,true ,christianity ,a ,treatise ,on ,sincere ,repentance1 ,true ,faith1 ,the ,holy ,walk of the ,true ,christian1 ,etc4 ,by the ,venerable ,johann ,arndt ,general ,superintendant of ,ecclesiastical ,affairs in the ,principality of ,lneberg ,originally ,translated ,into ,english ,by ,rev4 ,a4 ,w4 ,boehm1 ,german ,chaplain at the ,court of ,st4 ,james1 and ,published in ,london1 ,a4,d4 #agab4 ,a ,new ,american ,edition1 ,revised1 ,corrected1 and ,furnished with ,additional ,matter ,from ,the ,original ,german1 ,together ,with ,a ,general ,introduction1 ,by ,charles ,f4 ,schaeffer1 ,d4,d41 ,professor of ,theology in the ,theological ,seminary of the ,evangelical ,lutheran ,church1 at ,philadelphia ,philadelphia ,the ,lutheran ,book ,store1 ,no4 #hjg ,vine ,street4 ,smith1 ,english ,co41 ,no4 #bc ,n4 ,sixth ,street4 #ahfh ,,contents ,introduction ,by ,the ,american ,editor4 ,book ,i4 ,the ,author's ,preface ,to ,the ,first ,book4 ,chapter ,i4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,chapter ,v4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,chapter ,x4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,chapter ,,xv4 ,chapter ,,xvi4 ,chapter ,,xvii4 ,chapter ,,xviii4 ,chapter ,,xix4 ,chapter ,,xx4 ,chapter ,,xxi4 ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,chapter ,,xxv4 ,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,chapter ,,xxix4 ,chapter ,,xxx4 ,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,chapter ,,xl4 ,chapter ,,xli4 ,chapter ,,xlii4 ,book ,,ii4 ,preface ,to ,the ,second ,book4 ,chapter ,i4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,chapter ,v4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,chapter ,x4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,chapter ,,xv4 ,chapter ,,xvi4 ,chapter ,,xvii4 ,chapter ,,xviii4 ,chapter ,,xix4 ,chapter ,,xx4 ,chapter ,,xxi4 ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,chapter ,,xxv4 ,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,chapter ,,xxix4 ,chapter ,,xxx4 ,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,chapter ,,xl4 ,chapter ,,xli4 ,chapter ,,xlii4 ,chapter ,,xliii4 ,chapter ,,xliv4 ,chapter ,,xlv4 ,chapter ,,xlvi4 ,chapter ,,xlvii4 ,chapter ,,xlviii4 ,chapter ,,xlix4 ,chapter ,l4 ,chapter ,,li4 ,chapter ,,lii4 ,chapter ,,liii4 ,chapter ,,liv4 ,chapter ,,lv4 ,chapter ,,lvi4 ,chapter ,,lvii4 ,conclusion ,of ,the ,second ,book4 ,book ,,iii4 ,preface ,to ,the ,third ,book4 ,chapter ,i4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,chapter ,v4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,chapter ,x4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,chapter ,,xv4 ,chapter ,,xvi4 ,chapter ,,xvii4 ,chapter ,,xviii4 ,chapter ,,xix4 ,chapter ,,xx4 ,chapter ,,xxi4 ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,book ,,iv4 ,preface ,to ,the ,fourth ,book4 ,part ,i4 ,chapter ,i4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,chapter ,v4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,part ,,ii4 ,chapter ,i4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,chapter ,v4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,chapter ,x4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,chapter ,,xv4 ,chapter ,,xvi4 ,chapter ,,xvii4 ,chapter ,,xviii4 ,chapter ,,xix4 ,chapter ,,xx4 ,chapter ,,xxi4 ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,chapter ,,xxv4 ,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,chapter ,,xxix4 ,chapter ,,xxx4 ,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,chapter ,,xl4 ,conclusion4 ,index4 ,footnotes ,,introduction ,,by ,,the ,,american ,,editor4 ,both the general purpose of the venerable ,johann ,arndt in writing his 8,,true ,,christianity10 and also his own character and spirit1 will be best exhibited by submitting to the reader a statement referring to his personal history4 ,he was born1 ,december #bgth1 #aeee1 in ,ballenstdt1 a town in the ,duchy of ,anhalt1 where his father1 ,rev4 ,jacob ,arndt1 long labored as the chaplain of ,duke ,wolfgang1 and the pastor of one of the ,evangelical ,lutheran congregations of the place4 ,the latter was a devout and faithful minister of the ,gospel1 and a wise and affectionate father4 ,he had1 from the earliest period1 devoted much attention to the religious education of his son1 in the performance of which holy duty he was faithfully sustained by his excellent wife4 ,their efforts were abundantly blessed4 ,the son1 even in his early years1 took great pleasure in reading the writings of ,luther1 and also acquired a fondness for those of ,thomas ,kempis1 of ,tauler1 and of others who breathed the same spirit of devotion4 ,that this feature of his religious character did not undergo any essential change in his riper years1 appears from the circumstance that he was one of the first who collected1 arranged1 and republished the religious tracts of ,stephen ,prtorius1 a ,lutheran divine of an eminently devout spirit4 ,these were subsequently re-edited by ,martin ,statius1 who prefixed the title3 ,spiritual ,treasury 7,geistliche ,schatzkammer71 to the collection4 ,this book of devotion was highly prized by ,spener1 has often been reprinted1 is found in many ,german households1 and well deserves to be translated1 and thus made accessible to the ,english religious public4 #b4 ,in his tenth year ,arndt lost his father1 but the orphan soon found friends who1 in the good providence of ,god1 enabled him to continue the studies which he had commenced with distinguished success under the guidance of his father4 ,after completing his preparatory education in the schools of ,halberstadt and ,magdeburg1 he proceeded1 in the year #aegf1 to the university of ,helmstedt1 which had recently been established4 ,in the course of the following year1 #aegg1 he went as a student to the university of ,wittenberg1 soon after the official recognition of the principles embodied in the ,formula of ,concord 7published in #aehj71 by which that institution received a strictly ,lutheran character1 and every tendency to any other doctrinal system was successfully arrested4 ,it was here that he formed a very close union1 first as a student1 and then as a personal friend1 with the eminent ,polycarp ,leyser1 the elder of that name1 whose firmness and devotion in sustaining the distinctive features of ,lutheranism have assigned to him a high position in the history of his ,church4--,after ,arndt had1 even at this early age1 acquired distinction as an accomplished private lecturer on ,natural ,philosophy1 etc41 as well as on the ,epistle to the ,romans1 ,leyser furnished him with an unusually favorable recommendation to the professors in ,strasburg4 ,this city1 the government and population of which were exclusively ,lutheran1 had not yet been subjected to that great calamity which afterwards befell it1 when the despot and bigot1 ,louis ,,xiv41 incorporated it with the ,french monarchy1 and by assigning undue privileges to papists1 and adopting other tyrannical measures1 opened an avenue for the introduction1 not merely of an inferior ,romanic language1 but also of the errors and superstitions of the ,church of ,rome4 #c4 ,arndt continued his theological studies in ,strasburg1 under the direction of ,prof4 ,pappus1 who was also distinguished for his devotion to the genuine ,lutheran faith4 ,in the year #aegi he proceeded to ,basel1 where1 under the gentle sway of ,sulcer1 the ,lutheran faith had acquired influence and authority4 ,in this city he was temporarily engaged as the tutor of a young ,polish nobleman2 the latter1 on one of their excursions1 when ,arndt had accidentally fallen into the ,rhine1 succeeded in seizing his sinking preceptor by the hair of his head1 and thus became the means1 in the hands of ,god1 of saving a life of incalculable value1 designed to prove an ever-flowing source of blessings to the ,church4 #d4 ,during this whole period ,arndt occupied himself with the study of medicine1 in connection with his strictly theological studies2 it is possible that he would have ultimately chosen the practice of medicine as the business of his life1 if a severe illness had not intervened4 ,after his recovery1 he believed it to be his duty to renounce his personal tastes1 and he thenceforth consecrated himself entirely to the service of the ,church4 ,his medical and chemical occupations1 although not abandoned1 were afterwards regarded by him only as a recreation4 #e4 ,he returned1 in #aeha or #aehb1 to his native place1 and labored for some time as a teacher1 until he was called by his prince1 ,joachim ,ernest1 to be the pastor of the congregation in ,badeborn1 a village in the ,duchy of ,anhalt2 he was1 accordingly1 ordained in the month of ,october of the same year4 ,it was here1 too1 that he was married1 ,october #ca1 #aehc1 to ,anna ,wagner1 the daughter of an eminent jurist1 with whom he passed the remaining thirty-eight years of his life in unclouded domestic happiness4 ,she was a devout ,christian woman1 who cheered and encouraged ,arndt amid his many cares1 alleviated every burden to the extent of her ability1 and was always regarded by him with tenderness and gratitude4 ,they were childless2 but many an orphan found that their hearts could overflow with love towards the young and destitute--a love as full of warmth as beloved children have ever experienced parental love to be4 #f4 ,in this first pastoral charge of ,arndt1 the unhappy state of affairs subjected him1 particularly during the latter part of the seven years which he spent in it1 to a 8,lutheran martyrdom10 as ,tholuck expresses himself 7,herzog4 ,encyk4 ,i41 #ecf74 ,the duke1 ,john ,george1 who now reigned 7a relative of the palsgrave1 or count palatine1 ,casimir1 a zealous ,calvinist71 after various inward struggles1 abandoned the ,lutheran faith1 and1 in the year #aeif1 publicly adopted the ,reformed faith1 a few years after the transactions to which we now refer4 ,even ,protestant rulers1 who had not yet learned the theory that a union of church and state can operate only perniciously1 perpetually interfered in the internal affairs of the church4--,at this period it was the custom of ,lutheran pastors1 when they administered the rite of ,baptism1 to follow the liturgical form which prescribed 8exorcism40 ,this feature of the whole baptismal form1 which was introduced as early as the third century1 or even earlier 7before the days of ,tertullian and ,origen71 consisted simply in a sentence adjuring the evil spirit to depart from the subject of ,baptism4 ,the early practice had1 like others1 been gradually associated1 after the rise and development of popery1 with superstitious ideas1 such as was also the case with the ,lord's ,supper1 until it assumed an absurd and even revolting form4 ,at the period of the ,reformation1 ,zwingli and ,calvin 7,inst4 ,,iv41 c4 #ae1 #ai2 c4 #ai1 #bd7 rejected the whole form of exorcism4 ,luther and ,melanchthon1 on the other hand1 after discarding the popish excrescences1 believed that the scriptural doctrine which the early form involved or suggested1 authorized the retention of the practice1 when restricted to a very plain and simple formula1 expressive of a scriptural truth4--,now1 at that period1 as it is well known1 unfriendly feelings1 engendered by various causes1 existed to a certain extent1 between the heads respectively of the ,reformed and the ,lutheran churches1 in consequence of which even harmless customs which none would1 under ordinary circumstances1 either advocate or condemn with partisan feeling1 assumed a confessional character4 ,such was the case with the purified and simple ,lutheran baptismal sentence containing the 8exorcism40 #g4 ,arndt's course in this matter has often been misunderstood2 as it1 however1 demonstrates him to have been alike a very firm and conscientious man1 and also an uncompromising supporter of the distinctive doctrines and usages of the ,lutheran ,church1 the following details may be appropriately furnished4--,the language which ,luther retained in his form for ,baptism 7,taufbchlein71 after omitting all popish and superstitious practices1 was the following4 ,between the prayer and the reading of ,mark #aj3ac-af1 the pastor says3 8,i adjure thee1 thou unclean spirit1 in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost1 that thou go out and depart from this servant of ,jesus ,christ1 ,amen40--,luther understood the form to be a declaration or distinct confession of the doctrine of ,original ,sin1 and a renunciation of ,satan4 ,still1 the ,lutheran ,church1 as such1 never recognized the necessity of this ancient form1 and its confessional writings never allude to it4 ,after the excitement of feeling peculiar to ,arndt's age1 had been allayed by time1 the ,lutheran ,church regarded the whole as a mere adiaphoron1 that is1 a 8thing indifferent10 not essentially involving any principle whatever1 inasmuch as the doctrine of ,original ,sin had already been very explicitly set forth and confessed in her ,symbolical ,books4 ,such was the opinion of the eminent ,lutheran dogmatical writers1 ,gerhard1 ,quenstedt1 ,hollaz1 etc42 and men like ,baier and ,baumgarten even advocated the discontinuance of the practice4 ,it is no longer retained in any prominent manner in the ,lutheran ,church4--,but in the age in which ,arndt lived1 who was not a man that would obstinately cling to a mere form1 the rejection of the formula of ,exorcism did involve a principle2 for1 under the peculiar circumstances1 that rejection might be understood to be1 first1 a rejection of the doctrine of ,original ,sin1 and1 secondly1 an affirmation that the children of believing parents were in the kingdom of heaven1 even before they had received ,baptism4 ,but all this seemed to conflict with the ,pauline doctrine that all are 8by nature the children of wrath40 ,eph4 #b3c4 ,while1 then1 ,j4 ,ben4 ,carpzov1 the distinguished interpreter of the ,symbolical ,books1 who died in #aeeg1 decides that the 8,exorcism0 is in itself a matter of indifference1 and may without scruple be dropped1 he nevertheless holds that if the omission of it should be understood as a denial of the ,scripture doctrine of the corruption of human nature 7,original ,sin71 it becomes1 in such a case1 a matter of principle to retain the formula4 7,isagoge1 etc41 p4 #aabb ff42 #afjh47 ,walch1 the other eminent interpreter of the ,symbolical ,books 7,introductio1 etc471 does not refer to the matter at all1 as it is no essential part of the ,lutheran ,creed4 ,but ,arndt1 who was a calm1 sagacious1 and conscientious observer1 and who may justly be considered as claiming that1 in forming a judgment respecting him1 we should not overlook the spirit of his times1 apprehended that the suppression of the 8exorcism0 was secretly designed to be the forerunner of the suppression of the entire ,lutheran faith1 which constituted the life of his soul2 he could not1 under such circumstances1 consent to endanger his most precious treasure4 #h4 ,now the duke1 ,john ,george1 after his virtual adoption of the ,reformed faith and practice1 issued a peremptory order that the formula of ,exorcism should no longer be employed in his dominions at the baptism of any infant4 ,arndt1 who was characterized by a childlike submission to those in authority1 as long as matters of principle were not involved1 could not renounce his faith in ,god's word1 and1 especially1 his personal conviction of the natural depravity of the human heart4 ,he might have consented to drop a mere form2 but he saw here an entering wedge1 which justly alarmed him4 ,his apprehensions were subsequently proved to have been only too well founded1 when1 soon afterwards1 ,luther's ,catechism was suppressed1 and another substituted in its place4 ,hence1 as he could not renounce a prominent feature of the ,lutheran creed1 he firmly and positively refused to obey the ducal command4 ,he remarked1 in the written statement which embodied his reasons for refusing to obey1 and which was submitted to the civil authorities1 that his conscience would not allow him to comply with such a demand of the secular authority--that the orthodox fathers1 who had1 during thirteen centuries1 connected 8exorcism0 with ,baptism1 understood it in accordance with the mind and true sense of the ,scriptures 7ex mente et vero sensu ,scriptur7--that it was1 therefore1 by no means 8an impious ceremony0 7as the civil ruler1 a layman1 had thought proper to designate it71--that he must necessarily abide by the decision of his conscience--and1 that he would humbly submit to any sentence which his prince might pronounce in the case4 ,the date which he affixed to the document1 is ,sept4 #aj1 #aeij4 ,that sentence1 which was soon afterwards proclaimed1 deposed ,arndt from his office1 and banished him from the ducal territories4 ,the reader of ,book ,i4 of the 8,true ,christianity10 will now understand1 after observing the earnestness with which the author insists on the doctrine of ,original ,sin1 or the depravity of human nature1 that he could not conscientiously take any step which would1 even indirectly1 involve a denial of that sad truth of the ,bible1--a truth to which his knowledge of his own heart daily testified4 #i4 ,but the ,divine ,head of the ,church did not depose this faithful minister4 ,at the very time when ,arndt seemed to be homeless and friendless1 two important posts were offered to him--one in ,mansfeld1 the other in ,quedlinburg1 an important city1 which1 after belonging to various rulers1 has at last been incorporated with the monarchy of ,prussia4 ,the city adopted the ,lutheran faith in #aeci4 ,arndt decided to make this place his home1 and he labored here with eminent success1 during a period of seven years1 as the pastor of the church of ,st4 ,nicholas4 ,however1 he also endured much affliction in this new charge1 and his holy zeal and devout spirit1 while fully appreciated by intelligent and enlightened believers1 were misunderstood and even hated by others1 so that he longed to be transferred to another field of labor4 #aj4 ,he was at length permitted to depart1 and removed to the city of ,brunswick1 situated in the territory of the duke of ,brunswick2 it aspired at that time to become a 8free city10 subject directly to the ,german emperor4 ,the warfare between the duke and the city1 during ,arndt's residence in the latter1 subjected him to many sore trials4 ,his abode in it1 extending from #aeij to #afjh1 is specially interesting1 as he then presented to the religious community ,book ,i4 of his 8,true ,christianity40 ,dr4 ,a4 ,wildenhahn1 who has1 in recent times1 furnished us with various charming volumes1 descriptive of the times1 respectively1 of ,luther1 ,spener1 ,paul ,gerhardt1 etc41 in which he combines 8fiction and truth10 has selected this period of ,arndt's history1 as the one to which he dedicates his two delightful volumes1 entitled 8,johannes ,arndt0 7,leipzig1 #ahfa74 ,this author complains that he found it a difficult task to collect full and authentic accounts of ,arndt's life4 ,still1 he obtained access to various documents in the archives of the city of ,brunswick1 and in the royal library in ,dresden1 which had not been previously examined even by ,arndt's best biographer1 the ,rev4 ,frederick ,arndt1 of ,berlin2 and these materially assisted him in preparing his own work47#a7 #aa4 ,during the earlier years of ,arndt's residence in ,brunswick1 as a co-pastor of the church of ,st4 ,martin1 his life was comparatively peaceful and happy4 ,the purity of his character1 the soundness and power of his doctrine1 and the diligence and fidelity manifested in his pastoral labors1 could not fail to command the respect1 and attract the love of all candid persons4 ,but he was at length subjected to trials of a new and painful character1 and became the victim of the hostile and persecuting spirit of men from whom a very different course of conduct might have reasonably been expected4 ,the origin of these new difficulties has not always been clearly understood2 while some have regarded ,arndt as worthy of the censures of those who assailed him1 others are disposed to condemn those assailants in unqualified terms4 ,it is strange that1 even at this comparatively remote period1 such judgments are sometimes expressed in language which betrays personal feeling rather than it announces the calm judgment of a later and disinterested generation4 #ab4 ,it is here necessary to cast a glance at the history of the times which preceded and followed the eventful year #aeee1 in which ,arndt was born1 a year ever memorable as the one in which the signing of the articles of the ,peace of ,augsburg secured a temporary external repose for the ,lutheran ,church4 ,this 8,peace0 terminated at least the horrors which had followed the introduction1 in #aedh1 of the ,augsburg ,interim1 by which the newly-established ,protestant doctrine was seriously endangered4 ,the provisions of this ,interim were enforced with such merciless tyranny by popish authorities1 that in ,south ,germany alone about four hundred faithful ,lutheran pastors1 who could not conscientiously accede to an arrangement which might possibly restore the full authority of the errors and superstitions of ,rome1 were driven1 as exiles1 with their families1 from their homes4 ,the spirit of the ,christian martyrs of the early ages of the ,church revived in these heroic men1 and they clung with undying tenacity to their holy faith4 #ac4 ,that faith now encountered new enemies1 who did not resort to fire and the sword1 but who adopted more insidious means for corrupting divine truth2 and again1 assaults like theirs1 only increased the jealousy with which the genuine ,lutherans guarded the purity of their doctrinal system4 ,it was the only gift of heaven1 which sin and ,satan could not touch1 and which retained all its unsullied holiness4 ,the soul of man had become corrupt2 the body was subject to disease and death2 the world1 fair as it was1 and rich in the gifts of ,god1 had nevertheless been made by sin to bring forth thorns and thistles4 ,but the ,gospel truth1 which conducted men to ,christ and heaven1 remained in all its purity and power4 ,these men were willing to suffer and die1 but while they did live1 they could not relax the grasp with which they held fast to evangelical truth4 ,now1 amid the political and religious commotions of that stormy age1 could we expect that devout men should say1 8,peace1 peace20 when there was no peace8 7,jerem4 #f3ad47 #ad4 ,let us illustrate this subject4 ,schwenkfeldt1 for instance 7born in #adij2 died1 #aefa71 an opponent of both the ,lutherans and the ,reformed1 as well as of the ,papists1 and1 accordingly1 constantly engaged in controversies with all parties1 declared that ,luther's uncompromising determination to maintain the authority of the written word of revelation1 the ,bible1 was equivalent to a worship of the letter4 ,he assigned1 in his fanaticism and morbid mysticism1 a rank to an inner and direct word of the ,divine ,spirit1 which he asserted that he received1 far above that of the written word of ,god4 ,he refused to make any distinction between the divine act of the justification of the believer1 on the one hand1 and the progressive sanctification of the believer1 on the other4 ,he taught that the two natures of ,christ1 the divine and the human1 were so fused together1 or1 rather1 that the flesh of ,christ was so absolutely deified or converted into ,god himself1 that no distinction between them remained1--that the regenerate could live without sin1 etc4 ,he succeeded1 in spite of the crudeness1 one-sidedness1 and unsoundness of his doctrines1 in attracting many disciples4 ,his death1 which occurred in #aefa1 a few years after ,arndt's birth1 did not terminate the widespread confusion which he had created in the ,protestant ,church2 the dread of that sickly form of mysticism which he attempted to establish1 long remained4 ,the fear was naturally entertained that it might lead many astray1 who1 while they did not otherwise fraternize with ,schwenkfeldt in his wild and absurd course1 might be deluded by his claims to superior religious intelligence and holiness4 #ae4 ,the disastrous influences of the demagogue ,thomas ,mnzer 7born in #adij71 and of his fanatical party1 the ,zwickau prophets1 on sound doctrine and sound morals1 as well as the blood which they had shed1 were still vividly remembered4--,servetus1 the ,unitarian1 had perished1 but he left a seed behind2 the doctrine of ,christ's deity still remained a point of attack4 ,and besides these false teachers1 several others1 who were originally connected in various modes with the ,lutheran ,church1 promulgated at various times opinions which seemed to be subversive of all ,scripture doctrine4--,agricola1 who had originally been an active adherent of ,luther1 gradually departed from the faith4 ,he unquestionably betrayed the interests of ,protestantism by sanctioning the ,augsburg ,interim of #aedh4 ,he engaged in a controversy1 at first with ,melanchthon1 and then with ,luther himself1 on the subject of the proper 8,use of the law0--the ,antinomistic controversy--maintaining that the law was no longer of importance to the believer1 and that the ,gospel alone should be preached4 ,he died in #aeff1 when ,arndt was about eleven years old4 ,the confusion in the church1 which he created by his dangerous sentiments on several points1 was long painfully felt4--,the ,osiandrian controversy1 respecting ,justification1 and its relation to ,sanctification1 began in #aedi1 and closed only when ,arndt was already a student4--,the ,majoristic controversy originated in the public declaration made by ,g4 ,major1 that 8good works are necessary to salvation40 ,the fears which such a doctrine1 that savored of popery1 produced among orthodox and devout ,lutherans1 were excessive4 ,those who opposed ,major1 were alarmed by his unguarded expressions1 and apprehended that the ,gospel doctrine of ,justification by faith in ,christ alone1 without human works or merit1 would be endangered1 unless they silenced him4 ,the controversy1 in its most energetic form1 terminated about seven years after ,arndt's birth1 but the indirect effects of the misconceptions connected with the great topic of this controversy1 were deeply felt by him4--,the ,synergistic controversy1 relating to the question whether man could co-operate with the ,holy ,spirit in the work of his conversion1 began in the year in which ,arndt was born1 and was maintained with great energy during several years4--,the so-called ,cryptocalvinistic controversy1 referring mainly to the doctrine of the ,lord's ,supper1 and involving certain important questions respecting the ,person of ,christ1 commenced about three years before ,arndt's birth1 and agitated the church during many years4--,these1 and other subjects on which also controversies had arisen1 were1 in the good providence of ,god1 at length calmly considered by learned and devout ,lutheran theologians1 conscientiously examined in the light of the divine ,word1 impartially decided1 and set forth1 in the year #aehj1 in the ,,formula ,,of ,,concord1 the last of the special ,lutheran creeds1 all the doctrines of which ,arndt cordially received1 as he repeatedly declared in an official manner on various occasions1 in his writings1 in his last will and testament1 and on his death-bed4 7,see below #bd1 #be47 ,the very great reverence with which he regarded this noble creed1 and his attachment to it1 are to be ascribed not only to the spotless purity of the doctrines which it sets forth1 but also to the good work which it performed in successfully and permanently deciding several very important questions which had latterly arisen1 and on which the preceding creeds had not authoritatively and fully pronounced4 ,it is1 however1 obvious1 that even after these storms subsided1 the waves would long remain in commotion1 and it was precisely in these troublous times that ,arndt labored in the ministry4 #af4 ,the catalogue of the difficulties which awaited him1 is not yet exhausted4 ,we have to add1 as a part of the history of the times1 when an extraordinary number of political and ecclesiastical contentions prevailed1 the excitement of feeling which certain differences of doctrine between the ,lutherans and the ,reformed engendered1 and which would never have risen to the fearful height in which history now exhibits it to us1 if political power1 controlled alternately by the two religious parties in some of the ,german principalities1 had not been invoked by them4 ,the awful death by fire1 which terminated the career of ,servetus 7,oct4 #bg1 #aeec1 two years before the birth of ,arndt1 and more than six years after the death of ,luther71 was decreed by the civil authorities of ,geneva1 but was sanctioned by ,calvin and even the gentle ,melanchthon--a sad example of the clouded views of men at that time respecting religious liberty and the right of civil rulers to punish men for their errors in the faith4 #ag4 ,in the ,palatinate 7the ancient ,pfalz1 the territories of which are now distributed among ,bavaria1 ,prussia1 etc47 the ,lutheran ,church had been established1 and popery ceased to exist4 ,but in #aefj1 a few years after ,arndt's birth1 the ,elector1 ,frederick ,,iii41 withdrew from the church1 and adopted the ,reformed faith and usages4 ,his successor1 ,lewis ,,vi41 endeavored to restore the ascendency of ,lutheranism2 but after his brief reign1 the authorities which succeeded1 established 8,calvinism0 7the term employed in ,church ,history7 on a permanent basis4 ,a similar ecclesiastico-civil revolution occurred in ,bremen in #aefb2 fourteen ,lutheran pastors and the ,lutheran members of the ,city ,council were expelled1 and the city became ,reformed4 ,such changes occurred elsewhere4 ,both parties were undoubtedly more or less honest in adhering to their doctrinal views2 and both claimed the right to depose and exile those of an opposite faith1 whenever the civil and political power was1 in either case1 directed by them4 #ah4 ,let it now be remembered that these contending ,protestants1 ,lutheran and ,reformed or ,calvinistic1 were led by men respectively1 who were confessedly intelligent1 learned1 and endowed with great abilities1 many of whom were not only honest in expressing their convictions1 but also conscientious in their conduct1 whether they were governed by an erring or an enlightened conscience4 ,that the latter is historically true1 is demonstrated by their readiness1 when they lost power1 to submit to imprisonment or exile1 rather than to renounce their respective creeds4 ,they were all too well acquainted with ,bible truth to look with other feelings than with horror on the popish creed4 ,but while their own ,protestant creed was very precious to their souls1 they could not tolerate any departure from it1 even if that departure was not in the direction 8towards ,rome40 ,that departure must1 as they judged1 necessarily be equivalent to a denial of ,god's truth1 as they believed that they had found it in the ,bible4 ,thus all were alike sensitive--all seemed to feel that if they tolerated any error1 that error could not be trivial--it was1 as far as it extended1 a denial of ,god's truth4 ,could they safely assume the shame and guilt of such a sin8 ,we may add1 that we are here speaking only of the honest leaders of the ,lutherans and the ,reformed1 of whom each man judged and acted for himself1 as one who was accountable to ,god4 ,no honest ,reformed theologian would have screened a ,reformed heretic from condemnation2 and no honest ,lutheran would1 for a moment1 have tolerated a nominal ,lutheran1 who rejected any part of the creed of the church4 #ai4 ,at the same time1 all these men were fallible creatures1 subject to all the errors of judgment1 and to all the passions and infirmities incident to fallen man4 ,they often supposed that their intentions were pure1 when selfish motives governed them1 and their jealous guardianship of ,god's truth was combined with a jealous love for their personal opinions4 ,it was under these circumstances1 when each party watched with extreme jealousy over the purity of the faith1 as adopted by it1 and when1 besides1 many private interests--personal1 political1 and pecuniary--exercised vast influence1 that ,arndt entered on his labors4--,we have introduced the above details1 in order to explain his declarations in the preface to ,book ,i4 #h1 that he rejects the ,synergistic1 ,majoristic1 etc41 errors1 and entertains no other views except those which are set forth in the ,lutheran ,symbolical ,books4 #bj4 ,when he commenced his labors in ,brunswick1 he was the youngest member of the 8ministerium0 of the city1 that is1 of the college composed of the pastors of the several city churches1 all of which at that time strictly adhered to the ,lutheran creed4 ,he had long lamented that1 in consequence of the infelicity of the times1 which caused endless doctrinal controversies1 the parties of which were many1 ,papists1 ,mystics1 ,unitarians1 ,reformed1 ,lutherans1 etc41 the attention of many persons was diverted from the practical duties of a ,christian life1 and directed exclusively to controversies on points of doctrine2 the result was1 that the understanding was actively exercised1 but the heart was not properly affected4 ,such considerations induced him to write ,book ,i4 of his 8,true ,christianity40 ,it was his object to show that ,god demands a holy life1 proceeding from faith in ,christ1 and that no jealousy concerning the purity of the creed will atone for the absence of the fruits of the ,spirit1 as exhibited in the life and conduct of the individual4 ,hence he insists with a warmth unusual in that excited and controversial age1 on repentance1 on faith in ,christ1 and on a holy life4 ,possibly1 the apparently sweeping assertions which occasionally occur in his writings1 to the effect that the majority of his contemporaries lacked a heavenly spirit1 acquired their sombre hue in consequence of the publicity given to human frailties1 and the retirement and shade in which vast numbers of holy men preferred to dwell4 ,his ,book ,i41 which constitutes the principal part of the work1 was first published in ,jena1 in the year #afje2 a second and improved edition appeared in #afjg4 #ba4 ,it consisted principally of the matter which he had introduced in a course of practical sermons previously delivered by him on week-days4 ,it attracted great attention1 and was rapidly circulated throughout ,germany4 ,the modest and retiring author1 without expecting such a result1 at once became a celebrity4 ,nevertheless1 new trials now commenced4 ,an envious feeling seems to have been engendered in the hearts of several of his colleagues in the 8ministerium0 of the city1 when they noticed the honor which the author had undesignedly gained4 ,perhaps1 too1 the controversial spirit of the times1 and the jealousy of good men respecting the faith1 which was assailed on all sides--by ,papists1 ,calvinists1 ,unitarians1 fanatics1 etc41--may have led them to scrutinize the book with too suspicious eyes4 ,all held firmly to the ,gospel doctrine of ,justification by faith alone1 without works4 ,now1 when they found that ,arndt insisted with such earnestness on the evidences of faith1 as furnished by a holy life1 they were morbidly affected1 and apprehended that the doctrine of justification by faith alone1 which their bitter enemies1 the ,papists1 denounced1 had not been guarded with sufficient care by ,arndt4 ,other expressions1 again1 which they did not interpret impartially1 led them to fear that he was introducing mysticism and other morbid religious systems into the ,church4 ,the reproaches which he was compelled to hear1 deterred him for some time from fulfilling his promise of adding three other 8,books0 to ,book ,i4 ,the complete work may be regarded as consisting of ,four ,books1 as published in #afji4 ,at a considerably later period a fifth1 and then a sixth book1 were added4 ,the former was designed as an explanation and recapitulation of the ,four ,books1 and the latter1 consisting in part of letters addressed to various eminent theologians1 besides having the same object in view1 was intended also to defend the doctrinal and ethical positions assumed in the ,four ,books4 ,as they partake of the nature of an appendix1 and refer1 to some extent1 to misunderstandings belonging to an earlier age1 the ,latin versions omit them1 and this example was followed by the ,english translator4 #bb4 ,arndt was freed from the unpleasant relations in which he stood to his colleagues in ,brunswick1 in which city he had spent about ten years1 by a call which he received in #afjh to enter a new field of labor in ,eisleben4 ,this city1 which1 as in the days of ,luther 7who was born and baptized1 and who also died there71 still belonged to the territory of the ,counts of ,mansfeld1 is at present incorporated with the kingdom of ,prussia 7,province of ,saxony74 ,it was here that ,arndt ventured to publish the whole of the ,four ,books of his 8,true ,christianity40 ,in this new position1 his admirable character and spirit were justly appreciated alike by his patrons1 the ,counts of ,mansfeld1 by his colleagues1 and by the people4 ,the fidelity with which he remained at his post during the prevalence of an epidemic that carried off many of the inhabitants1 his self-sacrificing spirit in the discharge of his pastoral duties1 and his judicious course as an assessor of the local consistory1 demonstrated the true nobility of his soul--the spirit of the divine ,redeemer4 ,however1 even though his relations with all who surrounded him were of the most friendly character1 he did not remain longer than about two years and a half in ,eisleben4 ,he had been repeatedly invited to assume important charges1 which he declined to accept2 for while he had often found opponents1 his great personal merit1 his eminent services1 both as a preacher of the ,gospel and as an author of devotional works1 and his godly spirit1 had secured for him the respect1 confidence1 and love of the whole religious public4 ,duke ,george of ,brunswick-,lneburg1 who at that time resided in ,celle 7,zelle71 invited him1 in the year #afaa1 to accept the two offices of court-preacher and of ,general ,superintendent of ecclesiastical affairs in the principalities of ,brunswick and ,lneburg4 7,celle was subsequently attached to the kingdom of ,hanover1 but has1 in the most recent times1 been absorbed1 with the contiguous territories1 by ,prussia47 ,the ,count of ,mansfeld very reluctantly consented to ,arndt's removal2 the latter1 however1 believed that it had become his duty to enter the wide and inviting field of labor which ,providence had opened to him4 ,the reigning duke1 who was deeply interested in the welfare of the ,lutheran ,church1 judiciously and vigorously sustained his new court-preacher in all his labors4 ,the latter1 in addition to his ordinary pastoral duties1 visited the congregations of the whole territory1 introduced various ecclesiastical reforms1 and continued till his death1 which occurred ,may #aa1 #afba1 to enjoy the divine blessing himself1 and to be a blessing to all whom his influence reached4 ,if he was born during a stormy period1 and lived in an age of controversies which wounded his soul1 he was1 nevertheless1 like ,luther1 very happy in being permitted to terminate his labors precisely at the time when he was called away4 ,for1 as ,luther closed his eyes in peace during the year which preceded the disastrous battle of ,mhlberg 7,april #bd1 #aedg71 so ,arndt fell asleep soon after the ,thirty ,years' ,war began1 before the world saw those horrors which language fails to describe in their awful extent4 ,he had contracted a disease of the throat1 which was subsequently aggravated by a violent fever2 and his exhausted frame at length yielded to the assault of disease4 ,he sent for his friend and brother1 the ,rev4 ,william ,storch1 early in the morning of ,may #i4 ,after being placed on a chair1 he humbly made a general confession of his sins1 declared once more that he adhered as heretofore to the pure doctrine of ,god's word and rejected every error1 and then1 with all the cheerfulness of ,christian faith1 received the ,lord's ,supper4 ,dr4 ,morris1 in the work referred to1 in a note above1 quotes from his authorities the following3 8,mr4 ,storch then addressed him 7in language similar to that which ,dr4 ,jonas used in speaking to the dying ,luther7 as follows3 #8,i do not doubt1 that as you have never entertained any doctrine contrary to ,god's word1 but have always continued firm and steadfast in the pure1 unadulterated word1 the ,scriptures of the prophets and apostles1 the ,augsburg ,confession1 and other ,symbolical ,books of the ,lutheran ,church1 and most heartily and sincerely despised and rejected all contrary doctrines1 so you will also by ,god's grace maintain to the end the same doctrines and faith which you have publicly preached and professed4' ,arndt replied several times1 in a weak but intelligible voice1 most decisively1 #8,yes1 yes1 that ,i will1 even to the end4' 0 ,on the #aath of ,may he began to sink rapidly1 but was still able to repeat many of his favorite texts1 such as ,ps4 #adc3b1 and ,john #e3bd4 ,after having slept a short time1 he awoke1 looked upward1 and exclaimed with a comparatively loud voice3 8,we beheld his glory1 the glory as of the only begotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth40 ,john #a3ad4 ,his wife asked him when he had seen that 8glory40 ,he replied3 8,i saw it just now4 ,o what a glory it is6 ,it is the glory which eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither hath entered into the heart of man to conceive of4 ,this is the glory which ,i saw40--,when he heard the clock striking at eight in the evening1 he asked what the hour was4 ,when it struck again1 he repeated the question4 ,on being told that it was striking nine1 he said3 8,now ,i have overcome all40 ,these were the last words of this 8good soldier of ,jesus ,christ40 #b ,tim4 #b3c4 ,he lay perfectly still until after midnight1 when he breathed his last4 ,god had given him a peaceful death4 ,the serenity of his soul in his last hours seemed to linger on his features1 even after the spirit had departed4 #bc4 ,two dukes of ,brunswick-,lneburg followed him to the grave 7,may #aeth71 as a testimony of their sense of the great worth of their revered spiritual guide4 ,the text of the funeral sermon1 delivered by ,rev4 ,mr4 ,storch1 consisted of the words1 8,i have fought a good fight10 etc4 #b ,tim4 #d3g1 #h4 ,his remains were deposited in the church at ,celle4 ,the tomb exhibits the following inscription3 ,qui ,jesum vidit1 qui mundum et daemona vicit1 ,arndius in scriptis vivit ovatque suis4 7,that is3 ,arndt1 who saw ,jesus1 and conquered the world and the devil1 lives and triumphs in his writings47 #bd4 ,nothing could be more unjust than any charge affecting the purity of the faith of ,arndt as a ,lutheran ,christian4 ,his general orthodoxy was always readily admitted2 a few unreasonable and prejudiced men1 however1 who suspected that mysticism and other errors were concealed in the 8,true ,christianity10 although the existence of such matter could not be established1 nevertheless alleged1 with a certain morbid feeling1 that ,arndt did not adopt the entire creed of the ,lutheran ,church1 as set forth in 8all her symbolical books40 ,this circumstance accounts for the frequency and earnestness with which he declares his unconditional acceptance of1 and hearty belief in1 all the details of the ,lutheran faith4 ,thus the reader will find1 at the close of the ,preface to ,book ,i41 an emphatic declaration of his recognition of the doctrines of all the ,symbolical ,books1 the names of which he enumerates in full4 ,see1 also1 the conclusion of ,book ,,ii41 and the conclusion of the ,preface to ,book ,,iv41 where similar declarations occur4 ,he repeats them in his ,preface to ,book ,,vi41 where he employs the following language3 8,my dear reader1 inasmuch as our holy ,christian faith1 the pure evangelical doctrine1 has1 for about one hundred years1 been elucidated1 purified1 and sufficiently explained1 in accordance with the rule of the holy ,word of ,god1 and also been cleansed from many errors through the means of two glorious and praiseworthy confessions of faith1 namely1 the ,augsburg ,confession1 and the ,formula of ,concord1 which have hitherto been1 and still continue to be1 my own confession of faith2 and1 inasmuch as some have1 at the same time1 uttered complaints respecting the ungodly manner of life of the present world1 with which the ,christian faith cannot coexist2 therefore1 ,i wrote1 some years ago1 ,four ,books on ,,true ,,christianity1 in which ,i have depicted the internal1 and1 also1 the external ,christian life4 ,for although the pure doctrine is the foremost point of true ,christianity1 ,i have1 nevertheless1 not wished to treat of it in a special manner1 as this has been copiously and superabundantly done by others1 and is still daily done2 and ,i have taken only the ,christian life as my subject40 ,this ,book ,,vi4 appeared somewhat less than a year before his death1 and gives special prominence to the last of the ,lutheran confessions of faith--the ,,formula ,,of ,,concord--in which the doctrines concerning the ,person of ,christ1 the ,lord's ,supper1 etc41 are set forth in all their details2 he thus repeats anew his cordial acceptance of the doctrines contained therein4 ,in a letter of thanks addressed to ,dr4 ,mentzer1 of ,giessen 7,book ,,vi41 ,part ,,ii41 ,letter #g71 he expressly rejects the serious doctrinal errors of ,schwenkfeldt respecting the ,scriptures1 the ,person of ,christ1 the two ,sacraments1 etc41 and adds3 8,these errors have been publicly condemned and rejected1 partly in the ,augsburg ,confession1 and partly in the ,formula of ,concord1 after the pure doctrine was firmly established40 ,he concurs1 of course1 in the condemnation of such errors4--,in ,letter #h1 of the same ,book1 addressed to ,dr4 ,piscator1 of ,jena1 he says3 8,i call on the great ,god1 the ,searcher of hearts1 as my witness1 that it was not in my mind1 in anything which ,i have written1 to depart from the true religion of the ,augsburg ,confession and the ,formula of ,concord1 and that ,i had no intention to disseminate erroneous opinions1 much less to defend any which conflicted with the ,symbolical ,books of our ,church40 #be4 ,on his death-bed he repeated anew1 as we have seen1 that he continued1 as heretofore1 to adhere faithfully to the pure evangelical doctrine4 ,in the two copies of his last will and testament1 of the years #afaj and #afaf1 he solemnly declares that he had always held with full consciousness and understanding the doctrines of the ,augsburg ,confession and the ,formula of ,concord1 and never departed from their contents either in his public teaching or his private views1 that he never would adopt any other faith1 and that he prayed that the grace of ,god might sustain him in this frame of mind until his last hour should come4 ,the singularly emphatic manner in which1 on every appropriate occasion--and many of such occurred--he declared his sincere belief in the peculiar and distinctive doctrines of the ,lutheran ,church1 in all their details1 as set forth in her ,,symbolical ,,books1 by no means proceeded from a narrow-minded sectarian feeling4 8,christ is all1 and in all0 7,col4 #c3aa7--these apostolic words indicate the spirit of ,arndt's religion4 ,he could not sympathize with the ,papist1 who robs ,christ of the glory which belongs exclusively to his atoning work--not with the ,unitarian1 who attempts to dethrone ,him--not with the fanatic1 who1 even when honest1 is misguided by passion and spiritual pride--not with the unbeliever1 who flees from the shame of the cross--not even with his ,reformed fellow-,christians1 whose merits he readily acknowledged1 but whose rejection of the ,lutheran doctrine respecting the ,person of ,christ and the ,lord's ,supper1 as set forth especially in the ,formula of ,concord1 grieved his soul4 ,he had found the precious ,gospel truth1 which constituted his life1 to be identical with the creed of his ,church1 and with that creed alone1 in all its glorious fulness4 ,he could not consent to sacrifice one jot or one tittle of the ,augsburg ,confession1 nor could he assign to it an isolated position1 even though ,zwingli and his associates readily adopted it1 with the single exception of ,article ,x4 ,nor did his heart or his conscience allow him to ignore the other ,lutheran ,symbols4 ,the ,augsburg ,confession undoubtedly contained the pure truth of the ,gospel1 without any admixture of errors2 but1 owing to the circumstances and the times in which it originated1 when it was the great object of ,luther and his associates to justify their course in withdrawing from antichristian ,rome1 it confined itself to those principles which were then specially debated4 ,hence ,calvin1 who differed so widely on some points from the fully developed ,lutheran creed1 readily adopted and subscribed it at ,strasburg4--,the ,apology1 or ,vindication of the ,augsburg ,confession1 set forth1 among others1 the cardinal doctrine of the ,lutheran faith1 namely1 ,justification by faith alone1 with extraordinary power and purity4 ,its full1 lucid1 and strictly scriptural character has never been successfully controverted4 ,for this very reason the ,apology was rejected by ,papists1 as it now is practically by ,rationalists and others who depend on human merit1 and are unwilling to give all honor to the ,saviour alone4--,the ,smalcald ,articles1 which ,luther prepared in order to set forth the points on which no ,protestant or ,bible ,christian could make any concession to ,popery1 are also offensive to ,papists1 to ,rationalists1 and to the unbelieving and impenitent generally1 as they contain the pure evangelical truth1 which humbles man1 while it exalts ,god4--,the ,two ,catechisms 7the ,large and the ,small7 furnish materials for popular instruction in revealed truth1 which have never been equalled by other manuals1 in their adaptation to the object1 their fulness1 and their purity4 ,hence1 a friend of divine truth1 like ,arndt1 who took so deep an interest in the religious education of the young1 could not do otherwise than regard them as of inestimable value4 ,an enemy of the truth would naturally disavow them4--,the ,formula of ,concord--the last of the series of ,lutheran ,confessions of ,faith1 and the one which ,arndt appears to have prized most highly--was intended1 as we have shown above1 to determine various important points involved in the controversies which had arisen in the bosom of the ,lutheran ,church before or at the time when he was born4 ,the very circumstance that this ,symbol was demanded by the exigencies of the ,church1 demonstrates that the ,augsburg ,confession was not originally designed to be a full and complete confession of faith1 but only a statement of points discussed during the infancy of the ,reformation4 ,while it excludes every error which might dishonor ,god1 and confirm the impenitent sinner in his evil course1 it completes the previous ,symbols1 and forms with them an undivided and harmonious whole1 exhibiting with brilliancy1 power1 and spotless purity the ,person of the ,god-,man1 ,jesus ,christ1 and glorifies ,god alone4 ,a confession of faith which so unreservedly unveils the fearful character of ,original ,sin1 while it so fully explains and establishes the true doctrine of the ,lord's ,supper1 would naturally be unwelcome to an impenitent heart2 whereas1 the devout ,arndt found nothing in it but animating and heavenly truth4 ,hence he desired to be regarded as simply an ,evangelical ,lutheran ,christian1--an adherent of the ,formula of ,concord4 #bf4 ,religion assumed an unusually attractive and beautiful form in ,arndt1 and is strikingly shadowed forth in his 8,true ,christianity20 this work is an admirable portraiture of his inner man4 ,he was naturally of a grave1 but not by any means of an unsocial or gloomy disposition2 he would not otherwise have been styled 8the ,fenelon of ,protestantism40 ,dr4 ,wildenhahn1 whose charming work 7entitled ,johannes ,arndt7 embodies strictly accurate historical notices1 and derives only subordinate matter1 such as incidents in domestic life1 conversations1 etc41 from analogy and a fruitful imagination1 exhibits him in the true light1 as an affectionate husband1 a cheerful companion1 a generous and self-sacrificing friend of the sick and the poor--in short1 as a model in all the relations of life4 ,there is no exaggeration in this language4 ,he possessed great firmness of character2 indeed1 a truly heroic spirit dwelt in him4 ,he manifested this trait on many trying occasions--not only when he preferred poverty and exile to a denial of a single ,gospel truth or ,lutheran usage1 but also in many other scenes of conflict4 ,the ravages of the pestilence could not alarm his heroic soul2 the open and violent denunciations of enemies he always encountered in the spirit of ,him who said3 8,if ,i have spoken evil1 bear witness of the evil2 but if well1 why smitest thou me80 7,john #ah3bc47 ,there was a certain calmness or gentleness in his manner of treating his enemies1 which1 combined with his earnestness and candor in repelling their calumnies1 invariably subdued them4 ,love--love1 not to the amiable and good1 or to the poor and sorrowing alone1 but also to his enemies--was too often and too variously manifested1 to leave the spectator in doubt respecting its true source--a genuine faith in ,christ1 and deep1 ardent love to ,him4 ,in truth1 it is here that the peculiar type of his religion is seen2 he lived more in heaven than on earth4 ,the sacerdotal prayer of ,christ 7,john1 ,chap4 #ag7 was an unfailing source of light1 of hope1 of peace and joy to his soul4 ,expressions like these1 8,as thou1 ,father1 art in me1 and ,i in thee1 that they also may be one in us0 7ver4 #ba7--8;,i in them1 and thou in me1 etc40 7ver4 #bc71 and language like that of ,paul3 8,christ in you1 etc40 7,col4 #a3bg71 furnished him virtually with the formula3 8,christ in me1 and ,i in ,christ40 ,such was his faith in ,christ1 and such was his love to ,him1 that he was always calm and hopeful4 ,hence features appeared in his religious character which his worldly-minded contemporaries could not fully appreciate2 they were formed by two different series of ,gospel doctrines1 which cannot come in conflict1 but which relate to two entirely different objects--,christ1 the ,saviour1 and fallen man4 ,no one more sincerely embraced the doctrine of ,original ,sin1 as held by the ,lutheran ,church1 than ,arndt did2 of this his writings furnish the evidence4 ,his own searching self-examination1 constantly maintained in the light of ,scripture1 revealed to him the utter corruption of his own heart by nature2 he found nothing in himself but sin4 ,he was conscious that he could do nothing without ,christ1 and deeply felt that grace--nothing but grace--could renew his nature1 and save him4 ,these convictions induced him to insist with such earnestness1 in his ,four ,books1 on the true and genuine repentance of the sinner4 ,at the same time1 there was nothing like sternness1 gloom1 or despondency connected with his sincere and profound self-abasement4 ,for he received with equal strength of faith another series of truths--he believed with all his heart that 8after the kindness and love of ,god our ,saviour toward man appeared1 not by works of righteousness which we have done1 but according to his mercy he saved us1 by the washing of regeneration1 and renewing of the ,holy ,ghost2 which he shed on us abundantly through ,jesus ,christ our ,saviour2 that being justified by his grace1 we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life40 ,tit4 #c3d-g4 ,here a new tide of emotions flowed through his soul4 ,wonder1 joy1 gratitude1 love1 took possession of him4 ,his large heart was full of happiness that the lost could be found and saved--that 8where sin abounded1 grace did much more abound40 ,rom4 #e3bj4 ,and now1 when these two distinct principles appear in him in their practical union1 the type of his religion is clearly developed4 ,he was grave and earnest1 humble1 and free from all confidence in himself1 for he was 8by nature a child of wrath40 ,eph4 #b3c4 ,but1 on the other hand1 ,god had1 in pity and in love1 given him a ,saviour1 engrafted him in that ,saviour through ,holy ,baptism1 bestowed on him the fulness of grace1 and invited him1 as a repentant1 believing1 pardoned child of ,adam1 to enter heaven4 ,if sin abounded through the first ,adam1 grace did1 through the second ,adam 7#a ,cor4 #ae3de71 much more abound4 ,his writings1 therefore1 now assume a very cheerful character--love is the prevailing theme4 ,nothing morose appears in them--sorrow for sin and repentance--faith in ,christ and love to him1 are his soul-inspiring themes1 and a cheerful spirit1 a sense of fervent1 joyful gratitude to ,god1 a heavenly calm1 pervade alike his heart and its language as uttered in the 8,true ,christianity40 #bg4 ,the essential features of vital godliness are always the same2 yet 8there are diversities of gifts1 but the same ,spirit40 #a ,cor4 #ab3d4 ,paul insists on faith2 ,john1 on love4 ,luther's religion was1 like that of ,arndt1 earnest1 and yet cheerful4 ,both were enabled by their personal experience to understand the nature of these ,christian virtues1 and also the distinction between them4 ,luther dwells with wonderful power on faith4 ,arndt delights to speak of ,god's love4 ,there is something very beautiful in these different developments of true godliness in the servants of ,christ1 while the influences of the same divine ,spirit controls them alike4 #bh4 ,it would be an error to suppose that the whole world had risen up in arms against ,arndt1 after he had assumed his position as an humble and devout ,christian4 ,vast numbers received his ,first ,book on ,true ,christianity with gratitude and joy4 ,it enlightened their minds2 it controlled the conscience2 it diffused the warmth of life through their souls2 and they thanked ,god that such a book1 so full of love1 had been given to the world4 ,a comparatively small number of men rose up against him4 ,certain individuals1 such as his colleague1 ,denecke1 a co-pastor of the same congregation in ,brunswick1 were1 no doubt1 influenced by envy and personal dislike4 ,but others who opposed him1 were by no means governed solely by unworthy personal considerations4 ,some of them were so much concerned about 8questions and strifes of words0 7#a ,tim4 #f3d71 that they overlooked and misconceived the heavenly-mindedness of ,arndt4 ,others1 who did him injustice1 were led astray by the infelicity of the times4 ,we have already referred to the disastrous influences of the mysticism and fanaticism which1 in addition to other corruptions of the true faith1 had appeared about1 and after1 the period of the birth of ,arndt4 ,for instance1 the ,swiss physician1 ,paracelsus 7who died as a ,roman ,catholic in #aeda71 had published various fantastic and mystical writings1 in which he professed that he understood both mundane and supermundane mysteries4 ,now a certain ,lutheran pastor in ,saxony1 named ,weigel1 who died in #aehh1 and who had been confessedly a man of an upright walk and conversation1 had yielded to a tendency to the mysticism and theosophy of ,paracelsus4 ,he was thus led theoretically to undervalue the doctrines of the church1 and to represent them as merely allegorical forms1 involving truths not known to ordinary men4 ,the natural results of his theory1 if its folly had not been exposed1 would unquestionably have seriously affected the authority of the written ,word4 ,before his writings were published1 a friend had communicated to ,arndt a short extract from them1 which contained none of his errors2 the author's name had been withheld4 ,arndt1 in his innocence1 inserted the passage in his book1 and was thus burdened with the odium of all the ,weigelian errors2 but he was subsequently released from all censure1 and his freedom from anything like the mysticism of ,weigel was generally conceded4 #bi4 ,another ground of the charge of mysticism which his opponents advanced1 was found in his repeated references in the 8,true ,christianity0 to ,tauler4 ,here1 too1 ,arndt made a brilliant defence1 by quoting the great ,luther as his authority4 ,the latter had obtained possession of a manuscript without a title or an author's name1 which deeply interested him4 ,it dwelt entirely on the communion of the soul with ,god1 and on kindred topics4 ,luther1 whose godliness was healthy and sound1 was so much charmed with the work1 that he published a part of it at ,wittenberg in #aeaf1 and prefixed the title3 8,a spiritual1 noble little work1 explaining the distinction between the old and the new man2 showing1 also1 who are the children of ,adam and the children of ,god1 and how ,adam must die in us1 and ,christ live in us40 ,during the course of the next year he published the whole work1 with an extended ,preface of his own1 and adopted the title3 8,a ,german ,theology02 this general title it has since retained4 ,it was received with unbounded favor1 and circulated rapidly throughout ,europe1 for instance1 in three ,english1 seven ,latin1 four ,french1 etc41 translations1 besides numerous editions of the original ,german4 ,it was supposed to have been written by ,tauler1 a very devout man1 who was born in the year #abij4 ,his religious tendencies led him1 like ,luther1 to enter a monastery4 ,the sermons and other writings which he left behind1 while their general character assign to him a place among those who are denominated 8,mystics10 nevertheless abound in holy and devout aspirations1 and were dictated by a spirit that sought and found peace in the grace of ,god alone4--,arndt entertained the opinion that the 8,german ,theology0 was a production of his pen1 and so represents the case in his 8,true ,christianity40 ,it is now1 however1 generally conceded1 in consequence of an allusion in the work itself to ,tauler as a religious teacher of an earlier day1 that another person1 belonging to a later period1 was the writer2 his name is still involved in impenetrable darkness4--,so1 too1 it is by no means certain that ,thomas ,kempis 7born in #achj71 was the author of the popular book 8,on the ,imitation of ,christ10 of which more than two thousand editions in the original language1 more than one thousand in ,french1 besides innumerable others in ,german1 ,english1 etc41 have been published4 ,the historical arguments1 adduced chiefly by ,french writers1 intended to support the claims of the eminent ,gerson 7born in #acfc71 as the author1 although not entirely conclusive1 are still possessed of great weight4--,arndt incidentally remarks in a brief statement respecting the 8,german ,theology10 that his copy1 printed at ,wittenberg in #aebj1 contained simply the remark that the book had been written by a devout priest of the city of ,frankfort1 for devotional purposes1 but the author's name was withheld4 ,if ,luther sanctioned the publication of the 8,german ,theology10 ,arndt could calmly listen to those who censured him for adopting a similar course4 ,those extracts at least1 which he furnishes in the 8,true ,christianity10 are1 unquestionably1 evangelical and truly edifying4 #cj4 ,it will1 perhaps1 gratify the reader to observe the skill with which ,wildenhahn1 to whom we have already referred1 illustrates the childlike simplicity of ,arndt's character1 by combining fiction with truth4 ,during his ,brunswick pastorate1 the ,city ,council of ,halberstadt sent him an urgent call to become the successor of the deceased ,rev4 ,d4 ,sachse1 as pastor of the church of ,st4 ,martin in that city4 ,after he had consulted with his intelligent wife1 who1 like himself1 was anxious to withdraw to any spot where peace could be found1 he resolved to accept the call2 and1 in accordance with custom and law1 applied to the ,brunswick ,city ,council for letters of honorable dismission4 ,when the question was to be decided1 ,arndt appeared in the presence of the burgomaster1 ,kale1 the syndic1 ,dr4 ,roerhand1 and other members of the ,council1 and renewed his request4 ,these details are historically true4 ,wildenhahn now subjoins the following3 8,tell me honestly10 said the syndic to him1 8have you really1 as you allege1 taken no steps whatever1 in order to obtain this call from ,halberstadt80 8,not a single step10 said ,arndt1 in a solemn manner1 with his right hand on his heart1 8the whole is altogether and exclusively a work of ,god40 ,but at the moment when he pronounced this solemn declaration1 it became evident to those who were present1 that a sudden thought had startled him2 he changed color2 he began to tremble2 he suddenly covered his eyes with his left hand4 ,then1 with a voice betraying deep emotion1 he added3 8,gentlemen1 ,i have borne false witness6 ,i really did do something to obtain this call40 8,ah60 said ,kale quickly1 delighted1 as it seemed1 to find an opportunity for displaying his official dignity1 8,you did8 ,pray1 tell us what it was40 8,i prayed to the blessed ,lord with tears1 that he would assign to me some other spot in his vineyard1 no matter how insignificant1 if ,i could only there preach his word in peace40 8,and was that all80 inquired the burgomaster1 much surprised1 and speaking in more gentle tones4 8,that was all10 replied ,arndt1 8and this is true1 as ,god lives6 ,but1 doubtless1 ,i erred here1 in impatiently attempting to dictate to ,god1 etc40 ,such simplicity of character1 such perfect ingenuousness1 such a wonderful freedom from artifice and disguise1 completely disarmed the members of the ,council4 ,they now understood better than previously the artlessness and spirituality of the man before them1 and1 after that scene1 they accorded to him entire esteem and confidence4 #ca4 ,the great work of ,arndt--the 8,true ,christianity10 has probably never had its equal as a popular book of devotion4 ,tholuck relates the following anecdote as an illustration of the manner in which even ,papists could appreciate the merits of the work4 ,when ,prof4 ,anton1 of ,halle1 visited ,madrid in #afhg1 he examined the library of the ,jesuits1 and incidentally inquired of the librarian respecting the ascetic writer whom they esteemed more than other authors of devotional works4 ,the latter exhibited a ,latin book1 the title-page and last leaves of which were wanting1 and declared that it was the most edifying work which they possessed4 ,when ,anton examined it1 he discovered that it was a translation of ,arndt's 8,true ,christianity06 ,it is only common justice to allow the author to state the objects which he had in view1 in preparing the work4 ,the following passage occurs in a letter which he addressed in the last year of his life to ,duke ,augustus the ,younger1 of ,brunswick3 8,in the first place1 ,i wished to withdraw the minds of students and preachers from an inordinate controversial and polemic theology1 which has well-nigh assumed the form of an earlier scholastic theology4 ,secondly1 ,i purposed to conduct ,christian believers from lifeless thoughts to such as might bring forth fruit4 ,thirdly1 ,i wished to guide them onward from mere science and theory1 to the actual practice of faith and godliness2 and1 fourthly1 to show them wherein a truly ,christian life consists1 which accords with the true faith1 as well as to explain the apostle's meaning when he says3 #8,i live2 yet not ,i1 but ,christ liveth in me1' etc40 7,gal4 #b3bj47 #cb4 ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,seiss1 the author of 8,ecclesia ,lutherana1 etc410 to whose endeavors the religious public is mainly indebted for the appearance of the present edition1 remarks in a recent notice of the work3 8,this is one of the very greatest and most useful practical books produced by ,protestantism4 ,though written more than two hundred and fifty years ago1 it is still unsurpassed in its department4 ,it stands out with marked and superior distinction in the modern ages4 ,next to the ,bible and ,luther's ,small ,catechism1 it has been more frequently printed1 more widely read1 and more influential for good1 than any other book1 perhaps1 that has ever been written4 ,boehm has not exaggerated1 when he says that its effects1 in the conversion of souls1 has been such1 that an account of them would make a history in itself4 ,nor can any one candidly read it1 without finding on every page1 scintillations of the sunlike splendors of a mind bathed in the purity1 wisdom1 and love of heaven40 ,mr4 ,boehm1 in the ,preface to his translation 7which is the basis both of the revision of ,mr4 ,jacques1 and of the present edition71 remarks1 that among the learned men in ,great ,britain1 who had read the ,latin translation1 the distinguished ,dr4 ,worthington had assigned the first rank among devotional writers to ,arndt1 and quotes the enthusiastic terms in which he extols that 8faithful servant of ,god1 ,john ,arndt40 ,and ,mr4 ,jacques closes the ,preface to his revision with the following words3 8,divines of all communions and persuasions1 have united in their admiration of this delightful production4 ,the late learned ,dr4 ,edward ,williams has inserted it in his valuable ,appendix to the ,christian ,preacher3 and the ,rev4 ,john ,wesley made a most copious extract from it1 comprised in ,vol4 ,i4 and ,,ii4 of his ,christian ,library40 #cc4 ,and truly ,god did not design this great work solely for the comfort and aid of the ,german nation during the ,thirty ,years' ,war 7#afah-afdh71 but for all nations and all times4 ,it has been translated into the ,latin1 ,danish1 ,swedish1 ,bohemian1 ,polish1 ,low ,dutch1 ,english1 ,french1 ,turkish1 ,russian1 ,malabar1 ,tamul1 etc41 languages4 ,at least two editions of the work in a ,latin translation were published in ,england2 the last appeared in #agjh1 with the following title3 8,joannis ,arndtii1 ,theologici1 etc43 ,de vero ,christianismo4 ,libri ,,iv4 ,cura et studio ,a4 ,w4 ,boemi4 ,lond4 #agjh40 #b vols4 #hvo4--,another ,latin edition was published in ,germany in #afbd4 ,the ,tamul translation had the following ,latin title3 8,de vero ,christianismo1 in ,tamulicum convertit ,benjamin ,schulzius1 ,missionarius ,evangelicus407#b7 #cd4 ,the work had made so deep an impression on learned ,british ,christians1 who read it in ,latin1 that the wish was repeatedly and earnestly expressed that it might be made accessible to ,english readers4 ,at this period1 that is1 during the reign of ,queen ,anne of ,england 7who died in #agad71 large numbers of ,german emigrants from the ,palatinate passed through ,england on their way to the provinces of ,new ,york and ,pennsylvania4 ,the ,rev4 ,anthony ,william ,boehm1 a ,german ,lutheran clergyman1 had previously been appointed as the court chaplain of ,prince ,george of ,denmark1 the consort of ,queen ,anne4 ,his enlightened zeal and devout heart led him to take a deep interest1 not only in the temporal1 but also in the spiritual welfare of these pilgrims1 who were on their way to the wilds of ,north ,america4 ,he accordingly supplied them1 by the aid of certain like-minded friends1 with ,german ,bibles and ,hymn ,books1 and also with ,german copies of ,arndt's 8,true ,christianity10 as well as with other books of devotion4 ,this interesting fact is mentioned in the letters of ,dr4 ,muhlenberg1 published in the well-known ,halle ,reports 7,hallische ,nachrichten1 pp4 #ffe1 #gic74 ,but ,mr4 ,boehm also resolved to furnish the people1 in the midst of whom he lived1 with the great work of his favorite author1 in their own language1 and accordingly prepared an ,english translation1 which was first printed in ,london in #agab4 #ce4 ,it would be unjust to the memory of this excellent man1 if we should fail to refer to his literary labors4 ,his high office at the royal court of ,england1 is an evidence of his personal merit4 ,he was not only a devout and faithful preacher of the ,gospel1 but also an author who acquired distinction4 ,in #agcd he published a very valuable work in the ,german language1 entitled3 8,eight ,books1 on the ,reformation of the ,church in ,england1 extending from the year #aebf1 under ,henry ,,viii41 to the reign of ,charles ,,ii40 ,in a very beautiful eulogy1 in manuscript1 found in the volume before us1 the writer refers to the successful efforts of ,mr4 ,boehm to provide for the education of the children of the poor in his vicinity4 ,he died ,may #bg1 #agbb1 in his fiftieth year1 after having faithfully labored in the service of ,christ4 ,he sustained1 with eminent success1 the ,danish ,lutheran missionaries in ,tranquebar1 by sending pecuniary aid obtained in ,london1 as well as religious publications4 ,besides his great ,german historical work1 which is the complement of ,burnet's 8,history of the ,reformation of the ,church of ,england10 he also published several ,english compositions1 such as a 8,sermon on the doctrine of ,original ,sin1 ,eph4 #d3bb10 printed in ,london1 #agaa1 and a 8,sermon on the ,duty of the ,reformation 7,jubilee71 ,rev4 #ah3d10 ,london1 #agah1 besides various religious works in the ,german language4 #cf4 ,about the beginning of the present century1 the ,rev4 ,calvin ,chaddock1 who resided in ,hanover1 ,massachusetts1 obtained a copy of ,mr4 ,boehm's translation1 8accidentally10 as he says1 and found it to be so valuable1 that he resolved to issue an ,american edition1 which accordingly appeared in #ahji1 ,boston4 ,in his short ,preface he remarks1 with great truth1 that the language of the translation 8appears to be somewhat ancient1 and the sentiments in some few instances obscure40 ,he adds1 in reference to his own agency3 8,the only alterations which have been made1 are such as respect redundant and obsolete words1 orthography1 the addition of some words1 and the transposition of some sentences2 that the ideas of the translator might appear more conspicuous40 ,he might have1 with great advantage1 been even more liberal than he was1 in correcting the style2 it still remained in numerous passages heavy and obscure4 ,as the style1 even of the original ,german1 is somewhat antiquated1 and as1 besides1 occasional obscurities and repetitions occur1 a later successor in one of ,arndt's pastoral charges1 the ,rev4 ,j4 ,f4 ,fedderson1 assumed the task of revising and abridging the whole of the original ,german1 improving or modernizing the style1 and occasionally adding new matter4 ,the result of his labors does not appear to have received the entire approbation of the ,german religious world2 the original and unaltered work continues so popular1 that no permanent place has been secured for the substitute4 ,a portion of ,fedderson's production was translated and published in ,chambersburg1 ,pennsylvania1 in #ahcd1 by the ,rev4 ,john ,n4 ,hoffman1 ,pastor of the ,evangelical ,lutheran congregation of that place4 ,the translation was never completed4 ,the part which was given1 consisting mainly of ,book ,i41 has long since been out of print4 #cg4 ,in the year #ahae1 a new edition of ,mr4 ,boehm's ,english translation was issued in ,london 7evidently without any reference to ,mr4 ,chaddock's ,american edition71 by ,william ,jacques1 ,a4,m41 who had already distinguished himself by his translation1 from the ,latin1 of ,a4 ,h4 ,francke's 8,guide to the ,reading and ,study of the ,holy ,scriptures10 of which a reprint1 in a very unattractive form1 and with omissions1 appeared in ,philadelphia1 in #ahbc4 ,he took ,mr4 ,boehm's translation as the 8ground-work10 which1 as he states in his ,preface1 he did not 8edit either hastily or negligently4 ,there is not a single page1 nor a single paragraph10 he continues1 8which has not been subjected to scrutiny10 etc4 ,nevertheless1 ,mr4 ,jacques1 who does not appear to have compared the translation with the original ,german1 made only verbal changes1 which1 as it is evident1 materially improve the style4 ,but he allowed all the additions of ,mr4 ,boehm1 which are generally quite tautological1 and various inaccuracies in thought and expression to remain4 ,so many antiquated expressions were retained1 that it would have been inexpedient to reprint the work precisely as ,mr4 ,jacques allowed the text to remain4 ,besides1 he curtailed the full titles of the several chapters1 and1 with very few exceptions1 omitted the important and appropriate texts which ,arndt had prefixed respectively to the latter4 ,these circumstances1 in connection with others1 such as numerous typographical errors1 especially in the ,scripture references1 plainly indicated that a revision of the whole was necessary1 before the present edition could be presented to the public4 #ch4 ,the editor of the present ,american edition took that of ,mr4 ,jacques as the basis of the translation1 but compared every sentence with the original ,german4 ,he found some cases in which valuable matter had been omitted1 and was occasionally required to supply sentences that had been mutilated or suppressed4 ,but he erased all the verbal additions1 and the clauses1 or sentences1 inserted by ,mr4 ,boehm1 where it seemed to have been the object of the latter only to explain remarks that were already perfectly lucid1 or to add emphasis by the insertion of adjectives1 etc41 or else to impart beauty by the adoption of poetical terms or phrases1 which were inconsistent with the severe simplicity of ,arndt's style4 ,he even represents the author1 on one occasion1 as quoting from the 8,homilies0 of the ,church of ,england1 which ,arndt undoubtedly never read1 and certainly does not mention in the original4 ,the ,american editor has1 also1 at the request of several friends1 who took an interest in securing the publication of the present edition1 prepared a somewhat copious ,,index4 ,one of the ,latin editions 7,london1 #agjh7 contains an index1 adapted only to its own pages4 ,another1 in ,german1 is found in some of the ,german editions1 for instance1 in that of ,nuremberg1 #agfb1 also adapted to the pages of the particular edition only4 ,as the ,american editor found none in ,english1 and preferred to adapt the new ,index1 prepared by him1 to the work itself 7specifying the ,book1 ,chapter1 and ,section71 he accordingly completed his task on this plan1 after a considerable expenditure of time and labor4 ,it is somewhat difficult to prepare an ,index for a work which is so exclusively devotional in its character as the present1 and in which the author does not intend to discuss subjects in a strictly scientific manner4 ,arndt1 for instance1 employs terms which1 when defined with precision1 indicate different shades of thought1 almost as if they were synonymous 7e4 g41 the grace1 mercy1 goodness1 love1 etc41 of ,god71 and often repeats the same thought in different language4 ,for this we can easily account1 when we recollect that the materials of the work were taken from a series of popular sermons of the author1 delivered at intervals4 ,the editor allows himself to hope that the ,index which he has prepared1 may occasionally be of service to the reader4 #ci4 ,but even after having made numerous changes on every page of the old translation before him1 the ,american editor is conscious that a critical eye will discover many imperfections in the style4 ,it is often antiquated and heavy1 and sometimes even quaint4 ,nevertheless1 in all these instances he allowed the ,english text to remain as he found it1 contenting himself with the correction of orthographical and syntactical inaccuracies1 the rectification of ,scripture references1 the errors in which he found to be unusually numerous1 the correction of quotations in accordance with the authorized ,english version of the ,bible1 in the many cases in which ,mr4 ,boehm1 or one of his assistants1 translated from ,luther's ,german version1 or quoted the ,english version from memory1 etc41 etc4 #dj4 ,it is eminently proper that a new edition of ,arndt's 8,true ,christianity0 should appear during the present ,jubilee year of the ,evangelical ,lutheran ,church1 and that it should be undertaken and conducted to a successful issue by members of the ,evangelical ,lutheran ,synod of ,pennsylvania4 ,the deep spirituality of ,arndt1 and his active and pure faith1 can be fully understood and appreciated only when we reflect on the doctrinal system to which he had given his heart1 and to which we have referred above4 ,this orthodox system found no favor1 at a later period1 among the ,rationalists2 they rejected the doctrines of the ,bible respecting the depravity of human nature1 the divinity of ,christ1 the efficacy of the divinely appointed means of grace1 and similar truths1 and grievously complained of the violence which1 as they treacherously alleged1 was offered to their conscience1 when the demand was made1 that if they claimed to belong to the ,lutheran ,church1 to occupy its pulpits1 and to receive their support from it1 they ought also to adopt its faith4 ,their influence is happily decaying in ,europe1 and the restoration of the doctrines of the ,symbolical ,books of the ,evangelical ,lutheran ,church to authority1 is coincident with the new and healthy religious life of the ,lutheran ,church in ,germany1 ,hungary1 ,scandinavia1 and ,russia4 ,the sincere ,christian1 ,john ,arndt1 whom we heard protesting before ,god1 with his last breath1 as described above1 that he believed only the doctrines of the ,symbolical ,books of the ,lutheran ,church1 and all those doctrines1 little thought that more than two centuries afterwards1 in the remote ,western continent of ,america1 men would arise who would not only reject with scorn 8all the other ,symbolical ,books10 which he revered1 but also speak contemptuously of the ,augsburg ,confession and its holy doctrines4 #da4 ,the doctrinal system which ,arndt so sincerely revered1 was brought to this country by the ,lutheran pastors who visited our shores at a very early period4 ,dr4 ,henry ,melchior ,muhlenberg1 an eminently enlightened and holy man1 was enabled1 by his well-disciplined mind and great administrative powers1 to create order among the scattered ,lutherans whom he found in this country4 ,he was exceedingly zealous in maintaining the purity of the ,lutheran faith1 to which he owed all his peace and his hopes4 ,he gave unusual prominence to the ,symbolical ,books--to all of them1 mentioned by name--in the various constitutions of congregations organized or influenced by him1 and very properly claimed that none who rejected them could honestly bear the name of ,lutherans4 ,we will give only one illustration1 of many which might be adduced1 to show the fidelity with which he held to the ,lutheran ,symbolical ,books1 as enumerated by ,arndt in the last paragraph of his ,preface to ,book ,i41 in this volume4 ,dr4 ,muhlenberg states in an official ,report for the year #agdg1 which he transmitted to ,halle 7,hall4 ,nachr41 pp4 #bcd1 #bce71 that he had visited a congregation in ,maryland1 in which great dissensions prevailed at the time1 occasioned by efforts made by certain individuals to alienate the ,lutherans from their faith and church4 ,he says1 8,before we commenced public worship1 ,i asked for the ,church ,record1 and wrote certain propositions and articles in it in the ,english language1 and among other statements1 made the following3 ,that our ,german ,lutherans held to the holy ,word of ,god1 in the prophetic and apostolical writings2 further1 to the unaltered ,augsburg ,confession1 and the other ,symbolical ,books1 etc47#c7 ,i then read the same publicly to the congregation1 and explained it to them in the ,german language1 and added1 that every one who desired to be1 and to remain1 such a ,lutheran1 should subscribe his name40 ,he informs us that the genuine ,lutherans readily subscribed2 the rest1 who had unlutheran sympathies1 withheld their names4 #db4 ,an unhappy change occurred after ,dr4 ,muhlenberg's day4 ,the ,symbolical ,books1 which he and his contemporaries received1 believed1 and sustained in their whole extent1 with religious veneration1 existed at that time only in ,latin and ,german4 ,they gradually receded from the view of many pastors of the church2 individuals were received into the ranks of the ministry1 who had never studied them2 doctrines and usages1 hitherto unknown to the church1 were introduced into many ,lutheran congregations4 ,at one period several of the most intelligent pastors yielded1 to a certain extent1 to rationalistic influences2 then1 the opposite extreme1 of fanaticism1 gained adherents2 both rationalism and fanaticism were alike hostile to 8the unaltered ,augsburg ,confession and the other ,symbolical ,books10 and a strange combination of elements1 derived partly from rationalism1 and partly from fanaticism1 temporarily held sway4 ,dependence was now placed on human measures and inventions1 designed for the conversion of sinners and the edification of believers1 rather than on the divinely appointed means of grace1 which men like ,arndt and ,muhlenberg recognized as the only channels through which the ,divine ,spirit exercises his influence4 ,if they had lived among us during the second1 third1 and fourth decades of this century1 when their doctrines1 and their mode of preaching1 were regarded by many as antiquated1 or unsuited to a supposed higher grade of religious development1 they would have readily predicted the results--fanaticism1 latitudinarianism in doctrine1 an evanescent emotional religion1 and1 by consequence1 the rejection1 in whole or in part1 of the ,augsburg ,confession and the other ,symbolical ,books4 #dc4 ,god1 in his mercy1 has interposed4 ,the doctrines which ,arndt1 ,muhlenberg1 and men of the old faith1 regarded as the life-blood of a healthy1 scriptural religion1 are regaining their authority4 ,many still reject them2 the old faith of the church--,bible truth1 is unwelcome to an ignorant1 rationalistic1 and unconverted heart4 ,but others have been taught by observation and experience that mere human measures and inventions cannot conduct to a healthy and permanent religion1 and that divine truth1 as taught in the ,scriptures1 and set forth in our ,symbolical ,books1 and the other means of grace given to the ,church by its divine ,head1 are the only sources from which such a healthy religion can proceed4 ,in this spirit ,arndt wrote the 8,true ,christianity10 and by this spirit the ,synod of ,pennsylvania is animated4 ,this ecclesiastical body desires to take away all glory from man1 and to give it all to ,christ4 ,one of the results of its attachment to our ancient and holy faith1 is the publication of the present volume1 in which the author so eloquently and affectionately urges all men to repent1 to believe in ,christ1 and to lead a holy life4 #dd4 ,the divine blessing has so remarkably attended the use of ,arndt's 8,true ,christianity10 in the original language1 and in its various translations1 that the present editor humbly entertains the hope that the time and labor expended by him in preparing this new edition1 may also be of avail4 ,and he prays that the 8,true ,christianity0 may continue the work which it has already performed1 and instruct1 guide1 and comfort anew the souls of its readers1 to the praise and glory of ,god4 ,c4 ,f4 ,s4 ,,philadelphia1 ,august1 #ahfh4 ,,book ,i4 ,wherein ,true ,christianity1 ,sincere ,sorrow ,for ,sin1 ,repentance1 ,faith1 ,and ,the ,holy ,life ,of ,the ,true ,christian1 ,are ,considered4 ,the ,author's ,preface ,to ,the ,first ,book4 ,christian ,reader6 ,that the holy ,gospel is subjected1 in our age1 to a great and shameful abuse1 is fully proved by the ungodly and impenitent life of those who loudly boast of ,christ and of his word1 while their unchristian life resembles that of persons who dwell in a land of heathens and not of ,christians4 ,such an ungodly course of conduct furnished me with an occasion for writing this ,treatise2 it was my object to show to plain readers wherein true ,christianity consists1 namely1 in the exhibition of a true1 living1 and active faith1 which manifests itself in genuine godliness and the fruits of righteousness4 ,i desired to show that we bear the name of ,christians1 not only because we ought to believe in ,christ1 but also because the name implies that we live in ,christ1 and that ,he lives in us4 ,i further desired to show that true repentance proceeds from the inmost centre of the heart2 that the heart1 mind1 and affections must be changed2 that we must be conformed to ,christ and ,his holy ,gospel2 and that we must be renewed by the word of ,god1 and become new creatures4 ,for even as every seed produces fruit of a like nature1 so the word of ,god must daily produce in us new spiritual fruits4 ,if we become new creatures by faith1 we must live in accordance with our new birth4 ,in a word1 ,adam must die1 and ,christ must live1 in us4 ,it is not sufficient to acquire a knowledge of the word of ,god2 it is also our duty to obey it practically1 with life and power4 #b4 ,there are many who suppose that ,theology is merely a science1 or an art of words1 whereas it is a living experience and practical exercise4--,every one now aims at acquiring eminence and distinction in the world2 but no one is willing to learn how to be devout4 ,every one now seeks out men of great learning1 who can teach arts1 languages1 and wisdom2 but no one is willing to learn from our only ,teacher1 ,jesus ,christ1 how to become meek and sincerely humble2 and yet ,his holy and living example is the true rule for our life and conduct1 and1 indeed1 constitutes the highest wisdom and knowledge2 so that we can with truth declare1 8,the pure life of ,christ opens all knowledge to us40 #c4 ,every one is very willing to be a servant of ,christ2 but no one will consent to be ,his follower4 ,and yet ,he says3 8,if any man serve me1 let him follow me40 ,john #ab3bf4 ,hence1 he who truly serves and loves ,christ1 will also follow him2 and he who loves ,christ1 will also love the example of ,his holy life1 ,his humility1 meekness1 patience1 as well as the cross1 shame1 and contempt which ,he endured1 although the flesh may thereby suffer pain4 ,and although we cannot1 in our present weakness1 perfectly imitate the holy and exalted life of ,christ 7which1 indeed1 is not intended in my ,book71 nevertheless1 we ought to love it1 and long to imitate it more fully2 for thus we live in ,christ1 and ,christ lives in us1 according to the words of ,st4 ,john3 8,he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk1 even as he walked40 #a ,john #b3f4 ,it is now the disposition of the world to acquire a knowledge of all things2 but that which is better than all other knowledge1 namely1 8to know the love of ,christ0 7,eph4 #c3ai71 no one desires to acquire4 ,but no man can love ,christ1 who does not imitate his holy life4 ,there are many--a majority1 indeed1 of men in this world--who are ashamed of the holy example of ,christ1 namely1 of his humility and lowly condition2 that is1 they are ashamed of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 of them he says3 8,whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words1 in this adulterous and sinful generation1 of him also shall the ,son of man be ashamed10 etc4 ,mark #h3ch4 ,christians now desire a ,christ of imposing appearance1 who is magnificent1 rich1 and conformed to the world2 but no one desires to receive1 to confess1 and to follow the poor1 meek1 despised1 and lowly ,christ4 ,he will1 therefore1 hereafter say3 8,i never knew you0 7,matt4 #g3bc72 ye were not willing to know me in my humility1 and therefore ,i do not know you in your pride4 #d4 ,not only1 however1 is ungodliness1 in all its forms1 at variance with ,christ and true ,christianity1 but it is also the cause of the daily accumulation of the displeasure of ,god1 and of the penalties which he inflicts2 insomuch that he fits all creatures to be avengers1 and that heaven and earth1 fire and water1 are made to contend against us2 so that all nature is thereby sorely distressed1 and well-nigh overwhelmed4 ,hence1 a season of affliction must be expected2 war1 famine1 and pestilence2 yea1 the last plagues are coming in with such violence1 that we are exposed to the assaults of nearly every creature4 ,for even as the terrible plagues of the ,egyptians overtook them before the redemption and departure of the children of ,israel from ,egypt1 so1 too1 before the redemption of the children of ,god occurs1 dreadful and unheard-of plagues will overtake the ungodly and impenitent4 ,it is therefore high time to repent1 to begin another course of life1 to turn from the world to ,christ1 to believe truly in him1 and to lead a ,christian life in him1 so that we may securely 8dwell in the secret place of the ,most ,high1 and abide under the shadow of the ,almighty40 ,ps4 #ia3a4 ,such is also the exhortation of the ,lord3 8,watch ye therefore1 and pray always1 that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things40 ,luke #ba3cf4 ,the same is also testified in ,ps4 #aab3g4 #e4 ,now1 to this end1 my ,christian reader1 this book may1 to a certain extent1 serve thee as a guide1 showing thee not only how thou mayest1 through faith in ,christ1 obtain the remission of thy sins1 but also how thou mayest avail thyself of the grace of ,god1 in order to lead a holy life2 and how thou mayest demonstrate and adorn thy faith by a ,christian walk and conversation4 ,for true ,christianity consists1 not in words1 nor in any external show1 but in a living faith1 from which proceed fruits meet for repentance1 and all manner of ,christian virtues1 as from ,christ himself4 ,for as faith is hidden from human view1 and is invisible1 it must be manifested by its fruits2 inasmuch as faith derives from ,christ all that is good1 righteous1 and blessed4 #f4 ,now1 when faith waits for the blessings which are promised to it1 the offspring of this faith is hope4 ,for what else is hope but a constant and persevering expectation1 in faith1 of the blessings which are promised8 ,but when faith communicates to a neighbor the blessings which it has itself received1 love is the offspring of such a faith1 imparting to the neighbor that which it has itself received from ,god2 and when faith endures the trial of the cross1 and submits to the will of ,god1 it brings forth patience4 ,but when it sighs under the burden of the cross1 or offers thanks to ,god for mercies which it has received1 it gives birth to prayer4 ,when it compares the power of ,god1 on the one hand1 with the misery of man1 on the other1 and submits unresistingly to the will of ,god1 humility is the fruit4 ,and when this faith diligently labors that it may not lose the grace of ,god1 or1 as ,st4 ,paul says3 8worketh out salvation with fear and trembling0 7,phil4 #b3ab71 then the fear of ,god is the result4 #g4 ,thus thou seest that all the ,christian virtues are the offspring of faith1 proceed from faith1 and cannot be separated from faith1 their common source1 if they are indeed genuine1 living1 and ,christian virtues1 proceeding ultimately from ,god1 from ,christ1 and from the ,holy ,spirit4 ,hence no work can be acceptable to ,god without faith in ,christ4 ,for how can true hope1 sincere love1 persevering patience1 earnest prayer1 ,christian humility1 and a childlike fear of ,god1 exist without faith8 ,all must be drawn from ,christ1 the well of salvation 7,isa4 #ab3c71 through faith1 as well righteousness1 as all the fruits of righteousness4 ,but take great care1 my reader1 that thou do not connect thy works1 the virtues which thou hast commenced to practise1 or the gifts of the new life1 with thy justification before ,god4 ,for in this matter1 man's works1 merit1 gifts1 and virtue1 however lovely these may appear to be1 have no efficacy2 our justification depends solely on the exalted and perfect merit of ,jesus ,christ1 apprehended by faith1 even as it is set forth in chap4 ,v1 ,,xix1 ,,xxxiv1 and ,,xli1 of this book1 and in the first three chapters of ,book ,,ii4 ,take great care1 therefore1 not to confound the righteousness of faith1 on the one hand1 and the righteousness of a ,christian life1 on the other2 but rather to make a clear distinction between them2 for here the whole foundation of our ,christian religion is involved4 ,still1 thy repentance must be the great concern of thy life1 for otherwise thou hast no true faith1 such as daily purifies1 changes1 and amends the heart4 ,thou must1 moreover1 know that the consolations of the ,gospel cannot be effectually applied1 unless they have been preceded by a genuine godly sorrow1 the result of which is a bruised and contrite heart2 for we read that 8to the poor the gospel is preached40 ,luke #g3bb4 ,how1 indeed1 can faith give life to the heart1 unless that heart has been previously put to death by sincere sorrow and a thorough knowledge of sin8 ,do not1 therefore1 imagine that repentance is a slight and easy work4 ,remember the solemn and severe language of the ,apostle ,paul1 when he commands us to mortify and crucify the flesh1 with the affections and lusts1 to offer the body as a sacrifice1 to die unto sin1 to be crucified unto the world4 ,col4 #c3e2 ,rom4 #f3f2 #ab3a2 #a ,pet4 #b3bd2 ,gal4 #e3bd2 #f3ad4 ,truly1 none of these things can result1 when we gratify the flesh4 ,nor do the holy prophets employ cheerful terms when they call for a contrite and broken heart1 and say3 8,rend your heart--weep and lament40 ,joel #b3ac1 #ag2 ,jer4 #d3h4 ,but where is such repentance now exhibited8 ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 when alluding to it1 demands that we should deny ourselves1 and renounce all that we have1 if we desire to be his disciples4 ,luke #i3bc2 ,matt4 #af3bd4 ,verily1 all this can never proceed from a gay1 trifling1 and light mind2 of this the evidence may be found in the seven ,penitential ,psalms of ,david4 ,the ,scriptures abound in illustrations of the jealousy of ,god1 who demands both repentance and its fruits1 without which eternal salvation cannot be obtained4 ,but afterwards the consolations of the ,gospel manifest their power4 ,and both such repentance1 and such consolation1 are solely the work of the ,spirit of ,god1 through the ,word4 #h4 ,now this ,book which ,i have written1 specially treats of such sincere and earnest repentance of the heart1 of the exhibition of faith in the life and conduct1 and of the spirit of love which should animate all the acts of the ,christian2 for that which proceeds from ,christian love1 is1 at the same time1 the fruit of faith4 ,it is true that ,i have referred to some earlier writers1 such as ,tauler1 ,thomas ,kempis1 and others1 who may seem to ascribe more than is due to human ability and works2 but my whole ,book is designed to counteract such an error4 ,i would1 therefore1 kindly request the ,christian reader to remember the great object for which ,i wrote this ,book4 ,he will find that its main purpose is this3 ,to teach the reader how to perceive the hidden and connate abomination of ,original ,sin2 to set forth distinctly our misery and helplessness2 to teach us to put no trust in ourselves or our ability2 to take away everything from ourselves1 and to ascribe all to ,christ1 so that ,he alone may dwell in us1 work all things in us1 alone live in us1 and create all things in us1 because he is the beginning1 middle1 and end1 of our conversion and salvation4 ,all this has been plainly and abundantly explained in many passages of this ,book2 and1 at the same time1 the doctrines of the ,papists1 ,synergists1 and ,majorists1 have been expressly refuted and rejected4 ,the doctrine1 moreover1 of justification by faith1 has been set forth in this ,book1 and especially in ,book ,,ii41 in the most pointed and explicit manner4 ,in order1 however1 to obviate all misapprehensions1 ,i have subjected the present edition to a very careful revision1 and ,i beg the reader to receive the editions which have appeared in ,frankfort and other places1 in the sense in which the present ,magdeburg edition is to be received4 ,i also affirm1 that this ,book1 as well in all other articles and points1 as also in the articles of ,free ,will1 and of the ,justification of a poor sinner before ,god1 is not to be understood in any other manner than in accordance with the ,symbolical ,books of the churches of the ,augsburg ,confession1 namely1 the first ,,unaltered ,,augsburg ,,confession1 the ,,apology1 the ,,smalcald ,,articles1 the ,,two ,,catechisms of ,luther1 and the ,,formula ,,of ,,concord4 ,may ,god enlighten us all by his ,holy ,spirit1 so that we may be sincere and without offence1 both in our faith and in our life1 till the day of ,christ 7which is near at hand71 being filled with the fruits of righteousness1 unto the glory and praise of ,god6 ,amen4 ,chapter ,i4 ,showing ,what ,the ,image ,of ,god ,in ,man ,is4 ,be renewed in the spirit of your mind2 and 444 put on the new man1 which after ,god is created in righteousness and true holiness4--,,eph4 #d3bc1 #bd4 ,the image of ,god in man1 is the conformity of the soul of man1 of his spirit and mind1 of his understanding and will1 and of all his faculties and powers1 both bodily and mental1 to ,god and the ,holy ,trinity4 ,for the decree of the ,holy ,trinity was thus expressed3 8,let us make man in our image1 after our likeness10 etc4 ,gen41 #a3bf4 #b4 ,it is evident1 therefore1 that1 when man was created1 the image of the ,trinity was impressed on him1 in order that the holiness1 righteousness1 and goodness of ,god1 might shine forth in his soul2 diffuse abundant light through his understanding1 will1 and affections2 and visibly appear even in his life and conversation3 that1 consequently1 all his actions1 both inward and outward1 might breathe nothing but divine love1 purity1 and power1 and1 in short1 that the life of man upon earth might resemble that of the angels in heaven1 who are always engaged in doing the will of their ,heavenly ,father4 ,in thus impressing his image on man1 ,god designed to delight and rejoice in him1 just as a father rejoices in a child born after his own image3 for as a parent1 beholding himself1 or another self1 in his offspring1 cannot but feel the greatest complacency and delight2 so1 when ,god beheld the express character of his own ,person reflected in an image of himself1 his 8delights were with the sons of men40 ,prov4 #h3ca4 ,thus it was ,god's chief pleasure to look on man1 in whom he rejoiced1 and rested1 as it were1 from all his labor2 considering him as the great masterpiece of his creation1 and knowing that in the perfect innocence and beauty of man1 the excellency of his own glory would be fully set forth4 ,and this blessed communion our first parents and their posterity were always to have enjoyed1 had they continued in the likeness of ,god1 and rested in him and in his will2 who1 as he was their author1 was also to be their end4 #c4 ,it undoubtedly is the essential property of every image1 that it be a just representation of the object which it is intended to express2 and as the reflection in a mirror is vivid in a degree proportioned to the clearness of the mirror itself1 so the image of ,god becomes more or less visible1 according to the purity of the soul in which it is beheld4 #d4 ,hence ,god originally created man perfectly pure and undefiled2 that so the divine image might be beheld in him1 not as an empty1 lifeless shadow in a glass1 but as a true and living image of the invisible ,god1 and as the likeness of his inward1 hidden1 and unutterable beauty4 ,there was an image of the wisdom of ,god1 in the understanding of man2 of his goodness1 gentleness1 and patience1 in the spirit of man2 of his divine love and mercy1 in the affections of man's heart4 ,there was an image of the righteousness and holiness1 the justice and purity of ,god1 in the will of man2 of his kindness1 clemency1 and truth1 in all the words and actions of man2 of his almighty power1 in man's dominion over the earth1 and inferior creatures2 and lastly1 there was an image of ,god's eternity1 in the immortality of the human soul4 #e4 ,from the divine image thus implanted in him1 man should have acquired the knowledge both of ,god and of himself4 ,hence he might have learned1 that ,god1 his ,creator1 is all in all1 the ,being of beings1 and the chief and only ,,being1 from whom all created beings derive their existence1 and in whom1 and by whom1 all things that are1 subsist4 ,hence1 also1 he might have known1 that ,god1 as the ,original of man's nature1 is all that essentially1 of which he himself was but the image and representation4 ,for since man was to bear the image of the divine goodness1 it follows that ,god is the sovereign and universal goodness essentially 7,matt4 #ai3ag72 and1 consequently1 that ,god is essential love1 essential life1 and essential holiness1 to whom alone 7because he is all this essentially71 worship and praise1 honor and glory1 might1 majesty1 dominion1 and virtue1 are to be ascribed3 whereas these do not appertain to the creature1 nor belong to anything but ,god alone4 #f4 ,from this image of the ,divine ,being1 man should further have acquired the knowledge of himself4 ,he should have considered what a vast difference there was between ,god and himself4 ,man is not ,god1 but ,god's image2 and the image of ,god ought to represent nothing but ,god4 ,he is a portraiture of the ,divine ,being2 a character1 an image1 in which ,god alone should be seen and glorified4 ,nothing therefore ought to live in man1 besides ,god4 ,nothing but the ,divinity should stir1 will1 love1 think1 speak1 act1 or rejoice in him4 ,for if anything besides ,god live or work in man1 he ceases to be the image of ,god2 and becomes the image of that which thus lives and acts within him4 ,if therefore a man would become1 and continue to be1 the image of ,god1 he must wholly surrender himself to the ,divine ,being1 and submit entirely to his will2 he must suffer ,god to work in him whatsoever he pleases2 so that1 by denying his own will1 he may do the will of his ,heavenly ,father without reserve1 being entirely resigned to ,god1 and willing to become a holy instrument in his hands1 to do his will and his work4 ,such a man follows not his own will1 but the will of ,god2 he loves not himself1 but ,god2 seeks not his own honor1 but the honor of ,god4 ,he covets no estates nor affluence for himself1 but refers all to the ,supreme ,good2 and so being contented to possess him1 rises above the love of the creature and the world4 ,and thus ought man to divest himself of all love of himself and the world1 that ,god alone may be all in him1 and work all in him1 by his ,holy ,spirit4 ,herein consisted the perfect innocence1 purity1 and holiness of man4 ,for1 what greater innocence can there be1 than that a man should do1 not his own will1 but the will of his ,heavenly ,father8 ,or what greater purity1 than that man should suffer ,god to work in him1 and to do everything according to ,his pleasure8 ,or1 what greater holiness1 than to become an instrument in the hands of the ,spirit of ,god8 ,to resemble a child1 in whose breast self-love and self-honor do not yet prevail1 is1 in truth1 the highest simplicity4 #g4 ,of this entire devotedness to the ,divine will1 our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 while he sojourned in our world1 was a perfect example4 ,he sacrificed his own will to ,god his ,father1 in blameless obedience1 humility1 and meekness2 readily depriving himself of all honor and esteem1 of all self-interest and self-love1 of all pleasure and joy2 and leaving ,god alone1 to think1 speak1 and act1 in him1 and by him4 ,in short1 he invariably made the will and pleasure of ,god his own1 as the ,father himself testified by a voice from ,heaven3 8,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased40 ,matt4 #c3ag4 ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 blessed forever1 is the true ,image of ,god1 in whom nothing appears but ,god himself1 and such manifestations as are agreeable to his nature2 namely1 love1 mercy1 long-suffering1 patience1 meekness1 gentleness1 righteousness1 holiness1 consolation1 life1 and everlasting blessedness3 for by him1 the invisible ,god was willing to be discovered and made known to man4 ,he is indeed the image of ,god in a more sublime sense2 that is1 according to his ,divinity1 by virtue of which1 he is himself very ,god1 the express and essential image of his ,father's glory1 in the infinite splendor of the uncreated light4 ,heb4 #a3c4 ,but of this point no more can at present be said3 our design being to speak of him only as he lived and conversed in his holy humanity1 while he tabernacled upon the earth4 #h4 ,it was in such a holy innocence as this1 that the image of ,god was1 in the beginning1 conferred on ,adam1 which he should have preserved in true humility and obedience4 ,sufficient it surely was for him1 that he was made capable of all the benefits of the divine image2 of sincere and unmixed love and delight2 of undisturbed and solid tranquillity of mind2 of power1 fortitude1 peace1 light1 and life4 ,but not duly reflecting that he himself was not the chief good1 but merely a mirror of the ,godhead1 formed purposely to receive the reflection of the divine nature1 he erected himself into a ,god2 and thus choosing to be the highest good to himself1 he was precipitated into the greatest of all evils1 being deprived of this inestimable image1 and alienated from that communion with ,god1 which1 by virtue of it1 he before enjoyed4 #i4 ,had self-will1 self-love1 and self-honor1 been excluded1 the image of ,god could not have departed from man2 but the ,divine ,being would have continued to be his sole glory1 honor1 and praise4 ,as everything is capable of its like and not of its contrary1 and in its like acquiesces and delights1 so man1 being in the similitude of ,god1 was thereby prepared to receive ,god into himself1 who was also ready to communicate himself to man1 with all the treasures of his goodness2 goodness being of all things the most communicative of itself4 #aj4 ,finally1 man ought to have learned from the image of ,god1 that by means of it he is united to ,god2 and that in this union1 his true and everlasting tranquillity1 his rest1 peace1 joy1 life1 and happiness alone consist4 ,he should have learned that all restlessness of mind and vexation of spirit1 arise from nothing but a breach of this union1 by which he ceases to be the image of ,god2 for man no sooner turns to the creature1 than he is deprived of that eternal good which is to be derived from ,god alone4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,of ,the ,fall ,of ,adam4 ,as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners1 so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous4--,,rom4 #e3ai4 ,the fall of ,adam was disobedience to ,god1 by which man turned away from the ,divine ,being to himself1 and robbed ,god of the honor due to him alone1 in that he himself thought to be as ,god4 ,but while he thus labored to advance himself1 he was stripped of that divine image1 which the ,creator had so freely conferred on him2 divested of hereditary righteousness2 and bereaved of that holiness with which he was originally adorned2 becoming1 as it regards his understanding1 dark and blind2 as to his will1 stubborn and perverse2 and as to all the powers and faculties of the soul1 entirely alienated from ,god4 ,this evil has infected the whole mass of mankind1 by means of a fleshly generation2 and has been inherited by all men4 ,the obvious consequence arising from this is1 that man is become spiritually dead and the child of wrath and damnation1 until redeemed from this miserable state by ,jesus ,christ4 ,let not then any who are called ,christians deceive themselves with regard to ,adam's fall4 ,let them be cautious1 how they attempt to extenuate or lessen the transgression of ,adam1 as though it were a small sin1 a thing of little consequence1 and1 at the worst1 but the eating of an apple4 ,let them rather be assured1 that the guilt of ,adam was that of ,lucifer1 namely1 he would be as ,god3 and that it was the same most grievous1 heinous1 and hateful sin in both4 #b4 ,this apostasy 7for it was nothing less71 was1 at first1 generated in the heart1 and then made manifest by the eating of the forbidden fruit4 ,though man was numbered with the sons of ,god2 though he came forth from the hands of the ,almighty spotless both in body and in soul1 and was the most glorious object in the creation2 though1 to crown all1 he was not only a son1 but the delight of ,god2 yet not knowing how to rest satisfied with these high privileges1 he attempted to invade ,heaven1 that he might be yet higher2 and nothing less would suffice him1 than to exalt himself like unto ,god4 ,hence1 he conceived in his heart enmity and hatred against the ,divine ,being1 his ,creator and ,father1 whom1 had it been in his power1 he was disposed utterly to undo4 ,who could commit a sin more detestable than this8 or what greater abomination is there1 that it was possible to meditate8 #c4 ,hence it was1 that man became inwardly like ,satan himself1 bearing his likeness in the heart2 since both had now committed the same sin1 both having rebelled against the majesty of ,heaven4 ,man no more exhibits an image of ,god1 but rather that of the ,devil2 he no longer is an instrument in the hands of ,god1 but is become an organ of ,satan1 and is thereby rendered capable of every species of diabolical wickedness3 so that1 having lost that image which was heavenly1 spiritual1 and divine1 he is altogether earthly1 sensual1 and brutish4 ,for the devil1 designing to imprint his own image upon man1 fascinated him so entirely by a train of enticing and deceitful words1 that man permitted him to sow that hateful seed in his soul1 which is hence termed the seed of the serpent2 and by which is chiefly meant1 self-love1 self-will1 and the ambition of being as ,god4 ,on this account it is1 that the ,scriptures term those who are intoxicated with self-love1 8a generation of vipers40 ,matt4 #c3g4 ,and all those who are of a proud and devilish nature1 8the seed 7progeny7 of the serpent40 ,so the ,almighty1 addressing the serpent1 says1 8,i will put enmity between thee and the woman1 and between thy seed and her seed40 ,gen4 #c3ae4 #d4 ,from this seed of the serpent nothing but deadly and horrible fruit can possibly proceed2 namely1 ,satan's image1 the children of ,belial1 the children of the devil4 ,john #h3dd4 ,as in every natural seed1 how minute soever it may be1 are contained1 in a most wonderful and hidden manner1 the nature and properties of the future plant1 all its parts and proportions1 its branches1 leaves1 and flowers1 in miniature2 so in that seed of the serpent1 ,adam's self-love and disobedience 7which has passed unto all his posterity by a fleshly generation71 there lies1 as it were in embryo1 the tree of death1 with its branches1 leaves1 and flowers1 and those innumerable fruits of unrighteousness which grow upon it4 ,in short1 the whole image of ,satan is secretly traced out there1 with all its marks1 characters1 and properties4 #e4 ,if we observe a little child with attention1 we shall see how this natural corruption displays itself from its very birth2 and how self-will and disobedience especially discover themselves1 and break forth into actions that effectually witness to the hidden root from which they spring4 ,let us consider the child further1 as it grows up to maturer years4 ,observe the natural selfishness of the youth1 his inbred ambition1 his thirst after worldly glory1 his love of applause1 his pursuit of revenge1 and his proneness to deceit and falsehood4 ,and now these evils multiply4 ,soon may be discovered in him vanity1 arrogance1 pride1 blasphemy1 vain oaths1 awful curses1 frauds1 skepticism1 infidelity1 contempt of ,god and his holy ,word1 and disobedience to parents and magistrates3 wrath and contentiousness2 hatred and envy2 revenge and murder1 and all kinds of cruelty2 especially if outward occasions offer themselves1 and call forth into action this latent and deadly seed1 and the various evils of ,adam's depraved nature4 ,in proportion as such occasions continue to present themselves1 we shall observe the appearance of other vices2 wantonness1 adulterous thoughts1 lewd imaginations1 obscene discourses1 lascivious gestures1 and all 8the works of the flesh30 we shall behold drunkenness1 rioting1 and every species of intemperance2 fickleness1 excessive wantonness1 and all that can please the appetite1 the lust of the eye1 and the pride of life4 ,and besides these1 there may soon be discovered1 covetousness1 extortion1 chicanery1 sophistry1 imposture1 and every description of sinister practice2 together with knavery1 overreaching in trade1 and1 in short1 the whole troop1 or rather army of sins1 iniquities1 and crimes1 which are so various and so many1 that it is impossible to recount or declare the number of them2 according to the words of the prophet ,jeremiah1 8the heart is deceitful above all things1 and desperately wicked2 who can know it80 ,ch4 #ag3i4 ,and if to those already enumerated there be added1 in the last place1 the seducing and false spirits2 then may be observed schisms in the church1 wicked and dangerous heresies1 yea1 the abjuring of ,god and ,christ1 idolatry1 the denial of the faith1 hatred and persecution of the truth1 the sin against the ,holy ,ghost1 with every kind of corruption in doctrine1 perversion of the ,scriptures1 and strong delusion4 ,now1 what are all these but the image of ,satan1 and the fruits of the serpent's seed sown in man8 #f4 ,who could ever have supposed that such a depth of wickedness and depravity could be found in such a weak and helpless child2 that so venomous a principle1 so corrupt a heart1 lay hid in a babe apparently so harmless8 ,who could possibly have believed this1 had not man himself1 by his sinful and abominable life1 by the imaginations of his thoughts 7being 8only evil continually10 and desperately bent on what is bad71 of his own will brought it to light1 and expressed1 from his childhood1 what was before concealed as in a seed8 ,gen4 #f3e2 #h3ba4 #g4 ,oh6 most vile and most accursed root6 from which springs the poisonous tree that is so fruitful in the production of every kind of plague4 ,oh1 seed of the serpent1 most hateful1 most dreadful6 from which an image at once so deformed and foul is generated2 and which continually enlarges itself1 as it is excited by outward temptations and by the scandals of the world4 ,full well might the blessed ,jesus so solemnly and strictly forbid1 that any1 by bad example1 should offend little children2 knowing that the seed of the serpent lurks in them1 as the deadly poison in the venomous worm1 ready to break forth into open acts of sin1 whenever an occasion presents itself4 #h4 ,learn1 then1 ,o man6 to know the fall of ,adam1 and the true nature of ,original ,sin4 ,learn1 if thou art wise1 to discern it in thyself4 ,examine it1 not slightly and carelessly1 but deeply1 and as the importance of the matter deserves2 for this infection is greater1 this depravation deeper and more deadly1 than can possibly be expressed by words1 or even be conceived in idea4 8,know thyself60 and deeply consider what thou art1 ,o man6 since the fall of thy first father2 how thou1 who wast in the image of ,god1 art become the image of ,satan1 an epitome of all his wicked tendencies1 and art conformed to ,satan in all malice and ungodliness4 ,for as in the image of ,god all the divine virtues and properties are contained1 so in the image of the ,devil1 which man1 by turning himself from ,god1 has contracted1 all the vices and properties are to be found1 and the very nature of the ,devil himself4 ,for1 as man1 before the fall1 bore the image of the heavenly ,adam1 that is1 was altogether heavenly1 spiritual1 and divine2 so1 since the first apostasy1 he carries about with him the image of the earthly ,adam1 being inwardly earthly1 carnal1 and corrupt4 #i4 ,lo6 he is become as one of the beasts of the field4 ,for what1 ,o fallen man6 is thy wrathfulness8 and to whom does it more properly belong1 to the lion1 or to man8 ,and do not thine envy and thy greediness betray in thee the nature of the dog and of the wolf8 ,and with regard to thy uncleanness and gluttony1 are not these evidences of a swinish nature8 ,didst thou1 indeed1 but rightly examine thine own breast1 thou wouldst there discover a world of unclean and noxious beasts4 ,even in the tongue1 that 8little member10 there may be found1 according to ,st4 ,james1 a lake of pestilential and creeping things1 a hold of every foul spirit1 the cage of every filthy and hateful bird 7,isaiah #ac3ba2 ,rev4 #ah3b71 and1 in a word1 a 8world of iniquity40 ,james #c3f4 ,often1 alas6 do we make such progress in wickedness as to surpass in wrath and fury the beasts of prey2 in ravenousness and violence1 the wolf2 in subtilty and cunning1 the fox2 in malice and virulence1 the serpent2 and in filthiness and obscenity1 the swine4 ,hence it was1 that our ,lord termed ,herod a fox1 and the unholy1 in general1 dogs and swine2 to whom that which is holy should not be given4 ,luke #ac3cb2 ,matt4 #g3f4 #aj4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 fails to correct this corruption of nature1 by being truly converted and renewed in ,christ ,jesus1 but dies in the state which has been described1 must retain1 forever1 this bestial and ,satanical nature4 ,he must be arrogant1 haughty1 proud1 and devilish1 throughout eternity4 ,and when he shall have neglected the time of his purification here1 he shall bear about with him the image of ,satan in the blackness of darkness forever2 as a testimony1 that while he was in the world1 he did not live in ,christ1 nor was renewed after the image of ,god4 8,for without are dogs and sorcerers1 and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie40 ,rev4 #ba3h2 #bb3ae4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,showing ,how ,man ,is ,renewed ,in ,christ ,unto ,eternal ,life4 ,in ,christ ,jesus neither circumcision availeth anything1 nor uncircumcision1 but a new creature4--,,gal4 #f3ae4 ,the ,new ,birth is a work of the ,holy ,ghost1 by which man1 of a sinner1 is made righteous2 and from being a child of damnation and wrath1 is made a child of grace and salvation4 ,this change is effected through faith1 the word of ,god and the ,sacraments2 and by it1 the heart1 and all the powers and faculties of the soul 7more particularly the understanding1 will1 and affections71 are renewed1 enlightened1 and sanctified in ,christ ,jesus1 and are fashioned after his express likeness4 ,the new birth comprehends two chief blessings1 namely1 justification1 and sanctification1 or the renewal of man4 ,tit4 #c3e4 #b4 ,the birth of every real ,christian is twofold4 ,the first is 8after the flesh10 the second1 8after the spirit20 the first is from beneath1 the second from above2 the first is earthly1 but the second heavenly4 ,the one is carnal1 sinful1 and accursed1 as descending from the first ,adam by the seed of the serpent1 after the similitude and image of the ,devil2 and by this1 the earthly and carnal nature is propagated4 ,the other1 on the contrary1 is spiritual1 holy1 and blessed1 as derived from the second ,adam2 after the likeness of the ,son of ,god3 and by this is propagated the heavenly and spiritual man1 the seed and image of ,god4 #c4 ,there is therefore in the ,christian a twofold line of descent2 and1 consequently1 two men1 as it were1 exist in one and the same person4 ,the fleshly lineage is derived from ,adam1 and the spiritual lineage from ,christ1 through faith3 for as the old birth of ,adam is in man by nature1 even so must the new birth of ,christ be in him by grace4 ,this is the old and new man1 the old and new birth1 the old and new ,adam1 the earthly and heavenly image1 the flesh and the ,spirit1 ,adam and ,christ in us1 and also1 the outward and inward man4 #d4 ,let us now proceed to notice how we are regenerated by ,christ4 ,as the old birth is propagated carnally from ,adam1 so the new birth is spiritually propagated from ,christ1 through the word of ,god4 ,this word is the seed of the new creature3 for we are 8born again1 not of corruptible seed1 but of incorruptible1 by the word of ,god1 which liveth and abideth forever40 #a ,peter #a3bc4 ,and1 again1 8,of his own will begat he us with the word of truth1 that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures40 ,james #a3ah4 ,the word of ,god produces faith2 and faith again apprehends the word of ,god1 and in that word embraces ,jesus ,christ and the ,holy ,ghost1 by whose spiritual efficacy and virtue man is regenerated or born anew4 ,in other words1 regeneration is effected1 in the first place1 by the ,holy ,ghost2 and this is what ,christ means by being 8born of the ,spirit0 7,john #c3e72 secondly1 by faith2 whence it is said1--8whosoever believeth that ,jesus is the ,christ1 is born of ,god0 7#a ,john #e3a72 and thirdly1 by holy ,baptism2 according to that passage of ,scripture1 8,except a man be born of water and of the ,spirit1 he cannot enter into the kingdom of ,god40 ,john #c3e4 #e4 ,in ,adam1 man has inherited the chief evils2 as sin1 divine wrath1 death1 ,satan1 hell1 and damnation2 but in ,christ1 he is restored to the possession of the chief blessings1 as righteousness1 grace1 blessing1 power1 a heavenly life1 and eternal salvation4 ,from ,adam1 man inherits a carnal spirit1 and is subjected to the rule and tyranny of the evil spirit2 but from ,christ1 he obtains the ,holy ,spirit1 with his gifts1 together with his comforting guidance4 ,from ,adam1 man has derived an arrogant1 proud1 and haughty spirit2 but if he would be born again and renewed in his mind1 he must receive from ,christ1 by faith1 an humble1 meek1 and upright spirit4 ,from ,adam1 man inherits an unbelieving1 blasphemous1 and most ungrateful spirit2 and it is his duty to obtain from ,christ a believing spirit1 that will prove faithful1 acceptable1 and well-pleasing to ,god4 ,from ,adam1 a disobedient1 violent and rash spirit is inherited2 but from ,christ1 we imbibe1 through faith1 the spirit of obedience1 gentleness1 and modesty1 and the spirit of meekness and moderation4 ,from ,adam1 we1 by nature1 inherit a spirit of wrath1 enmity1 revenge1 and murder2 but from ,christ1 we1 by faith1 acquire the spirit of long-suffering1 love1 mercy1 forgiveness1 and universal goodness and benignity4 ,from ,adam1 man1 by nature1 inherits a covetous heart1 a churlish1 merciless spirit1 that seeks only to profit self1 and grasp at that which is the right of another2 but from ,christ1 is obtained1 by faith1 the spirit of mercy1 compassion1 generosity1 and mildness4 ,from ,adam proceeds an unchaste1 unclean1 and intemperate spirit2 but from ,christ1 a spirit of chastity1 purity1 and temperance1 may be obtained4 ,from ,adam1 there is communicated to man a spirit full of calumny and falsehood2 while on the other hand1 he acquires from ,christ the spirit of truth1 of constancy1 and of integrity4 ,lastly1 we receive from ,adam a brutish and earthly spirit2 and from ,christ1 a spirit from above1 which is altogether heavenly and divine4 #f4 ,hence1 it behooved ,christ to take upon himself our nature1 and to be conceived and anointed by the ,holy ,ghost1 in order that we might all receive of his fulness4 ,it was requisite that 8the ,spirit of the ,lord should rest upon him1 the spirit of wisdom and understanding1 the spirit of counsel and might1 the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the ,lord0 7,isa4 #aa3b71 that so human nature might in him1 and by him1 be restored and renewed1 and that we1 in him1 by him1 and through him1 might become new creatures4 ,this is accomplished by receiving from ,christ1 the spirit of wisdom and understanding1 for the spirit of folly2 the spirit of counsel1 for that of madness2 the spirit of might1 for that of cowardice and fear2 the spirit of knowledge1 instead of our natural blindness2 and the spirit of the fear of the ,lord1 instead of the spirit of impiety and infidelity4 #g4 ,it is in this heavenly change that the new life and the new creation within us consist4 ,for as1 in ,adam we are all spiritually dead1 and incapable of performing any works1 except those of death and darkness2 so1 in ,christ1 we must be made alive 7#a ,cor4 #ae3bb7 and do the works of light and life4 ,as1 by a carnal generation1 we have inherited sin from ,adam2 so1 by faith1 we must inherit righteousness from ,christ4 ,as1 by a fleshly descent from ,adam1 pride1 covetousness1 lust1 and all kinds of impurity1 are entailed upon us2 so by the spirit of ,christ1 our nature ought to be renewed1 and all pride1 covetousness1 lust1 and envy1 be mortified within us4 ,and thus is it necessary that we should1 from ,christ1 derive a new spirit1 heart1 and mind2 even as we derived from ,adam our sinful flesh4 #h4 ,with reference to this great work of regeneration1 ,christ is called 8the everlasting ,father0 7,isa4 #i3f71 and we are renewed in him to life eternal1 being here regenerated into his likeness1 and made in him new creatures4 ,and if our works ever prove acceptable in the sight of ,god1 they must spring from this principle of the new birth2 that is1 from ,christ1 his ,spirit1 and an unfeigned faith4 #i4 ,henceforth we must live in the new birth1 and the new birth in us2 we must be in ,christ1 and ,christ in us3 we must live in the spirit of ,christ1 and the spirit of ,christ in us4 ,gal4 #b3bj4 ,this regeneration with its attendant fruits1 is described by ,st4 ,paul1 as the being 8renewed in the spirit of our mind10 8putting off the old man10 and the being 8transformed into the image of ,god40 ,he likewise considers it as the being 8renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created us10 and 8the renewing of the ,holy ,ghost40 ,eph4 #d3bc2 #b ,cor4 #c3ah2 ,col4 #c3aj2 ,tit4 #c3e4 ,it is termed by ,ezekiel1 8taking away the stony heart1 and giving a heart of flesh40 ,ch4 #aa3ai4 ,hence it appears how the regeneration of man proceeds from the incarnation of ,jesus ,christ4 ,as man1 by ambition1 pride1 and disobedience1 turned himself from ,god2 so his apostasy could not be expiated and removed1 except by the extreme humility1 lowliness1 and obedience of the ,son of ,god4 ,and as ,christ1 when upon earth1 was most humble in his conversation among men1 so it is necessary1 ,o man6 that he should be the same in thee2 that he should dwell in thy soul1 and restore the image of ,god in thee4 #aj4 ,and now1 ,o man6 contemplate the perfectly amiable1 lowly1 obedient1 and patient ,jesus1 and learn of him2 live as he lived1 yea1 live in him1 and tread in his steps4 ,for what was the cause of his living upon earth8 ,it was that he might become thy example1 thy mirror1 and the rule of thy life4 ,he1 he only1 is the rule of life1 and the pattern which every ,christian should strive to imitate4 ,it is not the rule of any man whatsoever4 ,there is but one example1--,christ2 and him the ,apostles have1 with one consent1 set before us for our imitation4 ,and in the same manner are we called to view his passion1 death1 and resurrection3 even that thou1 ,o man6 shouldest with him1 die unto sin2 and in him1 with him1 and by him1 spiritually rise again1 and walk in newness of life1 8even as he also walked40 ,rom4 #f3d4 #aa4 ,thus may we see1 how our regeneration arises from the passion1 death1 and resurrection1 of our gracious ,lord and ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,hence1 ,st4 ,peter saith1 8,god hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of ,jesus ,christ from the dead40 #a ,pet4 #a3c4 ,and all the apostles will everywhere be found to lay the foundation of repentance and of a new life1 in the passion of ,christ4 ,st4 ,peter1 indeed1 gives this express charge3 8,pass the time of your sojourning here in fear2 forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things1 as silver and gold2 but with the precious blood of ,christ1 as of a lamb without blemish and without spot0 7#a ,pet4 #a3ag-ai72 in which we may observe1 that the ransom paid for our redemption is urged as the motive to a holy conversation4 ,the same apostle tells us1 likewise1 that 8,christ his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree1 that we1 being dead to sins1 should live unto righteousness0 7#a ,peter #b3bd72 and ,jesus himself has said3 8,thus it behooved ,christ to suffer1 and to rise from the dead the third day3 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name40 ,luke #bd3df1 #dg4 #ab4 ,it is evident1 therefore1 that from the passion and death of ,christ1 proceed both the satisfaction made for our sins1 and the renewing of our nature by faith2 and that they both are necessary to the restoration of fallen man4 ,the latter1 as well as the former1 is the blessed effect of ,christ's passion1 which worketh our renewal and sanctification4 #a ,cor4 #a3cj4 ,thus the new birth in us proceeds from ,christ4 ,and as a means to attain this end1 holy ,baptism has been instituted1 wherein we are baptized into the death of ,christ1 in order that we might die with him unto sin by the power of his death1 and rise again from sin by the power of his resurrection4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,of ,true ,repentance1 ,and ,the ,true ,yoke ,and ,cross ,of ,christ4 ,they that are ,christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts4--,,gal4 #e3bd4 ,repentance1 or true conversion1 is the work of the ,holy ,spirit1 under the influence of which1 man1 through the law1 acknowledges his sin1 and the wrath of ,god provoked against it2 and earnestly mourns over his offences2 and then1 understanding1 through the ,gospel1 the grace of ,god1 by faith in ,christ ,jesus1 he obtains the remission of his sins4 ,by this repentance1 the mortification or crucifying of the flesh1 and of all carnal lusts and pleasures1 is carried on2 together with the quickening of the spirit1 or the resurrection of the new man in ,christ4 ,under the exercise of repentance1 therefore1 the old ,adam1 with his corruptions1 dies within us2 and ,christ lives in us1 by faith 7,gal4 #b3bj72 for we must be aware that these two are inseparably connected4 ,the resurrection of the spirit follows the mortification of the flesh2 and the quickening of the new man1 destroys and annihilates the old man2 the ruin of the one1 is the life and resurrection of the other4 8,though our outward man perish1 yet the inward man is renewed day by day40 #b ,cor4 #d3af4 ,we are1 therefore1 enjoined to 8mortify our members which are upon the earth0 7,col4 #c3e72 and to 8reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin1 but alive unto ,god1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord40 ,rom4 #f3aa4 #b4 ,let us1 however1 inquire why the flesh is thus to be mortified2 and why the whole body of sin is at last to be destroyed4 ,it has been remarked 7,chap4 ,,ii7 that1 by the fall of ,adam1 man became earthly1 carnal1 and devilish2 without ,god1 and without love3 for being without ,god1 he was also without love4 ,man was now turned from the love of ,god to the love of the world1 and especially of himself2 so that in every situation1 and under all circumstances1 he now studies1 favors1 flatters1 counsels1 and applauds himself2 and provides only for his own interest1 honor1 and glory4 ,all this is the consequence of ,adam's fall2 who1 while meditating how he might erect himself1 as it were1 into a ,god1 was involved1 together with all his posterity1 in the same awful sin and perdition4 ,this depravation of human nature must of necessity be entirely removed2 and this can be effected only by serious repentance2 by godly sorrow2 by a faith that apprehends the remission of sin2 by the mortification of sensual pleasure2 and by the crucifixion of pride and self-love4 ,for true repentance consists not in putting away gross and open sins only2 but it requires that a man should enter his heart1 and search into its inmost recesses4 ,the secret parts1 the windings and the turnings of iniquity are to be laid open2 in order that the returning sinner may be thoroughly renewed1 and1 at length1 be converted from the love of himself1 to the love of ,god2 from the love of the world1 to a life of spirituality2 and from a participation of earthly pomps and pleasures1 to a participation1 through faith1 of the merits of ,christ4 #c4 ,hence it follows1 that a man must deny himself 7,luke #i3bc72 that is1 he must mortify his own will1 and suffer himself to be entirely led by the will of ,god4 ,he must no longer love1 seek1 and esteem himself2 but he must account himself to be the unworthiest and most miserable of all creatures4 ,he must renounce all he has for the love of ,christ2 and trample on the world1 its pomps1 and its vanities4 ,he must pass by his own wisdom and natural endowments1 as though he beheld them not2 he must confide in no creature1 but in ,god alone2 yea1 he must 8hate his own life0 7,luke #ad3bf71 that is1 his carnal will and pleasures2 his pride1 covetousness1 lust1 wrath1 and envy4 ,he must not please1 but rather displease himself2 nor must he attribute anything to his own strength or ability4 ,in a word1 he must be crucified to the world 7,gal4 #f3ad71 to the lust of the eyes and the flesh1 and to the pride of life4 ,this1 and this alone1 is that true repentance and mortification of the flesh1 without which no man can ever be a disciple of ,jesus ,christ4 ,this only is conversion from self1 the world1 and the devil1 unto ,god 7,acts #bf3ah72 without which no one can receive remission of sins1 nor be saved4 #d4 ,this is the true cross and yoke of ,christ2 that of which the ,saviour spoke when he said1 8,take my yoke upon you1 and learn of me2 for ,i am meek and lowly in heart40 ,matt4 #aa3bi4 ,as if he had said1 8,thy self-love and ambition must be removed by earnest and inward humility1 of which thou hast an example in me2 and by the example of my meekness1 must thy wrath and desire of revenge be subdued40 ,this1 to the new man1 is an easy yoke and a light burden2 though1 to the flesh1 it may seem to be a most bitter and afflictive cross4 ,this is to crucify our own flesh1 with the affections and lusts4 ,gal4 #e3bd4 #e4 ,they1 therefore1 who are acquainted with no other cross than the tribulations and afflictions of this life1 greatly err2 being ignorant of that true cross1 which we ought to bear after our ,lord daily2 namely1 inward repentance1 and the mortification of the flesh2 submitting to our enemies with great patience2 and overcoming the malice of slanderers by humility and mildness1 after the pattern which the ,lamb of ,god has left us4 ,for it becomes us to follow the example of ,christ1 who renounced all worldly splendor and glory1 and everything that is commonly esteemed great and noble4 #f4 ,this yoke of ,christ is the real cross1 which when a man bears he truly dies to the world4 ,it is not to retire into monasteries and cloisters1 nor to adopt a set of rules and orders for the regulation of life2 for while the heart remains disordered1 and the love corrupt2 while the man is puffed up with spiritual pride1 and a pharisaical contempt of others2 while he is devoted to lust1 envy1 hypocrisy1 secret hatred and malice2 he does not die to the world1 but altogether lives to it4 ,this is not the ,christian yoke nor is it the cross of ,christ2 for these consist in mortifying the flesh1 with its sinful propensities2 in turning away from the world to ,god2 in an inward and constant secret sorrow for our sins2 in a daily dying to the world1 and living to ,christ by faith2 in following his steps with sincere lowliness and humility2 and in confiding only in the grace of ,god in ,christ ,jesus4 #g4 ,to this unfeigned repentance1 this true and inward conversion from the world unto ,god1 hath our blessed ,lord called us4 ,the imputation of his righteousness and obedience1 together with the remission of all our sins1 apprehended by faith1 is promised to it alone4 ,if we are destitute of repentance1 ,christ profiteth us nothing2 that is1 we cannot then become partakers of his grace and favor1 nor of the efficacy of his merits2 because these can be applied only by a contrite1 penitent1 lowly1 and believing heart4 ,and truly this is the fruit of the passion of ,christ in us1 that we die to sin by a sincere repentance2 as the fruit of his resurrection is1 that ,christ may live in us1 and we in him4 #h4 ,all this is necessary to render man that new creature in ,christ ,jesus1 without which nothing availeth in the sight of ,god4 #b ,cor4 #e3ag2 ,gal4 #f3ae4 #i4 ,hence1 therefore1 let us be instructed in the nature of true repentance2 lest we be led away into that common error1 that the mere relinquishment of some gross enormity1 as theft1 fornication1 profaneness1 blasphemy1 is the genuine and only repentance4 ,it is certain1 that this is a kind of external repentance2 but it is no less so1 that all the ,scriptures alike inculcate the necessity of an inward repentance1 which takes possession of the whole soul4 ,a man under the influence of this repentance1 not only supports a fair conversation in the world1 but he also denies and hates himself4 ,renouncing the world and all he calls his own1 and crucifying the flesh1 he commits himself by faith to ,god alone2 and offers up to him a broken and contrite heart1 as the sacrifice most acceptable in his sight4 ,this character of inward repentance is eminently set forth in the ,psalms of ,david1 and particularly in those termed ,penitential47#d7 #aj4 ,this is1 therefore1 the only true repentance1 when the heart of the sinner is inwardly torn with grief1 and weighed down by heaviness2 and when1 on the other hand1 it is healed by faith and the remission of sin1 quickened by the infusion of divine joy1 provoked to good works1 and thoroughly transformed and changed4 ,such a frame of mind cannot fail to be attended also with an external reformation of life and manners4 #aa4 ,but1 on the other hand1 though a man be very serious in the performance of bodily penances1 and1 from a dread of punishment1 abstain from the commission of notorious sins2 yet if he continue unreformed and unregenerate in his heart1 and enter not upon that new and inward life which it has been our object to describe1 he will prove but a castaway 7#a ,cor4 #i3bg7 at last1 notwithstanding the whole train of his external acts4 ,it will avail him nothing to cry1 8,lord1 ,lord60 ,he will hear the tremendous declaration1 8,i never knew you60 ,for most certain it is1 that not every one that saith1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven1 but those only who do the will of their ,heavenly ,father4 ,matt4 #g3ba-bc4 ,and under this awful sentence of divine majesty1 all men are comprised1 of what rank or order so-ever1 who do not truly and inwardly repent1 and who are not new creatures in ,christ1 for 8if any man have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 he is none of his40 ,rom4 #h3i4 ,chapter ,v4 ,wherein ,does ,true ,faith ,consist8 ,whosoever believeth that ,jesus is the ,christ1 is born of ,god4--#a ,,john #e3a4 ,faith is a sincere confidence1 and a firm persuasion of the grace of ,god promised to us in ,christ ,jesus1 for the remission of sin and eternal life2 and it is enkindled in the heart1 by the word of ,god and the ,holy ,spirit4 ,through this faith we obtain the forgiveness of our sins1 without any merits of our own1 of mere grace 7,eph4 #b3h71 and for the sake of the merits of ,christ alone2 that so1 our faith might rest on a firm and solid foundation1 and remain unmoved by perplexity and doubts4 ,this forgiveness of sin constitutes our justification before ,god1 which is true1 solid1 and eternal2 for this righteousness is purchased neither by men nor angels1 but by the obedience1 merit1 and the blood of the ,son of ,god himself4 ,we appropriate and apply it to ourselves by faith2 and hence the imperfections which still adhere to us cannot condemn us1 since1 for the sake of ,christ1 who now lives and works within us1 they are covered with a veil of grace4 ,ps4 #cb3a4 #b4 ,by this cordial and unshaken faith1 man wholly dedicates his heart to the ,almighty1 in whom alone he seeks his rest4 ,to him only is he now united1 and with him alone he enters into delightful fellowship4 ,he partakes of all things that are of ,god and of ,christ1 and is made one spirit with the ,lord4 ,from him he receives divine power and strength2 together with a new life1 attended with new joys1 new pleasures1 new consolations1 in which are found peace1 inward ease1 and durable satisfaction1 together with righteousness and holiness4 ,and thus man is born anew of ,god by faith4 ,for wherever there is true faith1 there ,christ is verily present with all his righteousness1 holiness1 and remission of sin2 with all his merits1 justification1 grace1 adoption1 and inheritance of eternal life4 ,this is the new birth and the new creature1 springing from faith in ,christ4 ,hence1 the apostle calls faith a substance 7,heb4 #aa3a72 understanding by it1 a sure1 solid1 and unshaken confidence in 8things hoped for10 and a lively conviction of 8things not seen40 ,for the consolation conveyed by a vital faith is so powerful1 as to convince the heart of the divine truth by inward experience1 and by the tasting of the heavenly goodness in the soul1 and of the peace of ,god1 that passes all understanding2 yea1 it is so mighty as to enable its possessors to die with a joyful heart4 ,in this consist that strength of the spirit1 that might of the inner man1 that vigor of faith1 that holy boldness2 this is that confidence toward ,god1 that exceeding and abounding assurance1 which are so copiously set forth by the holy apostles4 #b ,tim4 #b3a2 ,eph4 #c3ab1 #af2 ,phil4 #a3ad2 #a ,john #c3ba2 #a ,thess4 #a3e2 #b3b4 #c4 ,that for which a man will dare to die1 must be rooted in the soul1 and1 by the operation of the ,spirit of ,god1 afford an inward assurance4 ,it must be a cordial1 powerful1 and eternal comfort1 infusing heavenly and supernatural strength into the soul1 by which the fear of death and the love of the world may both be subdued4 ,now all this begets so solid a trust in ,christ1 and so close a union with him1 as neither death nor life is able to dissolve4 ,rom4 #h3ch2 #b ,tim4 #a3ab4 ,hence ,st4 ,john says3 8,whatsoever is born of ,god overcometh the world40 #a ,john #e3d4 #d4 ,to be born of ,god is in truth no vain figure1 no empty name2 it must necessarily be a lively and powerful change1 worthy of the majesty of an omnipotent ,god4 ,to believe that the living ,god could beget a dead offspring1 that lifeless members and useless organs could proceed from him1 were very wickedness4 ,it is sure and undoubted that ,god1 being a living ,god1 cannot but beget a living man1 even the new man in ,christ ,jesus4 ,and our faith is the victory which overcomes the world4 #a ,john #e3d4 ,who can question whether it be endued with strength sufficient for the conquest8 ,it is1 it must be a lively1 vigorous1 potent1 divine1 and victorious principle2 but all its power is derived from him who is embraced by it1 even ,christ4 ,by means of faith1 we return into ,god again1 and become one with him2 and from ,adam1 as from an accursed vine1 we are transplanted into ,christ1 the living and blessed vine4 ,john #ae3d4 ,in ,christ1 we possess everything that is good1 and in him1 are justified4 #e4 ,as a scion1 when grafted on a good tree1 grows1 flourishes1 and bears fruit1 but1 without it1 withers away2 so man1 when out of ,christ1 is as an accursed vine1 whose grapes are bitterness and gall2 and all his works are sin4 ,deut4 #cb3cb1 #cc2 ,rom4 #ad3bc4 ,but when he is in ,christ1 he is righteous and blessed2 because 8he was made to be sin for us1 who knew no sin1 that we might be made the righteousness of ,god in him40 #b ,cor4 #e3ba4 #f4 ,it is most evident1 from what has been advanced1 that works cannot possibly justify a sinner2 because1 before we can perform any good work1 we must be engrafted into ,christ by faith3 and it is equally clear1 that justification is entirely the gift of ,god1 freely conferred on man and preceding all human merit4 ,how shall a dead man see1 hear1 stand1 walk1 or do any good thing1 unless he be first raised from the dead1 and endued with a new principle of life8 ,so neither canst thou1 ,o man1 who art dead in sins1 do any work that is good or acceptable1 unless thou be first raised unto life by ,jesus ,christ4 ,thus righteousness proceeds only from faith in ,christ4 ,faith is like a new-born babe1 weak and naked1 poor and destitute1 and laid before the eyes of the ,saviour2 from whom1 as from its author1 it receives righteousness and sanctification1 godliness1 grace and the ,holy ,ghost4 #g4 ,the naked child is thus clothed with the mercy of ,god4 ,he lifts up his hands1 receives all from ,god1 and is made a partaker of grace and health1 truth and holiness4 ,it is1 therefore1 this receiving of ,christ in the heart1 that makes a man holy and happy4 #h4 ,righteousness proceeds therefore solely from faith1 and not from works4 ,indeed1 faith receives the whole ,christ1 and accepts him1 together with all that he has4 ,then sin and death1 the devil and hell1 must flee1 and are unable any longer to preserve their ground4 ,nay1 so effectually and so powerfully do the merits of ,christ justify the sinner1 that if the sins of the whole world were charged on one man1 they would not avail to condemn him1 if he believed in ,christ4 #i4 ,inasmuch1 therefore1 as ,christ lives and dwells in thy heart by faith 7,eph4 #c3ag71 never1 ,o believer6 indulge the thought1 that his indwelling in thee1 is a dead work unattended with any vital power4 ,rather believe that it is a quickening principle1 a mighty work1 and an effectual transforming of thy mind4 ,faith effects two things3 it first engrafts thee into ,christ1 and gives him freely to thee1 with all that he has2 and then1 it renews thee in ,christ1 that thou mayest grow1 flourish1 and live in him4 ,the wild graft is introduced into the stock1 for no other end than that it may flourish and bear fruit4 ,as by the apostasy of ,adam and the temptation of the devil1 the seed of the serpent was sown in man1 growing up into a tree and bearing the fruits of death2 even so by the divine word and the ,holy ,spirit1 is faith sown in man1 as the seed of ,god4 ,see ,chap4 ,,ii4 ,in this seed all divine virtues and properties are1 in a most wonderful manner1 comprehended2 which gradually expand themselves from day to day4 ,this tree is adorned with a profusion of heavenly fruit2 as love1 patience1 humility1 meekness1 peace1 chastity1 righteousness4 ,and thus the whole kingdom of ,god descends into man4 ,for true and saving faith renews the whole man1 purifies the heart1 sanctifies the soul1 and delivers from the love of the world4 ,it unites with ,god2 it hungers and thirsts after righteousness2 it works love2 and it brings peace1 joy1 patience1 and comfort in adversity3 it overcomes the world2 it makes us sons of ,god1 and heirs of the treasures of heaven2 and it constitutes us joint-heirs with the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,but if any one should not be conscious of that joyfulness which faith imparts and does not experience its consoling influences1 let him not1 on that account1 despair2 but rather let him trust in the grace which is promised in ,christ3 for this promise ever remains sure1 immovable1 and everlasting4 ,and though1 through the infirmities incident to human nature1 he should stumble and fall2 yet1 if the sinner return by unfeigned repentance1 and more cautiously watch against the sin which so easily besets him1 the grace of ,god will not be withdrawn4 ,for ,christ is and will ever be ,christ and a ,saviour1 whether the faith that embraces him be strong or weak4 ,a weak faith has an equal share in ,christ with a strong faith1 for faith1 whether it be weak or strong1 possesses the whole ,christ4 ,the grace which is promised is common to all ,christians1 and is eternal1 and on this grace faith must rely1 whether it be weak or strong4 ,the ,lord will revisit thy soul in his own time1 with a sense of his gracious favor1 and of his abundant consolations1 although1 at the present1 he may think fit to put a veil over it in thy heart4 ,ps4 #cg3bc1 #bd2 #gg3g-aj4 ,upon this subject1 see ,book ,,ii4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,showing ,how ,the ,vital ,power ,of ,the ,word ,of ,god ,should ,be ,manifested ,in ,man ,through ,faith4 ,behold1 the kingdom of ,god is within you4--,,john #ag3ba4 ,inasmuch as man's whole welfare depends on his regeneration and renewal1 it was the will of ,god that all those changes which ought to take place in man spiritually and by faith1 should be also outwardly set forth in the words of ,holy ,scripture4 ,since the ,word is the seed of ,god 7,luke #h3aa7 within us1 it is necessary that it should also spring up and spiritually bear fruit4 ,that must be accomplished in us by faith1 which is declared without us in the letter of ,scripture2 and if this effect be not produced1 then the ,word is evidently to us but a dead seed1 destitute of life and energy4 ,hence1 we ought in faith and in spirit to learn by our own happy experience the truth of that which the ,scriptures have outwardly declared4 #b4 ,when ,god revealed his will in his ,word1 he never designed that the latter should be a dead letter1 but that it should grow up in us to a new and inward man2 otherwise the ,word is of no benefit to us4 ,these truths may be explained more clearly by a reference to some example1 as that of ,cain and ,abel4 ,the nature1 manners1 and actions of these two persons1 as they are recorded in ,scripture1 clearly explain the motions and workings of the old and the new man in the breast of the believer4 ,cain perpetually endeavors to oppress and destroy ,abel4 ,what else is this but the daily strife of the flesh and spirit1 and the enmity subsisting between the serpent and the seed of the woman8 ,with ,abraham1 the ,christian is required to quit his own country1 leaving all that he possesses1 even life itself1 in order that he may walk before ,god with a perfect heart1 obtain the victory1 and enter into the land of promise and kingdom of heaven4 ,such is the meaning of the ,lord's words3 8,if any man come to me1 and hate not his father1 and mother1 and wife1 and children1 and brethren1 and sisters1 yea1 and his own life also1 he cannot be my disciple20 that is1 he must renounce all these rather than renounce ,christ4 ,luke #ad3bf4 ,with ,lot1 he must depart from ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 forsaking the wicked course of the world2 not looking back with ,lot's wife1 but obeying ,christ's injunction 7,luke #ag3cb71 in order that his deliverance may be completed4 ,hither are all the wars and battles of ,israel against the heathen and infidel nations to be referred2 for what is represented under this history but the continual strife between the flesh and the spirit8 ,whatsoever is recorded of the ,mosaical priesthood1 the tabernacle1 the ark of the covenant1 or the mercy-seat1 with the sacrifices1 etc41--all has relation to the ,christian believer4 ,for unto him it appertains to pray in spirit and in truth2 to burn spiritual incense2 and to slay the sin-offering by presenting his body1 through mortification1 as a reasonable service and sacrifice1 so that ,christ may truly dwell in him by faith4 #c4 ,and if we advert to the ,new ,testament itself1 what is this but an outward expression of those truths1 which are to be inwardly fulfilled by faith1 in the experience of the believer8 ,if ,i become a new creature in ,christ1 it is incumbent on me to live and walk in him2 in him and with him1 to flee into exile1 and to be a stranger upon the earth4 ,the virtues that resided in him ,i ought to practise2 humility1 contempt of the world1 meekness1 and patience2 and ,i am bound to be fervent in acts of benignity1 charity1 and loving kindness4 ,in and with ,christ ,i should exercise mercy1 and pardon and love my enemies1 and1 with him1 do the ,father's will4 ,i must be tempted by ,satan with him2 and1 with him1 ,i must obtain the victory4 ,i am to be derided1 despised and vilified for the sake of the truth that is in me2 and1 if called to it1 ,i ought to die for and with him1 after the example of the saints1 and in testimony that he1 by faith1 hath lived in me1 and ,i in him4 #d4 ,this is to be conformed to the image of ,christ2 this is to be born with and in ,christ2 to put on ,christ2 to grow up and be strong in ,christ2 to live with ,christ in banishment2 to be baptized with his baptism2 to be scoffed and crucified with him2 to die with him2 to be buried with him2 to rise with him from the dead2 and to reign with him to all eternity4 #e4 ,if ever thou desirest to live in a constant union and conformity with thy ,head and ,saviour1 thou art in this manner to die daily with him1 and to crucify the flesh4 ,rom4 #f3e1 #f4 ,should this divine harmony not exist1 and another way be devised more consonant to thy fancy1 then ,christ will not be within but without thee2 far from thy faith1 thy heart1 and thy spirit2 and1 in that case1 he will profit thee nothing4 ,but if thou permit him to dwell in thy heart by faith1 he will be thy strength1 thy comfort1 and thy salvation4 #f4 ,all this1 ,o man6 doth faith in ,christ effect within the heart2 and thus the ,word of ,god becomes a living ,word1 and1 as it were1 a living witness in us of all those things which are externally declared in the ,scriptures4 ,hence1 faith is termed by the apostle a substance and an evidence1 ,heb4 #aa3a4 #g4 ,it is therefore evident1 that all the sermons1 discourses1 and epistles1 contained in the ,word of ,god1 whether proceeding from ,christ1 or the prophets1 or the apostles2 and1 in a word1 that all the ,scriptures1 in general1 as it regards their complete fulfilment1 belong to man1 and to every man individually4 ,not only do the plain doctrines appertain to us2 but all the parables and miracles with which the history of ,christ abounds1 have their final reference to man4 #h4 ,the purpose for which they were written was1 that they might be spiritually fulfilled in our own experience4 ,when1 therefore1 ,i read that ,christ healed others1 ,i promise myself the same relief2 for we live in unity one with another1 ,christ with me1 and ,i with ,christ4 ,when ,i read further1 how he cured the blind1 ,i am encouraged to believe that he will restore me to the enjoyment of spiritual sight1 who am blind by nature3 and so1 with regard to all his other miracles4 ,only own thyself to be blind1 lame1 deaf1 or leprous2 to be dead in trespasses and sins2 and then1 he will surely heal thy maladies1 and quicken that which is dead1 that so thou mayest have part in the first resurrection4 #i4 ,the substance of all that has been advanced is this3 the ,holy ,scripture bears outward testimony to those things1 which are to be inwardly fulfilled in man1 by faith4 ,it points out that image externally1 which1 by faith1 is to be formed within him4 ,it describes the kingdom of ,god in the letter1 which is to be established in the heart1 by faith1 after the spirit4 ,it exhibits ,christ outwardly1 who is1 by faith1 to live within me2 and it testifies of the new birth and of the new creature1 which ,i must experience in myself4 ,all this ,i am to be made by faith1 or the ,scripture will profit me nothing4 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,the ,law ,of ,god1 ,written ,in ,the ,hearts ,of ,all ,men1 ,convinces ,them ,that ,on ,the ,day ,of ,judgment ,they ,will ,be ,without ,excuse4 ,when the ,gentiles 444 do the things contained in the law 444 they shew the work of the law written in their hearts4--,,rom4 #b3ad1 #ae4 ,when ,god created man in his own image1 in righteousness and holiness1 and endowed him with exalted virtues and gifts1 he impressed three qualities on the human conscience so deeply1 that they can never be effaced3 ,first1 the natural testimony that there is a ,god4 ,secondly1 a testimony that a day of ,judgment will come4 ,rom4 #b3ae4 ,thirdly1 the law of nature1 or natural righteousness1 by which man is enabled to distinguish between honor and shame1 and to experience joy and sorrow4 #b4 ,for no nation has ever been discovered so wild and barbarous1 as to deny that a ,god exists1 inasmuch as nature furnishes internal and external evidence of this fact4 ,indeed1 men have not only acknowledged the being of a ,god1 of which they were assured by their consciences2 but they have also been affected with a sense of his justice1 as an avenger of evil1 and a rewarder of good2 and this persuasion arose from the consciousness1 that1 on some occasions1 they were harassed with fearful apprehensions2 while1 on others1 they felt a certain measure of peace and joy4 ,by this knowledge1 they even proceeded farther1 and discovered the doctrine of the immortality of the soul1 as appears from ,plato1 who most amply discussed this subject4 ,and1 lastly1 they gathered from this inward law1 that ,god was the author and source of all that was good in nature1 and therefore ought to be worshipped by an assiduous attention to virtue1 and with a pure heart4 ,hence1 they defined virtue to be man's chief good2 and schools of moral virtue were accordingly instituted by ,socrates1 and by other heathen philosophers4 ,this may be sufficient to convince us1 that ,god1 even since the fall1 has allowed a spark of natural light to remain in men1 in order that they might be admonished of their heavenly origin1 and be assured1 that it was only by following these footsteps of divinity1 that they could be restored to their former perfection4 ,some of the heathens themselves1 have not been unacquainted with this truth2 among whom is ,aratus1 the poet1 quoted by ,st4 ,paul1 who declares that 8we are ,god's offspring40 ,acts #ag3bh4 #c4 ,the ,gentiles1 however1 stifling the testimony of conscience1 contemned the light of nature1 and 8the work of the law written in their hearts0 7,rom4 #b3ae72 so that it cannot but be their own fault1 that they are condemned and lost2 and they are1 as ,st4 ,paul argues1 left altogether without excuse4 ,rom4 #a3ai1 #bj4 ,and as the ,gentiles knew1 by nature1 the justice of ,god1 and that such as did evil were worthy of death2 and yet not only committed evil but had pleasure in it2 it follows1 that they thereby condemned themselves1 whilst 8their thoughts accusing or excusing one another10 convinced them of the certainty of the day of judgment4 ,rom4 #a3cb2 #b3ae4 ,but if the ,gentiles shall be 8inexcusable10 because1 though endued with the natural knowledge of ,god1 they sought him not1 as was their duty2 what shall they plead in their own behalf1 to whom ,god hath given his ,holy ,word1 and whom he hath so earnestly invited to repentance1 by ,jesus ,christ his beloved ,son2 in order that1 forsaking the corruptions of the world1 they might1 by faith1 apprehend the merits of the ,saviour1 and obtain eternal life and salvation8 #d4 ,therefore1 every false ,christian shall1 in the day of judgment1 be condemned by two mighty witnesses3 by his own conscience or the law of nature1 and likewise by the revealed ,word of ,god1 which will then judge him4 ,in that day1 8it shall be more tolerable for the land of ,sodom10 than for such false pretenders to religion4 ,matt4 #aa3bd4 #e4 ,their anguish and torment shall be without end2 since ,god has made the soul immortal and planted the conscience in it1 to be both a witness and a judge4 ,the conscience can never throw off the recollection of ,god1 and yet cannot of itself approach him2 which must be attended with unutterable pain to the soul1 and expose it to the worm that dieth not1 and to the fire that cannot be quenched4 ,and the more the wicked have1 through impenitence of heart1 treasured up to themselves 8wrath against the day of wrath0 7,rom4 #b3e71 the more severe will this inward and eternal suffering be4 ,for as ,god1 in the exercise of his righteous judgment1 gave up the ,gentiles to a reprobate mind1 because they sinned against their own consciences1 and 8the work of the law written in their hearts20 so that they became blind in their understandings1 and rushed into every kind of filthy and abominable pollution2 thus drawing down upon themselves the wrath of ,god1 denounced against all crimes that are committed against the light of knowledge3 so the same doom 7yea1 and a far heavier one7 will be inflicted upon those who rest in the mere profession of the ,christian faith1 and deny the life and the power of godliness4 ,the reason of this is obvious3 such persons have contemned the inward as well as the outward word and testimony of ,god1 and have not only persevered in a state of impenitence1 but have resisted the ,divine ,spirit1 and blasphemed ,him who favored them with the light of his ,gospel4 ,on this account1 ,god gives them up to a reprobate mind1 so that they become worse than heathens and infidels4 ,he sends them 8strong delusion1 that they should believe a lie2 that they all might be damned who believed not the truth1 but had pleasure in unrighteousness40 #b ,thess4 #b3aa1 #ab4 #f4 ,this is the true reason why vices of so detestable a nature universally abound among ,christians2 many of which were not so much as known among the ,pagan nations4 ,what satanical pride1 what insatiable covetousness1 what unheard-of intemperance1 what bestial lust2 in a word1 what inhuman wickedness1 is not practised by those who call themselves ,christians6 ,and whence does all this arise1 but from that blindness and hardness of heart1 which they have contracted by confirmed habits of iniquity4 ,when those who are called ,christians disdain to imitate the meek and lowly ,jesus in their manners and their conversation2 when they are scandalized at him1 and consider it disgraceful to look to him whom ,god has appointed to be the light of the world1 and our great example 7,john #h3ab72 then the righteous ,god gives them up to follow ,satan2 to take upon them the life of the devil1 his abominable impiety1 wickedness1 and lies2 that they may execute with him all the works of darkness1 inasmuch as they refuse to walk in the light4 ,for thus saith the ,lord1 8,walk while ye have the light1 lest darkness come upon you40 ,john #ab3ce4 #g4 ,finally1 if ,god gave up the heathen to so terrible a blindness and so reprobate a mind2 and this because they proved disobedient to the glimmering light of nature2 or1 as ,st4 ,paul expresses it1 8because they did not like to retain ,god in their knowledge10 in order to be preserved by him 7,rom4 #a3bh72 how much more shall those be banished from life and salvation1 to whom the truth of ,god has come not only by natural light1 but by means of his revealed word1 and the new covenant1 and who yet haughtily despise these special tenders of divine mercy6 ,of which new covenant1 ,god thus speaks3 8,i will put my law in their inward parts1 and write it in their hearts2 and will be their ,god1 and they shall be my people4 ,and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor1 and every man his brother1 saying1 ,know the ,lord2 for they shall all know me1 from the least of them unto the greatest of them1 saith the ,lord2 for ,i will forgive their iniquity1 and ,i will remember their sin no more40 ,jer4 #ca3cc1 #cd2 ,john #f3de4 #h4 ,and here1 let us also attend to that which the ,apostle says1 concerning those who offend wilfully4 8,if10 says he1 8we sin wilfully1 after that we have received the knowledge of the truth1 there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins1 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation1 which shall devour the adversaries4 ,he that despised ,moses' law10 continues the ,apostle1 8died without mercy under two or three witnesses2 of how much sorer punishment1 suppose ye1 shall he be thought worthy1 who hath trodden under foot the ,son of ,god1 and hath counted the blood of the covenant1 wherewith he was sanctified1 an unholy thing1 and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace8 ,for we know him that hath said1 ,vengeance belongeth unto me1 ,i will recompense1 saith the ,lord4 ,it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living ,god40 ,heb4 #aj3bf-ca4 ,these words1 however1 are not pronounced in reference to those who fall through natural infirmity1 but against them who sin wilfully and against knowledge1 and who persevere to the end in a state of impenitence4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,no ,one ,can ,find ,comfort ,in ,christ ,and ,his ,merits1 ,who ,does ,not ,truly ,repent4 ,no unclean person was permitted to eat of the passover4--,,exod4 #ab3dh4 ,it was the declaration of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 8,they that be whole need not a physician1 but they that are sick4 ,i am not come to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance40 ,matt4 #i3ab1 #ac4 ,by this declaration the ,lord teaches us1 that he indeed calls sinners1 but that he calls them to repentance2 whence it is evident1 that no man can come to ,christ without true repentance and conversion from sin1 and without a true faith4 #b4 ,now repentance consists in dying unto sin through true sorrow for our sins1 and in obtaining the remission of sins through faith and living unto righteousness in ,christ4 ,there is no real repentance unless a genuine godly sorrow is first experienced1 by which the heart is broken and the flesh crucified4 ,hence it is termed 8repentance from dead works0 7,heb4 #f3a72 or the renunciation of such works as issue in death4 ,to abstain from dead works is1 therefore1 one of the principal parts of true repentance4 #c4 ,if we be not the subjects of this repentance1 the merit of ,christ profits us nothing2 nor can we lay the smallest claim to the benefits which thence accrue2 for ,christ proffers his aid1 as the physician of souls1 and his blood1 as the only effectual medicine for our spiritual maladies4 #d4 ,but as not even the most precious remedy can effect a cure of a disorder unless the patient refrain from things that are hurtful in their tendency1 and that resist the operation of the medicine1 so the blood and death of ,christ will be of no avail to him who does not fully resolve to forsake his sins1 and to live up to the requirements of the gospel2 for ,st4 ,paul says3 8,they who do such things 7the works of the flesh71 shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god10 and1 of course1 have not any part in the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,gal4 #e3ba4 #e4 ,again1 if ,christ1 by his most precious blood1 is to become our medicine1 it cannot be doubted that we must be in a diseased state1 and that we must1 for ourselves1 feel that we are so4 ,the whole need not a physician1 but the sick only 7,matt4 #i3ab72 and none is spiritually sick 7at least so as to be conscious of it7 who does not experience unfeigned contrition for the sins which he has committed1 and who has not a sense of the indignation of ,god which is excited against them4 ,he is no proper patient for the physician of souls who avoids not worldly lusts and vanities1 honors and riches2 but goes on in a state of spiritual unconcern1 without any regard to his past life or his final salvation4 ,upon a man of this character1 no cure can possibly be wrought4 ,he does not see his distemper1 and therefore needs no physician4 ,in short1 ,christ profits him nothing1 and his merits leave no saving effect upon his soul4 #f4 ,remember1 therefore1 ,o man6 that ,christ is come to call sinners to repentance2 and that it is only such as are broken in heart and contrite in spirit2 only such as fervently desire and thirst after this righteousness that are in a condition to receive the saving influence of the blood1 death1 and merits of the ,lord ,jesus4 #g4 ,happy is he who feels in his heart1 and still more happy he who proves obedient to this holy calling1 that is1 the 8godly sorrow for sin1 which worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of10 and which is the work of the ,holy ,spirit himself4 ,it arises1 first1 from the law1 and from serious meditation on the passion of ,christ1 which abounds with loud invitations to unfeigned repentance4 ,it exhibits1 as in a mirror1 both the wrath of ,god against sin1 and also his infinite grace in saving the sinner4 ,to make an atonement for our sins1 ,jesus shed his blood2 and love induced him to die for us while we were yet sinners4 ,rom4 #e3h4 ,here the divine justice and clemency combine for the salvation of souls4 #h4 ,how is it possible that a man who believes in ,christ1 should continue in sins which the ,lord expiated at no less a price than his own most precious blood8 ,when1 therefore1 ,o man6 thou art tempted to pride and ambition1 reflect upon the contempt and humiliation to which ,jesus submitted in order to atone for thy pride and thy ambition4 ,when thou art covetous after this world1 think of the poverty which he underwent that he might make satisfaction for thy cupidity2 and1 surely1 this will extinguish in thee the love of money and of worldly estates4 ,what anguish and agony did ,christ suffer on account of thy lusts and sinful pleasures2 and art thou yet in pursuit of these pleasures that will leave behind them a mortal sting8 ,alas6 how great must be the corruption of our nature when we can delight in things for which our ,redeemer and ,lord was sorrowful even unto death6 ,christ died to expiate thy wrath1 hatred1 and enmity2 to atone for thy bitterness and rancor1 for thy love of revenge1 and the implacableness of thy spirit4 ,this he effected by his extreme mildness and patience1 mercy and long-suffering4 ,and wilt thou be angry on every trifling occasion1 and esteem revenge to be sweet1 when1 to atone for it1 thy ,redeemer drank to the very dregs the cup of bitterness and affliction8 #i4 ,truly as many as assume to themselves the name of ,christians1 and yet do not forsake the pleasures of sin1 8crucify ,christ to themselves afresh1 and put him to an open shame0 7,heb4 #f3f72 and it is1 therefore1 utterly impossible that they should partake of that merit which they tread under foot4 ,they pollute the blood of the everlasting covenant1 and do not believe that their sins are expiated by it4 ,they do 8despite unto the ,spirit of grace20 they despise and resist him2 and1 by their ungodly lives1 scorn and condemn the grace of ,god offered in ,christ ,jesus4 ,heb4 #aj3bi4 ,hence1 the blood of the ,saviour1 which was shed for their sakes1 cries aloud for vengeance against them2 and this it does by the righteous judgment of ,god1 which they thus draw down upon themselves1--a consideration that ought to strike a terror into every one that names the name of ,christ4 ,indeed1 8it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living ,god0 7,heb4 #aj3ca72 for he is a living ,god1 and not a lifeless idol1 incapable of punishing so scornful a contempt of his grace and mercy4 #aj4 ,with this divine wrath and vengeance1 even their own consciences threaten them1 as inevitably following those who 7though they know that it was to atone for sin that the ,son of ,god died so ignominious a death7 are yet not careful to put away their sins4 #aa4 ,it was for this reason that1 soon after the death of ,christ1 repentance was preached over all the world2 namely1 both because he died 8for the sins of the whole world0 7#a ,john #b3b72 and because in all places of the world men should repent4 ,acts #ag3cj4 ,thus it is said1 8,god now commandeth all men every where to repent10 and to receive with a contrite1 penitent1 and believing heart the sovereign medicine purchased by the death of ,christ1 in order that the grace of ,god be not frustrated1 but answer the end designed4 #ab4 ,remission of sins immediately follows true repentance2 but how shall a man have his sins remitted when he does not repent of them1 nay1 when he still rejoices in them8 ,nothing surely could be more preposterous than to expect that sins should be pardoned which a man has no design to renounce2 and nothing can be more absurd than to seek consolation in the sufferings of ,christ1 and yet continue in the mire of sin which caused ,christ's death4 #ac4 ,but certain and obvious as these truths are in themselves1 there are many that call themselves ,christians who never repented1 and who yet will presume to lay claim to a share in the merits of ,christ1 and in the remission of sins which he has purchased4 ,they have not ceased to indulge their accustomed wrath1 covetousness1 pride1 malice1 envy1 hypocrisy1 and unrighteousness1 but have rather become more and more enslaved by them2 and yet1 alas6 they expect forgiveness of sin1 and presumptuously apply to themselves the merits of ,christ as a defence against the impending judgment of ,almighty ,god4 ,and though this is one of the grossest and most palpable of errors1 yet they do not hesitate to bestow upon it the specious name of faith1 by which they hope for salvation4 ,these are they that flatter themselves to their own destruction2 fondly supposing that they are true ,christians because they have a speculative knowledge of the ,gospel1 and because they believe that ,jesus died for their sins4 ,this1 alas6 is not faith1 but fancy2 and thou art an unhappy1 and most awfully infatuated false ,christian1 if thou canst suffer thyself to be deluded in this manner6 ,never did the ,word of ,god teach such a doctrine2 but the unvarying language of the inspired writers is3 8,if thou earnestly desirest the pardon of thy sins1 repent of them1 and firmly resolve to give up the practice of them2 and thus1 grieving from thy heart that thou hast so greatly offended ,god1 and determining to lead a new life1 believe on ,jesus ,christ1 the great propitiation for the sins of the whole world40 #ad4 ,but how should that man feel sorrow for his sins1 who will not be induced to quit them8 and how should he quit them1 while he remains unconcerned about committing them8 ,christ1 and all his apostles and prophets1 unite in teaching thee1 ,o man6 that thou must die to the world and to thy sins2 die to thy pride1 thy covetousness1 thy lust1 and thy wrath2 and that thou must return to the ,lord with all thy heart1 and implore his gracious pardon4 ,and this being sincerely done1 thou art absolved1 and thy sins are forgiven4 ,then1 the heavenly physician looks upon thee graciously2 for he is come to revive those that are of a contrite spirit1 and to bind up the broken in heart4 ,ps4 #adg3c4 ,but if thou seekest for some other way to be saved1 than that which is here pointed out1 then ,christ will profit thee nothing1 and the boasting of thy faith is altogether vain4 ,for true faith renews him who possesses it2 it mortifies sin1 and raises the soul1 with ,christ1 into a new life2 for such a man lives1 by faith in ,christ1 in his love1 his humility1 his meekness1 and his patience4 ,it is thus1 ,o man6 that ,jesus becomes unto thee the way of life1 and thus thou becomest in him a 8new creature40 ,but if thou continuest to commit thy favorite sins1 and remainest unwilling to die to the corrupt bent of 8the old man0 7,rom4 #f3f2 ,eph4 #d3bb71 how wilt thou pretend to be a new creature8 ,how is it possible for thee to belong to ,christ1 when thou dost not 8crucify the flesh1 with its affections and lusts80 ,gal4 #e3bd4 #ae4 ,even if thou shouldst listen to ten sermons in one day1 shouldst confess thy sins every month1 and receive the ,lord's ,supper1 thou wouldst derive no benefit from such exercises1 nor obtain the remission of sins2 the reason is1 that thou hast not a penitent1 contrite1 and believing heart1 which can be reached by the healing influences of the medicine4 ,the ,word of ,god and the ,sacraments are1 indeed1 salutary remedies2 but they are such to those alone who unfeignedly repent and believe4 ,what would it profit1 to anoint a stone with costly ointment8 ,what harvest shalt thou reap1 if thou sowest among briers and thorns8 ,first pull up the thorns and thistles that choke the good seed1 and1 then1 thou mayest reasonably expect the precious fruit4 ,luke #h3g4 ,and1 in fine1 ,christ will never profit thee at all1 if thou continuest to love sin rather than ,him4 ,the birth of the ,saviour is of no advantage to a man whose aim it is not to be born with him2 nor shall his death avail for any1 who are not disposed to die to sin1 and to mortify the deeds of the flesh4 ,rom4 #f3aa4 ,so1 the resurrection of ,christ will benefit none who will not rise from sin1 and live unto righteousness2 nor will his ascension prove a blessing to any who refuse to ascend with him1 and to have their conversation in heaven4 #af4 ,but when1 on the contrary1 a man1 like the ,prodigal ,son1 truly returns to his offended father1 deploring1 hating1 and forsaking his sins2 when he earnestly seeks forgiveness1 and1 with the eye of faith1 beholds ,christ and his bleeding wounds1 as the ,israelites beheld the serpent of brass1 and lived 7,numb4 #ba3i72 when1 at last1 under a real sense of guilt1 he cries out with the penitent publican1 8,god be merciful to me a sinner0 7,luke #ah3ac72 then1 then1 the pardon is granted1 the absolution is sealed1 however great and many the sins be which he has committed against his ,god4 #ag4 ,such is the efficacy of the redemption which the blood of ,christ has effected1 and of so extensive a nature is his merit1 that it is fully imputed1 through faith1 to every penitent soul4 ,thus is brought to pass the scripture1 8,he giveth repentance and forgiveness of sins0 7,acts #e3ca72 that is1 he pardons the repentant sinner freely and wholly1 for ,christ's sake4 ,for it is a pleasure with ,god to exercise mercy1 and to forgive a sinner4 8,my bowels are troubled for him2 ,i will surely have mercy upon him1 saith the ,lord40 ,jer4 #ca3bj2 ,hosea #aa3h4 ,then it is1 that the death of ,christ is rendered truly effectual2 and then it is1 that the angels of ,god rejoice in heaven 7,luke #ae3g71 because the blood of ,christ was not shed in vain for the poor sinner for whom ,he had died4 #a ,cor4 #h3aa4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,the ,unchristian ,walk ,of ,many ,persons ,in ,our ,day1 ,is ,a ,cause ,of ,the ,rejection ,of ,christ ,and ,of ,the ,true ,faith4 ,having a form of godliness1 but denying the power thereof4--#b4 ,,tim4 #c3e4 ,every one calls himself by the ,christian name1 even though he do not perform the least part of what he thereby professes2 and1 by this means1 the ,saviour is denied1 contemned1 blasphemed1 scourged1 crucified1 and1 as it were1 cast out of the sight of men1 as dead4 ,the ,apostle expressly declares1 that some persons 8crucify the ,son of ,god afresh40 ,heb4 #f3f4 #b4 ,would to ,god that ,christ were not1 even in our days1 crucified again and again among those who call themselves after his name1 and honor him with their lips2 and yet1 by their anti-christian lives and actions1 utterly reject and deny him4 ,his most holy1 humble1 and exemplary life is1 at this day1 to be found among but few2 and wherever there is not the life of ,christ1 there ,christ is not himself1 however loudly the faith and the doctrine may be commended4 ,for the ,christian faith without a ,christian life is a tree without fruit4 ,true faith works by love 7,gal4 #e3f72 and wherever it is found1 there ,christ dwells1 with all his divine graces and virtues4 ,eph4 #c3ag4 #c4 ,but when these are not expressed in the lives of those who profess his doctrine1 there ,christ himself is rooted up and denied2 for it is only where true faith exists that ,christ dwells4 #d4 ,now ,christ hath said1 8,whosoever shall deny me before men1 him will ,i also deny before my ,father and the angels40 ,matt4 #aj3cc2 ,luke #ab3i4 ,this denial of ,christ is not only made in words 7as by those who renounce ,christ and ,christianity71 but it is also done when1 by our lives and actions1 we wilfully sin against the ,saviour and resist the ,holy ,ghost4 ,st4 ,paul speaks of some who 8profess that they know ,god1 but in works deny him0 7,tit4 #a3af72 and it is certain that ,christ is no less denied by a wicked and satanic life1 than he is by a verbal abjuration4 ,it is with hypocrisy and an empty profession of the faith as it is with open wickedness2 and this is strikingly illustrated by our ,lord's parable of the two sons1 who were commanded by their father to go and work in his vineyard4 ,the one 7openly denying7 said1 8,i will not20 while the other 7professing obedience7 said1 8,i go1 sir10 and went not4 ,matt4 #ba3bh-cj4 #e4 ,this is a forcible representation of those ,christians who make religion to consist in empty profession without obedience4 ,they will cry 8,yea1 yea10 and 8,lord1 ,lord60 7,matt4 #g3ba71 and yet are worse than others1 because they pretend to be children of the ,father1 and yet do not1 in any respect1 obey his will4 ,their character is thus given by ,st4 ,paul3 8,having a form of godliness1 but denying the power thereof40 #b ,tim4 #c3e4 ,now1 what is it to deny the power of godliness but to deny ,christ himself1 and to shake off allegiance to him1 and thus to act the part of a heathen under the mask and name of a ,christian8 ,these are 8the children of unbelief or disobedience10 in whom the spirit1 not of ,christ1 but of this world1 worketh4 ,eph4 #b3b4 ,they1 therefore1 who usurp a ,christian's name1 and yet do not a ,christian's work1 shall be denied1 in their turn1 by the ,saviour when he shall pronounce the sentence3 8,i never knew you3 depart from me1 ye that work iniquity40 ,matt4 #g3bc4 ,chapter ,x4 ,the ,children ,of ,the ,world ,are ,against ,christ1 ,and1 ,consequently1 ,their ,life ,and ,their ,christianity ,are ,both ,alike ,false4 ,he that is not with me is against me4--,,matt4 #ab3cj4 ,if the conduct of the generality of men in the present age be examined by the standard of life and doctrine left us by ,christ1 we must soon come to the conclusion that it is wholly unchristian1 and totally repugnant to his example4 ,the lives of men in our day are1 in too many cases1 made up of insatiable avarice1 sordid and self-seeking manners1 worldly-mindedness1 worldly cares1 the lust of the flesh1 the lust of the eye1 and the pride of life2 disobedience1 wrath1 strife1 hatred1 malice1 contentions1 and a violent thirst after human applause1 pomps1 and dignities4 ,add to these the jealousies1 the revenge1 the secret feuds and envyings1 the unforgiving spirit1 the injustice and hypocrisy1 the frauds and calumnies1 the lies and perjuries1 together with all the impurity and unrighteousness with which the world so exceedingly abounds4 ,in short1 the whole life of the children of this generation consists of the love of the world1 self-love1 self-honor1 and self-seeking4 #b4 ,to all this the life of ,christ is entirely opposed2 it can have no sort of communion with it4 ,his life is nothing else but pure and sincere love to ,god and men4 ,it is composed of humanity and kindness1 of meekness and patience1 of humility and obedience even unto death1 of mercy and righteousness1 of truth and simplicity1 of purity and holiness1 of contempt of the world1 its honors1 wealth1 and pleasures2 of self-denial2 of the cross1 tribulations1 and afflictions2 of fervent desires after the kingdom of ,god1 and after the fulfilment of the divine will4 ,this is the life of ,christ1 to which the false ,christianity of the present age is so greatly opposed4 #c4 ,if1 then1 it be the truth that he who is not with ,christ is accounted as one that is against him2 and he that standeth not in the will of ,god1 as he that withstandeth it 7and we know that this is the meaning of the language of our ,lord himself71 it is most evident that the generality of those who make a public profession of the ,christian faith1 not being with ,christ1 must be against him4 ,they have no communion with him1 but are contrary to him2 they are not led by a ,christian1 but by an antichristian spirit4 ,scarcely any1 indeed1 are to be found who are of one soul1 one will1 one mind1 and one spirit with him2 and yet only these can be ,christ's1 or be accounted his disciples4 ,it is in reference to the latter that the apostle speaks when he says1 they have 8the mind of ,christ0 7#a ,cor4 #b3af72 and1 in another place1 8,let this mind be in you which was also in ,christ ,jesus40 ,phil4 #b3e4 ,the children of the world have not this mind1 and it is hence certain that they are not with but against ,christ4 ,now whatever any man's profession and doctrine be1 he who is thus against ,christ in his life and actions1 is most undoubtedly an antichrist4 #a ,john #b3ah4 #d4 ,where1 alas6 shall we now find true ,christians1 in the midst of so many unchristian disorders that universally abound8 ,how justly may they be termed 8a little flock60 7,luke #ab3cb7 as they were called by our ,lord himself4 ,how justly has the prophet ,isaiah compared the church to a solitary cottage in a vineyard1 and to a wasted city6 ,isa4 #a3h4 8,woe is me60 exclaims ,micah1 8,i am as when they have gathered the summer fruits1 as the grape-gleanings of the vintage3 there is no cluster to eat3 my soul desires the first ripe fruit4 ,the good man is perished out of the earth2 and there is none upright among men40 ,micah #g3a1 #b4 ,see also ,ps4 #gd3ai2 #ajb3g4 #e4 ,god alone knows where and who these are3 but be they where and who they may1 assuredly ,christ is with them1 yea1 in them1 8alway1 even unto the end of the world40 ,matt4 #bh3bj4 ,nor will he ever leave them without sufficient succor2 8,i will not leave you comfortless10 he says2 8,i will come unto you40 ,john #ad3ah4 ,for he knoweth them that are his1 and those whom he is said to know1 he watches over with never-ceasing and distinguishing care4 8,the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 ,the ,lord knoweth them that are his40 ,but who are his8 ,the answer is immediately annexed3 8,let every one that nameth the name of ,christ depart from iniquity40 #b ,tim4 #b3ai4 ,but let those who are not disposed to obey this injunction1 assume some other name that shall better accord with their conduct2 and let them not name ,his name1 until they conform to ,his life by a living faith4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,showing ,that ,he ,does ,not ,truly ,repent1 ,is ,not ,a ,christian1 ,and ,not ,a ,child ,of ,god1 ,who ,does ,not1 ,in ,his ,life ,and ,conduct1 ,follow ,christ2 ,also1 ,wherein ,the ,new ,birth ,and ,the ,yoke ,of ,christ ,consist4 ,christ also suffered for us1 leaving us an example1 that ye should follow his steps4--#a ,,pet4 #b3ba4 ,god has appointed our ,lord ,jesus ,christ to be our prophet or teacher2 and1 by a voice from heaven1 has commanded us to hear him2 saying1 8,this is my beloved ,son1 in whom ,i am well pleased3 hear ye him40 ,matt4 #ag3e4 ,this office was most faithfully executed by the ,son of ,god1 not only in words1 but 7as became a teacher engaged in so sacred a function7 by a most holy and unblemished life4 ,in allusion to this1 ,st4 ,luke thus prefaces his account of the ,acts of the ,apostles3 8,the former treatise have ,i made1 ,o ,theophilus1 of all that ,jesus began both to do and teach1 etc402 where1 it is to be remarked1 that he places doing before teaching2 intimating that these ought never to be separated4 ,it certainly is the duty of every true teacher1 first1 to practise himself the duties which he purposes to teach others4 ,such a teacher was our ,lord ,jesus2 and his conduct is the pattern of teaching1 and the book of life which we ought to study4 #b4 ,it was for this cause1 that the ,son of ,god became man1 and conversed with men upon earth1 that he might give us a visible example of an innocent1 perfect1 and divine life2 and that we might follow him as a light that shineth in darkness1 to lead us in the way in which we should go4 ,hence he calls himself 8the light of the world20 and promises that 8he who followeth him shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life40 ,john #h3ab4 #c4 ,hence it clearly appears1 that they who refuse to follow ,christ in his life1 and to tread by faith in his steps1 remain in darkness1 and are not in the way to obtain 8the light of life40 ,but what is this darkness8 ,it is an impenitent and depraved life1 called by the apostle 8works of darkness10 which are to be cast off1 that so we may put on 8the armor of light0 7,rom4 #ac3ab72 and in genuine repentance both these duties are comprised4 #d4 ,it has been abundantly proved above1 that godly sorrow and true faith thoroughly change a man2 that they crucify the flesh1 effect an entire transformation in the soul1 and beget1 through the ,holy ,ghost1 a new life4 ,lest1 however1 this should be a mere theoretical knowledge1 devoid of life and practice1 ,god has been pleased to set before us his own ,son1 not only as a ransom and a ,mediator1 but also as a mirror of perfect godliness1 and as a most finished pattern of the new man1 who is regenerated after the image of ,god4 ,in him1 the fleshly ,adam1 the corrupt nature1 never reigned2 but the blessed ,god alone4 ,him it hath pleased ,god to set forth before our eyes1 that1 contemplating him and his righteous life1 we might be daily more and more renewed after his image4 ,let us explain this point more fully4 #e4 ,sad experience teaches us continually1 that our whole nature1 body and soul1 is polluted with every kind of sin1 vice1 and corruption4 ,these are the works of the devil appearing in the carnal man2 and it is principally in the depraved and perverted will1 that these diabolical operations are most visibly discerned4 ,for the depraved will is the root of all sin3 if that were removed1 there would be sin no more4 ,with regard to the power and natural bias of this will1 it consists chiefly in turning man away from ,god and from ,his will4 ,now1 whatever departs from that ,being who is the sovereign and supreme ,good1 cannot but be in itself evil2 for it partakes of the nature of the supreme evil1 and is a violation of the original constitution of our nature1 as derived from ,god himself4 ,it was this turning away from ,god that produced the fall both of ,satan and of man2 whence sin entered into the world1 and has1 by fleshly generation1 passed upon all men4 #f4 ,the nature of man is then inoculated with the nature of the devil himself1 and his will tainted with satanical wickedness1 as with deadly poison4 ,hence ,christ called the ,pharisees 8children of the devil0 7,john #h3dd72 and even to one of his own disciples gave the name of ,satan 7,john #f3gj72 intimating as though the covetousness1 lying1 pride1 and evil concupiscence1 by which the nature of all men is defiled1 were ,satan himself4 #g4 ,hence it may1 with all propriety1 be affirmed1 that they who lead a life void of repentance1 a life of pride1 avarice1 lust1 and envy1 live in the devil1 and partake of his nature4 ,such persons may assume the garb of honesty2 they may veil their real characters under a fair show of morality and correct deportment2 yet1 inwardly1 according to the saying of ,christ to the ,jews1 they are1 nevertheless1 devils4 ,john #h3dd4 ,such a declaration is dreadful to be made2 but the truth of it is confirmed1 both by the ,word of ,god and by continual experience4 #h4 ,our nature1 as fallen creatures1 being thus miserably depraved1 thus desperately perverted1 and vitiated in all its springs2 there is an absolute necessity that it should be purified and renewed4 ,there must be a total renovation of the soul1 in all its powers and all its faculties4 ,but how shall this be effected8 ,we answer3 ,as the chief evil has made a breach upon our nature1 and has infused poison into its very springs2 so must the chief ,good revisit and renew our nature1 that it may be assimilated to itself4 ,that which the supreme evil has so radically corrupted1 can be corrected only by a thorough and vital penetration of the supreme ,good1 even of ,god himself2 and1 therefore1 it was necessary that the ,word should be made flesh4 #i4 ,the ,son of ,god truly became man1 not for his own sake1 but for our sakes2 that1 by reconciling us to ,god by himself1 he might make us partakers of the sovereign good1 having cleansed and sanctified us1 to that end2 for whatever is to be sanctified1 must be sanctified by ,god and with ,god4 ,and as ,god is in ,christ1 so ought we to be united to him by faith1 that we may live in ,god1 and ,god in us2 we in ,christ1 and ,christ in us 7#b ,cor4 #e3ai1 #ba72 that the will of ,god be in us1 and we in the will of ,god1 being made the righteousness of ,god in ,christ4 #b ,cor4 #e3ba4 ,this is the only way in which ,christ administers medicine to our corrupt nature2 and the more powerfully he influences man1 the more thoroughly will human nature be purified4 #aj4 ,oh6 how blessed is the man in whom ,christ does all and is all2 whose will1 thoughts1 mind1 and words1 are the will1 thoughts1 mind1 and words of ,christ6 ,it was thus the apostle said1 8,we have the mind of ,christ40 #a ,cor4 #b3af4 ,and so indeed it must be with the believer2 because the life of ,christ is the new life1 yea1 the new man in him2 and whoever lives in ,christ after the ,spirit1 hath really put on the new man1 and all the graces with which he is adorned4 ,his meekness and obedience are the meekness and obedience of ,christ2 his patience and humility are the patience and humility of ,christ2 and his life itself is the life of ,christ1 by whom and in whom he lives4 ,this is the 8new creature0 which is created after ,god 7#b ,cor4 #e3ag72 and that life of ,christ in us1 of which ,st4 ,paul experimentally says1 8,i live1 yet not ,i1 but ,christ liveth in me40 ,gal4 #b3bj4 ,this is to follow ,christ truly4 ,this is to walk in the light of his life1 and to bring forth 8fruits meet for repentance20 for1 by this means1 the 8old man0 is destroyed1 the carnal life gradually declines1 and the new and divine life is established in the soul4 ,he who has this life is not a nominal1 but a real ,christian2 a ,christian not in word and in appearance only1 but in deed and in truth4 ,he is a true child of ,god1 begotten of ,him1 and quickened and renewed by faith after the image of ,jesus ,christ4 #aa4 ,although we cannot attain to a state of perfection1 while encompassed with so many infirmities that obstruct our progress in the divine life1 we ought not1 therefore1 to be discouraged1 but rather to be inspired with more fervor in seeking after a consummation so much to be desired4 ,we ought ardently to wish and pray1 to endeavor and study1 that the kingdom of ,christ be established within us1 and the kingdom of ,satan destroyed4 #a ,john #c3i2 ,eph4 #b3e4 ,the object of our cares and efforts1 of our groans and prayers1 should be--how we may more and more mortify the old man by daily repentance4 ,for1 the more a man dies to himself1 the more ,christ lives in him2 the more corruptions are removed by the good ,spirit of ,god1 the more divine grace possesses the heart4 ,in proportion as the flesh is crucified1 the spirit is quickened2 as the works of darkness are put off1 the armor of light from above is put on2 and in the same degree as the outward man perisheth1 the inward man is strengthened and renewed4 #b ,cor4 #d3af2 ,col4 #c3e4 ,the decrease of the carnal life1 is the increase of that which is spiritual and divine4 ,as the affections of the former1 self-love1 ambition1 wrath1 covetousness1 and voluptuousness1 are weakened and subdued1 so are opposite affections of the spiritual life invigorated and raised4 ,the farther a man departs from the world1 from 8the lust of the flesh1 the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life0 7#a ,john #b3af72 the more do ,god1 ,christ1 and the ,holy ,spirit enter into the heart and dwell there4 ,and1 on the other hand1 the more nature1 flesh1 darkness1 and the world1 reign in man2 the less of grace1 light1 the ,holy ,spirit1 ,god1 and ,christ1 is there to be found in him4 #ab4 ,this spiritual life is enmity to the flesh1 because the latter is hereby restrained1 subdued1 and brought under the yoke1 and crucified with its 8affections and lusts40 ,in this1 however1 consist the power1 efficacy1 and fruit of true repentance4 ,the nature of flesh and blood is to lead a lawless1 dissolute1 and voluptuous life1 unshackled by restraint1 and entirely agreeable to its own will and humor4 ,it is this which it finds sweet1 and in which it rejoices4 ,to the flesh and the 8old man10 the life of ,christ is a most severe cross1 and an intolerable burden2 but to the new and spiritual man1 8this yoke is easy and this burden light0 7,matt4 #aa3cj71 and attended with divine serenity and peace of mind4 ,for the true rest of the soul will be sought for in vain1 unless in faith in ,christ2 in his meekness and humility1 patience and love4 ,here he hath himself promised1 8,ye shall find rest unto your souls40 ,yea1 he that really loves the ,lord ,jesus1 will not deem it hard to suffer even death for his sake1 but account it a joy and a happiness4 ,such is the yoke of the ,saviour1 which we are invited to take upon us1 that we may find 8rest unto our souls40 #ac4 ,it is necessary1 therefore1 that every one who is resolved to take upon himself the yoke of ,christ1 and to imitate ,his holy example1 should1 in the first place1 shake off the yoke of ,satan1 and repress the carnal1 selfish1 and unruly propensities of his fallen nature1 in order that the flesh may vex the spirit no more4 ,all must be subjugated to the obedience of ,christ1 to the wise and righteous discipline of his law2 that is1 the will1 understanding1 reason1 and appetites1 together with the sensual desires of the old ,adam1 that before reigned in the mortal body1 must henceforth yield a free obedience to the government of the ,lord4 ,rom4 #f3ab4 #ad4 ,true it is that the flesh is highly gratified when honored1 courted1 and praised1 and when abounding in the riches and pleasures of this life2 but the yoke of ,christ1 by which the flesh is mortified and subdued1 requires us to prefer ignominy1 contempt1 and poverty1 to affluence and honor2 to account ourselves unworthy of these things1 and freely to give up all that is great in the estimation of the world4 ,it is here that the humility and life of ,christ are most striking and apparent4 ,this is the 8yoke0 and this the 8burden10 which are easy and light to the spirit2 this is the law of love1 the commandments of which are not grievous but delightful4 #a ,john #e3c4 ,what was the whole life of ,christ but holy poverty1 extreme contempt1 and severe persecution8 ,is it not true that he 8came not to be ministered unto1 but to minister1 and to give his life a ransom for many08 ,matt4 #bj3bh4 #ae4 ,it is the tendency of the natural man to desire to excel others1 and to be thought of importance2 but the spiritual man loves the humility of the ,redeemer1 and desires to be reputed as nothing in this world4 ,the carnal man1 that follows the propensities of corrupt nature1 and has never learned of ,christ's humility1 meekness1 and love1 deems it folly to live as ,jesus lived1 and thinks those only are wise who indulge their appetites in security1 and satiate themselves with every object which they desire2 and when such a one most lives in the devil1 he is so blinded by ignorance and darkness as to esteem his own life the happiest that can be desired1 and to applaud himself in his own folly4 ,and hence it is that these deluded wretches1 following the false light of carnal wisdom1 are not only deceived themselves1 but are the means of involving others in the same ruin4 ,they1 on the contrary1 whose minds have been enlightened by the true and eternal light1 are struck with horror and surprise whenever they cast their eyes upon the pomps and vanities of this world1 upon the ambition and pride1 the wrath and revenge1 the intemperance and voluptuousness1 and the other fruits of the carnal life which universally abound4 ,their language is3 8,alas6 how far removed is all this from ,christ6 ,how far from true repentance and the knowledge of ,jesus is the man that acts thus6 ,how far from the nature and disposition of a child of ,god6 ,alas6 he is still dead in sins1 and a slave of the devil40 ,that man1 therefore1 who does not imitate the life of ,christ1 is an entire stranger to true repentance2 he is not a ,christian1 nor a child of ,god2 nay1 he is wholly ignorant of ,jesus ,christ2 for he who desires to know ,christ savingly1 both as the ,saviour of the world and as the great exemplar of life1 must know him to be pure meekness1 gentleness1 and love1 and to be wholly composed of patience and humility4 ,this living ensample of goodness and piety which the ,lord hath set before him1 he must carry in his heart1 and must labor to be transformed into its image4 ,the virtues that resided in ,christ he must have within himself2 and if he would ever effectually know him1 he must love and admire them in his inward soul4 ,as a plant discovers its nature by the fragrance which it diffuses around1 so the knowledge of ,christ discovers itself by the sweet and sacred odors which proceed from it4 ,then is acquired an experimental knowledge of the life1 power1 rest1 and consolation which flow from the ,saviour2 which circulate through all the faculties of the soul1 and quicken them by a kind of spiritual sweetness4 ,thus is man made to 8taste how good the ,lord is0 7,ps4 #cd3h72 thus is the truth known1 and the supreme and eternal good apprehended and enjoyed4 ,and thus is it certainly ascertained that the life of ,christ is infinitely superior to every other life in goodness and sweetness1 in dignity and in peace2 yea1 that it resembles life eternal itself1 being indeed the foretaste of such a life upon earth4 #af4 ,as there is nothing more excellent than the life of ,christ1 nothing more delightful1 more peaceful1 or more