Part 4

I answer, it is impossible that a child of _God_ should (either in spirituall _health_ or _sicknes_) live in the breach of any known _command_ of _God_ his _Father_. Tis true, _Abraham_, and _Jacob_, and _David_, and others, lived long in the sin of many wives, out of _ignorance_ of _Gods will_, and _Gods_ children to this day, even the holy _Martyrs_ or _Witnesses_ of _Jesus_, (who accounted their heart bloods not too dear for _Christ_) have and do live in the breach of many _Commandments_, that concern the _worship_ of _God_: But they are herein like a _traveller_ deceived, by a false path, which when he once really _suspects_, he cannot walk a step with ease, now do they cry out with _David_, _Psal: 119_. I will walk at _liberty_, for I seek thy precepts: And when _God_ saith seek my _Face_, their _Hearts_ answer, _Lord_ thy face will I seek. _Psalm 27_.

[Sidenote: 8thly]

[Sidenote: The patience of Gods children, under Gods hand.]

An 8th. discovery of _spirituall health_ and _strength_, is an humble, a patient and thankfull _submission_ to the _aflicting_, and _chastising_ hand of _God_. Thus it is said of _Aaron_, in that dreadfull stroak of _Gods_ hand, depriving him of his two sons in the _floure_ of their _Youth_, in the midst of their _sin_, in the _performance_ of their _Priests Office_: it is said, _Aaron_ held his peace: I was dumb and held my peace, (saith _David_) _Psal. 39_. for thou didst it: Thus _Jeremiah_ (Lam: 1.) _Jehovah_ is righteous, for I have grievously transgrest against him. Yea _Job_ not only exprest an humble and patient mind, but also (which is wonderfull, but proper to _Gods_ children, when in right temper) he blessed _God_ in the midst of so many fearfull and astonishing _losses_, of so many Cattel, Servants, and Children, saying, Blessed be the name of the _Lord_.

_Obj._ May not _wicked_ men and _Hypocrites_ acknowledg _Gods_ afflicting hand, and humble themselves?

[Sidenote: The counterfeit patience of Hypocrites]

I answer, _Hypocrites_ may see _Gods_ hand, and humble themselves as the _Egyptians_, and the _Philistins_ did, but cannot possibly be thankfull for it: They acknowledg _Gods_ hand as a _Dog_ his _Masters_ when he is beaten, but not as a child his _Fathers_. As a loving and dutifull _Wife_, receiving _Pills_ or _Phisick_ from the hand of her loving _Husband_, a _skilfull Physitian_, who knows her _sicknes_, and out of _love_ and _care_, prepares them for her, she cannot but be thankfull for those bitter _medicins_, and earnestly desire a kindly working: Thus _David_, _Psal: 119_. I know O _Lord_ that thou in _faithfulnesse_ hast afflicted me, for all thy commands are _righteous_.

[Sidenote: 9thly.]

[Sidenote: The mournful confession of Gods people.]

A 9th. Argument of _spiritual health_, and _strength_, is an humble free _confession_, and giving _glory_ unto _God_, in the rising up, or recovering out of any _scandalous transgression_, against _God_ Hence the _Israelites_ confession of their sin in desiring a _King_, (so impatiently, and imperiously as they did, with large confessions, _1. Sam. 6_.)

Hence the many bitter and lamentable _confessions_ of holy _David_ and other holy Servants of _God_, after their committing of _known evils_: Hence the _Corinthians_ repenting of their fellowship with the _incestuous_ person in his sin, they give such an exemplary _evidence_ of their true _Repentance_, that their holy _practice_ is set as an holy _Samplar_, and _Copy_ for all _Saints_ afterward to follow, and write after.

_Obj._ But did not _Pharaoh_, _Saul_ and _Judas_ confesse their sins, _&c_?

[Sidenote: 1.]

I answer, not with intent to glorifie _God_ as _Gods_ Saints do, taking shame before the _world_ unto themselves, lying down in the Dust that _God_ may tread upon them, and be exalted.

[Sidenote: 2.]

[Sidenote: False confessions.]

