to be offered, till by shedding blood, life is taken away.

Be very watchful over your hearts, that they grow not too gentle, and handle tenderly sins arising after faith, and profession of your interest in Jesus Christ, sins of the second growth; some sins grow up before profession, as all manner of ignorance, and hardness, and lasciviousness, and vanity; now many grow terrified for these, and comforted by the Gospel against these, and now peace is made; Oh but there are some men's natures like some fields, which when they are mown and weeded, yet they have a second growth; it may be as with other kind of Weeds, you may never fall to those sins you lived in once; but other sins more close, more spiritual; like the House Luke 11. 24. swept and emptied, but seven other spirits worse than the former, may at last enter in; Oh take heed of these, for they will make your latter end miserable; you know habitations of Satan, are not fit mansions for the Spirit of Christ; you know Vessels not only of Wood, but of Gold, if filthy and poisoned, are unfit for Princes use till cleansed; and look through all the Scriptures on the faces of the best hypocrites, you shall find some filth growing up after their Profession, or together with it, like blood and sacrifice mixed together, Matth. 7. 23. Luke 13. 27. Not those that have iniquity, but those that work it; not those that work against it, and are destroyers of it by little and little, but workers of it.

If you ask me, what these sins be? I answer, These tares, and choking Thorns, as they are sown, and grown whiles you be asleep, so they may be seen when they are grown up, if you walk in your fields, and meditate on your hearts. I will only name some.

1. Pride, affecting some excellency above others, and thinking yourself somebody.

2. Spiritual fullness, and secret loathing of Ordinances, when men are clogged with them.

3. Despising known truths (which like flowers, were notwithstanding sweet at first gathering) either concerning your misery, or Christ: if the Gospel were preached to the ignorant, they would take heaven with violence; but thy soul now is not moved, and the messengers of God that bring them, despised, as Galatia and Corinth did Paul.

4. A spirit of contention with good people. Now you cannot bear unkindnesses, and they offend you, &c. Alexander at first stood for Paul, and he opposeth Paul to his face at last.

5. Boldness to 〈◊〉 in small matters commonly without sorrow, begot by counterfeit assurance of God's love.

6. Seeking of God in Ordinances, and working of iniquity out of them; fits men have of good affections, but healthful constitutions of bad ones.

7. Thinking you are indeed what you would be, and yet indeed would not be: There be other sins, but these are some of the most special which I shall now mention; take heed of letting these grow, or dealing gently with them; for Saints may feel these, but they put their hook to the roots of these Weeds, and would fain pull them quite up; but if you deal gently, (as David with the young Absalom ) and think God must do all, I cannot part with them; and hence you give way to them; and though there be these sins, yet I have many good signs and promises too I shall be saved; and so long as they cannot destroy my soul, what though they grow in my soul? You perish (1 Cor. 9. 26, 27.) if thus it be with you.

Take heed you do not run away with such comforts arising from your feeding upon the promise and person of Christ, without refr • shing the soul also with the good Will and Commands of Christ; do not think yourselves ready to enjoy Christ, when his promise, person, and love is sweet, (which is good) but his will is bitter, and a burden to thy soul, even thy whole soul, (I know 'tis so to the • nregenerate part of godly men) for such men there be, 1 John 1. 6. To the Saints, Christ's love is sweet, and promise sweet, and therefore his Will, his Work. John 4. 34.—Bread you know not of, to do the Will of him that sent me, and to finish it; so it is their food to do the Will of him that loves them, and to finish it; If a man is to remove from one Country to another, and he cannot live upon the Bread of the Country, nor water where he goes, he is then unfit for such a Journey, because he cannot live upon the bread of it. Now what is that which feeds the life of Saints in glory? not only Christ, but living unto Christ, to be perfected under the Government and Kingdom of Christ; can you live upon this now in part, and the first fruits of it? if you can, know it is then prepared for thee, and thou for it; if not, but you live (as you say▪) upon the present sweet of the promise; nay, it may be upon the thoughts of old comforts; but to do the Will of Christ, is death, not life to you; and it is merely your task for wages, to do his Will, not part of your Inheritance, you are unfit to be with Christ; Acts 21. 13. Why break you my heart? (saith Paul ) I am ready to die for the sake of Christ, and to do much more; So think thus, Was Paul ready to die, and I not ready to do? my heart loathes thy Commands Lord; but what the Law makes heavy, the Gospel makes sweet; for thy sake, Lord, I love thy will; pray, Oh thy love is sweet, but let thy will be so also.