satisfying to the soul1 it ought to have no rival in our affections1 but to be endeared to us above all things else4 ,he who is destitute of ,christ and of his knowledge1 can form no conception of the rest and quiet of eternal life2 or of the sovereign good2 or of the everlasting truth2 or of the imperishable word2 or of the joy of the soul2 or of the true light of love2 for all these centre in ,christ1 and he who has him has them2 because ,christ is all these to the man who truly believes in his holy name4 8,every one that loveth is born of ,god1 and knoweth ,god4 ,he that loveth not1 knoweth not ,god2 for ,god is love40 #a ,john #d3g1 #h4 #ag4 ,it is1 therefore1 most evident that the fruits and effect of the new birth do not consist in words1 however sound1 or in a form of godliness1 however specious1 but in an abiding substance1 even in that love which is ,god himself4 ,a son bears the image of him who begat him2 and whoever is born of ,god should evidence it by love1 for ,god is love2 and hence it is clear that 8he that dwelleth in love1 dwelleth in ,god1 and ,god in him40 #a ,john #d3af4 #ah4 ,the knowledge of ,god1 in like manner1 does not consist in words1 nor in merely speculative and superficial knowledge1 but in a vital1 consolatory1 and divine feeling1 in a pure and unmixed pleasure1 gently infusing itself into the heart by faith1 and penetrating it with an unutterable and heavenly sweetness4 ,this is a true1 living1 and efficacious knowledge of ,god2 such as that which the ,psalmist means when he says1 8,my heart and my flesh cry out for the living ,god0 7,ps4 #hd3b72 and again1 8,thy loving kindness 7as experienced in the divine sensations of my soul7 is better than life0 7,ps4 #fc3c72 that is1 this divine life infinitely transcends every other life2 in which it is evident that he means that unutterable joy which is produced by an experimental knowledge of ,god1 and which is infused into a believing heart4 ,thus man liveth in ,god1 and ,god in man2 and thus man knoweth ,god in truth1 and is known of ,god4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,the ,true ,christian ,dies ,unto ,himself ,and ,the ,world1 ,and ,lives ,in ,christ4 ,christ died for all1 that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves1 but unto him which died for them1 and rose again4--#b ,,cor4 #e3ae4 8,christ10 says the apostle1 8died for all1 that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves1 but unto him which died for them1 and rose again40 ,besides that this sentence is replete with divine consolation1 declaring that ,jesus died for all1 it inculcates a lesson of the most salutary nature1 namely1 that we should live not unto ourselves1 but unto him who died for us4 ,to live to him1 however1 before we are dead to ourselves1 is impossible4 ,if1 therefore1 thy resolution be to live to ,christ1 thou must certainly die to the world and to thyself2 but if thou rather inclinest to live to the world and to thyself1 it follows that thou must renounce thy communion with the ,saviour4 ,for what communion hath light with darkness1 ,christ with the world1 or the ,spirit with the flesh8 #b ,cor4 #f3ad1 #ae4 #b4 ,there are three kinds of death3 the one spiritual1 the second natural1 and the third eternal4 ,the first occurs when a man dies daily to himself2 that is1 to his own carnal desires1 to his avarice1 pride1 lust1 and wrath1 and such other sins and passions as have their rise in a corrupt nature4 #c4 ,it is of the second kind of death that the apostle speaks1 where he says1 8,to me to live is ,christ1 and to die is gain40 ,phil4 #a3ba4 ,as if he had said1 ,christ is the life and death1 the gain and advantage of the believer1 even when he passes through natural death1 for1 by it1 he exchanges a short and miserable life for an eternal and blessed one2 and earthly objects for possessions that are eternal and divine3 an exchange which cannot but prove in the highest degree gainful to himself4 #d4 ,if1 however1 any think that the apostle's language is also to be understood of the spiritual death of sin1 they will not commit an error4 ,for thrice happy is the soul to whom1 in this sense1 8to live is ,christ30 thrice happy the soul in which ,jesus lives by faith1 and that imitates the graces which manifested themselves in him1 especially those of humility and meekness4 ,but alas6 by far the greater part of men have put on the life of the devil rather than the life of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 by yielding to avarice1 pride1 anger1 and other unholy passions4 #e4 ,awake1 therefore1 ,o man6 and consider who it is that liveth in thee4 ,if thou canst truly affirm1 8to me1 to live is ,christ10 happy art thou1 as it respects both this world and the world to come4 ,here1 even on earth1 let ,christ be thy life1 that he may be thy life to all eternity3 and in order to this1 account it the greatest of gain1 when thou art enabled to die to the world and to thy own corruptions4 ,then1 in both senses1 for thee1 to live is ,christ1 and to die1 gain4 ,what1 indeed1 can be more profitable or advantageous1 than to die1 in this respect1 to all thy sinful desires and affections8 ,go on1 then1 in the ,lord1 and never faint1 allowing ,christ to live in thee now1 that thou mayest also live with him hereafter4 #f4 ,no man is capable of settled peace and tranquillity1 who is distracted and disturbed with earthly desires and designs2 therefore1 before thou canst live unto ,christ1 thou must die to the flesh and to the world4 ,this dying to self and living to ,christ1 may be illustrated by a reference to several types and histories in the ,old ,testament4 #g4 ,thus1 as the promise relative to ,christ1 and the seal of it by circumcision1 were not given to ,abraham1 until he had quitted his father's house and relinquished his earthly inheritance 7,gen4 #ab3a1 and #ag3aj71 so man1 as long as his affections cleave to the world1 is unprepared to receive the promise which is by the ,saviour2 and as long as he refuses to die to it1 and deny himself1 so long it is impossible that he should enjoy ,christ1 or the things which are ,his4 #h4 ,jesus can never live in thy soul1 until thou art dead to the affections of carnal nature4 ,st4 ,paul was thus dead2 and hence he could say1 8,i live1 yet not ,i1 but ,christ liveth in me0 7,gal4 #b3bj72 and writing to the church at ,colosse1 he says1 8,ye are dead1 and your life is hid with ,christ in ,god40 ,col4 #c3c4 #i4 ,a man may be considered as dead to sin1 when sin dies in him1 and he ceases from the commission of it4 ,the same apostle says1 8,if we live in the ,spirit1 let us also walk in the ,spirit40 ,gal4 #e3be4 ,if we live in ,christ1 we must walk even as he walked2 for it is not sufficient to boast of the ,spirit in words1 while our words are not confirmed by our works2 or of faith1 while this is not evidenced by its fruits4 ,indeed it is said unto all1--8,if ye live after the flesh1 ye shall die2 but if ye1 through the ,spirit1 do mortify the deeds of the body1 ye shall live40 ,rom4 #h3ac4 #aj4 ,multitudes1 however1 may be compared to ,saul1 who1 instead of slaying ,agag 7#a ,sam4 #ae3h71 according to the commandment of ,god1 only cast him into prison4 ,they do not destroy their lusts and sinful desires2 but are contented to conceal1 and as it were imprison them1 that at a future opportunity1 they may indulge them with the greater secrecy4 ,but let us carefully avoid this trifling2 and instead of subjecting our corrupt propensities to a temporary restraint1 let us lay the axe of mortification to the very root3 for unless this be effected1 we shall1 like ,saul1 be cast out from the kingdom1 and lose the crown of everlasting life4 #aa4 ,some professed friends of religion resemble trees1 the leaves of which fall off when winter approaches1 but their foliage appears again when the season becomes more favorable and mild2 for in the winter of adversity1 they conceal their lusts1 and restrain their sinful propensities2 but when prosperity smiles upon them1 they break out again1 as at the first1 and return to their evil ways4 ,this is an evidence of hypocrisy2 whereas a true ,christian is in all circumstances1 and under every vicissitude1 whether public or private1 always the same1 and remains unalterably fixed in his ,god4 ,he is the same both in prosperity and adversity1 in poverty and in affluence1 steadily cleaving to ,god1 and meeting with resignation every affliction that ,providence lays upon him4 #ab4 ,the history of ,ahab 7#a ,kings #bj3db7 furnishes us with another instance1 not much unlike the case of ,saul2 for1 in opposition to the command of ,god1 he spared the life of the king of ,syria2 and1 in consequence1 sentence went forth against him1 and his life was required for that of the captive king4 ,they who nourish in their breasts those lusts which are the enemies of ,god and of themselves1 and which are appointed to destruction1 voluntarily draw upon themselves everlasting death and damnation4 #ac4 ,neither prayer nor a devout spirit can ever be perfected in man1 without the mortification of the flesh4 ,thus ,god appointed that every beast which approached the holy mount of ,sinai should be destroyed4 ,exod4 #ai3ab1 #ac4 ,how much more does it behoove us to slay our unholy lusts and affections1 if we would ever ascend the mountain of the ,lord's house 7,isaiah #b3b1 #c2 ,mic4 #d3b71 offer up the incense of prayer1 or meditate upon the ,word of ,god6 ,if we neglect to do this1 we are already judged1 and shall be banished forever from the presence of the ,lord4 #ad4 ,jacob 7,gen4 ch4 #bi7 served for his beloved ,rachel twice seven years2 and love so alleviated his toil1 that the years seemed but as so many days3 thus1 for the salvation of our souls1 did ,christ ,jesus undergo thirty and three years' service1 and what ,jacob said of himself is1 in an eminent degree1 applicable to ,him3 8,in the day1 the drought consumed me1 and the frost by night2 and my sleep departed from mine eyes0 7,gen4 #ca3dj73 8for the ,son of man came not to be ministered unto1 but to minister1 and to give his life a ransom for many40 ,matt4 #bj3bh4 ,shall we1 then1 scruple to love ,christ again1 and to fight under his banner against his enemy1 the world8 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,the ,christian ,ought ,willingly ,to ,die ,unto ,himself ,and ,the ,world1 ,for ,the ,sake ,of ,the ,love ,of ,christ1 ,and ,for ,the ,sake ,of ,that ,future ,and ,eternal ,glory1 ,for ,which ,we ,were ,created ,and ,redeemed4 ,ye know the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that1 though he was rich1 yet for your sakes he became poor1 that ye through his poverty might be rich4--#b ,,cor4 #h3i4 ,thou art required1 ,o man6 to die to thyself1 thy sin1 and the world2 and to lead a holy1 harmless life1 according to the ,gospel of ,jesus ,christ4 ,this thou art to do1 not with a view to merit anything at the hands of ,god1 but from a principle of love to him1 who performed and merited all for thee1 and died to save thee4 #b4 ,be not deceived3 ,jesus must be loved by thee1 not in word and in tongue2 but in deed and in truth4 8,if10 says he 7,john #ad3bc71 8a man love me1 he will keep my words20 and so ,st4 ,john speaks3 8,this is the love of ,god1 that we keep his commandments3 and his commandments are not grievous40 #a ,john #e3c4 ,and1 again1 the ,saviour says3 8,my yoke is easy1 and my burden is light40 ,matt4 #aa3cj4 ,to him1 indeed1 who loves ,christ with all his heart1 it cannot but be easy to sacrifice the pleasure which earthly vanities afford1 and to do that which is good1 without constraint4 ,love renders every burden light that is laid upon us by ,jesus2 whereas to him that is devoid of this heavenly principle1 every act which duty requires is grievous and oppressive4 ,to such a one1 every religious exercise is painful and laborious2 whereas the man who sincerely loves the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 esteems death itself to be in nowise terrible1 when submitted to for his sake4 ,and1 therefore1 the ,apostle says3 8,unto you it is given1 in the the behalf of ,christ1 not only to believe on him1 but also to suffer for his sake0 7,phil4 #a3bi72 nay1 to lay down life itself1 whenever that sacrifice is required of us4 #c4 ,in order to confirm thy faith1 consider the example of ,moses1 who1 8by faith1 when he was come to years1 refused to be called the son of ,pharaoh's daughter2 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of ,god1 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season2 esteeming the reproach of ,christ greater riches than the treasures in ,egypt40 ,heb4 #aa3bd-bf4 #d4 ,consider ,daniel1 who refused the luxuries of a court1 and desired to be fed with pulse and water1 resolving 8that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat1 nor with the wine which he drank40 ,dan4 #a3h1 #ab4 ,he contemned the pleasures of ,babylon1 that he might attain 8the wisdom that is from above0 7,james #c3ag71 which dwells only in a heart preserved pure from the pollutions of an unholy world4 ,so1 if thou desirest that ,christ1 the eternal ,wisdom1 should enter into thy soul1 thou must abhor the pleasures of sin4 ,for as ,daniel and his companions were made fairer by their sobriety and abstemious life1 so be thou firmly assured1 that thy soul will appear more beautiful and fair in the sight of ,god1 even as 8partaking of the divine nature10 if thou escape 8the corruption that is in the world through lust40 #b ,pet4 #a3d4 #e4 ,consider1 further1 the example of ,st4 ,paul1 who says1 8,the world is crucified unto me1 and ,i unto the world0 7,gal4 #f3ad72 that is1 ,i am dead to the world1 and the world is dead to me4 ,thus are all true ,christians in the world1 yet not of it4 ,though they live in it1 they do not love it2 for they view it as a transient shadow2 and its pomps1 dignities1 and lusts1 as vanity and deceit1 vexation and disappointment4 ,hence1 they are crucified to the world1 though they remain in it2 and the world is crucified to them2 that is1 they desire no mere worldly honor1 wealth or joy4 #f4 ,how happy is the man who is dead to earthly vanities1 and alive to ,god2 separated from the world1 and drawn into ,christ6 ,how blessed is he into whose heart divine grace is so infused1 as wholly to wean it from inferior objects1 and exalt it to the fruition of the light and glory of heaven4 ,such a state is the effect of daily prayer and supplication1 without which a true ,christian cannot possibly exist4 #g4 ,agur prayed to the ,lord thus3 8,two things1 have ,i required of thee2 deny me them not before ,i die4 ,give me neither poverty nor riches2 feed me with food convenient for me40 ,prov4 #cj3g1 #h4 ,so let the ,christian pray3 8,two things ,i desire of thee1 ,o ,lord1 even these two3 that ,i may die to myself1 and to the world40 ,for without this death1 it is utterly impossible to be a true ,christian4 ,if thou1 ,o ,man6 thinkest otherwise1 thou certainly deceivest thyself1 and shalt at last hear from the mouth of ,christ that awful sentence1 8,i know you not40 ,matt4 #g3bc2 #be3ab4 #h4 ,though to die thus to self and to the world1 is1 to flesh and blood1 a grievous cross1 yet will the spirit and the love of ,christ eventually triumph over every difficulty4 ,so powerful indeed are these aids1 that they enable the true ,christian to bear all things for the sake of the ,beloved1 as a pleasant yoke and easy burden4 ,and although he who lives a life thus mortified1 will be hated by the world1 yet shall he be loved of ,god2 for the enmity of the world is friendship with him 7,james #d3d74 ,and the ,lord hath himself declared1 8,if ye were of the world1 the world would love his own2 but because ye are not of the world1 but ,i have chosen you out of the world1 therefore the world hateth you40 ,john #ae3ai4 #i4 ,those who are dead to the world for the testimony of ,jesus1 it casts out2 but it honors and applauds them who1 living in the enjoyment of its pomp and splendor1 are its genuine offspring2 because they live in the world1 and the world liveth in them4 #aj4 ,in short1 that man is not received and commended by the world1 but is1 on the contrary1 cast out of it1 in whose heart1 pride1 covetousness1 lust1 wrath1 revenge1 and the other corrupt passions of nature1 are mortified and restrained4 ,unto him the world is dead2 and he again is dead to the world3 he begins to live in ,christ1 and ,christ lives in him3 and he will be confessed by the ,saviour1 as one of his peculiar people1 in whom the great design of redemption has been effected4 ,to others1 on the contrary1 it will be said1 8,i know you not1 as ye1 in like manner1 knew me not40 ,you have not confessed me before men1 but have been ashamed of my life1 my meekness1 humility1 and patience2 and ,i will not confess you3 you have despised the shame of my cross2 and you shall be with shame disowned by me4 ,mark #h3ch4 ,for whoever refuses to live with ,christ in time1 cannot expect to live with him in eternity3 whoever has not the life of ,christ here1 shall never have it set forth in him hereafter3 and whoever disdains to follow ,jesus in the present world1 shall never be glorified with him in the world to come4 #aa4 ,therefore1 ,o ,man6 strictly scrutinize thy life1 and see whether thou bearest a greater conformity to the life of ,christ1 or to the life of the devil3 for thou must inevitably be united to one or other of these throughout all eternity4 #ab4 ,if thou art dead to thyself and to thy depraved desires within thee1 thou wilt find it no hard task to die to the world and its vain allurements which are without thee3 and whoever is thus dead to the world1 will not love it or the things which it contains2 for1 8if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him40 #a ,john #b3ae4 ,again1 how shall his desires any more go out after the world without him1 when he is dead to it8 ,great indeed would be the loss sustained by a lover of the blessed ,god1 were he1 in any degree1 to yield to the allurements of the world1 and allow it to obtain a share in that affection which should be fixed solely on the ,supreme ,good4 ,a soul so undecided would soon be entirely vanquished by the blandishments of sin1 as was ,samson by the charms of ,delilah 7,judg4 #af3f72 and would become subject to all that misery and vexation of heart1 which invariably attend the love of this world4 #ac4 ,the love of the world appertains not to the new creature1 but to the old3 for the world has nothing to bestow but honor and vainglory1 riches1 pleasures1 and carnal desires2 in these the 8old man0 delights4 ,the new man1 on the other hand1 has no peace except in ,christ1 who is his honor and glory1 his riches and his heaven4 #ad4 ,and as nothing can be conceived of that is greater or more exalted than the image of ,god renewed in ,christ ,jesus1 so it should be our only concern and care1 to render ourselves partakers of this exalted honor2 remembering the words of ,tauler1 8,what man1 who is possessed of reason1 can doubt for a moment1 that ,god can infinitely more rejoice and delight the heart1 than the corrupt and indigent creature is capable of doing80 #ae4 ,in addition to this1 the ,scriptures assure us that man was not created for the world's sake1 but the world for man's4 ,it was not to pamper his appetite1 to heap up riches1 or to extend his empire without limits1 that man was formed2 it was not that he might acquire large estates and possessions1 erect palaces1 or be gorgeously attired1 that he was endued with a soul intelligent and immortal3 man was made to be lord of the earth1 and not its slave2 to subdue1 and not to be subdued4 ,he was not to seek his pleasure and enjoyment on earth1 however fair and fascinating it might be to a depraved taste3 he was not destined to be an heir of this inferior world1 nor the possessor of terrestrial1 treasures1 nor to be actuated by any worldly motive whatsoever4 ,man is to depart hence1 as one that dwells on earth as a tenant at will4 ,he was not made for it1 and cannot remain in it2 he entered it naked1 and naked he must quit it again4 ,many1 indeed1 are born into the world at the same time2 but an equal number1 on the other hand1 are daily taken out by death2 nor can any carry with them even an atom of the treasures which they had accumulated upon earth4 #af4 ,man1 then1 is but a guest and a pilgrim below2 and most obvious it is1 that he was not created for this temporal life1 and that this world was never designed to be the end of his being4 ,that end is ,god1 and the image of ,god in ,christ ,jesus1 unto which we are renewed by the ,spirit2 and we are created for the kingdom of ,god and for eternal life4 ,these our blessed ,redeemer purchased for us1 when they had been forfeited by us2 and it is his ,spirit that regenerates men who had been without ,god in the world4 #ag4 ,how unreasonable1 therefore1 is it in man to fix his affections on temporal objects1 when we are assured that the soul is infinitely more noble and more precious than the whole world6 ,how preposterous is it1 that he should lavish his time in the pursuit of earthly things1 when he is conscious that he was created to bear the image of ,god in ,christ1 through the ,holy ,spirit6 ,therefore1 let us now solemnly repeat what has been before affirmed1 namely1 that man was not made for the world1 but the world for man4 ,the excellency of the image of ,god in ,christ ,jesus1 is inconceivably great and glorious3 so that were all mankind to unite their labor and might1 their wealth1 their honors1 and their all1 they could not succeed in restoring even one soul to the possession of this image4 ,it became requisite that ,christ himself should die1 in order that this divine image which had been utterly defaced by sin1 might1 through ,his ,spirit1 be revived2 and that man might again become the temple and house of ,god through all eternity4 #ah4 ,this being duly considered1 as certainly it ought to be1 how is it that man so thoroughly debases his soul as to seek after the things of this world1 its honors1 its pleasures1 lusts1 and wealth8 ,he should surely reason with himself1 and say3 8,shall ,i1 for the sake of a little gold1 or for this fading world1 or for all the honors and pleasures it can afford me1--shall ,i1 for the sake of these1 sacrifice my immortal soul1 which ,christ has redeemed at so infinite a price8 ,god forbid40 8,what is a man profited1 if he shall gain the whole world1 and lose his own soul8 or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul80 ,matt4 #af3bf4 ,alas6 the 8whole world10 with all its power and glory1 could not avail to rescue one soul from eternal destruction2 for the soul is immortal1 while the world passeth away with all that it contains4 #a ,cor4 #g3ca2 #a ,john #b3ag4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,the ,true ,christian1 ,who ,imitates ,christ1 ,hates ,his ,own ,life ,in ,this ,world1 ,and ,forsakes ,the ,world4 ,if any man come to me1 and hate not 444 his own life also1 he cannot be my disciple4-,,luke #ad3bf4 ,he that loveth his life shall lose it2 and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal4--,,john #ab3be4 ,in order that a man may hate himself1 he must1 in the first place1 cease to love himself2 secondly1 he must daily die to sin2 and1 thirdly1 maintain a continual warfare with his corrupt nature1 or the flesh4 #b4 ,there is nothing that more obstructs the everlasting salvation of mankind than self-love4 ,this is not to be understood of that natural love which excites to a due regard to self-preservation1 but of that carnal and inordinate affection which influences man to be wholly concerned about himself1 without any reference to the ,supreme ,being1 the great ,author of life4 ,in this sense the term is used in the present ,book4 ,man was created to love ,god alone2 and since ,god only is to be loved1 it follows that he who loves himself is an idolater1 and makes of himself a god4 ,the heart of man rejoices and rests in the object of his affection2 and1 whatever this be1 he is brought by it into bondage1 and is devoted to it4 ,man1 in this state1 is become a servant1 and is deprived of that genuine liberty in the enjoyment of which he was originally created2 and in this lapsed and divided state he must serve as many masters as there are objects upon which his affections are placed4 ,but if thy love1 ,o man6 be sincerely and simply fixed on ,god1 then thou art subject to no lord but ,him2 and thou preservest thy liberty with all the privileges appertaining to it4 ,it becometh thee1 therefore1 to be very circumspect in thy life and conduct1 lest thou shouldst in any degree obstruct the progress of divine love in thy soul4 ,if ever thou desirest to possess ,god alone1 thou must make a surrender of thyself solely to him4 ,if thou lovest and pleasest thyself1 instead of loving and pleasing ,god1 then sorrow and fear1 sadness and anxiety1 will inevitably attend thee2 whereas1 if thou wholly yieldest thyself unto ,god1 cleaving to him and delighting thyself in him alone1 then he will never leave thee nor forsake thee1 but remove by his gracious presence all fear and anxiety from thy mind4 ,he1 on the other hand1 who seeks himself in all situations and in every circumstance1 and who incessantly pursues after profit1 praise1 and lust1 can never attain to serenity and peace of mind2 for some circumstance there always will be to cross his desires and to disturb his rest4 ,never1 therefore1 yield to the belief that an accession of fame1 wealth1 or honor in this world1 is always good and profitable for thee2 when1 on the contrary1 a righteous contempt of all such transient objects1 nay1 an utter extirpation of our love of them1 would be attended with an infinite blessing and advantage4 #c4 ,as then1 on the one hand1 the things of this life1 such as praise1 riches1 and pleasure1 are frail1 and pass away with the world that supplies them1 while1 on the other1 the love of ,god endureth forever1 it is evident that no satisfaction can be durable that is founded upon the love of self and of earthly objects4 ,such peace would be interrupted by every trivial circumstance that occurred2 whereas1 when the mind is firmly set upon ,god and upon his love1 it cannot fail to be preserved in perfect peace and perpetual serenity amid all the changes of this life4 ,forsake thou1 therefore1 all things1 and thou shalt1 by faith1 recover all things again2 for never can the lover of himself and of the world find the blessed ,god4 #d4 ,inordinate self-love is begotten of the world1 and not of ,god2 it is earthly1 and the chief enemy to 8the wisdom which is from above40 ,james #c3ag4 ,this wisdom does not seek the praise and applause of men2 and though in itself 8a pearl of great price0 7,matt4 #ac3df71 yet appearing with no other recommendation than its own native simplicity1 it is but little valued in the world1 and1 with but few exceptions1 is entirely neglected and forgotten2 and though there are many who make a boast of this wisdom1 yet the gem conceals itself from all who do not desire to apply it in their practice4 ,if1 therefore1 thou desirest to be possessed of it1 ,o man6 lay aside all that human wisdom which 8puffeth up0 7#a ,cor4 #h3a71 together with thy self-love and self-applause1 and then shalt thou exchange thy earthly wisdom1 which the world admires1 for that which is heavenly and divine4 ,then1 instead of the wisdom of this world1 which in its nature is elevated and seeks the applause of men1 thou shalt be put in possession of a wisdom which1 far from attracting the notice of the world1 is despised and rejected by it1 but which is1 nevertheless1 of a divine origin1 and of everlasting continuance4 #e4 ,it is impossible to love ,god1 until thou abhorrest thyself2 that is1 until thou art heartily displeased with thyself and with thy sins2 until thy own carnal nature is crucified1 together with the evil propensities of thy self-will4 ,for the more a man strives to love ,god1 the more he labors to subdue the lusts of the flesh and his sensual appetites2 and the more he departs from self and from self-love1 by the power of the ,spirit of ,god1 the more nearly he approaches1 by faith1 unto ,god1 and to his divine love4 ,for as inward peace depends on a freedom from desires after the things of this world2 so when this peace is once settled in the soul1 and the heart has disengaged itself from the ties which bound it to the creature1 it returns freely into ,god1 and rests in him alone4 #f4 ,now he who is sincerely disposed to deny himself1 must follow1 not his own will1 but the will of ,christ1 who has declared1 8,i am the way1 and the truth1 and the life40 ,john #ad3f4 ,as though he had said3 8,without the way1 no man walketh2 without the truth1 nothing is known2 and without life1 no man liveth3 therefore1 look upon me1 who am the way in which it is thy duty to walk1 the truth in which thou art called to believe1 and the life in which thou art bound to live4 ,i am the unerring way1 the infallible truth1 and the everlasting life3 the way to immortality is through my merit2 the truth itself is in my word2 and life is through the efficacy of my death2 and1 therefore1 if thou continuest in the way1 the truth will guide thee unto eternal life4 ,if thou desirest not to go astray1 follow me2 if thou wilt know the truth1 believe in me2 and if thou wouldst possess life everlasting1 put thy whole trust in me1 who for thy sake have endured the death of the cross40 #g4 ,what1 indeed1 is the safe way1 the infallible truth1 and the endless life8 ,what1 the way1 truth1 and life1 that are more excellent than every other8 ,surely there is no way1 but the holy and precious merits of ,christ2 no truth1 but his eternal word2 no life1 but a blissful immortality in heaven4 ,if1 therefore1 ,o ,christian6 thou desirest to be raised up into heaven with ,christ ,jesus1 believe in him here1 and tread in the footsteps of his humility2 this is the safe ,way to everlasting glory4 ,if thou wouldst escape the snares of the world1 take hold of his ,word by faith1 and follow the example which he has left for thy imitation2 because this is the infallible ,truth4 ,and if it be thy wish to live with ,christ1 then die thou with him and in him unto sin1 and become a new creature2 for this is ,life4 ,thus ,christ is the way1 the truth1 and the life2 and he is so1 both by his example and by his merit4 #h4 8,be ye followers of ,god as dear children40 ,eph4 #e3a4 ,let us labor and strive after this one thing2 that our lives may resemble the life of ,christ4 ,were there nothing else to confound the false ,christian1 the example of ,christ might effectually and abundantly do it4 ,when we consider that ,christ our ,lord passed his life in grief and pain1 we ought to be ashamed to spend our lives in ease and pleasures4 ,if the soldier forgets his own ease and comfort when he beholds his captain fighting unto death1 shalt thou pursue after worldly pleasures and honors1 when thy ,prince was so ignominiously treated1 and1 for thy sake1 nailed to the cross8 ,is it not a sign that then thou dost not1 in fact1 fight under his banner8 #i4 ,it is true that1 in our day1 every one desires to be considered a ,christian2 but how few are they who imitate the life and deportment of ,christ6 ,had it been the character of a follower of ,christ1 to aim at the acquisition of honors and possessions1 our ,lord would never have taught that these are not worthy to be compared with heavenly treasures4 ,contemplate the life and doctrine of the blessed ,jesus1 and thou shalt own that nothing can be more opposed than he and the world4 ,behold that manger and that stable6 do they not forcibly evidence a contempt of worldly things8 ,and will the example of ,christ lead thee to err from the right way8 ,no6 he is the way1 and he is the truth2 and his life1 compared with his doctrine1 is the only means to preserve thee from mistake1 and to guard thee from the delusions and errors of the world4 ,since then the ,lord hath chosen to enter into his glory by the way of suffering and reproach1 why shouldst thou labor to make thy way to hell1 through the pomps and vanities of the world8 ,return1 then1 ,o deluded soul6 escape from the broad way that leadeth unto death1 and in which thy only enjoyment is 8the pleasures of sin for a season0 7,heb4 #aa3be72 enter into this safe ,way1 in which the wayfaring man shall not stray3 cordially embrace that ,truth which never can deceive3 and live in ,him who is ,life itself4 ,this way is the truth1 and this truth is the way4 ,awful blindness6 a worm of the earth would make himself great in the world1 when the ,lord of glory abased himself to the very dust4 ,o faithful soul6 when thy bridegroom moves to meet thee1 clothed with humility1 come down from the elevation of thy pride and ambition1 and descend into the vale of humiliation to meet him1 and he will embrace and receive thee with joy4 #aj4 ,as ,abraham quitted his father's house1 to go into a land which the ,lord was to show him 7,gen4 #ab3a71 so quit thou1 as a true child of ,abraham1 the pleasure-house of self-will and self-love1 that thou mayest obtain the divine blessing4 ,self-love biases the judgment1 blinds the understanding1 disturbs the reason1 seduces the will1 corrupts the conscience1 closes the gates of life1 and acknowledges neither ,god nor neighbor4 ,it banishes virtue2 seeks after honors1 riches1 and pleasures2 and1 in a word1 prefers earth to heaven4 ,he1 therefore1 who thus 8loveth his life1 shall lose it2 but he that hateth his life0 7that is1 resists this principle of self-love71 8shall keep it unto life eternal40 ,john #ab3be4 ,self-love is the root of impenitence1 and the cause of damnation4 ,they who are controlled by self-love and self-honor are destitute of humility and a knowledge of sin2 consequently1 they never can obtain the remission of sin1 though they seek it with tears2 their tears not being shed because they have offended ,god1 but merely on account of the personal loss which they have sustained4 #aa4 ,the kingdom of heaven is compared in ,scripture to 8a pearl of great price20 in order to obtain which1 a man sold all that he had4 ,matt4 #ac3de1 #df4 ,this pearl is ,god himself1 and that eternal life which he has promised1 and for the attainment of which every other object must be forsaken4 ,we have an example of this in our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who descended from heaven not for his own sake1 but for thy sake2 not for his own profit and advantage1 but for thine4 ,luke #ai3aj4 ,and wilt thou yet delay to love him who gave himself up unto death for thee8 #ab4 ,it doubtless is the part of a faithful spouse1 to please her husband alone3 and art thou desirous of pleasing the world1 when thou mayest be espoused unto ,christ1 the great lover of souls8 ,forsake therefore and sincerely despise all that is in the world1 in order that thou mayest become worthy of the eminent dignity of this spiritual marriage3 for if thy love cleave not solely to ,christ1 it is a corrupt and adulterous love1 and not that which a ,christian should bear to the ,redeemer4 ,for the ,christian's love to the ,redeemer must possess virgin purity4 #ac4 ,the law of ,moses required that the priest should marry a virgin 7,levit4 #ba3ac1 #ad72 and ,christ1 our ,high ,priest1 will espouse only a virgin-soul2 one that is attached to nothing that the world can offer1 but solely to himself2 nay1 one that loves not even herself1 in comparison with ,christ4 8,if any man come to me10 he says1 8and hate not his own life1 he cannot be my disciple40 ,luke #ad3bf4 #ad4 ,in order to understand what is meant by hating ourselves1 we are to remember that we carry about with us 8the old man10 and are indeed the old man himself2 whose nature is to hasten from one sin to another1 to love himself1 to pursue his own profit and honor1 and to indulge his own will and carnal appetite4 ,for the flesh is at all times the same2 always considering itself1 easily grieved1 envious1 bitter1 covetous1 and revengeful4 ,this1 ,o ,man6 is what thou doest3 these sinful motions proceed from thy heart2 this is thy very life1 even the life of the old man in thee3 and therefore thou must of necessity hate thyself1 and thine own natural life1 if ever thou desirest to be a disciple of ,christ4 ,whoever loves himself1 must love his own pride and avarice1 his own wrath and hatred1 envy and lying1 perfidiousness and unrighteousness2 and1 in short1 he must love all the progeny of unholy desires1 and a corrupt heart4 ,but if thou desirest to be a ,christian indeed1 thou must not love1 nor excuse1 nor palliate thy sins1 but thou must hate them1 forsake them1 and subdue them4 ,chapter ,,xv4 ,showing ,how ,the 8,old ,man0 ,daily ,dies1 ,and ,the 8,new ,man0 ,is ,daily ,renewed1 ,in ,a ,true ,christian2 ,also1 ,wherein ,self-,denial ,consists1 ,and ,what ,is ,meant ,by ,the ,christian's ,cross4 ,if any man will come after me1 let him deny himself1 and take up his cross daily1 and follow me4--,,luke #i3bc4 ,it is the charge of the apostle ,paul1 8,put off the old man1 which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts2 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind2 and put on the new man1 which after ,god is created in righteousness and true holiness40 ,eph4 #d3bb-bd4 ,and in another of his ,epistles1 he gives us a reason for doing so3 8,ye are not your own2 for ye are bought with a price2 therefore1 glorify ,god in your body and in your spirit1 which are ,god's40 #a ,cor4 #f3ai1 #bj4 #b4 ,we have already noticed what is meant by the old man2 namely1 pride1 covetousness1 lasciviousness1 unrighteousness1 wrath1 enmity1 hatred1 etc42 all of which must die in the ,christian1 if ever the new man arise in him again1 and is day by day renewed4 #c4 ,in proportion as the old man dies1 the new man is quickened4 ,as pride loses its influence1 humility1 by the grace of ,god the ,holy ,spirit1 succeeds2 as wrath yields1 meekness advances2 as covetousness is done away1 trust in ,god is increased2 and as the love of the world is removed1 the love of ,god takes its place in the soul1 and becomes more and more vigorous and ardent4 ,in this consists the renovation of the new man4 ,this is the fruit of the ,spirit2 this is practical and living faith 7,gal4 #e3bb72 this is ,christ in us2 this is the new command of ,christ and new obedience2 this is the result of the new birth in us1 in which thou must live if thou desirest to be a child of ,god2 for those only who so live have a right to be so called4 #d4 ,this is the reason why a man ought now to deny himself2 to renounce his own honor and will1 his own love and pleasure1 and all his profit and interest in the world2 and why he ought freely to give up his own right and life1 and consider himself unworthy of everything that ,providence bestows upon him4 ,a real ,christian1 who is endued with the humility of ,christ1 readily owns that no man can lay claim to even the least of those benefits that descend from above1 because they are all gifts1 and freely proceed from the goodness of ,god4 ,on this account he uses all as being really the property of ,god1 with fear and trembling2 not to promote his own pleasure and satisfaction1 his own profit and praise1 but from necessity alone1 and because he cannot otherwise subsist4 #e4 ,let a true ,christian who denies himself1 and a false ,christian who is filled with inordinate self-love1 be compared together4 ,if an affront be offered to the latter1 you may soon behold his anger rising1 and visible marks of passion and discontent2 and these are1 not unfrequently1 followed up by reproachful language and actions1 by a spirit of revenge1 and sometimes by imprecations and curses4 ,all this proceeds from the old man1 whose proper character it is to be angry and bitter1 and to exhibit rancor and asperity4 ,on the contrary1 he that is a ,christian indeed1 and has sincerely begun to practice self-denial1 is gentle1 patient1 and ready to forgive2 free from a revengeful spirit2 full of compassion and tenderness2 and esteems himself worthy of all the sufferings which ,providence may be pleased to allot to him4 ,these qualities are all included in self-denial4 #f4 ,in the exercise of this patience1 meekness1 and lowliness of mind1 our ,lord ,jesus ,christ has set us an example by willingly denying himself4 8,the ,son of man10 he says1 8came not to be ministered unto1 but to minister0 7,matt4 #bj3bh72 and again1 8,i am among you as he that serveth0 7,luke #bb3bg72 and in another place1 8,the ,son of man hath not where to lay his head40 ,luke #i3eh4 ,david1 when reviled by ,shimei1 practised the duty of self-denial1 for his words were3 8,the ,lord hath said unto him1 ,curse ,david40 #b ,sam4 #af3aj4 ,as if he had said3 8,i am a worm in the sight of ,god1 and deserve to suffer far worse things40 ,and thus have all the saints and prophets of ,god freely denied their own will1 and esteemed themselves unworthy of every blessing4 ,they bore the burden of their day with patience 7,acts #e3dj1 #da72 they cursed not when they were cursed2 they blessed their persecutors1 and prayed for them by whom they were slaughtered 7,acts #g3fj72 and thus1 8through much tribulation1 entered into the kingdom of ,god40 ,acts #ad3bb4 #g4 ,this was true when they acknowledged themselves unworthy of any favor1 but worthy of all the evils that could befall them4 #h4 ,now1 this self-denial is the cross of ,christ1 which he has encouraged us to bear1 saying3 8,if any man will come after me1 let him deny himself and take up his cross daily1 and follow me40 ,luke #i3bc4 ,this self-denying life is a severe cross to the flesh2 the natural man desires a life free from restraint and contradiction1 and would follow the inclination of his own will1 and seek after his own ease and pleasure1 rather than the humility1 patience1 and meekness of ,christ1 with the other graces of his life and example4 #i4 ,but whatever opposition the old man may raise for a time1 he has received the sentence of death1 and if thy soul be ever saved1 he must surely die4 ,for never canst thou be clothed with the humility of ,christ unless thy natural pride be first subdued2 nor canst thou feel a love of his poverty unless thy avarice and thy love of the world be first overcome4 ,thou wilt not be able to follow ,christ in the contempt of vainglory1 nor to endure the reproach of his cross1 until thine ambition be rooted out2 nor wilt thou ever express in thy life the meekness and patience of ,jesus until thy revengeful spirit be inwardly mortified4 #aj4 ,these are the spiritual exercises which the ,scriptures mean when they speak of denying ourselves1 of bearing the cross of ,christ1 and of following him1--exercises that are submitted to1 not with any expectation of profit1 merit1 reward1 interest1 or praise1 but from pure love to the ,saviour1 and because ,christ hath passed through all this before us1 and 8hath left us an example that we should follow his steps40 ,since the image of ,god is the greatest dignity of man1 we ought the more earnestly to practise the duty of self-denial1 by which that image1 effaced by sin1 is revived within us4 ,and as this is the highest honor of which our nature is susceptible1 so is it the strongest inducement that can possibly be suggested to endear to us the practice of self-denial4 #aa4 ,why1 then1 should man so eagerly desire the fading honors of this world1 which1 however they may raise him in the estimation of his fellow-mortals1 render him in no degree more acceptable in the sight of ,god4 ,the great and the wise have bodies composed of flesh and blood as the meanest and the most despised2 so that1 in this respect1 no man has the slightest superiority over another4 ,one is born even as the other1 and dies even as the other2 for the beginning and end of all men1 as to this world1 is alike4 ,what folly then is it to covet worldly honors and the praise of men6 ,such desires spring from the root of self-love1 that bane of the soul1 that seed of all spiritual diseases1 by which the heart of man is turned from ,god to the world1 and from ,christ to self4 ,how incapable and how backward is the lover of himself to obey the words of the blessed ,redeemer1 and to lose his life for ,his sake that he may save it4 ,this is a paradox hostile to the inclinations of the 8old nature10 and therefore but little considered by the bulk of mankind4 #ab4 ,alas6 how small is the number of those who have a thorough knowledge of the depraved life of the old ,adam1 or who heartily strive against it6 ,and yet1 if ever we would rescue our souls from perdition1 we must die to it and to all its restless workings4 ,whatever corruptions have been entailed on us by ,adam1 must be removed in ,christ4 ,in his humility1 our pride and ambition must expire2 in beholding his poverty1 our thirst after earthly things must die away4 ,the contemplation of his bitter sufferings should subdue our sensual lusts2 the reproaches which he endured1 and the entire resignation with which he submitted to the contempt of the world1 should restrain us from the pursuit of worldly honors1 and from the indulgence of anger and passion4 #ac4 ,he who is thus dead to himself1 will also readily die to the world1 its pomps1 and wealth1 and honors1 and pleasures1 solacing himself with those higher riches1 dignities1 and enjoyments1 to which he is admitted by faith in ,christ4 ,he becomes1 indeed1 8a stranger upon the earth0 7,ps4 #ci3ab71 but he is the friend of ,christ1 and ,christ will comfort his heart with the light of his countenance here1 and with joy everlasting and unutterable in the world to come4 ,chapter ,,xvi4 ,a ,conflict ,is ,constantly ,maintained ,in ,the ,christian ,between ,the ,spirit ,and ,the ,flesh4 ,i see another law in my members1 warring against the law of my mind4--,,rom4 #g3bc4 ,the two opposite principles in the heart of the real ,christian1 are spoken of by the apostle under different names1 viz43 the inward and outward man 7#b ,cor4 #d3af71 the law of the mind and the law of the members 7,rom4 #g3bc71 and the flesh and spirit4 8,the flesh10 says he1 8lusteth against the ,spirit1 and the ,spirit against the flesh40 ,gal4 #e3ag4 #b4 ,when the ,spirit conquers the flesh1 then man lives in the new nature and is in ,god and in ,christ3 but when the flesh vanquishes the ,spirit1 and thus gains the ascendency1 then man lives in the devil and in the old nature2 he is under the dominion of the world1 and without the kingdom of ,god1 and1 consequently1 is called carnal4 ,and 8to be carnally minded is death40 ,rom4 #h3f4 #c4 ,it is according to the predominance of either of these principles 7the flesh and the ,spirit71 that a man obtains his name in ,scripture1 and is called carnal or spiritual4 ,when the flesh and its sensual lusts are subdued1 it is an indication of the strength of the spirit1 and of a man's proficiency in the inward life2 but if a man be vanquished by the flesh1 it betrays the weakness both of his faith and spirit4 #d4 ,solomon says1 8,he that ruleth his spirit 7his mind71 is better than he that taketh a city40 ,prov4 #af3cb4 ,if1 then1 thou desirest to be a valiant conqueror1 and to gain an immortal victory1 conquer thyself2 subdue thy passions1 mortify thy pride1 quell thine ambition1 and destroy every inordinate lust with which thou art assailed2 and thus shalt thou overthrow the kingdom of ,satan1 who1 by means of such sins1 ruleth in the world4 ,many have signalized themselves by the capture of towns and cities2 but1 alas6 how few are they who1 in a higher sense1 may be denominated conquerors of the world6 #e4 ,if thou yieldest too far to the flesh1 thou destroyest thy soul4 ,it is surely better that the soul overcome1 and that the body also be preserved1 than that1 the body overcoming1 both body and soul should be destroyed together4 #f4 ,this contest1 though attended with various trials and difficulties1 will1 however1 issue in a glorious victory and a heavenly crown3 8,be thou faithful unto death10 saith the ,captain of our salvation1 8and ,i will give thee a crown of life40 ,rev4 #b3aj4 ,and the disciple that lay in his bosom tells us1 8,this is the victory that overcometh the world1 even our faith40 #a ,john #e3d4 ,thou wilt say1 ,what is it to overcome the world8 ,we answer1 ,it is the world within us1 which is here principally meant4 ,overcome thy self1 and then the victory over the world is thine4 #g4 ,some may1 perhaps1 be here ready to inquire1 8,what1 if sin sometimes closely beset me1 and bear me away against my will2 must ,i be excluded from the number of ,god's children1 according to that saying of ,st4 ,john1 #8,he that committeth sin is of the devil'80 #a ,john #c3h4 ,to this it must be replied3 ,if thou feelest the conflict of the ,spirit against the flesh1 and art grieved that thou sometimes doest things which thou wouldst not1 it is an evidence that1 amidst the infirmities which encompass thee1 thy faith and thy spirit struggle against the flesh1 and are opposed to it4 ,st4 ,paul himself teaches us that this warfare has place even in godly and believing souls1 when he says1 8,i see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind 7that is1 against the new1 inward man71 and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members0 7,rom4 #g3bc72 thus causing him sometimes to do the things which he would not4 ,to will1 was present with him2 but to perform the good which he would1 he was not always able2 inasmuch as he could not do of himself the good which he would1 while to do the evil which he would not1 was always easy to him4 ,hence he exclaims1 8,o wretched man that ,i am6 who shall deliver me from the body of this death80 ,rom4 #g3bd4 ,and to this agrees what ,christ himself says3 8,the spirit indeed is willing1 but the flesh is weak40 ,matt4 #bf3da2 ,mark #ad3ch4 #h4 ,as long1 therefore1 as this conflict is felt in man1 sin cannot be said to rule in him2 for he who is continually fighting against sin1 resists its struggles for dominion2 and sin cannot destroy the man who opposes the attempts which it makes upon the soul4 #i4 ,it is the experience of all the saints1 that they alike have sin1 according to the word of ,st4 ,john3 8,if we say that we have no sin1 we deceive ourselves40 #a ,john #a3h4 ,it is not1 however1 the indwelling sin that condemns a man1 but the reigning sin4 ,the sin with which we contend1 and to the commission of which we do not consent1 is not imputed to us2 as ,st4 ,paul says3 8,there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in ,christ ,jesus1 who walk not after the flesh1 but after the ,spirit0 7,rom4 #h3a72 that is1 who do not permit the flesh to rule4 ,but as for those who are altogether strangers to this spiritual strife1 this combat of the flesh and ,spirit1 they are not born again1 but are under the reigning influence of sin2 they remain the servants of sin and ,satan1 and are1 consequently1 damned2 for 8the law of the ,spirit of life0 hath not made them 8free from the law of sin and death0 7,rom4 #h3b71 so long as they thus suffer sin to rule over them1 and to 8reign in their mortal body40 #aj4 ,all this is illustrated in ,josh4 #af3aj4 ,the remnant of the ,canaanites were permitted to dwell amongst the children of ,israel1 but not to have dominion over them2 and thus the ,israel of ,god feel their remaining imperfections1 but do not allow them to gain the pre-eminence4 ,to preserve this pre-eminence is the duty of the new man in ,christ1 whose name is ,israel 7that is1 a prince of ,god7 7,gen4 #cb3bh72 and who1 as a prince1 hath power with ,god1 and shall at last prevail4 #aa4 ,this daily strife with the old man1 is an encouraging evidence of the existence of the new man2 for it plainly indicates that there are two contending principles in him who is the subject of it4 ,the strength of the spirit and the victory succeeding it1 demonstrate the true ,israelite2 and the warfare of the spirit indicates the real ,christian4 ,the land of ,canaan cannot indeed be gained without war3 but when the flesh1 like the ,canaanite of old1 invades the territories of the spirit1 it then becomes the part of the spiritual and true ,israel not to submit to such a master2 but1 after true repentance and remission of sin1 to collect new strength in ,christ1 and by the grace of ,god to rise again from his fall1 and earnestly implore ,jesus1 our true ,joshua1 to vanquish for him and in him1 the spiritual ,canaanite1 the enemy of his soul4 ,when this is accomplished1 the sinner is not only forgiven and restored to favor1 but he is likewise refreshed and strengthened in ,christ1 his great ,captain in this spiritual combat4 ,with regard1 therefore1 to such as continue to feel many infirmities in the flesh1 and who cannot do the things which they would1 ,i exhort them to cleave to ,jesus as sincere penitents1 and to cover their blemishes with his perfect obedience4 ,it is in this order1 and in this order alone1 that the imputation of ,christ's merits becomes salutary and effectual2 that is1 when a man forsakes his sin1 and by daily repentance strives against it2 repairs his former losses1 and guards against future temptations4 ,but while the sinner remains a stranger to brokenness of heart on account of transgression2 while he continues to gratify the unholy propensities of the flesh1 nothing can be more absurd than for him to suppose that the merits of ,christ are imputed to him2 for how can the blood of ,christ benefit him who treads it under foot8 ,heb4 #aj3bi4 ,chapter ,,xvii4 ,the ,inheritance ,and ,possessions ,of ,christians ,are ,not ,of ,this ,world2 ,they ,should1 ,therefore1 ,regard ,themselves ,as ,strangers ,in ,it1 ,while ,they ,make ,use ,of ,earthly ,things4 ,we brought nothing into this world1 and it is certain we can carry nothing out4 ,and having food and raiment1 let us be therewith content4--#a ,,tim4 #f3g1 #h4 ,the design of the blessed ,god in creating temporal things1 was that they might supply man's bodily wants2 and it is right that they should be used for such a purpose1 and be received at the hands of ,god with gratitude1 attended with fear and trembling4 ,in regard to those things which are not absolutely necessary1 whether gold and silver1 food and raiment1 etc41 they are left to man in order to prove him2 so that from the manner in which he employs these objects1 it may be discovered how he stands affected towards ,god1 while possessed of the goods of this world3 whether1 on the one hand1 he will still cleave to ,god1 and in the midst of earthly possessions1 keep his eye constantly fixed on those which are to come2 or whether1 withdrawing his love from ,god1 he will attach himself to this fleeting world1 and prefer a fading earthly paradise1 to that which is permanent and heavenly4 #b4 ,man is therefore left to his own liberty and choice1 in order that he may be judged hereafter according to that which he has chosen here1 and thus be without excuse in that day4 ,agreeably to this principle1 it was the solemn declaration of ,moses to the people of ,israel3 8,i call heaven and earth to record this day against you1 that ,i have set before you life and death1 blessing and cursing3 therefore choose life1 that both thou and thy seed may live40 ,deut4 #cj3ai4 #c4 ,the things of this world are then designed1 not to fill us with earthly delight and pleasures1 but to be tests and trials of our fidelity4 ,in these trials the fall is very easy1 when once we begin to withdraw from ,god4 ,the pleasures of this world are the fruits of a forbidden tree2 of which we are warned by ,god not to eat1 lest our minds going out after them should eventually take delight in them1 after the manner of those who know no other pleasures1 but such as are derived from earthly objects4 ,these persons1 by indulging the flesh1 convert meat1 drink1 and apparel into snares by which they are turned away from ,god4 #d4 ,it certainly is the duty of every true ,christian1 to esteem himself a stranger and pilgrim in this world2 and as bound to use earthly blessings1 not as means of satiating lust or gratifying wantonness1 but of supplying his absolute wants and necessities4 ,we ought not to set our affections on these inferior objects1 but on ,him alone who is able to satisfy them4 ,to do otherwise1 is to expose ourselves to dangerous temptations1 and with ,eve1 to eat daily of the forbidden tree4 ,the real ,christian is not intent upon worldly concerns1 or delicious fare2 for his interior eye is directed to that bread which endureth unto eternal life4 ,nor is he solicitous about fine and fashionable apparel2 aspiring rather after robes of divine light1 and the raiment of glorified bodies4 ,in short1 all things that please the natural man in this world1 are1 to a true ,christian1 only so many crosses and temptations1 allurements of sin and snares of death1 that continually exercise his virtue4 ,whatever man uses without the fear of ,god1 whatever he applies to the mere gratifying of his flesh1 cannot fail to operate as a poison to the soul1 however pleasant and salutary it may appear to be to the body4 ,yet1 so far from laboring to know the forbidden tree of worldly pleasures and its various fruits1 man gives himself up to a careless and thoughtless state of life1 and yields to the lust of the flesh1 not considering that this lust is really the forbidden tree4 #e4 ,the ,christian1 on the other hand1 uses all things in the fear of ,god1 and as a stranger and pilgrim on the earth2 avoiding every kind of excess in meat1 drink1 apparel1 houses1 and the other things of this life1 lest1 by an improper use of them1 he should offend both his ,father in heaven1 and his fellow-,christians upon earth4 ,he will not so much as gaze on the forbidden tree1 in order that he may not be ensnared2 but with the eye of faith1 he steadfastly beholds the future felicity of the soul1 and for the sake of this felicity1 refuses to yield to the cravings of corrupt nature4 ,what does it profit the body that in this world it swims in lusts and pleasures1 when1 after a short period1 it must be devoured by worms1 and stripped of all its enjoyments6 8,naked10 says ,job1 8came ,i out of my mother's womb1 and naked shall ,i return thither40 ,job #a3ba4 ,we bring into the world a naked and infirm1 a poor and indigent body2 and even this is the spoil of death2 for when we pass out of this world we leave it behind us forever4 #f4 ,whatever we enjoy from the time of our birth to the period of our dissolution1 is all the bread of mercy and affliction1 and designed to supply the bare wants of this mortal life4 ,at the approach of death all is taken from us again1 and we depart out of the world poorer than when we entered it4 ,when man enters the world1 he brings with him life and a body1 and finds the necessary shelter1 meat1 and drink provided for him2 but1 after existing a short time1 he is1 in a moment1 bereft of all1 and leaves behind him even his body and his life4 ,consider then1 ,o man6 whether there can be anything more wretched and poor1 more naked and miserable1 than man when he dies1 if he be not clothed with ,christ's righteousness1 and enriched in his ,god4 #g4 ,as1 therefore1 we are confessedly strangers and pilgrims here1 and at the hour of dissolution must leave behind us every earthly enjoyment1 let us1 at least1 cease to encumber our souls with things which we cannot carry out of this world1 and the use of which is restricted to this life only4 ,is it not a species of madness to heap up riches for a frail body1 for a body which we must leave behind us1 and which cannot possibly enjoy wealth hereafter8 ,luke #ab3bj1 #ba4 ,are we ignorant that there is another and a better world1 another body and another life1 and that1 whatever we may appear in the sight of men1 we are in the eye of ,god only strangers and sojourners on the earth8 ,ps4 #ci3ab2 ,lev4 #be3bc4 8,ye are10 saith the ,lord1 8strangers and sojourners with me10 that is1 8before my eyes1 although ye may not remember it40 #h4 ,if1 then1 we are strangers and sojourners1 it follows that our country and our home must be elsewhere4 ,this will be most evident to us1 if we compare time with eternity1 the visible with the invisible world1 the earthly tabernacle with the heavenly1 and things that are frail and perishing1 with those that are lasting and eternal4 ,such a comparison will afford us a due insight into time and eternity1 and lead us to behold with the eye of faith1 such things as remain altogether unknown to the unthinking multitude4 ,it is from the want of this consideration1 that so many become lax and disorderly in their manners1 wallow in the mire of earthly pleasures1 and drown themselves in avarice and worldly cares4 ,it is from the want of this reflection1 that the major part of mankind1 however keen and shrewd in the pursuits of this world1 are blind and insensible to the concerns of the immortal soul4 ,they addict themselves so much to this life1 as to esteem it to be the most delightful1 the best and noblest of all2 while the true ,christian1 on the contrary1 accounts it an exile1 a vale of tears1 a place of misery1 a deep and dark prison4 #i4 ,hence it is that those who love this world1 and seek their happiness in it1 do not excel even the brute creation in wisdom or understanding2 and as they live1 so they die like beasts4 ,ps4 #di3ab1 #bj4 ,they are totally blind as it respects the inward man2 they do not even think of heavenly and eternal things2 they never rejoice in ,god1 but only in the low and sordid pleasures afforded by this world4 ,it is in earthly things that they seek their rest and their enjoyment2 and having obtained their object after much labor and toil1 they sit quietly down and congratulate themselves on their possessions4 ,wretched1 miserable men6 blind and insensible to the tremendous concerns of their eternal salvation6 here1 they lie contentedly in the darkness of ignorance1 soon to remove hence to that of death and damnation4 ,luke #a3gi4 #aj4 ,in order to our better acquaintance with the nature of our pilgrimage here1 we should unceasingly consider the example left us by the ,redeemer1 and earnestly follow him both in his life and doctrine4 ,he hath set us an unerring pattern of universal holiness4 ,he is our captain and our guide2 and to his life and manners1 our lives and our manners should be conformed4 ,go thou1 therefore1 and look unto him2 unto him who1 when the greatest of all men1 voluntarily chose that life in which nothing of greatness appeared2 a life of meanness1 poverty1 and contempt of honor1 wealth1 and pleasure1 the threefold deity of this world4 ,all these things1 to which the world offers sacrifice1 the ,lord contemned2 for he himself said1 8,he had not where to lay his head40 ,matt4 #h3bj4 #aa4 ,such1 likewise1 was the character of ,david2 who1 before his exaltation to the throne1 was poor and despised2 and who1 when created king1 accounted all his regal splendor as nothing compared with eternal life1 and the kingdom of ,god1 to which he was called4 8,how amiable10 says he1 8are thy tabernacles1 ,o ,lord of hosts6 ,my soul longeth1 yea1 even fainteth for the courts of the ,lord2 my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living ,god40--8,a day in thy courts is better than a thousand40 ,ps4 #hd4 ,as if he had said1 ,i possess indeed a kingdom1 and have people subject to my sway2 ,i possess kingly palaces1 and the strong hold of ,zion2 but what are all these in comparison of thy tabernacle1 ,o ,lord of hosts8 ,so1 too1 ,job found comfort in his ,redeemer4 ,job4 #ai3be4 #ab4 ,neither ,peter1 nor ,paul1 nor any of the apostles1 sought the riches of this life1 but directed their attention to those which were laid up in another and better world4 ,hence they freely espoused the despised life of ,christ1 walking in his charity1 lowliness1 and patience2 contemning the earth1 and triumphing over the world1 its snares1 and its allurements4 ,they prayed for those who cursed them2 they thanked those who reproached them2 they blessed those who reviled them4 #a ,cor4 #d3ab2 ,acts #e3da4 ,when they were persecuted1 they glorified ,god2 when scourged1 they were immovably patient1 professing that 8through much tribulation they must enter into the kingdom of ,god0 7,acts #ad3bb72 and when slaughtered1 they prayed 7with ,christ their ,head71 8,father1 forgive them0 7,luke #bc3cd72 8lay not this sin to their charge40 ,acts #g3fj4 ,thus were they1 on the one hand1 dead to all wrath and revenge2 to bitterness1 ambition1 and pride2 to the love of the world1 and of their own life also2 while1 on the other1 they lived in ,christ and in his love1 in his meekness and humility1 his patience and his resignation4 ,they are1 indeed1 made alive in ,christ by faith1 who thus live4 #ac4 ,to a lover of the world1 this excellent way of life is unknown2 for with regard to those who do not live in ,christ1 nor know that the truth is in him1 these are still dead in their sins2 dead in wrath and hatred1 in envy and avarice1 in pride and revenge2 and as long as they so continue1 they are in a state of impenitence1 and have not been quickened by faith in ,jesus1 be their boasting what it may4 ,but the genuine disciples of ,christ know it to be a duty to follow the steps of their divine ,master 7#a ,pet4 #b3ba71 and to be conformed to his life1 as the supreme and original pattern of all virtue and goodness4 ,in a word1 the life of ,christ is their exemplar2 he himself is their book1 whence they derive all solid and substantial learning1 as it respects both life and doctrine4 ,such persons declare with the apostle1 8,we look not at the things which are seen1 but at the things which are not seen2 for the things which are seen are temporal1 but the things which are not seen are eternal40 #b ,cor4 #d3h4 ,and with holy men of old they unite in saying1 8,here have we no continuing city1 but we seek one to come40 ,heb4 #ac3ad4 #ad4 ,if1 then1 from a review of all these considerations1 it evidently appear1 as it surely does1 that in this world we are strangers and have no abiding place1 it follows that we were not created for the sake of earthly things as the ultimate end of our being2 but that there remain for us another country and other dwellings1 to gain which we ought not to hesitate to sacrifice a hundred worlds1 or even life itself4 ,these are subjects upon which the true ,christian continually meditates with pleasure2 and it is his joy that here he has no continuing city1 but is created for life eternal4 ,but how sad is the state of those who1 occupied wholly in pursuing the things of this life1 lade their souls with a crushing weight of worldly vanities1 and thereby expose them to endless perdition4 ,chapter ,,xviii4 ,showing ,how ,greatly ,god ,is ,offended1 ,when ,man ,prefers ,things ,that ,are ,temporal ,to ,those ,that ,are ,eternal2 ,and ,how ,great ,the ,evil ,is1 ,when ,our ,affections ,cleave ,to ,the ,creature ,and ,not ,to ,the ,creator4 ,and the anger of the ,lord was kindled2 and the fire of the ,lord burnt among them1 and consumed them1 etc4--,,numb4 #aa3a4 ,many there are1 in our day1 who1 under cover of religion1 seek after earthly and carnal things2 who use more diligence to become great and affluent by the gospel1 than to be good and happy4 ,they love 8the praise of men1 more than the praise of ,god40 ,john #ab3dc4 ,they choose rather to gratify the flesh in its sinful propensities1 than to bring it down into true repentance and brokenness of spirit4 ,but the character of the true ,christian is of an opposite kind4 ,he is more concerned about eternal than temporal things2 he seeks the glory that endureth1 more than that which passeth away2 he thirsts after heavenly and invisible riches1 and not after those that are earthly and visible4 ,in short1 he mortifies and crucifies the flesh1 in order that the spirit may live4 #b4 ,the sum of ,christianity is to follow ,christ4 ,hence1 it should be our chief care to imitate the example which he has left us4 ,our thoughts and actions1 our desires and labors1 should all terminate in the attainment of this one thing needful1 how we may come to ,christ2 how be saved by1 and united with him to all eternity4 #c4 ,never should we cease to consider that endless felicity to which we are called2 but cheerfully await the dissolution of our earthly bodies1 and a translation to that inheritance which is reserved in heaven for us4 #d4 ,by these means1 which habituate the soul more and more to the presence of ,god1 there is begotten in man a holy thirst after eternal things2 while a desire after earthly objects1 which is insatiable in its nature1 is at the same time powerfully restrained4 ,this is taught by ,st4 ,paul in that precious saying3 8,whatsoever ye do in word or deed1 do all in the name of the ,lord ,jesus1 giving thanks to ,god and the ,father by him40 ,col4 #c3ag4 #e4 ,the name of ,god1 in which all things are to be done1 is the honor1 praise1 and glory of ,god4 ,ps4 #dh3aj4 ,to this great end of human life1 all our works should tend2 for then it is that they are wrought in ,god 7,john #c3ba71 and will follow us into a blessed eternity4 ,rev4 #ad3ac4 #f4 ,in a word1 ,almighty ,god1 our chief and sovereign ,good should be the principle and end of all our designs1 if we would not fail of eternal salvation4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul says1 8,but thou1 ,o man of ,god1 flee these things0 7#a ,tim4 #f3aa72 namely1 covetousness and the love of the world4 ,he calls the ,christian1 8a man of ,god10 because he is born of ,god1 and lives in ,god1 and therefore is the son and heir of ,god2 as1 on the other hand1 a man of the world1 is one who lives in conformity to the world1 who 8has his portion in this life1 and whose belly is filled with the hid treasure0 of the earth4 ,psal4 #ag3ad4 ,from these snares the ,christian is required carefully to flee1 and to follow after righteousness1 godliness1 faith1 love1 patience1 meekness2 and to lay hold on eternal life1 whereunto he is called4 #g4 ,when a man refuses to be guided by these salutary maxims1 he falls of necessity into every kind of enormous and presumptuous sin1 and will at last be punished with eternal fire4 ,see1 for an illustration1 ,numb4 #aa3a4 #h4 ,inundations and war1 famine1 pestilence1 and conflagrations1 are1 it should be remembered1 punishments inflicted by ,god1 on account of our preferring things temporal to things eternal2 and because we are more careful of a weak and perishing body1 than we are of an imperishable1 immortal soul4 ,all this betrays the highest ingratitude1 and an open contempt of the blessed ,god1 deserving to be visited with punishments1 both here and hereafter4 ,for1 does not man by such conduct set aside an almighty1 eternal ,being1 from whom he derives both his body and his soul2 and convert an impotent creature into an idol1 to which he surrenders his love and affection8 ,he who loves the creature more than the ,creator1 and things transitory more than those which are eternal1 offers surely the highest possible affront to his ,maker1 and opposes the great design of the ,christian religion4 #i4 ,it is no doubt true1 that all the creatures of ,god are good in themselves2 but when men begin to set their affections on them1 and by their irregular love to convert them1 as it were1 into idols1 they then become an abomination in the sight of ,god1 and are justly ranked among the most odious images of gold and silver4 #aj4 ,what else can result from a carnal love of the world but hell and damnation6 ,consider the case of ,sodom and ,gomorrah 7,gen4 #ai3bd71 and the one in ,numb4 #aa3a1 already mentioned4 ,these are illustrations of the eternal fire and damnation which must follow a rejection of ,god4 #aa4 ,the love and joy1 the wealth and honors of the true ,christian1 are circumscribed only by eternity itself2 for1 8where his treasure is1 there will his heart be also40 ,luke #ab3cd4 ,from the lust and love of the world1 on the contrary1 nothing can result but eternal damnation4 8,the world passeth away and the lust thereof2 but he that doeth the will of ,god abideth forever0 7#a ,john #b3ag73 and hence1 ,st4 ,john calls upon the faithful entirely to withdraw their affections from the world2 saying1 8,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world40 #a ,john #b3ae4 ,these and similar considerations powerfully convince us1 that ,god will not permit us to fix our affections on any creature whatsoever4 #ab4 ,but this will more fully appear from the following reflections3 ,i4 ,love is the very heart of a man1 and the noblest of all his affections2 hence1 it is due to ,god only1 as the supreme object1 and sovereign ,good4 ,,ii4 ,it is absolute folly to love temporal things1 which cannot love us2 whereas the infinitely blessed ,god deserves to be loved alone1 since from a pure principle of love1 he created us unto eternal life1 and hath1 to the same purpose1 redeemed and sanctified us4 ,,iii4 ,like things are naturally loved by their like4 ,hence1 ,god made us after his own image1 in order that we might love ,him2 and that1 next to himself1 we might love our neighbor1 created after the same image4 ,,iv4 ,the human soul resembles a mirror1 representing every object indifferently that is placed before it1 whether it be of heaven or of earth4 ,therefore turn thy soul wholly and only to ,god1 that this image may be fully expressed in it4 ,v4 ,the patriarch ,jacob1 when dwelling in ,mesopotamia1 far removed from his native soil1 never abandoned his purpose to return1 and1 at length1 after twenty years' service1 demanded his wives and wages2 and1 cheered by the recollection of the place of his nativity1 returned thither4 ,so should thy soul1 amidst the various engagements of this life1 and the hurry of outward employments1 long without ceasing after thy heavenly fatherland4 ,,vi4 ,man is made either better or worse by that which he loves4 ,he that loves ,god1 partakes freely of the divine virtue and goodness that reside in ,him2 but he that loves the world1 is defiled with all those sins and evils which attend it4 ,,vii4 ,when ,king ,nebuchadnezzar 7,dan4 #d3cc7 was too much controlled by the love of the world1 he lost the very form of a man1 and degenerated into that of a beast4 ,so all men1 blotting from their hearts the image and love of ,god1 are transformed1 as it respects their inward man1 into the nature of brutes4 ,for surely those who wholly surrender themselves to the love of this world1 are no better4 ,,viii4 ,lastly1 that which a man has loved here1 and carried about in his heart1 shall be manifested in him hereafter2 and with this he shall associate himself forever1 whether it be ,god or the world4 ,if the world have been the object of his love in this life1 it will never leave him hereafter1 but will prove his death and his tormentor to all eternity4 ,chapter ,,xix4 ,he ,who ,is ,most ,of ,all ,conscious ,of ,his ,misery1 ,is ,most ,of ,all ,acceptable ,to ,god2 ,and ,his ,christian ,knowledge ,of ,his ,misery1 ,urges ,him ,to ,seek ,the ,grace ,of ,god4 ,to this man will ,i look1 even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit1 and trembleth at my word4--,,isaiah #ff3b4 ,these comfortable words1 our gracious and merciful ,god hath spoken by the prophet1 in order to cheer our hearts1 when they are most oppressed with misery and sorrow4 ,be not thou therefore ashamed to be bruised in spirit1 and abased in thine own eyes4 ,humble thyself in the dust1 and deem thyself unworthy of all grace and favor2 so shalt thou be raised out of thine own vileness1 and obtain1 in ,christ1 acceptance with ,almighty ,god4 #b4 ,he who is still something in his own estimation1 is not duly humbled and depressed in his heart2 nor can he expect to be regarded by that ,being who looks upon the poor and contrite ones only4 8,if10 says the apostle1 8a man think himself to be something1 when he is nothing1 he deceiveth himself0 7,gal4 #f3c73 and the reason of this is1 that ,god is all in all1 alone2 and the creature must consequently become a bare and empty nothing4 ,so great and so practical is this truth1 that man is not only to believe it in his heart1 but to express it in his life and conduct4 #c4 ,if ever thou designest1 then1 to give all the glory and honor to ,god1 that ,,he may be ,,all1 alone1 thou must surely thyself become nothing in thine own eyes2 and entertain a very low opinion of thyself1 and of thy profiting in spiritual things4 ,for how is it possible that ,god should be all in all1 whilst thou thyself continuest to be something8 ,by this self-exaltation thou invadest the sovereignty of ,god1 and appropriatest that to thyself1 which is his proper due and prerogative4 8,it was before the ,lord10 said ,david to ,michal1 who had reproached him1 8and ,i will yet be more vile than thus1 and will be base in mine own sight40 #b ,sam4 #f3ba1 #bb4 #d4 ,a man that will be something1 is the matter out of which ,god is wont to make nothing2 but he1 on the contrary1 who loves to be reputed as nothing1 and who1 in his own judgment1 is so1 is the matter out of which the ,almighty maketh something4 ,he that will be wise in his own opinion1 is the matter out of which ,god maketh a fool2 and he who is truly sensible of his own folly and nothingness1 is that of which ,god forms a wise and great man4 ,he who1 before the ,lord1 sincerely confesses himself to be the greatest and most miserable of sinners1 is1 in the sight of ,god1 the first and greatest of all men4 ,he who believes himself to be the chief of sinners1 shall be honored by the ,lord as the chief of saints4 ,matt4 #bc3ab2 ,luke #a3eb4 #e4 ,this is that humility which ,god exalts2 that misery which he regards2 that nothing from which he createth something4 ,and as1 at the creation1 the glorious frame of heaven and earth was brought forth out of nothing1 so must man be reduced to a deep sense of his vileness and nothingness1 if ever he be exalted to glory and to dignity4 #f4 ,reflect upon the example of ,david1 whose misery ,god beheld1 and to whom he granted the richest gifts of his grace4 ,consider1 again1 the example of ,jacob1 who confessed1 8,i am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies40 ,gen4 #cb3aj4 #g4 ,but above all1 lay to heart the example of ,christ1 the grand and blameless pattern of a ,christian4 ,he was abased below the meanest of men2 was made a worm and a curse for our sake 7,ps4 #bb3f71 despised and rejected of men4 ,isaiah #ec3c4 ,but the lower he sunk1 the higher did he afterwards rise1 when he received a name which is above every name4 #h4 ,but who is that blessed and lowly one who is nothing in his own eyes8 ,it is he who inwardly and in his heart esteems himself worthy of no divine benefit1 whether bodily or spiritual4 ,for he that arrogates anything to himself1 esteems himself to be something2 and is1 therefore1 the farthest removed from divine grace and from this new creation4 ,so destructive is the spirit of self1 that it renders even grace of no effect1 and shuts out that which contains all things in it4 ,for if a man judge himself worthy of anything1 he then does not take all things as a free gift from the hands of ,god4 ,whatever we are1 however1 is of grace and not merit2 nor can we call anything our own1 except our sins1 our helplessness1 and our misery4 ,all else belongs to ,god4 #i4 ,a man considered in himself1 that is1 independently of ,god1 by whom he subsists1 is no more than a shadow4 ,and as the shadow of a tree constantly conforms to the tree on which it depends1 so should man conform to the will of ,god from whom he has his very life and being2 as the apostle says3 8,in him we live1 and move1 and have our being40 ,acts #ag3bh4 ,it is true1 the fruit will sometimes appear in the shadow of the tree2 yet it does not therefore belong to the shadow1 but to the tree3 so all the good fruits that may appear in thy life and conduct1 are not the produce of thy own self and thy ability1 but of ,god alone1 who is the original source whence all good fruits proceed4 ,and as the apple grows not from that gross substance the wood1 which is seen by the eye1 but from the seminal virtue which the tree contains1 and which is made active from above2 so the new man1 and the fruit he bears1 spring not up from anything that is gross and visible to the eye1 but from a supernatural and invisible seed4 #aj4 ,now1 man is by nature a dry tree2 but ,god is his strength1 whereby life is renewed in him1 and he himself is made fat and green in the house of ,god4 ,god is the 8strength of our life0 7,psal4 #bg3a71 says the ,psalmist3 and hence we 8shall bring forth much fruit whilst we abide in ,christ40 ,john #ae3e4 #aa4 ,when a man is thus wretched and poor in his own eyes1 and has nothing in the world in which to trust but the pure grace of ,god1 manifested in ,christ ,jesus1 then ,god graciously 8looks upon him40 ,this divine regard must be understood in a divine sense4 ,the look or countenance of ,god1 is not as the countenance of men1 destitute of life and virtue3 but it is accompanied with a living power and influence that supports and revives the faint and penitent sinner4 ,and as none but the humble and contrite are capable of this heavenly regard2 so the more fully they receive the consolation which ,god grants1 the less do they think themselves worthy of it4 ,such a one deems himself unworthy of all blessings divine and temporal4 ,he says with ,jacob1 8,i am not worthy of the least of all the mercies1 and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servant30 for behold1 since thou gavest me thy ,son ,jesus ,christ1 ,i come with two bands1 with the blessings of grace and of glory4 ,gen4 #cb3aj4 ,and truly1 if a man should weep a sea of tears1 it were by no means sufficient to purchase or deserve the least part of heavenly comfort3 the grace of ,god cannot be merited by men1 who deserve nothing but wrath and eternal damnation4 #ab4 ,whoever thus acquaints himself in faith with his own misery1 is truly one of those poor and contrite men1 to whom the ,lord graciously looks4 ,without this previous brokenness of heart1 man cannot expect to enjoy this blessed aspect of ,god1 nor indeed that grace and kindness which is promised to the poor in spirit only4 ,in this weakness and poverty the apostle glories1 when he says3 8,if ,i must needs glory1 ,i will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities0 7#b ,cor4 #aa3cj73 and he adds the reason3 8that the power of ,christ may rest upon me40 #b ,cor4 #ab3i4 ,for so great indeed is the mercy of ,god1 that he will not see the work of his hands destroyed3 but the weaker the creature is in itself1 the more is it sustained by the power of an ,almighty ,being4 ,for in the weakness of the creature1 the power of ,god is exalted1 as the ,lord declared unto ,paul3 8,my grace is sufficient for thee2 for my strength is made perfect in weakness40 #ac4 ,the more vile and miserable therefore a ,christian is in his own opinion1 the more freely ,god looks upon him1 to the greater manifestation of the riches of his glory4 ,and in bestowing this heavenly consolation1 he does not look at all on man's merit1 but barely on his want and poverty4 ,and this comfort can in no degree be compared with any human comfort1 all which it infinitely exceeds4 ,in such a sense1 then1 ,god looks to the contrite man and comforts his spirit4 #ad4 ,by 8the poor and contrite man10 is not to be understood1 a man that is poor in the outward sense of the word1 or who is altogether destitute of human help and relief2 but he is the poor man1 who labors under the load of his sins1 and is grieved for them4 ,if sin were not in the world1 there could be no misery3 but now so much misery cannot befall a man1 but that he is still worthy of much more4 ,ps4 #ajc3aj4 ,far be it therefore from us to grieve1 because we have not many temporal benefits conferred upon us2 since we are not worthy even of the least of them1 no1 not of life itself4 ,our flesh and blood may think this a hard saying2 yet every penitent sinner ought to be a severe judge in his own case1 and ought not to make the least allowance to his carnal propensities4 ,this is the order in which we are to obtain ,god's favor and mercy4 #ae4 ,and what has man now left to boast of1 or what language shall he employ when he opens his mouth8 ,the best course he can take will be to say simply1 8,lord1 ,i have sinned2 have thou mercy upon me60 ,and1 truly1 ,god himself requires no more from a man than that he humbly deplore his sin1 and in the unfeigned language of repentance pray for pardon4 ,whoever neglects this1 may be said to have slighted the best and most needful part of his being1 ,weep not therefore1 ,o ,man6 on account of thy body1 that it is naked and sick1 pinched with hunger and cold1 insulted and persecuted2 or because it is confined by bonds and a prison3 but humble thyself before the ,lord1 and bewail the woful condition of thy soul1 which is constrained to dwell in so wretched a house as thy body is1 a house of sin and death4 8,o wretched man10 says the apostle1 8who shall deliver me from the body of this death80 ,rom4 #g3bd4 ,this free and ,christian acknowledgment of thine own inward misery1 this godly sorrow1 this thirst after divine grace1 this faith leaning on ,christ alone1 open1 in ,christ1 the door of grace1 by which ,god enters into thy soul4 8,be zealous1 therefore1 and repent4 ,behold1 ,i stand10 saith the ,lord1 8at the door and knock2 if any man hear my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in to him1 and sup with him1 and he with me0 7,rev4 #c3bj73 which supper is nothing else than the remission of sin1 attended with heavenly comfort1 with life and blessedness4 ,this is the door of faith 7,acts #ad3bg71 through which the ,lord1 at the right time1 enters into the soul2 and after the day of toil and sorrow is over1 refreshes her with the light of his countenance4 ,then it is1 that 8mercy and truth meet together2 righteousness and peace kiss each other2 that truth springs out of the earth1 and righteousness looks down from heaven40 ,ps4 #he3aj1 #aa4 ,then it is that the woman1 that poor sinner1 but now a penitent1 anoints the feet of her ,lord1 washes them with tears1 and wipes them with the hairs of her head1 expressing thereby all the marks of an unfeigned and deep humility4 ,luke #g3cg4 ,then it is1 that the spiritual priest 7,rev4 #a3f71 in the holy ornaments of faith1 offers up the true sacrifice1 even a broken and lowly spirit1 with the incense of true contrition and prayer4 ,ps4 #ea3ai4 ,then it is that the true sanctified water of purifying 7,numb4 #h3g7 is applied1--the tears which grief for sin caused to flow2 and now1 through faith and by the power of the blood of ,christ1 the spiritual ,israelite is washed and cleansed4 #af4 ,and thus1 ,o ,christian6 is seen how by the sense of thy own misery1 and by faith in ,christ attending it1 thou mayest attain the grace and favor of ,god4 ,to conclude1 the more wretched and miserable any one is in his own judgment1 the more dearly he is beloved of ,god1 and the more gracious is the regard which the ,lord will bestow upon him4 ,chapter ,,xx4 ,a ,truly ,christian ,sorrow ,for ,sin ,promotes ,the ,daily ,amendment ,of ,the ,life ,of ,man1 ,makes ,him ,meet ,for ,the ,kingdom ,of ,god1 ,and ,fits ,him1 ,in ,an ,increasing ,degree1 ,for ,eternal ,life4 ,godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of3 but the sorrow of the world worketh death4--#b ,,cor4 #g3aj4 ,true ,christianity consists solely in pure faith1 love1 and a holy life4 ,this holiness of life springs from true repentance1 sorrow1 and self-knowledge2 so that a man not only more and more feels his failings and imperfections1 but amends them also1 and1 in this order1 partakes of the righteousness and holiness of ,christ by faith4 #a ,cor4 #a3cj4 #b4 ,but in order to regulate the grand work of salvation with the better order and care1 thou oughtest now to walk in a submissive and filial fear of ,god1 guarding against all that would gratify the flesh4 8,all things are lawful10 says the apostle1 8but all things are not expedient0 7#a ,cor4 #f3ab72 that is1 8all things edify not40 #a ,cor4 #aj3bc4 ,as a dutiful child1 confined to the father's house1 does not so much as attempt to follow his own humor in everything2 but1 unwilling to offend his parent1 observes his will and pleasure3 so a true ,christian and child of ,god will behave himself in his ,father's house1 in so careful a manner1 as not to allow his senses any unlawful liberty4 ,he will neither do nor speak anything without consulting first his ,father in heaven1 under whose eye he constantly lives1 knowing that ,he is everywhere present4 #c4 ,most men live without any fear of ,god1 freely indulging themselves in worldly pleasures and satisfaction4 ,they will not consider that it is far better to have a constant fear of ,god fixed in the heart1 than a constant joy of the world4 ,for as the fear of ,god is the beginning of wisdom1 and begets a serious frame of mind2 so the joy of this world extinguishes all good impressions1 and banishes true wisdom out of the heart1 together with all godly fear and devotion4 #d4 ,by daily repentance and mortification of the flesh1 man is daily renewed in ,god's image2 for 8though our outward man perish1 yet the inward man is renewed day by day0 7#b ,cor4 #d3af72 and often1 in the midst of his sorrows1 is he visited with a taste of heavenly joy and sweetness4 ,whereas1 the pleasure and joy of the world are always attended with heaviness of heart1 and an inward sting of a wounded conscience4 ,if the people were but more sensible of the melancholy effects resulting from worldly pleasure1 and particularly of that damp which it puts upon heavenly comfort1 they would certainly dread all loose and worldly enjoyments3 since thereby the grace of devotion is quenched1 and the soul diverted from those purer pleasures which the ,gospel of ,christ affords4 #e4 ,there are two things which prevent those who seriously consider them from being influenced either by worldly pleasures or outward calamities4 ,the one is1 the eternal pain of the damned2 whoever earnestly ponders it1 will almost find it impossible to be thoroughly merry after the way of the world4 ,the other is1 the eternal joy of the blessed in heaven4 ,whoever has a sound apprehension of so happy a state1 will never be greatly moved with the calamities of the present life2 and this arises from the consideration of the eternity of those divine enjoyments4 ,but so great is the levity of our hearts1 that it hinders us from any serious reflection on so important a subject4 ,and hence it is no wonder that we are both without this wholesome contrition and sorrow1 and ignorant of all celestial joys and comforts4 #f4 ,it is the prerogative of a true ,christian to be1 on the one hand1 but sparingly1 if at all1 moved with earthly things1 or temporal advantages2 and1 on the other1 to be the more deeply impressed with the joys of ,god1 and of life eternal4 ,neither is he immoderately dejected in the present adversities that may befall him2 but the loss of the soul grieves him to his very heart1 and he counts it worthy of long lamentation4 ,as for the perishing comfort of this life1 he knows it cannot be called a loss1 since he shall receive a thousand-fold for it in the world to come4 ,but when a soul is once cast away1 it can never be restored4 #g4 ,blessed is the man who is affected with godly sorrow1 and tastes that celestial consolation which succeeds it4 ,but1 alas6 how much of our time do we spend in worldly joy and merriment1 when we have greater reason to bewail our own misery and that of others6 ,there is no true liberty1 no solid delight1 no substantial satisfaction1 but in the fear of ,god1 and in a quiet1 serene conscience4 ,but this blessing can never exist without faith1 and without a holy life and conversation4 ,this faith1 attended with godly sorrow1 daily proceeds more and more to correct our faults and imperfections4 ,whoever neglects this daily reform of his life and manners1 wastes the most precious part of his time1 which he should employ to secure the interest of his immortal soul4 ,he is an adversary to the new life2 he hinders the kingdom of ,god in himself2 and he can never be cured of the blindness and hardness of his heart1 so long as he remains in that state4 #h4 ,it follows1 therefore1 that he only deserves the name of a prudent and wise man1 who carefully avoids whatever he understands to be an obstacle to the reforming of his life1 and to the improving of himself in heavenly gifts and graces4 ,happy is he who not only avoids such things as are detrimental to his body and estate1 but also detests those which hinder the soul in her spiritual progress4 #i4 ,be therefore courageous1 ,o ,man1 and endure hardness as a good soldier of ,christ6 #b ,tim4 #b3c4 ,an evil habit of mind must be overcome with a good one4 ,it is the apostle's exhortation3 8,be not overcome of evil1 but overcome evil with good40 ,rom4 #ab3ba4 ,the cure of thy soul is not impossible4 ,view1 in the first place1 thy own corruptions1 and judge them severely1 before thou presumest to censure the faults of thy neighbor4 ,be not too forward in admonishing and correcting others2 but endeavor to heal first thy evils at home1 before thou enterest upon the reforming of those that are abroad4 #aj4 ,go on1 therefore1 ,o ,christian1 and learn the lesson of daily repentance1 sorrow1 and contrition of heart4 ,if the world despise thee upon that account1 and decry this wholesome exercise as error and as melancholy1 be not concerned at such poor and empty reflections4 ,grieve rather that thou art called indeed a ,christian1 but that thou hast not yet arrived at that strictness of life and purity of manners1 which the ,gospel requires4 ,bear the contempt of the world with ,christian constancy1 and consider the singular benefit which thence accrues to the whole practice of true religion4 ,for1 if thou be scorned by the world1 then ,god is ready to support thee by fresh supplies of life and comfort1 according to his own declaration3 8,i dwell in the high and holy place2 with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit1 to revive the spirit of the humble1 and to revive the heart of the contrite ones40 ,isa4 #eg3ae4 #aa4 ,it is impossible that divine and worldly joy should1 at one and the same time1 reside in the heart of man2 so very contrary are they to each other1 and so inconsistent in their natures1 causes1 and effects4 ,the joy of the world is begotten in prosperity2 but that which is from heaven1 springs up in the midst of crosses and adversities4 #ab4 ,it is true that it is against the bent of nature to rejoice in the time of adversity1 as the apostle himself seems to intimate3 8,as sorrowful1 yet always rejoicing2 as poor1 yet making many rich2 as having nothing1 and yet possessing all things40 #b ,cor4 #f3aj4 ,but then it is no less true1 that the grace of ,god cleanses our nature1 and qualifies it for such spiritual exercises4 ,and it was after this change that the apostles rejoiced1 because they were 8counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of ,christ40 ,acts #e3da4 #ac4 ,a ,christian is become by the grace of ,god1 a new creature1 and hence the tribulations of this life are made easy to him4 ,the apostle declared1 that he even 8gloried in tribulations40 ,rom4 #e3c4 ,as affliction is a grievous burden to the old man1 so it gives ease and joy to the new man in ,christ4 ,again1 that joy which is from above1 infinitely surpasses that which is from below4 ,nay1 the very reproach and contempt which a ,christian undergoes for the sake of ,christ1 is attended with a secret satisfaction3 and the reason we are so little affected with these heavenly visitations1 is on account of the joy of the world1 to which we are still too much addicted4 #ad4 ,a truly humble man thinks himself worthy of all manner of sufferings1 and unworthy of any divine comfort3 but the more unworthy he thinks himself in true brokenness of spirit1 the more is he visited with the goodness of ,god4 ,and the more he weeps over his sin1 the more is he weaned from worldly enjoyments2 for the whole world gradually becomes to him a burden and a bitter affliction4 #ae4 ,a man that seriously views himself and his inward condition1 finds more reason to mourn than to rejoice4 ,and when he takes a survey of the lives of others1 he will undoubtedly meet with abundance of objects worthy of pity1 or of compassion1 rather than of hatred and envy4 ,why did ,christ weep over ,jerusalem1 even over that ,jerusalem which persecuted and slew him8 ,luke #ai3da4 ,truly their sin and blindness was the evident cause of it4 ,and in this he has also left us a pattern1 and with deep feeling taught us1 that nothing in the world should more powerfully melt us into tears and compassion1 than our own sins1 and the impenitence and carnal security which everywhere abound4 #af4 ,did a man as often revolve in his mind1 that he must certainly die1 and appear before the judgment-seat of ,god1 as he thinks on the concerns of this life1 and how to provide for them1 surely he would be abundantly more serious in his conversation1 more diligent in the reformation of his life1 and more fervent in all the duties of repentance4 ,did he moreover call to mind the unspeakable and eternal torments of hell1 succeeding1 as they do1 a short enjoyment of sin2 this consideration would embitter to him the sweets of this world1 and in comparison1 render all the afflictions of this life1 pleasant and easy to him4 ,but alas6 the enticements of the flesh are so strong and prevalent1 and our compliances in their favor1 so forward1 that we seldom yield to such serious reflections as these4 #ag4 ,upon the whole1 this should be a ,christian's daily consideration3 if his body be pampered in lust and luxury2 if the flesh be humored and gratified in its inordinate cravings2 then the life of the spirit loses its vigor1 and if not seasonably supported1 will pine away into death and destruction4 ,whereas1 if the flesh be crucified with its lusts and desires1 the spirit lives and gathers strength4 ,one is the death of the other4 ,if1 therefore1 the spirit shall live in thee1 then thy body must be certainly made a spiritual sacrifice 7,rom4 #ab3a71 and must spiritually die to the world1 and to all conformity with it4 #ah4 ,this has been the constant practice of all the saints1 from the beginning of the world until now4 ,they have with thanksgiving eaten and drunk the bread and cup of tears1 according to that declaration of ,david3 8,thou feedest us with the bread of tears1 and thou givest us tears to drink in great measure40 ,ps4 #hj3e4 ,and in another ,psalm3 8,my tears have been my meat day and night40 ,ps4 #db3c4 ,again1 8,i have eaten ashes like bread1 and mingled my drink with weeping40 ,ps4 #ajb3i4 #ai4 ,this has been the 8daily bread0 of all the saints to this day2 yet it has1 however1 been sweetened to them1 faith being mixed with it4 ,this is that godly 8sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation1 not to be repented of40 #b ,cor4 #g3aj4 #bj4 ,but as this godly sorrow is attended with life and happiness1 so the 8sorrow of the world worketh death0 itself4 #b ,cor4 #g3aj4 ,this kind of sorrow arises from the loss of honor1 of temporal goods and estates1 and other things of that nature4 ,this sorrow has proved so fatal to many1 that they have laid violent hands on themselves1 and procured their own ruin and death by various contrivances4 ,of this there are not wanting many examples in the history both of ,pagans and ,christians3 though1 indeed1 the latter ought better to understand the maxims and doctrines of ,christ1 who has abundantly taught us1 not to set our hearts on objects so frail and perishing4 ,for what is the loss of a handful of fading things1 to the life of a man1 with which all the goods of this world cannot be compared8 #ba4 ,be not1 therefore1 cast down by the loss of temporal goods1 which1 by the very laws of nature1 we can enjoy but a little while3 but lay the more to heart those incorruptible riches1 that are laid up in the world to come2 and do whatever thou canst to prevent the loss of them4 ,death will strip thee at last of all worldly possessions4 ,here shall be an end of pomp and greatness4 ,this law of death is equally given to all1 and the penalty of it attaches to all alike4 ,the greatest king is seized on the throne1 and the meanest beggar on the dunghill 7#a ,sam4 #b3h2 ,ps4 #aac3g72 for as the body of the one is1 so is also the body of the other3 both putrefy and turn alike to corruption4 ,nevertheless1 the ,lord will remove at length the veil of the shadow of death1 which is spread over all nations1 and will 8swallow up death in victory0 7,isa4 #be3h71 and 8wipe away all tears from our eyes40 ,rev4 #g3ag2 ,isa4 #be3h4 #bb4 ,let these and the like considerations1 induce thee patiently to bear the loss of earthly things2 remembering that the whole world does not come up to the price of one soul1 for which ,christ vouchsafed to die4 ,the more thou withdrawest thy heart from temporal goods and estates1 the less will it affect thee1 when thou shalt be obliged one way or other to leave them4 ,thy grief will undoubtedly be the greater1 the more thy love has been wrapped up with them4 ,thus does the 8labor of the foolish weary every one of them0 7,eccl4 #aj3ae72 as the wise man expresseth it4 #bc4 ,this is the unhappy state into which the children of this world plunge themselves4 ,they hoard and amass their goods with assiduous pain and labor2 they possess them with fear and anxiety of mind2 and quit them at last with grief and groans1 when they can no longer enjoy them4 ,this is the 8sorrow of this world10 which begets no less an evil than death itself4 #bd4 ,we read1 that such as adored the beast 8had no rest0 7,rev4 #ad3aa73 so they that adore the great and toilsome beast of sordid and earthly ,mammon1 may be said to have no rest1 day nor night4 ,this description of men1 most wretched and most unquiet as they are1 may be fitly compared to camels1 or mules4 ,these animals1 traversing rocks and hills1 and carrying gold and silver1 silken garments and pearls1 spices and wines1 draw many attendants with them for their better security3 but at night1 when they are stabled1 all their precious ornaments1 their embroidered garments and vestments1 are taken from them1 and they1 being weary and stripped1 appear to be what indeed they are1 poor and miserable beasts of burden4 ,nothing is now seen upon them but the prints of their stripes1 and the marks of the blows which they received upon the road4 ,so1 in like manner1 that man who in this world shone in gold and silks1 in 8purple and fine linen0 7,luke #af3ai71 when the day of his death is come1 has nothing left but the prints and scars of a wounded conscience1 contracted by the abuse of such riches as were committed to his trust4 #be4 ,therefore1 ,o man6 learn to relinquish this world1 before it relinquishes thee4 ,if thou break not with the world1 the world will break with thee1 and leave horror and anguish behind it4 ,he who withdraws his soul from the world1 before he quits the world with his body1 can joyfully die3 since he is loosed from the ties which bound him to these inferior objects4 ,as the ,israelites1 when they were about to leave the land of ,egypt1 were daily afflicted with greater burdens by ,pharaoh1 who designed to destroy them1 and1 if possible1 utterly to extirpate their progeny 7,exod4 #e3i72 so the infernal ,pharaoh1 who desires to hinder our eternal salvation1 when we are now upon the very borders of life everlasting1 still attempts to load us with more of the concerns of this life1 and thereby to obstruct our passage into a better world4 #bf4 ,it is certain that we cannot carry with us the least dust of all our earthly possessions into the kingdom of heaven4 ,nay1 our very body must be left behind us until the day of resurrection4 ,if we know anything1 we know that the way leading to life is so very strait1 as to strip the soul entirely of anything that will hinder her passage4 8,narrow is the way which leadeth to life1 and few there be that find it40 ,matt4 #g3ad4 ,as the husbandman separates the wheat from the chaff1 so death frees the soul from all the chaff and dross of this world1 from all riches1 and greatness1 and worldly attire1 which now1 like the chaff1 are driven away4 #bg4 ,go therefore1 ,o man1 and seriously ponder in thy mind what the apostle declares3 8,godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation1 not to be repented of3 but the sorrow of the world worketh death40 #b ,cor4 #g3aj4 ,chapter ,,xxi4 ,of ,the ,true ,worship ,of ,god4 ,the sons of ,aaron offered strange fire before the ,lord1 and there went out fire from the ,lord and devoured them4--,,lev4 #aj3a1 #b4 ,this fire is called strange1 because it was different from that which continually burned upon the altar1 and with which1 according to the command of ,god1 the burnt-offerings were consumed4 ,it is1 therefore1 a type of false worship2 and the sons of ,aaron were destroyed with avenging flames1 because they violated the divine precept4 #b4 ,this marked displeasure of the jealous and righteous ,god1 is in like manner provoked by those who1 from the motion of their own unregenerate mind1 and from a singular presumption of devotion or religious sanctity1 introduce a new and peculiar worship of ,god2 which1 not being enjoined by himself1 provokes his indignation1 anger1 and vengeance2 because 8,god is a consuming fire40 ,deut4 #d3bd2 ,heb4 #ab3bi4 #c4 ,in order that we may not incur the wrath of the divine majesty1 let us consider wherein the true worship of ,god consists2 for the punishment of temporal fire1 inflicted on false worship under the ,old ,testament1 is to us a proof1 that the ,lord will also1 under the ,new dispensation1 take the severest vengeance on all strange worship1 not only with everlasting1 but also with temporal fire1 wars1 desolations1 and effusion of blood4 #d4 ,now1 we can learn wherein the true worship of ,god consists1 when we compare the ,old ,testament with the ,new4 ,the ceremonies which the former prescribed1 referred typically to the ,messiah4 ,devout ,jews saw1 as it were1 the ,messiah from afar1 believed on him1 and1 according to the promise1 obtained deliverance from sin and death through him4 ,but our worship1 according to the ,new ,testament1 does not consist in external ceremonies2 we are taught to worship ,god in spirit and in truth1 that is1 to believe in ,christ1 who fulfilled the ,law4 ,thus he redeemed us from the curse of the law 7,gal4 #c3ac71 and made us free from all ,jewish ceremonies 7,gal4 #e3a72 so that now1 by the indwelling of the ,holy ,spirit1 we serve ,god with a willing heart and mind 7,jerem4 #ca3cc2 ,rom4 #h3ad71 and our conscience and faith are not bound by human ordinances4 #e4 ,to true1 spiritual1 internal ,christian worship1 three things belong4 #a4 ,the true knowledge of ,god4 #b4 ,the knowledge of sin1 accompanied with unfeigned repentance4 ,and #c4 ,the knowledge of grace1 attended with remission of sin4 #f4 ,the knowledge of ,god consists in faith1 which apprehends ,christ1 and in him1 and through him1 knows ,god1 his omnipotence1 love1 mercy1 righteousness1 truth1 wisdom2 all which are ,god himself4 ,for what is ,god8 ,surely no other than pure omnipotence1 pure love and mercy1 pure justice1 truth1 and wisdom4 ,and the same is to be said of ,christ1 and of the ,holy ,spirit4 #g4 ,but whatever ,god is1 he is not to himself only1 but also to me1 by his gracious will1 made manifest in ,christ ,jesus4 ,thus to me is ,god omnipotent2 to me he is merciful2 to me eternal righteousness1 through faith and remission of sins4 ,to me1 also1 he is everlasting truth and wisdom4 ,thus it is1 also1 with ,christ4 ,he is made to me eternal omnipotence1 the almighty ,head1 and ,prince of my life1 my most merciful ,saviour1 everlasting love1 unchangeable righteousness1 truth1 and wisdom2 according to the words of the apostle3 8,christ is of ,god made unto us1 wisdom1 and righteousness1 and sanctification1 and redemption40 #a ,cor4 #a3cj4 ,all of which is also true of the ,holy ,spirit1 who is my eternal love1 righteousness1 truth1 and wisdom4 #h4 ,this is the true knowledge of ,god1 which consists in faith4 ,it is not some empty and speculative science1 as people imagine2 but a cheerful1 lively1 and effectual reliance on ,god1 in which ,i feel the rays and influences of the divine ,omnipotence really descending upon me1 so that ,i perceive how ,i am upheld and preserved by him2 how 8in him ,i live1 and move1 and have my being40 ,acts #ag3bh4 ,i must also taste the riches of his goodness and mercy4 ,is not that which the ,father1 ,christ1 and the ,holy ,spirit1 have done for thee1 for me1 and for us all1 the effect of pure love8 ,what more perfect and complete righteousness can there be than that1 by which he rescues us from sin1 hell1 death1 and the devil8 ,and do not his truth and wisdom most conspicuously appear in all that he has accomplished for us8 #i4 ,this1 therefore1 is the true and substantial faith1 which consists in a living and effectual reliance on ,god1 and not in empty words4 ,in this knowledge of ,god1 or faith1 we must1 as becomes the children of ,god1 make daily advances1 and abound more and more4 #a ,thess4 #d3a4 ,hence the apostle pours out most fervent prayers1 8that we may know the love of ,christ1 which passeth knowledge40 ,eph4 #c3ai4 ,as if he had said1 8,though it were the sole care of our lives to learn the depth of the love of ,christ1 yet would there still remain continual and never-failing matter for further inquiry40 ,neither is it to be supposed1 that this knowledge consists in a barren acquaintance with the universal love of ,christ1 extending itself over the whole world2 but we must also taste it in our own hearts2 we must experience the sweetness and delight1 the power and vital influx of this immense kindness displayed in the ,word1 and embraced by faith4 ,can he say that he knows the love of ,christ1 who never tasted its sweetness8 ,hence it is said of some that were endued with this experimental sense1 that they had 8tasted of the heavenly gift1 and the good word of ,god1 and the powers of the world to come40 ,heb4 #f3d4 ,all this is effected by faith through the ,word4 ,the same experience of the divine love is also intimated by the 8shedding abroad of the love of ,god in our hearts by the ,holy ,ghost40 ,rom4 #e3e4 ,in this consist the fruit and efficacy of the ,word of ,god4 ,and this only is the true knowledge of ,god1 proceeding from experience1 and founded on a living faith4 ,for this reason the ,epistle to the ,hebrews calls our faith a substance1 and a certain and well-grounded evidence4 ,heb4 #aa3a4 ,and this knowledge of ,god1 that arises from a living faith1 is one part of the inward and spiritual worship of ,god4 ,in a word1 faith is a spiritual1 living1 and heavenly gift2 yea1 the very light and power of ,god4 #aj4 ,when1 therefore1 this true knowledge of ,god is attained1 by which ,god offers himself1 as it were1 to be touched and tasted by the soul1 according to that ,psalm1 8,o taste and see that the ,lord is good0 7,ps4 #cd3h72 it is impossible that a sincere repentance should not immediately ensue2 that is1 a real renovation of the mind1 and reformation of the life4 ,for1 from a sense and knowledge of the divine ,omnipotence1 proceeds humility2 since he must necessarily submit himself unto the mighty hand of ,god1 who has perceived its irresistible power and energy4 ,from the experience of the divine mercy arises charity to our neighbor2 for no man can be uncharitable who has ever been affected by a sense of the divine compassion4 ,who can refuse to lend to his neighbor1 that considers that ,god1 from pure mercy1 has bestowed himself upon us8 ,from the long-suffering of ,god1 proceeds great patience towards our neighbor2 so that were it possible that a true ,christian could be killed seven times a day1 and as many times be restored to life again1 yet would he always freely forgive his murderer1 and this on account of the boundless mercy of ,god conferred upon himself4 ,from the divine justice flows the knowledge of sin1 as the prophet teaches us3 8,righteousness belongeth unto thee1 ,o ,lord1 but unto us confusion of faces40 ,dan4 #i3g4 8,enter not into judgment with thy servant1 for in thy sight shall no man living be justified40 ,ps4 #adc3b4 8,if thou1 ,lord1 shouldest mark iniquities1 ,o ,lord1 who shall stand80 ,ps4 #acj3c4 ,from the knowledge of the truth of ,god1 flow fidelity and candor towards our neighbor2 and all fraud1 deceit1 lying1 and other such sinister practices1 are1 in consequence1 freely abandoned4 ,the sincere ,christian reasons thus with himself3 8,god forbid that ,i should deal deceitfully with my neighbor2 for then ,i should offend the truth of ,god1 which is ,god himself2 since he has dealt so faithfully with me1 it would be the blackest impiety were ,i to act otherwise by my neighbor40 ,the consideration of the eternal divine wisdom produces the fear of ,god4 ,for whoever knows ,god to be the ,searcher of hearts1 viewing the most secret recesses1 must necessarily dread the eyes of the divine majesty4 8,he that planted the ear1 shall he not hear8 ,he that formed the eye1 shall he not see80 ,ps4 #id3i4 ,therefore1 8,woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the ,lord1 and their works are in the dark1 and they say1 ,who seeth us8 and who knoweth us8 ,surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay3 for shall the work say of him that made it1 ,he made me not8 ,or shall the thing framed1 say of him that framed it1 ,he had no understanding80 ,isa4 #bi3ae1 #af2 see also ,jer4 #bc3bd1 and #cb3ai4 #aa4 ,from the true knowledge of ,god1 arise the knowledge of sin1 and consequent repentance4 ,this repentance brings renovation of mind1 and renovation of mind is accompanied with amendment of life4 ,and this knowledge1 together with those things that attend it1 makes up the other part of the inward worship of ,god2 and it is that sacred fire which1 by the appointment of ,god1 is to be used with the sacrifices1 lest his wrath should be kindled against us1 and we be consumed by the fire of his vengeance4 #ab4 ,the injunction of ,god to the priests1 not to drink wine or strong drink when they were about to enter the tabernacle 7,lev4 #aj3i71 is an illustration of this repentance2 and in a spiritual sense1 it extends itself to all ,christians4 ,for if we would enter into the tabernacle of ,god1 even into life everlasting1 it is necessary that we should abstain from the lusts of the world and of the flesh1 and from all that tends to bring the spirit in bondage to the body4 ,for the love of the world1 the love of pleasure1 pride1 and other vices1 are like palatable wine1 by which the power of the soul and spirit is clouded1 and at last brought under subjection to the flesh4 ,man1 so subjected1 is restrained from entering into the tabernacle of ,god2 that is1 he cannot arrive at the knowledge and the sanctuary of ,god2 consequently he is deprived of that discerning faculty1 which distinguishes between things sacred and profane1 clean and unclean2 so that he understands nothing of divine and heavenly operations1 and therefore is unfit to instruct those in sound doctrine who are committed to his care4 ,his understanding and thoughts are not enlightened from above2 but being overcome with the wine of worldly lust1 are eventually involved in gross darkness4 ,this repentance1 contrition1 and grief for sin1 and this true faith in ,christ1 are followed by the knowledge of grace and remission of sin2 which1 as it proceeds from the merit of ,christ only1 so the benefit of this merit can be claimed by no man without repentance4 ,repentance was therefore necessary1 even to the thief upon the cross1 that his sin being first remitted1 he might accompany ,christ into paradise4 ,and that his repentance proceeded from a heart affected with a holy contrition1 appears from the reproof which he gave his companion3 8,dost not thou fear ,god8 ,we receive the due reward of our deeds2 but this man hath done nothing amiss0 7,luke #bc3dj71 and from the request he addressed to ,christ3 8,lord1 remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom40 ,verse #bd4 ,these are most undeniable proofs of a contrite heart1 embracing ,christ and his merits by faith4 #ac4 ,this gracious absolution from sin1 which is apprehended in faith by a penitent heart1 supplies all those defects under which we labor3 but it is entirely the effect of the death and blood of ,christ4 ,all our offences are as completely annulled by his abundant satisfaction1 as if they had never been committed4 ,the merit of ,christ is of that extent and power1 that ,david exclaims3 8,purge me with hyssop1 and ,i shall be clean3 wash me1 and ,i shall be 7not only as white1 but even7 whiter than snow40 ,psal4 #ea3g4 #ad4 ,hence also it is1 that ,god is said to mention the sin no more when the sinner returns to his duty4 ,ezek4 #ah3bb2 #cc3af4 ,for whatever is fully and completely paid for1 yea1 blotted out too1 must of necessity be buried in eternal oblivion4 ,isa4 #dc3be4 ,but conversion must go before remission1 according to the order proposed by the prophet himself3 8,wash ye1 make you clean1 put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes2 cease to do evil4 ,come now and let us reason together3 ,though your sins be as scarlet1 they shall be as white as snow40 ,isa4 #a3af4 ,as if he had said3 8,ye who require your sins to be forgiven1 according to my covenant and promise1 come forward and call me to an account4 ,i do not indeed deny1 that ,i promised you remission of sins2 but it was on no other terms than that you should first repent4 ,where is your repentance8 where is your true and living faith8 ,if you have these1 all is well6 ,it shall not be my fault1 if your sins 7though as crimson in grain1 though so deeply dyed1 that neither heaven nor earth can blot them out71 be not wholly pardoned and made whiter than snow40 ,repentance1 therefore1 is the true confession of sin2 and if you have this in yourself1 namely1 sorrow for sin mixed with faith1 be assured1 that ,christ1 by virtue of his death and blood1 will entirely forgive you your sins4 ,this blood1 as it is shed for us1 so it cries to ,god in heaven1 and procures a full remission of sin4 #ae4 ,when a man is thoroughly affected with this sense of sin1 he hastens in spirit to those cities of refuge1 of which three1 ,bezer1 ,ramoth1 and ,golan1 were set apart on this side ,jordan1 by ,moses1 being appointed by him1 in order that he who had inadvertently killed his neighbor1 might flee unto them and be preserved4 ,deut4 #d3da-dc4 #af4 ,and1 alas6 ,o ,lord1 how often have we inadvertently slain our neighbor with thoughts1 words1 hatred1 envy1 anger1 revenge1 and unmercifulness6 ,let us1 therefore1 fly upon the wings of faith and repentance1 to the sanctuary of the grace of ,god1 and to the merit and cross of ,christ4 ,no sooner do we arrive there1 but we are safe2 nor will the avenger measure to us again with that measure with which we served our neighbor4 ,for by those cities of refuge1 ,christ ,jesus is signified and represented4 ,he is the true ,bezer1 that is1 a fenced tower1 according to that saying of ,solomon3 8,the name of the ,lord is a strong tower3 the righteous runneth into it1 and is safe40 ,prov4 #ah3aj4 ,he also is the true ,ramoth1 which signifies exalted3 for ,christ is the ,most ,high 7,isa4 #eb3ac2 #eg3ae71 8,and at the name of ,jesus1 every knee shall bow1 of things in heaven1 and things in earth1 and things under the earth40 ,phil4 #b3aj4 ,nor have we any other ,golan besides him2 which1 as the word imports1 is a heap or multitude1 a storehouse of all manner of celestial gifts4 ,hence1 we read in the ,psalms3 8,with the ,lord there is mercy2 and with him is plenteous redemption40 ,psal4 #acj3g4 ,and in the epistle to the ,romans3 8,the ,lord is rich unto all that call upon him40 ,rom4 #aj3ab4 #ag4 ,and this is the third part of inward1 spiritual1 and true worship1 arising from the knowledge of ,god4 ,this knowledge is also the source of repentance1 as repentance is of remission of sins1 and each rests on an experimental knowledge of ,god1 as on a proper foundation to sustain it4 #ah4 ,thus is the letter of the law of ,moses changed into spirit1 or into an inward1 holy1 and new life2 and its sacrifices are converted into unfeigned repentance4 ,hereby we offer up unto ,god our body and soul1 together with the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving4 ,hereby we ascribe unto him alone1 our knowledge1 conversion1 justification and remission of sin1 that ,god alone may be all in all1 and his grace be worthily acknowledged1 and celebrated with thankful hearts and tongues unto all eternity4 ,this1 then1 as hath been already mentioned1 is the true worship of ,god1 of which the prophet says3 8,he hath shewed thee1 ,o man1 what is good2 and what doth the ,lord require of thee1 but to do justly1 and to love mercy1 and to walk humbly with thy ,god80 ,mic4 #f3h4 ,o when1 therefore1 shall we wretched mortals become truly penitent1 that we may obtain this gracious pardon of sin8 ,for without penitence it is impossible we should secure unto ourselves so incomparable a mercy4 ,for how can sin be remitted1 when there is no sense of sin1 no sorrow affecting the mind1 no hunger after divine grace8 ,and how can he grieve for sins1 who utterly refuses to abandon them1 and to change his life for a better8 ,may ,god1 for ,christ's sake1 turn us1 that so we may be truly turned6 ,lam4 #e3ba4 #ai4 ,from these considerations it abundantly appears1 that the true worship of ,god is seated in the heart1 and consists in the knowledge of ,god1 and in true repentance1 which mortifies the flesh2 and1 through grace1 renews man after the divine image4 ,in this order1 man is made the holy temple of the ,lord1 where1 through the good ,spirit of ,god1 internal worship is performed1 in the exercise of faith1 charity1 hope1 humility1 patience1 prayer1 thanksgiving1 and the praise of ,god4 #bj4 ,but though this worship has regard to ,god himself1 and is offered to him alone2 yet far be it from us to believe1 that ,god has any need of our adoration or service1 or that he receives any advantage from it1 or any addition to his perfection4 ,let us rather think1 that such is the mercy of ,god to miserable men1 that he is willing to impart himself wholly to us with all his benefits1 to live1 to operate1 and to dwell in us1 provided we be but ready1 by true knowledge1 by faith and repentance1 to entertain him in the heart1 that as in the school of the ,spirit1 he may teach us true wisdom1 and carry on the work which he has so happily begun4 #ba4 ,for there is no work approved and accepted of ,god1 but that of which he himself is the author4 ,therefore has he commanded us to repent and to believe1 to pray and to fast2 not that the benefit in any way might return to him1 but belong to us alone4 ,for to ,god no man can give1 and from him no man can take away2 him none can profit1 and none can injure4 ,if we be found devout and sincere in his sight1 we shall reap the advantage of it ourselves2 but if we be found false and corrupt1 the evil will return upon our own heads4 ,but what harm1 ,o man1 canst thou do to ,god1 if even thou shouldst wilfully persist in impiety and a dissolute course of life8 #bb4 ,god1 therefore1 commands that he should be served on thy account1 not on his own4 ,he being ,love itself1 it pleases him that many be found in his service1 to whom he may freely impart the streams of his love1 yea1 even himself too4 ,for as a mother cannot but love the infant that reposes on her breast1 so ,god takes a singular pleasure in a free and unconfined communication of his love and kindness4 ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,a ,true ,christian ,is ,known ,primarily ,by ,love1 ,and ,by ,a ,daily ,amendment ,of ,life4 ,the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree2 he shall grow like a cedar in ,lebanon4 ,those that be planted in the house of the ,lord shall flourish in the courts of our ,god4 ,they shall still bring forth fruit in old age2 they shall be fat and flourishing2 to shew that the ,lord is upright2 he is my rock1 and there is no unrighteousness in him4--,,ps4 #ib3ab-ae4 ,not a ,christian name1 but a ,christian life1 evidences a true ,christian3 let this therefore be the care of the ,christian1 that in him ,christ may be seen3 and visibly appear unto others1 in love1 humility1 and kindness6 for he in whom ,christ does not live1 cannot be a ,christian4 ,and this holy life1 having its roots within1 in the spirit and heart of a man1 must of necessity proceed from this inward principle--just as the fruit proceeds from the inherent virtue of the tree4 ,for it is necessary that our life should be influenced by the ,spirit of ,christ1 and fashioned after his example2 according to that saying of the apostle3 8,as many as are led by the ,spirit of ,god1 they are the sons of ,god40 ,rom4 #h3ad4 8,now if any man have not the ,spirit of ,christ1 he is none of his0 7,rom4 #h3i73 for all life proceeds from spirit2 and as is the spirit which inwardly acts1 moves1 and governs in a man1 so will the man outwardly appear4 ,whence it is evident1 how necessary the ,spirit of ,god is to a truly ,christian life2 and1 therefore1 ,christ has not only commanded us to pray for the ,spirit1 but has also promised unto us this gift4 ,luke #aa3ac4 ,this ,spirit is the ,spirit of regeneration 7,tit4 #c3e71 by which we are quickened in ,christ1 into a new1 spiritual1 and heavenly life1 and from the life and never-dying power of this ,spirit of ,god1 every ,christian virtue must be derived4 ,it is then that 8the righteous man flourisheth as the palm tree1 and groweth like a cedar in ,lebanon40 ,ps4 #ib3ab4 #b4 ,hence it follows1 that a man must be first internally renewed in the spirit of his mind after the image of ,god2 and that his inward desires and affections must first be conformed to ,christ 7which the ,apostle terms 8the new man created after the image of ,god07 7,eph4 #d3bd71 before a suitable life can proceed from the heart4 ,but as soon as the heart is inwardly renewed1 the outward life proceeding from it is but a constant expression of that vital principle which prevails within the mind4 ,yea1 since 8,god trieth the heart and the reins0 7,ps4 #g3i71 it is reasonable that a man should possess1 in the more secret recesses of his heart1 even much more than outwardly appears in his life4 #c4 ,though1 in our inward part1 we attain not unto the purity of angels1 it is but just that we should fervently sigh after it4 ,and1 indeed1 ,god approves the desires of our spirit when it thirsts after a further purification3 8,the ,spirit also helpeth our infirmities1 and maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered40 ,rom4 #h3bf4 ,yea1 the blood of ,christ purifies us by faith 7,acts #ae3i71 so that we are 8without spot or wrinkle0 7,eph4 #e3bg72 and in this respect we possess1 not the purity1 holiness1 and righteousness of any angel1 but that of ,christ2 yea1 and ,christ himself4 #a ,cor4 #a3cj4 #d4 ,this undeserved righteousness1 freely applied to us1 must renew our body1 soul1 and spirit1 and produce a true holiness of life and manners4 ,and this life1 though it is at first like a tender palm tree1 must daily become more and more vigorous in us1 and gather strength in ,christ ,jesus4 ,and our growth in ,christ will be in proportion as we advance in faith1 in virtue1 and the practice of a ,christian life and holiness4 ,this is to 8flourish like a palm tree40 #e4 ,as the palm tree1 when depressed1 mounts the higher1 so ought a ,christian to be renewed continually in his spiritual desires and exercises4 ,eph4 #d3bc2 ,col4 #c3aj4 ,he is to strengthen himself every day with fresh purposes to walk suitably to his new name1 and with unwearied endeavors to avoid the danger of being a false ,christian4 ,he is to proceed with vigor and earnestness1 as if he had but this day been initiated into the principles of true religion4 ,for as one that enters upon a new office should have nothing more at heart than worthily to acquit himself in his post2 so also should we act1 who are called unto ,christ1 8with a holy calling40 #b ,tim4 #a3i4 ,if this holy purpose be not firmly rooted within1 no amendment of life will ensue1 no vigor in piety1 no increase in ,christ2 yea1 the very quickening ,spirit of ,christ must be wanting4 ,for such a resolution and holy firmness of doing good is the work of the ,spirit of ,god1 and of that preventing or anticipating grace which allures1 invites1 and moves all men4 ,happy is the man1 who with his ears and heart proves obedient to it1 and hearkens to that heavenly wisdom which 8utters her voice in the streets40 ,prov4 #a3bj4 ,in a word1 whatever a man views with his eyes1 is a manifestation of the ,creator1 by which he calls upon man1 and endeavors to draw him to the love of himself4 #f4 ,whenever1 therefore1 we feel this heavenly call or impulse upon our minds1 we should immediately set our hand to work1 and take care that a moment so invaluable do not slip away in a light and careless manner4 ,this is an hour free from such obstacles as at other times closely beset us4 ,if this be slothfully neglected1 other days and times may possibly succeed1 in which we cannot think1 hear1 speak1 or do any good4 ,this being foreseen by eternal ,wisdom1 she everywhere lifts up her voice1 and calls upon us1 lest we should neglect the opportunity which is so freely offered4 #g4 ,as a tree planted in the open air readily admits the light of the sun1 and the benign influences of heaven2 so the grace of ,god1 with other celestial influences1 shines upon thee1 ,o man1 and would revive and nourish thee by its presence1 if the affairs of this world did not hinder thee from receiving the benefit4 #h4 ,call to mind the shortness of the time appointed for life6 ,seriously consider how many opportunities of doing good1 and of reducing the ,christian virtues into practice1 thou hast already neglected4 ,one half of thy life has possibly been consumed in sleeping1 and the other in eating and drinking1 and in other natural actions2 so that when thou now comest to the grave1 thou hast but just begun to enter upon a better life4 #i4 ,if thou art afraid to die in wickedness1 ,o lead a holy life whilst thou art in good health6 ,if thou desirest to leave the world as a ,christian1 endeavor to be a good ,christian whilst thou art in it4 ,now1 he only lives as a ,christian1 who demeans himself as if he were every day to die2 well knowing that a good servant will at all times be ready at the call of his master4 ,and ,god1 by death1 as by his messenger1 summons us all before his tribunal4 #aj4 8,blessed10 therefore1 8is that servant1 whom the ,lord1 when he cometh1 shall find watching4 ,of a truth1 ,i say unto thee1 that he will make him ruler over all that he hath40 ,luke #ab3cg1 #dd4 ,and who is it that watches1 but he who does not suffer himself to be carried away by the world1 or its unhappy votaries8 ,let us1 therefore1 flee from both2 knowing that the manners of this corrupt age are like baneful excrescences1 which consume the vital sap of a tree1 and1 in a short time1 cause it to wither4 ,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,he ,who1 ,in ,christ1 ,desires ,to ,grow ,in ,grace1 ,is ,often ,compelled ,to ,withdraw ,from ,worldly ,society4 ,how amiable are thy tabernacles1 ,o ,lord of hosts6--,my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living ,god4--,,ps4 #hd3a1 #b4 ,thou actest wisely1 if thou avoidest too frequent an intercourse with worldly men4 ,for as it is never better for our bodies than when they are at home2 so it is ever best with the soul1 when it is at rest in its own habitation1 which is ,god himself2 from whom it derives life and being4 ,to him1 therefore1 the soul must return again1 if ever she is to enjoy rest1 and find safety4 #b4 ,it is observed of all creatures1 that they nowhere thrive so well1 as where they drew their first life and origin4 ,thus the sea to the fishes1 the air to the birds1 the earth to the plants1 and ,god to the soul1 is the place of rest1 according to the ,psalmist1 8,the sparrow hath found a house1 and the swallow a nest for herself1 where she may lay her young40 ,ps4 #hd3b4 ,as that man will bring trouble upon himself1 who gives young people too much liberty to go abroad2 so shall he suffer much1 who yields up the reins of his tongue and thoughts1 allowing them to wander through the affairs of the world1 as so many circles of vanity4 ,be assured1 that you will escape many faults1 if you study to confine your thoughts within the limits of your heart4 #c4 8,those that are planted in the house of the ,lord shall flourish in the courts of our ,god40 ,ps4 #ib3ac4 ,what are these courts8 ,they are the internal and spiritual sabbaths of the heart2 which1 as ,lebanon in the desert1 flourish best in a retirement of mind1 and abstraction of spirit4 ,labor to attain this solitude of soul1 and thou shalt become fit to search thine own heart1 and to contemplate that variety of wonders and mercies which ,god has bestowed upon us4 #d4 ,nor are we to imitate those who admire subtle disputes and inventions1 who take pleasure in reading fine1 pleasant1 and witty productions2 which1 if rightly considered1 deprave1 rather than improve the mind of the reader4 ,whatever does not promote the repose of the heart1 and the continual renovation of the mind1 should neither be heard1 spoken1 read1 nor even be entertained in thought1 by a disciple of ,jesus4 ,true ,christians are like the trees of ,god1 which should daily grow stronger1 and take deeper root in ,christ4 ,st4 ,paul testifies of himself1 that besides 8,christ and him crucified10 he desired to know nothing4 #a ,cor4 #b3b4 ,and this has been the practice of all the saints of ,god1 who have endeavored1 to the utmost of their power1 by carefully cherishing this blessed tranquillity of heart1 to approach nearer and nearer to a life raised above the world1 and to emulate those elevated minds that entirely rest in ,god1 as the centre of all their happiness4 ,one of them once said3 8,as often as ,i converse with men1 ,i return less a man in some part or other40 ,for since the dignity of human nature principally consists in the similitude of ,god1 and therefore ,god hath described man to be the image and likeness of himself 7,gen4 #a3bf72 it follows1 that the more unlike any man is to ,god1 the less a man he is3 and the more closely he unites himself to ,god1 the more conformed to ,,him does he become4 ,none can1 however1 turn himself to ,god1 who does not first withdraw himself from the world4 ,it is the nature of every seed1 to bring forth a plant of its own kind2 so if the seed of ,god1 the ,holy ,spirit and ,word1 be in thee1 thou shalt become a 8tree of righteousness1 ,the planting of the ,lord1 that he may be glorified40 ,isa4 #fa3c4 #e4 ,nothing is more common1 than that some word or other is dropped in the conversation of men1 which being idle and vain1 grievously wounds and pollutes the soul4 ,no man1 therefore1 has more security and peace1 than he who keeps at home1 in the house of his heart1 and restrains his thoughts1 his words1 and his senses1 from straying beyond their bounds4 #f4 ,he that will speak well1 must first learn to be silent2 for to talk much is not eloquence1 but prating4 ,he who desires to command well1 must first learn to obey2 since it is impossible that he should be a good ruler over others1 who knows not how to be subject and obedient to ,god4 ,he that desires peace and serenity of mind1 must set a watch over his tongue1 and maintain a good conscience2 for an evil conscience is like the troubled sea2 yet shall it find rest if it return unto ,christ in true repentance4 ,the dove which ,noah sent out of the ark1 not finding any place of rest1 returned to it4 ,gen4 #h3i4 ,this ark is ,christ and the ,church1 having only one door or window1 which is that of repentance1 through which we are to come to ,christ4 ,and as the dove retired into the ark immediately when she found no rest for her foot2 so when thou art floating in a sea of worldly affairs1 and art in danger of suffering shipwreck1 retire immediately into thy heart to ,christ2 lest1 being too much tossed on the floods of the world1 thy rest be broken1 and the tranquillity of thy mind entirely destroyed4 #g4 ,while thou conversest with men1 and art engaged in the affairs of this world1 be careful to manage everything with fear and humility4 ,avoid all self-confidence and rashness in acting4 ,remember that thou art as a tender shoot tied to a prop1 in order that it may grow up with the more safety3 so do thou constantly lean on the staff of humility1 and the fear of ,god1 lest a sudden tempest should arise1 and lay thee level with the ground4 ,alas6 how many a man is deceived when he1 too unadvisedly1 rushes into worldly affairs4 ,persuade thyself1 therefore1 that it is as unsafe to trust to the world1 as to the sea4 ,the external joy of the world1 though for a time it soothe a man in his carnal security1 and promise prosperous things1 yet may soon be disturbed by an unexpected tempest1 leaving nothing behind but the sting of an evil conscience4 #h4 ,if a man would1 on the one hand1 seek no pleasure in what is frail or perishing2 and if1 on the other1 with a mind freed from secular joys and affairs1 he would give himself up to those more heavenly concerns that become a true ,christian1 he would often be visited with a fervent devotion1 a profound peace1 a sweet tranquillity1 a serene conscience1 and other divine comforts4 ,but1 alas6 we will not be persuaded of these things2 and hence it follows1 that our conversion1 amendment1 and devotion are1 by our too free conversation with men1 rather hindered than improved4 ,we may find within us1 what we easily lose in an inconsiderate pursuit of things without us4 ,and as a tree nowhere prospers better than in its natural soil2 so the inward man grows nowhere more happily1 than in the inward ground of the soul1 where ,christ resides4 #i4 ,the conscience of man is possessed either with joy or sorrow4 ,if the conscience be conversant with things internal and heavenly1 it will refresh us with inward delight and comfort2 but if it be polluted with an excessive cleaving to worldly concerns1 it will be of necessity attended with inward sorrow and perplexity4 #b ,cor4 #g3aj4 #aj4 ,as often as the soul is affected with hearty remorse for sin1 she bewails herself1 and sends up secret groans to the throne of mercy4 ,this penitential exercise is a wholesome fountain of tears1 in which the soul1 night after night1 cleanses and washes herself by the ,spirit and by faith1 through the name of ,jesus 7#a ,cor4 #f3aa71 that so she may be duly prepared to enter into the inward sanctuary1 and holy of holies1 and there enjoy a secret intercourse with the ,lord4 #aa4 ,and because the ,lord is 8a ,god that hideth himself0 7,isa4 #de3ae71 the soul must approach him in a way remote from the noise of the world1 that she may the more freely partake of his divine communications4 ,hence the ,psalmist says3 8,i will hear what ,god the ,lord will speak40 ,ps4 #he3h4 ,and 8,i sought the ,lord1 and he heard me1 and delivered me from all my fears4 ,this poor man cried1 and the ,lord heard him1 and saved him out of all his troubles40 ,psalm #cd3d1 #f4 8,unto thee will ,i pray3 my voice shalt thou hear in the morning1 ,o ,lord2 in the morning will ,i direct my prayer unto thee1 and will look up40 ,psalm #e3b1 #c4 ,thus the farther the soul retires from the world1 the more intimately she converses with ,god2 just as the patriarch ,jacob conversed most familiarly with ,god and angels when he was farthest removed from friends and children4 ,gen4 #cb3bd-bi4 ,it cannot1 indeed1 be expressed in words1 how much a soul sequestered from the friendship and fellowship of the world1 is loved by ,god and by angels4 ,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,of ,the ,love ,of ,god ,and ,our ,neighbor4 ,now the end of the commandment is charity1 out of a pure heart1 and of a good conscience1 and of faith unfeigned4--#a ,,tim4 #a3e4 ,in this verse1 the apostle sets before us love1 the highest and noblest virtue2 and acquaints us at the same time1 with four particulars concerning it4 ,first1 that ,love is the summary of all the commandments3 for 8love10 says the apostle1 8is the fulfilling of the law0 7,rom4 #ac3aj72 in which all the precepts are comprehended1 and without which1 all gifts and virtues are unprofitable and fruitless4 #b4 ,what he says in the second place1 namely1 that ,charity must arise from a pure heart1 relates to the love of ,god1 which requires a heart void of worldly love and affection1 according to that saying of ,st4 ,john3 8,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4 ,for all that is in the world1 the lust of the flesh1 the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life1 is not of the ,father1 but is of the world4 ,and the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof2 but he that doeth the will of ,god abideth forever40 #a ,john #b3ae-ag4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 has a heart purified from all love to the creature1 so as to depend or acquiesce in no transient good whatsoever1 can cleave most intimately to ,god1 saying with ,david1 8,whom have ,i in heaven but thee8 and there is none upon earth that ,i desire besides thee4 ,my flesh and my heart faileth2 but ,god is the strength of my heart1 and my portion for ever40 ,psal4 #gc3be1 #bf4 ,the love of such a one1 proceeds out of a 8pure heart40 ,of the same character also1 is that love which is attended with great delight1 pleasure and joy in ,god2 of which we have an illustration in ,david3 8,i will love thee1 ,o ,lord1 my strength4 ,the ,lord is my rock1 and my fortress1 and my deliverer2 my ,god1 my strength1 in whom ,i will trust2 my buckler1 and the horn of my salvation1 and my high tower40 ,psal4 #ah3a1 #b4 #c4 ,the apostle1 in the third place1 teaches us1 that love must be 8out of a good conscience40 ,this properly concerns the love of our neighbor1 who is to be loved1 not for the sake of interest or worldly advantage 7which would be a false love out of a bad conscience72 but for the sake of ,god only1 and of his commandments4 ,nor ought we to afflict our neighbor either by word or deed1 either secretly or openly2 nor on any account1 bear envy1 wrath1 hatred1 malice or rancor against him2 that so our conscience may not accuse us when we address ourselves in prayer to ,god ,almighty4 #d4 ,the fourth requisite of ,love is1 a 8faith unfeigned20 so that nothing be done that is contrary to the rule of faith1 and to our ,christian profession1 and that ,god be not denied publicly or privately1 in prosperity or adversity4 ,this is the substance of what is contained in that sentence of the apostle4 ,we shall now speak more particularly1 with respect to each of the several parts4 #e4 ,in the first place1 then1 ,love1 according to the apostle1 8is the end of the commandment20 for that love which arises from a pure faith1 is the noblest among the fruits and effects of faith2 than which a man can do nothing better or more acceptable to ,god4 ,for ,god does not require at our hands great and difficult enterprises1 no high performances that exceed our capacities2 but he has changed the yoke of the ,old ,testament service1 and its many commandments and ordinances into faith and love1 and has given us for this end the ,holy ,ghost1 who1 8shedding abroad in our hearts the love of ,god0 7,rom4 #e3e71 renders everything sweet and easy1 and proves the original spring of this heavenly virtue4 #f4 ,love1 therefore1 is not a hard work1 a labor attended with toil and difficulty2 on the contrary1 it makes everything easy to a good man4 8,his commandments are not grievous0 7#a ,john #e3c71 that is to say1 they are not so to an enlightened ,christian2 for wherever the ,spirit of ,god comes1 he creates a free1 willing and ready heart in the discharge of ,christian virtues4 ,nor does ,god require of his children great skill or learning3 it is only love which he regards4 ,if this be sincere and fervent1 free from disguise and dissimulation1 ,god takes more pleasure and delight in it1 than in all the knowledge and wisdom1 in all the art and talent that any man upon earth1 in his best works1 can possibly exhibit4 ,wherever this divine love is wanting1 there all wisdom and knowledge1 all works and gifts1 are altogether unprofitable4 ,they are accounted vain and dead1 as a mere body without life4 #a ,cor4 #ac3a1 #b4 #g4 ,as for human learning and great abilities1 they are common to heathens as well as to ,christians2 and great actions are performed as well by infidels as by believers4 ,it is love only which proves the sure test of a sound ,christian1 distinguishing between the false and the true4 ,for wherever ,charity is wanting1 there can be no good thing1 however it may claim the admiration of men by its specious appearances4 ,the reason is1 because ,god is not there2 for 8,god is love1 and he that dwelleth in love1 dwelleth in ,god1 and ,god in him40 #a ,john #d3af4 #h4 ,love is also pleasant1 not only to ,god who gives it1 but also to man1 who exercises it3 whereas1 all arts and sciences1 all the knowledge and wisdom which man grasps1 are not attained but with great labor and study1 with much care and application1 and even at the expense of bodily health4 ,but this heaven-born love cheers both the body and the mind4 ,it invigorates the spirits1 confers new strength1 and wonderfully improves and exalts the mind4 ,nor is it attended with any loss whatever1 but on the contrary1 produces many good and noble effects in the soul4 ,love is itself the reward of the lover1 and virtue always carries its own recompense with it3 as1 on the contrary1 the vicious man is punished by his own excesses1 and vice is the constant tormentor of him that commits it4 #i4 ,again1 when the other faculties of the body and mind are faint and wearied1 love faints not4 ,love is never weary1 never ceases4 ,prophecy may pass away1 tongues may cease1 and sciences may be destroyed2 arts may be lost1 the knowledge of mysteries may vanish2 yea1 faith itself at last may fail also3 but yet 8love never faileth10 nor can fail3 for when all that is imperfect is happily removed1 then love alone abides forever1 and attains its full perfection4 #a ,cor4 #ac3h4 #aj4 ,to render anything pleasing to ,almighty ,god1 it is necessary that it proceed from him2 since he approves of nothing but what he himself works in us4 ,now1 ,god is love2 it therefore follows1 that all that we do1 ought to proceed from a divine faith1 in order that it may be pleasing to ,god2 and from pure love1 that it may prove profitable to men4 ,this love must be pure1 without any regard to self-honor1 self-interest1 and those mean designs which sometimes intrude into a ,christian's actions4 ,in like manner our prayers should spring from a principle of love1 that they may have the more ready admittance to the ,god of love4 ,consider1 therefore1 how that man's prayer can be acceptable to ,god1 who is full of wrath and rancor1 hatred and malice8 ,were such a one to repeat the whole ,psalter every day1 it would be but an abomination before the ,lord4 ,true worship consists in spirit 7,john #d3bc1 #bd71 in faith1 in love1 not in a long recital of words4 ,remember the example of ,christ1 who1 from a merciful heart1 cried1 8,father1 forgive them40 ,luke #cc3cd4 ,a man that does not love ,god1 is also unwilling to pour out his heart in prayer and supplication3 but to him who is affected with a sense of divine love1 the duty of prayer is easy and delightful4 ,a man that has a cordial love to ,god1 readily serves him2 but he that is void of this love1 does not serve him at all1 though he may submit to much toil and drudgery1 and even heap one mountain upon another4 #aa4 ,upon the whole1 then1 nothing is more agreeable to human nature1 nothing better and more profitable1 than this divine love1 which1 therefore1 should be stirred up in the heart of man1 and when once raised into a flame1 should be carefully preserved from being ever quenched4 #ab4 ,faith should work all things in a ,christian through love2 and love should be the agent of faith1 as the body is the agent of the soul4 ,the soul sees and hears1 speaks and acts1 through the body1 to which she is united2 so1 ,o man6 should the love of ,god1 springing from faith1 do all things in and through thee4 ,whether thou eat or drink1 hear or speak1 commend or reprove1 let all be done in love1 after the example of ,christ1 in whom resided nothing but pure love4 ,if thou beholdest thy neighbor1 behold him with the eyes of a compassionate friend2 if thou hearest him1 hear him with love and tenderness2 and if thou speakest with him1 let thy speech be seasoned with love and ,christian affection4 #ac4 ,carefully preserve the root of ,christian love by faith1 in order that nothing but that which is good may grow up in thy heart1 and issue thence1 as from its genuine centre4 #a ,cor4 #af3ad4 ,thou shalt then be enabled to fulfil the commandments of ,god2 since they are all comprehended in love4 ,hence1 a holy man has expressed himself after this manner3 8,o love of ,god in the ,holy ,ghost6 thou art the highest joy of souls1 and the only divine life of men4 ,whosoever enjoys not thee1 is dead even while he lives2 and whosoever possesses thee1 never dies in the sight of ,god4 ,where thou art not1 there the life of men is a continual death2 but where thou art1 there life is made a foretaste of eternal happiness40 ,whence it appears that this divine love is the sum and fulfilling of all the commandments of ,god4 #ad4 ,we consider now1 in the second place1 that our love to ,god ought to proceed 8out of a pure heart40 ,the heart of a man who is desirous to love ,god1 ought first to be cleansed from all worldly love and attachment to the creature4 ,it is then that ,god becomes the chief and sovereign ,good to the soul4 ,she can then say1 8,the ,lord is the portion of mine inheritance1 and of my cup3 thou maintainest my lot40 ,ps4 #af3e4 8,the ,lord knoweth the days of the upright10 that is1 those that love him out of a disinterested heart2 8and their inheritance shall be forever40 ,ps4 #cg3ah4 8,delight thyself in the ,lord1 and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart40 ,ps4 #cg3d4 ,in a word1 ,god is the only fountain whence all our joy ought constantly to spring4 #ae4 ,god1 therefore1 should be the most beloved object of our souls1 and our hearts should rest in him alone1 because he is the highest good4 ,he is nothing else than mercy and goodness1 love and kindness1 clemency and patience1 truth1 comfort1 peace1 joy1 life1 and happiness4 ,all this he has laid up in ,jesus ,christ4 ,whoever1 therefore1 has ,christ1 is thereby put into the possession of all these heavenly virtues4 ,and whoever loves ,god1 must also of necessity love ,god's truth and mercy1 his goodness and kindness1 and the whole train of divine virtues4 #af4 ,for1 a true lover of ,god has a love to all that ,god loves1 and an aversion to all that ,god hates4 ,if any man loves ,god1 he must love truth1 mercy1 and righteousness1 because ,god is all this himself4 ,he must also delight in humility and meekness1 since thereby he is rendered conformable to that meekness and lowly-mindedness which resided in ,jesus4 ,on the other hand1 a true lover of ,god cannot but abhor all ungodliness1 with all the works of iniquity2 because all manner of impiety is enmity against ,god1 and is the work of the devil himself4 ,a lover of ,god hates a lie1 because the devil is the father of lies1 and was a liar from the beginning4 ,and this is the reason that every one who loves lies1 injustice1 and other vicious workings of nature1 must needs1 in that sense1 be the offspring of the devil 7see ,john #h3dd72 and again1 whoever loves ,christ1 his ,lord and ,saviour1 loves also the example of his pure and holy life1 his humility and meekness1 his patience1 and the other heavenly virtues that appeared in his conduct4 ,and such a one must of necessity be adopted into the number of the children of ,god4 #ag4 ,this love1 proceeding out of a 8pure heart10 must be obtained from ,god by prayer and supplication4 ,and truly1 ,god is willing to enkindle in us this heavenly flame through the love of ,christ1 if he be but earnestly solicited1 and if the heart be every day and every moment laid open to his divine influence4 ,if thy love should grow cold and weak at any time1 arouse thy heart1 faint not1 but stir up the grace of ,god within thee1 and be not too much discouraged at it4 ,in the name of ,god arise again1 set to work1 and renew the acts of thy first love4 ,as thou art sensible of thy coldness in love1 thou mayest be assured from that circumstance1 that the eternal light of divine love is not wholly extinguished1 although it be eclipsed1 and at present give but little heat4 ,doubt not that thy ,saviour will enlighten thee again1 and fire thy heart with his love2 so that thou mayest sit once more under his shadow1 and rejoice in the light of his countenance4 ,at the same time be earnest in prayer and supplications1 lest hereafter the flame of this heavenly love should be again deadened in thy heart4 ,such is love 8out of a pure heart10 unmixed with love of the world4 #ah4 ,let us now consider1 in the third place1 ,love1 as arising from a 8good conscience10 and as it respects our neighbor4 ,the love of ,god and the love of our neighbor are so closely united1 that they can never be separated4 ,the true touchstone of our love to ,god1 is the love which we bear to our neighbor4 8,if a man say1 ,i love ,god1 and hateth his brother1 he is a liar3 for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen1 how can he love ,god whom he hath not seen8 ,and this commandment have we from him1 ,that he who loveth ,god1 love his brother also40 #a ,john #d3bj1 #ba4 ,for the love of ,god cannot dwell in a man who is filled with hatred or malice1 or divested of all bowels of love and compassion4 ,if thou hast no pity on thy brother1 who stands in need of thy help1 how canst thou love ,god1 who needs not anything that is thine1 and has commanded thee to express thy love towards him1 by bestowing marks of it upon thy brother8 #ai4 ,as faith unites to ,god1 so love unites to our neighbor2 and as a man is made up of body and soul1 so faith and love 7that is1 the love both of ,god and of our neighbor7 make up a true ,christian4 ,thus he that 8dwelleth in love1 dwelleth in ,god40 #a ,john #d3af4 ,and since ,god effectually desires the good of all men1 it follows1 that he who loves in like manner is of one heart with ,god2 and that he who is otherwise affected is against ,god1 and has not the mind of the ,lord1 but is the enemy of ,god as well as of his neighbor4 ,he is1 unquestionably1 an adversary to ,god who is an enemy to men4 #bj4 ,it is the property of this love to bewail and compassionate the infirmities of others4 ,gal4 #f3a4 ,indeed1 the failings and weaknesses of our fellow-creatures represent to us1 as in a mirror1 our own imperfections1 and remind us of the various defects that encumber our nature4 ,therefore1 when thou seest another overtaken in a fault1 consider that thou also thyself art but a man2 and learn from thy own infirmities1 to bear those of others with patience1 meekness1 and humility4 ,rom4 #ae3g4 #ba4 ,such especially as sin1 not from1 malice or determined wickedness1 but who are surprised into a fault by weakness and inadvertency2 and who1 coming soon to themselves again1 repent of that which they have done1 and firmly resolve to watch the more against the snares of ,satan for the future2 such souls as these are surely to be pitied and assisted4 ,he that does otherwise1 shows that he has nothing in him of the merciful and forbearing spirit of ,christ4 ,when a man hastily condemns the faults of his neighbor1 without feeling any love or compassion1 it is an evident sign that he is altogether void of ,god1 and of his merciful spirit4 ,on the contrary1 a true ,christian1 being anointed with the spirit of ,christ1 treats all men as one that has a fellow-feeling with them1 and bears with them in a sympathizing ,christian love and tenderness1 according to the example of ,christ1 which he has left us to follow4 ,therefore1 if any man1 upon serious search into his inward condition1 finds that he has not the love of his neighbor abiding in him1 let him know1 assuredly1 that the love of ,god remains not in his soul1 and that he himself is without ,god4 ,this should strike him with horror and indignation against himself2 it should influence him the more speedily 7after repenting of his sin from the bottom of his heart7 to reconcile himself to his neighbor1 that1 in this order1 the love of ,god may also return to him again4 ,then all his actions1 while he continues in this love and faith1 are good1 holy1 and divine2 and this love1 dwelling in his heart1 will actuate him freely and willingly to embrace all men1 and with great affection and joy to do them all manner of kindnesses2 so that he will 8rejoice over them to do them good10 even as ,god himself4 ,jer4 #cb3da4 #bb4 ,without this love1 whatever is in man1 is diabolical and altogether evil4 ,nor is there1 indeed1 any other cause why the devil can do no good1 but because he is utterly destitute of love both towards ,god and man4 ,hence1 all which he does is radically evil1 and deprived of all intrinsic goodness4 ,in all that he sets about1 he designs nothing but ,god's dishonor1 and man's destruction4 ,he cunningly contrives ways to vent his enmity both upon ,god and man2 and1 therefore1 he seeks for such hearts as he can fill with spite and envy1 and then discharges through them his malice and wrath4 8,and hereby it is manifest who are the children of ,god1 and the children of the devil40 #a ,john #c3aj4 #bc4 ,lastly1 ,love must be 8out of faith unfeigned10 that is1 we must love ,god equally in prosperity and adversity4 ,whoever loves ,god sincerely1 accepts with joy all the dispensations of his ,providence1 after the example of ,christ2 who1 with a cheerful and ready mind1 took up the cross1 which he knew that the will of his ,father imposed on him4 8,i have10 says he1 8a baptism to be baptized with2 and how am ,i straitened 7and in pain7 till it be accomplished60 ,luke #ab3ej4 ,in the same manner have all the holy martyrs carried with joy their cross after him4 #bd4 ,to those that unfeignedly love ,god1 the cross1 which ,christ enjoins us to bear1 does not prove grievous or burdensome2 and this for no other reason1 than because it is the yoke of ,christ4 ,matt4 #aa3bi4 ,if the magnet attracts the heavy iron1 why should not that heavenly loadstone1 the love of ,god1 attract the burden of our cross1 and render it light and agreeable2 especially after the heart is affected with a touch of the divine love8 ,if the sugar sweeten such herbs as are bitter by nature1 why should not the sweetness of the love of ,god make that pleasant and easy1 which to the flesh is nothing but a cross and affliction8 ,and truly it was from the fulness of this love1 that the blessed martyrs bore the most exquisite pain with patience and joy2 being transported with it to such a degree1 as to be almost insensible of their very torments4 ,chapter ,,xxv4 ,the ,love ,of ,our ,neighbor1 ,more ,particularly ,considered4 ,of whom a man is overcome1 of the same is he brought in bondage4--#b ,,peter #b3ai4 ,there is no bondage more hard and grievous1 than to be under the yoke of the passions3 but of all these1 none is so cruel as hatred1 which so weakens and depresses all the powers both of body and mind1 as not to leave to the man one free thought4 ,on the contrary1 he who lives in love is free4 ,he is no slave to anger1 envy1 covetousness1 pride1 lying1 or calumny2 and being delivered from these by love1 he suffers not himself to be subdued by evil desires1 but continues ,christ's freeman 7#a ,cor4 #g3bb7 in the liberty of the ,spirit3 for 8where the ,spirit of the ,lord is1 there is liberty40 #b ,cor4 #c3ag4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 walks in the love of ,christ1 is no longer a slave to sin1 or a servant to carnal affections2 for the ,spirit of ,god's love has freed and purified him from carnal concupiscence4 ,and we see that the love of ,god extends over all men2 of which we not only find sufficient proofs in ,scripture1 but the footsteps of his universal benignity are also everywhere displayed in nature4 ,we are all equally covered with the heavens1 and have all the use of the sun1 the air1 the earth1 and the water2 as well they who are of high degree1 as they who are of the meanest condition4 ,and the very same mind that is in ,god towards us1 ought also to be in us towards men2 ,god himself having set us a pattern of universal kindness for our imitation4 ,he regards not one more than another1 but loves all with an equal affection4 ,with him there is no respect of persons1 of dignity1 or merit2 but he beholds all alike in ,christ4 ,this is for our instruction4 ,now1 as ,god acts towards us1 so ought we to act towards our neighbor4 ,and truly1 after the same manner as we deal with man1 so ,god will deal with us again4 ,we need not go far to inquire what favor we have with ,god ,almighty4 ,if we but enter into our own conscience1 it will impartially tell us1 what mind and affection we bear to our neighbor2 and as we have done to him1 so will ,god certainly do to us again1 and return our works into our own bosom4 ,and in this sense it is said of ,god1 that 8with the pure he shews himself pure2 and with the froward1 shews himself froward0 7,ps4 #ah3bf72 that is1 if thou bearest an evil mind to thy neighbor1 ,god will be thine adversary also4 #b4 ,since1 therefore1 ,god has no need of our service1 he has substituted our neighbor in his place1 to receive our charity1 and has commanded us to pay it as to himself4 ,he has made this love of our neighbor the very touch-stone by which we are to examine the sincerity of our love to ,god4 #c4 ,and it is for this reason that he has enjoined the love of our neighbor with so great earnestness1 requiring us to show constantly the same love to him which ,god shows to us4 ,for unless a man be fully reconciled to1 and be in perfect charity with his neighbor1 he cannot have the favor or grace of ,god4 ,and although all the sins of the world are atoned for by the death of ,christ1 and a full pardon obtained1 yet all mankind may in some sense be said to be in the same circumstances with the servant in the parable1 who had not wherewithal to pay2 the king freely remitted him all his debts3 but when he afterwards behaved himself cruelly towards his fellow-servant1 the king revoked his pardon1 and condemned the servant1 on account of the hard usage with which he treated his neighbor4 ,matt4 #ah3bc1 etc4 ,this parable ,christ concludes with the remarkable expression3 8,so likewise shall my heavenly ,father do also unto you1 if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother1 their trespasses40 ,verse #ce4 ,and1 8,with the same measure that ye mete withal1 it shall be measured to you again40 ,luke #f3ch4 #d4 ,hence1 it plainly appears1 that man was not created for himself alone1 but for his neighbor's sake also4 ,so strict is the commandment of loving our neighbor1 that when it is broken1 the very end of our creation is destroyed1 and the love of ,god is immediately withdrawn from the soul4 ,nothing is left but the severest justice1 judging and condemning all that are void of this charity4 #e4 ,if we duly considered these things1 we should never be angry with one another2 neither would 8the sun ever go down upon our wrath40 ,eph4 #d3bf4 ,it is true1 on the one hand1 that ,christ by his death on the cross has offered a full and complete atonement for all our trespasses1 and in this respect1 has remitted all our sins at once2 yet is it1 on the other hand1 an awful consideration1 that the whole extent of the merits of ,christ will be of no avail at all to us1 if we continue to hate our brother1 and will neither pardon nor love him4 ,we shall be entirely cut off from all the benefits that flow from the atonement4 #f4 ,hence it appears how important the love of our neighbor must be in the sight of ,god1 binding us even to such a degree1 that ,god refuses to be loved by us1 unless we love our neighbor also2 so that if we fail in our benevolence toward the latter1 we fall at the same time from grace and divine charity4 ,and for this reason1 we were created all equal and of the same nature1 that we might not despise one other2 but1 like children of one common parent1 live in peace and love1 and endeavor to maintain a good and serene conscience4 #g4 ,now1 whoever hates and despises his brother1 hates and despises ,god also1 who has forbidden all such animosities in the severest terms4 ,if thou contemnest thy brother1 ,god also contemns thee2 which hastens thy judgment and condemnation1 and deprives thee of all interest in the merit and redemption of ,christ1 by which sin is forgiven4 #h4 ,for it cannot be possible that a heart filled with wrath and bitterness1 should in any degree reap a saving fruit from the blood of ,christ1 which was shed from a motive of pure love4 ,yea1 the above parable 7,matt4 #ah3ce7 plainly convinces us1 that ,god was less offended at the debt of ten thousand talents1 than at the barbarous cruelty of which the servant was guilty2 he can overlook the debt1 but he cannot overlook the want of love4 ,let us1 therefore1 ponder the words with which the ,lord concludes the parable3 8,so likewise shall my heavenly ,father do also unto you40 ,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,wherefore ,our ,neighbor ,is ,to ,be ,loved4 ,owe no man any thing1 but to love one another2 for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law4--,,rom4 #ac3h4 8,wherewith shall ,i come before the ,lord8 ,shall ,i come before him with burnt-offerings1 with calves of a year old8 ,will the ,lord be pleased with thousands of rams1 or with ten thousands of rivers of oil8 ,shall ,i give my first-born for my transgression1 the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul8--,he hath shewed thee1 ,o man1 what is good2 and what doth the ,lord require of thee1 but to do justly1 and to love mercy1 and to walk humbly with thy ,god40 ,micah #f3f-h4 #b4 ,by this question1 and the answer to it1 the prophet teaches us1 wherein the true worship of ,god properly consists2 not in ceremonies and sacrifices1 since we are not able to give anything to ,god1 because all is his own already2 not in offering up human sacrifices1 which he does not require at our hands1 but detests and abhors1 because they are injurious to ,jesus ,christ1 the great propitiatory oblation which ,god appointed to take away the sins of the world 7,john #a3bi73 but the true worship of ,god consists in pure faith1 which1 from the visible effect of it1 the prophet here describes1 by 8doing justly10 that is by the exercise of faith in righteousness1 in charity and mercy1 7which is more pleasing than all sacrifices72 and in true humility and contrition1 as it is said3 8,the sacrifices of ,god are a broken spirit3 a broken and a contrite heart1 ,o ,god1 thou wilt not despise40 ,ps4 #ea3ag4 #c4 ,to this divine worship1 founded within the heart1 and proceeding from faith1 love1 and humility1 ,st4 ,paul powerfully exhorts us in ,rom4 #ac3h-aj4 ,his admonition contains in it both the praise of ,christian love1 and the perpetual duty in which we stand engaged to our neighbor1 and without which it is impossible to serve ,god aright4 ,for truly there is no other way of serving ,god1 except by that which he himself works in our hearts3 so that to serve ,god1 is nothing else but to serve our neighbor1 and to do him all the offices of ,christian love and humanity which we are able to perform4 #d4 ,the apostle calls love a summary of all virtues1 and the 8fulfilling of the law40 ,rom4 #ac3aj4 ,not that we are able by any acts of charity1 to fulfil perfectly the divine law1 or that consequently we can merit eternal life thereby2 7which cannot possibly be1 except our love were complete in every respect1 and arrived to a consummate perfection73 but the apostle desires to suggest thereby the wonderful excellency of this virtue1 and to incline us1 at the same time1 to an unfeigned love4 ,as to our righteousness1 it is not grounded on any work of ours1 but only on the merits of ,christ applied to us by faith4 #e4 ,from this righteousness of ,christ1 apprehended by faith1 springs love to our neighbor1 together with the whole train of ,christian virtues1 called by the apostle 8fruits of righteousness1 which are to the glory and praise of ,god40 ,phil4 #a3aa4 ,but since the dignity of this virtue is so very eminent1 it will be proper to set forth further motives by which the practice of it may be endeared to us4 #f4 ,the first and strongest of all motives1 is that which ,st4 ,john uses3 8,god is love2 and he that dwelleth in love1 dwelleth in ,god1 and ,god in him0 7#a ,john #d3af74 ,for who would not wish to be in ,god1 and to remain in ,him2 and that ,god should be and remain in him8 ,and who1 on the contrary1 would not abhor to be in ,satan1 and to have ,satan dwelling in him8 ,and yet this is the ordinary consequence1 as often as charity is repulsed1 and unnatural animosities are admitted into the heart4 ,for as ,god is a lover of men1 ready to save them from eternal destruction1 so the devil is a hater of men4 ,this is further explained by ,st4 ,john3 8,he that loveth1 is born of ,god1 and knoweth ,god40 #a ,john #d3g4 ,and again3 8,in this the children of ,god are manifest1 and the children of the devil3 whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of ,god1 neither he that loveth not his brother40 #a ,john #c3aj4 ,now1 can there be anything more desirable than to be ranked among the children of ,god1 to be begotten of ,god1 and to know ,god truly and experimentally8 ,but whoever has his heart void of this love1 and has never felt its force and energy1 nor tasted its goodness and gentleness1 long suffering and patience1 this man knows not ,god1 who is pure love4 ,for the knowledge of ,god must proceed from enjoyment and experience4 ,and how is it possible that a man should know ,christ1 whilst he is a stranger to love1 and to that loving intercourse which subsists betwixt ,christ and the soul8 ,hence it follows1 that he that is without love1 is without ,christ also4 ,but he who is earnest in the exercise of love1 shall not be left barren in the knowledge of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ3 8,for if these things be in you1 and abound1 they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ40 #b ,pet4 #a3h4 #g4 ,the second motive is found in what our ,lord himself says3 8,by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples1 if ye have love one to another40 ,john #ac3ce4 ,now1 in order to be a disciple of ,christ1 it is not enough to be a ,christian in name1 or by a mere verbal profession2 but to be a disciple of ,christ implies much more4 ,such a one must believe in his name2 must love him1 imitate him1 live in him4 ,he must1 in a peculiar manner1 adhere to him2 must feel the love of ,christ infused into his soul1 and freely partake of all the gifts and benefits purchased by him4 ,whoever has not this love of ,christ abiding in him1 is not ,christ's disciple1 nor can he pretend to have any share in his merits4 ,for how is it possible that ,christ should know a man who has neither faith in1 nor any love to him8 ,as a flower is known by its fragrance1 and fruit by its flavor1 so a true disciple of ,christ is known by his love4 #h4 ,hence1 ,st4 ,paul does not hesitate to affirm1 that 8all gifts without charity are nothing0 7#a ,cor4 #ac3b72 which is a third motive why we should desire this excellent gift4 ,in truth1 neither the knowledge of divers tongues1 nor the gift of miracles1 nor the understanding of high and sublime mysteries1 nor any extraordinary endowments1 are sufficient marks by which to know a ,christian2 this prerogative being entirely reserved to 8faith1 which worketh by love40 ,gal4 #e3f4 ,nor does ,god require any hard things at our hand 7such as the working of miracles71 but to exercise love and humility2 virtues that may be apprehended by the meanest capacity4 ,nor will it be demanded of thee in the day of judgment1 whether thou hast been versed in arts1 tongues1 and sciences1 or what great parts thou hast possessed in this world2 but whether thou hast exercised thyself in faith and love4 8,i was a hungered10 saith our ,saviour1 8and ye gave me meat1 etc40 ,matt4 #be3ce1 etc4 ,and ,st4 ,paul says to the ,galatians3 8,in ,christ ,jesus neither circumcision availeth anything1 nor uncircumcision 7no gifts1 no parts1 no endowments1 no respect of persons72 but faith which worketh by love40 ,gal4 #e3f4 #i4 ,add to these1 as a fourth motive1 that passage of ,st4 ,john3 8,if a man say1 ,i love ,god1 and hateth his brother1 he is a liar3 for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen1 how can he love ,god whom he hath not seen8 ,and this commandment have we from him1 ,that he who loveth ,god1 love his brother also40 #a ,john #d3bj1 #ba4 ,this all the inspired writers teach1 that love towards ,god cannot possibly exist in the soul without love to our neighbor4 ,for he that hates his neighbor must be an enemy to ,god2 because ,god is a lover of men1 and requires us to be of the same mind4 #aj4 ,a fifth motive is1 that love is the great law of nature1 and attended with many things beneficial to mankind1 without which we would not be able to live4 ,when any good thing happens to man1 it certainly proceeds from divine love4 ,hence1 ,st4 ,paul calls love1 the 8bond of perfectness0 7,col4 #c3ad72 and describes1 in ,rom4 #ab3i1 #aj1 the excellent fruits that grow upon this stock4 ,and our ,saviour himself teaches to the same effect3 8,all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you1 do ye even so to them3 for this is the law and the prophets40 ,matt4 #g3ab4 ,and this is so universal a truth1 that the heathens themselves were1 by the very law of nature written in their hearts1 convinced of it4 ,hence they said3 8,that which you would not should be done to yourself1 do not the same to another40 ,this excellent sentence1 the ,emperor ,severus1 a prince adorned with many virtues1 had daily in his mouth1 and enacted it into a law for the good of the country4 #aa4 ,a sixth motive is1 that love is a beautiful image and a foretaste of eternal life2 when the saints shall love each other sincerely2 when they shall delight in one another1 and converse together with wonderful and ineffable concord1 in an inexpressible sweetness1 in unfeigned affection1 cheerfulness1 and joy4 ,whoever1 therefore1 would conceive to himself an image of that marvellous love and harmony1 and obtain some foretaste of the exquisite pleasures of the eternal beatitude1 let him study this love1 in which he will find a singular pleasure1 with much peace and tranquillity of mind4 #ab4 ,the more pure and fervent our charity is1 the nearer it approaches to the divine nature4 ,this is a seventh motive4 ,in ,god1 in ,christ1 and in the ,holy ,ghost1 there resides the most pure1 fervent1 and transcendent love4 ,it is then that our love becomes pure1 when we love one another1 not for the sake of private interest1 but for the sake of the love of ,god1 which is the great and unerring pattern which we ought carefully to follow4 ,for ,god loves us with a disinterested love3 but if any man loves his neighbor for his own private profit and interest1 his love is not pure at all1 nor does it1 in any degree1 come up to that sublime example which is set us by ,god ,almighty4 ,this makes also the difference betwixt heathen and ,christian charity4 ,a ,christian loves his neighbor in ,god and in ,christ1 disinterestedly and generously1 without debasing himself by any ignoble or selfish design4 ,thus is his love preserved pure and sincere1 free from dissimulation1 falsehood1 and any counterfeit4 ,whereas the heathens polluted their deeds with self-honor and interest1 and other sinister ends1 which mingled with the best of their actions4 ,this ,christian love1 when it becomes a habit in the mind1 produces a true fervency of spirit1 to perform still greater acts of love and benignity4 ,and it is then that love is truly fervent1 when it inspires the lover with great mercy and tenderness towards his fellow-creatures1 and prompts to vigorous efforts to relieve their necessity4 ,when he has the affairs of his neighbor as much at heart as his own1 then he is ready even to 8lay down his very life for the brethren0 7#a ,john #c3af71 if need be1 or1 after the example of ,moses and ,paul1 to be 8accursed0 for the brethren1 and to be 8blotted out of the book of ,god10 if this possibly could be done4 ,exod4 #cb3cb2 ,rom4 #i3c4 #ac4 ,hence it follows 7which is the eighth motive71 that we ought also to love our enemies1 according to the ,lord's precept3 8,love your enemies1 bless them that curse you1 do good to them that hate you1 and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you2 that ye may be the children of your ,father which is in heaven4 ,for if ye love them which love you1 what reward have ye8 do not the publicans the same80 ,matt4 #e3dd2 ,luke #f3cb1 etc4 ,herein consist the excellency and prerogative of a true ,christian2 namely1 to subject nature to this divine principle1 to tame flesh and blood1 and to overcome the world1 and the evil therein with goodness4 ,rom4 #ab3ba4 8,if thine enemy hunger1 feed him40 ,rom4 #ab3bj4 ,it is not enough for a ,christian not to hurt his neighbor or enemy2 but he is commanded to do him good1 and to support him with such aids1 as are convenient for him 7,exod4 #bc3d1 etc472 whoever refuses to comply with these terms1 cannot be a child of ,god1 or a disciple of ,christ4 #ad4 ,the ninth motive is1 that whoever does not practise ,christian love and charity1 separates himself from the spiritual body of ,christ1 that is1 the ,church2 and forfeits all the privileges of this body1 and even the merits of ,christ2 there being but 8one ,lord1 one faith1 one baptism40 ,eph4 #d3e4 ,for as the members when cut off from the body1 no longer partake of the life and power of the head1 but are dead2 so those that do not live in the practice of love and charity1 are separate from ,christ1 the sole ,head of the ,church1 and can receive no power and vital influence out of his fulness4 ,therefore1 ,st4 ,john says1 8,he that loveth not his brother1 abideth in death40 #a ,john #c3ad4 #ae4 ,lastly1 we ought to love one another1 because on the wings of this love the prayer of a ,christian ascends to heaven4 ,by prayer1 all good gifts are to be obtained2 and without prayer1 all helps and consolations are expected in vain4 ,but then our prayer must spring from the evangelical principle of love2 since ,god gives ear to no prayers1 but to those that are grounded on faith and ,christian charity3 8,if two of you agree on earth1 as touching anything that they shall ask1 it shall be done for them of my ,father which is in heaven40 ,matt4 #ah3ai4 #af4 ,come then1 ,o man6 let this sweet agreement and harmony be established among us upon earth4 ,let us live in the spirit of love1 that peace and union may dwell among us2 for where peace is1 there is the ,god of peace 7#b ,cor4 #ac3aa2 ,rom4 #ae3cc72 and where ,he is1 there 8he hath also commanded his blessing and life for evermore40 ,ps4 #acc3c4 ,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,wherefore ,our ,enemies ,are ,to ,be ,loved4 ,love your enemies1 bless them that curse you1 do good to them that hate you1 and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you2 that ye may be the children of your ,father which is in heaven4--,,matt4 #e3dd1 #de4 ,the first cause why enemies ought to be loved1 is the express commandment of ,god by his ,son2 for which he gives this reason1 8that we may be the children of our ,father in heaven10 that is1 8of him that loved us when we were yet his enemies40 ,rom4 #e3aj4 ,as if he had said1 8,unless you love your enemies1 you cannot be the children of the heavenly ,father3 and he that is not ,god's son1 what father shall he have80 ,this commandment of the ,lord is little practised2 alas6 how backward we are in bringing forth such fruits as become the children of ,god6 ,if we be his children1 truly we ought to study the great lesson of loving our enemies1 that so1 in some degree1 we may express the character of our ,father in heaven4 #b4 ,the ,scripture says1 8,he that loveth not his brother1 abideth in death40 #a ,john #c3ad4 ,and why does he abide in death8 ,because he has not yet received that vital principle which is to be derived from ,christ4 ,the spiritual and heavenly life consists in faith towards ,god1 and in love to our neighbor4 ,thus1 ,st4 ,john says1 8,we know that we have passed from death unto life1 because we love the brethren40 #a ,john #c3ad4 ,whence it is manifest1 that love is an undoubted sign and effect of spiritual life or restoration to life in ,christ2 as hatred to men is an infallible proof of spiritual death and separation from ,god4 ,and this spiritual death here1 will end in eternal death hereafter2 of which our ,lord faithfully warns us4 #c4 ,whoever1 therefore1 suffers his heart to be filled with wrath and bitterness against his neighbor1 ought to know assuredly1 that even his best performances1 his prayer and attendance on divine worship1 and other works of that nature1 are altogether vain1 and of no account before ,god4 ,st4 ,paul says1 8,though ,i bestow all my goods to feed the poor1 and though ,i give my body to be burned1 and have not charity1 it profiteth me nothing40 #a ,cor4 #ac3c4 #d4 ,it is1 on the other hand1 the property of a noble and divine mind1 to pardon injuries4 ,behold how long-suffering ,god is1 and how easily he is reconciled4 ,ps4 #ajc3h4 ,consider the example of ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 who1 in the midst of his exquisite torments1 like a patient lamb1 did not so much as 8open his mouth40 ,isa4 #ec3g4 ,contemplate the nature of the divine ,spirit1 who appeared in the form of a dove 7,matt4 #c3af71 with a view that by such a representation he might teach us a dove-like meekness of mind1 and recommend to us that tender simplicity of manners1 which becomes a true ,christian4 ,with what patience did ,moses bear the reproaches of the people1 thus deserving to be called 8very meek1 above all the men which were upon the face of the earth40 ,numb4 #ab3c4 ,remember also the conduct of ,david1 and with what lenity of mind he heard the curses of ,shimei4 #b ,sam4 #af3aj4 #e4 ,true love teaches us to be angry with none but ourselves4 ,true peace consists not in having much wealth1 but in bearing patiently whatever goes against our nature4 ,should a madman rail at the sun1 and curse it for being nothing but darkness1 the sun would never be darkened by his reproachful language1 but continue his course1 and enlighten the world as before4 ,so do thou also1 and remember that there is no sweeter or better revenge than to forgive4 ,such wise and excellent rules were practised by many of the heathens themselves4 ,pericles1 the ,grecian orator1 having patiently heard a man revile him for the space of a whole day1 when night came on1 kindly invited him to his house1 and entertained him in a friendly manner1 saying1 8,it is easier to speak evil of virtue than to possess it40 ,thus ,phocion1 general of the ,athenians1 when he had deserved well of his country1 but through envy was adjudged to death1 and was now about to undergo the sentence1 being asked if he had any commands for his son1 generously made answer3 8,none1 except that he never take measures to revenge this injury1 which ,i suffer of my country40 ,the ,emperor ,titus being told that two brothers had conspired to cause his death1 scrupled not to invite them both to sup with him2 and in the morning went with them to the theatre1 and placed himself betwixt them1 to behold the play4 ,thus with marvellous clemency he overcame1 at last1 their baseness4 ,and when ,cato had committed suicide1 ,julius ,csar said3 8,i have lost a glorious victory2 for ,i had intended to forgive ,cato all the evil that he has done to me40 #f4 ,but after all1 as to the man who cannot be influenced by the unspeakable patience and meekness of the ,son of ,god himself1 to forgive and to love his enemies1 him neither the example of the saints1 nor of heathens1 will ever be able to melt into love and forbearance4 ,for what greater injustice and barbarity can be conceived1 than that the ,son of ,god should be so shamefully treated by the children of men1 be scourged with stripes1 crowned with thorns1 spit upon1 and loaded with all the marks of scorn and derision2 and lastly1 be nailed on the cross8 ,nevertheless1 he was able to bear1 with an unshaken firmness1 all the affronts and indignities which the malice of men was able to contrive2 nay1 and freely to pardon all this barbarous usage1 and to pray1 8,father1 forgive them60 ,luke #bc3cd4 #g4 ,and1 truly1 it was to this very end that our blessed ,redeemer set his example before our eyes1 that it might be an all-healing medicine for such spiritual diseases as have seized upon us2 particularly1 that it might abase all pride and loftiness1 strengthen what is weak1 supply what is defective1 and correct what is evil and out of order4 ,can the distemper of pride be so violent1 as not to be healed by the profound humility and lowliness of ,christ8 ,heb4 #e3h4 ,can avarice and covetousness prove so stubborn1 as to baffle a remedy derived from that sacred poverty which appeared in ,jesus ,christ8 ,what wrath is so fierce and vehement1 that his meekness and lenity cannot mollify it8 ,what desire of revenge so bitter and barbarous1 which his patience cannot assuage and compose8 ,what inhumanity so great and cruel1 which the love of ,christ cannot warm into a sweet and compassionate temper8 ,and what heart can be so hard and obdurate1 as not to be melted with the tears of ,jesus ,christ himself8 #h4 ,who would not heartily wish to be made like ,god the ,father1 his ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 and to carry within him the excellent image of the sacred ,trinity1 which chiefly consists in love and forgiveness8 ,for it is the highest of all the divine properties1 to show compassion and mercy1 to spare and to pardon1 to be kind and gracious3 and that must be undoubtedly one of the sublimest virtues1 which makes us bear the nearest resemblance to the ,most ,high ,god1 and to all such persons as are the most conspicuous for goodness and virtue4 #i4 ,lastly1 the highest degree of virtue is1 when a man1 overcoming himself1 is ready at any time to forget injuries1 to pardon offences1 and to show acts of favor and clemency4 8,he that is slow to anger10 says ,solomon1 8is better than the mighty3 and he that ruleth his spirit1 than he that taketh a city40 ,prov4 #af3cb4 ,this is the highest step of the soul's ascension in her spiritual exercise2 and when she has attained it1 she rests in ,god1 and is perfect in him4 ,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,showing ,how ,the ,love ,of ,the ,creator ,should ,be ,preferred ,to ,that ,of ,all ,creatures2 ,and ,how ,our ,neighbor ,is ,to ,be ,loved ,in ,god4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4--#a ,,john #b3ae4 ,the heart of man is so constituted1 that it cannot exist without love2 it must love ,god1 or the world1 or self4 ,if1 therefore1 man be under so strong a compulsion to love1 let him direct his love to ,god1 the supreme ,good1 and give up that affection to ,him1 who originally planted it in man1 and kindled it by his good ,spirit2 and who is still ready1 at our fervent request1 to rekindle this flame in the soul4 ,his love to us is still the great principle that produces our love to him3 and if his love to us meet with a suitable return on our side1 then his love will1 day by day1 more ardently embrace us4 ,for love begets love1 according to the words of the ,lord3 8,he that loveth me shall be loved of my ,father40 ,john #ad3ba4 #b4 ,wherever the love of ,god resides1 it disposes the soul freely to love all men1 and not only to wish them well1 but to do them all proper acts of love and beneficence2 this being the property of that love which is grounded in ,god1 and derived from him4 ,such a lover of ,god and of his neighbor1 will never hurt or defraud any man in word or deed4 #c4 ,but the generality of the people are engrossed so much with the love of the world1 that they never even admit the love of ,god into their hearts4 ,this is plain from that false love with which they treat their neighbor1 and which1 under a show of friendship1 seeks nothing but temporal advantage4 ,nothing in the world should be loved to such a degree1 as to injure the love of ,god1 or to come in competition with it2 especially since there is so great a vanity and vileness in the world1 and so great a worth and majesty in ,god1 as that no comparison can ever be made betwixt them4 ,as ,god infinitely excels all his creatures1 so the love of ,god infinitely excels in holiness and dignity all the love we can bear to the creature1 and is in no wise to be compared with it4 ,no love to the creature ought to have sufficient weight with us1 to make us offend the love of ,god1 or to act in opposition to the same4 #d4 ,st4 ,paul says3 8,who planteth a vineyard1 and eateth not of the fruit thereof80 #a ,cor4 #i3g4 ,these words may not improperly be applied to this case4 ,who is more worthy of our love1 than he that hath planted it in our hearts1 and to whose love we owe our life and being8 ,and as we all live by the love of ,god in ,christ1 so we should all adhere to this love1 and make it our constant support even in the time of adversity4 ,as a pilot in tempestuous weather1 does not leave the ship to the mercy of the billows1 but secures it by the anchor as well as he can1 and stays its unruly motions2 so in like manner1 when the ship of our faith is tossed about in the sea of this world1 and beset on all sides with the temptations of sin and vanity1 of wrath and pride1 of lust and avarice1 we should hold to the love of ,christ1 and not suffer our hearts to be removed from that spiritual steadfastness1 which is to carry us safe through all the tempests of this perverse and boisterous world4 ,romans #h3ch1 #ci4 ,thus1 when sin and death1 the devil and hell1 tribulation and persecution1 and other miseries1 threaten to overwhelm us1 we are then to hold fast the love of ,god manifested in ,christ ,jesus4 ,this divine love is like that mountain of salvation which was showed to ,lot when he went out of ,sodom1 to escape the fire of that accursed place4 ,gen4 #ai3ag4 #e4 ,the fire of lust1 attended with everlasting flames and torments1 is worse than that of ,sodom4 ,but the love and fear of ,god are a sovereign remedy against this profane love1 and against any motion contrary to its pure and heavenly nature4 ,it was this divine fear and love which preserved ,joseph from the enticements of ,potiphar's wife1 and it still guards us against the snares of an evil world4 ,gen4 #ci3i4 #f4 ,no man can love the world1 but he who has never tasted the love of ,god2 nor can any man hate1 defraud1 or circumvent his neighbor in anything1 but he that does not love ,god from his heart4 ,whence arise all the anxious cares of this life1 that grief and vexation of spirit with which poor mortals are disturbed8 ,surely1 from nothing but from a want of the love of ,god4 ,for the sweetness of divine love is so strong and effectual1 that it mitigates the sense of all the miseries that are incident to this life4 ,this love renders a man happy even in death itself4 #g4 ,again1 such is the nature of love1 that it influences a man to lay aside all thoughts about anything else1 and to fix his attention entirely on the beloved object1 in order to possess and enjoy that alone4 ,why then are the children of men so much besotted with the things of this world8 ,why do they not entirely forget all wealth and honor1 lust and riches1 that they may enjoy him alone1 whom they profess to love8 ,this was in former times the constant practice of the holy men of ,god2 whom the exquisite sweetness of this divine love had so much overpowered1 as to make them forget the whole world1 and even themselves also4 ,hence they were accounted fools in the world1 when at the same time they were the wisest of all men2 and their despisers most deserved the name of fools and madmen1 as preferring a handful of frail and transient things1 to everlasting and never-fading prosperity4 ,those are the greatest fools1 who call the godly by that name1 who1 setting their love on things above1 are deeply concerned to obtain and eternally enjoy them4 #a ,cor4 #c3ai2 #d3aj4 #h4 ,a true lover of ,god1 loves ,god as if there were nothing in the whole universe to love but ,god alone4 ,and for this reason1 he finds all that in ,god1 which he sought before in the world4 ,for ,god hath in himself all things essentially1 whatever we can desire4 ,he is true honor and joy2 he is peace and pleasure2 he is wealth and magnificence4 ,with him are light and life1 glory and majesty1 and all those delights that the heart of man can desire4 ,all is found in a more substantial and transcendent manner in ,god1 than it is in the world4 ,if1 therefore1 thou lovest any creature1 for the sake of beauty1 transfer thy love to ,god1 who is the fountain of all beauty4 ,if thou wouldst love that which is good1 fix thy love upon ,god1 who is the eternal source of all goodness1 nay1 the essential ,good itself1 and without whom there is no goodness at all4 ,matt4 #ai3ag4 ,for whatever goodness the creature may seem to possess1 it is but an inconsiderable drop derived out of the ocean of the infinite goodness of ,god1 and which is besides impaired by many frailties and imperfections that adhere to it4 #i4 ,to conclude--is it not far better to set thy love and affections on ,god alone1 the unexhausted fountain and well-spring of all perfection and goodness8 ,the less a thing has of earthly gravity in it1 the lighter it is1 and the more easily is it carried upwards4 ,so it is with the soul2 the more it cleaves to earthly things1 and is pressed down by them to the ground1 the less ability has it to raise itself to ,god1 and rejoice in its ,maker4 ,in a word1 the less a man loves this world1 the more will the love of ,god and of his neighbor prevail in the soul4 #aj4 ,hence it follows that he that loveth ,god1 cannot but love his neighbor also1 and he that dares to offend ,god1 will not forbear to offend his neighbor4 ,chapter ,,xxix4 ,of ,that ,reconciliation ,to ,our ,neighbor1 ,without ,which ,god ,withdraws ,his ,grace4 ,first be reconciled to thy brother4--,,matt4 #e3bd4 ,every one who desires to be reconciled to ,god1 must of necessity endeavor to reconcile himself to his neighbor2 because ,god takes the injury which is offered to man1 as offered to himself1 and the evil done to man1 as done to himself4 #b4 ,when1 therefore1 any one offends both ,god and man1 he cannot be restored to the favor of ,god before he is reconciled to man his neighbor2 for having offended them both1 he must also be reconciled to both1 which is expressly attested by ,christ himself3 8,if thou bring thy gift to the altar1 and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee1 leave there thy gift before the altar1 and go thy way2 first be reconciled to thy brother1 and then come and offer thy gift40 ,matt4 #e3bc1 #bd4 #c4 ,it will be needful1 therefore1 to say something further of the love of ,god and of our neighbor1 and to show how impossible it is to separate the one from the other3 and again1 that this reconciliation1 so joined together1 proves the true source of brotherly love and affection4 #d4 ,this the beloved disciple has expressed as follows3 8,if a man say1 ,i love ,god1 and hateth his brother1 he is a liar3 for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen1 how can he love ,god whom he hath not seen8 ,and this commandment have we from him1 that he that loveth ,god love his brother also40 #a ,john #d3bj1 #ba4 ,so utterly impossible is it1 that the love of ,god should subsist without the love of our neighbor4 ,hence1 also1 it follows1 that he who truly and unfeignedly loves ,god1 will also embrace his neighbor with the same sincere affection4 ,and again1 if the love which we profess to bear to ,god be hypocritical and false1 then the love with which we seem to love our neighbor1 will rise no higher than its principle1 but prove false likewise4 ,therefore1 the love of our neighbor is the test of our love of ,god1 by the right application of which1 the truth or falsehood of that love will easily be discovered4 #e4 ,this consideration gives us a true insight into the love of our neighbor1 and that brotherly reconciliation which ought to attend it4 ,there is a twofold object given by ,god to man1 to which all the actions of his life are constantly to tend2 namely1 the love of ,god1 and of our neighbor4 ,into this1 all our endeavors ought finally to be resolved1 and we ought to make a daily progress in this holy exercise2 since we are to this very end1 created1 redeemed1 and sanctified4 ,in a word1 ,christ himself is the one and only scope in which all our actions ought to centre4 ,now1 the more we approach to love1 the more we approach to ,christ1 and the better we imitate his unblamable life4 #f4 ,for this end ,god was made man1 or1 the ,word was made flesh1 that he might set before our eyes a most lovely and living image of his infinite love and kindness1 and that from hence it might appear1 that ,god was ,,love itself2 love in ,his own immense1 incomprehensible1 and unsearchable essence2 and that man1 by viewing so amiable an object of love as is displayed in ,christ ,jesus1 might be transformed into the same image day by day4 #g4 ,furthermore1 as1 in ,christ1 ,god and man are united together by an indissoluble tie1 so the love of ,god is so closely connected with the love of our neighbor1 that the former cannot exist without the latter4 ,nay1 the love of ,god and of our neighbor can be no more disjoined or put asunder1 than the divine and human natures in ,christ4 ,and as he who injures the humanity of ,christ cannot but affront his divinity also2 so he who offends man1 is in like manner guilty of offending the infinite ,god himself4 ,we cannot be angry with our neighbor1 without being1 at the same time1 angry with ,god6 #h4 ,we will illustrate what has been said1 by the following comparison4 ,when a circle is made1 and from its centre a number of lines are drawn to the circumference1 all these lines1 though ever so distant in the circumference1 meet together in the point1 which is in the middle4 ,here they are all united in one1 and all flow into one1 be they ever so wide asunder1 yea1 even directly opposite one to the other4 ,not one of all the lines1 let their number be ever so great1 can be broken from the rest1 without losing its communication with the centre itself1 wherein they all meet4 ,so ,god is a point1 or a centre1 whose circumference is everywhere1 extending in a manner1 to all men upon earth4 ,whoever presumes to break off the lines of his love from his neighbor1 must1 in like manner1 disjoin and break them off from ,god at the same time4 ,and as all these lines cohere and concur in the centre1 and therein mutually affect one another1 so is there a sort of central sympathy1 and a fellow-feeling1 as it were1 of the sufferings of our neighbor1 provided we be but all united in ,god1 the great centre of all good ,christians4 #i4 ,the truth of what has been said1 is forcibly illustrated in the history of ,job4 ,when the tidings were brought him1 that his temporal goods were destroyed1 it appears that he quietly bore the loss of them1 without giving any great sign of discontent at the appointments of ,providence4 ,he still continued to bless the ,lord1 and freely to own1 that he who had given him his property1 had also a right to take it away whenever he pleased4 ,but when he was told1 that he had also lost his children1 then indeed it went to his heart3 then he 8arose1 and rent his mantle1 and shaved his head1 and fell down upon the ground40 ,job4 #a3bj4 ,so let every true ,christian act when he hears of the calamity of his neighbor 7here represented by the children of ,job72 knowing that he ought more to be affected with the misery of his neighbor1 than with the loss of all his worldly substance4 ,for it is the property of true love1 to be moved with the miseries of other men more than with our own losses4 ,o1 happy men6 if they would live together in mutual love and affection6 ,then frauds would cease2 then injuries would be known no more1 nor would there be any complaint of unjust ways1 or of underhand dealings4 #aj4 ,in order that this might be the more deeply impressed on the heart1 ,god was pleased to create but one man in the beginning1 together with ,eve1 who was soon afterwards made4 ,gen4 #b3ba1 #bb4 ,this was done1 that all mankind1 springing up from one original stock1 and1 as it were1 from one root1 might all unite in mutual kindness and brotherly affection with one another4 ,this is the reason why ,god did not create a multitude of men in the beginning1 but one only2 whereas he created many beasts1 trees and herbs at once4 #aa4 ,the love which ,god commands us to pursue1 is of that agreeable nature1 and of that incomparable sweetness1 that it does not in the least burden either a man's soul or body4 ,nay1 it renders the mind easy under every event1 is most agreeable to our very nature1 and in every respect attended with a quiet and blessed life4 ,but if the same ,god who has enjoined thee to love thy neighbor1 had commanded thee to hate him1 thou wouldest then have had cause to complain of hard usage1 and of a far heavier burden than that which love can possibly impose upon thee4 ,for the spirit of hatred and revenge is a tormentor of the soul1 and a daily grief and vexation to those that are enslaved by it4 ,on the contrary1 love refreshes the whole man2 and is so far from weakening or destroying body or soul 7which is the common effect of hatred and envy71 that it is a great preserver of both1 and exhilarates them by the healing influence which it carries with it4 ,in a word1 to those that love ,god1 it is a pleasure to love their neighbor also2 but those who do not love ,god think it a hard and difficult task to embrace their neighbor with brotherly love4 #ab4 ,but if thy depraved nature should still find it a hard task to love thy neighbor1 then consider how much harder it will be to be banished forever from the presence of ,god1 and to endure the pangs of hell to all eternity4 ,wretched is the man1 who makes so sad a choice as to prefer hell-torments to a friendly reconciliation4 ,our own experience would soon convince us1 if we made the trial1 that as by faith we enjoy solid peace with ,god 7as the apostle assures us1 ,rom4 #e3a72 so by ,christian love and reconciliation we enjoy peace with men1 together with much ease and tranquillity of heart3 whereas1 on the contrary1 a mind full of rancor and malice frets itself1 and has no other reward to expect than the lashes of an unruly conscience4 #ac4 ,the sum of all this is3 ,every virtue rewards its followers with peace of conscience2 and every vice punishes those that commit it with the recompense which they deserve4 ,every virtue exalts those that practise it2 and every vice covers its slaves with shame4 #ad4 ,with regard to the order and method by which we are to proceed in working out a sound reconciliation with our offended neighbor1 the ,scripture is explicit4 ,the terms of reconciliation are these3 #a4 ,the offender is to confess his sin to his neighbor whom he has offended4 #b4 ,he is faithfully to restore that of which he has defrauded his neighbor2 that is1 he ought to return not only the principal1 but also the fifth part over and above it4 #c4 ,if there be none to receive it1 he is then to offer it unto the ,lord himself4 ,numb4 #e3g1 #h4 #ae4 ,this restitution of things unlawfully taken away1 is commanded in such strong and expressive words1 as to show that it is absolutely a necessary part of unfeigned repentance4 ,st4 ,augustine has thus expressed his mind on this subject3 8,the sin is not remitted1 unless the thing unlawfully taken away be restored40--8,when the thing that is taken away may be restored1 and is not restored1 there is no true1 but a feigned repentance40 #af4 ,and truly it is the property of unfeigned repentance to contemn all earthly things1 and count them as loss 7,phil4 #c3h71 in respect of that abounding grace which is bestowed upon a penitent sinner4 ,of this we have a glorious instance in ,zaccheus1 and in his conversion to ,god 7,luke #ai3h72 who has had1 however1 comparatively few followers in this age4 ,sound conversion to ,god cleanses the heart1 and purifies the conscience1 by faith in ,christ2 it breaks the power of sin1 and by influencing a man to restore such things as are wrongfully detained1 not only clears the heart before ,god1 but also the outward conduct in the eye of the world4 ,for in the heart and conscience a man is a thief before ,god1 as long as he keeps any thing back that is taken away1 however he may cease to steal hereafter4 ,therefore1 in order that repentance may prove true1 and the conscience be freed from guilt1 all possible restitution is to be made3 or if a man be not able to make full restitution1 he ought fervently to implore the ,lord1 that