Not with hatred of their _sins_, but in horrour and trouble at the _danger_ of them, or in the _evidence_ of them flying in their faces. Thus a _Merchant_ casteth those _goods_ over boord into the _sea_ in a storme, which afterward he wisheth in again: Like a _Dog_, they vomit up the filth which (after their _stomach_ is eased) they return unto, and lick up by new _Commissions_: But Gods _children_ confesse in hatred of their _sins_, and loathing of themselves, and (like men in some _sicknesses_) are willing to take those _medicines_ which may _provoke_ and cause _vomit_, which afterward they are so far from returning to, that they abhor to touch, or look on it.

_Obj._ But may not _Gods_ children return again to their vomit, and commit the same _sins_, which they have cast, up by humble _confession_?

[Sidenote: The sins of Gods people distinguished.]

I answer, the sins of _Gods children_ are either, 1. _grosse_ or _scandalous_, which when they recover out of, and give _glory_ unto _God_, by _publike_ confession, we seldome or never find them returning to such their _vomit_ again. Hence we hear no more of _Noahs Drunkennesse_, of _David's Adultry_, of _Peters deniall_ of _Christ Jesus_, _&c._

Or 2ly. Their _sins_ are _sins_ of a more private and ordinary _distemper_, wherein their _passions_ of _anger_, or _neglect_, or _forgetfullnes_ prevail against them, never without some _bitternes_, and _grief_, and _humiliation_, and _endeavour_, with _resolution_ of a more watchfull, and heavenly, and spirituall _conversation_?

[Sidenote: 10thly.]

[Sidenote: Gods people long alter visible enjoyments of God.]

10thly. It is an _argument_ of _spiritual health_, and _strength_, to _maintain_ or _recover_ an holy vehement longing, after the _enjoyment_ of _God_, and of _Christ_, in a _visible_, and _open profession_ of his own holy _worship_ and _Ordinances_, separate from all false _worships_, _Gods_, and _Christs_, &c.

Hence that of _David_, _Lord_ I have loved the _Habitation_ of thy _house_, and the place where thine _honour_ dwelleth: Hence he professeth he had rather be a _Door keeper_ in the house of the _Lord_, (that is in a low condition, in _Gods_ house,) then to dwell in the _tents_ of _wickednes_, though in never so safe and pleasant a _condition_.

Hence he sums up all his _desires_ in one, _Psal: 27_. One thing have I desired of the _Lord_, that I may dwell in the house of the _Lord_, &c.

Hence (though _David_ mist of the _Lords Order_ in carrying of the _Lords Ark_, and afterwards he mist in his _thoughts_ about the building of _God_ an _house_ and _Temple_: Yet in both he discovered his holy strong _affection_, to _Gods_ publike _honour_, and _worship_. The very same which afterward the Prophet _Jeremy_, and _Daniel_ declared in their bitter _Lamentations_, for the _Ruine_ of _Gods_ house. And both _Daniel_ and _Zacharie_, and _Haggie_, mightily declare this _affection_ for the _rebuilding_, and setting up again this _Temple_ and _worship_ of _God_, and what they prophesied, that both _Ezra_ and _Nehemiah_, and afterward _Jehoshua_ and _Zerubabel_ zealously performed and executed.

[Sidenote: True Christians affection to Christ Jesus in his visible worship.]

Hence it is that in the heavenly _Love Song_, the _love_ of _Christians_ to _Christ Jesus_ in his _ordinances_ is most elegantly set forth by a _similitude_ taken from the _strong affection_ of _married_ persons: I am, saith the _Spouse, sick_ of _love_, and O ye daughters of _Jerusalem_ tell _Christ Jesus_ so: If I finde him without I will _kisse_ him openly in the _streets_, and will not be ashamed: True heavenly _affection_ (like _marriage love_) at first kindles from some private _sparks_, to an open flame of publick _profession_, without shame before all men.

_Obj._ May not _Hypocrites_ (as _Saul_ in slaying the _Gibeonites_, and _Jehu_ in slaying the _Baalites_) discover strong _affection_ and _zeal_ to the _Lord_ and his _worship_, and consequently in these times to Christ _Jesus_ and his holy _kingdom_?