Labor to grow poor in spirit, that when you cannot honor the Lord's Will, yet you may be gathering some • thing out of all sins and weaknesses, to honor God's grace; the glory of grace is the last end; those that be prepared for it, shall enjoy it; Who are those? The poor, who when they see they have lost their lives, their souls, their comforts, in not doing his Will, which is bitter to them, yet the Lord shall not lose the honor of his grace, Psalm 74. 21. The poor will be thankful; What doth Paul, that Vessel of grace, Persecutor, Blasphemer, but a Saint, now say? Oh but the least of them; but he was an Apostle; but I deserve not that name, but yet he is received to mercy; 'tis very true, yet never such an example, as he thinks; and therefore saith he To the King immutable, &c. when Jacob had seen the Lord, Gen. 26. ult. if he shall give me food and raiment, he shall be my God ( i. e. I shall then magnify him; he having said he would be so before, and he had it in plenty; So say, If the Lord shall pity, pardon, I shall then give all to him, if I had a thousand hearts, tongues; truly as Psalm 40. ult. The Lord now thinketh on you; When a Servant hath spent and lost his Masters estate, and he is to give up an Account, truly then he may give it with comfort, when as he gains one way abundantly, though he loseth another, and makes the best gains; so here.

SECT. XV.

2. TO those who are ready, but yet not so ready as is meet.

The Lord hath given you warning to prepare, by some sharp afflictions on thyself, or by the death of thy friends, or by secret fears of thine own heart, thy time is not many hands breadth longer; and it may be this shall be the Funeral Sermon of some of you; you have been flying like Bees abroad in the world to gather your honey, and the Lord ha • h been smoking of you, and that in your own Hive; you have thought to dwell long in Tabernacles; the Lord hath let it fall to decays, and repairs it not again.

If you live unready, it may be the Lord will try you with some sore conflict, with fears of death, and terrors of darkness; and all your preparation is too little for your combat then.

The place of glory is made ready for you; how shall I so unholy, see God? Christ is there John 14. 3. waiting for thee, longing after thee.

Thou art it may be yet in many respects unready. As

1. Not yet planted in the House and Church of God, not yet gathered to communion of Christ in his Saints on earth. I know men may have just reasons to defer; but if they have none, I would be loath to die in their room; Hezekiah, Isa. 38. ult. Psalm 26. 8. I have loved the habitation of thy House; Oh gather not my soul with the wicked. I am persuaded, some dear to Christ linger here, and you cannot find this not that saving good in yourselves, you say; I had rather hear one mourn for emptiness, than boast of his grace.

2. There are many sins not yet mourned sufficiently for, in day of youth, and in a secure condition; in heaven is no mourning; oh therefore take time now, for want of this grace is not so sweet.

3. It may be some main duty is neglected to the souls of them, whom thou hast a charge of, as not Ca • echising thy family, children not careful for their souls.

4. It may be thou hast been little in prayer for the Churches (though for thy family and children) which is usually the last work of the Saints; there's no praying for them in Heaven; as Christ at the end of his life like a Priest shed blood, and prayed for them, so Saints are made Priests to God and Christ:

5. It may be thy house is not yet set in order, nor thy Will made, Reckonings between men not yet set right and even, and then there is Quarrels when thou art Dead, and trouble when you die.

6. It may be thou art grown secure, and art lost, and driven away, and many wrinkles be on thy face and heart, &c. you cannot say with Paul, 2 Tim. 4. That you have fought, &c. but are rather at truce with sin; you run not, but have slipped, and fallen down, and so lost all.

SECT. XVI.

THerefore to help here in this readiness, Get a heart more loosened and weaned from the world. Solomon he did launch out his heart herein too far; not in Epicureanism, but Eccles. 2. 3. applying his heart to wisdom all this time; so may you, and be unready; How? I cannot, but God will teach it you by affliction. Psalm 39. 6, 7. You are Sojourners here with God, as all your Fathers; there's nothing proper, nothing long to be enjoyed.

Own the Lord Jesus; he is yours, but you own him not; as Simeon came to the Temple and there found him, and there blest God; and now (saith he) let me depart in peace; hath the Lord stirred up unutterable sighings, and groanings, and mournings, (you think (it may be) if Christ was present, you would not doubt of answer) and they continue still, and do you think Christ is hard-hearted? hath the Lord come to thee in the Temple, and manifested his love by his own promise, sure, and faithful, and wilt thou not yet own him? hast had, and hast now the first fruition of the Spirit, and wilt not yet own him? and art afraid to go to him, when others are in glory that trod in thy steps? Oh be humbled for it; I know there is nothing which makes thee fear it, but a Rebellious vile heart, and nature; and can the Lord love such a one? Yes, such a one, if he mourns under it, Rom. 7. 24. Isa • . 57. 18, 19. The Lord will create peace; he hath seen thy ways, and he • will heal them; And when you have him thus, own him daily, keep your peace, do nothing which may make you lose boldness in prayer, and therefore reckon daily with him; and Remember, the promise stands, when feelings are lost.

Object. But I can do but little for him.

Answ. True, Isa. 64. 6. Thou the Lord's clay, his Vessel, though of little public use, yet in thy place do what thou canst for Christ Jesus. Servants, Masters, Members, Rich, Poor, bestir yourselves For Christ, you shall lose nothing by it, &c.