he himself1 in his stead1 would restore the things taken from his neighbor1 and thus do justice4 #ag4 ,since a sinner is thus bound in a twofold respect to ,god and to his neighbor1 in order that his repentance may be full and efficacious1 it is required that both be satisfied4 ,god does not accept any man's repentance1 unless he be first reconciled to his neighbor4 ,therefore1 it is to no purpose if thou shouldest say unto ,god3 8,merciful ,god1 ,i confess that ,i have offended and injured my neighbor2 ,i have damaged him by wicked usury and fraud2 and have dealt so with him1 as ,i would not that another should deal with me3 which iniquity ,i humbly entreat thee1 ,o ,lord1 to pardon for thy dear ,son's sake40 ,be not deceived2 ,god will not be mocked6 ,he repels thy prayer1 and saith3 8,restore first that which with fraud and usury thou hast taken from thy neighbor1 and then thy pardon shall be ready40 ,not as if a man merited the pardon of ,god by this restitution2 this is a debt due to his neighbor1 and how can he pretend to merit any thing by that restitution which he is so engaged to make1 and which the law of ,god expressly enjoins8 ,for thus hath the ,lord commanded3 8,all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you1 do ye even so to them40 ,matt4 #g3ab4 8,for with the same measure that ye mete withal1 it shall be measured to you again40 ,luke #f3ch4 #ah4 ,the same truth is confirmed by the following ,scriptures3 8,leave thy gift 7oblation or sacrifice7 before the altar and go thy way2 first be reconciled to thy brother1 and then come and offer thy gift40 ,matt4 #e3bd4 8,cease to do evil2 learn to do well2 seek judgment1 relieve the oppressed1 judge the fatherless1 plead for the widow4 ,come now1 and let us reason together1 saith the ,lord3 though your sins be as scarlet1 they shall be as white as snow2 though they be red like crimson1 they shall be as wool40 ,isa4 #a3af-ah4 ,and again1 by the same prophet the ,lord thus reasons3 8,is not this the fast that ,i have chosen8 to loose the bands of wickedness1 to undo the heavy burdens1 and to let the oppressed go free1 and that ye break every yoke8 ,is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry1 and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house8 when thou seest the naked that thou cover him1 and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh8 ,then shall thy light break forth as the morning1 and thine health shall spring forth speedily2 and thy righteousness shall go before thee2 the glory of the ,lord shall be thy rearward40 ,isa4 #eh3f-h4 #ai4 ,all these ,scriptures1 with one consent1 proclaim this great truth1--that ,god will not accept the repentance of any man1 or hear his prayer1 or regard his alms and oblations1 unless he be first reconciled to his neighbor1 and make him all the restitution that is in his power4 ,chapter ,,xxx4 ,of ,the ,fruits ,of ,love4 ,charity suffereth long1 and is kind2 charity envieth not2 charity vaunteth not itself1 is not puffed up1 doth not behave itself unseemly1 seeketh not her own1 is not easily provoked1 thinketh no evil2 rejoiceth not in iniquity1 but rejoiceth in the truth2 beareth all things1 believeth all things1 hopeth all things1 endureth all things4--#a ,,cor4 #ac3d-g4 ,even as the tree of life stood in the midst of ,paradise 7,gen4 #b3i72 so ,jesus ,christ stands in the ,paradise of the ,christian ,church1 in order that all believers might derive life and strength from him4 ,the whole substance of the ,christian religion consists in faith and love4 ,as by faith in ,christ1 the life of a ,christian is rendered acceptable to ,god 7the life which he lives being not so much his own1 as the life of ,christ in him72 so ,,love proves the fruitful principle of all such charitable acts as relate to his neighbor4 ,and so true is it1 that all virtues1 how shining soever they may be1 are of no account without charity2 that even faith itself is counted dead if it be without love4 ,james #b3ag4 ,for although faith1 as it respects justification1 has no regard to works1 either preceding1 accompanying1 or following it1 but to ,,jesus ,,christ only1 on whom it lays hold2 yet is that faith but mere show and pretence which is not attended with love1 though it should even work miracles4 ,for as a body destitute of a soul is dead2 so the inward spiritual man1 if he have not love1 is dead in all his members4 ,therefore hath the apostle declared1 that faith should work by love4 ,gal4 #e3f4 ,it is true that faith justifies a sinner without works 7,rom4 #d3f72 yet when it performs the functions of mutual love among men1 it will necessarily be accompanied with a train of good works2 this being the true test by which genuine faith can be distinguished from all counterfeits4 ,this is that faith which works by love2 this is the tree which bears abundance of fruits1 as from the following considerations will farther appear4 #b4 ,the first of these fruits is long-suffering4 8,charity suffereth long40 ,the nature and constitution of this virtue no one ever more fully expressed than ,christ himself1 the true tree of life1 whose goodly and salutary fruits we ought to eat1 and to convert into our own substance and nature4 ,as he by his wonderful long-suffering bore the malice of the world1 that thereby sinners might be brought to repentance 7,rom4 #b3d72 so do thou also1 ,o man1 order thy life and manners1 that it may appear evident1 that the meek and gentle ,christ lives in thee1 and that thou mayest continue in him1 as a member firmly united to its head4 #c4 ,the second fruit is kindness4 8,charity is kind40 ,this virtue was also most eminently seen in ,christ ,jesus1 and in that example which he hath set us4 ,david says3 8,grace is poured into thy lips40 ,ps4 #de3b4 ,and the ,evangelist tells us1 that 8they wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth40 ,luke #d3bb4 ,to these words do thou give attention1 ,o man1 and follow this great pattern of love and benignity1 that so ,christ may also speak by thy mouth1 and that thou mayest remain united to him in perpetual charity4 #d4 ,the third fruit is1 not to be envious and revengeful1 but to be ready to remit any offence whatsoever4 8,charity envieth not40 ,nothing is more agreeable to the nature of ,god1 than to forgive4 8,the ,lord is merciful and gracious1 slow to anger1 and plenteous in mercy4 ,he will not always chide1 neither will he keep his anger forever4 ,he hath not dealt with us after our sins1 nor rewarded us according to our iniquities40 ,ps4 #ajc3h-aj4 8,if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he committed1 and keep all my statutes1 and do that which is lawful and right1 he shall surely live1 he shall not die4 ,all his transgressions that he hath committed1 they shall not be mentioned unto him2 in his righteousness that he hath done1 he shall live40 ,ezek4 #ah3ba1 #bb4 8,is ,ephraim my dear son8 ,is he a pleasant child8 ,for since ,i spake against him1 ,i do earnestly remember him still2 therefore my bowels are troubled for him2 ,i will surely have mercy upon him1 saith the ,lord40 ,jer4 #ca3bj4 ,and lastly1 this divine goodness is most clearly expressed by ,isaiah1 and represented as the very character of ,god3 8,i1 even ,i1 am he that blotteth out thy transgressions1 for my own sake1 and will not remember thy sins40 ,isa4 #dc3be4 ,therefore be thou in this respect also like unto the merciful ,god4 ,forgive1 ,i say1 and forget the trespasses of thy neighbor1 that so1 in like manner1 ,christ may also forgive thine offences and transgressions4 ,it is then that the same mind is in thee which was also in ,christ4 ,and in this order alone thou shalt obtain fellowship with him4 #e4 ,the fourth fruit is candor4 8,charity vaunteth not itself40 ,a kind and charitable man does not misjudge his neighbor1 vaunt it over him1 rashly censure him1 or disingenuously deride him before others4 ,true love is altogether averse to these unfair proceedings4 ,whoever sincerely loves his neighbor1 shows his heart in his countenance1 and does all things ingenuously1 and without guile4 ,a visible example hereof ,christ himself hath left us1 whose deportment was equal both to friends and enemies1 and who from the bottom of his heart endeavored most earnestly to promote the salvation of mankind4 ,let this be an example to thee1 ,o man1 and follow in thy ,master's footsteps1 that so the candor which was in ,christ1 may also shine forth in thy life and conduct4 ,as the ,lord has most heartily espoused our good and interest1 so ought we in like manner1 to do the same among ourselves also2 if we wish to partake of the nature of ,christ1 and to be united to him1 as living members to their ,head and ,saviour4 #f4 ,the fifth fruit is1 not to be 8puffed up40 ,charity is not of a haughty and supercilious temper4 ,it is not swelled with high conceit on account of its own deeds and performances4 ,behold again thy ,lord ,jesus6 ,when a woman1 in a great concourse of people1 lifted up her voice and said3 8,blessed is the womb that bare thee1 and the paps which thou hast sucked10 8,yea10 replied he1 8rather blessed are they that hear the word of ,god and keep it0 7,luke #aa3bg1 #bh72 humbly removing from himself that praise which was entirely due to him1 and resigning it to those that truly loved the ,lord4 ,if thou also resolvest to do this1 then verily the humble ,jesus lives in thee1 and thou livest in him2 it being the constant character of true charity1 to transfer the praises of men to another whom it esteems more worthy of them4 #g4 ,the sixth effect of charity is1 8not to behave itself unseemly40 ,a man endued with love1 is not easily soured with discontent1 or with any morose humor4 ,his conversation is easy1 obliging1 and so concordant with all the offices of love and humanity1 that the kindness residing within may even be read in his countenance4 ,of this sweetness of temper1 the ,lord ,jesus hath left us a most bright and holy pattern4 ,he did all with a spirit of mildness2 and when he conversed with sinners1 then pity and compassion visibly appeared in his very mien and aspect4 ,this sweet temper of ,christ ought also to be transfused into our souls1 so that our life may prove a transcript of this most blessed original4 #h4 ,the seventh fruit of true love is1 8not to seek her own40 ,a true ,christian has by love obtained such enlargement and liberty of soul1 as to serve his fellow-creatures freely1 without any view to self-interest4 ,nothing is more pleasing to him than to do good to all without the least expectation of gain4 ,this pure and disinterested love originally dwells in ,god ,almighty4 ,he gives all things freely1 without receiving any profit at all4 ,he commands us to fear and worship him1 for no other reason than to make us proper objects of his divine love and benignity4 ,and1 lo6 what a glorious pattern of disinterested love ,christ has set before us6 ,matt4 #bj3bh4 ,as a tree1 without respect of persons1 imparts its fruit to all in the most ample and universal manner2 so has ,christ1 and ,god in ,christ1 given himself unto us as the greatest and most excellent ,good4 ,go now1 ,o man6 and practise the same virtue2 that so ,christ1 the ever-living vine1 may bud in thee1 and that thou mayest become a fruitful plantation of the ,lord4 ,isaiah #fa3c4 #i4 ,the eighth fruit of true love is1 8not to be easily provoked40 ,a man that has tasted of true love1 is not apt to entertain any bitterness1 much less to vent it by cursing and railing words4 ,contemplate again the life of ,jesus1 who did not so much as open his mouth against his enemies1 nor pour forth any bitter and vehement speeches1 but gave blessing and life to those that hated him4 ,isaiah #aa3c2 #db3b4 ,and though he1 indeed1 denounced wrath against ,chorazin1 ,capernaum1 and ,bethsaida1 and uttered many woes against the ,pharisees 7,luke #aj3ac2 #aa3db72 yet this did not proceed from a bitter or revengeful temper2 but was no more than a serious and earnest exhortation to true and unfeigned repentance1 that so the offenders might at last be saved4 ,therefore1 let us be cautious1 lest any root of bitterness should at any time spring up in us1 and so hinder our charity1 and thus many be offended4 ,heb4 #ab3ae4 #aj4 ,the ninth fruit of charity is1 8to think no evil40 ,this is also the property of ,god ,almighty1 as he himself testifies3 8,for ,i know the thoughts that ,i think towards you1 saith the ,lord1 thoughts of peace1 and not of evil1 to give you an expected end4 ,and ye shall seek me1 and find me1 when ye shall search for me with all your heart40 ,jer4 #bi3aa1 #ac4 ,whence it follows that whosoever has thoughts of peace towards his neighbor1 has the mind of ,christ1 and is animated and influenced by his ,spirit4 #aa4 ,the tenth fruit is1 8,love rejoiceth not in iniquity10 nor has it pleasure in the injury or oppression of good men1 as ,shimei had when ,david fled before ,absalom4 #b ,sam4 #af3e1 #f4 ,on the contrary1 true love imitates ,christ ,jesus1 who1 with a tender compassion1 beholding with a mournful countenance1 the fall of ,peter 7,luke #bb3fa71 raised and reclaimed him1 and thereby fulfilled the words of the ,psalmist3 8,god raises them that are bowed down40 ,ps4 #adf3h4 ,and how did he deplore the evil which was hanging over the men of ,judea1 and the destruction of their temple and city6 ,luke #ai3da2 #ae3d4 ,with what fervency1 with what a hearty desire1 did he bring his wandering sheep into the right way2 and with what a sweet and gentle voice did he allure them home6 ,let us imitate so great a master of love2 and if any one be overtaken in a fault1 let us bewail his case1 instruct him in the spirit of meekness1 and bear his burden1 that so we may fulfil the law of ,christ4 ,gal4 #f3b4 ,for he did first bear himself the burden of our sins1 that we1 being made his living members1 might be formed to the same temper by him1 who is the ,head of the ,church4 #ab4 ,the eleventh property of charity is1 that it 8rejoiceth in the truth10 and is exceedingly pleased with a ,christian order of things4 ,of this we have an example in ,christ ,jesus1 who1 at the return of the seventy disciples1 rejoiced in spirit and praised his ,father for the success which had attended their function4 ,luke #aj3ba4 ,thus also the angels in heaven rejoice 7as ,christ himself teaches us71 over the conversion of a sinner4 ,luke #ae3aj4 ,whoever1 therefore1 seriously lays to heart the practice of so ,christian a virtue1 manifests thereby an angelical temper of mind3 nay1 it is a proof that the very mind of ,christ1 yea1 of ,god himself1 resides in that soul4 #ac4 ,the twelfth fruit of charity is1 to 8bear all things10 in order to preserve the bond of peace and of mutual friendship4 ,love patiently bears the infirmities of others1 after the example of ,st4 ,paul1 who was made weak with the weak1 that he might profit the weak3 nay1 he was made all things1 if by any means he might be an instrument to save some4 #a ,cor4 #i3bb4 ,the same heavenly love believeth all things1 and suspects no evil of its neighbor2 hopeth all things1 praying and desiring that peace and happiness may constantly accompany our fellow-creatures4 ,and1 lastly1 true love endureth all things for the sake of benefiting a neighbor2 all which our blessed ,redeemer1 by his own example1 has most feelingly taught us4 ,he bore all manner of reproaches and injuries for our sins2 he underwent most inhuman scourgings and buffetings1 with extreme poverty1 that in him1 and by him1 we might obtain everlasting joy and honor4 #ad4 ,the thirteenth fruit of love is1 8not to faint or be weary10 in doing good4 ,herein it is like ,god1 whose mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon those that fear him4 ,ps4 #ajc3ag2 ,luke #a3ej4 ,god expects and waits that he may be gracious unto us4 ,isa4 #cj3ah4 ,in order that he might have mercy on us1 he rose up to spare us1 and he loves to be exalted in showing mercy4 ,his love is stronger than death1 which many waters are not able to quench1 and from which nothing can ever separate us4 ,cant4 #h3g4 ,he hath mercy on us with everlasting mercies4 ,and though he declares1 on a certain occasion1 that he is 8weary with repenting0 7,jer4 #ae3f72 yet is this confined to those only who wilfully reject the tender of his mercy1 who despise his grace1 and abuse his goodness3 and in no wise affects those that heartily fear him4 8,the mountains shall depart1 and the hills be removed2 but my kindness shall not depart from thee1 neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed1 saith the ,lord that hath mercy on thee40 ,isa4 #ed3aj4 ,after this standard of divine mercy1 we ought also to regulate the love we bear to our neighbor1 so that it may never fail or faint in acts of humanity and kindness2 no1 not even in those which we are bound to bestow on our very enemies4 ,as ,christ did1 so ought we1 from a compassionate and never-failing love1 to pray1 8,father1 forgive them40 ,luke #bc3cd4 #ae4 ,in a word1 ,love is the greatest1 the best1 and the noblest of all virtues4 ,first1 because ,god himself is love4 #a ,john #d3af4 ,secondly1 because it is the fulfilling and the summary or comprehension of the whole law4 ,rom4 #ac3aj4 ,thirdly1 because it is eternal and never-failing1 so that it is not like faith and hope1 which vanish away when that happiness appears which is the end of faith4 #a ,cor4 #ac3h4 ,fourthly1 because all good works and services done to our neighbor without it1 are vain and of no account before ,god4 ,and lastly1 because love gives us an assurance here1 that by faith in ,christ we shall inherit life eternal hereafter4 ,hence it follows1 that ,christian love must excel all other gifts and graces whatsoever1 and that our main concern ought to centre in so divine a virtue4 ,nothing1 certainly1 can be greater than experimentally to know that love of ,christ which 8passeth all knowledge10 that we may be filled with all the fulness of ,god1 and the fruits of love4 ,eph4 #c3ai4 ,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,pride ,and ,self-,love ,corrupt ,and ,destroy ,even ,the ,best ,and ,noblest ,gifts4 ,though ,i speak with the tongues of men and of angels1 and have not charity1 ,i am become as sounding brass1 or a tinkling cymbal1 etc4--#a ,,cor4 #ac3a1 etc4 ,lest any should wonder why ,st4 ,paul sets forth the virtue of charity with so many high and eminent praises2 we are to consider that ,god is ,,love2 and that1 consequently1 the same praise belongs to both3 nor can there be a greater virtue in ,god or man1 than love4 #b4 ,but our love is twofold3 the one true1 living1 sincere1 and undefiled2 the other false1 polluted1 hypocritical1 and selfish4 ,the former of these ,st4 ,paul has most amply described1 and exhibited all the fruits and properties that attend it1 of which we have already spoken4 ,the latter kind1 which is false and polluted1 may sometimes seem1 indeed1 to promote the glory of ,god1 and the profit of mankind2 yet inwardly1 and in the heart1 it seeks nothing either in word or deed1 but private honor and interest only4 ,now whatever flows from this fountain of false love1 proceeds not from ,god1 but from the devil2 for it is a poison infecting the very best of works1 and the most excellent gifts conferred on man4 #c4 ,as a flower1 that in sight1 taste1 and smell1 is sweet and beautiful1 is rejected with disgust1 if it contain secret venom1 because it is hurtful to man2 so1 though a man be adorned with the most exquisite parts1 and the very gifts of angels themselves1 if he be void of charity1 and full of avarice1 pride1 self-love1 and self-honor1 then all those gifts not only prove of no value1 but become pernicious to him that possesses them4 ,for whatever is really good1 always proceeds from ,god himself1 so as to begin and end in him4 ,whatever deviates from this beginning and end1 can never be really good1 nor acceptable to the ,lord4 ,that which this good ,god works in thy heart1 is truly good1 and only good3 but it is quite otherwise if self-love1 self-honor1 and self-interest1 bear the sway in thy soul1 and influence the actions of thy life4 ,all that springs from so depraved a principle1 must be of the same nature with the principle whence it flows1 corrupt and defiled1 since it does not proceed from ,god as from its original cause and moving principle2 ,god alone is good4 ,matt4 #ai3ag4 #d4 ,it is said that it was the wish of a certain saint of old1 that he might be of no other use to ,god1 than his own right hand was to himself2 an instrument1 ready to give and to receive what was fit1 and this in the manner directed by the soul2 arrogating neither honor nor profit to itself4 ,and1 indeed1 it is right that we all should be of the same temper4 ,for as all things come freely from ,god to us1 so we should return all things freely to our neighbor1 from a principle of pure love1 and in true singleness of heart1 without any desire of glory or self-interest4 ,for as ,god alone is the author of all that is good2 so it is but just that all honor and glory should be given to him alone4 ,man is but an instrument1 made fit to receive and to deliver what ,god bestows upon him4 #e4 ,now if a man be without this sincere and pure love1 he is1 notwithstanding all his gifts and endowments1 a mere nothing1 and of no account in the sight of ,god4 ,though he speak with the tongues of angels2 though he prophesy1 and know all mysteries1 and have such faith as even to remove mountains2 and though he should moreover bestow all that he has among the poor1 and give his body to be burned2 all this will avail him nothing at last1 and stand him in no stead when he is to have his trial4 #a ,cor4 #ac3a-c4 #f4 ,the reason is plain4 ,self-love1 self-honor1 and self-interest1 are of the devil1 who thereby procured his own downfall from heaven4 ,for after ,god had created ,lucifer a most glorious angel1 and adorned him with the most excellent gifts of wisdom1 light1 and glory1 he began to pride himself in his gifts1 and to love1 honor1 and exalt himself4 ,this self-complacency proved the very first step to his ruin4 ,he turned his love from ,god to himself1 and was deservedly driven from his principality1 together with all such as adhered to him1 and whom he had infected with the same pride and self-love4 ,not contented with his estate or principality1 he aspired too high1 and lost all which the ,creator had conferred upon him1 according to ,st4 ,jude3 8,the angels kept not their first estate40 ,jude #f4 ,see also ,col4 #b3ae4 #g4 ,by the same sin which had effected his own ruin1 ,satan attempted the ruin of man1 namely1 by diverting him from the love of ,god to the love of himself4 ,hereby self-love and self-honor began to act in man1 and influenced him to seek equality with ,god himself4 ,hence he was cast out of ,paradise1 as ,lucifer had been before cast out of heaven1 leaving to us all the heritage of pride and self-love4 ,and this is the fall of ,adam1 which all men in themselves repeat2 and which is transmitted through flesh and blood1 from one generation to another4 #h4 ,the remedy by which a thorough cure may be wrought in fallen man1 is wholly to be sought in the precious merit of ,christ apprehended by faith4 ,by this we are renewed in ,christ1 and the flesh is crucified1 with its sinful desires4 ,then we love ourselves no more1 but on the contrary1 even hate ourselves4 ,luke #ad3bf4 ,we do not honor or extol1 but deny and mortify ourselves4 ,we no more seek our own glory and interest2 but1 denying all we have1 we withdraw our pleasure and trust from everything whatsoever it be 7,luke #ad3cc71 and manfully fight with our own flesh and blood4 ,whosoever refuses to comply with these terms1 can in no case be a disciple of ,christ2 since this is the only means by which the natural degeneracy of our heart is to be subdued1 and a sound conversion is to be effected4 #i4 ,since it was utterly impossible that man1 by his own natural strength1 should restore himself 7for of himself1 he can do nothing but love himself1 boast of himself1 and seek his own ends and interest2 or1 to sum up all in a word1 commit sin72 ,god1 in his infinite mercy1 was moved to commiserate man's fallen condition1 and to make the very beginning of the work of man's restoration4 ,in order to this1 the ,son of ,god took the form of a man upon him1 thereby to renew our nature1 that1 being regenerated by him1 in him1 and from him1 we might become new creatures4 ,for as in ,adam we are dead both bodily and spiritually1 so we ought to rise again in ,christ1 and be renewed both in spirit and body4 #a ,cor4 #ae3bb4 ,and as by a carnal descent from ,adam1 sin1 self-love and pride cleave to our nature2 so in ,christ1 by a spiritual birth1 we must be justified1 and inherit by faith his righteousness4 ,and1 as by our carnal birth1 we draw our sin from ,adam1 especially self-love1 pride1 and ambition2 so from ,christ1 by faith1 and by the ,holy ,ghost1 our nature is to be renewed1 cleansed1 and sanctified4 ,all self-love1 pride1 and ambition1 are to die in us1 in order that we may attain a new heart and a new spirit from ,christ1 even as we received our sinful flesh from ,adam4 ,and with reference to this new birth in us1 ,christ is called the everlasting ,father4 ,isaiah #i3f4 #aj4 ,hence it follows1 that all the works of a ,christian1 together with his gifts and talents1 ought to proceed purely from the new birth1 if ever they be acceptable to ,god2 and that they ought to spring from faith1 from ,christ1 and from the ,holy ,ghost4 ,wherever this principle is wanting1 there the most excellent parts1 and even miracles themselves1 are of no account at all before ,god4 ,so with respect to our neighbor1 all things ought to be done in ,christian charity 7#a ,cor4 #af3ad71 without any view to private gain1 or honor2 as a pattern of which ,god has set his ,son before us 7,john #ac3ae71 in whom there was no spot of self-love or arrogance2 no desire of profit or praise2 nay1 in whom nothing resided but pure and undefiled love and humility4 ,he is inwardly to live in our hearts by faith1 and outwardly to be expressed in our whole life and conduct4 ,it is then1 that all our works1 words1 and knowledge1 wholly proceed from ,christ1 as from their original source4 ,without this divine principle settled within the mind1 all our gifts and works1 be they ever so high and angelical1 are insignificant1 and of no worth4 ,for wherever self-love sways the soul1 there must be a hatred of ,god2 where pride rules1 it engenders a contempt of ,god2 and how can works springing from so vitiated a principle1 ever be acceptable to the ,lord8 #aa4 ,let us1 therefore1 most fervently beseech the ,lord1 to give us true faith and sincere love2 a love not defiled with any desire of vain honor1 profit1 and glory4 ,whenever this divine temper is obtained and established in the heart1 it is followed with this happy effect1 that thereby not only great and illustrious endowments and works are made acceptable to ,god1 but also the least and meanest of all1 even the gift of a cup of cold water4 ,matt4 #aj3db4 ,for a small work proceeding from sincere love and humility1 is far more excellent than all the splendid works that are raised on no other foundation than pride and self-love4 ,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,great ,gifts ,do ,not ,demonstrate ,a ,man ,to ,be ,a ,christian1 ,but ,faith ,that ,works ,by ,love4 ,the kingdom of ,god is not in word1 but in power4--#a ,,cor4 #d3bj4 ,st4 ,paul1 intending to describe a ,christian in a few words1 says3 8,the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart1 and of a good conscience1 and of faith unfeigned40 #a ,tim4 #a3e4 ,as if he had said3 ,to be a ,christian1 and to render ourselves acceptable in the sight of ,god1 requires nothing hard and lofty2 no worldly wisdom1 no human learning1 no great parts1 no gift of prophesying1 no eloquence1 no knowledge of tongues1 no miracles3 but only that a man have faith in ,christ2 that he do all things in love1 and with a mind wholly resigned to ,god2 and that he suffer himself to be led and governed by the good ,spirit of ,god4 #b4 ,we should not1 therefore1 regard how many languages a man speaks1 or how eloquent he is in his delivery2 but how he shows forth his faith by love1 and by the mortification of the flesh4 8,for they that are ,christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts0 7,gal4 #e3bd73 under which are included self-esteem1 self-love1 covetousness1 vain-boasting1 ambition1 self-interest1 and all else that is carnal4 ,to which purpose also ,st4 ,paul says1 that 8the kingdom of ,god is not in word10 or in great gifts and endowments1 8but in power0 7#a ,cor4 #d3bj72 that is1 in a living exercise of ,christian virtues1 of faith1 love1 meekness1 patience1 and humility4 #c4 ,therefore1 no man is in favor with ,god1 or is saved1 because he is endued with brighter gifts than others2 but because he is found in ,christ ,jesus by faith1 and lives in him as a new creature4 #b ,cor4 #e3ag4 ,great gifts do not make us happy4 ,if a man had attained to gifts so extraordinary and marvellous as never any possessed before1 yet would he be certainly cast away1 unless he lived at the same time in the exercise of daily repentance in ,christ1 in a ready abnegation of the world1 and in a denial of himself1 and of all his selfish desires4 ,nay1 if he did not hate and forsake himself1 so as to place his whole confidence in ,god alone1 and to cleave to his grace1 as an infant to the breast of the mother1 he would be forever banished from the presence of ,god1 notwithstanding all his gifts and all his endowments4 #d4 ,it is certain that gifts and parts are not bestowed upon us in order to make us great here1 and happy hereafter2 but they are wholly dispensed for the edification of the ,church4 ,when the seventy disciples1 at their return1 said with joy1 8,lord1 even the devils are subject unto us through thy name0 7,luke #aj3ag1 #bj72 our ,lord replied3 8,in this rejoice not 7for neither miracles nor gifts shall save you71 but rejoice rather because your names are written in heaven40 ,by faith ,moses was saved1 not by his miracles4 ,aaron's eloquence did not the more endear him to ,god4 ,and ,miriam1 the sister of ,moses1 who was endued with the gift of prophecy1 and by whom the ,spirit of the ,lord spoke1 was struck with the leprosy4 ,numb4 #ab3aj4 #e4 ,the apostles themselves did not enter into the kingdom of heaven because of the miracles which they performed1 nor on account of the gift of tongues conferred upon them1 but because they believed in ,christ1 the ,saviour of the world4 ,those of the first rank1 and those of the meanest condition1 must tread in the same way of faith and humility1 of repentance and mortification1 and become new creatures in ,christ through faith and love2 in whom ,christ also may live again by this faith4 ,whoever neglects this order1 cannot expect to be accounted one of the family of ,christ4 #f4 ,christian love is that new vital principle by which a man is actuated to do good4 ,this is attended with the life of ,christ1 and the powerful indwelling of the divine ,spirit4 ,to this purpose the apostle desires1 that we may be filled with all the fulness of ,god 7,eph4 #c3ai73 and ,st4 ,john tells us1 that 8,god is love1 and that he who dwelleth in love1 dwelleth in ,god1 and ,god in him40 #a ,john #d3af4 ,whoever1 therefore1 feels the love of ,god shed abroad in his heart1 feels no less than ,god himself there4 ,however1 in order that we might not deceive ourselves with a false and hypocritical1 instead of a true and divine love1 the apostle has drawn up the character thereof1 and represented it as a tree adorned with numerous branches3 8,love10 says he1 8is patient1 kind10 etc4 #a ,cor4 #ac4 ,all which are the essential properties of ,christians1 and consequently the life of the new man4 #g4 ,to sum up all in a few words1 ,god the ,father is love1 ,god the ,son is love1 ,god the ,holy ,ghost is love4 ,the whole spiritual body of ,christ1 which is the ,church1 is also knit together by the bond of love2 so that there is but one ,god1 one ,christ1 one ,spirit1 one baptism1 one faith 7,eph4 #d3e1 #f72 and lastly1 eternal life itself shall be nothing else but eternal love4 #h4 ,whoever1 therefore1 does not live in love1 is certainly a dead member of the body of ,christ4 ,as a dead member is not supported by that natural heat which nourishes the body and every living member thereof1 nor is sustained with proper food for its daily growth and increase2 so a man who does not live in ,christian love is destitute of spiritual life1 and is dead to ,god and to ,christ4 ,he is without faith1 a withered1 lifeless branch2 he has no part in ,god1 in ,christ1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 in the holy ,christian ,church1 and in life eternal2 and will be excluded from the presence of that ,,god1 who has declared himself to be ,,love4 ,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,god ,has ,no ,respect ,to ,the ,works ,of ,any ,one2 ,but ,judges ,of ,works ,according ,to ,the ,heart4 ,every way of a man is right in his own eyes2 but the ,lord pondereth the hearts4--,,prov4 #ba3b4 ,when the prophet ,samuel1 by the commandment of ,god1 went to anoint ,david king1 he entered the house of ,jesse1 and offered to anoint his first-born3 but the ,lord said to him3 8,look not on his countenance1 or on the height of his stature2 because ,i have refused him4 ,for the ,lord seeth not as man seeth2 for man looketh on the outward appearance1 but the ,lord looketh on the heart40 #a ,sam4 #af3g4 #b4 ,by this example ,god declares1 on the one hand1 that he has no regard to any man's person1 be he ever so great and eminent1 when his heart is destitute of piety1 love1 faith1 and humility2 and on the other1 that he esteems persons and works according to the inward spirit and intention of the mind1 and thence allows or disallows them1 according to ,prov4 #ba3b4 ,moreover1 all gifts and endowments1 how considerable soever they be1 and how admirable1 great1 and glorious they may appear in the eyes of men1 in nowise please the ,lord1 unless they be accompanied with a pure heart1 a heart that has a steady respect to the honor of ,god and the profit and edification of our neighbor2 and which1 at the same time1 is freed from pride and arrogance1 from self-love1 and self-interest1 and any of those sinister views which are apt to mingle with the works of a ,christian4 #c4 ,consider the example of ,lucifer1 the fairest and most glorious angel which heaven contained4 ,no sooner did he stain the gifts of ,god with self-love and self-honor 7not considering that he was bound to advance thereby the glory of ,god1 who had conferred them upon him71 than he was transformed into a devil1 and1 being cast down from heaven1 was shut out from the glorious presence of ,god4 #d4 ,if ever1 therefore1 our works shall be acceptable to ,god1 they ought to proceed from pure faith towards ,god1 and sincere love to our neighbor1 being cleared from the spots of self-love1 self-honor1 and self-interest1 as much as possibly can be in this state of infirmity4 ,to this end ,st4 ,paul says1 8,though ,i speak with the tongues of men and of angels1 and have not charity1 ,i am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal0 7#a ,cor4 #ac3a73 that is1 ,i am altogether vain and unprofitable4 ,in truth1 ,god regards not fluency of speech1 but an humble heart2 not arts1 learning1 wit1 or ability1 but he weighs the spirit of a man1 whether it be bent upon promoting its own honor and interest1 or the glory of ,god and the profit of men4 ,nor does ,god regard a faith by which mountains might be removed1 and the eyes of the beholders be attracted from all sides1 if a man seek thereby his own honor and glory4 ,but the ,lord looks with the greater affection upon him who 8is poor1 and of a contrite spirit1 and trembles at his word40 ,isaiah #ff3b4 ,in short1 if a man distribute all that he has to the poor1 or give up his body to be burned1 it will be all to no purpose1 if the act be sullied with self-honor and self-complacency4 ,it is the heart only and the inward intention of the mind1 which the ,lord regards4 ,this fully appears from many instances recorded in ,scripture4 #e4 ,both ,david and ,saul attended the service of ,god1 but with a different effect4 #a ,sam4 #ae3i2 #b ,sam4 #bd3be4 ,david1 ,manasseh 7#b ,chron4 #cc3ac71 ,nebuchadnezzar1 and ,peter1 after repentance1 obtained mercy2 ,saul1 ,pharaoh1 and ,judas1 on the contrary1 fell short of it1 on account of the different principle which swayed their minds4 ,pharaoh 7,exod4 #i3bg7 and ,saul 7#a ,sam4 #ae3bd71 no less than ,manasseh1 used the same prayer1 8,lord1 ,i have sinned60 but they received different rewards4 ,the prayer of ,hezekiah1 ,joshua1 and ,gideon 7,isa4 #ch3g2 ,josh4 #aj3ab2 ,judg4 #f3cg71 by which they required a sign from heaven1 is approved and praised2 the ,pharisees doing the same are rejected and reproved4 ,matt4 #ab3ch2 #af3d4 ,the ,publican and the ,pharisee prayed both in the temple2 but both are not approved4 ,luke #ah3ad4 ,the ,ninevites fasted 7,jonah #c3e1 #aj72 the ,jews and ,pharisees did the same 7,matt4 #f3af73 but the former were received1 and the latter rejected4 8,wherefore 7say they7 have we fasted1 and thou seest not80 ,isa4 #eh3c4 ,the poor widow1 who cast into the treasury but two mites1 is praised by ,christ2 whereas1 he that gave more is not4 ,luke #ba3c4 ,herod and ,zaccheus both rejoice at the sight of ,christ2 but they had most different rewards4 ,luke #ai3f2 #bc3h4 #f4 ,all this proceeds from no other cause than the heart1 and that moving principle by which it is swayed1 and which ,god chiefly regards4 ,he accepts those works only which flow from unfeigned faith1 sincere love1 and true humility2 for whatever our gifts or works may be1 if pride1 self-love1 and the contagion of filthy lucre1 infect them1 they are at once rejected by the ,lord4 ,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,showing ,that ,god ,alone1 ,without ,any ,human ,aid1 ,is ,the ,author ,of ,our ,salvation1 ,and ,that ,we ,are ,to ,submit ,unreservedly ,to ,his ,grace2 ,also1 ,that ,christ's ,merit ,is ,not ,imputed ,to ,the ,impenitent4 ,but of him are ye in ,christ ,jesus1 who of ,god is made unto us wisdom1 and righteousness1 and sanctification1 and redemption4--#a ,,cor4 #a3cj4 ,in this impressive sentence1 ,st4 ,paul teaches us that all things necessary for our salvation are merited by ,christ ,jesus our ,lord4 ,when we were ignorant of the way of life1 he was made wisdom unto us2 when we were sinners1 he was made our righteousness2 when we were an abomination before ,god1 he was made our sanctification2 and when we were in a state of damnation1 he became our redemption4 #b4 ,it is therefore most certain1 that man does not contribute so much as one jot to his salvation4 ,sin1 indeed1 man could commit of himself1 but he was not able to justify himself again2 he could lose1 but not recover himself2 kill1 but not restore to life2 he could submit himself to the devil1 but could not shake off his spiritual fetters4 ,as a dead body cannot quicken itself again1 so men 8being dead in sins0 7,eph4 #b3a1 #e71 as the ,apostle declares1 cannot raise themselves again to life4 #c4 ,we did not contribute anything towards our creation1 neither do we perform anything towards our redemption1 regeneration1 and sanctification1 which are far greater transactions than the creation itself4 #d4 ,hence it was necessary1 that the ,son of ,god should take human nature upon him1 to recover all that was lost in ,adam1 and to revive those that were dead in sins and trespasses4 #e4 ,that this may be the better understood1 we ought to represent to ourselves the traveller in the ,gospel1 who1 falling among thieves1 was cruelly wounded and bruised by them1 and at last utterly disabled from helping himself again4 ,luke #aj3cj4 ,him1 therefore1 the good ,samaritan receives into his arms1 binds up his wounds1 sets him on his beast1 takes him to an inn1 and omits nothing that a faithful physician could administer to a sick and wounded person4 ,and as the traveller showed himself obedient to his physician1 and strictly followed the directions prescribed by him2 so we ought to act if we desire to be healed of our disease4 ,we ought to suffer the healing hand of the ,lord1 and not to resist1 when he attempts the cleansing of our wounds2 and when1 after having poured in wine and oil1 he binds them up4 ,to obtain the blessed effect of these spiritual operations1 we must wholly resign ourselves to him1 who alone is able to save us2 and then we may trust to the goodness of ,god1 that on his side he will not fail to restore us to health and soundness4 #f4 ,no sooner does a sinner repent than he begins his happy return towards the ,lord1 grieving for his former transgressions1 and suffering that his wounds be washed with the sharp wine of the law1 and the oil of consolation4 ,whoever complies with these terms1 in him1 ,christ1 by his grace1 works an unfeigned faith1 attended with all the fruits it produces1--righteousness1 life1 peace1 joy1 comfort1 and salvation1 and thus 8worketh in him both to will and to do1 of his good pleasure40 ,phil4 #b3ac4 #g4 ,but it is not in the power of man by nature to forsake sin4 ,the ,scripture calls the natural man a 8servant of sin0 7,john #h3cd71 and one that is 8sold under sin0 7,rom4 #g3ad71 who can do nothing but sin2 and the prophet says1 8,can the ,ethiopian change his skin1 or the leopard his spots8 then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil40 ,jer4 #ac3bc4 ,but 8the grace of ,god that bringeth salvation1 hath appeared to all men 7by the ,gospel71 teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts1 we should live soberly1 righteously1 and godly1 in this present world40 ,tit4 #b3aa1 #ab4 ,this is offered us by the word of ,god2 and it is this grace which excites1 teaches1 and allures fallen man2 which urges and influences him to renounce sin1 and to submit to the discipline of grace4 ,and these divine admonitions1 furnished through the ,word1 fully agree with the inward testimony of the conscience2 so that a man is convinced both from without and from within of his sinful life1 and of the necessity of quitting it1 in order to preserve his soul from everlasting destruction1 for whoever lives in sin1 lives in opposition to ,god and his own conscience4 #h4 ,when a man yields to the suggestions and exhortations of divine grace1 and1 proving obedient to the ,word1 begins to withdraw from his vicious life1 then the grace of ,god endows him with all those virtues which the ,gospel requires4 ,it is then that faith springs up in the soul1 the original principle of all other virtues4 ,this is followed by love1 and all ,christian graces1 which grow as so many fruits on the tree of faith4 ,it is then1 also1 that light begins to shine in the midst of darkness4 ,but as it is impossible that darkness should be able to enlighten itself2 so it is also impossible for fallen man to raise himself from darkness to light4 ,hence the ,psalmist says1 8,for thou wilt light my candle2 the ,lord my ,god will enlighten my darkness40 ,ps4 #ah3bh4 ,let a man open his eyes ever so much1 he will never be enlightened whilst the light of the sun is withdrawn from his sight4 ,thus the grace of ,god1 that is1 of ,christ himself1 is that clear and serene light1 risen on all men 8that sit in darkness1 and in the shadow of death40 ,luke #a3gi4 8,he enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world0 7,john #a3i73 that is1 he manifests himself to all1 and offers his grace to all4 ,he is the light of the whole world2 he shows the way of life to all men2 and leaving us his own example for imitation1 he goes before us like a good shepherd 7,john #aj3d71 and guides his flock into the path in which they are to walk4 ,he sought us out as his lost sheep1 and even now daily seeks and allures us4 ,luke #ae3d4 ,nay1 more2 he still follows us closely1 calls after us1 and wooes us to his love1 in as endearing a manner as a bridegroom does his bride4 ,o that men did not love sin and darkness rather than light and grace6 #i4 ,now1 as a physician1 addressing his patient1 says3 8,beware of this1 lest you die2 you hinder the workings of the medicine by an irregular life1 so that you cannot be made whole20 so ,jesus ,christ1 the true physician of souls1 says3 8,my beloved1 ,i beseech thee1 incline thy mind to true repentance2 utterly forsake all thy sins2 shake off thy pride1 thy covetousness1 thy carnal propensities1 thy wrath1 and thirst of revenge1 with other sins4 ,if this change be not wrought in thee1 thou must surely die2 and the precious medicine of my blood and merit can profit thee nothing1 whilst thy disorderly life hinders their healing effect40 #aj4 ,it was for this cause that ,christ gave it in charge to his apostles1 before all things1 to preach repentance 7,luke #bd3dg72 and he himself called sinners to it while he conversed with them upon earth2 because an impenitent heart never can partake of his merits4 #aa4 ,whoever hears that either sin must be forsaken1 or eternal condemnation be endured1 must1 of necessity1 be brought to some serious consideration about the state of his soul4 ,he is struck with a double conviction2 the truth of the ,word of ,god1 and the power of his own conscience1 leaving so strong an impression upon him1 as to set him beyond all doubts about the truth of this matter4 ,it is true1 ,god hath freely promised remission of sin to all men2 but it is on this condition1 that they repent1 and turn themselves unfeignedly to the ,lord4 ,thus the prophet says1 8,if the wicked shall turn from his wickedness1 he shall live thereby4 ,none of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him0 7,ezek4 #cc3ad1 #af73 where we see that repentance and remission of sin are linked together4 #ab4 ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 in no other sense promises life eternal to those that believe in his name4 ,the nature of faith must1 however1 be more fully inquired into4 ,this faith is a very active principle in the soul4 ,it daily strives against the old man2 it tames the flesh1 and subjects it to the ,spirit2 it converts the whole man2 it subdues and vanquishes sin2 it purifies the heart4 ,he is a true believer who turns from the world1 from sin and the devil1 to ,god1 and seeks rest and comfort wholly and entirely in the blood1 death1 and merit of ,christ1 without the works of himself1 or of any other man whatsoever2 the blood of ,christ being a perfect ransom for all the debts which the soul has contracted4 ,whoever1 therefore1 imagines that his sins may be pardoned1 although he desist not from them1 is most miserably deluded4 ,he deceives himself with a false faith1 which he has assumed to himself1 and the dreadful effects of which he must hereafter feel4 ,he can never be saved without true repentance4 #ac4 ,consider the case of ,zaccheus the publican1 who1 having a sound apprehension of the doctrine of faith and conversion1 freely acknowledged that to be true faith by which a man is turned from sin to ,god1 and in this order hopes to obtain a gracious pardon from ,christ1 and an interest in his merit1 so as to rely upon it with a filial trust and an unshaken firmness of mind4 ,in this manner did he understand the word of our ,lord1 8,repent ye1 and believe the ,gospel0 7,mark #a3ae73 that is1 ,desist from sin1 trust in my merits1 and expect forgiveness of sin from me alone4 ,hence ,zaccheus says to ,christ1 8,behold1 the half of my goods ,i give to the poor2 and if ,i have taken anything by false accusation1 ,i restore fourfold40 ,luke #ai3h4 ,in these words he does not commend his own works at all1 but extols the grace of ,god1 which had taught him the way of true repentance4 ,as if he had said3 8,o ,lord1 ,i am so thoroughly grieved at the fraudulent practices which ,i have committed against my neighbor1 that ,i will not only restore fourfold unto him1 but will also bestow half of my goods on the poor4 ,wherefore1 ,lord1 since ,i confess my sin1 and fully resolve to leave it1 ,i now embrace thy promises with faith1 and beseech thee to receive me into thy grace and favor40 ,and no sooner is this resolution taken1 than the ,physician declares1 8,this day is salvation come to this house4 ,for the ,son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost40 #ad4 ,this is true repentance and conversion1 carried on by a faith which is the work of ,god within us4 ,god himself will begin1 advance1 and finish at last1 the great work of our salvation1 if we only yield to his ,spirit1 and do not resist him wilfully1 as did the refractory ,jews of old2 to whom the apostle says3 8,it was necessary that the word of ,god should first have been spoken to you3 but seeing ye put it from you1 and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life1 lo1 we turn to the ,gentiles40 ,acts #ac3df4 ,it is1 therefore1 our duty to take the advice of the physician1 after the manner of the sick1 and to obey his precepts and prescriptions4 ,as the physician first explains the nature of the disease1 so the ,lord lays open the spiritual disease of the heart1 and then1 as a faithful physician1 warns us against hurtful things1 lest the healing virtue of the precious blood of ,christ be obstructed1 and at last rendered ineffectual4 #ae4 ,no sooner does man1 by the assistance of the ,holy ,ghost1 withdraw from sin1 than the grace of ,god begins to operate in him1 and to endue him with new gifts4 ,without this1 he is not sufficient to think any good thought of himself1 much less to do any good work4 ,whenever such a person discovers any good motions arising in his mind1 he attributes every good desire to divine grace1 even as ,st4 ,paul says1 8,by the grace of ,god ,i am what ,i am40 #a ,cor4 #ae3aj4 ,whoever1 therefore1 complies with this order of salvation1 to him the merit of ,christ and his perfect obedience1 are fully imputed1 as if he himself had made a complete atonement for all his transgressions2 but no wicked person1 and no contemner of this dispensation1 has a share in the imputation of the merit of ,christ4 #af4 ,god1 when he works in us and through us1 crowns and commends those things as our own1 of which he himself is the chief author4 8,without me10 saith ,christ1 8ye can do nothing0 7,john #ae3e72 that is1 no good2 for by nature we are ready enough to do evil without him4 ,the doing of evil is our own property2 as the doing of good is entirely the property of ,god4 ,therefore let no flesh glory in anything2 all is of and through grace4 ,rom4 #c3bd2 ,eph4 #b3h1 #i4 #ag4 ,happy is the man that refrains from sin1 and gives up his will to the ,lord4 ,christ uses all his endeavors to gain our love and affections1 and to wean us more and more from the profane love of the world4 ,he applies the most endearing expressions1 in his word1 and in his addresses1 to our hearts4 ,he seeks and allures us2 and even before we remember him1 he bestows upon us tokens of his love and kindness2 and this for no other end1 than that we might at last forsake our beloved sin1 and partake of the blessed effect of his blood and merits4 ,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,all ,wisdom1 ,arts1 ,and ,sciences1 ,yea1 ,even ,the ,knowledge ,of ,the ,whole ,scripture1 ,are ,vain1 ,without ,a ,holy ,and ,christian ,life4 ,not every one that saith unto me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven2 but he that doeth the will of my ,father which is in heaven4--,,matth4 #g3ba4 ,since in ,love are contained all the duties of a ,christian1 and since the whole life of ,christ was nothing but the purest and most cordial love1 therefore ,st4 ,paul1 under the name of charity or love1 has comprehended the whole life of a ,christian4 #a ,cor4 #ac3a4 #b4 ,it is the property of true love1 to respect ,god alone in everything1 and not self4 ,it refers all to ,god2 it does not love or honor self2 it is not intent upon personal glory or interest2 but it undertakes everything with a free and disinterested regard to ,god and man4 ,he who is endued with ,christian love1 loves ,god and his neighbor with pure affection1 because ,god is the sovereign ,good1 to which we ought to adhere4 #c4 ,whoever1 therefore1 is destitute of this love1 must of necessity prove a hypocrite amidst all his pretences and boasts4 ,in whatever he undertakes1 he seeks himself1 and not purely ,god1 as he ought to do4 ,for this reason1 his love is false1 be his boasts what they may4 ,if such a man had all the ,scriptures committed to memory1 and could speak of them with the tongue of angels1 yet would he still prove as sounding brass1 without life and motion4 ,for as no natural food can nourish the body1 unless it be converted into the juices and the blood2 so also the ,word and the ,sacraments are unavailing1 if they be not converted into a man's life2 and if a new1 spiritual1 and holy man1 be not begotten thereby4 #d4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul says1 8,though ,i have the gift of prophecy1 and understand all mysteries1 and all knowledge1 and though ,i have all faith1 so that ,i could remove mountains1 and have not charity1 ,i am nothing40 #a ,cor4 #ac3b4 ,as if he had said1 ,if ,i pursue mine own honor by those gifts and attainments1 and seek anything besides the honor of ,god1 and the good of my neighbor1 then ,i am an abomination before the ,lord1 and not at all acceptable in his sight4 #e4 ,this is intimated by that saying of our ,lord3 8,many will say to me in that day1 ,lord1 ,lord1 have we not prophesied in thy name1 and in thy name have cast out devils1 and in thy name done many wonderful works8 ,and then will ,i profess unto them1 ,i never knew you2 depart from me1 ye that work iniquity0 7,matt4 #g3bb1 #bc73 for you have not respected me alone in what you have done1 but rather your own selves4 #f4 ,this is again attested by ,st4 ,paul3 8,though ,i bestow all my goods to feed the poor1 and have not charity1 it profiteth me nothing40 #b ,cor4 #ac3c4 ,but can it be possible 7some may say71 to give all to the poor1 and yet be destitute at the same time of love or charity8 ,yes2 there may be a love which is not altogether single in what it performs1 but biased by impure designs1 and by some temporal interest1 or the applause of men1 or any such selfish objects1 whereby the best of actions are too often corrupted4 ,of this nature was the charity of the ,pharisees of old1 who offered abundance of sacrifices1 and persuaded others to adorn the temple with magnificent gifts1 and to bring sacrifices of great price4 ,but whilst they suffered themselves to be led away by pride and ambition1 which mingled with their very worship1 they forgot to show mercy to the poor1 and to practise that 8undefiled religion10 whereby the fatherless and the widows are to be supported and visited4 ,james #a3bg4 ,for this preposterous charity1 the ,lord reproved them1 saying3 8,woe unto you1 scribes and ,pharisees1 hypocrites6 for ye devour widows' houses1 and for a pretence make long prayer3 therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation40 ,matt4 #bc3ad4 ,in this perverse religion they have many followers1 even at this time4 ,such are those who bequeath large legacies to temples and monasteries1 that priests and friars who enjoy them1 may make long prayers for such as bestow them4 ,this truly is a false and deceitful love2 for those who perform these acts1 do not so much regard the honor of ,god as their own4 #g4 ,he that is justified1 shall live by his faith 7,habak4 #b3d72 and whosoever is thus justified1 lives in true repentance1 and by daily mortification of his flesh1 becomes himself a sacrifice unto the ,lord4 ,rom4 #ab3a4 ,he spends his time in continual acts of love and charity2 flowing from a disinterested principle1 free from self-honor and self-love1 and entirely directed to advancing the glory of ,god4 ,therefore1 ,o man1 if thou even yieldest thy body to be burnt1 and yet art void at the same time of this pure and sincere love1 thou doest nothing in all such performances4 ,and what do they profit themselves1 who torture their bodies8 ,they generally are puffed up with a conceit of their singular sanctity1 and1 thus setting forth their own pompous religion and will-worship1 they do not regard ,god in what they do1 so much as catch at the applause of men4 ,isa4 #eh3c2 ,zech4 #g3e1 #f4 ,nay1 some are blinded to such a degree by the spirit of delusion and error1 as to suffer themselves to be burnt in defence of conceits such as these4 ,they expect thereby to be enrolled in the list of such martyrs as were slain for the sake of ,christ and the ,gospel2 when in truth they seek not ,christ1 but themselves1 and rise not to defend his honor1 but their own erroneous opinions4 ,this is called by ,st4 ,paul1 a strong delusion1 and a working of ,satan4 #b ,thess4 #b3i1 #aa4 ,it is not the punishment1 but the cause1 which makes a martyr4 #h4 ,such martyrs as these the devil has had even amongst the heathens themselves2 many of whom were so far blinded in their understandings1 as contentedly to die for the defence of their idols1 and false1 heathenish religion4 ,and is not the same done at this day amongst those who call themselves ,christians8 ,even as the heathens1 to gain an immortal name1 persuaded themselves that they did well in what they endured1 so self-love and vainglory have so far besotted some monks1 and other persons even in our age1 as that they have murdered kings and princes1 to support the better their church1 or the ,catholic cause1 as they call it1 which they supposed to be in danger4 ,if such men are made to suffer again1 it is manifest that they do not suffer for the sake of ,christ1 nor are they to be accounted his martyrs4 ,they are martyrs to the pope of ,rome1 to their own conceit1 and to a thirst after vainglory1 with which they are carried away4 ,thus much concerning false love1 to which man is seduced by a false and deceitful light4 #i4 ,it remains1 therefore1 that without a sincere love to ,god and our neighbor1 and a holy and ,christian life attending it1 all arts and sciences1 gifts and attainments1 profit nothing4 ,wisdom1 how great soever it may be1 yea1 though it be as great1 or greater than that of ,solomon1 is nothing2 and the knowledge of the whole ,scripture1 if it be without love1 must necessarily degenerate into a poor1 empty speculation4 ,all works whatsoever1 and martyrdom itself 7if so it be called71 are to no purpose without this essential character of love4 ,for to know the will of ,god and his word1 and not to live up to them as a rule1 only increases our condemnation1 as the ,lord plainly affirms3 8,if ,i had not come and spoken unto them1 they had not had sin2 but now they have no cloak for their sin40 ,john #ae3bb4 ,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,he ,who ,does ,not ,live ,in ,christ1 ,but ,gives ,his ,heart ,to ,the ,world1 ,has ,only ,the ,outward ,letter ,of ,the ,scriptures1 ,but ,he ,does ,not ,experience ,their ,power1 ,or ,eat ,of ,the ,hidden ,manna4 ,to him that overcometh1 will ,i give to eat of the hidden manna1 and will give him a white stone1 and in the stone a new name written1 which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it4--,,rev4 #b3ag4 ,by this ,scripture we are taught1 that no man can taste the inward sweetness of heavenly joy and comfort hidden in the ,word1 who does not first vanquish his own flesh and the world1 with all the pomps and lusts thereof1 and the devil himself4 ,but those that crucify their flesh daily1 with all its desires and lusts1 by serious contrition and repentance1 who die daily to themselves and to the world1 and to whom this life is a cross and affliction2 these are divinely fed with the heavenly manna1 and drink the wine of the joy of paradise4 ,those1 on the other hand1 that love the pleasures of this world rather than those of heaven1 render themselves altogether unfit to taste the hidden manna1 preserved for him alone that overcometh4 ,the reason is1 because like things 7according to the proverb7 rejoice in their like2 and things of a contrary nature do not unite one with another4 ,since1 therefore1 the word of ,god is spiritual1 it is no wonder that worldly minds take no pleasure in it4 ,for as the body receives no strength from the food which the stomach does not digest2 so the soul receives no strength from the divine word1 unless it be entirely converted into itself1 that is1 into its own life and nature4 #b4 ,yea1 as a man that is sick of a fever acquires a distempered appetite1 and deems the coarsest trash more pleasant than wholesome food2 so those that are sick of a spiritual fever1 that is1 of the love of the world1 of pride and covetousness1 loathe the good word of ,god as bitter and insipid food4 ,those1 on the other hand1 that have the ,spirit of ,god1 find in it a hidden manna1 and a secret sweetness1 which transcends all other delights2 but then it is not to be tasted by such as are carried away with the pleasures of a profane world4 #c4 ,many hear the glad tidings of the ,gospel repeatedly1 and yet are but little affected with what they hear4 ,they do not feel any fervency of spirit1 any sense of spiritual joy4 ,the cause is plain2 they are not led by the good ,spirit of ,god1 but by the corrupt spirit of the world2 nor have they heavenly1 but earthly minds1 which cannot receive the things of ,god4 ,whoever1 therefore1 wishes to obtain a sound understanding in spiritual matters1 to feel the power of the word of ,god1 and to eat of the hidden manna1 ought by all means to conform his life to the word which he reads1 and to the life of ,christ which is set before him4 ,it is then that the ,lord feeds the humble with grace 7#a ,pet4 #e3e71 satisfies the meek with his love1 and supports the patient with his comfort2 rendering his yoke pleasant1 and his burden light unto them4 ,for the sweetness of this heavenly manna cannot be tasted except under the yoke of ,christ1 according to the promise of the ,lord3 8,he hath filled the hungry with good things1 and the rich he hath sent empty away40 ,luke #a3ec4 #d4 8,the words that ,i speak unto you10 saith the ,lord1 8they are spirit and they are life40 ,john #f3fc4 ,whence it follows1 that a carnal and voluptuous man1 who has no spiritual understanding or taste1 cannot possibly perceive or relish the words of ,christ4 ,these must be apprehended in spirit1 and in an inward tranquillity of mind1 attended with great humility and fervent desires after ,god4 ,in this order1 the ,word of ,god must be received and digested1 if ever it is to afford a vital nourishment to the soul2 which1 if it be neglected1 then truly the ,word is no more than an empty sound1 and an external letter4 ,as a man that hears the sound of a harp1 and understands not its melody1 receives no pleasure from it2 so no man can perceive the virtue hidden in the ,word1 unless he endeavor to express it in his life1 and thoroughly to conform himself to it in his spirit4 #e4 ,for this reason1 the ,lord says3 8,i will give him a white stone1 and in the stone a new name written1 which no man knoweth1 saving he that receiveth it40 #f4 ,this is the testimony of the hidden ,spirit1 who witnesses to the divine ,word3 and in like manner1 the ,spirit of the ,word gives testimony to our spirit 7,rom4 #h3af71 whence both unite1 and so become one spirit4 #a ,cor4 #f3ag4 ,this is that new name1 which no man knoweth but he that hath it4 ,as no man perceives the sweetness of honey1 but he that tastes it2 so the name of this divine testimony1 written in the hearts of good souls1 no man knoweth but he that possesses it4 ,he only understands the nature of heavenly comfort1 and of divine visitations1 who really tastes them4 ,this name and testimony are called new1 because they are the blessed effect of the new birth1 and come from above4 #g4 ,blessed is the man to whom ,god thus gives himself to be tasted6 ,thus were the prophets of old fed with this heavenly bread1 and sustained by the eternal ,word proceeding from ,god1 and communicating itself unto them4 ,this made their tongues so free and so ready in the delivery of the divine oracles4 ,and from this inward sense1 with which they were so powerfully affected1 the ,holy ,scripture has been derived1 and handed down to us for our edification4 #h4 ,even at this day1 ,god does not cease still to speak unto all men1 and inwardly to feed them with his ,word3 but alas6 most men have shut their ears against his voice1 and will rather hear the world than ,god1 and follow their own lusts1 than the motions of the good ,spirit of ,god4 ,they cannot eat of the hidden manna1 because they greedily adhere to their carnal propensities1 and contemn the tree of life1 with the fruit thereof4 #i4 ,but surely such men are awfully blinded1 since they will not understand that ,god can afford infinitely greater pleasures than this world is capable of imparting4 ,he that has once tasted the goodness of ,god1 will esteem the whole world1 together with its most exquisite pleasures1 to be nothing but gall and bitterness4 ,our first parents were beguiled by the world2 and by eating of the forbidden tree1 they brought no less an evil upon themselves than death itself3 and yet we are so much besotted with the pleasures of this world1 as to follow freely their steps1 and to obey the forbidden lusts of the flesh1 which cause our death4 ,rom4 #h3ac4 #aj4 ,christ says3 8,if any shall eat of me10 the true tree1 and the true bread of life1 8he shall live for ever40 ,john #f3ea4 ,and what is it to eat of him1 but to believe in him1 to rejoice in him1 to delight in him1 and to rest and to take pleasure in nothing but him alone8 ,the world bestows poor and inconsiderable wages1 and yet it is served with great labor and earnestness2 whereas ,god grants an eternal and never-fading reward2 and yet with what sluggishness1 coldness1 and backwardness is his service performed6 ,how few there are1 who adhere to ,god with as much care and faith1 devotion and obedience1 as profane worldlings do to mammon1 and the world6 ,we see them often take long and tedious journeys for a little money2 but for the sake of heaven1 it grieves them to move even a foot4 #aa4 ,in all classes men seek and love the world more than they regard ,god4 ,many a scholar studies day and night to attain preferment and honor1 who will hardly take time to say the ,lord's ,prayer for the good of his soul4 ,the men who avoid no labor to get the bread that perishes1 will undergo none to procure that which is incorruptible4 ,there are many who fear no difficulty1 flee from no danger1 and1 in an earthly warfare1 stare even death in the face2 influenced by no other motive than to gain a little fleeting fame1 or at best1 to be ranked among nobles and heroes3 whereas there is hardly one to be found that will enter into a combat with the corrupt propensities of his flesh1 although this is the way to obtain a kingdom in heaven4 ,we see the victors of many nations1 and the subduers of vast kingdoms1 who little care to overcome themselves4 ,there are large numbers who do not regard the loss of their immortal souls1 if they can but gain the perishing goods of this world4 ,all these1 certainly1 have not tasted the hidden manna of the divine ,word2 for they do not overcome the world1 but are themselves overcome by it4 ,whosoever will taste the sweetness of this heavenly manna1 must1 for the sake of the love of ,god1 despise the world1 and overcome it4 ,when he complies with these terms1 he is refreshed again with that comfort of the ,holy ,ghost1 which no man knows save he that receives it4 #ab4 ,this1 therefore1 must be done4 ,the tree of life must first be planted in us1 before we can eat of its fruit3 and the heart that wishes to be quickened with heavenly comforts1 ought first to be truly converted from the world to ,god4 ,but we1 being intoxicated with worldly pleasures1 do not see that the joys of heaven are far more excellent than all that this world affords4 ,that which ,god gives1 is infinitely more true and more substantial than all which the creature can bestow4 ,and that teaching which comes from above1 through the inspiration of the divine ,spirit1 is far more noble and solid than that which is conveyed to us by man's understanding1 and imprinted on the mind with much toil and labor4 ,the flowers and fruits which are the productions of nature are nobler and better than those which are fashioned of the finest gold by the hand of art2 even so1 one drop of divine consolation is more satisfactory1 and incomparably better1 than a whole ocean of worldly lust and pleasure4 #ac4 ,whenever1 therefore1 thou desirest to taste any heavenly comfort1 withdraw thy heart from the joys of this world4 ,as if the ,lord were to say1 8,if any will understand me1 let him seriously attend to what ,i say2 if any will see me1 it surely behooves him to fix his eye upon me alone40 ,who can doubt but that our heart and senses1 and all the faculties of our souls ought to be converted to ,god1 and fixed on him alone1 if ever we desire to see1 hear1 and understand ,god2 nay1 to taste him and his goodness8 ,for thus he expresses himself in the ,prophet3 8,when ye shall search for me with your whole heart1 ye shall find me40 ,jer4 #bi3ac4 #ad4 ,many at this day are held in great admiration on a very light account4 ,oh6 a learned man6 7they say71 a rich man6 a great man6 a wise man6 ,but scarcely any regard how meek1 how humble1 how patient1 or how devout any man is4 ,of this perverse judgment1 there is no other cause1 than that the people of this world only admire the exterior of a man1 and pass by what is within the mind1 which alone is worthy to be esteemed and valued4 ,let him that praises a man because he is a great traveller1 and has seen many cities and countries1 consider whether it be not far better to have seen ,god4 ,let him that admires another1 because he has served several monarchs1 and attended on emperors1 kings1 and princes1 tell us whether it be not far more excellent to be the servant of ,god1 to wait on the ,king of ,heaven1 to hear ,him speak in the heart1 and to serve ,him faithfully8 ,many who enjoy nothing but the things of this world1 will say1 8,we have abundance of learned men and great scholars in this age2 arts and sciences are greatly advanced among us40 ,but such men as these1 do not know the art of arts1 the science of sciences1 which is divine ,love2 a benefit preferable to all other knowledge and learning1 but which seems to be almost wholly extinct in this degenerate age1 together with faith itself1 that produces it4 ,the number of those that are in truth divinely 8taught of ,god10 is apparently but small 7,isa4 #ed3ac72 and so of those that care to be instructed in the humble and meek life of ,christ4 ,matt4 #aa3bi4 ,yea1 to speak plainly1 there are among the most learned at this day1 some who are1 perhaps1 the most alienated from the life of ,god1 and know but little of that truth which is in ,jesus4 ,they are those who confine knowledge to words and terms artfully contrived2 when indeed solid erudition and learning consist not in words1 but in things1 and in a real and eternal wisdom4 ,upon the whole1 whoever calls this world a wicked world1 is not mistaken in his judgment4 #ae4 ,others will praise a man1 because he keeps a rich and plentiful table1 and fares sumptuously every day2 but they do not consider that the very crumbs dropping from ,god's table1 are transcendently better than the choicest dishes of the wealthy and greedy2 and that the hidden manna1 and the incorruptible bread1 descending from heaven1 and prepared by the ,lord himself1 afford the most savory and most delicious food for nourishing the soul4 ,ps4 #bc3e4 #af4 ,whoever enjoys ,god and his ,word1 is disgusted at nothing1 and nothing can displease him2 for he enjoys ,god in all4 ,but what can delight him1 who does not taste the sweetness of ,god1 and the goodness of his ,word8 ,,god alone is the joy of the soul4 ,he infinitely surpasses all earthly joy and transient mirth4 ,he is the eternal ,light1 which incomparably exceeds all created lights4 ,may he be pleased to influence our hearts with his hidden pleasure6 ,may he purify our spirits1 and all the faculties of our souls6 ,may he enlighten and quicken1 correct and revive all that is within us6 ,and1 ,o6 when shall that glorious hour appear1 in which the ,lord will satiate us with his presence1 and replenish us with all that he himself is6 ,isa4 #ee3ab4 #ag4 ,but as we are not yet prepared for so transcendent a joy1 so we cannot partake of it1 while we are confined to this state of imperfection4 ,let us1 therefore1 be content with the crumbs of comfort which fall from the ,lord's table1 and patiently wait for that time1 wherein we shall be refreshed with his joy for evermore6 #ah4 ,hear the words of our blessed ,saviour3 8,behold1 ,i stand at the door1 and knock2 if any man hear my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in to him1 and will sup with him1 and he with me40 ,rev4 #c3bj4 ,is it not1 then1 a foolish thing to slight so great a favor1 and to treat contemptuously the ,king of kings1 who1 like a heavenly guest1 comes to see thee8 ,is it not disgraceful to let a friend stand knocking without1 and refuse to admit a man to thy presence1 who has nothing at heart but thy welfare8 ,how unaccountable then must it be to debar the great ,god from thy heart1 who stands in no need of thy presents2 but1 after the manner of princes1 brings his own royal dainties with him when he approaches the house of a poor subject6 ,he will feed thee with heavenly bread1 and with that hidden manna which is preserved for those that overcome4 #ai4 ,when the ,lord says1 8,hear my voice1 and open the door10 he compares1 as it were1 the heart of a man to a house full of noise and clamor1 where music1 though ever so sweet and melodious1 cannot be heard4 ,so the voice of the divine ,visitor cannot enter a profane heart1 whilst it is hurried about with the cares and desires of this world4 ,such a heart closes the door against this ,visitor1 and consequently cannot taste the sweetness of the celestial manna4 ,but when this noise and tumult cease1 it is then that these secret whispers are best perceived in men4 ,and ,o6 that thou1 with ,samuel1 couldest answer3 8,speak ,lord1 for thy servant heareth40 #a ,sam4 #c3aj4 #bj4 ,the truth of this internal1 spiritual1 and heavenly supper is also attested elsewhere4 ,the apostle speaks of some1 that 8have been once enlightened1 and tasted of the heavenly gift1 and have been made partakers of the ,holy ,ghost1 and have tasted the good word of ,god1 and the powers of the world to come40 ,heb4 #f3d4 ,by this we are taught1 that in whomsoever the ,holy ,ghost freely resides1 there the virtues and powers of the world to come are also tasted4 ,it is then that the soul feeds on that manna1 which is hid in the gracious ,word proceeding out of the mouth of ,god1 and by which all the saints live4 #ba4 ,the efficacy of this living ,word was also tasted by the royal prophet1 through the ,holy ,ghost1 when he burst forth into these words3 8,in thy presence is fulness of joy2 at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore40 ,ps4 #af3aa4 ,from this lively sense1 he also invited others to an enjoyment of the same sweetness1 saying1 8,o taste and see that the ,lord is good4 ,there is no want to them that fear him40 ,ps4 #cd3h1 #i4 ,of the plenty and dignity of this heavenly banquet1 he hath thus expressed himself3 8,thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies3 thou anointest my head with oil2 my cup runneth over40 ,ps4 #bc3e4 8,thy loving kindness is better than life40 ,ps4 #fc3c4 8,they shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house2 and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures40 ,ps4 #cf3h4 ,and lastly1 8,let all those that seek thee1 rejoice and be glad in thee2 and let such as love thy salvation1 say continually1 ,let ,god be magnified4 ,but ,i am poor and needy2 make haste unto me1 ,o ,god3 thou art my help and my deliverer2 ,o ,lord1 make no tarrying40 ,ps4 #gj3d1 #e4 #bb4 ,from all these1 and many other places besides1 it may abundantly be known who those are that are inwardly fed with the good ,word of ,god1 and with the hidden manna of the world to come2 even those that are poor in spirit1 who entirely rely on divine comfort4 ,these only are worthy to taste of this heavenly manna1 and of the divine gift1 of which ,david speaks at large3 8,how amiable10 says he1 8are thy tabernacles1 ,o ,lord of hosts6 ,my soul longeth1 yea1 even fainteth for the courts of the ,lord2 my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living ,god40 ,ps4 #hd3a1 #b4 ,by this ,scripture we may understand1 that the least pleasure of the world to come1 infinitely exceeds all the joys of this world2 and that one day passed there1 is far more excellent than a thousand years here4 ,whoever has tasted these exquisite pleasures1 will discard the things of this life1 as empty and insipid4 ,the whole world becomes a burden1 a trouble and vexation of spirit1 to such a person4 ,he is like one that is accustomed to delicious fare1 and consequently cannot partake of what is coarse4 #bc4 ,this is so sacred a hunger and thirst1 that none but ,god alone can satisfy it1 and he only1 by his love4 ,this is that spiritual fulness with which the saints are satiated1 according to the words3 8,eat1 ,o friends1 drink1 yea1 drink abundantly1 ,o beloved40 ,song of ,sol4 #e3a4 ,these spiritual enjoyments the ,lord bestows on his friends1 in order to unite them the more closely to himself1 and to make them the sooner forget the perishing things of this world4 ,a few crumbs of this bread1 a few drops pressed from this heavenly vine1 ought to excite our desires after that plentiful and abounding fountain1 which shall flow for us hereafter4 #bd4 ,in order that the ,lord might excite in us so sacred a thirst1 and that he might make us long the more earnestly after such heavenly objects as these1 it was expedient that he should first himself thirst upon the cross for our sakes4 ,john #ai3bh4 ,as he himself satisfies and quenches our hunger and thirst1 so ought we again to satiate his thirst and ardent desire of loving4 ,he more fervently thirsts after us1 than we do after him2 according to that which he hath himself declared3 8,my meat is to do the will of him that sent me1 and to finish his work0 7,john #d3cd73 and the will of ,god was1 to save men from everlasting destruction4 ,if we but thirsted after him as he thirsts after us1 we should then drink so plentifully of his ,spirit1 that even 8rivers of living water would flow from our bodies0 7,john #g3ch73 that is1 nothing should be seen in us1 but what is spiritual1 lovely1 and consolatory4 ,nay1 he would make us overflow1 as it were1 with a torrent of divine goodness and consolation1 so that soul and body1 and all that is within us1 should triumphantly rejoice in the living ,god4 ,for nothing is of so great and so divine an amplitude as a man's soul1 after it has gained true freedom and liberty4 ,such a soul comprehends ,god1 heaven1 and earth4 ,and again1 nothing is less than a man's soul in its nothingness and humiliation1 when it humbles itself under ,god and all his creatures4 ,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,he ,who ,does ,not ,follow ,christ ,in ,faith1 ,holiness1 ,and ,continued ,repentance1 ,cannot ,be ,delivered ,from ,the ,blindness ,of ,his ,heart1 ,but ,must ,abide ,in ,eternal ,darkness2 ,and ,he ,cannot ,have ,a ,true ,knowledge ,of ,christ1 ,or ,fellowship ,with ,him4 ,god is light1 and in him is no darkness at all3 if we say we have fellowship with him1 and walk in darkness1 we lie1 and do not the truth3 but if we walk in the light1 as he is in the light1 we have fellowship one with another4--#a ,,john #a3e-g4 ,that we may the better understand the nature of light and darkness1 it is necessary first to give heed to the description of the light1 as it is originally4 #b4 8,god is light10 saith ,st4 ,john4 ,but what is ,god8 ,god is a spiritual1 eternal1 and infinite ,being2 ,god is almighty1 merciful1 gracious1 righteous1 holy1 true1 and the only wise ,god4 ,god the ,father1 ,son1 and ,holy ,ghost1 is unspeakable love and faithfulness2 ,he is one in three ,persons2 ,he is the ,sovereign ,good1 and good essentially4 ,and this is the true and everlasting light4 ,whence every one that departs from ,god1 from his love1 his mercy1 his righteousness1 and his truth1 departs also from light itself1 and must consequently fall into darkness2 for without ,god there is nothing but everlasting darkness4 ,o how dark1 therefore1 is that soul in which ,god doth not dwell6 ,now if ,god be light1 then the devil must certainly be darkness2 and if ,god be love1 then the devil must be nothing but hatred and wrath1 enmity and envy1 malice and uncharitableness1 sin and wickedness4 ,whoever1 therefore1 turns himself to sin1 turns himself to darkness and to the devil4 ,neither can he be delivered1 till he turn back again1 from darkness to light1 from sin to righteousness1 from vice to virtue1 from the devil to ,god4 ,acts #bf3ah4 ,and this is the work of a true and living faith which purifies the heart4 ,acts #ae3i4 ,for he who believes in ,christ1 daily repents and turns from sin and the devil to ,christ ,jesus4 ,for even as ,adam by sin turned himself from ,god to the devil1 so we ought to withdraw again1 by true repentance and faith1 from the devil to ,god4 #c4 ,hence it follows that man1 without being converted from sin to ,god1 can never be truly enlightened4 8,for what communion hath light with darkness80 #b ,cor4 #f3ad4 ,impiety and impenitence are wholly darkness1 and1 consequently1 can have no fellowship with the light of the knowledge of ,christ4 ,so that it is absolutely impossible that those should be enlightened by the ,spirit1 and the light of eternal truth1 who live in darkness and impenitence4 ,to this purpose1 ,st4 ,paul says concerning the ,jews3 8,when they shall turn to the ,lord1 the vail shall be taken away0 7#b ,cor4 #c3af72 that is1 their darkness1 blindness1 and ignorance shall be removed1 and ,christ shall give them light4 #d4 ,the greatest blindness1 or thickest darkness that covers the minds of men1 is the sin of unbelief1 with the fruits resulting from it2 such as pride1 avarice1 wrath1 and the whole train of sensual lusts and pleasures4 ,wherever these take possession of a man1 it is impossible that he should know ,christ1 the true ,light of the world2 much less can he savingly believe in him1 trust in him1 and obtain by him everlasting life4 #e4 ,for how should that man know the humility of the heart of ,christ1 whose own heart abounds with pride and high-mindedness8 ,how should he be acquainted with the meekness of the heart of ,christ1 who is full of bitter wrath and envy8 ,how should he understand his marvellous patience1 who delights in revenge1 and is hurried about with a multitude of unruly passions8 ,but he who does not understand the humility1 meekness1 and patience of ,christ1 does not know ,christ himself1 nor believe in his holy name4 ,for truly1 if ever thou desirest to attain a sound knowledge of ,christ1 thou must obtain1 by faith1 the same heart which is in ,christ2 thou must experimentally perceive in thy heart1 his meekness1 his patience1 and his humility4 ,it is then that thy knowledge becomes solid and substantial4 ,as a fruit is known by the taste1 so ,christ1 the tree of life1 is known by tasting4 ,whenever thou tastest by faith the humility of ,christ1 his meekness and his patience1 thou then eatest of his fruit1 and shalt find rest for thy soul4 ,thou enjoyest in ,christ the favor and consolation of ,god4 ,this is the only way to true rest and tranquillity of mind4 ,for the grace and comfort of ,god cannot enter into a heart that is void of faith1 and destitute of the meekness and humility of ,christ4 ,it is to the humble that ,god gives grace4 #a ,pet4 #e3e4 #f4 ,but how is it possible that ,christ should profit a man who does not desire to have the least fellowship with him8 ,for1 in truth1 all those that live in the darkness of sin1 have no fellowship with ,christ1 be their pretences what they will4 ,for thus says ,st4 ,john3 8,if we say that we have fellowship with him1 and walk in darkness1 we lie1 and do not the truth4 ,but if we walk in the light1 as he is in the light1 we have fellowship one with another40 #a ,john #a3f1 #g4 ,and in the following chapter he explains it more fully3 8,the darkness is past1 and the true light now shineth4 ,he that saith he is in the light1 and hateth his brother1 is in darkness even until now4 ,he that loveth his brother1 abideth in the light1 and there is no occasion of stumbling in him4 ,but he that hateth his brother1 is in darkness1 and walketh in darkness1 and knoweth not whither he goeth1 because that darkness hath blinded his eyes40 #a ,john #b3h-aa4 #g4 ,as long1 then1 as a man continues in that dark and terrible cloud of sin1 it is impossible that he should be enlightened by ,christ1 the true ,light of the world1 and be thereby brought to a saving knowledge of ,god4 ,whoever will attain to a true knowledge of ,god and ,christ1 must firmly believe that ,god is nothing but grace and love4 ,now1 no man can know what love is1 but he that has1 and practises it1 the knowledge of a thing being the result of a man's experience1 of his feelings1 and of the works of truth which he performs4 ,whoever1 therefore1 does not exercise love 7whatever words he may use about it71 continues an utter stranger to the nature of love2 and what he is pleased to call love1 is nothing but show and pretence4 ,and as ,christ himself is nothing but love and humility1 meekness and patience1 and every true virtue1 so a man that is not frequent in the performance of these and the like virtues1 is altogether ignorant of ,christ and of the truth4 ,he is but a superficial pretender to1 and a vain usurper of1 ,his holy name1 let his boasts be what they may4 ,the ,word of ,god is nothing but spirit4 ,whoever1 therefore1 does not live and walk in the ,spirit1 in no wise understands what the ,word of ,god is1 though he may dispute and argue copiously about it4 ,how shall a man tell us what love is1 who never performed any act of love8 ,how shall a man give an account of the nature of light1 who1 having been constantly confined to a dark dungeon1 has never seen the light himself8 ,now1 the light in man is faith and charity1 according to the saying of ,christ3 8,let your light so shine before men1 that they may see your good works1 and glorify your ,father which is in heaven40 ,matt4 #e3af4 #h4 ,in a word1 the holy life of ,christ is nothing but love and charity4 ,no sooner do we1 by faith1 learn from him true love and humility1 meekness and patience1 as he himself has engaged us to do1 than we are transformed into his image1 and enlightened with that true and eternal light1 which he himself is2 according to that exhortation of ,st4 ,paul3 8,awake thou that sleepest 7namely1 in sins and the lust of the flesh71 and arise from the dead1 and ,christ shall give thee light40 ,eph4 #e3ad4 #i4 ,from all this it follows1 that in the case of as many as do not awake from their spiritual lethargy1 that is1 from the lust of the eyes1 the lust of the flesh1 the pride of life1 and other pleasures that attend them1 their souls cannot be enlightened by ,christ1 since they love darkness rather than light1 and thereby unfit themselves for a reception of the divine light4 #aj4 ,it also hence appears that those1 on the other hand1 who truly embrace the life of ,christ1 and follow him in faith1 are by him graciously enlightened1 according to his promise3 8,i am the light of the world3 he that followeth me 7in faith and love1 hope and patience1 meekness and humility1 fear of ,god1 and in prayer1 etc47 shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life40 ,john #h3ab4 ,therefore1 the true followers of ,christ1 and these only1 freely enjoy the light of life1 and are alone endued with true illumination and sound knowledge of ,christ4 ,and it is on account of this ,christian faith and life1 that true believers are called by the ,apostle1 a light in the ,lord4 8,ye were10 saith he1 8sometime darkness1 but now are ye light in the ,lord0 7,eph4 #e3h73 here he means the principle of faith1 and those ,christian virtues that attend it4 ,and again1 8,ye are all the children of light1 and the children of the day3 we are not of the night1 nor of darkness10--8putting on the breast-plate of faith and love1 and for a helmet1 the hope of salvation40 #a ,thess4 #e3e1 #h4 ,christ denies that the world 7that is1 carnal and unregenerate minds71 can ever 8receive the ,spirit of ,truth40 ,john #ad3ag4 #aa4 ,that there might be a perfect and absolute example given to men1 and a complete idea of virtue and goodness1 the ,son of ,god became also ,man1 and by his unspotted and holy life was made the public ,light of the world1 that so all men might follow him1 believe in him1 and receive light from him4 ,since1 however1 false ,christians own with their lips that ,christ is the safe and great exemplar of virtue1 and yet do not follow him in their life and actions1 it is manifest1 that the heathens who esteemed virtue1 put the ,christians to shame4 ,the most eminent of them1 such as ,plato1 ,aristotle1 ,cicero1 ,seneca1 have highly recommended the study of virtue1 and freely confessed1 that 8if virtue could be seen with bodily eyes1 it would appear fairer1 and with a more glorious lustre than even the morning star40 ,but1 truly1 none have had a fuller view of the beauty of virtue1 than those who by faith have seen ,,jesus ,,christ1 that unerring pattern of righteousness4 ,these are those that have 8handled the ,word of life0 7#a ,john #a3a71 as ,st4 ,john tells us4 ,and1 surely1 if heathens have been so much absorbed by the love of virtue1 how much more should a ,christian love the transcendent beauty of ,jesus ,christ1 who is virtue itself1 and composed of nothing but pure love1 and unspotted meekness2 nay1 who is ,,god himself8 #ab4 ,it was not without cause1 therefore1 that ,st4 ,paul preferred the love of ,christ to all other knowledge or science3 and with him we ought to pray that we may experimentally 8know this love of ,christ which passeth knowledge0 7,eph4 #c3ai71 that so we may thereby be 8filled with all the fulness of ,god40 ,now there is no man that has the love of ,christ in him1 but he must necessarily also love the humility and meekness of ,christ1 and from sincere love to him readily embrace them4 ,by this means he is still more and more enlightened1 and day by day transformed into the image of ,christ1 8as from glory to glory40 #b ,cor4 #c3ah4 ,and the reason of this is evident2 for ,god delights to give grace to the humble 7#a ,peter #e3e71 as the ,scripture tells us3 agreeably to what ,st4 ,bernard says1 8,the rivers of grace flow downwards1 not upwards40 ,they visit and refresh the valley1 but will not rest upon mountains1 or upon anything that is high and lifted up4 ,how should then the grace of the light and knowledge of ,god come to a man that walks not in the humble and holy light of ,christ1 but in the way of ,lucifer8 ,for if there be any faith in us1 and if this be attended with suitable fruits and practice1 it will not leave us 8barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ40 #b ,peter #a3h4 ,in an humble soul ,christ lives1 and then also his ,spirit rests upon it 7the spirit of wisdom and of understanding1 the spirit of counsel and might1 the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the ,lord71 as truly as it rested upon ,christ himself4 ,for in whomsoever the light and the life of ,christ dwell1 in him is also ,christ himself1 who is the very light and life of a ,christian4 ,and this also is the reason that the gifts and graces of the divine ,spirit rest upon a true ,christian1 as well as upon ,christ himself1 according to the prophecy of ,isaiah4 ,ch4 #aa3a-c4 #ac4 ,hence ,st4 ,peter1 speaking to the ,jews1 exhorts them to repent 7or to be renewed in their minds73 8and ye shall10 says he1 8receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost40 ,acts #b3ch4 ,whence it plainly appears1 that those who are in a state of faith and repentance1 are the only men duly prepared for receiving the divine ,spirit1 the true enlightener of hearts4 #ad4 ,whoever1 therefore1 desires to be delivered from the blindness of his heart1 and from eternal darkness1 yea1 from the devil himself1 let him faithfully follow ,christ in true faith1 in unfeigned conversion1 and in a thorough newness of life4 ,the nearer we are to ,christ1 the nearer we are to the eternal light2 the more closely we adhere to unbelief1 the more we adhere to darkness and to the devil himself4 ,for even as ,christ1 faith1 and all the virtues1 are nearly allied and belong together1 so in like manner1 are the devil1 unbelief1 and all the vices1 and works of darkness1 so nearly combined1 as to render it impossible to conceive of one without the other4 #ae4 ,consider the apostles of the ,lord4 ,they followed their ,master in faith1 in contempt of the world1 denying themselves1 in renouncing their possessions1 and in living together in unity of the ,spirit4 ,by this means they were enlightened from above1 and filled with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,acts #b3a1 etc4 ,with these terms the rich young man in the ,gospel being unwilling to comply1 he continued shut up in the darkness of the world1 and was not enlightened unto eternal life4 ,luke #ah3bc4 ,for 8if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him40 #a ,john #b3ae4 ,and 8he that hateth his brother is in darkness1 and knoweth not whither he goeth3 because that darkness hath blinded his eyes40 #a ,john #b3aa4 #af4 ,all the sermons of ,tauler refer to this subject4 ,he makes it appear1 that without the sincere exercise of faith1 without a serious course of mortification1 without self-denial1 without a narrow search into one's own heart1 and without the inward1 calm sabbath of the soul1 no man can obtain or enjoy the divine light4 #ag4 ,in short1 in proportion as the works of darkness are destroyed in a man by the ,spirit of ,god1 in that proportion is he illuminated2 and again1 in the same degree as the corrupt nature1 the flesh1 and the world1 pride1 and the lust of the eyes1 domineer in a man1 in that degree darkness is left in him1 and the less of grace1 of light1 of the ,spirit of ,god and of ,christ1 is he possessed of4 ,therefore it remains1 that without unfeigned repentance1 and a daily repentance1 no man can be truly enlightened from above4 #ah4 ,whoever yields too much to one sin1 undoubtedly opens a door to many others4 ,sin never comes alone1 but1 like a noxious weed1 spreads itself on every side1 and gains more ground every day4 ,and as the darkness becomes greater accordingly as the sun retires1 so as the holy life of ,christ departs from us1 the darkness and sin increase1 till at length the man is swallowed up in eternal darkness4 ,on the contrary1 if a man devote himself to the practice of one virtue1 he gains thereby an opportunity of practising all the rest in time1 and cannot but daily proceed from one to another4 ,this admirable connection is represented by ,st4 ,peter as a chain1 in which all the rings are linked together1 and none is suffered to separate from another4 8,add10 he says1 8to your faith1 virtue2 and to virtue1 knowledge2 and to knowledge1 temperance2 and to temperance1 patience2 and to patience1 godliness2 and to godliness1 brotherly kindness2 and to brotherly kindness1 charity20 superadding one virtue continually to another1 and crowning all at last with this promise3 8,if these things be in you and abound1 they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ40 #b ,peter #a3e-h4 ,to sum up all in a few words3 ,whoever is not earnestly bent on the exercise of such heavenly virtues as these1 certainly knows not ,christ1 and is void of all saving knowledge3 whereas1 if a man by faith grow in virtue1 he also grows in ,christ himself4 ,on the contrary1 the wrathful1 the covetous1 the proud1 the impatient1 do not grow in ,christ1 but in the devil4 #ai4 ,it is the apostle's command1 that we should grow up 8unto a perfect man40 ,eph4 #d3ac4 ,as a child gradually grows up to the stature of a perfect man1 so a ,christian ought daily to grow in the practice of faith and virtue1 till he become a perfect man in ,christ4 ,but 8he that lacketh these things is blind1 and cannot see afar off1 and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins40 #b ,pet4 #a3i4 ,as if the apostle had said3 ,christ by his death has indeed taken away our sins1 and blotted them out2 not that we should continue in the service of sin1 but that1 dying to sin1 and living to ,christ1 we should show forth the fructifying power of the death of ,christ4 ,without this order practically applied to the mind1 it is manifest1 that the purging away of our old sins1 and the atonement made for them1 can profit us nothing4 ,our sin is never forgiven until we entirely quit it1 repent of it1 and embrace ,christ with an unfeigned belief4 ,if we preserve but one sin alive1 the mortifying of all the rest1 if that were possible1 would avail nothing2 but we should be condemned to eternal death1 without any hope of expiation or forgiveness4 ,thus1 a man may be damned for the sin of wrath alone2 whereas1 if he had seriously corrected and quitted it1 he would have obtained pardon not only for that1 but even for other sins of which he stood guilty4 ,but neglecting to do this1 he is one of those that are 8blind10 and 8he forgets that he was purged from his old sins60 #b ,pet4 #a3i4 #bj4 ,by this we are given to understand the necessity of repentance1 and a thorough change of life3 for although ,christ died for our sins1 and abolished them with the price of his blood1 yet can we never partake of that merit1 unless we repent4 ,without repentance this precious blood profits nothing4 ,and though every man has a promise of pardon for his sin through the merit of ,christ1 yet that promise belongs not to the unbeliever1 nor to the impenitent1 but to those only who truly repent and reform their lives4 ,those sins shall not be remitted1 which a man will not leave2 but those only which he is willing to quit1 and for which he heartily grieves4 ,and here the word of the ,lord is verified1 8,the poor have the ,gospel preached to them20 that is1 remission of sin1 and life everlasting consequent upon it4 ,matt4 #aa3e4 ,let us suppose a man1 who1 for many years1 has been the servant of covetousness1 after the example of ,zaccheus2 or of lust1 as ,mary ,magdalene2 or of wrath and revenge1 as ,esau4 ,let us also suppose that this man1 as soon as he heard that either these sins were to be entirely left1 or that the death and blood of ,christ would else profit him nothing1 becomes a true suppliant to ,god1 and cries out to him3 8,oh ,god6 how am ,i grieved for this6 ,o ,lord1 be merciful1 be merciful60 and then forms a new resolution1 desists from his sin1 craves pardon and grace1 and believes in ,christ4 ,then all his former offences are1 of grace1 freely remitted to him4 ,no merit of his own is regarded1 but solely the death and the blood of ,christ shed for him4 ,this is the only way in which a returning sinner is to obtain mercy4 ,whereas1 he that does not fully resolve to abandon his former sins1 his covetousness1 wrath1 usury1 pride1 lust1 etc41 will hope forever in vain for a remission of sin1 being condemned to everlasting confusion and anguish4 ,he shall be obliged to satisfy for himself the justice of ,god1 and yet will never be able to perform it4 ,on earth he was destitute of that faith which purifies the heart 7,acts #ae3i72 and so his sin and lust1 which have not been mortified here1 shall forever torment him there4 ,it is for this reason1 that ,st4 ,paul so earnestly inculcates1 8that they which do such things1 shall not inherit the kingdom of ,god40 ,gal4 #e3ba4 ,and therefore either the loss of this heavenly kingdom must certainly follow1 or the narrow way of self-denial must be heartily chosen4 #ba4 ,wherever this unfeigned conversion to1 and faith in1 ,god1 are wrought in the soul1 there pardon and divine grace are freely bestowed4 ,and where these are1 there is ,christ also2 without whom no grace can be obtained4 ,where ,christ is1 there are likewise his precious merit1 and the full ransom which he has paid for our sins1 and which is appropriated to the penitent soul4 ,again1 where these are1 there is righteousness2 and with righteousness1 is peace2 and with peace1 sweet serenity of conscience4 ,it is then1 that righteousness and peace kiss each other in the soul4 ,ps4 #he3aj4 ,this clearness of conscience is attended with the ,spirit of ,god himself2 who being a ,spirit of joy1 will surely pour forth the 8oil of gladness0 7,heb4 #a3i71 and quicken the soul with a foretaste of life eternal itself1 which shall be joy and glory without end4 #bb4 ,this is that light of eternal life1 that eternally triumphant joy1 with which those only are crowned that live in ,christ1 and exercise daily repentance4 ,this is the beginning of a spiritual life1 as the death of ,christ is the basis and foundation on which it is raised4 ,on the contrary1 where there is no repentance1 there is no pardon of sin2 where there is no inward remorse or spiritual sorrow1 there grace cannot have a place4 ,where these are wanting1 there ,christ himself is wanting1 together with the whole extent of his merits and satisfaction1 be the pretences of the false ,christian ever so fair and specious4 ,where this satisfaction is not thoroughly applied to the soul1 there is no righteousness1 and consequently no peace1 no good conscience1 no comfort4 ,where there is no comfort of heart1 there is no ,holy ,ghost1 no joy1 no calmness of mind1 and no life eternal2 but death1 hell1 condemnation1 and everlasting darkness4 #bc4 ,behold1 ,o man6 how true it is1 that none of those who refuse to follow ,christ in their lives1 by an unfeigned repentance1 can ever get rid of the blindness of their hearts1 and of everlasting darkness4 ,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,showing ,that ,an ,unchristian ,life ,leads ,to ,false ,doctrine1 ,hardness ,of ,heart1 ,and ,blindness2 ,also1 ,treating ,of ,the ,eternal ,election ,of ,grace4 ,yet a little while is the light with you4 ,walk while ye have the light1 lest darkness come upon you3 for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth4--,,john #ab3ce4 ,since ,christ1 and faith in him are denied1 and almost wholly extirpated by an ungodly life1 what shall his doctrine profit us8 ,for his doctrine1 with the ,word and ,sacraments1 is delivered to us for no other end1 than that it be inwardly digested1 and converted1 as it were1 into our very life and spirit4 ,as from a good seed springs up good fruit1 so from the ,word and ,sacraments should spring up within us the noble life of regeneration1 or the new birth2 the new1 holy1 and spiritual man2 or1 to speak all in one word1 a true and real ,christian4 ,for he that is a ,christian1 must needs be born again of the ,spirit1 the ,word1 and the ,sacraments1 and believe and live in ,christ1 as in the primary principle of the life of grace4 ,as certainly as a child is begotten by his father1 so truly must the ,christian be begotten of ,god and of ,christ1 through faith4 ,james #a3ah2 #a ,peter #a3bc2 ,john #c3c1 #e2 ,titus #c3e4 #b4 ,when1 therefore1 we do not resolve to strive against the depraved bent of our flesh1 and to digest the doctrine of ,christ into our life and nature2 nay1 when we contradict the ,christian doctrine by an anti-,christian life1 by irreligion and profaneness2 is it not plain that we are not begotten of ,god1 nor born of ,christ8 ,what will ,christ's doctrine profit us1 when we are sure that our life does not correspond with it at all8 ,will our vain boasts of the light of the ,gospel do any good1 when we evidently walk in darkness8 ,it is on this account that the light deservedly retires from us1 and the world begins to be overspread with darkness and false doctrines1 with errors and with seducing spirits4 ,and that we might beware of these1 our blessed ,saviour hath left us this warning3 8,while ye have the light1 walk in the light1 lest darkness come upon you0 7,john #ab3ce72 that is1 lest ye be led away into all kinds of errors and delusions1 into blindness and hardness of heart1 into darkness and prejudices1 which indispose the mind for the very reception of the light of the ,gospel4 ,this was the case with ,pharaoh1 the ,jews1 and also of ,julian the ,apostate2 who1 being in the end convicted by the reproaches of his own conscience1 exclaimed openly1 and to his own confusion1 that ,christ both lived and reigned1 and was both ,lord and ,god2 saying1 8,thou hast overcome1 ,o ,galilean2 thou hast overcome40 ,it would have been better for him to have said1 8,lord1 have mercy upon me60 ,but1 alas6 this was entirely out of his reach1 in consequence of the hardness of his heart1 contracted by an uninterrupted course of sinning1 and by having rejected and despised the mercy of ,christ4 #c4 ,this hardness of heart1 is that terrible darkness which1 in the end1 overtakes all such as refuse to walk in the light whilst they have it4 ,it is the just punishment inflicted on those that blaspheme the truth1 as ,pharaoh did1 when he asked3 8,who is the ,lord1 that ,i should obey his voice1 to let ,israel go8 ,i know not the ,lord40 ,exodus #e3b4 ,therefore it was but just that he should the more grievously feel the overruling power of ,god1 by being made an example to the whole world1 and a lasting monument of the indignation of the ,lord1 and of the weakness of men who vainly presume to oppose him4 #d4 ,in like manner were the ,jews of old struck with blindness and hardness of heart1 when they refused to hearken to the voice of the ,lord1 having been warned by ,moses long before1 that this would certainly come to pass4 8,the ,lord10 says he1 8shall smite thee with madness1 and blindness1 and astonishment of heart40 ,deut4 #bh3bh4 ,this actually did befall them1 as may be seen1 ,isaiah1 chap4 #f3i-ab4 ,whereby it is manifest1 that such hardness of heart is the most righteous punishment of unbelief1 of contempt of ,god1 and the heavenly truth declared by him2 according to the words of ,st4 ,paul3 8,with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish2 because they received not the love of the truth1 that they might be saved4 ,and for this cause1 ,god shall send them strong delusion1 that they should believe a lie40 #b ,thess4 #b3aj1 #aa4 ,whence it plainly appears1 why ,god is used to strike men with such terrible blindness and hardness of heart2 namely1 because they 8receive not the love of the truth40 #e4 ,and1 indeed1 the man from whom ,god takes away his offered grace1 is surely most wretched and miserable2 neither can he of himself at any time return into the right way4 ,as a proof of this1 we have the examples of ,pharaoh and ,julian4 ,he from whom the ,lord removes his light1 must of necessity live in darkness4 ,god removes it1 however1 from those only who refuse to walk in it2 neither does he take his grace from any1 but from those that boldly reject it4 #f4 ,it is in this sense that the words of ,st4 ,paul are to be taken3 8 #8,i will have mercy 7saith he7 on whom ,i will have mercy4' ,therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy2 and whom he will he hardeneth40 ,rom4 #i3ae1 #ah4 ,but truly the ,lord hath pity on all them who freely receive his mercy2 as1 on the contrary1 he hardeneth those that reject and blaspheme the offer of his grace4 ,and it is this wilful resistance for which ,st4 ,paul reproves the ,jews3 8,it was necessary10 says he1 8that the word of ,god should first have been spoken to you2 but seeing ye put it from you1 and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life1 lo1 we turn to the ,gentiles40 8,and when the ,gentiles heard this1 they were glad1 and glorified the word of the ,lord3 and as many as were ordained to eternal life1 believed0 7,acts #ac3df1 #dh73 that is1 as many as did not resist and obstinately cast away the word of grace1 as the means of faith4 ,it was because the ,jews were guilty of this1 that they could not believe3 for the ,lord hath not ordained any one to eternal salvation1 who disdainfully rejects his word1 and proves disobedient to the offer of his grace4 #g4 ,the ordination to life eternal1 or the election of grace 7,rom4 #aa3e71 is fully brought to pass in ,jesus ,christ1 with this promise annexed1 that ,god offers his grace to all by the ,gospel2 those who receive it are ordained to eternal life2 and whosoever reject it thereby 8judge themselves unworthy of eternal life10 as ,st4 ,paul expresses it4 ,that is1 by their own fault they make themselves unworthy of that blessing1 and debar themselves from that universal grace which is displayed in the ,gospel2 and so putting their own names out of the book of life1 which is ,christ1 they resist the good work of ,god by their own contumacy1 and1 consequently1 cannot obtain that true saving faith1 which the ,word begets4 #h4 ,and here let us not deceive ourselves1 by vainly supposing that they only reject the word of ,god1 who do not outwardly embrace the faith and doctrine of ,christ 7such as ,mahometans and ,jews72 and that those who profess the ,christian faith1 and adhere to the doctrine of the ,gospel1 cannot possibly be deemed wilful despisers of the offer of mercy4 ,certain it is1 that all who will not follow the footsteps of ,christ1 nor take his life upon them1 nor walk in the light1 fall under this heavy charge4 ,and for this cause ,god is moved to take from them the light of his word1 and of pure doctrine4 8,i10 saith ,christ1 8am the light of the world3 he that followeth me1 shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life40 ,john #h3ab4 #i4 ,hence we learn that whoever follows the example of ,christ1 and lives his life1 shall be in no danger of being misled by any delusion and error4 ,he shall also escape that blindness and hardness of heart1 which an empty confessor of the ,christian faith draws upon himself4 ,consider here1 on the one hand1 the many proud1 noble1 learned1 ingenious1 and mighty men of this world2 and1 on the other1 the errors1 blindness1 and delusions1 into which they are plunged4 ,truly1 those delusions arise from no other source1 than because men do not live in ,christ1 but are averse to the imitation of his holy life2 and therefore cannot have the light of life4 #aj4 ,from the same source also proceed those 8workings of ,satan10 and those 8strong delusions10 together with all the 8lying wonders0 mentioned by ,st4 ,paul 7#b ,thess4 #b3i-aa71 and which more and more increase upon us1 because the world is not willing to follow ,christ1 and by this means1 to be preserved from delusion and error4 8,for what communion hath light with darkness8 and what concord 7therefore7 hath ,christ with ,belial80 #b ,cor4 #f3ad1 #ae4 ,that is to say1 ,purity of doctrine1 and divine knowledge1 cannot remain with those that live in the devil1 in darkness1 in pride1 in covetousness1 and filthy pleasure4 ,how should the pure doctrine dwell with those who exhibit impurity of life and manners8 ,nothing1 certainly1 can be more irreconcilable1 than purity of doctrine and an impure life4 #aa4 ,if1 therefore1 we would preserve pure doctrine1 we must be wholly changed in our minds1 and have no part with the world1 and with unchristian actions4 ,we must 8awake0 7,eph4 #e3ad7 from the lethargy of sin1 and shake off the works of darkness1 that so ,christ may enlighten us again with the light of true faith4 ,whence it is plain1 that whosoever does not follow the footsteps of ,christ1 nor imitate him in his love1 humility1 meekness1 patience1 and obedience1 he must necessarily be deceived1 and stray from the knowledge of ,god2 since he does not walk in the way which leads to truth4 #ab4 ,on the contrary1 if we but lived in ,christ1 if we walked in his love and humility1 and directed all our endeavors and studies purely to this one object1 that the flesh be mortified1 and the life of ,christ raised within us2 that through him we might overcome ourselves1 and triumph over the flesh1 the world1 and the devil2 if this were but once effected1 there would then remain very little contention and strife about the doctrine1 and heresies would of themselves fall to the ground4 #ac4 ,we have an example of most strange delusion in ,ahab1 who1 on account of his wicked and tyrannical life1 was seduced by four hundred false prophets4 #a ,kings #bb4 ,it was by their encouragement that he undertook that fatal expedition against the ,syrians1 in contempt of the true prophet ,micaiah1 who positively foretold his death in that battle4 ,but being led by a false light1 he rejected the truth1 and gave credit to lying prophets1 who prophesied nothing but peace and prosperity to him4 ,hence the justice of ,god met him1 according to the word of the true prophet1 and by due desert the dogs licked his blood4 #ad4 ,in this is verified the word of ,st4 ,paul3 8,the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not1 lest the light of the glorious gospel of ,christ should shine unto them40 #b ,cor4 #d3d4 ,and is not the same judgment threatened against all hypocrites1 who boast of ,christ and his doctrine1 but deny him in their life and actions8 ,for thus saith the ,lord through the prophet3 8,forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth1 and with their lips do honor me1 but have removed their heart far from me2 therefore the wisdom of their wise men shall perish1 and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid40 ,isa4 #bi3ac1 #ad4 ,concerning the prophets in particular1 the ,lord has plainly declared1 that he has 8covered the prophets1 the rulers1 and seers40 ,hence the vision shall become as a 8sealed book10 etc4 ,verse #aj1 #aa4 ,and as for the ,jews themselves1 the apostle has told us1 that there is a 8vail upon their heart10 preventing their eyes from beholding the true ,messiah2 which1 however1 shall be 8taken away when they turn to the ,lord40 #b ,cor4 #c3ae1 #af4 ,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,showing ,that ,the ,purity ,of ,the ,doctrine ,of ,the ,divine ,word ,is ,maintained ,not ,only ,by ,discussions ,and ,publications1 ,but ,also ,by ,true ,repentance ,and ,holiness ,of ,life4 ,hold fast the form of sound words1 which thou hast heard of me1 in faith and love which is in ,christ ,jesus4 ,that good thing which was committed unto thee1 keep by the ,holy ,ghost which dwelleth in us4--#b ,,tim4 #a3ac1 #ad4 ,it is very necessary1 that the purity of doctrine1 and the truth of the holy ,christian faith1 should be maintained and defended against all false teachers4 ,for this we have the example of the holy prophets1 who1 with great zeal1 preached against false and idolatrous prophets under the old law2 of the ,son of ,god1 who sharply disputed against the ,pharisees and scribes at ,jerusalem2 of ,st4 ,john1 the ,evangelist1 who wrote his ,gospel against the heretical ,ebionites and ,cerinthus1 and the ,revelation 7chap4 #b3f1 #ae71 against the false church of the ,nicolaitans and others4 #b4 ,thus1 too1 ,st4 ,paul vigorously defended the doctrine of justification by faith 7,rom4 #c3bj1 etc471 of good works 7#b ,cor4 #i3h1 etc471 of the resurrection of the dead 7#a ,cor4 #ae3a1 etc471 of ,christian liberty 7#a ,cor4 #i2 #aj--;,gal4 #e3a1 etc471 etc41 against certain false apostles who had intruded into the ,church4 ,we have1 further1 the example of the holy bishops and fathers of the primitive church1 who1 following the example set them by the apostles1 strenuously opposed in their public controversial writings1 the ,pagan superstitions1 and the heresies of those times4 ,nay1 for the same purpose ,general ,councils were gathered by the ,christian emperors1 who condemned the chief heretics that infested the church at that time2 such as the ,arians1 ,macedonians1 ,nestorians1 and ,eutychians2 not to mention the example of ,martin ,luther1 by whose polemical books and writings1 the papacy1 and other sects1 have in these latter days been successfully assailed4 #c4 ,it remains1 therefore1 that preaching1 writing1 and disputation against heretics1 must be continued1 to the preserving of the purity of doctrine1 and of true religion4 ,for this reason1 the apostle will also have 8a bishop to be able both to exhort and convince the gainsayers40 ,titus #a3i4 ,though this in itself is both lawful and commendable1 yet it has so fallen out by the abuse of it1 that disputations and controversies are increased to such an extent in these days1 that the ,christian life1 true repentance1 love1 and godliness1 are1 as it were forgotten2 as if the sum and substance of the ,christian religion consisted in arguing1 and writing books of controversy1 rather than in that unfeigned holiness of life1 and purity of manners1 which the ,gospel requires4 #d4 ,for consider the examples of the holy ,prophets and ,apostles1 as also of the ,son of ,god himself4 ,they did not barely dispute against false prophets and apostles1 and the superstitions maintained by them2 but also with great zeal and vigor exhorted to true repentance1 and a holy life4 ,their sermons were accompanied with power and energy2 and they made it appear1 that by wickedness and impenitence1 true religion and worship were destroyed1 the ,church laid waste1 and kingdoms and countries visited with the plague1 war1 and famine4 ,and all this exactly came to pass even as they said4 ,of this complexion is that declaration of the ,prophet1 where he denounces to the ,jews1 8that because the vineyard of the ,lord did not bring forth grapes1 but wild grapes1 the ,lord had decreed to lay it waste40 ,isaiah #e3d1 #f4 ,whence it appears1 that impiety is the cause1 why ,god takes away his ,word from us4 ,and does not the ,lord speak to the same effect1 in the words recorded by ,st4 ,john8 8,walk while ye have the light1 lest darkness come upon you40 ,john #ab3ce4 ,but what is it to walk in the light1 except it be to imitate ,christ in his life1 and to have the same mind which was in him8 ,and what does the ,lord intimate by the 8darkness coming upon us10 but the loss of the ,gospel1 and of the purity of the ,christian doctrine8 ,all this may abundantly convince us1 that without repentance and holiness of life1 no soul can be illuminated with the saving light of the ,gospel4 ,for the ,holy ,ghost1 who is the true enlightener of hearts1 flees from the ungodly1 and chooses holy souls only1 to make them friends of ,god4 ,and if the beginning of wisdom is the fear of ,god 7,ps4 #aaa3aj71 who can doubt that impiety and carnal security are the beginning of folly1 ignorance1 and blindness8 #e4 ,the true knowledge of ,christ1 and profession of his doctrine1 consist not in words only1 but in deeds and a holy life1 as ,st4 ,paul says3 8,they profess that they know ,god2 but in works they deny him1 being abominable1 and disobedient1 and unto every good work reprobate40 ,titus #a3af4 ,and again2 8,they have a form of godliness1 but deny the power thereof40 #b ,tim4 #c3e4 ,by this we are taught1 that ,christ and his ,gospel are denied by a wicked life1 as well as by words2 and that he has not the true knowledge of ,christ1 who puts it not into practice4 ,a man who never tasted in his heart the humility1 meekness1 patience1 and love of ,christ1 cannot know ,christ himself2 and1 consequently1 in the time of trouble1 cannot freely confess him4 ,whoever confesses the doctrine of ,christ1 and rejects him in his life1 confesses him only in part2 and whoever preaches the doctrine of ,christ without his life1 preaches ,christ only in part4 ,the world abounds with books of controversy1 written in defence of the doctrine1 but very few living books are extant concerning a ,christian life4 ,now what is doctrine without life1 but a tree without fruit8 ,or how should he follow the doctrine of ,christ1 who refuses to follow him in his life8 ,for the sum and substance of the doctrine of ,jesus ,christ is 8charity1 out of a pure heart1 and of a good conscience1 and of faith unfeigned40 #a ,tim4 #a3e4 ,but we live in an age1 wherein there is so vast a number of disputants and reasoners in matters of doctrine1 that one would think they had nothing more at heart than the promotion of religion and piety3 whereas1 upon a closer search1 they are found to be inwardly full of malice and pride1 envy and avarice4 ,for this reason the apostle hath joined together faith and love1 when he commands us to 8hold fast the form of sound words40 #b ,tim4 #a3ac4 ,life and doctrine1 as he intends to show1 must go hand in hand together1 and never be put asunder in the great work of salvation4 #f4 ,though we do not in the slightest degree affirm1 that by our own efforts and piety1 eternal life is obtained 7for 8we are kept by the power of ,god through faith unto salvation10 #a ,pet4 #a3e73 yet it is certain1 that by an ungodly life1 the ,spirit of ,god1 with all his gifts1 is banished2 amongst which gifts1 faith1 knowledge1 understanding1 and wisdom1 are not the least4 ,therefore it follows again1 that without a holy life1 purity of doctrine cannot be preserved2 and that the wicked who will not follow ,christ in his life1 cannot be enlightened with the true light of the ,gospel4 ,on the contrary1 those that walk in the light1 that is1 who persevere in the blessed footsteps of ,christ1 are illuminated by the true light 7,john #a3i71 which is ,christ1 and are hereby preserved from the danger of delusions and errors4 ,to this effect1 that holy and enlightened writer1 ,tauler1 has said3 8,as soon as a man dedicates and yields himself up to ,god1 and denies his own will and flesh1 then immediately the good ,spirit of ,god begins to illuminate him1 and to endue him with solid and sound knowledge2 because this man truly keeps in his heart the true spiritual sabbath1 and rests from all sinful lusts1 and from his own will and works40 ,this sentence is to be understood of the state after conversion1 and of daily illumination and growth in divine gifts and graces4 #g4 ,not without cause1 then1 doth the ,lord say1 8,i am the way1 and the truth1 and the life40 ,john #ad3f4 ,he calls himself the way1 as showing the way unto us4 ,and how did he show it8 ,truly1 not in his doctrine only1 but also in his most holy life4 ,this life of our blessed ,redeemer consisted in a true and unfeigned devotedness to ,god1 leading us in the way to truth and to life1 as the substance of our whole religion1 and the summary of all the commandments of ,god4 ,this book of life contains in it many great and arduous lessons1 to learn which were sufficient to take up our whole time4 ,here is inculcated the exercise of true repentance1 and of that living practical faith which attends it2 here the practice of love1 hope1 meekness1 patience1 and humility1 are to be studied2 here the duty of prayer1 and of the fear of ,god1 is explained3 all which taken together1 make up the whole life of ,christ1 set us as a pattern to follow4 ,this is that 8strait gate10 and that 8narrow way10 which few can find4 ,matt4 #g3ad4 ,this is the book of life1 which but few read1 though all things are comprised in it which a ,christian ought to know and to practise2 so that we shall need no other book in order to our eternal salvation4 ,here is the reason why also the ,holy ,scripture is contained in a few books1 that it might appear that ,christianity does not consist in a multitude of volumes1 but in a living faith1 and in a serious imitation of ,christ4 ,for the wise man says3 8,of making many books there is no end2 and much study is a weariness of the flesh40 ,wherefore1 let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter3 8,fear ,god1 and keep his commandments40 ,eccles4 #ab3ab1 #ac4 #h4 ,we are told in the parable1 that the devil1 when men are asleep1 cometh and soweth tares among the wheat1 and goeth his way4 ,matt4 #ac3be4 ,this teaches us1 that when men lay aside the works of repentance1 and indulge themselves in the sleep of sin1 of carnal security1 of love of the world1 and of temporal care and concerns2 then the devil gradually scatters his seed of false doctrine in the field of pride 7,gen4 #c3e73 whence arise various sects1 schisms1 and heresies4 ,for by the sin of pride both angels and men lost the true light with which they were at first endued4 ,pride is the original source of all delusions and errors1 which have been most unhappily brought into the world4 ,if ,satan1 and ,adam1 the first man1 had continued in a state of humility1 as did ,christ when he conversed among men1 then never had any error or temptation invaded this world4 ,but now there is no other means for our recovery left1 except that which is taught by ,st4 ,paul3 8,awake1 thou that sleepest1 and ,christ shall give thee light0 7,eph4 #e3ad73 convincing us thereby1 that no man can be divinely enlightened1 who has not shaken off his sinful lethargy2 that is1 his carnal security1 profaneness1 and impiety4 ,the same is attested by ,st4 ,peter3 8,repent1 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost0 7,acts #b3ch72 and by the ,lord himself1 in that saying3 8,the world cannot receive the ,spirit of truth1 because it seeth him not1 neither knoweth him40 ,john #ad3ag4 ,and what is the world1 but a life passed without ,god8 #i4 ,again1 when the ,lord says3 8,by their fruits ye shall know them0 7,matt4 #g3bj72 does he not signify the fruits of a good and holy life1 as the proper marks whereby true and false ,christians may be discerned8 ,a naked1 empty profession of the ,christian faith1 will be no safe foundation upon which to rely4 ,any false ,christian may cover himself with the sheep's clothing of a verbal profession of the ,christian faith2 when inwardly and in his heart he is anything but a true ,christian4 ,however1 be the lives of the professors of ,christianity ever so vain and wicked1 it does not follow hence1 that the whole doctrine is also false and corrupted1 as some would insinuate1 vainly condemning our doctrine on account of the wickedness of some of its professed adherents4 ,if this were true1 the doctrine of ,christ and of his apostles would not escape the charge of error and falsehood2 because even in their days many impious characters intruded into the church1 and made a fair profession of the ,christian faith4 ,a profane life is no sufficient proof of false doctrine in general1 though it may give us an insight into the individual himself1 whether he be a true or a false ,christian4 ,truly1 he cannot believe aright1 who leads a life opposed to the nature and properties of a divine faith4 ,such a man is no more a believer1 or a ,christian1 than a dead body is a man4 ,as many1 therefore1 as are of the number of such corrupt and unfruitful trees1 are fit for nothing but to be hewn down and cast into the fire4 ,matt4 #g3ai4 #aj4 ,in order to understand this the better1 we ought to inquire into the nature of a sound and saving faith1 and the peculiar properties that attend it4 ,and in the first place1 a true1 saving faith1 works by love4 ,gal4 #e3f4 ,by faith man is made 8a new creature0 7,gal4 #f3ae72 he is thereby born again1 and united with ,god4 ,by faith1 8,christ dwells0 and operates 8in his heart40 ,eph4 #c3ag4 ,by faith the whole kingdom of ,god is established in the soul1 and the divine ,spirit 8purifies and enlightens the heart40 ,acts #ae3i4 ,and truly1 the ,scripture copiously sets forth these and similar properties that accompany true faith4 ,thus the apostle says3 8,he that is joined unto the ,lord 7by faith7 is one spirit40 #a ,cor4 #f3ag4 ,and what is it to be one spirit with ,christ1 but to have the same mind1 the same heart and will1 which are in him8 ,and this oneness of spirit must needs suppose that new1 holy1 and heavenly life of ,christ which is to be raised within us4 ,to the same purpose it is said3 8,if any man be in ,christ1 he is a new creature0 7#b ,cor4 #e3ag72 where to be in ,christ1 is not only to believe in him1 but also to live in him4 ,again1 8,i will betroth thee unto me forever2 ,i will even betroth thee to me in faithfulness40 ,hos4 #b3ai1 #bj4 ,this sentence can signify no less1 than that a man by faith is wholly and spiritually united to ,christ3 so that where faith is1 there ,christ is2 where ,christ is1 there a holy life abides in man2 where the life of ,christ is1 there also is his love2 and where love is1 there is ,god himself1 who 8is love0 7#a ,john #d3h71 and there is also the ,holy ,ghost4 ,and in this divine order all these heavenly transactions combine2 even as the head is one with the members1 and as the cause is linked with the effect4 ,and this connection of faith and life1 ,st4 ,peter admirably enforces1 when he bids us to 8give all diligence to add to faith1 virtue2 and to virtue1 knowledge2 and to knowledge1 temperance2 and to temperance1 patience2 and to patience1 godliness2 and to godliness1 brotherly kindness2 and to brotherly kindness1 charity40 8,for if these things10 says he1 8be in you and abound1 they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,but he that lacketh these things is blind1 and cannot see afar off1 and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins40 #b ,pet4 #a3e-i4 ,here the apostle evidently declares1 that in whomsoever this union of faith and of life is not to be found1 he is destitute of all saving knowledge of ,christ1 and walks in darkness4 ,for it is the property of true faith to change a man wholly1 to renew1 and to quicken him in ,christ2 so that henceforth man may live and dwell in ,christ1 and ,christ again may live and dwell in man4 ,chapter ,,xl4 ,sundry ,rules ,for ,leading ,a ,holy ,life4 ,exercise thyself unto godliness4 ,for godliness is profitable unto all things1 having promise of the life that now is1 and of that which is to come4--#a ,,tim4 #d3g1 #h4 ,in this apostolical sentence is contained a brief description of a ,christian's life1 and of the main study about which he is employed1 namely1 the study of godliness1 or of ,christian piety1 which comprehends in it the whole train of ,christian virtues4 ,the apostle makes use of two motives to recommend this heavenly study1 and the constant practice of it4 ,first1 says he1 8,godliness is profitable unto all things40 ,godliness is of most admirable service1 as soon as our words and actions are influenced by it4 ,it renders the whole life acceptable to ,god1 and useful to our neighbor4 ,the second motive is1 because godliness is accompanied with a gracious reward both in this life1 as appears from the examples of ,joseph1 of ,daniel1 and of others1 as well as in that which is to come2 where we shall reap without ceasing1 provided we do not faint while we dwell here4 ,gal4 #f3i4 ,for our better encouragement in the practice of piety1 let us endeavor to keep in remembrance the following rules and considerations4 ,i4 ,if thou even canst not live up to that degree of holiness which the word of ,god requires1 and which thou thyself desirest1 yet thou must never cease ardently to wish for it2 for such holy breathings are always acceptable to ,god4 ,god does not so much regard the outward action of a man1 as the heart whence the action proceeds4 ,but after all1 never neglect to crucify thy flesh1 and never permit it to rule over thee4 ,,ii4 ,in all that thou thinkest and doest1 be careful to preserve the purity of thy heart4 ,set a watch over it1 lest thou be defiled with proud thoughts1 words1 or actions2 with wrath1 or other such works of the flesh1 and of the devil4 ,sin opens the door to the devil1 and shuts the heart against ,god4 ,,iii4 ,study continually to maintain the ,christian liberty of thy soul1 and do not suffer thyself to be enslaved1 or brought into bondage1 by any inordinate love of the creature1 or of the things of this world1 whose lord and master thou oughtest to be4 ,consider the value of thy soul1 which certainly is of a more noble nature than this present perishing world4 ,why shouldest thou degrade it so far1 as to subject it to the frail1 base1 and frivolous things of this life8 ,,iv4 ,beware of the care and sorrow of this world1 because it worketh death4 #b ,cor4 #g3aj4 ,as worldly sorrow begetteth death1 so godly sorrow begetteth life1 and lays up an eternal treasure6 ,worldly sorrow springs from avarice and envy2 from excessive care2 from unbelief and impatience2 and other temporal sources4 ,godly sorrow proceeds from a knowledge of thy sins1 and those eternal punishments which follow them4 ,this sorrow produces many salutary effects in a penitent soul1 and 8worketh repentance to salvation1 not to be repented of20 being attended with spiritual joy1 and solid peace or tranquillity of mind4 ,no loss of a temporal kind ought to afflict thee so much as the remembrance of thy sins1 by which thou hast offended the infinite goodness of ,god4 ,v4 ,if thou canst not bear thy cross with joy and cheerfulness1 yet take it at least with patience and humility1 and acquiesce calmly in the divine will and providence4 ,for1 truly1 the will of ,god is always good2 nor does it intend anything but thy benefit and salvation4 ,whatsoever1 therefore1 ,god shall be pleased to appoint thee in his wisdom1 do thou gratefully accept it1 and be either joyful or sorrowful1 poor or rich1 high or low1 vile or excellent1 as ,he orders thy lot4 ,let this saying always be in thy mind3 8,thus it seemeth good unto ,god1 and so it must needs be expedient and useful for me also4 ,his will1 not mine1 be done40 ,let not that1 therefore1 which pleases ,god1 displease thee2 but rather rejoice that all things are ordered according to ,his pleasure and thy salvation4 ,remember that 8the ,lord is righteous in all his ways1 and holy in all his works40 ,ps4 #ade3ag4 ,hence it is but just that the will of ,god should be done1 because it is always good and profitable2 and that thy own will should be subdued and unaccomplished1 because it is always evil and hurtful4 ,,vi4 ,whenever the ,lord visits thy soul with heavenly joy1 accept the same with gratitude and humility4 ,but when he is pleased to withdraw the comfortable light of his presence1 then consider that the mortification of the flesh must needs be of greater profit to thee than exalted joy in the spirit4 ,through overmuch spiritual joy1 many fall into spiritual pride4 ,but whatever causes mortification and sorrow1 is far more useful in subduing the flesh1 than that which is delightful and pleasing to nature4 ,the ,lord best knows whom to lead in a pleasant and agreeable path1 and who are to be brought through an unpleasant1 stony1 and difficult way4 ,always esteem it best to arrive at thy journey's end by that way which divine ,wisdom has chosen for thee1 however different it may be from thine own choice1 or from the devices of thine own heart4 ,remember1 that 8sorrow is better than laughter20 and that 8by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better40 ,and if thou wilt be wise1 trust to the experience of the wise man1 who tells thee furthermore1 that 8the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning2 but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth40 ,eccl4 #g3c1 #d4 ,,vii4 ,make an offering to ,god of all that thou hast1 and undertakest4 ,if thou canst not bring offerings of a high and exalted devotion1 of prayer1 of thanksgiving1 and of other similar acts of religion1 offer at least what thou hast1 with a good will1 and a fervent desire4 ,wish1 at least1 that it may prove acceptable unto the ,lord2 for to have such a desire1 or to be willing to have it1 is no contemptible offering1 but is very agreeable to the kindness of ,god4 ,in what measure thou desirest to offer up thy devotion1 thy prayer1 and praise2 in that measure ,god accepts the same4 ,he requires no more at thy hands than he himself works in thee by his grace3 nor canst thou return him more than he has first conferred on thee4 ,in the meantime1 entreat the ,lord ,jesus1 that he would graciously please to supply what is defective in thee1 by his own more perfect oblation and sacrifice3 because he1 and he only1 is the perfection of our imperfect worship and service4 ,say1 therefore1 in faith3 8,o my ,god1 and my ,father1 ,i beseech thee1 let my devotion1 my prayer1 and thanksgiving1 together with all the acts of my faith and worship1 be graciously accepted by thee in thy beloved ,son1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,esteem them1 not according to what they are in themselves1 but according to what they are made by the merit of the all-sufficient sacrifice offered up by thy ,son4 ,o look upon that1 and upon all that he has wrought for me in the flesh2 and as his most perfect works must needs be pleasing to thee1 so let mine also be acceptable to thee for his sake4 ,he1 ,o my ,god1 shall abundantly make up whatsoever is defective in me40 ,by this means1 our devotion1 our prayer1 and thanksgiving1 how imperfect1 weak1 and obscure soever they may be in themselves1 acquire a certain lustre1 worth1 and dignity derived from the merit of ,christ1 whereby our works are rendered acceptable to the ,lord4 ,as a naked and unclean infant is offensive to every one that sees it1 but becomes sweet and lovely when it is thoroughly cleansed1 and covered with fine linen3 in like manner1 all the works which thou doest in thy natural state1 are polluted with sin1 and of no account before ,god2 but no sooner art thou covered with the perfection of ,christ 7,isa4 #fa3aj71 than thy works are acceptable to ,god4 ,as fruit1 which is not valuable in itself1 surprises the spectator into a love of it1 when served up in vessels of precious gold3 so our prayers and acts of devotion1 though of no account in themselves1 are exalted in ,jesus ,christ1 in whom1 as in the beloved1 we are made accepted with ,god4 ,eph4 #a3f4 ,,viii4 ,if thy sins and manifold frailties 7as they should do71 make thee sad1 yet let them not lead thee to despair4 ,if they be many in number1 remember that there is yet more mercy with ,christ1 and 8plenteous redemption with him40 ,ps4 #acj3g4 ,if thy imperfections be ever so great1 remember that ,christ's merits are yet greater1 and say with the royal penitent3 8,have mercy upon me1 ,o ,lord1 according to the multitude of thy tender mercies60 ,ps4 #ea3a4 ,and when1 by the grace of ,god1 thou truly repentest1 and beholdest ,christ ,jesus1 that great sacrifice for sin1 then ,god himself repents of the evil which was to be inflicted upon thee2 and absolution and remission of sin instantly follow so good and salutary a sorrow4 ,ezek4 #ah3bc2 #cc3aa4 ,as the leper1 upon his application to ,christ1 was immediately delivered from his evil1 so is also the penitent sinner4 ,no sooner did he say1 8,lord1 if thou wilt1 thou canst make me clean20 than ,christ freely replied3 8,i will2 be thou clean40 ,matt4 #h3b1 #c4 ,so also the merciful ,god1 inwardly and in the spirit1 makes thee clean1 comforts thee1 and says3 8,be of good cheer2 thy sins are forgiven thee40 ,matt4 #i3b4 ,this wonderful mercy of the ,lord in cleansing and absolving thee of thy sins1 as it is forcibly represented by the example of that leper1 so it ought by no means to give thee an occasion to sin the more2 but to love ,god the more1 and to say1 8,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul2 and all that is within me bless his holy name40 ,ps4 #ajc3a4 ,,ix4 ,let not injuries1 reproaches1 and revilings1 provoke thee at any time to wrath1 indignation1 or revenge2 but rather take them as so many trials of thy heart1 and of the inward state of thy soul4 ,hereby ,god designs to prove thee1 that it may appear what is hidden within thee1 and whether meekness and humility1 or wrath and pride1 sway thy mind4 ,for that which lies concealed in a man1 is stirred up and made manifest by reproaches and provocations4 ,if1 therefore1 thy heart be endued with meekness and lowliness1 thou wilt easily bear contempt and injuries2 nay1 thou wilt accept them as so many paternal chastisements designed for the good of thy soul4 ,moreover1 thou must consider1 that contempt and reproaches are part of the chastisements which the ,almighty sends1 and thou shouldst patiently bear whatever the ,lord shall be pleased to allot to thee4 8,let us go forth10 says the apostle1 8unto him1 bearing his reproach40 ,heb4 #ac3ac4 ,behold with what lowliness of heart did he undergo the affronts of a profane world6 ,and should not we submit to the same with meekness1 and with an unshaken evenness of mind8 ,say not then1 8,should ,i suffer these things from so contemptible a fellow as this80 but rather submit1 in consideration of that patient and meek spirit which was in ,christ1 and displayed itself in his whole life and conduct4 ,lastly1 consider the kindness of ,god towards those that suffer for his sake4 ,so faithful is he1 and so kind to those that bear any disgrace on his account1 that he confers the greater marks of honor and favor upon them4 ,thus ,david1 when ,shimei vented his malice upon him1 took it for a pledge that ,god would bestow a token of great honor upon him2 and this accordingly came to pass4 8,it may be10 says he1 8that the ,lord will look on mine affliction1 and that the ,lord will requite me good for his cursing this day10 and turn his curse into a blessing4 #b ,sam4 #af3ab4 ,be not1 therefore1 at all disturbed at the evil report that wicked men may raise against thee2 but rejoice rather1 since the ,spirit of glory rests on those that are reproached for the name of ,christ4 #a ,peter #d3ad4 ,x4 ,study to overcome and to pacify thine enemies1 by bestowing upon them tokens of love and kindness4 ,no man will ever be reconciled by wrath1 or revenge1 or returning evil for evil1 for victory consists in virtue1 not in vice4 ,and as one devil does not drive out another1 so it cannot be expected that one evil should be subdued by another2 or that enmity against thee should be extinguished by affronts and provocations offered by thee4 ,a man that is full of sores and bruises1 is not likely to be healed by the addition of more blows2 and if he be so mad as to beat and to cut himself1 he is to be pitied1 and to be treated with the greater kindness and lenity4 ,in like manner1 if a man be full of spiritual distemper1 and of hatred1 he is to be handled with the more love and gentleness2 if1 perhaps1 by such lenient means as these1 he may be softened into a better temper4 ,consider the method which ,god himself uses for overcoming our natural obstinacy4 ,does he not conquer our malice with his goodness1 and our wrath with his love8 ,and does he not invite us to repentance by many endearing marks of love and benignity8 ,rom4 #b3d4 ,this method is prescribed by ,st4 ,paul3 8,be not10 says he1 8overcome of evil1 but overcome evil with good40 ,rom4 #ab3ba4 ,this is victory indeed4 ,,xi4 ,when thou observest that ,god has adorned thy neighbor with gifts above thee1 take heed not to envy him on that account2 but rather rejoice and give thanks to ,god for the same4 ,consider1 that since all true believers make up together but one body1 it must needs follow1 that the beauty of every member is communicated to the whole body1 and to every member thereof4 ,on the other hand1 when thou perceivest the misery of thy neighbor1 lament over it as if it were thine own2 considering that the condition of all men is equally subject to evil1 and that misery and affliction are the lot of mankind4 ,christ hath also set thee here an example4 ,and1 truly1 whoever does not commiserate and sympathize with the misery of his neighbor1 let him pretend to be what he may1 he is no living member of the body of ,christ4 ,for did not ,christ look upon our misery as his own1 and by compassionating our deplorable state1 deliver us from all our miseries8 ,this mutual love and sympathy1 are inculcated by ,st4 ,paul3 8,bear ye one another's burdens10 says he1 8and so fulfil the law of ,christ40 ,gal4 #f3b4 ,,xii4 ,as for love and hatred in relation to thy neighbor1 make the following distinction4 ,it is but fit that thou shouldest hate his vices and crimes as the very works of the devil2 but then1 beware of hating the person whilst thou abhorrest his sin4 ,on the contrary1 it is thy duty to bewail the case of thy neighbor1 who1 being carried away by so many irregular passions1 enjoys no solid rest in his soul4 ,offer up his cause to ,god1 and pray for him1 as ,christ did for his enemies1 when he was nailed to the cross4 ,luke #bc3cd4 ,do not1 therefore1 hate any man1 but hate his vices only2 for whosoever hates a man1 and seeks his ruin1 can in no wise be pleasing to ,god2 since it is the very nature of ,god to be kind1 and to desire that 8all men should be saved1 and come unto the knowledge of the truth40 #a ,tim4 #b3d4 ,this was also the end for which ,christ took our flesh upon him4 ,he came into the world1 8not to destroy men's lives1 but to save them40 ,luke #i3ef4 ,,xiii4 ,consider all men as being frail and imperfect1 but none as more frail and imperfect than thyself2 for before ,god1 all men stand equally guilty1 and there is no difference4 ,we have all sinned1 and have thereby been deprived of the image of ,god1 and of all the glory which attended it4 ,rom4 #c3bc4 ,how great a sinner1 therefore1 thy neighbor may be1 never fondly persuade thyself1 that thou art better before ,god4 ,remember this warning of the apostle3 8,let him that thinketh he standeth1 take heed lest he fall40 #a ,cor4 #aj3ab4 ,he that makes himself the lowest of all men1 is in the fairest way of being preserved1 by the grace of ,god1 unto salvation4 ,and certain it is1 that thou standest no less in need of the grace and mercy of ,god1 than the greatest of sinners4 ,where there is a great measure of humility1 there is also a great measure of grace4 ,wherefore ,st4 ,paul accounted himself the 8chief of sinners0 7#a ,tim4 #a3ae72 and it was in this order he obtained mercy1 and had so much long-suffering bestowed upon him4 ,and in another place he declares that he will glory in nothing but in 8his infirmities1 that the power of ,christ might rest upon him40 #b ,cor4 #ab3i4 ,,xiv4 ,true illumination is always accompanied with a contempt of the things of the world4 ,as the children of the world have their inheritance here upon earth2 so the children of ,god have theirs laid up above in heaven4 ,the treasures which the children of this world have chiefly at heart1 are temporal honors1 perishing riches1 earthly splendor and glory4 ,but the treasures of the children of ,god are poverty and contempt1 persecution and reproach1 the cross and death1 trouble and sorrow4 ,thus did ,moses prefer 8the reproach of ,christ before the treasures in ,egypt20 and the affliction of the people of ,god1 before the pleasures of sin4 ,heb4 #aa3be1 #bf4 ,,xv4 ,remember1 that by the name of a ,christian written in heaven1 is intimated that solid1 practical knowledge of ,christ which is grounded in faith1 and by which we are transplanted into ,christ4 ,from this knowledge flow all the living virtues which the ,lord will praise in the great day of retribution4 ,matt4 #be3cd1 etc4 ,he will then also bring to light all those treasures which we have laid up in heaven 7#a ,tim4 #f3ai71 together with all such works as have been wrought in ,god4 ,john #c3ba4 ,never has a saint lived upon earth1 but he has been particularly eminent in one virtue or other2 and this virtue shall never be forgotten4 ,ps4 #aab3f4 ,whether it be faith1 love1 mercy1 patience1 or any other virtue in the practice of which he has been so conspicuous1 it shall make up that eternal name which is written in heaven4 ,rev4 #b3ag2 #c3ab4 ,this will be the note and character of the saints1 and their eternal memorial before ,god4 ,but of this1 more shall be said in ,book ,,ii4 ,chapter ,,xli4 ,the ,whole ,of ,christianity ,consists ,in ,the ,restoration ,of ,the ,image ,of ,god ,in ,man1 ,and ,the ,destruction ,of ,the ,image ,of ,satan4 ,but we all1 with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the ,lord1 are changed into the same image from glory to glory1 even as by the ,spirit of the ,lord4--#b ,,cor4 #c3ah4 ,in the true knowledge of ,christ1 wherein is comprehended that of his ,person1 offices1 benefits1 and heavenly and eternal gifts1 consists life everlasting4 ,john #ag3c4 ,this knowledge is kindled in our hearts by the ,divine ,spirit1 and is a new light shining forth with increasing brightness1 and passing on from glory to glory4 ,it is like a metallic body1 which1 by constant polishing1 becomes every day more brilliant2 or like a tender infant1 which1 by a daily supply of food1 grows up in vigor and strength4 ,no sooner is the righteousness of ,christ1 through faith1 conferred upon a returning sinner1 than he is also really born again1 and the image of ,god is daily renewed within him4 ,his spiritual growth1 or the renovation of his mind1 goes on1 however1 in a successive manner1 from one degree to another1 for he has not yet become a 8perfect man in ,christ40 ,eph4 #d3ac4 ,he is a child for some time2 but is continually nourished by the ,divine ,spirit1 and daily brought to a greater conformity with the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 #b4 ,for the whole life of a ,christian upon earth1 is properly nothing else than a continual renewing of the image of ,god in his soul3 so that he may constantly live in the new birth1 and daily mortify that which is old and corrupt1 till the body of sin be eventually destroyed4 ,rom4 #f3d4 ,this life must be begun in this world1 that so it may be perfected in that which is to come4 ,whereas1 in whomsoever the renewal of this divine life shall not be begun before his departure from this world1 in him it never shall be accomplished4 ,wherefore ,i have thought it might be well briefly to repeat what is here meant by the image of ,god1 which is to be revived2 and what by the image of the devil1 which is to be obliterated and destroyed in man's soul3 for in the right knowledge of these two1 the substance of our whole religion consists4 ,it is the main point upon which all turns1 and from which many other articles 7as that of ,original ,sin1 free-will1 repentance1 conversion1 faith1 justification1 prayer1 the new birth1 sanctification1 and lastly1 obedience1 and the whole practice of a religious life71 borrow no small light4 ,of this1 the following remarks will give an account4 #c4 ,the soul of man is an immortal spirit1 endowed of ,god with excellent faculties2 as the understanding1 will1 memory1 and other powers and affections4 #d4 ,see that thou turn all these towards thy ,god1 in order to behold him therein as in a mirror2 and1 by beholding him1 to have his image gradually formed in thy soul4 ,in this sense the apostle speaks of 8the glory of the ,lord10 which we behold 8with an open face10 without vail and shadows4 #b4 ,cor4 #c3ah4 #e4 ,as ,god is a truly good and holy ,being2 so also were the substance of the soul1 and its true nature and essence1 originally good and holy4 ,and as in ,god there is nothing of evil2 even so was the soul of man1 in the beginning1 free from all manner of evil4 ,as in ,god there is nothing but what is right2 so in the soul there was nothing at first but what was right also4 ,for ,he is the rock1 whose 8work is perfect20 even 8a ,god of truth1 and without iniquity1 just and right is he40 ,deut4 #cb3d2 ,ps4 #ib3ae4 ,as ,god is wise1 so was also the human soul full of divine and spiritual knowledge1 of heavenly and eternal wisdom4 ,and as the divine wisdom ordered all things in number1 weight1 and measure1 and knew the powers of all creatures1 as well in heaven as in earth3 so also was the mind of man possessed of the same light and knowledge4 #f4 ,and as it was with the understanding1 so it was with the will3 for as the one was the image and reflection of the divine understanding1 so was the other of the divine will1 in everything4 ,it was holy as the pattern was holy1 and conformed to the will of ,god4 ,hence1 as ,god himself is1 so was the human soul2 righteous1 loving1 merciful1 long-suffering1 patient1 meek1 gentle1 true1 and pure4 ,exod4 #cd3f2 ,ps4 #ajc3h2 ,joel #b3ac4 ,yea1 all the passions or affections1 all the appetites1 and motions of the heart1 being made most perfectly conformable to the motions and affections of the divine mind1 partook of this conformity of the will of man to that of ,god4 ,as1 therefore1 ,god is ,,love1 so all the affections and motions of man1 in his first state1 breathed nothing but pure love4 ,as ,god1 the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 are ,,one in an unspeakable and eternal bond of love2 so all the affections and desires of man1 burned with a most perfect and ardent love1 and he cleaved unto ,god fully with all the powers and faculties which he had2 8with all his heart1 and with all his soul1 and with all his might0 7,deut4 #f3e72 so that man verily loved ,god more than himself1 and preferred ,god and ,his honor1 to himself and his own4 #g4 ,but as the image of ,god shone forth in the soul1 so the image of the soul again shone forth in and from the body4 ,this1 therefore1 was holy1 chaste1 and pure throughout1 not subject to any unclean motion or lust4 ,it was undefiled and without blemish4 ,it was in every respect1 beautiful1 well proportioned1 and graceful2 of vigorous health1 and possessed of a constitution even out of the very danger of sickness4 ,it was such as death itself had no power over1 and it was perfectly free from pain1 listlessness1 passion1 grief1 and old age1 now the common attendants and warnings of man's mortality4 ,in a word1 the whole man1 both in soul and body1 was pure1 holy1 righteous1 and every way acceptable to ,god4 ,for1 in order that man might be the image of ,god1 it was necessary that his body should be holy1 and conformable to ,god1 as well as his soul4 ,accordingly1 ,st4 ,paul both exhorts and prays1 that the body1 together with the spirit and soul1 be sanctified wholly2 and be preserved holy and blameless unto the coming of our ,lord4 #a ,thess4 #e3bc4 ,for since man is made up of soul and body1 and exercises both bodily and spiritual functions1 there was a necessity that the instrument through which the soul was to act1 should be pliable and obedient1 adapted to the nature of the soul1 and holy as the soul was holy2 to the end that the holy and righteous soul1 might finish her work through the body without any obstacle or resistance4 ,as1 therefore1 the soul burned with the pure love of ,god3 so did all the powers of the body manifest and exert themselves in the love of ,god and man4 ,as the soul was altogether merciful2 so also the body was1 with its whole might1 and all its faculties1 impelled to tenderness and compassion4 ,as chastity shone forth from the soul1 which was altogether pure2 so the whole body1 in like manner1 with all the inward and outward senses and powers thereof1 visibly set forth the most perfect purity and chastity4 ,to conclude1 the virtues no less gloriously shone in the body1 than in the soul itself2 so that the body was the holy instrument of the soul1 in everything suited to it1 and worked together with it4 ,and hence man in the state of innocency1 was able to love ,god with all his heart1 with all his soul1 with all his strength1 and with all his mind1 and to love his neighbor as himself3 which is the very substance both of the old and new law given to man4 ,deut4 #f3e2 ,matt4 #bb3cg1 #ci2 ,luke #aj3bg4 ,hence1 as often as ,god calls for the heart of man1 we are to understand the whole man1 both as to body and soul1 and the powers1 faculties1 and operations of both4 ,in this sense1 the word 8heart0 is frequently taken in ,scripture2 so that under it are comprehended all the powers of the soul1 as the understanding1 will1 and memory1 together with all the desires and affections attendant on them4 ,so when ,god demands a man's soul1 he1 under that name1 requires not a part1 but the whole of a man4 ,he must1 in all his powers1 be conformed to ,god1 and renewed in ,christ ,jesus3 and thus man1 having put off the old nature1 and being renewed in the spirit of his mind1 must also walk in newness of life1 and in the spirit by which he was begotten again4 ,gal4 #e3af2 ,eph4 #d3bc4 #h4 ,moreover1 there was a perfect joy in ,god1 which accompanied this perfection of holiness1 righteousness1 and divine love1 in man4 ,by this1 all the faculties and springs1 both of soul and body1 were most powerfully affected3 for wherever divine holiness resides1 there also divine joy must be present4 ,these two are knit together with an everlasting bond1 and make up the very image of ,god4 ,yet1 as in this life1 the divine righteousness and holiness are but imperfect in us1 so we but taste1 while here1 only the first fruits of that joy which shall be fully revealed hereafter4 ,however1 as the righteousness of ,christ is verily begun in sincere believers1 so it follows that they also enjoy a real beginning and foretaste of divine joy and comfort2 as those ,christians can abundantly attest1 that have learned religion by experience4 ,john #af3bb2 #b ,cor4 #a3e2 ,phil4 #d3d4 ,whatever progress1 therefore1 any one makes in the love of ,god1 be it more or less1 so much of divine joy does he also perceive in his soul4 ,and this holy and divine love1 as it shall in the next life attain its full perfection1 so in that day the ,christian's joy 7arising from love7 shall also be full1 as the ,lord himself declares4 ,john #ae3aa2 #af3bb4 ,for divine love is the only true life1 and the only true joy3 but where this love of ,god is wanting1 there is neither joy nor life2 but death itself1 and the everlasting portion of wicked men and devils4 ,whence has a father joy8 ,is it not from the love of his children8 ,whence has a bridegroom joy8 ,is it not from the love of the bride8 ,isaiah #fa3aj2 #fb3e4 ,but infinitely sweeter must that joy be1 which is derived from the love of our ,creator6 ,he not only embraces us as a father does his children1 but he rejoices over us as over his bride2 nay1 most tenderly kisses us 8with the kisses of his mouth0 7,cant4 #a3b471 7that is1 in ,christ1 who is his mouth and word71 and coming to us1 through ,christ with the ,holy ,ghost1 makes his abode with us4 ,john #ad3bc4 ,take heed1 however1 concerning this image of ,god1 which consists in a conformity with ,god1 that you do not therefore think1 as if man were made equal with ,god in holiness4 ,not by any means4 ,for ,god is infinite as to his essence1 virtues1 and properties2 he is incomprehensible1 and without bounds2 so that nothing in the world can be compared with him4 ,man therefore1 even in his first state1 could not properly be said to bear ,god in him2 being designed only to bear his image1 as it has been already explained in ,chapter ,i4 of this ,book4 #i4 ,that which has now been stated concerning the image of ,god1 is plain1 true1 and beyond all doubt4 ,it cannot be denied1 that ,god created man1 to be a bright mirror of himself3 so that if man had been desirous to know the nature of ,god1 he might1 by looking into himself1 have beheld ,god there1 as in a glass1 and clearly perceived the image of the ,deity within his own breast4 #aj4 ,this image was the life and blessedness of man2 but the devil1 looking with envious eyes upon this image of ,god in man1 exerted all his art and cunning to efface it1 by raising in man a spirit of disobedience and enmity against ,god4 ,gen4 #c3a1 etc4 ,this he accordingly effected with a subtility and haste1 that never were since seen4 ,he was not ignorant1 that if man had continued in that state1 he would have been the master3 but that if he could be induced to fall from it1 that the devil would thereby become the lord 7or rather the tyrant7 of fallen man4 ,when1 therefore1 with all the powers of his cunning and malice1 he could devise nothing more likely to accomplish his design than that by which he himself lost his first state or principality1 he began1 in a seductive manner1 to insinuate into the imagination of the woman1 no less than an affectation of the ,divine ,majesty4 ,what can appear more divine1 or what is there more noble to be wished for1 than to 8be as ,god08 ,gen4 #c3e4 ,by this cunningly contrived method1 man being therefore circumvented1 he lost the divine image at once2 and the image of ,satan1 consisting in an affectation of the ,divine ,majesty1 was impressed upon him4 #aa4 ,this aspiring thought1 by which man threw off all his dependence on ,god1 being thus begotten in the mind2 and this haughty arrogance having once seized the imagination1 there followed immediately apostasy from ,god1 disobedience1 and transgression of the commandment concerning the forbidden tree4 ,hereupon the image of ,god was extinguished1 the ,holy ,spirit departed from man1 and the image of ,satan was imprinted instead of that which was effaced4 ,hence now there are so many men1 so many slaves of the devil4 ,the devil having thus gained his object in subjecting man to his dominion1 most cruelly tyrannized over him2 just as a giant may be supposed to do over a little infant4 ,hence the understanding in man is darkened and blinded2 the will is1 by a complete disobedience1 turned from ,god2 and all the springs and powers of the heart are stirred up against ,god in utter malice4 ,in a word1 the whole image of ,god lieth now slain in man1 and the whole race of mankind1 being swayed by the satanical nature1 have a seed sown in them full of the deepest malignity4 ,hence men became the offspring of ,satan1 and his living likeness1 being poisoned with all manner of sin and enmity against ,god4 ,thus died man6 ,thus died he the death everlasting6 ,for as the image of ,god is the life and salvation of man1 so the departure of this image is the death of man1 even death eternal1 and his damnation1 which is also called a death 8in trespasses and sins40 ,eph4 #b3a2 ,col4 #b3ac4 #ab4 ,they best understand this death1 who1 having been cast into deep spiritual temptations1 sensibly feel the devil's rage and tyranny over them4 ,by this he torments the soul beyond what it is in the ordinary power of sin to effect4 ,now1 unless the ,holy ,ghost shine in upon the soul under this terrible affliction1 and by darting in some ray of his light comfort it2 the devil slays the man with this death1 and racks the soul with the very anguish of hell itself4 ,hence all the natural force of the body sinks1 the strength fails1 the heart withers and pants1 and the very marrow in the bones consumes away1 so that there is no soundness left in the body4 ,this state is described at large1 in ,psalms #f and #ch4 ,the word of ,god itself1 to such a one1 seems dead and lifeless3 he finds in it no manner of devotion1 no savor of spiritual life4 ,this is the spiritual death1 into which the soul is fallen3 and while the soul remains thus spiritually dead1 all human holiness1 righteousness1 excellency1 might1 power1 glory1 honor1 arts1 and wisdom1 can avail nothing4 ,and1 truly1 man would undoubtedly perish in this grievous condition1 if he were not supported by divine grace3 for nothing but this is able to succor him4 #ac4 ,learn1 therefore1 ,o man1 duly to look into1 and rightly to consider the abominable filthiness of ,original ,sin1 as the sink of all abomination4 ,for by this the hereditary righteousness of ,god was lost1 and the hereditary unrighteousness of the devil transplanted into men4 ,hence the sinner was cast away from ,god1 and doomed to an eternal death3 and this he must certainly undergo1 except he obtain forgiveness of sin for ,christ's sake through faith4 #ad4 ,but to set the state of fallen man1 both as to soul and body1 in as clear a light as possibly ,i can1 ,i think it well to give a fuller description thereof in this place2 most earnestly entreating every one1 for the sake of ,god and of his own eternal salvation1 to ponder again and again1 and seriously to revolve in his mind that original depravity which has corrupted our nature4 ,the consequence of this will be1 that as a man beholds his bodily face in a glass1 and knows it1 so he may also behold in himself his own wretchedness1 and original sin4 ,this will daily influence him to lament his own distressed condition1 and to sigh after ,him1 who alone is able to heal us4 #ae4 ,for the whole ,christian life is indeed nothing else1 than a constant wrestling with original sin1 and a continual purging away of the same by the aid of the ,holy ,ghost1 and by true repentance4 ,for1 in proportion as any one mortifies his natural propensity to evil1 in that degree is he renewed after the image of ,god1 even day by day2 and they who are not inwardly mortified by the ,holy ,ghost1 are at best no more than hypocrites1 let them make ever so great a show with an external profession of the ,christian faith4 ,neither can they expect to enter into the kingdom of ,god1 since they are not renewed into his image3 for whatsoever is not dead to itself1 nor renewed into the image of ,god by his ,spirit1 is altogether unfit for that glorious state4 #af4 ,from all this1 there may evidently be inferred the absolute necessity of the new birth1 and of the daily renovation of our mind into the image of ,god4 ,this necessity will yet more fully appear1 when we consider the image of the devil according as the law describes it4 ,for as the devil not only does not love ,god1 but rather hates him with his whole heart2 so he has infected man's soul with the same contagion1 and transfused into it malice against ,god2 so that now man by nature neither loves1 honors1 believes1 calls upon1 nor trusts in ,god2 but as he is filled with enmity against him1 so he flees from him1 and shuns him4 ,as the devil is hurried on with a blind fury1 and lives without ,god and his will2 so in like manner1 the soul of man being corrupted by him1 leads a godless life1 unmindful of ,god and of his will4 ,this inward darkness of the mind1 is attended with a frightful destruction of the divine light and image2 and brings forth that abominable sin1 in which man1 left to himself1 saith3 8,there is no ,god40 ,ps4 #ad3a4 ,and by reason of this blindness of heart1 all mankind are become an abomination before ,god1 in all their ways4 #ag4 ,but notwithstanding so dreadful a night of apostasy1 there still remains a spark of natural light in man's understanding1 by which he might come to know that there is a ,god 7,rom4 #a3bj72 as also1 that this ,god must be just1 according as all the heathen philosophers teach3 but as for the spiritual life1 which is after ,god and his righteousness1 it was wholly extinguished in man4 ,for conscience1 which is the law of ,god written in every man's heart when it was first formed by him1 teaches every one what is good and right4 ,thus if you look1 for instance1 upon a person that is unchaste1 there is not one that so much wallows in the filth of the flesh1 but he now and then thinks with himself1 8,surely there is a ,god1 and this ,god is most pure and undefiled2 and so not like to me by any means40 ,he cannot but reflect further3 8,this holy and pure ,god1 must abhor every sort of pollution and uncleanness2 and1 therefore1 if ,i would be acceptable to him1 ,i ought to live chastely1 and to abstain from all impurity40 ,but this spark of light is soon put out by the filthy lusts of the flesh which crowd in upon the mind2 these overwhelm all good impressions1 just as a spark of fire is swallowed up by a flood of water4 ,the lust of the flesh is kept within the heart1 and the conviction1 which began to reprove it1 is soon stifled4 #ah4 ,from this it plainly appears1 that the spiritual life1 consisting in holy love and truth1 is in the carnal or natural man utterly abolished4 ,and thus the wiser sort of heathens1 however they might sometimes by the light of nature maintain both the being of a ,god1 and his providence over human affairs1 were soon carried away with the darkness of their own hearts1 and again called in question that providence which they had before asserted3 so that very little is to be made of what they say on this head4 ,this their books sufficiently declare4 ,from this hereditary blindness of heart1 and this natural inbred darkness1 spring unbelief and doubts4 ,and because all men are by nature in this degenerate state1 they are an abomination in the sight of ,god2 since there is no faith in them1 nor any filial reliance upon the paternal goodness of ,god4 ,to this spiritual life1 and to the various operations that proceed from it1 the natural man is an utter stranger2 consequently he does not call upon ,god1 but trusts to his own wisdom1 power1 and strength4 ,this is the greatest blindness and darkness of mind possible4 #ai4 ,from this blindness of heart1 further arise both a contempt of ,god1 and a state of carnal security4 ,as the devil does not humble himself before ,god1 but is hardened in pride2 so has he infected the soul of man with the same vice1 and poisoned it with contempt of ,god1 security1 and presumption4 ,hence he1 like his father the devil 7,john #h3dd71 will not humble himself before ,god2 but is stout and insolent1 haughty and self-willed1 and would do everything after his own will1 without the least fear of the ,lord to keep him awe4 ,as the devil relies on his own strength and wisdom1 and thereby entirely governs himself2 so fallen man1 being infected with the contagion of ,satan1 acts in conformity with him2 and will always be his own counsellor and master4 ,moreover1 as the devil seeks his own honor1 so does the natural man1 who bears his image4 ,he is in pursuit of self-honor1 without any regard to his ,maker1 whose honor he was designed to promote4 ,as the devil blasphemes the name of ,god1 and is ungrateful to his ,creator2 so it is with man1 transformed into his image4 ,as the devil is unmerciful1 wrathful1 and revengeful1 so is the soul of man1 which he has soured with the same leaven of malice4 ,as the devil delights to lord it over men1 and to please himself with vainglory1 so man1 tainted with the same tyrannical ambition1 haughtily lifts himself up above others4 ,he laughs at his neighbor1 and shuns his company1 as if he were a worthless1 pitiful person1 and too great a sinner to be conversed with4 ,but1 ,o man6 thou art to consider over and over again1 that in these1 and all other cases1 the method of ,god is not to charge or accuse the outward members of a man1 but the heart only4 ,the heart is the murderer and the liar1 not the hand nor the mouth4 ,it is the soul that is guilty2 and this is therefore everywhere arraigned in ,scripture4 ,so when ,god commands men to call upon him in the time of trouble 7,ps4 #ej3ae71 he gives this command to the soul1 not to the lips4 ,and it is the very same in every other case4 ,whosoever does not observe this necessary rule in reading the ,scriptures1 is blind indeed4 ,he can never have a right apprehension of original sin1 repentance1 or regeneration3 nay1 he cannot attain to a sound knowledge of any one article of the ,christian religion4 #bj4 ,we have daily before our eyes the extreme wickedness of men1 their horrid pride1 savage hatred1 barbarous enviousness1 and other impious qualities1 with which they tear one another1 after the manner of wild beasts4 ,many are transported to such a degree of malice1 as to be unconcerned about their own lives1 provided they can but hurt or destroy another4 ,their neighbor must submit to their pleasure1 or expect to have a snare laid for his ruin4 ,thus1 as the devil himself is a 8murderer from the beginning0 7,john #h3dd72 so he stirs up the soul of man to thirst after the blood of others4 ,for all these inhuman qualities of the heart1 this envy and wrath1 this bitterness of mind1 this rancor and malice1 what are they but the seed of the devil sown in man1 and his express image engraven upon the soul8 ,alas6 how the devil has portrayed himself in man6 #ba4 ,god had implanted in man a conjugal affection1 that was pure and honorable2 that thence children might be begotten after the divine image4 ,nor could there have been a love more holy and heavenly1 than that by which man1 in his blessed estate1 would have thus propagated the image of ,god and mankind at the same time4 ,all would have been for the glory of his ,creator1 and the salvation of man4 ,nay1 if man in the state of innocency could have begotten a vast multitude of children1 and have thus propagated the honor and image of ,god2 nothing1 certainly1 could have been more grateful to him than this2 nothing more delightful1 more full of holy joy and satisfaction4 ,for these acts would then have proceeded from pure love to ,god and to men1 as so many images of the ,supreme ,good4 ,as ,god found in the creation of man1 a holy pleasure1 and delighted in him1 as in his image2 so also man would1 in like manner1 have been sensible of a most pure and exquisite joy in the procreation of his like1 for it would have been the propagation of ,god's image4 ,but1 alas6 ,satan has polluted this chaste flame of conjugal love with all uncleanness4 ,men and women1 actuated with a blind transport of lust1 begot children in their own1 not in ,god's likeness4 ,gen4 #e3c4 ,how is the holy bond of matrimony trampled upon and profaned6 ,how wholly defiled is it with spots of the flesh1 and what a multitude of vices and impurities now shelter themselves under the sacred name of matrimony6 #bb4 ,as ,god is just1 the devil is unjust4 ,the devil is therefore a thief1 a plunderer2 and being so in himself1 has instilled into man's soul the same unjust disposition1 the same ravenous nature4 ,the devil is a false accuser 7,rev4 #ab3aj71 a fallacious reasoner 7#b ,cor4 #aa3c71 and a treacherous informer 7,job #a3i1 #aj71 as well as a scornful mocker of ,god and man4 ,job #b3c1 #d1 #e4 ,he misrepresents both words and actions1 and wrests them to a wrong sense4 ,of this artful contrivance he gave a striking instance when he beguiled our first parents by his craft and subtlety4 ,gen4 #c3e-g4 ,thus the soul of man1 corrupted by ,satan1 has received from him1 as by inheritance1 a perverse and lying nature4 ,john #h3dd4 ,this poison1 conveyed into the soul1 is so horrible and so manifold1 as to render it altogether impossible to declare at large the subtile contrivances1 and the different kinds of diabolical art and cunning that proceed from it4 ,eph4 #f3aa4 ,read ,psalm #e3i1 ,romans #c3ac1 and ,james #c3e1 #f2 and thou shalt find described therein in the most lively terms1 that world of wickedness1 which by a deceitful tongue is drawn forth from the diabolical venom that lurks within1 and that thence spreads itself through the whole man4 ,for ,god does not blame the tongue1 or the hands alone1 but in his law1 charges the fault upon the whole man1 yea1 upon the heart1 as the chief cause of all the evils committed4 ,see the ,commandments1 in ,exodus #bj3af1 #ag4 ,this ought to be particularly observed in the whole course of a religious life4 #bc4 ,and this is that image of the devil1 which now1 instead of the image of ,god1 is so deeply engraven on the soul4 ,hereby man is made to delight in sinning1 and in slandering another1 even as the devil's name imports4 ,rev4 #ab3aj4 ,how many1 alas6 are there1 that reckon themselves very good ,christians1 and yet will not hesitate to slander their neighbor upon any occasion that offers2 and after they have discharged their venom against him1 will applaud themselves for what they have done4 ,such a man will say3 8,this is just what ,i have sought for a long while2 ,i am now eased of a great burden2 ,i seem to be alive again1 as ,i have so finely treated such a one40 ,ah6 poor man1 thou art to be pitied6 ,how great is thy blindness1 that thou dost not discern who it is that has transformed thee into such a devil and slanderer2 and whose image it is thou carriest about thee6 ,seest thou not that this is the very nature of the devil1 the unhappy seed of ,satan8 ,discernest thou not this to be his true temper1 which he has implanted in the soul of man1 that it might there display itself1 in all sorts of vices1 but more particularly in pride1 covetousness1 lust1 and slander2 even as daily experience abundantly witnesses8 ,alas1 is this thy wit1 and cunning1 and wisdom8 #bd4 ,behold1 ,o man6 the foul1 the horrible1 the profound corruption of ,original ,sin6 ,o how filthy1 how unsearchable it is6 ,consider this again and again2 and descending into thyself1 learn there to know the image and nature of ,satan1 which1 like a gangrene1 is spread through thy whole soul1 together with all the dangerous symptoms that attend it4 ,and learn how thy soul is hence become an abomination before ,god1 and is laid waste in so dreadful a manner1 that no creature is able thoroughly to search out the malignity of the heart of man4 ,neither art thou thyself able sufficiently to explore it1 or to explain in words1 that detestable venom which is as rottenness in thy innermost parts4 ,wherefore1 ,i earnestly beseech and entreat every one1 that he ponder with himself1 and seriously reflect on those things that have been said concerning the depravity and corruption of man's heart2 even as if they had been inculcated a thousand and thousand times1 over and over again4 ,for so great is this virulence1 so malignant and pestilential1 as to put it beyond the power of any creature1 either angel or man1 ever to root it out1 or to cleanse or free our nature from it4 ,all the powers of men come short of so great a performance4 ,for how should any one be able to work out his salvation with his own natural powers1 since they all without exception are utterly depraved1 and dead to spiritual things8 ,man1 therefore1 must be forever miserable1 and eternally lost in this corruption1 unless there come to his help one that is able to succor1 and to apply a healing medicine to so dreadful a disease4 ,this must be a lord over sin and death1 able to subdue so obstinate an evil1 and by his divine virtue1 to renew1 transform1 and purify again the defiled nature of man4 ,all this is a convincing proof1 that justification cannot be the work of man1 but is the work of ,god only2 and likewise that regeneration1 or the being born again by the ,spirit1 is indispensably needful to the restoring of fallen nature4 ,for in conformity to the inward principle of corruption1 there is now a sort of necessity that the soul should live a perverse and impious life4 ,man does not now hesitate openly to transgress all the commandments of ,god2 and this is enmity against ,god4 ,the understanding and will are now so dead1 and so much enslaved by sin1 that according to their natural bent1 they are incapable of any love1 fear1 or reverence for ,god4 ,they cannot call upon him1 honor him1 praise1 or worship him2 they cannot put the least trust in him1 or turn themselves towards him4 ,many of the heathens have1 indeed1 been illustrious for their good and virtuous deeds1 and gained no small credit by their morality4 ,but it is utterly impossible for nature to change the heart1 to turn it to ,god1 and to cleanse it from those sinful affections that lurk within4 ,this work is to be accomplished only by a divine power4 ,for notwithstanding all this glittering show of morality which some make1 there still remains the inward root of the tree of evil1 whose fibres stick so fast in the soul1 that no human power can ever destroy them4 ,the utmost that a man can do in so sad a case1 is to prevent the fire from breaking out into flames1 so as to consume all that comes near it2 but notwithstanding this damp which is cast upon it1 the evil fire still keeps in1 and secretly burns as much as ever4 #be4 ,were not human life1 and the management of civil and social affairs under some check1 the whole race of mankind would be destroyed at once1 and rooted up from off the face of the earth4 ,but though the devil has exercised an exceedingly great cruelty over man1 yet ,god has not suffered him to pluck up all the natural powers and affections from man's soul1 or to extinguish the spark of free will which remains in the soul4 ,there still remain the law of nature and the natural love subsisting betwixt husband and wife1 parents and children4 ,without this it would have been impossible for mankind to have long subsisted upon earth4 ,for he who obeys the unbridled lusts and desires of his corrupt nature1 must be looked upon as the very bane of all society4 ,he entirely ruins1 as much as in him lies1 all commerce and dealings betwixt men4 ,it is1 therefore1 an effect both of ,god's mercy and wisdom1 that he has preserved in fallen man this little flame of natural love3 the design of which is1 that by the sense of this love1 we might know in some degree the excellency of that spiritual and divine love which we have lost by the fall of man2 and that from feeling the one1 we might be brought to consider the worth of the other1 and to breathe after the recovery of the same4 ,but as to spiritual matters1 and such things as more immediately concern the happiness of the soul1 and the kingdom of ,god1 nothing can be more true than that saying of the apostle1 8,the natural man receiveth not the things of the ,spirit of ,god2 for they are foolishness unto him3 neither can he know them1 because they are spiritually discerned40 #a ,cor4 #b3ad4 ,that is1 man in his natural state1 has not so much as one spark of spiritual and divine light2 but is wholly blind in the things that appertain to the heavenly life1 and that constitute the image of ,god in the new creature4 ,man1 nevertheless1 was created for this only end1 that by means of this spiritual light1 he might1 with the inward eye of the soul1 contemplate the gracious presence of ,god1 and his sincere love towards him2 and1 continually walking with and before the ,lord1 absolutely depend upon ,him1 and submit himself to be governed by ,his will and pleasure4 #bf4 ,the natural man not having so much as one spark left of this spiritual light1 it cannot but be that all men must abide in their natural blindness1 unless they be enlightened by ,god himself4 ,this is that hereditary spiritual blindness1 which utterly incapacitates us for the knowledge of such concerns as relate to the kingdom of ,god4 ,but if it happen1 as too often it does1 that a man besides this1 indulge in evil practices1 then that spiritual blindness is followed still by another1 even natural blindness1 which produces mournful effects in the fallen soul4 ,for by so prevailing a wickedness1 that weak glimmering light which yet sparkles in man1 and would reason him into outward honesty of life1 is at last totally extinguished2 and the soul is struck with utter blindness and darkness of heart1 and must forever continue so1 unless ,christ enlightens it4 #bg4 ,what art thou1 then1 ,o man1 unless ,christ by his ,spirit regenerate thee1 make thee a new creature1 and transform thee into the image of ,god8 ,this new creation1 necessary as it is1 is1 however1 only begun in this life1 and must struggle under the weight of many infirmities4 ,if thou dost but look into thyself1 even after thou art become a new creature through the ,holy ,ghost1 it will plainly appear that the image of ,god is but slightly delineated1 and1 as it were1 shadowed out in thee4 ,dost thou not see1 that faith1 hope1 charity1 and the fear of the ,lord1 are as yet but weak1 and hardly able to advance beyond the first principles of the ,christian life8 ,dost thou not see how slender thy humility is1 and how deeply the sin of distrust1 pride1 and impatience1 is rooted in thy breast8 ,dost thou not find thy devotion weak and languid2 and thy charity towards thy neighbor comparatively cold8 ,how tender a spark of pure chastity remains in the heart2 and how vast a fire of carnal desire burns within6 ,how faint the one1 how violent the other6 ,how great still are thy self-love1 self-honor1 and interest1 sins that lurk within1 and do not always outwardly appear6 ,and how fierce is the tide of evil concupiscence which flows in upon thee1 and disturbs thy inward repose6 ,whence it follows1 that to the very last moment of our lives1 we must1 by the ,spirit of ,god1 continually wrestle with the old ,adam1 and with the image of ,satan4 ,all this urges us incessantly to pray1 sigh1 and seek1 till the ,divine ,spirit be bestowed upon us1 in order to destroy the image of ,satan daily1 and to restore the image of ,god to us4 #bh4 ,from all this1 thou canst easily understand1 ,o man6 that thou art never to rely on thine own strength2 but entirely to cleave to the grace of ,god1 which alone is able to work all this in thy soul4 ,all things are to be sought and obtained from and by ,christ through faith4 ,from ,him thou art to receive divine knowledge and wisdom1 against thy own blindness2 his righteousness1 against all thy unrighteousness2 his holiness against all thy impurity2 a full redemption1 power1 and victory1 against death1 hell1 and the devil4 ,from ,christ thou must obtain remission of all thy sins1 against the kingdom of sin and ,satan1 and against all the combined powers thereof2 and1 lastly1 everlasting happiness1 against all spiritual and bodily adversities and troubles4 ,in this order1 life eternal is to be derived from ,christ4 ,but of this1 more shall be said in the ,second ,book of this volume4 ,chapter ,,xlii4 ,in ,this ,concluding ,chapter ,the ,reasons ,for ,adopting ,the ,method ,observed ,in ,book ,i4 ,are ,explained2 ,the ,duty ,of ,guarding ,against ,spiritual ,pride ,is ,described1 ,and ,the ,truth ,is ,set ,forth ,that ,true ,spiritual ,gifts ,cannot ,be ,obtained ,without ,prayer4 ,what hast thou that thou didst not receive8 now if thou didst receive it1 why dost thou glory1 as if thou hadst not received it8--#a ,,cor4 #d3g4 ,i regard it as necessary1 before ,i conclude this ,book1 to call the reader's attention to several points4 #b4 ,in this ,book1 repentance and its fruits1 have1 for various reasons1 been explained at large1 and in different ways4 ,most of the ,chapters in this ,book1 accordingly1 treat upon the fruits of true repentance2 such as our renovation in ,christ1 the daily mortification of the flesh1 the practice of self-denial1 contempt of the world1 the exercise of charity1 etc4 ,for therein we find the beginning and foundation of true ,christianity1 of a holy life1 and of salvation itself1 through true faith4 ,so1 too1 no solid comfort can ever be tasted in the heart of man1 unless he be thoroughly acquainted with the nature of ,original ,sin1 that dreadful1 mortal1 and diabolical evil1 which is like an infernal poison 7ah1 it is impossible sufficiently to describe and deplore it67 and has proved the seed of a multitude of fatal and pernicious fruits4 ,all the books of comfort1 and all the promises with which the ,gospel abounds1 afford no substantial consolation to a man1 except he be first thoroughly humbled by a sense of his misery1 and of that awful evil1 ,original ,sin4 ,man1 in this fallen state1 is too apt to flatter himself1 and to look for comfort1 before a thorough search has been made into his own sinful condition1 degeneracy1 and apostasy from ,god4 ,nature is concerned for comfort more than for a cure4 #c4 ,but this is very preposterous1 and altogether against the tenor of ,scripture1 and the method of salvation therein explained4 ,our ,lord says1 8,the whole need not a physician1 but they that are sick40 ,matt4 #i3ab4 ,no cure can be expected1 no medicine can be prescribed1 no comfort can be applied1 nor can ,christ himself1 the great ,physician of souls1 be of any benefit at all1 so long as a man1 thinking himself well1 is not sensible of those deep distempers that rage in his soul4 ,hence a true ,christian's life consists in a daily crucifixion of the flesh1 and of all its sinful propensities4 ,o that every one might lay this earnestly to heart6 ,no man can belong to ,christ1 or have a share in his merits1 but he that regulates his life according to this rule4 ,now1 such a soul shall not be left comfortless in the end2 but1 shall be refreshed with divine consolation4 ,no sooner is a soul thoroughly humbled by a lively sense of inbred corruption1 and the infectious influence it hath on all the actions1 than it is raised again by those suitable grounds of comfort which the ,gospel affords4 ,in all this1 the operation of the ,divine ,spirit1 and man's meditation on the word of promise1 concur1 and bring over the soul to ,christ1 who is both willing and able to heal her1 and to turn her mourning into permanent gladness4 ,he who will enter upon this course of true and sincere repentance1 must be careful1 at the same time1 not to be shaken by the foolish judgment which this impious world will be apt to pass upon the whole design of true ,christianity4 ,let the profane worldling think ever so much of his own natural parts and wisdom1 it is certain that he is altogether blind in the things of the ,spirit of ,god1 and most ignorant4 ,and though he may exercise his reasoning faculty on things that are far above his reach and capacity1 yet while he has no knowledge of the wretchedness of his own nature1 and of those spiritual diseases that spring from it1 he continues an utter stranger to spiritual concerns4 ,he does not understand what ,adam and ,christ are1 or how ,adam is to die1 and ,christ to live in us again4 ,and as he disdains to learn what he knows not1 he must forever remain in darkness and ignorance4 ,nor will he ever be able in that state to obtain any insight into the grounds and properties of true repentance1 faith in ,christ1 and the new birth1 wherein true ,christianity consists1 and whereby he might be rescued from everlasting ruin4 #d4 ,the next thing which ,i would mention at the close of this ,book1 and which thou art carefully to avoid1 is the sin of spiritual pride1 after ,god has begun to implant in thee1 by his grace1 spiritual gifts1 new virtues1 new habits of mind1 and new knowledge4 ,see that thou ascribe these attainments not to thy own power1 wisdom1 or industry1 but to the grace of ,god4 ,carefully avoid taking up thy rest in those virtues and good dispositions that are formed within thee2 and never confide in them as means of thy justification before ,god4 ,for as they are yet marked by various defects and imperfections1 so they can never pass for the perfect righteousness of ,god4 ,never seek thy own honor and glory by the gifts which ,god has been pleased to bestow upon thee4 ,on the contrary1 use them with humility and fear1 divesting thyself of all selfish designs1 and returning all thou hast unto ,him1 who is the true ,disposer and ,author thereof4 ,do not say in thy heart3 8,i have now a strong faith1 fervent charity1 much knowledge1 many gifts20 for these suggestions are the tares1 which the enemy of thy soul sows among the wheat while thou sleepest4 ,for1 7a7 none of these gifts are thine1 but ,god's only1 without whose illumination and all-quickening power1 thou art but a lifeless lump of clay4 ,these gifts are no more thine1 than the light and heat of the sun are the earth's1 which is warmed and penetrated by them4 ,thou art1 at the best1 but the casket to hold the jewels2 and the glory of these no more belongs to thee1 than the lustre of a precious stone belongs to the box in which it is kept4 ,is it not1 therefore1 great folly to boast of the goods of another1 which are laid up in thee8 7b7 ,thou art to consider1 that1 as the lord of a treasure may lodge his treasure wherever he pleases1 and remove it as he thinks fit2 so ,god1 in like manner1 may deposit his heavenly treasure in thee1 and take it away again1 as he sees proper4 ,him1 therefore1 thou oughtest to fear with holy reverence1 and at the same time carefully beware of spiritual pride and presumption3 for this would issue in the inevitable loss of the celestial jewel committed to thy trust4 8,be not high-minded1 but fear40 ,rom4 #aa3bj4 7c7 ,thou art1 further1 to consider1 that the righteous ,god will call thee to an exact account of all he has intrusted to thy care4 ,the more thou hast received1 the more will he require at thy hands4 7d7 ,in the midst of all thy gifts1 do not think that thou hast received all that the ,lord has in store for his children4 ,ah6 beloved ,christian6 be thy attainments ever so high and excellent1 they are hardly the beginning2 there is yet much which thou lackest4 7e7 ,seriously consider1 that no good and perfect gifts are obtained or preserved except by prayer3 for every good and perfect gift descendeth from ,god4 ,james #a3ag4 ,whatever thou seemest to possess without this1 is but a lifeless shadow1 a seed bearing no fruit1 but withering away4 ,for without prayer1 no heavenly gift can descend into the heart of man4 ,the reader is desired to peruse what is said on the subject of ,prayer in the ,second ,book of this ,work4 ,there are two things which thou must chiefly regard in thy prayers and application to the ,lord3 first1 ,that the ,image of ,satan be destroyed in thee2 as unbelief1 pride1 covetousness1 lust1 wrath1 etc42 secondly1 ,that the ,image of ,god be restored in thee2 in which are contained faith1 love1 hope1 humility1 patience1 meekness1 and the fear of the ,lord4 ,these two1 that is1 the destruction of the satanic1 and the restoration of the divine image1 are illustrated in the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,this prayer makes both against thee1 and for thee4 ,if the name of ,god alone is to be hallowed1 then thy name must be debased and thy haughtiness be pulled down4 ,if the kingdom of ,god shall come1 then certainly the devil's kingdom must be overthrown in thee4 ,if thou desirest that the will of ,god should be done1 then truly thine own must be renounced4 ,these are the two parts into which any useful prayer-book or method of prayer may be fitly digested2 an order which is clearly exhibited in the prayer of our ,lord1 so far as it respects those heavenly and eternal benefits and gifts which we are directed to seek4 ,nay1 in the ,lord's ,prayer1 all the treasures both for soul and body1 and all the things which we need both for this life and that which is to come1 are summed up4 ,and there is no question1 but that the ,father in heaven1 according to his paternal compassion1 will readily grant1 what the ,son of his love has so strongly commanded us to ask4 ,,book ,,ii4 ,preface ,to ,the ,second ,book4 ,as in nature1 my dear ,christian reader1 the destruction of one thing is the production of another2 even so is it in a true ,christian life4 ,the old1 carnal man must be destroyed and pass away1 that so the new spiritual man may be produced in his place4 ,and as our carnal life is directly contrary to the holy life of ,christ 7which in the preceding ,book is sufficiently declared72 it is absolutely needful that we renounce this carnal life1 before we can attain the spiritual life of ,christ1 or follow him in those steps which he has been pleased to leave us4 ,thus1 for instance1 thou must put an end to thy pride1 before thou canst be truly humble2 thou must cease from wrath1 before thou canst possess the virtue of meekness4 ,and this is the reason why the spiritual ,christian's life ought to proceed from true repentance4 ,this is also the design and substance of the preceding ,book1 as plainly appears both from the order in which the chapters are arranged1 and from the ,conclusion appended to the whole ,book4 #b4 ,since1 however1 there will be occasion to treat of the doctrine of repentance in some chapters of this ,second ,book1 ,i shall now give some account of the whole method into which this ,book is digested4 ,as the main design of the ,first ,book was to lay open the nature of ,original ,sin1 and the deadly influence which it has upon all our actions2 so it is but fit that the ,second ,book should begin with ,,jesus ,,christ1 that everlasting wellspring of man's salvation1 in whom alone we find help and a remedy against the destructive poison of ,original ,sin1 and against that flood of calamities and miseries which thence proceeds4 ,all this on man's side1 is effected by ,,faith1 apprehending that salvation which is merited by ,christ4 ,this matter is explained in the first three chapters of this ,book4 ,as1 however1 that faith which leads the soul to this fountain1 and draws thence effects so excellent and good1 also brings forth living and sound fruits2 the next three chapters 7,,iv-,,vi71 are spent in describing the same more at large4 ,but1 even as the fruits of righteousness and of the ,spirit are to grow up in us and wax strong1 so must the fruits of the flesh1 in proportion1 decay and decrease4 ,and this is the daily1 effectual1 and unfeigned repentance1 wherein a ,christian ought constantly to be employed1 if ever the flesh be mortified1 and the ,spirit be restored to dominion4 ,it was1 therefore1 judged expedient1 to give here a clear description of the difference betwixt the flesh and the ,spirit1 and of the properties of a daily repentance4 ,here consult ,chapters ,,vii-,x4 ,but inasmuch as from this habitual repentance1 and the mortification of the old man 7the life of a true ,christian being nothing else but a constant crucifixion of the flesh71 the new man is daily to come forth1 it is impossible to find a more perfect pattern1 than that which our ,lord ,jesus ,christ himself has left us4 ,and for this reason1 the life of ,christ ought to be a mirror unto us1 in which to view ourselves and him2 and by beholding him1 to embrace the more freely his poverty and reproach1 his contempt and sorrow1 his cross and passion1 his agony and death4 ,and this holy life of ,christ is the death of the flesh1 and is accompanied with the exercise of prayer1 love1 and humility4 ,this is set forth at large in ,chapters ,,xi-,,xxv4 #c4 ,thus are the humility and lowliness of ,christ a true ladder of ascension for a penitent soul2 by means of which we ascend into the heart of ,god1 as of a loving ,father1 and calmly repose in his paternal affection4 ,it is the human nature of ,christ with which we begin our spiritual life1 and rising up higher and higher1 arrive at last at his divine nature4 ,it is then that we contemplate in ,christ the heart of our ,father in heaven4 ,it is then that we behold him as the sublime1 the everlasting1 essential1 and infinite ,good2 we behold him as the immeasurable omnipotence1 as the unfathomable mercy1 the unsearchable wisdom1 the purest holiness1 the unspotted and endless righteousness1 the most perfect goodness1 the noblest beauty1 the most perfect graciousness1 and1 at last1 as the most joyful salvation4 ,these points1 as they chiefly make up ,christian contemplation1 so they are explained in ,chapters ,,xxvi-,,xxxiii4 ,but because no one can ever arrive at this state without prayer1 hence the ensuing ten ,chapters 7,,xxxiv-,,xliii71 treat upon the nature of prayer1 and the exercise of divine praise4 ,and since this life1 grounded on maxims of sound and unfeigned religion1 will soon be attended with crosses and tribulations1 there follow fifteen ,chapters 7,,xliv-,,lviii71 wherein are considered the cross of ,christians1 and the virtue of patience1 the practice of which is thereby exceedingly promoted4 ,to all this1 something is added of the nature and conquest of those deep spiritual temptations1 with which ,satan harasses those that adhere to the ,lord1 and who endeavor to be faithful to the end4 ,god grant that we may all be true followers of ,christ1 not ashamed of his holy life2 but follow the ,lamb whithersoever he goeth1 and be led at last to the living fountains of waters1 where the ,lord will wipe away all tears from our eyes6 ,amen4 ,,john ,,arndt1 ,general ,superintendent in the ,principality of ,lneburg4 ,chapter ,i4 ,jesus ,christ1 ,the ,son ,of ,god1 ,is ,given ,to ,us ,by ,our ,heavenly ,father ,as ,our ,help ,against ,the ,damnable ,and ,deadly ,poison ,of ,original ,sin1 ,and ,the ,pernicious ,fruits ,thereof1 ,as ,well ,as ,a ,protector ,against ,all ,the ,calamities ,and ,evils ,both ,of ,the ,body ,and ,the ,soul4 ,with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation4--,,isa4 #ab3c4 ,as our distemper is exceedingly great1 mortal1 damnable1 and out of the power of any creature to remove2 therefore it is needful that we should have a remedy proportioned to the disease2 a high1 a divine1 an everlasting1 remedy and help1 entirely derived from the pure mercy of ,god4 ,as our original disease was caused by the wrath1 hatred1 and envy of the devil 7,gen4 #c3a73 so ,god1 in tender compassion1 was moved to heal the mortal wound of our sin by his infinite mercy4 ,and as ,satan had used his utmost endeavors and subtlety1 in order to infect1 slay1 and condemn us1 ,god was pleased1 in his infinite wisdom1 to give us his beloved ,son1 in order to restore us to that life1 happiness1 and salvation which we had lost4 ,hence he has made the precious blood of ,christ to be the grand restorative of our nature1 and the cleanser from all the contagion of sin4 ,he hath given us his quickening flesh1 to be our bread of life2 his holy wounds1 as a sovereign balsam to heal our wounded condition2 and his precious death1 to be an abolition of our death1 both temporal and eternal4 #a ,john #a3g2 ,acts #bj3bh2 ,john #f3cb1 etc42 ,isa4 #ec3e2 #be3h4 #b4 ,but so disabled1 so weak1 and undone1 is fallen man1 that he cannot so much as apply this precious medicine even when it is freely offered3 so little health1 so much weakness is there in him4 ,nay1 we even1 by nature1 strive against our cure1 and reject the remedy which should help us4--,wherefore1 ,o ,lord1 unless thou shouldst draw me after thee 7,cant4 #a3d71 and1 as a faithful physician1 administer to me what thou hast ordered1 the best prescriptions will avail me nothing4 ,take me1 therefore1 entirely into thine own hands1 and trust me not to myself4 ,if ,i be left to myself1 the eternal ruin of my soul will be my lot4 ,therefore 8turn thou me1 and ,i shall be turned3 heal me1 ,o ,lord1 and ,i shall be healed2 for thou art my praise40 ,jer4 #ca3ah2 #ag3ad4 ,as long as thou keepest back thy mercy1 and hidest thy face from my sorrow1 ,i shall remain in a diseased condition4 ,ps4 #cj3c4 ,whilst thou forbearest to quicken me1 ,i am tied down by the chains of death4 ,therefore ,i cry with ,david1 8,i am poor and needy2 make haste unto me1 ,o ,god4 ,thou art my help1 and my deliverer2 ,o ,lord1 make no tarrying40 ,ps4 #gj3e4 #c4 ,o blessed ,lord6 shall not thy mercy be strong enough to raise a sick soul from her languishing illness8 a soul that is not able to raise herself8 ,wilt thou not condescend to come to me1 since it is not possible that ,i should come to thee8 ,didst thou not love me1 even before ,i had so much as a thought of loving thee again8 ,thy mercy is so prevailing and so strong1 that it has even overcome thyself4 ,was it not mercy that nailed thee to the cross1 and gave thee up to death8 ,what is so strong as to encounter and conquer thee1 if it be not the strength of thy own mercy8 ,what has might sufficient to apprehend thee1 and to bind and conduct thee to death1 but thy love only1 wherewith thou hast loved and quickened us1 when we were dead in trespasses and sins8 ,eph4 #b3a4 ,for thou wouldst thyself undergo the pangs of death1 rather than suffer us to be forever bound over to death and eternal damnation6 #d4 ,thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 has made thee all our own1 and put a title to all thy merits into our hands4 ,when thou becamest a tender infant1 it was wholly for our sakes1 unto whom thou art 8born a child40 ,isa4 #i3f4 ,when thou wast made an offering for our sins1 and when thou wast slain as an innocent lamb on the cross1 it was to give up thyself unto us1 and freely to impart unto us all things beside4 ,o excellent gift of ,god6 a good wholly appropriated to us1 even our own peculiar good and treasure6 7a7 ,behold6 beloved ,christian1 the wisdom of ,god6 ,god has by means of this everlasting good made himself our own property1 that he might thereby in return make us his own4 ,for having purchased us 8with a price10 we are no longer our own1 but his who hath bought us4 #a ,cor4 #f3ai1 #bj4 ,for whosoever receives so excellent a gift1 receives also the ,giver himself1 from whom it proceeds4 ,and again1 whosoever possesses any good as his own1 he makes it his own to all intents and purposes1 and to the best advantage he can4 ,thus1 likewise1 is ,,christ become thy own and proper ,,good4 ,thou canst apply him in such a manner1 as to obtain by him everlasting life and salvation4 7b7 ,,christ is become the true medicine of thy soul1 to restore thee--thy meat and thy drink1 to refresh thee--thy fountain of life1 to quench thy thirst--thy light1 in darkness--thy joy1 in sadness--thine advocate1 against thy accusers--wisdom1 against thy folly--righteousness1 against thy sin--sanctification1 against thy unworthiness--redemption1 against thy bondage--the mercy-seat1 against the judgment-seat--the throne of grace1 against thy condemnation--thy absolution1 against thy fearful sentence--thy peace and rest1 against an evil conscience--thy victory1 against all thine enemies--thy champion1 against all thy persecutors--the bridegroom of thy soul1 against all rivals--thy mediator1 against the wrath of ,god--thy propitiation1 against all thy trespasses--thy strength1 against thy weakness--thy way1 against thy wandering--thy truth1 against lying and vanity--thy life1 against death4 ,he is thy counsel1 when thou hast none to advise thee--thy power1 in the midst of thine infirmities--thy ,everlasting ,father1 when thou art forsaken and fatherless--thy ,prince of ,peace1 against the adversary--thy ransom1 against thy debt--thy crown of glory1 against thy reproach--thy teacher1 against thy ignorance--thy ,judge1 against thy oppressor--thy ,king1 to destroy the kingdom of ,satan--thine everlasting ,high ,priest1 to intercede for thee4 #e4 7a7 ,consider now1 ,o ,christian1 what an excellent gift