I answer: _Hypocrites_ and _counterfeits_ in their profession of _love_ to _Gods_ publick worship ever run upon one of these two _Rocks_. For,

First, either they set up, and maintain, and fight for a _fancie_, a _counterfeit_, a false _Christ_, according to the _prophesie_ of the Lord _Jesus_, that many (that is, _thousands_ and _multitudes_ of people) should so use his _name_, that is, with a willing ignorance and delusion.

Or 2ly, if it be the true _worship_ of the true _God_ according to the _appointment_ of _Christ Jesus_, yet ever in two things the sincere _wife_ (the true love of _Christ Jesus_) out-goes the _whore_ and _counterfeit_.

First, the true _wife_ contents not herself with the bare _exercise_, _ordinance_ or _administration_ (as the _hypocrites_ do) but in all is restless to enjoy the _Lord_ himself: For as the _ordinance_ is _spirituall_, and heavenly; so longs the true _beleever_ for a _spirituall_ and heavenly _communion_ with the _Lord_ himself in it, that he may become one _spirit_ with him more and more in all these outward and _subordinate means_ and _administrations_.

Hence it pleaseth the _Spirit_ of _God_ to resemble his _worship_ to the _marriage bed_, which satisfies not the heavenly _Spouse_, when the _Husband Christ Jesus_, is not spiritually embraced therein, but absent.

2ly, The desire of the true _beleever_ in the enjoyment of _Christ Jesus_ in any of his _appointments_ is to be made _fruitfull_ by him: but the desire of a _whore_ extends no further then _Lust_ or a _Reward_. Hence _Rom. 7_. We are married unto _Christ Jesus_, that we should bring forth _fruit_ unto _God_: A _whoorish heart_ willingly endures not _fruitfulnes_, but kills her own _conceptions_ which the true _Wife_ cherisheth, and tendreth as her _life_.

_Obj._ What should be the _reason_ why so many of _Gods children_ who in all _ages_ have discovered their strong _affection_ to _Gods_ visible _worship_, and _communion_ in _Christ_, have yet so varied, and wandred from the right, and first _institution_ of the _Church_, and _ministry_, and _Ordinances_ of _worship_?

I answer, Gods _councell_ touching the _spirituall captivity_, and _desolation_, must be fulfilled, when yet notwithstanding, the strength of the _affection_ of _Gods_ people hath appear'd in their _mourning_ and _weeping_, and lamenting after, and contending for the truth of the _spiritual injoyment_ of their souls _Beloved_, in all the _means_ of his own holy _appointments_.

[Sidenote: 11thly.]

11thly. Again it is an _Argument_ of _spirituall health_, & strength, in respect of _God_, when the _Heart_ is fixed, and readily prepared for all the holy _pleasure_ of _God_. Hence _Hezekiah_ praies for such whose _hearts_ were prepared to seek _Jehovah, God_ of their _Fathers_: Hence this _readines_, and _preparation_ of mind, is compared to the _shoes_ on our _Feet_, without which we are unfit for _travelling_, _walking_, &c. and with which we are _ready_ for any _spirituall imployment_. Hence _David_ professeth that his _heart_ was fixed, and ready, and when the _Lord_ said seek my _Face_, _Davids heart_ answered, _Lord_, thy _Face_ will I seek, _&c._

_Obj._ What is the reason that _Gods children_ are sometimes hardly brought on to difficult _services_, and _duties_?

I answer, _unreadines_, and _unfitnes_ is a _spirituall sicknes_ or _distemper_, which when _Gods children_ recover out of, then they say as the _Lord Jesus_ in _David_ _Psal: 41_. _Lord_ my _heart_ is willing, my _heart_ is ready to do thy will O my _God_: And they say to _Christ Jesus_, as his holy servant _John Bradford_ said to _Queen Mary_; If she keep me in _prison_, I will thank her; If she _release_ me I will _thank_ her; If she _burn_ me, I will still _thank her_.

[Sidenote: 12thly]

Lastly, it is an _Argument_ of _spirituall health_, and _strength_ when _Gods children_ walk in a continuall sence of their own _insufficiencies_, and _distempers_, when they discern the evill _inclination_ of their own _spirits_, and the _excellency_, and _sufficiency_ of _Gods_ most holy _Spirit_: And therefore continually say with _David_, _Psalme 143_. Thy _Spirit_ is good, lead me, _&c._ and Psal. 139. Search me O _God_, and try my _heart_, and see if thou findest any way of _wickednes in me, and lead me in the way everlasting_.