the ,lord ,,jesus ,,christ is4 ,let it be thy daily prayer and supplication to make a true saving use of all those heavenly benefits1 and to improve all the offices of ,christ to the end for which they are designed4 ,if he be thy ,medicine 7,matt4 #i3ab71 fear not but thou shalt be healed3 since he is thy ,bread 7,john #f3ea71 thy soul shall be filled4 ,is he to thee a ,fountain of ,life 7,isai4 #ab3c71 then truly thou shalt thirst no more4 ,is he to thee a ,light 7,john #h3ab71 then thou shalt remain no longer in darkness4 ,is he thy ,joy 7,luke #b3aj71 what then shall afflict thee8 ,is he the ,advocate 7#a ,john #b3a7 that pleads thy cause1 what adversary shall cast thee8 ,is he thy ,truth1 who shall deceive thee8 ,is he thy ,way1 who shall make thee to err8 ,is he thy ,life 7,john #ad3f71 who shall slay thee8 ,is he thy ,wisdom1 who shall seduce thee8 ,is he thy ,righteousness1 who shall condemn thee8 ,is he thy ,sanctification1 who shall reject thee8 ,is he thy ,redemption1 who shall imprison thee8 #a ,cor4 #a3cj4 ,is he thy ,peace 7,eph4 #b3ad71 who can disturb thee8 ,is he thy ,mercy-,seat 7,rom4 #c3be71 who can arraign thee8 ,is he thy ,throne of ,grace 7,heb4 #d3af71 who can give sentence against thee8 ,is he thy ,discharge and ,absolution 7,colos4 #b3ad71 who then dares impeach thee8 ,is he the ,champion and the ,captain of thy ,salvation 7,heb4 #b3aj71 who shall be able to stand against thee8 ,is he thy ,bridegroom 7,john #c3bi71 who then shall snatch thee from him8 ,is he thy ,ransom 7#a ,tim4 #b3f71 who will arrest thee8 ,is he thy ,crown of ,glory 7,heb4 #b3g71 who then shall reproach thee8 ,is he thy ,master 7,john #ac3ac71 and ,teacher1 who then shall correct thee8 ,if he be thy ,judge 7#b ,thess4 #a3i71 who shall oppress thee8 ,if he be thy ,propitiation 7#a ,john #b3b71 who shall accuse thee8 ,if he be thy ,mediator 7#a ,tim4 #b3e71 who shall set ,god against thee8 ,if he be thy ,advocate 7#a ,john #b3a71 who shall prosecute thee8 ,is he thy ,immanuel 7,isai4 #g3ad71 who shall be against thee8 ,is he thy ,king 7,john #ab3ae71 who shall expel thee out of his kingdom8 ,is he thy ,high ,priest 7,heb4 #g3be71 who can refuse his intercession and sacrifice8 ,is he thy ,saviour 7,matt4 #a3ba71 who shall destroy thee8 7b7 ,how canst thou have a more excellent1 a more valuable present8 ,it is a present of greater worth than thou thyself1 than all mankind1 and all the world besides4 ,it is a present that infinitely surpasses all the sins1 miseries1 and calamities of the whole world4 ,christ hereby is all our own1 both as to his divine and his human nature4 ,it was by sin we had forfeited the richest of all treasures1 the ,sovereign ,good1 even ,god himself3 and it is by ,christ1 that all is made up again1 and ,god himself given to us as our property4 ,and for this reason1 ,christ is called ,immanuel 7,isai4 #g3ad71 7which being interpreted is1 ,god with us71 that in him we might have both a ,god and a ,brother4 #f4 7a7 ,consider now1 ,o ,christian6 what an immense1 what an infinite good thou hast in ,christ thy ,redeemer1 and to what spiritual benefits thou art entitled by him4 ,if people were but better acquainted with the sources of this heavenly comfort1 then no cross1 no affliction1 would seem any longer insupportable to them2 because ,christ would be all in all1 and by his presence alleviate the miseries of this life4 ,christ himself is ours not only as a crucified ,christ1 but also as he is glorified1 together with all the majesty that resides in him4 8,all things are yours1 whether ,paul1 or ,apollos1 or ,cephas1 or the world1 or life1 or death1 or things present1 or things to come2 all are yours2 and ye are ,christ's2 and ,christ is ,god's40 #a ,cor4 #c3ba-bc4 7b7 ,alas6 poor1 miserable1 accursed1 and condemned sinners1 that we by nature all are6 ,how came we to be favored and honored with so high and inestimable a gift8 ,for thou1 ,o ,lord ,jesus1 art to us--,jehovah our ,righteousness--a ,mediator between ,god and man--our everlasting ,priest--the ,christ of ,god--a ,lamb without spot--our propitiatory oblation--the fulfilment of the law--the ,desire of the patriarchs--the ,inspirer of the prophets--the ,master of the apostles--the teacher of the evangelists--the light of the confessors--the crown of the martyrs--the ,praise of all the saints--the resurrection of the dead--the first-born from the dead--the glory of the blessed--the consolation of the mourners--the righteousness of sinners--the hope of the afflicted--the refuge of the miserable--the entertainer of strangers--the fellow-traveller of pilgrims--the way of them that were mistaken--the help to them who were forsaken--the strength of the weak--the health of the sick--the protector of the simple--the reward of the just--the flaming fire of charity--the ,author of faith--the anchor of hope--the flower of humility--the rose of meekness--the root of all the virtues--the exemplar of patience--the enkindler of devotion--the incense of prayer--the tree of health--the fountain of blessedness--the bread of life--the ,head of the church--the bridegroom of the soul--the precious pearl--the rock of salvation--the living stone--the heir of all things--the redemption of the world--the triumphant ,conqueror of ,hell--the ,prince of ,peace--the mighty lion of ,judah--the father of the world to come--the guide to our heavenly country--the sun of righteousness--the morning star--the inextinguishable light of the celestial ,jerusalem--the brightness of the everlasting glory--the unspotted mirror--the splendor of the divine majesty--the image of the paternal goodness--the treasure of wisdom--the abyss of eternity--the beginning without beginning--the word upholding all things--the life quickening all things--the light enlightening all things--the truth judging all things--the counsel moderating all things--the rule directing all things--the love sustaining all things--the whole comprehension of all that is good4 7c7 ,this is the great and infinite gift1 which ,god has so freely bestowed upon mortal men4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,the ,manner ,in ,which ,the ,christian ,should ,apply ,and ,appropriate ,to ,himself ,the ,consolation ,noticed ,in ,chapter ,i4 ,the ,son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost4--,,luke #ai3aj4 ,the first or chief foundation on which the ,christian depends1 when he derives consolation from the doctrines of the remission of sin1 and of the merit of ,christ1 consists in the universal extent of the divine promises2 of which that mentioned above is not the least considerable4 ,for if ,christ came to save those that are lost1 who can possibly doubt1 that he will also seek and save thee1 since thou art of the number of the lost4 ,it is also said1 that ,god1 8commandeth all men everywhere to repent2 because he hath appointed a day1 in the which he will judge the world in righteousness40 ,acts #ag3cj1 #ca4 ,this argument is full of consolation4 ,as if the apostle had said1 ,christ will judge the world2 and therefore ,god commandeth all to repent1 that all may escape the dreadful sentence of eternal damnation4 ,this is confirmed by ,st4 ,peter1 who tells us1 that ,god 8is not willing that any should perish1 but that all should come to repentance40 #b ,peter #c3i4 ,all which passages plainly assert the universal grace of ,god1 extending itself to all men4 #b4 ,the second foundation is the divine oath4 ,in order that no room might be left to doubts and scruples in this grand article1 ,god has confirmed the universal promise of grace with an oath4 8,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked1 but that he turn from his way and live3 none of the sins that he hath committed1 shall be mentioned unto him40 ,ezek4 #cc3aa1 #af4 ,as if he had said1 ,how can ,i delight in the death of a sinner1 who am ,life itself8 ,let but the wicked be converted1 and he shall certainly live4--,behold6 ,god desires sinners to be converted6 ,and dost thou doubt1 that thou1 who art a sinner1 art by ,god solicited to conversion8 ,when the apostle explains this oath1 he says1 8,this is a faithful saying1 and worthy of all acceptation1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners40 #a ,tim4 #a3ae4 ,but if ,christ came into the world with an intent to save sinners1 thou art undoubtedly one of the number of those whom he came to save4 #c4 ,in order to show that the ,lord will not retain the remembrance of sin1 he hath no less than three times engaged his word4 ,first1 by the prophet ,isaiah1 8,i1 even ,i10 says he1 8am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake1 and will not remember thy sins40 ,isa4 #dc3be4 ,secondly1 by ,jeremiah he hath thus expressed his mind3 8,this shall be the covenant3 ,i will forgive their iniquity1 and ,i will remember their sin no more40 ,jer4 #ca3cc1 #cd4 ,and1 thirdly1 by the prophet ,ezekiel1 8,if the wicked10 says he1 8will turn from all his sins that he hath committed1 he shall surely live1 he shall not die4 ,all his transgressions that he hath committed1 they shall not be mentioned unto him40 ,ezek4 #ah3ba1 #bb4 ,this is the divine act of oblivion1 solemnly declared in favor of all returning sinners1 without exception4 #d4 ,now the cause or reason why ,god promises that he will not remember sin any more1 is no other than the all-sufficient satisfaction and reconciliation wrought by ,christ4 ,for whatever is entirely paid1 yea1 over and above paid1 should be altogether buried in an everlasting oblivion4 ,now1 ,god being once perfectly reconciled and satisfied by the most holy and most complete sacrifice of ,jesus ,christ1 he can no longer be angry1 nor perpetuate the remembrance of our transgressions4 #e4 ,the same oath is repeated in the prophet ,isaiah1 8,look unto me10 says the ,lord1 8and be ye saved1 all the ends of the earth3 ,i have sworn by myself2 the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness1 and shall not return40 ,isa4 #de3bb1 #bc4 ,which oath1 the ,epistle to the ,hebrews explains in this manner3 8,wherein ,god1 willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel1 confirmed it by an oath3 that by two immutable things1 in which it was impossible for ,god to lie1 we might have a strong consolation1 who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us3 which hope we have as an anchor of the soul1 both sure and steadfast40 ,heb4 #f3ag-ai4 ,that is1 ,god1 by his counsel and promise1 having confirmed them with an oath1 hath more than sufficiently sealed and established his gracious will2 that so none might be discouraged4 #f4 ,the third foundation is the eternal covenant of grace1 which consists in the pardon of sin3 8,this shall be the covenant3 ,i will forgive their iniquity1 and ,i will remember their sin no more40 ,jer4 #ca3cc1 #cd4 ,and this covenant or testament1 because confirmed by the death of ,christ1 is therefore everlasting4 ,to the same purpose the ,lord says by the prophet3 8,neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed1 saith the ,lord1 that hath mercy on thee40 ,isa4 #ed3aj4 ,and again1 8,i will make an everlasting covenant with you1 even the sure mercies of ,david0 7i4 e41 ,christ74 ,isa4 #ee3c4 ,and ,moses declares the same3 8,the ,lord thy ,god is a merciful ,god3 he will not forsake thee1 neither destroy thee1 nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them40 ,deut4 #d3ca4 ,and again we read3 8,he will ever be mindful of his covenant40 ,ps4 #aaa3e4 ,on which eternal covenant1 that we might the more firmly rely1 he hath renewed and established it with every one by ,holy ,baptism1 which therefore is called 8,the answer 7or covenant7 of a good conscience towards ,god40 #a ,peter #c3ba4 ,for this end1 ,christ himself was baptized in ,jordan1 and thereby entered with us into this covenant4 ,matt4 #c3ac4 #g4 ,the fourth foundation is the death of ,christ1 by which the covenant or testament of ,god was ratified4 ,but if any ask1 ,for whom did he die8 ,st4 ,paul answers1 that 8he died for ,,all40 #b ,cor4 #e3ad1 #ae4 ,and ,st4 ,john says1 8,he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world40 #a ,john #b3b4 ,so ,john the ,baptist said3 8,behold the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world40 ,john #a3bi4 ,this1 the apostle explains in the following comforting manner3 8,as by the offence of one1 judgment came upon all men to condemnation2 even so by the righteousness of one1 the free gift came upon ,,all men unto justification of life0 7,rom4 #e3ah73 where a comparison is made betwixt ,christ and ,adam4 ,as if he had said1 8,since the offence of ,adam hath been so strong1 as to make all men sinners2 shall not the righteousness of ,christ be far more powerful to make them righteous8 ,if sin hath abounded1 shall not grace much more abound80 ,the same apostle1 having occasion to show that the merit of ,christ is universal1 and extends itself to all1 thus reasons3 8,for there is one ,god1 and one mediator between ,god and men1 the man ,christ ,jesus2 who gave himself a ransom for all40 ,but if this be true1 it also follows1 8that ,god will have all men to be saved1 and to come unto the knowledge of the truth40 #a ,tim4 #b3d-f4 ,on all this ,paul remarks1 that ,god1 by 8,christ hath reconciled all things to himself1 whether they be things in earth1 or things in heaven40 ,col4 #a3bj4 ,and again3 8,god spared not his own ,,son1 but delivered him up for us ,,all40 ,rom4 #h3cb4 ,in this number1 reckon also thyself1 because 8,god is no respecter of persons40 ,acts #aj3cd4 ,since1 therefore1 ,christ died for sinners1 thou1 who acknowledgest thyself to be one1 must necessarily have an interest in his death1 and in all the benefits purchased by it4 #h4 ,the fifth foundation is the universal call1 grounded upon the universal merit of ,christ4 ,the latter was exhibited for the sins of the whole world1 and it was proper that it should be preached to all creatures4 ,matt4 #i3ac4 ,now since ,christ declares3 8,i came not to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance0 7,mark #af3ae71 it follows1 that thou also1 because thou art a sinner1 art called4 ,but called to what8 ,to repentance4 ,and why8 ,that thou mayest obtain remission of sin1 through faith4 8,it behooved10 says the ,lord1 8that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in the name of ,christ among all nations40 ,luke #bd3df1 #dg4 ,and the apostle affirms1 that 8the gospel was preached to every creature which is under heaven40 ,col4 #a3bc4 ,but to what end did ,god cause it to be preached8 ,surely for no other end than that thereby faith might be kindled and established among men1 according to that saying of the same apostle3 8,how shall they call on him1 in whom they have not believed8 and how shall they believe in him1 of whom they have not heard80 ,rom4 #aj3ad4 ,whenever1 therefore1 ,god calls us to repentance1 far be it from us to think that ,god calls us in vain1 or without a real design to save us4 ,surely ,god does not deceive us3 but in this serious affair he seriously calls upon us1 that we may embrace his mercy1 and accept the offer of grace4 ,hence he is also angry with those who make light of his supper1 and disdain to come to his feast4 ,matt4 #bb3g4 ,whereas1 to those who obey his call1 through faith1 he hath given his promise1 full of heavenly comfort that 8whosoever believeth in him1 shall not perish1 but have everlasting life40 ,john #c3af4 ,nay1 he hath graciously promised to preserve the same faith unto the end1 even till the salvation of the soul1 which is the end of faith1 be secured4 ,phil4 #a3f2 #a ,pet4 #a3i4 #i4 ,the sixth foundation is the inward testimony of the divine ,spirit in us1 who seeks after righteousness1 and seals us unto the day of redemption4 ,rom4 #h3af2 ,eph4 #d3cj4 ,this ,spirit incessantly rouses and awakens the conscience4 ,he reproves without intermission1 convinces of sins1 and sets them before thine eyes4 ,he summons thee to repentance1 calls thee inwardly in thy heart1 strives with thee1 and leaves nothing untried1 in order to keep thee from every sin1 and lead to thy conversion4 ,john #af3h4 ,these things thou canst not conceal1 though ever so desirous to do it4 ,this witness of ,christ in thee1 is never silent3 and though thou shouldst stop thine ears against him1 yet shalt thou be compelled to hear him inwardly4 ,and if thou shouldst desire to reject his summons1 yet must thou feel the internal energy of his correction4 ,all this is a convincing1 strong1 and unquestionable proof1 that 8,god would have thee to be saved40 #aj4 ,the seventh foundation consists of the examples of sinners1 whom ,god1 upon their conversion1 hath received into favor4 ,surely 8there is none righteous10 of himself1 8no1 not one40 ,rom4 #c3aj1 #bc4 ,not only ,david1 ,manasseh 7#b ,chron4 #cc3aa-ac71 ,peter1 ,paul1 ,mary ,magdalene1 and ,zaccheus2 but 8,,all of us are sinners1 and come short of the glory of ,god40 ,there is none innocent in his sight4 ,whatever favor ,god shows to one1 the same he offers to all the rest2 since he 8is no respecter of persons40 ,acts #aj3cd4 ,we all are saved by grace1 without any merit of our own1 and all stand in need of a gracious pardon of sin3 for1 8if thou1 ,lord1 shouldest mark iniquities1 ,o ,lord1 who shall stand80 7,ps4 #acj3c71 and if thou enterest into judgment1 8in thy sight shall no man living be justified40 ,ps4 #adc3b4 #aa4 ,the eighth foundation is1 that the merit of ,christ is not only sufficient1 but even more than sufficient for the sins of all men1 how numerous1 great and heinous soever they may be4 ,why then shouldst thou exclude thyself1 and refuse to share in the benefits of the ransom which ,christ paid8 ,is it not infinitely greater than the sins of the whole world8 ,for as thou art of the race of men1 so thou canst apply to thyself that word of the ,lord1 8,the ,son of man is not come to destroy men's lives1 but to save them0 7,luke #i3ef73 and that of ,st4 ,paul1 8,god was in ,christ1 reconciling the world unto himself0 7#b ,cor4 #e3ai73 and again1 that of ,st4 ,john1 8,he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world0 7#a ,john #b3b72 that is1 for all the sins of every man in particular4 #ab4 ,a ninth foundation is this1 that the merit of ,christ is an infinite satisfaction1 beyond all number1 measure1 and end2 and it is so on account of the exalted ,person that suffered1 who is both ,god and man4 ,why shouldst thou then limit the extent1 number1 measure1 and bounds of merit so ample1 and exclude thyself from it8 ,so great1 so high1 and so extensive are the power and efficacy of that merit1 that it would still prove a sufficient ransom if every man were guilty of the sins of the whole world4 ,nay1 if there were as many worlds drowned in sin1 as there are men that live on this earth1 yet would the merit of ,christ and his righteousness be large enough to cover all their sins4 ,cast not therefore away a mercy so universal1 so full and every way abounding4 ,this surely is that 8depth of the sea1 into which ,god hath cast all our sins40 ,mic4 #g3ai4 ,hence the ,psalmist says3 8,as the heaven is high above the earth1 so great is his mercy towards them that fear him4 ,as far as the east is from the west1 so far hath he removed our transgressions from us40 ,ps4 #ajc3aa1 #ab4 ,this is that 8eternal redemption which is obtained for us40 ,heb4 #i3ab4 ,the benefit of this complete redemption1 is summed up by ,st4 ,paul3 8,it is ,god that justifieth4 ,who is he that condemneth8 ,it is ,christ that died10 etc4 ,rom4 #h3cc1 #cd4 #ac4 ,the tenth foundation is this1 that the obedience of ,christ is perfect3 because he fulfilled the will and law of his ,father in all things1 thereby to give satisfaction for all the disobedience which all the men in the world had committed against ,god's law4 ,for if the sin and transgression of any one man were not expiated by him1 then surely1 his obedience would not prove perfect1 and the disobedience of ,adam would be more effectual to condemnation1 than the obedience of ,christ to justification4 ,this cannot be1 since the apostle in plain terms affirms the contrary1 in ,rom4 #e3ah4 ,what reason is there then1 that any one should exclude himself from this perfect obedience1 or be backward to assert his own interest in it8 ,let us rather consider1 that ,christ for this very end humbled himself1 8and became obedient unto death1 even the death of the cross0 7,phil4 #b3h71 8that he might redeem them that were under the law40 ,gal4 #d3e4 ,in the number of these1 we all surely are comprised4 ,for1 as our first parents aspired after and affected the majesty of ,god1 so it behooved ,christ1 the repairer of our breaches1 by a most profound humility1 to atone for this heinous offence1 and to be 8made a curse for us0 7,gal4 #c3ac71 in order that the blessing might come upon all1 who were cursed in ,adam4 #ad4 ,the eleventh foundation is1 that since the royal victory and triumph of ,christ surpass all the multitude1 weight1 and heinousness of sin1 together with all the power of death1 hell1 and ,satan1 what cause canst thou assign1 ,o sinner1 why the same victorious ,christ should not triumph over thy sin as well as over all the rest8 ,what6 canst thou believe that thy transgressions alone are more powerful than ,christ1 the omnipotent king8 ,when he shall make all his enemies his footstool 7,ps4 #aaj3a71 cannot he subdue under him also thy sins8 ,dost thou think that thy crimes only shall prove too hard for him8 ,god forbid1 therefore1 that thou shouldest call in question thy interest in so universal a conquest1 in so glorious a triumph4 #ae4 ,the twelfth foundation is the everlasting priesthood of ,christ4 ,ps4 #aaj3d2 ,heb4 #d3ad4 ,he freely grants pardon to all them that ask it2 and gives the ,holy ,spirit to those that earnestly pray for that gift4 ,nor will he1 or can he refuse to any what belongs to his office 7,heb4 #e3f2 #g3ag72 for he is the ,saviour of the world1 and the ,high ,priest and ,mediator between ,god and man4 #a ,tim4 #b3e4 ,if he refuse his office to any one that implores it1 he would verily cease to be a ,mediator4 ,but so far is he from this1 that he freely offers to sinners the benefit of his mediatorial office4 8,come unto me10 saith he1 8all ye that labor and are heavy laden40 ,matt4 #aa3bh4 ,and again3 8,ho1 every one that thirsteth1 come ye to the waters0 7,isa4 #ee3a7 of life4 ,and does he not by his apostles and messengers1 seriously invite us to be reconciled to ,god 7#b ,cor4 #e3bj71 and at the same time offer us his help and assistance for that end8 ,he seeks the lost sheep 7,ezek4 #cd3af71 and receives into favor the ,prodigal son as soon as he returns4 ,luke #ae3bj4 ,take heed1 therefore1 ,o man1 that thou reject not the office of ,christ the ,mediator1 and that thou deprive not thyself of the benefit of a sacerdotal intercessor1 every way full of divine consolation and comfort4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,our ,righteousness ,before ,god1 ,consists ,solely ,in ,the ,perfect ,obedience ,and ,merit ,of ,christ ,jesus1 ,and ,in ,the ,remission ,of ,sin ,apprehended ,by ,faith4 ,as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners1 so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous4--,,rom4 #e3ai4 ,as a skilful builder1 when he is about to raise a lofty structure1 takes care to lay first a deep and solid foundation1 so the merciful and compassionate ,god1 when he was to erect the high and everlasting palace of our salvation and righteousness1 thought fit to lay the foundation thereof1 in the depth of his mercy1 upon the ,person and office of his dear ,son ,christ ,jesus1 as on the true rock of salvation4 ,this is the promise recorded by the prophet3 8,behold1 ,i lay in ,zion for a foundation1 a stone1 a tried stone1 a precious corner-stone1 a sure foundation3 he that believeth shall not make haste40 ,isa4 #bh3af4 ,this stone was indicated by ,christ1 when he declared to ,peter1 that 8thereon he would build his church20 a church so firmly and surely sustained1 that 8the very gates of hell should not prevail against it40 ,matt4 #af3ah4 #b4 ,this was the rock and corner-stone1 which was preached by the apostles ,peter and ,paul4 #a ,pet4 #b3d2 #b ,tim4 #b3ai4 ,this is that marvellous corner-stone celebrated by the ,psalmist1 and upon which the #aahth ,psalm is grounded4 ,upon this foundation1 ,god has been pleased to raise the whole structure of our righteousness1 faith1 and eternal salvation4 ,but as ,god1 our merciful ,heavenly ,father1 has1 on his side1 placed the groundwork of our salvation and righteousness in the unsearchable depth of his mercy and everlasting love2 nay1 even in his beloved ,son1 and the paternal affection of his own heart2 so he wills that on our side also the same be laid in the depth of our heart1 and in the centre of our soul2 in order that1 through the divine light and power of faith alone 7and even faith is solely the work of the ,divine ,spirit71 the righteousness of ,christ may be apprehended1 and without any respect of our own works1 whether antecedent or consequent1 be freely imputed and appropriated to us4 ,the reasons of this way of proceeding are as follows4 #c4 ,in the first place1 that ,god by this means might cleanse and justify a man from within1 and in the inmost centre of his soul3 for as man is inwardly corrupted by ,satan1 and infected in all the interior powers of his soul1 so it is but fit that his cure should be wrought from within1 and that all the faculties of his soul should be restored to their former integrity and soundness4 #d4 ,secondly1 that our righteousness proceeds from faith only4 ,this faith is wrought by ,god himself1 and it stands entirely in his power 7#a ,cor4 #b3e71 being supported by it1 and not by any human performance1 or hypocritical action of men4 ,of this latter sort was the righteousness of the ,pharisees 7,matt4 #e3bj71 who made indeed a show of outward performances1 but were little concerned about the reformation of the heart1 and the inward recesses of the mind4 #e4 ,thirdly1 that our heart1 soul1 and spirit1 renouncing human power and strength 7upon which1 through the temptation of the ,devil1 and the snares of self-love1 ambition1 and pride1 they too much rely71 might wholly depend upon ,christ alone1 and upon his precious merit and satisfaction4 ,for from him alone flow the gracious remission of all our sins1 and the whole train of graces consequent on it2 ,jesus ,christ having abundantly satisfied for the sins of the whole world1 and reconciled the ,father to mankind4 #f4 ,fourthly1 that the righteousness of ,christ1 by faith1 might be made our own4 ,in order to the same end he also by his ,word and ,spirit begets this faith in our hearts1 that thereby we may become actually possessed of this inestimable treasure4 ,for this is the highest1 the unspeakable1 and inconceivably great consolation1 that our righteousness is not the righteousness of a man1 nor even of a saint or angel1 but of ,christ1 and of ,god himself2 8,it is ,god that justifieth40 ,rom4 #h3cc4 ,therefore if the whole world were overflowed with the sins of one man1 yet would the righteousness of ,christ be still more extensive and overflowing4 ,for verily1 he is 8the ,lord our ,righteousness0 7,jer4 #cc3af71 and how can sin be more powerful than the ,lord ,jehovah8 ,would it be an insufficient satisfaction1 thinkest thou1 if instead of a penny which thou owest thy creditor1 thou shouldest return ten thousand pounds8 ,but such a price1 nay1 one infinitely greater1 is paid with the blood of ,christ1 which therefore is called by ,st4 ,paul1 8,god's own blood40 ,acts #bj3bh4 ,so great and immense is the righteousness of ,christ1 conferred on us by faith1 that thereby we are not only made righteous1 but also righteousness itself4 #b ,cor4 #e3ba4 ,for1 as it is not enough that a defiled infant be washed from its uncleanness1 but it must also be wrapped up in clean apparel 7,ezek4 #f3aj71 so ,christ not only cleanses us with his blood1 but clothes us also with the garment of salvation1 and covers us with the robe of righteousness 7,isa4 #fa3aj73 which we have received from the hand of the ,lord4 ,this garment is called by the prophet1 priestly or holy apparel2 by ,david1 8the beauty of holiness0 7,ps4 #bi3b72 by ,st4 ,john1 8fine linen clean and white1 which is the righteousness of saints0 7,rev4 #ai3h72 by the prophet ,amos1 8rivers of righteousness0 7,amos #e3bd72 by ,st4 ,paul1 8superabounding grace0 7,rom4 #e3bj72 and 8exceeding riches of grace40 ,eph4 #b3g4 ,all these expressions set forth that the righteousness bestowed on a penitent soul1 is as great as ,god himself1 and therefore beyond all human comprehension4 ,though in the state of innocency1 our first parents had a complete righteousness in its kind1 yet was it not so full and exuberant as that which we have obtained in ,christ3 for this righteousness and holiness1 which we apply to ourselves by faith1 is far more excellent than that which ,adam would have left us1 had he continued in his original innocency4 ,so1 too1 the humility and obedience of ,christ1 as it was more perfect1 so it was more acceptable to ,god1 than the obedience and innocency of ,adam2 nay1 a thousand such persons as ,adam1 could not have come up to the perfection of ,christ alone4 ,adam would have transmitted to us indeed an hereditary righteousness1 and thereby united us with ,god2 yet it cannot be denied1 that our union1 established with ,god in ,christ1 is much more noble and excellent than that which we should have derived from ,adam3 for ,christ being made man1 has in himself so cleansed and exalted human nature1 that the primitive state of ,adam is not at all to be compared with it4 ,and as ,christ retains his human nature to all eternity2 so all believers continue in the same united to ,god2 because ,christ is wholly ours1 and we are wholly his4 ,whatever purity the human nature hath obtained in general in ,his ,person1 is also transferred to the nature of each believer in particular4 ,this will appear in the glorification of our bodies at the last day1 when 8they shall be fashioned like unto the glorious body of ,christ40 ,phil4 #c3ba4 ,nay1 even in this life1 it is said in faith3 8,behold1 thou art fair1 my love0 7,cant4 #a3ae72 8glorious1 not having spot or wrinkle0 7,eph4 #e3bg73 8the king's daughter is all glorious within1 her clothing is of wrought gold40 ,ps4 #de3ac4 ,in a word1 our righteousness in ,christ is no less immense than ,god himself2 and if his depth may be found out1 so will our righteousness4 ,whence all creatures1 finding nothing that can be reproved in man1 must stand as it were astonished1 and cry out with admiration3 8,who is he that shall accuse or condemn man1 whose righteousness is the ,son of ,god himself80 ,and this is that righteousness of faith on which we rest1 as on an eternal rock1 and which is a foundation that cannot be shaken4 ,of this we glory1 in this we rejoice in time and in eternity4 ,by this we are conquerors1 and triumph over sin1 death1 the devil1 and hell4 ,by this we tread upon the lion and adder1 and trample under foot the young lion and the dragon4 ,ps4 #ia3ac4 #g4 ,fifthly1 an angel 7who never died for us7 cannot be the foundation of our righteousness1 much less any man4 ,the righteousness of man is but weak and inconstant2 and if he should fall1 8all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned0 7,ezek4 #ah3bd2 #cc3ac71 and therefore whatever is built thereon falls soon to the ground and comes to nothing4 ,for this reason1 our righteousness must have another foundation2 a foundation1 namely1 which is firm and constant1 and not liable to be shattered to pieces1 though the 8mountains should depart1 and the hills be removed40 ,isa4 #ed3aj4 8,an everlasting righteousness must be brought in0 7,dan4 #i3bd71 so that 8the salvation of the ,lord may be forever1 and his righteousness be not abolished40 ,isa4 #ea3f4 ,a most excellent1 eternal1 and sovereign ,person1 must procure an eternal and infinite good1 by an immense and infinite satisfaction offered for us4 #h4 ,the sixth cause why ,god will have our righteousness to be apprehended by faith1 is found in his truth and promise1 on which our faith entirely rests1 and by which ,god declared and promised righteousness to ,abraham1 and to all his faithful seed4 ,whence ,st4 ,paul argues1 that 8our righteousness must be of faith1 that it might be by grace2 to the end that the promise might be sure40 ,rom4 #d3 #af4 ,upon this promise of grace1 fulfilled in ,christ1 has ,god established our righteousness and salvation1 as the same apostle in another place more fully asserts3 8,even as ,abraham10 says he1 8believed ,god1 and it was accounted to him for righteousness4 ,know ye therefore that they which are of faith1 the same are the children of ,abraham40 ,and the ,scripture1 foreseeing that ,god would justify the heathen through faith1 preached before the gospel unto ,abraham3 saying1 ,in thee shall all nations be blessed 7,gen4 #ab3c74 8,so then they which be of faith1 are blessed with faithful ,abraham40 ,gal4 #c3f-i4 ,and thus 8grace and truth are come by ,jesus ,christ40 ,john #a3ag4 #i4 ,seventhly1 ,god has made his grace1 and the merit of ,christ1 the foundation of our righteousness1 that ,christ alone may have the honor of it4 ,isa4 #de3bb-bd2 #ec3aa4 8,in him alone is our help40 ,hos4 #ac3i4 ,he is the beginning1 middle1 and end of our righteousness and salvation1 so that 8every mouth may be stopped40 ,rom4 #c3ai4 ,for we are 8saved by grace through faith2 not of works1 lest any man should boast40 ,eph4 #b3h1 #i4 ,but if our righteousness were founded on our own works and merits1 there would then be no room for grace1 nor should we have occasion for mercy or pardon of sin1 8for which every one that is godly doth pray40 ,ps4 #cb3f4 ,moreover1 there would be no place for humility1 nor for the fear of ,god2 neither would faith and prayer turn to any great account2 yea1 we should have no need of a ,mediator1 ,redeemer1 and ,saviour4 ,christ would have then died in vain2 and we should be obliged1 both by an external and an internal obedience1 perfectly to fulfil the whole law4 ,we should remain under the curse1 have fallen from grace1 and have lost ,christ2 as ,st4 ,paul expressly testifies in ,gal4 #e3c1 #d4 ,so that the doctrine of justification by works1 in the sight of ,god1 is altogether inconsistent with the whole ,scripture1 both of the ,old ,testament and the ,new1 and with our holy ,christian faith4 #aj4 ,in short1 our salvation and righteousness are founded entirely upon the eternal grace of ,god1 and the eternal ,person and office of ,christ2 and in ,christ alone we are made righteous1 holy1 alive1 blessed1 sons and heirs of ,god4 ,the righteousness of ,christ is ours1 his goodness ours1 his holiness ours2 his life ours1 his happiness ours1 and lastly1 the sonship and inheritance of ,christ are ours2 and so the ,,whole ,christ1 both according to his divine and his human nature1 is ours2 7for ,god gives us the ,,whole ,,christ for a ,saviour1 that he with his ,person1 office1 grace1 glory1 and blessedness1 may be wholly appropriated to us74 ,that all this is our own1 is our highest consolation1 glory1 praise1 honor1 love1 joy1 and peace before ,god and all the angels and elect2 it is our sublimest wisdom1 strength1 might1 victory1 and triumph over sin and death1 the devil and hell1 the world and all our enemies4 ,for which ,god be praised to all eternity6 ,amen4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,showing ,that ,saving ,faith ,in ,the ,true ,christian ,produces ,manifold ,fruits ,of ,righteousness1 ,and ,that ,these ,must ,proceed ,from ,the ,depth ,of ,the ,heart2 ,also1 ,that ,the ,character ,of ,our ,outward ,works1 ,depends1 ,in ,the ,judgment ,of ,god1 ,upon ,the ,state ,of ,the ,heart4 ,and this ,i pray1 that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of ,christ3 being filled with the fruits of righteousness1 which are by ,jesus ,christ1 unto the glory and praise of ,god4--,,phil4 #a3i-aa4 ,the true ,christian is not only justified by faith in ,christ1 but is also made a temple and habitation of ,christ and of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,to this end the good ,spirit of ,god purifies his heart by faith3 and it is fit that ,christ should live in his temple1 together with his love1 humility and meekness4 #a ,cor4 #f3ai2 ,eph4 #c3ag2 ,acts #ae3i4 ,to this end also thy ,redeemer has bestowed upon thee his ,holy ,spirit1 that he might create in thee a new heart1 and endue thee with so cheerful and ready a mind1 as to do the will of ,god freely1 without any unwillingness or compulsion4 ,jer4 #ca3cb1 #cc2 ,heb4 #aj3af4 ,this new and holy obedience proceeds not from the law1 or any legal commandment2 but from a lively faith4 ,hence1 8the law is not made for a righteous man0 7#a ,tim4 #a3i71 to compel him to do good2 though it is in other respects an excellent rule by which to regulate a ,christian's life and manners4 ,for a true and living faith does everything freely and of its own accord3 it renews the man1 it purifies the heart1 it produces fervent love to our neighbor1 it hopes and considers such things as are not yet seen4 ,faith prays1 praises1 fears1 and confesses ,god4 ,it is also patient1 humble1 merciful1 loving1 meek1 easy to be reconciled1 compassionate1 and peaceful4 ,faith readily forgives offences2 hungers and thirsts after righteousness2 embraces ,god with all his grace1 and ,christ with all his merit2 and obtains a complete remission of all sins4 ,now if any one does not perceive in his heart these fruits of the ,spirit1 and the indwelling of ,christ by faith1 let him humbly entreat the ,lord1 and that with tears and groans1 that he may obtain them4 ,i would not be understood1 however1 as saying that a ,christian in this life could attain to perfect and absolute holiness2 for even the greatest saints are still sensible of their infirmities2 of which the book of ,psalms and the ,lord's ,prayer fully convince us4 ,god therefore requires that our righteousness1 by which we are to please him1 should be entirely apprehended by faith2 and lest we should act the hypocrite he wills that his righteousness should be stamped on our very heart1 and on the inmost centre of our souls2 and likewise that all the fruits of faith and righteousness should proceed from a living and sound principle seated within the mind4 ,according to this inward and leading principle1 ,god judges all our works1 whether they be true and genuine1 or false and hypocritical4 #b4 ,here again1 we do not assert that perfection can be found in this present world1 but only require that a ,christian should walk in newness of life1 and approve himself by such works as are cleared from guile and hypocrisy4 ,for it is by no means possible that the fruits of the ,spirit enumerated by ,st4 ,paul1 in ,gal4 #e3bb1 #bc1 should not be found in that man in whom the ,spirit of ,god himself dwells 7,gal4 #e3bb72 or that a good tree should not be known by its fruits1 though they may not be altogether so perfect and angelic as could be wished1 but be stained and often obscured by various frailties and imperfections4 ,nevertheless1 all hypocrisy and insincerity1 are utterly to be banished from a regenerate state2 nor are the fruits of a ,christian to proceed from an empty profession1 or a lifeless appearance of things1 but possess truth and reality4 ,i do not deny1 on the one hand1 that the ,christian ,church may be fitly compared to a hospital crowded with all manner of sick2 or to a house inhabited by sinners as well as by saints4 ,i believe also that many1 like feeble children1 have not yet attained to the ability of walking alone2 but that they gradually learn to walk steadily4 ,hence it is necessary to 8bear one another's burdens0 7,gal4 #f3b71 and never rashly to judge or condemn those who by reason of their weakness halt behind4 ,rom4 #ad3a4 ,we ought rather to restore in the spirit of meekness those that stumble1 and with great tenderness to rectify what is amiss in them4 ,thus we learn to read our own imperfections in the infirmities of our brother4 ,but on the other hand1 ,christians ought to labor to make continual advances in the spiritual life4 ,they ought not to continue always in a state of infancy and weakness1 how difficult soever it be to conquer the carnal mind that obstructs our growth4 ,they ought to be fervent in the practice of 8charity1 out of a pure heart1 and of a good conscience1 and of faith unfeigned0 7#a ,tim4 #a3e72 and bear this in perpetual remembrance1 that all outward performances are valued by ,god according to the inward disposition of the heart4 ,if the heart be good1 thou mayest then be assured1 that whatever thou doest is also good before ,god3 but if the heart be evil1 corrupt1 and envious1 then all thy works are evil and hateful4 ,such as thou art inwardly1 and in thy heart1 such art thou accounted to be before ,god2 and such are thy prayers1 thy public worship1 thy giving of alms1 thy receiving the ,sacrament1 and all thy other performances4 #c4 ,whosoever therefore is willing to try his own faith and inward condition1 should set before his eyes the ,ten ,commandments 7as by ,christ himself interpreted7 7,matt4 #e and #f71 and learn to judge of his actions by his heart4 ,by such an impartial trial1 he will clearly perceive whether what he does be acceptable or unacceptable to ,god1 and whether he bring forth the genuine fruits of that inward righteousness which is by faith4 ,phil4 #a3aa4 ,for example1 thou considerest that thou dost not defile thyself with any external idolatry4 ,now1 in keeping from idols thou doest surely well2 but ,i would have thee farther inquire1 whether thou also abhorrest all manner of internal idolatry8 ,or whether thou hast set up an inward idol in some secret corner of the heart1 to which thou payest thy vows8 ,ezek4 #ad3c1 #d4 ,examine thyself whether thou art within1 what thou professest to be without8 ,see whether thy heart be not set upon the world1 upon avarice1 and pride8 ,if so1 then thou art assuredly guilty of most dangerous idolatry2 for the creature has engrossed those noble affections which should be entirely surrendered to the ,creator1 and dedicated to him alone4 ,thou assurest us that thou art punctual in saying thy prayers1 and in praising ,god2 and that thou dost not neglect to offer up thy thanks for benefits received at his hands2 but didst thou ever consider1 whether thou cursest in thy heart1 whilst thou prayest with thy lips8 ,whether thou contradictest by thy actions what thou expressest in thy words8 ,if so1 thy prayer will prove but a worthless performance1 and all thy thanks and praises will be trifling and vain4 ,thou tellest us how strictly thou keepest the sabbath-day4 ,in this truly thou doest well2 but look on the inward frame of thy soul4 ,dost thou celebrate the true sabbath in thy heart8 ,dost thou rest from evil thoughts and wicked desires8 ,is thy heart devoted to ,god1 and freed from noise and clamor1 that ,god himself may work in it8 ,thou attendest divine service at church2 it is well done2 but see that thou carry not with thee to church the canker-worm of pride and vanity4 ,this would convert thy service into mere formality1 and all thy performances into an empty show4 ,thou yieldest external obedience to ,god and to thy superiors2 but does that which passes within thy soul agree with this exterior conduct8 ,is everything done with an upright and willing mind8 ,dost thou act from a principle of love1 or of fear only8 ,if it be fear that constrains thee to an external compliance1 then know assuredly that thy obedience is no more than hypocrisy4 ,thou defilest not thy hands with blood and slaughter1 and thinkest thyself free from the crime of murder4 ,but take a view of thy heart3 for when the heart burns with wrath and anger1 and when this1 as a flame1 flashes out upon thy face2 when thy inward wrath breaks out into reproaches and curses1 saying to thy brother1 ,raca1 and ,thou fool2 then surely thou art become guilty of the judgment1 of the council1 and of everlasting fire4 ,matt4 #e3bb4 ,what therefore will it avail thee that thy hand is unpolluted with blood1 whilst thy heart accuses thee of hatred and murder8 #a ,john #c3ae4 ,for within1 in the heart1 the murderer1 the adulterer1 the thief1 and the liar1 are harbored4 ,here it is that thou must look for the beast1 the evil lust1 and the root of all malice and mischief3 which1 if it be not destroyed by serious repentance1 by true contrition and conversion1 by faith and the blood of ,christ1 it is impossible that thou shouldest do so much as one work acceptable to ,god2 who judges of all thy actions by the inward temper and disposition of the heart4 #d4 ,of this ,christ himself gives us an example from the commandment 8,thou shalt not kill10 saying1 8,if thou bring thy gift to the altar1 and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee2 leave there thy gift before the altar1 and go thy way2 first be reconciled to thy brother40 ,matt4 #e3ba-bf4 ,that is1 it will not at all avail thee to pray1 to sacrifice1 to worship ,god1 and to take the ,sacrament2 yea1 all thy actions will be converted into so many sins1 because ,god regards the heart only1 and not the outward performance4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul commands us to 8lift up holy hands without wrath and doubting40 #a ,tim4 #b3h4 ,and ,st4 ,peter enjoins married persons to beware of anger1 and to dwell together in love and harmony1 as heirs together of the grace of life1 8that their prayers be not hindered40 #a ,peter #c3g4 ,nay1 the ,lord ,jesus himself strongly exhorts us to brotherly reconciliation1 by the three following arguments4 ,matt4 #e3be1 #bf4 7a7 ,the first is1 8,agree with thine adversary quickly1 while thou art in the way with him20 that is1 whilst thou art on this side of eternity3 for our life indeed is nothing else but a perpetual motion towards death and the grave4 ,if in this life thou art not freed from the bonds of wrath1 thou shalt remain a captive to them1 yea1 to the devil himself1 throughout all eternity4 7b7 ,the second argument is1 8lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge40 ,it is an awful thing to be summoned to the tribunal of ,god1 and before so tremendous a judgment-seat1 to plead our cause against an accusing adversary4 ,whereas1 whatever is pardoned1 settled1 and forgiven in this life1 the same will also be forgiven and eternally pardoned in the next4 ,whence we may gather how much ,god regards the love of our neighbor1 since he will have it by no means separated from the love of himself2 and therefore refuses to admit of our love to him1 unless it be linked to that of our neighbor4 ,and why8 ,because ,god is ,love itself1 and loveth man as his own soul4 7c7 ,the third argument is1 8lest thou be cast into prison1 whence thou canst not come out till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing40 ,it is agreeable to the divine justice1 so to deal with us there1 as we have dealt with our neighbor here2 and 8with that measure we have meted withal1 to measure to us again40 ,luke #f3ch4 ,wherefore if thou refusest to forgive any brother his faults1 the judgment of ,god is this3 ,that in like manner no sin shall be remitted to thee4 ,this will prove a burden heavy indeed4 ,for the man that dies in this bitter1 irreconcilable temper1 must1 in hell1 continue a debtor to all eternity1 and this without any hope or prospect of ever lessening the debts which he has here contracted4 #e4 ,thus the ,son of ,god1 has by this example1 taught us that we must judge of the worth of our outward works1 nay1 of all our religion1 by the inward disposition or principle that sways the heart4 ,but perhaps thou still continuest to flatter thyself1 and to say1 8,i am baptized into ,christ2 ,i have the pure word of ,god2 ,i hear it2 ,i receive the sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper2 ,i also believe and confess all the articles of the ,christian faith3 wherefore it cannot be1 but that my life and actions must be pleasing to ,god2 ,i am a ,christian in truth1 and in the right way to be saved40 ,this1 alas6 is the general1 but false reasoning of many in these days1 who regard their outward performances as constituting true righteousness4 ,it might do well enough1 if the heart did but agree with their profession3 for without this1 all is mere trifling1 and a dead1 hypocritical show4 ,look therefore into this1 and learn to judge of thyself by the inward frame of thy soul4 ,thou boastest indeed1 that thou art a ,christian2 and an excellent name it is2 but dost thou consider1 whether thy heart and thy actions agree with a name so sacred8 ,hast thou received the unction from above1 and art thou possessed of the fruits of the ,spirit1 that demonstrate a ,christian8 #a ,john #b3bg4 ,if these be wanting1 thou wilt prove in the end but a false and spurious ,christian4 ,thou assertest1 further1 that thou art baptized2 and so indeed thou art6 ,but search the state of thy heart1 and inquire whether thou livest in the new birth1 in daily repentance1 and an unwearied mortification of the old man4 ,see whether thou bringest forth fruit answerable to the baptismal covenant1 in which thou art engaged8 ,thou sayest that thou hast the oracles of ,god committed to thee1 and that thou hearest and readest them3 but inspect thy heart1 and consider whether the ,word be converted into thy life and spirit1 as bodily food passes into thy flesh and blood8 ,whether thou hast lived up to its direction1 and expressed the effect of it in thy conduct8 ,if thou contentest thyself with the bare hearing thereof1 thou must know that this will never yield eternal salvation1 and that thou deceivest thyself in a matter of infinite importance4 ,for this reason has the ,lord compared the kingdom of ,heaven to leaven1 which gradually spreads itself through the whole lump1 and converts every part into its own nature2 thereby to set forth that powerful influence which the ,word ought to have upon our will and affections4 ,truly1 8not every one that saith1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the kingdom of ,heaven2 but he that doeth the will of the ,father which is in heaven40 ,matt4 #g3ba4 ,thou thinkest that thou dost a service when with zeal thou defendest the purity of the doctrine3 and truly therein thou doest well4 ,nevertheless1 ,i would have thee inquire1 whether by the purity of the doctrine1 and thy defence of it1 thou hast also attained a true purity of the heart4 ,do we not find many rigid defenders of the pure doctrine1 who in their lives are the most unclean of men1 full of pride1 bitterness1 and covetousness8 ,alas1 the name of ,god itself1 is made a common shelter for all manner of vices1 which screen themselves under the same1 with impunity4 ,thou affirmest that thou often receivest the ,lord's ,supper4 ,this is right2 but search thine own heart4 ,thou hast often received the flesh and blood of ,christ in this ,sacrament3 why then do the flesh and blood of ,adam live and reign in thee8 ,should not the life of ,christ shine forth in thy whole conduct8 ,should not his love1 his humility1 and meekness1 diffuse themselves through all thy manners8 ,where is the advantage1 if thou receivest ,christ in the ,sacrament1 and deniest him in thy life and actions8 ,thou sayest1 that thou believest and confessest all the articles of the ,christian faith4 ,it is well6 but have recourse to the touchstone of the heart4 ,that is only a true faith1 which unites man with ,god1 and ,god with man2 by which ,god dwells1 lives1 and operates in man4 ,if these effects be wanting in thee1 thy faith is false1 and so far from uniting thee with ,god1 it sets thee at a greater distance from him4 ,this1 however1 is not to be understood of the faith of weak and feeble ,christians1 which is often so clouded1 as to render it hard to perceive its life and motion4 ,for even a weak faith1 though it be like smoking flax1 has in it the properties of a strong faith1 though it cannot exert itself with equal strength and energy4 ,it heartily cleaves to ,god1 and brings forth fruit amidst all those infirmities with which it struggles4 ,but ,i would have it understood of faith in general1 and of the trial and fruits of it1 that1 if thou believest in ,christ1 then ,christ must certainly live in thee by faith1 or thine will prove but an empty1 naked profession4 ,if thou believest that ,christ suffered death for thy sins1 thou must also die with him to the same 7,gal4 #b3bj71 and renounce the world1 with all its pride and avarice4 ,rom4 #f3b4 ,if this effect do not follow1 then truly thou believest not in ,christ4 ,if thou believest that ,christ was crucified for the sins of the world1 thou must with him be crucified to the same4 ,if thou refusest to comply with this1 thou canst not be a living member of ,christ1 nor be united with him by faith4 ,if thou believest that ,christ is risen from the dead1 it is thy duty to rise spiritually with him1 and firmly adhere to him1 thy ,head and ,saviour4 ,in a word1 the birth1 cross1 passion1 death1 resurrection1 and ascension of ,christ1 must1 after a spiritual manner1 be transacted in thee4 ,and this is the blessed effect of faith1 and the influence it has on believing souls4 ,wherever this effect is wanting1 there is nothing but a lifeless image of faith1 with which men miserably deceive themselves4 ,so if thou believest in the ,holy ,spirit1 the same ,spirit in whom thou believest1 must of necessity dwell and reign in thy heart1 and enlighten and sanctify it4 ,for1 8as many as are led by the ,spirit of ,god1 they are the sons of ,god40 ,rom4 #h3ad4 #f4 ,therefore1 dear ,christian6 let not your religion be confined to bare externals1 but see that it proceed from the more inward recesses of a heart endued with a true1 living1 and active faith1 and with an unfeigned1 inward1 and daily repentance4 ,if you put away from you this inward life1 this faith1 and this repentance1 you strip your religion of all essential goodness1 and1 instead of a living principle1 which ought to be established in the mind1 you carry about an empty1 insignificant name1 which will avail you nothing in that day1 wherein ,god will judge all things according to the inward frame of the heart4 ,but if you are truly affected with a sense of your inward wants and impurities1 then flee without delay to the healing fountain of grace6 ,draw and drink1 pray and knock1 seek and cry1 8,lord1 have mercy upon me60 ,then your heart shall be cured1 your sin covered1 and your transgression cancelled4 ,chapter ,v4 ,showing ,that ,the ,evidence ,of ,true ,christianity ,does ,not ,consist ,in ,the ,knowledge ,and ,the ,hearing ,of ,god's ,word1 ,but ,that ,he ,is ,a ,christian1 ,in ,whose ,life ,god's ,word ,is ,manifested1 ,and ,who ,beseeches ,god ,in ,sincerity ,that ,this ,word1 ,as ,a ,divine ,seed1 ,may ,be ,quickened ,in ,him1 ,and ,bear ,fruit4 ,the gospel of ,christ is the power of ,god unto salvation to every one that believeth4--,,rom4 #a3af4 ,the way by which we are to arrive at true and substantial wisdom1 and become friends of ,god1 is to submit ourselves to the discipline of repentance1 and to lead a life conformable to the ,word of ,god4 ,such a life as this cannot fail to be attended with true illumination of the mind1 and an increase of all divine graces2 nay1 with so close an alliance with ,god himself1 as to make us 8partakers of the divine nature1 having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust40 #b ,peter #a3d4 ,an example of this we have in ,enoch1 who having 8walked with ,god1 was not1 for ,god took him0 to himself4 ,gen4 #e3bd4 ,to such a holy life as this ,david aspired with the utmost fervor of spirit1 proposing two means by which to obtain it3 the first1 fervent prayer2 and the second1 a diligent practice of the word of ,god4 8,i cried10 says he1 8with my whole heart2 hear me1 ,o ,lord3 ,i will keep thy statutes4 ,i cried unto thee2 save me1 and ,i shall keep thy testimonies40 ,ps4 #aai3ade1 #adf4 #b4 ,these words set forth the difficulties which he encounters who seeks to be a true ,christian1 and to keep the word of ,god in holiness of life4 ,for flesh and blood naturally strive against the word of ,god1 and that holiness of life which it requires3 and are1 besides1 inconstant and weak1 and prone to yield to the enticements of the world4 ,the devil on all occasions hinders our progress1 and opposes our endeavors on every side4 ,this is followed by a multitude of evil examples1 and the persecutions which wicked men raise in opposition to those souls that enter upon another course of life4 ,against obstinate evils1 such as these1 all the strength of the soul is to be opposed4 ,this we learn from the example of ,david1 who cried unto the ,lord with his whole heart1 in order that he might better digest the ,word1 and by leading such a life as that ,word requires1 continue in the favor of ,god4 ,this ought also to be our main concern2 the favor of ,god being infinitely preferable to all that the world affords4 ,whoever pleases ,god1 and is ,his friend1 most effectually secures himself thereby from the malice of all his enemies4 ,hence serious and fervent prayer is1 as ,i said before1 the first step to a holy life4 ,the second means to obtain a holy life1 is expressed in the following words of the same ,psalm3 8,i prevented the dawning of the morning1 and cried3 ,i hoped in thy word4 ,mine eyes prevent the night watches1 that ,i might meditate in thy word40 ,ps4 #aai3adg1 #adh4 ,here the ,psalmist declares the earnest study1 love1 and affection1 which are due to the word of ,god2 as also the time best suited for meditating in it1 namely1 the morning4 ,the faculties of the mind are then more strong and vigorous than at other times2 and are best disposed for searching into divine subjects4 ,the truth of this is at that season most feelingly perceived1 when the soul1 afflicted by sadness and deep spiritual temptations1 8watches for the morning0 7,ps4 #acj3f71 and with 8waking eyes0 7,ps4 #gg3d71 expects help from the ,lord4 ,she is then 8as a sparrow alone upon the house top10 as a lonely owl in the desert 7,ps4 #ajb3f1 #g72 and 8so weary with groaning0 7,ps4 #f3f71 as to be almost ready to expire4 #c4 ,this is that exercise of the cross1 or school of affliction1 in which all saints are most effectually trained for a happy eternity4 ,whoever is not inured to this sort of trials1 can know but little of ,god and of his word4 ,in this exercise1 all the natural powers of soul and life consume away1 that ,god alone may become our strength and support4 ,by such inward trials as these1 the carnal life is likewise more and more weakened1 and the quickening power of ,god and of his word1 perceived with the greater effect and experience4 ,and truly1 all our efforts ought to centre in this1 that the external hearing and reading of the divine word be practically applied to the mind1 and improved into ,christian experience4 #d4 ,this doctrine1 therefore1 ,i would have firmly rooted in thy mind1 namely1 that not the reading or hearing1 but the doing and practising of the word1 demonstrates the true ,christian4 ,james #a3bb4 ,without this practical improvement1 hearing and reading will be of no great advantage4 ,for the word was not committed to us1 that it might be read and known only1 but that it might be reduced to practice4 ,as a medicine gives no relief to the patient who hears of1 or looks upon it1 but at the same time refuses to take it2 so the word1 though a remedy for our diseased nature1 can yet cure no man1 or restore him from death to life1 whilst he refuses to take what the word prescribes4 ,therefore1 in order to this1 fervent and constant prayer 7according to the example set us by ,david71 will be requisite in order to enable us to conform our life and actions to the divine word4 ,what advantage is it to an artist that he knows an art1 if he never practises it8 ,will not his supine and careless neglect reduce him at length to poverty8 ,and what will it avail us to know the word of ,god1 and not do it8 8,that servant10 says our ,saviour1 8which knew his lord's will1 and prepared not himself1 neither did according to his will1 shall be beaten with many stripes40 ,luke #ab3dg4 ,and ,st4 ,peter affirms1 that 8it had been better for such not to have known the way of righteousness1 than1 after they have known it1 to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them40 #b ,peter #b3ba4 ,as a father does not own him for a son1 who in everything acts in a manner contrary to his will1 so not words1 but the life and actions1 are marks and indications of a child of ,god1 according to that saying of our ,saviour3 8,if ye were ,abraham's children1 ye would do the works of ,abraham4 ,but now ye seek to kill me1--this did not ,abraham4--,ye are of your father the devil40 ,john #h3ci1 #dj1 #dd4 ,why should a barren and fruitless tree take up any room in the garden1 when it only incumbers the ground on which it grows8 ,it is surely fit for nothing1 but to be cast into the fire1 as is represented in the parable of the barren fig-tree4 ,luke #ac3f1 #g4 ,as it would be foolish to give to a raven the name of a swan1 to which it has no resemblance2 so if the men of this world should be called by the name of true ,christians1 whilst so little of a ,christian temper appears in their life and manners1 ,i think it would be justly counted egregious folly4 ,it is not by words1 but by deeds and actions1 that we are to judge of a ,christian's state1 according to that saying of ,st4 ,paul3 8,the kingdom of ,god is not in word1 but in power40 #a ,cor4 #d3bj4 ,such is the condition of most men at this day1 that those who make the strongest pretences to the ,christian name1 do nothing but that which is contrary to the ,christian spirit4 ,they are like the people at ,rome1 concerning whom ,laurentius ,valla exclaimed when reading these words of our ,lord1 8,blessed are the merciful1 blessed are the peacemakers10 etc4 7,matt4 #e3g-i71 8,surely either these words are not true1 or we are no ,christians40 ,man is corrupted to such a degree1 that even not a few brute creatures visibly surpass him in some good quality4 ,the dove excels him in harmlessness 7,matt4 #aj3af72 the ant in industry 7,prov4 #f3f72 the stork in a careful provision for her young2 the dog in love and fidelity2 the ox and the ass in knowledge of their master 7,isa4 #a3c72 the sheep in meekness 7,isa4 #ec3g72 the lion in generosity and clemency towards weak animals2 the cock in watchfulness2 and the serpent in wisdom4 ,on the contrary1 man in his natural state exceeds all the beasts in mischief4 ,he is more fierce than a wolf2 more crafty than a fox2 more vain than a peacock2 more voracious than a swine2 more pestilent than a viper2 fiercer than a bear4 ,indeed1 the ,lord ,jesus himself terms ,herod a fox 7,luke #ac3cb72 ,john the ,baptist applies the name of vipers to the ,pharisees 7,matt4 #c3g72 and ,st4 ,paul that of lion to ,nero4 #b ,tim4 #d3ag4 ,truly1 those vices and mischiefs1 which go single and unaccompanied in brutes1 are oftentimes crowded together in one natural man4 ,so that the human body is very significantly called by the apostle1 8the body of sin0 7,rom4 #f3f71 as being full of sins1 and infected with all manner of defilements4 ,not to mention1 that there is no creature so bad and pernicious1 but that it may be still of some use to men4 ,the foxes and wolves1 for instance1 with their skins1 secure men from the injuries of a rigorous season4 ,but1 alas6 what good is there to be found in a man abandoned to the conduct of an unregenerate nature8 8,every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually0 7,gen4 #f3e2 #h3ba72 as is more than once expressed in ,scripture4 ,he exercises his reason to practise fraud2 he wastes his body with pride and lewdness2 and is both inwardly and outwardly corrupted1 so that all his members are justly called the 8instruments0 or weapons 8of unrighteousness40 ,rom4 #f3ac4 ,hence it is1 that the ,sacred ,scriptures represent our nature in colors so dark and odious1 as may strike terror into every man that reads them4 8,there is none righteous1 no1 not one3 there is none that understandeth1 there is none that seeketh after ,god4 ,they are all gone out of the way1 they are together become unprofitable2 there is none that doeth good1 no1 not one4 ,their throat is an open sepulchre2 with their tongues they have used deceit2 the poison of asps is under their lips2 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness2 their feet are swift to shed blood2 destruction and misery are in their ways2 and the way of peace have they not known2 there is no fear of ,god before their eyes40 ,rom4 #c3aj-ah2 ,ps4 #ad4 #e4 ,behold here the deplorable image of the natural man6 ,behold the abomination that is common to us all6 ,and now tell me how a man can see the kingdom of ,god1 unless he be born again from above1 or1 as ,st4 ,paul expresses it1 8unless he be renewed in the spirit of his mind3 putting on the new man1 which after ,god is created in righteousness and true holiness80 ,eph4 #d3bc2 ,col4 #c3aj4 ,and the same apostle says1 8,but ye have not so learned ,christ2 if so be that ye have heard him1 and have been taught by him1 as the truth is in ,jesus40 ,eph4 #d3bj1 #ba4 ,yea1 he says1 8,they that are ,christ's1 have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts40 ,gal4 #e3bd4 ,alas6 if those belong not to ,christ1 who do not mortify the members of unrighteousness1 but live in the pollutions of sin1 then they surely must belong to the devil1 and cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven1 since they do not crucify the flesh4 ,for whosoever desires to please ,god1 must become 8a new creature0 in ,christ 7#b ,cor4 #e3ag72 8in whom neither circumcision availeth any thing1 nor uncircumcision1 but a new creature40 ,gal4 #f3ae4 ,now1 since these are the terms on which our eternal welfare depends1 let it be our main concern1 that we more and more vanquish sin in our mortal bodies1 and that we be members1 not of ,satan1 but of ,jesus ,christ4 ,let us earnestly endeavor1 that the divine ,word may gain ground1 and bear fruit in our souls4 ,let us strive to render our lives acceptable to ,god1 so that1 being preserved by his grace to the end1 we may continue 8vessels of mercy1 and not of wrath40 ,rom4 #i3bb1 #bc4 #f4 ,it is for this reason that ,david so heartily wishes to lead a holy life1 conformably to the word of ,god3 8,i cried10 says he1 8with my whole heart2 hear me1 ,o ,lord2 ,i will keep thy statutes0 7,ps4 #aai3ade73 for since our conversion is entirely from above1 it follows1 that a holy life must be obtained by continual prayer and supplication4 8,heal me1 ,o ,lord10 says the prophet1 8and ,i shall be healed2 save me1 and ,i shall be saved3 for thou art my praise40 ,jer4 #ag3ad2 #ca3ah4 ,and ,david says again1 8,i cried unto thee2 save me1 and ,i shall keep thy testimonies40 ,ps4 #aai3adf4 ,sin and the kingdom of ,satan are1 indeed1 so strong and powerful in man1 that it is in vain to attempt their conquest without the divine aid and assistance4 #g4 ,let us therefore shake off all sloth and negligence1 and let us acquit ourselves diligently1 in a matter of so great importance4 ,david himself further adds1 8,i prevented 7that is1 ,i came before7 the dawning of the morning1 and cried3 ,i hoped in thy word4 ,mine eyes prevent 7or1 anticipate7 the night watches1 that ,i might meditate in thy word40 ,ps4 #aai3adg1 #adh4 ,and very appropriate are the words of the prophet on this account3 8,he wakeneth me morning by morning3 he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned40 ,isa4 #ej3d4 ,with which those of ,solomon agree3 8,i sleep1 but my heart waketh3 it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh40 ,song #e3b4 #h4 ,in these and the like sentences of ,scripture1 we may view the fatherly care1 and condescending love of our merciful ,god2 since his delight is to be conversant with the sons of men1 to speak with them and to instruct them4 ,hence he appointed his ,son to be our heavenly ,teacher and ,master2 of which the ,lord ,jesus himself gave a visible image when he was found in the temple in the midst of the doctors1 and astonished the hearers with 8his understanding and answers40 ,luke #b3dg4 ,this was done by our ,saviour1 not merely on account of the ,jewish temple1 which is now destroyed2 but rather on account of the ,christian ,church itself1 which is the true and heavenly ,jerusalem1 taught and instructed by his ,word and ,spirit4 ,it was also done with reference to the temple of our heart1 in which he will teach1 comfort1 enlighten1 and sanctify us4 ,here he will pray1 ask questions1 and answer them2 and speak in holy thoughts1 and devout meditations4 ,and in this the prophetical office of ,christ consists4 ,hence also he replied to his mother in these words3 8,how is it that ye sought me8 ,wist ye not that ,i must be about my father's business80 7,luke #b3di71 meaning that office which was conferred upon him by his ,father4 ,this office he now performs at the right hand of ,god1 as our true and only ,high priest2 and upon earth he discharges it by his word2 by means of which he also inwardly preaches in our hearts by his ,holy ,spirit and gracious illumination4 ,without this1 the outward preaching must prove barren and unfruitful1 according to the words of the apostle3 8,i have planted1 ,apollos watered2 but ,god gave the increase4 ,so then neither is he that planteth any thing1 neither he that watereth2 but ,god that giveth the increase40 #a ,cor4 #c3f1 #g4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,the ,perfection ,and ,salvation ,of ,men ,depend ,on ,union ,with ,christ ,by ,faith2 ,but ,to ,this ,they ,can ,contribute ,nothing1 ,whereas ,they ,rather ,interfere ,with ,the ,grace ,of ,god ,by ,their ,perverse ,will2 ,but ,christ1 ,and ,he ,alone1 ,accomplishes ,the ,work ,in ,us4 ,without me ye can do nothing4--,,john #ae3e4 ,as man by his apostasy from ,god1 through ambition and self-love1 was separated from him1 and fell from the perfection in which he was created1 so he must of necessity return to his original tranquillity and happiness1 by a union with ,god2 in which the whole of human perfection consists4 ,it was therefore necessary1 that the ,son of ,god should become man1 in order that human nature1 being again united to ,god1 might thereby be restored to its primitive integrity and perfection4 ,as the divine and human natures are united in the one ,person of ,christ1 so must we all1 through grace1 be united to him by faith1 as to our eternal and sovereign ,good4 ,in this manner it pleased ,god to rectify the exceeding corruption of our nature by the abounding goodness of his grace4 ,this union is declared by the ,son of ,god himself3 8,i will betroth thee10 says he1 8unto me for ever1 in loving kindness and in mercies40 ,hos4 #b3ai4 ,for since our nature is infected and corrupted by sin1 which is the greatest of evils1 it could not be restored and healed but by ,,god himself1 the sovereign ,good4 #b4 ,now as the union of the divine and the human natures in ,christ is eternal1 and is never to be dissolved1 insomuch that even death itself could not break asunder so sacred a bond3 so ,christ our ,head is to be so firmly united with his faithful members1 that neither life nor death may ever be able to separate them from him4 ,this is also declared by the prophet ,hosea1 in the ,person of ,christ3 8,i will10 says he1 8betroth thee unto me for ever40 #c4 ,this union by faith1 is of the highest necessity1 because 8our iniquities have separated between us and our ,god40 ,isa4 #ei3b4 ,and this deplorable state will continue to all eternity1 unless ,christ dwell in us here by faith4 ,moreover1 we are not able to do the least good1 unless ,christ himself work it in us4 ,hence1 says the apostle1 8,not ,i1 but the grace of ,god which is with me40 #a ,cor4 #ae3aj4 ,and the ,lord himself says3 8,without me ye can do nothing0 7,john #ae3e72 the truth of which he illustrates by the beautiful parable of the vine and the branches4 ,whence it naturally follows1 that if we are1 or do1 any good at all1 it is altogether to be ascribed to ,god alone2 according to what is said by the prophet3 8,thou hast wrought all our works in us0 7,isa4 #bf3ab72 and by another3 8,i am like a green fir-tree4 ,from me is thy fruit found40 ,hos4 #ad3h4 #d4 ,o man6 consider therefore1 what thou art1 and what thou canst do4 ,what hast thou been able to contribute to thy restoration and the renovation of thy depraved nature8 ,surely nothing4 ,as thou couldst not afford any help toward thy bodily birth1 nor create thyself2 so neither canst thou bring any assistance towards thy new birth or regeneration4 ,thou canst indeed lose1 corrupt1 and destroy thyself2 but to renew1 to restore1 to heal1 to justify1 and to quicken thyself1 is a work entirely beyond thy strength4 ,couldest thou contribute anything that ,god might become man8 ,no4 ,there is nothing therefore that thou canst arrogate to thyself1 or ascribe to thy own ability4 ,indeed1 the more a man attributes to his own will1 strength1 and ability1 the more effectually does he obstruct divine grace1 and the renewal of his corrupted nature4 ,let us therefore wholly renounce our own strength1 our own wisdom1 our own will1 and self-love1 that1 being thus resigned to ,god alone1 we may suffer his power freely to work in us1 so that nothing may1 in the least1 oppose the will and operations of the ,lord4 #e4 ,until thou art brought to this1 ,o ,christian1 that thy mind becomes merely passive1 and that thou purely sufferest the operation and will of ,god1 it is evident1 that ,god is impeded by thee1 so that he cannot unite himself with thy soul2 or by true renovation of thy corrupt nature establish his image there4 ,for our own will1 self-love1 ambition1 the opinion of our own wisdom1 and whatever we arrogantly claim to ourselves1 are so many impediments1 why ,god cannot freely operate in us1 and effect his good will4 ,for as a man's own will more and more corrupts and depraves him2 so the will of ,god more and more perfects and restores him4 #f4 ,hence1 it was said by ,bonaventura1 that 8the highest perfection of religion1 consists in renouncing our own will40 ,and by ,augustine1 8,if to love ,god is the greatest good to man1 to love himself must needs be his greatest evil4 ,and1 if such is the nature of good1 that it diffuses and communicates itself2 of necessity self-love must be a great evil1 since it engrosses to itself both its own and the goods of others1 and will not part with any of them40 ,of this even the pagan ,seneca himself was not ignorant when he said3 8,that only is an accession to virtue1 which is a denial of thy own will40 ,and again3 8,unless thou departest from thyself1 thou canst not approach ,god1 who is above thee40 #g4 ,our own will is nothing else but a defection or apostasy from ,god4 ,defection verily is easy1 smooth1 and pleasant2 but the recovery from it is bitter1 troublesome1 and difficult2 yea1 even beyond all the power of the creature4 ,for man1 by his own strength1 can neither return1 nor in any wise help himself1 whether in will or deed4 ,man's will is captive1 and his works are dead4 ,christ alone is able to help1 in the beginning1 the progress1 and the end4 ,he lays before us two means1 the law and the gospel2 or repentance and remission of sin4 ,through the law1 in the first place1 thou must die with ,christ1 and by true sorrow and brokenness of heart sacrifice thy own will4 ,thou must become as nothing in thine own eyes1 and resign thyself wholly to ,christ4 ,then grace and forgiveness of sin are conferred through the gospel1 and man1 that was dead before1 is made alive by faith4 ,whence it appears1 that no man can by his own strength convert and quicken himself4 ,for it is absolutely necessary that he hate1 deny1 and lose himself2 that he be displeased with1 and die unto1 himself2 and that his hope be placed entirely in ,god alone1 by whose grace he expects to live4 #h4 ,but even this self-hatred1 denial1 and mortification1 are not the effect of our own will and ability4 8,it is not10 says ,st4 ,paul1 8of him that willeth1 nor of him that runneth1 but of ,god that sheweth mercy40 ,rom4 #i3af4 ,it is ,god therefore alone who operates all this in us by his grace1 and by the power of his good ,spirit3 so that our justification is not derived from any creature whatsoever1 but from ,god alone1 whose work and gift it is4 ,for the most dangerous enemy any man has1 is himself2 insomuch that we have great reason to implore the ,lord to deliver us from ourselves and all that we have by nature1 and then to bestow that which flows from his grace4 ,by our own strength we are not able to perform the least good1 if ,god1 himself1 even after conversion1 do not graciously operate in us4 ,who is there that can endue us with love and mercy1 but ,god1 who is ,,love itself1 and from whom all other graces proceed8 ,therefore1 ,christ alone is our help and support1 when the help of men cannot avail4 ,but after all1 be the condition ever so low to which man has been brought by the fall of ,adam1 he is now raised again by ,christ1 and even exalted to a higher degree than he possessed before4 ,but of this more shall be said in ,chapter ,,xi4 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,showing ,that ,in ,order ,to ,understand ,the ,true ,nature ,of ,repentance1 ,we ,must ,necessarily ,know ,the ,distinction ,between ,the ,old ,and ,the ,new ,man2 ,or1 ,how ,in ,us ,adam ,must ,die1 ,and ,christ ,live2 ,or1 ,how ,in ,us ,the ,old ,man ,must ,die1 ,and ,the ,new ,man ,live4 ,we know this1 that our old man is crucified with ,christ1 that the body of sin might be destroyed1 that henceforth we should not serve sin4--,,rom4 #f3f4 ,in every ,christian there is found a twofold man1 opposed1 like their fruits1 to one another4 ,this will more fully appear from the following statement3 ,adam1 ,christ4 ,old man1 ,new man4 ,outward man1 ,inward man4 ,old birth1 ,new birth4 ,flesh1 ,spirit4 ,nature1 ,grace4 ,reason1 ,faith4 ,darkness1 ,light4 ,tree of death1 ,tree of life4 ,evil fruit1 ,good fruit4 ,sin1 ,righteousness4 ,damnation1 ,salvation4 ,death1 ,life4 ,old ,jerusalem1 ,new ,jerusalem4 ,kingdom of the ,kingdom of ,god4 devil1 ,seed of the ,seed of ,god4 serpent1 ,natural man1 ,spiritual man4 ,image of the ,image of the earthly1 heavenly4 ,the truth of this statement1 the ,scriptures1 as well as experience1 abundantly confirm4 ,the former speak largely of the old man and the new1 of the inward and outward man4 ,see ,eph4 #d3bd2 ,col4 #c3i2 #b ,cor4 #d3af4 ,they teach also that the ,spirit of ,god is in us3 ,rom4 #h3aa2 #a ,cor4 #c3af2 #f3ai2 #b ,cor4 #e3e2 ,eph4 #a3ac4 ,and likewise ,christ1 ,gal4 #b3bj2 #b ,cor4 #ac3e4 ,experience1 moreover1 demonstrates the same4 ,hither may also be referred that striving and struggling of the flesh and ,spirit1 from which even the saints are not free4 ,rom4 #g3bc4 ,likewise there belong here the different fruits of the flesh and ,spirit reckoned up by ,st4 ,paul4 ,gal4 #e3ai-bc4 ,this point is therefore clearly stated in ,scripture1 and too certain to be called in question by any ,christian4 ,it is the hinge1 as it were1 on which all the ,scripture moves1 and the foundation on which the true knowledge of man depends4 ,out of the same fountain issue true repentance1 or the death of ,adam1 and the life of ,christ in us4 ,for no sooner does ,adam die in us1 but there perishes with him all that is originally derived from him2 the old outward man1 the old birth1 the flesh1 nature1 corrupt reason1 darkness1 the tree of death1 evil fruits1 sin1 death1 damnation1 the seed of the serpent1 the natural man1 the earthly image1 the old ,jerusalem1 and the kingdom of ,satan4 ,but as long as ,adam lives1 there also live and reign with him the old man1 and the carnal birth1 the flesh1 nature1 corrupt reason1 darkness1 and the whole train of evils before mentioned1 being all comprised under the kingdom of ,satan1 and subject to damnation1 and to the curse everlasting4 ,but if1 on the other hand1 ,christ live in any one1 then verily there live and reign with him the new and inward man1 the new birth1 the ,spirit1 grace1 faith1 light1 the tree of life1 good fruits1 righteousness1 life1 happiness1 the seed of ,god1 the spiritual man1 the heavenly image1 the new ,jerusalem1 and the kingdom of ,god4 ,all which proceed from the divine blessing1 and tend to eternal salvation4 ,here is a matter of importance1 namely1 so to order one's life and conduct1 that ,christ the new or second ,adam1 and not the old ,adam1 may live and reign in us4 #b4 ,therefore it is necessary for a man to watch1 to fast1 to pray1 fight1 and strive2 and1 as ,st4 ,paul expresses it1 to examine himself if ,christ be in him4 #b ,cor4 #ac3e4 ,he is to work out his salvation with fear and trembling4 ,phil4 #b3ab4 ,he is to enter through the strait gate and the narrow way in ,christ4 ,matt4 #g3ac4 ,that is1 man must now hate and deny himself1 forsake all 7,luke #ad3bf71 and die unto sin4 ,rom4 #f3b4 ,this surely is not to be effected1 as the delicate ,christians of this age imagine1 by any careless and slight application of mind1 but by an inward and profound sorrow1 contrition1 and brokenness of heart1 together with groans and tears that cannot be uttered4 ,these inward exercises1 and acts of devotion1 are most feelingly set forth by ,david in his ,penitential ,psalms1 which abound with expressions of this nature4 ,ps4 #f2 #cb2 #ch2 #ea2 #ajb2 #acj2 #adc4 ,the apostle calls it a crucifying of the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof4 ,gal4 #e3bd4 ,whoever attains to this state1 in him verily ,christ lives1 and he reciprocally in ,christ by faith4 ,then ,christ conquers and reigns in man1 whose faith is become 8the victory that overcometh the world40 #a ,john #e3d4 #c4 ,but since the world1 which thou art to strive against1 is not without thee1 but within thee1 it follows1 that it is also to be conquered not without1 but within thee4 ,for what is the world1 but 8the lust of the flesh1 and the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life80 #a ,john #b3af4 ,as these are in thee1 so in thee they are to be subdued1 that thus thou mayest worthily bear the name and character of a true child of ,god4 8,for whatsoever is born of ,god1 overcometh the world0 7#a ,john #e3d72 and if thou overcomest1 and gainest the victory over thy great enemy the world1 thou art then a child of light 7,eph4 #e3h71 a member of ,christ 7#a ,cor4 #ab3bg2 ,eph4 #e3cj71 and the temple of the ,holy ,ghost4 #a ,cor4 #f3ai4 ,thou art now a good tree 7,matt4 #ab3cc71 that freely and without constraint1 yea1 with joy1 love1 and pleasure1 bringeth forth fruit to the glory of ,god4 ,matt4 #e3af4 #d4 ,but if thou livest in ,adam1 and ,adam reigns in thee1 then thou art not a child of ,god1 nor born again of him4 ,for since thou art overcome by the world1 and since the prince thereof rules in thee by pride1 ambition1 and self-love1 thou art on this very account to be numbered amongst the children of the devil4 ,john #h3dd4 8,for as many as are led by the ,spirit of ,god1 they are the sons of ,god40 ,rom4 #h3ad4 ,and1 on the contrary1 as many as are led by ,satan1 they likewise are his children2 yea1 they are the very members of ,satan1 sons of darkness1 a habitation of unclean spirits1 an accursed ,babylon1 full of impure and of abominable beasts2 as it is represented by the ancient prophets 7,isa4 #ac3ba2 ,rev4 #ah3b72 but particularly by the prophet ,ezekiel4 ,he being brought in spirit into the temple at ,jerusalem1 beheld two remarkable things3 one whereof was1 8every form of creeping things1 and abominable beasts1 and all the idols of the house of ,israel1 portrayed upon the wall round about20 and secondly 7which was still more detestable71 8seventy men of the ancients of the house of ,israel1 worshipping these beasts and images1 and offering them incense40 ,ezek4 #h3aj1 #aa4 #e4 ,behold1 ,o man1 a lively representation here given of thy depraved1 brutish1 and beastly heart6 ,if thou wilt but enter into this temple of thy heart1 thou shalt surely find therein vast numbers of foul1 detestable creatures1 images1 and idols1 fashioned and represented by all manner of corrupt and impure thoughts in the carnal mind1 imagination1 and memory4 ,moreover 7and this is the greatest evil of all71 though these idols and horrid abominations should be utterly banished from the heart1 and this detestable evil1 by which man is made the habitation of unclean and pestilential reptiles1 should1 by all means1 be destroyed by repentance1 by mortification of the flesh1 and by penitential tears and humiliation2 yet1 instead of doing that1 thou lovest these serpents1 adorest these vile monsters1 and servest and caressest them4 ,alas6 thou but little regardest that ,christ is cast out of thy soul by these abominations1 and is utterly banished from thy heart2 and that by this means thou deprivest thyself of the supreme and eternal ,good1 losing the ,holy ,spirit with all his excellent gifts and graces4 ,o miserable man6 thou exceedingly grievest when any outward trouble befalls thee1 or when thou losest anything in the world that is dear to thee2 why then is it1 that thou art not at all concerned at the loss even of ,,christ himself1 and at the deplorable state of thy soul and body1 which are both become a habitation of malignant spirits6 #f4 ,if these things be seriously pondered and laid to heart1 we shall soon understand what ,adam and ,christ are2 and how they live and act in men4 ,to this head we may also refer the following observations4 ,first1 ,in ,adam we are ,,all naturally equal1 nor is one better than another2 since we are all1 both as to body and soul1 equally polluted and corrupted1 so that it is affirmed by ,st4 ,paul1 not only of ,jews and ,gentiles1 but even of all men in general1 that 8there is no difference40 ,rom4 #c3bb4 ,hence it is also true1 that in the sight of ,god1 no man is better than the most profligate criminal4 ,for though that perverse temper which is natural to all1 does not equally in all break out into works1 yet ,god judges all men by the inward state of the heart1 that poisoned fountain of all sin4 ,nor is there any sin so heinous1 which man by nature would not freely commit1 were he not strongly restrained by divine grace4 ,for by the bent of our nature we are but too much inclined to pollute ourselves with all manner of wickedness 7,jer4 #ac3bc72 and if the inclination be not always attended with the external effect itself1 it is wholly to be attributed to the grace of ,god1 and not to any strength or prudence of our own4 ,gen4 #bj3f4 ,this consideration should excite us to the practice of true humility1 and to an unfeigned fear of ,god2 and at the same time restrain us from rashly despising our fellow-creatures1 lest1 by reflecting on others1 we ourselves split upon the dangerous rock of carnal presumption4 ,secondly1 it is proper to observe1 that as in ,adam we are all equally bad with regard to the corruption of nature2 so by ,christ we are all made equally just and holy2 no man receiving for himself any prerogative of a peculiar righteousness in the sight of ,god4 ,for since ,christ is our perfection1 our 8wisdom1 righteousness1 sanctification1 and redemption0 7#a ,cor4 #a3cj2 #f3aa71 we1 who in ,adam are alike1 are also alike in ,christ4 ,for as in ,adam by nature we are all one man and one body1 infected with the foul contagion of disobedience and sin1 so all true ,christians are as one man in ,christ1 and make up one body1 completely purified and sanctified by faith1 and the blood of ,christ4 #g4 ,this truth is a remedy against spiritual pride1 namely1 that none should account himself better before ,god than others1 though perhaps adorned with greater gifts1 and endowments4 ,for even these are no less bestowed on him of pure grace1 than are righteousness and salvation themselves4 ,upon this principle of pure grace1 be careful to keep thy mind constantly fixed4 ,if thou dost so1 then this grace shall protect thee against the dangerous snares of pride and arrogance2 and as1 on the one hand1 it will convince thee of thy own misery and poverty in spirit1 so1 on the other1 it will give thee a most lively insight into ,christ1 and into the exceeding riches of grace1 offered through him to all mankind4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,showing ,how ,graciously ,god ,invites ,us ,to ,repentance1 ,and ,how ,necessary ,it ,is ,that ,it ,should ,not ,be ,delayed4 ,likewise1 ,i say unto you1 there is joy in the presence of the angels of ,god over one sinner that repenteth4--,,luke #ae3aj4 ,god1 who is of infinite mercy1 in order that he might the better soften our hard and stony hearts1 and turn them from the world1 ourselves1 and the devil1 unto himself 7,acts #bf3ah71 has1 in his ,word1 variously represented and set before our eyes man's conversion and repentance4 #b4 ,among other ways of impressing it on our minds1 the two parables of the ,lost ,sheep and of the ,prodigal ,son 7,luke1 chap4 #ae71 are exceedingly affecting1 and are so abundant in divine consolation1 that it is scarcely possible seriously to think upon them without tears4 ,therein our ,saviour describes three different hearts4 ,of these the first is1 the impenitent heart of a sinner2 the second1 the contrite heart of a penitent2 the third1 the heart of ,god1 full of mercy and paternal affection4 #c4 ,the first he describes under the similitude of a degenerate son1 wastefully spending his substance and inheritance1 and at last reduced to such necessity1 as to wish to fill his belly with the husks which the swine did eat4 ,by this figure all mankind in their natural state are shadowed forth2 who1 as so many degenerate sons1 have squandered away the heavenly inheritance by continual riot and wickedness4 ,that is1 they have lost their original righteousness1 holiness1 innocency1 and the beautiful image of ,god1 in which they were at first created 7,eph4 #d3bd71 and are now by their own fault become the bond-slaves of sin1 of the devil1 and of death4 ,and to complete their ruin1 finding no relief1 rest1 or comfort1 in any human performances and laws 7which answer to the husks in the parable7 they must of necessity perish with endless famine and misery1 unless they speedily have recourse unto the grace of their ,heavenly ,father4 #d4 ,the second heart1 which is that of a repenting sinner1 is set forth in these words3 8,how many hired servants of my ,father have bread enough1 and to spare1 and ,i perish with hunger6 ,i will arise1 and go to my ,father1 and will say unto him1 ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and before thee2 and am no more worthy to be called thy son40 ,in this account we have a very moving description of true repentance4 ,by the ,prodigal's coming to himself1 is signified sorrow for sin2 that is1 when a man1 on the one hand1 reflects upon his own misery1 and considers how1 from being a child of ,god1 he is become1 as it were1 a brute beast 7#b ,pet4 #b3ab71 an unclean swine1 a man void of reason1 earthly and sensual2 and1 on the other1 mindful of his divine origin1 turns his thoughts entirely upon his ,father1 repents1 acknowledges his offences1 and says1 8,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and before thee20 and have offended both ,god and man4 ,this he immediately confirms by a sincere contempt of himself1 expressed in these words3 8and am no more worthy to be called thy son40 ,moreover1 faith1 which is the other part of repentance1 is exhibited to us in his actual arising and returning to his father's house4 ,he assumed confidence to repair to his home1 and firmly persuaded himself that his father would receive him1 if not as a son1 at least as one of his hired servants4 8,for10 says he1 8,i am no more worthy to be called thy son2 make me as one of thy hired servants40 ,this plainly shows the sure hope he entertained1 that his father would yield to his entreaties1 and receive him into his favor4 #e4 ,and now ,i come1 thirdly1 to draw the character of the paternal heart of ,god1 set forth in the parable4 ,i4 ,when the son was yet a great way off1 his father saw him4 ,behold the prevenient mercy of our ,heavenly ,father1 who graciously looks for his prodigal children4 ,ps4 #gi3h2 ,isa4 #cj3ah1 #ai2 ,ps4 #cb3h4 ,,ii4 ,and was moved with compassion4 ,hereby is represented his mercy waiting to be gracious to us4 ,,iii4 ,and ran and fell on his neck4 ,here is mercy receiving into favor4 ,,iv4 ,and kissed him4 ,this exhibits mercy ready to administer consolation to the returning sinner4 ,micah #g3ai2 ,isa4 #ff3ac4 ,v4 ,bring forth1 says he1 the best robe1 and put it on him 7,isa4 #fa3aj74 ,this has relation to ,christ1 and points out his righteousness1 and justifying grace4 ,rom4 #h3cc4 ,,vi4 ,and put a ring on his hand4 ,hereby is signified the ,holy ,spirit1 the pledge of sonship 7,gal4 #d3f2 ,eph4 #a3e71 the seal of intimate favor and union2 and it also represents to us the espousing mercy of the ,lord4 ,,vii4 ,and shoes on his feet4 ,this denotes a new and holy walk in ,christ1 resulting from the ,divine power1 and the grace of the ,holy ,spirit2 which are the peculiar effects of preserving mercy4 #a ,peter #a3e2 ,ps4 #hd3aa4 ,,viii4 ,bring hither the fatted calf4 ,by this feast is represented the joy of angels1 or rejoicing and crowning mercy1 described by the holy ,psalmist1 and the prophet ,isaiah4 ,ps4 #fc3e2 #ajc3e2 ,isa4 #fe3ac4 #f4 ,what strong and endearing arguments are here offered by the goodness of ,god inviting us to sincere repentance6 ,let us1 then1 seriously consider some of the main inducements to true repentance1 of which seven shall be proposed at present4 ,i4 ,the boundless mercy of ,god4 ,,ii4 ,the kindness of ,christ1 and his inestimable merit4 ,,iii4 ,the awful threatenings and punishments that are laid before us4 ,,iv4 ,death4 ,v4 ,the last judgment4 ,,vi4 ,hell4 ,and ,,vii4 ,everlasting joy4 ,i4 ,,the ,,mercy ,,of ,,god4 #g4 8,if thou shalt seek the ,lord thy ,god1 thou shalt find him1 if thou seek him with all thy heart1 and with all thy soul4 ,when thou art in tribulation1 and all these things are come upon thee1 even in the latter days1 if thou turn to the ,lord thy ,god1 and shalt be obedient unto his voice2 7for the ,lord thy ,god is a merciful ,god72 he will not forsake thee1 neither destroy thee1 nor forget the covenant of thy fathers1 which he sware unto them40 ,deut4 #d3bi-ca4 ,what tender affection1 as of the heart of a father1 have we here presented to us6 ,and how just and reasonable is it1 that it should move us to repentance6 ,for how numerous and great soever our sins may be1 the mercy of ,god is still greater1 according to the words of the ,psalmist3 8,with the ,lord there is mercy2 and with him is plenteous redemption4 ,and he shall redeem ,israel from all his iniquities40 ,ps4 #acj3g1 #h4 ,and again3 8,according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies1 blot out my transgressions40 ,ps4 #ea3a4 ,nor are our sins so filthy and abominable1 but ,god can make them white as snow4 8,though your sins10 says the prophet1 8be as scarlet1 they shall be as white as snow40 ,isa4 #a3ah4 ,and the ,psalmist says3 8,purge me with hyssop1 and ,i shall be clean2 wash me1 and ,i shall be whiter than snow40 ,ps4 #ea3g4 ,neither are they so various and manifold1 but that they are surpassed by the riches of divine grace1 according to the apostle3 8,in ,christ we have redemption through his blood1 the forgiveness of sins1 according to the riches of his grace40 ,eph4 #a3g4 ,and what we read in ,exodus teaches the same3 8,the ,lord1 the ,lord ,god1 merciful and gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth2 forgiving iniquity1 and transgression1 and sin40 ,exod4 #cd3f1 #g4 ,nor are they so strong and powerful1 but ,god can destroy them1 and throw them into the depth of the sea1 as he did unto ,pharaoh and all his host4 8,he will subdue our iniquities2 and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea40 ,micah #g3ai4 ,nor1 finally1 are they so mortal and pestilential1 but ,god can heal them1 as the prophet assures us3 8,the wicked shall not fall by his wickedness in the day that he turneth from it40 ,ezek4 #cc3ab4 ,,ii4 ,,the ,,kindness ,,of ,,christ4 #h4 ,how kindly and affectionately ,christ ,jesus receives sinners1 he himself abundantly declares in the ,gospel3 8,they that be whole10 says he1 8need not a physician1 but they that are sick4 ,i am not come to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance40 ,matt4 #i3ab1 #ac4 8,the ,son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost40 ,luke #ai3aj4 ,of this gracious bounty of ,christ towards returning sinners1 the prophets have left us many predictions4 8,woe be to the shepherds of ,israel10 saith ,ezekiel1 8who have not sought that which was lost3 but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them4 ,and they were scattered1 because there is no shepherd4 ,behold1 ,i1 even ,i1 will both search my sheep1 and seek them out4 ,as a shepherd seeketh out his flock1 in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered2 so will ,i seek that which was lost1 and bring again that which was driven away1 and will bind up that which was broken1 and will strengthen that which was sick40 ,ezek4 #cd3b1 #d1 #ab1 #af4 ,and the prophet ,isaiah says1 8,he shall feed his flock like a shepherd3 he shall gather the lambs with his arm1 and carry them in his bosom40 ,isai4 #dj3aa4 ,nor should only the gracious nature of ,christ move thee to repentance2 but more especially his extreme sorrow1 and most innocent blood shed on thine account4 ,for consider within thyself3 7#a47 ,that he laid down his life1 not for heaven or earth1 but for thy soul4 ,and wilt thou1 by sin and impenitence1 wantonly cast away so great and valuable a treasure8 7#b47 ,remember1 that thou couldest not have been redeemed by any other or less price than the precious blood of ,christ 7#a ,pet4 #a3ai74 ,why shouldest thou deprive thyself of a ransom so inestimable as the ,redeemer has paid for thee8 7#c47 ,call to mind1 that ,christ has redeemed thee from the world1 from sin and the devil4 ,and dost thou desire to continue longer in the service of so hard and cruel a master8 7#d47 ,be assured1 that without unfeigned repentance1 the merit of ,christ will avail thee nothing2 yea1 that thou tramplest under foot his blood1 and dost 8despite unto the ,spirit of grace40 ,heb4 #aj3bi4 7#e47 ,lastly1 consider how sharp and cruel were the sufferings which thy ,saviour underwent on thy account6 ,how he wept and sorrowed1 trembled and feared6 ,heb4 #e3g4 ,how grievously he was wounded for thy transgressions 7,isa4 #ec3e71 and1 at last1 as a worm 7,ps4 #bb3f71 and cursed 7,gal4 #c3ac71 hung upon a tree6 ,how loudly this mournful scene calls on thee to repent6 ,,iii4 ,,threats ,,of ,,temporal ,,punishment4 #i4 8,god judgeth the righteous10 saith the ,psalmist1 8and ,god is angry with the wicked every day4 ,if he turn not1 he will whet his sword3 he hath bent his bow1 and made it ready3 he hath also prepared for him the instruments of death3 he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors40 ,ps4 #g3aa-ac4 #aj4 ,this wrath and revenge1 no man will ever be able to escape1 as the prophet ,amos affirms3 8,he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered4 ,though they climb up to heaven1 thence ,i will bring them down3 and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea1 thence will ,i command the serpent1 and he shall bite them4 ,behold1 the eyes of the ,lord ,god are upon the sinful kingdom1 and ,i will destroy it from off the face of the earth40 ,amos #i3a-c1 #h4 8,their blood shall be poured out as dust10 saith ,zephaniah1 #a3ag1 #ah1 8and their flesh as the dung4 ,neither their silver1 nor their gold1 shall be able to deliver them in the day of the ,lord's wrath2 but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy40 ,such terrible threatenings as these should lead us to unfeigned repentance2 this being the only means by which to prevent impending desolation1 and the total destruction of nations and cities2 as evidently appears from the example of ,nineveh4 ,jonah #c3e1 #aj4 8,at what instant ,i shall speak concerning a nation1 and concerning a kingdom1 to pluck up1 and to pull down1 and to destroy it2 if that nation against whom ,i have pronounced1 turn from their evil1 ,i will repent of the evil that ,i thought to do unto them40 ,jer4 #ah3g1 #h4 ,,iv4 ,,death4 #aa4 ,god has concealed the time of our death from us1 that thereby we may be kept in the daily and uninterrupted practice of true repentance1 as not knowing which hour may be our last4 8,the whole life of a man is given him for repentance10 saith ,st4 ,bernard4 ,and this repentance is a ,christian's daily cross and tribulation4 ,thus it is said in the ,psalms3 8,i am ready to halt1 and my sorrow is continually before me40 ,ps4 #ch3ag2 #gc3ad4 ,god has promised grace to the penitent1 but he has not promised to sinners another day in which to repent4 8,it is appointed unto men once to die2 but after this the judgment40 ,heb4 #i3bg4 ,such as ,god shall find thee1 as such will he judge thee3 wherefore1 live in such a manner as thou wouldest wish to have done1 when thou art dying4 ,consider seriously in thy mind1 where they now are1 who but a few years ago wasted their lives with lust and vanity1 and freely enjoyed the 8good things0 of this world8 ,luke #af3be4 ,they are all gone to their own place1 where they wait for the day of judgment4 ,wherefore1 8come out of her1 my people1 that ye be not partakers of her sins1 and that ye receive not of her plagues40 ,rev4 #ah3d4 ,v4 ,,the ,,last ,,judgment4 #ab4 ,for after death1 there is neither place nor time for repentance4 ,it is in this world that eternal life is either lost or obtained4 ,those that repent betimes1 shall not be condemned in judgment2 but the impenitent will hear the awful sentence3 8,depart from me1 ye cursed1 into everlasting fire40 ,matt4 #be3da4 8,behold1 therefore1 now is the accepted time2 behold1 now is the day of salvation60 7#b ,cor4 #f3b71 which will be followed by the day of judgment in the other world4 8,to-day1 therefore1 if ye will hear his voice1 harden not your hearts1 as in the provocation2 lest ,i swear in my wrath1 that ye shall not enter into my rest40 ,ps4 #ie3g1 #h1 #aa2 ,heb4 #c3g1 #h1 #aa4 8,for we must all appear before the judgment-seat of ,christ1 that every one may receive the things done in his body1 whether it be good or bad40 #b ,cor4 #e3aj4 ,those1 therefore1 who here repent1 8shall have their sins covered0 7,ps4 #cb3a71 and 8they shall no more be mentioned unto them10 as the prophet declares4 ,ezek4 #cc3af4 ,lay hold1 therefore1 on the offer of mercy betimes1 know and confess thy sins1 ,o man1 that they may be remitted and forgotten4 ,,vi4 ,,eternal ,,pains ,,of ,,hell4 #ac4 ,with this present life1 the season of the mercy of ,god closes4 ,it will then be said3 8,son1 remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things40 ,luke #af3be4 ,thy life is now over4 ,thou art now dead6 ,dead to ,god forever1 to whom thou didst refuse to live in time6 ,there is no redemption from hell4 ,ps4 #di3ad-bj4 ,how can the damned enjoy the goodness of ,god1 to which they were dead whilst they were alive1 and to which they will now continue dead to all eternity6 ,remember1 therefore1 that now is the only time for mercy1 and the hour of visitation to repent2 whereas1 there the damned so die1 as1 notwithstanding1 always to live2 and so live1 as yet to die eternally4 ,all the senses will there suffer torment4 ,the sight shall be punished with eternal darkness2 the ears shall be filled with weeping and gnashing of teeth2 the smell with stench of fire and brimstone2 the taste with the bitterness of eternal death2 and the feeling with a sense of endless tortures and miseries4 ,,vii4 ,,the ,,joy ,,of ,,eternal ,,life4 #ad4 ,is it not a very high degree of folly1 to prefer a short perishing pleasure to an eternal joy2 and a worthless trifle1 to the glorious presence of ,god8 ,now none shall enter into this1 but he who has thoroughly washed himself1 and 8made white his robes in the blood of the ,lamb40 ,rev4 #c3ad4 8,for without are dogs1 and sorcerers1 and whoremongers1 and murderers1 and idolaters1 and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie40 ,rev4 #bb3ae4 ,none of those1 who1 having been here invited to the feast of ,christ1 yet refused to come1 8shall taste of his supper40 ,luke #ad3bd4 ,the highest joy of eternal life1 will consist in 8seeing ,god as he is40 #a ,john #c3b4 ,to see ,god1 is all in all1 and an eternal reward4 8,ye shall see me10 says our ,lord1 8and your heart shall rejoice2 and your joy no man taketh from you40 ,john #af3ai1 #bb4 ,this sight of the face of ,god is the joy of the angels2 it is their life1 and the invisible food by which they are sustained4 ,now as this vision of ,god creates the most exalted joy1 so to be banished from it1 is to suffer the greatest1 the most terrible1 and the most severe torment1 and eternal misery4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,showing ,what ,repentance ,is1 ,and ,the ,manner ,in ,which ,the ,sinner ,truly ,repents2 ,also1 ,how ,the ,goodness ,of ,god ,leads ,us ,to ,repentance4 ,therefore also now1 saith the ,lord1 turn ye even to me with all your heart1 and with fasting1 and with weeping1 and with mourning3 and rend your heart1 and not your garments1 and turn unto the ,lord your ,god3 for he is gracious and merciful1 slow to anger1 and of great kindness1 and repenteth him of the evil4--,,joel #b3ab1 #ac4 ,the ,lord1 whose mercy is infinite1 by no means seeks our destruction1 but rather our life and happiness4 ,he best knows the wretched and deplorable condition into which we are fallen by sin2 and he is also desirous to reclaim us from that dangerous state1 and to preserve us from everlasting ruin4 ,it is for this reason1 that he so earnestly invites the soul to repentance1 and engages us to the same by many strong and powerful motives4 #b4 ,sometimes ,god is pleased to stir us up by terrible threatenings4 8,behold10 says he1 8,i will bring evil upon this people2 because they have not hearkened unto my words1 nor to my law1 but rejected it40 ,jer4 #f3ai4 ,again1 8,and now1 because ye have done all these works1 saith the ,lord1 and ,i spake unto you1 rising up early and speaking1 but ye heard not2 therefore1 will ,i cast you out of my sight40 ,jer4 #g3ac1 #ae4 ,this dreadful proclamation of both temporal and eternal calamities1 should strike fear and terror into us3 for the threatening of ,god is not an empty voice1 nor a sound that vanishes into nothing1 but it is accompanied with many terrible effects1 and consuming wrath1 as will in its time more fully appear1 and which we even feel already by sad experience2 since miseries and calamities1 like a flood1 seem to carry all before them4 ,nay1 they will undoubtedly multiply upon us1 and exert themselves with the utmost fury and fierceness1 except we betimes prevent them by a sincere repentance4 ,thus the wrath of ,god shall be poured forth in wars1 famines1 pestilence1 fire1 and inundations1 till he has at length destroyed our very foundations1 as he did once to the city of ,jerusalem4 ,lam4 #d3aa4 #c4 ,but if the proclamation of wrath and judgment cannot prevail upon us1 yet ought ,god's abounding goodness1 attended as it is with so many endearing marks of love1 to melt our hearts1 and to soften them into true and earnest repentance4 ,for thus hath the ,lord spoken by the prophet3 8,return1 thou backsliding ,israel1 and ,i will not cause mine anger to fall upon you3 for ,i am merciful1 saith the ,lord1 and ,i will not keep anger for ever4 ,only acknowledge thine iniquity1 that thou hast transgressed against the ,lord thy ,god40 ,jer4 #c3ab1 #ac4 ,in these words1 ,god makes a free offer of his grace1 entreats and adjures us to return to him again1 for he is willing to accept our repentance4 #d4 ,the passages that have been quoted1 are a convincing proof that ,god1 by his grace1 mercy1 patience1 and clemency1 strongly invites us to true repentance4 ,there are chiefly three things in those scriptures1 which deserve a more particular observation3 namely1 the nature of repentance1 or what it is to repent2 that is1 to turn unto the ,lord3--the manner in which repentance is to be wrought out2 that is1 by fasting1 weeping1 and mourning3--the motive to engage us in so holy an exercise1 which is the paternal goodness of ,god2 8for ,i am merciful40 ,as to the first1 we know that to repent1 is nothing else but to be led1 through the law of ,god1 to acknowledge the natural blindness of our hearts1 and that detestable impurity which lurks within4 ,next1 we ought to regard this as the very source whence all other sins proceed1 and whereby we depart from ,god1 the supreme and eternal ,good1 deserving not only various punishments here1 but also his everlasting wrath in hell hereafter4 ,all this ought to awaken in us sorrow and distress1 not so much by reason of the threatened punishment1 as rather on account of the heinousness of the many provocations offered to a merciful ,father1 who in his very nature is love and kindness4 ,this being done1 we may then raise again our souls by virtue of the ,gospel1 and with a well-grounded faith1 rely on the favor of ,god1 and on the sure remission of sin promised in ,christ ,jesus4 ,this must necessarily be attended with a serious amendment of life1 with a constant purification of the heart by faith1 with a mortification of all evil desires1 and with a sincere abnegation of our own will1 so opposite to that of ,god4 ,in a word1 it will be accompanied with a new life acceptable unto ,god in ,christ1 and with fruit worthy of repentance2 suitably to what ,god enjoins by the prophet3 8,wash ye1 make you clean2 put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes2 cease to do evil1 learn to do well4 ,though your sins be as scarlet1 they shall be as white as snow40 ,isaiah #a3af1 #ah4 #e4 ,but alas6 here is the difficulty6 ,these things are much more easily said1 than reduced to practice4 ,the reason is1 because hardly any will earnestly engage in so weighty a work1 or search into the true original cause of the many dreadful disorders that appear in our lives and conduct4 ,man flatters himself with a confident opinion of his own goodness1 and cherishes the affection of the old man4 ,there are few who care to see their hearts in their inward and native depravity2 or to be made sensible of that vein of evil nature which runs through all their actions1 even the best and most shining4 ,and thus ,christ himself1 and the grace of ,god1 manifested by him1 are wantonly disregarded4 #f4 ,and yet ,joel 7#b3ab7 requires us to 8turn unto ,god with all our heart1 with fasting1 with weeping1 and with mourning40 ,hereby he intimates that we are turned away from ,god2 have forsaken the fountain of living waters 7,jer4 #b3ac72 and are now unable to attain life and happiness again1 unless we 8search our ways10 and 8return0 unto him from whom we are gone astray4 ,lam4 #c3dj4 ,it is for this purpose that the ,prophet charges 8backsliding children0 to return1 with the promise annexed1 that the 8,lord will heal their backslidings40 ,jer4 #c3bb4 ,for this verily is the will of ,god1 that we should see and confess our misery1 in order that he may compassionately heal it4 #g4 ,but since1 by nature1 we are so blind as to be utterly unable of ourselves sufficiently to discover our own wretchedness2 ,god has been pleased to afford means1 with a view to bringing us to a sound knowledge of ourselves4 ,this is done by his holy ,word and the ,sacraments1 which are always accompanied with his grace and ,spirit4 ,by these the ,father draws1 allures1 and calls us to himself1 as so many lost and wandering sheep4 ,john #f3dd4 ,for as a straying sheep cannot of itself return1 but must of necessity be sought and brought back to the fold by the shepherd1 so we would forever go astray in the wilderness of sin and error1 did not ,god himself carefully seek us2 and this the examples of ,peter and ,paul abundantly confirm4 ,therefore the prophet says3 8,turn thou me1 ,o ,lord1 and ,i shall be turned2 for thou art the ,lord my ,god40 ,jer4 #ca3ah4 8,heal me1 ,o ,lord1 and ,i shall be healed2 save me1 and ,i shall be saved3 for thou art my praise40 ,jer4 #ag3ad4 8,for it is ,god10 says the apostle1 8which worketh in us1 both to will and to do1 of his good pleasure40 ,phil4 #b3ac4 #h4 ,when1 therefore1 the ,lord graciously awakens us by these means1 and invites us to repentance1 it is our part1 not to withstand his grace and ,spirit2 7as it is said1 8,to-day if ye will hear his voice1 harden not your hearts07 7,ps4 #ie3g1 #h72 but to confess the sin which he thus reproves in us1 and by no means make light of the grace offered to us in the ,gospel4 ,then ,god will assuredly have mercy upon us1 as he himself declares3 8,let the wicked forsake his way1 and the unrighteous man his thoughts2 and let him return unto the ,lord1 and he will have mercy upon him2 and to our ,god1 for he will abundantly pardon40 ,isa4 #ee3g4 #i4 ,upon this account the work of conversion1 though it is entirely a work of ,god's grace1 is yet in one respect ascribed to us2 namely1 as we give up ourselves to the ,lord1 and to his operations1 and do not wantonly resist his ,spirit1 despise his grace1 and cast it from us2 or1 as the apostle expresses it1 do not put his ,word from us1 nor stop our ears against it1 as did the ,jews of old4 ,acts #ac3df2 #g3eg4 ,on the contrary1 when the severity of the law has laid open our spiritual diseases1 and we have felt the bitterness thereof2 let us avail ourselves of the ,gospel as a healing remedy1 and suffer our heavenly ,physician to restore us to health4 #aj4 ,an image of this we have in a straying sheep4 ,if it but hear at a distance the voice of the shepherd1 it starts back immediately1 and returns to him4 ,and how willingly would the lost sinner follow the voice of his ,shepherd1 if sin had not so perverted him1 as to reduce him lower than the very beasts in stupidity and dulness6 ,of this indeed the prophet complains3 8,the ox knoweth his owner1 and the ass his master's crib3 but ,israel doth not know1 my people doth not consider40 ,isa4 #a3c4 8,shall they fall10 asks another prophet1 8and not arise8 ,shall he turn away1 and not return8 ,the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times1 and the turtle1 and the crane1 and the swallow1 observe the times of their coming3 but my people know not the judgment of the ,lord40 ,jer4 #h3d1 #g4 #aa4 ,we ought1 therefore1 most fervently to implore the ,lord1 not to withdraw from us his gracious assistance1 without which we must certainly go astray4 ,for since sin and the old ,adam constantly abide in our corrupt flesh and blood1 we have need of daily1 yea1 hourly supplies of grace1 for repressing the tyranny of sin1 and for nourishing the life of ,god within us4 ,the grace of ,god is the life of our soul1 as the soul is the life of the body4 ,and as the life of the body1 without the free enjoyment of the air1 must soon be extinct2 so the vital flame of the inward life will speedily languish1 without a daily supply of grace to support it4 ,for this reason ,solomon prayed3 8,the ,lord our ,god be with us2 let him not leave us1 nor forsake us2 that he may incline our hearts unto him1 to walk in all his ways40 #a ,kings #h3eg4 #ab4 ,this is a lesson which ought not to be learned in a light and general manner1 but by a close and practical application be brought home to every one in particular4 ,let1 therefore1 every one look into his own heart and seek its renewal1 that so all may be reformed in time4 ,let us remember that comfortable exhortation1 and the promise annexed thereto3 8,seek ye the ,lord while he may be found2 call ye upon him while he is near40 ,isa4 #ee3f4 8,and ye shall seek me1 and find me1 when ye shall search for me with all your heart1 saith the ,lord40 ,jer4 #bi3ac4 #ac4 ,but in order to true repentance1 it is not enough to refrain only from gross sins1 and foul visible transgressions2 but the heart1 whence all those evils proceed1 is to be changed and purified2 that so inward pride1 covetousness1 and lust1 with all sinful affections1 may be mortified at last4 ,for whilst the heart is unchanged1 unreformed1 and unrenewed2 that is1 whilst our own corrupt temper1 our inward malice1 wrath1 hatred1 enmity1 revenge1 lying1 and deceit1 are quietly suffered within us2 all our boasts of1 and pretences to1 and formalities in1 religion1 are but mere show and hypocrisy4 ,god requires no less than a new heart1 and 8a new creature in ,christ ,jesus40 #b ,cor4 #e3ag4 ,no one is so holy1 so good1 and so thoroughly cleansed1 but he will still find something in his own heart to be thrown out1 or to be amended and rectified4 8,as a fountain casteth out her waters1 so ,jerusalem casteth out her wickedness40 ,jer4 #f3g4 ,this is the first head1 relating to the nature of repentance1 of which more has been said in ,book ,i4 #ad4 ,let us now consider1 in the second place1 the manner of our returning to ,god3 8with all the heart10 says the prophet1 8with fasting1 with weeping1 and with mourning40 ,wretched mortals can weep floods of tears for empty and perishing goods1 whilst they stand unmoved at the miserable state of their souls1 and at the loss of an eternal and incorruptible inheritance6 ,in this they are altogether unlike ,david1 who1 by his example1 sets a most shining pattern of sincere and unfeigned repentance before us4 ,see ,ps4 #f1 and ,ps4 #ch4 8,for the ,lord looketh on the heart0 7#a ,sam4 #af3g71 and 8trieth the heart and reins40 ,ps4 #g3i4 #ae4 ,what the prophet says of fasting1 is to be understood of a general fast enjoined by the prophet to all the people4 ,in such a fast the whole body of a nation were wont to be concerned4 ,they publicly confessed their sins2 they deplored and bewailed them2 and thus humbling themselves before ,god1 fasted both inwardly and outwardly4 ,and in this order they begged remission of sin1 and deprecated the judgments of ,god gathering over them4 ,such a general fast and public repentance as this1 such sincere conversion1 prayer1 faith1 confession1 and supplication1 are the most effectual means to appease the wrath of an offended ,god1 and to avert his judgments from whole kingdoms and nations4 ,this plainly appears from the history of the defeat of the other tribes of ,israel1 by that of ,benjamin2 in which the former having in two battles lost forty thousand men1 all went up and came before the ,lord1 with weeping and mourning1 and there fasted the whole day1 from morning to night4 ,judges #bj3bf4 ,a similar illustrious example is recorded of the fast of the ,ninevites 7,jonah #c3e1 #aj73 and of the children of ,israel1 who1 being beaten by the ,philistines1 kept a fast for seven days together1 after ,saul and ,jonathan were slain in the battle4 #a ,chron4 #aj3ab4 #af4 ,such solemn penitential fasts were also in use in the primitive ,church1 when the ,christians met together1 and in any great public calamity humbled themselves before the ,lord4 ,not1 surely1 to obtain remission of sin by such performances1 as so many meritorious acts of devotion2 but by a contrite1 sober1 and humble heart1 to deprecate the judgments that were ready to break in upon them4 ,and such fasts might with propriety still be observed4 #ag4 ,fasts such as these1 accompanied with true repentance1 would prove an impregnable wall and fortification against all our enemies2 a sovereign medicine in all pestilential diseases2 and a safeguard about all our estates and possessions4 ,an example of this we have in ,job1 who1 whenever his children had spent any day in mirth and feasting1 8offered up unto ,god prayers and sacrifices for them0 7,job #a3d1 #e72 and thus1 as it were1 fortified his house by prayer against the insults of wicked men and devils4 #ah4 ,in great public calamities the ,lord looks out for such men as may1 like a bulwark1 oppose his wrath when ready to make a breach4 8,i sought for a man among them1 that should make up the hedge1 and stand in the gap before me for the land1 that ,i should not destroy it3 but ,i found none4 ,therefore have ,i poured out mine indignation upon them1 ,i have consumed them with the fire of my wrath3 their own way have ,i recompensed upon their heads1 saith the ,lord ,god40 ,ezek4 #bb3cj1 #ca4 ,we may also remember1 on this occasion1 the intercession of ,abraham4 ,gen4 #ah3bc4 #ai4 ,thus the prophet ,daniel was a wall of defence when he made confession to ,god of the sins of all the people4 ,dan4 #i3d1 #e1 etc4 ,and the prophet ,joel1 in very moving terms1 describes such a penitential fast3 8,blow the trumpet in ,zion2 sanctify a fast2 call a solemn assembly2 gather the people2 sanctify the congregation2 assemble the elders2 gather the children1 and those that suck the breasts2 let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber1 and the bride out of her closet4 ,let the priests1 the ministers of the ,lord1 say1 ,spare thy people1 ,o ,lord1 and give not thine heritage to reproach40 ,joel #b3ae-ag4 #bj4 ,such public fasts ought to be celebrated by the whole multitude1 without hypocrisy1 with ardent zeal and devotion2 for it is the will of ,god1 that every one readily confess his sins4 ,he requires true humility1 sincere repentance1 and a turning to him with our whole heart4 ,hence the prophet commands the 8heart1 and not the garments10 to be rent4 ,the ,jews1 at the hearing of any sad or terrible evil1 were accustomed to rend their clothes1 in order to evidence thereby the inward sorrow with which they were affected4 ,this1 however1 like their fasting1 was often a mere formality1 and their grief was only pretended4 ,wherefore1 the prophet reproves them1 saying1 8,is it such a fast that ,i have chosen8 a day for a man to afflict his soul8 ,is it to bow down his head as a bulrush1 and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him8 ,wilt thou call this a fast1 and an acceptable day to the ,lord8 ,is not this the fast that ,i have chosen8 to loose the bands of wickedness1 to undo the heavy burdens1 and to let the oppressed go free1 and that ye break every yoke8 ,is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry1 and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house8 ,when thou seest the naked1 that thou cover him1 and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh80 ,isa4 #eh3e-g4 #ba4 ,these words explain the nature of a true fast2 which is then only kept1 when1 on the one hand1 we abstain from sin1 subdue the wanton lusts of the flesh1 and keep the old man1 with all his members1 under constant restraint and subjection3 and1 on the other1 when we are fervent in works of charity1 in the practice of patience and mercy1 and of the other virtues springing up from a contrite1 sincere1 and penitent heart4 ,and it is with regard to these inward acts of humiliation1 that the prophet bids us rend our hearts4 ,for as the wounds of the heart must necessarily be very painful2 so the grief occasioned by our sins should affect us1 as if our very hearts were bruised and crushed4 ,and this 8broken spirit10 this 8contrite heart10 is that sacrifice which is so highly acceptable to ,god4 ,ps4 #ea3ag4 ,such a heart has1 by faith1 obtained a due fitness to receive the influence of the grace of ,god1 the consolations of the ,holy ,spirit1 and the merit and blood of ,jesus ,christ4 ,as a hard and massive stone cannot be penetrated by the oil or water poured upon it1 until it be broken to pieces2 so the sovereign balm of ,god's grace and consolation cannot comfort and quicken the heart1 except it be first broken and softened into humility1 that so by faith it may partake of the merit of ,christ4 8,not the whole1 but the sick1 have need of a physician40 ,matt4 #i3 #ab4 ,let no one think that he belongs to ,christ1 unless he has first 8crucified the flesh1 with its affections and lusts40 ,gal4 #e3bd4 ,the blood of ,christ will be of no profit to any except to those who embrace it with a contrite1 afflicted1 penitent1 humble and believing heart4 #bb4 ,as for the motives to repentance1 which make up the third head1 they are thus expressed by the prophet3 8,turn unto the ,lord1 for he is gracious and merciful1 slow to anger1 and of great kindness1 and repenteth him of the evil40 ,joel #b3ab1 #ac4 ,he lays down in these words1 a gradual display of the manifold mercies offered to returning sinners4 ,as if he had said1 8,if you think it a small thing that ,i am gracious1 then know that ,i am merciful also3 if this be not enough1 ,i am likewise patient and slow to anger3 if this will not yet suffice1 then ,i am1 moreover1 of great kindness4 ,if1 after all1 you still require something more1 then understand1 that ,i easily repent of intended punishments2 yea1 even when my avenging hand is lifting up1 ,i am ready to let fall the rod1 upon your serious repentance40 #bc4 ,first1 then1 the prophet calls ,god gracious 7,ps4 #ajc3h72 that is1 ready to be entreated and reconciled4 ,god is easy to be prevailed with1 forgives offences1 deals not in strict justice and the rigor of the law1 according to what we have deserved4 ,and all these marks of mercy should lead us to repentance4 ,there are many admirable promises1 all tending to the same end4 8,if thou afflict them1 they will cry unto me1 and ,i will surely hear2 for ,i am gracious40 ,ex4 #bb3bc1 #bg4 8,therefore will the ,lord wait that he may be gracious unto you4 ,thou shalt weep no more2 he will be very gracious unto thee1 at the voice of thy cry2 when he shall hear it1 he will answer thee40 ,isa4 #cj3ah4 ,that is1 the ,most ,high is so rich in grace1 that he waits for you4 ,in him there is expecting grace1 by which he readily receives those that truly return3 prevenient grace1 expressed by the ,psalmist--8,let thy tender mercies speedily prevent 7that is1 meet1 or anticipate7 us0 7,ps4 #gi3h73 protecting grace1 noticed by the same prophet2 8,he that trusteth in the ,lord1 mercy shall compass him about0 7,ps4 #cb3aj73 preserving grace2 8,surely10 says ,david1 8mercy shall follow me all the days of my life40 ,ps4 #bc3f4 ,of this we have given examples in the preceding chapter4 ,with this agree also the words of ,scripture3 8,with the ,lord there is mercy2 and with him is plenteous redemption40 ,ps4 #acj3g4 ,wherefore1 let the divine clemency and grace move thee to sincere and unfeigned repentance4 #bd4 ,secondly1 the prophet declares that ,god is merciful4 ,to be merciful1 is to be easily moved by the miseries of another1 and from the very heart to compassionate his case4 ,this is to be seen in parents1 who1 not only with unfeigned tenderness love their children1 but are at the same time so deeply touched with their misery and weakness1 as to be willing even to die for them1 if that were possible4 ,thus ,david1 when he lamented the death of his son ,absalom1 mournfully exclaimed3 8,o my son ,absalom1 my son1 my son ,absalom6 would ,god ,i had died for thee1 ,o ,absalom1 my son1 my son60 #b ,sam4 #ah3cc4 ,but these bowels of mercy1 this ardent1 cordial1 and tender affection1 are infinitely more conspicuous in ,god himself1 who1 from an abounding sense of love and kindness1 has given up his ,son to death1 and thereby transcended all the affections of earthly parents4 ,this is declared by the prophet3 8,can a woman forget her sucking child1 that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb8 yea1 they may forget1 yet will ,i not forget thee40 ,isa4 #di3ae4 ,and by another1 8,is ,ephraim my dear son8 is he a pleasant child8 for since ,i spake against him1 ,i do earnestly remember him still3 therefore my bowels are troubled for him3 ,i will surely have mercy upon him1 saith the ,lord40 ,jer4 #ca3bj4 ,and again by another1 8,the ,lord thy ,god is a merciful ,god2 he will not forget the covenant of thy fathers1 which he sware unto them40 ,deut4 #d3ca4 ,and ,david confirms it3 8,the ,lord is merciful and gracious40 ,ps4 #ajc3h4 ,and again1 calling to mind this mercy1 when of three punishments he had it in his power to choose which he pleased1 he answered1 8,let us fall now into the hand of the ,lord2 for his mercies are great40 #b ,sam4 #bd3ad4 ,would to ,god that his paternal mercy might also allure us to unfeigned repentance6 ,st4 ,paul himself refers to this most powerful inducement1 when he beseeches us 8by the mercies of ,god1 etc40 ,rom4 #ab3a4 #be4 ,the third appellation given to ,god by the prophet is1 that he is patient1 or slow to anger4 ,he is not easily moved to wrath2 he suffers many provocations offered him1 and gives time for repentance and conversion4 ,all which he has abundantly evidenced by many real demonstrations1 powerful enough to convince us1 that even in ,god himself1 8,love beareth all things1 endureth all things0 7#a ,cor4 #ac3g71 even as parents bear with their children4 ,to this purpose says ,st4 ,peter1 8,the ,lord is long suffering to usward1 not willing that any should perish1 but that all should come to repentance40 #b ,pet4 #c3i4 ,and again1 8,account that the long-suffering of our ,lord is salvation40 #b ,pet4 #c3ae4 ,and ,paul wishes1 that 8the goodness of ,god may lead us to repentance40 ,rom4 #b3d4 ,to this long-suffering of ,god it was entirely due1 that he granted the old world a hundred and twenty years in which to repent2 bearing all that time with their provocations1 and waiting for repentance4 ,gen4 #f3c4 ,and ,o6 how much time hath he given us to repent in1 and to work out our salvation6 ,but this divine grace is abused by those who only grow more wanton by mercies1 and 8turn even the grace of ,god itself into lasciviousness40 ,jude1 ver4 #d4 ,but by this they only hasten their ruin1 and render more grievous the punishment which they deserve4 ,if one1 and then another of these many and provoking affronts1 with which men offend an omnipotent ,god1 were daily put upon a mere mortal1 nothing certainly could be expected but the utmost severity of his resentment4 ,how inconceivably great then must be the patience of ,god1 who not only pardons offences so numerous and so heinous1 but also returns all manner of kindness to the offender himself4 ,o6 that the inconceivable patience of the ,lord might inspire us with a hatred of sin1 and lead us all to repentance6 #bf4 ,fourthly1 ,god is represented to be of great kindness2 so great indeed1 that no sin1 how great soever1 can surpass it4 ,for as ,god is essentially and wholly good1 so is he desirous to communicate himself wholly to men1 provided they be willing to receive and admit him4 ,yea1 by his nature he can be and do nothing but good4 ,he takes a pleasure therein1 and 8rejoiceth over us to do us good40 ,jer4 #cb3da4 ,his mercy is as great as himself1 that is1 infinite4 ,it extends to all mankind4 8,thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 is in the heavens40 ,ps4 #cf3e4 8,as the heaven is high above the earth1 so great is his mercy toward them that fear him40 ,ps4 #ajc3aa4 ,and we read in the ,lamentations3 8,it is of the ,lord's mercies that we are not consumed1 because his compassions fail not3 they are new every morning3 great is thy faithfulness40 ,lam4 #c3bb4 ,see1 therefore1 ,o man6 that a goodness so inexpressible be no longer abused1 but that it animate thee to sincere repentance4 #bg4 ,and lastly1 the prophet says of the ,lord1 8,it repenteth him of the evil40 ,this is as if he would say3 8,it is the nature of ,god1 to punish with reluctance2 and when he is even constrained thereto1 it is not for our destruction1 but salvation1 that we be not condemned with the world40 #a ,cor4 #aa3cb4 ,he then doth 8his strange work0 7of punishment71 that he may bring to pass his own work 7of mercy74 ,isa4 #bh3ba4 ,thus he repented of the evil he had designed against ,nineveh4 ,jonah #c3aj4 ,and1 therefore1 8it is good1 that a man should both hope1 and quietly wait for the salvation of the ,lord4 ,for the ,lord will not cast off for ever3 but though he cause grief1 yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies4 ,for he doth not afflict willingly1 nor grieve the children of men40 ,lam4 #c3bf1 #ca-cc4 ,therefore1 repent of thy sins4 #bh4 ,for as soon as thou repentest of sin1 and supplicatest the ,lord in true faith1 ,god will also repent of the punishment he intended to inflict4 ,the words of the ,lord to ,jonah are very memorable3 8,doest thou well to be angry for the gourd8 ,thou hast had pity on the gourd1 for the which thou hast not labored1 neither madest it grow1 which came up in a night1 and perished in a night3 and should not ,i spare ,nineveh1 that great city1 wherein are more than six score thousand persons80 ,jonah #d3i-aa4 ,this boundless mercy is still the same even at this day1 and will continue so forever to penitent and returning sinners4 ,go1 therefore1 ,o man1 and let this overflowing mercy of ,god lead thee to repentance6 ,chapter ,x4 ,the ,four ,properties ,of ,true ,repentance4 ,i have eaten ashes like bread1 and mingled my drink with weeping1 because of thine indignation and thy wrath3 for thou hast lifted me up1 and cast me down4 ,my days are like a shadow that declineth2 and ,i am withered like grass4 ,but thou1 ,o ,lord1 shalt endure for ever1 and thy remembrance unto all generations4--,,ps4 #ajb3i1 etc4 ,in these words four properties of true repentance are enjoined on a sinner4 ,the first is1 to account himself unworthy of all the mercies of ,god4 ,this is contained in these words3 8,i have eaten ashes like bread1 and mingled my drink with weeping30 that is1 ,there is nothing ,i can take any more delight in1 and ,i account myself unworthy of any good or delicious fare4 ,this1 however pleasing it may be to the palate of others1 is not more savory to me than mere ashes4--,the same regard to our own unworthiness is thus inculcated by the ,lord3 8,if any man will come after me1 let him deny himself1 and take up his cross daily1 and follow me40 ,luke #i3bc4 ,and1 8,if any man come to me1 and hate not his own life1 he cannot be my disciple40 ,luke #ad3bf4 ,herein is expressed a threefold reference which a true ,christian ought to have to his own unworthiness4 #b4 7a7 ,first then1 he is commanded to deny himself3 that is1 to die to self-will1 to self-love1 and self-honor1 esteeming himself utterly unworthy of any of the benefits conferred by ,god on other men2 or judging himself not 8worthy of the least of all the mercies0 of ,god 7,gen4 #cb3aj72 and reputing himself the most inconsiderable1 not only of all men1 but even of all other creatures2 after the words of the ,psalm3 8,i am a worm1 and no man40 ,ps4 #bb3f4 ,in this manner1 for a man to despise himself1 is truly to deny himself4 #c4 7b7 ,he is commanded1 secondly1 to hate himself2 that is1 to condemn in himself whatever is pleasing and acceptable to the flesh2 as honor1 luxury1 revenge1 anger1 avarice1 and whatever else savors of the flesh4 ,he is to crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts1 and to abhor in himself its whole offspring1 as the work of the devil himself1 tending only to increase and nourish the perverse seed of original depravity4 ,and such self-abhorrence in a sinner1 will then of necessity be followed by pleading guilty1 and by looking upon himself as one worthy of eternal death4 #d4 7c7 ,the third lesson enjoined in these words1 consists in taking up the cross1 and in following the ,lord3 that is1 that we1 not with a morose and discontented1 but with a ready mind1 bear all manner of sufferings1 and deem ourselves worthy1 not only of these1 but even of far more grievous afflictions4 ,thus ,christ himself1 whose example is set before us1 8endured the cross1 and despised the shame0 7,heb4 #ab3b71 thereby teaching us1 that in 8quietness and confidence shall be our strength40 ,isa4 #cj3ae4 ,and all that is comprehended in the imitation of1 or following after1 ,christ4 #e4 ,upon the whole1 these things make it appear1 that a soul truly humble and penitent1 thinks itself unworthy of all divine benefits1 and even of daily food and refreshment4 ,and this accords with the example of ,christ himself1 who1 parched with thirst on the cross1 and having vinegar given him mixed with gall1 said no more1 than1 8,it is finished40 ,john #ai3cj4 ,this was the reason also1 that the true penitents under the old law judged themselves entirely unworthy of any good thing4 ,they put sackcloth on their bodies1 and sat in ashes4 ,they satisfied their hunger with bread taken from the ashes1 and quenched their thirst with water mingled with tears2 as a testimony that they did not deserve any cleaner or better food1 but merited rather to eat and to drink with their food1 the very tears that trickled upon it4 #f4 ,now the cause of this great self-abasement1 was that profound sense with which they were affected1 that1 on account of their sin1 they deserved an eternal curse and condemnation4 ,this consideration lays the returning sinner very low4 ,he deems himself utterly unworthy even of the least of the benefits of ,god4 ,an illustration of this we have in ,mephibosheth1 the son of ,jonathan4 ,when ,david was raised to the royal dignity1 he called to mind the kindness of his friend ,jonathan1 who formerly had delivered him out of the hand of his father ,saul2 and commanding search to be made1 whether there remained any of ,jonathan's family1 to whom he might make a suitable return of thanks2 he at last found ,mephibosheth1 a lame and poor man1 who1 being ordered by ,david to eat bread at the king's table1 bowed himself1 and exclaimed3 8,what is thy servant1 that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as ,i am80 #b ,sam4 #i3h4 ,this is a pattern1 indeed1 of a soul truly contrite in spirit and penitent in heart1 and1 therefore1 sensible of both its own unworthiness1 and of all the mercies bestowed on it by the ,lord4 ,and truly we may1 with far greater reason1 make use of the same humble speech1 whenever the ,lord our ,god vouchsafes to us1 as it were1 the food of his own table1 and in the ,holy ,supper gives us his body and blood to eat and drink4 #g4 ,in like manner does the ,prodigal ,son1 after his repentance1 express his sorrowful mind to his ,father3 8,father10 says he1 8,i am no more worthy to be called thy son2 make me as one of thy hired servants40 ,luke #ae3ai4 ,the woman of ,canaan was even content to be called a dog1 if she were but permitted to 8eat of the crumbs falling from the master's table40 ,matt4 #ae3bg4 ,peter says to the ,lord3 8,depart from me1 for ,i am a sinful man60 7,luke #e3h72 that is1 ,i am not worthy that thou shouldest have any further converse with me4 ,and the centurion of ,capernaum was of the same mind3 8,lord10 says he1 8,i am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof40 ,matt4 #h3h4 ,so also ,st4 ,paul professes himself to be 8not meet to be called an apostle0 7#a ,cor4 #ae3i73 and declares1 that he 8counted not his life dear unto him1 so that he might finish his course with joy40 ,acts #bj3bd4 ,this inward sense of self-abasement ,david expresses when he speaks of 8eating ashes like bread1 and mingling his drink with weeping40 ,if the heart of a ,christian be brought to a sense of this vileness1 then it is truly contrite and humble1 and fit to be made a living sacrifice unto the ,lord4 ,ps4 #ea3ai4 #h4 ,a second property of true repentance1 is1 to grieve at nothing so much as at the offences offered to ,god himself4 ,this is intimated in these words3 8,because of thine indignation and thy wrath1 for thou hast lifted me up1 and cast me down40 ,that is1 ,of all my other miseries and griefs1 the greatest and most insupportable1 is the sense ,i have of my having so heinously offended the infinitely good1 holy1 and righteous ,god4 #i4 ,since ,god is nothing but love1 grace1 righteousness1 goodness1 and mercy1 yea1 the original source of all virtue1 ,he must of necessity be offended with every sin committed by men2 since the nature of sin is directly opposite to the nature of ,god4 ,thus by injustice1 the justice of ,god is offended1 he being justice itself4 ,by lying1 the truth of ,god is offended1 he being truth itself4 ,by hatred the love of ,god is offended1 he being love itself4 ,in a word1 since ,god is the perfection of all virtue1 goodness1 and love1 it can be no other than diabolical malice to offend such infinite goodness1 such immense love1 nay1 ,love itself4 ,had he at any time injured us1 it might be no such great wonder1 if we hated him1 and offended him in our turn3 but now1 that he gives us nothing but what is good--soul1 body1 and life itself2 that he feeds and clothes us2 that he heals our body when it is sick2 yea1 pardons our sins when we pour out to him our souls2 is ready to receive us into favor1 as often as we return2 now that he has given us his only ,son with the ,holy ,spirit1 yea1 and ,himself too1 and adopted us into the number of his children3 and having done all this for men1 to be yet offended1 opposed1 and hated by them1 is a madness1 a malice altogether unaccountable and monstrous4 ,would it not be most wicked and impious to kill him who gave thee life2 to beat and wound him1 who kindly embraced and cherished thee in his bosom2 to insult and affront him1 who heaped honors and dignities upon thee2 and to disown and reject him1 who had chosen thee for his son8 ,but all these1 and far greater indignities1 thou offerest to thy heavenly ,father1 to the supreme1 the righteous1 the holy ,god1 whom angels adore and fear1 and whom seraphim worship with the acclamations of 8,holy1 holy1 holy is the ,lord of hosts2 the whole earth is full of his glory60 ,isa4 #f3c4 ,and thou1 who art but dust and ashes1 art not afraid to offend him6 ,if a penitent man earnestly calls to mind this monstrous sin1 it is impossible but he must be affected with the keenest sorrow of heart1 and feel the smart of his wounded conscience to equal and even exceed that of a wounded body4 ,and there is all the reason in the world why it should be so4 ,for hence must necessarily arise a dread and terror1 inwardly threatening the conscience with wrath and judgment1 and outwardly setting before it the approach of temporal calamities3 whence a man1 even as ,job complains 7ch4 #f3a1 etc471 finds no rest1 takes no delight in anything1 loathing even his meat and drink4 ,these terrible pangs of conscience are described by ,david3 8,thine arrows10 says he1 8stick fast in me3 and thy hand presseth me sore40 ,ps4 #ch3b4 ,for as a wound grievously smarts and grows worse whilst the arrow remains fixed in it2 so also it is with the conscience1 whilst the sting of sin and judgment is not taken away4 ,and these lashes and clamors proceed from nothing but the sentence of divine justice proclaimed in the conscience1 and the terrors of hell and death attending it4 ,therefore1 ,david exclaims1 8,thou hast lifted me up1 and cast me down30 like one thrown down from a lofty rock into a low valley1 who is so bruised and maimed1 that not one sound limb remains4 #aj4 ,but how terrible soever the fear of the judgments of ,god may prove to an awakened conscience1 yet is there some ground of comfort2 since the prophet tells us1 that these arrows1 these threats1 these terrors1 are the arrows and terrors of ,,god himself4 ,and it is ,god1 who having thereby wounded and broken the heart1 heals and restores it again4 ,it is ,,he that killeth1 and it is ,he that maketh alive2 ,he boweth down1 and ,he raiseth again 7,ps4 #adf3h72 ,he bringeth down to the grave1 and ,he bringeth up again4 #a ,sam4 #b3f4 #aa4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 accounts and feels nothing to be more bitter and grievous1 than to have offended ,god1 the infinite ,good1 and ,love itself2 he only has experimentally learned the doctrine of contrition1 and laid a firm foundation for sound and genuine godliness4 ,this was one of ,david's acts of repentance3 8,against ,,thee10 says he1 8,thee only1 have ,i sinned40 ,ps4 #ea3d4 ,as if he had said1 8,this is my anguish and sorrow1 that ,i have offended ,,thee40 ,and ,daniel thus expresses himself3 8,lord1 righteousness belongeth unto ,,thee1 but unto us1 confusion of face10 because we have offended so righteous a ,god4 ,dan4 #i3g4 #ab4 ,the third property of repentance is contained in these words3 8,my days are like a shadow that declineth2 and ,i am withered like grass40 ,that is1 a heart truly penitent1 is deeply sensible of its own weakness4 ,it entirely despairs of its own strength and ability1 knowing itself to be as destitute of life and power1 as the very shadow2 and as empty of spirit and moisture1 as the grass that fadeth away4 ,the same is affirmed in another ,psalm3 8,behold1 thou hast made my days as a handbreadth1 and mine age is as nothing before thee3 verily1 every man at his best state is altogether vanity40 ,ps4 #ci3e4 #ac4 ,o6 how noble a step would it be toward the attainment of substantial wisdom1 were man but sensible of his own ,,nothingness6 ,man is nothing1 as a shadow is nothing4 ,as a shadow is without life1 and without substance of itself1 and vanishes at the departure of the sun2 so is the condition of man1 whenever the ,lord withdraws the light of life from him6 ,and it is worthy of observation1 that1 the nearer the sun is1 the less are the shadows observed to be2 and on the contrary1 the farther the sun removes from us1 the larger the shadows appear4 ,the same happens to man3 the more of ,god and his gifts is present with a good man1 the less he esteems himself1 the less he boasts of himself1 and of what he calls his4 ,on the contrary1 the farther a man is removed from ,god1 the greater he is in his own eyes2 the more he is puffed up with his parts and abilities1 the more he extends the bounds of his pride1 and the less he knows how to keep within proper compass4 ,again1 as shadows at the setting of the sun are greatest1 though then just ready to disappear and vanish away2 their greatness being but a forerunner of their approaching end2 so it is with the shadows of this world1 and the whole train of vain pomps and pleasures4 ,they pass away suddenly when we are most lifted up by them4 ,as the shadows vanish upon the withdrawing of the sun2 so when an empty man becomes great in his own eyes1 the divine sun sets upon him unexpectedly1 and he returns to be nothing1 even when he thought to be something4 ,moreover1 as the shadow has no life of itself1 but entirely moves with the motion of the sun1 upon which it depends3 so man of his own nature1 is nothing but a body destitute of life and motion2 and it is ,god alone who is able to put life and motion in it4 ,the shadow of a tall and goodly tree moves not1 except as the tree itself is moved2 so man only liveth and moveth in ,god 7,acts #ag3bh71 of whom he is a shadow and reflected image4 ,the hour of death will at length fully declare1 that man's 8days on the earth are as a shadow0 7#a ,chron4 #bi3ae2 ,job #h3i71 as a vain shew or image 7,ps4 #ci3e72 nay1 as grass which grows up1 but soon withereth when it is mown down3 so fades our life away immediately1 when it is cut down by the fatal scythe of death4 ,ps4 #ajb3c1 #aa2 ,ps4 #ajc3ae4 ,lo6 thus are our days consumed like smoke1 and we are 8gone like the shadow when it declineth40 ,ps4 #aji3bc4 #ad4 ,now when a man by true humility is thoroughly persuaded of all this1 and is convinced that he is nothing in the sight of ,god but a lifeless shadow1 then1 verily1 his repentance is unfeigned1 and his heart right before the ,lord4 ,and as it is appointed unto all men once to undergo a natural death1 so ought all daily to die unto sin1 that they may live unto ,god1 and depart happily out of this mortal life1 when all the shadows disappear4 ,this daily dying to the world1 as it is the best exercise1 so it is also the best preparation for the hour of death2 and if we earnestly practise the former1 we shall then be fitted for undergoing the latter4 ,that which we most frequently practise1 becomes most perfect to us4 #ae4 ,the fourth property of true repentance1 is union with ,god1 implied in these words3 ,but thou1 ,o ,lord1 shalt endure forever1 and thy remembrance unto all generations4 ,as if the prophet had said3 8,though ,i am persuaded1 that ,i am a perishing shadow1 and wither like grass 7,ps4 #ajb3aa71 yet ,i am no less certain1 that in thee ,i shall abide for ever2 for thou thyself art eternal40 ,as by sin a man is divorced from ,god1 so by true conversion1 he is again united to him4 ,even as the ,person of ,christ is indivisible1 and as the eternal ,deity united the human nature in ,christ ,jesus with itself in so firm a bond1 as is not to be dissolved by death itself 7the humanity of ,christ remaining in perpetual union with the ,divinity1 and with the glory therein residing73 so1 in the work of true conversion to ,god1 penitent and believing souls are so closely and intimately united to ,god1 that neither life nor death can separate them from him 7,rom4 #h3ch73 for 8he that is joined to the ,lord1 is one spirit0 7#a ,cor4 #f3ag71 ,god betrothing us unto himself forever4 ,hosea #b3ai4 ,in a word1 ,christ himself is our only ,witness2 and he is the ,book of ,life wherein we are plainly taught1 that as his human nature abides eternally united with the divine1 so all believers shall be eternally united with their ,lord and ,head1 being one spirit with him4 ,now1 as ,god is eternal1 and ,christ eternal2 so the promises of ,god in ,christ are also eternal and inviolable1 he having made with us a covenant of everlasting grace4 ,ps4 #aaa3e4 ,therefore1 though a true ,christian be forsaken of the world2 be vexed and tormented by sin1 death1 hell1 and the devil himself2 nay1 though even his own flesh and heart fail at last1 and be wholly consumed1 yet is ,god 8the strength of his heart1 and his portion for ever40 ,ps4 #gc3bf4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,showing ,that ,the ,fruit ,of ,conversion ,is ,the ,new ,creature2 ,also1 ,that ,the ,christian ,is1 ,by ,faith1 ,a ,lord ,over ,all1 ,and1 ,by ,love1 ,a ,servant ,of ,all2 ,and1 ,that ,the ,life ,of ,christ ,is ,a ,mirror ,for ,us4 ,if any man be in ,christ1 he is a new creature4--#b ,,cor4 #e3ag4 ,all that are in ,christ by faith1 are 8new creatures20 that is1 they are the children of ,god1 are righteous before ,god1 have forgiveness of sin1 and the ,holy ,ghost2 they are partakers of the divine nature 7#b ,peter #a3d71 are heirs of everlasting life1 and are liberated in their consciences from the law1 the curse1 death1 the devil1 hell1 and damnation4 ,all1 whatever appertains to their salvation1 is in them begotten of ,christ by grace1 and is conceived by them through faith2 hence1 neither time nor place1 neither law1 nor commandment1 nor ceremonies1 nor anything whatsoever1 can be any hindrance to them4 ,they are made perfect in ,christ1 who is now become a vital principle in them1 and they have in him the accomplishment of the law through faith4 ,rom4 #aj3d4 #b4 ,thence the name of a ,christian is a higher and more excellent name than all the names in the world4 ,it is a greater name than is to be found in palaces and courts1 a name above all posts of greatness1 above the whole world1 with all that it contains4 ,but1 on the other hand1 the name of a ,christian is also the lowest name of all the names in the world1 without exception4 ,thus1 in the same degree1 faith exalts a ,christian above all2 love brings down a ,christian under all4 ,this thou wilt then best understand1 when thou seriously considerest the holy life of ,christ2 which is the brightest mirror both of love1 and of all other virtues4 ,see ,phil4 #b3e-h4 #c4 ,behold how ,christ made himself the servant of all6 how humble was he in heart6 how meek in spirit6 how kind and gracious in words6 how benevolent in his behavior6 how merciful towards the poor6 how compassionate towards the distressed6 how patient towards his slanderers6 how calm in his answers6 how merciful towards sinners6 ,whom did he ever despise8 whom did he ever revile1 being reviled8 ,how condescending was he to the very meanest6 how ready to show acts of grace to all1 without distinction6 how heartily did he seek the salvation of all men1 praying for his very enemies and murderers6 ,luke #bc3cd4 ,how did he bear our sickness1 sorrows1 reproaches1 stripes1 wounds1 and punishments6 ,and indeed1 what else is the life of ,christ1 but a most accomplished pattern of love1 humility1 patience1 and all other virtues whatsoever6 ,this we ought to look into1 and to reflect upon it in our hearts2 but especially when we are alone4 ,this is better than all the high boasts of knowledge1 and all the art and wisdom of the world4 ,this life of ,christ is like a seal 7,cant4 #h3f7 to be stamped upon our hearts1 and leave there the impression of his image1 life1 love1 humility1 patience1 cross1 reproach1 and death4 ,this would prove a true celestial light to our hearts1 and a powerful means both to renew us in the inner man1 and to transform us more and more into the divine image4 ,now as ,christ was under all men1 yea1 under all creatures1 in his state of humiliation in this world2 but is now in his state of exaltation1 a ,lord over all3 so a ,christian is1 with reference to his faith1 a lord over all1 nothing being excepted but ,god2 but with regard to his life and conduct1 a servant of servants1 being under all persons and things4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,showing ,that ,christ ,is ,the ,only ,way ,and ,end ,of ,true ,godliness2 ,and ,that ,man ,goes ,astray1 ,when ,god ,does ,not ,guide ,and ,direct ,him4 ,teach me thy way1 ,o ,lord3 ,i will walk in thy truth2 unite my heart to fear thy name4--,,ps4 #hf3aa4 ,this way is ,christ4 ,he says1 8,i am the way40 ,john #ad3f4 ,but thou wilt here ask1 ,how am ,i to come to him8 ,the answer is3 ,by faith4 ,for faith unites us with ,christ2 love binds us fast2 and hope upholds and sustains us while we walk in this way2 that is1 in the life of ,christ4 ,yet at the same time1 faith1 hope1 and love1 all proceed from ,christ himself1 and are his work in us4 ,all these graces flow from him1 and return to him4 ,this way goes out from him1 and leads back to him again4 #b4 ,faith apprehends the ,person of ,christ1 and his office2 ,love follows ,christ in his life and conversation2 ,hope seizes on the glory that is hereafter to be revealed in ,christ4 ,faith must have no other ,christ1 no other ,redeemer1 no other ,saviour1 no other ,mediator and ,way to life1 but ,,jesus ,,christ only4 ,love sets before itself the one only life of ,christ1 as the most perfect and shining pattern to which to conform itself4 ,hope looks up steadfastly to ,christ1 as the glorious ,captain of our salvation1 keeping its eye fixed upon his everlasting kingdom above4 ,this1 this is the right way2 this is the unerring truth1 wherein we are to walk2 and this is what is meant by having the heart united1 to fear the ,lord's name4 #c4 ,these three chief virtues are allied again to three other virtues4 ,the alliance of faith1 is with humility2 of love1 with patience2 and of hope1 with prayer4 ,for he that believeth1 humbleth himself2 he that loveth1 is patient2 and he that hopeth1 learns to pray1 and boldly to approach the throne of grace4 ,o how goodly and beautiful is this way6 ,this is the way of ,god1 the way of salvation1 the path to glory1 even our great ,master's way6 ,and may ,he himself teach us this way of truth1 and inspire us with courage to walk in it6 ,where this frame of mind is1 there the soul is firmly united to the fear of the ,lord2 and this is that one thing which ,david desired4 ,ps4 #bg3d4 ,such a one is resolved heartily to follow ,christ in his humility and love1 meekness and patience1 expelling1 through the lowliness of ,christ1 the venom of pride that lurks within4 ,consider how ,christ thy ,lord was made for thee a despicable worm 7,ps4 #bb3f71 and trampled upon by the basest of men6 and by looking to him1 learn to restrain thy haughty temper4 ,in a word1 let his humility slay thy pride2 and do thou suppress the assaults of covetousness1 by meditating on the poverty of ,christ4 ,behold1 he had not so much as even where to lay his head 7,matt4 #h3bj71 and how eager art thou to grasp in possession whatever thy unbounded desires fix themselves upon6 ,let the spirit of envy die1 by the consideration of the overflowing love of ,christ4 ,he hath given thee life itself1 and thou grudgest thy neighbor even a morsel of bread4 ,let the thirst for revenge be overcome in thy breast by the meekness of ,christ4 ,behold6 he prayed for his enemies 7,luke #bc3cd72 and thou dost not even pray for thy friends4 ,his face being buffeted and spit upon by sinners1 he quietly endured it2 and thou canst hardly endure a severe look1 or an unkind word from thy neighbor6 ,let the enticements to lust and voluptuousness be beaten down1 by the agony and pains which thy ,lord suffered in his holy body4 ,behold1 and see1 whether the sorrows of any man were ever like unto his sorrows6 ,lam4 #a3ab4 ,this consideration will prove a check to the wanton lusts of thy flesh1 and a curb to thy thirst after worldly pleasure4 ,he wore a crown of thorns2 and wouldest thou wear one of gold8 ,he wept for the sins of others2 and refusest thou to weep for thine own8 ,he was a man of sorrows2 and shouldest thou wish to be a man of pleasure8 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,showing ,that ,jesus ,christ ,is ,the ,true ,book ,of ,life1 ,and ,that ,his ,poverty ,teaches ,us ,to ,despise ,the ,glory ,of ,the ,world4 ,ye know the grace of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that1 though he was rich1 yet for your sakes he became poor1 that ye through his poverty might be rich4--#b ,,cor4 #h3i4 ,all who believe in ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 are written 8in the book of life0 7,phil4 #d3c71 or as the ,lord expresses it1 8in heaven40 ,luke #aj3bj4 ,this shall be made manifest in that great day1 when the ,lord will 8confess their names before his ,father1 and before his angels40 ,rev4 #c3e4 ,but besides this1 the ,lord ,jesus himself is a most complete ,book of a truly ,christian life3 he being1 as the word and wisdom of the ,father1 made man1 and come into the world to teach us by his life and death2 and by his conduct and conversation1 to set a pattern before us for our imitation4 #b4 ,the whole of his life1 from his tender infancy to his death1 was made up of nothing but a continual series of crosses and afflictions2 insomuch that he took hardly any step without the inseparable attendance either of a pressing poverty1 or of great contempt1 or of most exquisite pains and sufferings3 and into these three heads the entire extent of the life of ,christ may be fitly resolved4 #c4 ,the poverty which the ,lord endured1 may be considered again under a threefold aspect4 ,in the first place1 he was poor in relation to outward things4 ,this he himself declared3 8,the foxes10 says he1 8have holes1 and the birds of the air have nests2 but the ,son of ,man hath not where to lay his head40 ,matt4 #h3bj4 #d4 ,this indigence in worldly goods was attended by another1 which was a poverty of friends4 ,nothing was more visible in his birth than meanness and poverty4 ,he was born at ,bethlehem1 the least among the cities of ,judah1 and of a mother that was destitute of all wealth and worldly greatness4 ,luke #b3d1 #g4 ,nor did he ever court the favor and friendship of the great and wealthy of this world4 ,it is true1 that ,lazarus of ,bethany was his friend1 the ,evangelist taking particular notice1 that the ,lord loved him1 and thought him worthy of the title of his friend 7,john #aa3c1 #e1 #aa1 #cf72 but this friendship was not founded on any worldly advantage which the ,lord expected from him1 but on that faith1 whereby he was induced to believe1 that ,jesus was really the true ,messiah4 #e4 ,the third degree of the ,lord's poverty1 was the state of his humiliation1 whereby1 laying aside the form of ,god1 he humbled himself1 and made himself of no reputation4 ,phil4 #b3f1 #g4 ,he thereby entered into the depth of our misery4 ,he was wearied in the journeys he undertook1 when he 8went about doing good0 7,acts #aj3 #ch72 but particularly1 when he healed multitudes of sick and diseased1 that continually crowded to him from all parts1 and surrounded him often to that degree1 that he could not so much as eat bread1 and even his very friends thought him beside himself4 ,mark #c3bj1 #ba4 ,he fulfilled also what was said by the prophet1 and is repeated in the ,gospel3 8,himself took our infirmities1 and bare our sicknesses0 7,isa4 #ec3d2 ,matt4 #h3ag72 never withdrawing from any hardship or approaching calamity1 never shrinking under the burden of poverty1 or cruel mockings1 or unjust reproaches1 or other evils1 though they were sharp and numerous4 ,and whereas he might have been served by all the creatures of ,god1 and waited on by legions of angels1 yet he dispensed with all this glory1 and did not exert that sovereign power which he possessed4 ,he suffered his head to be torn by thorns1 his hands to be bound1 his sacred body to be scourged1 his hands and feet to be nailed to the cross1 his side to be pierced with a spear4 ,all this he freely allowed1 though it was in his power to prevent it1 and with one word to restrain all creatures from inflicting an injury on him4 #f4 ,in a word1 for our sakes1 he made himself subject to all creatures4 ,he took upon him the form of a servant1 that by his lowliness1 he might repair our losses1 and reinstate us in that sovereign dominion over all the creatures1 which we had lost4 ,he rose from the dead again1 and gained a perfect conquest at last1 thereby to purchase for us an everlasting victory4 ,he suffered himself to be tempted by the devil 7,matt4 #d3a1 #h71 hurried about by his malice1 tormented by his instruments1 the ,jews1 fastened to the cross by their cruelty2 and all this he underwent1 in order to rescue mankind from the power of the devil and all his subordinate tools and agents4 #g4 ,thus the ,strongest became weak2 the ,almighty infirm2 the most ,glorious1 became most despicable2 the most ,beautiful1 most abhorred and hated2 the most ,exalted1 most exposed himself to temptations of all kinds1 to sufferings and difficulties1 to pains and hardships4 ,hereby he designed to check and put to shame our sinful tenderness and effeminacy4 ,we are1 alas6 so tender and delicate that the smallest cross is now complained of as an insufferable burden1 and a little trouble and toil undergone for the sake of ,god and our neighbor1 seems a sufficient plea why men should start back into the smooth way1 and forsake the ,lord2 whereas he sends such trials upon men for the purpose of promoting thereby the recovery of their own souls1 and the glory of his name4 #h4 ,thus the ,lord laid aside for a while the form of ,god4 ,but this was not all4 ,he did no less lay aside the use of the divine wisdom which resided in him4 ,his conversation with others was plain and easy2 and he behaved himself like a man who had not learned letters1 as the ,jews expressed it4 ,john #g3ae4 ,he did not assume to himself the wonted formalities of a great doctor1 or of an acute reasoner and disputer4 ,neither did he act like men that value themselves on account of their parts1 skill1 polite learning1 and high descent4 ,nothing was more visible in his life and conduct than that quiet serenity of mind which he enjoyed in the midst of all the storms of the world4 ,this was attended1 however1 by a divine power1 an unaffected holiness of manners1 an unfeigned charity1 meekness1 and humility4 ,he made use of plain and easy terms when he 8taught the way of ,god in truth0 7,matt4 #bb3af72 therefore he was despised by the proud ,jews as an unlearned man4 ,thus the eternal ,,wisdom of ,god1 speaking through the prophets of old1 was cast aside as folly1 and the true light of souls rejected as deception3 all which may serve to instruct us not to overvalue ourselves upon our parts and abilities2 but to consider that they are not given us for the gratification of pride2 and to employ them solely for advancing the glory of ,god1 and the good of our fellow-creatures4 #i4 ,this simplicity of our ,lord was manifested herein also1 that he made no display of his glory and majesty4 ,so great was his condescension1 that he freely conversed with sinners4 ,he did eat and drink with them2 and this for no other reason1 but to complete thereby the great work for which he was sent1 which was1 to 8seek and to save that which was lost40 ,luke #ai3aj4 ,it was on this account that he was so grievously defamed with a multitude of odious names by his enemies1 who called him 8a gluttonous man1 a wine-bibber1 a friend of publicans and sinners0 7,luke #g3cd73 and at another time1 they exclaimed against him as a ,samaritan1 that had a devil4 ,john #h3dh4 ,and1 at last1 he suffered them to crucify him between two malefactors1 as if he were the greatest criminal1 whereas he then bore our transgressions4 #aj4 ,now he might have gained a greater repute than ,john himself1 who1 according to the ,lord's own testimony1 was a 8burning and a shining light40 ,john #e3ce4 ,but he readily renounced any such honor1 thereby to give a check to all superficial pretenders to piety1 who are too apt to value themselves on account of an outward show of religion3 though those that busy themselves so much about form and appearance1 may have but little of the life and power of ,god within them4 #aa4 ,in short1 the ,lord forsook all that is lofty and grand in the world4 ,he was a king1 and yet would be subject to kings and magistrates1 nay1 to ,joseph and his mother1 though they were so mean and indigent4 8,he went down with them to ,nazareth1 and was subject unto them40 ,luke #b3ea4 ,he was ,lord over all1 and yet when he came into the world1 8,he came not to be ministered unto1 but to minister0 7,matt4 #bj3bh71 clothing himself in the attire of poverty and meanness4 ,he was the great and wise ,prophet1 and chose disciples of the lowest rank1 plain and simple people4 ,and when it was in his power to behave himself as a ,lord and ,master in the small company of his followers1 yet did he even there divest himself of that right1 being 8among them as one that serveth40 ,luke #bb3bg4 ,he assumed no lordlike air over them1 but chose rather to be a master in life and doctrine1 than to have any other distinguishing character of grandeur and pre-eminence4 ,thus when he taught the duty of obedience1 he showed at the same time a pattern of obedience in his own conduct4 ,when he endeavored to instil into his disciples a sense of humility1 of patience1 of subjection to their superiors1 and of other ,christian virtues2 he practised them first himself1 that so his own example might have the greater influence upon the lives of others4 ,being ,head and ,master1 he thought it becoming his character to be chief also in bearing affronts1 reproaches1 injuries1 poverty1 misery1 and in performing the most humble services1 even such as that of washing his disciples' feet4 ,john #ac3e4 ,thus he proved a ,master1 ,head1 and ,teacher1 not in doctrine only2 but in life1 in example1 and practice4 #ab4 ,alas6 how great is our folly6 ,our ,head despised worldly honor1 and lo6 we are in pursuit of it4 ,he submitted to crosses and trials1 and we shrink back at the sight of them4 ,he became obedient unto death2 and we seek liberty1 so that we may follow our own will4 ,but this does not agree with the example which the ,lord has set before us1 nor with the spiritual maxims contained in the ,book of ,life1 which he has left us for imitation4 #ac4 ,consider1 therefore1 ,o man1 whether the way wherein thou walkest agrees with that excellent way wherein thy ,lord and ,master walked himself4 ,if thou despisest the narrow way of ,jesus1 and followest the way of the world1 then know certainly that thy way1 though smooth and pleasing for a while1 will end in utter destruction at last6 ,and thus the first part of ,christ's life of sorrow and poverty has been described4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,showing ,how ,christ1 ,by ,the ,shame ,and ,contempt ,which ,he ,endured1 ,and ,by ,his ,self-,denial1 ,teaches ,us ,to ,despise ,the ,honor ,and ,glory ,of ,the ,world4 ,he is despised and rejected of men2 a man of sorrows1 and acquainted with grief4--,,isa4 #ec3c4 ,the second head of the life of poverty of ,christ1 is the contempt which he endured from the world4 ,after thou hast read over and seriously considered the lesson of poverty exhibited by the ,lord1 take also a view of the deep and unaffected humility1 which was so eminently seen in his whole life and conduct4 ,never did he catch at the applause of men2 never was he actuated by ambition1 or any thirst after temporal honor and greatness3 on the contrary1 whenever men offered to bestow honors and praises upon him1 he refused them1 both by word and by deed3 never did he accept of any honor from men2 nay1 not even when 8they would take him by force to make him a king40 ,john #f3ae4 ,on the other hand1 with what inexpressible humility did he bear all the insults1 the reproaches1 and calumnies with which his enemies loaded him8 ,he was execrated as a ,samaritan1 and his miracles were maliciously ascribed to the power of ,beelzebub4 ,john #h3dh2 ,matt4 #ab3bd4 ,the sound doctrine which he brought down from heaven1 was denounced as blasphemy2 and he who taught it1 was everywhere insulted by foul and uncharitable censures1 and such base lies and slanders as the malice of men could contrive4 ,he was betrayed and sold2 he was denied and buffeted2 he was spit upon and crowned with thorns2 he was derided and scourged2 he was smitten1 and sentenced to death2 he was rejected1 and condemned to undergo the ignominious 8death of the cross40 ,phil4 #b3h4 ,he was forsaken by ,god and men2 and1 in fine1 being stripped of all1 was executed in the midst of scandalous malefactors1 hanging on the tree like one accursed4 ,gal4 #c3ac4 ,he was made the common gazing-stock of all his enemies1 and derided by all4 ,his prayers were turned into ridicule2 his garments were parted by lot2 and at the approach of the very pangs of death1 he had nothing wherewith to refresh himself but vinegar mingled with gall4 ,matt4 #bg3cd4 ,at last1 when all was finished1 he expired on the cross1 amid the reproaches1 hatred1 and indignation of the world2 his body was pierced with a spear1 and he made his grave with the wicked4 ,john #ai3cd2 ,isa4 #ec3i4 ,nay1 his enemies continued to fume with rage and malice1 even now when he had given up the ghost2 and called him a deceiver4 ,matt4 #bg3fc4 ,being risen at last from the dead1 and triumphing over his enemies2 they boldly denied the truth of his resurrection4 ,thus was the ,lord1 in the beginning1 progress1 and end of his ever-blessed life1 8despised and rejected1 a man of sorrows1 and acquainted with grief40 #b4 ,in the course of our ,lord's life1 there is not only displayed to us the abounding treasure of redemption gained by ,christ2 but it is also most clearly demonstrated1 that in this scene of suffering1 he is our great teacher and master1 our prophet and shepherd1 our instructor1 light1 and constant monitor2 that also we1 by looking unto him1 may learn to despise earthly pomp and greatness2 and by closely adhering to him1 like true members to their head1 8grow up into him in all things0 7,ephes4 #d3ae71 being rendered conformable unto his life1 8and rooted and grounded in his love40 ,ephes4 #c3ag4 #c4 ,but when our lives are contrary to the life of him who is designed to be our ,head2 when in our actions1 words1 and endeavors1 we do not entirely aim at ,god's glory1 but our own2 it is more than evident1 that ,christ does not live in us1 but rather the prince of this world4 ,it is then plain1 that we have not yet learned to love ,christ1 and that we are not yet loose from the various ties of this world2 for 8whatsoever is born of ,god1 overcometh the world0 7#a ,john #e3d72 and so of course is not overcome by it4 ,nor does such a one any longer love the world2 for 8if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him0 7#a ,john #b3ae72 and consequently1 that of ,christ must be absent likewise4 ,for the whole life of ,christ teaches us how to die unto the world4 ,consider then the beginning1 together with the progress and conclusion of his life1 and remember the profound ,,humility with which he bore the contempt and reproaches of all those that love the world4 ,chapter ,,xv4 ,showing ,how ,we ,should1 ,through ,christ1 ,bear ,and ,overcome ,the ,trials ,and ,contempt ,of ,the ,world4 ,consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself1 lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds4--,,heb4 #ab3c4 ,it is a most moving complaint uttered by the ,messiah3 8,i became a reproach unto them2 when they looked upon me1 they shaked their heads4 ,help me1 ,o ,lord my ,god2 ,o save me according to thy mercy2 that they may know that this is thy hand2 that thou ,lord hast done it4 ,let them curse1 but bless thou2 when they arise1 let them be ashamed2 but let thy servant rejoice4 ,let mine adversaries be clothed with shame2 and let them cover themselves with their own confusion as with a mantle4 ,i will greatly praise the ,lord with my mouth2 yea1 ,i will praise him among the multitude4 ,for he shall stand at the right hand of the poor1 to save him from those that condemn his soul40 ,ps4 #aji3be-ca4 #b4 ,this pathetic complaint of the ,lord our ,redeemer1 every ,christian ought to represent to himself as a mirror1 in which to behold the life of ,christ under the cross1 together with that of all the saints in general4 ,this way of the cross has been copiously set forth in the ,book of ,psalms1 in order to render it the more familiar to us1 and to teach us betimes1 that 8we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of ,god40 ,acts #ad3bb4 ,such a consideration gives present ease and comfort under the contempt and reproaches incident to the true followers of ,christ1 and accustoms them to a conformity to the image of ,christ 7,rom4 #h3bi73 which as it is one of the greatest honors our ,master bestows on his disciples2 so it is by the world abhorred and loathed1 just as a healing medicine is by a distempered and delicate palate4 ,this conformity is1 however1 the grand duty of a ,christian1 inuring him to bear his ,master's reproach 7,heb4 #ac3ac7 and abject image in time1 that he may also hereafter bear his glorious image in eternity4 ,phil4 #c3ba4 #c4 ,now1 as the #ajith ,psalm above-mentioned1 contains a prayer of ,christ poured out in the midst of his sufferings2 so it mentions1 in the latter part1 three kinds of trouble more particularly1 with which the ,lord found himself oppressed4 #d4 ,in the first place1 the ,lord complaineth of a vehement anxiety of heart1 declared in this manner3 8,i am poor and needy1 and my heart is wounded within me40 ,ver4 #bb4 ,behold1 what complaints this holy1 this eminent ,person is reduced to6 ,and what is the reason of them8 ,surely1 to acquaint us in the most affectionate terms1 with all that he hath suffered for our sake4 ,he says1 8,i am poor20 and lo6 thou toilest to get estates1 to hoard up riches2 and yet when thou hast them1 thou art still poor and discontented in the possession of them4 ,he says1 8,i am needy20 and thou1 ,o man1 art entirely bent upon thy ease1 prosperity1 and fulness of bread6 ,he complains1 8my heart is wounded within me20 how unreasonable is it then1 ,o man6 that thou shouldest desire to be humored and gratified in all thy vain and carnal propensities6 ,now1 if nothing will awaken in thee a love of the cross of ,christ1 let at least the consideration of the sacredness of the afflicted ,person1 infinitely exalted above thee1 work thee into a ready compliance with his life4 ,such a consideration will give thee ease and patience under any grief that may attend thee1 and make thee relish better those pure and untainted pleasures which will succeed the cross4 ,therefore1 think with thyself in this manner3 8,i am now put to trouble and anxiety of heart2 but the same befell also my ,lord and ,master1 whose very soul was surrounded with sorrows so heavy and acute1 with pains so great1 that nothing of what ,i shall ever undergo can equal them40 ,however1 the ,lord1 after his sufferings1 entered into everlasting joy2 after contempt1 into never-fading glory2 through death into life2 and through hell into heaven4 ,and thus will it be with the sincere followers of the ,lord1 to whom their crosses will prove but as so many advances to a more excellent glory1 and their affliction will be the avenue to everlasting bliss and happiness4 #e4 ,the ,lord continues his complaint thus3 8,i am gone like the shadow when it declineth3 ,i am tossed up and down as the locust4 ,my knees are weak through fasting2 and my flesh faileth of fatness40 ,ps4 #aji3bc1 #bd4 ,a most expressive description of the common frailty of human nature6 ,what is a shadow1 but a mere nothing1 an empty lifeless appearance8 ,to such an abject lowliness1 to such an inconceivable degree of humiliation1 the ,lord suffered himself to be reduced whilst he dwelt among us6 ,he who is life and light itself1 and the bottomless fountain of life and happiness1 is exposed to labor and infirmities2 and should not men hereby learn so much humility at least1 as to think themselves far more emphatically as shadows1 or as nothing1 than the ,lord of life himself8 ,at the same time1 it is to be remembered that the ,lord here refers to his state of humiliation alone1 for1 in his own glory he is our ,lord and our life4 ,he says1 8,i am tossed up and down as the locust40 ,the ,lord had no settled habitation upon earth1 as men of the world have4 ,he was in a constant pilgrimage towards that kingdom which cannot be moved4 ,for this reason he is said to have only dwelt or tabernacled among us 7,john #a3ad71 and is here compared to a locust1 which having no abiding place1 is fearful1 and tossed to and fro with every wind4 ,nahum #c3ag2 ,exod4 #aj3ai4 ,and even in this our blessed ,saviour has left us a pattern1 to walk as he walked2 and since we have no continuing city here1 to seek one to come1 which 8hath foundations1 whose builder and maker is ,god40 ,heb4 #aa3aj4 ,what is farther added of the weakness of his knees1 and the failing of his flesh1 abundantly appeared about the time of his passion1 when his 8strength was dried up like a potsherd0 7,ps4 #bb3ae72 and this may be a monitor to us under bodily diseases and infirmities4 ,should we complain of a fit of sickness1 when the ,lord of life pined away into weakness1 and languished in misery8 ,what matters it1 how languid1 weak1 and neglected our body be1 if our soul and spiritual life be but vigorous and sound8 ,the soul ought to 8eat that which is good1 and delight itself in spiritual fatness0 7,isa4 #ee3b71 that so it may grow 8strong in the ,lord1 and in the power of his might40 ,ephes4 #f3aj4 #f4 ,thirdly1 the ,lord complains of the great contempt he underwent in this world1 in order to stop us in our pursuit after vain honor1 pride1 and self-esteem4 8,i became10 says he1 8a reproach unto them3 when they looked upon me they shaked their heads40 ,what indignity is there like unto this6 ,but the ,anointed of the ,lord endured it all for no other end1 than to rescue mankind from eternal scorn and infamy2 for man having become a scorner and hater of ,god1 ,christ was designed to make atonement for so heinous a sin1 by the extreme contempt which he willingly endured4 ,however1 as the ,lord by his humble submission to the contempt of the world1 has laid a mighty obligation on all ,christians to be his followers therein2 so the considerations here annexed1 may be of use for supporting a man under sufferings of that nature4 #g4 ,first consider1 that in bearing the contempt of the world1 thou bearest no less than the very image of ,christ1 and followest him who is thy ,head and ,master4 ,rom4 #h3ag4 #h4 7#b7 ,to be contemned and disrespectfully used by the world1 is of great efficacy for improving thyself in true humility2 a virtue which finds favor with ,god4 8,for ,god resisteth the proud1 but giveth grace to the humble40 #a ,peter #e3e4 #i4 7#c7 ,thy suffering of reproaches for the sake of truth1 is an evidence that thou art ranked with that cloud of witnesses1 who in all ages have been made 8as the filth of the world1 and the offscouring of all things10 and so continue to be esteemed 8unto this day40 #a ,cor4 #d3ac4 #aj4 7#d7 ,remember that those that are come out 8of great tribulation1 shall be before the throne of ,god0 at last 7,rev4 #g3ad71 and be there 8confessed before the angels of ,god40 ,luke #ab3h2 #a ,cor4 #d3e4 #aa4 7#e7 ,of what consequence is it how contemptuously the world uses thee1 since thou art not to rise in the last day 7as many shall71 8to shame and everlasting contempt0 7,dan4 #ab3b71 7the ,lord having redeemed thee from that71 but to honor and glory6 #ab4 7#f7 ,remember that ,god does not withhold his grace from thee in this world4 ,when the world frowns1 ,god favors4 ,when men withdraw their kindness1 then ,god confers his mercy4 ,for this purpose the ,psalmist prays3 8,help me1 ,o ,lord my ,god3 ,o save me according to thy mercy2 that they may know that this is thy hand1 and that thou1 ,lord1 hast done it40 ,ps4 #aji3bf1 #bg4 ,that is to say3 ,as the ,lord removed at last his ,son from the cross1 from all the labors of his soul1 from all the insults of his enemies1 and crowned him with glory in heaven2 so will he deal with thee also1 if thou continuest faithful in bearing the cross1 and all the injuries of a profane world4 ,all shall see and shall know1 that it is the ,lord's hand that hath done it4 #ac4 7#g7 ,it was ,god himself who suffered his beloved ,son to be thus contemned1 reproached1 and reviled1 according to the words of the ,psalm3 8,because for thy sake ,i have borne reproach2 shame hath covered my face40 ,ps4 #fi3g4 ,remember1 therefore1 that the same ,god1 who gave a bitter cup to his dear ,son1 hath also allotted thee thy trials1 to humble thee1 and to know what is in thy heart4 #ad4 7#h7 ,be sure that the ,lord will change all the undeserved reproaches thrown upon thee1 into so many blessings1 and in his own time pour shame and confusion upon the scoffers4 ,this is expressed in the following verse3 8,let them curse1 but bless thou3 when they arise1 let them be ashamed2 but let thy servant rejoice40 ,ps4 #aji3bh4 ,nay1 if the wicked curse ever so much1 yet 8shall the curse causeless never come0 7,prov4 #bf3b71 as plainly appears from ,balaam's attempt1 who could not 8curse1 whom ,god had not cursed40 ,numb4 #bc3h4 ,whereas1 whosoever feareth the ,lord1 it shall go well with him at the last1 and he shall find favor in the day of his death4 ,the same blessing is bestowed on ,abraham1 and on all those that walk in the steps of his faith3 8,i will bless them that bless thee1 and curse him that curseth thee40 ,gen4 #ab3c4 ,and in another place we have this encouragement3 8,fear ye not the reproach of men1 neither be ye afraid of their revilings40 ,isa4 #ea3g4 ,and our ,redeemer himself hath declared3 8,blessed are ye1 when men shall revile you40 ,matt4 #e3aa4 ,and his apostle says3 8,if ye be reproached for the name of ,christ1 happy are ye2 for the spirit of glory and of ,god resteth upon you40 #a ,pet4 #d3ad4 #ae4 7#i7 ,the ,lord goes on in the aforesaid ,psalm3 8,i will greatly praise the ,lord with my mouth2 yea1 ,i will praise him among the multitude40 ,ps4 #aji3cj4 ,christ now returns thanks to his heavenly ,father for the very crosses and reproaches that were allotted him4 ,this is the temper of every sincere ,christian4 ,he is thankful in the midst of afflictions and reproaches1 particularly when he looks on the hand of that kind ,father who entails all this upon him1 but who also delivers him4 ,and truly1 the ,lord never inflicts a judgment on any soul1 but he affords at the same time sufficient reason for thanking and blessing him for that affliction4 ,thus is gratitude the happy product of crosses and trials4 ,and this consideration is fit to sweeten the duty of resignation to the will of ,god4 ,he that for the love of ,christ readily submits to the contempt of a vain world1 shall be honored by ,god again1 both in this world and in the world to come4 ,there is a time1 wherein the ,lord 8raiseth up the poor out of the dust1 and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill2 that he may set him with princes1 even with the princes of his people40 ,ps4 #aac3g4 ,surely1 it argues an excellent spirit1 when a man for ,christ's sake bears the insults of the wicked1 and maintains an unshaken calmness of mind1 in the midst of all the calumnies of the world4 ,this is 8the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit1 which in the sight of ,god is of great price40 #a ,pet4 #c3d4 #af4 7#aj7 ,the ,psalm concludes1 8,for he shall stand at the right hand of the poor1 to save him from those that condemn his soul40 ,ps4 #aji3ca4 ,here is comfort sufficient to make a ,christian bear up against the hardships and reproaches he is exposed to in his warfare4 ,it is never said that the ,lord will stand at the right hand of the violent and great ones1 of the oppressors and persecutors2 but he will stand at the right hand of the poor1 who being destitute of the arm or support of men1 flee to the ,lord alone for help and refuge1 as to the sole object of their faith and trust4 ,those are 8remembered1 when he maketh inquisition for blood0 7,ps4 #i3ab72 and those are the afflicted1 or the humble1 8whose cry the ,lord doth not forget40 ,tertullian tells us1 8,we are then absolved by ,god1 when the world condemns us40 ,for though 8the wicked watcheth the righteous1 and seeketh to slay him2 yet will the ,lord not leave him in his hand1 nor condemn him when he is judged40 ,ps4 #cg3cb1 #cc4 ,thus will the ,lord attend thee1 ,o man6 with a wonderful deliverance1 and afford thee reason enough to extol his name among many1 for his marvellous kindness4 ,david himself 8had fainted1 unless he had believed to see the goodness of the ,lord in the land of the living4 ,wait1 therefore1 on the ,lord2 be of good courage1 and he shall strengthen thine heart3 wait1 ,i say1 on the ,lord40 ,ps4 #bg3ac1 #ad4 8,therefore judge nothing before the time1 until the ,lord come1 who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness1 and will make manifest the counsels of the heart3 and then shall every man have praise of ,god40 #a ,cor4 #d3e4 ,chapter ,,xvi4 ,showing ,how ,christians ,are ,to ,seek ,and ,obtain ,favor ,and ,glory ,through ,christ1 ,in ,heaven4 ,hold not thy peace1 ,o ,god of my praise1 etc4--,,ps4 #aji3a1 etc ,this is a prayer of the eternal ,son of ,god4 ,the purport or substance of this prayer1 may be more fully expressed in this manner3 8,my ,heavenly ,father6 thou knowest that in this world ,i have not sought my own glory1 but the glory of thy holy name1 and the salvation of all men3 and therefore am ,i so bitterly persecuted1 blasphemed1 contemned1 and vilified4 ,nevertheless1 this is my comfort1 that thou art my ,father1 and that ,i am thy only begotten ,son3 lo6 this is my glory1 in heaven with thee4 ,and this my glory wilt thou in due time manifest and bring to light2 that by thy glorifying of me1 the world may see who it is whom they have blasphemed and persecuted40 ,john #ab3bh4 #b4 ,hence we are to learn1 that such have the greatest glory and praise in heaven1 who in this world are the most persecuted for righteousness' sake4 ,this we may gather from the example of our ,lord himself4 ,from him1 the true ,book of ,life1 we may learn true wisdom4 ,but that we may the better understand that his example and holy life are our ,book of ,life1 let us carefully observe the following considerations3 7#a7 ,christ never sought upon earth his own glory in anything1 but accounted it sufficient for him1 that ,god alone was his glory4 ,so let us1 in like manner1 reject the empty glory and praises of this world1 in whatever we do2 endeavoring only that ,god be glorified in us1 saying1 8,ah1 ,lord ,god6 give us also such a heart1 even the heart of ,christ thy ,son1 that we may have our glory in ,thee alone1 and not in ourselves2 that we may have our glory in heaven1 and not upon earth40 #c4 7#b7 ,it was the highest glory of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that he was the only begotten ,son of ,god4 ,and for this reason did the world persecute1 vilify1 and blaspheme him4 ,here let our prayer be like this3 8,grant us also1 ,holy ,father1 that we may count it our greatest glory and joy1 that we are thy children2 that so we may also obtain the eternal enjoyment of thy love and promise1 and may1 by virtue of our adoption1 come to possess in thee an everlasting inheritance4 ,remind us1 also1 that if the world hate1 envy1 reproach1 and persecute us1 it has done the same to thy dear and holy child ,jesus40 #d4 7#c7 ,it is the glory of the ,lord ,jesus1 that he wrought so many divine works1 that he went about continually doing the most wondrous acts of grace and beneficence to mankind3 and that he did this from pure love only1 and from the highest compassion for the miseries of fallen nature2 although he received nothing but hatred and most heinous ingratitude in return4 8,grant us1 blessed ,god1 grateful and faithful hearts1 so that we may be always ready to do good to as many as we possibly can2 and that we may never be deterred from acts of charity1 by the unthankfulness of the world1 ascribing not to ourselves1 but to thy name only1 the glory of all that we do40 #e4 7#d7 ,it is the highest glory of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that out of pure love1 he laid down his life for us2 that he purchased us with his own blood2 that he was obedient to the ,father1 even unto death2 that with the greatest meekness he endured the vilest reproach2 and with the utmost patience1 bore the pains of the cross4 8,o ,god1 our glory1 help us1 that we may also overcome our enemy with love2 that we may subdue our flesh with godly obedience2 bear the reproach of the world with the meekness and long suffering of ,christ2 obtain the victory through patience2 and being thus made strong in the ,lord1 be more than conquerors through him that loved us60 #f4 7#e7 ,the highest glory of the blessed ,jesus1 is his exaltation to the right hand of ,god1 and the name given him1 which is 8above every name2 that1 at the name of ,jesus1 every knee1 both in heaven and in earth1 should bow1 and all tongues confess him to be their ,lord40 ,phil4 #b3i-aa4 8,help1 ,o gracious ,god6 that we may esteem it our highest glory to be made conformable to our ever-blessed ,head and ,saviour2 that so when he shall hereafter appear in power and majesty1 we also may appear with him in glory1 after we have here endured the contempt of the world1 and continued faithful to the end1 when every man shall have praise of ,god40 #a ,cor4 #d3e2 #b ,cor4 #d3ag4 #g4 7#f7 ,the glory of ,christ the ,lord is1 that he is the only ,head of his ,church in general1 and of every member thereof in particular2 a glorious ,king of his people2 and an everlasting ,high priest1 making intercession for us4 8,help us with thy grace1 ,o ,god most gracious1 that we may evermore account it our greatest glory1 that we are members of thy ,son1 and subjects of his kingdom1 and that we may enjoy all the privileges and benefits purchased by his high-priestly intercession1 sacrifice1 and benediction40 #h4 7#g7 ,another branch of the glory of ,christ is1 that ,god has most wonderfully displayed and magnified his name throughout the whole world3 and has 7in opposition to all his enemies1 blasphemers1 and persecutors1 who would not own him to be the ,son of ,god71 in the most public and solemn manner attested his cause1 declared him to be his ,son by mighty signs and wonders1 and established faith in his name amongst many nations and languages4 ,notwithstanding that ,god held his peace for a while1 and vailed the glory of his ,son under the mystery of the cross2 yet did it break forth the more gloriously like the sun4 ,for1 8out of ,zion1 the perfection of beauty1 ,god hath shined4 ,our ,god shall come1 and shall not keep silence40 ,for though ,god1 who is our glory1 may seem now and then to be silent1 and to hold his peace when we are insulted and persecuted2 yet is there nothing more certain1 than that after the short hour of probation1 he will no longer keep silence1 but with a high hand deliver us from the reproach which we suffered1 and 8remove his stroke away from us10 that we may rejoice in his salvation4 ,ps4 #ci3aj4 ,however1 8it doth not yet appear what we shall then be40 #a ,john #c3b4 #i4 ,the conclusion of the whole is this3 ,it is ,god alone who is to be our glory2 it is not the world1 nor wealth1 nor honor1 nor greatness1 nor the arm of flesh1 that ,i may call my glory2 but ,god1 and only ,god1 is my glory6 ,wherefore1 8let not the wise man glory in his wisdom0 7as it is written71 8neither let the mighty man glory in his might1 nor let the rich man glory in his riches3 but let him that glorieth1 glory in this1 that he understandeth and knoweth me1 that ,i am the ,lord40 ,jer4 #i3bc1 #bd2 #a ,cor4 #a3ca4 ,chapter ,,xvii4 ,showing ,how ,we ,may ,through ,christ1 ,and ,after ,the ,example ,of ,all ,the ,saints1 ,overcome ,the ,calumnies ,of ,men4 ,mine enemies reproach me all the day1 and they that are mad against me are sworn against me4--,,ps4 #ajb3h4 ,among the many crosses and troubles of a ,christian1 a false and slanderous tongue is none of the least1 as we may evidently see1 from the example of ,christ himself1 whom the ,pharisees1 with their envenomed tongues1 both in his life and at his death1 did most maliciously sting4 #b4 ,herein the ,lord left a pattern of patience to every ,christian1 who must not think to escape1 since the great ,master himself was wounded by malicious tongues4 ,the more conformable any one is to ,christ1 and the more zealously he follows ,christ's steps1 the more is he also insulted by false and deceitful tongues4 ,this plainly appears from the example of holy ,david1 who was tormented by slanderers1 as he himself complains in the following ,psalms3 #c1 #d1 #aj1 #ab1 #ae1 #ca1 #ej1 #eb1 #ee1 #eh1 #fd1 #fi1 #ajb1 #abj1 and #adj4 ,indeed1 there is no one of the prophets of old who did not have these deadly arrows shot against him by murderous tongues2 for 8their tongue is an arrow shot out3 he speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth1 but in heart he layeth his wait40 ,jer4 #i3h4 ,all honest hearts ought1 therefore1 to beware of back-biters4 ,as he that toucheth a man infected with leprosy1 or any infectious distemper1 must expect to be so infected2 so he that gives ear to lying tongues1 too often catches the same distemper4 #c4 ,now1 since a ,christian is forbidden to retort evil for evil 7,rom4 #ab3ag2 ,matt #e3ci71 7this agreeing in no wise with the ,christian faith72 there is no other counsel left1 but that by a conscience void of offence1 he derives his comfort from those divine oracles with which the ,lord has furnished him for that purpose4 #d4 7#a7 ,let thy first comfort be the example of ,christ and of all the saints4 ,it fares no worse with us in this respect1 than with ,christ our ,head1 and with all that have ever been most dear to him4 ,nothing of this kind has befallen us1 which has not been before in all ages undergone by his followers4 ,and since the examples of others have generally a strong influence on our lives1 and readily suggest themselves to our remembrance in time of trouble2 we ought1 therefore1 to improve all those instances into an encouragement to bear our treatment with patience1 for the sake of the joy that usually springs up from the reproach of the cross4 ,look then upon the ,prince of thy salvation1 look upon the lives of all the saints of old1 those who have been the greatest lights in their generation4 ,consider the example of ,moses1 who esteemed the reproach of ,christ greater riches than the treasures in ,egypt 7,heb4 #aa3bf71 and who1 by reason of the continual contradictions he underwent1 is said to have been a man meek1 or afflicted1 above all the men which were upon the face of the earth4 ,numb4 #ab3c4 ,and what shall we say of ,david8 ,he was truly1 in his time1 the very mark1 as it were1 at which all the false tongues in the land shot their murderous arrows4 8,mine enemies10 said he1 8revile me all the day long3 and they that are mad against me1 are sworn together against me40 ,ps4 #ajb3h4 ,they affronted him daily with the reproach of his misery1 turning him1 as it were1 into a proverb1 and offering him the most heinous indignity that can be offered to a man4 ,what shall we say of ,job8 ,how was he upbraided by his friends1 and grieved with their tongues6 ,and how fell ,daniel1 that holy prophet1 into an open sepulchre1 yea1 into a den of lions6 ,yet how powerfully did the ,lord rescue ,moses1 ,job1 and ,daniel6 ,all these are gone before thee1 and their examples1 if duly considered1 will excite in thee a spirit of holy emulation1 and draw thee into the same way of the cross by which they entered into the kingdom of ,god4 ,acts #ad3bb4 ,behold1 thy ,lord ,jesus goeth before thee1 pursued with the curses and revilings of the ,pharisees6 ,there goeth ,moses before1 and the faction of ,korah1 ,dathan1 and ,abiram1 following behind1 with execrations in their mouths1 and stones in their hands1 to rid themselves of him6 ,numb4 #af4 ,there is ,david in sore trials1 and ,shimei behind1 cursing his king6 #b ,sam4 #af3e4 ,and there are the apostles of our ,lord1 and an unbelieving multitude behind1 stopping their ears1 and running madly upon them4 #e4 7#b7 ,it is not enough1 however1 slightly and superficially to reflect on the example of the saints2 but we must learn also to be followers of them1 when we are tried as they were1 and in every tribulation copy after their meekness and patience4 ,how shall meekness appear1 or how shall patience be exercised1 if thou be not contradicted2 or if there be none to deride1 slander1 or vilify thee8 ,thou must1 therefore1 patiently take up thy cross with them1 and meekly follow the ,lord ,christ in his steps4 ,thou art called to suffer with thy ,saviour1 and not to avenge thyself1 not to return evil for evil1 not to revile again being reviled1 not to threaten being slandered1 but quietly to commit thy cause 8to him that judgeth righteously40 #a ,pet4 #b3bc4 ,evil tongues must give an account in the day of judgment of every idle word which they have spoken4 ,matt4 #ab3cf4 ,and this will at the last day prove a burden heavy enough4 ,leave all1 therefore1 to the ,lord1 to do as he pleaseth1 who will not fail to do right4 ,recompense and vengeance belong to him alone4 ,deut4 #cb3ce4 ,fix thine eye on the ,lord ,jesus3 8,he was oppressed1 and he was afflicted1 yet he opened not his mouth3 he was brought as a lamb to the slaughter2 and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb1 so opened he not his mouth40 ,isa4 #ec3g4 #f4 7#c7 ,from the examples of the saints1 we are1 in the next place1 to learn a sovereign remedy1 which they made use of against the venom of evil tongues4 ,this is prayer4 ,they prayed1 and so they were healed and comforted4 ,when they were bitterly cursed by their adversaries1 they sent up only their cry to ,god1 saying3 8,let them curse2 but bless thou40 ,ps4 #aji3bh2 ,luke #f3bh4 ,consider the whole ,book of ,psalms throughout4 ,how did ,david defend himself with prayer1 as with a wall of iron1 against false tongues6 ,they are all foolish marksmen1 who bend their bow against the innocent2 and draw the sword to slay such as are of a right conversation3 for their lies and slanders shall return at last upon their own heads1 and shall enter into their own bowels2 as it is written3 8,their sword shall enter into their own heart1 and their bows shall be broken40 ,ps4 #cg3ae4 ,all this can be obtained by prayer4 ,whenever any one prays earnestly against an evil speaker or a liar1 it is as if he wrestled and fought with him2 even as ,david wrestled with ,goliath 7#a ,sam4 #ag3dh1 #di71 or as ,moses contended with the ,egyptian sorcerers4 ,ex4 #g3ab4 ,here two spirits fight with each other2 that is1 the prayer of faith proceeding from the ,holy ,spirit1 the ,spirit of ,truth2 and the spirit of lies proceeding from the devil1 the father of lies4 ,but all these devilish serpents of the ,egyptians shall eventually be subdued1 and1 as it were1 swallowed up by the divine rod of ,moses2 that is1 by prayer4 #g4 7#d7 ,another remedy against the poison of a wicked tongue1 is the frequent reading and meditating upon the ,word of ,god4 ,this is an excellent means of consolation and refreshment1 whenever a soul is insulted and pursued by enemies4 ,an upright heart hunted by men of falsehood and malice1 is like a hart1 whose thirst increases by being hunted2 and as this pants after the water brooks 7,ps4 #db3a71 so must a soul in affliction long after the cooling streams of the divine ,word1 and thirst for the living waters of grace1 thereby to be quickened and refreshed4 ,for by this word of grace the ,lord revives a drooping soul1 speaking to her in a kind and gracious manner4 8,blessed are ye10 says our ,master1 8when men shall revile you1 and persecute you1 and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely4 ,rejoice and be exceeding glad2 for great is your reward in heaven2 for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you40 ,matt4 #e3aa1 #ab4 ,in this saying of our ,lord1 there is a threefold ground of comfort4 #a4 ,blessed are ye4 #b4 ,rejoice4 #c4 ,great is your reward4 ,who would not be willing1 for the sake of so great and endless a good1 to endure here reproach and persecution for a short period8 ,yea1 who would not even rejoice1 since he is made by this means a partaker of ,christ's sufferings1 in order1 8that when the glory of ,christ shall be revealed10 he may also partake with his ,lord in that joy8 8,if ye be reproached for the name of ,christ1 happy are ye1 for the ,spirit of glory and of ,god resteth upon you40 #a ,pet4 #d3ac1 #ad4 ,remember also1 that 8it is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth20 that he 8sit alone and keep silence10 when he hath anything laid upon him to bear2 yea1 that he 8put his mouth in the dust10 and wait in hope2 and that he 8give his cheek to him that smiteth him10 when he is 8filled full with reproach4 ,for the ,lord will not cast off for ever40 ,lam4 #c3bg-ca4 #h4 7#e7 ,thou art further to learn1 that such calumny is a hellish storm1 which soon rises1 and soon blows over4 ,as a traveller is not disheartened at any tempestuous weather he is liable to meet with upon the road1 but provides himself the more against it3 so let the spiritual pilgrim never be cast down by storms and tempests2 but let him go on in hope1 and continue faithful to the end of his journey4 ,this has been uniformly the state of the true church4 8,o thou afflicted10 says the prophet1 8tossed with tempest1 and not comforted60 ,isaiah #ed3aa4 ,is it a 8strange0 thing that has happened unto thee8 #a ,pet4 #d3ab4 ,what is more common to a traveller1 than to be overtaken by foul and stormy weather8 ,a persevering diligence will1 notwithstanding1 bring him home at last4 ,the world makes every one a gazing-stock1 that looks with concern upon the vain follies of men1 and drops a serious word in favor of virtue4 ,what is to-day the fate of one good ,christian1 may to-morrow be the fate of another1 according as the humor of the world works1 which allows no one to pass uncensured that is not in league with it4 ,the best method a ,christian can adopt in all these storms1 is to be quiet under them1 and to keep his mind free from anger and bitterness4 ,he that considers every hard word to be a stain on his character1 which ought to be wiped off1 will by so doing only render things worse4 ,hence it remains1 that the most effectual way to stop the fury of slanderous tongues1 is to yield to it for the present1 and patiently wait till time itself shall set things in a better light4 ,he that will dispute every thing at the sword's point1 as it were1 is like a man that is stung by a bee1 and being thereby put in a passion1 runs headlong upon the whole hive in order to be revenged1 by turning it upside down4 ,had he not better have borne it1 than feel the smart which must attend an attempt so rash8 ,the fire of malicious tongues burns the more fiercely when we seek to quench it by too hasty efforts4 ,an evil tongue is like that serpent called the ,hydra1 which1 as some tell us1 brought forth seven other heads when1 in order to destroy it1 you cut off one4 ,thus a wicked tongue is so far from being restrained by contradiction1 that it spreads the farther by it1 and broaches seven lies instead of one4 ,whereas he that is deaf to popular rumors1 and is not easily alarmed at every little noise1 will not only better repel the darts of wicked tongues1 but enjoy also an unshaken tranquillity both of soul and body4 ,this is a truly noble method to overcome the worst of our enemies4 ,he that rejects this heroic meekness of soul1 sets himself entirely out of ,god's protection1 and whilst he eagerly endeavors to save his name and reputation1 must be the more harassed by the perpetual alarms of malignant tongues4 #i4 7#f7 ,besides this1 there are some other particular reasons1 why the ,lord permits his children to be persecuted by virulent tongues4 ,when ,david in his sore troubles was cursed by ,shimei1 he said no more than1 8,let him curse2 for the ,lord hath bidden him40 #b ,sam4 #af3aa4 ,and what other reason can be assigned for this1 but that the ,lord hereby seeks to preserve his children from exalting themselves above measure1 on account of such eminent gifts as have been conferred upon them2 and that they may at the same time improve themselves in the practice of mutual love1 mildness1 and humility8 ,what is said by ,david of ,shimei1 namely1 that he was bidden to curse his king1 is expressed by ,job in more general terms3 8,he poureth contempt upon princes40 ,job #ab3ba4 ,now1 who is able to fathom all the mysterious depths of divine judgments8 ,the carnal mind by no means likes to be reviled1 insulted1 or undervalued4 ,pride and self-love so naturally adhere to us1 that they taint all our works and actions4 ,every one loves to be extolled1 and to be made much of1 to be esteemed and admired4 ,alas6 it is this natural self-love1 which having once led man astray1 now propagates nothing but error and folly in the world4 ,it was this self-love that ruined both ,lucifer and ,adam1 and stripped them of the divine love and life with which they were once adorned4 ,in order that we may obtain the victory over this spirit of self-love1 and with a view to facilitate this conquest1 the ,lord thinks1 as it were1 with himself3 8,i will permit a lying tongue to assail thee1 as ,i formerly permitted ,satan to harass my servants ,job and ,paul1 for their greater humiliation4 ,this slandering tongue shall be thy devil1 thy scourge1 thy plague1 to buffet thee 7#b ,cor4 #ab3g71 and help to beat down that proud heart1 that haughty look1 that aspiring temper1 which1 without this curb1 would at last carry all before it40 ,thus the ,lord leaves nothing untried to accustom the soul to that excellent spirit of humility1 and to restrain the spirit of self-love1 by which men become allies to ,lucifer1 who1 endeavoring to have a will of his own1 opposite to that of his ,maker1 entirely lost his principality1 and that original state in which he was at first created4 ,jude1 ver4 #f4 #aj4 7#g7 ,therefore as the ,lord is faithful on his side1 so he seeks to convert the venom of impious tongues thrown upon his children1 into a precious medicine1 by which to heal that self-love which is fostered within1 and which engenders abundance of other spiritual diseases in the mind4 ,when the world meditates evil against them1 then ,god brings good out of the evil4 ,as out of a certain poisonous serpent an antidote is prepared against poison itself1 so ,god overrules the worst of counsels1 and makes them turn to the greatest good to his children4 ,thus 8all things work together for good to them that love ,god40 ,rom4 #h3bh4 ,they are taught thereby to practise one of the noblest of the works of charity1 which is1 to 8bless their enemies1 and to pray for them who despitefully use them40 ,matt4 #e3dd4 ,he that has thus far gained the conquest over corrupt nature1 so as to pray heartily for his enemies1 is almost arrived at the sublimest degree of true evangelical charity1 which alone is able to soften our stubborn hearts into the mild and compassionate heart of ,christ1 who has also set us a blessed pattern to follow3 8,father60 said he1 8forgive them2 for they know not what they do40 ,luke #bc3cd4 ,for wherever true love is rooted in a soul1 it will most certainly produce a tender commiseration towards enemies2 who1 as the ,christian knows1 whilst they hate men1 render themselves entirely unfit for any communion with ,god and ,christ1 and give up their hearts to the devil1 that great hater of souls4 ,and this should influence every ,christian to commiserate such evil men1 who are not of ,god1 but of their father the devil2 and lest they should forever sink into the jaws of ,satan1 the ,lord commands his people to pray for them1 with this motive annexed to the command3 8,that ye may be the children of your ,father who is in heaven40 ,matt4 #e3de4 ,what has been said of the overruling power of ,god1 whereby he converts the venom of lying tongues into a healing medicine1 will more fully appear from the following instances4 ,joseph would never have been exalted to the dignity of ruler over the land of ,egypt1 had he not fallen under the malicious lashes of a wanton tongue1 and thereby been condemned to prison4 ,gen4 #ci3ag2 #da3dj4 ,had ,moses not been persecuted by the violent accusations of his enemies1 and obliged to flee from the face of ,pharaoh 7,exod4 #b3ae71 he had never seen the ,lord in the bush1 after having led ,jethro's flock to ,horeb4 ,exod4 #c3b4 ,the spiteful tongue of ,doeg the ,edomite1 and of other enemies of ,david 7#a ,sam4 #bb3i2 ,ps4 #eb71 drew many a noble ,psalm from the latter4 ,thus ,doeg's poisonous tongue was ,david's medicine4 ,the same overruling wisdom of ,god appeared for ,daniel1 when1 by the virulence of his accusers1 he was cast into the den of lions1 but was most triumphantly exalted again by divine ,providence1 for many good and noble ends2 his enemies themselves being made to lay the foundation of his greatness4 ,dan4 #f4 ,mordecai had the same experience4 ,his ruin was devised by the murderous tongue of ,haman 7,esther #c3f72 but the ,lord returned his wickedness upon his own head1 and his bloody machinations only hastened the destruction of their contriver4 ,esther #g3aj4 ,therefore1 8commit thy way unto the ,lord3 trust also in him1 and he shall bring it to pass4 ,and he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light1 and thy judgment as the noonday40 ,ps4 #cg3e1 #f4 ,only endeavor to be in constant union with the ,lord thy ,god1 and to love him with all thy heart1 and then he will direct thy steps4 ,for 8when a man's ways please the ,lord1 he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him40 ,prov4 #af3g4 ,if the world be permitted to stain thy reputation here1 and to detract from thy honor1 what matters it1 provided the ,lord dignify thee with a crown of glory hereafter8 ,it is he that will deliver and honor thee at last 7,ps4 #ia3ae72 and it is he that will give thee both grace here1 and glory hereafter4 ,ps4 #hd3aa4 #aa4 7#h7 ,another comfort in trials of this nature1 may be drawn from the control which the ,lord exercises over the hearts of all men4 ,it is he that 8looks upon all the inhabitants of the earth1 from the place of his habitation40 ,he 8fashioneth their hearts2 he considereth all their works0 7,ps4 #cc3ad1 #ae72 and he 8will not deliver thee unto the will of thine enemies40 ,ps4 #da3b4 ,a man is often transported with rage and malice to such a degree1 that he would bear down all that comes in his way2 but a little while after1 you will find that the man is altogether cooled2 his heat is allayed1 and he is reduced to such a moderation of temper1 as if he were become quite another man4 ,nay1 how often do we see that a bad man1 designing nothing but spite and malice1 is stopped in the midst of his passionate pursuit1 and1 as it were1 obliged not only to drop his wicked design1 but also to bestow tokens of favor upon the person whom he was about to affront4 ,this is an operation peculiar to the wisdom of ,god1 who1 by his secret power1 often renders abortive the most malicious projects conceived against his children4 ,thus the ,lord came to ,laban1 when incensed against ,jacob1 and commanded him to 8speak not to him2 either good or bad40 ,gen4 #ca3bd4 ,and ,esau1 who bore his brother no good will1 when he came within sight of him1 must needs run and meet him1 embrace him1 fall on his neck1 kiss him1 and receive him with the most endearing expressions of love and kindness4 ,gen4 #cc3d4 #ab4 7#i7 ,lastly1 it is the nature of a malignant tongue1 to swell high suddenly1 and by rage and fury to gain universal applause and admiration2 but its downfall is as sudden as its rise4 ,calumny is like a fire1 the flame of which mounts up to the very sky2 but the want of fuel will soon make it go down again4 ,the reason is1 because ,god1 who is the everlasting ,truth1 hates a spirit of lies1 and cannot endure it4 ,and this is also the reason1 why those that have raised their greatness on no other foundation than lying and self-conceit1 may indeed dazzle the eyes of others for a season2 but when they flatter themselves as fixed in an unshaken condition1 then generally their ruin is ready at hand1 and the ,lord's judgment destroys all4 ,then 8the lying lips are put to silence1 which spoke grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous0 7,ps4 #ca3ah72 a text which plainly shows1 that pride and disdain of others1 are wont to accompany a slandering and lying tongue4 ,but 8woe unto thee that dealest treacherously2 when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously1 they shall deal treacherously with thee40 ,isa4 #cc3a4 8,for the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous2 lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity40 ,ps4 #abe3c4 ,though a treacherous man may go on in quest of more honor and greatness2 yet shall 8evil hunt the violent man at last1 and overthrow him40 ,ps4 #adj3aa4 ,sundry consolatory passages1 selected from the ,psalms1 for those who are assailed by the reproaches of enemies4 #ac4 ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 art a shield for me2 my glory1 and the lifter up of mine head4 ,arise1 ,o ,lord2 save me1 ,o my ,god3 for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek-bone2 thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly4 ,ps4 #c3c1 #g4--,o ye sons of men1 how long will ye turn my glory into shame8 how long will ye love vanity1 and seek after leasing 7lying78 ,but know that the ,lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself2 the ,lord will hear when ,i call unto him4 ,ps4 #d3b1 #c4 #ad4 ,thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing3 the ,lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man4--,there is no faithfulness in their mouth2 their inward part is very wickedness2 their throat is an open sepulchre2 they flatter with their tongue4 ,destroy thou them1 ,o ,god2 let them fall by their own counsels4--,but let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice3 let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee4 ,for thou1 ,lord1 wilt bless the righteous2 with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield4 ,ps4 #e3f1 #i1 #aj1 #aa1 #ab4 #ae4 ,let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed3 let them return and be ashamed suddenly4 ,ps4 #f3aj4 #af4 ,o ,lord1 my ,god1 in thee do ,i put my trust3 save me from all them that persecute me1 and deliver me3 lest he tear my soul like a lion1 rending it in pieces1 while there is none to deliver4--,behold1 he travaileth with iniquity1 and hath conceived mischief1 and brought forth falsehood4 ,he made a pit1 and digged it1 and is fallen into the ditch which he made4 ,his mischief shall return upon his own head1 and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate4 ,ps4 #g3a1 #b1 #ad1 #ae1 #af4 #ag4 ,keep me as the apple of the eye2 hide me under the shadow of thy wings1 from the wicked that oppress me1 from my deadly enemies1 who compass me about4 ,ps4 #ag3h1 #i4 #ah4 ,i will call upon the ,lord1 who is worthy to be praised3 so shall ,i be saved from mine enemies4--,in my distress ,i called upon the ,lord1 and cried unto my ,god2 he heard my voice out of his temple1 and my cry came before him1 even unto his ears4 ,ps4 #ah3c1 #f4 #ai4 ,the ,lord is my light and my salvation2 whom shall ,i fear8 the ,lord is the strength of my life2 of whom shall ,i be afraid8 ,when the wicked1 even mine enemies and my foes1 came upon me to eat up my flesh1 they stumbled and fell4 ,though a host should encamp against me1 my heart shall not fear3 though war should rise against me1 in this will ,i be confident4--,for in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion3 in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me2 he shall set me up upon a rock4--,teach me thy way1 ,o ,lord1 and lead me in a plain path1 because of mine enemies4--,for false witnesses are risen up against me1 and such as breathe out cruelty4 ,i had fainted1 unless ,i had believed to see the goodness of the ,lord in the land of the living4 ,wait on the ,lord4 ,ps4 #bg3a1 #b1 #c1 #e1 #aa1 #ab1 #ac1 #ad4 #bj4 ,but ,i trusted in thee1 ,o ,lord3 ,i said1 ,thou art my ,god4 ,my times are in thy hand3 deliver me from the hand of mine enemies1 and from them that persecute me4--,let the lying lips be put to silence2 which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous4--,oh how great is thy goodness1 which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee2 which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men6 ,thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man3 thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues4 ,ps4 #ca3ad1 #ae1 #ah1 #ai1 #bj4 #ba4 ,let them be as chaff before the wind3 and let the angel of the ,lord chase them4 ,let their way be dark and slippery3 and let the angel of the ,lord persecute them4 ,ps4 #ce3e1 #f4 #bb4 ,fret not thyself because of evil doers1 neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity4 ,for they shall soon be cut down like the grass1 and wither as the green herb4--,the wicked plotteth against the just1 and gnasheth upon him with his teeth4 ,the ,lord shall laugh at him3 for he seeth that his day is coming4 ,the wicked have drawn out the sword1 and have bent their bow1 to cast down the poor and needy1 and to slay such as be of upright conversation4 ,their sword shall enter into their own heart1 and their bows shall be broken4--,the wicked watcheth the righteous1 and seeketh to slay him4 ,the ,lord will not leave him in his hand1 nor condemn him when he is judged4--,i have seen the wicked in great power1 and spreading himself like a green bay tree4 ,yet he passed away1 and1 lo1 he was not3 yea1 ,i sought him1 but he could not be found4 ,ps4 #cg3a1 #b1 #ab1 #ac1 #ad1 #ae1 #cb1 #cc1 #ce1 #cf4 #bc4 ,but ,i1 as a deaf man1 heard not2 and ,i was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth4 ,then ,i was as a man that heareth not1 and in whose mouth are no reproofs4--,for ,i am ready to halt1 and my sorrow is continually before me4 ,ps4 #ch3ac1 #ad1 #ag4 #bd4 ,i was dumb with silence1 ,i held my peace1 even from good2 and my sorrow was stirred4--,i was dumb1 ,i opened not my mouth2 because thou didst it4--,for ,i am a stranger with thee1 and a sojourner1 as all my fathers were4 ,ps4 #ci3b1 #i1 #ab4 #be4 ,cast thy burden upon the ,lord1 and he shall sustain thee3 he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved4 ,but thou1 ,o ,god1 shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction3 bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days2 but ,i will trust in thee4 ,ps4 #ee3bb1 #bc4 #bf4 ,be merciful unto me1 ,o ,god1 be merciful unto me2 for my soul trusteth in thee3 yea1 in the shadow of thy wings will ,i make my refuge1 until these calamities be overpast4 ,i will cry unto ,god most high2 unto ,god that performeth all things for me4 ,he shall send from heaven1 and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up4 ,god shall send forth his mercy and his truth4 ,my soul is among lions3 and ,i lie even among them that are set on fire1 even the sons of men1 whose teeth are spears and arrows1 and their tongue a sharp sword4 ,be thou exalted1 ,o ,god1 above the heavens2 let thy glory be above all the earth4 ,they have prepared a net for my steps2 my soul is bowed down3 they have digged a pit before me1 into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves4 ,my heart is fixed1 ,o ,god1 my heart is fixed3 ,i will sing and give praise4 ,awake up1 my glory2 awake1 psaltery and harp3 ,i myself will awake early4 ,i will praise thee1 ,o ,lord1 among the people3 ,i will sing unto thee among the nations4 ,for thy mercy is great unto the heavens1 and thy truth unto the clouds4 ,be thou exalted1 ,o ,god1 above the heavens3 let thy glory be above all the earth4 ,ps4 #eg3a-aa4 #bg4 ,preserve my life from fear of the enemy2 who whet their tongue like a sword1 and bend their bows to shoot their arrows1 even bitter words2 that they may shoot in secret at the perfect3 suddenly do they shoot at him1 and fear not4--,but ,god shall shoot at them with an arrow2 suddenly shall they be wounded4 ,so shall they make their own tongue to fall upon themselves3 all that see them shall flee away4 ,ps4 #fd3a1 #c1 #d1 #g1 #h4 #bh4 ,mine enemies speak against me2 and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together1 saying1 ,god hath forsaken him2 persecute and take him2 for there is none to deliver him4--,i will go in the strength of the ,lord ,god3 ,i will make mention of thy righteousness1 even of thine only4 ,o ,god1 thou hast taught me from my youth3 and hitherto have ,i declared thy wondrous works4 ,now also when ,i am old and gray-headed1 ,o ,god1 forsake me not2 until ,i have shewed thy strength unto this generation1 and thy power to every one that is to come4--,thou1 which hast shewed me great and sore troubles1 shalt quicken me again1 and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth4 ,thou shalt increase my greatness1 and comfort me on every side4 ,ps4 #ga3aj1 #aa1 #af1 #ag1 #ah1 #bj1 #ba4 #bi4 ,i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills1 from whence cometh my help4 ,my help cometh from the ,lord1 which made heaven and earth4 ,he will not suffer thy foot to be moved3 he that keepeth thee will not slumber4 ,behold1 he that keepeth ,israel shall neither slumber nor sleep4 ,the ,lord is thy keeper3 the ,lord is thy shade upon thy right hand4 ,the sun shall not smite thee by day1 nor the moon by night4 ,the ,lord shall preserve thee from all evil3 he shall preserve thy soul4 ,the ,lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth1 and even for evermore4 ,ps4 #aba3a-h4 #cj4 ,deliver me1 ,o ,lord1 from the evil man3 preserve me from the violent man2 which imagine mischiefs in their heart2 continually are they gathered together for war4 ,they have sharpened their tongues like a serpent3 adders' poison is under their lips4 ,keep me1 ,o ,lord1 from the hands of the wicked2 preserve me from the violent man2 who have purposed to overthrow my goings4 ,the proud have hid a snare for me1 and cords2 they have spread a net by the way side2 they have set nets for me4 ,i said unto the ,lord1 ,thou art my ,god3 hear the voice of my supplications1 ,o ,lord4 ,o ,god1 the ,lord1 the strength of my salvation1 thou hast covered my head in the day of battle4 ,grant not1 ,o ,lord1 the desires of the wicked3 further not his wicked device2 lest they exalt themselves4 ,as for the head of those that compass me about1 let the mischief of their own lips cover them4 ,let burning coals fall upon them2 let them be cast into the fire2 into deep pits1 that they rise not up again4 ,let not an evil speaker be established in the earth3 evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him4 ,i know that the ,lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted1 and the right of the poor4 ,surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name3 the upright shall dwell in thy presence4 ,ps4 #adj3a-ac4 #ca4 ,i cried unto the ,lord with my voice2 with my voice unto the ,lord did ,i make my supplication4 ,i poured out my complaint before him2 ,i shewed before him my trouble4 ,when my spirit was overwhelmed within me1 then thou knewest my path4 ,in the way wherein ,i walked have they privily laid a snare for me4 ,i looked on my right hand1 and beheld1 but there was no man that would know me3 refuge failed me2 no man cared for my soul4 ,i cried unto thee1 ,o ,lord3 ,i said1 ,thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living4 ,attend unto my cry2 for ,i am brought very low3 deliver me from my persecutors2 for they are stronger than ,i4 ,bring my soul out of prison1 that ,i may praise thy name3 the righteous shall compass me about3 for thou shalt deal bountifully with me4 ,ps4 #adb3a-g4 ,chapter ,,xviii4 ,showing ,how ,the ,sorrows ,and ,pains ,of ,christ ,should ,teach ,us ,to ,subdue ,the ,lusts ,of ,the ,flesh4 ,my soul is exceeding sorrowful1 even unto death4--,,matt4 #bf3ch4 ,the third branch of the cross of ,christ consists in the unspeakable sorrow and sufferings which began at his very birth4 ,for as his most holy human soul was filled with the light of divine knowledge and wisdom1 by virtue of the personal union of his two natures1 he saw all that he should experience in the future1 as if it were already present2 and thus his soul was1 from the beginning1 filled with the deepest sorrow1 and suffered inward pain4 ,he foresaw his future inconceivable and inexpressible agony of soul1 and his unspeakable bodily pains4 ,for the more delicate1 pure1 and innocent1 the human nature in ,christ was1 the greater were the pain and anguish that affected him4 ,of this those sorrows and spiritual torments1 that are wont to work upon the inmost soul1 are a sufficient proof4 ,for inasmuch as the constitution of the soul1 by reason of its immortality1 exceeds that of the body in worth and delicacy2 so also her pains exceed those of the body in depth and acuteness4 ,for this reason the ,lord never rejoiced upon his own account1 and with reference only to himself2 but it was when he saw that his ,heavenly ,father was known and worshipped1 and his divine works manifested unto the world4 ,hence 8he rejoiced in spirit0 at the return of the seventy disciples4 ,luke #aj3ba4 #b4 ,since all those things1 which he was to suffer1 from his own people and countrymen1 were known to him1 he could not but be highly afflicted and in constant sorrow2 and this was also still more the case1 the more nearly he approached the time appointed for his passion4 ,this he himself testifies1 saying1 8,i have a baptism to be baptized with1 and how am ,i straitened till it be accomplished60 ,luke #ab3ej4 ,and the time of this baptism being come1 he says1 8,my soul is exceeding sorrowful1 even unto death0 7,matt4 #bf3ch73 intimating thereby the excessive and unutterable grief and anguish of spirit1 that forced from him that sweat1 which 8was as it were great drops of blood40 ,luke #bb3dd4 ,and what pains he suffered besides1 in his tender and sensible body1 no tongue can sufficiently declare4 ,first1 because sin is an infinite and inexpressible evil4 ,for1 its full punishment and atonement could not but cause torment so exquisite1 that to a mere man it had been altogether insupportable4 #c4 ,the second reason of this exquisite grief was1 because he bore the sins of the world3 not merely those sins which from the beginning of the world had been committed1 but those also which men should become guilty of through all ages1 down to the very end of the world4 ,and1 therefore1 such as are the number and malignity of all sins1 of all men1 through all generations2 such also were the pain and sorrow endured by the ,lord4 ,for which cause he prayed in ,gethsemane1 8,o my ,father1 if it be possible1 let this cup pass from me40 ,matt4 #bf3ci4 #d4 ,thirdly1 the sufferings of ,christ were heightened by that perfect love which he bore to his heavenly ,father4 ,the greater our love is1 the greater is also the grief occasioned by what interferes with it3 as on the contrary1 the less it is1 the less are we troubled by that which thwarts it4 ,since1 therefore1 ,christ loved his heavenly ,father with most exalted and consummate love1 his affliction must needs have been the more grievous1 on account of the heinousness of sin1 with which fallen men so shamefully insulted so beloved a ,father4 ,hence the sins of the whole world1 with the pains he endured for them1 did not so much affect him1 as the sorrow he felt on account of the indignity offered to a ,god1 who1 in his very nature1 is love itself4 ,and it was upon account of this love of the ,father 7which deserved all the returns of love the creature was able to make71 that ,christ sustained most exquisite pains1 and a most ignominious death2 in order that by a satisfaction proportionable to the offence1 he might regain for wretched mortals that love and favor of ,god which they had forfeited by their offences4 #e4 ,in the fourth place1 the suffering of ,christ was endured on account of his perfect love to mankind4 ,for as he died for all1 and bore the sins of all1 so also was he exceedingly desirous to see the object of his death accomplished1 which is the salvation of all men4 ,hence the unbelief and impenitence of men1 which hindered this love from taking effect upon sinners1 caused him most grievous and bitter torments3 but especially was he pained that they threw away their souls when he desired to save them4 ,not to mention the cruel hatred and envy1 wrath and blasphemy1 by which some were hurried on1 even to trample on that blood which was designed to redeem them4 ,he himself says1 8,reproach hath broken my heart0 7,ps4 #fi3bj72 lamenting not so much his own1 as the condition of them who reproached him in so heinous a manner4 #f4 ,fifthly3 another circumstance which pierced the very heart of our ,lord1 was his being forsaken of ,god1 notwithstanding he was the ,son of ,god himself4 ,for though it is true that ,god could not forsake him1 who himself was ,god1 and did not cease to be ,god even when he hung on the cross1 when he expired1 and when he was buried2 yet does he complain of being forsaken by him4 ,ps4 #bb3a2 ,matt4 #bg3df4 ,but this lamentable complaint the ,lord poured out1 in order to show that ,god withdrew from him1 as a man1 the support of his comfort1 hiding himself for a while in this dark hour4 ,he manifests also1 by this exclamation1 the extreme misery in which he then was4 #g4 ,the sixth aggravation of the anguish of ,christ1 was on account of his ,person1 for he was very ,god4 ,whence it is plain1 that all the reproaches and blasphemies uttered against him were an infinite evil1 as being directed against the entire ,person of ,christ1 who was true ,god and man2 and so he endured1 both as ,god and man1 the revilings of his enemies in his whole ,person4 ,all this left a most exquisite impression of sorrow upon his soul4 #h4 ,and1 in the seventh place1 who is able sufficiently to explain what pains the ,lord suffered in his most innocent1 most holy1 most tender1 and delicate body8 ,or who can doubt that a body most innocent1 most delicate1 most noble1 most pure1 conceived by the ,holy ,ghost1 personally united with the divine nature1 filled with the ,spirit of ,god1 and with all the fulness of the ,godhead2 ,i say1 who can doubt that such a body should not feel most grievous and bitter pains1 when smitten1 scourged1 wounded1 pierced1 crucified1 and put to death8 ,no words are sufficiently expressive to set forth the pain and acuteness thereof4 ,what is all our affliction1 if compared with this suffering of the ,lord8 ,we1 as sinners1 have justly deserved eternal death and damnation2 and yet even the smallest cross is too heavy a burden for tender ,christians1 who do what they can to shake it off1 though it is designed as wholesome medicine1 to procure the health of the soul4 ,surely1 he who is a sincere lover of ,christ1 can wish no other condition1 of life1 but such as comes up nearest to the original of the blessed life of ,christ4 #a ,peter #b3ba4 ,this conformity of our lives to the life of ,christ we ought to account our greatest gain and dignity in this world4 ,let the true lover of ,christ rejoice in this1 that he has been thought worthy to suffer with ,christ1 his ,head and ,saviour4 #i4 ,since1 then1 affliction is to be the companion of a ,christian in his way to heaven1 or1 to use the apostle's phrase1 since he must1 8through much tribulation1 enter into the kingdom of ,god0 7,acts #ad3bb72 what cause can we assign why we should not willingly walk in the same path8 ,for we know that the ,son of ,god himself travelled this way before us1 and by his holy example sanctified it1 not having 8entered into his glory but by sufferings40 ,luke #bd3bf4 ,and since1 notwithstanding all the insults of the enemy1 he entered into glory at last2 we may also assure ourselves1 that our affliction1 which is but for a moment1 shall be followed in the end by an everlasting weight of glory and happiness4 #b ,cor4 #d3ag4 #aj4 ,in fine1 as the ,lord did not spare himself1 but devoted himself entirely to the service of others1 undergoing all from no other impulse than fervent love and charity2 so this love1 of our ,redeemer should awaken love in our souls1 and never should we grow faint and weary under any affliction whatever4 ,chapter ,,xix4 ,showing ,how ,we ,should ,behold ,in ,the ,crucified ,christ1 ,as ,in ,the ,book ,of ,life1 ,both ,our ,sins1 ,and ,also ,the ,displeasure1 ,the ,love1 ,justice1 ,and ,wisdom ,of ,god4 ,and ,i saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side4--,,rev4 #e3a4 ,christ crucified is set before our eyes as a ,book of ,life1 whence we may learn the sacred wisdom of ,god1 which is in him eminently displayed4 ,for the whole ,scripture1 the ,law and all the prophets1 are completely fulfilled in him by his most perfect obedience1 wherein he was faithful even unto death1 and suffered the most cruel torments for the sins of the world4 ,and this perfect internal and external obedience and suffering1 is that ,book of ,life written within and without4 ,rev4 #e3a4 #b4 ,in the first place1 the ,crucified ,jesus presents us with a deplorable sight of our sins1 both as to their number and heinousness4 ,by the lamentable complaint into which he burst forth1 he manifested that inward anguish of soul1 which he suffered for the hidden and secret sins of our hearts4 ,in his wounded and mangled body1 bleeding on the cross1 he leads us to behold and read1 as in a book1 the malignity of those sins which we have committed by all our members1 in having yielded them up to the government of lust4 #c4 ,besides this1 the devout soul may behold in ,christ ,crucified1 the justice of ,god in judging sinners4 ,there was no other means by which to remove both our sin and the punishment attending it1 than this high atonement made by the ,lord himself4 ,and hence we may learn that ,god is so far from letting any sin go unpunished1 that he will rather deliver up his most beloved ,son unto death than connive at the transgression of a sinner4 ,rom4 #d3be4 #d4 ,hence the soul may1 further1 contemplate the infinite love and condescending mercy of the ,heavenly ,father1 most wonderfully displayed in our ,crucified ,saviour4 ,rather than that we should forever perish in our wretched state1 and be subject to eternal death and damnation1 he would have his own ,son make satisfaction for us2 which we ourselves1 yea1 and all the other creatures besides1 had never been able to perform4 #e4 ,the contemplation of ,christ ,crucified will1 in the next place1 lead us to a sight of the most gracious will1 providence and fatherly care of ,god1 as it respects the recovery of lost mankind4 ,no opposition was so great1 no difficulty so stubborn and obstinate1 which he did not conquer by his beloved ,son1 the author of our salvation4 ,that we might inherit everlasting joy1 he left nothing untried1 nor did he spare even his own ,son4 #f4 ,in the same ,book of ,life 7the ,crucified ,jesus71 appears also the infinite wisdom of ,god1 namely1 in finding out a means of salvation1 such as could never have entered into the thoughts of any creature whatever1 and which1 at the same time1 revealed both the justice and the mercy of ,god4 ,for the work of our salvation was so wisely ordered1 that by manifesting the infinite mercy of ,god1 his justice was not at all infringed2 as1 on the other hand1 ,christ by his death has so atoned for sin1 that in satisfying the claims of strict justice1 his infinite mercy is rendered more bright and conspicuous4 ,and as by eating of the forbidden tree1 the first ,adam 7,gen4 #c3a71 brought us under the curse2 so ,god in his marvellous wisdom has1 by the tree of the cross1 taken away the curse1 and restored his blessing4 #a ,peter #b3bd4 ,yea1 by the unsearchable counsel of the divine wisdom1 it is so brought about1 that through the death of ,christ1 all things detained under the power of death are restored to life1 death itself being destroyed at last4 #a ,cor4 #ae3bf4 ,by his pains and torments is purchased for us eternal pleasure in heaven2 by his griefs and sorrows are gained joys celestial without end4 ,and by this wonderful work of ,god1 though foolish in the eye of the world1 he hath confounded the wisdom of the wise2 and by the foolishness of ,god 7#a ,cor4 #a3be71 he has manifested a wisdom altogether unfathomable to men4 #g4 ,in ,christ ,crucified farther appears the brightest and fairest pattern of patience and meekness that was ever seen4 ,so far was he from revenging the injuries done him1 that he made intercession to his ,father for his revilers1 yea1 even laid down his life for the sins of those who put him to death4 #h4 ,the believer discovers1 moreover1 in ,christ the most astonishing humility1 wherein he was so eminent1 that he readily underwent the most ignominious death of the cross4 ,thus are the death and passion of ,christ become to a faithful soul1 redemption from hell1 an avenue into paradise1 a complete reconciliation with ,god1 a victory over the devil1 that great enemy of souls2 a full satisfaction for sins1 and in one word1 an entire recovery of that original righteousness which had been lost4 #i4 ,by all this1 it sufficiently appears to a ,christian soul1 that ,christ ,crucified is indeed a ,book of ,life1 teaching nothing but the eternal and infallible truths of ,god4 ,let us then silently sit down at the feet of our ,crucified ,lord1 who1 as the great ,teacher of souls1 and ,book of ,life1 will not neglect to instil into an humble heart1 the lesson of a living faith1 and of a holy life consequent on it2 provided we desire to be not dead1 but living members of his body1 and to be so controlled and influenced both by his life and his death1 as to produce abundant living fruits4 ,chapter ,,xx4 ,of ,the ,power ,and ,necessity ,of ,prayer1 ,in ,these ,holy ,contemplations4 ,i will seek him whom my soul loveth4--,,song ,,of ,,sol4 #c3b4 ,since the living knowledge of ,god and of ,christ crucified1 is not to be attained1 unless we keep our eye constantly fixed upon the innocent and holy life of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord2 and since we cannot arrive at this elevation of mind1 but by devout1 humble1 believing and earnest prayer2 it is1 therefore1 highly necessary to make some further inquiry into the nature of prayer4 ,it consists not so much in an utterance of words1 as in a meditation or intercourse of the believing heart with ,god1 and in a lifting up of the soul1 and of all her faculties and powers1 to our ,heavenly ,father4 ,ps4 #ai3ad2 #be3a4 ,as it is impossible to find ,god without prayer1 so prayer is a means for seeking and finding him4 ,matt4 #g3g1 #h4 #b4 ,and as it falls under a threefold denomination1 it being either oral1 internal1 or supernatural 7according to ,st4 ,paul3 8,i will pray with the spirit1 and ,i will pray with the understanding also20 #a ,cor4 #ad3ae72 so we shall now consider each of these in order4 #c4 ,oral prayer is an humble address to ,god1 and an external exercise1 which conducts the soul to the internal duty of prayer1 and leads man into the interior recesses of his own heart2 especially if the words uttered be digested in faith1 and if1 by attentive application1 they be well pondered and considered4 ,this often proves a means of elevating the spirit and soul so near unto ,god1 as to enjoy with faith a truly filial intercourse with ,him1 our heavenly ,father4 #d4 ,internal prayer is offered up without intermission1 in faith1 spirit1 and mind1 according to the words of our ,saviour3 8,the true worshippers shall worship the ,father in spirit and in truth0 7,john #d3 #bc72 also those of ,david3 8,let the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight1 ,o ,lord40 ,ps4 #ai3ad4 ,and again3 8,i commune with mine own heart1 and my spirit made diligent search40 ,ps4 #gg3f4 ,hereby1 says ,st4 ,paul 7speaking of the ,spirit of adoption71 we cry1 ,abba1 ,father4 ,rom4 #h3ae4 ,by this internal prayer1 we are led on gradually to that which is supernatural2 which1 according to ,tauler1 8consists in a true union with ,god by faith2 when our created spirit dissolves1 as it were1 and sinks away in the uncreated ,spirit of ,god4 ,it is then that all is transacted in a moment1 which in words or deeds has been done by all the saints from the beginning of the world40 ,for this reason this supernatural prayer is unspeakably more excellent than that which is chiefly external2 for therein the soul is by true faith so replenished with the divine love1 that it can think of nothing else but of ,god only4 ,or if another thought should enter inadvertently into the heart1 it proves but an occasion of trouble and sorrow2 and the soul cannot be at ease till the intruding thought has again vanished4 ,a soul that has once arrived at this happy state gives but little or no employment to the tongue3 it is silent before the ,lord3 it panteth and thirsteth after ,god 7,ps4 #db3a1 #b73 it longeth1 yea1 even fainteth for him 7,ps4 #fc3a2 #hd3b74 ,it loves him only2 it rests in him alone1 not at all minding the world1 nor worldly affairs4 ,whence it is still more and more filled with an experimental knowledge of ,god1 and with such love and joy as no tongue is able to utter4 ,whatever the soul then perceives1 is beyond all possibility of being expressed in words4 ,if one should ask a soul under these contemplations3 ,what dost thou perceive8 the answer would be3 ,a good that is above all good4 ,what seest thou8 ,a perfection of beauty1 transcending all other beauty4 ,what feelest thou8 ,a joy surpassing all joys4 ,what dost thou taste8 ,the inexpressible delight of love4 ,nay1 such a one would tell you that all the words that possibly could be framed1 were but a shadow1 and came infinitely short of the inward delight which was experienced4 ,this is the voice of the eternal ,word2 this ,his speech to a loving soul2 according to that saying of the ,lord3 8,he that loveth me--,i will manifest myself unto him40 ,john #ad3ba4 ,whatever is felt here1 whatever is seen here1 is above nature4 ,here voices are heard1 and words perceived that are termed words of the understanding and the mind4 #e4 ,this is the school in which the soul learns to know ,god aright1 and1 as it were1 to taste him4 ,ps4 #cd3h4 ,whilst she knows him1 she loves him3 and whilst she loves him1 she longs for the full enjoyment of him4 ,this is the true sign of love1 to desire wholly to possess the beloved object1 to be intimately united with1 and altogether transformed into it4 #f4 ,this the soul now and then perceives in a glance1 which lasts but for a moment1 and then vanishes again2 but it puts the soul upon fervent desires1 to recover1 if possible1 that beam of heavenly joy which darted upon her1 and to regain this divine taste1 which so lovingly moved her4 ,and she desires all this1 in order to be more intimately united to her beloved4 ,from this affectionate desire spring up both internal and oral prayer2 the soul being fully convinced that these heavenly pleasures and visitations are to be attained only by prayer4 ,and in all this1 the wonderful wisdom of ,god appears1 by which everything is managed in the most perfect order4 #g4 ,thus none is permitted to attain unto mental prayer1 but he who begins with that which is oral2 and none can have an access to the supernatural prayer1 or to a union with the highest and most delightful ,good1 but by mental prayer4 ,but this highest can only be known by an experimental perception1 not expressible by words4 #h4 ,and this is the cause why ,god so strictly1 so frequently1 and so earnestly enjoins prayer 7,ps4 #ej3ad72 because it is a sacred pledge and bond1 by which ,god draws us up to himself2 and by elevating us into his immediate presence1 detains us there a while1 and unites us with himself1 who is the source of all that is good4 ,and thus we are always reminded of him2 without this gracious order1 we would think less frequently on him1 and would not share in the gifts of his mercy4 #i4 ,if1 therefore1 thou desirest that thy prayer be acceptable to ,god1 see that thou perform it not with a divided1 but with a whole and entire heart4 ,but this is not to be attained1 except by frequent exercise and continual and unwearied application4 ,without this1 thou canst not reap the fruits of prayer4 ,on the contrary1 as often as thou givest attendance to any external work1 take care that thou set not thy heart wholly upon it4 ,if thou eatest and drinkest1 or attendest to any other outward affair incident to this life1 see that thou bestow not thyself1 that is1 thy whole heart1 upon it4 ,for thy heart is to rest entirely in ,god alone1 and closely to adhere to him by internal prayer4 ,the more thou offerest up thyself to ,god by this prayer1 the more will the divine light display itself in thy mind4 ,and again1 the more the knowledge of ,god is enlarged1 the more delightful will be thy sense and perception of the highest good2 the more ardent also and affectionate will be thy love to the ,lord2 and in fine1 the more capable wilt thou be of enjoying him4 ,the soul thus disposed will in a supernatural manner taste of a happiness so high and transcendent as infinitely to exceed all the language and expressions of men4 #aj4 ,of this threefold prayer1 ,jesus ,christ himself has furnished us with a bright and perfect pattern1 whence we may learn the nature and method of it1 if we but attentively consider his manner of praying4 ,we find that he often continued whole days and nights in prayer to ,god4 ,luke #f3ab4 ,he prayed with a fervency that made him triumph in prayer1 and rejoice in spirit4 ,luke #aj3ba4 ,he has1 therefore1 both by example and words1 taught us the method of praying2 and leaving us a pattern to follow1 has commanded us to watch and pray1 that we enter not into temptation4 ,matt4 #f3i4 ,he also most frequently recommends to us the duty of prayer 7,matt4 #bf3da72 thereby testifying that nothing was more pleasing1 nothing more acceptable to him than our prayer2 he having enjoined it for no other reason than to show us how entirely he loved us1 and how desirous he was that by prayer we should partake of the highest and most precious good4 #aa4 ,lest1 however1 we should allege that so noble an effect as that which results from a due performance of prayer was not attainable by us1 the ,lord did not think it enough to say3 8,ask10 but he has encouraged us also with a promise annexed3 8,and ye shall receive1 that your joy may be full40 ,john #af3bd4 ,he moreover excites us to pray by his own example1 for amid his sufferings he prayed for us1 as the ,evangelist records3 8,for being in an agony1 he prayed more earnestly1 and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground40 ,luke #bb3dd4 #ab4 ,set1 therefore1 this mirror of prayer before thine eyes1 and study to persevere therein4 ,whenever thou feelest thyself faint and weak in prayer1 then seriously advert to thy ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who prayed not for himself1 or upon his own account1 but for thee and upon thy account1 and thus sanctified thy prayer and blessed it1 and added life and efficacy to it4 ,him1 therefore1 behold1 who1 though he was true ,god1 and consequently in actual possession of all things1 yet as man1 obtained for thee of his ,heavenly ,father1 all things by prayer4 ,and hence as his whole life was a continual and uninterrupted prayer1 and a perpetual longing to do the will of ,god3 so he finished it with praying upon the cross4 ,luke #bc3df4 #ac4 ,if then thy ,lord and ,saviour prayed so fervently upon thy account1 and was heard2 surely he will not suffer thy prayers to be poured forth in vain4 ,did he procure all things for thee by prayer8 ,and thinkest thou that thou canst obtain the least blessing without it8 ,thou knowest that without divine grace1 light1 and knowledge1 and1 in fine1 without faith1 not one can be saved2 but it is no less plain that these and all other graces can be obtained by prayer alone4 ,it is the ,lord whom thou must entreat by fervent prayer1 so as to obtain from him faith1 love1 hope1 humility1 patience1 the ,holy ,spirit1 together with the whole train of ,christian virtues1 which he is both able and willing to give1 as well as to strengthen in thy soul4 ,it is ,he alone that createth them in the heart4 ,but as he that hath them not1 cannot give them1 so the ,lord1 whose gift they are1 will not give them without being asked4 #ad4 ,if then thou art truly desirous of pouring out thy soul before the ,lord in fervency of spirit1 there is not a more ready and effectual means of doing this than with the eyes of thy mind to behold the mirror of the most meek and humble life of ,christ3 to keep thy eyes attentively fixed upon the poverty1 the reproach and contempt1 the griefs and sorrows1 and the most ignominious death of thy blessed ,redeemer4 ,into this ,book of ,prayer1 if thou diligently look1 thy heart and mind will become inflamed with most affectionate and ardent desires4 ,and though the devil and the flesh will not cease to assault thee with temptations on all hands1 yet1 by means of prayer1 they shall be subdued at last4 #ae4 ,nor is the duty of prayer only stirred up and revived by the contemplation of ,christ crucified1 but the heart is also cleansed thereby4 ,without this purification of the heart by faith 7,acts #ae3i71 our prayers will prove altogether ineffectual in the sight of ,god3 whereas1 after a sincere application to the ,lord by prayer1 the ,spirit of ,god is wont to visit the heart with his gracious presence1 as he descended upon the apostles1 even then1 when they were with one accord praying at ,pentecost4 ,acts #b3a4 #af4 ,with reference to the temptations that are wont to attend the duty of prayer1 thou must behave thyself under them as the ,lord himself did4 ,in the midst of the agony which he suffered on the mount of ,olives1 8he prayed the more earnestly40 ,luke #bb3dd4 ,thus thy prayer shall prove at last the victory over all thy enemies4 ,by prayer the ,lord manifests himself unto his people4 ,by prayer we learn to practise true humility2 for by prayer the highest is united to the lowest2 the most ,high ,god to the most humble heart4 ,and this humility is the very channel through which abundance of divine grace is infused into the soul4 ,the more this grace humbles man1 the more grace itself gets rooted in the soul4 ,and again1 the more a soul is enriched with grace1 the more she improves in humility4 #ag4 ,the most considerable temptation and obstruction in prayer seems to be when ,god withdraws the grace of a fervent and lively devotion4 ,and yet it is in this case that we ought the more to stir ourselves up to prayer and supplication4 ,it is true1 a prayer poured forth in a spirit of power and fervency must needs be acceptable to ,god2 yet that which climbs up to the throne of grace in affliction1 temptation1 spiritual dryness1 and brokenness of soul1 is still more pleasing in his sight4 ,for as the heart of a father is sooner softened into paternal tenderness1 by the trembling words of a sick and languishing child1 than by the strong voice of one in perfect health2 so is the secret affliction1 and feeble effort of a soul affected with a sense of her weakness in faith1 of her poverty in spirit1 and of her want of spiritual life and comfort1 far more acceptable to our infinitely good ,god than the more vigorous petition of a soul elevated by a sense of faith and divine consolation4 ,only hold out patiently in these spiritual straits1 and be assured that the ,lord1 in his own time1 will certainly 8restore unto thee the joy of his salvation40 ,ps4 #ea3ab4 ,chapter ,,xxi4 ,of ,the ,power ,of ,the ,noble ,virtue ,of ,humility4 ,be clothed with humility2 for ,god resisteth the proud1 and giveth grace to the humble4 ,humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of ,god1 that he may exalt you in due time4--#a ,,pet4 #e3e1 #f4 ,without true humility all prayer is in vain4 ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ is the ,book from which this noble virtue is best learned2 as he is1 indeed1 a perfect mirror to us of all the virtues and graces4 ,look on his life1 and thou wilt find it made up of nothing but love and humility4 ,look on his doctrine1 and thou wilt discern it to be absolute wisdom and truth2 a doctrine consisting not in words1 but in a living power2 and in very deed itself4 #b4 ,now1 in order that we might perfectly learn how to practise this virtue of humility1 he taught it not only by words1 but also by deeds and by his holy example1 forasmuch as he humbled himself unto death1 even the death of the cross4 ,phil4 #b3h4 ,behold1 then1 ,o ,christian1 how this gracious virtue has its foundation1 and its highest and most excellent ground1 not in any angel1 not in any apostle or eminent saint1 but in ,jesus ,christ himself4 ,and therefore he saith3 8,learn of me0 7,matt4 #aa3bi71 which is as if he had said3 8,look ye upon me how ,i abase myself under all1 who yet am above all4 ,behold1 as much higher as my majesty is1 so much lower is my humility3 and so much dearer should this virtue be to you1 as ,i your ,lord and your ,god have described and delineated it in my whole life40 ,observe1 he saith1 8,learn of me40 ,but what8 ,not to do mighty wonders1 not to work signs and miracles1 or show any great work of creation1 but to be meek and lowly4 8,and if ,i did not teach you this with mine own example10 saith the meek ,lamb of ,god1 8ye would not believe that this virtue is so high and so noble40 #c4 ,the humble ,jesus chose to exemplify this as his concluding work3 after his last supper1 he took a towel and girded himself1 and then 8washed his disciples' feet20 that so he might by such example implant this virtue in all that should be ever called by his name1 and might most sensibly imprint it on the heart of every one to whom this ,gospel should come4 ,wherefore he also saith3 8,know ye what ,i have done to you80 ,john #ac3d1 #e1 #ab4 8,do ye indeed consider what it is that ,i have done8 ,will ye remember this that ,i have now done to you8 ,will ye be ready to serve one another in the same manner8 ,and will ye humble yourselves one to the other1 and submit gladly even to the meanest offices of charity8 ,o learn of me1 by what you have at this time seen me do3 for ,i have given you an example1 that ye should do as ,i have done to you4 ,whosoever then shall forget my humility1 the same shall forget a principal part both of my doctrine and my example1 and shall never find rest unto his soul4 ,therefore let this my example be a rule for your whole lives1 and let my life evermore be set before your eyes as a representation of humility40 #d4 ,and now let us show that without humility all prayer to ,god is utterly vain4 ,humility is a bright light in the heart1 in which there is at once discovered to us our own nothingness1 and the high majesty and overflowing goodness of ,god4 ,hence the more any man knows himself1 the more he must needs come to the knowledge of his own nothingness4 ,for when a man sees his own emptiness1 and learns that he is destitute in himself of everything that is good1 he begins to pray the more earnestly for the grace and mercy of ,god4 ,he pants after1 and betakes himself to ,god1 as to the origin and fountain of all good things2 desiring to know him aright1 to praise him1 and to honor him as he should4 ,this desire being thus begotten in him1 he pours out his heart by himself1 and says1 8,when shall ,i come and appear before ,god80 ,in this humility he looks at ,god's majesty and greatness1 as also at his superabundant love and grace4 ,and hereupon the streams of grace flow down into such a faithful1 humble soul1 by prayer4 ,and divine grace being thus communicated to the thirsty soul1 there is hereby begotten in it a spirit of prayer1 which ceases not to ascend in holy aspirations1 and to bring down the blessings of peace and righteousness4 ,through such grace of ,god there is a descent of the ,holy ,spirit into the soul1 whose influences thereby grow continually stronger and stronger3 and the 8love of ,god0 is by this means 8shed abroad in our hearts by the ,holy ,ghost0 7,rom4 #e3e71 which is given to us through the prayer of humility4 ,for when the believing soul1 conscious of her own vileness1 reflects upon the humiliation of the ,son of ,god1 and beholds him humbling himself so as not only to put off the form of ,god1 that he might appear in that of man1 but even to suffer the greatest of evils in this vile form1 for the vilest of his creatures2 by this reflection and consideration1 he is not only made humble1 but hence1 also1 in this his humility1 there springs up a most noble flame of love to ,god1 which burns more and more day by day4 ,and in this divine flame of love1 the soul1 being attracted by faith to ,god1 is hence made to love all men in ,god1 and in ,christ2 as calling to mind the exceeding great love of the ,godhead towards mankind2 and particularly how her ,heavenly ,father has in ,christ loved her1 and called her to the participation of his goodness4 ,when thus the soul is drawn to ,god1 and included in his love1 the consequence is this1 that as to all those who are beloved by ,god1 the soul also cannot but love in like manner as ,god loveth them4 #e4 ,hence it follows1 that if any good befall our neighbor1 charity will rejoice2 but if any evil happen to him1 it will sorrow4 ,and the humble and the charitable person1 behaving himself courteously and lovingly towards his neighbor on all occasions1 does not rashly judge him1 if he behold his misery2 much less does he behave himself haughtily and superciliously towards him1 or treat him with contempt4 #a ,cor4 #ac3d4 ,for the soul that is truly humble1 can never so put off the sense of her own misery and vileness1 as to despise another1 or to esteem herself better than any2 for she remembers the mire out of which she herself has been delivered4 ,and while she stands1 she knows well enough that she does not stand by her own strength1 but solely by the help of divine grace4 #f4 ,humble charity judges itself in the first place1 examines itself before all1 and influences us to condemn ourselves rather than others3 and a neighbor's calamity will cause the soul to descend into herself1 and deplore herself before ,god4 ,in another's fall1 the lowly and loving soul reads her own defaults1 her own sins and transgressions1 her own calamity and misery4 #g4 ,moreover1 by humility a man is confirmed in the knowledge of ,god1 and established in hope4 ,having a consciousness of his own ignorance1 blindness1 and folly1 in divine matters1 he gives thanks to ,god for the revelation of his word1 and imprints it more diligently on his heart4 ,but considering also1 that as he has no knowledge of ,god and divine things in himself1 so likewise all his own abilities are nothing before ,god3 he is hence established in a godly hope1 placing his confidence in nothing but ,god only4 #h4 ,another fruit of humility is1 that it renders a man acceptable to others1 even in the very outward course of his life4 ,for it avoids contentions and quarrels1 and composes the whole man to gentleness and benignity4 ,yea1 a man is conformed by means of it even to ,christ himself1 who says in one of the ,psalms3 8,but ,i1 as a deaf man1 heard not2 and ,i was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth4 ,thus ,i was as a man that heareth not1 and in whose mouth are no reproofs40 ,ps4 #ch3ac1 #ad4 ,such a faithful and humble man as this is a living member of ,christ1 in whom ,christ liveth4 #i4 ,besides1 humility brings with it true inward peace of the mind2 so that he who is the possessor of it can by no miseries and calamities whatever be unduly distressed or disquieted1 but may with ,st4 ,paul say3 8,who shall separate us from the love of ,christ80 ,romans #h3ce4 ,and he is mindful always of that saying3 8,my grace is sufficient for thee40 #b ,cor4 #ab3i4 #aj4 ,true humility also begets silence4 ,he who is endued therewith1 as he is sensible of his own ignorance and foolishness1 will beware of speaking a great deal1 or of being over-forward to teach others4 #aa4 ,in short1 it is impossible to enumerate how many spiritual benefits and fruits1 how many heavenly treasures of virtues and graces1 are comprehended in1 and flow from1 this most noble virtue2 so that it may deservedly be regarded as a spiritual treasury4 ,it is1 therefore1 not without reason1 that the ,son of ,god1 our light1 life1 salvation1 and treasure1 would have us to learn it even of himself4 ,o that this holy wish of our ,lord might be fulfilled by all ,christians2 and that they would with all diligence learn from ,him this most excellent virtue6 #ab4 ,if it be asked1 ,what is the means for acquiring this virtue1 and by what way may one arrive at so great a treasure1 which abounds so richly in the gifts of celestial grace8 ,i answer1 that there are two3 first1 ardent and devout prayer2 and secondly1 constant meditation on ,christ crucified4 ,let us look earnestly to the passion and death of ,christ1 and let us meditate on it1 as on a holy ,book of life1 till this root of the ,christian virtues1 with all which accompany it1 grow up day by day in our hearts1 as in a fruitful and well-cultivated soul4 ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,all ,the ,works ,of ,a ,true ,christian ,must ,be ,done ,in ,humility1 ,or ,they ,will1 ,otherwise1 ,become ,an ,abomination ,and ,idolatry4 ,that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of ,god4--,,luke #af3ae4 ,all works that are a well-pleasing and acceptable sacrifice to ,god1 can proceed from true faith alone2 this will not fail to beget ,christian humility in the heart4 ,the effect of this will be meekly to acknowledge that with regard to any good that may be found in us1 it is wholly and solely to be ascribed to the grace of ,god3 8,not ,i1 but the grace of ,god which was with me40 #a ,cor4 #ae3aj4 ,he who does not do this1 commits two sins3 the first is1 apostasy from ,god1 by turning himself from ,god towards himself1 that is1 from the ,supreme ,being1 towards that which is in itself nothing4 ,the second is sacrilege1 by taking to himself that honor which is due to none but ,god2 to whom1 and not to man1 everything that may be called good belongs4 ,he1 therefore1 that doeth not all things in humility1 steals from ,god the glory due to him4 ,for when ,god says3 8,i will not give my glory to another1 neither my praise to graven images0 7,isaiah #db3h72 he shows that all glory and praise are due to him alone4 #b4 ,if1 therefore1 any man applaud himself1 either for knowing or doing anything1 verily that man takes to himself the glory which is due to ,god only1 and is thereby an idolater of himself4 ,for this reason1 ambition is abominable idolatry3 and self-love1 and self-esteem1 are no less than having another ,god before him whose name is ,jehovah4 ,for this very reason also1 the devil seeks to be honored and worshipped in the world4 #c4 ,such a vainglorious devil1 covetous of honor and worship from the world1 every proud and arrogant person1 by thinking highly of himself1 cherishes in his heart4 ,if thou be wise1 see that thou break down and destroy this idol1 which is set up in thy heart4 ,many persons are so holy that they will not even look upon any outward images1 lest they should happen to be defiled by them2 not observing1 at the same time1 that great idol which they carry about with them in their hearts1 and by which they are to such a degree defiled as to become an abomination before ,god4 ,for all that is most highly esteemed by men 7through self-love and ambition7 is an abomination before ,god4 ,whence all who seek only their own honor1 or power1 or ascribe aught to themselves as their own1 are idolaters4 ,thus the whole world lieth in idolatry2 and every house has its living idols4 #d4 ,that idolatry which defiles thee1 proceeds from within1 even from the heart4 ,to whatsoever thy heart inclines1 in whatsoever it acquiesces and rests1 and unto whatsoever it cleaves by love and inclination1 whether it be good fortune1 wealth1 honor1 power1 or long life2 that very thing immediately becomes an idol1 and has seduced thee into the sin of idolatry4 ,idolatry is not any outward pollution2 but that which is internal1 spiritual1 and springing up within4 ,it is so that ,god considers it2 ,he judges all things according to the heart2 and it is so only that he looks1 trying the hearts and reins 7,ps4 #g3i71 and judging of all things according to the faith or unbelief there found by him4 ,whence ,christ has also plainly told thee1 8,where thy treasure is1 there will thy heart be also0 7,matt4 #f3ba72 that is1 thy ,god1 thy rest1 thy peace1 thy trust will be there2 and there will be thy paradise1 yea1 there will heaven and all things be to thee4 ,observe closely what that object is on which thy heart loves to dwell1 for it is surely thy ,god1 whatever its nature may be4 ,if thy heart cleave fast to ,god only1 then is ,he thy ,god1 and blessed art thou3 according as it is written3 8,happy are the people whose ,god is the ,lord40 ,ps4 #add3ae4 ,and again1 8,delight thyself also in the ,lord1 and he shall give thee the desire of thy heart40 ,ps4 #cg3 #d4 ,but if thy mind cleave to the world1 then the world is thy ,god4 ,and so of the rest4 #e4 ,it hence appears that there are really in the world no other idols but such as the heart of man makes for him4 ,the devil himself is called 8the god of this world0 7#b ,cor4 #d3d71 because the ungodly follow him1 do his deeds1 love darkness1 and take pleasure in the works of the devil4 ,and thus men make a god even of ,satan4 #f4 ,idols of wood are easily avoided1 but take heed of the idols of gold4 ,see that thou be not ensnared by these4 ,it is no hard matter to keep from dead idols2 but take heed that thou worship not living ones1 and especially thyself4 ,as soon as thou ascribest honor1 skill1 or power to thyself1 thou settest up thyself in the place of ,god4 ,this idolatry is properly struck at by ,god1 when he says that he 8will not give his glory to another40 ,isa4 #db3h4 ,for whatsoever is1 or is called by the name of honor and glory1 is due to none but him1 who is the ,most ,high1 and the most ,holy ,one1 and the sovereign and everlasting ,good4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 thou art1 that wouldest not make an idol of thyself1 nor pollute thy works with the foulest of abominations before ,god1 learn hence1 not to ascribe to thyself honor1 or glory1 or praise2 knowing that it is true humility to shun honor1 and to account one's self unworthy of all glory4 ,when thou shalt do this1 and shalt have mortified all ambition and self-esteem1 then thou shalt be known to be dead to the world indeed4 ,from this springs up the new man1 in whom is found the most noble life of ,christ2 which life1 he himself has described as being meekness and lowliness of heart4 ,matt4 #aa3bi4 ,he1 on the contrary1 is still carnal1 and lives after the flesh1 according to the old birth1 who would be honored and greatly esteemed3 because it is the nature of the carnal man to endeavor to be1 or to be accounted above all others4 ,but if any man seek to be accounted nothing of1 he has a heart truly spiritual and ,christian4 ,but alas6 where shall we now find the true ,christians1 that is1 such as are willing to be slighted1 and to be reputed as nothing8 ,for1 as hath been said before1 it is the property of the true followers of ,christ1 to deny themselves1 to hate themselves1 to despise themselves1 and to renounce all that is theirs1 for his sake4 ,matt4 #aj3ch2 ,luke #i3bc4 ,such are indeed genuine ,christians4 #g4 ,if any one should here ask of me1 ,what then is a ,christian to do1 if it please ,god so to honor him as to give him grace and glory before the world 7,ps4 #hd3aa71 as in the case of ,daniel3 and1 since ,god has appointed certain distinctions among men1 several orders1 states1 and offices2 and has for that end variously distributed his gifts among them1 ,what is the duty of a ,christian1 if he be advanced to some post of dignity8 ,i answer1 ,if this be thy lot1 then render all the honor which is conferred upon thee to ,god again2 and ascribe nothing to thyself which is the right of another1 or take that to be thine which is ,god's only4 #h4 ,as soon1 therefore1 as any honor is given thee1 see that1 being mindful of thy low estate1 thou transfer it all to ,god1 and keep nothing thereof to thyself4 ,if thou neglectest to do this1 and shouldest be induced to attribute anything to thyself1 it is certain that thou must thereby lose divine grace1 while1 with a sacrilegious impiety1 thou invadest that which of right belongs to ,god4 ,so if thou excel others in spiritual or natural gifts1 in wisdom or skill1 wealth or dignity1 be watchful not to take this honor to thyself2 yea1 let it be thy joy and delight to offer all up to ,god again1 from a most deep and intimate devotion of thy heart4 ,this thou wilt not fail to do1 and to give that glory to ,him which is due1 when thou shalt glory in nothing but in ,him only1 according to the words of the ,prophet3 8,let not the wise man glory in his wisdom2 neither let the mighty man glory in his might2 let not the rich man glory in his riches3 but let him that glorieth1 glory in this1 that he understandeth and knoweth me1 that ,i am the ,lord which exercise loving-kindness1 judgment1 and righteousness in the earth2 for in these things ,i delight1 saith the ,lord40 ,jer4 #i3bc1 #bd4 ,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,a ,man ,who ,does ,not ,perceive ,his ,own ,emptiness1 ,and ,does ,not ,give ,all ,the ,honor ,to ,god1 ,commits ,the ,greatest ,of ,sins1 ,and ,falls ,like ,satan4 ,verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity4--,,ps4 #ci3e4 ,to the end that man may acknowledge his own vanity1 he is compared by the ,psalmist 7,ps4 #ci2 #add3d71 to a shadow2 and again in another place 7,ps4 #ij3e71 to a dream4 ,now what is a shadow8 ,it is a lifeless resemblance of that thing on which it depends2 and has in itself neither substance nor life1 but is nothing4 ,in like manner1 man of himself has neither substance1 life1 strength1 nor indeed any ability whatsoever2 but depends on ,god1 even as a shadow on the body1 or as light on the sun4 #b4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 so forgets himself as not to depend on ,god1 who alone is all in all1 8thinking himself to be something when he is nothing1 he deceiveth himself40 ,gal4 #f3c4 ,he falls from the true eternal and ,sovereign ,being into his own nothingness2 from the unchangeable ,good into vanity2 from truth itself into a lie4 #c4 ,this is not only the greatest of sins1 but of punishments also4 ,for the more man turns from ,god to himself1 the more he approaches extreme misery and calamity4 ,and man by this means1 even by turning himself away from ,god1 towards his own faculties and powers1 in truth punishes thereby the very sin which he commits4 ,he is then accounted to turn himself away from ,god1 and to forsake 8the rock of his salvation0 7,deut4 #cb3ae71 whenever he ascribes to himself any degree of power or strength1 art or skill1 wisdom1 or honor1 or merit1 so as to be willing to be thought somebody1 and to be much accounted of2 when1 in very deed1 all these in no wise belong to man1 or to any creature1 but to ,god only4 ,every creature is but a mere shadow1 and of itself merely nothing2 even so as the life1 substance1 faculty1 wisdom1 powers1 and strength which it seems to have1 are not properly its own1 but are ,god's only4 #d4 ,wherefore1 as soon as a man ascribes all or any of these to himself1 he becomes guilty of apostasy from ,god4 ,nor indeed was the devil's apostasy aught else1 but the not abiding within the bounds1 duties1 and properties of a creature1 which has all its life1 substance1 and ability in ,god1 and ought to hold the same from him1 as the shadow does with respect to the body and the motion thereof4 ,for any one1 therefore1 to ascribe those things to himself which are ,god's2 or to challenge to himself honor1 glory1 wisdom1 or esteem 7forasmuch as none of these suit a creature1 but are all to be transferred to ,god alone1 to whom they really appertain71 is properly to fall like ,satan4 ,hence ,god permitted him to fall1 not sustaining him any longer with his grace1 which was by him disowned4 ,the same thing must befall all men who1 through pride and ambition1 presume to arrogate to themselves any of those things which are ,god's4 ,they are not upheld by the grace of ,god1 who arrogantly turn themselves away from ,god1 affecting to be as ,god4 ,god alone being ,all in all1 and moreover being the only ,good1 or the one ,good1 and the all-,good essentially2 it would be most unreasonable for any creature to claim to itself aught of that which is good4 ,hence our blessed ,lord saith1 8,there is none good but one1 that is ,god0 7,matt4 #ai3ag72 meaning1 that he is the essential ,good1 and he alone is all that is good4 ,this property of ,god1 our ,saviour was not willing to take unto himself in his state of humiliation1 forasmuch as he was then held to be no more than a mere man2 that thus1 by his most bright example1 he might instruct us that man ought not to ascribe to himself the things which are ,god's4 #e4 ,when man does otherwise1 he commits the greatest of all sins1 and1 aiming at divinity1 stains himself thereby with a most nefarious sacrilege1 being turned from ,god to himself4 ,and as many as are in this condition1 seek help1 counsel1 and comfort1 not from ,god only1 as they ought1 but from creatures1 and sometimes even from the devil himself4 ,but what greater madness1 or what worse blindness is there1 than to expect good from evil1 life from death1 blessedness from the damned1 help from the helpless1 blessedness from the accursed1 and light from darkness8 ,whereas1 on the other hand1 it is the highest wisdom to look for good from the source of all good1 to seek life from the fountain of life1 to expect blessedness from the spring of salvation1 and to go for help to him who can do all things1 and 8with whom nothing is impossible40 ,luke #a3cg4 ,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,of ,the ,noble ,virtue ,of ,love1 ,and ,of ,its ,power1 ,soundness1 ,and ,purity4 ,he that loveth not1 knoweth not ,god2 for ,god is love4--#a ,,john #d3h4 ,love1 says ,st4 ,paul1 is the greatest of all virtues1 and without it all gifts are unprofitable 7#a ,cor4 #ac3ac72 therefore he admonishes us1 saying1 8,let all your things be done with charity40 #a ,cor4 #af3ad4 ,accordingly we are to pray with charity1 as our ,lord says3 8,if thou bring thy gift to the altar1 and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee2 go thy way2 first be reconciled to thy brother40 ,matt4 #e3bc1 #bd4 ,and in the ,lord's ,prayer1 our forgiving our neighbor's debts1 or trespasses1 is strictly joined to ,god's forgiving ours4 ,matt4 #f3ab1 #ad1 #ae4 #b4 ,love is1 however1 so singular a virtue1 that a man may mistake therein as easily as in anything else4 ,therefore nothing ought to be looked upon with a more suspicious eye than love2 for there is nothing which can so powerfully incline1 force1 or restrain1 and so thoroughly penetrate the mind1 as love4 ,therefore1 if love be not ruled by the true light1 the ,holy ,ghost1 it precipitates the soul into a thousand calamities4 #c4 ,and this ,i do not say with respect to the love of evil2 for this1 as a diabolical thing1 is by all ,christians to be avoided2 but ,i speak of that love which is betwixt ,god1 and man1 and his neighbor4 ,love1 when not regulated by divine wisdom1 can easily be deceived1 misled1 and thrust out of its due order1 so as not to reach the true end4 ,many think they have the love of ,god in their souls1 and yet have the love of the world1 or their own love1 nay1 it may be the love of ,satan4 #d4 ,take an instance of this fact3 any one that loves the ,lord ,god only for the sake of temporal things1 that he may be preserved by him from temporal misfortunes1 loves himself more than ,god1 and prefers his own welfare before ,god4 ,this is called inordinate love4 ,he ought to love ,god more than himself1 nay1 love him above all things2 and all things1 both good and evil days1 he ought to love for the sake of ,god4 #e4 ,but when man prefers himself to the love of ,god1 he surely makes himself ,god1 by loving himself more than ,god2 and whilst he loves not ,god as ,god1 for his sake1 but merely for his own private interest1 he has a false and deceitful love4 ,he that has such a love1 loves all things for his own sake1 for the profit and honor which he reaps from them4 ,he loves also holy men1 nay1 the very word of ,god1 for this reason only1 that it may afford him a show and name of holiness1 but not for the sake of that excellent ,good which lies hid therein4 #f4 ,and because such a love is impure1 it brings forth impure fruits1 which are self-interest1 self-honor1 self-lust2 all which are carnal and earthly1 not heavenly and spiritual fruits4 ,thus many love great skill and learning1 that they may be preferred to others1 and may rule over them2 not from a principle of love to ,god and their neighbor1 but from a love to themselves1 thinking thereby to gain great honors and preferments4 #g4 ,there are others also who love ,god that he may spare them1 and not punish them for their sins in dreadful severity2 nay1 that he may be bountiful to them in this present time2 but this1 alas6 is a very weak love4 ,for these love ,god for their own profit1 and not for his own sake1 or not by reason of his being the most excellent and highest ,good4 #h4 ,others love ,god that he may bestow upon them many gifts in understanding and wisdom1 whereby they might gain a great reputation4 #i4 ,some also love virtue1 not for the sake of virtue itself1 but that they may obtain a great name1 and be looked upon as brave1 virtuous men1 and men famous for their honesty and piety4 ,all this is not true love1 for it tends not to the right end4 #aj4 ,there is often also love betwixt some persons uniting themselves by a love of their own1 which increases in them so much that they are pleased with everything done by him whom they love4 ,for love always follows its beloved1 and cleaves wholly unto him4 ,and thereby one is often involved and drawn aside into evil2 or even the lover himself allures his beloved to it1 because he knows that so it pleases him2 and by this false and deceitful love he is hindered from prayer and all other ,christian virtues4 #aa4 ,therefore it is highly necessary that our love should be guided and ruled by the ,holy ,spirit1 and by our meditations on the whole life of ,christ and his holy sufferings1 out of which nothing but pure love shines forth4 ,he loved ,god purely1 above all things1 and not himself4 ,he loved man with a pure1 undefiled love1 and not himself4 ,he did and spake nothing for his own sake1 but all for ours4 ,whatsoever he did and spoke was for our benefit2 he was not profited by it1 but we were4 ,all his pains and labors1 nay2 his greatest torments and afflictions1 were not too hard or heavy for him1 that we might be benefited and saved thereby2 nay1 his very cross was joy unto him1 that he might fulfil the will of ,god his ,father4 #ab4 ,that is a pure1 undefiled love for which nothing is too difficult1 which complains of nothing1 nay1 which spares not itself1 but gives itself for the beloved's sake1 even unto death4 ,whatsoever crosses and sufferings ,god sends1 this love regards as good4 ,it sees that it is the holy will of ,god1 and therefore it would rather suffer much more for the same1 and is very well contented with everything that ,god willeth2 for it knows that ,god orders all things right and well4 #ac4 ,and as love unites itself to the beloved1 it learns also his manners1 follows him for his love's sake1 and does that which is well-pleasing unto him3 so he that loves ,christ rightly learns of him his manner of life and his virtues1 for he knows it is well-pleasing unto him4 ,he conforms himself to his image1 and remains all his life under the yoke and cross of ,christ1 even as ,christ1 during his whole life1 bore the cross of poverty1 contempt1 and pains4 ,and although no man in this frail state can attain unto perfect love1 yet every ,christian is to labor1 that his love be not false1 but as pure as possible1 according to what ,st4 ,paul says1 8,love out of a pure heart1 and of a good conscience1 and of faith unfeigned40 #a ,tim4 #a3e4 #ad4 ,this pure love1 derived from ,christ and the ,holy ,ghost1 works in man every good thing1 and is never idle4 ,it is its joy to do good1 for it can do nothing else2 even as the ,lord ,god says1 8,i will rejoice over them to do them good40 ,jer4 #cb3da4 ,why8 ,because ,god is love itself1 which can do nothing else but that which it is in its own being4 ,and this is a sign of pure and true love4 ,for this love does not say1 8,i am not obliged to do this or that20 but where it has no law1 there it is a law unto itself1 only that it may do much good2 for otherwise love would not continue to be love4 #ae4 ,hence it is plain why ,god ,almighty is never weary of doing good2 and why he is that infinite ,good which never ceases to be4 ,he is everlasting love1 which cannot desist from doing good1 or else he would cease to be love4 ,therefore1 even when he punishes and chastises1 he draws all good out of evil1 directing it to a good end1 even to our salvation4 #af4 ,this pure love of ,god causes us to pray aright4 ,for as a friend has his friend at his disposal in all things1 so also such a lover of ,god is a friend of ,god1 and obtains from him that for which he prays4 ,therefore1 because ,lazarus's sister knew the ,lord ,jesus to be not only a friend1 but also the ,son of ,god1 she said1 8,i know that even now whatsoever thou wilt ask of ,god1 ,god will give it thee0 7,john #aa3bb72 and because ,mary loved ,jesus1 she was heard by the ,lord1 and he restored her brother unto her4 ,of such a love as obtains from ,god all things1 holy ,david saith1 8,delight thyself also in the ,lord1 and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart40 ,ps4 #cg3d4 #ag4 ,but in order that thou mayest have a characteristic mark of this love1 observe these four properties of true love4 #a4 ,love submits itself to the will of the beloved4 #b4 ,true love abandons all friendship which is contrary to its beloved4 #c4 ,one friend reveals his heart unto the other4 #d4 ,a true lover endeavors to be made conformable to his beloved1 in his manners1 and in all his life4 ,is the beloved poor1 the lover will be poor with him4 ,is the beloved despised1 the lover also bears his contempt4 ,is he sick1 the lover is sick too4 ,thus love makes an equality between them1 so that they have the same prosperity and adversity4 ,for there must be such a communion between the lover and the beloved1 as that each of them shall be made partaker of the other's good as well as ill4 ,this1 then1 is not only a communion1 but a union or uniting of two minds like each other1 and of two hearts which are alike4 #ah4 ,after such a manner our ,lord ,jesus ,christ is become our ,friend4 ,for1 #a4 ,his love submitted itself to the will of man1 and was obedient unto the cross3 nay1 for the sake of man he submitted his will to every one1 even to his enemies4 #b4 ,he neglected all other friendship that he could have had in the world2 nay1 he even forgot himself1 and spared not his own body and life for our sakes4 #c4 ,he revealed in his ,gospel1 his heart unto us2 therefore he says1 8,henceforth ,i call you not servants2 but ,i have called you friends2 for all things that ,i have heard of my ,father1 ,i have made known unto you40 ,john #ae3ae4 #d4 ,he was made alike unto us in all things1 sin only excepted4 ,phil4 #b3g4 ,he became poor as we are1 and mortal even as we4 #ai4 ,if now we will be his true lovers1 we must also do all these things4 ,and seeing he was made like unto us in all things1 and in all our misery1 why would not we strive to be made like unto ,him8 ,if we thus love him1 we shall obtain from him all things by prayer1 according to his saying1 8,unto him that loveth me1 ,i will manifest myself40 ,john #ad3ba4 ,o what a friendly and delightful manifestation in the heart is there1 when we experience heavenly joy1 wisdom1 and understanding6 ,here is the only right way to acquire understanding and wisdom1 which are so highly praised by king ,solomon in the ,proverbs4 #bj4 ,we are1 therefore1 naturally led to the conclusion1 that genuine prayer cannot be offered without love4 ,chapter ,,xxv4 ,sundry ,signs ,by ,which ,we ,may ,ascertain ,whether ,we ,truly ,love ,christ4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4--#a ,,john #b3ae4 ,the first mark that the love of ,christ is in us1 is the avoiding of the love of the world4 ,when thou considerest ,christ in his holy poverty1 how he was so entirely empty of love to temporal things1 his love will also actuate thee to learn that thou art to put off the love of the world and to despise it2 so that thou wilt desire nothing here but thy ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and wilt not put thy confidence in any creature1 or earthly assistance4 #b4 ,secondly1 thou wilt willingly bear reproach and contempt from the world1 for the sake of ,christ's holy reproach2 nay1 with ,st4 ,paul1 thou wilt account it thy glory1 and rejoice in it4 ,eph4 #c3ac4 ,nor wilt thou be much troubled when the world makes no great account of thee2 for such was thy ,lord's and ,redeemer's life in this world4 ,this shall be thy full satisfaction1 that ,christ is thy honor1 renown1 glory1 light1 strength1 power1 and victory1 wisdom1 and skill4 ,for to follow ,christ is the highest wisdom4 #c4 ,thirdly1 seeing that ,christ in his holy body and soul has suffered pain and sorrow unto death1 thou also1 for his love's sake1 wilt not only with patience1 but even with joy1 suffer sorrow1 persecution1 distress1 and affliction1 nay1 torment and pain unto death4 #d4 ,and1 fourthly1 as ,christ had comfort and joy in no man nor in any creature1 but only in ,god1 according to what is said in ,psalm #bb1 so thou also wilt bear it patiently when all worldly comfort leaves thee4 ,for thou knowest that at last ,god will make thee joyful with his everlasting comfort1 of which ,st4 ,paul gives us an admirable account 7#b ,cor4 #f3d1 etc473 8,let us approve ourselves as the ministers of ,god1 in much patience1 in afflictions1 in necessities1 in distresses1 in stripes1 in imprisonments1 in tumults1 in labors1 in watchings1 in fastings2 by pureness1 by knowledge1 by long-suffering1 by kindness1 by the ,holy ,ghost1 by love unfeigned1 by the word of truth1 by the power of ,god1 by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left1 by honor and dishonor1 by evil report and good report3 as deceivers1 and yet true2 as unknown1 and yet well known2 as dying1 and1 behold1 we live2 as chastened1 and not killed2 as sorrowful1 yet always rejoicing2 as poor1 yet making many rich2 as having nothing1 and yet possessing all things40 #e4 ,fifthly1 thou shalt esteem the cross of ,christ as the highest good1 beyond all the treasures of the world4 ,if it were not so1 ,christ would not have taught thee so1 and put it before thine eyes with his own life and example4 ,thou mayest easily believe that the ,son of ,god would not mislead thee by his example1 but conduct thee to the highest wisdom1 and to the highest heavenly joys1 although the way is strait and narrow4 ,but thou seest that he himself walked in this narrow path4 ,and because there are few that follow him1 he says1 8,few there be that find it40 ,matt4 #g3ad4 ,for it is not an easy thing to conquer self1 to deny self1 to die unto self1 and to renounce the world and all that we have4 ,this is the narrow way1 and few there be that find it4 #f4 ,the sixth mark of the love of ,christ is1 never to have the beloved ,jesus out of our thoughts2 but to set him always before us by faith1 and to consider the works of his love4 #g4 ,as for instance3 ,i4 ,his incarnation1 in which1 as in a ,book of ,life1 we see chiefly a twofold benefit3 #a4 ,that he thereby fills us with his love4 ,and1 #b4 ,that he makes us sure of our eternal salvation and happiness4 ,o what inexpressible love is this1 that ,god was made man and like man1 that he might make men like unto ,god6 ,o the greatness of love6 ,he took upon him the form of a servant 7,phil4 #b3f-h7 that he might make us kings1 and adorn us with royal crowns4 ,o the greatness of love1 that ,god1 incomprehensible and invisible1 should be made palpable and visible6 ,who is able to fathom the deep abyss of this love6 ,o what great1 unutterable wisdom1 that out of the great evil of sin1 thou1 ,o ,lord1 hast brought forth such an infinite good1 discovering thereby the deep abyss of thy love6 ,o the great comfort it is to me to know that thy human birth is my divine birth1 and a fountain of salvation against the deep well of sin6 #h4 ,,ii4 ,his holy doctrine1 wherein are found eternal wisdom1 truth1 light1 life and salvation2 and his holy life1 whereby he has shown us the manner1 and the way1 how to live a truly ,christian and godly life4 ,for the pattern of his holy life is the most wonderful light1 which will not let us walk in darkness4 #i4 ,,iii4 ,the mystery of the innocent death of ,christ1 in which there are seven particulars to be considered4 #a4 ,the fulfilling of the justice of ,god1 and of the divine sentence4 #b4 ,the satisfaction for all our sins4 #c4 ,our reconciliation with ,god2 for we were reconciled to ,god by the death of his ,son4 ,rom4 #e3aj4 #d4 ,the manifestation of the superabundant love of ,god through the death of our ,redeemer4 #e4 ,the eternal truth of ,god1 that he has given us his ,son1 and thereby testified himself to be truly our ,father4 #f4 ,the victory over all enemies4 #g4 ,the acquiring and purchase of eternal salvation and life4 #aj4 ,,iv4 ,his resurrection1 which gives us a firm assurance of the resurrection of our bodies1 and also of that spiritual resurrection1 wherein1 through the grace of ,god1 and the power of the life of ,christ1 we1 having been spiritually dead1 become spiritually alive in ,christ4 ,rom4 #f3d4 #aa4 ,v4 ,his ascension1 which is a consummation of our eternal redemption1 righteousness1 and salvation4 #ab4 ,these five works of the love of ,christ are the true ,christian school wherein we are to study1 never letting them depart from our thoughts4 ,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,five ,kinds ,of ,works ,of ,love1 ,in ,which ,the ,grace ,and ,goodness ,of ,god ,are ,especially ,revealed4 ,the ,lord loveth the gates of ,zion more than all the dwellings of ,jacob4--,,ps4 #hg3b4 ,there are chiefly five arguments of the love of ,god4 #a4 ,christ's incarnation4 #b4 ,his suffering4 #c4 ,god's indwelling in us4 #d4 ,god's love shining forth out of the creatures4 #e4 ,his amiableness in his own ,being1 therein surpassing all created things4 #b4 ,i4 ,where love is1 there is union2 for it is the nature of love that it unites itself with the beloved4 ,now1 as ,god loved man so mightily1 it could not be otherwise but that he must unite himself again unto man after his fall1 and out of pure love and mercy become a man4 ,ah6 8,what is man that thou art mindful of him8 and the son of man that thou visitest him60 ,psalm #h3d4 ,the soul of man is so beloved of ,god1 that as ,christ is ,god and man1 having united himself with human nature1 with our body and soul3 so also ,god loves our soul so much that he desires to pour himself wholly into the same1 if it were perfectly purified1 and man did not resist him4 ,for there is infinite love in ,god1 which is unutterable4 ,this is1 then1 one of the greatest demonstrations of the love of ,god1 that ,god is made man1 and has showed himself a true lover of men1 having taken upon him what is human that he might give us what is divine4 ,he is become a ,son of man1 that he may make us children of ,god4 ,he came down to us upon earth1 that he might lift us up into heaven4 ,o what a noble exchange6 and all for this end1 that we in him might be loved of ,god4 ,it is as if ,god did call from heaven1 saying3 8,o ye men1 behold my beloved ,son6 ,him ,i have suffered to become man1 that he might be a living example and witness of my deep love to you2 that he might bring you all with himself to me1 and ye all might be made my children and heirs60 ,therefore the ,lord always calls himself in the ,gospel the ,son of ,man1 out of an intimate love to us4 ,we seldom read that he calls himself the ,son of ,god1 but always the ,son of ,man1 from an affectionate humility and love4 #c4 ,,ii4 ,although his holy incarnation is a very great argument of his love to us1 yet his holy suffering and dying for our sins are a still greater one4 ,for 8greater love hath no man than this1 that a man lay down his life for his friends40 ,john #ae3ac4 8,in this was manifested the love of ,god towards us 7saith ,st4 ,john71 that ,god sent his ,son to be the propitiation for our sins40 #a ,john #d3i1 #aj4 ,this is the highest love4 ,our ,god1 according to his incomprehensible omnipotence1 could have found out other means by which to redeem us2 as the ,lord ,jesus ,christ himself prayed for it in his agony1 saying3 8,abba1 ,father1 all things are possible unto thee2 take away this cup from me40 ,mark #ad3cf4 ,but then it would not have been the highest love shown to us4 ,in order that ,god might bestow the highest love upon us1 and that we might not be able to say1 8,god has something which he loves too dearly to give it to us20 he has given us his dear ,son1 and not only given him1 but given him also to be the propitiation for our sins4 ,therefore he could not have showed us greater love4 ,therein ,god commandeth his love towards us4 ,rom4 #e3h4 8,he that spared not his own ,son1 but delivered him up for us all1 how shall he not with him also freely give us all things80 ,rom4 #h3cb4 ,hath he given us that which is the greatest1 he will surely give us that also which is less4 ,in the eternal life all that is ,god's shall be ours4 8,he that overcometh shall inherit all things40 ,rev4 #ba3g4 #d4 ,,iii4 ,further1 ,god shows his love to us1 by his dwelling among us1 and in us4 ,o what a great comfort is this1 that ,god has sanctified our heart1 and dedicated it to be his dwelling-place4 ,formerly1 in the ,old ,testament1 when the tabernacle and sanctuary were finished1 ,moses was commanded to consecrate1 to sanctify1 and to sprinkle it with the blood of the sacrifice2 for 8almost all things were by the law purged with blood40 ,heb4 #i3bb4 ,and thereupon the glory of ,god came from heaven1 and filled the tabernacle 7,exod4 #dj3cd72 so also1 after ,christ died for our sins1 and after we are sanctified through his blood1 ,god comes to us and makes his abode with us4 #e4 ,whom we love1 with him we delight to be4 ,god loves mankind tenderly2 therefore he delights to be with them1 and to have his habitation among them4 8,i the ,lord dwell in the high and holy place2 with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit1 to revive the spirit of the humble1 and to revive the heart of the contrite ones40 ,isa4 #eg3ae4 ,and again1 with whom we delight to be1 him we tenderly love4 ,god delights to be with men2 therefore he loves men tenderly1 according to the ,psalm3 8,in the saints on earth1 and in the excellent1 is all my delight40 ,ps4 #af3c4 ,this assurance that ,god loves us and is with us1 ought to comfort us in all our calamities1 in poverty1 in sickness1 in persecution1 and in contempt4 ,what 7sayest thou71 doth he love them whom he suffers to come under so many crosses8 ,i answer1 ,yes1 that he may through the cross make them glorious4 ,as their sufferings here abound1 so also shall their consolations abound there4 #b ,cor4 #a3e4 ,the greater afflictions are on earth1 the greater joy and glory are in heaven4 #b ,cor4 #d3ag4 #f4 ,and this is the reason why ,god makes many people sorrowful2 namely1 that he may dwell in their hearts2 for he delights to dwell nowhere more than in a poor and contrite spirit4 ,ps4 #cd3ai2 ,isa4 #ff3b4 ,god fills us here with his grace1 that he may fill us hereafter with his glory1 even as he fills and illuminates the heavenly ,jerusalem4 ,rev4 #ba3bc4 #g4 ,,iv4 ,the love of ,god shines forth also out of the creatures4 ,when ,st4 ,paul would desire for his ,ephesians the best1 the highest1 and the most glorious thing1 he wishes that they might know the love of ,god1 and be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth1 and length1 and depth1 and height of the same4 ,eph4 #c3ah4 ,he means to say so much1 that the love of ,god is higher than heaven1 deeper than the sea1 broader than the earth1 longer than it is from east to west1 according to ,psalm #ajc3aa4 #ab4 ,in a word1 heaven and earth are full of the love of ,god3 for all that ,god hath created1 be it visible or invisible1 he hath created for this end1 that his inexpressible goodness and love might therein be manifested4 ,and1 therefore1 he hath given to man both inward and outward senses1 that thereby he might perceive the goodness and love of ,god4 ,for all that man can apprehend by his understanding1 thoughts1 mind1 and reason1 as well as what he apprehends with his outward senses1 altogether bears witness to the love of ,god4 ,all that man hath1 is a testimony of the love of ,god2 yea1 all creatures1 visible and invisible1 are1 as it were1 so many messengers of ,god1 declaring unto us his love2 and he speaks to us through them1 saying1 8,behold the heaven and earth1 and all creatures6 ,i have created all out of love to man40 ,and whenever we perceive the pleasantness of the creatures1 we perceive the goodness of ,god2 so that both with our inward and outward senses we can taste and see that the ,lord is good1 according to the words of the #cdth ,psalm1 ver4 #h4 #h4 ,the sun speaks to us by its light and warmth1 as if it said3 8,look upon me1 the greatest and the brightest creature among all visible things3 ,he must be great that made me40 ,ps4 #ai3a1 etc4 ,but not only through beautiful creatures doth ,god speak to us1 but also through the most despicable worm1 as if ,god did say3 8,lo1 thou art beholden to me thy ,creator1 that ,i1 who could have made thee a worm1 have1 out of mercy1 made thee a man40 ,here remember him who said3 8,i am a worm1 and no man40 ,ps4 #bb3f4 ,thus ,god speaks unto man through all the creatures1 declares his love to him1 and invites1 leads1 and draws us unto himself4 ,this is that wisdom of ,god which in all places uttereth 8her voice in the streets10 which 8rejoiceth in the habitable part of the earth1 and whose delights are with the sons of men40 ,prov4 #a3bj2 #h3ca4 #i4 ,indeed1 if we consider the matter aright1 we are encompassed by the love of ,god1 even as we are all inclosed under heaven1 seeing that 8in ,god we live1 and move1 and have our being40 ,acts #ag3bh4 ,man can go nowhere1 but the love and goodness of ,god follow after him1 and call him through all the creatures1 nay1 through his own heart and conscience1 saying3 8,whither wilt thou go1 beloved child8 ,whither shalt thou flee from my presence8 ,if thou ascendest up into heaven1 ,i am there4 ,if thou makest thy bed in hell1 behold ,i am there4 ,if thou takest the wings of the morning1 and dwellest in the uttermost parts of the sea1 even there shall my hand lead thee1 and my right hand shall hold thee40 ,ps4 #aci3g1 etc4 ,therefore1 come unto me1 and acknowledge my love and grace1 with which ,i meet thee in every creature4 ,hast thou sinned1 grace abounds with me2 hast thou left me1 my love and mercy have not yet rejected thee1 but are continually hastening after thee1 have been calling to thee1 and1 as a wandering sheep1 have sought after thee4 ,and if thou believest not these many testimonies of all the creatures1 believe the testimony of my dear ,son1 how ,i have loved the world in him4 ,john #c3af4 8,thou canst nowhere find rest for thy soul except here2 turn which way thou wilt1 thou must and canst only rest in my love and grace40 ,o how blessed is the heart which understands that heaven and earth are full of the love of ,god1 and that he has as many witnesses of his love as there are creatures6 ,but the greatest and highest witness of all is the ,son of ,god4 #aj4 ,v4 ,we know also the love of ,god1 from the amiableness of his own being4 ,from the visions of the prophets1 and the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john1 we can observe that ,god ,almighty is so lovely and beautiful1 as infinitely to transcend all the beauty and loveliness of the world4 ,he is the beauty of all things beautiful1 and the loveliness of all things lovely1 the life of all the living4 ,he is ,,all4 ,an ancient father has said3 8,god is so lovely and beautiful1 that if a man were in a fiery furnace1 and saw the beauty and glory of ,him but for a moment1 the greatest torment would be changed into the greatest joy20 as it happened to ,st4 ,stephen1 when he saw the glory of ,god1 and said3 8,behold1 ,i see the heavens opened1 and the ,son of man standing on the right hand of ,god40 ,acts #g3ef4 ,god is so lovely and beautiful1 that if a man saw him for a thousand years together1 it would seem to him but one hour4 ,for in beholding the loveliness and glory of ,god1 all time is swallowed up2 so that the more any one sees ,god1 the more he desires to see him2 the more he loves ,god1 the more he will love2 and the more he praises ,god1 the more will he praise him2 according to the words of ,xystus1 an ancient teacher3 8,devout souls can never be satiated with the love and praise of ,god40 ,hence1 although the holy angels have seen ,god from the beginning of their creation1 they have not yet seen him enough2 and although they have praised him from the beginning1 they have not yet praised him enough3 for 8,god is more to be praised1 than all praise can express2 and more lovely1 than the love of all the creatures can reach40 ,god is infinite in his beauty1 loveliness1 and glory2 therefore no creature can love him enough4 ,god is so amiable1 that the more one loves him1 the more one desires to love him4 ,he is so to be praised that the end of his praises cannot be attained2 so lovely to be looked upon1 that looking upon him never makes us weary2 so comfortable to be heard1 that he never can be heard enough4 ,tauler says1 8,if one might taste but a drop of the perfect love of ,god1 all the joys and pleasures of this world would be changed to us into the greatest bitterness40 ,the saints have endured the greatest torments for the sake of the love of ,god1 and have given up their lives2 and if they had a thousand bodies1 they would hazard them all1 that they might keep the love of ,god2 as the ,psalmist says1 8,thy loving kindness is better than life2 therefore my lips shall praise thee40 ,ps4 #fc3c4 ,god is so high1 so noble1 and so pure a ,good1 that the more any one knows him1 the more he loves him4 ,he is so tender and perfect a sweetness1 that the more one tastes of him1 the sweeter he becomes2 and the more one loves him1 the more his loveliness increases4 ,blessed is the soul which is filled with the love of ,god4 ,he will be conscious in his soul of such amiableness as cannot be found in time among creatures4 #aa4 ,behold now1 ye children of men1 how deceived ye are by the love of the world4 ,what is it which any man can obtain by the love of temporal things1 but sorrow1 trouble1 loss of time1 unprofitable words 7of which an account must be given71 wranglings1 fightings1 and a burdened conscience8 ,surely all the children of men shall one day sorely repent that they have so much loved the world1 and the things therein3 according to the warning given us by ,st4 ,john1 saying1 8,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world3 if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4 ,for all that is in the world1 the lust of the flesh1 and the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life1 is not of the ,father1 but is of the world4 ,and the world passeth away1 and the lust thereof2 but he that doeth the will of ,god abideth for ever40 #a ,john #b3ae1 etc4 ,therefore every man ought to mourn all the days of his life that he ever loved anything more than ,god only4 ,if ,god pours into thy heart his love1 so that thou lovest him above all things1 then he has given thee the best thing he hath1 even ,himself4 ,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,showing ,how ,the ,lord ,jesus ,manifests ,himself ,to ,the ,loving ,soul ,as ,the ,highest ,love ,and ,the ,highest ,good4 ,to him that loveth me1 ,i will manifest myself4--,,john #ad3ba4 ,if thou duly considerest ,christ crucified thou wilt see nothing in him but pure1 perfect1 and unutterable love1 and he will show thee his heart1 and say1 8,behold1 in this heart there is no deceit and no lie 7,isaiah #ec3i71 but the highest faithfulness and truth are there4 ,incline thy head unto me1 and rest upon my heart2 open thy mouth1 and drink out of my wounds the sweetest love1 which out of the heart of my ,father springs up and flows through me40 #b4 ,when thou shalt have tasted this love1 thou wilt forget and despise1 for its sake1 all the world1 and be desirous of nothing else but of this love4 ,thou wilt say to thy ,lord1 8,o ,lord1 give me nothing more than the sweetness of thy love2 nay1 if thou wouldst give me the whole world1 ,i would desire nothing else but thee and thy love40 #c4 ,o happy is the soul which feels this love6 for in that soul ,christ is truly known1 and manifested to be nothing else but pure love1 and to be the love of the souls of men4 ,these words state a most happy experience2 for that ,christ is the love of our soul he clearly shows by his spiritual coming and delightful refreshing of the soul2 and when the soul tastes but a drop thereof it is filled with joys4 ,for infinite love is so great that our hearts cannot comprehend it4 ,this the holy martyr ,ignatius owned1 who always used to call the ,lord ,jesus1 his ,love1 and said3 ,my ,love is crucified4 #d4 ,in this love of ,christ all our works ought to be done 7#a ,cor4 #af3ad72 and then they proceed from ,christ out of true faith1 and are well-pleasing to ,god1 whether we eat1 or drink1 or sleep1 or perform the duties of our calling4 ,all that comes forth of a believing love is made pleasant to ,god and men2 for it is done and wrought in ,god4 ,john #c3ba4 #e4 ,although this love of ,christ is the highest good in heaven and upon earth 7for all good things are contained therein71 yet is ,god so willing and ready to bestow it upon us1 that he hath sent1 even his dear ,son1 into this misery1 to make us partakers in him of this inexpressible treasure1 through faith4 ,and he is much more ready to give us this precious good than we are to receive it4 #f4 ,this love1 8shed abroad in our hearts by the ,holy ,ghost0 7,rom4 #e3e71 when felt in us1 affords us more joy than all the world can give4 ,and if all creatures were present1 a believing and loving soul would part with them1 yea1 not so much as look upon them1 because of the superabundant sweetness of the love of ,god4 ,and if all creatures should begin to speak1 the voice of the love of ,god would be stronger and more delightful than the voice of all the creatures4 ,for this love binds and unites the mind unto ,christ1 and replenishes it with all good4 ,this precious good is indeed known1 seen1 and tasted in the spirit1 but no words can express it4 ,all words are much too weak to set forth even the shadow thereof2 and no man's tongue can reach that precious and lovely good of which the spirit of man is sensible4 ,therefore also ,st4 ,paul says1 that he heard in paradise words that were 8unspeakable40 #b ,cor4 #ab3d4 #g4 ,and when this precious good withdraws from the soul1 there is then greater sorrow than if all the world had been lost4 ,then the soul calls and cries1 8,o thou delightful love1 ,i have scarcely tasted of thee2 why dost thou forsake me8 ,my soul is as a child that is weaned of his mother ,ps4 #aca3b4 ,oh1 thy loving-kindness is better than life6 7,ps4 #fc3c72 let me taste thereof4 ,my soul thirsteth for thee 7,ps4 #db3b7 only1 and nothing else can satisfy me1 or make me joyful40 ,this holy love causes also1 that without it the whole life is imbittered to a believing and loving soul1 and is accounted as death and misery4 ,yea1 for the sake of this love1 man desires to die1 to put off the earthly tabernacle1 and to be at home1 and present with the ,lord1 according to the words of ,st4 ,paul4 #b ,cor4 #e3h4 ,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,showing ,how ,the ,highest ,good ,is ,perceived ,and ,tasted ,in ,the ,soul4 ,o taste and see that the ,lord is good4--,,ps4 #cd3h4 ,god is an eternal1 perfect1 infinite1 substantial1 communicative ,good1 full of love and joy2 and therefore he desires to be known in living faith1 in spirit1 and in truth4 ,this cannot however be1 except a man really taste and feel in his heart the goodness1 sweetness1 loving-kindness1 and comfort of ,god4 #b4 ,if this were to be performed there must needs be in man something conformable to ,god1 and capable of knowing him1 that so we might be made partakers of the highest good4 ,now this is the soul of man3 into the soul ,god was willing to pour forth his goodness1 yea1 to dwell there1 and to manifest and make known himself more and more4 #c4 ,but since man has lost this sovereign good by sin1 and the devil has obtained a habitation in1 and possession of1 him2 working in man all his own works1 as pride1 covetousness1 lust1 anger1 envy2 man1 therefore1 8through the faith of the operation of ,god0 7,col4 #b3ab71 must be turned again from the world unto ,god1 from ,satan unto ,jesus ,christ 7,acts #bf3ah71 and ,satan with his works must be driven out and be utterly dispossessed4 ,as long as ,satan works in man1 ,god works not in him2 ,his works are hindered1 so that the soul cannot taste that ,god is good4 ,indeed1 the reason why there are so few that know ,god aright is1 that in the greatest number of men the works of darkness and of ,satan have the ascendency4 ,the most part adhere to the world1 to the creatures1 and to themselves4 #d4 ,but they who will rightly know and taste the ,lord's goodness1 must be joined unto him1 and be one spirit with him4 #a ,cor4 #f3ag4 ,and the more this is done the more does ,god manifest himself in the believing1 loving soul2 the more the heart is turned from the world unto ,god1 the more ,god is united to the soul4 ,all love to the world and to the creature must be turned out1 if the love of ,god ever enter in4 8,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him40 #a ,john #b3ae4 ,where ,god finds a soul empty of the world1 he fills it with heaven1 with himself1 and with all his goodness4 ,the more the heart is emptied of love to the world1 the more ,god fills it with his light and comfort4 8,therefore10 as an ancient father says1 8in an empty1 still1 and quiet soul1 it can be better felt than expressed what ,god is40 #e4 ,if then a man would really know that ,god is good1 even the highest ,good1 he must taste his goodness in his heart4 ,the ,scripture testifies thereof outwardly1 but the heart must feel it inwardly1 and must taste the living word4 ,it must 8taste the good word of ,god and the powers of the world to come40 ,heb4 #f3e4 ,thou canst never better understand that ,god is kind and loving1 than when thou feelest his comfort4 ,none can better teach thee that ,god is a ,being full of joy than ,god himself1 when he rejoices in thee4 ,and so it is also with all other things of ,god4 ,if he do not perform1 and himself work all in thee1 thou wilt never come to a living knowledge of him4 8,to know ,god without ,god1 is impossible10 says ,st4 ,augustine4 ,therefore1 that man will never be able to know rightly what ,god is1 unto whom ,god does not make known and manifest himself4 ,but when a heart feels the living word of ,god1 then it knows and understands that ,god is all1 all-good1 and the true1 perfect1 eternal ,good1 and better than all for which any heart can wish or desire4 #f4 ,when this is known and tasted in the soul1 according to the words of ,psalm #fc3c1 8,lord1 thy loving-kindness is better than life20 then the soul begins to scorn the world with its joys and pleasures4 ,she has in ,god satisfaction1 even full satisfaction1 and1 in short1 ,,all4 ,for the world1 with all that is in it1 is made up only of individual things1 which are imperfect and inconstant2 but ,god is the true1 perfect1 universal1 and eternal unchangeable ,good4 #g4 ,for this reason ,david says1 8,whom have ,i in heaven but thee1 ,o ,lord8 and there is none upon earth that ,i desire beside thee40 ,ps4 #gc3be4 ,this is the language of a soul which has tasted the perfect good1 from which all love to the world and creatures is removed1 and which has no pleasure nor delight in the world and in earthly things1 but in ,god alone1 the highest ,good4 ,and this is the true1 sensible1 and experimental knowledge of ,god1 nay1 the true love of ,god above all things1 which is felt and tasted in the heart2 for when ,god is rightly known1 he is loved1 praised1 and honored above all things4 #h4 ,now1 if we have the eternal1 perfect good1 wherein there is all good1 and which alone is ,,all1 why should we love that which is imperfect8 ,for where the true1 perfect good is known1 there it is also beloved above all imperfect things1 that is1 above all creatures whatsoever4 #i4 ,thus the living knowledge of ,god expels the love of the world2 and thus man begins to despise the world1 with all the vanities thereof1 saying1 with ,king ,solomon1 8,vanity of vanities1 all is vanity20 nay1 all under the sun 8is vexation of spirit40 ,eccles4 #a3b1 #ad4 ,thus love to the world is abolished in the heart1 and there remains only love to ,god1 and to the eternal good which abideth for ever4 ,chapter ,,xxix4 ,showing ,how ,the ,loving ,soul ,considers ,god ,in ,his ,benefits ,as ,the ,most ,liberal ,bountifulness4 ,in this was manifested the love of ,god towards us1 because that ,god sent his only begotten ,son into the world1 that we might live through him4 ,herein is love1 not that we loved ,god1 but that he loved us1 and sent his ,son to be the propitiation for our sins4--#a ,,john #d3i1 #aj4 ,all that ,god does with reference to man1 be it benefits or punishments1 he does to this end1 that man1 who is turned away from him1 may be turned to him again4 #b4 ,but man is foolish and brutish1 like the beasts 7,ps4 #cb3i71 and does not understand the reason for which ,god bestows upon him so great benefits1 namely1 that thereby he might be invited and encouraged to love ,god3 nor does he1 on the other hand1 consider why ,god punishes him1 namely1 that he may turn himself unto ,god4 #c4 ,let us consider1 first1 bodily and temporal benefits1 and then those that are spiritual and eternal4 #d4 ,i4 ,god has created nothing1 either visible or invisible1 which may not be serviceable to man4 ,the invisible creatures which minister to us1 are the holy angels 7,heb4 #a3ad71 whose wisdom1 strength1 diligence1 and watchfulness over us1 are declared and praised in many places of ,scripture2 so that even many angels wait upon one man3 witness the history of the patriarch ,jacob and the prophet ,elisha4 ,gen4 #cb3a1 #b2 #b ,kings #f3ag4 ,because many evil spirits lie in wait for one man1 seeking to destroy him2 therefore also many holy watchers are ordered by ,god for his defence4 ,that there is joy also in the presence of the angels1 over our repentance and prayers1 the ,lord teaches us4 ,luke #ae3aj4 ,this benefit1 because it is bestowed upon us after an invisible manner1 many people little consider2 but a wise man1 who considers not only the visible world1 but the invisible also1 understands well1 that in the invisible world1 wherein ,god dwelleth1 there is much greater glory1 and there are much greater numbers or hosts1 and greater principalities and dominions 7,col4 #a3af7 than in this visible world4 ,and as ,god makes his own ministers and princes defend and watch over us1 it is plain that this is an exceedingly great benefit2 even as that is to be accounted an honor and favor1 when a prince appoints his own ministers to conduct and defend one that is to travel through a wilderness or through a hostile country4 #e4 ,look upon the firmament1 and consider how ,god has appointed it for thy service4 ,behold the wondrous course of the sun and moon4 ,why do they run so incessantly1 day and night1 and rest not so much as for one moment8 ,gen4 #a3af2 ,ps4 #ai3f4 ,are they not diligent and industrious servants of man8 ,for ,god hath no need of their service2 he wants not their operations nor their light2 it is for man that they were created4 ,the sun serves thee as an unwearied servant1 which every morning rises early1 and carries before thee the beautiful light1 and puts thee in remembrance of the eternal light1 which is ,christ1 and his divine word2 this shall be the light of thy soul1 that thou mayest walk as a child of the light4 ,the moon and the night cover thee with a shadow1 bringing rest unto thee1 and teaching thee to abide and to dwell under the shadow of the ,most ,high4 ,ps4 #ia3a4 ,the moon1 like an unwearied handmaid1 conducts water to fertilize the earth4 ,nay1 there is not a star which does not shine1 and has not received some blessing for the benefit of man4 #f4 ,behold the air and the winds1 how clear they make the firmament1 dispelling the clouds2 or they gather them together and cause them to pour forth afterwards upon the earth4 ,it is very wonderful that ,god 8bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds1 and the cloud is not rent under them40 ,job #bf3h4 ,the air bears and sustains the clouds1 those moist vapors which are afterwards resolved into small drops of water4 ,job #cf3bg4 ,thunder1 lightnings1 and hail 7,job #cg3c71 must lead us to acknowledge the power of ,god1 to pray to him1 and to thank him when he has preserved us in a terrible tempest4 ,ps4 #ah3h1 #ac1 #ad4 #g4 ,behold the various winds which govern navigation2 so that where a wind blows1 there the ship is driven1 and sails on her way as a bird flies through the air4 ,thus all places of the world can be found out1 and all the secrets thereof discovered1 that nothing may be kept hid of what ,god hath created for the benefit of man4 #h4 ,behold the various kinds of fish in the sea4 ,gen4 #a3bj1 #ba2 ,ps4 #ajd3be4 ,they have their appointed times and seasons1 in which they1 as it were1 rise out of the depths and present themselves1 crowded together as the corn in the field1 as if they would say1 ,now we are in season1 now is the time of harvest for the sea2 gather therefore1 ,o ye men6 ,and so it is with the birds also2 when their time is come1 they fly together in great multitudes1 and show themselves to mankind4 #i4 ,behold the earth1 that great storehouse of food and treasury of ,god4 ,it furnishes forth meat and drink1 medicine and clothing1 houses and abodes1 and all the various metals4 ,each month produces its flowers1 which present themselves to our notice1 as if they would say1 ,here we are2 we bring our gifts1 and present them to you1 as good as we received them from our ,creator4 ,nay1 even the forest1 which is the habitation of roving beasts1 ,god hath put under man1 and made him to have dominion over them4 ,and were we to attempt to enumerate all the temporal benefits of ,god1 we should find it impossible to number only them that are in one particular country4 ,there is no fruit1 but it is a benefit of ,god2 and let man enumerate them1 one by one1 if he be able4 ,should not we learn from this to know our good and bountiful ,god8 ,ps4 #fe3aj1 #aa4 ,if a great potentate were to subject to thee his whole kingdom1 and all his dominions1 nobles1 and powerful men1 nay1 all his subjects1 and were to command them to guard1 defend1 preserve1 clothe1 cure1 and feed thee1 and to take care that thou want nothing at all1 wouldest thou not love him and account him a loving1 bountiful lord8 ,how then oughtest thou to love the ,lord thy ,god1 who has reserved nothing for himself1 but appointed for thy service all that is in heaven1 or comes from heaven1 and all that is upon earth4 ,he needs no creatures for himself1 and has excepted nothing from thy service1 neither in all the hosts of holy angels1 nor in any of his creatures under the stars4 ,if we but desire it1 they are ready to serve us2 nay1 hell itself must serve us by bringing upon us fear and terror1 that we may not sin2 and by punishing and tormenting our enemies and all the wicked1 more than man can desire4 #aj4 ,,ii4 ,let us1 upon this ladder of the creatures1 ascend unto ,god our ,creator1 and consider his spiritual benefits4 ,has not the ,holy ,trinity1 each ,person in particular1 bestowed upon man great grace and beneficence8 ,the ,father has given us his own ,son1 and 8how shall he not with him also freely give us all things80 ,rom4 #h3cb4 ,has not ,god the ,son given us himself1 and all he is1 and all he has8 8,god commendeth his love toward us1 in that while we were yet sinners1 ,christ died for us40 ,rom4 #e3h4 ,is not the ,holy ,ghost within us1 illuminating1 purifying1 teaching1 comforting1 and adorning our souls with his gifts8 ,he 8beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of ,god40 ,rom4 #h3af4 #aa4 ,in a word1 ,god's mercy pours forth itself entirely upon us1 and omits nothing whereby men could be moved to love ,god4 ,the benefits ,god bestows upon us1 are so many messengers which he sends for inviting us to come and to enjoy his love4 ,if thou shouldest ask the ,scriptures1 the angels1 all the prophets and all the saints of ,god1 nay1 all creatures besides1 8,from whence come you80 they would answer1 8,we are the messengers of the mercy of ,god2 we carry fire and flames1 that the heart of man1 which is cold and incrusted1 as it were1 with ice1 might be warmed again by the love of ,god40 ,yet all these numbers of flaming messengers of ,god are not able to warm the dead1 cold1 and frozen heart4 ,this1 therefore1 is the greatest wonder the devil can effect1 that he makes a human heart so cold1 that warmth cannot be raised therein1 by so many flames of the love of ,god4 #ab4 ,therefore1 hearken1 thou human heart1 and consider where thy ,creator has placed thee3 namely1 in the middle of so many fiery benefits1 where the glorious angels surround thee with their flaming love1 and where there are so many creatures and messengers of ,god1 all proclaiming his love unto thee4 ,wherein now has ,god ,almighty transgressed against thee8 ,whereby has he deserved1 that thou shouldst not1 or canst not1 love and praise him8 ,if what he has done for thee be too little1 behold1 he offers to do still more4 ,he will create for thee a new heaven and a new earth1 and will build a new1 glorious1 heavenly city1 which his glory will lighten2 nay1 he will illuminate thee with his own light and glory4 ,rev4 #ba3aj1 etc4 ,could a young woman be so cold1 as not to love a fair and youthful bridegroom1 whose beauty and goodness were praised day and night1 nay1 who had delivered her from death1 and adorned her with the fairest ornaments8 ,therefore know1 thou human soul1 how cold the devil has made thee1 since thou canst not be at all warmed by the love of ,god4 #ac4 ,and since ,god has implanted love in all human hearts1 tell me1 if thy love could be bought of thee1 to whom wouldest thou sell it rather than to the ,lord thy ,god8 ,but thinkest thou1 that ,god has not bought of thee thy love dear enough1 and has not paid for it a price sufficient8 ,hath ,he not given thee his dear ,son for it1 and ,heaven and ,earth besides8 ,all that thou expectest to gain for thy love from the world1 is as nothing1 in comparison with what ,god has given thee1 and what ,he further has prepared for them that love him4 #a ,cor4 #b3i2 ,isa4 #fd3d4 ,the world1 perhaps1 gives thee a handful of honor and riches1 accompanied with many troubles1 and yet thou lovest it6 ,why dost thou not rather love ,god1 the everlasting ,good8 ,but if thy love is not to be bought or sold1 but rather will bestow itself freely upon that which thou likest best1 what can love find that is to be esteemed more than the supreme1 eternal1 and most glorious ,good8 ,everything we love1 is our beauty and ornament3 and if thou lovest ,god1 thou shalt make him thereby thy beauty and thy ornament4 ,and since that is lovely which is beautiful1 nothing can ever make thee more lovely and comely1 than the love of ,god in thy soul4 #ad4 ,and lastly1 it is but just and reasonable1 that we should love him 8who first loved us40 #a ,john #d3ai4 ,take account of all the benefits of ,god1 and sum them up2 so shalt thou find that all creatures are full of the love of ,god4 ,this love follows and surrounds thee everywhere1 so that thou canst not be rid of it1 nor hide thyself from it4 ,it is too powerful and overcometh thee2 thou must enjoy it whether thou wilt or not1 unless thou wouldest live no more4 #ae4 ,now we know that brutes love those by whom they are loved2 wouldest thou be worse than a brute1 hating thy ,benefactor1 in whose love thou livest and movest1 standest and walkest1 sleepest and wakest8 ,but as a thing that is to be kindled1 must be held to the fire till it take the flame3 so also art thou to expose thy heart to the fire of the love of ,god1 till it be kindled and inflamed therein1 which is effected by continual contemplations of the benefits of ,god4 ,as formerly the priests were commanded to kindle the sacrifices by the holy fire 7,lev4 #f3ab71 so must the eternal ,high ,priest ,jesus ,christ1 kindle the sacrifice of thine heart1 by the fire of his ,holy ,spirit4 ,and this holy fire of his love was burning toward us from eternity2 for ,he loved us before the foundation of the world4 ,since that1 it has gloriously shown forth itself in the ,lord's incarnation and birth2 and chiefly in his sufferings and death1 whereby ,he has bestowed upon us the highest love2 and this fire of his flaming love to us will not be extinguished to all eternity4 ,near this fire continue thou with thy cold heart1 that thou mayest he kindled with1 and united to1 the love of ,christ4 ,chapter ,,xxx4 ,showing ,how ,god ,manifests ,himself ,to ,the ,loving ,soul1 ,as ,the ,supreme ,beauty4 ,o ,lord my ,god1 thou art very great3 thou art clothed with honor and majesty2 who coverest thyself with light as with a garment4--,,ps4 #ajd3a1 #b4 ,as nothing is more lovely to a loving soul than ,christ1 and no good higher or more precious than ,god himself2 so there is also nothing more beautiful in the sight of such a one than ,god4 ,that soul looks upon ,god as the highest beauty1 with which nothing in heaven and earth is to be compared2 so that all the holy angels cannot sufficiently praise to all eternity this beauty of ,god4 ,if all the holy angels in their lustre1 and all the elect in their glory1 were put together1 it would nevertheless appear1 that all their beauty and splendor proceed from ,god1 who is the eternal glory and beauty2 and that they are derived from the everlasting1 infinite light and brightness4 ,for as ,god is all good1 and the highest good1 so ,he is also all beauty1 ornament1 and glory4 #b4 ,and when a man beholds in spirit the glory of ,god1 he forgets all the creatures1 nay1 the beauty of all the angels also2 and mourns over nothing so much1 as that he has offended this great ,good with his wickedness1 and this infinite eternal beauty and brightness with his impurity4 #c4 ,but because the ,son of ,god1 the brightness of his glory 7,heb4 #a3c71 is become man1 ,he hath made men partakers of his divine nature1 and of his comeliness 7#b ,pet4 #a3d71 so that all who are in ,christ by faith1 are comely and glorious before ,god4 ,ps4 #af3c4 ,he remembers our defects and filthiness no more2 for although his eyes see1 yet the brightness of his glory1 and the love of ,christ cover them4 ,eph4 #e3bg4 #d4 ,the wise heathen ,plato1 considering the beauty of the creatures1 of the luminaries1 of the firmament1 of the flowers in the fields1 of the metals and animals1 has by his reason drawn the conclusion1 that ,god must of necessity be an eternal ,being1 beautiful above all things1 because the beauty of all the creatures must be comprehended or concentrated in ,him4 ,but we say from the word of ,god1 and the holy ,evangelist ,st4 ,john3 8,it doth not yet appear what we shall be3 but we know1 that when ,he shall appear1 we shall be like him1 for we shall see him as he is0 7#a ,john #c3b72 that we then1 being perfectly renewed after the likeness of ,god1 shall really be an image1 like unto ,god1 through which his beauty1 brightness1 and glory will shine2 but out of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord1 in the highest brightness and beauty of all4 ,for in him is all fulness2 and so it has pleased the ,father that 8in him should all fulness dwell0 7,col4 #a3ai72 and that 8in him should be gathered together in one all things1 both which are in heaven1 and which are on earth0 7,eph4 #a3aj72 which no finite creature can comprehend4 #e4 ,therefore angels and men shall admire the brightness and beauty of ,christ1 especially the chosen children of ,god1 8whose vile bodies shall be fashioned like unto his glorious body40 ,phil4 #c3ba4 ,and this is what ,daniel says1 8,they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament2 and they that turn many to righteousness1 as the stars for ever and ever40 ,dan4 #ab3c4 ,and as the #ajdth ,psalm1 ver4 #b1 says of ,god1 8,thou coverest thyself with light10 so our covering or garment will also be nothing else but light and brightness4 ,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,showing ,how ,god ,manifests ,himself ,to ,the ,loving ,soul ,as ,the ,infinite ,omnipotence4 ,o ,lord ,god of hosts1 who is a strong ,lord like unto thee8 or to thy faithfulness round about thee8--,,ps4 #hi3h4 ,the love of ,god wills1 that a loving soul should do good to all men1 and be profitable both to foes and friends2 not for the sake of its own profit and honor1 but only for the sake of the love of ,god1 which1 as it were1 moves his omnipotence to draw nigh unto us2 which also1 from its infinite treasure1 gives us all we have1 to the end that we should give again from love what the love of ,god has given us out of the treasury of his omnipotence4 #b4 ,therefore1 ,o man1 be careful that thou appropriate nothing to thyself1 but restore all to the omnipotence of ,god1 who himself is all that thou hast and art4 ,no creature can either give to1 or take away from1 thee2 it is only the omnipotence of ,god which can do it4 ,nor can any creature comfort thee2 the love of ,god alone can do it4 #c4 ,in this love1 the loving soul sees the fulness of ,god's incomprehensible omnipotence1 which comprehends in itself heaven and earth1 the sea and the dry land1 but cannot be comprehended by any thing4 ,for the whole world is to the omnipotence of ,god 8as a drop of a bucket1 and as the small dust of the balance40 ,isa4 #dj3ae4 #d4 ,and out of this fulness of ,god's omnipotence1 all the powers of angels1 men1 and all other creatures1 proceed4 ,it sustains the firmament of ,heaven4 ,the motions of the sea and the powers of the earth proceed from it2 so that heaven and earth are full of ,god1 full of the divine power and operation1 full of the ,spirit of the ,lord4 ,the power of ,god1 which is the might of his love1 comprehends1 incloses1 and replenishes all things1 but is comprehended by none4 ,ps4 #aci3b1 etc4 #e4 ,as high as ,god is over all things1 so deeply also is he in all things1 and all things are in him1 according to ,st4 ,paul1 who says1 8,of him1 and through him1 and to him1 are all things0 7,rom4 #aa3cf72 and again1 8,who is above all1 and through all1 and in you all40 ,eph4 #d3f4 #f4 ,since ,god is so great and over all things1 nothing surely can be equal to him2 and he that will be so1 makes himself a god1 commits the greatest sin1 and falls into the pit of perdition4 ,and since ,god is all1 all that is without him must be as nothing4 ,therefore from ,god's omnipotence1 man learns to know his own nothingness1 and to fear ,god1 who delights in them only that 8humble themselves under his mighty hand40 #a ,peter #e3f4 #g4 ,now as great and high as ,god is in his omnipotence1 even so low is he made by his love4 ,behold our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the living ,son1 the powerful arm of ,god1 by whom were all things created1 and by whom all things consist 7#a ,col4 #a3af1 #ag72 how deeply has he descended by his love1 and how lowly and humble has he made himself among all creatures6 #h4 ,therefore1 even as we cannot fathom1 much less express in words1 the omnipotence of ,god2 so neither can we fathom with our thoughts the humility and lowliness of ,christ4 ,nevertheless1 as deep as is his descent1 so high is also his ascent far above all heavens4 ,eph4 #d3aj4 ,unto him be honor and praise to all eternity4 ,amen4 ,o ,god6 ,o ,jesus6 ,o blessed ,spirit6 ,thou unchangeable mind6 ,thou inextinguishable light6 ,thou ,peace which cannot be disturbed6 ,thou indivisible unity6 ,thou infallible truth6 ,thou ineffable bounty6 ,thou immeasurable might6 ,thou infinite wisdom6 ,thou incomprehensible ,goodness6 ,thou omnipresent eternity6 ,thou ,life of all the living6 ,do ,thou enlighten me1 do ,thou sanctify me1 do ,thou quicken me6 ,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,showing ,how ,the ,loving ,soul ,knows ,god ,as ,the ,highest ,righteousness ,and ,holiness4 ,thy righteousness is like the great mountains2 thy judgments are a great deep4--,,ps4 #cf3f4 ,all who love ,god acknowledge him to be the highest and most holy righteousness1 which pervades all1 and is over all4 ,this in ,god is his most holy will2 in angels holy obedience2 in man1 the testimony of his conscience2 in all creatures1 it is the order of nature1 whereby ,god has ordered all things in number1 weight1 and measure4 ,all that is done against this order1 is contrary to ,god and nature4 #b4 ,all sins1 therefore1 in the world1 are committed against ,god's righteousness1 and the sinner thereby offends all creatures1 even all the angels in heaven1 and his own conscience1 and sets them in hostility against himself4 ,for when ,god is offended and provoked to anger1 all creatures are also offended and made angry2 so1 too1 when ,god is reconciled1 all creatures are reconciled also1 and rejoice over such a man4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul says1 that all things are reconciled by ,christ1 whether they be 8things in earth or things in heaven0 7,col4 #a3bj73 and this1 because ,god is reconciled through him4 ,therefore the ,lord says1 8,there is joy in the presence of the angels of ,god over one sinner that repenteth40 ,luke #ae3aj4 ,the angels rejoice for man's own sake4 #c4 ,but if ,god be not reconciled to man1 all creatures1 angels1 and nature itself1 execute vengeance upon him4 ,hence come the dreadful judgments of ,god3 and it is impossible to avert such vengeance and judgments4 8,thou art to be feared1 ,o ,god2 and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry8 ,thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven2 the earth feared1 and was still40 ,ps4 #gf3g1 #h4 ,thus may we see in the plagues of ,egypt how all creatures executed vengeance upon the wicked4 #d4 ,from the most holy righteousness of ,god1 when offended1 proceeds also the curse2 as ,moses1 the man of ,god1 witnesses1 when he speaks of the transgression of the divine law4 ,deut4 #bg3ae1 etc4 #e4 ,it is a curse when the justice of ,god executes such vengeance1 that the cursed cannot enjoy any good1 either from ,god or the creature1 but is made an 8abhorring unto all flesh40 ,isa4 #ff3bd4 8,a curse is a liableness and condemnation unto eternal misery40 ,therefore a curse is terrible and dreadful unto all creatures1 so that they cannot endure it4 ,and this is the highest vengeance of the justice of ,god4 #f4 ,from the most holy righteousness of ,god proceed also those wonderful1 unsearchable1 secret1 dreadful judgments1 whereof ,david says1 8,thy judgments are a great deep0 7,ps4 #cf3g72 and ,st4 ,paul1 8,how unsearchable are his judgments1 and his ways past finding out60 ,rom4 #aa3cc4 #g4 ,when1 therefore1 we consider them1 we see therein the righteousness of ,god1 of which the man of ,god1 ,moses1 says1 8,to me belongeth vengeance1 and recompense10 saith the ,lord4 8,if ,i whet my glittering sword1 and mine hand take hold on judgment1 ,i will render vengeance to mine enemies1 and will reward them that hate me4 ,rejoice1 ,o ye nations1 with his people6 for he will avenge the blood of his servants1 and will render vengeance to his adversaries1 and will be merciful unto his land and to his people40 ,deut4 #cb3ce1 #da1 #dc4 #h4 ,in these words1 ,moses declares the vengeance of ,god upon all the wicked1 who resist the righteousness of ,god4 ,against them ,god will whet his glittering sword2 that is1 his dreadful sentence and judgment1 at which the earth feareth1 and is still4 ,ps4 #gf3h4 ,and him1 upon whom ,god executes his vengeance and judgment1 all the world cannot save2 according to the words of the ,psalm3 8,o ,lord ,god1 to whom vengeance belongeth2 ,o ,god1 to whom vengeance belongeth1 shew thyself4 ,lift up thyself1 thou ,judge of the earth2 render a reward to the proud40 ,ps4 #id3a1 #b4 ,here we read that although the ,lord ,god is a gracious1 loving1 kind1 merciful1 long-suffering ,god1 to all them that fear him1 he is nevertheless a just judge1 according to his righteousness1 of all the wicked that transgress against his righteousness4 #i4 ,he1 therefore1 sets before us in his word1 not only instances of his grace and mercy1 but also of his justice and vengeance2 such as those of the deluge1 ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 ,pharaoh in ,egypt1 and in the ,red ,sea2 ,korah1 ,dathan1 and ,abiram2 ,saul1 ,ahithophel1 ,ahab1 ,jezebel1 ,nebuchadnezzar1 ,belshazzar1 ,sennacherib2 and in the ,new ,testament1 ,herod1 and many more2 in every one of whom1 we may see the wonderful judgment and vengeance of ,god4 ,therefore he is called1 a ,god of vengeance1 8unto whom vengeance belongeth10 because he is the most holy1 and the most righteous ,god2 nay1 righteousness itself4 ,therefore1 the saints 7,rev4 #f3aj7 appeal to the justice of ,god with a loud voice1 saying3 8,how long1 ,o ,lord1 holy and true1 dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth80 #aj4 ,such judgments of ,god are executed daily1 but are rightly understood only by believing and holy souls1 according to the words of the ,psalm3 8,with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked40 ,ps4 #ia3h4 ,this saying is not to be understood according to carnal passions and affections1 but it is to be considered spiritually2 for it imports that we are to give unto the ,lord our ,god1 the praise of his righteousness2 and to say1 8,righteous art thou1 ,o ,lord1 and upright are thy judgments0 7,ps4 #aai3acg72 and 8,the ,lord is righteous in all his ways1 and holy in all his works40 ,ps4 #ade3ag4 ,thus holy and believing souls delight to see the wonderful judgments of ,god2 yet not according to the flesh1 so as to rejoice over the destruction and perdition of the wicked 7which would proceed from self-revenge72 but1 according to the spirit1 they take delight1 that is1 they acknowledge and praise the righteousness of ,god1 who fulfilleth his word1 and is a righteous ,god4 ,and at the same time1 they lament and weep over the perdition of the wicked1 even as our ,saviour wept over ,jerusalem 7,luke #ai3da72 and as ,david wept over ,absalom4 #b ,sam4 #ah3cc4 #aa4 ,so1 then1 we are here to have a twofold respect1 namely1 to ,god and to men4 ,if we look upon the destruction of men1 we are justly to be sorrowful2 but if we look upon ,god1 we are to praise his justice1 for he doeth wrong unto none4 ,ps4 #ib3ae4 ,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,showing ,how ,the ,loving ,soul ,considers ,god ,as ,the ,eternal ,wisdom4 ,known unto ,god are all his works from the beginning of the world4--,,acts #ae3ah4 ,god ordains1 governs1 moves1 and regulates all things according to his unsearchable wisdom1 as it is written 7,isa4 #de3d-ab73 8,i have even called thee by thy name2 ,i have surnamed thee1 though thou hast not known me4 ,i am the ,lord1 and there is none else1 there is no ,god besides me4--,i form the light1 and create darkness2 ,i make peace1 and create evil2 ,i the ,lord do all these things4--,woe unto him that striveth with his ,maker6 ,let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth4 ,shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it1 ,what makest thou8 or thy work1 ,he hath no hands8 ,woe unto him that saith unto his father1 ,what begettest thou8 or to the woman1 ,what hast thou brought forth8 ,thus saith the ,lord1 the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 and his ,maker1 ,ask me of things to come concerning my sons1 and concerning the work of my hands command ye me4 ,i have made the earth1 and created man upon it3 ,i1 even my hands1 have stretched out the heavens1 and all their host have ,i commanded40 #b4 ,this is a powerful testimony concerning the eternal wisdom1 and the wondrous1 incomprehensible government of ,almighty ,god1 which may be first observed in this1 that he has called every one of us by his name1 and has surnamed us1 though we did not know him1 and were not yet in being4 ,this our name by which ,god calleth us1 is our faith1 our outward calling1 and our whole course of life4 ,there we are inclosed in1 or surrounded with1 ,god's eternal wisdom and providence1 as it respects our whole life1 its beginning1 middle1 and end 7,ps4 #aci3af71 or as to our going out and coming in4 ,ps4 #aba3h4 8,he telleth the number of the stars2 he calleth them all by their names0 7,ps4 #adg3d72 that is1 he gives them their courses1 powers1 and operations4 ,how much more doth he so in reference to men6 ,god forms the light and creates darkness4 ,he makes peace1 and creates evil2 that is1 as to the evil of punishment1 the just reward of sin2 this he creates and permits2 nay1 he calls the sword1 and causes an alarm of war to be heard4 ,jer4 #di3b4 #c4 ,in a word1 he ordains all things wisely4 ,he sees and hears all things before1 according to the words of the ,psalmist3 8,understand1 ye brutish among the people3 and ye fools1 when will ye be wise8 ,he that planted the ear1 shall he not hear8 ,he that formed the eye1 shall he not see8 ,he that chastiseth the heathen1 shall not he correct8 ,he that teacheth man knowledge1 shall not he know80 ,ps4 #id3h-aj4 #d4 ,here king ,david teaches us that ,god has laid a mirror of his omniscience and eternal wisdom into man1 into the hearing ear1 and seeing eye1 those two wonderful powers of the human body4 #e4 ,it is extremely offensive to a man1 to hear and see anything unjust or unreasonable2 how much more to ,god1 who has an all-seeing eye and an all-hearing ear1 must men's ingratitude be offensive2 he having ordained all things by his wisdom1 in order to be serviceable unto men4 ,he has made the sun by his wisdom to give light1 not unto itself1 but to us2 the water affords drink1 not to itself1 but unto us2 the earth brings forth fruits1 not for itself but for us2 the fire warms1 not for itself1 but for us2 the air gives breath1 not to itself1 but to us2 the bread feeds1 not itself1 but us2 the herbs do not heal themselves1 but us4 #f4 ,the eternal wisdom of ,god has planted so many powers in the creatures1 and has so wisely distributed them1 that they are1 as it were1 so many hands through which the wisdom and goodness of ,god divide these treasures among us1 according to the words of ,job3 8,who knoweth not in all these1 that the hand of the ,lord hath wrought this8 ,in whose hand is the soul of every living thing1 and the breath of all mankind40 ,job #ab3i1 #aj4 ,and 8,ask now the beasts1 and they shall teach thee2 and the fowls of the air1 and they shall tell thee0 7,ver4 #g72 that 8with ,god is wisdom and strength1 he hath counsel and understanding4 ,behold1 he breaketh down1 and it cannot be built again3 he shutteth up a man1 and there can be no opening40 ,ver4 #ac1 #ad4 8,he stretcheth out the north over the empty place1 and hangeth the earth upon nothing4 ,he bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds1 and the cloud is not rent under them40 ,job #bf3g1 #h4 #g4 ,since then the ,lord our ,god ordaineth all things by his wisdom1 he ordaineth all our crosses2 and therefore we are not to murmur1 but to praise his wisdom1 and to learn patience2 for things cannot proceed otherwise than as they are ordained by ,god4 ,but not only the things that befall us in particular1 are the most wise order of ,god2 but also all great national plagues1 famine1 pestilence1 wars1 and revolutions of states4 ,and although we may think that these are nothing but confusion1 perdition1 and destruction1 yet there reigns the wisest order of ,god4 ,this we may gather from the histories of ,holy ,writ1 where famine1 wars1 pestilence1 desolations of the kingdoms of the world1 the destruction of the ,jewish kingdom1 and of empires1 the ,babylonian ,captivity1 and many similar events1 are described4 8,i know10 saith ,solomon 7,eccles4 #c3ad71 8that whatsoever ,god doeth1 it shall be forever3 nothing can be put to it1 nor anything taken from it3 and ,god doeth it1 that men should fear before him40 #h4 ,and again1 8,consider the work of ,god2 for who can make that straight1 which he hath made crooked80 ,eccles4 #g3ac4 #i4 ,if we consider it aright1 we must own that ,god could not have ordered things more wisely4 ,so we may say also1 with reference to the persecutions of the saints1 both in the ,old and ,new ,testament2 to our ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 the holy ,gospel2 the holy martyrs2 and all other things4 ,in our sight1 these all seem to be absurd1 and foolish1 and yet they are the highest wisdom of ,god4 #aj4 ,as then we are to give unto ,god the praise of righteousness1 in all his wonderful judgments2 so we are also to give unto him the praise of wisdom1 in all the wonderful changes of the world1 and in all our crosses and sufferings2 knowing that he can direct all evils to a good end1 and out of evil derive good3 so that in all things1 how confused soever they may appear unto us1 there shineth forth his wisdom1 even as his righteousness doth in all his judgments4 #aa4 ,but the loving soul sees the wisdom of ,god especially in the restoration and redemption of the human race1 and in the renovation of the soul and the faculties thereof4 ,for so it pleased the wisdom of ,god1 that the corrupt image of ,god in man1 should be renewed by the divine substantial image of ,god1 that is1 by ,christ4 ,after man had lost by sin that blessed wisdom1 that glorious light of his intellect1 by which he knew ,god aright1 and so had fallen into the utmost blindness1 nay1 into eternal darkness1 wherein he must have dwelt forever2 the ,son of ,god1 who is the eternal wisdom of the ,father1 became man1 and a light of life unto men 7,john #a3d71 that he might bring back those that had gone astray2 that he might teach the ignorant2 call to himself the sinners2 and rekindle in them the light of the knowledge of ,god by faith and the ,holy ,ghost2 nay1 that he might unite himself to the soul of man1 and might shine forth therein4 #ab4 ,secondly3 after the will of man was entirely turned away from ,god1 perverted1 and wholly changed into disobedience1 striving against ,god in all things2 the ,son of ,god was made man1 that he might be unto us a pattern of perfect obedience2 that he might heal our evil will2 implant his good will in our hearts2 renew our will through the ,holy ,ghost2 and make us partakers of his holy obedience by faith2 according to those words of ,scripture 7,gal4 #c3ad71 8,that we might receive the promise of the ,spirit through faith20 nay1 that he might unite himself to us1 and live in us1 that so our will also might be made conformable unto ,god4 #ac4 ,thirdly3 because the affections of our hearts1 and all our faculties1 were in contrariety to ,god1 and 8every imagination of the thoughts of our hearts1 was only evil continually0 7,gen4 #f3e72 the ,son of ,god1 who is love itself1 became man1 that he might give us a heart wholly new2 that he might plant therein the love of ,god1 and sincere humility and meekness2 that he might take from us the old carnal heart1 and unite himself with us1 that so we might be made of one heart1 mind1 and spirit with him2 all which are the fruits of his most holy incarnation wrought in us4 #ad4 ,and this is the highest wisdom of ,god1 that by his dear ,son1 ,he thus reneweth man4 ,for as ,god has created man by his wisdom1 after his perfect image2 so ,he hath also1 by his dear ,son1 who is eternal wisdom1 and who was made man1 created man anew1 and regenerated him to a new image of ,god1 wherein his wisdom1 glory1 and righteousness should shine forth forever4 ,it is in this chiefly that the image of ,god consists4 #ae4 ,thus the corrupt image of ,god in man1 is renewed by the substantial image of ,god1 which is ,christ4 ,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,showing ,how ,a ,man ,should ,seek ,the ,wisdom ,of ,god ,by ,prayer2 ,containing ,also ,a ,useful ,treatise ,on ,prayer1 ,wherein ,the ,reader ,is ,taught ,how ,the ,heart ,is ,to ,be ,moved ,unto ,prayer1 ,and ,brought ,into ,a ,quiet ,sabbath1 ,so ,that ,prayer ,may ,be ,wrought ,in ,us ,by ,the ,lord2 ,the ,whole ,being ,set ,forth ,in ,twelve ,sections4 ,section ,i4 ,all ,that ,we ,have ,lost ,in ,adam ,we ,recover ,fully ,and ,completely ,in ,christ4 ,in ,christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge4--,,col4 #b3c4 ,in the beginning ,god formed man out of the dust of the earth1 and breathed into him the breath of life1 and man became a living and immortal soul1 adorned with perfect wisdom1 righteousness1 holiness1 and blessedness1 after the image of his ,creator4 ,for where there is divine wisdom1 there is blessedness2 and where there is blessedness there is divine wisdom4 ,man1 therefore1 wanted nothing in ,paradise to make him completely happy4 ,but when1 being seduced by the temptation of the serpent1 he turned away from ,god1 and fell into sin1 then was this divine image in man effaced1 and he became subject to the devil1 to death1 and to misery4 ,for as soon as this divine image was defaced in him by sin1 he could discover nothing in himself but misery1 blindness1 and the curse4 #b4 ,but in order that ,adam1 that is1 all men in ,adam1 might not utterly perish1 ,god himself was made man2 that is1 he was pleased to send his ,son to take our nature upon him1 and to be born of a virgin4 ,the ,son of ,god has1 by his holy life and doctrine1 as by a pattern1 shown us again the way of wisdom and salvation in which we are to walk4 ,for he has not only delivered us from our sins by his most bitter death1 but has moreover given us a commandment1 that 8we should walk1 even as he also walked40 #a ,john #b3f4 #c4 ,we are1 therefore1 begotten again by him1 through faith1 to be the sons of ,god2 nay1 we are made sons of ,god in and with his own ,son4 ,for 8as he is1 so are we also in this world40 #a ,john #d3ag4 #d4 ,in this ,son 8all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden40 ,for whatsoever was lost in ,adam1 is perfectly to be found in ,christ4 ,rom4 #e3ah1 #ai4 #e4 ,if we would1 in this life1 have a foretaste of these great and glorious treasures1 it must be obtained by prayer1 diligent searching1 and continual knocking4 ,for no man can have admission into the kingdom of ,god1 unless he walk in the new birth1 and seek it earnestly of ,god4 ,no man can be delivered from the power of sin and the devil1 unless he repent1 and offer up his prayers in the name of ,christ4 ,for though ,christ has purchased for us all good things1 yet without faith no man can be partaker of them2 in and by faith he must also pray1 seek1 and knock4 ,in a word1 it is by prayer only that we can obtain those 8good and perfect gifts which come down from above1 from the ,father of lights40 ,james #a3ag4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,o ,eternal ,god and ,father1 teach me1 ,i beseech thee1 by thy ,holy ,spirit1 that even as ,i have lost all by dying in ,adam1 so ,i may recover all by being made alive again in ,christ4 ,grant that ,i may daily die to myself1 by continual mortification and repentance1 and devote and give myself up entirely to thee2 that so all the good things which ,i have lost may be restored to me1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,section ,,ii4 ,the ,evils ,that ,follow ,the ,neglect ,of ,prayer4 ,ye have not1 because ye ask not4--,,james #d3b4 #a4 ,the neglect of prayer is a violation of the commandments of ,christ1 who commands us to 8pray without ceasing0 7,matt4 #g3g2 ,luke #ah3a71 not for ,his sake1 for he well knows what we stand in need of 7,matt4 #f3cb72 but for our own1 that we may have a portion of the treasures and inheritance of ,god4 ,he that lives in the neglect of prayer is a breaker of the first and second commandments1 even as to blaspheme ,god is to bring voluntary destruction upon himself4 #b4 ,he that neglects the duty of prayer is a despiser of the promises annexed to the performance of that duty4 8,call upon me1 and ,i will deliver thee0 7,ps4 #ej3ae72 8,ask1 and ye shall receive0 7,john #af3bd72 for he thereby represents ,god as unmindful of his promises1 or as not able to fulfil them4 #c4 ,by the neglect of prayer1 our faith1 which is the great treasure and foundation of the inward man1 by degrees decays and perishes4 ,for not by the arm or power of flesh1 but by faith in ,christ1 can we conquer sin1 death1 and the devil4 #a ,john #e3d4 ,prayer is the nourishment of faith2 and this is that wisdom and eternal life which we must seek for by diligent prayer4 #d4 ,the ,lord ,jesus departs from them that despise prayer2 so that they are blinded and walk in darkness1 knowing neither themselves nor ,god1 but are strangers to his will4 ,they shut the kingdom of heaven against themselves2 and1 being destitute of light to know the will of ,god1 they fall into many dangers and temptations1 and sometimes into despair3 whereas1 on the contrary1 where there are the ,holy ,spirit and faith1 there the world is overcome4 #e4 ,he that neglects prayer enters into a state of carnal security1 and every kind of iniquity4 ,such a man is not sensible how deeply he is engaged in sin2 but rushes into all the avenues of destruction which lie open to receive him4 ,the good things of this world which ,god has given him1 such as health and riches1 he regards as things that come by chance1 or are secured by his own labor2 and upon that account he has no gratitude to his ,creator and ,benefactor4 #f4 ,as man1 since his fall1 is exposed to continual dangers1 both of body and soul1 so is he particularly in danger from the devil1 evil spirits1 and wicked men1 who1 like the devil1 are continually plotting the destruction of the righteous4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 neglects prayer1 will be1 in the midst of these temptations1 like a ship tost in a storm1 without help or hopes of escape4 #g4 ,such a one also leads a most unhappy life2 he is in continual difficulties and fears1 being perplexed1 doubtful1 and uneasy about the success of his affairs4 ,his head and hands are full of business2 yet he sees but little fruit of his labors1 and even that little is in the end unblessed4 ,therefore1 though the ,scripture says that 8the wicked may be seen in great power10 yet it adds1 8they pass away1 and are not40 ,ps4 #cg3ce1 #cf4 ,they are 8like the chaff which the wind driveth away40 ,ps4 #a3d4 ,on the other hand1 they that seek unto ,god by prayer 8shall flourish like a palm tree1 and grow like a cedar in ,lebanon40 ,ps4 #ib3ab4 ,and 8though many are the afflictions of the righteous0 7,ps4 #cd3ai71 yet the wicked undergo more pain and trouble to go to hell than the righteous do to obtain heaven4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,most merciful and compassionate ,father1 thou knowest that man renders himself miserable by his own negligence and sloth1 whilst he transgresses thy commands1 and neglects the duty of prayer1 contemning and slighting thy most certain and faithful promises4 ,but because thou lovest thy creatures1 and art not willing that any should perish1 therefore it is that thou dost so earnestly invite us to the exercise of prayer4 ,give me grace to lay this continually to heart1 that ,i may be able to offer up my prayers aright1 through thy ,son ,jesus ,christ1 and be delivered from the punishments and miseries due to the despisers of that holy duty4 ,amen4 ,section ,,iii4 ,the ,benefits ,of ,continual ,prayer4 ,ask1 and ye shall receive1 that your joy may be full4--,,john #af3bd4 #a4 ,man1 since his fall1 is become slothful and inactive in everything that is good4 ,he1 therefore1 that would escape this unhappy state1 and the destruction that will certainly attend it1 must stir himself up by prayer2 and by holy meditation conquer his aversion to divine things1 and devoutly consider with himself the advantages of prayer4 ,let him reflect1 that he thereby praises1 honors1 and adores the eternal1 living1 and true ,god2 that he does not worship any strange ,god2 but offers up his most earnest supplications to the only one and true ,god1 whose commands1 like an obedient child1 he ought to obey1 and show forth the praises of his ,creator1 ,father1 and ,saviour4 #b4 ,he that prays does not despise the promises of ,god1 but testifies by his prayers that he sets a just value upon them1 acknowledging that ,god is true1 and that he neither can nor will lie4 #c4 ,prayer is the life of faith1 causing it to flourish and prosper like a tree by the river side1 and faith is the root of all that is good in us4 ,faith is our power1 our spiritual consolation1 our strength against all our enemies and temptations1 yea1 faith is our 8victory that overcometh the world0 7#a ,john #e3d72 and consequently everything else that opposes and hinders us in our spiritual warfare4 #d4 ,by prayer1 we receive the ,holy ,spirit4 ,luke #aa3ac2 ,zech4 #ab3aj4 ,by prayer1 we make room for the ,holy ,spirit to work and exert his power in us1 and by this means to come and make his abode with us4 ,john #ad3bc4 ,by prayer1 we obtain the true light and knowledge of ,god1 so as perfectly to understand his will2 and1 by prayer1 we abide in his kingdom1 and are partakers of the blessings of heaven4 #e4 ,by prayer1 we shake off carnal security1 resist sin1 and1 by vanquishing flesh and blood1 8fight the good fight1 and hold faith and a good conscience40 #a ,tim4 #a3ai2 #f3ab4 #f4 ,by prayer1 we oppose temptations1 dangers1 afflictions1 the devil1 and wicked men4 ,for prayer is a strong tower of defence against our enemies1 and the holy fortress to which we must have recourse 7,eph4 #f3ah2 ,prov4 #ah3aj2 ,ps4 #ca3c72 and though the devil and wicked men raise the greatest opposition1 yet 8all things work together for good to them that love ,god40 ,rom4 #h3bh4 #g4 ,lastly1 he that continually watches unto prayer may always thankfully rejoice in the ,holy ,ghost2 according to the doctrine of ,st4 ,paul1 8,rejoice evermore2 pray without ceasing2 in everything give thanks40 #a ,thess4 #e3af-ah4 ,for the comfortable addresses made to ,god1 the eternal ,king1 by prayer1 are an effectual remedy against sorrow1 trouble1 misery1 and affliction2 and produce joy1 peace1 and tranquillity in the hearts of the faithful2 and when our prayers are right1 we are assured that all our righteous designs shall prosper in our hands 8whilst we cast our care upon ,god40 #a ,pet4 #e3g4 8,the ,lord is at hand4 ,be careful for nothing40 ,phil4 #d3e1 #f4 8,commit thy way unto the ,lord2 trust also in him1 and he shall bring it to pass40 ,ps4 #cg3e4 ,for all solicitude arises from a distrust of ,god1 which naturally proceeds from the neglect of prayer4 ,on the contrary1 faith and prayer give us confidence towards ,god1 and are the proper antidote against all anxiety and trouble of mind4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,help me1 ,o ,lord my ,god1 that ,i may continually call to mind1 that it is for my own sake that thou invitest and urgest me to the exercise of prayer4 ,do thou rouse me1 and ,i shall arise2 awaken thou me1 and ,i shall awake1 and follow ,christ alone4 ,amen4 ,section ,,iv4 ,the ,true ,christian ,chooses ,the ,narrow ,way ,in ,christ1 ,rather ,than ,the ,broad ,way ,in ,adam4 ,we glory in tribulations4--,,rom4 #e3c4 #a4 ,the ,scripture teaches us that when ,adam was placed in ,paradise1 ,god showed him the tree of the knowledge of good and evil1 and forbade him to eat of it 7,gen4 #b3i1 #ag72 so that ,adam was thus placed between time and eternity4 ,life and death1 light and darkness 7,deut4 #cj3ae71 were set before him1 that he might qualify himself for eternal glory in the narrow way4 ,our case is just the same4 ,for since the fall of ,adam1 ,christ comes to us1 and endeavors to draw us from the broad way in ,adam1 to the narrow way1 which is himself2 and this he does gently and without violence1 resolving to force no man either to his salvation or his condemnation4 ,he shows us the way by his prevenient grace1 which is bestowed on all men without exception4 ,christ now says1 8,enter ye in at the strait gate2 for wide is the gate1 and broad is the way1 that leadeth to destruction2 and many there be that go in thereat4 ,because strait is the gate1 and narrow is the way1 which leadeth unto life1 and few there be that find it40 ,matt4 #g3ac1 #ad4 #b4 ,here we plainly see two paths set before us3 the one is the way of the world1 in which many walk1 because they continue in ,adam1 and refuse ,christ2 the other is the way of ,god1 in which few walk1 because they prefer the broad way in ,adam4 ,many are the difficulties which attend both these paths4 ,if you conform yourself to the world1 you will meet with many troubles and vexations2 and1 not being established in the truth of ,god1 your lot finally is eternal damnation4 ,but if you enter into the way of ,god through ,christ1 and persevere in prayer1 you must expect to suffer with ,christ1 from the opposition of this evil world3 but1 at the same time1 your heart shall be constantly filled with the refreshing consolations of the ,spirit of truth1 and in the end1 you shall obtain everlasting life4 #b ,tim4 #b3aa1 #ab2 #c3ab4 #c4 ,he that prays1 fights against the devil and his own corrupt nature2 overcomes himself1 the devil1 and all the enemies of his salvation2 and shall at last with ,christ1 the ,captain of his salvation 7,heb4 #b3aj71 enter into everlasting rest4 #d4 ,but he that lives in the neglect of prayer1 makes no progress in the conquest of his spiritual enemies2 but is a miserable slave of the world1 and shall at last1 with the prince of darkness1 be condemned to everlasting misery4 #e4 ,it is better to fight now1 and to enter triumphantly into everlasting glory1 than not to fight1 and yet endure many afflictions1 and at last be doomed to everlasting destruction4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,oh that men would but consider these things6 ,they would then loathe and despise this present world2 would hate and deny themselves1 and would follow ,christ alone1 in the narrow way of the cross4 ,that we may1 therefore1 seriously lay these things to heart2 that we may renounce the old ,adam within us1 and put on the new man1 ,christ ,jesus3 and at last1 through the narrow way1 enter into everlasting life1 may ,god of his infinite mercy grant1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,section ,v4 ,considerations ,which ,should ,move ,the ,heart ,to ,commune ,with ,god ,in ,prayer4 ,am ,i a ,god at hand1 saith the ,lord1 and not a ,god afar off8--,,jer4 #bc3bc4 #a4 ,it is of great use to us1 to have before us certain heads which may serve as encouragements to the exercise of earnest prayer1 which is that worship in spirit and in truth1 which ,god requires of all his servants4 #b4 ,i4 ,first1 then1 we must consider that 8,god knows what things we have need of1 before we ask him40 ,matt4 #f3h4 #c4 ,,ii4 ,that ,god draws1 invites1 and encourages us to the exercise of prayer1 and assuredly promises that he will hear our prayers4 ,ps4 #ej3ae4 #d4 ,,iii4 ,that ,god is no respecter of persons1 but has an equal regard for all mankind4 ,acts #aj3cd4 #e4 ,,iv4 ,that he is as sinful who presumes to pray upon the opinion of his own righteousness1 merit1 and holiness1 as he that is afraid to pray out of a sense of his own sins and unworthiness4 ,luke #ah3aa1 #ad4 #f4 ,v4 ,that ,god is not confined to any certain place1 where only we ought to worship him2 but that he is everywhere to be found1 and is always 8nigh to them that call upon him40 ,john #d3ba1 #bb2 ,ps4 #ade3ah4 #g4 ,,vi4 ,that ,god is1 in his own eternity1 unchangeable1 and not confined to any certain time2 but is always attentive to the prayers of his servants4 #a ,thess4 #e3ag4 #h4 ,,vii4 ,that ,god anticipates our prayers1 and gives us both natural and supernatural blessings1 which yet1 without prayer1 nobody can truly enjoy4 #i4 ,these considerations will renew and awaken every soul that shall duly attend to them 7,eph4 #e3ad73 they will cleanse them from darkness and error2 establish them on the foundation of truth2 elevate them towards ,god2 and inflame them with a lively devotion4 ,for from them flow the following lessons3 #aj4 ,i4 ,that ,god commands and encourages us to pray1 not for ,his own sake1 as if ,he were ignorant of our wants1 but for our sakes1 that being quickened by prayer we might know and acknowledge them ourselves4 #aa4 ,,ii4 ,that ,god does not stand in need of any minute declarations of our necessities1 but knows1 even before we ask him1 what things we have need of4 ,isa4 #fe3bd2 ,ps4 #aci3b4 #ab4 ,,iii4 ,that ,god1 who never slumbereth nor sleepeth1 needs not to be awakened by our cries1 fastings1 and watchings2 but that these exercises are profitable for man1 to awaken and rouse him from the sleep of sin4 ,ps4 #cc3ah2 #cd3ae4 #ac4 ,,iv4 ,that ,god is a thousand times more ready to give1 than man is to receive4 ,jer4 #cb3da4 #ad4 ,v4 ,that the goodness and mercy of ,god towards mankind are infinite 7,ps4 #ajc3ab71 but that the negligence and sloth of men in praying1 seeking1 and knocking1 are excessive4 ,matt4 #g3g4 #ae4 ,,vi4 ,that ,god is impartial and just in all his works1 and is by no means the cause of our blindness1 infirmities1 ignorance1 or miseries2 but that wretched man himself is in fault1 by neglecting to pray or to seek4 ,deut4 #cb3d2 ,ps4 #ib3ae4 #af4 ,,vii4 ,that the true worshipper may at all times and in all places1 offer up his prayers in spirit and in truth to ,god the ,father1 through ,christ1 provided he do not hinder himself4 ,john #d3ba1 #bc2 ,luke #ah3a1 etc4 #ag4 ,,viii4 ,that whosoever neglects prayer1 deprives himself of the blessed opportunities of speaking to ,god4 ,ps4 #ai3ad4 ,thus the sinner inflicts punishment on himself4 #ah4 ,,ix4 ,that the diligent worshipper doeth good to himself2 not of himself but by the prevenient grace of ,god1 which is freely given to all men without exception4 #ai4 ,let him that is unacquainted with the preceding heads of meditation1 know that he is still far from ,christ1 and has tasted but little of the truth4 ,he who knows them1 and believes them not1 is guilty of a very great sin2 and1 lastly1 he that believes them and yet is inactive1 and does not stir up himself to the practice of them1 but1 on the other hand1 lives on from day to day1 in a state of doubt and indifference1 is a great sinner1 and shall be beaten with many more stripes than he who knew not his ,lord's will1 and therefore did it not4 ,luke #ab3dg4 ,let the one last mentioned look carefully to himself1 that he may be seriously converted1 and not perish in his sins4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,o ,lord1 and merciful ,father1 awaken me by thy ,holy ,spirit1 that ,i may not only know those things1 but may practise them by a lively faith1 and become a true worshipper in spirit and in truth4 ,amen4 ,section ,,vi4 ,the ,omniscient ,god ,knows ,what ,we ,stand ,in ,need ,of1 ,before ,we ,ask ,him4 ,thou understandest my thought afar off4--,,ps4 #aci3b4 #a4 ,the truth of these words is confirmed by our blessed ,saviour3 8,your ,father knoweth what things ye have need of1 before ye ask him0 7,matt4 #f3h72 and by ,david3 8,he that planted the ear1 shall he not hear80 7,ps4 #id3i72 and by ,st4 ,paul3 8,he is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart40 ,heb4 #d3ab4 ,for our ,god is not as man1 who stands in need of a long account of our necessities4 ,all the possible successions of time are in his sight but as one single moment1 in which all things1 both past and to come1 are beheld as actually present4 ,therefore1 he numbered the hairs of our heads before we were born1 and understands all our thoughts before we pray4 ,in a word1 all things are naked and open in his sight4 ,heb4 #d3 #ac4 ,these and similar meditations may be of use1 for the encouragement of those who begin the exercise of prayer2 so that they may always have certain sentences of ,scripture ready at hand1 upon which they may meditate1 and which they may apply to themselves1 by comprising the sense of them in a short prayer4 ,this will be easily understood by those that are exercised herein4 #b4 ,a man that walks abroad in an open spacious field1 and in a clear day1 finds himself encompassed with light2 which light1 if it were spiritual1 instead of being natural1 would even penetrate the spirit itself4 ,just so are all creatures1 visible and invisible1 in the sight of ,god4 ,he discerns and comprehends all things1 and nothing can be hidden from him4 8,the darkness hideth not from him2 but the night shineth as the day40 ,ps4 #aci3ab4 ,he himself is the all-seeing eye1 to whom all things are as clear as a mote in transparent crystal would be to our bodily eyes4 #c4 ,this consideration is of great use to the inexperienced1 in order to purge their hearts from the thick clouds of darkness and error1 and to quicken them in prayer2 by which1 when truly roused and awakened1 we discover many great and noble truths that had hitherto been hidden from our eyes4 ,many are apt to think1 that ,god knows and sees no more than they themselves do2 which is the effect of egregious blindness and ignorance1 and will merit a proportionable punishment4 ,ps4 #g3i4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,almighty and everlasting ,god and ,father1 the ,searcher of hearts1 and the ,judge of all our secret thoughts1 who seest1 knowest1 and hearest all our designs and purposes before they are brought to pass6 ,behold1 ,i appear before thee1 to confess my necessities1 not with any design to awaken thee by my cries1 as if thou wert ignorant of me1 or of my concerns2 but to stir up myself to know and consider1 that thou knowest all my necessities1 and that the very hairs of my head are numbered by thee4 ,assist me1 ,holy ,father1 that ,i may truly know and consider these things1 that my soul may joyfully submit to thy good pleasure1 and that ,i may wait upon thee in true resignation and obedience4 ,amen4 ,section ,,vii4 ,that ,god ,invites ,and ,engages ,all ,men ,to ,the ,exercise ,of ,prayer1 ,and ,promises ,to ,hear ,their ,petitions4 ,whosoever shall call on the name of the ,lord shall be delivered4--,,joel #b3cb4 #a4 ,these words ought to be carefully considered2 for it is not sufficient to believe that ,god knows all things2 we must also remember that ,god commands us to pray1 and promises to hear us4 ,thus1 8,whatsoever ye shall ask the ,father in my name1 he will give it you40 ,john #af3bc4 8,everyone that asketh1 receiveth2 and he that seeketh1 findeth2 and to him that knocketh1 it shall be opened40 ,matt4 #g3h4 8,men ought always to pray1 and not to faint40 ,luke #ah3a4 8,if any one lack wisdom1 let him ask of ,god1 that giveth to all men liberally1 and upbraideth not1 and it shall be given him40 ,james #a3e4 8,if we ask any thing according to his will1 he heareth us40 #a ,john #e3ad4 8,all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer1 believing1 ye shall receive40 ,matt4 #ba3bb4 ,in all these places1 both a command and a promise are expressed2 which must needs make an impression upon every man that has not a heart of stone2 and he that does not believe them1 is in a desperate state1 and deserves not the name of a man4 ,but if these things are true1 and acknowledged to be so1 why do we not believe them8 ,why do we not pray8 ,why are not our prayers heard8 ,why do we not receive the gifts and graces of the ,holy ,spirit8 ,verily1 because we do not pray with faith1 nor wait upon ,god with constancy and patience4 ,for the property of true faith is to submit ourselves to ,god1 in a quiet and peaceful resignation of mind2 but he that wavers1 is unfaithful and inconstant1 and makes his own prayers void4 ,moreover1 he denies the truth and power of ,god1 making him either unable or unwilling to supply our wants4 ,both these are signs of a perverse spirit4 #b4 ,on the other hand1 faith gives quietness to the soul1 and makes it capable of divine grace4 ,god requires nothing from man but that he should be quiet1 and rest from all his works1 and especially from himself4 ,the spirit and mind of man are like waters1 upon which the ,spirit of ,god is perpetually moving4 ,gen4 #a3b4 ,so soon as our spirit is quiet1 and at rest from the impetuous motions of worldly thoughts1 then ,god rests upon it1 and speaks forth the word of his power into such quiet and still waters2 and the moment of this divine influx is of more value than the whole world4 ,still waters are easily warmed by the sun1 but violent and rapid streams seldom or never4 ,unbelief sacrilegiously robs ,god of his honor1 destroying the very names of faith and truth4 ,this changes the ,christian into a heathen and atheist1 and1 unless repented of1 will lead to his everlasting destruction4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,o ,eternal1 faithful1 and righteous ,god1 who canst not lie2 ,i know that thou dost graciously invite1 encourage1 and impel all men1 for their own infinite advantage1 to pray unto thee2 and dost offer thy grace and mercy equally to them all1 without distinction or partiality4 ,grant1 ,i beseech thee1 ,holy ,father1 that ,i may seriously lay these things to heart1 and attain a true1 firm1 and upright faith1 and not be deaf to the invitations of thy infinite mercy2 but may constantly and cheerfully submit myself to thee1 and expect with patience thy light within my soul4 ,amen4 ,section ,,viii4 ,god ,is ,no ,respecter ,of ,persons1 ,but ,has ,an ,impartial ,love ,for ,all ,his ,creatures4 ,the ,lord is good to all1 and his tender mercies are over all his works4--,,ps4 #ade3i4 #a4 ,i am now indeed convinced 7some one may say71 that ,god knows my necessities better than ,i can discover them to him2 that he has commanded prayer1 and promised to hear it3 but ,i am not yet fully satisfied1 whether ,i in particular am not excluded from the benefit of these promises8--,come1 then1 and let us now show that ,god is no respecter of persons1 in opposition to those blind guides1 who1 by their false interpretations of some places of ,holy ,scripture1 particularly ,rom4 #i3ac1 ,mal4 #a3b1 and the like1 have endeavored to prove that ,god has an aversion to some particular persons1 and a partial fondness for others2 contrary to the plain and indisputable testimonies of ,holy ,scripture1 which we ought firmly to fix in our minds1 that we may not be perverted by the false glosses of unreasonable men4 8,of a truth ,i perceive that ,god is no respecter of persons3 but in every nation1 he that feareth him1 and worketh righteousness1 is accepted with him40 ,acts #aj3cd1 #ce4 8,the ,lord your ,god is ,god of gods1 and ,lord of lords1 a great ,god1 a mighty1 and a terrible1 which regardeth not persons1 nor taketh reward4 ,he doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow1 and loveth the stranger1 in giving him food and raiment40 ,deut4 #aj3ag1 #ah4 8,god accepteth no man's person40 ,gal4 #b3f4 8,there is no respect of persons with ,god40 ,col4 #c3be4 8,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked2 but that the wicked turn from his way and live4--,as for the wickedness of the wicked1 he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness4--,none of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him40 ,ezek4 #cc3aa1 #ab1 #af4 8,this is a faithful saying1 and worthy of all acceptation1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners2 of whom ,i am chief4 ,howbeit1 for this cause ,i obtained mercy1 that in me first ,jesus ,christ might show forth all long-suffering1 for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting40 #a ,tim4 #a3ae1 #af4 8,god will have all men to be saved1 and to come unto the knowledge of the truth40 #a ,tim4 #b3d4 8,god is not willing that any should perish1 but that all should come to repentance40 #b ,pet4 #c3i4 ,these and such testimonies of ,scripture ought to be deeply imprinted on our minds1 that every one may know1 that all men are equally dear to ,god2 that all men were created by him according to his image1 and redeemed by ,jesus ,christ4 ,moreover1 ,god has sworn by himself1 that he desires not the death of a sinner4 ,hence ,god assists us all by his prevenient grace1 not waiting till we are worthy to receive it4 ,he comes to us1 before we come to him2 he knew us1 before we knew him2 he loveth us1 before we love him2 he loved us while we were yet his enemies4 ,rom4 #e3aj4 ,he1 therefore1 is blind and impious1 who dares assert that ,god does not love all men alike4 ,such a one scorns the ,god of heaven1 accuses him of injustice1 and makes him a respecter of persons4 #b4 ,but when it is said that ,god loved ,jacob1 and hated ,esau 7,rom4 #i3ac71 such language is not to be understood of them personally1 or as indicating only hatred1 but refers to the exclusion from the inheritance in the land of promise--not to a hatred which refuses salvation1 but to the refusal of temporal blessings4 ,and though we are all sinners1 yet ,god has a greater regard for those that love him than for those that continue in their sins and blindness1 neither acknowledging ,god for their ,father1 nor bringing forth the fruits of repentance4 ,god takes no pleasure in the wickedness of these men2 but rather desires that all should be saved4 ,and whereas it is said that 8he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy2 and whom he will he hardeneth0 7,rom4 #i3ah72 we must know that he hardeneth none but those who by their unbelief and impenitence have hardened themselves4 ,these1 indeed1 he does at length1 with reluctance1 leave to themselves2 and being thus forsaken1 they naturally fall into a state of entire obduracy4 ,and whereas it is said1 that 8it is not of him that runneth1 but of ,god that sheweth mercy0 7,rom4 #i3af72 it is plain that ,god doth elect and anticipate us by his grace1 and not we ourselves1 and that he is the ,author and ,giver of all our graces2 so that whatsoever good we do1 is owing to him1 and not to ourselves4 #c4 ,this is the true interpretation of those places1 which some perverse minds have interpreted1 as if ,god had decreed to damn a great part of mankind 7as the poets feigned of ,saturn1 who hated and devoured his own children74 ,this is a doctrine that tends directly to subvert our faith1 and to precipitate men into despair1 or into a rude1 lawless and ,epicurean mode of life1 as appears by woful experience4 ,from all which snares1 and deceits of the devil1 may the ,lord deliver us6 ,amen4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,o ,eternal and most righteous ,god1 who acceptest not the persons of men2 but art so just in thy dispensations towards us all1 as to anticipate us with thy grace and favor1 not waiting till we are already worthy1 but bestowing thy prevenient grace to make us so2 teach me1 by thy ,holy ,spirit1 gratefully to acknowledge thy boundless mercy towards us4 ,let thy light arise in my heart1 that ,i may not1 with the wicked world1 disown that grace which thou hast already bestowed upon me1 which is that treasure hidden in the field1 the earnest of the inheritance of the saints2 but may diligently search after it1 find it1 taste it1 and enjoy it4 ,amen4 ,section ,,ix4 ,showing ,that ,it ,is ,equally ,sinful ,to ,pray ,to ,god ,upon ,the ,presumption ,of ,our ,own ,merit1 ,and ,to ,forbear ,on ,account ,of ,our ,unworthiness4 ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and in thy sight1 and am no more worthy to be called thy son4--,,luke #ae3ba4 #a4 ,he that prays upon the presumption of his own holiness and piety1 walketh not in the direct and plain path of the children of ,god2 but turns to the right hand1 outruns his ,saviour1 and1 like a sacrilegious robber1 deprives him of the honor due unto him 7since ,he alone is our righteousness1 our holiness1 and our sanctification1 #a ,cor4 #a3cj71 and depends entirely upon his own unprofitable works2 not acknowledging the merit of ,christ alone1 but depending upon human righteousness1 and believing that ,god hears our prayers1 not for the sake of ,jesus ,christ1 but for the sake of man's good works4 ,but this is directly contrary to ,scripture4 8,if thou1 ,lord1 shouldest mark iniquity1 ,o ,lord1 who shall stand8--,but with the ,lord there is mercy1 and with him is plenteous redemption40 ,ps4 #acj3c1 #g4 ,a man may as well say1 that the operation of his eyes causes the light of the sun1 as that his own righteousness is the cause of his receiving the grace of ,god4 ,abraham1 ,isaac1 ,jacob1 ,elias1 c41 were all saved by grace2 all joining in that petition1 8,enter not into judgment with thy servant1 ,o ,lord1 c40 ,ps4 #adc3b4 #b4 ,he1 on the other hand1 that neglects to pray from a sense of his manifold transgressions1 judging himself upon that account unworthy to speak to ,god1 turns to the left hand1 and sinks in his own misery and unworthiness1 affronting the ,son of ,god1 and 7without repentance7 running into despair2 whilst he thinks that the passion and death of ,christ are not sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world4 ,against this temptation1 let us call to mind1 that 8where sin abounded1 there grace did much more abound40 ,rom4 #e3bj4 ,for our misery appeals to the mercy of ,god1 our weakness to his power1 our unworthiness to his majesty1 our unrighteousness to his righteousness4 8,this is a faithful saying1 and worthy of all acceptation1 that ,christ ,jesus came into the world to save sinners2 of whom ,i am chief40 #a ,tim4 #a3ae4 8,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i have no pleasure in the death of the wicked1 but that the wicked turn from his way and live40 ,ezek4 #cc3aa4 8,there is now no condemnation to them that are in ,christ ,jesus40 ,rom4 #h3a4 8,as for the wickedness of the wicked1 he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness40 ,ezek4 #ah3ba2 #cc3ab4 8,for this 7the remission of sins7 shall every one that is godly pray40 ,ps4 #cb3f4 8,be not righteous overmuch1 neither make thyself over wise40 ,eccles4 #g3af4 8,if we confess our sins1 he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins1 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness40 #a ,john #a3i4 8,righteousness shall look down from heaven40 ,ps4 #he3aa4 #c4 ,if ,i resolve not to pray till ,i know myself to be worthy1 ,i shall certainly never do it at all4 ,and if ,i should not desire ,god to bestow upon me his grace and favor1 till by my own strength ,i became just and holy1 ,i should never obtain anything4 ,alas1 poor man1 what canst thou bestow upon him who standeth not in need of thy gifts8 ,rom4 #aa3ce4 ,or what canst thou obtain by the workings of thy corrupt nature1 which1 however specious in thine own eyes1 are of no value in the sight of ,god8 ,rom4 #c3bd4 ,verily1 nothing at all4 ,away1 then1 with all those who glory in their own righteousness1 and pretend to justify themselves2 yea1 let all creatures keep silence before ,god4 ,thine own worthiness will here avail thee nothing1 and thine unworthiness shall do thee no harm2 for the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 thy ,saviour1 is he that 8forgiveth thy unrighteousness1 and covereth all thy sin40 ,ps4 #cb3a4 ,but rather conclude with thyself1 that as a drop of water is swallowed up in the sea1 so are all thy transgressions in the boundless and incomprehensible mercies of ,jesus ,christ4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,o ,merciful and compassionate ,father6 who teachest me in thy holy word how ,i ought1 in thy ,son ,jesus ,christ1 to walk in the narrow way1 turning neither to the right hand nor to the left2 that ,i may neither fall through a vain presumption of my own piety1 nor be cast into despair by the gloomy prospect of my guilt1 and so die in my sins2 grant that ,i may seriously consider that neither my good works can merit1 nor my sins hinder1 the grace of ,christ1 my ,redeemer2 that so ,i may continue firm and steadfast amidst all my temptations2 that ,i may neither be misled by the evil spirit of presumption and spiritual pride that walketh at noonday1 nor be afraid of the destroying angel of despair that walketh in darkness2 but that1 having conquered the weakness of my nature1 ,i may continue steadfast in the faith1 filled with spiritual joy and consolation4 ,let thy grace1 blessed ,lord ,jesus1 begin1 carry on1 and perfect this good work in me4 ,amen4 ,section ,x4 ,the ,true ,worshipper ,ought ,not ,to ,seek ,after ,god ,in ,any ,particular ,place2 ,for ,he ,finds ,him ,everywhere ,in ,spirit ,and ,in ,truth4 ,the hour cometh1 when ye shall neither in this mountain1 nor yet at ,jerusalem1 worship the ,father4 ,the true worshippers shall worship the ,father in spirit and in truth4--,,john #d3ba1 #bc4 #a4 ,where shall we find ,god8 ,jer4 #bc3bc4 ,must we look for him in consecrated temples8 ,must we seek him in the ends of the earth8 ,must we search for him in the stars1 or at ,jerusalem1 or upon the top of ,mount ,tabor8 ,no6 but 8in spirit and in truth0 7,john #d3bc7 seek and find him4 ,we are1 indeed1 sometimes forced to the fatigue of long journeys1 in order to make our complaints1 and beg the protection of the princes of this world2 but ,god is everywhere2 8,he filleth heaven and earth0 7,jer4 #bc3bd71 and is nearer to all creatures than they are to themselves4 8,he is above all1 and through all1 and in us all40 ,eph4 #d3f4 ,the utmost dimensions of space1 and even the boundless extent of eternity1 appear to him as but a single point4 ,ps4 #aci3g4 ,as a man that walks at noonday1 in an open field1 is environed with light1 whether he discern it or be blind1 so are all creatures surrounded with the presence of ,god4 ,these are the waters upon which the ,spirit of ,god moves1 penetrating through all beings and all spirits1 though ever so pure and glorious4 ,god is always near to us1 though many are not so to him1 having no more perception of the communications of his presence than a blind man has of the light1 which he sees not1 though surrounded by it4 ,god never turns away from us2 but we1 being turned away from him1 fall into that degree of blindness1 as to say1 that ,god has withdrawn himself from us1 and is become unkind to us2 whereas1 the change is only in ourselves1 and in our own hearts1 by which we are tempted to charge ,god foolishly4 ,thus the sinner1 by turning away from ,god1 becomes his own tormentor2 whilst ,god continues unchangeably just and good in all his works 7,ps4 #ade3h72 however often man1 being blinded and turned away from ,god1 may represent him as an angry1 unjust1 and unmerciful being4 #b4 ,hence1 then1 we may gather the genuine sense of those passages of ,scripture1 which say that 8the kingdom of ,god is within us10 and not without us 7,luke #ag3ba71 and that we have nothing to do with 8them that are without40 #a ,cor4 #e3ab4 ,these1 without all dispute1 are not to be understood of any external place1 but of the spirit or inward man1 according to the faith4 ,to confine the kingdom of ,god to any certain place1 is antichristian1 even as our blessed ,lord has told us that men will say1 8,lo1 here is ,christ1 or lo1 there40 ,matt4 #bd3bc4 ,but if any place could save or condemn a man1 then ,lucifer himself could never have become a devil in heaven2 nor would ,adam ever have sinned in paradise4 ,so if any place would condemn a man1 then should no man living be saved2 since this whole world lieth in darkness1 and all the inhabitants thereof are under the dominion of the devil1 who is the prince of it4 ,john #ab3ca4 ,he therefore that has faith1 though with ,jonah he were in the depths of the sea1 yet would be in the kingdom of ,god2 and he that has it not1 though he were in the church1 heard sermons1 and would join in acts of communion1 yet in the sight of ,god he is without1 and has no part in1 or title to1 the kingdom of ,god4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,o ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who art the only way1 light1 and gate of heaven1 ,i praise thee from the bottom of my heart1 that by this meditation1 thou teachest me how ,i am in thee1 and thou in me1 in whatsoever place ,i am2 how thou1 my true and only ,high ,priest1 art with me1 and deliverest me from my sins1 whensoever ,i lift up my heart to thee4 ,though ,i walk through the valley of the shadow of death1 ,i will fear no evil1 for thou art with me4 ,teach me1 ,o ,lord1 always to acknowledge this1 and not after the manner of this ungrateful world1 to undervalue or despise this hidden treasure2 but that ,i may in true faith seek1 find1 taste1 and enjoy it4 ,amen4 ,section ,,xi4 ,the ,worshipper ,is ,not ,restricted ,to ,certain ,times ,of ,prayer1 ,but ,may ,at ,any ,hour ,address ,god ,in ,prayer1 ,provided ,that ,he ,does ,not ,hinder ,himself4 ,in an acceptable time have ,i heard thee1 and in a day of salvation have ,i helped thee4--,seek ye the ,lord while he may be found1 call ye upon him while he is near4--,,isa4 #di3h2 #ee3f4 ,behold1 now is the accepted time1 behold1 now is the day of salvation4--#b ,,cor4 #f3b4 #a4 ,from what has been already said concerning the place1 and what we are now observing further upon that head1 it is plain1 that he is truly happy who is in the kingdom of ,god4 ,the reason of this is1 because he has the treasure within him1 wheresoever he is2 and that he1 who1 through unbelief1 is not in the kingdom of ,god1 is truly a stranger and foreigner1 however he may with other ,christians1 hear sermons and receive the ,sacrament4 ,the place will neither save us nor condemn us2 that can be done by nothing but faith or unbelief existing in the heart and spirit of man4 ,the true ,christian1 in whatever place he lives1 as he has the ,spirit of ,christ within him1 so he has1 by consequence1 a principle of grace1 pardon1 and remission of sins2 for ,christ is in him4 ,i speak not this to discourage the external exercise of preaching2 but for the comfort of all sincere souls under necessities1 sickness1 or in strange lands2 when they are assured that they are truly in ,christ1 that ,christ is in them1 and that they are not 8without0 but 8within40 ,this should also alarm the sinner1 who1 though living among ,christians1 yet1 in the sight of ,god is excluded4 ,for every unbeliever cuts himself off from the body of ,christ1 and from the most valuable privileges of his communion2 so that a wicked man1 under the agonies of sickness1 would receive no benefit by having the ,holy ,sacrament1 though the priest1 or even the pope himself stood by him2 or by being brought and laid in the midst of the church4 ,but if a man has within him a true and living faith1 it could do him no harm1 though he should die in a heathen country1 or on the sea1 without the comfort of the ,holy ,sacrament1 or a priest2 because ,jesus ,christ1 the true ,high ,priest1 is in him1 and even the kingdom of ,god1 as our blessed ,lord abundantly testifies ,john #d3ba2 ,luke #ag3ba2 ,matt4 #bd3bc4 ,how blind then and miserable are those men who seek for blessedness from man1 confining it to a certain place1 and look to external things4 ,this1 however1 is the case with many thousands who thus lose the internal treasure4 ,externals are but means1 which though not to be despised1 yet are not to be valued as the end itself1 to which they are intended to lead4 ,christ is the great treasure of man1 who can bestow himself without the use of means1 where they cannot be had4 ,we come together in the church1 that with one accord we may exhort and admonish one another in the divine ,presence1 call upon ,god to avert public evils and calamities1 and exercise one another in divine matters1 that so we1 who are otherwise totally blind in spiritual things1 being excited by these means1 may at length understand and see that ,god is not contained 8in the heaven of heavens0 7#a ,kings #h3bg71 nor confined to any place2 being1 as ,job witnesseth1 8high as heaven1 deeper than hell1 longer than the earth1 and broader than the sea40 ,job #aa3h1 #i4 #b4 ,what we have observed of place1 may be also applied to time1 to which the eternal and unchangeable ,god is by no means confined1 so as not to be always at liberty to hear our prayers4 ,great men and princes of this world are not always to be spoken with1 and frequently refuse admittance to their petitioners2 being engaged either by the necessities or diversions of life4 ,but our ,god cannot be thus separated from his creatures2 at one view1 ,he sees1 and hears1 and considers all things that are done upon the earth1 and 8understandeth our thoughts afar off40 ,ps4 #aci3b4 ,he numbereth 8the very hairs of our heads0 7,matt4 #aj3cj72 and 8a thousand years in his sight are but as one day40 ,ps4 #ij3d2 #b ,pet4 #c3h4 ,god is not capable of alteration or change2 is confined to no time1 limited by no place1 always ready to hear and to help us2 yea1 he is continually 8standing at the door1 and knocking1 that we may open to him40 ,rev4 #c3bj4 ,so that he is always ready1 but we are not4 ,whereas if we would constantly and without ceasing wait for ,him1 we should never fail to receive a ready answer to all our prayers4 #c4 ,but alas6 the concerns of this lower world have so great an influence upon our minds1 distracting our thoughts1 and withholding us from devout retirement1 that we must endeavor to purify our minds from all thoughts of the creature1 according to a devout writer1 who advises us1 8to lay aside all thoughts of this or that thing1 time or place1 and bring all the powers of our souls into profound repose40 ,and in this sabbath or rest of the soul1 in this quiet cessation from the cares and labors of corrupt nature1 when we pray1 ,god descends with his living word1 and the soul of man perceives and tastes the truth and love of ,god2 of which1 before this patient preparation1 it was wholly ignorant and insensible4 ,so that the soul cannot forbear crying out in the words3 8,the ,lord1 the ,lord ,god1 merciful and gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth60 7,exod4 #cd3f47 8,now1 ,i find thy prevenient grace helping my infirmities1 and assisting me to pray as ,i ought40 ,then thou wilt be amazed at the blindness of thy own heart1 which gave thee so imperfect a notion of ,god1 as to believe that ,god was to be persuaded with external ceremonies1 and clamorous prayers1 and that he stood in need of a long relation of thy wants and necessities2 whereas ,he sees to the very bottom of thy soul1 and 8understandeth all thy thoughts afar off40 ,a ,,prayer4 ,almighty1 eternal1 and most merciful ,god and ,father6 ,thy goodness and truth are higher than the heavens1 deeper than the sea1 wider than the earth2 all places are to ,thee the same1 and in thy sight all times are alike4 ,thou art above all places and all times1 and yet dost penetrate and fill all things4 ,thou art nearer to me than ,i am to myself2 thou anticipatest me with thy grace1 and embracest me with thy mercy1 which1 through my blindness and misery1 ,i could neither know nor hope for4 ,grant1 that by thy ,holy ,spirit1 ,i may seriously lay these things to heart1 and for the future1 look up to thee as my merciful ,father1 who knowest all things1 and art present at all times1 and in all places1 that ,i may no more presume to judge of ,thee by any natural blindness1 and no more persuade myself that ,thou art to be awakened1 or prevailed upon by my crying2 that thou needest any long discourses of mine1 or requirest any certain time for prayer4 ,but give me grace to consider1 that the true worshipper may have access to ,thee at all times1 and in all places1 and that thy goodness is always and everywhere present with us2 but that no man can enjoy it1 or taste of thy sweetness1 unless he be first awakened and encouraged by ,thee to engage in devout prayer4 ,that ,i may worthily and effectually perform this1 give me thy ,holy ,spirit1 who may work in me to will and to do according to thy good pleasure4 ,amen4 ,section ,,xii4 ,the ,considerations ,stated ,above1 ,not ,only ,dispose ,the ,heart ,to ,true ,prayer1 ,but ,also ,furnish ,various ,useful ,lessons4 ,it shall come to pass1 that before they call1 ,i will answer2 and while they are yet speaking1 ,i will hear4--,,isa4 #fe3bd4 #a4 ,the first lesson which we learn is1 that ,god has not commanded us to pray for his own sake1 for he knoweth all things2 but that we1 being excited by these means1 may be led to understand that he does know all things4 ,god has so tender a concern for us1 that he seems not to know anything1 till we reflect within ourselves1 that he does indeed know it4 ,hence it comes to pass1 that when men do not diligently pray1 they seem to think that ,god does not know4 ,and1 on the contrary1 when we exercise ourselves in prayer1 we soon learn that ,god knoweth all our necessities1 and hath numbered the very hairs of our heads before we were born4 ,these are thoughts that cannot enter into the hearts of those who despise the duty of prayer4 #b4 ,secondly4 ,we need not apply to ,god1 as we do to one another1 with a long account of our wants3 all that we have to do is1 daily to exercise ourselves in prayer1 so that the inner man may enter into the kingdom of ,god4 #c4 ,thirdly4 ,god is 7as ,dr4 ,tauler says7 a thousand times more ready to give1 than we are to receive1 through prayer and hope4 #d4 ,fourthly4 ,god stands in no need of any external ceremonies of ours1 our watchings1 fastings1 or cryings1 to awaken him1 who 8neither slumbereth nor sleepeth40 ,ps4 #aba3d4 ,he not only foreknows our desires and prayers1 but even our existence 7,jer4 #a3e72 yet1 on the other hand1 the dulness and stupidity of men may by these exercises be excited1 encouraged1 and instructed to consider and understand the tender mercies of ,god towards all mankind4 #e4 ,fifthly4 ,hence we discover the goodness1 truth1 and loving-kindness of ,god towards all men2 and1 on the other hand1 the blindness and unbelief1 the stupidity and unspeakable dulness of mankind towards ,god1 who have so great a contempt of the mercies of ,god1 and are so backward in their prayers and endeavors to obtain his grace4 #f4 ,sixthly4 ,god is righteous in all his works2 and so far from his being the author of our miseries1 blindness1 and ignorance1 we are indeed the cause of it ourselves2 whilst1 in contempt of his commands1 we neglect to implore his mercies1 and beg the blessings which he has promised to bestow on all that ask him4 ,this is sufficient to vindicate the justice and impartiality of ,god in all his dealings towards us1 and to lay the blame of all our sins and punishments upon ourselves1 who are indeed the authors of both4 #g4 ,seventhly4 ,god is not confined to any certain time and place1 but desires to be worshipped at all times1 and in all places1 in spirit and in truth4 #h4 ,these observations will rectify many mistakes1 and open a man's eyes to discover things1 of which he would otherwise have been ignorant4 ,but though it is a shameful thing for a ,christian to be ignorant of these matters1 yet it is much more so to know1 and not to reduce them to practice4 ,a ,,prayer4 ,awaken us1 ,o ,god1 that we may watch2 draw us to ,thee1 and we will run in the true way1 which conducts to the kingdom of ,god2 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,prayer ,is ,the ,sign ,of ,a ,true ,christian1 ,that ,is1 ,of ,one ,who ,is ,anointed ,of ,the ,lord4 ,bow down thine ear1 ,o ,lord1 hear me3 for ,i am poor and needy4--,,ps4 #hf3a4 ,these words give us an admirable account of the grounds and reasons of prayer2 that it is quickened by affliction and a sense of misery1 and is a mark of a true ,christian4 #b4 ,i4 ,for1 first1 every ,christian is anointed and baptized with the ,holy ,spirit 7#a ,john #b3bj71 who1 when he is not resisted nor grieved1 but obeyed1 is continually groaning 7,rom4 #h3bf7 in the heart of man1 raising and exalting the devout soul from earth to heaven4 ,for as spirituous liquor extracts the strength and virtue of the herbs and flowers on which it is poured2 so man1 who is the flower of ,god1 planted by the ,lord himself1 8a plant in the house of ,god0 7,isa4 #fa3c2 ,ps4 #ib3ac71 must receive the preparation of the ,holy ,spirit1 that his odor and sweet smell may therewith ascend up to ,god4 ,whosoever will faithfully attend to the workings of the ,holy ,spirit1 and not resist his operations1 will soon be convinced of the truth of these observations2 he will perceive a devout sigh springing up from his heart1 and breaking forth into these or the like words3 8,great ,god1 ,holy ,father1 have mercy upon me60 ,as myrrh1 frankincense1 or other sweet perfumes1 by being thrown upon burning coals1 send forth a smoke and delicious fragrance1 which they would not do without the help of fire2 so whenever the fire of the ,holy ,spirit touches our hearts1 and ,he is not hindered1 there immediately arises a most fragrant perfume of sighs and prayers4 ,and these are 8golden vials full of odors1 which are the prayers of saints40 ,rev4 #e3h4 ,whence it appears1 that devout sighs and prayers are the truest sign or indication of the ,holy ,spirit in the heart of man4 #c4 ,,ii4 ,the soul of man is also called the temple or habitation of the ,holy ,ghost2 and what is more likely to be heard there1 than the prayers of its divine ,inhabitant1 who is emphatically called1 8,the ,spirit of grace and of supplication08 ,zech4 #ab3aj4 ,hence prayer1 when it proceeds from the very bottom of the heart1 is a certain sign of the indwelling of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,i do not here refer to the prayers of hypocrites1 of whom ,god speaketh by the mouth of his prophet1 saying3 8,this people draw near me with their mouth1 but have removed their heart far from me0 7,isa4 #bi3ac72 but the true prayer1 which is of the operation of the ,holy ,spirit1 arises from the depth of the soul2 and is like plentiful springs of water1 for which the more deeply you dig1 the higher you may raise them4 ,christ is the pure and beautiful fountain of salvation4 ,let every one1 therefore1 that thirsteth1 come and drink4 ,isa4 #ee3a4 ,his spring is very deep1 namely1 his eternal ,divinity4 8,he that believeth on him1 out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water0 7,john #g3ch72 that is1 prayers and the gifts of the ,holy ,ghost4 #d4 ,,iii4 ,this is confirmed by the office of the ,holy ,spirit1 which is1 8to teach and to comfort0 7,john #af3g-ac71 neither of which he can do1 unless ,he speaks2 and that ,he cannot do1 unless ,he have a church and a temple to speak in4 ,this temple is the heart of man2 and his language consists of the devout aspirations of the souls in which ,he operates2 he has a secret and heavenly voice1 which our heart hears1 for he beareth witness with our spirit1 that we are the children of ,god1--whereby we cry1 ,abba1 ,father4 ,rom4 #h3ae1 #af4 ,man cannot receive comfort1 unless his heart1 by being broken and contrite1 be made capable of consolation4 ,ps4 #ea3ag4 ,this is a very significant figure taken from human bodies4 ,for when the arm1 or any other part1 is broken1 or bruised by some accident1 what pleasure the broken and bruised part feels when soothed with some healing ointment6 ,how does it assuage the throbbing pains of the limb1 and1 as it were1 lull it into soft repose6 ,so when the heart is wounded with affliction and sorrow1 is broken and bruised with a lively sense of its misery1 then the ,holy ,spirit shows himself truly a ,comforter1 shedding forth the oil of heavenly consolation into our afflicted breasts4 ,for 8he healeth the broken in heart1 and bindeth up their wounds40 ,ps4 #adg3c4 8,heal me1 ,o ,lord1 and ,i shall be healed2 save me1 and ,i shall be saved3 for thou art my praise40 ,jer4 #ag3ad4 #e4 ,,iv4 ,hence then we may learn the advantage of afflictions1 and the benefit of the cross4 ,our blessed ,lord has told us1 8,they that be whole need not a physician1 but they that are sick40 ,matt4 #i3ab4 ,come1 therefore1 thou divine ,physician of souls2 for we all have need of thee6 8,bow down thine ear1 ,o ,lord1 hear me3 for ,i am poor and needy0 7,ps4 #hf3a71--poor in righteousness and true holiness4 ,so great is the poverty of man1 that unless he be covered with the mercy of ,god1 and clothed with the righteousness of ,jesus ,christ 7,isa4 #fa3aj71 he must appear with shame and nakedness before the judgment of ,god and all his holy angels2 and in this respect1 man is by nature reduced so very low1 that there is not a more indigent creature in the world4 ,we may here apply that which was spoken to the church of ,laodicea1 8,thou knowest not that thou art wretched1 and miserable1 and poor1 and blind1 and naked40 ,rev4 #c3ag4 #f4 ,moreover1 the misery of which the ,psalmist complains1 is the effect of poverty4 ,he that is poor1 may easily be conceived to be miserable4 ,he certainly is so1 who is forsaken by all1 has none to help him1 wanders about1 having neither house nor home1 nor a place where to lay his head4 ,and now1 what state can we conceive to be more wretched1 than that of a man by nature8 ,he has no place where to rest himself1 and knows not whither to fly for refuge6 8,if in this life only we have hope in ,christ1 we are of all men most miserable40 #a ,cor4 #ae3ai4 ,let us then acknowledge our poverty and spiritual misery in this life2 we shall then receive the instructions and consolations of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,he will teach us in our poverty1 to sigh earnestly after the riches of divine grace and mercy2 and in our spiritual misery and banishment1 to lift up our eyes to ,god that dwelleth in the heavens4 ,for our blessed ,lord has assured us1 that 8in his ,father's house are many mansions0 7,john #ad3b72 and the ,psalmist1 that 8when our fathers and mothers forsake us1 the ,lord will take us up40 ,ps4 #bg3aj4 ,come then1 ye that are in want and banishment1 think upon your heavenly country4 ,ye that are poor1 naked1 and destitute1 remember that the righteousness of ,christ is your clothing1 and the garment of salvation 7,isa4 #fa3aj72 therefore1 take ye care to preserve this clothing1 8lest ye walk naked1 and men see your shame40 ,rev4 #af3ae4 ,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,on ,the ,benefits ,and ,power ,of ,prayer1 ,and ,on ,its ,true ,ground ,or ,foundation4 ,let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace1 that we may obtain mercy1 and find grace to help in time of need4--,,heb4 #d3af4 8,hear my voice according to thy lovingkindness1 ,o ,lord0 7,ps4 #aai3adi71 saith ,david2 pointing out thereby the foundation of our prayer1 namely1 the grace of ,god2 and this is conveyed to us through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who is 8full of grace and truth10 and of whose fulness we ought all to receive4 ,john #a3ad1 #af4 ,for this reason he is also called the ,throne of ,grace 7,heb4 #d3af2 ,rom4 #c3be71 upon which the eye of faith in prayer ought continually to be fixed1 according to the example of the children of ,israel1 who always offered up their prayers with their faces towards the mercy-seat4 ,for in his name1 and for his sake alone it is1 that ,god has promised to hear our prayers 7,john #af3bc72 and thus even the holy prophets of old prayed3 8,o our ,god1 hear the prayer of thy servant1 for the ,lord's sake40 ,dan4 #i3ag4 #b4 ,i4 ,first1 the benefit of our prayers is well expressed by holy ,david in the latter part of the above-mentioned verse 7,ps4 #aai3adi73 8,quicken me according to thy judgments40 ,for life proceeds from the grace of ,god4 ,but what is our life without divine grace8 ,therefore says the holy ,psalmist1 8,thy lovingkindness is better than life40 ,ps4 #fc3d4 ,this quickening virtue is also derived to us through ,christ ,jesus4 ,it was for this purpose that he took our flesh and blood1 that by the quickening virtue of his body1 we also might be quickened4 ,and this we receive only by the means of prayer1 which draws down a quickening power into our souls1 to heal all our spiritual infirmities2 like that which flowed from ,his body whilst on earth1 to cure and heal the diseases and distempers of all those that touched him4 ,luke #f3ai4 ,thus when we are afflicted and sorrowful1 and can lay hold on ,jesus ,christ by the prayer of faith1 we immediately find1 as it were1 new life and vigor flowing into our souls from that inexhaustible fountain of divine grace4 ,this may be attested by the experience of many languishing and afflicted souls4 #c4 ,whence we may learn3 #a4 ,that an afflicted soul cannot