These and many more, are the _trials_ of _spirituall strength_, _health_, and _cheerfulnes_, in matters concerning _God_: We now come to the second Head of _trialls_ of _spirituall health_, and _strength_, in matters concerning our selves.

[Sidenote: Brokennes of spirit.]

First, then it is an Argument of _spiritual health_, and _strength_, when (especially) after known sins committed, our _hearts_ are in a _broken_ frame and temper, when our _spirits_ are as it were _contrite_, and pounded like _spice in a_ Morter, then yeelding the most delightfull _smell_ and _savour_ unto _God_.

Hence (_Isa. 66_) a _contrite_, and broken heart is an _House_ wherein _God_ dwels, an House well ordered, _swept_, and _garnished_.

Hence a _Spirit_ of _trembling_, (_Isa. 66_.) is an _Argument_ and _character_ of the most dutifull _children_ of _God_: but of this formerly.

[Sidenote: 2dly.

Spirituall battels.]

2ndly. It is an _Argument_ of _spirituall strength_, when we make it our _work_ to _observe_, _watch_, and kill our _corruptions_, and _rebellions_, and labour to keep under, and beat down our _body_ to an holy fitnes, and readines for _Gods service_, in _fasting_, and _prayer_ against _temptations_.

_Obj._ But may not _Hypocrites_ humble themselves, and labour to mortifie their _lusts_ and _corruptions_?

I answer, no question, but in horrour of _conscience_, and fear of _Gods judgments_, an _Hypocrite_ may humble himself in fasting, as _Ahab_, &c. but to kill sin, as sin, and to desire to be ready for _Gods_ will, in _denying_, and _subduing_ his own, is only the _character_ and property of a child of _God_.

[Sidenote: 3dly. Godly loathing for sin.]

3dly. It is an _Argument_ of _spirituall health_, and _strength_, when we so look upon our _sins_, and our sinfull _dispositions_, that we not only loath our _sins_, but also loath our selves for them: So saith the _Lord_, (_Ezek 6_.) My _people_ shall loath themselves for their _abominations_, and for their _whoorish heart_ against me: Thus _Job_ when he recovers himself from his _murmurings_ against _God_, he cries out, Behold I abhor my self, and repent in _dust_, and _ashes_. And _David_ (Psal: 73.) looks upon himself for his murmuring against _Gods providence_, as an _ignorant_ person, as a _fool_ and a _beast_ in _Gods_ presence.

_Object._ But may not an _Hypocrite_ loath and abhor himself for _sin_?

[Sidenote: Hypocrites may in a respect loath themselves for sin.]

_I answer_, It is possible for an _Hypocrite_ to be sorry for some _sins_, and to be angry with _himselfe_, and to loath himselfe, but not properly for his _sins_, which he loveth, but (as _theeves, whores, drunkards, &c._) for the _danger_, _damage_ and _disgrace_ which his sin may bring upon him. It is onely the property of _Gods children_ to look at _sin_ as _sin_, with a loathing _eye_, and to behold themselves _vile_ and _loathsome_, even for the most _pleasing_ and _profitable_, and _delightfull_, and most _secret sins_.

[Sidenote: _Fourthly._]

[Sidenote: True selfe denyall.]

Fourthly, It is an _Argument_ of the _strength_ of _Spirituall life_, when we lay downe our selves at the feet of _God_, when as a _Servants will_, our _wils_ are subdued to the _Lords will_, when the _Lord_ is become our _selfe_, when his _ends_ are our _ends_, which give us content and _pleasure_, although our _selves_, our _ends_ are lost and destroyed, that wee may finde new _ends_ and _delights_ in _God_.

Hence _Epaphroditus_ to further the worke of the _Lord_ (_Phil. 2_) he regarded not his health, and consequently not his _life_; as a true _Souldier_ in the Service of his heavenly _King_ and _Captaine_.

_Object._ But may not an _Hypocrite_ deny himselfs; his owne _ends_, his _pleasures_, his _profits_, his _credit_, his _liberty_, his _life_.