be refreshed or comforted without prayer2 as appears from the example of ,christ1 in the history of his passion 7,matt4 #bf3ci71 who has himself also for that reason given us a form of prayer4 ,matt4 #f3i1 etc4 ,and we have1 indeed1 great reason to be thankful to ,god1 who has given us prayer to be as an universal remedy to all afflicted souls4 #b4 ,where the prophet says1 8,hear me according to thy lovingkindness0 7,ps4 #aai3adi71 he shows us that prayer is the proper means of obtaining mercy and the graces of the ,holy ,spirit1 such as the increase of faith1 charity1 patience1 the knowledge of ,god1 devotion1 inward peace and joy4 ,these are such gifts1 such graces1 such heavenly treasures1 as are better than heaven and earth4 ,moreover1 hence we obtain strength and victory against the world1 the devil1 and all our enemies2 which spiritual strength consists only in prayer4 ,that was the power by which ,david and all the saints conquered their enemies1 as appears by the example of ,moses1 ,elias1 ,jehoshaphat1 and others1 who always prevailed by faith and prayer4 #c4 ,every man has need of prayer in respect to his office1 condition1 and employment1 in which no man can act either prudently or successfully without prayer4 ,we are1 indeed1 in this miserable world1 like people sailing amidst rocks and quicksands1 and exposed to innumerable dangers2 for which reason we ought the more fervently to implore the guidance and protection of the ,holy ,spirit4 #d4 ,,ii4 ,therefore1 holy ,david adds1 8,they draw nigh that follow after mischief2 they are far from thy law40 ,ps4 #aai3aej4 ,and this is a proper season for prayer4 ,for what the devil cannot do himself1 he leaves to be accomplished by wicked men1 who are as so many executioners of his malice1 and who make it their continual employment to disturb and injure good men4 ,from these no man is secure2 but here the most effectual help is prayer4 ,thus1 8,i will call upon the ,lord who is worthy to be praised2 so shall ,i be saved from mine enemies40 ,ps4 #ah3b4 8,unto thee1 ,o ,lord1 do ,i lift up my soul4 ,o my ,god1 ,i trust in thee2 let me not be ashamed2 let not mine enemies triumph over me4 ,yea1 let none that wait on thee be ashamed2 but let them be ashamed which transgress without cause40 ,ps4 #be3a-c4 #e4 ,but it ought to be carefully noticed that ,david says1 his enemies are far from the law of ,god4 ,these are all they that persecute others1 forsaking the word of ,god1 and being far from his fear2 whence it follows1 that as they are far from ,god1 so ,god is far from them1 and nothing but destruction hangs over their heads4 ,on the other hand1 the faithful1 pious1 and devout soul approaches ,god through prayer4 #f4 ,when1 therefore1 we are daily lifting up our hearts to ,god1 and learn to converse with him1 we approach continually nearer and nearer to him1 and by degrees1 forgetting this lower world1 from earthly we become heavenly and spiritual2 like ,moses1 whose face1 when he had conversed forty days and forty nights with ,god1 shone like the sun4 ,exod4 #cd3bi4 ,for as we easily learn the customs and manners of those with whom we converse1 and are not so well pleased with any company as that to which we are accustomed1 so by continual and daily prayer1 we grow daily more and more acquainted with the manners and language of our heavenly country1 and are more and more inflamed with divine love4 ,moreover1 prayer is a preservative against sins1 temptations1 and all kinds of evils2 according to that saying of ,christ3 8,watch and pray1 that ye enter not into temptation40 ,matt4 #bf3da4 ,but if even then anything befall us1 we know that it is by the immediate permission of ,god2 and from it with all due submission and resignation to his will1 we may lawfully pray to be delivered4 #g4 ,,iii4 ,david proceeds3 8,thou art near1 ,o ,lord3 and all thy commandments are truth40 ,ps4 #aai3aea4 ,here he assures us1 that the second and the third foundation of prayer1 are the presence and the truth of ,god4 #h4 ,how great soever our calamities may be1 there is no one consideration that gives us so much ease and comfort1 as that of the presence of ,god with us3 according to that ,scripture3 8,fear thou not1 for ,i am with thee3 be not dismayed1 for ,i am thy ,god40 ,isa4 #da3aj4 ,in consideration of his presence1 we may with assurance call upon him in all places1 and upon all occasions4 ,for though our ,saviour tells us1 8,thou1 when thou prayest1 enter into thy closet1 and when thou hast shut thy door1 pray to thy ,father which is in secret2 and thy ,father which seeth in secret1 shall reward thee openly0 7,matt4 #f3f73 yet we are to consider1 that these words were spoken against the hypocrites of those times1 who1 from a vain ostentation1 used to pray standing in the synagogues1 and in the corners of the street2 but they are by no means binding on any man to pray in any one particular place4 #i4 ,we read of the patriarch ,isaac 7,gen4 #bd3fc71 that he went out at the eventide into the field to meditate4 ,and it is plain 7,luke #f3ab71 that our blessed ,lord went alone 8into a mountain to pray1 and continued all night in prayer to ,god40 ,we may1 therefore1 in all places1 and at any time1 pray to ,god2 but more especially when we are alone1 and not disturbed by the conversation of others4 ,let us continually stir ourselves up to this divine conversation with ,god1 remembering the words of the ,psalmist1 8,thou art near1 ,o ,lord40 ,now if this be true1 as it most certainly is1 we cannot do better than to be often conversing with him2 according to that ,scripture1 8,call ye upon him while he is near40 ,isa4 #ee3f4 8,the ,lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him40 ,ps4 #ade3ah4 #aj4 ,,iv4 ,so1 too1 the veracity of ,god is a strong obligation upon us to pray1 because we know1 #a4 ,that he has commanded it2 8,call upon me40 ,ps4 #ej3ae4 #b4 ,that he has promised to hear us2 8,before they call1 ,i will answer2 and while they are yet speaking1 ,i will hear40 ,isa4 #fe3bd4 #c4 ,that he has not only promised to hear1 but has actually heard the prayers of the faithful4 ,this is plain1 from the examples of ,moses1 ,david1 ,samuel1 ,joshua1 and of ,cornelius in the ,acts1 whose 8prayers and alms ascended up for a memorial before ,god40 ,acts #aj3d4 #aa4 ,many other examples are to be found in the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,and that thou mayest not think that1 because thou art not such a one as ,moses1 ,david1 ,elias1 or ,joshua1 therefore thou shalt not be heard as easily as they were1 thou art to consider that they all were men 8subject to like passions as we are40 ,james #e3ag4 #ab4 ,who was ,cornelius8 ,acts1 ch4 #aj4 ,he was a heathen4 ,who was ,manasseh8 #b ,chron4 #cc3ab1 #ac4 ,a most grievous sinner4 ,yet ,god has promised that he will hear the miserable4 ,ps4 #cd3g4 8,this poor man cried1 and the ,lord heard him40 ,and 8,he will regard the prayer of the destitute1 and not despise their prayer40 ,ps4 #ajb3ag4 8,the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever40 ,ps4 #i3ah4 ,the cases just mentioned illustrate these promises4 #ac4 ,v4 ,but as the ,psalmist adds3 8,concerning thy testimonies1 ,i have known of old1 that thou hast founded them for ever0 7,ps4 #aai3aeb71 this consideration exceedingly encourages our prayers and strengthens our faith1 and is another immovable foundation of prayer4 ,the word and promise of ,god are built upon an eternal foundation1 being nothing else but ,god himself and his ,son ,jesus ,christ2 in him the ,word of ,god1 and the salvation of man were founded 8before the foundation of the world40 ,eph4 #a3d4 ,whatsoever is built upon an eternal basis1 no temporal thing can overturn4 ,it is this that ,st4 ,paul had in his eye when he tells us that neither height1 nor depth1 nor things present1 nor things to come1 nor angels1 nor principalities shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god4 ,rom4 #h3ch4 #ad4 ,and what greater consolation can we wish8 ,or who can refrain from rejoicing1 when he considers that our faith and prayer are founded upon that which is eternal8 ,hence it is said1 8,behold1 ,i lay in ,zion for a foundation1 a stone1 a tried stone1 a precious corner stone1 a sure foundation3 he that believeth shall not make haste0 7,isa4 #bh3af72 or1 as ,st4 ,peter explains it1 8shall not be confounded0 7#a ,peter #b3f73 and ,st4 ,paul1 8,other foundation can no man lay1 than that is laid1 which is ,jesus ,christ0 7#a ,cor4 #c3aa72 and again1 8,the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 ,the ,lord knoweth them that are his40 #b ,tim4 #b3ai4 #ae4 ,against this foundation even the gates of hell shall not prevail4 ,matt4 #af3ah4 ,this1 in short1 is the foundation of our salvation1 our faith and blessedness1 which is more secure than heaven and earth4 #af4 ,for prayer is a conversation with ,god--a key of heaven--a free access to ,god--a familiarity with ,god--an opener of his mysteries--a spiritual banquet--a heavenly enjoyment--a nurse of virtues--a conqueror of vices--a medicine of the soul--a remedy against infirmities--an antidote against sin--a pillar of the world--a seed of blessing--an increase of faith--a support of hope--a parent of charity--a path of righteousness--a preserver of constancy--an ornament of holiness--a fire of devotion--a light of knowledge--a repository of wisdom--the strength of the soul--a remedy against faint-heartedness--a foundation of peace--the joy of the heart--a jubilee of the soul--a faithful companion in this earthly pilgrimage--the shield of a ,christian soldier--a rule of humility--a forerunner of honor--a nurse of patience--a guardian of obedience--a fountain of quietness--the conquest of devils--a comfort of the sorrowful--a triumph of the just--the joy of the saints--a helper of the oppressed--the ease of the afflicted--the rest of the weary--an ornament of the conscience--an advancement of graces--an acceptable sacrifice--an encourager of mutual goodwill--the refreshment of this miserable life--the sweetening of death--a foretaste of the heavenly life--the earnest desire of everlasting salvation4 ,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,reasons ,why ,god ,certainly ,hears ,our ,prayers4 ,thou1 ,lord1 art good1 and ready to forgive2 and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee4 ,give ear1 ,o ,lord1 unto my prayer2 and attend to the voice of my supplications4 ,in the day of my trouble ,i will call upon thee2 for thou wilt answer me4--,,ps4 #hf3e-g4 ,thus saith the prophet ,jeremiah1 8,it is of the ,lord's mercies that we are not consumed1 because his compassions fail not4 ,they are new every morning2 great is thy faithfulness4 ,the ,lord is my portion1 saith my soul2 therefore will ,i hope in him40 ,lam4 #c3bb-bd4 #b4 ,in these words the ,holy ,spirit gives us strong consolation in our afflictions1 drawn from the goodness and lovingkindness of ,god2 without which we should immediately be consumed4 ,as in the natural world light and darkness1 by the appointment of ,god1 alternately succeed each other1 so do light and darkness1 joy and sorrow1 in the spiritual world4 ,hence there is a necessity that the light should spring up after darkness1 and joy after sorrow1 in the souls of the righteous4 ,ps4 #ig3aa4 ,for both our life and our well-being depend entirely upon the loving-kindness of ,god3 8,for in him we live1 and move1 and have our being40 ,acts #ag3bh4 ,he is the never-failing fountain and spring of life and happiness4 ,his works testify this1 for by the effects we judge of the cause4 ,since1 therefore1 ,god is the ,maker and ,creator of all things that have life1 it follows that ,he is ,,life itself2 and as ,he is the original of all that is good1 it follows1 that ,he himself is the ,supreme ,,good and ,,love itself4 ,for this reason ,he is called the ,living ,god1 8,thou art the ,christ1 the ,son of the living ,god0 7,matt4 #af3af72 not only from his essence1 as being an original1 necessary ,being1 but also from the effects which he produces2 because he giveth and preserveth breath1 and life1 and motion to all things4 ,acts #ag3be2 ,ps4 #ajd3bg4 8,thou 7,o ,belshazzar71 hast praised the gods of silver and gold1 of brass1 iron1 wood1 and stone1 which see not1 nor hear1 nor know3 and the ,god in whose hand thy breath is1 and whose are all thy ways1 hast thou not glorified40 ,dan4 #e3bc4 8,they have forsaken me1 the fountain of living waters1 and hewed them out cisterns1 broken cisterns1 that can hold no water40 ,jer4 #b3ac4 8,the ,lord is thy life1 and the length of thy days40 ,deut4 #cj3bj4 8,the ,lord is the strength of my life40 ,ps4 #bg3a4 ,whence it follows1 that ,god is in effect the life of every living creature1 and produces and preserves life in all1 according to the words of ,st4 ,paul1 8,of him1 and through him1 and to him are all things3 to whom be glory for ever40 ,amen4 ,rom4 #aa3cf4 8,christ is all in all40 ,col4 #c3aa4 #c4 ,now though all creatures derive their life from ,god1 yet man has received it from his ,maker in a more eminent degree2 for as he is endowed with a rational soul1 it follows that he enjoys a more noble life than the rest of the creatures4 ,the life of angels again is more noble and glorious than that of men1 because the glory and majesty of ,god manifest themselves more illustriously in them4 ,hence also1 angels are described in #b ,thess4 #a3g1 as 8mighty10 because they are not subject to vanity and change like man4 ,but the most noble life is that of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord1 because he is ,god and ,life itself2 according to ,st4 ,john1 8,this is the true ,god1 and eternal life0 7#a ,john #e3bj72 that is1 ,he is ,god of ,god1 ,light of ,light1 very ,god of very ,god4 7,nicene ,creed47 #d4 ,and as ,god is the fountain and principle of life1 so he is also of all good4 ,for he is the supreme and eternal ,,good1 and whatsoever bears the marks and characters of good1 is derived from this original4 ,thus1 every creature has received a small portion of the divine goodness1 by which it bears witness of its ,maker1 and in some manner calls upon man to do the same4 ,thus the vine speaks to us1 8,consider1 ,o man1 that the sweetness of my juice1 with which ,i cheer thy heart 7,ps4 #ajd3ae71 is the gift of my ,maker40 ,and so the bread3 8,that virtue1 ,o man1 by which ,i satisfy thy hunger1 is bestowed on me by my ,creator and thine40 ,this is the meaning of that saying of ,st4 ,augustine3 8,that ,god has1 as it were1 shed some drops of his divine goodness upon all the creatures1 that they might thereby contribute to the happiness of man40 ,and the ,psalmist says3 8,thou crownest the year with thy goodness2 and thy paths drop fatness40 ,ps4 #fe3aa4 #e4 ,that which1 in nature1 we call the goodness of ,god1 is1 by the ,scriptures1 called the grace of ,god2 this bearing relation to the soul1 and that to the body4 ,and as ,god has1 by a thousand ways1 discovered his goodness in the great ,book of nature1 so he has1 in innumerable instances1 discovered his grace and mercy in the ,book of his word1 all which are completed in ,christ1 who is the great centre of all the treasures of divine goodness and love that are distributed in heaven and earth4 #f4 ,now1 as it is the nature of every good being to be communicative1 and otherwise it ceases to be good 7for who can tell what is good1 unless it thus discover itself872 so no man could know whether ,god were good and gracious unless he had communicated his grace and goodness to others4 ,who could have known the inestimable benefits of ,christ as a ,saviour1 if he had not so abundantly manifested his love towards us8 #g4 ,but why was ,god pleased to manifest his goodness1 grace1 and mercy to mankind8 ,it was for this reason3 that we might believe in him1 love him above all things1 and call upon him in all our troubles2 and he was pleased to make this manifestation of himself1 that it might be1 as it were1 the first incentive to kindle the flames of devotion in our hearts4 ,for how should we call on him of whom we have not heard8 ,rom4 #aj3ad4 ,as ,almighty ,god discovered himself to ,moses1 when he passed by1 and he1 upon the sense of his goodness1 grace1 and mercy1 immediately began to pray 7,exod4 #cd3h1 #i71 so has ,he1 in like manner1 manifested himself to us1 and made all his goodness pass before us1 that we also might learn to praise him4 #h4 ,but you will say1 ,how has ,god manifested himself to me8 ,if he would show himself to me1 as he did to ,moses1 why should ,i not praise him as he did8 ,to which ,i answer3 ,this is done in ,christ ,jesus1 in whom he manifested all his goodness after a visible manner4 8,we beheld his glory1 the glory as of the only begotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth40 ,john #a3ad4 ,and did we but seriously consider all that our blessed ,saviour has done for us1 we should1 doubtless1 exclaim3 8,the ,lord1 the ,lord ,god1 merciful and gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and in truth40 #aj4 ,and thus we see in what sense the type1 which may be discerned in this narrative of ,moses1 was fulfilled by the incarnation of ,christ4 ,for ,god1 descending from heaven in him1 was pleased to make his glory pass before us4 #aa4 ,when ,paul and ,barnabas wrought great miracles at ,athens1 the heathens cried out1 8,the gods are come down to us in the likeness of men40 ,acts #ad3aa4 ,this was their judgment of the matter2 but we may in a very proper sense say1 that all the goodness and grace of ,god did1 by ,christ1 come down to us upon earth1 in order that we might thereby be drawn to ,god1 and that the spirit of faith and prayer might be bestowed on us4 ,for by prayer only we obtain the grace and favor of ,god4 #ab4 ,let us now produce some reasons which may convince us1 that ,god hears our prayers4 #ac4 ,and first1 such is the power of prayer and entreaty1 that they often pacify and prevail upon1 not only the compassionate and kind1 but even morose and harsh tempers2 of which we have an instance in the case of the widow1 who by her continual prayers1 prevailed even upon that unjust judge1 who neither feared ,god1 nor regarded man4 ,luke #ah3d1 #e4 ,for prayer1 as it proceeds from the spirit1 and is1 as it were1 the strength of the soul1 has a marvellous power and influence upon the minds of others1 so as to be able to soften and mould them into any form of benevolence4 ,now as ,god is not a harsh ,being1 but merciful in the highest degree1 the most sincere love1 the most perfect patience1 the most generous compassion1 the most ardent love itself1 and in a word1 the most absolute perfection2 so he cannot but be tenderly moved by the ardent and devout prayers of his servants4 ,were it otherwise1 it would follow1 that ,god is not supremely good1 loving1 and merciful4 ,now1 as true as it is that he is all this2 so true it is that he is easy to be entreated by devout and humble prayer4 #ad4 ,tauler says3 8,god is moved with so vehement a love towards us1 as if his divinity itself depended on us1 and his only aim and design were1 to discover to us the abyss of his divinity1 and the fulness of his essence and nature2 so that all may belong to us1 even as it belongs to him40 ,and again1 8,we were created1 and are called and invited to things immeasurably great1 and eternal2 wherefore ,god is exceedingly displeased with us1 when we prefer the empty and trifling vanities of the world before him1 who is ready1 not only to bestow all things else1 but even ,himself upon us40 ,again1 8,so great is the love of ,god towards us1 that he will deny us nothing3 yea1 he anticipates our prayers1 meets us 7as it were7 half-way1 and courts our friendship1 being a thousand times more ready to give1 than we are to receive40 #ae4 ,the second argument is found in the truth and promise of ,god4 8,call upon me in the day of trouble2 ,i will deliver thee40 ,ps4 #ej3ae4 8,thou1 ,lord1 art good and ready to forgive2 and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee40 ,ps4 #hf3e4 ,the ,lord1 we see1 is good2 and if this be not sufficient1 he is also ready to forgive2 and if this do not satisfy us1 he is also plenteous in mercy4 ,but to whom8 ,even to all those that call upon him4 ,hence1 it is said1 8,the ,lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him1 to all that call upon him in truth4 ,he will fulfil the desire of them that fear him2 he also will hear their cry1 and will save them40 ,ps4 #ade3ah1 #ai2 ,isa4 #fe3bd2 ,john #af3bc2 ,matt4 #g3g1 #h4 ,ask1 but rest not there2 seek also2 neither think this sufficient1 but knock4 8,for every one that asketh1 receiveth2 and he that seeketh1 findeth2 and to him that knocketh1 it shall be opened40 8,what things soever ye desire1 when you pray1 believe that ye receive them1 and ye shall have them40 ,mark #aa3bd4 ,compare this with ,luke #aa3i4 ,and that ,god will keep his promise1 is as certain1 as that he really is what he1 in his holy word1 has declared himself to be4 ,and that he may hear us1 and pour his abundant goodness upon us1 he has commanded us to pray often1 to pray earnestly1 and without ceasing4 ,luke #ah3a2 #a ,thess4 #e3ag4 #af4 ,a third argument for our prayer1 is ,god's paternal tenderness1 which is thus illustrated4 8,if a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father1 will he give him a stone8--,if ye1 then1 being evil1 know how to give good gifts unto your children2 how much more shall your heavenly ,father give the ,holy ,spirit to them that ask him80 ,luke #aa3aa1 #ac4 ,and is not ,god this ,father1 8of whom the whole family in heaven and in earth is named08 7,eph4 #c3ae7 whom ,st4 ,paul calls1 8,the ,father of mercies1 and ,god of all comfort80 #b ,cor4 #a3c4 ,shall man then be merciful1 and shall ,god1 that created that merciful heart1 be unmerciful8 ,shall he that gave to parents such tender affection1 be without compassion himself8 ,why should ,god call himself a ,father1 if he be not of a paternal disposition8 ,so that1 in short1 we must conclude1 either that ,god is unjustly styled our ,father1 or else he will hear the prayers of his children that call upon him4 ,hence1 it is said1 8,thou1 ,o ,lord1 art our ,father40 ,isa4 #fc3af4 ,and1 8,i am a father to ,israel1 and ,ephraim is my firstborn40 ,jer4 #ca3i4 ,but if the affections of a mother be so great1 that she cannot but have 8compassion on the son of her womb0 7,isa4 #di3ae71 why should we think ,god so void of mercy8 ,why should we question ,god's compassions toward us1 if we approach him with penitent and contrite hearts8 ,how do the mother's bowels yearn over her beloved son1 when she sees him laboring under any dangerous disease8 ,so the ,almighty ,god says of himself3 8,therefore1 my bowels are troubled for him2 ,i will surely have mercy upon him1 saith the ,lord40 ,jer4 #ca3bj4 #ag4 ,a fourth argument is1 the intercession of ,christ4 ,with what ardent prayer did he1 in the time of his humiliation upon earth1 recommend his ,church to his ,father1 and intercede for all believers6 #ah4 ,thus1 8,holy ,father1 keep through thine own name1 those whom thou hast given me2 that they may be one1 as we are4 ,sanctify them through thy truth2 thy word is truth4 ,i pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world1 but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil4 ,neither pray ,i for these alone1 but for them also which shall believe on me through their word4 ,father1 ,i will that they also1 whom thou hast given me1 be with me where ,i am2 that the love wherewith thou hast loved me1 may be in them1 and ,i in them40 ,john #ag3aa1 #ag1 #ae1 #bj1 #bd1 #bf4 ,nor did he pray so for us only upon earth2 for even now he continues his intercessions for us at the right hand of ,god4 8,seeing then that we have a great high priest1 that is passed into the heavens1 ,jesus the ,son of ,god2--let us come boldly unto the throne of grace1 that we may obtain mercy1 and find grace to help in time of need40 ,heb4 #d3ad1 #af2 #g3bf2 #i3aa2 ,rom4 #h3cd4 #ai4 ,a fifth argument is1 the testimony of the ,holy ,spirit1 who 8beareth witness with our spirit1 that we are the children of ,god0 7,rom4 #h3af71 and this witness in our hearts cannot deceive us4 ,for if this testimony be in us of a truth1 we shall have a demonstrative evidence that we are ,god's children1 and that he hears us in ,christ when we pray unto him4 #bj4 ,sixthly1 because ,god and ,christ are with us1 and dwell in us by faith1 how can we suppose that ,god will not hear our sighs and groans8 8,thou understandest my thought afar off4 ,there is not a word in my tongue1 but1 lo1 ,o ,lord1 thou knowest it altogether40 ,ps4 #aci3b1 #d4 ,think not1 therefore1 that ,god is separated from thee by any distance of place1 that may hinder thy prayers from coming to him1 8for he is in thee1 and thou in him40 ,acts #ag3bh2 ,john #ag3bc4 ,since1 therefore1 he lives and works in thee1 why should he not hear thy prayers8 8,lord1 all my desire is before thee2 and my groaning is not hid from thee80 ,ps4 #ch3aj4 8,let the words of my mouth1 and the meditation of my heart1 be acceptable in thy sight40 ,ps4 #ai3ad4 #ba4 ,seventhly1 because the ,holy ,spirit1 who is truly ,god1 is also the ,spirit of prayer1 and himself maketh intercession in us with sighs and groanings unutterable4 ,zech4 #ab3aj2 ,rom4 #h3bf4 ,why then shouldest thou imagine that ,god will not see1 hear1 and regard that which he himself works in thee8 ,therefore it is impossible that even the feeblest sigh proceeding from the ,holy ,spirit in us1 and tending towards ,god1 can be lost or come to nought4 ,for as it proceeds from ,god1 so it goes to him2 and whatsoever is in him cannot perish4 ,the deeds are wrought in ,god1 and will be made manifest4 ,john #c3ba4 #bb4 ,eighthly1 ,god is not forgetful like men1 as 8a book of remembrance is written before him1 for them that fear the ,lord1 and that think upon his name0 7,mal4 #c3af73 so that he cannot be forgetful of our prayers4 ,god cannot forget that which is good1 nor will he call the sins of the penitent to remembrance4 ,so mighty and so abundant is the grace of ,god1 that he blots out our sins1 and calls not our transgressions to mind4 ,but the good which he himself has wrought in us1 he can never forget2 for then he must forget himself and his own works4 ,it is therefore impossible that ,god should disregard those prayers which his own ,holy ,spirit works in us2 any more than he can forget his word1 or be unmindful of his promise4 8,since ,i spake against him1 ,i do earnestly remember him still10 saith ,god by the prophet4 ,jer4 #ca3bj4 ,and again1 8,thou tellest my wanderings2 put thou my tears into thy bottle40 ,ps4 #ef3h4 ,so he assures us that 8,he will ever be mindful of his covenant40 ,ps4 #aaa3e4 ,and what is this covenant8 ,nothing else but the remission of our sins1 confirmed to us by the death of ,christ1 and sealed by his ,holy ,spirit4 ,eph4 #a3ac4 #bc4 ,and now1 perhaps1 thou wilt say1 ,if these things are so1 how comes it to pass that ,god does not hear and grant my petitions8 ,i have often prayed1 and called1 and sighed1 and all to no purpose4 #bd4 ,thus much1 indeed1 must be granted1 that many a man prays a great while for that which he does not obtain2 and thence we judge that his prayers are not heard4 ,what then becomes of these our reasons for believing that prayer will assuredly be heard8 ,this is a very great trial1 and has given much disturbance to many sincere and well-disposed souls4 #be4 ,but here we must observe1 that the certainty of ,god's hearing our prayers1 is incontestably proved by the arguments already produced1 which are built upon an immovable foundation2 whence it appears1 that ,god does as certainly hear our prayers1 as ,he is 7#a47 merciful1 and a lover of mankind4 7#b47 ,as he is true in all his promises1 yea1 eternal truth itself4 7#c47 ,as he has a fatherly tenderness for us4 7#d47 ,as ,jesus ,christ is our mediator4 7#e47 ,as ,god and ,christ dwell in us2 which are all truths so certain and evident1 that no believing heart ought to question them4 #bf4 ,but we complain that ,god does not presently give us what we ask for1 and1 therefore1 that our prayers are not heard4 ,for this two reasons may be given3 #a4 ,that ,god hears our prayers1 regarding more our happiness than our desires4 #b4 ,that he reserves to himself the liberty of bestowing the blessings which we ask1 either upon our bodies or our souls1 as he shall think most proper4 ,thus1 perhaps1 we ask of ,god some temporal blessings1 who seeing them to be unfit for us1 gives us spiritual ones2 by which means we not only receive what we prayed for1 but so much the more1 as the good of the soul is to be preferred to that of the body4 ,for as the soul is much more noble than the body1 and spiritual blessings are more excellent than earthly2 so much better is it for us1 that ,god should give us his eternal and spiritual blessings rather than those transitory and fading enjoyments in which we are generally most delighted4 ,he hears our prayers1 not always with respect to our bodies1 but to our souls2 which is of far greater importance4 ,if it should please ,god to visit you with some bodily disease1 and you pray for health1 doubt not2 your prayers will be heard1 and you shall certainly enjoy1 if not the health of your body1 yet the health of your soul1 which is much to be preferred4 ,every man in his sound senses must think so4 ,what advantage would it be to have the body in health1 but a sinful1 distempered soul1 liable to eternal death8 ,when it is well with the soul1 a man may say with ,david1 8,whom have ,i in heaven but thee8 and there is none upon earth that ,i desire besides thee4 ,my flesh and my heart faileth3 but ,god is the strength of my heart1 and my portion forever40 ,ps4 #gc3be1 #bf4 ,and with the suffering ,job1 8,i know that my ,redeemer liveth40 ,job #ai3be4 ,and from ,him the soul may derive life4 ,therefore ,david1 comparing spiritual blessings with earthly1 tells us3 8,the law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver40 ,ps4 #aai3gb4 #bg4 ,but1 perhaps1 you will say that you pray for both2 the health of your soul as well as of your body2 and for spiritual blessings1 as well as temporal4 ,to this the ,lord himself answers thee1 8,my grace is sufficient for thee0 7#b ,cor4 #ab3i72 which was the reply given to ,st4 ,paul1 though he had desired to be answered in his own way4 ,and thus it appears1 that ,god always hears our prayers1 if not with regard to our bodies1 yet certainly to our souls4 #bh4 ,besides1 ,god has reserved to himself the liberty of accomplishing our desires either in this world1 or the next1 as he shall deem most proper4 ,wherefore if thou dost not receive the blessings for which thou prayest1 consider that it is not good for thee to enjoy them here1 but that the answer to thy prayers is reserved for the other life1 which is more noble and durable1 and more capable of pure enjoyments than this4 ,there the ,lord will bestow on thee a thousandfold1 for all that ,he seemed to deny thee here4 ,as ,he cannot forget our prayers1 so ,he cannot fail to answer them graciously2 if not in this life1 yet certainly in that which is to come4 ,as many prayers as thou offerest up here1 so many blessings shalt thou receive hereafter2 for then 8we shall reap if we faint not40 ,gal4 #f3i4 ,then will the ,lord say to the believing soul1 8,behold thy prayer which thou offeredst to me4 ,see1 here is that for which thou didst pray1 and a thousand times more than thou didst desire40 ,and for this time of retribution we must patiently wait4 #bi4 ,that man would be a very foolish husbandman1 who would expect to reap as soon as he had sown2 and who1 when he had done this1 would cry out with tears1 that he had sown much seed1 but could see no sign of harvest4 ,thou fool6 wait till the season of harvest arrives1 and then thou shalt receive the fruits of thy labor with a blessed increase4 ,these are the complaints which many people make3 8,i have prayed10 says one1 8so often2 ,i have so often sighed from the bottom of my soul2 but ,i see no prospect of being heard1 so that all my prayers1 and sighs1 and tears1 are in vain40 ,ah1 impatient soul6 ,thou hast scarcely sowed1 and dost thou already talk of harvest8 ,wait for the precious harvest of eternal life1 and thou shalt reap an abundant crop of glory6 8,for whatsoever a man soweth1 that shall he also reap40 ,gal4 #f3g4 ,there thou shalt gather with joy the fruit of the numerous prayers1 which1 as so many precious seeds1 thou hast sown in tears4 ,psalm #abf3e4 ,this is the word and promise of ,god1 which shall certainly be fulfilled1 either here or in the other world4 ,thus1 when thou art taking thy last sad farewell of a dying child1 husband1 wife1 or friend1 thou must consider that this is the season in which the bodies of thy friends1 and thine own also1 are1 as it were1 to be sown and committed to the earth2 but that the harvest of the resurrection is at hand1 when 8the angels1 the reapers1 shall gather the sheaves1 and put them into barns40 ,matt4 #ac3cj1 #ci4 ,there we shall find that our prayers1 sighs1 and tears were not lost1 but only sent beforehand1 to be received again with usury1 finding all things in ,god that ever our souls could conceive or desire4 ,so the promises of ,god1 and the arguments produced to sustain them1 shall stand firm and unshaken in ,christ ,jesus1 to be eternally fulfilled to all believing souls1 to their everlasting joy and salvation1 for which we shall render eternal thanks and praises to ,god4 ,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,seven ,helps ,or ,aids ,for ,our ,infirmities ,in ,prayer4 ,likewise the ,spirit also helpeth our infirmities3 for we know not what we should pray for as we ought3 but the ,spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered4 ,and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the ,spirit1 because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of ,god4--,,rom4 #h3bf1 #bg4 ,since our prayers are1 alas6 very weak and imperfect1 let us see what assistance ,god has given us in his holy word1 in order to help us in that duty4 #b4 ,the first help is our only ,mediator and ,advocate1 ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god4 #a ,john #b3b4 ,he is our advocate1 and pleads our cause before ,god1 when we are hardly able to express what we want4 ,he is therefore called the ,logos1 or the eternal ,word of the ,father1 because ,god by him has discovered his will to us2 as ,he is also called the ,mediator1 because ,he pleads our cause before ,god4 ,a type of ,him we have in ,moses1 the mediator of the ,old ,testament2 to whom the people1 flying from the face of ,god in ,mount ,sinai1 said1 8,speak thou with us0 7,exod4 #bj3ai74 ,and when ,moses complained that he was slow of speech1 and of a slow tongue1 when he was commanded to appear before ,pharaoh2 ,god tells him1 8,aaron1 thy brother1 can speak well4 ,he shall be to thee instead of a mouth40 ,exod4 #d3aj1 #ad1 #af4 ,so we also1 when we should pray1 are dull and slow of speech1 and therefore we must fly to ,christ1 our heavenly ,aaron1 who is to us instead of a mouth4 ,the same thing is expressed to us by the mercy-seat4 ,exod4 #be3ag1 #ba4 ,therefore ,christ commands us to pray in his name 7,john #af3bc71 who is our eternal ,high ,priest1 having an everlasting priesthood 7,heb4 #g3af71 interceding for us 7,rom4 #h3cd71 8in whom we have boldness1 and access with confidence by the faith of him40 ,eph4 #c3ab4 #c4 ,the second help is ,god the ,holy ,ghost4 8,i will pour upon the house of ,david1 and upon the inhabitants of ,jerusalem1 the spirit of grace1 and of supplication40 ,zech4 #ab3aj4 ,this spirit is given us as a testimony of the divine grace1 and of our adoption4 ,hence ,st4 ,john says1 8,hereby know we that we dwell in him1 because he hath given us of his ,spirit40 #a ,john #d3ac4 ,and ,st4 ,paul1 8,ye have not received the spirit of bondage1 but the ,spirit of adoption1 whereby we cry1 ,abba1 ,father4 ,the ,spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit1 that we are the children of ,god40 ,rom4 #h3ae1 #af4 ,he was also typified by the anointing of the priests under the law4 ,exod4 #bh3da2 #bi3g4 ,thus ,god has anointed us with the ,spirit of ,christ 7#a ,john #b3bj72 that we should offer to him daily the fruit of our lips4 ,ps4 #fi3cj1 #ca2 ,heb4 #ac3ae4 ,this ,spirit of ,god is the author of all those devout aspirations which we meet with1 such as3 8,o ,lord1 hear2 ,o ,lord1 forgive2 ,o ,lord1 hearken and do40 ,dan4 #i3ai4 #d4 ,the third help to strengthen us in prayer1 is found in the promises of ,god4 8,call upon me in the day of trouble1 and ,i will deliver thee40 ,ps4 #ej3ae4 8,he shall call upon me1 and ,i will answer him40 ,ps4 #ia3ae4 ,see also ,ps4 #ade3ai2 ,luke #aa3aa1 #ac1 and #ah4 8,before they call1 ,i will hear40 ,isa4 #fj3bd4 8,the eyes of the ,lord are over the righteous1 and his ears are open to their prayers40 ,ps4 #cd3af4 8,whosoever shall call on the name of the ,lord shall be delivered40 ,joel #b3cb4 8,ask1 seek1 knock40 ,matt4 #g3g4 8,the ,lord is rich 7in mercy1 ,eph4 #b3d7 to all that call upon him40 ,rom4 #aj3ab4 ,see also ,luke #aa3aa-ac2 #ah3f1 #g4 #e4 ,the fourth help in prayer1 is the remembrance of the saints1 whose prayers ,god has heard4 ,look at the examples of the ancients1 and be strengthened4 ,and1 indeed1 we must needs be so1 when we seasonably call to mind instances of ,god's providence and divine assistance4 ,upon this foundation all the prophets of old built their prayers4 ,thus1 when ,god was angry with ,israel for the sin of the golden calf1 and said to ,moses3 8,let me alone1 that my wrath may wax hot against them1 and that ,i may consume them0 7,ex4 #cb3aj72 8then ,moses his chosen stood before him in the breach10 as the ,psalmist expresses it 7,ps4 #ajf3bc71 putting ,god in mind of his former mercies1 saying1 8,lord1 why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people1 which thou hast brought forth out of the land of ,egypt1 with great power1 and with a mighty hand8 ,wherefore should the ,egyptians speak and say1 ,for mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains1 and to consume them from the face of the earth8 ,turn from thy fierce wrath1 and repent of this evil against thy people1 etc4 ,and the ,lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people40 ,exod4 #cb3aa-ad4 #f4 ,david had recourse to the same remedy in almost all his ,psalms2 putting ,god in mind1 as it were1 of his former mercies1 goodness1 and faithfulness4 ,so ,ps4 #be3f1 8,remember thy tender mercies40 ,ps4 #gg3e1 etc41 8,i have considered the days of old1 the years of ancient times10 etc4 ,ps4 #he3a-f1 8,lord1 thou hast been favorable unto thy land3 thou hast brought back the captivity of ,jacob4 ,thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people2 thou hast covered all their sin4 ,thou hast taken away all thy wrath2 thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger4 ,turn us1 ,o ,god of our salvation1 and cause thine anger toward us to cease4 ,wilt thou be angry with us forever8 ,wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations8 ,wilt thou not revive us again2 that thy people may rejoice in thee80 #g4 ,how admirably does the prophet ,isaiah use the same form of supplication 7chap4 #fc3aj-af71 putting ,god in mind of his former mercies1 and opening1 as it were1 by this key1 the immense treasures of his compassion4 8,where is he that brought them up out of the sea1 with the shepherd of his flock8 where is he that put his ,holy ,spirit within him8 ,that led them by the right hand of ,moses1 with his glorious arm1 dividing the water before them1 to make himself an everlasting name8 ,that led them through the deep1 as a horse in the wilderness1 that they should not stumble8 ,as a beast goeth down into the valley1 the ,spirit of the ,lord caused him to rest3 so didst thou lead thy people1 to make thyself a glorious name4 ,look down from heaven1 and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory2 where is thy zeal1 and thy strength1 the sounding of thy bowels1 and of thy mercies towards me8 ,are they restrained8 ,doubtless thou art our ,father1 though ,abraham be ignorant of us1 and ,israel acknowledge us not3 thou1 ,o ,lord1 art our ,father1 our ,redeemer2 thy name is from everlasting40 #h4 ,this prayer of the prophet is founded upon these arguments3 7#a47 ,because the love of ,god is eternal1 therefore it will not be withheld from me4 7#b47 ,i acknowledge myself to be a sinner but1 at the same time1 ,i remember that thy grace has been extended to sinners who repented4 8,remember not the sins of my youth40 ,ps4 #be3g4 7#c47 ,my sins have been very great1 but let thy mercy also be great4 7#d47 ,remember that ,i am the work of thine own hands4 8,remember1 ,i beseech thee1 that thou hast made me as the clay2 and wilt thou bring me into dust again8 ,thy visitation hath preserved my spirit40 ,job #aj3i1 #ab4 #i4 ,the fifth comfort in prayer is1 the tender love of ,god to mankind1 and his promises to help the afflicted4 8,look upon mine affliction and my pain2 and forgive all my sins40 ,ps4 #be3ah4 ,again1 8,this poor man cried1 and the ,lord heard him40 ,ps4 #cd3f4 ,thus we are assured that ,god does not despise the miseries of the distressed1 although proud men may do it4 ,for ,god judges not as corrupt man judges2 he has not eyes of flesh1 nor doth he see as man seeth4 ,job #aj3d4 ,and as it generally happens among us1 that the more need a man has of friends1 the fewer he finds2 so1 on the other hand1 ,god has a more tender and particular regard for him that is destitute and afflicted4 8,the ,lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart1 and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit40 ,ps4 #cd3ah4 8,thou hast seen it2 for thou beholdest mischief and spite1 to requite it with thy hand3 the poor committeth himself unto thee2 thou art the helper of the fatherless40 ,ps4 #aj3ad4 ,and1 indeed1 such are the proper objects of divine mercy4 ,to enhance the comfort and certainty of these promises1 the ,psalmist mentions various classes of the afflicted2 so that none who are in distress may despair3 8,the ,lord executeth judgment for the oppressed2 which giveth food to the hungry4 ,the ,lord looseth the prisoners2 the ,lord openeth the eyes of the blind2 the ,lord raiseth them that are bowed down2 the ,lord loveth the righteous2 the ,lord preserveth the strangers2 he relieveth the fatherless and widows40 ,ps4 #adf3g-i4 ,to this may be referred what the prophet ,isaiah says1 8,to this man will ,i look1 even to him that is poor1 and of contrite spirit1 and that trembleth at my word40 ,isa4 #ff3b4 ,and 8,the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever40 ,ps4 #i3ah4 ,and 8,he will regard the prayer of the destitute1 and not despise their prayer40 ,ps4 #ajb3ag4 #aj4 ,the sixth help is1 the consideration of ,god's unspeakable compassion4 ,he puts a better construction upon our prayers than we intended1 and understands our necessities more perfectly than we can express them4 ,he makes merciful allowance for our infirmities in prayer2 according to the words of ,abraham1 8,let not the ,lord be angry1 and ,i will speak40 ,gen4 #ah3cj4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul says1 8,blessed be ,god1 even the ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,father of mercies1 and the ,god of all comfort1 who comforteth us in all our tribulation40 #b ,cor4 #a3c4 ,compare this with ,ps4 #ajc3h4 ,by virtue of this compassion of ,god1 none of our prayers are in vain4 ,god keeps an exact account of all our sighs and tears 7,ps4 #ef3h71 for the sake of those tears which ,christ our blessed ,saviour shed1 who1 in the days of his flesh1 offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears4 ,heb4 #e3g4 #aa4 ,the seventh help in prayer1 is the remembrance of the covenant of grace1 which ,god has made with us4 8,this shall be the covenant10 etc4 ,jer4 #ca3cc4 ,and1 8,the covenant of my peace shall not be removed1 saith the ,lord1 that hath mercy on thee40 ,isa4 #ed3aj4 8,ho1 every one that thirsteth1 come6 ,i will make an everlasting covenant with you40 ,isa4 #ee3a1 #c4 ,in this covenant of grace the assurance that our prayers shall be heard is contained4 8,seek ye the ,lord while he may be found1 call ye upon him while he is near40 ,isa4 #ee3f4 #ab4 ,what we have said upon this head1 is most happily exemplified in the prayer of ,daniel4 8,o ,lord1 the great and dreadful ,god1 keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him1 and to them that keep his commandments4--,and now1 ,o ,lord our ,god1 that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of ,egypt with a mighty hand1 and hast gotten thee renown1 as at this day40 7,here is the putting ,god in mind of his former mercies47 8,hear1 ,o our ,god1 the prayer of thy servant1 and his supplications1 and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate1 for the ,lord's sake40 7,this is pleading the name and merits of ,jesus the ,messiah47 8,o ,lord1 hear2 ,o ,lord1 forgive2 ,o ,lord1 hearken and do40 7,these are the groans of the ,holy ,spirit47 8,o my ,god1 incline thine ear1 and hear2 open thine eyes1 and behold our desolations0 7in regard of his promise72 8because for our sins1 and the iniquities of our fathers1 ,jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us40 7,here is a confession of sin1 and an acknowledgment of misery47 8,for we do not present our supplications before thee1 for our righteousnesses1 but for thy great mercies0 7this is an acknowledgment of man's unworthiness1 and of ,god's mercy1 which is followed with a remembrance of the covenant72 8,for thy city and thy people are called by thy name40 ,dan4 #i3d1 #ae1 #ag1 #ah1 #ai1 #af4 ,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,the ,conversation ,of ,a ,believing ,soul ,with ,god4 ,wilt thou be angry with us forever8 ,wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations8 ,wilt thou not revive us again3 that thy people may rejoice in thee8 ,shew us thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 and grant us thy salvation4--,,ps4 #he3e-g4 ,these words contain the familiar discourse of the devout and faithful soul with ,god4 ,who would venture to talk so freely to an offended prince8 ,but so indulgent is ,god to a believing soul1 that he gives liberty to come freely and without restraint into his presence4 ,as soon as the believer enters1 ,god asks1 8,what is thy desire8 come near1 and be not afraid40 ,this is represented to us in the case of ,bathsheba 7#a ,kings #a3af71 going into the presence-chamber of king ,david1 and making her petition4 ,upon which1 the king sware unto her with an oath4 ,so also in that of ,esther1 whom1 so soon as she came into his presence1 the king touched with his golden sceptre4 ,est4 #e3a4 #b4 ,it is held to be an act of singular grace and favor1 if a king vouchsafe to talk familiarly with his subjects4 ,it was upon this account that the ,roman emperor ,titus was called ,the delight of mankind1 for his gracious treatment of all who were near him1 filled them with joy4 ,but how much greater favor and happiness is it1 that ,god1 the ,lord of lords1 and ,king of kings 7whom the ,psalmist calls1 8,the most high and terrible ,lord1 a great ,king over all the earth071 7,ps4 #dg3b71 should not only talk with miserable men1 who1 as ,abraham says1 8are but dust and ashes0 7,gen4 #ah3bg72 but should even converse kindly with rebellious sinners1 who are at enmity with him through sin4 ,isa4 #ei3b4 ,so that when a ,christian considers1 on the one hand1 the greatness and majesty of ,god2 and the impurity1 corruption1 misery1 and vileness of human nature on the other hand1 he cannot but cry out with ,david1 8,what is man that thou art mindful of him8 and the son of man1 that thou visitest him80 ,ps4 #h3d4 ,the most righteous man living must acknowledge himself to be unworthy to converse with ,god4 ,this was the sentiment of the devout ,abraham1 who therefore excuses his presuming to intercede with ,god for the ,sodomites1 saying1 8,let not the ,lord be angry1 and ,i will speak0 7,gen4 #ah3cj1 #cb73 and yet every time that ,abraham speaks1 ,god vouchsafes to answer4 ,and as he is the father of 8them which are of faith0 7,gal4 #c3g71 he gives us a notable example of the devout soul's conversation with ,god4 #c4 ,it is therefore a most certain and undoubted truth1 that whensoever the faithful soul calls upon ,god by prayer1 he never fails to answer by the divine consolations of his ,spirit4 ,an instance of this we have1 where the ,psalmist calls upon ,god in these words3 8,lord1 thou hast been favorable unto thy land4 ,thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people2 thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger4 ,wilt thou not revive us again8 ,shew us thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 and grant us thy salvation4 ,i will hear what ,god the ,lord will speak40 ,ps4 #he3a1 etc4 ,the answer he received in his heart2 therefore he says3 8,his salvation is nigh them that fear him40 ,ver4 #i4 ,and as he here prays1 that he may hear what the ,lord ,god will say concerning him2 ,god answers him1 8,hear1 ,o my people1 and ,i will testify unto thee40 ,ps4 #ej3g4 ,the afflicted soul prays1 8,o ,lord1 rebuke me not in thine anger40 ,ps4 #f3a4 ,to which ,god answers1 8,the ,lord is merciful and gracious1 slow to anger1 and plenteous in mercy40 ,ps4 #ajc3h4 ,the soul says1 8,whither shall ,i flee from thy presence80 ,ps4 #aci3g4 ,to which the ,lord answers1 8,come unto me1 all ye that labor1 and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest40 ,matt4 #aa3bh4 ,the soul says1 8,i know1 ,o ,lord1 that the way of man is not in himself2 it is not in man that walketh1 to direct his steps40 ,jer4 #aj3bc4 ,to which it is answered1 8,i will instruct thee1 and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go2 ,i will guide thee with mine eye40 ,ps4 #cb3h4 ,the believing soul prays1 8,teach me thy way1 ,o ,lord2 ,i will walk in thy truth40 ,ps4 #hf3aa4 ,to which the ,lord answers1 8,i am the way1 the truth1 and the life0 7,john #ad3f72 the way1 if thou wouldest not wander2 the truth1 if thou wouldest not be deceived2 the life1 if thou wouldest avoid eternal death4 ,the believing soul complains1 8,there is no soundness in my flesh1 because of thine anger2 neither is there any rest in my bones1 because of my sin4 ,my wounds stink and are corrupt1 because of my foolishness40 ,ps4 #ch3c1 #e4 ,to which it is answered1 8,the chastisement of our peace was upon him2 and with his stripes we are healed40 ,isa4 #ec3e4 ,the devout soul says1 8,heal me1 ,o ,lord1 and ,i shall be healed3 save me1 and ,i shall be saved40 ,jer4 #ag3ad4 ,it is answered1 8,who forgiveth all thine iniquities2 who healeth all thy diseases40 ,ps4 #ajc3c4 ,the soul complains1 and cries out3 ,i have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea4 ,to which ,god answers by the prophet ,isaiah1 8,i have blotted out1 as a thick cloud1 thy transgressions1 and as a cloud thy sins40 ,isa4 #dc3be2 #dd3bb4 ,the soul cries out1 ,alas6 ,i am a grievous sinner4 ,and ,jesus ,christ answers1 8,i am not come to call the righteous1 but sinners to repentance40 ,matt4 #i3ac4 ,the soul prays1 8,remember not the sins of my youth1 nor my transgressions40 ,ps4 #be3g4 ,to which ,god answers1 8,if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed1 and keep all my statutes1 and do that which is lawful and right1 he shall surely live1 he shall not die4 ,all his transgressions that he hath committed1 they shall not be mentioned unto him40 ,ezek4 #ah3ba1 #bb4 ,the soul cries out1 8,wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity1 and cleanse me from my sin40 ,ps4 #ea3c4 ,to which ,god answers1 8,though your sins be red like crimson1 they shall be as wool40 ,isa4 #a3ah4 8,lord1 enter not into judgment with thy servant2 for in thy sight shall no man living be justified40 ,ps4 #adc3b4 ,to which it is answered1 8,god sent not his ,son into the world1 to condemn the world2 but that the world through him might be saved4 ,he that believeth on him is not condemned40 ,john #c3ag1 #ah4 ,the soul prays1 8,create in me a clean heart1 ,o ,god1 and renew a right spirit within me40 ,ps4 #ea3aj4 ,to which it is answered1 8,a new heart also will ,i give you1 and a new spirit will ,i put within you1 and cause you to walk in my statutes40 ,ezek4 #cf3bf1 #bg4 ,the soul says1 8,i am bowed down greatly2 ,i go mourning all the day long40 ,ps4 #ch3f4 ,to which it is answered1 8,the ,lord hath sent me to comfort all that mourn40 ,isa4 #fa3b4 ,it is said1 8,look upon mine affliction and my pain40 ,ps4 #be3ah4 ,and it is answered1 8,to him will ,i look1 that is poor1 and of a contrite spirit40 ,isa4 #ff3b4 8,thou tellest my wanderings40 ,ps4 #ef3h4 ,to which the ,lord answers1 8,the very hairs of your head are all numbered40 ,matt4 #aj3cj4 ,the soul cries out1 8,when shall ,i come and appear before ,god80 ,ps4 #db3b4 ,to which is answered1 8,where ,i am1 there shall also my servant be40 ,john #ab3bf4 ,the soul complains1 8,how long1 ,o ,lord1 wilt thou forget me8 forever8 ,how long wilt thou hide thy face from me8 ,how long shall ,i take counsel in my soul1 having sorrow in my heart daily8 ,how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me80 ,ps4 #ac3a1 #b4 ,to which is answered1 8,for a small moment have ,i forsaken thee2 but with everlasting kindness will ,i have mercy on thee40 ,isa4 #ed3g1 #h4 ,compare thy present suffering with ,god's eternal grace4 ,wait for the promise1 which1 though late1 will surely be fulfilled at last4 ,hab4 #b3c4 ,the soul says1 8,thou art my ,god2 be not far from me2 for trouble is near2 for there is none to help40 ,ps4 #bb3aj1 #aa4 ,to which it is answered1 8,i will be with him in trouble2 ,i will deliver him1 and honor him40 ,ps4 #ia3ae4 ,the soul prays1 8,lighten my eyes1 lest ,i sleep the sleep of death40 ,ps4 #ac3c4 ,to which it is answered1 8,i will ransom them from the power of the grave2 ,i will redeem them from death40 ,hosea1 #ac3 #ad4 ,the soul says1 8,i have a desire to depart1 and to be with ,christ40 ,phil4 #a3bc4 ,to which ,christ answers1 8,to-day shalt thou be with me in paradise40 ,luke #bc3dc4 #d4 ,in a word1 the ,holy ,scripture is nothing else but a conversation of the devout soul with ,god4 ,whenever the soul raises itself to ,god1 and spreads its misery and complaints before him1 then ,god answers it by some internal comfort1 or by the words and promises of the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,chapter ,,xl4 ,a ,conversation ,between ,faith ,and ,the ,mercy ,of ,god4 ,mercy and truth are met together2 righteousness and peace have kissed each other4--,,ps4 #he3aj4 ,the goodness of ,god comes forth to meet us1 and gives merciful answers to the prayers of faith2 8for mercy shall compass us about40 ,ps4 #cb3aj4 ,it calls to us3 8,return1 saith the ,lord1 and ,i will not cause mine anger to fall upon you3 for ,i am merciful1 and ,i will not keep anger forever4 ,only acknowledge thine iniquity1 that thou hast transgressed against the ,lord thy ,god40 ,jer4 #c3ab1 #ac4 ,to which faith answers1 8,have mercy upon me1 ,o ,god1 according to thy lovingkindness2 according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies1 blot out my transgressions40 ,ps4 #ea3a4 ,mercy calls1 8,him that cometh to me1 ,i will in no wise cast out40 ,john #f3cg4 ,faith answers1 8,draw me2 we will run after thee40 ,cant4 #a3d4 ,mercy says1 8,the ,lord hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted1 to comfort all that mourn40 ,isa4 #fa3a1 #b4 ,faith answers out of ,psalm #ea3ab3 8,restore unto me the joy of thy salvation2 and uphold me with thy free ,spirit40 ,mercy says1 out of ,isaiah #dc3be and #dd3bb1 8,i have blotted out as a thick cloud1 thy transgressions1 and1 as a cloud1 thy sins40 ,faith answers out of ,psalm #be3ah1 8,look upon mine affliction and my pain1 and forgive all my sins40 ,mercy comforts us and says1 out of ,psalm #ajc3ac1 8,like as a father pitieth his children1 so the ,lord pitieth them that fear him40 ,to which faith answers1 out of ,isaiah #fd3h1 8,but now1 ,o ,lord1 thou art our ,father40 ,mercy says1 8,come unto me40 ,matt4 #aa3bh4 ,faith answers1 8,unto thee1 ,o ,lord1 do ,i lift up my soul40 ,ps4 #be3a4 ,mercy says1 8,thou hast played the harlot with many lovers2 yet return again to me1 saith the ,lord40 ,jer4 #c3a4 ,faith answers1 8,i will arise and go to my ,father1 and will say unto him3 ,father1 ,i have sinned against heaven1 and before thee1 and am no more worthy to be called thy son2 make me as one of thy hired servants40 ,luke #ae3ah1 #ai4 ,mercy says1 8,this my son was dead1 and is alive again2 he was lost1 and is found40 ,luke #ae3bd4 ,to which faith answers1 8,i have trusted in thy mercy2 my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation40 ,ps4 #ac3e4 ,mercy proclaims1 out of ,isaiah #ee3a1 8,ho1 every one that thirsteth1 come ye to the waters40 ,to which faith answers1 8,as the hart panteth after the water-brooks1 so panteth my soul after thee1 ,o ,god4 ,my soul thirsteth for ,god1 for the living ,god2 when shall ,i come and appear before ,god80 ,ps4 #db3a1 #b4 ,mercy says1 8,who forgiveth all thine iniquities2 who healeth all thy diseases40 ,ps4 #ajc3c4 ,faith exclaims1 8,enter not into judgment with thy servant40 ,ps4 #adc3b4 ,mercy says1 8,i am the way1 the truth1 and the life40 ,john #ad3f4 ,faith answers1 8,shew me thy way1 ,o ,lord2 teach me thy paths4 ,lead me in thy truth1 and teach me40 ,ps4 #be3d1 #e4 ,mercy promises1 8,i will ransom them from the power of the grave3 ,i will redeem them from death3 ,o death1 ,i will be thy plagues2 ,o grave1 ,i will be thy destruction40 ,hosea #ac3ad4 ,faith answers1 8,he that is our ,god1 is the ,god of salvation2 and unto ,god the ,lord belong the issues from death40 ,ps4 #fh3bj4 ,mercy says1 8,i am the resurrection and the life2 he that believeth in me1 though he were dead1 yet shall he live40 ,john #aa3be4 ,to which faith answers1 8,i know that my ,redeemer liveth1 and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth3 and though after my skin worms destroy this body1 yet in my flesh shall ,i see ,god40 ,job #ai3be1 #bf4 ,mercy says1 8,fear thou not2 behold1 ,i have graven thee upon the palms of my hands40 ,isa4 #da3aj2 #di3af4 8,thou art mine2 neither shall any man pluck thee out of my hand40 ,john #aj3bh4 ,to which faith answers1 8,into thine hand ,i commit my spirit2 thou hast redeemed me1 ,o ,lord ,god of truth40 ,ps4 #ca3e4 ,chapter ,,xli4 ,the ,great ,benefits1 ,and ,the ,great ,efficacy ,of ,praise ,offered ,to ,god4 ,in the day of my trouble ,i sought the ,lord4 ,i call to remembrance my song in the night2 ,i commune with mine own heart4--,,ps4 #gg3b4 ,this passage is an excellent rule of life1 teaching every man how to conduct himself under the cross4 ,as the word of ,god is the rule of our life in prosperity1 according to the ,psalmist3 8,i will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go3 ,i will guide thee with mine eye0 7,ps4 #cb3h72 and 8,thou shalt guide me with thy counsel1 and afterward receive me to glory0 7,ps4 #gc3bd73 yea1 moreover1 as the word of ,god ought to be the rule of our faith1 as the ,psalmist tells us1 8,thy word is a lamp unto my feet1 and a light unto my path0 7,ps4 #aai3aje73 and 8,hold up my goings in thy paths1 that my footsteps slip not0 7,ps4 #ag3e7--so also ought it to be our rule and direction in bearing the cross1 as ,david teaches us1 saying1 8,in the day of my trouble ,i sought the ,lord20 that is1 ,i will look up to ,god1 who has laid this cross upon me1 and beg of him comfort and assistance in the day of my trouble4 #b4 ,hence may every ,christian learn1 when he is in affliction1 not to fix his thoughts too much upon the immediate causes or instruments of his sufferings2 but to lift up his heart to ,god2 to apply to himself the divine promises2 to pray and sing praises to his ,god3 and these are the true and certain consolations of an afflicted soul4 ,david says1 8,in the day of my trouble ,i sought the ,lord40 ,as a mind oppressed with grief eases itself by communicating its troubles to a faithful friend1 so is our afflicted spirit refreshed and comforted when we offer prayer and thanksgiving to ,god4 ,thus ,david 8called to remembrance his song in the night1 and communed with his own heart0 7,ps4 #gg3f72 that is1 when it was night he longed earnestly for the morning1 that he might rise and comfort his weary soul by prayers and thanksgiving unto ,god his ,comforter3 in the mean time1 he communed with his own heart1 and poured out his soul in secret2 and ,god1 who saw and heard in secret1 who understood even the most secret sighs and breathings of his dejected spirit1 comforted1 strengthened1 and refreshed him4 #c4 ,amongst other things that may be learned from this beautiful passage of the ,psalmist1 this is one1 that the singing of holy hymns and praises to ,god1 proceeding from a truly devout soul1 are attended with great advantages and spiritual blessings4 #d4 ,the truth of this appears1 #a4 ,from nature itself4 #b4 ,from the efficacy of prayer4 #c4 ,from the examples found in the ,old ,testament4 #d4 ,from the examples in the ,new4 #e4 ,from the examples of holy men in both1 who were by this means filled with the ,holy ,ghost4 #f4 ,from the nature and properties of the ,psalms4 #g4 ,from the frequent use of the blessed ,psalms among the ancients1 whenever they were under any adversity4 ,all these considerations prove that there is a great virtue or efficacy in psalms and hymns of praise4 ,by this ,i would not be understood to mean nothing but bare words and empty sounds1 void of faith and devotion2 but rather such a vigorous faith1 such an ardent devotion1 as may break forth into holy hymns and spiritual songs1 singing and making melody in the heart unto the ,lord4 ,let us briefly describe this subject4 #e4 ,as to the first1 namely1 the book of the world1 or nature1 it is clear that the praise of ,god is the great end of the whole creation4 ,that this is the grand employment of the angelical choirs1 appears from many passages in the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john1 as also from ,isaiah #f3c and the #adhth ,psalm2 which1 inviting all creatures to praise ,god1 for whose glory they were created1 begins with the angels 7ver4 #b71 8,praise ye him1 all his angels2 praise ye him1 all his hosts40 ,from the angelical he descends to the sidereal world1 saying1 8,praise ye him1 sun and moon3 praise him1 all ye stars of light40 ,to which may be referred the words of ,job 7chap4 #ch3g73 8,when the morning stars sang together40 ,thence he descends to the sea1 calling on the waters1 and all the numerous inhabitants of the waters1 to praise the ,god that made them4 ,thence looking up to the regions of the air1 he calls to 8the fire and hail1 snow and vapor1 stormy wind fulfilling his word40 ,thence he passes to the earth3 8mountains and all hills2 fruitful trees1 and all cedars40 ,thence to the living creatures3 8beasts1 and all cattle2 creeping things and flying fowl40 ,thence to men1 beginning with the rulers of the world3 8kings of the earth1 and all people2 princes1 and all judges of the earth4 ,both young men and maidens1 old men and children1 praise the name of the ,lord40 ,and lastly1 to the church of ,god1 8his saints1 a people near unto him--praise ye the ,lord40 #f4 ,the second argument was the efficacy of the prayer of faith4 ,this is attested by the word of ,god1 the examples of holy men1 and daily experience4 ,for we are assured by all the promises of ,god1 that not one devout prayer1 not one sigh or tear1 comes from us in vain4 8,put thou my tears into thy bottle40 ,ps4 #f3i2 #ef3h4 8,they that sow in tears shall reap in joy40 ,ps4 #abf3e4 8,the ,lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him1 to all that call upon him in truth40 ,ps4 #ade3ah4 ,nothing1 indeed1 in this world can be successful without prayer2 forasmuch as every good and every perfect gift cometh down from ,god1 and must be asked of him4 ,without constant prayer a man can neither live nor die in peace4 ,now1 as the offering of praise to ,god is nothing else but the prayer of a devout soul overflowing with divine joy1 in which holy men of ,god have celebrated and conveyed to posterity the mercies and wonders of ,god their ,creator2 it is plain that the singing of praises to ,god is an act of devotion1 full of spiritual comfort and advantage4 #g4 ,thirdly1 this is confirmed by many examples found in the ,old ,testament4 ,exod4 #ae2 ,deut4 #cb2 #a ,sam4 #b2 ,isa4 #ab2 #bf2 #ch2 #fd2 ,jon4 #b2 ,hab4 #c2 and the whole ,book of ,psalms4 #h4 ,fourthly1 this is confirmed by the examples of the ,new ,testament2 especially those two divine hymns of ,mary and ,zacharias 7,luke #a3df1 #fh71 of which the ,christian ,church has appointed one to be sung in the morning1 and the other in the evening1 as a morning and evening sacrifice unto ,god2 thereby instructing us1 that singing psalms and praises unto ,god ought to begin and end the day4 ,such1 too1 is the exhortation of the ,psalmist1 8,it is a good thing to give thanks unto the ,lord1 and to sing praises unto thy name1 ,o ,most ,high3 to shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning1 and thy faithfulness every night40 ,ps4 #ib3a1 #b4 ,but why such lovingkindness 8in the morning08 ,because 8it is new every morning40 ,lam4 #c3bc4 ,and why such 8faithfulness every night08 ,because 8the ,lord1 that neither slumbereth nor sleepeth10 is our guardian by night4 ,ps4 #aba3c4 ,to this we may add what we are told by ,st4 ,matthew 7chap4 #bf3 #cj71 that ,jesus ,christ himself at his last ,supper1 sung a hymn with his disciples4 ,and ,st4 ,paul says to the ,ephesians 7chap4 #e3ah1 #ai71 8,be filled with the ,spirit2 speaking to yourselves in psalms1 and hymns1 and spiritual songs1 singing and making melody in your heart to the ,lord2 giving thanks always1 etc40 ,and again3 8,let the word of ,christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom2 teaching and admonishing one another in psalms1 and hymns1 and spiritual songs1 singing with grace in your hearts to the ,lord40 ,col4 #c3af1 #ag4 ,and ,st4 ,james says1 8,is any among you afflicted8 let him pray4 ,is any merry8 let him sing psalms40 ,james #e3ac4 #i4 ,fifthly1 by the praises offered to ,god by the holy men of the ,old ,testament and the ,new1 who were filled with the ,holy ,ghost4 ,of this we have two instances4 ,first1 when ,samuel had anointed ,saul to be king1 he gave him a sign1 saying1 8,thou shalt meet a company of prophets with a psaltery1 and a tabret1 and a pipe1 and a harp1 before them2 and they shall prophesy4 ,and the ,spirit of the ,lord will come upon thee1 and thou shalt prophesy with them1 and shalt be turned into another man40 #a ,sam4 #aj3e1 #f4 ,the second is1 when ,saul had sent messengers to take ,david1 they met several companies of prophets1 and both they and ,saul himself began to prophesy4 #a ,sam4 #ai3ai-bd4 ,similar to this is that which we read concerning ,elisha 7#b ,kings #c3ae71 that when the minstrel began to play1 that holy man prophesied4 #aj4 ,in the ,old ,testament there were several kinds of divine music2 some of trumpets1 some of psalteries and harps1 some of cymbals1 and other kinds of musical instruments4 ,from this some imagine that the ,songs of ,degrees1 as some of the ,psalms are called1 took their names4 ,for they did not sing all the ,psalms to the same instrument1 but adapted their instruments to their subject1 whether it were cheerful or sorrowful4 ,all these various kinds of music with which1 under the ,old ,testament1 they sang praises unto ,god1 being a part of the external ceremonial service1 have now ceased2 and our spirit1 soul1 mind1 and mouth are become the trumpet1 psaltery1 harp1 and cymbal of ,god4 ,to which ,st4 ,paul alludes1 when he says1 8,singing with grace in your hearts to the ,lord40 ,col4 #c3af4 ,by which expression we are by no means forbidden1 either in public or private1 to praise ,god with voices or instruments of music2 but it requires that all this be done with true devotion1 in the spirit1 and from the heart1 lest religion should be thought to consist in empty sounds and the external pomp of divine service4 ,for the ,new ,testament1 see1 for example1 ,acts #d3bd-ca4 #aa4 ,sixthly1 the nature and properties of the ,psalms prove the same thing4 ,some of them are supplicatory1 others consolatory2 some penitential1 others doctrinal2 and1 lastly1 others prophetical3 from which variety of style and intention the devout soul may reap a correspondent variety of comforts and benefits4 #ab4 ,seventhly1 we are instructed by the examples of ,moses and ,david that songs of praise were used upon different occasions4 ,as 7#a7 ,against enemies4 ,these may be called prayers for protection4 ,such is ,psalm #fh1 which the man of ,god sang when he was advancing against his enemies3 8,let ,god arise1 let his enemies be scattered40 ,some think that ,psalm #ia was composed by ,david in the time of that great pestilence1 which1 in the space of three days1 swept away #gj1jjj men4 #b ,sam4 #bd3ae4 ,and ,i doubt not that many a man has been protected in national calamities by a proper use of this ,psalm4 7#b7 ,in time of victory over enemies4 ,these we may call ,psalms of victory4 ,thus ,david1 when he had gained six victories1 composed the #ahth ,psalm1 as may be gathered from #b ,sam4 #bb3 #a4 ,so ,jehoshaphat marched against the ,moabites with singers going before him1 who were to bless and praise the ,lord with a loud voice2 and he conquered4 #b ,chron4 #bj3ba1 etc4 7#c7 ,in great calamities4 ,thus we read 7#a ,sam4 #ba3ac7 that ,david1 when he changed his behavior before ,achish1 composed the #cdth ,psalm1 as appears by the title4 ,so he sang ,psalm #c1 when he fled from ,absalom4 ,so when the apostles1 in great difficulties1 prayed in the words of the #b;d ,psalm1 8the place was shaken where they were assembled together40 ,acts #d3ca4 ,and these are ,psalms of mourning or lamentation4 7#d7 ,there are also eucharistical ,psalms4 ,so ,david sung the #ajeth ,psalm before the ark of the covenant4 #a ,chron4 #ag3af4 7#e7 ,there are complaining ,psalms1 as the #ajb;d appears to be by the inscription2 also some against calumniators1 as the #dth1 #gth1 #eb;d2 also against diseases1 as the #cjth4 #ac4 ,thus much concerning the efficacy and admirable benefits of divine hymns and thanksgivings4 ,whence it appears that it is the duty of a ,christian to praise ,god as well as to pray to him every day4 ,for 7#a71 it being the constant employment of the holy angels to bless and praise ,god1 when the ,church on earth does the same1 there arises thence a divine and heavenly communion betwixt the ,church on earth and the ,church in heaven2 fulfilling1 in some measure1 that petition of the ,lord's prayer1 8,thy will be done in earth1 as it is in heaven40 ,matt4 #f3aj4 ,come1 then1 ye devout souls1 and when ye retire into your closets to pour out your souls before ,god in secret1 remember also to praise him with a ,psalm of thanksgiving4 7#b7 ,moreover1 it would be quite proper1 and becoming a ,christian1 to accustom children1 from their infancy1 to sing psalms and praises unto ,god1 according to the ,psalmist1 8,out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength1 because of thine enemies0 7,ps4 #h3b73 the advantage of which1 is expressed in the following words--8that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger40 7#c7 ,we are encouraged to this duty by ,god's gracious acceptance of it1 and delight in it2 upon which account the ,psalmist calls upon him1 saying1 8,thou art holy1 ,o thou that inhabitest the praises of ,israel40 ,ps4 #bb3c4 7#d7 ,experience itself teaches us that by divine hymns we kindle flames of devotion in our souls1 and receive rich returns of spiritual joy1 lively comfort1 solid peace1 and rest in ,god4 ,chapter ,,xlii4 ,the ,reasons ,for ,which ,we ,ought ,daily ,to ,offer ,praises ,to ,god4 ,praise ye the ,lord1 ,o give thanks unto the ,lord2 for he is good3 for his mercy endureth forever4 ,,ps4 #ajf3a2 #ajg3a2 #aah3a4 ,thus saith the devout ,david1 8,seven times a day do ,i praise thee1 because of thy righteous judgments0 7,ps4 #aai3afd72 that is1 many times in a day do ,i sing praises in honor of thy holy name4 ,by this he teaches us1 that a man cannot spend his time better than by retiring at least once a day into his closet1 and praising ,god in secret4 ,yea1 though his hands be employed in labor and business1 yet may he1 in the quiet stillness of his heart1 offer up his praises unto ,god wheresoever he is4 ,for the prayer of a true ,christian is not confined to any certain time or place1 since he worships 8in spirit and in truth0 7,john #d3bc72 and the ,spirit is not circumscribed by any limits of time or place4 ,to which also relates the admonition of ,st4 ,paul1 when he commands us 8to sing with grace in our hearts to the ,lord0 7,col4 #c3af72 that being1 indeed1 the fittest place wherein ,god may be praised4 #b4 ,but as we are by nature dull and inactive in the discharge of this duty1 therefore ,god has given us1 in his ,word1 certain helps to quicken us4 #c4 ,the first of these is his own command4 ,he made us1 his servants and creatures1 for his own glory1 as we ourselves appoint servants to manage business for us4 ,he1 therefore1 who does not daily praise ,god1 was created by him in vain1 and cannot be his servant4 ,hence we are commanded1 over and over again1 in ,holy ,scripture1 above all things1 to praise ,god4 ,thus1 8,praise ye the ,lord4 ,praise him1 ,o ye servants of the ,lord40 ,ps4 #aac3a4 8,o give thanks unto the ,lord40 ,ps4 #aah3a4 8,thou shalt glorify me40 ,ps4 #ej3ae4 ,this is an argument to us1 that the chief part of our religious worship1 our chief service in this world1 and our happiness in the next1 consist in the exercise of praise and thanksgiving2 upon which account we ought to esteem it our greatest happiness and most honorable employment4 ,so the holy ,psalmist says1 8,my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness2 and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips40 ,ps4 #fc3d4 ,and again1 8,delight thyself in the ,lord1 and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart40 ,ps4 #cg3d4 ,o how truly happy1 then1 and blessed is he who is come to such perfection of divine worship as to delight in the ,lord1 and to be continually offering praises and thanks6 8,he shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house1 even of thy holy temple40 ,ps4 #fe3e4 ,if we think it an honorable thing to be employed in the service of any earthly prince1 how much more ought a man to rejoice when he considers that he may be admitted to the service of the ,lord of lords1 and ,king of kings1 being1 in his own nature1 no better than dust and ashes1 and a poor sinner6 ,this single consideration ought to be of sufficient weight to encourage him to praise ,god daily4 #d4 ,secondly1 the advantages that a man derives from this exercise1 is another argument4 ,for since ,god has no need of our praises1 and is neither the better nor the worse for our obedience or neglect2 and since the most acceptable praise which we can offer him is1 at best1 but the fruit of 8unclean lips0 7,isa4 #f3e71 as the prophet ,isaiah speaks1 it follows that the advantage redounds only to ourselves1 as being the means of drawing down upon us the favor and blessings of heaven3 a thankful heart being the proper receptacle of divine grace4 ,this1 in short1 is that which brings ,god down into our souls1 and makes us truly the living temples of the ,holy ,ghost2 and where ,god is1 there is the fulness of divine blessing4 ,moreover1 by the daily exercise of thanksgiving1 we keep up communion with the blessed choirs of triumphant saints and angels in heaven4 ,they are incessantly singing the praises of ,god above2 whilst we below1 by the same exercise1 are conquering1 by degrees1 the enemies of our salvation 7,ps4 #ah3bi71 till at length1 by a constant practice of this divine duty1 we are filled with an immovable assurance that we are united to ,god1 and that we shall be for ever happy with him in heaven1 according to the promise of our blessed ,lord1 8,where ,i am1 there shall also my servant be40 ,john #ab3bf4 ,and now1 would to ,god that wretched man would so lay these considerations to heart1 and so sincerely endeavor to practise them1 that every soul might become1 in truth1 a house of prayer6 #e4 ,thirdly1 we are encouraged to the daily practice of thanksgiving1 from the consideration of the compassion1 the lovingkindness1 and everlasting goodness of ,god4 ,this is an argument continually inculcated in the ,book of ,psalms1 to teach us that the chief and fundamental reason why we ought continually to bless and praise ,god1 is1 because he is good and gracious1 and 8his mercy endureth for ever40 ,no heart of man can conceive1 nor tongue express1 the height and depth of that love which disposes the great and mighty ,god to show himself thus loving and merciful to wretched mankind1 who are dust and ashes1 laden with iniquities1 and ungrateful to ,god2 and that he not only continues his wonted mercies to them1 notwithstanding their repeated provocations2 but is also perpetually dispensing fresh showers of blessings upon the whole rebellious race4 ,and this is what every man must needs experience in himself4 ,look into thine own soul1 whosoever thou art2 what canst thou find there but misery and sin8 ,yet ,god continues merciful and long-suffering1 is slow to anger1 and not willing to punish thee as thy sins have deserved4 ,this is a degree of mercy which1 as thy own heart must confess1 no man living does or can exercise towards his brethren4 ,we cannot so long forbear to punish those that have offended us2 and when we punish1 mercy seldom pleads for the criminal1 till we are satiated with vengeance2 whereas the rod of ,god is often lifted up1 but his mercy averts the impending stroke1 and rescues the sinner from punishment4 ,so that every man must confess that the punishments of heaven are not only less than we deserve1 but are always qualified with a double portion of mercy4 ,whence it follows1 that ,god is essentially and truly ,,love1 which every man daily experiences in himself4 #f4 ,read the ,holy ,scriptures and see how tenderly1 yea1 how affectionately ,god vouchsafes to deal with mankind1 so that no father or mother upon earth can be more indulgent to their darling child4 ,thus1 8,is ,ephraim my dear son8 is he a pleasant child8 ,for since ,i spake against him1 ,i do earnestly remember him still2 therefore1 my bowels are troubled for him2 ,i will surely have mercy upon him1 saith the ,lord40 ,jer4 #ca3bj4 #g4 ,god not only bestows his favors plentifully both on our souls and bodies1 but also does it with so much tenderness and good will1 that1 as he himself says1 8,he rejoices over us to do us good0 7,jer4 #cb3da72 as if he were glad to find men willing to be happy in the blessed manifestations of his love2 which is1 indeed1 the truest demonstration that it is sincere4 ,were not ,god thus merciful1 our very being would soon be at an end1 which nothing but his infinite mercy can sustain2 yea1 8,his lovingkindness is better than life itself0 7,ps4 #fc3c71 which 8compasseth us about0 7,ps4 #cb3aj71 as tender mothers embrace their helpless infants4 #h4 ,the same goodness of ,god discovers itself in all his creatures2 in which1 as in a glass1 we may contemplate the wonderful riches of divine mercy3 8,the earth is full of the riches of ,god40 ,ps4 #ajd3bd4 ,for whose sake was all that is good1 both in heaven and earth1 created8 ,not for ,him certainly1 who is ,himself all-sufficient1 and stands not in need of any creature4 ,the sun1 moon1 and stars serve not to enlighten him2 the fire1 the air1 the earth1 and water do him no service1 but us4 ,and when he 8fills our hearts with food and gladness0 7,acts #ad3ag71 it is his goodness that we taste1 it is his bounty that feeds and nourishes us4 ,he it is that gives us healthy and sound bodies1 which are more valuable to us than an empire4 ,if it should please ,god to turn the water into blood1 as he did in ,egypt 7,exod4 #g3bj71 we could not1 with all our boasted treasure1 purchase one single drop to relieve our greatest necessities4 ,or should he1 as he did once 7,exod4 #aj3bb71 cover the earth with thick darkness1 no prince upon earth could1 with all his riches1 purchase one single gleam of light4 ,or what would all the world signify to him that should but for one moment be deprived of the benefit of the air8 ,all these are very great blessings of ,god1 but because they are common1 few are so sensible of them as to be thankful for them4 ,reflect1 moreover1 on the mercies of redemption and sanctification1 in which the goodness and grace of ,god so transcendently appear1 that eternity itself would be too short to praise and magnify these blessings as we ought4 ,to redeem a lost world is much more glorious than to create it at first2 and to regenerate a man by a spiritual new birth1 more wondrous than at first to produce him by a natural birth4 ,lastly1 whosoever will carefully consider the works and providence of ,god1 may read the plain characters of his mercy and love in every part of the creation4 #i4 ,dull1 ungrateful creatures that we are1 how apt are we to forget our benefactor1 and despise the hand that blesses us6 ,god is thus led in mere mercy to use the rod of discipline1 and to take away our worldly comforts from us1 in order thereby to reduce us to a sober sense of ourselves1 and of our dependence on him1 to whom all our thanks are due4 ,thus ,god speaks by the prophet ,hosea1 8,she did not know that ,i gave her corn1 and wine1 and oil1 and multiplied her silver and her gold3 therefore will ,i return1 and take them from her40 ,hosea #b3h4 ,so that the cross is1 as it were1 the light by which we see and discover the true value of divine blessings1 and who it is that bestows them4 ,for ingratitude is the greatest degree of blindness1 and the highest affront against ,god4 ,and since the whole world is full of the glory of ,god1 much more ought the heart of man to be full of it4 #aj4 ,indeed the excellency of the divine love discovers itself chiefly in this1 that he bestows his favors even upon rebels and enemies4 8,for he maketh his sun to rise1 and sendeth his rain on the just and on the unjust40 ,matt4 #e3de4 #aa4 ,the goodness and mercy of ,god herein appear still more illustrious1 that though we continue ungrateful1 and our hearts 8cast forth wickedness as a fountain casteth forth her waters0 7,jer4 #f3g71 yet he still strives to conquer our ingratitude by his goodness1 and does not take his mercy from us2 as the ,psalmist says1 8,his mercy endureth forever40 ,ps4 #acf3a4 ,so that as the heart of man is1 as it were1 an abyss of iniquity 7,jer4 #ag3i71 so ,god is an abyss of mercy1 an ever-flowing fountain of goodness1 so much superior in kind1 as well as in degree1 to that of any created being1 that he doeth nothing but good1 and receives nothing in return but evil2 which the uncreated and infinite ,good alone could do or suffer4 ,and when1 provoked by our wickedness1 he seems sometimes to lay aside his mercy1 and 8in anger to shut up his tender mercies0 7,ps4 #gg3aj71 yet even that is nothing but paternal resentment1 not tending to destruction1 but so tempered with compassion1 that mercy triumphs over judgment4 ,so1 8,if his children forsake my law1 ,i will visit their transgressions with the rod3 nevertheless my lovingkindness will ,i not utterly take from him40 ,ps4 #hi3cj-cc4 ,and1 8,in wrath remember mercy40 ,hab4 #c3b4 ,so1 too1 we read1 8,he doth not afflict willingly the children of men40 ,lam4 #c3cc4 ,for punishment is1 as it were1 contrary to his nature and essential goodness4 ,for though the ,scriptures often speak of ,god's being angry1 yet such expressions are used1 after the manner of men1 only in compliance with the weakness of human capacities4 ,yea1 ,god is never angry with his faithful servants2 but only with wicked and obstinate sinners2 and when he corrects the former in mercy1 he punishes the latter in his wrath2 for 8the wrath of ,god abideth on them40 ,john #c3cf4 ,hence ,david prays1 8,o ,lord1 rebuke me not in thine anger40 ,ps4 #f3a4 ,as if he had said1 8,lord1 chasten me with mercy1 as a tender father corrects his beloved child40 ,wherefore1 it is as impossible that the mercy and goodness of ,god should fail or cease towards mankind 7though he sometimes afflicts us71 as that the sun should actually be extinguished by a cloud1 or the vast ocean be absorbed by a sponge4 8,for his mercy endureth forever40 ,ps4 #acf3a4 ,and this is the reason of ,god's reconciliation and forgiveness1 not once or twice1 but as often as the sinner begins to repent and sue for mercy4 ,this mercy does not last for a few hours1 or a few days only1 but forever2 so that the entire nature and essence of ,god1 infinite as it is1 is nothing else but ,,love4 ,no sooner does the sinner sincerely pray for pardon1 but the merciful ,god freely bestows it1 yea1 he is more willing and ready to pardon1 than we to ask it4 #ab4 ,now if ,god pours his blessings upon us so plentifully in this life1 that we taste and enjoy them by all our senses2 how much more fully shall we be convinced1 in the other world1 by most blessed experience1 that his mercy endureth forever8 ,if we receive so many mercies from him now in this vale of sin and misery1 as that 8in him we live1 and move1 and have our being0 7,acts #ag3bh71 how much more glorious will his mercy appear hereafter1 when we shall be cleansed from all sin1 and rendered capable of the purest enjoyments8 #ac4 ,fourthly1 the praises of ,god have been the special employment of all holy men4 ,most of the prophets of the ,old ,testament composed holy hymns1 to the praise and honor of ,god4 ,thus did ,moses 7,exod4 #ae2 ,deut4 #cb71 ,hannah 7#a ,sam4 #b71 ,jehoshaphat 7#b ,chron4 #bj71 ,hezekiah 7,isa4 #ch71 and ,jeremiah 7,lam4 #c74 ,david was1 however1 the most eminent1 who is so fervent in the praise of ,god1 as to say1 that 8,his praise shall continually be in his mouth40 ,ps4 #cd3a4 ,in the ,new ,testament1 the ,virgin ,mary 7,luke #a3df-ee71 and ,zacharias 7,luke #a3fh-gi72 also ,st4 ,paul and ,st4 ,peter1 in many places of their ,epistles4 ,these examples sufficiently show that they believed acts of thanksgiving and praise to be the most noble services which we can possibly perform in this valley of misery4 ,and1 therefore1 if we are desirous to be partakers with the saints in glory1 it is necessary that we should imitate their examples in praising and magnifying ,god4 #ad4 ,fifthly1 all creatures invite us to praise ,god4 ,thus ,david speaks to them all1 8,bless the ,lord1 all his works1 in all places of his dominion40 ,ps4 #ajc3bb4 ,and1 indeed1 every creature1 in its way1 gives glory to its ,creator2 for he has stamped such illustrious characters of his glory and goodness on them all1 that they cannot conceal them4 8,the heavens declare the glory of ,god2 and the firmament sheweth his handywork40 ,ps4 #ai3a4 ,and ,job says1 8,where wast thou1 when the morning stars sang together80 ,chap4 #ch3d1 #g4 ,for even the sun1 the moon1 and all the host of heaven1 when they give their light1 bear witness at the same time to the majesty and goodness of ,him that made them4 ,the earth praises ,god when it is fruitful and flourishing4 ,the herbs and flowers1 by their fragrance1 beauty1 and variety of colors1 show forth the might and wisdom of their ,maker4 ,the birds with their songs2 the trees with their fruits2 the sea with its inhabitants 7,ps4 #ajd3be72 in short1 all the creatures in their several places1 praise the ,god that made them1 whilst they fulfil his will1 and answer the end for which they were created4 ,ps4 #adh3a1 etc4 ,and not only so1 but they call upon mankind1 by the virtues and powers which ,god has implanted in them1 as witnesses of his wisdom and goodness1 to praise and glorify ,god4 ,whatever way we turn our eyes1 we see so many marks of divine goodness1 that one would think that nature was nothing but one great history of the glory of its ,maker4 ,but forasmuch as ,god has been more gracious and bountiful unto man than to any other of his creatures1 mankind are certainly obliged to furnish larger and more frequent returns of gratitude than they4 #ae4 ,sixthly1 we must know1 that when we have done all that we can to set forth the greatness and majesty of ,god1 the best and most devout of men must fall short of the dignity of a subject1 which no tongue1 either of men or angels1 can worthily express4 ,for 8,who can utter the mighty acts of the ,lord8 who can show forth all his praise80 ,ps4 #ajf3b4 ,the most exalted praises of holy men are more properly acts of admiration and wonder1 than attempts to express to the full the infinite love and majesty of ,god4 ,they have the will1 but not the ability1 to praise ,god in adequate terms4 ,thus holy ,david in many ,psalms stirs up his soul1 and all the powers thereof1 to praise his ,god with thanksgiving4 ,so ,moses1 8,the ,lord is my strength and song1 and he is become my salvation4 ,he is my ,god1 and ,i will prepare him a habitation2 my father's ,god1 and ,i will exalt him40 ,exod4 #ae3b4 ,observe1 he calls ,god his strength2 and were not that strength with us1 in us1 and above us1 we should quickly be turned into dust1 and vanish like a shadow4 ,therefore it is said3 8,every man at his best state is altogether vanity40 ,ps4 #ci3e4 ,moses also calls ,god his salvation2 for he is our righteousness against sin2 our strength against infirmities2 our refuge in persecution2 our joy in sadness2 and lastly our life in death4 #af4 ,and now1 what is there in heaven or in earth that may be compared unto our ,god1 with whom is such abundant salvation2 who1 by his power1 sustains the heaven and the earth1 and all that is therein 7,isa4 #dj3ab72 who is so holy that all the angels adore him 7,isa4 #f3c71 so 8fearful in praises0 7,exod4 #ae3aa7 that the heaven1 the earth1 and all that is under the earth1 bow and tremble8 ,he is so praiseworthy that all his works ought to be had in honor1 and every creature ought to praise his ,maker3 so wise1 so powerful1 as to create all things out of nothing2 to bring light out of darkness2 righteousness out of sin2 and life out of death4 ,should we now pass to the great work of our redemption1 who can express it8 ,he suffers his only ,son to become man1 that we might become the children of ,god4 ,he suffers all pain as man1 that we might enjoy everlasting felicity2 he took upon him the form of a servant1 that we might be partakers of his heavenly kingdom2 lastly1 he underwent death for us1 that we1 through him1 might have life eternal4 ,such works1 such love1 who can worthily celebrate8 ,where is he that can explain how the infinite ,god1 8whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain0 7#a ,kings #h3bg71 can yet dwell in us1 and we in him8 ,or how he made our immortal souls1 and will receive them to himself after their separation from the body8 ,or how he shall raise our dead bodies from the dust of the earth unto eternal life8 ,it is1 indeed1 wonderful and strange1 that that which is 8mortal should put on immortality40 #a ,cor4 #ae3ec4 ,wherefore1 praise the ,lord1 ,o my soul4 #ag4 ,if any man1 then1 desires to answer the end of his creation1 and not to be thought the only ingrate among all the works of ,god2 if he desires to walk worthy of his ,christian calling1 and after death to be partaker with the saints of light and everlasting glory1 let his soul praise the ,lord1 and let him beseech ,god that ,he would never suffer his soul to be unmindful or negligent of this duty4 ,and those things which we cannot sufficiently praise in this world shall be worthily celebrated in the next1 when 8that which is in part shall be done away4 ,for now we see through a glass darkly1 but then face to face40 #a ,cor4 #ac3aj1 #ab4 ,which may ,god grant1 for ,jesus ,christ's sake4 ,chapter ,,xliii4 ,to ,praise ,god ,is ,the ,highest ,and ,most ,honorable ,employment ,of ,men4 ,it is a good thing to give thanks unto the ,lord--upon an instrument of ten strings1 and upon the psaltery2 upon the harp with a solemn sound4 ,for thou1 ,lord1 hast made me glad through thy work2 ,i will triumph in the works of thy hands4 ,o ,lord1 how great are thy works6 and thy thoughts are very deep4 ,a brutish man knoweth not2 neither doth a fool understand this4 ,,ps4 #ib3a-f4 ,there are six ,psalms which have been distinguished by the name of ,golden ,songs1 namely1 #af1 #ef1 #eg1 #eh1 #ei1 #fj1 to show us that the praise of ,god and prayer are the spiritual and heavenly treasure of a believing heart4 ,and that this is the greatest honor man is capable of1 appears hence4 7#a47 ,that a cheerful confidence in ,god is that which procures the soul the greatest liberty of access to him4 ,hence it is said1 8,honor and majesty are before him2 strength and beauty are in his sanctuary40 ,ps4 #if3f4 ,and that this freedom of access is the highest honor of man1 the very angels themselves confess1 who glory in that exalted privilege4 8,i am ,gabriel1 that stand in the presence of ,god40 ,luke #a3ai4 #b4 ,the giving praise to ,god is a great honor and treasure of man1 because 7#b7 thereby we become like the angels in heaven4 ,therefore our blessed ,saviour1 pointing out the future glory of men1 says1 8,they shall be as the angels of ,god40 ,matt4 #bb3cj2 ,luke #bj3cf4 ,this1 though it is ultimately to be understood of the purity and other perfections of their glorified bodies in another life2 in which respect we shall not only be like the angels1 but also be conformed to the glorified body of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7according to ,phil4 #c3ba1 and #a ,john #c3b1 8,it doth not yet appear what we shall be2 but we know that when he shall appear1 we shall be like him2 for we shall see him as he is07--yet even as no man can be like him in the other world1 that has not been conformed to him in this2 that is to say1 that has not believed in him1 imitated his holy life1 followed him in his meekness and humility1 and1 in a word1 perfectly clothed himself with the image of the patient1 humble1 afflicted and crucified ,jesus1 that he may be like him in his glorious1 exalted1 and perfect state in the other world2 so also shall no man be like the angels in heaven1 that has not endeavored to conform himself to their examples on earth4 ,there is then no instance in which we can better imitate them here1 than by offering up devout and incessant prayers and praises to ,god2 for this is the employment of the holy angels4 ,isa4 #f3c2 ,ps4 #ajc3bj4 ,whosoever then does this1 imitates those blessed spirits1 and maintains fellowship with them4 ,hence it follows1 that to be continually celebrating the praises of ,god is the noblest and most honorable employment that man is capable of4 ,and this may be done at any time1 and in any place by a devout soul1 praising from the ground of the heart4 ,it is thence that the true praises of ,god proceed1 according to that expression1 8singing with grace in your hearts unto the ,lord40 ,col4 #c3af4 #c4 ,that singing praises to ,god is the greatest glory and highest honor that a man can receive1 appears 7#c7 hence2 that by this a man becomes1 as it were1 the harp or instrument on which the ,holy ,spirit is perpetually sounding forth the praises of ,god4 ,of this we have a very beautiful representation1 where the ,evangelist saw a great multitude clothed in white1 and following the ,lamb of ,god2 and 8he heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps40 ,rev4 #ad3b4 ,this was also indicated under the ,old ,testament by that admirable variety of musical instruments mentioned by ,david in ,ps4 #aej4 ,all these instruments express nothing else but the various gifts of the ,holy ,spirit1 by which the name1 the praise1 the honor1 the wisdom1 the mercies1 and wonderful works of ,god were to be published to the world2 which instruments are now laid aside to make room for the divine harmony of spiritual music1 even that of praise and thanksgiving to ,god4 ,for what the musical instrument is to man1 that the soul of man is to the ,spirit of ,god1 being attuned and rendered harmonious by the hand that holds it4 ,thus it is said1 8,out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength40 ,ps4 #h3b4 ,but what greater glory can the heart1 mouth1 or soul of man desire and enjoy1 than to be as so many organs or musical instruments of the ,spirit of ,god8 ,this is what ,david means1 8,the ,spirit of the ,lord spake by me1 and his word was in my tongue0 7#b ,sam4 #bc3b72 and the apostle1 8,be ye filled with the ,spirit3 speaking to yourselves in psalms1 and hymns1 and spiritual songs1 singing and making melody in your heart to the ,lord40 ,eph4 #e3ah1 #ai4 #d4 ,that the praising of ,god is a man's greatest privilege1 and most valuable treasure1 appears 7#d7 hence3 because in that exercise is contained the greatest spiritual joy4 ,hence it is said1 8,thou1 ,lord1 hast made me glad through thy work2 ,i will triumph in the works of thy hands40 ,ps4 #ib3d4 ,and as in this divine joy consists the greatest part of the happiness of eternal life1 and the kingdom of ,god within us1 which we are told1 8is peace and joy in the ,holy ,ghost0 7,rom4 #ad3ag72 so whoever desires a foretaste of the happiness of that blessed state1 may obtain it by the daily exercise of praise and thanksgiving4 ,this1 when it proceeds from a sincere heart1 gives life and divine joy both to the soul and body2 as we are told in ,ps4 #fc1 and ,ps4 #hd4 ,what is ,paradise itself1 but pure joy and unmixed pleasures2 where 8we taste and see that the ,lord is good08 ,ps4 #cd3h4 ,and what is eternal life1 but the abundance of this joy1 8and pleasures at ,god's right hand for evermore08 ,ps4 #af3aa4 #e4 ,the greatness and excellency of this duty appears 7#e7 hence3 that by it we are led to the contemplation of all the wonderful works of ,god1 whence such rays of divine light and wisdom dart upon the soul1 as scatter and dissipate the clouds of error and darkness in which men are naturally involved4 ,thus saith the ,psalmist1 8,o ,lord1 how great are thy works6 and thy thoughts are very deep4 ,a brutish man knoweth not1 neither doth a fool understand this40 ,ps4 #ib3e1 #f4 ,and ,st4 ,paul1 8,the ,spirit searcheth all things1 yea1 the deep things of ,god40 #a ,cor4 #b3aj4 ,therefore1 the more a man knows of ,god1 the more he praises him2 and the more he praises him1 the more he increases in the knowledge of him4 ,for the higher any one rises in the praises of ,god1 so much the more deeply he descends into the contemplation of his nature and providence4 ,i do not mean the presumptuous inquiries of some curious searchers into forbidden mysteries1 but those riches of the divine wisdom which ,god often discovers to the soul that loves and praises him1 and which strike her dumb by the excess of glory and sublime manifestations of ,himself4 ,if the queen of ,sheba was so astonished at the riches and magnificence of ,solomon's court1 as to break out in these words1 8,thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which ,i heard4 ,happy are thy men1 happy are these thy servants1 which stand continually before thee1 and that hear thy wisdom0 7#a ,kings #aj3g1 #h71 how much more should the devout soul be swallowed up in rapture and astonishment1 at those revelations of divine light and glory which ,god frequently vouchsafes to them that love and praise him1 causing them to cry out with ,david1 8,o1 ,lord1 how great are thy works6 and thy thoughts are very deep06 ,ps4 #ib3e4 ,and again1 8,the secret of the ,lord is with them that fear him2 and he will show them his covenant40 ,ps4 #be3ad4 ,and again1 8,thou shalt make me to know wisdom in the hidden part40 ,ps4 #ea3f4 ,therefore1 as the queen of ,sheba says1 8,happy are thy men1 happy are these thy servants1 which stand continually before thee1 and hear thy wisdom20 so those that continually praise ,god1 are the servants of ,god1 standing continually about his table1 believing in spirit the divine wisdom1 and hearkening to the word of ,god4 ,this is the never-failing fountain of true wisdom1 which one of the ancient fathers treats of1 calling it 8the deep ocean of divine wisdom40 ,but sublime and glorious as it is1 8a brutish man knoweth not2 neither doth a fool understand this40 ,in a word1 the more closely a man approaches ,god by praise and thanksgiving1 the clearer manifestations has he of the riches and treasures of the divine wisdom2 which at the same time are hidden1 and as it were locked up from those that are without understanding in the ways of ,god4 #f4 ,we may conclude that praising ,god is the highest honor1 the most exalted privilege1 and greatest benefit to man2 because 7#f7 by this man gains the victory over all his enemies1 both ,satan and men4 ,see ,psalm #h3b2 #ah3c1 etc42 #aah3e-ae4 ,we have a plain instance of this in the case of ,jehoshaphat1 who1 with one divine hymn1 routed a vast army of his enemies without loss of blood2 as we find1 #b ,chron4 #bj3ba1 #bb4 ,such songs of victory are frequently to be met with in the ,psalms3 as ,psalms1 #ah2 #df2 #dg2 #gf1 etc4 ,chapter ,,xliv4 ,of ,patience1 ,which ,triumphantly ,endures ,the ,cross1 ,and ,waits ,for ,the ,promised ,glory4 ,ye have need of patience1 that1 after ye have done the will of ,god1 ye might receive the promise4--,,heb4 #aj3cf4 ,true ,christian patience is that virtue by which1 in all afflictions that cannot1 by ordinary means1 be avoided1 we resign ourselves to the divine will1 and submit entirely to it2 choosing rather to suffer the greatest evils1 than murmur against ,god1 or let go our dependence on him4 #b4 ,the first reason or ground of this virtue is1 the counsel and gracious will of ,god1 by which we are appointed to sufferings and afflictions2 according to ,rom4 #h3bi3 8,whom he did foreknow1 he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his ,son40 ,as1 therefore1 ,god appointed his own beloved ,son to the sufferings of the cross1 that thereby he might bring him to glory2 so also has he appointed all the true members of ,christ to bear the cross1 without which they cannot be his body4 ,eph4 #e3cj4 ,to each of these he has marked1 measured1 and1 as it were1 weighed out1 his exact portion of affliction1 which cannot be escaped1 much less shaken off by impatience2 but may be alleviated by obedience and humble submission1 and overcome by the power of ,jesus ,christ4 #c4 ,the second reason why we ought to be patient is the approaching consummation of all things2 at which time1 as our blessed ,lord has told us1 8iniquity shall abound1 and love shall wax cold40 ,matt4 #bd3ab4 ,the consequence of this must be that sincere ,christians will be exposed to various afflictions1 crosses1 injuries1 and sundry kinds of death2 for 8all that will live godly in ,christ ,jesus shall suffer persecution40 #b ,tim4 #c3ab4 ,christ assures us that the righteous must expect tribulations and persecutions for the testimony of a good conscience4 ,john #ae3bj2 #af3a4 ,and the whole ,revelation of ,st4 ,john testifies that ,antichrist shall persecute the ,church of ,god till the last coming of the ,lord2 then the conflict will at last end1 and the dragon and false prophets be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone4 ,do not1 therefore1 deceive thyself with golden dreams of felicity1 but possess thy soul in patience1 and strengthen thyself against the approaching calamities4 #d4 ,thirdly1 the hope of the restitution of all things1 and the expectation of everlasting happiness1 is another argument to support our patience4 ,for as 8the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth1 and hath long patience for it1 until he receive the early and latter rain0 7,james #e3g71 comforting himself under all his toils with the hopes of a plentiful harvest1 so should ,christians also learn to 8possess their souls in patience0 7,luke #ba3ai71 and to persuade themselves that the great and universal harvest of the long-expected day of the ,lord shall repair all our losses1 and give to every one of us the fruit of our labors4 ,for as the husbandman by no means reckons his seed lost1 though it is for a while buried in the earth1 but only sows it there in hopes of a harvest1 so when ,providence is pleased to take from us our lives1 our friends1 our estates1 or honor1 we must not look upon them as lost1 but be assured that they are sown in hope of the great day of harvest1 when we shall reap abundantly1 8if we faint not40 ,gal4 #f3i4 ,so also afflictions are compared to seed-time3 8,they that sow in tears shall reap in joy4 ,he that goeth forth and weepeth1 bearing precious seed1 shall doubtless come again with rejoicing1 bringing his sheaves with him40 ,ps4 #abf3e1 #f4 #e4 ,fourthly1 another support of patience is the coming of ,jesus ,christ2 when all our sorrows shall be done away1 yea1 be turned into joy 7,john #af3bj71 and the just judgment of ,god shall fall upon our enemies2 and then 8shall every man have praise of ,god40 #a ,cor4 #d3e4 ,and this day is at hand3 8the coming of the ,lord draweth nigh40 ,james #e3h4 8,vengeance is mine1 saith the ,lord40 ,rom4 #ab3ai4 ,the time of the cross is short1 but the glory that follows it will be eternal4 ,and that day of deliverance cannot be far off4 #f4 ,the fifth support of patience is the truth and faithfulness of ,god2 by the consideration of which 8we ought to stablish our hearts10 as ,st4 ,james says1 so that they may not waver4 ,james #e3h4 ,for as we tie a tender tree to a post1 that it may not be broken by the winds2 and as we cast anchor in a storm1 to hold the ship1 that it may not be driven by the tempest2 so ought we to apply our faint and weak hearts to the firm pillar of ,god's word1 and hold the ship of our souls by the anchor of hope1 that it sink not4 ,heb4 #f3ai4 ,for how many and great promises of divine assistance have we in the ,holy ,scriptures6 ,how many instances of strange deliverances have we daily before our eyes6 ,and what variety of methods has ,god to deliver us6 ,how many has he preserved in pestilence and famine 7#b ,kings #f3be2 #g3af71 and delivered from the peril of the sword6 #b ,chron4 #bj3bb2 #ad3ab4 ,for ,god can turn the hearts of enemies to unity and peace1 or disappoint the designs of the adversary1 as appears in the history of the blessed ,jesus3 8for10 says the angel1 8they are dead which sought the young child's life40 ,matt4 #b3bj4 ,god can also convert an adversary1 as he did ,st4 ,paul4 ,acts #i3 #c1 etc4 ,how often does he disappoint the bloody intentions of wicked men6 ,saul had a design upon the life of ,david1 and thought he was so penned in that he could not escape2 but ,god recalls him by the message of a new incursion of the ,philistines into his country4 #a ,sam4 #bc3bg4 ,and the chief priests having sent their officers to lay hold on the blessed ,jesus1 the latter were so affected by our ,lord's discourses1 that they could not find in their hearts to touch him4 ,john #g3dd4 ,sometimes ,god smites the enemies of his servants with blindness1 as in the cases of ,elisha 7#b ,kings #f3ah7 and of ,lot4 ,gen4 #ai3aa4 ,consider1 too1 the innumerable legions of angels that guarded the ,christians of old time1 and miraculously preserved them from imminent dangers1 as in the case of ,st4 ,peter4 ,acts #e3ai2 #ab3g-aa4 ,and how often was ,st4 ,paul wonderfully preserved1 and the designs laid against his life discovered6 ,acts #bc3af4 ,at length1 by a temporal death1 ,god puts an end to the miseries of his servants4 #g4 ,sixthly1 how glorious shall the recompense of past afflictions be to the faithful in the other world1 which they would not exchange for all the pleasures and glories of this6 ,rom4 #h3ah4 8,blessed are they that mourn2 for they shall be comforted40 ,matt4 #e3d4 ,and in ,rev4 #ba3d and ,isa4 #be3h1 it is said1 that 8,god shall wipe away all tears from the eyes of0 his saints4 ,but how shall he wipe away the tears of those that never sincerely wept8 #h4 ,seventhly1 we must set before our eyes the examples of holy men1 as ,abel1 ,noah1 ,lot1 ,abraham1 ,isaac1 ,jacob1 ,joseph1 ,david1 ,job1 and especially the man of ,god1 ,moses2 who1 as the ,holy ,scripture witnesses1 was 8very meek1 above all the men which were upon the face of the earth40 ,num4 #ab3c4 ,the people were sometimes murmuring against him1 sometimes chiding him1 and sometimes threatening to stone him2 but he broke their stubborn hearts by his meekness and patience1 pacifying them with gentle words1 praying to ,god for them1 and entreating rather to be blotted out of the book of life1 than that they should be cut off in ,his displeasure4 ,exod4 #cb3cb4 ,so also ,elijah1 having been most cruelly persecuted1 yet obtained rain from ,god for his ungrateful country4 #a ,kings #ah3de4 ,micaiah1 before the kings ,ahab and ,jehoshaphat1 was struck by the false prophets1 and cast into prison1 only for dealing sincerely with the king1 and giving him a salutary warning4 #a ,kings #bb3bd2 #b ,chron4 #ah3bc4 ,why should ,i mention ,isaiah1 sawn asunder as a reward for his faithful services1 or ,jeremiah1 bitterly persecuted by his countrymen 7,jer4 #ae3aj71 or ,daniel1 cast into the den of lions 7,dan4 #f3f71 or ,john the ,baptist beheaded 7,matt4 #ad3aj71 or ,st4 ,paul1 and all the afflictions which he endured 7#b ,cor4 #aa3bc1 etc471 or the sufferings and trials of the rest of the ,apostles1 and all the holy martyrs8 ,see ,heb4 #aa3ce1 etc4 ,should you inquire of all these1 by what way they entered into heaven1 they will all with one voice answer3 ,by the way of the cross and tribulation4 ,acts #ad3bb4 ,neither did ,christ himself enter by any other way4 ,so says ,st4 ,peter1 8,christ suffered for us1 leaving us an example1 that ye should follow his steps3 who1 when he was reviled1 reviled not again2 when he suffered1 he threatened not2 but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously40 #a ,pet4 #b3ba1 #bc4 ,so great was the patience of our blessed ,redeemer1 that though the sun hid its head at the time of his passion1 being unwilling to witness indignities so great2 though the earth trembled1 and the rocks rent 7,luke #bc3dd2 ,matt4 #bg3ea72 yet he1 still hanging upon the cross1 murmured not against his enemies1 nor by either word or gesture discovered the least impatience2 but on the other hand1 prayed for his enemies1 that they might be saved by that blood which they so unjustly shed4 ,now if this be the lot of the children of ,god1 that he chasteneth every one whom he loveth and receiveth1 it follows that we must either suffer1 or quit our title to be the sons of ,god4 ,heb4 #ab3f-h4 ,if our heavenly ,father spared not his own ,son1 though he was without sin1 but chastened him with the rod of affliction2 canst thou1 who art an adopted son1 and polluted with innumerable sins1 expect to escape it8 ,moreover1 if ,god bear so patiently with our provocations1 how much more patient ought we to be1 when we are punished for our good1 with a view to our amendment6 8,let us rather rejoice10 as ,st4 ,peter exhorts us 7#a ,epistle #d3ac71 8inasmuch as we are partakers of ,christ's sufferings2 that when his glory shall be revealed1 we may be glad also with exceeding joy40 #i4 ,eighthly1 we shall bear our afflictions patiently1 when we consider that ,christ ,jesus has sanctified and blessed our crosses by his own1 and has taken away the sting of affliction1 and made it to us the instrument of blessing1 life1 and glory4 ,for as the sufferings of ,christ ended in glory1 so will the sufferings of every ,christian be turned into everlasting joy4 #aj4 ,ninthly1 behold the glorious reward of those that bore their cross with patience4 ,though many of the holy martyrs were most barbarously treated1 most inhumanly punished1 and cruelly put to death1 some thrown to wild beasts1 some boiled in oil1 others in melted lead2 yet there is no man so impious or foolish1 as to say1 that he had not rather be in their condition now1 than that of their murderers4 ,who would not now prefer the condition of the poor ,lazarus1 to that of the rich man8 ,luke #af3be4 ,but if thou wouldest obtain the glory of the saints1 thou must also bear the same crosses1 and bear them with the same patience4 ,to this we must refer those words of our blessed ,saviour3 8,blessed are ye when men shall revile you1 and persecute you1 and shall say all manner of evil of you falsely1 for my sake4 ,rejoice1 and be exceeding glad2 for great is your reward in heaven40 ,matt4 #e3aa1 #ab4 ,as also those in ,rom4 #h3ag1 #ah1 8,if we suffer with ,christ1 we shall also be glorified with him40 ,and again1 8,i reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us40 #aa4 ,tenthly1 let the deep compassion of ,god be a support to our patience1 who can no more forget us1 than a mother can forget her sucking child4 ,isa4 #di3ae4 ,he says1 that 8his bowels are troubled for ,ephraim1 and that he will have mercy upon him40 ,jer4 #ca3bj4 ,hence also he is said to be 8faithful1 who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able0 7#a ,cor4 #aj3ac72 not chastening us for our hurt1 but that we may obtain everlasting life1 8and not be condemned with the world40 #a ,cor4 #aa3cb4 ,for1 if the cross be nothing but a token of ,god's favor1 wouldest thou rather choose the pleasures and dainties of the rich man here1 and have his punishment hereafter1 than enter into eternal life by the way of the cross1 and wear a crown of glory8 #ab4 ,all that has been said on this head1 is admirably explained in the ,epistle to the ,hebrews 7,heb4 #ab3a-aa7 as follows3 8,let us run with patience the race that is set before us1 looking unto ,jesus1 the author and finisher of our faith2 who1 for the joy that was set before him1 endured the cross1 despising the shame1 and is set down at the right hand of the throne of ,god4 ,for consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself1 lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds4 ,ye have not yet resisted unto blood1 striving against sin4 ,and ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children1 ,my son1 despise not thou the chastening of the ,lord1 nor faint when thou art rebuked of him4 ,for whom the ,lord loveth he chasteneth1 and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth4 ,if ye endure chastening1 ,god dealeth with you as with sons3 for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not8 ,but if ye be without chastisement1 whereof all are partakers1 then are ye bastards1 and not sons4 ,furthermore1 we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us1 and we gave them reverence3 shall we not much rather be in subjection to the ,father of spirits and live8 ,for they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure2 but he for our profit1 that we might be partakers of his holiness4 ,now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous1 but grievous2 nevertheless1 afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness1 unto them which are exercised thereby40 ,chapter ,,xlv4 ,divine ,consolation ,produces ,patience ,under ,afflictions4 ,blessed is the man that endureth temptation3 for when he is tried1 he shall receive the crown of life1 which the ,lord has promised to them that love him4--,,james #a3ab4 ,even as ,god has provided healing remedies for the body in external nature2 so has he also for the soul in his holy ,word4 ,and as in this valley of misery and tears1 no man can be perfectly free from crosses1 afflictions1 and troubles2 so nothing can be more seasonable than to collect certain heads out of the word of ,god1 by a proper application of which we may find help and comfort in the hour of temptation4 #b4 ,the first comfort is the consideration of the divine providence1 which lays the burden upon us4 8,the ,lord killeth1 and maketh alive3 he bringeth down to the grave1 and bringeth up40 #a ,sam4 #b3f4 8,the ,lord gave1 and the ,lord hath taken away40 ,job #a3ba4 8,are not two sparrows sold for a farthing8 and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your ,father40 ,matt4 #aj3bi4 8,i form the light1 and create darkness3 ,i make peace1 and create evil40 ,isa4 #de3g4 8,happy is the man whom ,god correcteth2 therefore1 despise not thou the chastening of the ,almighty3 for he maketh sore1 and bindeth up2 he woundeth1 and his hands make whole40 ,job #e3ag1 #ah4 ,it is1 therefore1 foolish to be angry with those whom ,god makes the instruments of our correction4 8,wherefore doth a living man complain1 a man for the punishment of his sins8 ,let us search and try our ways1 and turn again to the ,lord40 ,lam4 #c3ci1 #dj4 ,this is the design of ,god1 that we should repent and turn from our sins1 and not murmur against him that afflicts us4 #c4 ,the second head of comfort is to consider the end and design of our cross1 namely1 that ,god sends it1 not out of wrath1 but from pure love to our souls4 ,how dangerous it is to a man's soul to be always prosperous and at ease1 we may learn not only from the case of 8the rich man0 7,luke #af3be71 but also from the example of our first parents1 whose happiness in paradise being greater than they could bear1 they were1 by the temptations of ,satan1 seduced from their obedience and dependence upon ,god4 ,gen4 #c4 ,and every day furnishes us with fresh instances of the danger of such a state4 ,now1 though ,god1 in strict justice1 might have condemned man to everlasting punishment1 yet he chose rather to have pity on him1 and devised means for recovering his lost happiness2 and one of these is the cross1 or affliction4 ,for this cause he drove him out of paradise1 that in the 8sweat of his face he should eat bread0 7,gen4 #c3ai71 to the intent that1 by sufferings1 he might be brought to repentance2 and this is his constant method even to this day4 ,though we offend him by innumerable sins1 yet1 in his abundant mercy1 he leaves nothing undone1 no means untried1 that may lead to our conversion and amendment4 ,and this is the reason why ,providence appoints every particular man his cross1 that we may all be kept in true penitence and the fear of ,god unto eternal life4 ,hence it is that ,god is said to correct those whom he loves1 that they may not be condemned with the world4 ,prov4 #c3aa1 #ab2 #ac3bd2 ,heb4 #ab3f2 #a ,cor4 #aa3cb4 #d4 ,the third argument is sin itself1 by considering whether thou hast not deserved thy punishments4 ,if thou hast 7which thou canst not deny71 then it is agreeable to the divine justice that thou shouldest suffer4 ,now1 a temporal suffering1 attended with the divine mercy and comfort1 is certainly more desirable than an eternal one1 without hopes of comfort or expectation of redemption4 ,call to mind the rich man1 in vain crying out3 8,father ,abraham1 have mercy on me0 7,luke #af3bd71 and assure thyself that it will be no small comfort to consider that ,god has changed the eternal punishment threatened to our sins into a temporal correction that can be endured4 #e4 ,fourthly1 when thou art afflicted1 consider how much ,christ suffered for thy sake6 ,think upon his poverty1 8who had not where to lay his head60 ,matt4 #h3bj4 ,remember the indignities which he underwent1 such as no man ever did or will endure3 being 8despised and rejected of men0 7,isa4 #ec3c1 #d72 yea1 8a worm1 and no man40 ,ps4 #bb3f4 ,moreover1 as he took upon him the miseries1 pains1 and diseases of all the world1 hence it was that he underwent such bitter sufferings1 such dreadful torments1 that even the sun and moon were darkened at the sight1 the earth quaked1 and the rocks rent2 all which1 though for the sake of his most cruel enemies1 he bore with a love so inexpressibly pure1 with a meekness and patience so sincere1 that 8as a lamb1 he opened not his mouth40 ,moreover1 though we provoke him every day by innumerable transgressions1 yet he continues1 and will still continue faithful1 and ready to receive us to his favor upon our repentance 7,jer4 #c3i72 yea1 and if the ransom he has already paid were not sufficient1 he would lay down his life again for our sakes4 ,therefore1 he bears patiently with us1 and waits day and night to be gracious4 ,for so strong1 so ardent1 is his love towards us1 that it cannot be quenched by any sins1 any ingratitude of ours1 if we but sincerely repent of them4 ,his love is higher than heaven1 deeper than the sea1 and exceeding even our most exalted thoughts and expressions4 ,but there is one thing necessary on our part1 and that is1 repentance4 ,therefore1 he calls upon all without distinction1 8,come unto me1 all ye that labor and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest40 ,matt4 #aa3bh4 ,and1 8,o ,jerusalem1 ,jerusalem1 how often would ,i have gathered thy children together60 ,matt4 #bc3cg4 8,if any man thirst1 let him come unto me1 and drink40 ,john #g3cg4 ,by these words of ,holy ,scripture1 he continually invites every one to come to him that stands in need of mercy4 ,how then canst thou imagine that ,he will forsake thee in the time of trouble1 who endured so many and great miseries for thy sake6 ,it is for this that ,god calls himself our ,father4 ,now we know that a father is more compassionate and tender than a master3 so that he would not have us dread him1 but love him as a dutiful child does an indulgent father4 ,when1 therefore1 any affliction befalls thee1 receive it cheerfully1 and remember that thy ,father sends it to thee for good1 and kiss the rod1 and the hand that holds it4 ,consider the compassion of ,god as thy greatest security1 the firm foundation of all thy hopes2 firmly believing that thy heavenly ,father will lay no more upon thee than he knows to be absolutely necessary for the salvation of thy soul4 #f4 ,fifthly1 we must call to mind the consolatory promise of our blessed ,saviour1 8,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 that ye shall weep and lament1 but the world shall rejoice2 and ye shall be sorrowful1 but your sorrow shall be turned into joy40 ,john #af3bj4 ,as a little seed is multiplied into a number of grains1 so one affliction shall produce a large increase of spiritual joy and glory4 8,they that sow in tears1 shall reap in joy4 ,he that goeth forth and weepeth1 bearing precious seed1 shall doubtless come again with rejoicing1 bringing his sheaves with him40 ,ps4 #abf3e1 #f4 ,if ,god should promise to convert every pebble about thy house into a precious stone1 thou wouldest quickly make a large collection1 and highly value them4 ,the case of crosses and afflictions is just the same4 ,learn to love them1 yea1 court them1 knowing that ,god will assuredly convert them into treasures of blessings1 and spiritual joys2 according to the words3 8,i reckon that the sufferings of this present time1 are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us40 ,rom4 #h3ah4 #g4 ,the sixth ground of comfort is found in the examples of the saints1 none of whom were without their cross4 ,ask them one by one1 and they will answer you1 8,through much tribulation we entered into the kingdom of ,god40 ,acts #ad3bb4 ,ask the elders in the ,revelation1 8,who are these80 and they will tell you1 8,these are they which came out of great tribulation40 ,rev4 #g3ad4 ,inquire of ,abraham1 ,isaac1 ,jacob1 ,joseph1 ,moses1 ,aaron1 ,david1 ,daniel1 ,elias1 ,job1 and all the ,prophets and ,apostles2 they will tell you that they drank deep of the bitter cup of affliction1 which was to them 8the cup of salvation40 ,ps4 #aaf3ac4 ,if we consider only the holy martyrs1 whose tortures and sufferings were terrible and affrighting1 we shall find that nothing could seduce them from ,christ4 ,and what comparison is there between their crosses and our light afflictions1 who 8have not yet resisted unto blood06 ,heb4 #ab3d4 ,we cannot bear a trivial injury1 or an affronting expression for ,christ's sake1 for whom the blessed martyrs underwent the most ignominious deaths4 ,one was beheaded1 another roasted alive1 a third crucified2 some were drowned1 some stoned1 others hanged1 others struck through with darts1 others forced to walk barefooted upon red-hot plates of iron2 the love of ,christ so swallowing up all sense of pain1 that they cried out that 8they were walking upon roses40 #h4 ,the seventh source of comfort is1 the presence of ,god with us under the cross4 ,god has nowhere declared that he dwells with the merry1 but rather with the afflicted and sorrowful4 8,i dwell in the high and holy place1 with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit1 to revive the spirit of the humble1 and to revive the heart of the contrite ones40 ,isa4 #eg3ae4 8,fear thou not2 for ,i am with thee2 be not dismayed1 for ,i am thy ,god2 ,i will strengthen thee2 yea1 ,i will help thee2 yea1 ,i will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness4--,when thou passest through the waters1 ,i will be with thee2 and through the rivers1 they shall not overflow thee2 when thou walkest through the fire1 thou shalt not be burned2 neither shall the flame kindle upon thee40 ,isa4 #da3aj2 #dc3b4 8,because he hath set his love upon me1 therefore will ,i deliver him3 ,i will set him on high1 because he hath known my name40 ,ps4 #ia3ad4 8,the ,lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart1 and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit40 ,ps4 #cd3ah4 ,it was the comforting presence of ,god that enabled the holy martyrs to bear up so boldly under the torments that were laid upon them1 and to disregard their tormentors1 as did particularly ,st4 ,laurence and ,st4 ,vincent1 the latter of whom1 walking upon burning coals1 told them1 8he was walking upon fragrant roses40 ,babylas1 the martyr1 desired that the chain with which he was bound might be buried with him1 that he might not be deprived of so great an ornament4 ,ignatius wished to be a grain of wheat1 and to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts1 that he might become clean bread unto his ,saviour4 ,these are such instances of courage and joyfulness as utterly exceed the powers of nature1 and are only owing to the influences of that heavenly ,comforter who supported ,st4 ,stephen1 and made his face shine before the council as it had been the face of an angel4 ,acts #f3ae4 ,and in this sense is that saying of the ,psalmist verified1 8,thy comforts delight my soul40 ,ps4 #id3ai4 ,chapter ,,xlvi4 ,motives ,to ,patience2 ,and1 ,the ,benefits ,of ,the ,cross4 ,be patient1 brethren1 unto the coming of the ,lord4 ,behold1 the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth1 and hath long patience for it1 until he receive the early and latter rain4--,,james #e3g4 ,patience is that virtue by which we behave ourselves quietly before ,god under any cross or tribulation1 committing ourselves and all our concerns1 whether temporal or eternal1 without any reserve1 to be governed and disposed of by the all-wise providence of ,god1 entirely resigning all to his will3 to the practice of which the following arguments strongly persuade us4 #b4 ,first1 because every cross and calamity of life1 as sword1 famine1 pestilence1 and other punishments1 proceed from ,god4 ,nothing happens in this world at random or by chance1 though1 by the permission of ,providence1 many evils are inflicted on us by the devil and his instruments4 ,for thus saith the ,lord3 8,i form the light1 and create darkness2 ,i make peace1 and create evil2 ,i the ,lord do all these things40 ,isa4 #de3g4 ,and 8,the ,lord killeth1 and maketh alive2 he bringeth down to the grave1 and bringeth up40 #a ,sam4 #b3f4 ,what canst thou reply to all this8 ,wilt thou be impatient1 and fight against ,god8 #c4 ,secondly1 we must remember that our punishments are less than we deserve4 ,our sins are always greater than our punishments1 and our sufferings less than our offences4 ,thou canst not but own that the mercies thou hast enjoyed1 from thy youth up unto this day1 are more and greater than the punishments thou hast suffered4 ,why then shouldest thou not1 with profound submission1 receive cheerfully the corrections which he inflicts for thy benefit1 to save thee from destruction8 #d4 ,thirdly1 if we have in many ways provoked ,god1 and deserved punishment1 we must acknowledge with the prophet ,daniel1 that he is righteous in all that is brought upon us4 ,dan4 #i3g4 ,is it unreasonable that ,god should punish thy sins1 either in this world or the next8 ,and if this be allowed1 why dost thou not submit to the divine chastisements without murmuring or repining8 ,for it is better to be punished now than hereafter1 as ,st4 ,paul tells us3 8,when we are judged1 we are chastened of the ,lord1 that we should not be condemned with the world40 #a ,cor4 #aa3cb4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 is impatient1 and murmurs against ,god1 accuses him of injustice1 and calls his righteousness in question2 and yet 8the ,lord is righteous in all his ways1 and holy in all his works40 ,ps4 #ade3ag4 8,righteous art thou1 ,o ,lord1 and upright are thy judgments40 ,ps4 #aai3acg4 #e4 ,fourthly1 doth it not discover a stubborn and untractable temper1 to fly in the face of ,god1 who has so long borne with1 and still continues to bear with thee patiently1 as ,st4 ,paul says1 speaking of the goodness1 patience1 and long-suffering of ,god1 by which he endeavors to draw us to repentance8 ,see ,rom4 #b3d2 #i3bc2 #aa3cc4 #f4 ,fifthly1 set before thine eyes the patience of thy ,saviour4 ,he who was spotless innocence and purity itself1 though he could have destroyed his enemies in a moment1 yet bore their utmost cruelties with patience1 and prayed for his enemies4 ,how much more reason then have we to be patient1 who have deserved the greatest punishment1 even eternal punishment4 ,as ,jacob served seven years for ,rachel 7,gen4 #bi3ah71 so ,christ1 for our sakes1 submitted to the greatest miseries of life1 for three and thirty years4 ,and should we refuse to suffer a short affliction for his sake8 ,consider the patience of all the saints1 as ,joseph1 and ,moses1 who offered to lay down his life for his people4 ,exod4 #cb3cb4 ,so ,david says1 8,if ,i shall find favor in the eyes of the ,lord1 he will bring me again1 and show me both it 7the ark7 and his habitation2 but if he thus say1 ,i have no delight in thee2 behold here am ,i1 let him do to me as seemeth good unto him40 #b ,sam4 #ae3be4 ,consider also the cases of ,job1 and the holy ,apostles and ,martyrs4 #g4 ,sixthly1 the remembrance of ,god's great mercies should move us to patience4 ,for1 first of all1 thou art assured1 that by ,christ thou art reconciled unto ,god1 and that therefore no man can rob thee of this transcendent mercy1 though the whole world should league together against thee3 8for the mercy of the ,lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him40 ,ps4 #ajc3ag4 ,what then can separate us from the love of ,god8 ,rom4 #h3ch1 #ci4 ,moreover1 thou art redeemed by ,christ unto everlasting life2 a privilege which no creature can take from thee4 ,now1 if the case be so1 that the love of ,god and thy eternal salvation are firmly secured to thee2 it will surely be easy for thee to despise the threats and assaults of external enemies and persecutors1 and1 like the blessed martyrs of old1 to be wholly regardless of what man can do unto thee4 #h4 ,the seventh support of patience is found in the truth and promise of ,god4 8,therefore will the ,lord wait1 that he may be gracious unto you2 and therefore will he be exalted1 that he may have mercy on you3 for the ,lord is a ,god of judgment3 blessed are all they that wait for him40 ,isa4 #cj3ah4 ,see also ,ps4 #be3c2 ,lam4 #c3be4 8,blessed is the man that endureth temptation2 for when he is tried1 he shall receive the crown of life40 ,jam4 #a3ab4 #i4 ,eighthly1 we ought to submit to anything for the sake of the glory of ,god4 ,thus the three men in the fiery furnace 7,dan4 #c3af1 etc472 ,daniel in the lions' den2 ,joseph in prison2 ,david in banishment2 all gave glory to ,god by their patient suffering4 #aj4 ,ninthly1 for the sake of our own advantage4 ,for1 first1 we learn many great and useful lessons under the discipline of the cross4 8,patience worketh experience0 7,rom4 #e3d71 saith ,st4 ,paul4 ,secondly1 patience breaks the violence of our sufferings2 upon which account our blessed ,lord promises rest to those that bear his yoke4 ,matt4 #aa3bi4 ,on the other hand1 impatience disquiets the soul1 adds grief to our trouble1 and a sting to our wounds1 and sometimes casts us into destruction both of body and soul2 an instance of which we have in the ,israelites1 who1 being impatient1 and murmuring against ,god1 were destroyed by fiery serpents in the wilderness4 ,num4 #ba3f4 #aa4 ,tenth1 great is the reward of patience4 ,so ,job1 having been despoiled of all his goods1 was rewarded with a double portion4 ,job #db3aj4 ,for1 8,blessed are the meek2 for they shall inherit the earth40 ,matt4 #e3e4 ,and1 by consequence1 cursed are the impatient1 for they shall be disinherited4 #ab4 ,eleventh1 patience is a virtue of unspeakable advantage to all orders of men4 ,in the ,church it is a virtue which enables men to bear the opposition1 contempt1 and persecution to which they may be exposed by the conscientious discharge of their duty4 ,in the ,state it is a useful virtue1 enabling men to bear with patience the odium and reproach that generally attends public stations4 ,for history informs us1 that impatience1 and a desire of revenge1 have been the ruin of many flourishing states and kingdoms4 ,as to the concerns of private families1 how necessary patience is there1 may be learned from everyone's experience1 particularly from those that have entered into the marriage-state2 in which respect1 these words of ,solomon are applicable1 8,he that is slow to anger1 is better than the mighty40 ,prov4 #af3cb4 #ac4 ,twelfth1 consider that ,christ has taken out the sting of our afflictions1 so that they cannot hurt us with regard to our eternal happiness2 for by his cross and passion he has made an atonement for our sins1 and has taken away those punishments that were due to them4 ,if then our cross be sanctified by the cross of ,christ1 and is to us a remedy against all our spiritual diseases1 it follows that the cross itself is a help to salvation2 which made the ,apostle say1 8,all things work together for good to them that love ,god40 ,rom4 #h3bh4 #ad4 ,lastly1 consider how light thy afflictions are when compared with 8the glory that shall be revealed in us40 ,rom4 #h3ah4 ,upon which account the love of ,god is still more illustrious1 in that he is pleased to afflict us in this world4 ,for the duration of a temporal affliction1 if compared to eternity1 is but for a moment2 on the other hand1 the joy that it produces lasts to eternity4 ,hence we ought to wish and pray for afflictions in this world1 that we may have rest in the other4 ,therefore1 ,st4 ,peter says3 8,though now for a season ye are in heaviness2--yet ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory40 #a ,pet4 #a3f1 #h4 ,,the ,,benefits ,,of ,,the ,,cross4 #ae4 ,the cross is the strait and narrow way leading to life1--a rod of divine correction1 to awaken us from the sleep of sin and death1--the morning star that ushers in the sun of consolation1--a token of divine favor1 like the rainbow4 ,it brings us to a conformity with ,christ1--strips us of the armor of darkness1 and clothes us with the armor of light4 ,it is a plant of life1--a cup of salvation1--a trial of faith1--the edification of our neighbor1--the parent of love1--a companion of hope1--a forerunner of grace1--a medicine of the soul1--a preservative against sin1--a destroyer of the carnal life1--a cherisher of the spiritual life1--a change of the earthly mind1--a forsaking of the world1--an increase of heavenly gifts1--a conqueror of pride1--a nurse of humility1--a teacher of patience1--a renewer of the spirit1--a strengthener of virtue1--a discipline of the body1--an enlivener of the mind1--a parent of wisdom1--a teacher of meekness1--an encourager of prayer1--a mistress of patience1--a guardian of chastity1--the peace of the conscience1--a source of inward joys1--a glittering jewel of the faithful1--the crown of the martyrs1--the glory of the elect4 ,chapter ,,xlvii4 ,sentences1 ,and ,examples ,of ,patience ,and ,consolation4 ,we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of ,god4--,,acts #ad3bb4 ,as the life of a ,christian consists of crosses and afflictions1 through which he must enter into the kingdom of ,god2 so he must arm himself with patience1 and beg it earnestly of ,god4 ,we must not think that we are born for pastime and diversion1 but for many afflictions and trials of patience4 ,and here we will consider three several arguments4 ,the first shall contain some select sentences and testimonies of ,scripture4 ,the second1 examples4 ,and the third1 encouragements4 ,i4 ,some ,sentences ,and ,testimonies ,of ,scripture4 #b4 ,patience submits itself with meekness1 quietness1 and humility1 to the cross2 receiving all kinds of afflictions1 calamities1 and persecutions1 whether bodily or spiritual1 as the cross and yoke of ,christ4 ,by this we follow our blessed ,saviour1 not murmuring against ,god1 but acknowledging in faith1 that ,god is reconciled to us through ,christ1 and comforting ourselves under the severest trials1 with the hopes of deliverance4 ,this is also called meekness towards them that injure and persecute us1 leaving the avenging of our quarrel to ,god2 not upon a principle of reason or worldly policy1 but arising from the grace of ,god1 as the fruit and effect of true faith4 #c4 ,the parts of this description are--#a4 ,obedience4 #b4 ,imitation4 #c4 ,not to murmur4 #d4 ,to consider ,god as reconciled to us through ,christ4 #e4 ,to lessen our afflictions by hope4 #f4 ,to behave ourselves with meekness towards our persecutors4 #g4 ,not to exercise revenge4 ,and so it contains in it faith1 hope1 charity1 humility1 meekness1 and obedience4 #d4 ,these virtues are to be practised and exercised by all the disciples of ,christ1 who are purchased for heaven and eternal life3 for against such the devil1 that great dragon and old serpent 7,rev4 #ab3g-i71 yea1 and the whole world1 are fighting continually4 ,hence it is said1 8,the dragon was wroth with the woman1 and went to make war with the remnant of her seed1 which keep the commandments of ,god1 and have the testimony of ,jesus ,christ40 ,rev4 #ab3ag4 ,to this also may be referred the following3 8,if any man will come after me1 let him deny himself1 and take up his cross1 and follow me4 ,for whosoever will save his life1 shall lose it2 and whosoever will lose his life for my sake1 shall find it0 7,matt4 #af3bd1 #be73 that is1 ,whosoever shall refuse to bear the cross for ,christ's sake1 and shall flee from it1 shall lose his soul4 #e4 8,ye shall be hated of all men1 for my name's sake40 ,mark #ac3ac4 ,this is indeed a heavy cross1 to be hated of all men2 but as it is for ,christ's sake1 this affords great consolation4 #f4 ,concerning religious persecutions1 our blessed ,saviour prophesies1 8,they shall lay their hands on you1 and persecute you1 delivering you up to the synagogues1 and into prisons1 being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake4--,in your patience possess ye your souls40 ,luke #ba3ab1 #ai4 #g4 8,if the world hate you1 ye know that it hated me before it hated you4 ,if ye were of the world1 the world would love his own2 but because ye are not of the world1 but ,i have chosen you out of the world1 therefore the world hateth you40 ,john #ae3ah1 #ai1 #bj4 #h4 8,they shall put you out of the synagogues2 yea1 the time cometh that whosoever killeth you1 will think that he doeth ,god service40 ,john #af3b4 #i4 ,when ,st4 ,paul had been stoned at ,lystra1 but encouraged by the discourses of the disciples1 8he confirmed the souls of the disciples1--exhorting them to continue in the faith3 and that we must1 through much tribulation1 enter into the kingdom of ,god40 ,acts #ad3bb4 #aj4 8,we are troubled on every side1 yet not distressed2 we are perplexed1 but not in despair2 persecuted1 but not forsaken2 cast down1 but not destroyed2 always bearing about in the body the dying of the ,lord ,jesus1 that the life also of ,jesus might be made manifest in our body40 #b ,cor4 #d3h4 #aa4 8,thou therefore endure hardness1 as a good soldier of ,jesus ,christ4 ,if a man strive for masteries1 yet is he not crowned1 except he strive lawfully4 ,if we suffer1 we shall also reign with him40 #b ,tim4 #b3c1 #e1 #ab4 8,all that will live godly in ,christ ,jesus1 shall suffer persecution40 #b ,tim4 #c3ab4 #ab4 8,ye have need of patience1 that after ye have done the will of ,god1 ye might receive the promise40 ,heb4 #aj3 #cf4 #ac4 8,let us run with patience the race that is set before us1 looking unto ,jesus the author and finisher of our faith2 who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross1 despising the shame1 and is set down at the right hand of the throne of ,god4 ,for1 consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself1 lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds40 ,heb4 #ab3a-c4 #ad4 8,now for a season1 if need be1 ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations2 that the trial of your faith might be found much more precious than of gold that perisheth40 #a ,peter #a3f1 #g4 #ae4 8,because thou hast kept the word of my patience1 ,i also will keep thee from the hour of temptation1 which shall come upon all the world1 to try them that dwell upon the earth40 ,rev4 #c3aj4 8,be thou faithful unto death1 and ,i will give thee a crown of life40 ,rev4 #b3aj4 ,,ii4 ,examples ,of ,patience4 #af4 ,abraham suffered many things from the ,chaldeans1 ,canaanites1 and ,egyptians4 8,then came he out of the land of the ,chaldeans1 and dwelt in ,charran4 ,and he gave him none inheritance in it1 no1 not so much as to set his foot on4 ,and ,god spake on this wise1 ,that his seed should sojourn in a strange land2 and that they should bring them into bondage1 and entreat them evil four hundred years40 ,acts #g3d-f4 8,by faith ,abraham1 when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance1 obeyed2 and he went out1 not knowing whither he went4 ,by faith he sojourned in the land of promise1 as in a strange country1 dwelling in tabernacles4 ,for he looked for a city which hath foundations1 whose builder and maker is ,god40 ,heb4 #aa3h1 #i4 8,he delivered just ,lot1 vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked4 ,the ,lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation1 and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished40 #b ,peter #b3g1 #i4 ,isaac refused not to be offered up for a burnt sacrifice4 ,gen4 #bb3i4 ,jacob also had a great share of suffering4 ,he fled from his brother ,esau1 passing over ,jordan with his staff4 ,gen4 #cb3aj4 8,by his strength he had power with ,god2 yea1 he had power over the angel1 and prevailed2 he wept and made supplication unto him40 ,hosea #ab3c1 #d4 ,he saith unto ,pharaoh1 8,the days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years2 few and evil40 ,gen4 #dg3i4 8,ye have heard of the patience of ,job1 and have seen the end of the ,lord40 ,jam4 #e3aa4 ,moses was meek1 and afflicted above all the men that were upon the face of the earth4 ,numb4 #ab3c4 ,he 8chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of ,god1 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season40 ,heb4 #aa3be4 ,how many afflictions did ,david suffer1 who was a type of ,christ6 8,o ,lord my ,god1 in thee do ,i put my trust2 save me from all them that persecute me1 and deliver me40 ,ps4 #g3a4 8,lord1 thou hast heard the desire of the humble40 ,ps4 #aj3ag4 ,solomon's motto was1 8,the fear of the ,lord is the instruction of wisdom2 and before 7the7 honor 7that is1 of the next world7 is humility40 ,prov4 #ae3cc4 ,what patience had not the three men in the fiery furnace 7,dan4 #c3ba71 and the holy ,apostles and ,martyrs6 ,the patience of ,christ exceeds all these examples4 #a4 ,because he was most obedient upon the cross4 #b4 ,because he murmured not against ,god4 #c4 ,because he held fast his confidence in ,god1 and called him his ,god1 though forsaken by him4 ,matt4 #bg3df4 #d4 ,because he heartily prayed for his enemies2 and revenged not himself when it was in his power4 ,,iii4 ,consolations4 #ag4 8,blessed are they that mourn2 for they shall be comforted40 ,matt4 #e3d4 8,come unto me1 all ye that labor and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest4 ,take my yoke upon you1 and learn of me2 for ,i am meek and lowly in heart3 and ye shall find rest unto your souls4 ,for my yoke is easy1 and my burden is light40 ,matt4 #aa3bh-cj4 ,in these words there is a fivefold consolation4 #a4 ,that the afflicted may come to ,christ4 #b4 ,may be refreshed4 #c4 ,may take up his yoke4 #d4 ,may find rest unto their souls4 #e4 ,that his yoke is easy4 ,for when it is borne for ,christ's sake1 it is not burdensome1 but refreshing4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul saith1 8,we glory in tribulations2 knowing that tribulation worketh patience1 and patience1 experience1 and experience1 hope1 and hope maketh not ashamed3 because the love of ,god is shed abroad in our hearts by the ,holy ,ghost40 ,rom4 #e3c1 #d1 #e4 8,blessed is the man that endureth temptation2 for when he is tried1 he shall receive the crown of life1 which the ,lord hath promised to them that love him40 ,james #a3ab4 8,who shall separate us from the love of ,christ80--8,all things work together for good to them that love ,god40 ,rom4 #h3ce1 #bh4 8,in the world ye shall have tribulation2 but be of good cheer2 ,i have overcome the world40 ,john #af3bc4 8,i have fought a good fight40 #b ,tim4 #d3g4 ,chapter ,,xlviii4 ,there ,is ,no ,affliction ,for ,which ,god ,has ,not ,provided ,appropriate ,consolation4 ,the ,consolation ,which ,he ,affords ,is ,always ,greater ,than ,our ,misery2 ,this ,consideration ,should ,sustain ,and ,confirm ,our ,patience4 ,the holy ,apostle ,st4 ,paul1 when meditating upon the tender mercies and compassions of our ,heavenly ,father to all afflicted and contrite sinners1 breaks out into these words1 full of the praise of ,god3 8,blessed be ,god1 even the ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the ,father of mercies1 and the ,god of all comfort2 who comforteth us in all our tribulation1 that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble1 by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of ,god4 ,for as the sufferings of ,christ abound in us1 so our consolation also aboundeth by ,christ--knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings1 so shall ye be also of the consolation40 #b ,cor4 #a3c-g4 #b4 ,in these words1 so full of grace1 the holy ,apostle gives thanks to ,god for heavenly consolation2 which is indeed the only remedy against all the troubles and adversities that oppress us in this life2 teaching1 at the same time1 that no adversity befalls us1 how great soever1 but ,god supports us under it by his divine comfort1 which is more abundant than our sufferings4 ,this he confirms by seven weighty arguments1 which he repeats in regular order4 #c4 ,the first is1 because ,god is the ,father of mercies1 which is the most cheering appellation that can be conceived3 for he shows himself a ,father1 not only in name1 but in sincerity and truth to all afflicted souls4 ,consider what are the properties of a father2 for they all belong to ,god our ,heavenly ,father4 ,it is the part of a father1 #a4 ,to love his children4 #b4 ,to take care of them4 #c4 ,to feed them4 #d4 ,to defend them4 #e4 ,to correct and instruct them4 #f4 ,to pity their infirmities4 #g4 ,to be tender of them4 #h4 ,to give them an inheritance4 ,if a man will but thoroughly consider these particulars1 he must acknowledge that the very name of a father carries in it such a treasure of comfort1 as abundantly outweighs all the miseries of human life4 ,and to illustrate this yet more perfectly1 ,st4 ,paul1 by a most significant epithet1 calls him1 the ,father of mercies2 that is1 the eternal fountain of all that tenderness and affection that is diffused through the hearts of so many thousands of fathers4 ,hence it follows1 that no cross can befall the children of ,god so great1 as is the comfort that arises from the ,father of mercies4 #d4 ,the second argument is contained in this expression1 the ,god of all comfort2 that is1 he overflows with eternal and infinite comforts4 ,for as ,god is the eternal1 infinite1 and chief ,good2 and on the other hand1 our crosses are finite and temporal2 what can proceed from that eternal and chief ,good1 but perpetual comfort1 not only equal1 but superior to our greatest affliction8 ,for as our miseries are finite1 and the consolations of ,god are infinite1 it clearly follows that the latter must be superior to the former4 #e4 ,the third argument is1 the example of ,st4 ,paul1 and all the saints4 8,god10 saith he1 8comforteth us in all our tribulation40 ,if we but read the histories of holy men of former times1 and compare their trials and afflictions with the divine consolations wherewith they were supported under them1 we shall easily perceive that our afflictions are but light in comparison with their torments2 and that no cross can befall us so great1 as to exceed those divine comforts and supports which the holy martyrs enjoyed4 ,who will presume to compare his crosses with those of ,job8 ,who can say he has been afflicted like ,jeremiah 7,jer4 #bj3g1 etc478 or tried like ,david8 ,ps4 #hh4 ,and what is our cross compared with that of ,christ8 or are our sufferings1 compared with the torments of the holy martyrs8 ,their examples1 as they were the children of ,god1 our ,heavenly ,father has set before our eyes1 to teach us1 #a4 ,that the cross is the sanctuary of the true ,christian4 #b4 ,his heavenly and spiritual glory4 #c4 ,his victory over the world and the devil4 #d4 ,his preparation for the kingdom of heaven4 #e4 ,that without the cross no man can enter into the kingdom of ,god4 #f4 ,that the cross is the image of ,christ4 #g4 ,that it is an exalted and sublime mystery1 in which lies hid the highest wisdom of ,god4 ,but flesh and blood cannot comprehend this1 neither taste the heavenly manna hidden in the word of ,god1 except by the cross4 ,hence1 the divine comforts are greater than any human sufferings4 #f4 ,the fourth is expressed in these words1 8,that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble1 by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of ,god40 ,now1 how did ,god comfort the apostles8 ,and how do they comfort us again8 ,certainly1 by the gracious promises in his holy ,word4 ,hence it is said1 8,whatsoever things were written aforetime1 were written for our learning1 that we1 through patience and comfort of the ,scriptures1 might have hope40 ,rom4 #ae3d4 ,now1 whosoever reads the ,word of ,god as he ought1 must needs observe how kindly ,god vouchsafes to treat with us1 what abundance of grace1 what spiritual and eternal blessings he promises to bestow upon us2 so that we must needs confess that such comfort outweighs all the sufferings of human life4 ,for though it is said of this troublesome world1 8that all the sons of ,adam1 from the day of their birth1 find it full of trouble and unquietness1 fear1 anger1 and strife20 yet1 if to this state of trouble and misery we oppose the glories of the eternal kingdom 7#b ,cor4 #d3ag71 it will appear that the joys of the next life1 promised in the ,word of ,god1 are vastly superior to the miseries of this4 ,it is1 indeed1 true1 that sin is a very great and dreadful evil1 daily encompassing us about1 and involving us in innumerable miseries4 ,yet1 if we but call to mind1 that ,christ is our righteousness1 it will thence follow that the burden of sin which lies upon us is much less than our spiritual consolation which is in ,christ ,jesus4 ,for greater is the righteousness which is in ,christ than the sin which is in us4 ,in short1 the ,word of ,god so abounds and overflows with heavenly consolations1 that the heart of man is too narrow to receive them4 ,it is like the poor widow's pot of oil 7#b ,kings #d3f71 which1 by the blessing of ,elisha1 produced more oil than there were vessels to receive4 ,yea1 it often happens that a word of ,holy ,scripture can comfort a man more than the whole world1 yea1 than the devil himself can distress him4 8,the river of ,god is full of water10 saith ,david 7,ps4 #fe3i71 so full that no man can empty it4 ,therefore1 ,god calls himself 8,the fountain of living waters40 ,jer4 #b3ac4 ,and so in ,ps4 #cf3i1 8,with thee is the fountain of life2 in thy light shall we see light40 ,who1 then1 can think that the fountain of sin and death more abounds with affliction than the fountain of life with comforts8 #g4 ,the fifth ground of comfort is that the apostle calls the cross of the faithful1 8the sufferings of ,christ40 ,and that #a4 ,because all the faithful are the spiritual members of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,now1 as the head feels all the pains of every member of the body1 by a certain sympathy arising from its union with them2 so ,christ1 who is our ,head1 feels all the crosses and sufferings of every member4 #b4 ,because ,christ dwells in his faithful servants1 and is vitally united to them2 therefore1 also1 he suffers in his members1 sharing in all their sufferings1 banishments1 and persecutions1 as he witnessed by a voice from heaven1 8,saul1 ,saul1 why persecutest thou me80 ,acts #i3d4 #c4 ,because we are born anew of ,christ1 and he is our 8everlasting ,father40 ,isa4 #i3f4 ,now we know1 that the heart of a father has a very tender sense of the sufferings of his child4 ,therefore1 the sufferings of all believers are the sufferings of the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,and if it be so1 canst thou think any affliction so great that it cannot be made easy and tolerable by this consideration1 that ,christ is thy ,head1 and thou art his member2 that he is united to thee1 dwells in thee1 and suffers in thee1 regarding all thy sufferings as his own2 that he is thy ,father1 and feels in himself all the crosses1 pains1 and afflictions that are laid upon thee8 #h4 ,the sixth ground of consolation1 the ,apostle deduces from ,jesus ,christ1 the spring and foundation of all comfort1 in these words3 8,our consolation aboundeth by ,christ40 ,as sin is the fountain of all misery2 so is ,jesus ,christ1 the ,son of ,god1 the spring and fountain of all joy and comfort4 ,now as the power of ,christ is greater than the power of sin2 so is the comfort that proceedeth from him greater and more powerful than any misery that can arise from sin2 according to the words of ,st4 ,paul1 8,where sin abounded grace did much more abound40 ,rom4 #e3bj4 8,for it pleased the ,father1 that in ,christ should all fulness dwell40 ,col4 #a3ai4 ,him1 therefore1 the prophet ,isaiah 7,isa4 #fa3a7 describes as sent from ,god to comfort all that mourn4 ,whence it follows1 that the comforts flowing from ,christ1 are greater than any crosses and sorrows which we endure4 #i4 ,the seventh comfort which the ,apostle mentions1 is the glory of ,christ3 hence he says1 8,as ye are partakers of his sufferings1 so shall ye be also of the consolation40 ,this glory we know to be so great1 that he is glorious1 not only with respect to his own ,person1 in a manner incommunicable to his body1 which is the ,church2 but also that he1 as the ,head of the ,church1 was exalted to glory for that very end1 that all the members of his body might be partakers with him4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul calls him1 8,the head of the church which is his body1 the fulness of him that filleth all in all40 ,ephes4 #a3bb1 #bc4 ,and now1 what calamity1 what cross1 what affliction can be so bitter1 as not to be sweetened by the consolation arising from such future glory8 ,wherefore ,st4 ,paul does not 8reckon the sufferings of this present time to be worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us40 ,rom4 #h3ah4 #aj4 ,it now remains that we speak of the five means1 by which we may be partakers of these comforts4 #aa4 ,the first is1 true repentance and knowledge of sin4 ,without this1 the soul is not capable of comfort2 according to that saying of ,christ1 8,they that be whole need not a physician1 but they that are sick40 ,matt4 #i3ab4 ,on the other hand1 a soul that has a true sense of sin1 understands that sin has cast it into so many miseries and calamities1 and therefore murmurs not against ,god1 but abhors itself and its own iniquities 7,lam4 #c3ci72 and confesses that ,god is just in all that he has brought upon it4 ,for as sin1 like a general contagion1 has infected the whole mass of mankind2 so also the sentence of misery and affliction in this moral state1 has passed upon all1 for that all have sinned4 ,and whoever1 like the prophet ,daniel 7,dan4 #i3g1 #af71 confesses his sin1 shall find consolation descending upon him from heaven like an angel1 as in the case of ,daniel1 ch4 #i3ba4 #ab4 ,the second means1 is faith1 which hangs upon ,jesus ,christ1 as the infant upon the mother's bosom4 ,it rests entirely in the paternal affection of the ,god of all consolation4 ,it holds fast by ,jesus ,christ1 as ,jacob did by the angel1 saying1 8,i will not let thee go1 except thou bless me40 ,gen4 #cb3bf4 ,it is faith which in ,christ ,jesus overcometh sin1 death1 the world1 the devil1 and all misery4 ,for 8all things are possible to him that believeth40 ,mark #i3bc4 ,and he that believeth shall see the glory of ,god4 ,john #aa3dj4 #ac4 ,the third means1 is prayer1 which is a conversation with ,god4 ,as it is a relief and a refreshment to an afflicted soul1 to communicate its sorrows and troubles to a faithful friend3 so are our hearts refreshed and comforted1 by conversing with ,god in prayer4 8,when ,i cried1 thou answeredst me1 and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul40 ,psalm #ach3c4 ,prayer offered up in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 is like ,jacob's ladder 7,gen4 #bh3ab71 on which the soul ascends from earth to heaven2 as soon as the prayer ascends1 an angel1 that is1 divine consolation1 descends upon it4 ,thus it was in the agony of our blessed ,lord2 for when he prayed more earnestly1 lo6 an angel descended from heaven to strengthen him4 ,luke #bb3dc4 ,and we may assure ourselves1 that whensoever we pray according to ,his will1 we shall be strengthened according to ,his promise4 #ad4 ,the fourth means of obtaining divine consolation is1 praising ,god1 which is always attended with comfort and spiritual joy4 ,he that is daily employed in the praises of ,god1 lives the life of an angel2 for they1 we know1 continually 8behold the face of the ,father which is in heaven0 7,matt4 #ah3aj71 and sing his praises4 ,this is their highest joy1 this is the bread of angels4 ,whence it appears1 that praising and glorifying ,god must afford the most exalted joy and comfort to a devout soul4 ,hence ,david says1 8,i will bless the ,lord at all times3 his praise shall continually be in my mouth4 ,my soul shall make her boast in the ,lord2 the humble shall hear thereof1 and be glad40 ,psalm #cd3a1 #b4 ,in this place ,david joins the praise of ,god and spiritual joy together2 teaching us thereby1 that the one is the fruit of the other1 because they are most intimately connected4 #ae4 ,the last sure and certain means of receiving divine consolation1 is a diligent reading1 hearing1 and meditating on the ,word of ,god4 8,for whatsoever things were written1 were written for our learning1 that we through patience and comfort of the ,scriptures might have hope40 ,rom4 #ae3d4 #af4 ,from the ,word of ,god as the true fountain of consolation1 are to be drawn all the above-mentioned arguments and grounds of comfort2 namely1 joy and quiet of mind under all kinds of crosses and afflictions4 ,hence also we must learn how these comforts are to be obtained1 namely1 by true repentance1 a living faith1 ardent prayer1 and continually praising ,god4 ,chapter ,,xlix4 ,the ,truth ,of ,god ,and ,the ,certainty ,of ,his ,promises1 ,ought ,to ,dispose ,us ,to ,patience4 ,i will look unto the ,lord2 ,i will wait for the ,god of my salvation2 my ,god will hear me4 ,rejoice not against me1 ,o mine enemy3 when ,i fall1 ,i shall arise2 when ,i sit in darkness1 the ,lord shall be a light unto me4 ,i will bear the indignation of the ,lord1 because ,i have sinned against him1 until he plead my cause1 and execute judgment for me3 he will bring me forth to the light1 and ,i shall behold his righteousness4 ,then she that is mine enemy shall see it1 and shame shall cover her which said unto me1 ,where is the ,lord thy ,god8--,,micah #g3g-aj4 ,we read in the prophet ,jeremiah 7chap4 #i3d1 etc471 that before the ,babylonish captivity and the destruction of the temple1 besides the idolatry that brought that desolation upon them1 treachery1 lying1 falsehood1 hatred1 and envy prevailed to a high degree2 and that charity was quite cold and dead amongst them4 ,for wheresoever these abominations prevail1 there1 it is plain1 ,god is not2 and that he has forsaken not only the city or the kingdom1 but also the hearts of those that dwell there2 and when ,god forsakes us1 destruction quickly finds us4 ,so says the prophet 7,jer4 #i3d-h73 8,take ye heed every one of his neighbor1 and trust ye not in any brother3 for every brother will utterly supplant1 and every neighbor will walk with slanders4 ,they weary themselves to commit iniquity4 ,their tongue is as an arrow shot out1 it speaketh deceit2 one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth1 but in heart he layeth his wait40 #b4 ,here we may see the wretched state of ,jerusalem1 and what flagrant iniquities they were which hastened its ruin4 ,treachery and iniquity did so abound1 that there was neither truth nor honesty left among the people4 ,their only aim was to cheat and defraud one another2 and their hearts being thus set upon iniquity1 they brought on themselves ruin and destruction4 #c4 ,something similar to this1 is the complaint of the prophet ,micah3 8,woe is me6 for ,i am as when they have gathered the summer fruits1 as the grape gleanings of the vintage2 there is no cluster to eat2 my soul desired the first ripe fruit4 ,the good man is perished out of the earth2 and there is none upright among men3 they all lie in wait for blood4 ,they do evil with both hands earnestly4 ,trust ye not in a friend40 ,micah #g3a1 #b1 #c1 #e4 ,when a people or nation are come to this pass1 they are industriously digging a pit1 into which they design to rush boldly1 and with their eyes open4 ,would to ,god this were not the case in our own times6 ,we1 too1 deeply share in their guilt1 and we must expect to share in their punishments4 ,for our destruction is of ourselves4 ,o that we could at last awake1 renounce our past errors1 put off our carnal minds that are at enmity against ,god1 and love the truth and peace4 ,if we do not so1 we are condemned already1 and cannot receive help4 #d4 ,but in order that upright and good men may not be too much discouraged in this sad and dangerous state of things1 we must consider by what means the holy men of old supported themselves in such a state of universal corruption4 ,the prophet ,micah 7,micah #g3g1 etc471 pointing out1 as it were1 with his finger the fountain of true consolation1 says1 8,therefore ,i will look unto the ,lord3 ,i will wait for the ,god of my salvation60 ,that is his first comfort4 ,the second is1 8,my ,god will hear me40 ,the third is1 8,rejoice not against me1 ,o mine enemy4 ,when ,i fall1 ,i shall arise40 ,the fourth is1 8,when ,i sit in darkness1 the ,lord shall be a light unto me40 ,the fifth is1 8,i will bear the indignation of the ,lord1 because ,i have sinned against him1 until he plead my cause1 and execute judgment for me40 ,the sixth is1 8,he will bring me forth to the light1 and ,i shall behold his righteousness40 ,the seventh is1 8,then she that is mine enemy shall see it1 and shame shall cover her40 #e4 ,first1 he says1 8,i will look unto the ,lord3 ,i will wait for the ,god of my salvation40 ,in these words is contained the doctrine of faith and hope1 which are1 as it were1 the two watchful1 never-sleeping eyes of the soul1 by which it constantly looks towards ,god in the greatest dangers and necessities2 the greater the calamity1 the stronger ought to be our faith1 the more vigorous our hope4 ,then it is that we should call to mind the words which we repeat at the beginning of the ,apostles' ,creed3 8,i believe in ,god the ,father ,almighty1 ,maker of heaven and earth20 that is1 ,i believe that there is no misery or calamity so great1 but ,god can and will deliver me out of it4 ,let us learn1 therefore1 to turn away our eyes from temporal suffering1 not regarding it1 but ,god 8who worketh salvation in the midst of the earth0 7,ps4 #gd3ab71 and who alone can and will deliver us according to ,psalm #abc3 8,unto thee lift ,i up mine eyes1 ,o thou that dwellest in the heavens4 ,behold1 as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters1 and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress2 so our eyes wait upon the ,lord our ,god1 until that he have mercy upon us4 ,have mercy upon us1 ,o ,lord1 have mercy upon us2 for we are exceedingly filled with contempt4 ,our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease1 and with the contempt of the proud40 #f4 ,moreover1 as it is the way of ,god to help us1 not at the time appointed by us1 but in his own due time2 so it is not enough for us to say1 8,i will look unto the ,lord20 but we must add1 8and wait for the ,god of my salvation40 ,for faith1 hope1 and patience1 have an entire relation to1 and mutual dependence upon each other2 as we may see in ,psalm #bg2 in the beginning of which1 ,david1 looking up to ,god1 says1 8,the ,lord is my light and my salvation2 whom shall ,i fear8 ,the ,lord is the strength of my life1 of whom shall ,i be afraid80 ,he concludes his prayer with these words3 8,i believed to see the goodness of the ,lord in the land of the living4 ,wait on the ,lord1 be of good courage1 and he shall strengthen thine heart3 wait1 ,i say1 on the ,lord40 ,ps4 #bg3a1 #ad4 ,so ,psalm #acj3e1 #f3 8,i wait for the ,lord1 my soul doth wait2 and in his word do ,i hope4 ,my soul waiteth for the ,lord more than they that watch for the morning40 8,for the vision is yet for an appointed time1 but at the end it shall speak1 and not lie3 though it tarry1 wait for it2 because it will surely come1 it will not tarry40 ,habak4 #b3c4 ,but if the sorrowing soul shall say3 8,alas1 ,i have waited a great while60 let her know that it is necessary it should be so1 in order that her faith1 hope1 and patience1 may be tried and approved in the sight of ,god4 ,we never please ,god more1 than when with patience and humility we wait for the accomplishment of his promises1 and receive with submission all his determinations concerning us4--,everything has a certain beginning2 so has everything an appointed end2 and whosoever does not wait for that1 labors in vain4 ,as the grain is exposed to all the vicissitudes of wind and weather1 before it comes to maturity1 and1 whenever it becomes ripe1 is the sweeter and better upon that account3 so is it with the cross4 ,he that bears it with patience1 and waits for the end of it1 shall reap 8the peaceable fruit of righteousness40 ,heb4 #ab3aa4 ,for ,st4 ,paul affirms1 8that hope maketh not ashamed0 7,rom4 #e3e72 for when it is founded upon divine grace1 as upon a firm rock1 it continues immovable in adversity4 ,hence it is said1 8,let none that wait on thee be ashamed40 ,psalm #be3c4 8,they looked unto him and were lightened2 and their faces were not ashamed40 ,ps4 #cd3e4 8,in thee1 ,o ,lord1 do ,i put my trust2 let me never be ashamed40 ,ps4 #ca3a4 8,the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever40 ,ps4 #i3ah4 #g4 ,the second consolation is1 that ,god will certainly hear our prayers3 8,the ,lord hath heard the voice of my weeping4 ,the ,lord hath heard my supplication2 the ,lord will receive my prayer40 ,ps4 #f3h1 #i4 8,in my distress ,i called upon the ,lord1 and cried unto my ,god3 he heard my voice out of his temple1 and my cry came before him1 even into his ears40 ,ps4 #ah3f4 8,this poor man cried1 and the ,lord heard him1 and saved him out of all his troubles4 ,the eyes of the ,lord are upon the righteous1 and his ears are open unto their cry40 ,ps4 #cd3f1 #ae4 8,because he hath set his love upon me1 therefore will ,i deliver him3 ,i will set him on high1 because he hath known my name4 ,he shall call upon me1 and ,i will answer him2 ,i will be with him in trouble2 ,i will deliver him1 and honor him40 ,ps4 #ia3ad1 #ae4 8,o thou that hearest prayer1 unto thee shall all flesh come4 ,by terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us1 ,o ,god of our salvation2 who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth1 and of them that are afar off upon the sea40 ,ps4 #fe3b1 #e4 ,but if thou shalt say in thine heart1 8,all these were men eminent for holiness1 faith1 and dependence upon ,god2 but as for me1 ,i am not worthy to be compared with them10 ,i answer1 out of ,rom4 #c3bc--8;,all have sinned1 and come short of the glory of ,god20 but are heard and accepted through grace1 by repentance and faith4 8,the ,lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him1 to all that call upon him in truth4 ,he will fulfil the desire of them that fear him2 he also will hear their cry1 and will save them40 ,ps4 #ade3ah1 #ai4 8,he will regard the prayer of the destitute1 and not despise their prayer4 ,this shall be written for the generations to come40 ,ps4 #ajb3ag1 #ah4 #h4 ,the third consolation is contained in these words3 8,rejoice not against me1 ,o mine enemy6 when ,i fall1 ,i shall arise40 ,though the world1 according to the perverse spirit that governs it1 rejoice at the sufferings of good men 7,john #af3bj71 yet shall they at last be confounded1 and the righteous be comforted4 ,hence we are told1 8,the ,lord will not cast off forever3 but though he cause grief1 yet will he have compassion1 according to the multitude of his mercies4 ,for he doth not afflict willingly1 nor grieve the children of men40 ,lam4 #c3ca1 #cb1 #cc4 8,god is faithful1 who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able2 but will with the temptation also make a way to escape1 that ye may be able to bear it40 #a ,cor4 #aj3ac4 ,the same ,god that laid the burden on you1 will in due time take it off1 comfort you1 and deliver you from death4 8,thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing2 thou hast put off my sackcloth1 and girded me with gladness40 ,ps4 #cj3aa4 8,the ,lord upholdeth all that fall2 and raiseth up all those that be bowed down40 ,psalm #ade3ad4 8,in a little wrath1 ,i hid my face from thee for a moment2 but with everlasting kindness will ,i have mercy on thee1 saith the ,lord thy ,redeemer40 ,isa4 #ed3h4 8,it is of the ,lord's mercies that we are not consumed1 because his compassions fail not4 ,they are new every morning40 ,lam4 #c3bb1 #bc4 #i4 ,the fourth consolation is contained in these words3 8,when ,i sit in darkness1 the ,lord shall be a light unto me40 ,by darkness1 he means a state of affliction2 which is darkness1 indeed1 wherein a man can neither see nor be seen by his friends with the least glimpse of worldly comfort4 ,the sufferer sits in the very region of shame and sorrow1 the valley of the shadow of death1 exposed to the violence and assaults of evil spirits and wicked men4 ,but dark and dismal as it is1 the ,lord himself will enlighten it2 the light of whose countenance shines most of all in the dismal darkness of worldly affliction4 ,there he appears to comfort the disconsolate1 and cheer1 with the brightness of his presence1 the desolate and desponding soul4 ,thus it is said1 8,light is sown for the righteous1 and gladness for the upright in heart40 ,ps4 #ig3aa4 8,unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness2 he is gracious1 and full of compassion1 and righteous40 ,ps4 #aab3d4 #aj4 ,the fifth consolation is this3 8,i will bear the indignation of the ,lord1 because ,i have sinned against him1 until he plead my cause1 and execute judgment for me40 ,let the afflicted person think on this1 and remember that though from those that afflict him he may have deserved better usage2 yet from the hand of ,god1 he has deserved a great deal worse4 ,whatever befalls us1 is by the permission of ,god4 ,upon this account1 the evils that we suffer from wicked men1 are called in this verse1 8the indignation of the ,lord40 ,blessed is he that beareth this affliction with patience1 and receiveth it no otherwise than as coming from ,god himself4 8,blessed is the man whom thou chastenest1 ,o ,lord1 and teachest him out of thy law2 that thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity1 until the pit be digged for the wicked40 ,ps4 #id3ab1 #ac4 8,it is good for a man that he sit alone and keep silence1 because he hath borne the yoke upon him4 ,he putteth his mouth in the dust1 if so be there may be hope4 ,he giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him2 he is filled full with reproach40 ,lam4 #c3bg-cj4 ,this was truly the case of ,david1 who might properly say1 8,i will bear the anger of the ,lord1 because ,i have sinned against him40 ,for thus he speaks1 when he commanded ,zadok to carry back the ark of ,god4 8,if ,i shall find favor in the eyes of the ,lord1 he will bring me again1 and show me both it and his habitation4 ,but if he thus say1 ,i have no delight in thee2 behold here am ,i1 let him do to me as seemeth good unto him40 #b ,sam4 #ae3be1 #bf4 ,and when ,shimei cursed him1 he humbly acknowledges the appointment and permission of ,god1 saying1 8,let him alone1 and let him curse2 for the ,lord hath bidden him40 #b ,sam4 #af3aa4 8,fret not 7therefore7 thyself because of evil-doers4 ,put thy trust in ,god40 ,psalm #cg3a1 #e4 #aa4 ,the sixth consolation is1 8,he will bring me forth to the light1 and ,i shall behold his righteousness40 ,this is a figure of speech taken from the condition of a man that has long lain in darkness1 and been as a dead man out of mind2 or of one taken out of a dark and deep prison into the light and open air4 ,for as these1 having been long confined to darkness and misery1 are exceedingly refreshed with the cheerful light of the sun and the splendor of the heavens2 so after the patient bearing of the cross1 the light of ,god's countenance breaks forth1 and the beams of divine consolation strike powerfully upon the soul1 filling it with glory and joy unspeakable4 ,ps4 #ej3b4 ,did not ,joseph thus break through the shades of darkness and misery1 like the bright sun out of a cloud8 ,gen4 #da3ch4 ,and did not ,god bring king ,david out of the region of misery into a state of joy and happiness8 ,so also at the resurrection of the dead shall our bodies be brought out of their dark prisons1 and we shall rejoice in the everlasting light and glory of ,god4 #ab4 ,the seventh consolation is1 8,then she that is mine enemy shall see it1 and shame shall cover her40 ,this is the proper punishment of wicked men who rejoice at the affliction of others1 that they shall be covered with confusion4 ,the time will certainly come1 when the mockers shall be struck with unavoidable shame1 and shall be convinced by their own consciences1 of the wrong which they have done to others4 ,this was ,shimei's case1 who could not but blush and be confounded in the presence of ,david and ,solomon4 #b ,sam4 #ai3ai2 #a ,kings #b3dd4 8,it is a righteous thing with ,god to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you3 and to you who are troubled1 rest40 #b ,thess4 #a3f1 #g4 8,i rejoiced not at the destruction of him that hated me1 nor lifted up myself when evil found him4 ,neither have ,i suffered my mouth to sin1 by wishing a curse to his soul40 ,job #ca3bi1 #cj4 8,love your enemies2 bless them that curse you2 do good to them that hate you2 and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you3 that ye may be the children of your ,father which is in heaven3 for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good1 and sendeth rain upon the just and the unjust40 ,matt4 #e3dd1 #de4 ,chapter ,l4 ,showing ,how ,hope ,is ,tested ,in ,seasons ,of ,adversity2 ,it ,maketh ,not ,ashamed4 ,thou shalt know that ,i am the ,lord2 for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me4--,,isa4 #di3bc4 ,as faith is nothing else but a fixed and steady assurance by which the devout ,christian depends perfectly and entirely on the favor and mercy of ,god promised in ,christ ,jesus 7,heb4 #aa3a71 so hope is a continued and patient waiting for the accomplishment of that promise which is the object of faith1 and is nothing else but a patient1 constant1 and persevering faith4 #b4 ,of this hope ,st4 ,paul says1 that it 8maketh not ashamed0 7,rom4 #e3e73 being1 as well as faith itself1 founded upon a firm1 immovable1 and eternal basis4 ,and this is ,god himself1 who never faileth those that wait for him2 and for the same reason1 the peace1 joy1 rest1 glory1 and confidence imparted by hope are eternal4 ,on this foundation1 he who hopes stands fixed and secure amidst all the crosses and calamities of life2 and though the rains descend1 the floods come1 and the boisterous winds blow upon him1 he is fearless and unmoved1 knowing that 8his house is built upon a rock40 ,matt4 #g3be4 #c4 ,and as hope is built upon an immovable foundation1 and the things of this world are fleeting and uncertain2 therefore its rest1 its joy1 its entire dependence1 are in ,god alone1 despising the riches1 pleasures1 honors1 and glories of the world4 8,they that trust in the ,lord1 shall be as mount ,zion1 which cannot be removed1 but abideth forever4 ,as the mountains are round about ,jerusalem1 so the ,lord is round about his people40 ,ps4 #abe3a1 #b4 #d4 ,on the other hand1 they whose hopes are founded on the transitory riches1 honors1 and pleasures of this world1 are perpetually exposed to all the fears1 cares1 and calamities of life2 lie at the mercy of every blast of inconstant fortune1 by which they are tossed to and fro2 and depend upon the uncertain will of the world for every quiet moment they enjoy4 #e4 ,this can never be learned but under the discipline of the cross4 ,for such is the nature of affliction1 that it searches and discovers the inmost recesses of the soul2 and shows us whether the hope that is in us be true or false4 ,by this touchstone1 we often find that our hopes have not been so much fixed upon ,god himself1 as upon the favors and blessings he bestows2 that we have built upon the sand1 and idolized the creature1 instead of worshipping the ,creator4 ,for so great is the blindness of our nature1 that we often rest in the creatures1 instead of raising our minds from them to the ,creator1 as he designed4 ,for with this intent ,god bestows on man so many and great blessings1 that by the gifts he may be drawn to the ,giver2 and learn to know1 love1 fear1 reverence1 and hope in ,god alone4 ,but so great is the corruption of our nature1 that we are not disposed to serve ,god for nought2 and we worship him not for his own sake1 but for the sake of what he bestows4 #f4 ,upon this account1 it is necessary that ,god should sometimes visit us with crosses and afflictions1 and deprive us of his good things which we have abused2 that so we may learn to praise1 and glorify1 and depend on him alone4 ,nay1 we sometimes proceed so far1 as to trust in ourselves1 and entirely depend on our own power and abilities2 then it is that ,god in mere mercy interposes2 and1 that we may not grow too proud1 breaks us in pieces1 humbles1 and confounds us1 and so empties us of ourselves1 that we may be filled with all the fulness of ,god4 ,this we cannot be1 without being first emptied of all that arrogance1 pride1 and self-conceit1 which stand in perfect opposition to the grace of ,god4 #g4 ,hence hope is a militant virtue1 fighting against all that confidence in ourselves1 all that self-exaltation upon the score of our own gifts1 merit1 righteousness1 prosperity1 honors1 and riches1 in which the natural man places all his confidence4 ,the business of hope is to oppose and conquer all these delusions of the devil1 and to seek rest and peace in ,god alone4 #h4 ,hence it follows1 that hope1 like faith and charity1 has ,god only for its object4 ,whosoever aims at any other mark1 or places his hope on any other being1 is destitute of any well-founded hope4 ,as all created beings when out of ,god are nothing2 it follows that the hope reposed in them is also nothing4 ,so then1 these three virtues1 faith1 hope1 and charity1 are in the highest sense spiritual1 admitting of no earthly mixture1 but are fixed entirely on ,god1 who is their eternal and invisible basis4 ,to this refers that passage of ,st4 ,paul1 8,hope that is seen1 is not hope2 for what a man seeth1 why doth he yet hope for80 ,rom4 #h3bd4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 places his hope upon anything that is visible1 has not the invisible ,god for his support1 but rests upon a shadow2 and when the visible world1 which is his basis1 shall sink into nothing1 by consequence his hope1 that was built upon it1 must sink and perish with it4 #i4 ,consider this1 ,o man1 and by carefully comparing time with eternity1 persuade thyself to entertain a true and saving hope1 and to be led into a state of firm and lasting peace4 ,eternity is unchangeable1 ever constant1 always the same2 but time is nothing but change and revolution4 ,the brightest day declines and ends in darkness1 weeks are swallowed up in months1 and months in years2 the opening spring and fruitful summer sink1 by degrees1 into a desolate winter2 and not only so1 but all the elementary bodies are in a state of change1 always shifting from one appearance to another2 not to mention the continual motions of the heavens4 ,so that this world cannot be the region of rest4 ,for whatsoever is subject to time1 is continually passing1 and vanishing2 in a word1 8,all is vanity0 7,eccles4 #a3b71 and we shall never rest but in eternity4 ,and though all men1 both good and bad1 long for peace and tranquillity2 yet they1 and they only1 shall find it1 who have learned to lose and resign themselves in ,christ1 the eternal rest of the soul4 ,and this is not so much the work of labor and study1 as of quietness and hope4 ,isa4 #cj3ae4 #aj4 ,moreover1 the ,christian's hope must be tried1 not only by the loss of temporal things1 but also by the withholding of the communications of divine grace and favor 7as commonly happens in great temptations72 that seeing ourselves deprived even of those most excellent and spiritual blessings1 on which we depend1 our hope may arrive at the highest pitch of purity and sincerity1 and rest on ,god alone4 ,in such a case 8we must hope1 even against hope0 7,rom4 #d3ah71 as we read that ,abraham did4 ,here a man must1 with his blessed ,redeemer1 be deserted and forsaken1 not only by man1 but by ,god himself4 ,and this is properly 8to be conformed to the image of the ,son of ,god40 ,rom4 #h3bi4 ,this is the truest test or probation of the ,christian's hope4 #aa4 ,for1 whereas1 in other afflictions1 our patience1 humility1 devotion1 and charity1 are principally exercised2 in these spiritual trials of the conscience1 our hope is eminently proved and tried1 whether it be sincere or not4 ,in this probation1 though a man be perfectly despoiled of all his grace1 yet shall he at last triumph in that 8hope which maketh not ashamed40 ,and though the soul that is thus tried1 be sometimes ready to fall into impatience1 murmuring1 blasphemy1 or the like2 yet there remains1 as it were1 some gentle breath of hope1 arising from the ground of the heart1 by the power of the divine ,spirit1 which contradicts and opposes those unholy suggestions4 ,when this combat is over1 all his transgressions are forgiven1 and his sins are covered and he himself is like 8a brand plucked out of the fire0 7,zech4 #c3b72 8or like a piece of an ear taken out of the mouth of the lion40 ,amos #c3ab4 ,now this impatience being involuntary1 and being opposed with sighs and groans unutterable1 is by no means to be called despair2 considering withal1 that this is the sharpest conflict1 the severest trial of the ,christian's hope2 and these are the 8unutterable groanings0 which ,st4 ,paul mentions4 ,rom4 #h3bf4 #ab4 ,they that undergo these trials1 are the greatest saints1 and are nearer to ,god than those who repose all their hope and confidence in themselves4 ,the pride of such men1 in vainly arrogating any perfections to themselves1 makes them in the highest degree blasphemers against ,god2 whereas the disciples of the cross are his dearest children1 as we may see in the examples of ,job and ,david3 for by being thus stripped of themselves1 they are purified as gold in the refiner's fire2 and being thus cleansed from all their dross of pride and vainglory1 they shine in the glory of the divine image1 like a beautiful jewel set in the purest gold2 so that nothing remains of which the proud man can boast4 #ac4 ,by such trials as these1 a man is taught to put his trust in nothing but in ,god alone4 ,for when affliction has taken everything else from us1 ,god alone cannot be taken from us4 ,yea1 affliction is so far from separating us from ,god1 that it rather brings us to ,god1 restoring us to ,god1 and ,god to us4 ,it is hope1 therefore1 that preserves us in calamities1 so that we are not consumed1 and1 therefore1 it 8maketh us not ashamed40 ,rom4 #e3e4 ,but as the soul came out from ,god1 so must she return thither again1 void of all love of the creatures2 and when a man passes out of himself and all the creatures1 whither can he go1 or where can he rest1 but in the hands of his ,god1 who comprehendeth and upholdeth the world1 and all that is therein8 ,isaiah #dj3ab4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 bids farewell to the world1 and is divested of all love of himself and the creatures1 having his heart fixed on no earthly thing1 but being perfectly free and at liberty1 resigning himself and all his concerns into the hands of ,god1 and being content under every dispensation of providence--he may be truly said to rest in ,god4 ,but those who are entangled in the love of themselves and the creatures1 being slaves to their own wills1 resting in them1 and not submitting to the will of ,god1 must perish in the end4 ,chapter ,,li4 ,comfort ,for ,those ,that ,are ,weak ,in ,faith4 ,a bruised reed shall he not break1 and the smoking flax shall he not quench4--,,isaiah #db3c4 ,in this verse the holy prophet comforts those that are weak in faith by two beautiful similitudes1 excellently adapted to the purpose4 ,for as a bruised reed 7to which he first alludes7 must be handled very gently1 lest it be entirely broken to pieces2 and as the smoking flax1 when once it has taken fire1 must be continually encouraged by a gentle breath1 for fear of blowing it out2 so our blessed ,redeemer1 who knows our infirmities1 treats us with great gentleness1 reviving from time to time the spark of faith within us1 with the soft and gentle breath of his ,spirit1 that we may not be discouraged by our manifold infirmities1 but be enlivened and strengthened under them4 ,isaiah #eg3ae4 ,and because this weakness of faith is a very grievous temptation1 to which all ,christians are more or less exposed2 therefore has the ,holy ,spirit1 in the ,word of ,god1 furnished us with very strong consolations against it1 which ought to be deeply rooted in our mind1 that we may have them in readiness1 and apply them with success in the sad hour of temptation4 #b4 7#a7 ,we must carefully remember1 that faith is not of ourselves1 but is the gift and work of ,god2 8,this is the work of ,god1 that ye believe on him whom he hath sent40 8,no man can come to me1 except the ,father which hath sent me1 draw him40 ,john #f3bi1 #dd4 8,who believe1 according to the working of his mighty power40 ,ephes4 #a3ai4 8,by grace are ye saved through faith2 and that not of yourselves2 it is the gift of ,god3 not of works1 lest any man should boast40 ,ephes4 #b3h4 8,let us run with patience the race that is set before us1 looking unto ,jesus1 the author and finisher of our faith40 ,heb4 #ab3a1 #b4 8,the love of ,god is shed abroad in our hearts by the ,holy ,ghost1 which is given unto us40 ,rom4 #e3e4 8,we have the first fruits of the ,spirit1 which helpeth our infirmities40 ,rom4 #h3bc1 #bf4 ,now1 since faith is the work of ,god1 and not our own1 it follows1 that it is not in our power to have it in such measures and proportions as we please4 ,and whereas he has promised to save us by faith1 it follows1 that he knows how strong our faith ought to be1 for the obtaining that great end1 and will strengthen it accordingly4 ,therefore this was the answer of ,god to ,st4 ,paul3 8,my grace is sufficient for thee40 #b ,cor4 #ab3i4 8,a man can receive nothing1 except it be given him from heaven40 ,john #c3bg4 #c4 7#b7 ,whilst we are in this life1 we must not expect to arrive at the highest pitch of perfection4 ,this ,god permits1 with a design to cure that natural pride and vanity of spirit to which the best of us are subject1 by the daily sense of our great and manifold infirmities4 ,to this we may refer the words addressed by ,st4 ,paul to the ,philippians1 8,not as though ,i had already attained1 either were already perfect2 but ,i follow after1 if that ,i may apprehend that1 for which also ,i am apprehended of ,christ ,jesus40 ,phil4 #c3ab4 ,as if he had said1 8,though ,i am not yet so strong in faith1 as to be able to apprehend him as ,i ought1 yet ,i am apprehended in him2 that is1 ,i am in ,christ ,jesus by faith40 ,let us1 considering these things1 bear patiently the infirmities of our nature1 till we can attain to perfection4 #d4 7#c7 ,god does not despise or reject our weak faith1 but cherishes1 strengthens1 and improves it1 and at last crowns it with a blessed conclusion4 ,in this sense we are to understand and apply those golden passages that follow3 8,a bruised reed shall he not break1 and the smoking flax shall he not quench40 ,isaiah #dc3c4 8,thou hast been a strength to the poor1 a strength to the needy in his distress1 a refuge from the storm1 a shadow from the heat40 ,isaiah #be3d4 8,strengthen ye the weak hands1 and confirm the feeble knees4 ,say to them that are of a fearful heart1 ,be strong1 fear not2 behold1 your ,god will come and save you40 ,isaiah #ce3c1 #d4 8,he giveth power to the faint2 and to them that have no might1 he increaseth strength40 ,isaiah #dj3bi4 8,the ,lord ,god hath given me the tongue of the learned1 that ,i should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary40 ,isaiah #ej3d4 8,i revive the spirit of the humble1 and the heart of the contrite ones40 ,isaiah #eg3ae4 8,the ,lord hath sent me to preach good tidings unto the meek1 to bind up the brokenhearted10 and to comfort all that mourn4 ,isaiah #fa3a4 ,in this sense we may understand that passage in ,exod4 #cd3bf4 8,thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk20 that is1 thou shalt not grieve the tender1 weak faith of a babe in ,christ4 ,a strong and vigorous faith can bear anything1 can pass through the flames of fire1 and the floods of water2 but a young1 tender faith1 must be softly and gently treated1 like a bruised reed1 which is in continual danger of being broken to pieces4 8,i have satiated the weary soul1 and ,i have replenished every sorrowful soul40 ,jer4 #ca3be4 ,they that labor under the weakness of faith1 are the poor in spirit1 to whom the blessing is promised1 8,blessed are the poor in spirit40 ,matt4 #e3c4 ,they that feel the weakness of their faith1 are sick in spirit3 and to them must be applied for their consolation1 that passage in ,st4 ,matthew1 8,they that be whole need not a physician1 but they that are sick40 ,matt4 #i3ab4 8,him that is weak in the faith receive ye1 but not to doubtful disputations40 ,rom4 #ad3a4 8,to the weak became ,i as weak1 that ,i might gain the weak40 #a ,cor4 #i3bb4 8,i will bind up that which was broken1 and will strengthen that which was sick40 ,ezek4 #cd3af4 8,him that cometh to me1 ,i will in no wise cast out40 ,john #f3cg4 ,on these promises1 full of divine consolation1 let all who are weak in faith entirely depend1 and satisfy themselves that ,god is faithful and true 7,psalm #cc3d71 and will not fail in his promises4 ,to this head also we refer the instances of those that have been weak in faith4 ,such was the man 7,mark #i3bc1 #bd71 who1 when our ,lord said1 8,if thou canst believe1 all things are possible to him that believeth20 answered with tears1 8,lord1 ,i believe2 help thou mine unbelief60 ,the nobleman4 ,john #d3dg4 ,the disciples in the ship4 ,matt4 #h3bd4 ,st4 ,peter sinking in the sea1 when our ,lord stretched out his hand and supported him4 ,matt4 #ad3ca4 ,therefore1 says ,st4 ,paul1 8,comfort the feeble-minded1 support the weak1 be patient towards all men40 #a ,thess4 #e3ad4 #e4 7#d7 ,god has1 indeed1 the greatest concern for those that are weak in faith4 ,our ,lord himself tells us1 8,they that be 7strong and7 whole need not a physician1 but they that are sick 7and weak740 ,matt4 #i3ab4 ,the shepherd leaves his ninety and nine sheep in the wilderness1 and goes seeking that which was lost1 until he find it 7,luke #ae3d72 and as tender mothers show the most attention to their weak and sickly children2 so does our ,heavenly ,father to those that are weak in faith4 #f4 7#e7 ,but if thou say in thy heart that thou perceivest scarcely a grain of faith in thyself1 then ,i would ask1 ,dost thou sincerely desire to have faith8 ,if thou dost1 all is well2 fear not4 ,for since it is ,god that worketh in us 8to will10 it follows1 that whosoever finds in himself that good will and desire1 finds in himself the work of ,god4 ,hence let him be encouraged and assured that he who has given us the will1 will also give us the power to do4 ,phil4 #a3f2 #b3ac4 #g4 7#f7 ,god is so compassionate to devout prayers and desires1 that he never disappoints the hopes of those that trust in him4 8,lord1 thou hast heard the desire of the humble3 thou wilt prepare their heart1 thou wilt cause thine ear to hear40 ,ps4 #aj3ag2 #i3ah4 ,wherefore1 thy faith is as great as thy desire of obtaining it4 8,for ,god trieth the hearts and reins40 ,ps4 #g3i4 8,because he hath set his love upon me1 therefore will ,i deliver him40 ,ps4 #ia3ad4 #h4 7#g7 ,it is therefore better to glory in the weakness1 than in the strength of our faith4 ,for it is the will of ,god concerning us1 that we fall not into spiritual pride4 8,my strength is made perfect in weakness4 ,most gladly therefore will ,i rather glory in my infirmities1 that the power of ,christ may rest upon me40 #b ,cor4 #ab3i4 ,let this be thy comfort when thou laborest under weakness of faith4 #i4 7#h7 ,faith1 though it be ever so weak1 is still faith4 ,for our salvation depends not upon the worthiness of our faith1 whether it be strong or weak1 but upon ,jesus ,christ1 on whom it lays hold4 ,as1 therefore1 a precious jewel may be held by the hands of a little infant as well as of a strong man1 so a weak faith may as well lay hold on the merits of ,christ ,jesus 7the true ,christian's only hope and treasure71 as that which is much stronger1 and by consequence1 both be capable of the same righteousness and blessedness4 ,and as the apple of the eye1 small and delicate as it is1 can perceive not only the light and splendor of the meridian sun1 but even the sun itself1 though so many times larger than the earth1 so does the eye of faith1 though weak and infirm1 perceive and feel the ,sun of righteousness 7,mal4 #d3b71 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 with all the bright rays of his spiritual gifts and graces4 #aj4 7#i7 ,such is the nature of faith1 that it is sometimes stronger and sometimes weaker2 and sometimes the light thereof seems to be darkness4 ,this has been attested by the examples of almost all the saints1 particularly ,david1 and ,abraham1 who is called 8the father of the faithful0 7,rom4 #d3aa2 ,gal4 #c3g72 and yet 7,gen4 #ab3aa7 he was afraid that the ,egyptians would put him to death on account of ,sarah1 his wife1 and this1 too1 after he had received the promise4 ,moses also1 at the water of ,meribah1 betrayed a want of faith4 ,numb4 #bj3aj-ac2 ,exod4 #ag3g4 ,david's faith was sometimes so strong as to raise him1 as it were1 up to heaven2 and then again so weak as to leave him to sink1 as it were1 into hell1 and make him complain to ,god that 8he was cut off from before ,his eyes40 ,ps4 #ca3bc4 ,whence it follows1 that we must not conclude because a man's faith is weak1 that therefore he has none at all2 or that they who are contending against the weakness of faith1 are therefore forsaken by ,god4 ,we know that fire is often hidden under ashes1 though neither light nor heat appear2 we know that the trees are alive1 though in winter they are stripped of their leaves3 so we may in like manner conclude1 that those people may have faith towards ,god1 in whom we do not at all times discern signs or tokens of it4 ,for the ,spirit of the ,lord is like the wind1 that bloweth when and whither it pleases4 ,john #c3h4 #aa4 7#aj7 ,he that complains of the weakness of his faith1 shows plainly1 that faith is striving and struggling within him1 and a striving faith is a true faith2 for there is a continual struggle in every man between faith and unbelief4 ,he is perpetually assaulted by temptations to unbelief1 so that his life is one continued combat2 and he is obliged to be as watchful1 as though he were in the midst of drawn swords1 and expected every moment to be cut in pieces4 ,here is the trial of the ,christian's faith2 here is the exercise of his patience1 to unite his earthly heart with ,christ2 to make the barren soil of his soul fit to receive the heavenly seed2 to make the darkness of corrupt nature capable of the divine light4 ,the flesh is continually inclining to the broad way of the world1 and endeavoring to tyrannize over the spirit2 the darkness is no sooner scattered1 than it endeavors to recover its ground1 and spread itself again over the face of the soul4 ,this is what all the saints have confessed and lamented1 and it is a most certain token of the presence of true faith4 ,on the other hand1 where there is no faith at all1 there is no cause found for striving4 ,here let the languishing soul call to mind that comfortable assurance given us1 that 8,god will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able2 but will with the temptation also make a way to escape1 that we may be able to bear it40 #a ,cor4 #aj3ac4 8,god giveth power to the faint1 and to them that have no might he increaseth strength40 ,isa4 #dj3bi4 #ab4 7#aa7 ,let us be assured1 that whensoever1 in our greatest infirmities1 we can but think upon ,jesus ,christ1 he will be with us1 and dwell in us by faith4 ,thus it is said1 8,in all places where ,i record my name1 ,i will come unto thee1 and ,i will bless thee40 ,exod4 #bj3bd4 ,for we cannot so much as think upon ,god1 without his special presence and assistance4 ,moreover1 being engrafted into ,christ1 as branches into the living vine 7,john #ae3a1 etc471 we truly live in him1 and draw life and nourishment from him4 8,our life10 and the strength of our faith1 are 8hid with ,christ in ,god0 7,col4 #c3c72 and the ,holy ,spirit witnesseth the same in our hearts1 by the joy1 peace1 and comfort1 which he produces there4 ,rom4 #h3af4 ,as in the ,old ,testament1 there was no ,prophet who heard not ,god speaking in him2 so under the ,gospel1 there is no ,christian but hears ,christ speaking in him1 and1 from time to time tastes the unction of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,and so strong is this union of our faith with ,christ1 that all the power of death and hell cannot dissolve it2 because ,christ1 who is the life and root of our faith1 is immortal4 ,though thou hast not always so lively a perception of this in thy heart1 yet 8greater is he that is in thee1 than he that is in the world40 #a ,john #d3d4 #ac4 7#ab7 ,when we are weak in faith1 let us look up unto ,christ ,jesus our ,redeemer1 and merciful ,high ,priest1 who offered up himself for us on the cross1 and is praying that our faith may be strengthened2 as he did for ,st4 ,peter1 8,i have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not0 7,luke #bb3cb72 to whom also he stretched out his almighty and saving hand1 when he thought himself sinking into the sea4 ,matt4 #ad3ca4 ,and he saith1 8,holy ,father1 keep them through thine own name2 neither pray ,i for these alone1 7the ,apostles71 but for them also which shall believe on me through their word40 ,john #ag3aa1 #bj4 ,so also we are told1 8,we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities2 but was in all points tempted like as we are1 yet without sin4 ,who is at the right hand of ,god1 who also maketh intercession for us40 ,heb4 #b3ag2 #d3ae2 ,rom4 #h3cd4 ,this intercession ought to be our comfort when our faith is weak and languishing2 from whence we should1 by a lively and steadfast faith1 expect a blessing4 #ad4 7#ac7 ,our next support is1 the divine mercy1 which is inexpressibly great1 as infinite as ,god himself4 ,of this let no man despair4 ,this mercy of his anticipates us1 waits for us1 supports us1 and endures forever4 ,and this he never denies to any one4 ,come then1 ye that complain of the weakness of your faith1 cast yourselves into the protecting arms of divine love1 which will never leave you nor forsake you4 #ae4 7#ad7 ,god1 who has wrought the beginning of faith in us1 has graciously promised1 that he will 8perform it until the day of ,jesus ,christ0 7,phil4 #a3f72 that he will 8stablish1 strengthen1 settle us0 7#a ,pet4 #e3aj72 and that we shall be 8kept by the power of ,god through faith unto salvation1 receiving the end of our faith1 even the salvation of our souls40 #a ,pet4 #a3e1 #i4 ,this is the end that ,god proposed to our faith1 when he first gave us the beginning of it4 ,faith being1 therefore1 the operation and work of ,god1 must be perfected by its divine ,author4 ,for this cause the ,epistle to the ,hebrews 7,heb4 #ab3b7 calls the blessed ,jesus1 not only the ,author1 but also1 the ,finisher of our faith4 ,and ,christ himself tells us3 8,no man shall pluck my sheep out of my hand40 ,john #aj3bh4 #af4 7#ae7 ,to this end he has given us various means whereby our faith may be strengthened and preserved1 namely1 the ,word1 the ,sacraments1 and prayer4 8,lord1 increase our faith0 7,luke #ag3e71 said the disciples4 8,lord1 help thou mine unbelief40 ,mark #i3bd4 ,moreover1 ,god has promised 8his ,holy ,spirit to them that ask him40 ,luke #aa3ac4 8,the ,spirit also helpeth our infirmities40 ,rom4 #e3e2 #h3bf4 ,in a word1 this is the end and design of ,christianity1 that we may grow and be perfected in faith4 #ag4 7#af7 ,lastly4 ,our faith is founded on ,god's eternal love to us1 8,whom he did predestinate1 them he also justified40 ,rom4 #h3cj4 ,but we are justified by faith alone in ,christ ,jesus4 ,rom4 #c3bh4 8,god hath chosen us to salvation1 through sanctification of the ,spirit1 and belief of the truth40 #b ,thess4 #b3ac4 ,come then1 comfort thyself with these promises2 sink not under the weakness of thy faith6 ,when thy faith seems to be at its lowest ebb1 then is thy ,saviour nearer to thee than thou thinkest4 ,this was the case with the disciples2 when they looked upon themselves as lost in the tempest1 then ,christ was at hand to save them4 ,matt4 #h3bd-bf4 ,let us also be persuaded1 that our ,redeemer and ,saviour is never so near us1 as when we think ourselves in most danger4 ,chapter ,,lii4 ,comforting ,instructions ,for ,those ,that ,are ,laboring ,under ,great ,temptations ,in ,spirit4 ,i have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction4--,,isa4 #dh3aj4 ,it is an undoubted truth that all spiritual sorrow proceeds from ,god4 ,for 8the ,lord killeth1 and maketh alive3 he bringeth down to the grave1 and bringeth up40 #a ,sam4 #b3f1 #g4 ,by the 8grave0 in this place1 is meant such a state of spiritual afflictions as1 like the grave1 is void of all light and comfort4 ,the soul that is thrust down into this prison1 looks upon itself as dying and pining away2 as hated1 despised1 and persecuted by every creature of ,god4 ,in this disconsolate state1 the poor man cries out with holy ,david1 8,my soul refused to be comforted40 ,ps4 #gg3b4 ,and well it might1 when both the ,scripture and ,god himself were withholden from him4 ,this is that 8grave0 into which ,god brings the soul4 ,here it finds no comfort but in silence and resignation1 in those unutterable sighs and groans which proceed from the ground of the heart2 for so great is its distress1 that it cannot so much as think upon ,god1 or the promises contained in his holy ,word4 ,faith grows weak1 hope languishes1 and the whole man is feeble1 withered like grass 7,ps4 #ch3h1 #i2 #ajb3c71 and ready to perish1 were he not inwardly supported by the secret ,word and power of ,god4 #b4 ,in this grave or shadow of death1 we find our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 when 8his soul was exceeding sorrowful even unto death2 and in his agony his sweat was1 as it were1 great drops of blood40 ,matt4 #bf3ch2 ,luke #bb3dd4 ,in this state a man undergoes greater afflictions than in death itself4 ,yea1 here a man wishes for death1 and longs to find a grave where he may rest from his unspeakable labors and sufferings4 ,job4 #g3ae4 ,thus we find ,job repeatedly wishing for death4 ,and our blessed ,lord himself1 under the agonies of death1 cried out1 8,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast thou forsaken me60 ,matt4 #bg3df4 ,he complains that he was forsaken of ,god1 though ,he was continually present with him1 and preserved him under all his trouble4 ,but now1 what can be more wonderful than that ,christ himself should complain for want of comfort1 considering his intimate union with ,god8 ,for he was both ,god and man4 ,yet ,god had so withdrawn his consolations from him1 that his human nature was left desolate and comfortless4 ,now if the blessed ,jesus1 who was united to the eternal ,godhead and anointed with the heavenly oil of gladness1 endured a conflict so bitter1 surely sinful man has no reason to wonder1 when he is brought under the same fiery trial1 as if some strange thing had happened unto him4 #a ,pet4 #d3ab4 #c4 ,we suffer nothing but what our blessed ,master suffered before us2 and certainly nothing is more reasonable than that the members should suffer with the ,head4 #d4 ,this1 therefore1 is a kind of trial whether thou art truly a member of ,christ1 and a partaker of his sufferings4 ,rev4 #a3i4 ,such seems to have been ,hezekiah's case when he complained--8,like a crane or a swallow1 so did ,i chatter3 ,i did mourn as a dove40 ,isa4 #ch3ad4 ,and ,job's--8,i cry unto thee1 and thou dost not hear me3 ,i stand up1 and thou regardest me not40 ,job #g3c2 #cj3bj4 ,and so again1 8,if ,i had called1 and he had answered me2 yet would ,i not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice40 ,job #i3af4 ,such were the complaints of holy ,david 7,ps4 #f2 #ac2 #ch2 #hh74 ,in these scriptures we may see how wonderfully all the saints and servants of ,god have been purified in this furnace of affliction4 ,this was the ground of that warmth of feeling which we meet with in the words of ,job and the holy ,psalmist4 ,sometimes they are so much bereft of hope1 that they could not think it possible that ,god should ever show mercy to them2 at other times1 they are full of hope and confidence1 and believe that 8their ,redeemer liveth0 7,job #ai3be71 as ,job expresses it4 ,yet the carnal man has no understanding of such sufferings1 or of the complaints arising from them4 ,this we find by the example of ,job's friends1 who1 not understanding what was the true state of his distressed and afflicted soul1 reproved him as one that had lost patience1 and that charged ,god foolishly4 ,when a man is come into this state1 he falls into such a degree of unbelief that he is not conscious of the least trace of faith remaining in his soul4 ,all the powers of faith being1 as it were1 collected in the centre of the soul1 seem to the man to be lost2 though they still operate in secret1 and breathe in sighs and groanings unutterable4 ,this absence of faith is a kind of torture to the soul4 ,therefore the man cannot believe that ,god will be merciful to him1 but cries out1 8,o how willingly would ,i believe1 if it would but please ,god to give me the power60 ,and in the height of this conflict1 the ,scriptures themselves afford him no comfort4 ,this is that crisis of the soul when ,god1 by humbling us1 shows us how unworthy and vile we are in ourselves2 yea1 that of ourselves we are nothing1 but that all our sufficiency is of ,god2 so that thence we may learn not to trust in ourselves4 ,nevertheless1 the poor soul occasionally perceives some distant gleams of light breaking through the thick darkness1 which administer comfort and support1 and preserve it from desperation4 #e4 ,now1 though it may happen that a man in the bitterness of his soul grows impatient1 and is tempted to fret against ,god1 yet let him remember that ,god is merciful4 ,he knows whereof we are made2 he sees the struggle of our souls under the fiery trial1 when he sets his hand to cleanse us from our impurities4 ,in a word1 the most holy and best beloved children of ,god1 are they that have passed through this furnace of affliction2 as we may see by the examples of ,job 7,job #db3b1 etc471 of ,david1 and ,jeremiah4 ,jer4 #bj3ab1 etc4 ,these learned faith in the school1 and under the discipline of the cross2 whilst the delicate ,christian who flees from the cross1 and expects to learn it amidst the enjoyments of the world1 will find himself miserably deceived in the end4 ,but further1 #f4 7#b7 ,let us call to mind that noble saying of ,jeremiah1 8,the ,lord will not cast off forever2 but though he cause grief1 yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies4 ,for he doth not afflict willingly1 nor grieve the children of men40 ,lam4 #c3cj1 #ca1 #cc4 ,whence them mayest learn1 that though the ,lord suffer thee to be afflicted for a season1 yet he will not cast thee off forever4 ,perhaps1 however1 thou wilt say1 that the evil thoughts with which thou art troubled1 are not from ,god1 but from ,satan4 ,now1 though it cannot be denied that they are suggested to us by ,satan2 yet it is also true1 that ,satan can do nothing but by ,god's permission4 ,in this case1 look unto ,jesus1 whom our heavenly ,father suffered to be tempted by the same adversary4 ,the fiery darts 7,eph4 #f3af7 which the ,evil ,one cast at our blessed ,saviour1 came indeed from him1 and not from ,god2 but it was ,god that gave him permission to assault as he did4 ,and though our blessed ,lord bore all this1 yet he still continued to be the dearly beloved ,son of ,god1 nor could the tempter with all his art and power do him the least harm4 ,matt4 #d3a1 etc4 ,hear this1 ,o afflicted soul1 and believe that thou also shalt be safe and unhurt amid all the fiery darts of the wicked one4 ,remember the case of ,job1 when1 by ,god's permission1 the devil so afflicted him internally and externally1 that he cursed the day of his birth2 yet was ,god still with him1 and we find him thus expressing himself to ,god3 8,these things hast thou hid in thine heart3 ,i know that this is with thee40 ,job #aj3ac4 #g4 ,having thus discovered the origin of this spiritual affliction1 let us next inquire into the reasons why ,god sends it upon us4 #h4 ,first1 then1 it is certain that the true inward taste of the ,word of ,god1 is accompanied with unspeakable joy1 peace1 and comfort1 vastly surpassing any enjoyments of this life4 ,this is the true joy of our souls1 a foretaste of eternal life1 arising from the true and living knowledge of ,christ ,jesus2 by which we discover the heart of ,god full of the most tender compassions1 and an ardent and eternal love towards lost mankind4 ,now1 so corrupt and perverse is human nature1 that it is too apt to be exalted above measure1 by the abundance of these divine manifestations1 and to make them occasions of spiritual pride2 and the man who is thus visited and comforted from above1 will be apt to think highly of himself1 to overvalue his sanctity1 and to think meanly of the rest of the world1 who are strangers to these consolations2 and thus1 forsaking the fountain of living waters1 whence all the streams of blessing flow1 and to which1 with all humility1 they ought to be ascribed2 the man grows vain and arrogant1 and sets himself up in the place of ,god4 ,this perverseness of soul1 as it is directly contrary to true penitence1 and to the appointed way of salvation1 so it is very hateful to ,god4 ,this causes him to withdraw his consolations from us1 and to hide himself in thick darkness2 so that though we call and cry1 and search ever so diligently1 we shall not be able to find ,him4 ,this is a deplorable state1 when we are hanging1 as it were1 between heaven and hell1 oppressed and afflicted on every side1 not knowing whither to fly for relief or comfort2 having no certain evidence whether we believe or not1 whether we hope or not1 whether ,god be angry with us or not1 whether we are in a state of life or of death4 ,this is that darkness and desolation which we find described in ,psalm #hh2 of which the ,psalmist speaks also in ,ps4 #ca3bb4 8,i said in my haste1 ,i am cut off from before thine eyes4 ,nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when ,i cried unto thee40 #i4 ,now1 although nothing is more bitter to us than to be so long deprived of the comforts of the divine presence2 yet even this deprivation itself is more profitable to the soul1 than all the enjoyments and glories of the world4 ,by this1 as by a fiery trial1 we are taught humility1 repentance1 contempt of the world1 and the true value of all its favors and enjoyments2 that these are dangerous1 transitory1 and perishing1 and can give no solid comfort to the distressed soul4 ,and though the soul in this state is encompassed with perplexities and fears1 so that it can hardly lift up itself to ,god1 yet there is left a kind of deep and secret sorrow1 venting itself in holy sighs1 and devout aspirations towards ,god1 and a longing for his favor4 ,hence we may learn how great a good ,god is to the soul1 and that no true1 solid1 or constant peace can be found except in ,him4 ,this cannot be learned any where but in this school of temptation2 in which alone the truest knowledge is to be acquired4 ,and whosoever is unacquainted with this1 knows not ,god and ,christ as they ought to be known4 #aj4 ,and would to ,god1 that for his glory1 and our own unspeakable advantage1 we would readily submit to this visitation1 which is designed for the trial of our faith1 even as gold in the furnace is tried6 ,then we should quickly reap the amazing benefits of such a cleansing4 ,for the faithful soul that can hold out1 and not faint under it1 comes forth glorious as gold out of the fire1 cleansed from all its dross2 so that neither fire1 nor water1 nor the cross1 nor death1 nor ,satan1 can hurt it4 ,such a one will learn how to behave himself ever afterwards with patience and humility1 both in prosperity and adversity2 not to sink under the cross2 not to be presumptuous in prosperity2 not to depend upon himself1 or be puffed up with his own fancied perfections2 but to look up steadfastly to ,god1 the everlasting fountain and giver of all goodness2 and to embrace every dispensation of ,providence1 whether sweet or bitter1 as his only happiness2 and1 in every state or condition of soul or body1 to rejoice in ,god alone4 #aa4 ,secondly1 whensoever it shall please ,god to cast any of us1 his creatures1 into this trying furnace1 it will be much more consistent and profitable for us to pray for patience under it1 than for deliverance from it4 ,for when once the fire of temptation has purged away the dross of our iniquities1 our pride1 luxury1 covetousness1 and envy1 it will be much easier for us to endure afterwards other fiery trials1 by having our own will swallowed up in the will and good pleasure of ,god4 ,but when from an excessive indulgence of the infirmities of our corrupt nature1 we endeavor to avoid this fiery trial1 it often happens that before we can receive any benefit from it1 we are contriving to make our escape4 ,so that if ,god did not often keep us under the trial against our will1 we should fly from it1 without considering whether we were sufficiently purified1 according to the will of ,god and the necessities of our corrupt nature3 like children1 who1 if their parents or physicians did not prevent1 would throw away that bitter cup which alone can cure their disorders4 ,but ,god knows our case1 and what is proper for us1 better than we ourselves2 and therefore he has appointed certain measures of affliction1 to which he confines the soul1 till he sees it proper to release her4 ,so that we ought not so much to pray for deliverance from temptations1 as for patience under them4 #ab4 ,thirdly1 our deliverance is so certain1 that we have not the least reason to doubt of it2 for 8though the ,lord cause grief1 yet will he have compassion1 according to the multitude of his mercies40 ,lam4 #c3cb4 ,this is the promise of ,god1 who is truth itself1 and it therefore ought diligently to be weighed and considered by us4 ,it is much better to know and digest some few comfortable passages of ,scripture1 or even only one of this kind1 than to burden our memory with a great many without true spiritual relish4 ,for when a man has by a lively faith digested one1 he will easily understand and digest all the rest2 and he that can derive comfort from one text1 will thereby learn to do the same by all the rest4 ,it will be very useful to repeat frequently1 with lively affection1 the #hhth ,psalm1 where thou wilt see the state of thy soul described4 ,there thou wilt find that there have been others in the world before thee1 who have been tried and afflicted as thou art1 and yet have afterwards been delivered and comforted of ,god1 as we find in ,psalm #hi1 where the holy man1 rejoicing in the divine comfort1 begins1 as in a rapture1 8,i will sing of the mercies of the ,lord for ever40 ,be thou confident1 therefore1 and believe that ,god will also in due time comfort thee with the same consolation4 ,for the ,evil spirit1 who always delights to afflict the souls of men1 has1 from the beginning of the world1 made it his business to gall and wound them with his fiery darts4 ,as in a tempestuous sea one wave is continually rolling upon another1 so do the various temptations of ,satan pursue the afflicted soul2 sometimes oppressing it with fearful and melancholy thoughts2 at others1 with impatience1 unbelief1 blasphemous and wicked thoughts4 ,the terrors and miseries of such a soul are sometimes so great1 that no creature can give it comfort2 yea1 those very things which give joy and delight to others1 are to such a man1 not only joyless1 but burdensome4 ,the whole world is to him but one bitter cross2 yea1 even ,god himself appears dreadful to him4 ,thus ,job bitterly complains 7chap4 #g3ac1 etc472 and the agony is increased by the sting of his own conscience1 which terrifies him with this dreadful sentence1 8,there is no help for thee in thy ,god40 ,ps4 #c3b4 #ac4 ,against these wiles of the devil there is no better remedy than to endeavor to strengthen thyself after the examples of ,job1 ,david1 and other holy men4 7#a7 ,by bearing thy affliction as long as it shall please ,god2 and waiting patiently till the clouds of darkness be driven away4 ,isa4 #ed3 #aa4 8,i will bear the indignation of the ,lord1 because ,i have sinned against him1 until he bring me forth to the light1 and ,i shall behold his righteousness40 ,micah #g3i4 ,where ,god afflicteth1 it is in no man's power to comfort4 8,the ,lord killeth1 and maketh alive2 he bringeth down to the grave1 and bringeth up40 #a ,sam4 #b3f4 #ad4 7#b7 ,we must1 in this case1 stop our ears against the opinions of the world1 and1 with ,job1 disregard the accusations of our friends1 the terrors of the devil1 who is the enemy of all peace and comfort1 the reflections of our own hearts1 the stings of our own consciences1 and all the objections of flesh and blood4 ,for1 8if our heart condemn us1 ,god is greater than our heart0 7#a ,john #c3bj71 yea1 than all the world1 or the devil himself4 ,rather call to mind what ,god himself has promised to such afflicted souls4 8,to this man will ,i look1 even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit40 ,isa4 #ff3b4 8,i have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction40 ,isa4 #dh3aj4 #ae4 7#c7 ,consider also the examples of holy men4 ,did not they suffer as thou dost1 and were they not at last delivered8 ,does not ,david complain1 8,how long wilt thou forget me1 ,o ,lord8 for ever80 ,ps4 #ac3a4 ,and did ,god forsake him in his troubles8 ,no2 for he adds1 8,i have trusted in thy mercy2 my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation60 ,ver4 #e4 ,he complains1 8,hath ,god forgotten to be gracious80 ,ps4 #gg3i4 ,but did ,god leave him in this extremity8 ,no1 certainly1 for after his deliverance he adds1 8,i will remember the years of the right hand of the ,most ,high40 ,ver4 #aj4 ,thus when ,god discovered himself in terrors to ,jeremiah1 he prays1 8,be not a terror unto me60 7,jer4 #ag3ag71 but immediately adds1 8,thou art my hope in the day of evil40 ,did not ,jesus ,christ himself cry out1 8,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast thou forsaken me80 ,ps4 #bb3a4 ,but was he forsaken of ,god8 ,no2 for he adds1 8,i will declare thy name unto my brethren0 7,ps4 #bb3bb73 and 8,i shall not die1 but live1 and declare the works of the ,lord40 ,ps4 #aah3ag4 #af4 ,thou also1 after this example of thy ,saviour1 must be content to drink the wine mingled with gall and myrrh 7,matt4 #bg3cd71 that thou mayest hereafter sit down with him at his royal supper in the kingdom of heaven4 ,isa4 #fe3ac4 ,learn1 therefore1 to bear his reproach 7,heb4 #ac3ac72 and thou shalt be a partaker of his glory4 ,learn to be conformed to ,christ crucified1 that thou mayest be conformed to ,christ glorified4 ,rom4 #h3bi2 ,phil4 #c3ba4 ,chapter ,,liii4 ,consolations ,for ,those ,who ,labor ,under ,great ,spiritual ,temptations4 ,when the poor and needy seek water1 and there is none1 and their tongue faileth for thirst1 ,i the ,lord will hear them2 ,i the ,god of ,israel will not forsake them4--,,isa4 #da3ag4 ,in these words1 the ,holy ,spirit comforts all those that are broken in heart1 miserable1 tempted1 and thirsting after ,god2 by whom they look upon themselves as forsaken and rejected1 so that they cry out1 8,my soul is full of troubles2 and my life draweth nigh unto the grave40 ,ps4 #hh3c4 ,for the sake of such as these1 ,i shall touch upon some few heads1 by way of comfort and advice under these spiritual temptations4 #b4 7#a7 ,we are to remember1 that no kinds of spiritual temptations1 melancholy thoughts1 terrors of soul1 and stings of conscience1 can happen to us without the particular permission and gracious will of ,god our heavenly ,father1 notwithstanding all the malice and fury of the ,evil ,spirit4 ,for ,god has expressly told us in his ,word1 that the devil has not the least power over any creature2 nor can he hurt even a hair of our heads4 ,matt4 #aj3cj4 ,all creatures are in the hand of ,god1 and not in the power of the devil4 ,heb4 #a3 #c4 ,much less has he any power over man1 unless by the permission of ,god1 for a certain season1 as in the case of the ,gergesenes 7,matt4 #h3cb71 and ,job4 ,job #a3ab4 #c4 ,now1 if he has no power of himself over a hair of our heads1 or the least part of our bodies2 much less can he of himself afflict1 disquiet1 or torment our souls4 ,hence ,david says1 8,the angel of the ,lord encampeth round about them that fear him1 and delivereth them40 ,ps4 #cd3g4 ,and ,zechariah1 8,i1 the ,lord1 will be unto her a wall of fire round about40 ,zech4 #b3e4 ,so ,david prays1 8,keep me as the apple of the eye40 ,ps4 #ag3h4 ,and he acknowledges ,god to be the author of all the heavy trials of his spirit3 8,thou hast laid me in the lowest pit1 in darkness1 in the deeps4 ,thy wrath lieth hard upon me1 and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves40 ,ps4 #hh3f1 #g4 ,so likewise1 8,thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles1 shalt quicken me again1 and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth40 ,ps4 #ga3bj4 ,agreeable to which is the song of ,hannah1 8,the ,lord killeth1 and maketh alive2 he bringeth down to the grave1 and bringeth up40 #a ,sam4 #b3f4 ,for as the ,son of ,god himself descended first into hell1 before he ascended up into heaven2 so likewise must the true members of his body experience the same1 in the following manner4 ,when a man's conscience is so awakened and enlightened by the ,lord1 as to feel in himself the strength of sin1 the sting of death1 the curse of the law1 and the fiery darts of the devil2 then is his wretched soul so oppressed with grief and horror1 that with ,david 7,ps4 #gg3c71 it refuses to be comforted1 and looks upon itself as rejected and persecuted by every creature of ,god4 ,the man who is in this state1 does not enjoy the least glimpse of comfort1 believing that he deserves it not2 he struggles with despair1 he contends with hell1 and has already a taste of its agony4 ,this is the sting of hell1 yea1 hell itself1 full of terror and amazement1 darkness and despair4 ,he that suffers this1 is not indeed corporeally1 but spiritually1 and in his soul1 brought down into hell2 so that with his blessed ,saviour at the mount of ,olives1 he is in an agony1 is very heavy and sorrowful1 even unto death4 ,luke #bb3dd4 #d4 ,but you will say1 ,is it not strange1 that ,god should suffer his believing children1 who have been baptized into ,christ1 who through him obtained remission of their sins1 being justified through faith1 and redeemed to eternal life--to be thus miserably tempted and afflicted by the devil1 oppressed with dreadful thoughts1 and to undergo this spiritual martyrdom8 ,in answer to this1 we must consider1 that it is not our business to inquire into the secret reasons of ,god's ways1 but to rest satisfied with what he has told us1 namely1 that all these kinds of affliction proceed from him4 ,now we may rest assured1 that whatsoever comes from him1 promotes our spiritual welfare1 according to what we are told1 that 8all things work together for good1 to them that love ,god40 ,rom4 #h3bh4 ,there are1 however1 some reasons revealed1 why ,god suffers his beloved children to fall into temptations so bitter4 #e4 ,the first may be to bring us to a true sense of the strength of sin1 which is the sting of death 7#a ,cor4 #ae3ef72 of the curse of the law2 of the wrath and justice of ,god2 and of the cruel tyranny of ,satan4 ,these hang together1 as it were1 in a chain1 as ,hezekiah complains 7,isaiah #ch3ad71 when he chattered as a crane or a swallow1 and mourned as a dove4 #f4 ,secondly1 ,that we may have worthy conceptions of the value and greatness of our blessed ,saviour's passion1 and of all the merits of our redemption2 and hence learn that by the agony of his own soul1 he has delivered us from the punishments of hell4 ,ps4 #bb3b4 #g4 ,thirdly1 ,that we may be conformed to the image of ,christ4 ,rom4 #h3bi4 #h4 ,fourthly1 ,that we may learn to taste the efficacy of ,god's ,holy ,word1 and the comforts that flow from it4 ,thus we are told1 8by vexation 7or temptation7 only we shall understand the report0 7or word74 ,isa4 #bh3ai4 #i4 ,fifthly1 ,that we may learn to exercise faith1 hope1 charity1 humility1 and patience1 that so 8the trial of our faith may be found much more precious than gold that perisheth1 though it be tried with fire40 #a ,pet4 #a3g4 #aj4 ,sixthly1 ,that we may afterwards have a more lively perception of the divine comforts1 even as ,st4 ,paul says1 8,as the sufferings of ,christ abound in us1 so our consolation also aboundeth by ,christ40 #b ,cor4 #a3e4 #aa4 ,seventhly1 ,that we may obtain greater degrees of glory in the life to come1 according to ,rom4 #h3ag3 8,if so be that we suffer with him1 that we may be also glorified together40 #ab4 ,though we even did not know that ,god intended these particular advantages by our sufferings2 yet we ought to be satisfied with this one consideration1 that our sufferings are ordered by the will of ,god4 ,for if 8the very hairs of our head are all numbered0 7,matt4 #aj3cj71 how much more care1 may we suppose1 will ,god take of our souls1 that the devil may not precipitate us into despair8 ,hence we may further learn1 not to expect deliverance from any but ,god himself1 through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who has overcome the world and the devil4 ,john #ab3ca2 #af3aa4 ,he1 therefore1 that labors under temptation1 must fly unto ,jesus ,christ2 and from him alone expect that help1 comfort1 and peace1 which nothing in this world can give him4 #ac4 7#b7 ,these trials are not to be looked upon as tokens of ,god's anger1 but rather of his infinite mercy1 since he is hereby fitting us to be partakers with them who have through many temptations entered into glory4 ,such was ,david1 who complains1 8,the sorrows of death compassed me40 ,psalm #ah3d4 ,and the whole #hhth ,psalm is full of lamentations of the pains and agony which he underwent in his soul4 ,this1 too1 was the prophet ,jeremiah's case1 when he wished that his mother's womb had been his grave 7,jer4 #bj3ag72 that he had never seen the light1 that so he might have avoided his many bitter sufferings4 ,thus it was with ,job1 when he cried out3 8,o that my grief were thoroughly weighed1 and my calamity laid in the balances together4 ,for now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea40 ,job #f3b1 #c4 ,and 8,my soul chooseth strangling1 and death1 rather than my life40 ,job #g3ae4 ,thus ,st4 ,paul was buffeted by 8the messenger of ,satan40 #b ,cor4 #ab3g4 ,nor1 lastly1 did the ,son of ,god himself1 escape severe trials1 when his holy body trembled1 and his soul was exceeding sorrowful 7,matt4 #bf3ch71 and when he cried out1 8,my ,god1 my ,god1 why hast thou forsaken me80 ,matt4 #bg3df4 #ad4 ,from these examples we may learn that we are not the only persons who have been so severely tempted2 but that saints and servants of ,god before us have been visited in the same manner4 ,and as ,god forsook not them in their extreme agony1 so we may assure ourselves that he will in his own time deliver us1 as well as them4 ,this is an argument full of consolation4 ,as bodily diseases and persecutions are marks of the divine favor1 since by them ,god endeavors to make us conformable to his ,son 7and on that account we ought to bear them with patience71 so it is a much greater token of the divine favor1 and of the glory that shall follow it1 when he sends affliction on our souls1 as well as on our bodies1 and by a variety of crosses brings us to an entire conformity1 both in body and soul1 to ,christ our ,head4 ,for as the body of the blessed ,jesus1 at the time of his passion1 was overwhelmed with all kinds of pains1 and sufferings1 and his soul was full of anguish1 distress1 and sorrow3 so must his spiritual body1 in all its true and living members1 be made partaker of the same sufferings1 whether internal or external1 so that the whole spiritual body1 as well as the ,head1 may contribute1 each member in its proportion1 to fill up the measure of sufferings4 ,this is what ,st4 ,paul means1 8,i fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of ,christ in my flesh0 7,col4 #a3bd73 so that every living member of ,christ must expect to bear his share of ,christ's cross1 in order to perfect that which is yet lacking in such sufferings4 ,it ought1 therefore1 to make us rejoice in affliction1 when we consider that 8the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us40 ,rom4 #h3ah4 ,we should1 when these spiritual storms blow hard upon us1 bear with patience the paternal chastisement of ,god 7,micah #g3i71 expect his help1 not faint in prayer1 but think thus with ourselves3 ,this is a season of sufferings2 but when wrath has passed away1 it will end in joy unspeakable and full of glory4 ,isa4 #ed3g1 #h4 #ae4 7#c7 ,we must support ourselves under this internal conflict1 with the comforting promises of ,jesus ,christ1 that in due time we shall conquer if we hold out and faint not4 ,gal4 #f3i4 ,thus he tells us1 8,the prince of this world cometh1 and hath nothing in me40 ,john #ad3cj4 ,and1 8,be of good cheer2 ,i have overcome the world40 ,john #af3cc4 ,for as all the host of ,israel triumphed in the person of ,david1 when he slew ,goliath1 and routed the ,philistines 7#a ,sam4 #ag3ea72 so the victory of our ,lord is the victory of all true believers4 ,hence we are told1 8,now is come salvation1 and strength1 and the kingdom of our ,god1 and the power of his ,christ3 for the accuser of our brethren is cast down1 which accused them before our ,god day and night4 ,and they overcame him by the blood of the ,lamb1 and by the word of their testimony40 ,rev4 #ab3aj1 #aa4 ,whenever1 therefore1 thou findest thyself assaulted by the fiery darts of the ,evil ,one1 and thy soul is afflicted with such suggestions as these3 8,thou art damned2--thou art undone2--,god hath forsaken thee2--thou art mine2--it is in vain for thee to hope1 believe1 or pray any longer10 then take courage1 and answer boldly3 8,o thou enemy of mankind1 thou hast no power to condemn me4 ,god hath not appointed thee to be my judge2 but the faithful shall judge the world1 and thee1 at the last great day0 7#a ,cor4 #f3c71 yea1 prince of this world1 thou art judged already by the ,son of ,god4 ,john #af3aa4 #af4 7#d7 ,as the nature of this spirit of blasphemy is such1 that a ,christian is forced to undergo it sorely against his will1 and does all that in him lies to resist and oppose it2 hence let him comfort himself1 when he is tempted with the thought1 that ,god will never lay it to his charge2 since it is not he that acts1 but the devil2 for the soul is passive1 and may1 therefore1 be assured that such thoughts shall never be imputed for sin4 ,as people in a besieged town1 cannot hinder the enemy from throwing fire into the town1 though they may do what they can to quench it1 and prevent its spreading2 and as ,hezekiah 7,isa4 #cf3aa7 could not hinder the blasphemy of ,rabshakeh2 so we cannot hinder the devil from shooting his envenomed arrows at us4 ,all that we have to do is1 to bear it with penitential sorrow1 and to take all the care we can1 not to suffer our thoughts to vent themselves in blasphemous words2 but1 on the other hand1 having set a guard upon our tongues1 we should endeavor so to stifle these murmurings1 that they break not out into a flame1 as we read of ,jeremiah4 7,lam4 #c3bh47 ,moreover1 forasmuch as thou art assaulted against thy will1 it is plain1 that thou hast yet a living and struggling faith4 #ag4 7#e7 ,we ought to be comforted1 if we find but one single aspiration of our hearts towards ,god1 or any devout affection springing up in our souls by the reading of any text of ,holy ,scripture4 ,for this is that spark of faith and divine grace1 which1 like the smoking of flax1 ,god will not quench1 but preserve it in its weakest state1 when it seems to be almost dead4 ,isa4 #db3c4 ,one devout aspiration such as this1 is a certain sign that the ,holy ,spirit is still present with us1 though in a manner almost undiscernible in the deepest ground and centre of the soul4 ,for as the body is not looked upon as dead1 whilst there is the least breath or pulse remaining2 so we must believe that the ,spirit of ,god1 and faith1 are not yet entirely gone1 if only a feeble prayer and a word of ,god remain2 for then the soul retains a spiritual and internal life1 and is not entirely dead4 ,and the soul ought to be content with the smallest spark of this inward light and life1 till the ,spirit of joy and liberty return to him1 and comfort him with all the consolations of ,god4 ,let us suppose a man in such a case1 that he can neither pray1 nor even think a good thought2 and that this inability is matter of the greatest grief to him2 the anguish of such a soul1 because it cannot pray1 is in itself a true and effectual prayer4 ,these are the unutterable sighs and groanings which ,st4 ,paul mentions4 ,rom4 #h3bf4 ,and to this belongs what the prophet says1 8,when the poor and needy seek water1 and there is none1 and their tongue faileth for thirst1 ,i the ,lord will hear them1 ,i the ,god of ,israel will not forsake them40 ,isa4 #da3ag4 #ah4 7#f7 ,be the temptations and afflictions of the heart ever so great1 yet the ,scripture assures us that it is the habitation of ,god1 and not of the devil4 ,that ,satan has no possession of it1 appears from the furious assaults he makes upon the afflicted soul1 by which he endeavors to subdue it2 but 8greater is he that is in us1 than he that is in the world40 #a ,john #d3d4 8,fear thou not1 for ,i am with thee40 ,isa4 #da3aj4 ,therefore1 though this trial of the soul is the greatest affliction that can possibly befall it in this life1 yet1 forasmuch as we are assured that ,god will look unto those that are of contrite hearts1 and will dwell with them 7,isa4 #eg3ae71 that he sent the blessed ,jesus from heaven to comfort the afflicted1 and to preach glad tidings to the distressed 7,isa4 #fa3b72 and that ,he himself invites weary souls to come unto him 7,matt4 #aa3bh71 therefore let no man despair when he finds himself plunged into this furnace of affliction4 ,these are they whom ,god commanded his prophet to comfort3 8,strengthen ye the weak hands1 and confirm the feeble knees4 ,say to them that are of a fearful heart1 ,be strong1 fear not40 ,isa4 #ce3c1 #d4 ,and ,god tells us that 8his strength is made perfect in weakness20 which induced ,st4 ,paul to say1 8,when ,i am weak1 then am ,i strong40 #b ,cor4 #ab3aj4 ,yea1 the grace of ,god is so far from forsaking a man1 even when he is buffeted 7#b ,cor4 #ab3g7 by ,satan3 that it was at that time particularly1 that ,god told ,paul1 8,my grace is sufficient for thee40 #b ,cor4 #ab3g-i4 #ai4 7#g7 ,there is not so much as one instance to be produced1 of any man forsaken of ,god under this spiritual conflict2 but1 on the contrary1 ,he has always restored his servants1 8whom he has thus chosen in the furnace of affliction0 7,isa4 #dh3aj71 to the same and to higher degrees of grace1 than those whence they thought they had fallen4 ,this ought to be matter of great comfort to us1 and persuade us that when the hour of trial is ended1 the season of joy and redemption will quickly follow4 8,happy is the man whom ,god correcteth3 therefore despise not thou the chastening of the ,almighty4 ,for he maketh sore1 and bindeth up3 he woundeth1 and his hands make whole4 ,he shall deliver thee in six troubles2 yea1 in seven there shall no evil touch thee40 ,job #e3ag-ai2 ,micah #g3i4 ,let no man1 therefore1 faint under tribulation1 but bear 8the indignation of the ,lord0 for a little while 7,ps4 #aab3d2 #ig3aa71 till the ,sun of righteousness 7,mal4 #d3b7 arise upon him again with healing and consolation in his wings1 for 8light is sown for the righteous1 and gladness for the upright in heart60 #bj4 7#h7 ,tauler reckons these spiritual afflictions and trials among the singular gifts and favors of ,god1 speaking thus of them3 8,in these great temptations1 ,god deprives a man of all that he has given him1 forcing him to descend into himself and see his own poverty and weakness2 and also trying him1 to discover how he will behave himself in this desolate state4 ,and this is done when a man is forsaken2 so that he knows nothing of ,god1 his grace1 his comforts1 or the gifts which he once bestowed upon him2 but which are now taken away1 and concealed from his eyes1 so that he knows not whither to fly or which way to turn4 ,when a man is once brought into this state1 there is nothing better for him than cheerfully and willingly to submit himself to the order and decree of ,god4 ,it was1 indeed1 a great thing in the holy martyrs to lay down their lives for ,god2 but they were so abundantly strengthened by the comforts of his ,holy ,spirit1 that the most exquisite torments were to them but trifling and contemptible1 and death itself had lost its terrors4 ,but to have ,god hide his face1 and deprive us of his grace and comfort1 is a martyrdom much greater than theirs4 ,this occurs when all the sins1 all the infirmities and temptations1 which a man has long ago conquered1 assault him afresh1 with greater violence than when he was the servant of sin4 ,in this case1 the best way is to suffer with patience1 and to be entirely resigned to the all-wise providence of ,god40 ,such sufferers as these1 ,tauler calls 8spiritual martyrs10 from the bitter trials they undergo whilst deprived of the light of ,god's countenance1 and the comfortable influences of his ,spirit1 which are so severe that they know not which way to turn for relief2 and when they see and consider the gifts and graces bestowed upon others1 they fall into bitter dejection of spirit1 reckoning that it is their own fault that they are thus barren and destitute of spiritual joy4 ,and though they take ever so much pains1 they still seem to labor in vain2 for they find their dryness and hardness of heart still increasing upon them2 so that at last1 being quite void of comfort1 and having lost all patience1 they fall into a secret distrust of ,god's mercy1 and believe that he is offended with everything they do4 ,at length they submit in patience1 until ,god may make a change2 for they themselves are utterly helpless4 ,this is that which brings them to a conformity1 not only with the saints1 but with ,christ1 whose whole life was nothing but affliction4 ,these spiritual martyrs1 though in the sight of the world they are of all men most miserable1 and seem to be forsaken and cast off by ,god2 yet are1 in truth1 the richest towards ,god4 ,in their own opinion they are1 indeed1 at the same time1 the most unfaithful to him2 though in reality they have the firmest faith1 and most ardent zeal for his honor and service1 and upon that account undergo these heavy sufferings4 ,from this faith and love towards ,god 7of which they themselves are ignorant71 it arises1 that they are tormented with divers temptations to which they will not consent1 so that even death itself would not be so bitter to them1 as the anguish they feel upon that account4 ,they labor with their utmost strength to amend their lives1 and practise every ,christian virtue2 and when they find their labor to be in vain1 they relapse into the old sense of their infirmities1 attended with the most exquisite pain of mind4 ,all this1 they suffer from a principle of love towards ,god2 esteeming themselves the worst of all men1 though they are most precious in the sight of ,god4 #ba4 ,no wiser counsel can be given to these than that1 with humble patience and resignation they bear the troubles which they cannot help1 and which are but aggravated by impatience4 ,after this dark night of unspeakable affliction1 the ,sun of righteousness shall arise1 refreshing and filling their hearts with inexpressible light and glory4 ,chapter ,,liv4 ,comforts ,under ,secret ,and ,spiritual ,temptations ,of ,the ,devil4 ,behold1 ,satan hath desired to have you1 that he may sift you as wheat3 but ,i have prayed for thee1 that thy faith fail not2 and when thou art converted1 strengthen thy brethren4--,,luke #bb3ca1 #cb4 ,how great and implacable the enmity of the devil is to all mankind1 we are abundantly informed1 not only by ,scripture 7as #a ,pet4 #e3h1 8,be sober1 be vigilant2 because your adversary the devil1 as a roaring lion1 walketh about1 seeking whom he may devour40 ,eph4 #f3ab1 and ,rev4 #ab3ab1 8,woe to the earth1 and to the sea1 for the devil is come down unto you1 having great wrath1 because he knoweth that he hath but a short time20 and from the history of ,job71 but also more particularly by daily experience1 and the many grievous and dangerous temptations with which he assaults the souls of good men in their spiritual warfare4 ,at one time he assaults our faith1 at another time our ,christian calling1 and then interrupts and disturbs us in the exercise of our devotions2 all which is clearly expressed in the history of our ,lord's temptation4 ,matt4 #d3c1 etc4 ,hence we may learn that no man is safe from his temptations4 ,for if he spared not ,christ our ,head1 how can sinful men expect to escape him8 ,for which reason our ,lord himself advises us1 8,watch and pray1 that ye enter not into temptation40 ,matt4 #bf3da4 #b4 ,among the various temptations with which the devil afflicts the soul1 this is one1 namely1 the tormenting a man with blasphemous1 profane1 impure1 and troublesome thoughts1 so as to sink him deep into melancholy and wretchedness4 ,and these abominable suggestions are so crafty1 sudden1 and violent1 that they will not give a man a moment's rest4 ,upon this account ,st4 ,paul calls them1 8the fiery darts of the wicked one40 ,eph4 #f3af4 ,as a public enemy is perpetually casting fire into a besieged town2 so the devil is continually vexing such souls with his hellish suggestions4 ,and as the wounds of an envenomed arrow are most exquisitely painful2 so the wounds caused by the fiery darts of ,satan1 are far more sharp and intolerable than the severest bodily sufferings4 ,wherefore we shall here present some select heads of comfort against these secret and internal temptations1 all drawn from the ,word of ,god4 ,first1 as to the words prefixed to this chapter1 it is plain that they were uttered by our blessed ,saviour1 with the utmost tenderness1 and most ardent compassion4 ,whence we may gather1 that the being afflicted with these temptations1 is no mark of ,god's displeasure1 much less that he designs to destroy us thereby1 and deliver us up into the hands of the enemy4 ,on the contrary1 such a temptation is nothing but a chastising rod1 whereby ,god intends to humble a man1 and to draw him to ,himself4 ,this appears from the example of ,st4 ,peter1 whose confidence and self-conceit opened a door to the most grievous temptation1 and to the sin which followed4 ,and ,st4 ,paul tells us of himself1 8,lest ,i should be exalted 7saith he7 above measure through the abundance of the revelations1 there was given to me a thorn in the flesh1 the messenger of ,satan to buffet me4 ,for this thing ,i besought the ,lord thrice1 that it might depart from me4 ,and he said unto me1 ,my grace is sufficient for thee40 #b ,cor4 #ab3g-i4 ,from which words we may learn three things3 #a4 ,that ,st4 ,paul1 and all others that are exercised with these trials1 are humbled thereby4 #b4 ,that all those sufferings come upon us by the counsel of ,god4 #c4 ,that the utmost fury of the devil against a man who is so tempted1 cannot exclude him from ,god's favor1 which is expressed in these words1 8,my grace is sufficient for thee40 #c4 ,the second ground of comfort is contained in these words3 8,satan hath desired you40 ,from these words we may learn1 that though the devil is always desirous and ready to cast his fiery darts at us1 yet has he no power without the particular leave and permission of ,god2 who never gives him more than a limited permission1 beyond which he cannot go4 ,to this belongs that place of ,st4 ,paul1 8,god is faithful1 who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able40 #a ,cor4 #aj3ac4 ,to which we may add the example of ,job1 against whom the devil dared not attempt anything1 till he had first obtained leave of ,god2 and even that clogged with a limitation4 ,see chap4 #a3ab4 #d4 ,the third consolation arises from these words of our ,lord3 8,i have prayed for thee1 that thy faith fail not40 ,in what manner1 and with what affection the blessed ,jesus prayed for us to his ,heavenly ,father1 we are told in ,john 7chapter #ag71 namely1 that ,he would be pleased to keep his faithful servants from the evil of the world2 that he would dwell in them1 and they in him2 and that of those whom he had received of his ,father1 he might lose none4 ,this prayer1 were it but heartily applied to the distressed soul1 would support it with a divine courage so as to abide in ,christ by faith1 not doubting but that ,christ in her1 by the same faith1 would conquer and triumph over all her enemies4 #e4 ,the fourth comfort may be drawn from ,john #ag3ba1 where our blessed ,lord prays for us1 and begs of his heavenly ,father1 that we may abide in ,christ1 and ,christ in us4 ,and ,st4 ,john tells us1 that 8greater is he that is in us1 than he that is in the world40 #a ,john #d3d4 ,christ dwells in every believing soul by faith2 and all the assaults of the devil cannot dispossess this illustrious guest4 ,and as ,christ himself1 in whom ,god himself1 that is1 all 8the fulness of the ,godhead dwelt bodily0 and personally 7,col4 #b3i71 was tempted by ,satan1 thou must not1 therefore1 think that ,christ is not in thee1 because thou thyself art likewise tempted4 ,and if ,christ be in thee of a truth1 thou needest not fear what the devil can do unto thee3 for ,christ will certainly defend the place of his own residence1 against all opposers4 ,moreover1 thou hast within thee the ,holy ,spirit1 who 8helpeth thine infirmities1 and maketh intercession for thee with groanings that cannot be uttered40 ,rom4 #h3bf4 ,whensoever thou findest these within thee1 thou mayest assure thyself1 that the ,holy ,spirit dwelleth in thee1 and he will not forsake thee1 as our blessed ,lord assures us3 8,the ,father shall give you another ,comforter1 that he may abide with you forever40 ,john #ad3af4 ,lastly1 ,god has promised1 that he will dwell in the humble and contrite heart3 8,i dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit40 ,isa4 #eg3ae2 #ff3b4 ,and such1 undoubtedly1 are all those who are tormented with these temptations of ,satan4 #f4 ,the fifth ground of comfort1 is contained in our ,saviour's promise3 8,i have prayed for thee1 that thy faith fail not40 ,o divine comfort6 as if our ,lord had said3 8,your infirmities shall never be so great1 but that there shall be some sparks of faith left4 ,yea1 though you feel in yourselves no comfort1 and1 on that account1 are apt to think your faith quite extinct1 yet will ,i never suffer the smoking flax to be entirely quenched40 ,isa4 #db3c4 ,but1 now1 if you ask1 ,how shall ,i know this8 ,i answer1 #a4 ,by the earnest longing of your soul after faith4 ,for1 to desire and pray for faith above all other things1 arises from a living spark of remaining faith4 #b4 ,by your resistance of temptation1 which is a certain token of the presence of faith2 and this resistance and opposition appear plainly in this1 that all these wicked and blasphemous thoughts arise in your soul sorely against your will1 and that you bear them with more pain1 than you would any external violence offered to your body4 ,now whatsoever a man suffers of this kind against his will1 is resisted by faith1 and shall never be imputed to him as sin2 for nothing but a voluntary violation of the divine law1 makes a man sinful in the sight of ,god4 ,if ,adam had not yielded to the suggestions of ,satan1 he had not had sin2 but as soon as he submitted his will to that of the tempter1 he fell into the transgression4 ,whence it follows1 that it cannot be sin1 which is not attended with the consent of the will4 ,a besieged city cannot hinder the enemy from throwing fire into it1 but the inhabitants must endeavor to prevent it from spreading1 and burning the town to ashes4 ,so we cannot avoid the fiery darts of the devil1 with which he delights to afflict the heart2 but as we do not consent to them1 but rather resist1 they must at last be quenched1 and can do us no harm4 ,by such tokens as these we may discover1 that our faith1 however weak1 is not extinct4 #g4 ,being once assured of this1 we may likewise certainly depend upon victory2 and this opens to us a sixth fountain of comfort4 ,to this1 therefore1 refers that comfortable saying of our ,saviour3 8,the prince of this world cometh1 and hath nothing in me40 ,john #ad3cj4 8,be of good cheer2 ,i have overcome the world40 ,john #af3cc4 ,whatsoever ,christ did1 he did for our sakes2 that he himself1 with all his benefits and merits1 might be entirely ours4 ,since1 therefore1 he has conquered ,satan1 it follows that he has conquered him not only for himself1 but for us also3 his conquest is ours4 ,all this was prefigured in the contest between ,david and ,goliath4 #a ,sam4 #ag3h1 #i1 #ej-ec4 ,the conditions were1 that if ,goliath overcame ,david1 the people of ,israel should be the servants of the ,philistines2 but if ,david overcame ,goliath1 the ,philistines should serve ,israel4 ,now1 even as ,david's victory was counted as the victory of all ,israel1 so the victory of ,christ avails as the victory of all believers4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul says3 8,be strong in the ,lord1 and in the power of his might40 ,eph4 #f3aj4 ,and1 8,thanks be to ,god1 which giveth us the victory through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ40 #a ,cor4 #ae3eg4 #h4 ,seventhly1 we ought to be comforted by the examples of the saints1 who have also been cruelly tempted4 ,of these our blessed ,saviour speaks1 saying1 8,when thou art converted1 strengthen thy brethren40 ,by these words1 our ,saviour plainly sends us to be instructed by the examples of our brethren1 who have been tempted and persecuted by the devil in like manner with us4 ,hence ,st4 ,peter says3 8,knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world40 #a ,peter #e3i4 #i4 ,lastly1 we ought to be comforted by the example of ,jesus ,christ himself4 ,matt4 #d3a1 etc4 ,over him1 though he was the beloved ,son of ,god1 the devil had so much power1 as to hurry him from place to place1 and use him with so much insolence1 that it is wonderful the ,son of ,god should suffer it from that rebellious1 apostate spirit4 ,but this was the condition of the humble ,jesus1 who emptied himself of all his glory and majesty1 that he might be tempted as man1 and be made like unto his brethren4 ,chapter ,,lv4 ,the ,reasons ,for ,which ,god ,sometimes ,delays ,his ,comfort ,and ,assistance4 ,for the vision is yet for an appointed time1 but at the end it shall speak1 and not lie2 though it tarry1 wait for it2 because it will surely come1 it will not tarry4 ,behold1 his soul which is lifted up1 is not upright in him3 but the just shall live by his faith4--,,hab4 #b3c1 #d4 ,in these words the ,holy ,spirit comforts us1 under the delays of ,divine assistance3 for so we are apt to call 7#a7 those very methods by which ,god hastens to help and save us4 ,he has1 in his unsearchable wisdom1 appointed to every man his cross in weight and measure4 ,he delivers it out to him in meet proportions1 sending one affliction after another1 till the measure of his sufferings be accomplished2 that so1 by a gradual conquest1 he may at last obtain a complete victory4 ,this dealing of ,god with us1 we are apt to call his delaying to help us2 not considering that this is the quickest method of accomplishing the measure of our sufferings1 and completing our victory4 ,that which to us seems to be delay1 is in the sight of ,god1 making haste to help us4 #b4 ,now he that is refractory and impatient under the cross1 has no peace in his soul4 ,for as patience renders the soul easy and quiet1 so impatience makes it restless and uneasy4 ,thus our ,lord tells us1 8,learn of me2 for ,i am meek and lowly in heart2 and ye shall find rest unto your souls40 ,matt4 #aa3bi4 ,and1 whereas1 the prophet adds1 that 8the just shall live by his faith20 this relates to the promises of divine grace and assistance1 which we lay hold on by faith4 ,and from this consolation the soul derives life and joy2 as ,hezekiah says3 8,o ,lord1 by these things men live1 and in all these things is the life of my spirit40 ,isa4 #ch3af4 ,on the other hand1 unbelief produces impatience2 impatience1 disquiet2 disquiet1 despair2 and despair1 everlasting death4 ,so that we may most truly say1 that 8the just lives by faith20 that is1 by the grace of ,god1 which he patiently expects and waits for4 #c4 7#b7 ,solomon tells us3 8,to every thing there is a season1 and a time to every purpose under heaven40 ,eccles4 #c3a4 ,whence we may learn1 that crosses and afflictions come not by chance2 but that every season of affliction is appointed to us by ,god4 ,wherefore1 in our troubles let us lift up our eyes unto ,him1 in whose hand are our happiness and misery1 our riches and poverty1 our life and death2 yea1 and every moment of our afflictions4 ,this is illustrated in the case of ,joseph1 whom1 for thirteen years together1 ,god visited with remarkable afflictions 7,gen4 #cg3cf2 #da3a73 8until the time that his word came3 the word of the ,lord tried him10 as the ,psalmist tells us4 ,ps4 #aje3ai4 ,by his example we may learn how useful and necessary it is for us that ,god should sometimes delay his help4 ,for when he was sold1 he was seventeen years old2 and when1 by the hand of ,god he was brought out of prison1 he was thirty2 and the bearing of his cross all that season1 was the very thing that qualified him for the glorious advancement that followed4 ,in that honorable post he continued eighty years2 whence we may observe1 that his thirteen years of suffering1 were recompensed with many years of glory and honor3 for he lived a hundred and ten years4 ,therefore let the devout ,christian that suffers imprisonment or any kind of persecution for the testimony of a good conscience1 or shame1 or sickness1 call to mind the wonderful providence of ,god to ,joseph1 and satisfy himself that the all-wise ,god1 who has appointed his season of affliction1 has likewise determined the set time of his deliverance4 ,for as a skilful builder knows well by what time his laborers will have finished their task1 so has ,god measured out the weight and duration of every man's cross1 and appointed the season of his deliverance4 ,as soon as that comes1 the light of divine grace will immediately break forth1 and will comfort the afflicted soul4 #d4 7#c7 ,as ,god has determined the number of our crosses2 so ,he has been pleased to conceal from us the time of our deliverance1 satisfying us with that declaration of our blessed ,lord1 8,it is not for you to know the times or the seasons1 which the ,father hath put in his own power40 ,acts #a3g4 ,agreeably to this are the words of ,god1 who when he had threatened the children of ,israel with the ,babylonish captivity1 adds1 8,is not this laid up in store with me1 and sealed up among my treasures80 ,deut4 #cb3cd4 ,thence we may learn1 with what great and unsearchable wisdom ,god governs and corrects the children of men4 ,to this also may be referred that saying of ,st4 ,paul3 8,god hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth1 and hath determined the times before appointed1 and the bounds of their habitation40 ,acts #ag3bf4 ,in these words we are instructed1 that not only the period of every man's life1 but even the place and manner of it1 are appointed by ,god4 ,and this general determination of time and place1 includes in it the crosses and afflictions appointed to every person4 #e4 7#d7 ,and as ,god has appointed the period1 time1 and place1 of the sufferings of his servants2 so has ,he also of the persecutions and oppressions of the wicked4 ,when these have for a season been breathing out oppressions and slaughter1 then that ,god to whom vengeance belongeth1 awaketh and riseth to judgment2 according to ,deut4 #cb3ce3 8,to me belongeth vengeance and recompense2 their foot shall slide in due time3 for the day of their calamity is at hand1 and the things that shall come upon them1 make haste40 ,this is abundantly confirmed by the examples of heretics and tyrants that have most grievously persecuted the church of ,god2 and when the devil has raged long enough1 and his time is expired1 then has the divine vengeance so confounded him and all his accomplices1 that the whole world has been amazed and astonished at the righteous judgments of ,god4 8,be ye also patient2 stablish your hearts2 for the coming of the ,lord draweth nigh4 ,grudge not one against another1 brethren1 lest ye be condemned3 behold the ,judge standeth before the door40 ,jas4 #e3h1 #i4 ,chapter ,,lvi4 ,showing ,that ,in ,seasons ,of ,trial ,the ,consideration ,of ,the ,exalted ,patience ,of ,christ1 ,and ,of ,the ,future ,and ,eternal ,glory1 ,will ,alleviate ,the ,burden ,of ,the ,cross4 ,ought not ,christ to have suffered these things1 and to enter into his glory8--,,luke #bd3bf4 ,the eternal ,son of ,god1 by his most holy incarnation1 took upon him all the miseries and calamities of mankind3 and this not of compulsion and necessity1 but of pure love1 that by his example he might teach us patience1 and enable us to bear the cross1 and overcome the calamities of this mortal life4 ,as he was to become man1 so he willingly subjected himself to all those miseries to which man is exposed2 and as he came down from heaven for the sake of all1 so he took upon him the infirmities of all2 so that from the moment of his birth1 to the hour of his death1 he was1 as the prophet truly expresses it1 8despised and rejected of men2 a man of sorrows1 and acquainted with grief40 ,isa4 #ec3c4 ,there was no calamity incident to human nature1 which he did not suffer1 and1 particularly1 extreme poverty4 ,he says of himself1 8,the foxes have holes1 and the birds of the air have nests2 but the ,son of man hath not where to lay his head40 ,matt4 #h3bj4 ,in the discharge of his office1 he underwent the most bitter persecutions1 being exposed to hatred1 calumnies1 and reproaches4 ,in his last days he submitted to the most ignominious sufferings1 so that1 as the prophet expresses it1 8,we did esteem him stricken1 smitten of ,god1 and afflicted40 ,isa4 #ec3d4 ,his transcendent love met with the highest ingratitude1 his illustrious miracles were rewarded with revilings1 and his heavenly doctrines with calumnies and lies4 ,and since our blessed ,lord suffered all this1 why shall we expect to be exempted from sufferings and injuries8 #b4 ,thus the blessed ,jesus1 by his example1 has shown us the true and only path to heaven4 #a ,pet4 #b3ba4 ,let us therefore tread in his steps1 and learn to imitate him in all the different scenes of his most holy and afflicted life4 ,he went before1 that we might in holy patience follow him4 ,whence we may learn1 how far they are from the true and right way1 who never regard this blessed pattern1 but refuse to follow it4 ,if men will still walk on in darkness and shut their eyes against this light1 how great must their darkness be6 ,the blessed ,jesus himself calls to them1 saying1 8,i am the light of the world2 he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life40 ,john #h3ab4 #c4 ,all the sufferings of true ,christians in this life1 are not worthy to be compared with the eternal glories reserved for them in the world to come2 for their temporal afflictions are but for a moment1 but their glorious reward shall endure forever4 #b ,cor4 #d3ag1 #ah4 ,an everlasting possession is well worth contending for4 ,couldest thou but for a moment behold what eternal glories they enjoy1 who in this life were exposed to all torments and sufferings1 thou wouldest cheerfully submit to them all1 and take up thy cross with joy2 thinking all things but as dross1 that thou mightest win ,christ and be a partaker of his glory4 #d4 ,lift up1 therefore1 the eyes of thy mind to heaven1 and view1 with ,st4 ,john1 that vast company clothed in white garments1 and following the ,lamb1 concerning whom this account is given to the inquiring ,evangelist3 8,these are they which came out of great tribulation1 and have washed their robes1 and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb4 ,therefore are they before the throne of ,god1 and serve him day and night in his temple40 ,rev4 #g3ad1 #ae4 ,such are the proper meditations for devout souls4 ,thus we read of ,moses1 8,by faith1 ,moses1 when he was come to years1 refused to be called the son of ,pharaoh's daughter2 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of ,god1 than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season2 esteeming the reproach of ,christ greater riches than the treasures in ,egypt2 for he had respect to the recompense of the reward40 ,heb4 #aa3bd-bf4 #e4 ,hence we learn that the saints in all ages have esteemed the reproach of the cross of ,christ as their greatest treasure4 ,and we may depend upon it1 that no man can be admitted to the joys of the next world1 who has not fought manfully under the banner of the cross in this world4 ,how can we imagine that those blessed spirits will own us to be of their company in heaven1 if we did not bring with us the sign of the cross8 ,they would not know us1 and we would be strangers among them4 8,he that overcometh10 saith the ,lord1 8the same shall be clothed in white raiment2 and ,i will not blot out his name out of the book of life40 ,rev4 #c3e4 ,and what does ,st4 ,paul say8 8,i have fought a good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith3 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness1 which the ,lord1 the righteous ,judge1 shall give me at that day3 and not to me only1 but unto all them also that love his appearing40 #b ,tim4 #d3g1 #h4 ,chapter ,,lvii4 ,consolations ,against ,the ,fears ,of ,death4 ,christ hath abolished death1 and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel4--#b ,,tim4 #a3aj4 ,this sentence is full of divine comfort against the fears of temporal death4 ,for if 8,christ hath abolished death10 why should we fear it8 ,and if 8life and immortality be brought to light10 why should we not rejoice to pass through the gates of death1 to take possession of them8 ,but since there is no man so holy1 but that at some time or other he is afraid of death1 ,i shall here subjoin the chief heads of consolation1 which ,i shall divide into two parts4 ,the first contains those consolations which arise from ,christ's sufferings and death1 and the fruits of them4 ,the second1 those that arise from the consideration of the vanity of the world4 ,each of these parts shall comprehend seven arguments of comfort4 #b4 ,i4 ,the first and most powerful remedy against the fear of death1 is the most holy and innocent death of ,jesus ,christ1 by which he destroyed the power of death4 ,the power of death consists in the continual dread1 anxiety1 terror1 and trembling that arise from the thought of the severe judgment that is to follow4 ,with this the soul is oftentimes so afflicted1 that it is1 as it were1 continually dying1 yet cannot die4 ,this is the power of death1 yea1 is even the second and eternal death3 and this terrible state the devil makes yet more dreadful by his suggestions4 ,upon this account he is said 8to have the power of death0 7,heb4 #b3ad72 that is1 to terrify and torment the conscience with hellish fears and terrors4 ,this was ,david's case1 as he complains1 8,my heart is sore pained within me2 and the terrors of death are fallen upon me40 ,ps4 #ee3d4 ,so again1 8,the sorrows of death compassed me1 and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid40 ,ps4 #ah3c1 #d4 ,now the blessed ,jesus has taken away this power of death1 changing it into a calm sleep1 a blessed rest of soul and body4 ,when the soul is at rest1 the body sleeps peacefully1 so that the peace of the soul gives peace also to the body4 ,hence every true and faithful ,christian may be properly said not to taste of death2 according to that promise of our blessed ,lord1 8,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,if a man keep my sayings1 he shall never see death40 ,john #h3ea4 #c4 ,the second ground of comfort is1 the resurrection of our bodies4 ,for ,christ has so far destroyed the power of death1 that it not only cannot torment our souls1 but cannot even keep our bodies perpetually4 ,as the power of ,christ's death in us protects us from tasting the bitterness of it2 so1 by the power of his resurrection1 our mortal bodies shall also be raised again to a glorious immortality4 #d4 ,for 7#a71 the foundation of our resurrection is the resurrection of ,jesus ,christ1 as he himself says1 8,because ,i live1 ye shall live also40 ,john #ad3ai4 8,i am the resurrection and the life2 he that believeth in me1 though he were dead1 yet shall he live40 ,john #aa3be4 8,i know that my ,redeemer liveth1 and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth2 and though after my skin worms destroy this body1 yet in my flesh shall ,i see ,god40 ,job #ai3be4 8,for since by man came death1 by man came also the resurrection of the dead4 ,for as in ,adam all die1 even so in ,christ shall all be made alive40 #a ,cor4 #ae3ba1 #bb4 #e4 7#b7 ,this is also founded upon ,god's veracity4 8,thy dead men shall live40 ,isa4 #bf3ai4 8,thus saith the ,lord ,god unto these bones3 ,behold1 ,i will cause breath to enter into you1 and ye shall live4 ,behold1 ,i will open your graves1 and cause you to come up out of your graves1 ,o my people40 ,ezek4 #cg3e1 #ab4 8,and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake1 some to everlasting life1 and some to shame and everlasting contempt40 ,dan4 #ab3b4 8,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,the hour is coming1 and now is1 when the dead shall hear the voice of the ,son of ,god3 and they that hear shall live4 ,the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice1 and shall come forth2 they that have done good1 unto the resurrection of life2 and they that have done evil1 unto the resurrection of damnation40 ,john #e3be1 #bh1 #bi4 8,and ,i saw the dead1 both small and great1 stand before ,god40 ,rev4 #bj3ab4 #f4 7#c7 ,it is also founded upon the omnipotence and glory of ,jesus ,christ4 ,as in the resurrection of ,lazarus1 he was glorified1 when he cried out1 8,lazarus1 come forth0 7,john #aa3dc72 so will he also1 in the last great day1 manifest his power and glory1 by showing himself to be the ,lord of the dead and living4 ,rom4 #ad3i4 8,i will ransom them from the power of the grave2 ,i will redeem them from death2 ,o death1 ,i will be thy plagues2 ,o grave1 ,i will be thy destruction40 ,hosea #ac3ad4 #g4 7#d7 ,the divine justice is also engaged for the confirmation of this truth4 ,as it has received fulfilment in that sentence1 8,thou shalt surely die0 7,gen4 #b3ag72 so also must it be fulfilled in our resurrection after a complete satisfaction for sin4 ,for when sin itself is at an end1 the wages of sin ought to have an end likewise4 ,this is strictly agreeable to the justice of ,god4 #h4 7#e7 ,this is also further confirmed to us by the examples of those who have been already raised from death unto life4 ,such was the case of the widow's son 7#a ,kings #ag3bb72 the ,shunammite's son 7#b ,kings #d3ce-cg72 the dead body that was raised by touching the bones of ,elisha 7#b ,kings #ac3ba72 the daughter of ,jairus 7,matt4 #i3be72 the widow's son at ,nain 7,luke #g3ae72 ,lazarus 7,john #aa3dc72 and ,tabitha 7,acts #i3da74 #i4 7#f7 ,christ hath redeemed both soul and body to everlasting life4 #aj4 7#g7 ,the beautiful parables derived from nature1 as the grain of wheat1 in ,john #ab3bd1 claim attention4 ,the apostle says3 8,thou fool1 that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die10 etc4 #a ,cor4 #ae3cf1 etc4 ,upon this account1 burying-places are1 in the ,german tongue1 called ,god's fields 7,gottesacker74 #aa4 ,a third comfort against the fears of death is1 the fruit of ,christ's resurrection2 that is1 that eternal1 incorruptible1 and immortal state purchased for us by ,jesus ,christ4 ,for as by the transgression of the first ,adam1 all his posterity were made subject to death2 so by the obedience of the second1 all are restored to life and immortality4 ,upon which account it is said1 8,behold1 ,i make all things new40 ,rev4 #ba3e4 ,this renovation consists in an entire freedom from sin1 misery1 and death1 and is a state of righteousness1 joy1 and eternal life4 ,for this cause it is also called ,paradise3 8,in thy presence is fulness of joy2 at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore40 ,ps4 #af3aa4 ,if it be ,paradise1 it follows1 that no grief1 pain1 sorrow1 or sighing3 no hunger1 thirst1 cold1 heat1 or any other evil1 can enter there4 ,these all belong to this transitory life1 but that eternal life is 8an inheritance incorruptible1 and undefiled1 and that fadeth not away20 as we are told by ,st4 ,peter4 7#a ,peter #a3d47 ,this is1 indeed1 the glorious fruit of ,christ's resurrection3 for by ,christ all things are renewed and restored2 corruption is changed into incorruption2 that which was transitory1 into that which is eternal2 our filthiness1 into spotless purity2 our grief1 into joy2 our sorrows1 into triumphs2 our sins1 into righteousness2 the divine anger into mercy2 the curse into blessings2 our poverty into riches2 our diseases into health2 our contempt into honor2 our reproach into glory2 our disquiet into everlasting rest2 our miseries into pleasures2 our death into life4 ,now death is the entrance into this blessed state3 so that temporal death is the gate to everlasting life1 and all these joys4 #ab4 ,the fourth consolation against the fear of death1 is prayer4 ,so we read of the ,son of ,god1 that 8being in an agony1 he prayed more earnestly40 ,luke #bb3dd4 ,and 8in the days of his flesh1 he offered up prayers and supplications1 with strong crying and tears1 unto him that was able to save him from death1 and was heard in that he feared40 ,heb4 #e3g4 ,indeed1 the prayers of dying people are strong and earnest2 they proceed from the bottom of the heart1 ascend through the clouds1 and reach the ears of the ,almighty4 8,the ,lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him1 to all that call upon him in truth40 ,ps4 #ade3ah4 8,i will be with him in trouble2 ,i will deliver him1 and honor him40 ,ps4 #ia3ae4 8,fear thou not1 for ,i am with thee2 ,i will strengthen thee2 yea1 ,i will help thee2 yea1 ,i will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness40 ,isa4 #da3aj4 #ac4 ,the fifth consolation is1 the glorification of our bodies4 8,our conversation is in heaven2 from whence also we look for the ,saviour1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 who shall change our vile body1 that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body1 according to the working1 whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself40 ,phil4 #c3bj1 #ba4 ,what greater glory can we conceive1 than that our bodies shall be1 like the glorified body of ,jesus ,christ8 ,he showed us his glorified body upon ,mount ,tabor 7,matt4 #ag3b2 ,mark #i3b1 #c71 that he might inflame us with a desire of the same glory4 ,oh6 what a glorious temple of ,god shall our body then be6 ,of this1 the royal and priestly garments under the law1 were but a faint shadow and resemblance4 #ad4 ,the sixth is1 the presence of the holy angels1 who carry our departing souls into ,abraham's bosom4 ,our soul enters into the regions of eternal glory1 and joins the society of blessed spirits4 ,this is what is meant by 8,abraham's bosom40 ,luke #af3bb4 ,that rest of the soul consists entirely in a freedom from the fears and terrors of death4 ,so 8,return unto thy rest1 ,o my soul4 ,for the ,lord hath dealt bountifully with thee3 for thou hast delivered my soul from death1 mine eyes from tears1 and my feet from falling4 ,i will walk before the ,lord in the land of the living40 ,ps4 #aaf3g-i4 ,for then the soul1 being delivered from the yoke of the flesh1 will rejoice like a prisoner rescued from long captivity4 #ae4 ,the seventh comfort is1 the eternal duration of our future glory4 8,they shall hunger no more1 neither thirst any more2 neither shall the sun light on them1 or any heat4 ,for the ,lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them1 and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters2 and ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes40 ,rev4 #g3af1 #ag4 8,my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation1 and in sure dwellings1 and in quiet resting-places40 ,isa4 #cb3ah4 ,and 8,i will extend peace to her like a river4 ,and as one whom his mother comforteth1 so will ,i comfort you40 ,isa4 #ff3ab1 #ac4 8,my servants shall eat1 and drink1 and rejoice40 ,isa4 #fe3ac4 ,such eating and drinking1 are to be understood of their exalted pleasure1 arising from their vision of ,god1 8,now we see through a glass darkly2 but then face to face40 #a ,cor4 #ac3ab4 8,we shall see him as he is40 #a ,john #c3b4 8,as for me1 ,i will behold thy face in righteousness3 ,i shall be satisfied1 when ,i awake1 with thy likeness40 ,ps4 #ag3ae4 ,o happy day1 when we shall see ,god face to face6 ,how ardently did holy ,david long for it1 saying1 8,when shall ,i come and appear before ,god80 ,ps4 #db3b4 #af4 ,in short1 the joy of eternal life will consist3 #a4 ,in the beatific vision of the face of ,god4 #b4 ,in the presence of ,christ our ,redeemer1 in all his glory and majesty3 8,father1 ,i will that they also whom thou hast given me1 be with me where ,i am2 that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me40 ,john #ag3bd4 #c4 ,in the most exalted enjoyments of all the gifts1 graces1 and pleasures of the ,holy ,ghost1 8the fountain of life40 ,ps4 #cf3i4 #d4 ,in the society of all the ,elect1 ,patriarchs1 ,prophets1 ,apostles1 and ,martyrs4 8,and the ransomed of the ,lord shall return1 and come to ,zion with songs1 and everlasting joy upon their heads2 they shall obtain joy and gladness1 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away40 ,isa4 #ce3aj4 #ag4 ,,ii4 ,thus much for those consolations that arise from the nature1 offices1 and promises of the blessed ,jesus4 ,i come now to consider those that may be drawn from the consideration of the vanity of the world4 ,of these there are also seven4 #ah4 ,first1 this life1 how great and glorious soever it may appear to some1 is made up of misery and sorrow4 #a ,cor4 #ae3ca4 ,every day steals away a part of our life1 and as our years increase1 our life decreases2 so that every moment of our time is divided betwixt life and death4 ,how many and various diseases are there1 which1 like slow poisons1 waste and consume our bodies6 ,how are we tormented with sorrow1 broken with labors1 and distracted with care6 ,so that the wise man truly pronounced that 8the day of death is better than the day of one's birth40 ,eccles4 #g3a4 8,is there not an appointed time to man upon earth8 ,are not his days also like the days of a hireling8 ,as a servant earnestly desireth the shadow1 and as a hireling looketh for the reward of his work3 so am ,i made to possess months of vanity1 and wearisome nights are appointed to me40 ,job #g3a-c4 8,man that is born of a woman1 is of few days and full of trouble40 ,job #ad3a4 ,but a holy and happy death puts an end to all these miseries4 #ai4 ,secondly1 we are exposed to many and very grievous sins1 from which nothing can deliver us but a happy death4 ,thus ,st4 ,paul complains1 8,i see another law in my members1 warring against the law of my mind1 and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members4 ,o wretched man that ,i am6 who shall deliver me from the body of this death80 ,rom4 #g3bc1 #bd4 ,what is life but a continued course of sin8 ,so that it was a prayer of one of the ancients1 8,lord1 let me die1 that ,i may cease from sin40 ,and if the whole creation is travailing in pain1 and waiting to be delivered from the bondage of corruption1 into the glorious liberty of the children of ,god 7,rom4 #h3ba1 #bb71 how much more ought we to sigh after it8 ,how full the world is of offences and stumbling-blocks1 which we are continually obliged to see and suffer1 whether we will or not6 ,and these offences will so increase in the last days1 that the souls of the righteous shall be vexed like righteous ,lot's in ,sodom4 #b ,pet4 #b3h4 8,i returned1 and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun2 and behold1 the tears of such as were oppressed1 and they had no comforter2 and on the side of their oppressors there was power2 but they had no comforter4 ,wherefore1 ,i praised the dead which are already dead1 more than the living which are yet alive40 ,eccles4 #d3a1 #b4 ,how many pestilent errors in matters of faith2 how many heresies1 superstitions1 false prophets and false ,christs there are1 so that1 if it were possible1 even the elect might be deceived6 ,matt4 #bd3bd4 ,upon this account ,god takes his faithful people out of all these dangers and troubles4 ,how many dreadful mischiefs1 and mournful events1 how many wars1 butcheries1 plagues1 and famines occur6 ,such1 and so great1 are they1 that indeed no ,christian would wish to see or endure them4 #bj4 ,thirdly1 all must die without distinction4 8,death hath passed upon all men1 for that all have sinned40 ,rom4 #e3ab4 ,since so many holy and excellent men1 so many ,patriarchs1 ,prophets1 and so many other righteous men are dead1 who would not willingly follow them8 8,take away my life1 for ,i am not better than my fathers0 7#a ,kings #ai3d71 said the prophet ,elijah4 8,it is appointed unto men once to die1 but after this the judgment40 ,heb4 #i3bg4 8,all flesh is grass1 and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field4 ,the grass withereth1 the flower fadeth2 because the spirit of the ,lord bloweth upon it40 ,isa4 #dj3f1 #g4 8,i am a stranger with thee1 and a sojourner1 as all my fathers were40 ,ps4 #ci3ab4 #ba4 ,fourthly1 no man dies by chance2 but ,god is the ,lord of life1 and he has appointed the bounds of its duration4 8,his days are determined1 the number of his months are with thee40 ,job #ad3e4 8,thou turnest man to destruction2 and sayest1 ,return1 ye children of men40 ,ps4 #ij3c4 8,in thy book all my members were written40 ,ps4 #aci3af4 8,the very hairs of your head are all numbered40 ,matt4 #aj3cj4 8,god is thy life1 and the length of thy days40 ,deut4 #cj3bj4 #bb4 ,fifthly1 8,to die is gain40 ,phil4 #a3ba4 ,we gain more than we lose by dying2 righteousness1 instead of sin2 glory1 for misery2 heavenly riches1 for earthly2 instead of the short-lived friendships and relations of this world1 we gain an eternal fellowship and union with the saints in heaven2 instead of this mortal1 diseased1 and frail body1 we gain a heavenly and glorious one2 we change banishment for our own country2 misery1 for peace2 and this world for heaven4 ,in short1 what is there in this world1 that we cannot have infinitely better in the next8 ,if thou seekest riches1 honors1 or glory2 with friends1 pleasures1 peace1 or enjoyments1 all these thou shalt enjoy in a far higher degree in the next world4 #bc4 ,sixthly1 ,man would be the most miserable creature in the world1 if he were obliged to abide in it forever4 8,if in this life only10 saith ,st4 ,paul1 8we have hope in ,christ1 we are of all men most miserable40 #a ,cor4 #ae3ai4 ,it follows1 therefore1 that we are designed for a better world4 ,so that1 in truth1 it is a very affecting instance of divine mercy to take us out of this valley of tears1 and translate us to a better place4 8,the righteous is taken away from the evil to come4 ,he shall enter into peace2 they shall rest in their beds1 each one walking in his uprightness40 ,isa4 #eg3a1 #b4 8,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord2 yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labors40 ,rev4 #ad3ac4 #bd4 ,seventhly1 since we cannot with these bodily and sinful eyes behold the glory of ,god1 nor enter with these mortal bodies into the 8new heavens and new earth1 wherein dwelleth righteousness0 7#b ,peter #c3ac72 let us cheerfully put off this earthly tabernacle1 that we may be clothed with a heavenly and spiritual body4 #a ,cor4 #ae3dd4 8,flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of ,god2 neither doth corruption inherit incorruption40 #a ,cor4 #ae3ej4 ,great1 therefore1 is the mercy of ,god1 who exchanges these filthy rags for a shining garment1 in which we may celebrate the eternal marriage2 a beautiful1 festive garment1 fit to be worn in the everlasting rest2 a priestly robe1 with which we may enter into the very holy of holies4 ,conclusion ,of ,the ,second ,book4 ,at the close of this ,book1 ,i desire to submit one or two points to the consideration of the ,christian reader4 ,in writing these ,books ,i have had no other object in view than that1 in connection with our pure religion and confession of faith1 as set forth in the ,church of the ,augsburg ,confession1 and repeated in the ,formula of ,concord 7which ,i publicly and sincerely adopt1 and in accordance with which ,i desire these writings of mine to be understood71 purity and holiness of the life might be promoted4 ,for purity of doctrine is of no benefit1 when it is not adorned by a holy life4 ,we ought to guard the purity of doctrine with watchful eyes1 but sustain holiness of life with even greater earnestness4 ,of what advantage are great skill and learning without godliness8 ,it is much better1 in the eyes of ,god1 to train up a devout man1 than to make a learned man of him4 ,there are many who teach the doctrine of ,christ with great zeal1 but there are few who in their practice conform to his life4 ,as to this point the ,christian reader is referred to the ,preface of the ,first ,book1 and to the ,conclusion of the ,fourth ,book4 #b4 ,if any one should allege that ,i have treated too diffusely of the doctrine of ,christian faith1 ,i beg to give the following answer3 ,our evil life is also very extensive--the evils under which we labor are very serious--our redemption is a great work--and our crosses are manifold4 ,but let any one who desires greater brevity1 read the several chapters in the ,first1 ,second1 and ,third ,books1 which treat of ,repentance1 ,faith1 ,love1 ,humility1 ,meekness1 ,patience1 and the ,cross1 and he will find the whole ,christian life described without prolixity4 ,nevertheless1 if thou wilt read the whole work1 thou wilt be abundantly rewarded for the time and labor which thou hast thus expended4 ,,book ,,iii4 ,preface ,to ,the ,third ,book4 ,as there are different degrees of age and maturity in the natural life2 so are there also in the spiritual4 ,this life has its first foundation in sincere repentance1 by which a man sets himself heartily to amend his life4 ,this is succeeded by an increase of light1 when by contemplation1 prayer1 and bearing the cross1 a man is daily improving in grace1 and growing up to perfection4 ,the last and most perfect state is that which consists in firm union1 which is founded in1 and cemented by1 pure love4 ,this is the state which ,st4 ,paul calls the 8perfect man10 and 8the measure of the stature of the fulness of ,christ40 ,eph4 #d3ac4 #b4 ,to explain these three different states1 is the design of these three books2 so that ,i think that 7with my ,book of ,prayer71 the whole body of ,christianity is contained and explained in them1 as far as is essentially necessary2 though1 perhaps1 not so perfectly as might be wished4 ,as for the ,fourth ,book1 ,i thought fit to add it to the rest1 to show how harmoniously the ,holy ,scriptures1 ,jesus ,christ1 human nature1 and the whole creation agree together2 and how all things centre in the one ,eternal1 which is ,god6 #c4 ,that the reader may not mistake the design of this ,third ,book1 ,i would remark that it proposes to instruct him how to seek and find the kingdom of heaven within himself 7,luke #ag3ba72 and that1 in order to this1 he must devote and consecrate his whole heart and soul to ,god2 that is1 not only his understanding1 but his will and affections also4 ,it is a notion too prevalent at this day1 that men are very good ,christians1 if by reading or discourse they have attained to some kind of intellectual knowledge of ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is that which generally passes under the name of ,divinity1 which the generality take to be nothing but a science1 or a set of doctrines or opinions to be learned only in theory1 not regarding the other most noble powers of the soul1 namely1 the will and the affections4 ,but all these must be consecrated to ,god in ,christ2 and when thou hast done this1 thou mayest assure thyself that thou art entirely dedicated to him4 ,for there is a wide difference betwixt the understanding by which we know1 and the will or affections by which we love the ,lord ,jesus4 ,our love may be perfect1 though our knowledge be not so4 ,to know ,christ with our understanding1 and yet not to love him1 is nothing worth2 on the other hand1 it is infinitely better to love him1 than merely to be able to dispute and discourse about him4 ,eph4 #c3ai4 ,let us learn1 therefore1 so to seek ,christ with our understanding1 that we may also love him with the entire strength of our will4 ,by this we may be assured that we know him truly1 if our knowledge be productive of love4 ,otherwise1 we may be said1 indeed1 to find him and know him1 but it will be to our condemnation4 ,so our blessed ,lord tells us1 8,not every one that saith unto me1 ,lord1 ,lord1 shall enter into the kingdom of heaven40 ,matt4 #g3ba4 ,moreover1 there are two ways of obtaining wisdom and knowledge4 ,the one consists in reading and discussion2 the other in prayer and charity4 ,the one makes us learned1 the other holy4 ,and between these there is a great difference4 ,if men be learned1 and not lovers of ,god1 they breathe nothing but pride and arrogance2 but if holy1 they are humble1 and think meanly of themselves4 ,if thou take the first method1 thou wilt never find thy internal treasure2 if thou take the latter1 thou canst not be disappointed4 ,such is the argument of the ,third ,book4 #d4 ,and now1 how glorious1 how noble1 and happy a thing is it1 that our chief and most valuable treasure1 that is1 the kingdom of ,god1 is not to be sought without1 but to be found within us1 that we continually carry it about with us1 hidden from the world1 and that neither the world nor the devil can rob us of it2 and that this is not to be obtained by profound learning1 skill in languages1 or variety of books1 but by a devout and humble spirit4 ,here then let us exercise our greatest care and diligence1 and turn our thoughts inward to that hidden1 celestial1 and eternal good1 that divine1 that incomparable treasure4 ,why do we spend our time and pains in the pursuit of external comforts1 whilst so great a treasure as the kingdom of ,god1 with all its blessings1 lies within us8 ,for in our heart and soul is the true school of the ,holy ,spirit1 the true habitation of the ,holy ,trinity1 the very temple of ,god 7#a ,cor4 #f3ai71 the true house of prayer1 wherein he desires to be worshipped 8in spirit and in truth40 ,john #d3bc1 #bd4 ,for though ,god by his universal presence is in all things1 though not included in them 7,isa4 #ff3a71 but after an incomprehensible manner filling heaven and earth2 yet in a particular and proper sense1 he dwells in the soul of the enlightened ,christian1 taking up his seat and habitation there1 as it were in his own image and similitude4 ,here he operates in a way suitable to himself1 answering and aiding every groan and sigh of the devout soul4 ,for how is it possible that ,he should deny anything to him with whom1 and in whom he lives8 ,in a word1 there is nothing more pleasant and agreeable to divine love1 than to communicate itself to all that unfeignedly seek it4 #e4 ,in order to this1 however1 the soul must be at rest1 which it never can be till disengaged from the world4 ,this even some heathens were sensible of1 and accordingly one of them tells us1 8that the soul is incapable of wisdom till it is composed and at rest40 ,there is a fine passage in ,st4 ,cyprian to this purpose4 8,this10 says he1 8is the true rest and security of the soul1 when the man1 being delivered from the storms and tempests of the world1 raises his heart and eyes unto ,god1 and endeavors to be like him4 ,by this he comes to understand1 that all which the world calls beautiful and valuable1 is truly hidden in his own soul1 so that he neither expects nor desires anything from without4 ,o celestial treasure1 to be delivered from the chains and fetters of this world6 ,o chief and boundless good1 not to be obtained by any labor of ours1 nor by our interest with the great men of this world2 in short1 not to be gained by our industry and study2 but solely and entirely1 by the grace and favor of ,god4 ,for as the light of the sun proceeds from itself1 the day breaks from itself1 the fountain flows from itself1 the rain falls from itself1 and waters the earth2 so the ,holy ,spirit descends freely into that soul1 which has raised itself from the world unto ,god40 #f4 ,these words of ,st4 ,cyprian express a great truth1 and are a sort of epitome of this ,book4 ,in a word1 this turning inwards of the soul1 very often gives us a view of the inward treasure of our souls1 though but for a moment4 ,and one such moment is better than heaven and earth1 and all the creatures4 ,hence ,st4 ,bernard truly observed1 8that he who has once learned to descend into himself1 to seek the face of ,god1 and taste the sweetness of his presence in the inmost recesses of the heart1 will think it more tolerable to suffer even the pains of hell for a season1 than1 after having tasted the sweetness of this divine exercise1 to return again to the pleasures1 or rather1 to the lusts and wearisome gratifications of the world and the flesh1 arising from the insatiable cravings of the inferior appetites40 ,in short1 such a soul not only feels the highest happiness1 by finding in itself the presence of ,god2 but also the deepest misery1 in being deprived of it4 ,by this the true ,christian is fully instructed1 that by dying to the world1 he lives in ,god1 as the fountain of life2 and1 on the other hand1 that the more he lives to the world1 the more he dies unto ,god3 that the soul which is dead to the world1 truly lives unto ,god1 and is his joy1 or1 as the ,song of ,solomon expresses it1 is better than the taste of wine1 or the smell of all spices 7,cant4 #d3aj72 while on the other hand1 the hearts of worldly men are but sour grapes1 as the grapes of ,sodom1 which are as gall1 and their clusters are bitter4 ,deut4 #cb3cb4 ,the soul that is dead to the world1 may be discovered by these tokens4 ,it resigns its own will to the will of ,god in all things2 it suppresses self-love2 it mortifies the desires of the flesh2 it avoids worldly pleasures2 it esteems itself as the meanest of all1 and is not apt to judge or censure a neighbor4 ,such a one refers all his injuries and wrongs to the ,god of righteousness1 to whom vengeance belongeth2 he is not puffed up with the applause of men1 nor grieved by their revilings2 in a word1 he bears everything with patience and without repining4 ,a noble instance of this resigned temper we have in king ,david 7#b ,sam4 #bc3ae-ag71 when he poured out before the ,lord the water of the well of ,bethlehem1 after which he had so earnestly longed1 and which three mighty men of his host had brought for him at the hazard of their lives4 ,this was an action of great self-denial2 for he would not gratify his desires by tasting that for which three men had ventured their lives4 #g4 ,herein consists the true perfection of the ,christian life4 ,for perfection is not1 as some suppose1 a sublime1 spiritual kind of relish for heavenly enjoyments2 but it is the denying our own will1 the contempt of the pleasures and profits of this life1 the acknowledging our own vileness1 constant resignation to the will of ,god1 and unwearied love and unfeigned compassion for our neighbor4 ,in a word1 it is that degree of love1 which1 allowing for human infirmities1 thinks of nothing1 seeks nothing1 desires nothing but ,god4 ,this is that true ,christian virtue1 true liberty1 and true peace1 which consists in overcoming the flesh and fleshly desires1 as will appear in this ,third ,book1 and as thou wilt learn from thine own experience1 if thou wilt apply the truth4 ,for which great end1 ,i pray that divine grace may descend both upon the reader and writer1 that it may please ,god to begin1 strengthen1 and perfect his good work in us1 to the praise and glory of himself4 ,amen4 ,chapter ,i4 ,of ,the ,great ,internal ,treasure ,of ,an ,enlightened ,believer4 ,know ye not that your body is the temple of the ,holy ,ghost which is in you1 which ye have of ,god8 #a ,,cor4 #f3ai4 ,that the hearts of believers are the habitation of the ,holy ,trinity1 is largely attested in ,scripture1 as ,lev4 #bf3aa2 ,isa4 #dd3c2 #eg3ae2 ,joel #b3bg2 ,john #ad3bc2 #ag3bc2 ,rom4 #h3i-aa2 #a ,cor4 #b3aa1 #ab2 #c3af2 #f3ai2 #b ,cor4 #f3af2 ,gal4 #b3bj2 ,ephes4 #c3ag2 #d3bd2 ,col4 #c3aj2 #a ,john #d3ac4 ,but who is there among ,christians that understands1 values1 or inquires after this immense and hidden treasure8 ,i thought it desirable1 therefore1 to explain at large the spiritual and heavenly dignity of the true ,christian1 and to show every one how to seek and find this sublime treasure in himself4 ,the foundation of this doctrine has been already laid down in ,book ,i1 proving how the ,word of ,god1 through faith1 exerts its power in the heart of man4 ,and in ,book ,,ii1 it has been shown how ,god discovers himself to the devout soul1 as the highest love1 goodness1 beauty1 holiness1 and wisdom4 #b4 ,but as this high treasure cannot be worthily perceived or understood1 except in the still and quiet sabbath of the soul1 in which the ,holy ,spirit teaches us inwardly by meditation on the ,word1 in which he enlightens us1 and 8searcheth all things1 yea1 the deep things of ,god0 7#a ,cor4 #b3aj72 upon this account1 we must first of all learn1 how to bring the soul to that quiet state of internal rest4 ,something has been said by way of foundation upon this head1 in the chapters treating of ,prayer1 inserted in ,book ,,ii2 which comes now more fully and perfectly to be handled in this ,third ,book3 namely1 how this hidden treasure1 this pearl in the field of our hearts 7,matt4 #ac3dd1 #de71 is to be sought for by entering into ourselves1 or rather into ,god4 ,and this is the inward sabbath of a heart cleansed and purified by faith 7,acts #ae3i71 and enlightened by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,from this treasure of the ,spirit and kingdom of ,god1 hidden in the believing soul1 sprang the wisdom of all the enlightened1 ,patriarchs1 ,prophets1 ,apostles1 and other men of ,god that have ever existed4 ,this pearl1 then1 is worth looking after1 this field is worth tilling1 and this gift of the ,spirit and divine grace must be stirred up in us2 even as a spark of fire1 which by continual application of breath1 is blown up into a bright flame4 #b ,tim4 #a3f4 #c4 ,but that thou mayest more fully and distinctly apprehend in the commencement of this ,third ,book1 which relates entirely to the inward man1 how the children of ,god are to be drawn from the exterior to the interior man1 or the ground of the heart2 that they may search1 know1 purify1 and change it1 and keep their spiritual eyes fixed upon ,god1 and his kingdom in the inmost recesses of the soul2 that the reader1 ,i say1 may more fully understand this1 ,i shall first of all more generally in this chapter1 and then more particularly1 touch upon and explain the several heads of this doctrine1 referring occasionally to the ,theology of ,dr4 ,john ,tauler1 and quoting him as often as possible in his own words4 ,and here ,i may remark1 that as the ,holy ,scripture1 great and sacred as it is1 regards the heart of man2 so likewise1 the whole divinity of ,tauler aims at the inward man1 the ground of the heart1 and deepest recesses of the soul4 ,hence it is1 that he again and again inculcates1 8that ,god and the kingdom of ,god1 are purely to be enjoyed1 sought for1 and found in the ground of the heart30 that is1 whatsoever the ,holy ,scripture and its true interpretation1 discover outwardly1 all that ought to be really1 spiritually1 and truly felt and experienced in the ground of the soul4 ,this cannot be without a frequent entering into the centre of the heart2 so that the more deeply a man retires from the world1 so much the more closely he is united to ,god2 and the oftener the devout ,christian practises this exercise1 the more clearly will the kingdom of ,god1 and this hidden treasure1 be manifested in his soul4 ,he that does not perceive in himself these fruits of the ,spirit1 or the new man1 will never be one jot more acceptable in the sight of ,god for all his great knowledge and science2 but shall be reckoned among those of whom ,christ says1 that they shall say in the last day1 8,lord1 ,lord1 have we not prophesied in thy name80 ,matt4 #g3ba4 ,for it is not the external appearance1 but the internal reality1 that will avail in the sight of ,god2 not that which consists in the letter1 but that which flows from the ,spirit1 and consists in the ,spirit4 ,this is the true ground of the distinction mentioned in the ,preface1 betwixt one taught by the world1 and him that is taught of ,god2 that is1 betwixt a learned man1 and a holy man4 ,the learned man is instructed outwardly by the letter2 but the holy man by ,god1 inwardly by the ,holy ,ghost1 by the 8anointing0 which teacheth all things4 #a ,john #b3bg4 ,the wisdom of the learned consists in words2 the wisdom of the holy man1 in power4 ,for 8the kingdom of ,god is not in words1 but in power40 #a ,cor4 #d3bj4 #d4 ,but as a general account of this will not be sufficient for the simple and unlearned1 to bring them to this fundamental knowledge of themselves1 ,i shall therefore descend to a more particular explication1 asking them1 at the same time1 to attend to the 8,five ,parts0 of their ,catechism1 and to understand how these are not to remain without them1 but must be within them4 ,first1 therefore1 thou believest that ,god delivered his law upon ,mount ,sinai1 written upon two tables of stone2 and that this law is the will of ,god1 which thou art obliged to obey4 ,you do well to believe this4 ,but this faith profiteth not1 unless ,god himself write his law in your heart 7,jer4 #ca3cc71 and accomplish his will in you4 ,now this can never be effected1 unless1 having now become a ,christian1 you dedicate your whole heart to ,god1 and offer up your will to him1 that ,his will may be fulfilled in you4 ,the royal prophet ,david1 who well knew the dignity and necessity of this divine operation1 employs especially the whole #aaith ,psalm in earnest prayers to ,god1 that he would vouchsafe to guide and govern him according to his law and testimonies1 that so this heavenly work might not by any means be hindered in him4 ,further1 you believe that ,christ is your righteousness1 your life and salvation4 #a ,cor4 #a3cj4 ,you do well to believe this1 8for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid1 which is ,jesus ,christ0 7#a ,cor4 #c3aa73 8,neither is there salvation in any other2 for there is none other name under heaven given among men1 whereby we must be saved40 ,acts #d3ab4 ,yet1 remember that you must have ,christ within you2 that is1 you must lay hold on him inwardly by faith1 and make him1 both as to his ,person and office1 your own4 ,for if ,christ be thine1 it follows that all things which are ,god's are also yours2 and that if he had ten thousand worlds and kingdoms full of righteousness and blessedness1 yet by faith all are thine4 ,for the righteousness of ,christ is greater than all these4 ,so in like manner1 though the guilt of ten thousand worlds lay upon thee1 yet should it not be able to hurt thee4 ,this then is the treasure which thou must have within thee1 as our ,lord tells us1 8,the kingdom of ,god is within you0 7,luke #ag3ba73 that is1 8righteousness1 and peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost40 ,rom4 #ad3ag4--,thou believest that ,christ is the eternal ,word of the ,father2 that he is the true life and light of man4 ,john #a3d4 ,thou believest aright4 ,but then1 thou must take care1 that this ,word speak in thee1 that this light shine in thee1 that this life live in thee4 ,for unless thou hast this inward treasure in thy soul1 and art united to ,christ by a living faith1 everything else shall avail thee nothing4 ,again1 thou thinkest thyself obliged by duty and interest1 to pray to ,god1 to give him thanks1 and to praise his name 7,psalm #ib3a1 #b71 and in this thou judgest right4 ,but take care that ,christ himself pray within thee1 and the ,holy ,spirit groan within thee 7,rom4 #h3bf72 for as he is 8the ,spirit of grace and of supplications0 7,zech4 #ab3aj71 so1 in order to make thy prayers effectual1 it is necessary that he also pray in thy heart1 the temple of spirit and truth4 ,john #d3bc4 ,if this be not done1 thy prayers are all of little avail4--,thou believest that in ,baptism thou receivest remission of sins1 the new birth1 and adoption as a child of ,god4 ,thou believest aright4 ,but unless thou find in thyself the fruit of baptism1 the new birth1 the unction of the ,spirit1 and divine illumination1 thy baptism shall avail thee nothing4--,thou believest1 according to the words of ,st4 ,matthew 7,matt4 #bf3bf71 that in the external ,sacrament of the ,lord's ,supper1 thou receivest the true1 essential body and the blood of ,christ4 ,thou believest aright4 ,but if thou dost not also eat it inwardly and spiritually1 thou wilt not only lose all the benefits of that institution1 but dost also eat and drink condemnation to thyself4 #a ,cor4 #aa3bi4--,thou believest that ,christ was the true ,lamb of ,god offered for us upon the cross4 ,john #a3bi4 ,yet consider3 ,what good can this do thee1 unless the same ,lamb of ,god become the daily food and nourishment of thy inward man8 #a ,cor4 #e3g4 ,it appears1 therefore1 that thy treasure ought to be within thee1 and that unless thou seek it there1 thou shalt never find it4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,true ,faith1 ,and ,converse ,with ,the ,soul1 ,the ,only ,means ,of ,attaining ,to ,this ,inward ,treasure4 ,bring it again to mind1 ,o ye transgressors4--,,isa4 #df3h ,the true way of attaining this divine inward treasure is1 by a true and living faith4 ,though we have already in ,books ,i and ,,ii treated largely of faith1 with all its powers and properties1 how it cleaves unto ,christ1 rests and depends upon him2 yet we must here return to it1 and show of what use and advantage it is1 in the matter before us4 ,the property of a true and living faith is1 to cleave unto ,god with our whole heart2 to put our whole trust in him2 to depend upon him2 to dedicate and resign ourselves entirely to his mercy and goodness2 to be united to ,god2 and to enjoy him in the internal rest of the soul4 ,true faith prefers nothing to ,god2 it makes him the true object of all its desires1 by unfeigned abstraction from all earthly comforts4 ,in a word1 it places its chief1 eternal1 infinite1 and perfect good in ,him alone1 who is the true fountain of all good1 whether in heaven or earth1 in time or eternity1 and all through ,jesus ,christ1 who is 8the author and finisher of our faith40 ,heb4 #ab3b4 ,this is that faith which leads us to our inward treasure1 which is our chief good4 ,of this the ,psalmist was an instance3 he was full of this faith3 8,whom10 says he1 8have ,i in heaven but thee8 and there is none upon earth that ,i desire besides thee40 ,ps4 #gc3be4 ,such was the faith of ,mary1 the sister of ,lazarus1 when she sat at ,jesus' feet1 and heard his word with eagerness4 ,luke #aj3ci4 ,for faith1 as has been observed1 brings the soul into the true sabbath of the heart1 into a state of divine quiet and heavenly rest1 in which ,god delights to manifest himself4 ,therefore the ,lord said to ,martha3 8,martha1 ,martha1 thou art careful and troubled about many things3 but one thing is needful3 and ,mary hath chosen that good part1 which shall not be taken away from her40 ,luke #aj3da1 #db4 ,what is 8that good part0 but ,god in ,jesus ,christ8 ,for by this faith which opens the heart1 in order to receive ,god alone is that better part chosen4 ,by this faith it is1 that the ever-blessed ,trinity enters into the heart1 and takes possession of it4 ,eph4 #c3ag2 ,john #ad3bc4 ,this is 8that good part0 which we ought all to choose2 namely1 eternal life and blessedness4 #b4 ,in this one article is contained the whole sum of the ,christian religion2 it is the fountain of charity and of all virtues4 ,for faith produceth love2 love produceth hope2 hope1 patience2 patience worketh meekness2 meekness1 humility2 humility produceth the fear of ,god2 and the fear of ,god teacheth us to pray to him1 to 8crucify the flesh0 7,gal4 #e3bd71 to deny ourselves1 to hate our own life1 and to despise the world4 ,matt4 #af3bd4 ,upon this account ,st4 ,john calls faith1 8the victory that overcometh the world40 #a ,john #e3d4 ,this was that one thing to which our ,lord directed the attention of the rich young man in the ,gospel 7,luke #ah3ah71 when he asked him1 saying1 8,good ,master1 what shall ,i do to inherit eternal life80 ,when he had commanded him to keep the commandments of ,god1 he answered1 8,all these have ,i kept from my youth up40 ,jesus1 hearing him1 said1 8,yet lackest thou one thing2 sell all that thou hast1 and distribute unto the poor1 and thou shalt have treasure in heaven2 and come follow me40 ,in these words the ,lord directs him to choose that one thing1 that better part1 by faith2 and1 by forsaking himself and his worldly possessions1 to turn to ,god1 the true fountain and centre of his being and happiness4 ,from this one thing proceeds the whole ,christian life1 and all the commandments1 as a stream from its fountain1 not by compulsion or law1 but from love and freedom of the spirit4 8,for it is ,god which worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure0 7,phil4 #b3ac72 neither will he own anything in us as his1 which he himself has not wrought4 ,here1 then1 is no need of laws1 no need of commands or prohibitions4 ,for faith1 by its free motion and spirit1 does everything in us which is necessary to be done3 that is1 it surrenders itself freely and entirely to ,god1 and to the operations of his grace4 ,and this is what the prophet ,isaiah means1 when he invites us to come unto ,god1 to 8buy wine and milk without money and without price40 ,isa4 #ee3a4 #c4 ,faith1 then1 is the means of attaining to this inward treasure1 whilst it keeps a sabbath of rest unto ,god in every soul that is collected into itself4 ,for as the motion of the heavens is therefore the most perfect1 because it terminates in itself1 and returns to its beginning2 so the life of man may then be accounted most excellent and perfect when it returns to its original1 which is ,god4 ,and this a man does1 when he enters deeply into himself1 having collected all the powers of his understanding1 will1 and memory1 and emptied them of the world1 and all the lusts of the flesh2 offering up his soul1 with all its affections1 to ,god1 by the ,holy ,ghost1 and celebrating an eternal sabbath in his presence4 ,then ,god begins to operate in him4 ,he waits for such a frame of spirit1 and rejoices to finish his work within us4 ,for so great is the love of ,god towards us1 so ardent is his affection1 that it is as if his divinity itself could not consist without us2 as if he should himself cease to be1 unless he could discover the abyss of his divinity in us1 and transfuse the overflowing fulness of his essence into us4 ,so that the most acceptable service a man can do unto ,god1 is to keep his heart so quiet and still that ,god may rest and manifest himself in it4 ,all that ,god requires1 in order to accomplish this work in us1 is an humble and quiet spirit4 ,whenever he finds such a habitation1 he dwells there with a high manifestation of his wisdom and power4 ,the eternal wisdom of ,god cannot unite with the wisdom of man2 but when the human soul is entirely submitted to ,god1 then ,god entirely rests in her4 ,but if thou wilt engage thy will1 thy understanding1 memory1 and affections in the service of thy own mind1 then they are no longer proper instruments for the work of ,god4 ,for in every union of two beings as one1 the one must of necessity be active and the other passive4 ,but ,god is an infinite and eternally active power1 an essential pure motion2 perpetually operating in thee1 unless hindered by thee4 ,this may be illustrated by the following similitude3 as the eye cannot fix upon any object1 nor receive any impressions from it1 unless it be free from all other images 7for otherwise one will hinder the other72 so the soul1 with all her powers1 understanding1 will1 and memory1 can receive no impressions or influences from ,god1 if it be not empty of1 and disengaged from1 the world4 ,the ear cannot receive or enjoy the sweetest music1 whilst employed and filled with other sounds3 so neither can the soul receive the divine sweetness whilst it listens to the voice of the world4 ,the more1 therefore1 a soul withdraws itself from the world1 the nearer it approaches to ,god4 ,the more it renounces the pleasures of the flesh1 the nearer it comes to the participation of 8the divine nature40 #b ,pet4 #a3d4 #d4 ,nature cannot admit a vacuum4 ,so if a man will empty himself of the love of the world and himself1 with all his passions and affections for worldly things1 ,god will infallibly fill his soul with divine grace1 love1 wisdom1 and knowledge4 ,but if thou art full of worldly things1 thou canst not at the same time be full of heavenly things4 ,when ,abraham1 at the command of ,god1 went from his own country and kindred1 then was he enlightened from above4 ,gen4 #ab3a2 #ac3a4 ,our carnal affections1 self-love1 self-will1 and self-conceit1 with all our inclinations to the profits and pleasures of the world1 are to us as so many near friends and relations2 and it is hard to flesh and blood to part with them4 ,but how hard soever it be1 this is the first step that conducts to this hidden treasure1 this pearl of great price2 of which our ,lord says1 that the merchant having 8found one pearl of great price1 went and sold all that he had1 and bought it40 ,matt4 #ac3df4 ,this is what the ,lord says3 8,verily1 ,i say unto you1 ,there is no man that hath left house1 or brethren1 or sisters1 or father1 or mother1 or wife1 or children1 or lands1 for my sake1 but shall receive a hundredfold1 and eternal life40 ,mark #aj3bi1 #cj4 ,what are our brethren and sisters but our carnal lusts and corrupt inclinations1 of which we must be emptied1 if we expect to be filled with the fulness of ,god4 ,as the ,virgin ,mary was a pure1 immaculate virgin 7so remaining eternally71 when she conceived our ,lord ,jesus ,christ 7,luke #a3bg72 so must every soul be like a pure1 immaculate virgin2 that is1 be unspotted1 free from all the pollutions of the world1 in order to this spiritual conception of him4 ,a soul thus pure and unspotted is1 8as the king's daughter1 all glorious within0 7,psalm #de3ac72 enriched with hidden treasure4 ,but how can the soul be betrothed to ,god1 that is betrothed to the world8 8,i come10 saith our blessed ,lord1 8to send fire on the earth40 ,luke #ab3di4 ,oh1 that such a fire of divine love would so burn in us as to consume all our dross of worldly affections1 that nothing might live and move in us but the pure and holy love of ,god6 ,he adds1 8,i came not to send peace1 but a sword40 ,luke #ab3ea2 ,matt4 #aj3cd4 ,and would to ,god that the ,holy ,spirit might so mortify and destroy all our carnal concupiscence1 that ,god alone might move and operate in us6 ,but if you will say1 that you are so much taken up with the business of the world1 that you cannot be so collected as you ought1 then set apart some corner of your house1 and some little portion of your time1 either by day or night1 to retire into yourself1 and to pour out your soul to ,god1 in the words of ,st4 ,augustine3 8,lord1 my ,god1 be pleased to enter into covenant with me1 that ,i may die entirely to myself1 and that thou mayest live in me2 let me keep silence in myself1 and do thou speak within me2 let me rest from all things1 that thou mayest operate in me40 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,the ,whole ,treasure ,of ,the ,inner ,man ,depends ,on ,faith1 ,namely1 ,god1 ,christ1 ,the ,holy ,spirit1 ,and ,the ,kingdom ,of ,god4 ,god grant you1 according to the riches of his glory1 to be strengthened with might by his ,spirit in the inner man2 that ,christ may dwell in your hearts by faith2 that ye1 being rooted and grounded in love1 etc4--,,eph4 #c3af1 #ag4 ,a ,christian ought to employ his greatest care and diligence1 in learning the true nature and practice of faith4 ,it is faith that unites us to ,christ1 and admits us into all the blessedness of the kingdom of ,god4 ,upon this account it is called1 8a substance2--the substance of things hoped for40 ,heb4 #aa4 ,for our whole ,christian life consists in a living and operative faith1 not in mere knowledge1 not in a shadow or pretext1 but in a living1 active power4 ,in a word1 it is faith alone that can deliver us from our bondage of corruption and misery1 and bring us into the glorious liberty of the sons of ,god4 ,whence1 at our first admission into the ,christian ,church by holy ,baptism1 through which1 as through a gate1 we enter into the fold of ,christ's sheep1 faith stands at the head4 8,he that believeth and is baptized1 shall be saved40 ,mark #af3af4 ,and ,st4 ,paul says1 8,this is the word of faith which we preach1 that if thou believe in thine heart1 etc41 thou shalt be saved1 etc40 ,rom4 #aj3h-aj4 ,but as the nature of faith may be better known by its properties1 ,i shall briefly speak of eight of them in this chapter4 #b4 ,the first of these is1 spiritual freedom or a release from sin and death1 from the devil1 from hell1 the curse of the law1 the ,mosaic typical ceremonies1 and from all the commands and traditions of men4 ,for as nothing can cause greater agony to the soul1 than to be compelled to bear the fiery darts of ,satan1 and the tyranny of ,antichrist1 by which the conscience is fettered and entangled with traditional precepts of men1 as with cords and chains3 so nothing can give it greater quiet1 peace1 and comfort1 than to be delivered from this servitude of sin1 ,satan1 and human traditions1 into a true freedom and liberty of conscience2 which liberty is nothing but a true and saving faith4 ,for by this faith we apprehend ,jesus ,christ1 and all the treasures of his grace1 particularly reconciliation with ,god1 remission of sins1 the ,holy ,spirit1 and eternal life4 ,he that has this faith cannot be hurt by sin1 death1 the devil1 or the world2 for he has ,christ dwelling in him1 who is his righteousness against sin2 his life against death2 his strength against the devil2 his heaven against hell2 his victory over the world2 his blessing against the curse of all the world2 his blessedness against all the miseries of this world2 his liberty1 from all the vain traditions of men4 ,this our blessed ,lord has briefly summed up in one sentence1 8,if the ,son shall make you free1 ye shall be free indeed40 ,john #h3cf4 ,whence ,christ is all in all unto faith1 and the sum and completion of all our hopes and all our blessedness4 ,so that faith gives quietness to the soul2 peace and plenty to the conscience2 freeing it from all fears and terrors1 and causing the heart to rest joyfully and quietly in ,god4 #c4 ,secondly1 by faith the soul is united to ,christ1 as a bride with her bridegroom--8,i will betroth thee unto me forever2 yea1 ,i will betroth thee unto me in righteousness40 ,hosea #b3ai4 ,the consequence of this espousal1 is a communication of all good things1 yea1 and of the cross itself1 so that all that ,christ has1 belongs to the soul1 and all that the soul has1 belongs to ,christ4 ,now as ,christ has all heavenly and eternal gifts1 such as wisdom1 righteousness1 sanctification1 redemption1 blessedness1 and eternal life 7#a ,cor4 #a3cj73 yea1 is himself all these2 the soul therefore receives them all4 ,and1 on the other hand1 as our soul has nothing but sin1 uncleanness1 calamity1 misery1 sin and death1 ,christ has taken to him all these2 bestowing his good things upon us1 and taking our sins and miseries upon himself4 ,but as the good things of ,christ are eternal and omnipotent1 so they root out1 swallow up1 and destroy all sin1 death1 and misery that are in us4 ,for the eternal and invincible righteousness of ,christ1 is so superior to the power of sin in us1 that it utterly destroys it2 and by this means1 the soul is delivered from its own sins1 and clothed with the righteousness of ,jesus ,christ4 ,isa4 #fa3aj4 ,and surely this is a blessed exchange1 when a man changes sin for righteousness1 death for life1 a curse for a blessing1 and eternal misery for eternal blessedness4 8,there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in ,christ ,jesus0 7,rom4 #h3a72 for their sins are swallowed up in his righteousness4 ,for if1 as ,st4 ,paul says1 8death is swallowed up in victory0 7#a ,cor4 #ae3ed71 it follows that sin also must be swallowed up4 #d4 ,hence1 thirdly1 it follows1 that by faith our souls are assured of everlasting happiness4 8,i am persuaded10 saith ,st4 ,paul1 8that no creature shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god40 ,rom4 #h3ch4 8,behold1 ,i lay in ,zion for a foundation a tried stone2 he that believeth shall not make haste40 ,isa4 #bh3af4 ,and 8,i will make with you an everlasting covenant40 ,isa4 #ee3c4 8,my kindness shall not depart from thee1 neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed1 saith the ,lord1 that hath mercy on thee40 ,isa4 #ed3aj4 #e4 ,hence1 fourthly1 arises the victory of faith over sin1 death1 hell1 and the world4 8,whatsoever is born of ,god1 overcometh the world3--who is he that overcometh the world1 but he that believeth that ,jesus is the ,son of ,god80 #a ,john #e1 #d4 ,in these words1 the original of faith is discovered2 that it proceeds not from the powers of man1 but that it is the work and gift of ,god 7,john #f3bi72 and that regeneration is a divine1 and supernatural work4 ,and as this new birth is in all respects superior to nature1 therefore it cannot be hurt by any assaults from the world2 for though a ,christian be ever so much despised and abused by the world1 yet is he in ,christ a glorious and triumphant conqueror4 8,in all these things we are more than conquerors1 through him that loved us40 ,rom4 #h3cg4 #f4 ,hence also arises1 fifthly1 the glory of faith1 which is twofold3 the one spiritual and hidden2 the other1 future1 visible1 and glorious in the world to come4 ,now faith makes us partakers of both kinds of ,christ's glory4 ,so then1 as the majesty of ,christ consists in his kingdom and high-priesthood2 so also he makes us kings and priests unto ,god2 an honor which1 when ,st4 ,peter speaks of1 he can hardly find words to express4 8,but ye10 says he1 8are a chosen generation1 a royal priesthood1 a holy nation1 a peculiar people40 #a ,peter #b3i4 ,moreover1 the glory of ,christ's kingdom consists in this1 that it is eternal1 and all the blessings and benefits of it are eternal3 eternal grace1 everlasting righteousness1 unfading consolation1 endless life1 joy1 peace1 and blessedness4 ,what good could we expect from a temporal prince8 ,all the world itself1 and all its glories decay and perish2 and there is no trust to be put in princes1 nor in any child of man4 ,but ,christ is our ,eternal ,king2 and all his favors and blessings endure to eternity4 ,the spiritual kingdom1 then1 of a ,christian consists in this1 that by faith he is spiritually exalted above all things2 that nothing can hurt or hinder him1 in the great affair of his salvation4 ,yea1 all things are subject to him1 and work together for his good1 as we are told 7,rom4 #h3bh73 even life and death1 the world1 hell1 and the devil himself4 ,hence it appears how glorious1 how extensive this spiritual dominion of a ,christian is1 since all things1 whether good or evil1 are forced to contribute to his spiritual good1 so soon as he is possessed of ,christ1 and ,christ of him4 ,for the whole treasure and hope of a ,christian is--,christ apprehended by faith2 ,christ is all-sufficient4 ,o the precious liberty of a ,christian6 ,o the mighty power of the inward man6 ,as the liberty1 righteousness1 and blessedness of a ,christian1 as also his slavery1 sin and misery1 are not external things2 so it follows1 that no external thing1 nothing but the mere grace and command of ,god1 can justify1 sanctify1 or glorify a man4 ,what though the body enjoy liberty1 health1 and strength1 and eat and drink well1 will the soul be the better for this8 ,if the body be imprisoned1 sick1 weak1 hungry1 and thirsty1 will the soul be the worse8 ,not at all4 ,these things cannot make the soul either happy or miserable1 whilst she preserves her inward treasure1 and is true to her spiritual liberty4 ,so also in respect of her spiritual priesthood1 the soul is out of danger from anything that may happen without4 ,its sacrifices1 prayers1 and devotions1 are spiritually performed by faith1 without any necessary dependence upon external things2 as time1 place1 food1 garments1 or temples4 ,again1 the soul is not at all the better for any external circumstance2 such as images1 saints' robes1 churches1 external fasts1 oral prayers1 and other outward works4 ,these are not efficacious enough to lead the soul into the paths of righteousness and liberty4 ,all these things a hypocrite may do1 without any benefit to his soul4 ,for there is nothing either in heaven or earth in which the soul can live1 nothing that can bestow upon her righteousness and liberty1 nothing in which she can rest with comfort1 and joy1 but ,,christ alone1 on whom by faith she comfortably and joyfully depends4 ,this is what our ,lord himself tells us1 8,i am the way1 the truth1 and the life40 ,john #ad3f4 ,and1 8,come unto me1 and ye shall find rest unto your souls40 ,matt4 #aa3bh4 ,the soul that is by faith united unto ,christ1 stands in need of nothing 7,john #aj3aa72 for in ,christ she possesses all things3 food1 joy1 peace1 light1 knowledge1 righteousness1 truth1 wisdom1 liberty1 comfort1 blessedness1 life1 answers to prayer1 and all things4 ,so that 8,christ is all1 and in all0 7,col4 #c3aa71 as the ,apostle tells us4 ,and whatsoever external ceremonies we may conform to for the sake of peace1 order1 and uniformity1 we may be satisfied that 8unto the pure1 all things are pure40 ,tit4 #a3ae4 8,now ye are clean through the word which ,i have spoken unto you40 ,john #ae3c4 ,so that nothing can defile the soul1 but unbelief1 and its fruits4 #g4 ,the sixth property of faith is1 that it renews the whole man4 ,it kindles in him the fire of divine love1 and furnishes him with all ,christian graces and works of mercy2 not as if he merited thereby anything from ,god1 but only as it renders the soul grateful to ,him4 8,offer unto ,god thanksgiving1 and pay thy vows unto the ,most ,high40 ,ps4 #ej3ad4 ,so that faith immediately begins a new life in man1 and quickens him through the ,word of ,god3 for all the ,holy ,scripture is contained in faith4 ,as therefore the ,word of ,god is holy1 true1 just1 living1 spiritual1 free1 and full of all good2 so also it makes all those who receive it in faith1 holy1 just1 true1 the children of ,god1 8thoroughly furnished unto all good works40 #b ,tim4 #c3ag4 #h4 ,seventhly1 though true and saving faith triumphs over the world and the devil2 yet is it of such a nature1 that1 in pure love1 it makes itself servant unto all4 ,he who has it1 considers seriously with himself1 that ,jesus ,christ and all the heavenly graces are freely given him by ,god1 so that he stands in need of no worldly thing in the concern of salvation3 and withal1 that 8nothing can separate him from the love of ,god0 7,rom4 #h3ch71 and that nothing in this world can hurt him4 ,when a man1 endued with a lively faith1 considers all this1 he cannot but acknowledge1 that in mere gratitude to ,god1 he is obliged to do for his neighbor1 as ,christ hath done for him4 ,he will say1 8,all my gifts and graces1 my wisdom1 my understanding1 my riches1 my comfort1 are all my neighbor's1 as freely as ,jesus ,christ1 by his infinite mercy1 has bestowed them on me40 #i4 ,the eighth property of faith is1 that it conquers and triumphs over every cross1 yea1 glories in the cross4 ,for we find more comforts in ,christ by faith1 than we leave in forsaking the world for his sake2 more honor1 than the united malice of the world can take from us4 ,in him we meet with so much love1 that we shall not regard the hatred and enmities of men2 such blessings1 that all the curses in the world cannot impair them2 so much joy1 that all the world cannot make us sad4 ,if it were possible for us to be slain and murdered ten thousand times over1 yet ,christ remains1 and will forever continue to be our ,lord1 and our everlasting ,life1 infinitely to be preferred before this short and fleeting life4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,the ,believing ,soul ,seeks ,god ,internally1 ,in ,itself2 ,its ,beauty ,and ,blessedness ,when ,it ,is ,united ,with ,god4 ,i have declared unto them thy name1 and will declare it2 that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them1 and ,i in them4--,,john #ag3bf4 ,there are two ways of seeking after ,god1 the one external1 and the other internal4 ,the first is the active way1 when man seeks after ,god2 the second is the passive1 when ,god seeks after man4 ,in the outward way1 we seek ,god by various exercises of a ,christian life2 as fasting1 prayer1 retirement1 meekness1 accordingly as we are moved by ,god1 or led by devout people4 ,in the inward1 we enter into the ground of our hearts1 attending upon the revelation of the kingdom of ,god which is within us4 ,luke #ag3ba4 ,for if the kingdom of ,god be in us1 then ,god himself is in us1 and more intimately united to the soul than she is to herself3 and such a treasure as this within us1 ought carefully to be attended to4 ,the soul that desires to enter into this inward way1 must entirely resign and submit itself to all the dispensations of ,providence1 both inward and outward2 must perfectly rest in ,god1 and be content to be1 as ,god shall appoint1 poor or rich1 cheerful or sad1 peaceful or joyless4 ,for thus the soul is cleansed from all created images that may crowd into it from without2 and when thus stripped of all rational1 sensible1 and created things1 and everything which is not ,god1 she comes at last into her own ground and centre1 and there with a pure eye discovers the essential light and presence of ,god4 ,but before this treasure can be obtained1 everything else must be forsaken4 ,blessed and truly happy are they that find it3 for being entirely divested of all worldly affections1 they live in a constant union with ,god4 #b4 ,and now1 if a man could with his bodily eyes take a view of such a soul as this1 he would see the most beautiful creature in the world1 shining forth in all the transcendent beauties of holiness2 for such a soul is united to ,god1 and by consequence is a partaker of ,his glory1 not by nature1 but by grace4 ,it desires nothing either in time or eternity but ,god alone1 seeking nothing for its own sake1 either spiritually or naturally4 ,on the other hand1 could we but see with our bodily eyes a soul sunk in the love of itself and the creatures1 wholly polluted with the lust of the flesh1 the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life2 and all its corrupt thoughts and imaginations externally figured by visible characters and impressions2 neither earth nor hell could furnish a more dreadful monster than this4 ,but in the last great day1 when the hearts and consciences of all men shall be laid open 7#a ,cor4 #d3e71 and the inward eye shall be unclosed1 so that every one shall have a full view of himself1 then shall such an impure soul see its secret abominations1 and find in itself an eternal source of sorrow1 misery1 and torment4 ,on the other hand1 the pure and divine soul shall forever contemplate in itself the presence and kingdom of ,god1 whom it shall forever see as ,he is1 and by virtue of its union with him1 possess and enjoy him as its own forever4 ,he that rightly considers this union of the soul with ,god1 shall experimentally understand that expression of ,st4 ,paul1 that 8neither height nor depth can separate us from the love of ,god40 ,rom4 #h3ci4 ,for if it were possible that such a soul should be in hell1 yet could it not be separated from the presence and kingdom of ,god1 to which it is most intimately united4 ,on the other hand1 should a damned spirit1 or the devil himself1 be admitted into ,paradise and heaven1 yet could they not be exempt from the torments of hell1 which they continually carry about in themselves4 ,chapter ,v4 ,showing ,how ,a ,man ,may ,be ,drawn ,to ,god2 ,also1 ,wherein ,spiritual ,poverty ,consists2 ,and1 ,what ,the ,degrees ,of ,humility ,are4 ,he that humbleth himself shall be exalted4--,,luke #ah3ad4 ,many are the means which men make use of to come to a union with ,god2 such as reading1 and other external exercises of religion4 ,but in truth1 next to that true1 living faith which purifies the soul from the love of the creatures 7as has already been shown1 and will be further explained below1 chap4 ix71 there is no better or easier method than that of true humility4 ,this1 however1 does not consist in words1 or in any external behavior2 but is seated in the bottom of the soul1 so that the man upon all accounts1 both natural and spiritual1 reckons and esteems himself as nothing2 and being thus truly poor in spirit 7,matt4 #e3c71 he values neither wealth nor honor1 body nor soul1 peace nor joy1 nor anything in the world1 in comparison with his duty and the glory of ,god4 ,yea1 should it please ,god to inflict even the agony of hell upon him1 he would acknowledge that he deserved it2 and he would most cheerfully and contentedly submit1 esteeming the will of ,god as the only measure and standard of his duty and happiness1 and continuing to offer praise4 ,this is that true poverty of spirit which disposes a man cheerfully to part with1 or submit to1 anything1 according to the will of ,god2 after the example of our blessed ,saviour1 who not only did1 but also suffered the will of his ,father 7,matt4 #bf3ci71 and voluntarily chose the accursed death of the cross1 and therefore was highly exalted by ,god4 ,phil4 #b3i4 ,whosoever has this humility1 is truly poor in spirit2 and though he possessed the greatest temporal riches1 yet would they be no hindrance to his union with ,god4 ,this is that 8poor man0 of whom the ,psalmist speaks3 8,this poor man cried1 and the ,lord heard him40 ,ps4 #cd3f4 ,and if we could suppose such a one to be at ever so great a distance from ,god1 yet would the most merciful ,father1 out of his abundant mercy and goodness1 infallibly draw him to himself4 ,for the fulness of divine grace chooses to discover itself in the depth of human misery1 and can no more forsake it1 than a tender father could leave his beloved son under the agonies of a dangerous sickness4 ,of this we have an instance in the woman of ,canaan1 who1 looking upon herself as no more worthy than a dog1 immediately obtained help of ,jesus4 ,matt4 #ae3bg1 #bh4 ,for no man ever yet came to the fountain of living truth1 but by the way of humility and poverty of spirit1 arising from a knowledge of his utter unworthiness4 ,he that understands this1 will never think contempt1 reproaches1 poverty1 or the cross1 either bitter or irksome to him4 ,yea1 rather with the holy apostles1 he rejoices that ,god has thought him worthy to suffer shame for ,his name 7,acts #e3da71 so that ,god in his glory may enter into his soul in his misery4 ,hence the truest and safest way of coming to a union with ,god1 is that of deep humility and true poverty of spirit4 #b4 ,there are six steps or degrees of humility1 by which we may arrive at the perfection of spiritual joy and peace4 ,the first step is1 that a man reckon himself as inferior to all men1 and have no desire for the honor and esteem of men4 ,the second is1 to despise and judge no man1 but have a constant eye upon himself4 ,the third is1 to refuse and avoid honors that are offered2 and if they cannot be avoided1 to receive them with regret4 ,the fourth1 to bear reproaches with joy4 ,the fifth1 to converse willingly with men of inferior condition1 and be so far from thinking ourselves better than they1 as rather to think ourselves the most miserable of all men1 and the chief of sinners4 ,the sixth is1 to submit readily and cheerfully1 not only to our superiors1 but even to the least and meanest4 ,by these steps we ascend to the last and highest of all1 where is the throne of peace4 8,the way is humble10 says ,augustine1 8but the country to which it leadeth is on high40 ,king ,solomon's throne had six steps conducting to it 7#a ,kings #aj3 #ai72 on the top ,solomon 7that is1 ,peaceable1 #a ,chron4 #bb3i7 sat enthroned4 ,so when we have ascended the six steps1 we shall find the heavenly ,prince of ,peace--true peace of heart4 ,there is no coming to the exalted felicity of the kingdom of ,god1 but by the low valley of humility and self-denial4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,the ,seat ,of ,god ,in ,the ,soul4 ,whither is thy beloved gone1 ,o thou fairest among women8--,,cant4 #f3a4 ,though our 8beloved0 is always with us1 yet he never discovers himself but when the heart is quiet and composed1 and all the senses are collected in ,god4 ,when nothing earthly appears in the understanding1 but all its animal and worldly wisdom is swallowed up in faith2 then the divine light arises1 darting light and glory through the benighted soul4 ,this is that darkness which is the habitation of ,god2 that night1 in which the will rests in union with the will of ,god2 and in which the memory forgets all the impressions of the creatures4 ,then1 in a moment1 the divine light strikes the understanding1 heavenly desires inflame the will1 and eternal joys possess and fill the memory2 yet neither the understanding1 the will1 nor the memory1 can comprehend or retain the transcendent joys with which they are visited of ,god4 ,for this perception is not lodged in the faculties of the soul1 but lies hid in the very centre of it4 ,yea1 it may sometimes be awakened through the ,word1 and break forth in words1 so that we may cry out with ,st4 ,augustine's mother ,monica1 8,let us fly away1 let us fly away to the eternal joy40 #b4 ,from this fountain spring all the unutterable groanings of holy souls4 ,this was the sweetness that ,st4 ,paul tasted1 when he uttered these words1 8,i am persuaded1 that neither death1 nor life1 nor any other creature1 shall be able to separate us from the love of ,god0 7,rom4 #h3ch73 meaning that love of ,god to us1 which he had tasted in his own soul4 ,thus ,st4 ,augustine witnesses of himself1 8that he sometimes felt such exalted joy in his inward soul1 that if it were but lasting1 it could be nothing else but eternal life40 ,this is that divine pleasure which would fill our souls1 and draw them to itself3 and by these foretastes we know what eternal life is2 that it is a state in which our souls shall be fully satisfied with heavenly joy and sweetness4 ,hence the devout soul says1 8,i am sick of love40 ,cant4 #e3h4 ,that is3 8,this is the height of my wishes1 this is what ,i long and sigh after3 that ,i may find my beloved1 and be satisfied with his love1 and recover my heavenly nobility1 which consists in union with ,christ2 that ,i may nevermore delight in any worldly or transitory things1 much less in sins1 or sinful pleasures40 #c4 ,this nobility of the soul is but little known to the men of this world1 even those that are accounted wise and learned3 and they that have written volumes about the soul and its faculties1 have never come to the fundamental point4 ,for ,christ is the true strength of the soul1 its understanding1 will1 and memory2 that is1 light in its understanding2 pleasure in its will2 and joy in its memory4 ,so ,christ is the true sanctification1 glory1 and ornament of the soul2 so that a man1 for the love of ,christ1 which he experiences in himself1 does not desire to sin4 ,thus we are told1 8,whoso abideth in him1 sinneth not4 ,whosoever is born of ,god doth not commit sin2 for his seed remaineth in him1 and he cannot sin40 #a ,john #c3f1 #i4 ,yea1 from this love of ,christ arises often joy so great as to make crosses and afflictions not only tolerable1 but even desirable for ,christ's sake 7,acts #e3da72 so that the cross is turned into joy1 which is continually springing up from its eternal fountain in the centre of the soul4 ,there ,god has sanctified a place for himself1 and made it so peculiarly his own1 that neither angel1 nor man1 nor any other creature1 can enter there4 ,here it is that ,god delights to dwell1 and he suffers no other being to dwell with him4 ,god's delight is to dwell in a pure soul4 ,so he tells us1 8,my delights are with the sons of men40 ,prov4 #h3ca4 ,but what this happiness is1 or how great this delight is1 no man knows but he who has experienced it2 nor can even he explain it fully in words4 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,of ,the ,dignity ,of ,the ,soul2 ,of ,true ,repentance2 ,and1 ,of ,divine ,mercy4 ,my house is the house of prayer4--,,luke #ai3df2 ,,matt4 #ba3ac2 ,,isa4 #ef3g4 ,the dignity of the soul consists in this1 that it is the habitation and temple of ,god1 in which he takes more delight than in the whole compass of heaven and earth4 ,so the believing soul has more of the divine presence than heaven1 than all the temples made with hands1 yea1 than all the creatures in the world4 ,for ,god communicates his whole treasures of love to such a soul2 he rejoices and delights in it2 yea1 through all creatures he seeks to make the soul of man happy and glorious4 ,wherefore1 as ,god shows so much love1 and takes so much pleasure in the soul of man1 he may more properly be said to dwell in it than in any material buildings1 yea1 than in heaven itself4 ,here he displays all the wonders of his providence and love2 yea1 for this very end has he created it with nobler faculties than he has given to the rest of his creatures1 that it might be capable of these exalted communications of the divine grace4 ,and if ,god should bestow upon the soul anything less than himself1 she would reject it as being too little4 ,now ,st4 ,paul tells us1 8,god hath chosen us in ,christ before the foundation of the world40 ,eph4 #a3d4 ,let this then be our labor1 this our highest endeavor1 to be really what we have been from the beginning of the world4 ,and as the soul ought to be the spouse of the ,son of ,god1 it follows that it is beloved by ,god above other creatures4 ,it was this love that brought the blessed ,jesus down from heaven to be united to the beloved soul which the ,father had betrothed to him from all eternity1 and to bring it back to the great original from which it at first proceeded4 #b4 ,now as ,god has discovered this transcendent love to the soul1 it follows that the soul ought to rest in ,god alone1 and not to waste its love on any creature1 at which it knows that ,god will be offended4 ,so great is the loveliness1 so great the beauty that is in ,god1 that if the soul could take ever so remote1 ever so obscure a view of it1 she would not be separated from him to gain the whole world4 ,the soul1 then1 which is so beloved of ,god1 should be ashamed to fix its love upon any creature which is offensive to ,god4 ,she ought to be heartily ashamed and afflicted if she has not preferred ,god before all creatures1 proposed his glory in all things1 and loved him above all things2 this is the true contrition which is acceptable to ,god4 ,the whole creation naturally loves ,god more than itself1 and spends itself in the execution of his commands2 but the miserable sinner loves himself better than his ,god4 ,if thy sorrow1 therefore1 proceed merely from a sense of thy own loss1 and not of thy sins and offences against ,god1 thy contrition is not true1 thy sorrow is not acceptable before ,god4 ,though there were no heaven to reward thee1 nor hell to punish thee1 yet thou oughtest to be grieved that thou hast offended and provoked thy ,god4 ,for the love of ,god is very heaven1 and his anger is hell4 ,but if thou hast in thy heart that contrition which is here described1 and true faith in ,christ1 thy sins shall freely be forgiven thee4 ,for it is more agreeable to him to forgive sins1 than to punish them3 not to mention1 that as he is our ,father1 and we are his children1 he is obliged in justice to show mercy to us4 ,for if he be our ,father1 it follows that he has a fatherly affection towards us1 which will upon all occasions rejoice and triumph against the severity of his justice4 ,to this fatherly affection of ,god1 let us perfectly resign ourselves4 ,whosoever rests in this1 will be well pleased both with the justice and the mercy of ,god4 ,for he that truly loves ,god1 will bear patiently all the determinations of ,his will1 either towards himself or towards any other creature4 ,let his will be thine2 remember the saying of one of old3 8,i would rather be in hell with ,god1 than in heaven without him40 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,the ,calling ,of ,god ,is ,earnest ,and ,sincere1 ,and ,directs ,us ,to ,come ,to ,him4 ,he shall call to the heavens from above1 and to the earth1 that he may judge his people4--,,ps4 #ej3d4 ,he hath called us with a holy calling4--#b ,,tim4 #a3i4 ,god1 our heavenly ,father1 by all the methods and arguments of love1 is continually calling and drawing us to himself4 ,so great is his love towards us1 that it is as if his own essence and blessedness were affected by our wandering from him4 ,hence1 all his works of creation1 both in heaven and earth1 all the wonders of his providence1 tend to this one great end1 namely1 to recall and bring back fallen man to himself4 ,all his words and all his actions1 call to the soul to return to the love of ,god from which it fell1 by hearkening to the tempting insinuations of ,satan4 #b4 ,god invites us to believe in his ,son1 and to follow the steps of his meekness and patience1 and by this means1 to be reunited to himself1 our chief ,good4 ,for as when ,god called to ,elijah1 and the fire passed by1 and the strong wind that rent the mountains2 yet ,god was not in them1 but came at last in the still small voice 7#a ,kings #ai3aa1 #ab72 so at this day he descends and manifests himself in humble1 quiet1 and peaceable souls4 ,and as ,ahasuerus sustained ,esther when she fell down at his feet1 for fear of his majesty 7,esther #e3b2 #h3c1 #d72 so ,god comforts and supports the humble man1 who has a true sense of his own nothingness1 and trusts not in his own strength4 ,and were not ,god to support him with the everlasting arm of his omnipotence1 he would sink under the apprehensions of his own unworthiness4 ,such a man is so humbled in his own eyes1 that he would seem to sink below the vilest of all creatures4 ,but no sooner does the mighty ,king of heaven cast a look upon such an humble soul1 but it is strengthened and refreshed with the divine consolation4 ,this is the consequence of true humility1 when deeply rooted in the soul2 the lower the soul sinks in its own esteem1 the higher it rises in the sight of ,god4 ,if to this there be added1 external contempt and reproaches1 they sink the soul yet more deeply into self-abasement1 and by consequence bring her so much the nearer to ,god4 ,this is the soil most fit to produce that peace of spirit 8which passeth all understanding40 ,phil4 #d3g4 ,this is the fruit of trials1 injuries1 and afflictions4 ,by these ,god prepares and purifies thee for himself1 that at length thou mayest return to him1 and he return to thee1 and dwell in thee4 ,and this consummation is not to be obtained by fine words and airy speculations1 but by manifold afflictions4 ,it is not talking or thinking of humility1 that makes a man humble2 but bearing the cross with patience2 without which thou hast only the appearance1 and not the reality of virtue4 ,upon this account the man that treats thee with reproach and contempt1 ought to be regarded as in truth thy benefactor4 ,for these two virtues1 meekness and patience1 are not to be gained except by various conflicts and severe trials1 which are very great and grievous to human nature4 ,for how canst thou exercise these virtues1 unless in the time of suffering8 ,meekness regards the ground of the soul1 which is best tried in the hour of adversity4 ,and patience respects the inner man1 who is to go out with ,christ1 bearing his reproach4 ,heb4 #ac3ac4 ,and thus the man is conformed to the most holy and innocent life of ,christ2 and ,christ1 with his death and passion1 lives and governs in him4 #c4 ,there is also another1 namely1 an inward calling of ,god3 when he kindles in the devout soul the fire of his love4 ,by this means he conveys himself to the soul1 for he himself is love4 ,for it is as impossible to possess ,god without a true perception of his love1 as for a man to live without a soul4 ,for that ,christ doth 8dwell in our hearts by faith0 7,ephes4 #c3ag71 is only to be discovered by love ruling in us4 #a ,john #d3af4 ,and this divine love cannot rest in our hearts1 until they are emptied of the love of the world 7#a ,john #b3ae71 and entirely and absolutely fixed upon ,god4 ,it will be1 therefore1 a very useful exercise for a man often to examine his own heart1 and see what is uppermost in his affections1 ,god1 or himself1 or any creature3 whether he loves life or death3 what it is that principally engages his affections1 and engrosses his thoughts4 ,if upon inquiry thou findest thy heart set upon anything but ,god1 that thou hast any affection that does not ultimately centre and terminate in him1 then ,god cannot enter into thy soul1 though thou shed as many tears as there are drops in the ocean1 and thou must abide forever without him4 ,unhappy mortals1 what are you doing8 ,why do you suffer a deceitful world to impose upon you by the love of the creatures1 and insinuate itself into the centre of your souls1 which ,god requires to be consecrated to his own use8 ,it was for this end that we came into the world1 that by mortification of our own will1 and contempt of the world and creatures1 we should return to ,god1 and be reconciled to him2 so that as the body is to return to the earth again1 the spirit should also return to ,god that gave it4 ,eccl4 #ab3g4 ,if thou returnest not in this life1 thou art undone to all eternity4 ,by that in which thou hast placed thy joy and thy delight here1 shalt thou be judged hereafter4 ,let then this conviction be deeply fixed in thy heart3 ,whensoever thy heart is emptied of the world and the creatures1 it shall forthwith be filled with all the fulness of ,god2 yea1 assure thyself1 that were it necessary to leave heaven and earth1 ,god would certainly do it1 in order to take possession of a soul thus emptied of the world1 and prepared to receive him4 ,on the other hand1 if thou be full of the world1 ,god cannot enter4 ,the more delight any man takes in the creatures1 the farther is he removed from ,god4 ,how lamentable a case this is1 ,i need not stay to explain4 ,this then is a certain conclusion1 that not through worldly joys and pleasures1 but through many tribulations1 we must enter into the kingdom of heaven4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,the ,purifying ,influence ,of ,true ,faith4 ,god purifies their hearts by faith4--,,acts #ae3i4 ,the property of true faith1 is to purify the heart from the world1 and all earthly1 vain1 and perishing desires2 in a word1 from all things in which corrupt nature delights itself1 whether riches1 honors1 or pleasures4 ,faith fixes its eye upon those things only1 that are invisible and eternal2 and when all impediments are removed1 a union quickly follows2 and there can be no union of things1 except they be alike4 ,god is pure action1 and wheresoever he finds a soul empty of the world1 there he delights to operate1 and manifest himself1 as the spring of life and comfort to the afflicted longing soul4 ,therefore the usual language of ,christ in the ,gospel to the sick1 whom he healed1 was1 8,thy faith hath made thee whole40 ,matt4 #i3bb2 #ae3bh4 ,his meaning was not1 that this was the effect of the mere act of faith2 but that faith had so cleansed1 purified1 and humbled the soul1 that it was now fit for the more exalted manifestations of the divine power and presence4 ,hence1 when our blessed ,lord could find no souls so qualified in ,nazareth1 he could do no mighty works there4 ,mark #f3e4 ,for where the creature is1 ,god cannot enter2 one hinders the other4 ,no man can more heartily desire the assistance of ,god1 than ,he desires to communicate it to a devout and well-disposed soul4 ,for as ,god fills such a soul with his light1 consolation1 and gracious presence2 so the longing soul rises as naturally towards ,god1 as the fire burns4 ,when ,god has once taken possession of such a habitation1 he operates in it all the wonders of his grace1 in which he rejoices as once he did in our ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 because in him he accomplished his own will1 without any impediment4 ,for no work or action can please him1 which does not begin and end in him4 ,and as ,god delights thus to operate in man1 so he continually waits to see when we are fit to receive him2 being more ready to give1 than we are either to ask or to receive4 ,take heed1 therefore1 that thou neglect not the present opportunity4 ,for after this life is over1 we shall all receive according to our works1 and according to the principle of love that ruled in our hearts1 whether it be good or bad1 ,god or the creature4 ,and this is so certain1 that should all the saints of ,god intercede with tears of blood for any one man1 it would be lost labor4 ,for that which has possessed thy heart1 and engrossed thy affections here1 shall be thy lot and portion to eternity4 #b4 ,and as true faith purifies the heart from worldly love2 so it does also from inordinate affections1 as anger and impatience2 planting meekness and patience in respect to our neighbor in their stead4 ,for ,god works nothing in the souls of believers1 but that which is agreeable to his own nature4 ,now what is ,he1 but mere love1 patience1 and gentleness itself1 as he has manifested himself in our blessed ,lord ,jesus ,christ8 ,as then the love of ,god overflows towards all men1 having mercy upon all2 so it produces the same love in every ,christian soul1 a love free and universal2 making no difference either of friend or foe1 but being equally united to ,god1 and to the whole race of mankind4 ,moreover1 this love rejoices in all the good things that ,god bestows upon man1 and is pleased with that variety of gifts which are bestowed upon the several members of ,christ's body2 to each of which it pays a proper and proportionable respect4 ,for as there is a mutual agreement between the several members of the natural body1 in which the more ignoble parts1 as the hands and feet1 serve the more noble1 as the head1 the eyes1 and the heart2 so ought there to be the same agreement between the members of the spiritual body of ,christ4 ,wherefore1 if we meet with any member of ,christ1 who is more worthy than ourselves1 we ought proportionably to love and esteem him more than ourselves4 ,and the greater the portion of divine grace and favor which he has received from ,jesus ,christ1 our supreme ,head1 is1 the greater respect and love we ought to pay him4 ,for this good is common to all1 as being derived from our universal ,head1 ,christ ,jesus4 ,but we cannot enjoy it without charity1 which makes all our neighbor's blessing our own2 and whatsoever we love in ,god1 and for his sake1 considered as a universal good1 is properly ours4 ,and as by charity1 all our neighbor's blessings are made our own1 therefore1 how many1 or how great favors soever ,god bestows upon a good man1 they are no less mine than his1 if ,i love them as the gifts of ,god1 and for ,his sake4 ,yea1 if any man receive the blessings of ,god with fear and humility1 not being exalted with pride and arrogance2 and if ,i can behold them in him1 and love them for ,god's sake1 and as proceeding from ,him1 they are as properly mine as his4 ,this is the way by which we become spiritually rich in ,god1 and are made partakers of all the blessings of heaven and earth2 yea1 and of all the happiness that is laid up in store for the children of ,god1 by the mediation of our spiritual ,head1 ,christ ,jesus4 ,so deep1 so close is this union1 that ,i am actually and properly possessed of all the blessings which our head ,christ ,jesus has diffused through all his members1 whether men1 or angels1 in heaven and earth4 ,and the effect of this inward love is patience1 by which a man readily and willingly takes up his cross1 as a preparation for very exalted gifts of ,god4 ,for no cross comes without its special grace4 ,this made one of the holy men of old exclaim3 8,hail1 bitter cross1 full of grace and glory40 ,and ,st4 ,peter says3 8,this is thankworthy1 if a man for conscience toward ,god endure grief40 #a ,pet4 #b3ai4 #c4 ,and they1 who from love to the cross of ,christ1 willingly bear their own1 are thereby made partakers of an eminent pleasure and of peace of mind4 ,he1 then1 that labors under any cross1 external or internal1 and yet1 although his heart may bleed1 without complaining bears it patiently1 for the sake of his suffering ,redeemer1 may rest assured1 that his sufferings shall end in glory1 and his sorrow shall be turned into joy4 ,the divine consolations are ever at hand to the resigned and patient soul2 which peace is that inestimable pearl1 the riches of the inward man1 which no man can explain or comprehend but he that has it4 ,in a word1 this is that 8peace which passeth all understanding10 of which ,st4 ,paul speaks in ,phil4 #d3g4 ,chapter ,x4 ,showing ,how ,the ,natural ,light ,in ,us ,must ,disappear1 ,and ,the ,light ,of ,grace ,shine ,forth4 ,god1 who commanded the light to shine out of darkness1 hath shined in our hearts4--#b ,,cor4 #d3f4 ,whosoever would have a just notion of the light of nature1 and the light of grace1 must nicely distinguish between the faculties of the soul2 that is to say1 the reason1 the will1 and the senses1 and the pure essence of the soul4 7,see below1 ,chap4 ,,xxi47 ,the light of nature resides in the reason1 will1 and senses4 ,these faculties1 as long as they keep the soul in subjection to them1 hinder the divine light of grace from displaying itself in the pure essence of the soul2 so that before this can rise1 the other must set4 ,for the light of grace is above all sense and reason2 yea1 is hindered by them4 ,thou seest1 then1 how little the natural man can do in divine things--even nothing at all4 #b4 ,let us now consider how the light of grace generally arises in the soul4 ,god has the word of grace1 which he has commanded to be preached1 and by which he operates2 and this word is spirit and life4 ,john #f3fc4 ,and though ,god by his power and providence is everywhere present1 yet his proper habitation1 in which he peculiarly operates and kindles his divine light1 is the soul of man4 ,so that the divine light in the soul proceeds not from the senses1 nor from reason1 nor any natural faculty2 but merely and entirely from the operation of divine grace in the soul4 ,and this is the eternal fountain of comfort1 peace1 truth1 wisdom1 and life1 the chief and everlasting happiness of the soul4 ,thus the only happiness of the soul is its union with ,god1 and the operation of his grace3 and of this1 no creature that has not the image of ,god1 can partake4 ,for nothing but ,god's own image is capable of his light1 his grace1 and his wisdom4 #c4 ,by this light the soul truly recovers its spiritual strength2 that is1 understanding1 wisdom1 and knowledge in the hidden mysteries of ,god4 ,hereby also is produced in the soul such a high relish of divine love1 so sweet and pleasant1 that she has1 as it were1 an aversion and dislike of everything that is not divine4 ,hence arise holy desires after goodness1 flowing from that inward spring in the soul1 without the concurrence of any creature4 ,the creatures indeed can excite in us admiration and joy1 but all by external images and impressions2 so that we ought carefully to distinguish between these different motions4 ,the light of grace affects the very centre of the soul1 beyond the comprehension of sense or reason4 ,so then1 the more thou art purified from1 and emptied of1 the creatures1 the more frequently and plenteously shalt thou be refreshed with the visits of divine light and truth4 ,now from this light arises the knowledge of truth1 from which1 so soon as a man turns himself1 he falls into error4 ,for the region of truth is not without the soul1 but within it2 and from this light1 are darted sometimes such flashes and streams of wisdom as show a man more in an instant than all the men in the world could teach him4 ,yea1 the perception of this light but for a moment1 will give the attentive soul more joy1 comfort1 and happiness than all the creatures in the world can afford4 ,and this is transacted in the inmost recesses of the soul4 ,this is the fountain at which the royal prophet ,david drank1 as he tells us3 8,thou1 through thy commandments1 hast made me wiser than mine enemies2 for they are ever with me4 ,i have more understanding than all my teachers2 for thy testimonies are my meditation4 ,i understand more than the ancients1 because ,i keep thy precepts4 ,i have refrained my feet from every evil way1 that ,i might keep thy word40 ,ps4 #aai3ih-aja4 ,thus speaks ,david1 who1 through that whole ,psalm1 makes it his prayer and request to ,god that he would let the divine light shine1 and the divine ,word speak1 within him2 that so1 by the fear of ,god1 and the diligent keeping of his commandments1 he might securely preserve this great internal treasure4 ,upon which account he says that 8the law of ,god was better unto him than thousands of gold and silver40 ,ps4 #aai3gb4 ,in short1 the soul that is sensible of the value and sweetness of this inward and heavenly treasure1 can have no relish or esteem for the pomps and pleasures of this world2 but will say with ,solomon1 8,vanity of vanities2 all is vanity40 ,eccles4 #a3b4 #d4 ,but as this light cannot shine in a wicked soul 7for 8what communion hath light with darkness80 #b ,cor4 #f3ad71 and yet is the greatest blessing of the soul1 therefore holy ,david prays 7so ardently 7,ps4 #aai71 so devoutly1 yea1 he falls into eloquence so copious as to astonish the reader71 that it would please ,god to protect him from the darkness of sin1 and keep him in his fear4 ,indeed1 so exceedingly plentiful is this light1 so wonderful is its charity1 that1 like a flash of lightning1 it often strikes the hearts of wicked men1 warning them of approaching ruin1 and1 as it were1 snatching them from the jaws of destruction2 which is undoubtedly the effect of this illumination4 ,and in this sense1 8the light shineth in darkness2 and the darkness comprehendeth it not40 ,john #a3e4 ,now this divine light is hindered from displaying itself in the bottom of the soul by the restless activity of the external senses4 ,for as the ear is perpetually longing to hear1 the eye always employed in seeing1 and the heart constantly taken up with external objects1 this scatters and distracts the powers of the soul4 ,whereas1 the light of grace cannot shine except in the most settled and composed frame of spirit2 so that from this inward principle of light1 the senses1 the reason1 the understanding1 the will1 and the memory1 might be replenished with light and wisdom4 ,for the enlightened soul neither sees1 nor hears1 nor speaks as before4 ,it speaks no more the superficial language of the natural man1 but words full of spirit and life4 ,and now the enlightened soul begins in spirit to contemplate the glory of ,god1 sighing after ,him1 and saying3 8,o ,god1 who art most beautiful to my eyes1 most sweet to my mouth1 most charming to my ears1 most dear to my heart60 ,the works that such a soul performs1 are no longer her own1 but the works of ,god2 and so much the more noble than her own1 as ,god is more noble than all creatures4 ,then also she comes to understand1 that blessedness cannot be the reward of her own works1 but is the gift of the grace of ,god4 ,so likewise she finds more contentment when she suffers ,god to act in her1 than when she works and labors herself2 for by this means she has joy and comfort in all her actions1 as knowing that they are all wrought in ,god4 ,john #c3ba4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,god1 ,the ,light ,of ,the ,soul1 ,directing ,us ,not ,to ,judge ,our ,neighbors4 ,god is light1 and in him is no darkness at all4--#a ,,john #a3e4 ,god is the supreme1 most pure1 and beauteous light2 flaming with an ardent desire of enlightening the souls of men1 and uniting himself to them1 if not hindered by the darkness which men 8love rather than light40 ,john #a3e2 #c3ai4 ,but the darkness of the soul is the love of itself1 and the love of the world1 which obstruct the operations of ,god in us4 ,wherefore1 if the soul would be a partaker of this divine light1 let her take care not to be overcome by the love of the creatures1 by covetousness1 anger1 self-love1 ambition1 and the lust of the flesh2 for all these are the darkness of the world1 in which the god of this world ruleth4 #b ,cor4 #d3d4 ,a man must then forsake himself and all creatures1 yea1 everything that is not ,god2 this is called the forsaking 8all that he hath40 ,luke #ad3cc4 ,such a soul is fixed entirely upon ,god1 and is enlightened by his truth2 and if by the will of ,providence he be required to engage in worldly affairs1 he does it with humility and fear1 still keeping the centre of his soul free from the creature and the world2 so that the emanations of divine light are not obstructed1 but flow in perpetual streams from their fountain1 which is ,god4 #b4 ,this inward light breaks forth into external actions1 so that whatsoever a man says1 or does1 or suffers1 is no longer an act of his own1 but of ,god1 to whom he has surrendered and dedicated himself4 ,for how can he act1 who is merely passive8 ,so then1 whatsoever impression or impulse thou findest in thyself1 whether it be a devout desire1 a good intention1 an inclination to prayer or thanksgiving1 all is from ,god1 and not from thyself4 ,submit thyself1 therefore1 to the mighty hand of ,god1 and suffer him to accomplish his will in thee2 for so whatsoever thou doest1 is in him1 and through him1 and he worketh in thee4 ,for it is a necessary condition of all good works that they ultimately regard ,god1 and be wrought in him4 ,john #c3ba4 ,hence we should live in him1 pray in him1 and do everything in him4 ,one such work wrought in ,god1 however insignificant it may be in the eye of the world1 is of more value in the sight of ,god1 than all the actions wrought in human strength4 ,this is the spring of true virtue1 the essence of which is1 that it should begin and end in ,god4 ,but in proportion as the love of the world and the creature prevails in thee1 thou art farther removed from ,god3 whilst the nearer ,god is to the ground of thy heart1 the more deeply and plentifully will he shine forth1 and manifest himself by works of charity and compassion towards thy neighbor4 ,for our blessed ,saviour tells us1 8,i am the light of the world40 ,john #h3ab4 ,in him1 therefore1 let us act4 ,let us cleave to the love of this our ,head1 that we may be enlightened in ,christ4 #c4 ,for of all our actions those only may be called 8light10 which proceed from ,god and diffuse themselves through the darkness and miseries of our neighbors1 in patience1 in meekness1 in humility1 in consolation1 in compassion1 in gentle reproofs1 and charitable censures4 ,whereas from an arrogant love of censuring others arise self-esteem1 a high mind1 contempt1 and insolence toward our neighbors4 ,this is the root of innumerable sins4 ,but as the light of the ,holy ,spirit cannot enter into such souls1 so where he inhabits1 these vices have no place4 ,the man of ,god judges not his neighbor1 unless compelled by necessity2 and even then he does it with great gentleness1 and in the proper time and place2 lest while he attempt to cure one wound1 he should make ten1 by an unseasonable and improper application4 ,one thing ought carefully to be observed in reproving our neighbor1 namely1 that we should not publish such uncharitable reflections upon him1 as may in any way injure his reputation1 either in his spiritual or temporal concerns2 but on the contrary1 every one should keep himself within the bounds of meekness and charity1 lest he endanger his own humility and poverty of spirit4 ,they that delight in uncharitable censures and railing accusations1 are like the old serpent2 their very breath is infected with his poison1 whilst1 like him1 they delight in being accusers of the brethren4 ,whilst they know not themselves1 they will dare to censure and judge their neighbors4 ,consider1 ,o man1 thy perverse heart1 and judge thyself1 but no one else4 ,luke #f3cg4 ,the false light of nature misleads thee1 and draws thee blindly into pride1 self-love1 and rash censures of others4 ,but know that this is not the light of ,god1 but the very darkness of ,satan4 #d4 ,but the true and divine light always discovers itself in modesty and humility4 ,it hunts not after the empty applause of men1 but seeks after ,god1 from whom it proceeded1 and into whom it longs and labors to return4 ,such a man thinks himself the weakest1 vilest1 and most ignorant of all men2 being fully persuaded that whatever good there is in him1 it is not his but ,god's4 ,above all things1 therefore1 endeavor to know thyself1 and trouble not thyself about thy neighbor1 particularly his faults2 lest in the bitterness of thine heart thou be tempted to condemn him2 for thereby thou canst do great harm to thine own soul4 ,turn away1 then1 thy eyes1 for ,god's sake1 from any vices of thy neighbor1 and turn into thyself1 and see whether thou art not1 or hast not been as deep in the mire as he4 ,and if this appear to be the case1 consider it in the order of ,providence as an opportunity of reading thy own defects in the life of thy neighbor1 and as a means of bringing thee to the knowledge of thyself1 to true repentance and amendment of life4 ,then turn thine eyes upon thy neighbor1 and pray to ,god for him1 that ,he would be pleased1 of his fatherly compassion1 to grant unto him also the same knowledge and amendment of life4 ,the man that is thus disposed1 profits by his neighbor's faults1 and is preserved from the sin of rashly judging or condemning him4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,the ,christian ,ought ,daily1 ,once ,at ,least1 ,wholly ,to ,abstract ,himself ,from ,all ,external ,objects1 ,and ,retire ,into ,his ,own ,soul2 ,the ,advantages ,of ,this ,course4 ,return unto thy rest1 ,o my soul2 for the ,lord hath dealt bountifully with thee4--,,ps4 #aaf3g4 ,the soul of man1 flowing out into worldly things1 and cleaving entirely to the creatures1 is like a wandering sheep4 ,now1 the great ,shepherd of souls tries1 by all the methods of his mercy and wisdom1 to bring him back to the fold1 by emptying him of the creatures1 and filling him with all the fulness of ,god4 ,thus the royal ,psalmist concludes the #aaith ,psalm3 8,i have gone astray like a lost sheep2 seek thy servant40 ,this expression1 how oddly soever it may sound to carnal ears1 discovers1 nevertheless1 to the spiritual man1 the whole work of illumination and divine wisdom4 ,for as the soul of man is placed between time and eternity1 so soon as ever it turns to time1 it forgets eternity1 and withdraws every day further and further from divine things4 ,but if it returns to eternity1 then it forgets the creatures1 recovers its liberty1 draws nearer to ,god1 and is thoroughly drawn unto him4 ,for there is nothing dearer to ,god1 than a soul abstracted from the creatures1 and resigned to him4 ,then1 and not till then1 the soul enjoys true peace1 tastes the food of life1 and feels in herself the true fruits of that divine anointing1 which denominates us truly ,christians 7the name 8,christ0 signifying3 8,the ,anointed ,one407 #b4 ,and if these things are so1 who can doubt that it is the duty of every true ,christian1 if not oftener1 yet once a day at least1 to taste this divine food of the soul1 which is ,god himself1 that thereby he may be refreshed with true peace1 and be replenished with the fulness of divine life and grace8 ,wouldest thou1 ,o man1 but thoroughly consider this1 thou wouldest be much more in love with heaven1 than with earth6 ,wert thou but thus disposed1 though the burden of a whole kingdom lay upon thy shoulders1 as it did upon ,david's1 yet it should be no hindrance to thy holy exercises4 ,for the creatures are not in themselves hurtful1 but are only so to him whose soul is in captivity to them2 or1 as it is said1 8who sets his heart upon them0 7,ps4 #fb3aj71 which ought to be entirely consecrated and devoted to ,god4 ,upon this foundation stood the ,psalmist1 when he cried out1 8,lord1 whom have ,i in heaven but thee8 and there is none upon earth that ,i desire besides thee40 ,ps4 #gc3be4 ,for so great is the sweetness of divine love1 that the soul that has once tasted it1 despises sufferings1 and looks upon the love or hatred of this world with indifference4 ,they that are admitted to these joys1 have perpetual peace in ,god with all creatures1 whether friends or enemies4 ,to these 8the yoke of ,christ is easy0 7,matt4 #aa3cj72 for they are in ,christ1 and ,christ is in them2 and his presence makes their burden light1 whilst he bears it in them1 and they bear it in him4 ,therefore1 such a believer says with ,st4 ,paul1 8,i can do all things through ,christ which strengtheneth me40 ,phil4 #d3ac4 #c4 ,from what has been said1 it appears plainly1 how necessary and profitable an exercise it is for every ,christian1 once a day at least1 to retire into his own heart1 into ,god1 and into ,christ1 to draw thence true peace of soul1 and to learn there the true use of temporal blessings4 ,for ,god does not forbid us the use of these1 provided we walk in humility1 and in his fear1 and continue faithful in our attendance upon him4 ,our misery requires this of us1 which in such a soul ,god will not suffer to last long2 and so does1 lastly1 our daily cross1 which ,christ by this means makes light and easy to us4 ,not to say1 that thou1 ,o ,christian1 art continually admonished by the ,spirit of ,god within thee1 to sigh and pray for the love of ,god1 and of ,god alone1 and to grieve within thyself1 when any worldly impediments draw and separate thee from it4 ,this is the true and inward calling of the ,holy ,ghost1 this is the well-beloved's knocking at the door of thy heart 7,cant4 #a3ac2 ,rev4 #c3bj71 as a living testimony that our hearts ought to be the chamber of our heavenly bridegroom4 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,showing ,how ,the ,love ,of ,god ,enters ,into ,the ,soul1 ,when ,it ,is ,empty ,of ,the ,love ,of ,the ,creatures4 ,if any man love the world1 the love of the ,father is not in him4--#a ,,john #b3ae4 ,he that desires to become the habitation of ,god1 must first divest himself of the love of the world1 and then exercise himself in the love of ,god4 ,no man can receive the one1 without quitting the other2 or be filled with the ,spirit of ,god1 before he be emptied of the spirit of the world4 ,as the magnet by a touch draws iron to it2 so ,god first touches1 with his divine love1 the soul which he intends to draw and unite to himself4 #b4 ,now this divine love is so great1 that1 like the sun1 it shines upon all2 yea1 it shines more universally than the sun itself1 displaying itself equally upon all men4 ,so that it is not the fault of ,god1 who is pure light1 and pure love1 but of men1 if they do not perceive or enjoy it4 ,for when ,god approaches men with the highest love1 and most ardent affection1 he generally finds their hearts full of the love of the world1 and all uncleanness1 that is1 of covetousness1 pride1 lust1 hatred1 envy1 and evil thoughts1 which force him to retire and to withdraw his graces from them4 ,whence it appears1 that since ,god is ready1 like the sun in the firmament1 to communicate the rays of his light freely to every purified soul1 it is not ,his fault1 but theirs1 if they are not enlightened by it4 ,as1 therefore1 we know these things1 let us keep ourselves from the love of the world1 and turn to the living ,god1 watching diligently unto prayer2 let us labor earnestly for the love of ,god in ,christ1 by which we are united to him4 ,let us knock at the door of his holy wounds1 and from thence expect salvation4 ,if we do this1 ,god will open to us1 and give us admission into that high state of uniting love1 in which we shall be refreshed with all the treasures of ,god4 ,and who can doubt that the ,god of mercy1 the fountain of happiness1 will fill the heart of man with greater and more substantial joys1 than any which this perishing world can afford8 #c4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 loves ,god1 shall be loved by all the saints and holy angels4 ,if ,i love ,god1 then ,i share in the love of all the inhabitants of the city of ,god1 a love that far surpasses the highest degree of worldly affection4 ,and as all the heavenly host have the highest love of ,god1 and rejoice in his honor1 so is their joy proportionably great at every step of our conversion1 and their happiness is enhanced by every advance which we make in the love of ,god4 #d4 ,now one evidence of divine love is this1 that we use the creatures with fear and humility4 ,he that is endued with a habit of divine love1 whether he eat or drink1 or whatever he doth1 doth everything like a dutiful son1 with reverence and fear1 having his eye constantly fixed upon the glory of his ,heavenly ,father4 #a ,cor4 #aj3ca4 ,from this fear of ,god flow the many deep sighs and passionate groans of the devout soul1 which1 by degrees1 raise him from earth to heaven4 ,for he discovers so many corruptions and impurities in himself1 obstructing the light and quenching the flames of the ,holy ,spirit1 that he is forced to cry out with ,st4 ,paul1 8,o wretched man that ,i am6 who shall deliver me from the body of this death80 ,rom4 #g3bd4 ,and truly1 these sighs and groanings must frequently ascend to the mercy-seat of ,god1 that by the assistance of divine grace we may bear up1 and not faint under the manifold miseries of this wretched state1 and the pressure of a vile earthly body4 ,thus did all the holy men of old time when they labored under the sense of spiritual infirmities3 they raised their broken spirits unto ,god by devout sighs1 penitential tears1 and humble acknowledgments of their misery1 which reverted into their own bosoms with a large increase of grace and spiritual strength4 ,he that does not sincerely seek after ,god1 but has his soul intent on something else besides him1 shall never find him4 ,on the other hand1 he that seeks him alone1 in the integrity of his heart1 shall surely find him1 and be admitted to all the blessings and happiness that are to be found in the presence of ,god4 ,he that seeks ,god in truth1 finds ,god1 and all things that are ,god's2 and whosoever seeks for nothing else1 and looks for nothing else but ,god only1 unto him ,god manifests himself1 and confers upon him all whatsoever is laid up in his divine heart1 that the same may as properly be said to belong to man1 as to ,god4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,of ,the ,exercise ,of ,patience ,and ,love4 ,he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter4--,,isa4 #ec3g4 ,whosoever would rightly prepare his soul for union with ,jesus ,christ1 must1 like him1 be clothed with the meekness and patience of the lamb4 ,yea1 he must have the very same mind that was in ,christ1 and become a lamb even as he was4 ,let this be thy rule and thy guide in all thy actions4 ,he tells us himself1 8,behold1 ,i send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves40 ,matt4 #aj3af4 ,this is truly thy case2 and whatever way thou turnest thyself1 remember that thou art in the midst of wolves1 to whose violence thou art continually exposed2 and against this thou hast no other remedy but patience1 meekness1 and submission1 according to the example of the ,lamb of ,god1 thy ,saviour1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,and as this meekness of the blessed ,jesus was acceptable to his ,heavenly ,father1 so also is thine1 when by patience thou dost triumph over persecution4 ,so that it is thy business to submit cheerfully to his will1 whensoever he shall be pleased to lay his afflicting hand upon thee1 either more immediately from heaven1 or by any suffering which may fall upon thee by means of any creature4 ,it must all be borne with patience1 as coming from the hand of ,god2 and assure thyself that the faithful ,shepherd is at hand to seek and save the lost sheep1 and bring it home 8upon his shoulders1 rejoicing40 ,luke #ae3e4 ,thus the patient soul is1 by every impetuous wave of affliction1 wafted nearer to ,god4 ,but if thy blind carnal reason suggest to thee any excuses or objections against thy submission1 hearken not to them2 but fix thine eyes upon the exemplary patience of thy ,redeemer2 look steadfastly to thy crucified ,saviour1 who did no evil1 yet suffered all injuries without thoughts of revenge4 #b4 ,endeavor to acquire more and more the meekness of the ,lamb1 and1 above all things1 preserve the love of ,god1 which cannot abide in a wrathful soul4 ,and here consider well with thyself what that love is4 ,do not fancy it to be that inward joy1 that unspeakable pleasure1 which sometimes elevates devout souls2 that is not the essence of love1 but the brightness of it1 differing from its root and cause as much as the light does from the fire whence it proceeds4 ,but the true essence of love to ,god is1 to be resigned to the will of ,god1 to depend entirely upon him1 and to submit to every affliction as coming immediately from his hand4 ,thus did ,job1 who1 taking the loss of his children1 his goods1 his health1 and his honor1 as coming from the hand of ,god1 still 8blessed the name of the ,lord40 ,job #a3ba4 ,so1 too1 ,david humbly submitted to the curses of ,shimei1 as being ordered by the ,lord4 #b ,sam4 #af3aj4 ,by this means the essence1 the root1 and spring of love1 are preserved pure and unshaken2 and by love we rest in ,god1 and rejoice in all his dispensations4 ,so that if it should please ,god to sink such a man with ,christ to hell1 he would not open his mouth1 but rest satisfied with the will of ,god1 in which only he finds happiness and rest4 ,in this love true peace is to be found1 when in ,god1 and for ,god's sake1 we love everything1 crosses and tribulations not excepted4 ,true love unites us to ,god1 and to all the world3 and the happiness of such a state is inexpressibly great4 ,chapter ,,xv4 ,showing ,how ,christ1 ,the ,eternal ,word ,of ,the ,father1 ,perfects ,his ,work ,in ,the ,hearts ,of ,the ,faithful1 ,by ,love ,and ,humility4 ,examine yourselves4 ,know ye not your own selves1 how that ,jesus ,christ is in you8--#b ,,cor4 #ac3e4 ,as the faithful soul is often obliged to bear the temptations and suggestions of the ,evil ,spirit2 so1 on the other hand1 it receives the divine consolations from the mouth of the eternal ,word speaking in it4 ,of this ,tauler speaks3 8,we know10 says he1 8that the eternal ,word is so very near the ground of the human soul1 that its own nature and being are not more essential and familiar to it1 than that ,word is4 ,this eternal ,word is continually speaking in man1 though his perverse heart1 deluded by the devil1 neither hearkens nor attends to it4 ,for the great adversary makes him deaf by his wicked insinuations1 the love of the world1 and carnal inclinations40 ,for the devil to this day tempts all men1 as he did ,eve 7,gen4 #c3d71 by those things which he knows to be most agreeable to our tempers and inclinations1--by riches1 honors1 friendships1 our own nature1 the love of the creatures1 and infinite other ways1 in which he influences and affects our imaginations4 ,for as he is industriously busy about us for our destruction1 so he narrowly observes the particular bias of our affections1 and knows all the secret arts of raising our passions2 and when by thus striking our imaginations1 he has discomposed our spirits1 we immediately become deaf to the calls of the ,holy ,spirit and the ,word4 ,these suggestions of ,satan we must oppose2 for so far as we attend to them1 we are the nearer to our ruin2 but if thou stop thine ears to his insinuations1 and turn thyself unto ,god in the centre of thy soul1 thou hast already conquered him4 ,and as true friends1 united in affection1 are particularly delighted in mutual conversation2 so if thou sincerely love ,god1 thou shalt frequently hear his voice within thee4 8,if a man love me10 saith ,christ1 8he will keep my words0 7,john #ad3bc73 not only those which he hears in the outward and visible temple and congregation of the faithful2 but those also which are heard in the true temple of the soul1 without which the outward hearing availeth little4 ,and this inward voice of ,god thou canst not hear1 unless the love of ,god be in thee4 #b4 8,the most certain token of love to ,god10 saith ,st4 ,gregory1 8is this1 that we receive all the adversities which ,god shall think fit to lay upon us1 without any impatience in thought1 word1 or actions4 ,if we do this1 without doubt we truly love ,god2 if not1 it is certain that we do not love him sincerely1 but prefer ourselves and our own things to him2 though nothing can be properly said to be a man's own but sin2 everything else is ,god's40 ,take heed1 therefore1 that thou prefer not even the gifts of ,god before ,himself2 whom if thou love purely and above all things1 then thou shalt continually hear him speaking peace to thy soul1 according to that saying of our blessed ,lord1 8,he that loveth me1 to him will ,i manifest myself40 ,john #ad3ba4 ,this manifestation is made by the opening of the understanding1 by the illumination of the heart1 by the spirit of wisdom1 of understanding1 of might1 and of fear 7,isa4 #aa3b71 and especially by the purifying and enlightening of the inward eyes 7,eph4 #a3ah71 to see and know ,jesus ,christ4 #c4 ,but as the devil is wont to stop the inward ears of men by his suggestions2 so he also blinds their eyes by self-love1 by the love of the world and the creatures1 and by inward and outward pride4 ,for as by true and genuine love1 we hear ,christ2 so by faith and profound humility1 we must see him2 for that only can purify our hearts from vain pride4 ,for it is not without reason that our blessed ,lord tells us1 8,blessed are the pure in heart2 for they shall see ,god40 ,matt4 #e3h4 ,and for this cause it is that ,god sends us so many crosses and afflictions1 that we may thereby be brought into the depths of profound humility1 which is an exercise more profitable to us than all the delights and glories of this world4 ,and now1 though heaven1 and earth1 and hell itself1 should unite their forces against thee1 yet bear up with constancy and patience1 remembering that all shall work together for thy good2 as it serves to produce in thee true humility1 by which thou shalt see ,christ4 ,look at him1 ,o man1 and consider how he that is ,god 7,john #a3a2 ,acts #bj3bh2 ,rom4 #i3e71 most high and omnipotent1 by whom were made the heavens and the earth1 and who could easily again have reduced all things into nothing2 yet for the sake of this wretched creature man1 submitted himself to the most bitter sufferings4 ,phil4 #b3e-h4 ,be thou1 therefore1 ,o sinful and wretched creature1 ashamed of that pride1 vainglory1 and self-love1 which have taken possession of thy heart4 ,learn to submit thyself to every cross that shall be laid upon thee1 of what sort soever it be1 whether inward or outward2 and so subject thy proud1 swelling spirit to the thorny crown of ,christ1 that thou mayest imitate thy humble and crucified ,lord by a true contempt of thyself2 making this the great end and design of all thy actions1 to be conformed to the meek and suffering life of the blessed ,jesus1 that so thou mayest come to an experimental knowledge of him4 ,for what avail a few cold1 formal reflections upon the sufferings of our ,lord1 whilst we are destitute of that meek and patient spirit with which he bore them8 ,of what benefit is it to entertain our fancies with a few dead speculations about his passion1 whilst our hearts are full of pride1 ambition1 and worldly love8 ,this1 surely1 is not the way to the true vision and experimental knowledge of ,jesus ,christ4 ,the ,spirit of ,jesus operates most deeply in the valley of humility4 ,and in this consists the essence of humility1 that a man look upon himself and all that he ever has1 or ever can do1 as nothing4 ,for if there be any good in thee1 it is not of thyself2 it is the gift of ,god4 #d4 ,and this humility thou must practise1 if ever thou expect to see ,christ4 ,for the hidden mysteries and wisdom of ,god are revealed to the meek and humble1 but are hidden from the wise men of this world4 ,ps4 #ea3f2 ,matt4 #aa3be2 #a ,cor4 #a3bj1 #bf4 ,for in this humility alone consist the knowledge and understanding of pure and divine truth1 in which is the essence of eternal blessedness4 ,in this the greatness of the divine majesty manifests itself1 which the more clearly we discern1 the deeper root humility takes in our souls4 ,and the most certain sign of divine illumination is1 that a man grow daily more and more humble1 and be less fond of himself4 ,for self-love and pride are the fountains of all the darkness1 error1 and iniquity that are in us4 ,on the other hand1 they that are truly enlightened by ,god1 glory in contempt and sufferings1 and rejoice to imitate their suffering ,redeemer4 ,this is the groundwork and spirit of ,psalm #aai4 ,the royal prophet well knew that without such a thirst after godliness1 no divine light and wisdom would enter the soul1 and no divine answer be given to it4 ,and this is the real purport of that long ,psalm4 #e4 ,in a word1 this humble and resigned state of soul1 is that in which ,god particularly delights to operate4 ,and he that has this1 carries in his soul the comfortable presence1 and in his body the suffering marks of the ,lord ,jesus2 and considering himself as unworthy of the least of ,god's mercies1 he uses them all with reverence and fear1 having his eye1 like a good servant1 fixed on his ,master2 and therefore he is honored with ,his more immediate conversation1 and grace4 ,chapter ,,xvi4 ,showing ,how ,the ,holy ,spirit ,operates ,in ,our ,souls4 ,i will pour water upon him that is thirsty1 and floods upon the dry ground4--,,isa4 #dd3c4 ,if after a drought and dearth of three years and a half 7such as happened in the time of ,elijah1 #a ,kings #ag3a2 #ah3de71 it should please ,god to send rain upon all the earth1 one man's field only excepted2 he would truly have reason to think that ,god was angry with him1 and that his case was most deplorably miserable4 ,but how much more miserable and unhappy is he1 who1 though hungering and thirsting1 like a parched ground1 after faith1 charity1 and all ,christian graces1 yet cannot receive one drop of spiritual consolation in the inward ground of his soul6 #b4 ,but if this ever happen1 it is not ,god's fault1 for he is ready 8to pour out his ,spirit upon all flesh0 7,joel #b3bh71 but man's1 who prepareth not his heart to receive it4 ,the best preparation to receive this holy guest1 is to turn our hearts by faith and prayer from the world unto ,god1 as the ,apostles did at ,pentecost 7,acts #b3d72 and whensoever ,god shall find us thus prepared1 he will forthwith visit us with all the fulness of spiritual blessings4 ,on the other hand1 if the heart be full of the world1 there will be no room for the ,spirit of ,god to enter2 for where the one is1 the other cannot be4 ,as in nature there is no vacuum1 so it is in the spiritual world4 ,let this then be thy care1 and this thy chief concern1 not to fix thy heart upon any creature1 either inwardly or outwardly1 not on the love of thyself1 nor upon thine own will1 but upon ,god alone2 assuring thyself1 that this is the most noble and useful exercise for thee4 ,as the finest work of the most skilful workman may be broken and destroyed by a heedless child2 so it often happens with the works and gifts of ,god1 which men destroy by their rash and unadvised management4 ,thus they break and deface the most noble designs and operations of the ,spirit of ,god within them2 they attribute that to themselves which is the work of ,god1 and patch their own vile rags upon the fine linen of ,christ's righteousness4 ,for it is most certain that we are 8unprofitable servants0 7,luke #ag3aj71 and by consequence can do nothing but what is unprofitable4 ,and1 in the same degree1 as ,god is more noble than man1 so the works of the ,divine ,spirit are more noble and precious than those of the human spirit4 ,hence it follows1 that if thou wouldest have ,god to operate more eminently in thee1 thou must surrender all the passions1 affections1 and powers of thy soul1 to be possessed1 governed1 and directed by ,him4 ,for unless the creature be entirely still1 thou canst not hear the voice of ,god4 ,think not then that every inward motion which thou perceivest1 is the work of ,god2 whereas some are merely the product of thy own flesh and blood4 ,take heed therefore to thyself1 and learn to distinguish well1 lest thou ascribe to ,god the very operations of the devil4 #c4 ,but in order to the more perfect operation of the ,holy ,ghost in thee1 there are two rules proper to be observed3 first1 that thou turn away thine heart from the world1 the creatures1 thyself1 and thine own will and affections1 that so this ,holy ,spirit may have room to act freely2 secondly1 to receive all crosses and afflictions as coming from the hand of ,god1 without any respect or reference to the creatures1 and to embrace them as preparations for receiving more plentiful communications of divine grace and blessing4 ,suppose1 for instance1 thou wert engaged in some good work or act of devotion1 and some intimate friend should break in upon thee with abusive and reproachful language2 if thou couldest bear this with silence and patience1 thou mightest be assured that that was the work of the ,holy ,spirit1 in order to prepare thee for greater blessings4 ,but if wicked thoughts be suggested to thee1 by the devil1 yet satisfy thyself that they do thee no harm1 because they are involuntary4 ,lastly1 if thou art engaged in any worldly calling or profession1 see that thou perform thy duty in it with thine eye fixed upon the glory of ,god1 and the good of thy neighbor4 ,by this means all thy works shall be wrought in ,god1 and his ,spirit4 ,chapter ,,xvii4 ,signs ,of ,the ,presence ,of ,the ,holy ,spirit ,in ,us4 ,the ,comforter will reprove the world4--,,john #af3h4 ,when the ,holy ,spirit enters into our soul2 that is to say1 manifests his presence by his operations1 in the first place1 he forthwith reproves in us everything that is not divine1 such as the lust of the flesh1 and the lust of the eyes1 and the pride of life 7#a ,john #b3af71 giving us a sort of loathing and abhorrence of them4 ,whosoever1 therefore1 lives a carnal life1 without such inward admonition of the ,holy ,spirit1 may assure himself that that ,spirit is not in him2 inasmuch as it is peculiarly his office and character1 at all times1 to persuade1 draw1 and invite every one that will give him room to act freely1 to the duties of a ,christian life4 ,thus the ,holy ,spirit reproves sin4 ,but everything is sin1 that opposes our obedience to the will of ,god4 ,and every such act of disobedience1 or inclination to it1 the ,holy ,spirit reproves wherever he enters4 #b4 ,hence1 in the second place1 arise spiritual sadness1 grief1 and inward terrors of mind4 ,of this the children of this world have little experience1 though it is one of the surest signs of the presence of the ,holy ,spirit in the soul4 ,but they that are utter strangers to this godly sorrow1 who run on with delight and satisfaction in the way of the world1 upon whom all things smile1 and who find here their enjoyment1 and never meet with any cross2 these men1 ,i say1 are in a very dangerous state1 and1 being destitute of ,god's ,spirit1 are without ,god in the world4 ,on the contrary1 they that are afflicted of ,god1 and are reproved in their consciences by the ,spirit of ,god for every act of disobedience to his will2 and are led in the way of the cross1 being brought under the discipline and correction of wisdom1 are those in whom the ,spirit of ,god prepareth himself an habitation4 ,and this is the second sign of the presence in us1 of the ,holy ,spirit4 #c4 ,the third sign is1 that the ,divine ,spirit takes away from us all the glory of our own merit and righteousness1 so that before the righteousness of ,god it falls as a flower of the field1 and withers as grass1 when the spirit of the ,lord bloweth upon it4 ,isa4 #dj3f1 #g4 ,for the ,spirit of ,christ shows us that we have no other solid and stable foundation upon which to rest1 but the merits and righteousness of ,jesus ,christ4 8,woe to our own righteousness10 saith ,st4 ,augustine1 8if it were to be tried and judged without mercy by ,god40 ,for this reason ,isaiah compares it to 8filthy rags40 ,isa4 #fd3f4 #d4 ,the fourth token of the presence of ,god's ,spirit1 is when a man looks upon his neighbor's faults with compassion1 not rudely censuring or condemning him4 ,for a haughty desire to judge others is diabolical1 proceeding from nothing but pride1 contempt of our neighbor1 and admiration of ourselves4 ,and where these reign the ,holy ,spirit cannot abide2 but wheresoever ,he is1 there a man is careful--#a4 ,not to reprove his neighbor but upon urgent necessity4 #b4 ,to do it in the proper time and place1 after the example of our blessed ,lord4 #c4 ,not to do it in severe terms1 but with meekness and humanity4 #d4 ,not to despise his neighbor1 nor expose him to the scorn and contempt of others1 but to do all from a pure principle of charity4 ,let these things sink deeply into thy heart1 that thou mayest abide in humility1 and in the grace of the ,holy ,spirit1 and that he may dwell in thee4 ,chapter ,,xviii4 ,showing ,how ,worldly ,pleasures ,drive ,away ,the ,holy ,spirit4 ,abstain from fleshly lusts1 which war against the soul4--#a ,,peter #b3aa4 ,the children of this world earnestly follow the joys and pleasures of it1 which the children of ,god avoid with all diligence1 as so many snares and temptations of the devil1 designed to draw them from ,god1 their sovereign ,good4 ,if thou1 ,o ,christian1 resolve to preserve this most valuable treasure1 be careful to avoid all occasions of losing it4 ,of this sort are all so-called sports1 pastimes1 and recreations1 or those actions which do not in some way tend to the glory of ,god1 and the good of our neighbor4 ,and though thou art sometimes forced to be present at them1 yet be then careful to turn thy thoughts inward1 by an elevation of thy heart to ,god2 and so thou shalt never lose the comfort and peace of the divine presence wheresoever thou art4 ,and whilst thou art faithful in this exercise1 the world and all its vanities shall not hurt thee4 ,this was queen ,esther's case1 who1 though outwardly clothed with royal ornaments1 yet was inwardly clothed with profound humility4 ,thus ,david1 in the midst of his glory and riches1 had nevertheless1 humble thoughts of himself4 #b ,sam4 #f3bb4 ,and ,joseph1 in his master's house1 which was full of luxury1 yet preserved a chaste heart4 ,gen4 #ci3i4 ,and this is that true fear of ,god which keeps his faithful servants from the world and all its vanities1 that they lose not their inward joy and peace of conscience4 ,this 8fear of the ,lord is the beginning of wisdom40 ,ps4 #aaa3aj4 ,he that is endued with it will not turn himself to the world1 but from the world to ,god1 seeking contentment1 joy1 and peace in ,him4 ,this1 in short1 is the fruit of true contrition2 to turn us away from all things which are not ,god1 or do not tend to him2 and to turn us to that chief and true ,good1 which is ,god4 ,if we are inwardly conscious that we have hitherto neglected this useful exercise1 and have been immersed in the vanities of the world1 let the remainder of our lives be spent in bewailing and lamenting our past transgressions1 and in forsaking and guarding against every approach towards them4 ,if we do this1 ,god will not remember how great sinners we have been1 but will rejoice at our repentance1 not regarding our former iniquities1 but our present faith and earnest desires of serving ,god more faithfully than hitherto we have done4 ,but though ,god so earnestly desires our salvation1 yet too many1 by turning from him to the world1 resist his grace and force him out of their hearts1 notwithstanding all his gracious endeavors to continue there4 #b4 ,therefore it is necessary that every man should die to the world1 that would live to ,god2 whence it appears that the major part of mankind are at enmity with ,god4 ,alas6 how many mortifications of the flesh must we undergo before our corrupt nature1 both externally and internally1 is perfectly slain in us1 and the life of ,god succeed in its place4 ,now crosses and trials are as so many remedies applied to our corruption1 in order to drive out of us the poison of sin1 and restore us to the life of ,god4 ,whence it appears1 that the benefit of afflictions is very great1 and that we ought to meet them with contentment and joy1 as the means of purifying our corrupt nature1 and bringing us to a participation of the divine nature4 ,this it is which brings us to the noblest exercise of ,christian duty1 namely1 dying to the world1 in prosperity and adversity1 in silence and hope1 secretly and inwardly1 without the least murmur or complaint4 ,they who fret1 repine1 or complain1 discover plainly that they are unwilling to die to the world1 and that they have but little of the divine light in their souls4 ,god cannot live in the soul which is not dead to the world2 for the more we live after the lusts of corrupt nature1 the less we live unto ,god and his holy will4 ,on the other hand1 the less we live to the flesh1 so much the more we live unto ,god4 ,let this1 then1 be our certain rule1 that he that would live to the ,spirit1 must die to the flesh4 ,rom4 #h3ac4 ,chapter ,,xix4 ,of ,inward ,prayer1 ,and ,of ,the ,true ,use ,of ,the ,lord's ,prayer4 ,ye have received the spirit of adoption1 whereby we cry1 ,abba1 ,father4--,,rom4 #h3ae4 ,as ,god operates eminently in humble souls2 so the ,holy ,spirit particularly works in them the gift of filial prayer4 ,without the ,spirit of ,god there is no true prayer2 for he it is that cries and groans in the soul1 being1 as it were1 its life4 ,rom4 #h3bf2 ,gal4 #d3f4 ,for as the soul is the life of our body1 so is the ,spirit of ,god the life of the soul1 being the source of all its spiritual life and strength4 ,this ,holy ,spirit is also the witness of our adoption and regeneration2 and he who knows how to use these as he ought1 relying1 by faith in ,christ and love of the ,holy ,spirit1 upon the eternal love of his heavenly ,father1 will ask for1 and receive great and heavenly gifts4 ,for so great is the love1 so abundant the goodness of ,god1 that he can deny nothing to his children1 who ask in faith4 ,but as even faith and prayer are the work and gift of ,god1 so we must daily apply ourselves to ,him for the same4 ,hence arises the true internal prayer of the heart1 from a true conversion and inclination of our souls and affections to ,god4 ,this inward prayer pierces the heavens1 whilst a man walking in the steps of his ,saviour1 freely and cheerfully takes up his cross and follows him2 not like ,simon the ,cyrenian1 who bore1 indeed1 the cross1 but it was because he was compelled to do it4 ,matt4 #bg3cb4 ,so great is the love of ,god1 that he does not stay for our prayers2 but comes forth freely to meet us1 and courts our friendship1 entreating us to ask pardon for our sins1 and to practise the same love towards our neighbors which he shows towards us4 ,happy is he1 who truly knows1 understands1 and meditates on this boundless love of ,god in ,jesus ,christ4 ,such a man prays more effectually in his heart1 than if he used the most perfect form of words4 ,one single meditation or devout sigh offered up to ,god by ,jesus ,christ1 in faith1 love1 and devotion1 is more acceptable to ,god1 than all the parade of external worship4 #b4 ,the whole life of a ,christian ought to be spent in the exercise of love1 and in the imitation of his crucified ,lord4 ,he properly is a ,christian1 who does all things from a principle of divine charity1 and is transformed by it into the nature of ,christ4 ,and can ,god deny anything to so dutiful1 loving1 and obedient a child when he prays8 ,no1 surely4 ,but that we might know how and for what we ought to ask1 ,christ has taught us the ,lord's ,prayer1 a prayer full of petitions for the most exalted blessings4 ,can there be a greater good than the kingdom of ,god8 ,for he himself is his own kingdom1 extending to all rational creatures4 ,so that when we pray1 8,thy kingdom come10 we pray that ,god would please to bestow ,himself upon us1 with all the riches and blessings of his presence4 ,in this kingdom1 therefore1 ,god is our ,father1 manifesting his paternal love and faithfulness to his children1 by erecting his kingdom in us1 that therein he may perfect his most noble work in us1 expressed in this petition1 8,hallowed be thy name20 which is done when the dignity and excellency of the divine name and nature are more deeply discovered in the soul4 #c4 ,in this kingdom1 which is within us1 he works his own will1 without any impediment4 ,and so his 8will is done in earth10 namely1 in us1 8as it is in heaven10 that is1 in ,god himself4 ,hence we understand1 that what ,god desires to bestow1 and has commanded us to pray for1 is nothing less than ,himself4 ,this was the promise that he made to ,abraham1 8,i am thy shield1 and thy exceeding great reward40 ,gen4 #ae3a4 ,moreover1 our ,heavenly ,father gives us 8our daily bread20 that is1 he appropriates all his creatures to our use1 testifying thereby the greatness of his love towards us4 ,for the heart that is truly devoted to ,god1 and in which he freely executes his own will1 is capable of receiving the fulness of his grace and blessings4 ,so great are the goodness1 love1 and mercy of ,god1 that he can deny us nothing that is necessary either for the body or the soul2 and he best knows our necessities4 ,for this end he is daily setting our sins and miseries before our eyes1 teaching us to abase ourselves before him1 and to pray3 8,forgive us our trespasses1 as we forgive them that trespass against us40 ,for so compassionate is ,god1 that he freely offers us forgiveness of sins1 and teaches us how to ask it from the heart2 that thereby we may be assured1 that he is more ready to forgive1 than we are to ask it2 and that we may thence learn to exercise the same kindness towards our neighbor1 that ,he exercises towards us4 ,for they that are truly the children of ,god1 exclude no man from their charity1 or from the love of ,god4 ,they have nothing more at heart1 than the glory of ,god1 the increase of his kingdom1 and the salvation of all men4 ,by this acknowledgment of sin1 and petition for pardon1 the ,christian is taught1 that in his natural state he is without ,god and his kingdom2 void of comfort1 poor and miserable4 ,and1 therefore1 he is taught to pray1 8,lead us not into temptation10 by which the devil endeavors to draw us from the will and kingdom of ,god2 but that he would 8deliver us from evil10 that is1 from our own evil will and corrupt nature1 which hinder the accomplishment of ,god's will1 and the erecting of his kingdom in us1 and deprive him of the honor due unto his name4 8,for thine is the kingdom1 the power and the glory1 for ever and ever4 ,amen40 ,whilst we receive these as coming from him alone1 they still continue to be his4 ,but if we do not ascribe them to ,him alone1 we exclude ourselves from his kingdom1 his power1 and his glory1 not worthily sanctifying his name1 nor obeying his will4 ,and hence it follows1 that we also are out of his kingdom1 and so have no title to remission of sins and deliverance from evil4 ,chapter ,,xx4 ,showing ,that ,humility ,must ,first ,be ,laid ,as ,a ,foundation ,in ,the ,heart1 ,and ,all ,our ,works ,must ,rest ,on ,it2 ,its ,blessed ,influences4 ,be clothed with humility4--#a ,,peter #e3e4 ,if thou wouldst build for eternity1 let thy foundation be humility2 for no man can of himself do anything4 ,wherefore1 in all thine undertakings1 humble thyself before ,god1 the overflowing fountain of grace and mercy1 and pray devoutly for his direction and assistance1 that all thy labors may be entirely directed to the praise1 and honor1 and glory of ,god2 and remember this1 that whatsoever thou doest without the grace of ,god1 can tend to nothing but sin and destruction4 ,he that carefully attends to this1 submitting himself entirely to the divine will1 silently and humbly deploring his own weakness and vileness1 and by ardent love devoting himself to ,god1 shall experience in all the powers of his soul the wonderful works of ,god2 while1 on the contrary1 pride is that vice which makes all our works vile and abominable in the sight of ,god4 #b4 ,and alas6 why are dust and ashes proud8 ,if we look into our original1 we were created out of nothing2 of ourselves we are nothing1 more fleeting than a vain shadow2 so corrupt that nothing but the grace of ,god restrains us from falling into the grossest sins1 and sinking into the lowest pit of destruction4 ,we are perpetually exposed to the assaults of the devil1 against whom we have no security but in humility4 ,for this evil spirit1 puffed up with pride1 has all imaginable advantages over the proud man2 but flies from the meek and humble4 ,pride has its root in ,satan2 but so long as thou canst preserve thy humility1 turning thyself to ,god from all thine iniquities1 so long he can have no power over thee4 ,how lamentable a thing is it then1 to see a ,christian1 furnished with the ,word and ,spirit of ,god1 so tamely give himself up to the devil4 ,such a one is like a cowardly soldier1 who1 though armed from head to foot1 should suffer himself to be stung to death by a wasp4 ,so powerful is the grace of ,god in humble souls1 that if they will be true to themselves the devil can have no power over them4 ,and if thou suffer thyself to be thus shamefully foiled1 notwithstanding all the assistance offered to thee1 what canst thou expect at the last day but the insults of those very evil spirits to whom thou hast given so cheap a victory4 ,consider well1 therefore1 what a grace