[Sidenote: No Hypocrite can truly deny himselfe.]

_I answer_, It is impossible; for all that he doth is still for _himselfe_: like _Israel_, _Hosea_ 7. He is an _empty vine_, he bringeth forth fruit to _himself_: All that he aims at in using the name of _God_, his _glory_, his _Christ_, is still to exalt _himselfe_, to save _himselfe_: But _Gods children_ eye ever a greater _end_ then _selfe_, to wit, the glorifying of their _God_, although it be in their own _destructions_.

[Sidenote: _Fifthly._]

Fifthly, Our hearts are then in an healthfull frame and disposition, when we are _cordially_ willing to goe from hence, that we may be with _Christ_, _Phil. 3_. yet for the service of _Christ_ and his _Saints_, we are cordially willing to stay in _hard_ and _difficult_ Service.

_Object._ But may not an _Hypocrite_ desire to dye, and to be with _Christ_?

_I answer_, An _Hypocrite_ may desire to dye, and to be with _Christ_ in a glorious _condition_, but no _Hypocrite_ can endure to dye, to be with _Christ_ in an holy and spirituall _condition_, free from _sin_: and therefore can he not endure uprightly, &c. to _worke_ for _Christ_ on _Earth_.

[Sidenote: _Sixtly._]

[Sidenote: Spirituall contentation in Gods will.]

Sixthly, Then are we in an healthfull _frame_ of _Grace_, when _God_ hath brought down our _hearts_ to be content with the changes of his _right-hand_ upon us: when we have learnt the _lesson_ of _Paul_, to be content with _food_ and _raiment_, with a _travellers_ and _strangers portion_, of so much as may serve us in our _Journey_: When we can tell how to abound without _Pride_, or _security_, or _trust_ in earthly things, and when we can tell how to want all outward _mercies_ with _quietnesse_ and _contentation_.

_Obj._ But may not _Hypocrites_ be contented with smal _matters_, and suppresse their desires of great _things_, and say with _Esau_ unto _Jacob_: Keep that thou hast _my brother_, I have enough?

[Sidenote: All changes and losses are made up to Gods people only by himselfe.]

_I answer_, the desires of all men are not alike _greedy_; but yet the desires of men are truely satisfied without _God_: Now when _changes_ and the _losse_ of all things fall upon the _Hypocrite_, he cannot finde those _changes_ and those _losses_ made up in _God_: No _Habakkuk_ tels us, That it is the _Character_ of _Gods_ children, when the _corne_ is gone, and the _flocks_ and the _heards_, and the _vine_, and the _figtree_ faile, to rejoyce in _God_ alone for a _portion_, and to _glory_ in the _God_ of their _Salvation_.

[Sidenote: _Seventhly._]

[Sidenote: Joy in Sorrow.]

Seventhly, Then are our hearts in an _healthfull_ frame, when we are not onely willing to suffer for the name of _Christ Jesus_, but when we also conceive a kinde of _pleasure_ in it; so saith _Paul_, I take _pleasure_ in _necessities_, in _distresses_, and for _Christs_ sake; Hence the Saints (_Heb. 13. 10_.) not onely suffered the spoyling of their _goods_, but they took the spoyling of their _goods_ with _joy_.

_Object._ May not _Hipocrites_ suffer joyfully for _Christ?_

[Sidenote: Hypocrites pretend to suffer for Christ.]

_I answer_, An _Hypocrite_ may doe and suffer with a seeming _joy_ for _Christ_: But he can never doe this out of _love_ to _Christ_, _1 Cor. 13_. but always out of _self-love_ for his owne _glory_ and _honour_, out of strong conviction of _conscience_, least he be damned in denying his _light_, _&c._ Onely _Gods children_ can out of _love_ to _Christ Jesus_ rejoyce (as some true _friend_ or _wife_) to be _afflicted_ and to _sorrow_ and loose for their _Souls beloved_.

_Object._ Why then are many of _Gods children_ so _heavy_ in their _sufferings_ and _losses_ for _Christ Jesus_?

_I answer_, This hapneth sometimes out of distemper of _body_; sometimes out of distemper and weaknesse of _minde_, which they labour against, and chide themselves for as did _David_, _Psal. 42. & 43._ why art thou disquieted O my _Soul_, and why art thou so heavy within me? still trust in GOD, for I will praise him, who is the _health_ of my _countenance_ and my _God_.

[Sidenote: _Eightly._]

[Sidenote: Christian weanedness from this worlds comforts.]

Eighthly, It argues strength of _Grace_ when we use this _world_, and all the _comforts_ of it with a _weaned eye_ and _mind_, as if we used it not: as _English Travellers_ that lodge in an _Indian_ house, use all the wild _Indians_ comforts with a strange _affection_, willing and ready to be gone: or as _Passengers_ in a _Ship_, willing and ready (when _God_ will) to land, and goe ashoar in our own _countrey_, to our owne _House_, and _comforts_ in the _Heavens_.

Thus _Gideons_ Souldiers (in a figure of such as are fit for _Christs Battels_) are not only _couragious_ and depart not with the _cowards_, but also lap at the _comforts_ of this life, with a speedy _necessity_, but lye not downe to them in _excesse_ of _affection_ and _delight_.

_Object._ May not _Hypocrites_ use this world with a strange _affection_, weaned from the vanities of it, _&c._

[Sidenote: The heavenly use of earthly comforts.]

_I answer_, Doubtlesse not onely a false _Christian_ or _Hypocrite_, but other naturall men (out of the _sence_ and _experience_ of the _vanitie_ and _uncertainty_ of this life, and the _comforts_ of it) may attaine to a great seeming _dispising_ of these _earthly things_, though never without _sorrow_ that they are not more _full_ and _certain_, as being their _portion_: Onely _Gods children_ who have made the _Lord_ himselfe their portion, and his _word_ and _Ordinances_ their _inheritance_, they only I say use them as from _God_, tokens of his _Love_ and _goodnesse_, and as _golden chaines_ to draw them unto him, and humbly submit to _Gods_ holy pleasure, in his gracious _bestowing_ or _withdrawing_ of them.

[Sidenote: _Ninthly._]

Ninthly, It is an _argument_ of a strong _fear_ of and _affection_ to _God_, when in all our earthly businesses, we see _God_, and minde his _name_ and _praise_. Hence saith _James_: Yee ought in all Journeys and purposes to say, If _God_ will: Hence _Boaz_ that holy man, when he comes into his _Field_ hath _God_ in his _mouth_: The _Lord_ blesse you sayed he to his _Reapers_: Hence the poorest _Christian_ able to contribute (_1 Cor. 16_.) observes _weekly_, and therefore _daily_ the _dispensations_ of _God_ towards him; He observes the _givings_ and _takings_ of _Gods_ hand, and walks with him though in the poorest and meanest _calling_ and _condition_.

_Object._ But may not _Hypocrites_ observe _Gods_ blessing in _worldly_ things, in _faire winds_, _good voyages_, in the _encrease_ of _children_, _corne_, _wine_, _cattel_, _&c_?

[Sidenote: The glorifying of God proper to Gods children only.]

_I answer, Naturall conviction_ enforceth even _Pagans_ to confesse (a _Manittoo_) an _Invisible Deity_ and _God-head_ in these visible things; But to make it a _worke_ and _Businesse_ in all these earthly things to see and _glorifie God_, to walke with him, and to be full of his _praise_ all the day long; this is onely the _Character_ of _Gods children_, who only truly see his _hand_, and love his _name_ and _glory_.

[Sidenote: _Tenthly._]

[Sidenote: The true watch of Gods people over their Tongue.]

Tenthly, It is an _Argument_ of strength and vigour of _grace_, to keep a constant _watch_ and _bridle_ on our _lips_ and _tongue_, that no words passe but such as are seasoned with _Salt_, to the _glorifying_ of our _Maker_ with our _glory_, and the _edifying_ or _benefiting_ of others. This _Tongue_ of ours the _Lord_ compares to the _bridle_ of a _Horse_, to the _Helm_ of a _Ship_, which if well managed rules the _horse_ and _ship_, with _safety_ and _comfort_: and the _Spirit_ of _God_ concludes; that he is a _perfect_ and _strong_ man in _Christ_, that is thus able to command his _Speech_ and _Tongue_ in this world.