and blessing humility is4 #c4 ,there is1 moreover1 in humble souls1 a perpetual hungering and thirsting after the grace of ,god1 which ,god never fails to reward by the fulness of his blessings1 that is1 of ,himself3 for he alone can satisfy the cravings of a thirsty soul4 ,and on this humility is founded true repentance2 for when a man sees the vast impurity1 the secret malice1 the deep corruption of his sinful heart1 and bewails all this with sincere sorrow1 he gladly lays hold of the free grace of ,christ by faith1 and entirely resigns and devotes himself to the will of ,god4 ,such a man's sins ,god freely pardons1 and1 as it were1 blots them out at once4 ,for when a man turns himself from his sins unto ,god1 ,god immediately turns unto him and remembers his transgressions no more4 #d4 ,another property of humility is1 that it cheerfully receives every cross sent from ,god as a preparation for greater gifts2 it regards not the immediate agents by which the man is afflicted1 but looks up to ,god from whom afflictions come4 ,the humble man rejoices in the cross1 saying3 8,hail1 blessed cross1 unexpected indeed1 but not unwelcome4 ,i know that it is the will of ,god by thee to sanctify and consecrate me to ,himself40 ,and1 lastly1 humility keeps a man in peace of mind1 as well in adversity as in prosperity1 as well under the want1 as in the abundance of the gifts and blessings of ,god4 ,so that the truly humble man is always easy1 whether it please ,god to give or take away1 and nothing can happen to him1 to exalt or deject him above measure4 ,in him the wonders of divine grace manifest themselves4 ,and whereas he before lived and acted by his own strength1 he is now supported by ,god1 and in and through ,him produces fruit abundantly4 ,chapter ,,xxi4 ,showing ,that ,a ,man ,ought ,to ,rest ,in ,god ,alone1 ,and ,not ,in ,his ,gifts2 ,and ,that ,he ,must ,deny ,himself4 ,be glad in the ,lord1 and rejoice1 ye righteous4--,,ps4 #cb3aa4 ,the genuine love of ,god proposes ,god alone for its end4 ,it delights not in the creatures1 but in that supreme1 eternal1 and uncreated ,good1 whence they proceeded2 and this not only outwardly1 but even in the very bottom of the soul4 ,for the soul1 besides its natural powers1 by which it gives life and motion to the body1 has a deep and central essence1 having no relation to the creature4 ,this is the seat and city of ,god1 abstracted from all external and earthly things2 here the ,holy ,spirit pours out his gifts through all the faculties of the soul1 in the different manifestations of wisdom1 understanding1 and knowledge4 ,but when corrupt nature begins to delight itself inordinately with these visitations1 loving the gifts more than the ,giver1 it immediately pollutes them by corrupt mixtures of self-love4 ,all the love and joy which result thence1 are blind1 vicious1 and deceitful4 ,for as the gifts of ,god are not ,god himself1 so we must not place the same love upon both4 ,most men rest in the gifts of ,god1 and upon the least perception of divine light in the understanding1 or warmth in the affections1 imagine themselves at the summit of perfection2 not considering that they are yet far short of it4 ,man was made for greater things1 even to receive ,god into the soul2 and ,god is displeased if we stop short of this4 ,there is nothing he so much desires as to bestow himself upon us1 and that after the most exalted and glorious way2 and certainly the least we can do in return is thankfully to accept this divine love1 and to delight in ,god alone4 #b4 ,but so corrupt is human nature1 and so addicted to self-love1 that it catches greedily at everything that may gratify its passions1 placing its happiness in those delights1 which1 like ,jonah's gourd1 perish in the enjoyment4 ,this satisfaction1 though in the gifts of ,god1 defiles them1 and hinders ,his operations in us4 ,so great1 and so deep1 is the corruption of our nature1 introduced by ,original ,sin1 that scarce one in a thousand can know his secret faults4 ,ps4 #ai3ab4 ,hence proceeds that inordinate love which men have for themselves more than for ,god4 ,this abyss of corruption1 the most learned men could never fully fathom nor explain3 and yet much more difficult is it to root it out of human nature4 ,this rooting it out is the denying of ourselves1 required by our blessed ,lord1 if we will be his disciples4 ,matt4 #af3bd4 ,and yet it is much easier to forsake all earthly things1 gold1 silver1 houses1 and estates1 than to forsake one's self3 so deeply is this poison rooted in our nature6 ,but as this self-denial is absolutely necessary1 so ,god disposes and prepares us for it by various tribulations4 ,this is the only end of all the crosses and afflictions1 inward or outward1 spiritual or bodily1 with which he is pleased to visit us2 namely1 to bring us to the practice of self-denial4 ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,showing ,how ,our ,works ,may ,be ,rendered ,acceptable ,to ,god4 ,delight thyself in the ,lord2 and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart4--,,ps4 #cg3d4 ,as man in his natural state is obnoxious to the wrath of ,god 7,eph4 #b3c71 it follows1 that all his natural works1 how great and good soever they may appear in the eye of the world1 are subject to it likewise4 ,for1 without the grace of ,god1 we can do nothing that is acceptable in his sight2 but if a man be in a state of grace1 then all his works are acceptable to ,god2 because it is the grace of ,god which works them in him4 #b4 ,whence it appears1 that all manner of gifts whatsoever1 as ,st4 ,paul assures us1 are to be ascribed to the grace of ,god1 not to ourselves 7#a ,cor4 #ae3aj71 and that by our own works we can never be justified or saved4 ,for though a man should suffer all the pains of martyrdom2 though he should perform all the good actions that were ever done by all the saints from the beginning of the world1 or that ever shall be done2 though he should feed upon nothing but thorns1 and suffer death1 not once1 but every day2 yet could he not thereby1 of himself1 be able to procure the least grace4 ,depend not then upon thine own works1 but upon the infinite mercies of ,god in ,jesus ,christ1 with a resigned and humble spirit3 and then be confident1 that the same ,jesus will1 of his free love and mercy1 give thee whatever he shall see expedient for thee4 ,this is the meaning of the saying of our ,lord1 8,when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you1 say1 ,we are unprofitable servants40 ,luke #ag3aj4 ,o merciful ,god6 how poor1 how worthless in thy sight is our righteousness2 it is no better than 8filthy rags40 ,isa4 #fd3f4 ,for all the works of good men would be of no value for our justification4 ,enter then into thy purchased inheritance by the surest gate1 even the meritorious work of thy blessed ,saviour4 ,offer up to ,god his passion1 for the punishments which thou hast deserved2 his holy thoughts1 for thy polluted imaginations2 his many divine words1 for thy vain speeches2 in a word1 all his works1 his poverty1 his patience1 his meekness and charity1 for all thy defects and omissions4 ,keep thine eyes fixed on the blessed ,jesus1 and thou shalt obtain grace and favor with ,god4 ,with the ,prodigal ,son 7,luke #ae3bj71 return to thy offended ,father1 and he will receive and embrace thee4 ,his mercies are unchangeably the same1 ready to be communicated to every sincere penitent4 ,this he freely offers to all1 and nothing is more agreeable to him1 than to show mercy to him that asks it in faith4 ,for 8his hand is not shortened1 that it cannot save40 ,isa4 #ei3a4 ,and the more wretched and miserable thou appearest in his sight1 the more welcome shalt thou be to ,him1 who is desirous to enrich thee out of his own treasures4 ,the sins of the whole world1 bear no more proportion to his infinite mercies1 than a single drop of water does to the vast ocean4 ,but as soon as thou art in a state of grace1 all thy works wrought hence in thee1 shall be made acceptable to ,god1 through his only begotten ,son1 by whom alone we have access to his mercies4 ,in this faith1 in this union with the ,son of ,god1 thou shalt live4 ,he is that living fountain that purifies all our uncleanness1 and makes all our works acceptable in his sight4 ,zech4 #ac3a4 #c4 ,but still take heed to thyself1 and remember that thou rest not even in thy spiritual privileges1 which1 as a child of ,god1 are bestowed upon thee1 but in ,god alone1 the author and giver of them4 ,hence we are commanded1 8to delight in the ,lord0 7,ps4 #cg3d72 not in his gifts1 but in his glory2 that his will may be perfected in us4 ,we must then refer all our gifts and graces to their munificent donor1 even ,god4 ,in order to use them aright1 let this rule be deeply fixed in our minds4 ,if thou hadst all the gifts and graces which ,god has bestowed1 either in heaven1 or on earth1 with the good works of all the saints that have ever lived2 as soon as thou beginnest to take an inordinate pleasure in them1 and to delight in them as a property of thine own1 they are immediately defiled with the stain and guilt of idolatry4 ,for there is nothing either in heaven or earth1 in which we ought to rest1 but ,god alone4 ,and when we do this1 then ,god himself is our joy1 our delight1 our rest1 our fulness1 our treasure1 and our refuge2 and in this consists the fulness of blessing2 we then become proper vessels of divine grace4 ,for in proud spirits1 which are the organs of the devil1 ,god cannot operate2 but 8he giveth grace to the humble10 as ,st4 ,peter tells us 7#a ,pet4 #e3e71 and filleth their souls with his treasures4 ,inward pride is the fruitful root of all vices4 ,by this the devil keeps his strongholds in the soul1 which ,god alone has a right to inhabit4 ,the vine1 as to its outward form1 seems to be but a useless plant1 fit for nothing but the fire2 and yet1 under that mean outside1 conceals veins of most generous juice4 ,so it is with all those godly persons1 through whom the ,spirit of ,god operates3 they appear in the sight of men as vile and contemptible persons2 their appearance is humble1 and void of external grandeur2 but within1 they are full of invaluable treasures1 even living streams of blessing flowing incessantly from the throne and presence of ,god4 ,but they who are puffed up with their gifts1 who make a show of their alms1 who build altars in churches at their own cost1 adorning them with their own names1 arms1 and titles of honor2 these1 by displaying so industriously their good deeds to the world1 have indeed received their reward4 ,in the same unhappy state also are they1 whose mouths are full of their own wants and unworthiness1 continually desiring others to pray for them2 not considering that other alms1 proceeding from an humble1 sincere1 and devout heart1 are a more effectual prayer to ,god1 than are all the intercessions of persons who know that these alms are given only for display4 #d4 ,if1 then1 thou wouldest have thy works to be sincere and acceptable before ,god1 observe carefully these four general rules3 #a4 ,think humbly of all thine actions1 not respecting thyself1 but ,god alone4 #b4 ,let this humility be deeply rooted in thy soul1 humbling thyself not only under the hand of ,god1 but under every man1 whether small or great1 from a hearty sense of thine own unworthiness4 #c4 ,look upon all that thou doest as unprofitable and worthless4 #d4 ,have a profound dread of the secret judgment of ,god1 not1 indeed1 as proceeding from any doubts about the mercies of ,god2 but1 regarding him as thy best friend1 be careful to avoid everything that may disoblige or offend him4 ,he that despises these four rules1 renders even his best actions impure in the sight of ,god4 ,but he that carefully attends to them as the rules of action1 shall be like a green olive tree in the house of his ,god1 bearing good fruit abundantly4 ,ps4 #eb3h4 #e4 ,and we must observe that even the most inconsiderable thing thou doest1 if it promote the good of thy neighbor1 is acceptable to ,god2 whilst he that employs not his talent to that end1 shall have a serious account to give at the last day4 ,this is the only use and end of ,god's gifts1 that we should readily and industriously employ them for the benefit of others4 ,every action1 art1 employment1 and profession1 were given by ,god for this only end4 ,and these are the works which1 as our ,lord tells us1 8are wrought in ,god0 7,john #c3ba72 that is1 in faith and charity1 directed solely to the glory of ,god and the benefit of our neighbor1 without any prospect of honor or advantage to ourselves1 of which every man's own conscience is the proper judge4 ,consider then carefully with thyself the spring and motives of all thy actions1 remembering that if thou neglect or refuse to employ the blessings of ,god for thy neighbor's benefit1 thou must have the same punishment with the slothful servant1 who was deprived of his talent which he had hid in the ground1 and not employed1 and saw it given to another that better knew how to use it4 ,matt4 #be3bf4 ,thus thou losest both the gift and the grace4 ,no less foolish are they who pretend to things above their strength1 who talk eloquently and fluently of what they neither practise nor understand4 ,though these should confidently pretend to speak by the authority of the blessed ,trinity1 yet is all this nothing but empty boasting1 unless they demonstrate that they experimentally know what they so magisterially inculcate4 #f4 ,remember also1 that no actions1 how great and glorious soever in appearance1 which proceed only from ostentation and vainglory1 can be well pleasing to ,god4 ,for as is the principle of our actions1 such are also the actions proceeding from it4 ,whence it follows1 that such as regard themselves only1 are no better than impostors and hypocrites4 ,their best works are no better than painted sepulchres1 which appear beautiful without1 but within are full of nothing but corruption4 ,there is in them no pure love of ,god1 no desire to promote his glory2 but only a certain carnal self-love and an insatiable thirst of vainglory4 #g4 ,the sum of all is this1 that all our works1 how specious soever they may appear1 if they be directed to any other end but ,god1 are nothing but vanity and idolatry4 ,for he is truly an idolater1 who proposes to himself any other end or aim but ,god4 ,wherefore1 if thou hast any gifts1 use them1 but take heed that thy heart rest not in them2 if it so rest1 thou art guilty of idolatry4 ,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,of ,the ,mystery ,of ,the ,cross1 ,by ,which ,we ,are ,drawn ,to ,god4 ,he that taketh not his cross1 and followeth after me1 is not worthy of me4--,,matt4 #aj3ch4 ,let all that desire to be the true disciples and followers of ,jesus ,christ1 bear their cross in this world1 be it what it may2 for if thou flee from one1 another will meet thee2 and do what thou wilt1 thou must bear it4 ,but under every cross the hand of ,god is with us1 to lighten it and make it easy1 and by his assistance we may bear it with pleasure4 ,but when ,god withdraws his hand1 then1 indeed1 it is a heavy burden4 ,now the ,son of ,god bore a very heavy burden1 and in the most afflicting circumstances2 of which1 in their proportion1 all his true friends and followers have been partakers4 ,words cannot express the many and great advantages that are in the cross2 forasmuch as ,god lays it upon us in mere love1 that he may thereby draw us to himself1 and make us 8conformable to the image of his ,son0 7,rom4 #h3bi71 and partakers of eternal happiness4 ,the wounds in ,christ's sacred feet1 should teach us abstinence and patience3 abstinence from carnal lusts and fleshly pleasures2 and patience under all afflictions and oppositions1 whether from within or without4 ,the wounds in his sacred hands1 should teach us silence and contempt of worldly things4 ,the wound in his side1 should teach us to deny ourselves1 and seek for rest and joy in ,christ alone4 ,his naked body stretched on the cross1 should continually put us in mind1 that we must be stripped and bare of all created comforts4 ,for as ,christ was fixed naked to the cross1 and his garments were parted by lot before his blessed eyes 7,ps4 #bb3ah2 ,matt4 #bg3ce71 so1 be assured1 that if thou art desirous of perfection1 thou must be stripped of everything which is not of ,god4 ,and as every cross1 however small1 is laid upon thee by the particular order and direction of ,providence1 so thou oughtest to receive it with thankfulness4 ,for the beloved friends of ,god have always the greatest share of afflictions4 ,the devil always makes use of our prosperity1 as the best season and occasion of our ruin2 to prevent which1 it pleases ,god1 in mere compassion1 to visit his children with a variety of crosses and afflictions1 thereby withdrawing us from the love of the world1 and disappointing the malicious designs of the tempter4 ,did we but know how efficacious the cross is in bringing us to ,god1 driving away the devil from us1 and entitling us to future glories1 we should not only expect it with patience1 but run out vigorously to meet it4 ,for so great is the dignity1 so transcendent are the benefits of the cross1 that ,god has allotted it as the inseparable companion of all his chosen servants4 #b4 ,did we thoroughly consider the benefits and honor of the cross1 we should think ourselves unworthy of so great a blessing2 for great is the honor of being made like unto the ,son of ,god6 ,he was never acceptable to the world1 but was its scorn and derision4 ,but now1 scarcely one ,christian in a thousand is come to that perfection1 as not to desire to please the world4 ,he that pleaseth the world1 cannot1 however1 please ,god3 and he that is full of the world1 is empty of ,god4 ,but so far as a man dies to himself and the world1 so far is ,christ1 the true life1 advanced in him4 ,no man can please ,god better than by fully submitting to his will4 ,if my prince should like to see me in one suit of clothes rather than in any other1 ,i should certainly esteem it better than the most gaudy dress4 ,and since my ,god is better pleased to see me under the cross1 ,i ought certainly to prefer it to all the affluence and glories of the world4 ,but perhaps thou art in doubt with thyself1 whether the cross which thou bearest1 has come from ,god2 if so1 let this be the test3 ,whatsoever thou sufferest for thine own sake1 will be grievous and tedious1 but if thou suffer for ,god's sake1 thy cross will be easy1 for ,god himself will lighten it4 ,what matters it then1 whether thy load be of the weight of a hundred or of a thousand pounds1 if ,he but lend a helping hand1 and make thy yoke easy and thy burden light4 ,matt4 #aa3cj4 ,wherefore1 ,o ,lord1 lay upon me what burden thou pleasest2 only assist me in my weakness with the everlasting arms of thy omnipotence6--,observe1 in the next place1 that the choicest blessings of ,god are bestowed upon us whilst we are under the cross2 and though they are sometimes bestowed beforehand1 yet it is the cross that confirms them in the soul2 and as it is so very useful and necessary to the soul1 ,god has given a large share of it to his faithful friends and servants1 and particularly to his only begotten ,son ,jesus ,christ2 the advantage it brings with it1 making it tolerable and easy to be borne4 ,devout men submit themselves entirely to ,god1 keeping their minds easy and cheerful under all the vicissitudes of life4 ,particularly1 they take care to preserve humility1 as the best guard against the assaults of their spiritual adversaries4 ,though ,god sent his only ,son into the world1 in order to suffer in his human nature1 yet we expect an exemption from sufferings4 ,but1 be assured that if you would walk in the same way1 and rest upon a firm foundation1 you must expect to suffer with ,christ1 and in some degree at least1 to have your lives conformable to his4 ,every affliction1 how small soever1 is a token of divine love1 commissioned to visit us for our good4 ,and the united malice of earth and hell cannot do the least hurt to a devout man trained up in sufferings1 and in obedience to the discipline of the cross4 ,the more his enemies assault1 the higher is he exalted by ,god4 ,and though he should be thrust down into hell1 yet even there would he meet his ,god1 and hell itself should be a heaven and blessedness to him4 #c4 ,when ,god sees a man too weak for a temptation1 he refreshes him a little with his consolations1 that he may not entirely sink under it3 but he should know1 that these intermissions are only allowed him in order to recover his strength1 that he may the better bear up against a fresh assault4 ,so it pleases the divine love to exercise men1 that by various trials and temptations1 they may be brought to despise all worldly enjoyments1 and1 like the panting hart 7,ps4 #db3a71 may long for the fountains of divine peace and joy1 the refreshing streams of life and glory4 ,there the weary soul may drink and be satisfied1 and quench its thirst in those rivers of pleasure which are ever flowing from the tender and paternal love of ,god4 ,this is what the wise men of this world neither know nor understand4 ,for the natural man cannot discern the things of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,if the children of a family should plunder the wine-cellar1 and be intoxicated1 whilst the father is asleep in his bed1 how would he bear it when informed of the matter8 ,would he not correct their extravagance by wholesome severities8 ,thus ,god deals with his children4 ,he allows them plentiful draughts of spiritual comfort1 and refreshes them with his mercies1 as with new wine2 but when he sees that they are immoderately fond of it1 he withdraws it from them1 and corrects their extravagant joy1 by mixtures of gall and wormwood1 bringing them thereby to a sense of their fault1 and of their necessary dependence upon him4 ,they then begin to think meanly of themselves1 and to bewail their vain presumption1 which made them fancy that they could do and suffer anything for ,god's sake1 whereas now they are ready to sink under a very small burden4 ,we know that ,christ led the way for us in misery1 poverty1 and contempt1 even unto death2 and we must follow him in the same way if we desire to enter into heaven with him4 ,so great is our pride1 that ,god sometimes cannot break it1 but by some exemplary shame1 which quickly brings us to our senses1 and shows us our own unworthiness4 ,this is the only means of bringing us to a true knowledge of ourselves4 ,many a man has gone astray for want of these wholesome trials4 ,he that considers this as he ought1 will certainly rejoice in shame and reproaches for ,god's sake4 ,for whom the ,lord loveth1 he chasteneth in this manner1 in order to cure him of his arrogance and pride1 and bring him to humble thoughts of himself4 #d4 ,whosoever will follow the blessed ,jesus1 must 8deny himself1 and take up his cross40 ,many would freely follow him1 if they could do it without difficulties and sufferings2 but these1 aiming chiefly at their own ease1 whilst they pretend to follow ,christ1 will find themselves deceived at the last4 ,for it behooved ,christ to die1 and to suffer1 and to enter into his kingdom 7,luke #bd3bf1 #df73 and if we intend to share with him in the glories of his kingdom1 we must also be content to share in his sufferings2 for unless we suffer with him here1 we shall never reign with him hereafter4 ,so1 then1 if we intend to follow him1 we must cheerfully and contentedly submit to every cross1 whether inward or outward1 and by this means we shall at length arrive at the glories which he himself attained by the cross4 ,how many do we see every day drudging in the service of the world2 they venture body and soul2 go into foreign countries2 rush through fire and sword2 and all for the sake of a little uncertain honor2 and shall not we do as much to purchase the everlasting glories of heaven1 as they do for the trifling riches and glories of this world8 ,god manifests himself to us under the cross1 as much as in the most cheerful spiritual visitations2 yea1 we then receive greater communications of heavenly joy1 when we are most empty of worldly comforts4 ,for as salt preserves flesh from putrefaction2 so afflictions and temptations keep the soul from falling into sin and misery4 ,and the deeper a man sinks into the centre of humility by the cross1 the deeper does he penetrate into the heart of ,god1 which is always open to receive and embrace the mortified and humble soul4 ,this is the great end proposed by ,god1 in all his various methods of humbling us2 that1 being sensible of our own great corruption1 we may die to ourselves1 and live entirely unto him4 ,the saints of old1 when under heavy tribulations1 could no otherwise possess their souls in patience and liberty1 than by a total abandonment and denial of themselves1 being ready to submit to every cross which ,god should lay upon them1 even though it should last during their whole life4 ,by this humility1 obedience1 and self-denial1 they were at last delivered4 ,for the end designed by ,god in sending crosses upon them1 being answered1 he was pleased immediately to release them4 #e4 ,the last comfort under the cross is1 that thou canst not be hurt by it1 unless it be by thine own fault1 by being fretful and impatient under it4 ,thou art very much in the wrong1 if thou thinkest thyself injured by this or that man2 they cannot hurt thee if thou keep thy mind steady and even under its burden4 ,be assured1 that so long as thou art master of thyself and thy passions1 the whole world can do thee no harm4 ,if thou wouldst be safe1 then1 against the assaults of thine enemy1 answer not again2 be silent1 even as a dead man1 in his grave4 ,every calumny and reproach which the world shall cast upon thee1 shall be as rays of light1 encircling thy head with a crown of glory4 ,how glorious are the three degrees of patience1 in which true victory consists6 ,the first is1 to suffer without murmuring4 ,the second is1 not only to suffer patiently1 but even to wish for suffering for ,christ's sake1 from a pure love of him4 ,the third is1 to rejoice in suffering2 and this is the most powerful and the greatest victory of all4 ,,book ,,iv4 ,preface ,to ,the ,fourth ,book4 ,all ,creatures ,are ,messengers ,of ,god1 ,intended ,to ,lead ,us ,to ,god4 ,by him were all things created1 that are in heaven1 and that are in earth1 visible and invisible1 whether they be thrones1 or dominions1 or principalities1 or powers3 all things were created by him1 and for him2 and he is before all things1 and by him all things consist4--,,col4 #a3af1 #ag4 ,the eminent prophet ,moses exhibits to us two powerful witnesses of ,god1 in the book of ,creation4 ,the first is the universe2 the second is the inferior world1 that is1 ,man4 ,both of them1 the universe and the heart of man1 furnish glorious testimony in the ,scriptures1 by which the ,creator and ,preserver of all things is revealed1 and also formed in our hearts4 #b4 ,we shall1 therefore1 introduce in this ,book the testimony of both1 that is1 first1 of the universe1 and secondly1 of the inferior world4 ,thus we shall learn that all creatures are1 as it were1 the guides and messengers of ,god1 whereby we are to be brought to ,christian knowledge1 and also to ,god in ,christ4 #c4 ,it is therefore unnecessary to attempt to prove that this ,book also belongs to ,true ,christianity1 although there are some who might entertain a different opinion4 ,if they desire additional evidence1 they may find it in the passage quoted above 7,col4 #a3af1 #ag71 and also in the ,introduction of the ,gospel according to ,st4 ,john1 and in very many passages of the ,old and the ,new ,testaments4 ,let them consider specially ,psalms #ai2 #ajd2 #aci2 and the words of ,st4 ,paul in ,rom4 #h3 #bb1 concerning the groaning of the whole creation1 and in #a ,cor4 #ae3db-eb1 concerning the resurrection of the dead2 in that case they will judge me with more gentleness and favor4 ,and they will also assent to the ,saviour's own method of teaching1 who used to explain and demonstrate to his disciples and followers the mysteries of his kingdom and of true ,christianity1 by beautiful illustrations taken from the book of nature4 ,but if they oppose the very ,sacraments themselves1 which are so many witnesses and seals of divine grace taken from the great book of nature1 then ,i refer them to ,st4 ,ambrose1 ,basil1 ,theodoret1 and others1 who have written largely and learnedly upon the six days' creation4 #d4 ,thus much may suffice in defence of my method and design2 to which ,i beg leave to subjoin only this admonition1 as the great argument of the whole1 namely1 that it is the duty of a true ,christian to use ,god's creatures to his honor and glory1 so that ,god in all things may be glorified1 through ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 #e4 ,observe the method by which the creatures lead us unto ,god4 ,an indulgent father invites his children to come to him2 and if they are backward1 offers them an apple or some other engaging present4 ,this he gives1 not that the child should be in love with the present1 but be induced by it to be more fond of the giver4 ,just so ,god deals with us2 he invites us by all the engaging invitations and promises of the ,gospel2 and not content with that1 he offers us many great and noble gifts1 8doing us good1 and giving us rain from heaven1 and fruitful seasons1 filling our hearts with food and gladness40 ,acts #ad3ag4 ,all these blessings are so many messengers sent from ,god to draw us to himself1 and to instruct us how to taste the goodness of the ,giver and ,creator in that of the creature4 #f4 ,but so perverse is man1 that his heart is set upon his gold and silver1 his houses1 estates1 honors1 and pleasures1 which1 however good in their kind1 are yet in the sight of ,god of no value2 they are only given us by ,god1 to draw us to himself4 ,for this reason it was1 that ,god made man so needy and helpless a creature1 that by the variety of his blessings and multitude of his benefits1 he might draw him to himself1 and teach him by these various instances of his love and goodness1 that all the comfort and sweetness which he tastes in the creature1 really proceeds from the ,creator2 and that he alone is able to comfort1 relieve1 and support us1 when these perishing worldly comforts forsake and leave us4 #g4 ,but the greatest of all ,god's messengers1 the most excellent of all his gifts1 is the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 the only begotten ,son of ,god1 in whom are all the fulness and perfection of divine love and goodness4 ,his mercy is over all his works1 and 8by him all things were made40 ,john #a3c4 8,by him all things consist40 ,col4 #a3ag4 8,he upholdeth all things by the word of his power40 ,heb4 #a3c4 #h4 ,having said thus much by way of preface1 ,i begin the ,first ,part of this ,book1 treating in general of the six days of creation1 to promote the knowledge1 glory1 and praise of ,god4 #i4 ,of man1 we shall speak more particularly in the ,second ,part2 and ,i intreat my readers to read the ,conclusion to my ,second ,book1 before they begin to judge me4 ,for ,i again protest and declare that ,i desire my writings to be understood in accordance with the ,symbolical ,books of the ,church of the ,augsburg ,confession1 and in no other sense4 ,part ,i4 ,treating ,of ,the ,works ,of ,the ,six ,days ,of ,creation1 ,in ,general4 ,chapter ,i4 ,of ,light1 ,the ,work ,of ,the ,first ,day4 ,god said1 ,let there be light2 and there was light4--,he covereth himself with light as with a garment4--,god is light1 and in him is no darkness at all4--,,gen4 #a3c2 ,,ps4 #ajd3b2 #a ,,john #a3e4 ,in those words in ,job #ch3ai--8,where is the way where light dwelleth8 and as for darkness1 where is the place thereof80 it is intimated that the nature of light is very difficult to be explained1 and that its original is not to be comprehended by finite understandings4 ,for though we know something of it by means of sight1 yet it is but little2 however1 let us employ that little to promote the glory of ,god4 #b4 ,first1 then1 we say that light is a noble1 subtle1 and pure principle1 separated from the darkness in the morning of the creation1 when ,god 8commanded the light to shine out of darkness40 #b ,cor4 #d3f4 ,by this the world is enlightened and comforted1 and all its beautiful variety is distinctly known and apprehended4 ,by this1 as some think1 the light of life was conveyed into the great world1 incorporating itself with every creature4 ,from this pure brightness and glorious splendor1 light and beauty flowed into the sun1 constituting it thereby the great luminary of the day1 which it governs and directs4 ,jer4 #ca3ce4 ,whence1 also1 the ,creator himself calls the light day4 ,gen4 #a3e1 #ad4 #c4 ,but as it is the duty of a ,christian to contemplate the works of ,god with spiritual eyes1 so as therein to see the ,creator1 and by the work be led to praise the ,maker2 let us take a nearer view of this subject1 and see how the light and the sun bear witness of ,god and ,christ4 #d4 ,and the first conclusion that naturally presents itself is this3 ,if ,god created so beautiful1 refreshing1 enlivening1 clear1 and shining a light2 how much more lovely1 comfortable1 and refreshing a light must ,he be himself8 ,therefore1 the commentator upon ,st4 ,dionysius1 to the question1 8,why ,god first of all created light80 answers--,because from his own essential light1 the visible light almost naturally proceeds1 as that which bears the nearest resemblance to his own nature2 and therefore he calls light1 a little after1 8the image of the goodness of ,god20 adding1 that the light in ,god was transcendent and above comprehension2 in angels and men1 intelligible2 in the sun1 visible4 #e4 ,and1 whereas ,god made the light1 in order that the true external form and beauty of the creatures might be distinctly seen and apprehended1 it follows that there is also another secret or concealed light1 by which the internal form of the creatures may be likewise known1 and from which nothing can be hidden4 ,and this light is the eternal wisdom of ,god1 which1 being compared with the natural and created light1 has been fitly called the brightness of the everlasting light4 #f4 ,of this ,st4 ,dionysius writes in these words4 8,as the visible light directs1 governs1 and fills the visible world2 so the incomprehensible and heavenly light1 fills and enlightens all heavenly spirits4 ,it also purifies the soul from darkness and error1 and brings it into communion with the light of ,god4 ,it is at first no more than a twilight1 or faint glimmering of light2 but when it is tasted1 loved1 and desired1 then1 in proportion to our love1 it increases more and more unto the perfect day4 ,wherefore this transcendent light exceeds all lights1 being1 as it were1 the centre and fountain of them all4 ,from its fulness it enlightens all spirits2 and1 being the original of all light1 it comprehends under it all the degrees of spiritual1 angelical1 rational1 and natural light4 ,and as ignorance separates deluded souls from the light2 so the presence of this divine light1 collects1 unites1 perfects1 and delivers from ignorance and error1 all that are enlightened by it3 it converts them to the truth1 reducing their various imaginations to the standard of pure and simple truth1 and fills their souls with pure and uniform light40 ,thus far ,st4 ,dionysius4 #g4 ,in the light of the sun1 also1 shines forth the pure1 deep1 and ardent love of ,god4 ,for whom did he create the sun8 ,certainly not for himself1 for he needeth not the sun1 nor any other created light1 being himself a light infinite and eternal4 ,it was for our sakes1 therefore1 that he created it2 so that every ray of light proceeding from the sun1 is indeed a ray of divine love towards mankind4 #h4 ,and as the eternal wisdom of ,god is likewise a bright sun1 clearly discovering his mercy and beneficence2 therefore1 according to the nature and properties of the visible sun and light1 it may also be called1 an image of the divine goodness4 #i4 ,the created light determines the order1 figures1 and distinctions of all created things2 for without it1 the whole world would be nothing but darkness and confusion4 ,so that upon this account also1 the light is an image of the divine wisdom4 #aj4 ,the created light1 by its brightness and splendor1 causes everything to turn to it2 so the goodness of ,god draws all things to itself1 as the centre and principle of all things4 #aa4 ,the light of the sun is pure and spotless2 so is the love of ,god towards mankind4 ,hence also the divine wisdom1 being a spotless light1 is1 agreeably to this property of the sun1 the spotless mirror of the divine majesty4 #ab4 ,as the light flows plentifully and freely from the sun2 so the love of ,god descends plentifully upon us4 ,as the sun shines freely upon all1 without respect of persons2 so the divine love overflows upon all mankind4 ,as the light proceeds from the nature and essence of the sun2 so does the love of ,god flow from his very nature and essence4 #ac4 ,moreover1 as ,god created the external light for the world and visible bodies2 so it is worth inquiring1 whether he did not at the same time provide an inward and spiritual light for the soul4 ,for ,god took not less care of the soul1 than he did of the body4 ,now this light of the soul is ,god the ,father1 ,jesus ,christ1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 the ever blessed and undivided ,trinity1 by whom our understandings are enlightened through faith4 8,arise1 shine2 for thy light is come1 and the glory of the ,lord is risen upon thee40 ,isa4 #fj3a4 #ad4 ,now as the sun enlightens the world1 so does ,christ enlighten the soul4 8,that was the true ,light1 which lighteth every man that cometh into the world0 7,john #a3i72 and is1 therefore1 called by the prophet ,malachi1 8,the ,sun of righteousness40 ,mal4 #d3b4 ,st4 ,james calls ,god1 8the ,father of lights40 ,james #a3ag4 ,the ,holy ,ghost appeared upon the ,apostles in the form of fiery tongues 7,acts #b3c72 and from this eternal light proceeds the light of grace1 the light of wisdom and divine knowledge1 the light of truth and life1 the light of joy and consolation1 the light of ,god's countenance1 the light of faith and all ,christian virtues4 #ae4 ,this light is the chief beauty and glory of the creatures4 ,god is said to be clothed 8with light as with a garment40 ,ps4 #ajd3b4 8,the glory of the ,lord0 7,luke #b3i71 is also the beauty of the blessed saints and holy angels4 ,the highest majesty and glory of the elect in the other world1 will consist in light and splendor4 8,the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their ,father0 7,matt4 #ac3dc2 ,dan4 #ab3c72 which is also expressed in the appearance of the woman clothed with the sun4 ,rev4 #ab3a4 ,lastly1 as the light is the greatest ornament of this visible world2 so the everlasting light shall be the chief glory of the heavenly ,jerusalem4 ,rev4 #ba3aa4 #af4 ,the more light any creature has1 the more noble it is4 ,this appears from the angels1 the sun1 moon1 stars1 and precious stones4 ,so virtue itself is a most glorious light1 and all the redeemed in the next world1 shall be full of light and glory1 and accordingly shall be distinguished1 as 8one star differeth from another star in glory40 #a ,cor4 #ae3da4 #ag4 ,light is refreshing3 and who can doubt but1 when the day of eternal light arrives1 the blessed saints shall be refreshed with joy unspeakable8 ,without question1 the light of the everlasting ,sun of righteousness shall give us infinitely more delight and joy1 than this created sun1 which only gives light to a world of misery and sorrow4 #ah4 ,the light awakens those that sleep2 so ,christ1 our light1 rouses us from the sleep of sin4 8,awake1 thou that sleepest1 and ,christ shall give thee light40 ,eph4 #e3ad4 #ai4 ,the light directs the traveller in his way3 so saith ,christ--8,i am the light of the world2 he that followeth me1 shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life40 ,john #h3ab2 #ac3df4 #bj4 ,moreover1 as light has a vital power in it2 so in ,christ1 our light1 8was life2 and the life was the light of men40 ,john #a3d4 8,the ,lord is my light and my salvation2 he is the strength of my life40 ,ps4 #bg3a4 #ba4 ,as the light cannot be seen but by itself2 so ,god cannot be known but by ,himself3 8,in thy light shall we see light40 ,ps4 #cf3i4 #bb4 ,as the external light chases away the darkness1 and the spirits of darkness2 so ,christ1 who is the light of ,god in us1 chases away unbelief1 and all the works of darkness and ,satan4 ,god must speak the word in us1 as he did at the first creation1 8,let there be light60 or we shall for ever remain in darkness4 ,this made the ,psalmist say1 8,thou wilt light my candle2 the ,lord will enlighten my darkness40 ,ps4 #ah3bh4 8,to give light to them that sit in darkness1 and in the shadow of death40 ,luke #a3gi4 8,i saw an angel come down from heaven2 and the earth was lightened with his glory40 ,rev4 #ah3a4 #bc4 ,when the daylight is gone1 the moon1 regent of the night1 arises with a pale lustre3 so1 without the light of ,christ1 man is nothing but darkness2 and the boasted light of reason is but dim obscurity4 #bd4 ,and as he would be called foolish1 who preferred being enlightened by the moon1 rather than by the sun2 so are they much more foolish1 who prefer the wisdom of this world1 to the eternal wisdom of ,god in ,christ ,jesus4 ,and as none but a madman would make use of the light of a candle in sunshine2 so no man in his senses would think himself more enlightened by worldly wisdom1 than by the divine wisdom4 ,strange madness6 that a man should expect more light from the creature1 than from the ,creator1 the ,father of lights1 ,god blessed for ever6 ,whosoever duly apprehends my meaning1 has in him the beginning of the divine1 eternal1 and heavenly wisdom1 which is the subject of the whole #aaith ,psalm4 #be4 ,as the sun is the ornament of heaven1 so ,christ is the ornament of his church1 and of the new heaven1 and new earth in their future glory1 where it will be manifested to all the elect1 that he is 8the brightness of his ,father's glory1 and the express image of his person40 ,heb4 #a3c2 ,col4 #a3ae4 #bf4 ,as dwellings are pleasant1 in proportion as they receive the light1 so 8,god dwelleth in light40 #a ,tim4 #f3af4 ,and the heavenly ,jerusalem is described as full of sweet and refreshing light4 8,it hath no need of the sun1 neither of the moon1 to shine in it3 for the glory of ,god enlightens it1 and the ,lamb is the light thereof40 ,rev4 #ba3bc4 #bg4 ,ah the light makes all things clear and plain2 so there is nothing in heaven or in earth1 no spirit1 no being1 nor the very thoughts of the heart1 that can be hidden from the light of divine wisdom4 ,heb4 #d3ab1 #ac4 ,hence the ,psalmist says1 8,thou hast set our iniquities before thee1 our secret sins in the light of thy countenance40 ,ps4 #ij3h4 ,and 8,thou understandest my thought afar off40 ,ps4 #aci3b4 #bh4 ,as the light communicates itself to all creatures1 and diffuses itself over the world2 so ,god communicates himself to all creatures1 particularly to men1 delighting most of all in doing them good4 #bi4 ,lastly1 the light and sun are a witness of the glorification of our souls and bodies at the resurrection4 ,the glorification of our souls is1 indeed1 in some degree accomplished in this life by the ,holy ,spirit1 according to the words of ,st4 ,paul1 8,we all1 with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the ,lord1 are changed into the same image from glory to glory1 even as by the ,spirit of the ,lord40 #b ,cor4 #c3ah4 ,these1 however1 are but the imperfect beginnings1 and first glimpses of eternal happiness2 but hereafter both soul and body shall be clothed with everlasting light and glory4 ,hence ,st4 ,paul says1 8,there is one glory of the sun1 and another glory of the moon1 and another glory of the stars3 so also is the resurrection of the dead40 #a ,cor4 #ae3da1 #db4 8,they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament2 and they that turn many to righteousness1 as the stars forever and ever40 ,dan4 #ab3ac4 #cj4 ,of this we find an image in the transfiguration of our ,lord1 when 8his face did shine as the sun1 and his raiment was white as the light40 ,matt4 #ag3b4 ,this was the heavenly brightness the splendor of the everlasting ,sun4 ,so the face of ,moses shone like the brightness of the sun1 so that the children of ,israel could not look upon him4 ,exod4 #cd3bi2 #b ,cor4 #c3g4 ,and this was the consequence of only a few days passed in the divine presence4 ,how great then must that glory be1 which will be the result of our eternal union and converse with him6 ,the lustre of the face of ,moses was terrible to look on1 but the glory of ,christ was refreshing and comfortable4 #ca4 ,rev4 #a3ad1 #af4 ,the eyes of him that had the seven stars in his hand1 were 8as a flame of fire40 ,and the same ,jesus ,christ1 who is the eternal light1 shall so glorify us at the last day1 that our whole bodies shall shine like lightning4 ,matt4 #f3bb2 ,luke #aa3cf4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,of ,heaven1 ,the ,work ,of ,the ,second ,day4 ,see ,,gen4 #a3f-h2 ,,ps4 #ajd3f2 ,,ps4 #ai3a4 ,who can doubt that the admirable and pure structure of heaven1 with all its wonderful properties1 is a strong evidence and witness of ,god8 8,what are heaven and all the beauty of nature0 7says one of the ancients71 8but an illustrious mirror1 in which we view the wonders of their ,maker40 ,for if ,god created all so pure1 so glorious1 and so firm1 that our weak understandings cannot comprehend or explain it2 how pure1 how glorious1 eternal1 spiritual1 unutterable a ,being must that ,god be who created all8 ,and if ,he has made so glorious a heaven over men1 during their short abode here2 how much more illustrious a mansion has he not reserved for us hereafter in the region of life and immortality8 ,hence ,st4 ,paul tells us1 8,we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved1 we have a building of ,god1 a house not made with hands1 eternal in the heavens4 ,for in this we groan1 earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven40 #b ,cor4 #e3a1 #b4 #b4 ,as to the stupendous height and compass of heaven1 to which the earth is in comparison no more than a single point2 how does it suggest to us the immense and unsearchable power and wisdom of ,god8 8,for as the heavens are higher than the earth1 so are my ways higher than your ways1 and my thoughts1 than your thoughts1 saith the ,lord40 ,isa4 #ee3h1 #i4 ,does not its circular roundness remind us of the eternity of ,god8 ,for of both there is neither beginning nor end4 ,does it not also tell us of his omnipresence8 ,for as the heaven surrounds and encompasses all things1 so does the ,god of heaven support and comprehend all his creatures4 8,who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand1 and meted out heaven with the span1 and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure1 and weighed the mountains in scales1 and the hills in a balance80 ,isa4 #dj3ab4 #c4 ,and as1 in a circle1 no part can be called upper and lower2 so ,god fills all things equally4 ,heaven and earth are full of the majesty of his glory2 8,he is not far from every one of us2 for in him we live1 and move1 and have our being40 ,acts #ag3bg1 #bh4 ,for though there are antipodes and many other creatures under us1 as is demonstrable from the figure of the earth2 yet by the wonderful power of ,god the heaven is everywhere over our heads1 and we look up directly towards it1 by reason of its immensity4 #d4 ,does not also the firmament of heaven remind us of the constant1 eternal1 and immutable truth of ,god and his ,word8 ,for who is it that supports the heaven8 ,where are the pillars that sustain it8 ,or how does it hang1 but upon the word of ,god8 8,the pillars of heaven tremble10 saith ,job1 8and are astonished at his reproof4 ,he holdeth back the face of his throne1 and spreadeth his cloud upon it40 ,job #bf3i1 #aa4 ,and if by his word he has so strongly fixed the heavens1 who can doubt that he will keep his word and promise to us forever and ever8 ,if he support the heavens by the word of his power1 doubt not but he will also support1 protect1 and preserve thee forever4 #e4 ,but1 from this created heaven1 learn to raise thy thoughts to the spiritual heaven 7#a ,kings #h3bg71 8where are fulness of joy and pleasures forever more40 ,ps4 #af3aa4 ,this ,st4 ,paul calls 8paradise1 and the third heaven0 7#b ,cor4 #ab3b1 #d72 and 8the glory into which ,jesus ,christ was received40 #a ,tim4 #c3af4 ,this our ,lord himself calls 8his ,father's house1 where he prepares a place for us0 7,john #ad3b72 and lastly1 it is called1 8the heaven of heavens40 #a ,kings #h3bg4 #f4 ,moreover1 by meditation upon this external1 transient heaven1 thou mayest learn to descend into thyself1 into thine own heart and soul2 for there also is heaven1 and the habitation of ,god4 8,for thus saith the high and lofty ,one that inhabiteth eternity1 ,i dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit1 to revive the spirit of the humble1 and to revive the heart of the contrite ones40 ,isaiah #eg3ae4 #g4 ,let this external heaven lead thee to the new heaven1 of which ,st4 ,peter speaks3 8,we1 according to his promise1 look for new heavens1 and a new earth1 wherein dwelleth righteousness40 #b ,peter #c3ac4 ,for though this visible heaven was created in such purity1 by ,god1 as not to be subject to corruption2 yet 8the heavens are not clean in his sight40 ,job #ae3ae4 ,therefore1 8they shall pass away10 as ,st4 ,peter tells us4 #b ,pet4 #c3aj4 ,and 8they shall perish1 and wax old like a garment1 and as a vesture shalt thou change them1 and they shall be changed40 ,ps4 #ajb3bg4 8,i saw a new heaven and a new earth3 for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away4 ,and he that sat upon the throne said1 ,behold1 ,i make all things new40 ,rev4 #ba3a1 #e4 8,behold1 ,i create new heavens1 and a new earth3 and the former shall not be remembered1 nor come into mind40 ,isa4 #fe3ag4 ,how beautiful1 how illustrious will be this city of ,god1 this heavenly ,jerusalem1 whose builder and maker is ,god6 ,or who can declare the glory of that happy place8 8,eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither have entered into the heart of man1 the things which ,god hath prepared for them that love him40 #a ,cor4 #b3i4 ,hence the ,evangelist ,st4 ,john describes the new and heavenly city by all the precious and costly things in nature4 ,see ,rev4 #ba3aa1 #ah-ba4 ,in a word1 this is that heaven in which 8,god will be all in all40 #a ,cor4 #ae3bh4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,of ,the ,separation ,of ,the ,waters ,from ,the ,dry ,land1 ,the ,work ,of ,the ,third ,day4 ,god said1 ,let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place1 and let the dry land appear4 ,and ,god called the dry land1 earth4--,,gen4 #a3i1 #aj4 ,the earth is full of the goodness of the ,lord4--,,ps4 #cc3e2 #ajd3bd4 ,the earth is a heavy and gross substance1 separated from the waters1 and fixed by the power of ,god to be the receptacle of all the heavenly influences4 ,this globe hangs in the air by the power of the ,almighty1 and is replenished with the vital seeds of all trees1 plants1 and vegetables4 #b4 ,the stupendous structure and foundation of the earth is a most wonderful witness of the power of ,god4 ,for by what pillars is the earth supported8 ,or where are its foundations8 #c4 ,some have disputed whether the dry land be founded in the waters2 or whether1 as being the heavier substance1 it sink to the lowest place so as to be the foundation of the waters4 #d4 ,the patrons of the first opinion build upon these testimonies3 8,he hath founded it upon the seas1 and established it upon the floods40 ,ps4 #bd3b4 ,and1 8,he stretched out the earth above the waters40 ,ps4 #acf3f4 ,to which may be added the testimony of ,st4 ,chrysostom1 that 8,god laid the foundation of the earth upon the water40 #e4 ,others assert the contrary1 #a4 ,because the earth is heaviest1 and therefore sinks to the lowest place1 where it naturally remains fixed and immovable2 for if the earth should move out of its place1 it must move upwards1 which is contrary to nature4 ,and for this they quote1 8,who laid the foundations of the earth1 that it should not be removed for ever40 ,ps4 #ajd3e4 #b4 ,they allege the experience of seamen1 who sound the bottom of the sea2 and explain those passages of the ,psalms which mention the separation of the waters of the dry land1 as ,moses describes it4 ,gen4 #a3i4 #f4 ,but on what does this vast terraqueous globe depend8 ,who bears it up8 ,where are the pillars of it8 8,he hangeth the earth upon nothing10 7,job #bf3g71 saith ,job4 ,for it hangs in the midst of heaven1 borne up in the air1 begirt with the waters1 8,thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment40 ,ps4 #ajd3f4 ,the air and water support one another2 the clouds1 though vast masses of water1 are yet supported by the air from falling2 for the power of sustaining is a property of the air4 8,he bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds1 and the cloud is not rent under them40 ,job #bf3h4 #g4 ,the stability of the earth in the waters1 and in the centre of the vast expanse of air1 is a very clear argument of the divine omnipotence2 8,where wast thou 7saith the ,lord to ,job71 when ,i laid the foundations of the earth8 ,who hath laid the measures thereof8 ,who laid the corner-stone thereof80 ,job #ch3d-f4 ,thence1 we learn1 that the foundation of the earth could not be comprehended by human understanding1 but must be counted among the infinite wonders of ,omnipotence4 8,therefore10 saith the ,psalmist1 8will not we fear1 though the earth be removed1 and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea2 though the waters thereof roar and be troubled2 though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof80 ,ps4 #df3b1 #c4 ,and that this is an argument of the wisdom of ,god is plain from ,prov4 #h3 #bi1 #cj2 where wisdom says of herself1 8,when he appointed the foundations of the earth1 ,i was with him1 etc40 #h4 ,and this is the earth of which the ,psalmist says1 8,god hath given it to the children of men40 ,ps4 #aae3af4 ,but though1 as to its external form1 it appear to be a hard1 dead1 dry1 and cold mass1 yet is it in truth1 enriched by ,god with a wonderful variety of blessings1 fruitful energy1 and seminal virtues4 ,these never rest2 but are always active to produce fruits1 adorned with agreeable forms1 odors1 tastes1 and colors1 with external signatures of their inward virtues and qualities4 #i4 ,so1 then1 from the earth proceed all the varieties of plants and vegetables1 having exchanged their old attire for a new and delicate dress4 ,the tattered garments of the preceding year being decayed and dead1 they come forth with exquisite beauty1 odor1 and color1 and1 as it were1 preach to mankind in words such as these3 8,look upon us1 ye unbelieving sons of men2 we were dead1 and are now alive again4 ,we have laid aside our old garments and bodies1 and are now renewed4 ,do ye also imitate us2 'put off the old man1 and put on the new' 7,eph4 #d3bb-bd72 being renewed in your eternal fountain and original1 which is ,god1 your ,creator1 in whose image ye were created4 ,if ye do this1 then in the day of the righteous judgment of ,god1 when ye have lost your old bodies1 ye shall1 like us1 come forth out of the earth 7#a ,cor4 #ae3db71 with new bodies1 clothed with immortal glory1 of which our new-born beauty is but a faint resemblance4 ,and whilst ye are in this world1 take not too much thought for the body4 ,matt4 #f3be1 etc4 ,consider us1 whom the ,god of nature has annually1 for so many thousands of years since the first creation to this time1 provided with beautiful clothing1 as an argument of his bounty and goodness4 ,consider our virtues and qualities1 which are given not for our1 but for your benefit2 we bloom and blossom1 not for our good1 but yours2 yea1 the blessing of ,god blossoms through us40 #aj4 ,among the vegetables1 also1 a man may discern many thousands of witnesses of the goodness and omnipotence of ,god4 ,here we have a perfect collection of drugs and simples1 an admirable and complete herbal2 yea1 a living one1 not furnished with faint draughts and dead pictures2 but graved with living characters and impressions1 to be read by every curious spectator1 but not to be fully understood by any1 except by ,him that made them4 ,and till we come fully to understand their divine signatures1 we cannot so perfectly know the wonders of ,providence contained under them4 #aa4 ,every herb and plant has its proper signature1 which is nothing less than the inscription and handwriting of ,god1 whereby he has most wonderfully and beautifully distinguished them all according to their virtues and qualities2 and in many of them1 the outward form is a token of their inward virtues4 ,the turf we tread upon is furnished both with food and medicine4 ,yea1 in the smallest grain or seed is manifested the unsearchable wisdom of ,god4 ,he has created nothing in vain1 and the minutest part of the creation is not to be overlooked or despised1 since we know not the thousandth part of its virtues4 #ab4 ,but if from their external forms we descend to their internal1 and extract their spirit by chemical processes1 separating that pure essence1 which being full of high medicinal virtue1 is lodged by ,god in the outward body1 as a diamond in a casket1 then1 indeed1 we shall truly taste the goodness of ,god in the virtues of his creatures1 and bless him with a grateful heart1 for the many comfortable medicines which he has provided for miserable man4 #ac4 ,consider1 moreover1 how the bountiful ,creator has provided not only for man1 but also furnished 8food for all flesh40 ,ps4 #acf3be2 #ade3 #ae4 ,he causeth the grass to grow for the cattle1 and herb for the service of men1 8that he may bring forth food out of the earth1 and wine that maketh glad the heart of man40 ,ps4 #ajd3ad1 #ae4 ,so that we may properly call the earth the treasury or storehouse of ,god1 in which are laid up a variety of blessings both for man and beast3 upon which account the ,psalmist says1 8the earth is full of the goodness of the ,lord40 ,ps4 #cc3e4 #ad4 ,a very wonderful effect of this divine goodness is1 that bread sustains the whole body1 so that in one single morsel is contained the nourishment of all the members of the body4 ,and because of this nutritive quality that is in bread1 therefore1 the eternal ,son of ,god calls himself the 8bread of life0 7,john #f3ce72 denoting his power of nourishing and sustaining the whole man1 body1 soul1 and spirit4 #ae4 ,it is no less wonderful1 that the greatest tree1 with its root1 trunk1 boughs1 leaves1 seed1 flowers1 and fruit1 should be contained in a very small seed2 and that every year the same plants and trees1 with their respective fruits and seeds1 should appear in their proper order and season4 ,all this must be resolved into the principle of the seed1 containing in it all those powers1 which successively display themselves in so great a variety of size1 thickness1 height1 and breadth4 #af4 ,notice also1 how the grass1 upon which the cattle feed1 becomes food for man2 being converted into the milk and flesh of the creatures that eat them4 ,even our beds and clothes grow out of the earth1 since both sheep and birds live upon the fruits of it4 #ag4 ,i shall not in this place speak particularly of trees and plants3 otherwise1 perhaps1 ,i should have taken notice of the fig-tree which was accursed by our blessed ,saviour 7,matt4 #ba3ai72 of the olive-tree1 whose leaf the dove brought into ,noah's ark 7,gen4 #h3aa72 of the palm-tree1 to which the flourishing state of the righteous is compared 7,ps4 #ib3ab72 of the cedars1 and of the spices1 of which ,moses made the holy ointment 7,exod4 #cj3bc72 of the generous spikenard1 which is a type of the ,holy ,spirit1 and of the resurrection of the dead1 being used in embalming bodies1 in order to preserve them from putrefaction2 of the vine1 and various vegetables2 from which the ,holy ,ghost draws beautiful similitudes1 designed to illustrate and explain to us the mysteries of the kingdom of ,god4 #ah4 ,of the fruitfulness of the earth1 ,david speaks thus3 8,thou visitest the earth1 and waterest it3 thou greatly enrichest it with the river of ,god which is full of water3 thou preparest them corn1 when thou hast so provided for it4 ,thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly2 thou settlest the furrows thereof3 thou makest it soft with showers3 thou blessest the springing thereof3 thou crownest the year with thy goodness1 and thy paths drop fatness40 ,ps4 #fe3i-aa4 ,that is1 every month produces its peculiar fruit out of its treasury1 the bosom of the earth4 #ai4 ,this natural fertility of the earth has been very much restrained by the curse of the ,almighty2 hence the tares which choke the good corn4 8,cursed is the ground10 saith ,god1 8thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to thee40 ,gen4 #c3ag1 #ah4 ,fruitfulness1 therefore1 must be regarded and prayed for1 as the gift and blessing of ,god1 without which1 a man can neither plough1 sow1 nor plant with success3 8for it is ,god that giveth the increase40 #a ,cor4 #c3f4 ,thus we are to understand the words1 8,a fruitful land turneth he into barrenness1 for the wickedness of them that dwell therein40 ,ps4 #ajg3cd4 #bj4 ,let our meditations on the fruitfulness of the earth1 carry our thoughts to that new earth which we expect1 8wherein dwelleth righteousness40 #b ,pet4 #c3ac4 ,there the curse1 to which the present earth is in bondage1 shall have no place2 it shall be the region of perfect blessedness and life eternal4 ,this is the new paradise1 full of celestial sweetness1 joy1 and pleasure3 then shall we truly sing this song1 8the flowers appear on the earth40 ,cant4 #b3ab4 #ba4 ,i come next to the mountains1 which by their height and beauty are no small ornament to the earth4 ,the mountains are1 in a more particular sense1 the treasury of ,god1 in which all kinds of metals are prepared4 ,they are1 as it were1 so many chemical furnaces1 in which the matter of all metals and minerals is separated and matured4 ,it has been observed1 that the best simples grow upon high mountains2 and whensoever they are transplanted into gardens1 they degenerate and lose their virtue4 ,hence it was said of ,hippocrates that the herbs which he used in the practice of medicine1 were generally gathered from hills and mountainous places4 #bb4 ,the mountains ought to remind us both of the protection of ,god 7and so the expression is used in ,scripture--8,i will lift up mine eyes unto the hills1 from whence cometh my help20 ,ps4 #aba3a72 and also of the ,church of ,god4 8,the mountains shall bring peace1 and the little hills by righteousness40 ,ps4 #gb3c4 #bc4 ,under this head1 also1 we may consider the springs and rivers of waters that run through the valleys1 adorning1 enriching1 and beautifying the earth4 ,for though1 in strict propriety1 the fountains belong to the work of the fifth day2 yet the royal ,prophet couples the mountains and springs together1 because the rivers arise from the hills4 ,ps4 #ajd3aj4 #bd4 ,solomon tells us1 8,all the rivers run into the sea2 yet the sea is not full2 unto the place from whence the rivers come1 thither they return again40 ,eccles4 #a3g4 ,though the waters1 passing out of the sea through the earth1 are sweetened by percolation2 yet they do not everywhere break forth1 nor form springs in all places1 but according to the order and appointment of ,god4 ,so saith the ,psalmist1 8,he sendeth the springs into the valleys40 ,ps4 #ajd3aj4 ,and their continual streams are not only a great blessing1 and a miracle of divine power1 but are also an apt representation of eternal life4 #be4 ,if ,god take so much care of the beasts of the earth1 shall he not much more take care of us8 ,if 8the beasts of the field cry unto him1 when the rivers of waters are dried up0 7,joel #a3bj71 how much more ought we to call upon him in all our distresses8 ,and1 whereas1 those places are generally most pleasant1 where there is the greatest plenty of springs and rivulets3 so thither the birds generally resort1 and 8sing among the branches40 ,ps4 #ajd3ab4 ,it is as if ,god had taken care to fill even the forests with their music1 that so every place might resound with his praises1 and that man might learn1 even from the animals1 that not only himself1 but all creatures were made to praise and glorify ,god4 #bf4 ,natural fountains1 of which some are well known as possessing healing virtues1 should remind us of the fountain of grace and salvation1 the water of life1 even ,jesus ,christ4 8,with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation40 ,isa4 #ab3c4 8,with thee is the fountain of life2 in thy light shall we see light40 ,ps4 #cf3i4 8,ho6 every one that thirsteth1 come ye to the waters40 ,isa4 #ee3a4 8,the ,lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them1 and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters1 and ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes40 ,rev4 #g3ag4 #bg4 ,the #ajdth ,psalm1 which gives us a beautiful account of the work of the third day1 takes particular notice of seven illustrious creatures of ,god1 all proceeding from the earth1 and all capable of a spiritual sense4 ,first1 he speaks of the earth in general2 that ,god laid its foundations1 divided it from the waters1 adorned it with mountains1 and watered it with springs4 ,thence descending to particulars1 he takes notice of its remarkable productions4 #a4 ,the dew1 wherewith ,he waters the mountains4 #b4 ,the grass4 #c4 ,bread4 #d4 ,wine4 #e4 ,oil1 or balsam4 #f4 ,the fruits of trees4 #g4 ,birds and beasts3 all which are plainly expressed in the #ajdth ,psalm4 #bh4 ,thus he speaks3 8,he watereth the hills from his chambers3 the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works40 ,ps4 #ajd3ac4 ,thus we often see with admiration1 the clouds hovering upon the mountains1 and dropping showers of plenty upon the hills1 as 8the bottles of heaven0 7,job #ch3cg72 and then ,god doth truly water the hills from above4 ,sometimes1 also1 he sends his dew1 refreshing them with great plenty4 ,thus were continually watered little ,hermon1 in ,judea1 and the mountains of ,gilboa1 where ,saul and ,jonathan1 his son1 were slain4 ,therefore ,david said1 8,ye mountains of ,gilboa1 let there be no dew1 neither let there be rain upon you40 #b ,sam4 #a3ba4 #bi4 ,it is the property of dew to make the ground rich and fruitful1 and to refresh the flowers scorched with excessive heat2 whence1 at last1 the bees by wonderful art draw their honey4 ,sometimes we see a sort of honey-dew lying upon the leaves1 as did the manna heretofore4 ,just so the ,gospel is like a spiritual honey1 the dew of the ,holy ,spirit4 #cj4 ,it is not without reason that peace is compared to dew4 ,ps4 #acc3a1 #c4 ,for as the dew is generated by the morning1 so peace proceeds from ,jesus ,christ1 who is himself the morning star1 and the ,prince of peace4 ,where ,christ liveth1 reigneth1 and worketh1 there is perpetual peace4 8,the kingdom of ,god is righteousness1 and peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost40 ,rom4 #ad3ag4 8,blessed are the peacemakers1 for they shall be called the children of ,god40 ,matt4 #e3i4 ,such are begotten of ,god1 as the dew is of the morning2 and as the dew makes all things lively1 fresh1 and flourishing1 so also does peace2 which1 therefore1 every good man ought to beg of ,god1 the ,father of peace4 #ca4 ,and whereas1 in the last place1 it is said that 8the earth is satisfied with the fruit of ,god's works10 it suggests that the ,word of ,god the ,creator1 is still as powerful and efficacious as formerly it was1 when he spake the word1 saying1 8,let the earth bring forth grass1 the herb yielding seed1 and the fruit tree yielding fruit40 ,so that all things1 from the beginning of the world to this day1 spring from the ,word of ,god1 as from an eternal root of divine blessing4 #cb4 ,secondly1 the ,psalmist says1 8,he causeth the grass to grow for the cattle40 ,verse #ad4 ,nor is that the least of ,god's blessings2 for how could so many wild as well as tame beasts1 that minister to the necessities of man1 subsist1 were the grass to fail8 ,and it is wonderful that when1 in very dry weather1 one would not think there could be grass enough to support the beasts that are to eat it1 yet they still live upon it4 ,thus it seems to grow as much by night as it is eaten by day4 #cc4 ,hence1 we learn how merciful ,god is to mankind1 and how liberally he provides for our necessities2 and1 though the grass may seem to be the least and meanest of all the blessings of ,god1 yet we cannot be sufficiently thankful for it4 ,so true is it that the least of ,god's blessings exceeds our highest gratitude4 #cd4 ,the grass may also furnish us with proofs of the ,divine ,providence4 #a4 ,he that considers that ,god takes care of the grass of the ground1 cannot question1 but that he takes much more care of him and his affairs1 according to ,matt4 #f3cj4 #b4 ,it may put us in mind of our own vanity4 ,for 8all flesh is grass1 and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field40 ,isa4 #dj3f4 #c4 ,it may also minister comfort under afflictions and persecutions1 according to ,psalm #cg3a1 #b4 8,fret not thyself because of evil-doers1 neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity2 for they shall soon be cut down like the grass1 and wither as the green herb40 #ce4 ,thirdly1 8,herb for the service of man3 that he may bring forth food out of the earth3 and bread1 which strengtheneth man's heart40 ,ps4 #ajd3ad1 #ae4 ,now the very notion of bread implies in it a great variety of divine blessings4 ,first1 it reminds us of ,god's paternal affection towards us2 for a father naturally cares and provides for his children4 ,so ,matt4 #g3i1 8,what man is there of you1 whom if his son ask bread will he give him a stone80 ,let us remember1 then1 that ,god is our ,father2 and that we are needy and indigent creatures1 subject to infirmities and necessities4 ,so that our very hunger and thirst are so many monitors to lead us unto ,god2 and every morsel of bread we eat1 should put us in mind of the paternal affection and goodness of ,god4 #cf4 7#b7 ,let us admire and reverence the wise dispensation of ,providence1 which assigns to every man his convenient portion of bread1 so that no man has reason to complain that he is forgotten before ,god4 ,heb4 #ac3e4 #cg4 7#c7 ,from bread we may learn the wisdom of ,god4 ,in ,psalm #ajd3ad1 ,god is said 8to bring forth herb for the service of man1 that he may bring forth food 7or bread7 out of the earth40 ,the bread which we eat is1 at first1 nothing but grass1 which1 growing up into ears1 and into the perfect grain1 supplies us with bread1 which at last is converted into our body and blood4 ,this miraculous operation gives us an image of our creation2 forasmuch as even to this day he makes the flesh and blood of man out of the earth2 so that we may properly call it our mother1 and say that 8in ,god we live1 and move1 and have our being40 ,acts #ag3bh4 ,the nutritive virtue of bread is the ,word of ,god4 ,if ,god should withdraw it1 then all flesh and blood would wither and decay as a flower1 or as the grass of the field4 ,therefore1 man doth not live by bread alone4 ,matt4 #d3d2 ,deut4 #h3c4 #ch4 ,the specific property of bread is indicated in these words2 8,bread1 which strengtheneth man's heart40 ,ps4 #ajd3ag4 ,every other kind of food1 by being daily eaten1 becomes unwelcome to us2 but bread never does4 ,so that bread is a universal food1 and seems to contain in it all the nutritive qualities of every other sort of food1 all of which borrow their virtues from it2 as the planets derive their light from the universal luminary1 the sun4 ,and this we may conceive to be the reason of the great virtue there is in bread1 that1 being the most common and ordinary food1 every man might find in it wherewithal to support life1 though he should have nothing else4 ,in a word1 whatever we eat or drink1 ought to be looked upon as a miracle of divine wisdom and goodness4 #ci4 ,lastly1 the strengthening faculty of bread1 puts us in mind of 8the bread of life10 which is ,christ4 ,so we read in ,john #f3ce4 8,i am the bread of life3 he that cometh to me shall never hunger2 and he that believeth on me shall never thirst40 ,for in this bread of life1 all the power of ,god is contained2 because 8it pleased ,god that in him all fulness should dwell0 7,col4 #a3ai72 8and that of his fulness have all we received1 and grace for grace0 7,john #a3af72 and by him1 8we might be filled with all the fulness of ,god40 ,eph4 #c3ai4 ,blessed is he that eateth this bread6 ,earthly bread cannot save us from death1 but he that eateth of ,christ1 the bread of life1 shall never die4 #dj4 ,the fourth thing mentioned is 8wine1 that maketh glad the heart of man40 ,ps4 #ajd3ae4 ,how wonderful is the love of ,god towards us1 who is so far from desiring to have us oppressed with sorrow1 that he has provided even natural means to refresh and comfort us6 ,and as for the dejected and broken spirit1 he refreshes that by the generous wine of the ,holy ,spirit1 drawn from the living vine1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,this is the wine mentioned in the ,song of ,solomon1 8,he brought me to the banqueting-house0 7,cant4 #b3e72 7or house of wine1 as the margin reads it47 ,this was the spiritual wine the holy prophets drank of 7,isa4 #ab3b2 #fa3aj2 and ,ps4 #cd3a2 #fc3aa71 which made them break forth into songs of joy and exultation4 #da4 ,wine again was given by ,god to strengthen the sick4 ,for wine has a spirit in it adapted to quicken the vital motions of the heart4 ,this is another instance of the wonderful love of ,god2 yet it serves to put us in mind of a greater2 namely1 of that most generous wine which was pressed from the bloody wounds of the true vine1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and which is the only sovereign remedy for the diseased soul4 8,he washed his garments in wine1 and his clothes in the blood of grapes40 ,gen4 #di3aa4 #db4 ,lastly1 it was also given that the aged1 whose lamp of life is almost spent1 might invigorate the languid flame1 and make it burn the brighter4 ,this may put us in mind of the spiritual old age of the ,church4 ,for as the sight1 hearing1 and all the other powers of nature1 are broken by age2 so now faith is extinguished1 charity is cold1 hope languishes1 and the whole spiritual body of ,christ decays every day more and more4 8,when the ,son of man cometh1 shall he find faith on the earth80 ,luke #ah3h4 ,but ,god promises the faithful1 that he will 8renew their strength1 that they may mount up as eagles0 7,isa4 #dj3ca73 and he declares1 that he will 8carry them even to old age40 ,isa4 #df3d4 ,to which also belongs that promise1 8,they shall still bring forth fruit in old age2 they shall be fat and flourishing40 ,ps4 #ib3ad4 #dc4 ,the fifth thing is1 8,oil to make his face to shine40 ,verse #ae4 ,by this we are to understand1 the precious ointment used among the ,jews1 and other ,eastern nations1 when they were more than commonly joyful1 or intended to treat their guests after the best fashion2 and which diffused a wonderful vigor through their whole bodies4 ,in this sense we are to understand ,psalm #bc3e4 8,thou anointest my head with oil40 ,so our blessed ,saviour1 when he was entertained by ,simon1 was anointed with oil4 ,matt4 #bf3g4 ,he upbraids another of that name1 a ,pharisee1 that he had not shown him the same respect4 8,my head with oil 7saith he7 thou didst not anoint2 but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment40 ,luke #g3df4 #dd4 ,so great was the virtue of these ,eastern unguents1 that they used them in embalming the dead2 and by that means preserved them many hundred years from corruption2 as appeared in the body of ,alexander the ,great1 which was found in the time of ,augustus1 as fresh as if it had been interred but yesterday1 though it had lain above three hundred years4 ,and this balsam is a proper representation of that oil1 with which the ,son of ,god1 according to his human nature1 was anointed without measure4 ,hence the ,psalmist says1 8,therefore ,god1 thy ,god1 hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows0 7,ps4 #de3g73 and 8,of his fulness have all we received0 7,john #a3af72 which is nothing else but that unction by which he teacheth us all things 7#a ,john #b3bj71 and by which our souls shall be presented before ,god wholly beautiful1 and adorned with the gifts of the ,holy ,spirit3 8when this corruptible shall put on incorruption1 and this mortal shall put on immortality40 #a ,cor4 #ae3ec4 #de4 ,the sixth thing mentioned is this1 8,the trees of the ,lord are full of sap3 the cedars of ,lebanon which he hath planted40 ,ps4 #ajd3af4 ,there are many remarkable things to be considered in trees2 of which1 two are more particularly noticed in ,holy ,scripture4 ,the first is1 that1 whereas1 they seem to be dead all the winter1 yet upon the return of the spring1 they are full of sap1 and produce1 first1 leaves1 and afterwards1 fruit1 in a manner truly wonderful1 and such as no art can imitate4 ,for where is the artist1 who from the juice of any vine1 can form a grape8 ,the birch-trees so overflow with sap in spring-time1 that men can tap them like a cask4 ,in ,ferro1 one of the ,canary ,islands1 as it is said1 there is no spring1 river1 or rain2 but there are certain trees1 from the leaves of which there drops so great a quantity of water1 as is sufficient for the inhabitants4 #df4 ,and whereas it is said that 8the ,lord hath planted them10 we must understand it of his creating word 7,gen4 #a3ab71 by the power of which new trees daily arise to supply the place of those that die or are cut down4 ,this blessing will abide in the earth as long as it lasts1 because the power of the ,lord is the universal source of all things that arise out of the earth4 ,now the trees1 with their fruits1 may remind us of that divine charity which ought to be in us4 ,for as these freely bestow their several fruits upon man2 so ought we to be affected towards ,god and towards one another2 8that we may be trees of righteousness1 the planting of the ,lord1 that he may be glorified40 ,ps4 #ib3ac4 ,lastly1 they remind us of the tree of life1 with its fruits1 even ,jesus ,christ crucified2 of which1 whosoever eateth1 shall live forever4 ,rev4 #bb3b4 #dg4 ,seventhly1 the birds are a very great ornament of the earth4 ,they build upon the trees and help to furnish our tables4 8,there the birds make their nests2 as for the stork1 the fir-trees are her house40 ,psalm #ajd3ag4 ,and 8,knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth8 ,who hath sent out the wild ass free8 or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass8 ,gavest thou wings and feathers unto the ostrich8 what time she lifteth up herself on high1 she scorneth the horse and his rider4 ,doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom8 ,doth the eagle mount up at thy command1 and make her nest on high80 ,job #ci3a1 #e1 #ac1 #ah1 #bf1 #bg4 #dh4 ,from all this we may learn that ,god made not the earth to be desolate1 but has allotted its deserts and wildernesses to be inhabited by birds and wild beasts1 that his bounty to man1 and his magnificence might be made known by the multitude of his creatures2 his omnipotence1 by his works2 and his wisdom1 by that infinite variety of distinct properties which he has bestowed upon the creatures4 8,every beast of the forest is mine1 and the cattle upon a thousand hills4 ,i know all the fowls of the mountains2 and the wild beasts of the field are mine4 ,if ,i were hungry ,i would not tell thee2 for the world is mine1 and the fulness thereof4 ,will ,i eat the flesh of bulls1 or drink the blood of goats80 ,ps4 #ej3aj-ac4 ,what then is the sacrifice that ,god expects8 8,offer unto ,god thanksgiving2 and pay thy vows unto the ,most ,high2 and call upon me in the day of trouble2 ,i will deliver thee1 and thou shalt glorify me40 ,ver4 #ad1 #ae4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,of ,the ,sun1 ,moon1 ,and ,stars1 ,the ,work ,of ,the ,fourth ,day4 ,see ,,gen4 #a3ad2 ,,ps4 #ajd3ai4 ,the stars are bright heavenly bodies1 fixed in the firmament of heaven by the word of the ,most ,high4 ,they enlighten the earth1 distinguish the night from the day1 and adorn the heavens2 and they are signs and tokens of nature1 of judgment1 of mercy1 of seasons1 days1 and years4 #a ,cor4 #ae3da2 ,gen4 #a3ad4 #b4 8,lift up your eyes on high10 saith ,god1 8and behold who hath created these things1 that bringeth out their host by number3 he calleth them all by names40 ,isa4 #da3bf4 ,we ought1 therefore1 according to his command1 to contemplate these glorious works of his hands1 and learn thence to admire and adore the power and wisdom of him who made them4 ,for 8the heavens declare the glory of ,god2 and the firmament showeth his handywork40 ,ps4 #ai3a4 #c4 ,with regard to the magnitude of the sun and moon1 ,st4 ,basil thus speaks in his sixth ,homily upon the works of the six days3 8,i conceive that the sun and moon are styled by ,moses great lights1 not only because they exceed the lesser stars in magnitude2 but because they are so exceedingly large that they can fill not only the whole heaven1 but even the earth and seas with their light4 ,and as they always appear equally large1 both in their rising and setting1 it follows that they must be incredibly large2 because notwithstanding the whole breadth of the earth1 they always appear of equal size40 #d4 ,if a man were to see a globe of fire as large as a vast mountain1 or a large city in flames1 moving to and fro in the air1 he would look upon it with astonishment and terror4 ,now it is demonstrable that the globe of the sun is many times greater than the earth2 whence we may conjecture how great and inconceivable a space in the heavens the sun must take up4 ,yea1 the least of the stars in the firmament of heaven are very vast in compass1 and are greater than the earth2 and yet in the firmament there are many thousands of these stars1 which by reason of their vast distance cannot be discerned by us with the naked eye4 #e4 ,here human reason is at a stand2 for no created mind can conceive of the dimensions of heaven4 ,hence it is that the ,holy ,scripture1 speaking of ,god's infinite compassion1 compares it to the greatness of heaven4 8,for as the heaven is high above the earth1 so great is his mercy toward them that fear him4 ,as far as the east is from the west1 so far hath he removed our transgressions from us40 ,ps4 #ajc3aa1 #ab4 ,for though 8the earth is full of the goodness of the ,lord0 7,ps4 #cc3e71 yet is the compass of it too small to be compared with the infinite goodness of ,god4 ,hence the ,holy ,spirit bids us look up to the height of heaven1 furnished with innumerable glorious bodies1 all full of the goodness of ,god1 and vastly larger than this lower world4 #f4 ,moreover1 the incomprehensible greatness of the divine power is manifested1 not only in the bulk of the heavenly bodies1 but also in their constant and regular revolutions2 for who can observe without wonder and admiration1 such prodigious bodies1 not only pendent in the air1 but moving up and down in it with constant regularity8 ,and how great and incomprehensible a space must they have to perform their courses in1 and at the same time so determined and settled1 that they never exceed their appointed limits1 nor interfere with each other in their revolutions8 ,david truly pronounces1 that ,god 8by wisdom made the heavens40 ,ps4 #acf3e4 ,how excellent1 how transcendently excellent must that wisdom be1 which can guide and govern the infinite host of heaven with such admirable order1 and call them all by their names8 #g4 ,it is wonderful also1 that these vast shining bodies should have1 as it were1 a motion in themselves1 so that they cannot for one moment1 stand still in their courses2 for the whole heavenly order would then be disturbed1 and the stars themselves1 together with their motion1 would lose their vital power1 even as men die1 when the motion of their lungs fails4 ,the least star never stands still1 but is perpetually in quick and inconceivable motion4 #h4 ,if the motion of one planet only be so stupendous1 what shall we say of that innumerable multitude of stars1 each of which has its particular course and revolution8 ,and if any man could but for an hour take a view of all their distinct motions1 he would be able to unfold to us very surprising things4 #i4 ,the consideration of the motions and multitude of these stars may remind us of those bright and invisible stars1 the angels of ,god4 ,this seems to be hinted in the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john1 where the ,son of ,god appears with seven stars in his hand 7,rev4 #a3af71 which are the seven spirits or angels sent forth into all the earth4 ,to this the ,book of ,job alludes1 8,when the morning stars sang together1 and all the sons of ,god shouted for joy0 7,job #ch3g73 by which the writer leads us from the natural stars to the holy angels4 ,for if ,god has created so great a multitude of stars1 who can doubt that he has a much greater multitude of celestial spirits1 who praise him without ceasing8--8,praise ye him1 sun and moon2 praise him1 all ye stars of light40 ,ps4 #adh3c4 #aj4 ,the revolution of the heavens is1 by the all-wise ,creator1 appointed as the measure of time2 in which appear the stupendous providence1 economy1 and wisdom of ,god4 ,to this head we are to refer the ages of the world1 and their distinct epochs1 the ending of monarchies1 the seventy years of the ,babylonish captivity1 ,daniel's seventy weeks1 the periods of kingdoms1 and the times of ,antichrist1 both in the book of ,daniel and the ,revelation1 with other things of the same nature1 which wonderfully confirm and illustrate the providence and wisdom of ,god4 ,and whereas our ,saviour tells us1 that 8it is not for us to know the times or the seasons which the ,father hath put in his own power0 7,acts #a3g72 this is to be understood of such a knowledge only as was foreign to the duty of an apostle1 not serving either to the edification of the church1 or the propagation of the ,gospel4 ,the words also may mean that no time or place ought to be prescribed to our blessed ,lord for the erecting and establishing of his kingdom2 of which he himself is the only proper judge4 ,our business is only to be witnesses of his kingdom1 and to do our best to promote it1 leaving the times and seasons to ,god alone4 ,moreover1 the disciples at that time1 had wrong views of the nature and design of his kingdom1 and those words may be looked upon as a proper rebuke of their erroneous opinions about a temporal kingdom4 #aa4 ,and as for the times and seasons of our worldly affairs1 even these are under the disposal and direction of ,god1 whensoever we devoutly submit our concerns to him1 begging his direction and assistance2 as plainly appears in the case of ,abraham's servant1 who prayed to ,god1 that he would 8send him good speed that day40 ,gen4 #bd3ab4 #ab4 ,our blessed ,saviour argues with the ,jews from those signs in the heavens1 which the common experience of the times had remarked 7,matt4 #af3b1 #c2 ,luke #ab3ed-ef71 thereby leading them to observations of a higher nature1 and putting them in mind of those signs which were to usher in and attend the appearance of the ,messiah4 ,the words in ,st4 ,matthew are these3 8,when it is evening1 ye say1 ,it will be fair weather2 for the sky is red4 ,and in the morning1 ,it will be foul weather to-day1 for the sky is red and lowering4 ,o ye hypocrites1 ye can discern the face of the sky2 but can ye not discern the signs of the times80 ,so that our ,saviour's conclusion runs thus3 ,if ye attend to the natural signs1 and by the face of the sky can judge rightly of the weather1 why do ye not attend to the signs of the present period1 and conclude that the times of the ,messiah are come8 #ac4 ,the words in ,st4 ,luke run thus3 8,when ye see a cloud rise out of the west1 straightway ye say1 ,there cometh a shower2 and so it is4 ,and when ye see the south wind blow1 ye say1 ,there will be heat2 and it cometh to pass4 ,ye hypocrites1 ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth2 but how is it that ye do not discern this time80 ,so that our ,lord concludes thus3 ,as by the natural signs of heaven1 ye judge rightly of the weather1 because ye see the effect follow2 so by the signs and miracles which ye see1 ye ought to be convinced1 that the ,messiah is really come4 ,but1 hypocrites as ye are1 ye retain the one1 and neglect the other1 though of the highest importance to you4 #ad4 ,as to the operations of heaven1 we must first observe1 that they have nothing in their own nature hurtful to mankind1 as some pretenders would persuade us2 but that our sins and wickedness are the true cause why ,god arms the creatures unto vengeance1 and makes use of them to punish a rebellious world4 ,thus he punished the sins of the old world by a rain of forty days1 which caused the flood4 ,gen4 #g3ab4 ,and thus the sin of ,sodom drew down fire and brimstone from heaven4 ,gen4 #ai3bd4 #ae4 ,in the same manner we are punished even at this day2 sometimes by excessive heats2 at other times by violent cold1 rains1 or drought2 at other times by thunder1 hail1 fire1 insects1 or infected air1 which like the fire that destroyed ,sodom and ,gomorrah1 fall from heaven4 ,but as the ,egyptian plagues had no power over the children of ,israel 7,exod4 #h3bb71 so these punishments never hurt the children of ,god1 if they live in his faith and fear4 ,thus it is said1 8,the ,lord is thy shade upon thy right hand2 the sun shall not smite thee by day1 nor the moon by night40 ,ps4 #aba3e1 #f4 ,the same ,psalm advises us1 to 8lift up our eyes unto the hills1 from whence cometh our help10 that by the grace and favor of ,god we may escape these evils4 #af4 ,and as ,god makes use of the heavens and heavenly bodies1 as instruments of vengeance against the wicked1 so he employs them sometimes as means of protection and blessing to the righteous4 ,thus we read1 8,they fought from heaven2 the stars in their courses fought against ,sisera0 7,judg4 #e3bj73 not unlike to which1 is the story of the ,emperor ,theodosius1 whose enemies were routed by a sudden tempest of wind and rain4 #ag4 ,the productions of heaven ,god in his due time dispenses out of his treasures1 for the benefit and advantage of this lower world2 ,god so disposing and ordering things1 that the inferior creatures receive of the superior1 and all nature hangs together1 as it were1 in one chain4 ,and this connection of nature and providence is finely described by the prophet ,hosea1 8,it shall come to pass in that day1 saith the ,lord1 ,i will hear the heavens1 and they shall hear the earth2 and the earth shall hear the corn1 and the wine1 and the oil1 and they shall hear ,jezreel40 ,hosea #b3ba1 #bb4 ,in this place the prophet presents us with the entire order of nature1 beginning at the first cause1 which is ,god4 8,i 7saith he7 will hear the heavens10 namely1 when1 in the great drought1 the heaven shall scorch with excessive heat1 and the channel of the heavenly influences shall1 as it were1 be dried up1 so that they cannot convey fruitful seasons to the earth3 then ,i will hear the distress of the heavens1 ,i will cover them with clouds4 #ah4 ,and whereas the prophet adds1 8,the heavens shall hear the earth10 that has relation to the secondary causes4 ,for as the earth depends on the heavens1 it follows1 that when the operations of the heavens are1 as it were1 hindered1 the earth can produce nothing that is good4 ,and when the earth is broken or chapped by excessive heat1 it1 as it were1 opens its mouth and entreats for rain4 8,and the earth shall hear the corn1 and wine1 and oil20 that is1 forasmuch as the vegetables depend upon the earth for their moisture2 therefore1 whensoever the earth is dry and cannot supply them with nourishment1 the vegetables solicit moisture of it1 as a thirsty infant would appeal to its mother4 #ai4 ,i proceed1 next1 to the benefits which ,god bestows upon us by the light of the sun and moon4 ,and these we must consider in the fear of ,god1 and show how we may enjoy and use them1 both in a natural and spiritual sense4 8,tell me 7saith ,god to ,job71 where is the way where light dwelleth8 and as for darkness1 where is the place thereof8 ,canst thou bind the sweet influences of ,pleiades1 or loose the bands of ,orion8 ,canst thou bring forth ,mazzaroth in his season1 or canst thou guide ,arcturus with his sons8 ,knowest thou the ordinances of heaven8 ,canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth8 ,canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds1 that abundance of waters may cover thee80 ,job #ch3ai1 #ca-cd4 ,in these words ,god represents to us his infinite power and wisdom1 such as no mortal can search out or account for1 much less imitate4 ,for so unable is the wisest man to form light or darkness1 that he cannot so much as produce a blade of grass4 8,not unto us 7then71 ,o ,lord1 not unto us1 but unto thy name give glory0 7,ps4 #aae3a72 for thou hast made all these things1 and thy hand hath formed them4 8,he appointed the moon for seasons2 the sun knoweth his going down0 7,ps4 #ajd3ai72 alluding to the work of the fourth day1 when ,god said1 8,let there be lights in the firmament of heaven1 to divide the day from the night3 and let them be for signs1 and for seasons1 and for days1 and for years4 ,and ,god made two great lights2 the greater light to rule the day1 and the lesser light to rule the night2 he made the stars also40 ,gen4 #a3ad-af4 #bj4 ,how wonderful is the increase and decrease of the moon2 sometimes it seems to be shut up in darkness1 and again1 in its season1 to emerge by degrees into a fulness of light4 ,and these varieties ,god hath appointed for a regular distinction of the times and seasons of the year1 and of the affairs and business of mankind4 ,without this distinction of the months and other divisions of time1 there could be no order in the church of ,god1 or in civil governments1 or in the economy of private families2 but all would be disorder and confusion4 #ba4 ,and how abundantly is the wisdom of ,god displayed1 even in this certain course of the moon1 and distinction of seasons6 ,in all states and conditions1 the chief part of prudence is to preserve good order1 and to observe the proper opportunities of acting2 these are the distinguishing accomplishments of a wise ruler1 and of a prudent head of a family4 ,this1 indeed1 is the principal thing to be regarded in every action2 he that acts unseasonably1 acts to little or no purpose4 ,god himself hath ordered all things in measure1 and number1 and weight2 and every season has its proper opportunities and blessings attending it4 8,to every thing there is a season1 and a time to every purpose under the heaven40 ,eccles4 #c3a4 ,and as the choosing of the proper season is truly a happiness1 so it is also a blessing from ,god1 of whom1 therefore1 we ought to ask it by prayer4 #bb4 ,by the words1 8,the sun knoweth his going down0 7,ps4 #ajd3ai72 the royal prophet suggests to us the seasons of the year1 spring1 summer1 autumn1 winter1 and the distinguishing of days1 being some longer1 and some shorter2 all which are of very great use to mankind4 #bc4 ,and who can consider these amazing acts of divine power and wisdom1 without admiration and praise to the ,author of nature8 ,this astonishing order of nature appeared so glorious to the ancient heathens1 that they worshipped even the sun for their ,god1 as being the greatest and most splendid of all objects1 and as enlightening all the world4 ,this was a conclusion for blind1 corrupt reason to draw1 though every part of the creation1 to pure and right reason1 fully manifests and discovers the being and excellencies of the ,creator4 ,a certain ,indian king having heard of ,jesus ,christ1 and the necessity of believing in him1 because he died for us1 gave this answer3 8,for my part1 ,i had rather believe in the sun that never dies1 than in a mortal ,god40 ,this was the effect of human blindness1 against the corrupt influences and prejudices of which1 ,god has taken particular care to warn us3 8,lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven1 and when thou seest the sun1 and the moon1 and the stars1 even all the host of heaven1 shouldest be driven to worship them1 and serve them1 which the ,lord thy ,god hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven40 ,deut4 #d3ai4 #bd4 ,as to the magnitude of the sun1 moon1 and stars1 it is an error to imagine that they are really no larger than they appear to us4 ,for though the moon and some of the planets are less than the earth1 yet the sun may be plainly and infallibly demonstrated to be many times larger2 and that it appears so small to us1 is owing to the immensity of its distance4 ,ocular demonstration convinces every man of this1 that the more remote any object is1 the less it appears4 ,a nice disquisition of these matters the unlearned must leave to astronomers1 and be content religiously to admire what they do not understand4 #be4 ,and1 here1 how ought we to magnify and adore the omnipotence and wisdom of ,god1 who appointed the sun to be the light and ornament of the day1 and the moon of the night4 ,for light is the highest beauty of all things4 ,if we highly admire a well-built house with a fair prospect1 furnished with good statues and pictures1 and painted with great variety of colors1 how much more ought we to look up with gratitude and astonishment to heaven1 adorned with lights so many1 and so stupendous4 #bf4 ,how profound is the wisdom of ,god1 who 8telleth the number of the stars1 and calleth them all by their names0 7,ps4 #adg3d1 #e72 to which is immediately subjoined1 8,great is our ,lord1 and of great power2 his understanding is infinite40 ,how ought we then to depend upon this wisdom1 and be satisfied with all its determinations concerning us1 and not charge him with folly1 by pretending to be wiser than ,he is6 8,for the foolishness of ,god is wiser than men40 #a ,cor4 #a3be4 #bg4 ,the certain and regular course of the sun and moon1 reminds us of the truth of ,god1 and the certainty of his promises3 such are those of sending the ,messiah1 of the revolutions of certain states and kingdoms1 and other deliverances of mankind2 all which appeared in their time4 ,thus saith the ,lord by the prophet ,jeremiah1 8,if my covenant be not with day and night1 and if ,i have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth2 and if ye can break my covenant1 that there should not be day and night in their season2 then may also my covenant be broken with ,david my servant40 ,jer4 #cc3bj1 #ba1 #be4 #bh4 ,at our blessed ,saviour's passion1 the darkness that overspread the world did1 as it were1 represent the terrors of his death1 and all those barbarous impieties that were acted against him 7,matt4 #bg3de72 for the sun and moon were then as mirrors1 in which might be read the sins and iniquities of mankind2 which1 like the sin of ,sodom1 mounted up to heaven1 and drew down vengeance upon the world4 ,gen4 #ah3bj4 ,so every eclipse of the sun points out to us that internal and spiritual blindness of heart which reigns in every one of us2 and that as plainly as if a voice should call to us1 saying1 8,look upon me1 for you yourselves are in the same condition40 ,and when the heaven is red as blood1 and seems to be on fire1 it appears to speak to us in words like these3 8,look up to me1 and think on that day when ,i shall burn with real flames40 ,so1 in short1 we may consider all things as upbraiding us with our iniquities1 and warning us to repent4 ,what is the thunder1 but the terrible voice of heaven1 at which the earth trembles1 and by which ,god speaks to the impenitent world8 ,what is an earthquake1 but a lecture of repentance8 ,the same may be said of storms and tempests at sea1 and of all disorders in the inanimate creation4 #bi4 ,the sun1 moon1 and stars1 are witnesses of the divine goodness1 and of that eternal light which enlightens1 comforts1 and refreshes every man that cometh into the world4 ,for as ,god is in himself invisible and incomprehensible1 we should1 by the direction of the natural light1 aspire to the knowledge of ,him that made it2 and by the beauty of the created1 be drawn to the love of the uncreated light4 ,and as we naturally take pleasure in the outward light1 as the most beautiful object in the creation2 so ought we1 with our whole hearts1 to love ,him who is light eternal1 and to walk and rejoice in his light1 by withdrawing ourselves from the darkness of sin4 8,for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness8 and what communion hath light with darkness8 and what concord hath ,christ with ,belial80 #b ,cor4 #f3ad1 #ae4 #cj4 ,lastly1 the visible sun should put us in mind of ,jesus ,christ1 the spiritual and eternal 8,sun of righteousness40 ,mal4 #d3b4 ,for as that shines equally upon all men2 so ,christ freely bestows himself1 and the light of his grace1 upon all that will receive him4 ,thus he saith1 8,i am the light of the world2 he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life40 ,john #h3ab4 ,chapter ,v4 ,of ,the ,waters1 ,and ,their ,productions1 ,the ,work ,of ,the ,fifth ,day4 ,see ,,gen4 #a3bj-bb2 ,,ps4 #ajd3be4 ,that is unquestionably the best philosophy which gives the best account of the works of ,god4 ,and this knowledge every true lover of ,god ought to seek1 that he may thereby know how many glorious creatures ,god has created for our use and benefit4 ,let the pretenders to philosophy look to it1 that they spend not their time in inquiries1 which1 instead of teaching them true knowledge1 lead them into ignorance and forgetfulness of ,god and his creatures4 #b4 ,the first thing to be observed and admired1 is the mutual relation subsisting between the different parts of created nature4 ,thus the heavens generate rains1 dews1 winds1 and cooling breezes in the air2 and then send them down to us4 ,so the earth produces its fruits in the air2 and they bud1 blossom1 and ripen1 and are nourished by the air1 without which they would quickly languish and die4 #c4 ,among the productions of the watery element1 are the rivers4 ,in one place springs up the ,rhine1 in another the ,danube2 here is the ,elbe1 there the ,nile4 ,as from one bough of a great and fruitful tree1 spring many little branches1 and much fruit2 so one great branch of the world of waters1 as the ,rhine or the ,danube1 is connected with rivulets1 lakes1 and fountains1 which all flow into it4 #d4 ,as for the living creatures that arise from the sea1 they are without number1 ,god having blessed it with so great fruitfulness1 both for its vast extent1 and the use and benefit of mankind1 that out of this vast repository there arise1 at certain seasons1 prodigious quantities of fish1 varying in their kinds every month4 ,for such is the nature of sea-fish1 that they are not to be caught except at certain seasons4 #e4 ,and here it is observable1 that the sea and all its productions1 have their proper order1 time1 and motion1 appointed to them by ,god4 ,so in the heavens1 the stars have their stated times1 regular order1 motion1 rising1 and setting4 ,the earth at certain seasons produces different fruits and vegetables2 and1 in that sense1 is in perpetual motion1 and never rests until it has brought forth all its fruits4 ,so likewise the sea has its laws of motion1 flux and reflux1 and produces all its fruits at such appointed seasons as may best serve the use and benefit of man4 #f4 ,let us now take a survey of the wonderful power and wisdom of ,god in the sea1 and inquire what spiritual inferences may be drawn from it4 8,who hath shut up the sea with doors10 saith ,god to ,job1 8when it brake forth1 as if it had issued out of the womb8 ,when ,i made the cloud the garment thereof1 and thick darkness a swaddling band for it1 and brake up for it my decreed place1 and set bars and doors1 and said1 ,hitherto shalt thou come1 and no further2 and here shall thy proud waves be stayed8 ,hast thou entered into the springs of the sea8 or hast thou walked in the search of the depth80 ,job #ch3h-aa1 #af4 ,in these words1 ,god points out the great and dreadful ocean as an obscure image and resemblance of his unsearchable and incomprehensible power4 ,for it is a very surprising miracle1 that ,god should by his word alone1 as with bars and doors1 inclose the sea so strongly1 that it should not be able to overflow its bounds4 ,no less wonderful is its ebbing and flowing2 so that the sea1 being1 as it were1 conscious and mindful of the divine command1 so soon as it touches the earth1 seems to fly back and retire in a fright1 as at the presence of ,god himself1 like ,jordan and the ,red ,sea4 ,josh4 #c3af2 ,ps4 #aad3c4 8,he gathereth the waters of the sea together1 as a heap2 he layeth up the deep in storehouses40 ,ps4 #cc3g4 #g4 ,god tells ,job1 that he has 8made the clouds to be the garment thereof1 and thick darkness a swaddling band for it0 7,job #ch3i72 which plainly appears1 when its waves roll and toss themselves up to the clouds1 that1 as it were1 receive them into their embraces1 and cover them with darkness and horror1 so that they seem to be blended with each other4 ,then appear the mighty wonders of ,god1 which a man cannot behold without fear and astonishment1 as it is described in ,psalm #ajg3be1 etc4 #h4 ,to this work of the fifth day1 belongs also that passage of the ,psalmist3 8,so is this great and wide sea1 wherein are things creeping innumerable1 both small and great beasts4 ,there go the ships2 there is that leviathan whom thou hast made to play therein40 ,ps4 #ajd3be1 #bf4 #i4 ,as for the greatness of the sea1 who can but admire the power of ,god1 which1 notwithstanding that so much water flows into the sea every day1 and has1 from the beginning1 yet suffers not its waters to exceed their appointed quantity8 ,and though its waves sometimes rage and swell1 and lift themselves like mountains2 yet are they quickly put at rest1 and settled within their proper bounds4 ,these are clear demonstrations of the mighty power of ,god4 #aj4 ,here too we may not improperly speak of the islands4 ,who can behold1 without wonder1 several large and populous countries1 and entire kingdoms1 lying in the midst of the sea1 as if they had been planted there8 ,who can tell on what foundations they are built1 and what it is that keeps them immovable in the midst of violent storms and tempests8 ,some of them1 encompassed with vast rocks growing out of the sea1 seem to be built and founded on them4 ,upon the whole1 their fruitfulness1 tillage1 and the occasion and manner of their being peopled1 are what we may rather admire than understand4 ,so that the sea is as populous as the earth4 ,for as the earth is much less than the sea1 it is probable that ,god would not suffer the greatest part of the globe to be uninhabited1 and therefore he planted it with islands3 so that none of the miracles and blessings which he works in the sea1 might escape the observation of mankind4 ,therefore1 to these islanders also did he send the ,gospel of truth1 by his holy ,apostles1 8shaking both the sea and the dry land1 after the ,desire of all nations was come40 ,hag4 #b3f1 #g4 #aa4 ,no less wonderful is the vast multitude of creatures that inhabit the sea2 for some affirm that there is as great abundance and variety of them in the sea1 as on the land4 ,who can behold without astonishment1 prodigious shoals of fish rising from the depths of the sea1 like a flock of sheep1 and offering themselves to the use and necessities of mankind8 ,so that the sea is a great storehouse of ,god1 out of which he feeds the greatest part of mankind1 and out of which1 too1 he produces many other excellent works1 such as pearls1 amber1 and coral4 #ab4 ,i might here mention the many bold voyages that have been performed within the memory of us and our fathers1 to the most distant parts of the ,east and ,west2 and all this chiefly by the assistance of the magnet1 which seems to have nothing in it either of beauty or use1 and yet the greatest things are performed by it4 ,by this the pilot steers his ship1 and keeps his way in the pathless waters2 and by constantly pointing to the pole1 it guides the mariner to his intended port4 ,of these voyages1 and of the islands1 countries1 people1 and other useful discoveries1 there are many volumes extant1 to which ,i refer the reader4 #ac4 ,the huge whales1 mentioned by ,david 7,ps4 #ajd3bf71 give us a great idea of the mighty power of ,god4 ,of this ,god himself takes notice when he talks with ,job3 8,his bones are as strong pieces of brass2 his bones are like bars of iron4 ,he is the chief of the ways of ,god4 ,he drinketh up a river and hasteth not3 he trusteth that he can draw up ,jordan into his mouth4 ,by his neesings a light doth shine1 and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning4 ,out of his mouth go burning lamps1 and sparks of fire leap out4 ,out of his nostrils goeth smoke1 and a flame goeth out of his mouth4 ,when he raiseth up himself1 the mighty are afraid2 by reason of breakings they purify themselves4 ,he maketh the deep to boil like a pot3 he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment40 ,job #dj3ah1 #ai1 #bc2 #da3ah-ba1 #be1 #ca4 #ad4 ,thus much for the greatness of the sea2 which is a very striking illustration of the power of ,god4 8,who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand80 saith ,isaiah4 ,isa4 #dj3ab4 ,to which the ,psalmist answers1 8,whatsoever the ,lord pleased1 that did he in heaven and in the earth1 in the seas and all deep places40 ,ps4 #ace3f4 ,all that remains is1 to praise1 honor1 and glorify the wisdom of ,god1 which is so wonderfully manifested in the deep2 the riches of his goodness in that vast variety of fishes1 and other productions of the sea1 for the use and benefit of man2 and in a word1 to adore and magnify him in all his works4 #ae4 ,let us consider how this doctrine of the sea may bring to our remembrance that twofold sea mentioned in ,scripture3 the sea of affliction and misery1 and the sea of grace and comfort2 the depths of misery1 and the abyss of divine mercy4 ,for what is this life and world of ours but a troublesome and tempestuous sea8 ,as the sea is never at rest1 but is perpetually ruffled with winds and waves1 so is the life of man4 ,sometimes we fancy ourselves safe and out of danger1 when suddenly a stormy wind arises1 and the floods swell1 to the great danger both of body and soul4 ,as the sea has its ebb and flow1 so has the life of man4 ,hence we read that the ,lord dries the sea1 the waters of the great deep4 ,isa4 #ea3aj2 ,jer4 #ca3ce2 ,ps4 #ajg3be4 ,moreover1 as the freshest waters when they come into the sea grow salt1 so all the pleasures1 glories1 honors1 and riches of this mortal life1 however sweet and pleasant at first1 soon grow bitter and unsavory4 ,and all that cleave to them1 thereby forfeit the sweet consolations of heaven1 and are drowned and overwhelmed in bitter fears and perplexing sorrows4 #af4 ,as the sea has many rocks and quicksands1 on which vessels split and are lost1 so in human life1 many there are who split upon the rocks of covetousness1 and run foul of the quicksands of worldly pleasures1 and are lost to all eternity4 ,as the sea1 after some days1 throws up the carcasses that have been cast into it1 so the world vomits us out1 after it has entertained us a little while2 so that it is our highest wisdom to look out betimes for a haven of salvation in the land of the living4 ,as the mariner sails at random without his compass1 and has no certain guide but his needle1 which is continually pointing to the pole1 so ,jesus ,christ is our loadstone1 continually drawing our hearts towards him and heaven1 that we may not float up and down at random1 or be lost in the sea of this world4 ,as the depth of the sea is unsearchable1 according to ,job1 8,hast thou entered into the springs of the sea8 or hast thou walked in the search of the depth80 7,job #ch3af72 so is our life an unsearchable abyss of misery and sorrow4 ,whence the ,psalmist says1 8,out of the depths have ,i cried unto thee1 ,o ,lord40 ,ps4 #acj3a4 ,and1 8,deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts2 all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me40 ,ps4 #db3g4 ,so that our life is nothing but a vast sea of calamity and sorrow4 #ag4 ,to this abyss of misery and sin we must oppose the abyss of grace and consolation4 ,and the first comfort is the boundless mercy of ,god1 which is higher than the heavens1 and deeper than the sea4 ,of this the prophet ,micah speaks1 8,he will have compassion on us1 and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea40 ,micah #g3ai4 ,as the ,egyptians were drowned in the ,red ,sea 7,exod4 #ad3bh71 so must all our sins be drowned and washed away in the blood of ,christ4 ,and though the abyss of our misery be ever so great1 yet the merits of ,jesus ,christ are greater4 #ah4 ,a second comfort is1 the consideration of the many wonders that ,god has wrought in the water2 and that the blessed ,jesus assisted his disciples when they were in danger by sea4 ,matt4 #h3bf4 ,he stretched out his hand to ,peter when he was afraid of sinking4 ,matt4 #ad3ca4 ,so1 at this day1 he is never nearer to us1 than when we are sinking in the floods of affliction2 and we never so fully experience his presence and assistance1 as when we are under the cross4 8,when thou passest through the waters1 ,i will be with thee2 and through the rivers1 they shall not overflow thee40 ,isa4 #dc3b4 #ai4 ,a third consolation is contained in these words of the prophet ,zechariah3 8,it shall be in that day1 that living waters shall go out from ,jerusalem2 half of them toward the former sea1 and half of them toward the hinder sea40 ,zech4 #ad3h4 ,so also the prophet ,ezekiel 7,ezekiel #dg3h7 saw a stream of water flowing out of the temple near the altar into the sea1 healing and quickening everything that was touched by it4 ,this signifies the fountain of grace and consolation opened by the ,holy ,spirit1 by the preaching of the ,gospel1 whereby the bitter waters of affliction are to be refreshed and sweetened2 so that the cross shall be no longer a ,dead ,sea1 but a water of life1 and a well of salvation4 ,according as it is said1 8,in the multitude of my thoughts within me1 thy comforts delight my soul40 ,ps4 #id3ai4 #bj4 ,a fourth consolation against the stormy sea of this world1 is contained in ,psalm #fe3g4 8,god stilleth the noise of the seas1 the noise of their waves1 and the tumult of the people40 ,as if he had said1 ,when all things threaten ruin and destruction1 when wars rage1 and desolation seems to be at hand2 then can ,god easily still the waves4 ,so did the blessed ,jesus1 ,matt4 #h3bf4 8,the lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters40 ,ps4 #ic3d4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,of ,the ,living ,creatures1 ,the ,work ,of ,the ,sixth ,day4 ,and out of the ground the ,lord formed every beast of the field1 and every fowl of the air2 and brought them unto ,adam1 to see what he would call them3 and whatsoever ,adam called every living creature1 that was the name thereof4 ,and ,adam gave names to all cattle1 and to the fowl of the air1 and to every beast of the field4--,,gen4 #a3bd2 #b3ai1 #bj4 ,here ,adam gave an illustrious proof of the divine wisdom implanted in him by ,god1 to the honor and praise of ,him that gave it4 ,he beheld ,his wisdom and goodness in the variety of his creatures2 he considered the distinct forms1 figures1 proportions1 and colors of them all2 he distinctly viewed1 and understood the nature of the living animals by the light of divine wisdom2 and1 upon a full survey of the properties of every creature1 he gave them proper and significant names1 expressing their several natures4 ,from this natural knowledge of all creatures1 he called her that was made out of his rib1 ,woman1 because she was taken out of man2 afterward1 ,eve1 as being 8the mother of all living40 ,gen4 #b3bc2 #c3bj4 #b4 ,so1 even at this day1 ,god shows to us the natures and properties of all creatures in his holy ,word1 that we may thereby be led to praise and magnify the wisdom and goodness of ,him that made them4 ,thus ,job says 7#ab3g1 #h71 8,ask now the beasts1 and they shall teach thee2 and the fowls of the air1 and they shall tell thee2 or speak to the earth1 and it shall teach thee2 and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee40 ,see also ,chap4 #ci4 ,he leads us1 as it were1 into every part of the brute creation1 putting us in mind of the many wonders of divine power and mercy manifested in every one of them4 ,so ,jeremiah sends us 8to the stork and the crane1 the turtle1 and the swallow1 who know the appointed time of their coming40 ,jer4 #h3g4 ,isaiah sends us 8to the ox and the ass1 who know their master's crib0 7,isa4 #a3c72 ,david and ,job1 8to the young ravens that call upon ,god0 7,ps4 #adg3i2 ,job #ch3da72 ,david again1 8to the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear0 7,ps4 #eh3d72 ,isaiah1 8to the cockatrice' eggs and vipers0 7,isa4 #ei3e72 ,jeremiah1 8to the sea monsters1 that draw out the breast1 and give suck to their young ones20 adding1 8the daughter of my people is become cruel like the ostriches in the wilderness40 ,lam4 #d3c4 ,so the ,song of ,solomon speaks of the 8young hart1 the dove1 and the foxes0 7,song of ,solomon #b3i1 #ad1 #ae72 ,david1 8of the hart panting after the water-brooks0 7,ps4 #db3a72 ,solomon1 8of the ant0 7,prov4 #f3f72 ,david and ,isaiah1 8of the eagles40 ,ps4 #ajc3e4 8,they that wait upon the ,lord shall renew their strength10 like the eagles4 ,isa4 #dj3ca4 ,lastly1 ,habakkuk and ,jeremiah speak of the wolves1 leopards1 and lions1 sent to be executioners of divine vengeance4 ,hab4 #a3h2 ,jer4 #e3f4 #c4 ,so also in the ,new ,testament1 the blessed ,jesus speaks of the sparrows1 not one of which falleth to the ground without the knowledge of our heavenly ,father4 ,matt4 #aj3bi4 ,thus he speaks 8of the wisdom of serpents1 and the harmlessness of doves0 7,matt4 #aj3af72 of 8the hen gathering her chickens under her wings0 7,matt4 #bc3cg72 of 8the eagles' following the carcass0 7,matt4 #bd3bh72 of 8the dogs that eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table40 ,matt4 #ae3bg4 ,so he describes his own sheep1 with their several properties4 ,john #aj3bg1 #bh4 ,lastly1 he talks of the scorpion and serpent1 which no father would give to his children when they ask for an egg or a fish4 ,luke #aa3aa1 #ab4 #d4 ,here it may be considered why the blessed ,jesus himself is compared to a lamb 7,isa4 #ec3g71 to express his exemplary meekness and patience4 ,why did the blessed ,spirit light upon the ,son of ,god in the form of a dove 7,matt4 #c3af71 but because the mourning of a dove 7,isa4 #ch3ad7 resembles the mourning of the spirit in the hearts of the faithful4 ,hence ,hezekiah says of himself3 8,i did mourn as a dove40 ,isa4 #ch3ad4 ,why had 8the four living creatures the faces of a man1 an ox1 a lion1 and an eagle08 ,ezek4 #a3aj2 ,rev4 #d3g4 ,they express to us the four mediatorial offices of ,christ3 his incarnation1 sacrifice1 resurrection1 and ascension4 #e4 ,here also we may consider the wonderful providence of ,god1 whereby he protects1 sustains1 and nourishes all his creatures4 ,thus in ,psalm #fe ,david celebrates the paternal mercies of ,god towards all creatures4 ,again1 8,o ,lord1 thou preservest man and beast40 ,ps4 #cf3f4 ,this consideration should strengthen our faith and secure our perseverance in prayer1 under all the wants and necessities of soul and body4 ,and whereas ,david mentions the word flesh1 8to thee shall all flesh come0 7,ps4 #fe3b72 this seems to have a particular regard to our bodily wants and sufferings 7as we are flesh and blood71 such as hunger1 cold1 nakedness1 etc42 and should1 at the same time1 put us in mind of our own vileness and corruption1 which is frequently in ,scripture expressed by the word flesh4 ,isa4 #dj3f4 ,the prophet gives us further comfort1 by adding1 that there is no man so vile and contemptible as to be despised or forgotten before ,god4 ,this is expressed to us in these words3 8,thou who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth1 and of them that are afar off upon the sea40 ,ps4 #fe3e4 ,as if he had said3 ,so great is the love of ,god to mankind1 that wheresoever they are1 whether by land or sea1 he still takes care to protect and defend them4 ,and whereas he adds1 8,thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice0 7ver4 #h72 his meaning is1 that1 as ,god feeds and nourishes all creatures1 so he comforts and refreshes them1 too1 according to the words of ,st4 ,paul1 8filling our hearts with food and gladness40 ,acts #ad3ag4 ,for it is no small blessing to feed upon his creatures with a cheerful mind1 to begin the labors of the day with devout prayers and praises1 and to conclude them with thanksgiving4 ,lastly1 he assigns the cause1 in these words3 8,the river of ,god is full of water0 7ver4 #i72 that is1 the fountain of divine bounty1 mercy1 and goodness1 overflows to all his creatures1 upon which our being and comforts entirely depend4 #f4 ,to this also may be referred that passage of the ,psalmist1 8,all wait upon thee1 that thou mayest give them their meat in due season40 ,ps4 #ajd3bg4 ,and not only so1 but he represents also the brute creatures as sensible of this dependence upon ,god1 8,the young lions roar after their prey1 and seek their meat from ,god0 7,ps4 #ajd3ba72 intimating thereby1 that ,god1 the ,preserver of nature1 is moved to pity and to assist the distresses and sufferings of every creature2 and that the wants of every part of his creation1 whether animate or inanimate1 are a sort of silent prayer to the great author and preserver of their being4 ,and this is called by ,st4 ,paul1 8the earnest expectation of the creature40 ,rom4 #h3ai4 ,here let us consider likewise what an infinite variety of creatures there are contained in the air1 earth1 and sea1 and that ,god has mercifully provided for the comfortable subsistence of every one1 in a way suitable to their proper natures4 ,and if ,god takes such care of the meanest of his creatures1 it would be wrong to imagine1 that man1 created in his own image1 should be neglected or forgotten by him4 #g4 ,and since there are more creatures in the earth1 air1 and sea1 than there are men in the whole world2 and the providence of ,god is extended to the meanest and smallest of his creatures1 how is it possible that man should be forgotten1--man1 that lives1 moves1 and has his being in him2 8for in him we live1 and move1 and have our being10 saith ,st4 ,paul 7,acts #ag3bh71--man1 that is sustained by his power3 for 8he upholdeth all things by the word of his power0 7,heb4 #a3c7--man1 whom he has made with his own hand2 according to ,isaiah #fd3h4 8,o ,lord1 thou art our ,father2 we are the clay1 and thou art the potter1 and we all are the work of thy hand20--man1 whom he has redeemed by the blood of his only begotten ,son1 and sealed with his ,holy ,spirit8 ,in a word1 ,god can no more forget man1 than he can forget ,himself4 ,so that we have all the reason in the world to depend upon him1 that he will give us meat in due season4 #h4 ,the ,psalmist goes on3 8,that thou givest them1 they gather3 thou openest thy hand1 they are filled with good40 ,ps4 #ajd3bh4 ,in these words is expressed that power1 whereby the creatures are preserved4 ,and this consists in a certain natural sagacity or instinct implanted in them by ,god1 by which every one of them is prompted to look out1 and procure such things as are proper for the support of life and being4 ,and the pleasure which they receive in this exercise1 is a sort of gratitude and acknowledgment to ,god whom they seem to look upon and rejoice in1 as their ,maker1 ,preserver1 and ,benefactor4 #i4 ,now if ,god takes so much care for the comfortable subsistence of all his creatures1 we cannot think that he made man for perpetual anguish and sorrow1 but must conclude that he is pleased to see us innocently cheerful in the fear of ,god4 ,so1 in ,psalm #ij3ae1 we are directed to pray1 that ,god would make us glad according to the days wherein he afflicted us2 and the years in which we saw evil4 ,he promises his servants that they shall eat1 drink1 and rejoice 7,isai4 #fe3ac72 and from the words of ,david1 it plainly appears that he intends to feed his servants1 not sparingly1 but plentifully and bountifully2 to which end1 he maketh his paths drop fatness4 ,ps4 #fe3aa4 ,experience itself also teaches us1 that all creatures are so plentifully fed by ,god1 that1 at proper seasons1 the birds of the air1 the wild beasts of the forest1 the cattle in the fields1 and the fish of the sea1 offer themselves1 fattened and prepared1 for the use and nourishment of man2 and in that sense also 8his paths drop fatness40 ,so wonderful is the providence1 so transcendent is the wisdom1 so great is the concern of ,god1 to provide for all the necessities of his children4 #aj4 ,and then the ,psalmist adds1 8,thou hidest thy face1 they are troubled2 thou takest away their breath1 they die1 and return to their dust4 ,thou sendest forth thy spirit1 they are created2 and thou renewest the face of the earth40 ,ps4 #ajd3bi1 #cj4 ,his meaning is1 that the life of all creatures is nothing else but the breath of ,god4 ,this quickening virtue and power of ,god1 is that word by which all things were made4 8,by the word of the ,lord were the heavens made2 and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth40 ,ps4 #cc3f4 ,and this word was not an empty sound1 but became the life of all creatures1 resting upon them as a principle of life and power2 as ,st4 ,paul tells us1 8the ,lord upholdeth all things by the word of his power40 ,heb4 #a3c4 ,so that the life and being of all things as much depend on ,god1 as the shadow of a tree does upon the substance4 #aa4 ,thus when ,god withdraws this word of life1 or vital power1 from the creatures1 they immediately sink into their primitive nothingness4 ,the whole world is full of ,god1 8of whom1 and through whom1 and to whom are all things40 ,rom4 #aa3cf4 ,he is said to be 8above all1 and through all1 and in us all0 7,eph4 #d3f73 so that 8the ,lord is the strength of our life40 ,ps4 #bg3a2 ,deut4 #cj3bj4 ,for as men of sorrowful and distressed spirits perceive a true and vital power in the word of ,god2 so there is in all creatures a sort of natural and vital power1 which is nothing else but the ,word of ,creation4 ,by virtue of this ,word also1 all the creatures are blessed and do multiply4 ,by this1 the face of the earth is every year renewed by a succession of plants1 fruits1 and living creatures1 as if there were a new world every year4 8,while the earth remaineth10 saith ,god to ,noah1 8seed-time and harvest1 and cold and heat1 and summer and winter1 and day and night1 shall not cease40 ,gen4 #h3bb4 ,by the same blessing1 the world is preserved to this day4 #ab4 ,this wonderful and universal ,providence of ,god1 consists chiefly in three things4 ,first1 in his knowledge4 8,known unto ,god are all his works from the beginning of the world40 ,acts #ae3ah4 ,by this infinite and incomprehensible wisdom1 he knows1 sees1 and hears all things2 therefore he is called in ,scripture1 8the ,god that liveth and seeth40 ,gen4 #af3ad 7margin74 ,no creature is hidden from him1 but all things are naked and open in his sight4 ,heb4 #d3ac4 ,and he is called 8the ,living10 not only because he himself liveth forever1 but also because he is the life of all things4 #ac4 ,the second head of divine ,providence1 is the fatherly goodness of ,god 7,matt4 #f3bf71 by which ,he taketh care of all things3 8,he maketh his sun to rise on the evil1 and on the good40 ,matt4 #e3de4 ,so1 then1 if his mercy be not only extended to the least1 but even to the undeserving parts of his creation2 how ungrateful are we1 if we entertain any suspicions of so indulgent a ,father4 ,and if nothing be done upon earth but by his appointment and direction1 we may hence learn to submit with patience to everything that befalls us1 without repining or murmuring against ,god2 firmly believing that he careth for us1 and by his unsearchable wisdom ordereth all things for our good and his own glory4 ,on the other hand1 if he take from us our riches1 honors1 health1 and other worldly blessings1 we must resign them with cheerfulness1 and say with ,job1 8,the ,lord gave1 and the ,lord hath taken away40 ,job #a3ba4 ,that good man gave thanks to ,god for his adversity1 as well as for his prosperity2 and the former very often proves the greater blessing of the two4 #ad4 ,the third head of ,god's universal providence over all his creatures is1 his omnipotence4 ,by this he is always present to his creatures1 governing and preserving them2 by this he governs the hearts of all men1 and turneth them which way he pleases4 ,ps4 #cc3ae4 ,whence it follows1 that in all our thoughts1 words1 and actions1 we ought to have a lively and devout sense of the divine omnipresence1 and dread to do anything that is hateful in his sight4 ,for as is the clay in the hand of the potter1 so are men in the hand of ,god1 even as we read in ,jeremiah1 8,arise and go down to the potter's house3 and ,i went down1 and behold1 he wrought a work on the wheels4 ,and the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter2 so he made it again another vessel1 etc40 ,jer4 #ah3b4 ,the prophet intimates thereby that ,god1 who afflicteth and breaketh us to pieces1 can also heal and restore us again4 #ae4 ,moreover1 as we are assured that ,god is everywhere present1 and preserves and governs everything1 it follows that he is so careful of his own servants1 that not a hair of their heads can fall to the ground 7,matt4 #aj3cj2 ,luke #ba3ah2 ,acts #bg3cd7 without his permission2 and that he preserveth and keepeth us in the midst of our enemies1 as we have it frequently expressed in the ,psalms4 ,ps4 #bc3d2 #bg3a2 #aba3e4 ,so when we are in distress1 and there are no apparent hopes of relief1 we should support ourselves with this consideration3 that the ,lord himself1 8great in counsel1 and mighty in work0 7,jer4 #cb3ai71 who laid our cross upon us1 can easily lighten it1 or strengthen us to bear it4 ,let us 8commit our way unto the ,lord0 7,ps4 #cg3e71 like ,abraham1 who was ready to offer up his only son1 without questioning how ,god could perform his promise to him1 but cast all his care upon ,god4 ,gen4 #bb3h2 ,rom4 #d3ah2 ,heb4 #aa3ai4 #af4 ,and then1 the consideration of ,god's providence raises in us faith1 hope1 and patience1 of which we have examples in ,job1 ,david1 and ,christ himself4 ,the blessed ,jesus1 knowing that he was appointed by ,god to die1 preserved his meekness and patience all the days of his life1 yea1 even in the very agonies of death4 ,phil4 #b3h4 ,thus ,david patiently endured banishment for years1 attended with injuries1 reproaches1 poverty1 and contempt2 knowing assuredly that it was ,god that laid it upon him4 ,this makes him cry out1 8,thou1 ,o ,lord1 art a shield for me2 my glory1 and the lifter up of mine head40 ,ps4 #c3c4 ,to which may be referred that passage1 8,the ,lord killeth1 and maketh alive2 he bringeth down to the grave1 and bringeth up4 ,the ,lord maketh poor1 and maketh rich2 he bringeth low1 and lifteth up40 #a ,sam4 #b3f1 #g4 #ag4 ,but before we conclude this subject1 we must say something particularly of man1 the crown and masterpiece of the creation1 of his excellence and prerogatives1 which must be very great1 forasmuch as ,god himself has declared1 that 8his delights are with the sons of men40 ,prov4 #h3ca4 ,for if all things were created for the use of man1 and he is the end of this visible creation1 it follows that he is the perfection of it4 ,reason itself convinces us1 that whatsoever is the end and perfection of all things1 must be more excellent than all others4 ,so1 then1 all the beauty of fountains1 fields1 flowers1 trees1 fruits1 and woods1 yea1 and all the glittering brightness of heaven1 the sun1 moon1 and stars1 are not to be compared with1 the native and original excellence of man1 for whose sake and benefit they were all created4 ,for as ,solomon in all his glory was not to be compared with the flowers of the field 7,matt4 #f3bi72 so the excellence of man1 especially as to his soul1 far transcends not only the external glory of ,solomon1 but all the beauties of this lower world1 yea1 and of the sun itself4 #ah4 ,and as for the soul1 we may judge of its excellency and beauty by the form and comeliness of the body which ,god has prepared for its reception and residence4 ,he provided a comely mansion for so excellent a guest4 ,so1 if we should see the spotless beauty of the original human body1 we should easily judge of the beauty of its divine inhabitant4 ,even now1 in this corrupt and depraved state of nature1 we see what attractive charms there are in beauty4 ,moreover1 we may judge yet farther of the beauty of human nature1 by the glories of the place in which ,god at first placed man2 which was ,paradise itself1 a garden full of joy and celestial pleasures1 infinitely exceeding all the glory and beauty of the present world4 ,for if the place were so glorious1 what must the owner of it be1 for whose sake it was created8 #ai4 ,another great argument of the dignity of human nature is1 that the angels themselves are appointed to minister unto us 7,heb4 #a3ad72 and that we were created1 as it were1 by a particular decree of the ever-blessed ,trinity4 8,let us make man10 saith ,god1 8in our image1 after our likeness40 ,gen4 #a3bf4 ,so that how great soever our dignity may be1 by that singular decree and counsel by which we were made1 yet that which arises from the image of ,god1 in which we were created1 is much greater4 ,therefore1 when he created the sun1 moon1 and all the host of heaven1 he but spake the word1 and they were made4 ,but when he was about to make man1 the greatest and noblest of all his works1 he ushers it in with a kind of solemnity1 saying1 8,let us make man40 ,how wonderful is that counsel6 ,how solemn is that decree6 ,how transcendent is the dignity of human nature6 #bj4 ,for though the sun1 moon1 and stars1 and all the lower world1 were made with wonderful wisdom and power2 yet that deliberation does not seem to have been used there as in the creation of man2 forasmuch as in him1 the glory and majesty of ,god were more particularly and gloriously to be manifested4 ,all the other creatures bear upon them certain marks and signatures of divine goodness and power1 but man is the very image and likeness of ,god4 ,for it is not said1 ,let us make man in the image of the sun1 or of the moon1 or of the angels2 but 8in our likeness10 that our own image may be clearly represented in him4 #ba4 ,consider1 therefore1 the beauty and dignity of thy soul1 which is created in the image and likeness of ,god1 so that the glories of the divine majesty are1 in a certain proportion1 transferred to thee4 ,how much reason have we then to avoid all impurity and uncleanness1 that we defile not the beauty of the divine image4 ,for if we are thereby exalted to the highest glory and honor that our nature is capable of1 how unworthy and ungrateful would it be1 to pollute it by any uncleanness1 and so forfeit that glory which ,god has bestowed on us4 #bb4 ,how highly is a picture or statue prized1 that is well executed by an eminent hand6 ,could such a picture or statue be endued with understanding1 how would it esteem its maker1 and take all opportunities of showing its own gratitude1 and its maker's glory6 ,how senseless then1 how ungrateful is man1 to forget the hand that formed him6 to despise that excellent beauty with which his ,maker endued him6 to pollute it with all kinds of impurity6 ,plato1 himself1 a pagan1 has told us1 that 8the beauty of the soul consists in virtue and piety40 ,but did we only consider the union of our souls with ,god and ,christ1 the righteousness of ,christ wherewith our souls are clothed1 as with a garment of glory and immortality 7,isa4 #fa3aj71 we should more easily understand what the true and inward beauty of our souls is1 which depends entirely upon that of ,jesus ,christ4 ,and if it be so1 who can question but that the soul is most exquisitely beautiful1 since it derives its beauty from ,him who is beauty itself8 #bc4 ,to this belongs that passage of the prophet ,ezekiel1 8,thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty2 for it was perfect through my comeliness which ,i had put upon thee1 saith the ,lord ,god40 ,ezek4 #af3 #ad4 ,if children partake of the beauty of their parents according to the flesh2 it is reasonable to believe1 that our souls1 by spiritual regeneration1 receive a spiritual beauty from ,god4 ,moreover1 it cannot be doubted that they are the most beautiful of all creatures1 since the ,son of ,god himself does not disdain to betroth himself unto them1 and to adorn them with his own light and beauty4 ,upon this account1 the faithful soul is called1 8a king's daughter1 all glorious within1 whose clothing is of wrought gold40 ,ps4 #de3ae4 ,if a plebeian woman be ennobled by marriage with a husband of quality1 can we doubt but that the faithful soul1 by being married to the most noble and beautiful spouse1 shall also partake1 in a high degree1 of ,his beauty and glory4 ,upon this ,irenus has a fine thought4 ,he says1 that 8the glory of man is ,god1 but the receptacle of all the operations of divine wisdom and goodness1 is man40 #bd4 ,lastly1 as it is beyond all controversy1 that the most high ,god particularly delights to dwell in the soul of man2 that he has sanctified it to be the temple of the ,holy ,ghost1 the habitation of the ,father1 and the bride-chamber of the most beautiful spouse1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 we may therefore conclude that the soul is the most beautiful of all creatures4 ,and as ,ezekiel tells us that 8our soul is perfected by the comeliness of ,god0 7,ezek4 #af3ad72 how great must that beauty1 how rich must that attire1 how transcendent must those ornaments be1 which so great and noble a spouse can bestow upon the bride which he has prepared for himself8 ,o how wonderful is this grace6 ,how incredible is the beauty which ,god bestows upon human souls6 ,could it but be seen by mortal eyes1 it must charm the most stupid beholder4 ,and this beauty increases every day by our prayers1 and devout approaches to ,god4 ,so that 8we are changed from glory to glory1 as by the ,spirit of the ,lord40 #b ,cor4 #c3ah4 ,for if the face of ,moses1 after conversing a few days with ,god1 shone with the brightness of divine glory 7,exod4 #cd3ce72 how much more shall our souls1 by the same conversation1 be enlightened and beautified with higher degrees of light and glory8--,of this subject we shall speak more fully in ,part ,,ii1 of this ,fourth ,book1 which refers to man in particular4 ,part ,,ii4 ,treating ,specially ,of ,man4 ,chapter ,i4 ,god1 ,an ,infinite ,and ,eternal ,being4 ,ah1 ,lord ,god6 behold1 thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm1 and there is nothing too hard for thee4--,the ,great1 the ,mighty ,god1 the ,lord of hosts1 is his name2 great in counsel1 and mighty in work4--,,jer4 #cb3ag-ai4 ,god is the origin of the life and being of all creatures3 whence it follows1 that he was before all creatures1 both an eternal ,being1 and eternal ,life itself2 otherwise he could not have given life and being to his creatures4 ,but the infinity of ,god yet more plainly appears from the mind and thoughts of man4 ,for as the mind of man can in a moment run through the whole circle of heaven1 and comprehend in imagination all the creatures of the universe2 it follows1 that ,god who made him1 comprehends all these things in a more perfect manner1 and by consequence must be infinite4 #b4 ,all the attributes of ,god are essential to him4 ,as therefore he is infinite1 so are his essence and life also infinite4 ,for essence and life are inseparable from him4 ,moreover1 as he has endued the soul of man with wisdom and understanding1 it follows that the understanding and wisdom of ,god must be infinite4 ,for whatsoever is in ,god1 is essentially and eternally in him4 ,and as the unity of the divine nature is so perfect that his wisdom cannot be separated from his essence and life1 it follows that both are alike infinite and eternal4 #c4 ,but if the wisdom of ,god be eternal and infinite1 it will follow that ,he knoweth all things from eternity4 ,moreover1 as his essence is unchangeable1 equally filling all places2 so his understanding does not proceed by way of rational connection1 or discursive operation from one idea to another4 ,he knoweth and understandeth all things in an instant1 and to him there is nothing past or to come1 but the whole circle of eternity is present to him4 ,for as ,god stands in need of no creature to add anything to the perfection of his being1 so neither does he need any creature with respect to his understanding4 ,and as he is ,god1 independently of all creatures2 so he penetrates and comprehends all things in himself4 ,so that the sands of the sea1 and the drops of the rain1 and eternity1 are alike known to him4 ,and not so much as a bird of the air1 or a hair of our heads1 can fall to the ground without him4 ,matt4 #aj3bi1 #cj4 ,he knoweth the days of the world1 every hour and moment of time1 with its several periods and revolutions2 nor is anything under the heavens hidden from him4 ,for as by his infinite power he created all things1 so by his infinite wisdom he understands and comprehends all things2 even the most secret thoughts of man4 ,ps4 #aci3b1 c4 #d4 ,moreover1 as his essence1 life1 and wisdom1 so also his power is infinite1 and all are equally incapable of any addition or diminution4 ,lastly1 forasmuch as no creature can oppose or set bounds to his power1 therefore1 he is ,almighty4 ,all which must necessarily be1 forasmuch as his essence1 life1 wisdom1 and power1 are inseparable4 ,chapter ,,ii4 ,god1 ,the ,supreme ,good4 ,for of him1 and through him1 and to him1 are all things4--,,rom4 #aa3cf4 ,as ,he must be the chief and only good1 in whom all good things are contained2 it follows that glory and praise belong to ,god alone1 because from him1 and by him1 and for him1 are all things4 #b4 ,all the goodness that is found scattered up and down among the creatures1 is in a most perfect and excellent manner and degree contained in him4 ,so that whosoever turns himself to the creatures1 and cleaves unto them1 will always find himself poor1 needy1 and distressed3 whilst he that turneth unto ,god with his whole heart1 pursues the chief and most perfect good1 and shall be blessed in the enjoyment of it3 ever rich1 ever at ease1 ever blessed in the fruition of his ,god4 ,by this it appears that perfect happiness is not to be found in the enjoyment of the creatures1 and that they who fix their hearts and desires on the world1 can expect nothing but anguish1 disquiet1 and disappointments1 both in life and in death2 for they have not that chief good1 which alone can satisfy and make happy the soul of man4 ,chapter ,,iii4 ,man1 ,the ,most ,noble ,of ,all ,creatures1 ,and ,made ,for ,the ,service ,of ,god4 ,know ye that the ,lord he is ,god3 it is he that hath made us1 and not we ourselves2 we are his people1 and the sheep of his pasture4--,,ps4 #ajj3c4 ,all the creatures1 in their several kinds and orders1 were created by ,god for the use and benefit of man4 ,thus we see corn and pasture produced1 these feeding the living creatures1 and all serving for food to mankind4 ,one assists another1 the higher wheel setting the lower in motion1 and all in a wonderful harmony concurring to one great end1 which is the use and benefit of man4 #b4 ,now1 if all this be for his sake1 he is certainly more noble than they all2 and hence he should learn what dependence he has upon ,god1 and what duty and service he owes to ,him who has appointed all the creatures1 in their order1 to minister to his necessities4 #c4 ,and1 as all the creatures seem to aim at no other end than the use and service of man1 and seem to rest and be satisfied in obtaining that end2 so ought man likewise to show the same diligence and faithfulness in the service of ,god1 that the creatures show to him4 ,all his works and labors ought to be directed to this one end1 namely1 to accomplish the will of ,god1 and do nothing but that which is well-pleasing in his sight4 ,for as all things are incessantly employed in serving man1 the noblest of all creatures1 so there is all the reason in the world that he should be as constant and assiduous in the service of ,god1 who is perfection itself1 and to whom alone he is indebted for that superiority which he has over the rest of the creatures4 ,chapter ,,iv4 ,god ,made ,man ,in ,his ,own ,image1 ,in ,order ,that ,he ,might ,delight ,in ,him4 ,my delights were with the sons of men4--,,prov4 #h3ca4--,the ,lord shall rejoice in his works4--,,ps4 #ajd3ca4 ,every artist has a love for the works of his own hands1 and that induces him to take so much pains about them4 8,god saw every thing that he had made1 and1 behold1 it was very good40 ,gen4 #a3ca4 ,but if he took so much delight in the general survey of his works1 how much greater pleasure must he take in man1 whom he created after his own image4 #b4 ,for the more anything resembles ourselves1 the more tenderly do we love it4 ,a father has a stronger affection for his son1 who partakes of his own nature1 than for a house which he himself has builded1 though ever so exact and regular in itself4 #c4 ,moreover1 as ,god takes pleasure in a creature made to resemble himself1 therefore1 it was necessary1 that after the other creatures were formed1 he should create man in his own image1 in whom he might rest and delight himself4 ,and as similitude is the foundation of friendship and society1 and everything naturally associates with its like1 it follows that ,god1 in making man after his own image1 intended to delight and rejoice ,himself in him2 so that man ought likewise to cleave unto his ,god1 and to delight and take pleasure in conversing with ,him4 #d4 ,further1 as ,god is the most perfect love1 he could not but desire to communicate himself1 and all his blessings1 to some other being4 ,that could not be done1 however1 without making some being like himself2 and as there was no such being then in nature1 capable or worthy of such divine communications1 therefore he created man in his own image1 which consists chiefly in perfect love4 #e4 ,and1 lastly1 as there is naturally a reciprocal love betwixt the giver and the receiver of any benefit2 hence it follows1 that it is the duty of man to worship with the highest affection and most ardent love1 his heavenly ,benefactor1 who so affectionately desires to communicate himself1 and all the riches of his goodness1 to his unworthy creatures4 ,chapter ,v4 ,that ,god ,by ,his ,love ,bestows ,himself ,upon ,us4 ,god is love4--#a ,,john #d3af4 ,as man devotes himself entirely unto ,god by love1 so ,god bestows himself entirely upon man also by love4 ,and as that love of his is in the highest degree of perfection1 he cannot but give us ,himself3 for the highest instance of love is to bestow one's self upon the person we love4 ,and as a consequence of this perfect love1 ,he bestowed himself upon us in his only begotten ,son4 #b4 ,this is the true spring of the incarnation1 passion1 and death of the ,son of ,god4 ,thus our blessed ,saviour pronounces these words of comfort1 8,god so loved the world1 that he gave his only begotten ,son0 7,john #c3af72 that is1 ,god loved the world with an entire and perfect love1 and therefore gave us his ,son4 ,but as the eternal love of ,god is the fountain of eternal life to the world2 and that eternal love is manifested by ,christ ,jesus1 in and by whom we have everlasting life1 therefore1 our ,lord further adds3 8that whosoever believeth in him should not perish1 but have everlasting life40 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,showing ,how ,much ,man ,is ,indebted ,to ,god ,for ,his ,everlasting ,love4 ,we love him1 because he first loved us4--#a ,,john #d3ai4 ,in every benefit or gift there are three things to be considered3 the giver1 the receiver1 and the gift itself4 ,as1 then1 there is a natural obligation upon the receiver to the giver1 it is manifest1 that since man has received all that he has from ,god1 so he owes all to him1 and is under the strictest obligations of love and obedience to his great benefactor4 #b4 ,and as man consists of body and soul1 so ,god has abundantly provided for the comfort and happiness of both4 #c4 ,as for his body1 it is sustained and refreshed by the various productions of nature1 so that the whole creation seems to call upon him1 and put him in mind of his ,creator3 8,consider10 it saith1 8,o man1 the benefits which thy ,maker has bestowed upon thee1 and what returns of gratitude and service thou owest him for the same4 ,i 7saith the heaven71 give thee daylight to work in1 and send darkness in which thou mayest sleep and take thy rest4 ,i give thee the pleasant spring1 the warm summer1 the fruitful autumn1 and the cold winter1 in their proper seasons4 ,i 7saith the air71 supply thee with breath1 and every kind of birds4 ,by me 7saith the water71 art thou washed1 and thy thirst is quenched2 by me thou art supplied with all kinds of fish4 ,i bear thee and sustain thee 7saith the earth71 and satisfy thee with bread1 wine1 and flesh2 by all which thou mayest know how much thou art beloved by ,him who made thee1 and me for thy use2 all of whose favors are as so many bonds and obligations upon thee40 ,chapter ,,vii4 ,of ,the ,things ,that ,instruct ,and ,comfort ,the ,soul4 ,ask now the beasts1 and they shall teach thee2 and the fowls of the air1 and they shall tell thee3 or speak to the earth1 and it shall teach thee4--,,job #ab3g1 #h4 ,let us now see what provision ,god has made for the comfort and instruction of the soul of man4 ,here we shall find every creature in one way or another1 subservient to this end4 ,and1 first1 ,i shall speak of the pleasure which man receives from the creatures4 #b4 ,man alone has the privilege of really enjoying what he possesses4 ,other creatures1 being void of understanding1 have no relish of those blessings from which man receives very great comfort2 gold1 silver1 and precious stones1 have no intelligence4 ,but man1 being endowed with an understanding mind1 reflects with gratitude and pleasure upon the goodness of ,god1 who has provided so many beautiful creatures for his use and benefit4 ,o the wonderful goodness of ,god1 who has made all the excellencies of the creatures subservient to the happiness of man2 so that they are the channels of conveying that happiness to us1 which they themselves are not capable of enjoying6 ,thus the sweetness and goodness of the water1 the fragrance and beauty of flowers1 the light and glory of the sun1 moon1 and all the host of heaven1 yield no pleasure to themselves1 but all unite to promote the happiness of man4 ,nay1 without them1 man would have no enjoyment at all in this world2 nor could he have any notion of the dignity and pre-eminence of his nature above that of other creatures1 but by comparing his condition with theirs4 ,this shows him the transcendent goodness of ,god1 manifested to him above all the rest of the creation2 this teaches him to be thankful for his beautiful form and stature1 his erect countenance1 but above all1 for his rational soul1 created after the image of ,god4 ,from all which it appears1 that the knowledge of a man's self is his highest wisdom1 and the want of it1 the most deplorable folly4 #c4 ,moreover1 the creatures were made1 not only for the delight of man1 but also to be his monitors and instructors4 ,for from them we may learn1 that our chief good consists not in worldly and outward enjoyments2 such as eating1 drinking1 and the gratifying the other bodily appetites1 all which are common to the beasts as well as to us2 and this is a convincing argument1 that man1 being of a more noble frame and nature than they1 ought to look for other meat and drink1 and other pleasures suitable to the higher nobility of his nature1 which the inferior creatures cannot share with him4 ,i need not here mention1 that the greatest part of human wisdom arises from the contemplation of the creatures4 ,thus our music came from the sound of metals2 our skill in medicine1 from other creatures2 and our astronomy1 from the stars2 which still farther illustrates my first observation1 that the whole world was created for the sake of man1 for which he owes never-ending thanks to his munificent ,creator4 ,chapter ,,viii4 ,of ,the ,obligations ,under ,which ,men ,lie ,to ,god4 ,o ,lord1 how great are thy works6 and thy thoughts are very deep4 ,a brutish man knoweth not2 neither doth a fool understand this4--,,ps4 #ib3e1 #f4 ,the obligations which man lies under to ,god1 are as many and as great1 as are the favors which he has received from him1 or the excellencies which he has bestowed upon all the creatures4 ,for as every creature was made for his use and benefit1 so ought his gratitude to rise in proportion for them all4 ,if a king should bestow great estates and honors upon a company of children in the same family1 and but one of the number had age and sense enough to know the greatness of the favor and honor done to them1 he alone is certainly obliged to thank him in the name of all the rest1 and would be guilty of ingratitude if he did not4 ,so in this world1 the rest of the creatures are like children1 that know not the worth and value of ,god's blessings1 as man does2 he is1 therefore1 alone obliged to adore and praise him in the name and stead of all the rest1 and is highly ungrateful if he does not4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,man ,even ,more ,indebted ,to ,god ,for ,inward1 ,than ,for ,outward ,blessings4 ,and the fear of you shall be upon every beast of the earth4--,,gen4 #i3b4 ,as man knows himself to be the most excellent of all creatures1 so ought he to be more thankful to ,god for the perfections of his own being and nature1 than for those of all the rest of the world4 ,for as all things else were made for his sake1 he must of necessity be more perfect and excellent than they4 ,the sun1 the moon1 and all the host of heaven1 those glorious bodies1 all wait upon man1 and do him service4 ,this they do1 not on account of his body1 which1 considered in this corrupt state1 is less excellent than theirs2 but on account of his soul1 as to which he is in every respect superior to them4 ,for the very notion of servitude implies a superiority in the person to whom the service is paid3 so that it would be unnatural for those glorious bodies to do that service to man1 if he had not an immortal soul1 and by consequence1 a more excellent nature than they4 #b4 ,and on account of the immortality of the soul1 it is an unworthy thing for a man to fix it upon anything that is mortal and perishing2 because it is incapable of uniting with anything but what is immortal1 and particularly with ,god himself4 ,the body1 indeed1 is connected with corporeal objects1 and is capable of terrestrial enjoyments2 but the soul should be united solely with ,god2 so that1 as a king1 he might be enthroned and bear rule in her2 and in this consists the excellency of man above all other creatures1 that his soul is the throne1 the image1 and habitation of ,god4 ,greater honor than this no creature is capable of receiving2 therefore man is the most excellent of all1 and is infinitely indebted to the ,author and ,giver of such inestimable benefits4 ,chapter ,x4 ,of ,the ,wisdom ,which ,god ,has ,shown ,in ,the ,formation ,of ,man4 ,o ,lord1 how manifold are thy works6 in wisdom hast thou made them all4--,,ps4 #ajd3bd4 ,there are three orders in the natural body4 ,the first is to the body the same that the husbandmen and laborers are to the state2 being employed in raising the appetite1 digesting and concocting the food1 separating the juices1 and in all the other inferior offices of the animal economy4 ,this lower faculty works night and day1 for the security and preservation of the others4 ,for such is the constitution of human bodies1 that if the lower faculties be out of order1 or cease to operate1 the superior1 which depend upon them1 cannot subsist4 #b4 ,the next faculty is the sensitive1 diversified by the five perceptions of seeing1 hearing1 tasting1 smelling1 and feeling1 which are all more or less noble1 the one than the other4 ,the sight is more noble than the hearing1 because objects are seen at a much greater distance than they are heard4 ,the hearing is more noble than the taste1 as being capable of exerting itself at a greater distance4 ,and for the same reason1 the taste and smelling are more noble than the feeling1 which is the weakest and lowest of all4 #c4 ,the third order1 which is the highest and most noble of all1 answers to the government in the state1 and is divided into the reason1 the will1 and the memory4 ,these govern and command the faculties1 having each a function distinct from the rest4 ,these are not corporeal1 as the others1 but strictly mental faculties2 and are1 therefore1 more noble and excellent4 ,besides which1 they are also endued with that perfect liberty1 that they cannot be compelled to anything4 ,for who can force the will to desire that for which it has no mind2 or to hate that which it loves8 ,the will is altogether free1 and cannot be forced4 ,these are clothed with virtues proper to each of them2 as the will with righteousness2 the understanding with wisdom2 the memory with eloquence1 etc4 ,this is the economy settled by ,god in human nature4 ,chapter ,,xi4 ,of ,the ,obligations ,man ,lies ,under ,towards ,god4 ,what hast thou that thou didst not receive8--#a ,,cor4 #d3g4 ,there are two very general and comprehensive favors1 for which man is exceedingly obliged to ,god2 the one visible and corporeal1 which is this world2 the other spiritual and invisible1 which is the love of ,god4 #b4 ,and though this latter is indeed the first1 as being the foundation of all his other blessings1 which are no more than infinite rivulets flowing from this universal fountain of divine love2 yet1 because it is invisible1 the folly of man hardly considers it as any mercy at all4 ,so that man1 being delighted only with visible things1 does not regard or consider that the love which is concealed under them1 is greater and better than the things themselves4 ,in a word1 as smoke is a sign of fire1 so are the blessings of ,god a certain proof of his love towards us4 #c4 ,since1 then1 the gifts and blessings of ,god are1 as it were1 certain steps by which to mount up to ,god himself1 it follows1 that his love is as great as his gifts are2 and as he made the whole world for the sake of man1 and formed all creatures for his use1 and regards them only as they serve and minister to his beloved creature1 man2 as he has exalted and loved him above all creatures1 and as this love of ,god is the most sincere1 pure1 safe1 and in a word1 the highest good1 which prompted him to form and love man1 not for any advantage which ,he was to reap from him1 but out of the overflowings of his free grace and boundless love2 from all these considerations1 ,i say1 it is plain that man is more indebted to ,god for this love1 than for all the particular gifts and favors that ,god can bestow1 and man receive4 #d4 ,there are two things to be considered in every favor3 the love that precedes and influences the giver1 and the gift itself1 which is the consequence of that love4 ,the former is not only more noble and valuable than the latter1 but is in all respects equal to the person that shows it4 ,hence1 it follows1 that the love of ,god is as infinitely good and great as ,god himself4 ,this confirms the position first laid down1 that man is more obliged to ,god for his love1 than for any or all of his particular graces and favors4 ,and as man cannot subsist a moment without the favor and mercy of ,god 7for on ,him his breath and life entirely depend71 it is plain that his obligations to ,god are greater than those of all the creatures besides4 ,chapter ,,xii4 ,of ,answering ,the ,obligations ,which ,man ,lies ,under ,to ,god4 ,i will love thee1 ,o ,lord1 my strength4--,,ps4 #ah3a4 ,as ,god has freely and graciously bestowed all his gifts and blessings on man1 he thereby obliges him to make some satisfaction and return for all these mercies4 ,now man can offer and dedicate nothing unto ,god1 but what is entirely in his own power2 so that all his outward goods and riches1 are not a proper offering for ,god4 #b4 ,but as ,god has bestowed on him his greatest blessing1 which is his love1 so he expects to be requited with love again4 ,and as the love of ,god to man is in the highest degree of perfection1 so the love that he requires from us ought to be perfect1 8with all our heart1 with all our soul1 with all our mind1 and with all our strength40 ,mark #ab3cj4 ,and how just this return is1 both nature and reason may convince us4 ,for nothing is more natural and reasonable than to love them that love us1 and to proportion our love to theirs2 whosoever does not this1 is ungrateful and unworthy of that love which he refuses to requite4 ,and when ,god does not meet with this reciprocal love from man1 as he very seldom does1 he has then just reason to complain of injustice and ingratitude2 for he requires nothing from man but love1 in return for all that infinite love and mercy which he has shown to him4 #c4 ,moreover1 such is the nature of love1 so sweet1 so pure1 so free1 and so acceptable is it1 that neither fear1 nor honor1 nor any other thing1 is good or desirable1 but as it is sweetened with love4 ,no man ever was so great1 as to despise the love of his inferiors2 but the greater a man is1 the more does he court the love and esteem of those below him4 ,yea1 so true is this1 that ,god himself1 the most mighty and excellent of all beings1 is so far from despising the love of mankind1 that he earnestly courts and desires it4 ,this then being certain1 that love is the greatest treasure any man has1 he is obliged to offer it to ,god1 who has bestowed the fulness of his love upon man4 #d4 ,by what ,i have here advanced ,i would not be understood to mean that this perfect love1 since the fall1 is wholly in our own power1 or that by it we can make a perfect return to ,god for all his benefits4 ,my only design is to show that we are convinced in our own consciences1 not only from the ,word of ,god1 but also from the light of nature1 that we ought to love ,god as he has loved us4 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,showing ,that ,god's ,love ,appears ,in ,all ,his ,works1 ,even ,in ,his ,chastisements4 ,he hath not dealt with us after our sins2 nor rewarded us according to our iniquities4--,,ps4 #ajc3aj4 ,as love is the root and principle of all the divine acts and operations1 it follows that even afflictions1 which are the work of ,god1 proceed from love1 and ought to be received by man as instances of ,god's favor4 ,for love is the root of all the operations of ,god4 #b4 ,hence no man ought to murmur against ,god when ,he corrects him1 or repine at ,his chastisements1 or quarrel with ,his judgments4 ,our sufferings are not chargeable upon ,god1 but upon ourselves4 ,it would become us much better to bear his corrections without remitting our love towards him2 even as he punishes us1 and yet tenderly loves us still4 ,this would be a true instance and proof of the sincerity of our love to ,god4 #c4 ,and though there is no proportion between the love of ,god towards man1 and the love which the most perfect ,christian bears to ,god1 the one being infinite and the other finite2 yet is it our duty continually to aim at the highest degrees attainable by us4 ,we should endeavor that our love may be holy1 pure1 sincere1 and persevering1 even in the midst of sufferings and afflictions2 as the love of ,god towards us is ardent1 pure1 unchangeable1 and everlasting1 even whilst he punishes and afflicts us for our sins4 ,if we do not this1 we are the most ungrateful of all his creatures2 every one of which1 in its order and capacity1 answers the transcendent love of ,god with a pure love and obedience4 ,chapter ,,xiv4 ,showing ,how1 ,and ,on ,what ,account1 ,man ,is ,obliged ,to ,love ,god4 ,if a man would give all the substance of his house for love1 it would utterly be contemned4--,,cant4 #h3g4 ,hitherto we have distinctly considered the obligations that man lies under to ,god2 which is a doctrine founded upon that natural relation that is between the giver and the receiver2 and this is1 as it were1 a perpetual light of nature1 to direct us to the several branches of our duty to ,god4 ,for as ,god has bestowed freely upon man everything that he possesses 7whence the obligation arises71 it plainly follows that man is obliged to offer up and restore unto ,god all that he has received from him4 ,on the other hand1 if ,god had given nothing1 and man received nothing1 there would have then been no obligation1 nor any rule or measure of duty4 #b4 ,but as the love of ,god is the first and chief benefit which he has bestowed on man2 so it is but just and reasonable that he who has so loved us should be loved by us again4 ,man1 then1 has nothing from himself1 nor from others originally1 but all things from ,god2 and by consequence1 is obliged solely to ,god4 ,and this obligation cannot otherwise be discharged than by loving him entirely with all our hearts and with all our strength4 #c4 ,lastly1 as man continually depends upon ,god for his life and being2 as he continually enjoys ,his favors and blessings1 and1 by ,his command and order1 the service and assistance of the creatures2 nothing less can be expected from so dependent a being1 than love to ,him who has so generously and bountifully blessed him4 ,chapter ,,xv4 ,showing ,that ,all ,the ,creatures ,continually ,remind ,us ,of ,the ,love ,which ,we ,owe ,to ,god4 ,doth not wisdom cry8 and understanding put forth her voice8--,,prov4 #h3a4 ,as ,god has loved man above all the creatures1 or1 to speak more properly1 has loved him only1 having created them all for his sake2 so this perpetual love of ,god calls upon us1 and exhorts us to love him with all our hearts2 yea1 all the creatures of the universe1 whilst by ,god's command they serve us1 and minister to our necessities1 do1 as it were1 with united voices call aloud1 and put us in mind of the natural obligations we are under to magnify and adore1 to serve and love so gracious a ,benefactor1 and that freely and willingly2 even as they1 by ,god's command1 freely and cheerfully assist and minister to us4 #b4 ,and as their love and service to us are not false and hypocritical1 but sincere and faithful2 so ought ours to be to our ,creator4 ,as they employ their whole strength night and day to serve us2 so ought we night and day to be diligent and earnest in the service of ,god4 ,as all the creatures1 in their order1 serve and minister to man alone2 so ought all the powers of our souls and bodies to be employed solely in the service of ,god4 ,and as the greatest natural pleasure which man has in this world1 arises from the use and enjoyment of the creatures2 so nothing is more acceptable to ,god than the sincere services of a devout soul2 nothing delights him more than love1 arising from a lively faith in ,christ1 operating in a free and willing spirit4 ,from what has been said1 it is plain that the creatures exhort and instruct mankind to love ,god3 #a4 ,with all their strength2 #b4 ,freely and willingly2 #c4 ,heartily and sincerely2 #d4 ,solely and entirely4 ,chapter ,,xvi4 ,a ,general ,rule1 ,teaching ,us ,how ,to ,answer ,our ,obligations ,to ,god4 ,let my beloved come into his garden1 and eat his pleasant fruits4--,,cant4 #d3af4 ,as the creatures are appointed by ,god to obey man2 so man is obliged to love ,god1 and in this the creatures are our monitors4 ,thus the trees furnish us with ripe1 sweet1 perfect1 and pleasant fruits2 which1 if they were unripe1 sour1 or rotten1 nobody would taste or care for4 ,so it is not sufficient for man to offer his service1 his love1 fear1 and honor unto ,god1 unless they be genuine and perfect in their kind1 being made acceptable unto ,god through ,christ and in ,christ1 by the ,holy ,ghost1 who produces in us all true and perfect fruits4 ,this then is the great end for which we must labor1 by faith and prayer1 that we may bring forth fruits acceptable to ,god3 like the trees which spend the whole twelve months of the year in laboring to produce fruits wholesome and pleasant to the eater2 for ,god will no more accept our unripe1 sour1 or bitter works1 than we ourselves would relish sour and unripe fruits4 #b4 ,moreover1 as the trees serve us1 and naturally provide for our pleasure and benefit2 so is it our duty to serve ,god 8out of a pure heart1 and of a good conscience1 and of faith unfeigned0 7#a ,tim4 #a3e71 without hypocrisy and sinister designs1 that both we and our works may be acceptable in his sight4 ,in a word1 that universal rule which holds in nature1 must necessarily be transferred to our love and duty to ,god1 namely1 that a man ought never to cease from laboring1 till he has brought forth fruits acceptable to ,god3 on the other hand1 that all superstition1 will-worship1 and hypocrisy1 are as hateful and abominable in the sight of ,god1 as unripe or rotten fruits are to us4 ,chapter ,,xvii4 ,showing ,that ,the ,christian ,who ,loves ,not ,god ,is ,without ,excuse4 ,this is the love of ,god1 that we keep his commandments3 and his commandments are not grievous4--#a ,,john #e3c4 ,as ,god has implanted in every man a faculty of willing or desiring1 which we call the will1 which is also the seat of love1 both which mutually depend on each other2 and as man knows that the chief ,good is to be loved by him1 and that ,god is that chief ,good2 hence it follows1 that he alone has a natural knowledge both that he ought to love ,god1 and also of the reasons that oblige him to it4 #b4 ,for as brute creatures are fond of their benefactors2 so man is under the highest obligations to love ,god1 from whom he has received all that he has2 and if he do not1 he is more stupid and ungrateful than the beasts that perish4 ,rom4 #ab3i2 ,isa4 #a3c4 ,moreover1 as it is the nature of love to exclude all weariness and sadness 7which are the effects of hatred and displeasure71 and to sweeten and soften all the labors and difficulties that may attend the service of the person beloved 7#a ,cor4 #ac3d1 etc472 so we are obliged to express our love to ,god1 by all possible tokens of satisfaction and joy2 since love is the happiness and comfort of our souls4 ,and in this appear the kindness and love of ,god towards man1 that he does not exact of us a hard1 severe1 and painful service2 but only the sweet1 the joyful1 the comfortable exercise of love4 ,love casts out fear1 anguish1 and torment2 otherwise it ceases to be love4 ,love conquers all difficulties1 and drives away all sorrow1 filling the soul with joy and gladness2 so that if we love not ,god1 we are without excuse4 #c4 ,by this ,i do not mean1 that man1 since the fall1 can by his own strength and power1 perfectly love ,god as he ought2 but to show that every man is convinced in his own conscience1 that he ought to love him as well as he can2 that he who does not1 is worse than the beasts2 and that both nature and religion oblige us thereto4 ,chapter ,,xviii4 ,showing ,that ,our ,duty ,to ,god ,tends ,to ,promote ,our ,own ,happiness4 ,by thy commandments is thy servant warned3 and in keeping of them there is great reward4--,,ps4 #ai3aa4 ,having sufficiently proved1 in the first and second ,chapters1 that ,god is an absolute1 infinite1 and superabundant ,good1 having all perfection in and of himself1 and receiving no benefit from the service and worship of the creature2 it follows1 that all our religious services1 as they cannot be enjoined without a purpose1 so they must tend directly to our benefit and advantage4 ,all the time and pains1 therefore1 which we spend in the service of ,god1 are really and truly laid out in the service of ourselves4 #b4 ,for so great are the kindness and love of ,god towards men1 that ,he has pointed out to them the path of love1 that they might walk in it1 and drink plentifully of the waters of life4 ,o the boundless love of ,god1 who has made even our duty to be our happiness6 #c4 ,but here we must not think that we can merit anything by the services which we pay to ,him2 for1 in truth1 all the blessings that we receive either in this life or the next1 are solely owing to the free grace and favor of ,god4 ,the sense and meaning of this ,chapter then is this3 that the virtues or vices of men are neither profitable nor hurtful unto ,god1 but only unto themselves4 ,chapter ,,xix4 ,the ,service ,which ,the ,creatures ,render ,to ,man1 ,compared ,with ,that ,which ,man ,renders ,to ,god4 ,my son1 keep sound wisdom and discretion3 so shall they be life unto thy soul4--,,prov4 #c3ba1 #bb4 ,as we have already shown that there are two sorts of services2 one which the creatures render to man1 and the other which men render to ,god1 both tending to the sole happiness of man2 it remains now that we show the resemblance and relation that subsists between them4 ,as for the service of the creatures1 it is not in the power of man to make any retribution for the good they do us 7for everything that we have is ,god's73 nor indeed is it fit to do this1 because all the goodness of the creatures is no more than a little stream of divine goodness1 flowing to us through them2 and to ,him alone1 the ,author and ,fountain of all good1 all our love and gratitude are due4 ,so then1 though a man cannot subsist one moment without the assistance of the creatures1 yet are they not the proper objects of our love1 but ,god alone2 who1 by their services1 endeavors to oblige and draw us to a reciprocal love and service to himself4 ,for what advantage is it to us1 to live by the help of the creatures1 unless we live unto ,god4 #b4 ,this then is the intention of ,god3 to instruct us1 by the cheerful services which the creatures pay to us1 how cheerfully we ought to love1 to serve1 and obey him4 ,for as man cannot live without the help of the creatures1 such as the air and universal nature2 so he spiritually dies unto ,god whenever he ceases to obey him and to live in ,christ4 ,moreover1 as the life of man is nothing worth1 if it be not godly and devout2 so the service of the creatures profits him nothing1 if he also be not active and cheerful in the service of ,god4 ,and as the natural life is nothing1 when compared with a life of godliness and devotion2 so the service we pay to ,god1 profits us much more than all the service the creatures pay to us4 #c4 ,nay1 he that serveth not ,god1 is not worthy of the service of the creatures2 for as they were made for the service of man1 so man was made for the service of ,god2 and all the duty they pay to us1 is only to encourage us in our duty to our ,maker4 ,when this end is not answered1 we may not only be said to use the creatures in vain1 but to abuse them4 ,the end of all that has been said1 is this3 that as ,god has commanded the creatures to contribute to the support of our natural life1 he thereby instructs us to devote and dedicate that life entirely to ,his honor and service4 ,chapter ,,xx4 ,all ,things ,are ,preserved ,by ,the ,hand ,of ,god4 ,the hand of our ,god is upon all them for good that seek him2 but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him4--,,ezra #h3bb4 ,as man1 the noblest of the creatures1 cannot subsist one moment without the help of those that are much inferior to himself2 it follows1 that their being1 and the qualities by which they help and assist us1 are entirely owing to ,god4 ,whosoever denies this1 must believe that they who want not our help1 must be more worthy than we1 who cannot subsist without theirs4 #b4 ,but the more natural conclusion would be1 that if man cannot subsist without their help1 they who are so much more ignoble than he1 must likewise depend on some superior being for their support and preservation4 ,but as ,he that supports the creatures1 also supports mankind by their means1 it is plain1 that he can be nothing less than the ,creator and ,maker of all things4 ,for nothing can preserve our being1 but he that gave it1 and that is ,god1 who ordained the creatures for our sakes1 and man for his own4 ,chapter ,,xxi4 ,showing ,that ,from ,the ,service ,of ,man ,and ,the ,creatures1 ,a ,union ,takes ,place ,between ,the ,visible ,world1 ,man1 ,and ,god4 ,forasmuch as there is none like unto thee1 ,o ,lord2 thou art great1 and thy name is great in might4 ,who would not fear thee1 ,o king of nations8--,,jerem4 #aj3f1 #g4--;,if then ,i be a father1 where is mine honor8 and if ,i be a master1 where is my fear8--,,mal4 #a3f4 ,let us now consider and admire the wonderful union of all the creatures with ,god1 by that double service of which we have spoken4 ,for as all the creatures were made for the use of man1 thence arises a certain relation or union between man and them2 as there is by our duty and service to ,god1 between us and him4 ,for as ,god intended to draw man to himself by the cords of love1 so he commanded all the creatures to do service unto man1 as being created for his use alone2 and this is a strong obligation upon us to love1 serve1 and honor him4 #b4 ,hence we may learn1 that all the duty they pay to us1 or we to ,god1 tends solely to the good and benefit of man4 ,as for the other creatures1 they reap no benefit or advantage from their several labors and services1 but only that every one is looked upon to be more or less excellent1 in proportion to the service they respectively do to man4 ,so likewise ,god receives no advantage from our services to him2 but the greater love any man has for ,god1 the more noble he is1 and the greater benefit he receives4 ,whence it appears1 how wonderfully this twofold service unites the creatures to man1 and man to ,god1 #c4 ,and would to ,god that the bond of union which is between ,god and man1 were as strong as that which is between man and the creatures6 ,they are incessantly employed in the service of man1 and never act in a manner contrary to this design of their creation2 but man1 on the other hand1 bursts the yoke1 and breaks the bonds of duty which ,god has laid upon him1 debasing himself below the beasts1 though so much more noble than they4 ,now if the laws of nature and reason require the creatures to be obedient to man1 as their lord1 how much more just and reasonable is it1 that man should be obedient unto ,god8 ,for as the soul is much more noble than the body1 so is the inward and spiritual service of ,god much more excellent than that external and bodily service of the creatures4 ,and thus by the duty and service of man to his ,maker1 are all the creatures united unto ,god1 and perfected in charity1 that they may not be created in vain4 ,chapter ,,xxii4 ,from ,the ,love ,which ,we ,owe ,to ,god1 ,proceeds ,that ,which ,we ,owe ,to ,our ,neighbor4 ,this commandment have we from him1 ,that he who loveth ,god love his brother also4--#a ,,john #d3ba4 ,as we have already shown above1 that our love is entirely due to ,god1 and that this is the first and chief obligation upon us2 hence it follows1 that it would be highly unjust to alienate that love from him1 and fix it upon any other object4 ,as ,god has appropriated all his love to us1 so ought we entirely to consecrate ours to him4 ,for though the creatures indeed do us good1 yet they are only agents1 and1 in truth1 ,god does us good by their means1 forasmuch as he supports1 enables1 and commands them to minister to our necessities4 ,whence it follows1 that man also1 being a creature of ,god1 appointed to minister to his neighbor1 if he does him any service1 ought not to claim any honor or love for himself1 which are due to ,god alone4 #b4 ,but as man is obliged to love ,god above all things1 so he is thereby bound to unite his will and love with the will and love of ,god1 and to love all mankind as created in the image of ,god1 as freely and sincerely as ,god himself loves them4 ,and he that saith he loves ,god1 and loves not his brother1 created in the image of ,god1 is a liar1 and the truth is not in him2 for every one that truly loveth ,god1 will love his brother also4 ,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,man ,is ,made ,in ,the ,image ,of ,god4 ,and ,god said1 ,let us make man in our image1 after our likeness4--,,gen4 #a3bf4 ,all the creatures1 in their different orders and degrees of subordination1 may be said to imitate their ,maker4 ,those beings that are endued with life and sense come nearer to him than the vegetable2 the rational1 than the irrational4 ,as1 then1 all the creatures in their order seem respectively to approach nearer and nearer unto ,god1 and man is the end and perfection of them all1 it follows1 that he must be in the highest degree of conformity and likeness unto ,god4 #b4 ,for as the wax represents the perfect impression of the seal1 so ,god has fixed a stamp or impression of himself upon all creatures2 but to man1 before his fall1 he gave his own image and the brightness of that glory1 which the rest of the creatures partake of in lower degrees4 ,thus it appears from the orders of created beings1 that man was entirely created after the image of ,god4 ,and as ,god is a pure spirit1 a holy1 just1 and understanding mind1 so there is in man a spiritual and understanding soul1 in which the brightness and glory of the divine image shone and manifested itself4 ,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,that ,man ,is ,obliged ,to ,love ,his ,neighbor ,as ,himself4 ,he that loveth not1 knoweth not ,god2 for ,god is love4--#a ,,john #d3h4 ,as we were all originally created in the image of ,god1 and he is endeavoring to restore in us this lost image by the ,holy ,spirit1 and to save us in ,jesus ,christ1 it follows1 that we ought to love our neighbors1 and look upon them not as aliens and strangers1 but as our kindred and brethren1 having all received from the same ,god and ,father1 our life1 and breath1 and all things4 ,we ought to regard them with the same affection that we do ourselves1 that so the image of ,god1 renewed in us by ,christ1 may not suffer by our fault4 ,since1 then1 there is but one image of ,god in us all1 and we have but one ,redeemer and one ,holy ,spirit1 how strong ought the bond of love and unity to be betwixt those who represent but one great body1 and where all are members one of another8 ,for as our ,maker justly claims the first place in our love1 so the second is certainly due to them that are created in his image4 ,and because this image resides more particularly in the soul1 we are thereby obliged to wish as well to the souls of our neighbors as to our own2 so then every man is bound to love his neighbor as to love his ,god1 and that is a necessary consequence of this4 ,for as ,god has loved man from all eternity1 and still continues to love us1 by providing plentifully for all the wants of soul and body2 he designs thereby1 as with the cords of love1 to draw us to himself1 and to teach us that as he loves us1 so ought we also to love one another4 #b4 ,moreover1 as religion or the worship of ,god regards chiefly the good and benefit of the worshipper1 it follows1 that the love of our neighbor1 which arises from our love of ,god1 necessarily tends to the same end4 ,or shall we say that the image of ,god in man is profitable to the giver1 and not to the receiver8 ,lastly1 as the love of ,god and of our neighbor is the first and chief duty of man1 it must of necessity be also his chief and greatest good2 yea1 the root and fountain of all the blessings which he can possibly enjoy2 so that nothing can strictly be called good to him1 that proceeds from any other principle4 ,the more1 therefore1 we increase and improve in the love of ,god and of our neighbor1 the more do we improve in blessedness and happiness4 ,chapter ,,xxv4 ,all ,mankind ,are ,to ,be ,considered ,as ,one ,man1 ,or ,as ,being ,many ,members ,of ,one ,great ,body4 ,have we not all one father8 hath not one ,god created us8 why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother8--,,mal4 #b3aj4 ,as all the creatures1 the fire1 air1 earth1 water1 sun1 moon1 and stars1 equally and without any respect of persons1 serve and minister to mankind1 doing the same service to the poor as to the rich2 to the peasants as to the citizens2 to him that labors for his bread1 as to him that sitteth on the throne2 by this ,god teaches us to look upon our neighbor as part of ourselves1 and all of us together as making up but one man4 ,and as he has commanded all the creatures to pay honor and obedience to man1 he designs thereby to instruct us that we are the image of ,god1 and ought to live in a constant imitation of him4 #b4 ,if we do not this1 and accept not the service of the creatures with thanksgiving1 we are unworthy of the least service from them4 ,now as the creatures pay equal service to all men1 solely on account of the image of ,god which they bear1 how much more incumbent is it upon us to love and honor our neighbor1 as bearing that divine image4 ,so that the creatures themselves instruct us by their example in the duties which we owe to one another2 for as they regard all mankind but as one man1 so ought we to do likewise4 #c4 ,lastly1 forasmuch as all of us enjoy the love and favor of the same ,god2 are all equally created in the same image2 as the love of ,god is universal to us all1 and his blessings equally bestowed on all2 as we all labor under the same necessities1 and stand in need of the same mercies1 and are obliged to pay him the same duty and service2 as we are all partakers of the same nature1 and bear the same name 7for the poorest and meanest is as truly a man as the greatest72 as we all receive an equal tribute of service from the creatures2 and1 as it is appointed for us all once to die2 upon all these accounts we are1 each one1 obliged to love our neighbors as ourselves1 and promote peace1 unity1 and charity among ourselves4 #d4 ,from all that has been said1 it appears1 that there is a twofold brotherhood among men3 ,first1 as we are all the creatures of ,god1 and owe to him our being1 and all the comforts and supports of it1 as well as the other creatures2 and secondly1 as we are distinguished from the rest of the creatures1 and have a closer and more heavenly relation one to another1 being all created in the image and likeness of ,god4 ,but there is yet a much more noble brotherhood discovered to us in the ,gospel1 by which we are all brethren of1 and in1 the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and members of his spiritual body under ,him1 our ,head1 of whose fulness we all receive our different measures and proportions of grace4 ,ephes4 #a3bc4 ,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,charity1 ,the ,foundation ,of ,the ,greatest ,strength4 ,endeavouring to keep the unity of the ,spirit in the bond of peace4--,,eph4 #d3c4 ,as the greatest strength arises from concord1 and the greatest weakness from discord2 it follows1 that the closer this concord is1 the greater will the strength be4 ,but in order to be united among ourselves1 it is necessary that we begin first with being united unto ,god4 ,the closer our union is with ,god1 the stronger will it be with our neighbors4 ,for it is impossible that he who is sincerely and heartily united to ,god by love1 should hate his neighbor1 whom ,god so sincerely loves4 ,yea1 the more ardently any man loves ,god1 the more tenderly will he love his neighbor2 and the more he loves him1 the closer will he be united to him4 #b4 ,upon the diminution or increase of our charity1 therefore1 depends the decay or increase of our union2 and when both are perfect1 the strength arising from them is invincible4 ,whence it plainly appears1 that when men love ,god1 they must of necessity love one another1 and are thereby united in a perfect bond of union and peace4 ,but when once they come to forget ,god1 and to care for nobody but themselves1 then faction and discord arise1 which end in ruin and confusion4 ,here we see the advantages of concord1 and the many public and private blessings that flow thence2 and how all the miseries that attend confusion and discord1 rob us of those blessings1 which every single person may enjoy in the safety and peace of the public4 ,in a word1 so great are the benefits of this universal love of ,god and man1 that so long as it is preserved1 no power can destroy or hurt us4 #c4 ,hitherto we have been ascending by gradual steps1 from the lowest creatures to ,god1 our chief ,good1 being taught and convinced by the creatures1 of the obligations under which we are to love and worship ,god4 ,hence we descend again from the ,creator to the creature2 that is1 from the love of our ,creator1 to the love of the creatures4 ,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,of ,the ,nature1 ,properties1 ,and ,fruits ,of ,love4 ,take heed that the light which is in thee be not darkness4--,,luke #aa3ce4 ,that nothing is properly our own but our love1 is too plain to need any proof4 ,hence1 if our love be good1 and rightly applied1 our hearts and the treasures that are in them1 are good likewise2 but if otherwise1 then we ourselves and all that we have1 are evil4 ,it is our love only that makes us either good or bad4 ,and as1 when our love is right and duly placed1 there can be nothing better2 so1 when it is otherwise1 there can be nothing worse4 #b4 ,and1 since we can call nothing our own but our love1 it follows1 that on whatsoever being we place our love1 to that we dedicate ourselves and all that we have4 ,whensoever we abuse or misapply our love1 we throw away and lose all that we have4 ,so then1 if all our goodness consist in the rectitude of our love1 and all our evil in the misapplying of it2 it follows1 that virtue itself is nothing else but our love1 truly and properly placed2 and vice nothing else but a perverse and irregular love4 ,whosoever considers these properties of love1 cannot be ignorant wherein the greatest good1 and the greatest evil of man1 consist4 ,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,love ,unites ,him ,who ,loves ,with ,the ,person ,loved1 ,and ,transforms ,into ,the ,same ,nature4 ,god is love2 and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in ,god1 and ,god in him4--#a ,,john #d3af4 ,love unites itself to the beloved object1 because it is the nature of love to communicate itself willingly and freely to every person or being that is disposed to receive it4 ,for love is a free gift1 and cannot be obtained by force4 ,and as it is the nature of a gift1 to be entirely in the power of him to whom the last owner gave it2 so our love is entirely appropriated to him on whom we have bestowed it1 so that we truly give up ourselves to that thing on which we fix our love4 ,thus the beloved is united with the lover1 and they two become one1 not by constraint or force1 but freely1 willingly1 and joyfully3 and so he who loves is made one with the thing beloved1 and love takes its denomination from its object4 ,hence we read of carnal love1 earthly love1 and divine love1 each taking its name and character from the objects on which it is fixed4 ,thus then every man has it in his power to be changed with freedom and ease into a being more noble than himself4 #b4 ,moreover1 as the will1 without controversy1 undergoes a change in love1 and every change ought to be from an ignoble to a more noble state of being 7as we see the elements are changed into plants and herbs1 and these into the flesh of living creatures1 and they again into the substance of human bodies71 it would1 therefore1 be unnatural to fix our love upon1 and1 consequently1 to be united and changed into1 anything that is meaner than ourselves1 but rather upon ,god1 the best and supreme ,being2 to whom1 according to the order of nature1 our love and will ought to be united4 ,thus we hear1 as it were1 the whole creation calling to us1 and putting us in mind of the supreme excellency of ,god2 upon which account ,he1 and ,he alone1 is worthy of our love4 ,chapter ,,xxix4 ,nothing ,is ,worthy ,of ,our ,love1 ,but ,that ,which ,can ,make ,us ,more ,noble ,and ,pure4 ,love not the world1 neither the things that are in the world4--#a ,,john #b3ae4 ,as our love is the most noble present we can make1 and has a power of changing our will into the nature of the thing beloved1 so that we are under the control of that which we heartily love2 it follows1 that we act meanly and unworthily1 when we give to anything that is vile and earthly1 the power of enslaving our will1 which is a spiritual faculty1 and1 consequently1 more noble than anything corporeal3 and that he is very unhappy and foolish1 who places his love on his body1 and the gratifications of sense1 for instance1 on his furniture1 equipage1 houses1 and estates2 all which debase the soul1 and can yield it no satisfaction in trouble1 no comfort in the hour of death1 or in the day of judgment4 ,nothing can do this but ,god1 who is the highest and chief ,good1 and alone is worthy of our love4 #b4 ,we must not1 therefore1 waste our love on anything that is not sensible of the honor we pay it1 nor able to make us a worthy return for it1 much less on things that corrupt and debase it1 making it earthly1 sensual1 and unprofitable4 ,on the other hand1 as ,god loves us above all creatures1 he deserves a suitable love from us2 and that not only as he raises and ennobles our love1 but as he requites us with his own1 which is infinite1 uncreated and eternal4 ,chapter ,,xxx4 ,our ,chief ,love ,is ,due ,to ,god1 ,as ,the ,first ,and ,last1 ,the ,beginning ,and ,the ,end ,of ,all ,things4 ,he is the ,rock1 his work is perfect3 for all his ways are judgment3 a ,god of truth and without iniquity1 just and right is he4--,,deut4 #cb3d4 ,not only the universal voice of nature1 but our own consciences also bear witness that our chief and highest love is due to ,god4 #a4 ,because he is our chief and eternal ,good4 #b4 ,because not only man1 but all other creatures derive their being from him4 #c4 ,because the love and goodness of ,god are conveyed unto man by all the creatures4 ,whence it follows1 that ,god1 who is the fountain of goodness and love1 deserves to be loved by us more than any creature1 yea1 than all the creatures put together2 they being no more than means or instruments of conveying to us the transcendent and eternal love of ,god4 ,so that our love is never true1 right1 regular1 or reasonable1 but when it is fixed upon ,god2 which may be properly called the rectitude of our will4 #b4 ,on the other hand1 when self-love predominates1 and a man makes all his love centre upon himself1 that love is unnatural1 preposterous1 unjust1 and irregular1 a direct opposition to ,god1 and the root and seed of all sin and iniquity4 ,for what can be more unjust and ungrateful than to withdraw our love from ,god1 who alone has a right to it1 and to fix it upon ourselves or upon any creature8 ,this1 in short1 is the highest injustice1 and the highest violation of the laws of nature1 as well as of ,god4 ,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,he ,who ,principally ,loves ,himself1 ,actually ,sets ,up ,himself ,in ,god's ,stead4 ,o ,lord1 righteousness belongeth unto thee1 but unto us confusion of faces4--,,dan4 #i3g4--,not unto us1 ,o ,lord1 not unto us1 but unto thy name give glory4--,,ps4 #aae3a4 ,as ,god is the beginning and end of all things1 so the first and chief love of man is due to him4 ,and whosoever transfers it to any other object1 really and truly makes that his god2 which is the greatest affront that can be offered to his divine ,majesty4 ,for as it is the nature of love to unite the lover with the thing beloved1 so the fixing of our love upon any creature separates and alienates us from the ,creator4 ,whosoever principally loves himself1 certainly loves everything else solely for his own sake2 which he ought to love purely for the sake of ,god2 and so all his love is founded in and upon himself1 which ought to be fixed entirely upon ,god4 #b4 ,hence he is employed in doing his own will instead of ,god's2 he usurps ,god's right2 attempts to invade his kingdom2 sets up an authority in opposition to ,god's kingdom2 and actually rebels against his ,maker and his ,god4 ,chapter ,,xxxii4 ,love ,to ,god1 ,the ,source ,of ,all ,that ,is ,good2 ,self-,love1 ,the ,source ,of ,all ,evil4 ,o ,israel1 thou hast destroyed thyself2 but in me is thine help4--,,hos4 #ac3i4 ,love is the efficient cause of all things2 and as there are two sorts of love1 the love of ,god and the love of ourselves1 and as these are directly opposite to each other1 it follows1 that the one must be extremely good1 and the other extremely evil4 ,but forasmuch as it is plain that the preference is to be given to divine love1 it follows1 that this alone is good4 ,for the love of ,god is a divine seed in us1 from which no evil1 but all good things proceed4 ,this love unites itself to its object1 which is ,god1 its chief1 its only ,good1 in whom it rests1 triumphs1 and rejoices1 even as ,god does in it4 ,for joy and pleasure arise from love1 as we learn in ,psalm #ah3a1 #b4 ,this spreads itself over all the world1 and1 like ,god1 its author and object1 communicates and bestows itself upon every worthy receiver4 ,and truly1 as love finds all things in ,god1 and is happy in the enjoyment of him1 it stands in need of no creature4 #b4 ,but as from divine love proceeds nothing but good1 so from self-love proceeds nothing but evil4 ,this is the root of all the iniquity1 sin1 blindness1 ignorance1 and misery1 of which human nature is capable4 ,by this a man makes his own will his god2 and1 as the true ,god is the fountain of all good1 so this false god1 this vain idol1 our self-will1 is the fountain of all evil4 ,moreover1 as the creatures which we are so fond of1 are made out of nothing1 and are so weak and uncertain that they are always tending to their original state1 and1 in the meantime1 are nothing but poverty1 misery1 and sorrow2 it follows1 that as man is changed into the nature of the thing which he loves1 he must likewise partake of their inconstancy1 their poverty1 and misery1 and can have no rest in the enjoyment of them4 ,if the creature is vanity and sorrow1 the heart that cleaves to the creature enters into its vanity1 and must be partaker of its sorrow4 #c4 ,thus self-love1 when it rules and is uppermost in men1 makes them enemies to ,god1 fills them with all iniquity1 and brings them into subjection to the creatures4 ,as the love of ,god dilates and enlarges the soul1 so the love of ourselves contracts and straitens it1 making it unjust1 corrupt1 proud1 and covetous4 ,as the love of ,god makes us quiet1 easy1 peaceable1 and benevolent2 so the love of ourselves makes us unquiet1 turbulent1 and ill-natured4 ,as the love of ,god reinstates us in the liberty of the sons of ,god2 so self-love makes us slaves to the creatures4 ,the one gives us firmness and constancy of mind and will2 the other makes us inconstant and changeable4 ,the one makes a man courteous1 courageous1 generous1 and obliging2 the other makes him sour1 timorous1 mean1 and an enemy to everybody but himself4 ,chapter ,,xxxiii4 ,of ,the ,love ,of ,god1 ,and ,the ,love ,of ,self4 ,the carnal mind is enmity against ,god4--,,rom4 #h3g4 ,as it is plain that by the love of ,god1 or the love of self1 all the motions and operations of our will are governed and directed1 and that all other desires and inclinations have their birth and bias from them2 it follows1 that upon them depends all our knowledge1 either of good or evil4 ,for as the love of ,god is the principle by which we know and judge of all the good that is in man2 so self-love discovers to us all the evil4 ,and whosoever understands not what self-love is1 knows not what evils there are in man2 just as he that understands not the love of ,god1 cannot know the good that is in ,him4 ,for no man can judge of either good or evil who knows not the springs and fountains from which they flow4 ,the love of ,god is a shining light1 discovering to us not only itself1 but its enemy1 which is self-love2 on the contrary1 self-love is a thick darkness1 blinding the eyes of men1 that they cannot see the good or evil that is in them4 ,these1 then1 are the two roots of good and evil1 which1 whosoever is ignorant of1 cannot rightly judge of either4 #b4 ,for as man consists of two parts1 namely1 soul and body2 so in respect of one1 he sets his heart upon honors1 dignities1 and preferments2 whilst the other tempts and draws him to fleshly and sensual pleasures4 ,so that whosoever thus loves himself1 must be a slave either to honor or pleasure1 which he looks upon as his greatest happiness1 as gratifying that inclination to himself1 which is uppermost in his heart4 ,and from these two kinds of self-love spring many others1 as various as are the means and instruments of obtaining the honors1 or fulfilling the lusts1 which have taken possession of our hearts4 ,and these are chiefly three3 #a4 ,pride1 or an inclination to be eminent and popular in the world4 #b4 ,pleasure and luxury1 by which we indulge and gratify the flesh4 #c4 ,covetousness1 or an inordinate love of worldly things4 ,whosoever eagerly seeks honor1 cannot but hate everything and every person that stands in his way and hinders his designs2 whence proceed anger1 revenge and envy of all those who are possessed of any advantages which we want1 or which seem to eclipse or lessen the figure which we desire to make in the world4 ,hence also proceed indolence and sloth1 and a mean fear of laboring or sufferings1 both of which are ungrateful to flesh and blood4 ,in a word1 all sins and iniquities proceed from this fruitful fountain of self-love4 ,chapter ,,xxxiv4 ,love ,to ,god1 ,the ,only ,source ,of ,peace ,and ,unity4 ,above all these things put on charity1 which is the bond of perfectness4--,,col4 #c3ad4 ,if all men had an equal love for ,god1 the supreme ,good1 they would then all be of one heart and of one mind1 and the sincerity and unanimity which they would manifest in the love of ,god1 would cordially unite them to each other4 #b4 ,but instead of this1 every man loves himself1 and pursues the inclinations of his own heart1 so that hardly two can agree together4 ,for as he whose heart is set upon honor1 cannot but hate and envy every one that is preferred before him2 so from these different interests and inclinations1 nothing can proceed but emulation1 strife1 and discord4 ,moreover1 as he that pursues his own will1 and courts the esteem of men1 makes himself his own god1 there must by consequence be as many of these idols and false gods as there are proud1 ambitious men in the world4 ,hence arise envy1 hatred1 wars1 and fightings1 whilst every one is bent upon increasing and defending his own grandeur1 in opposition to that of his neighbors4 ,hence it plainly appears that as the love of ,god is the bond of peace and union2 so self-love is the root and cause of all the discord and contention that is in the world4 ,chapter ,,xxxv4 ,showing ,how ,we ,ought ,to ,love ,god4 ,now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart1 and of a good conscience1 and of faith unfeigned4--#a ,,tim4 #a3e4 ,there is no better way of convincing a man than by appealing to his own conscience4 ,there1 as in a glass1 we may read our duty much more plainly than ten thousand teachers can instruct us4 ,we have already shown that it is a point of natural equity to love ,god above all things1 and that he who does otherwise1 sets himself up as his own idol4 ,and now1 if any man desire to know to what his duty to ,god obliges him1 let him look into himself1 and examine his own heart1 and conclude that whatsoever he would have done for himself1 that he is obliged to do for ,god4 ,therefore1 as self-love is natural to us all1 we must reverse that1 and offer to ,god that which we unjustly arrogate to ourselves1 by loving him as we have hitherto loved ourselves4 #b4 ,wherefore1 as thou now lovest thine own will1 and endeavorest to gratify it in all things1 so thou must1 for the future1 prefer the will of ,god to thine own will1 and think it better to submit to ,god's good pleasure than to humor and gratify thyself4 ,thou art in love with honor and esteem1 and wouldest have everybody bow to thy superior merit and character2 turn now this inclination of thine1 and apply it to promote the glory of ,god1 and pray that all men may unite to do the same4 ,as thou hast hitherto been angry with every one that has opposed thee in thy pursuits of glory1 so oughtest thou now to oppose those that oppose the glory of ,god4 #c4 ,whilst thy heart is full of self-love1 thou art greedy of praise1 and wouldest have everybody think and speak well of thee2 do thou the same for ,god2 labor and pray that ,god may be glorified by all men1 and that every creature may praise and magnify ,his name4 ,as thou art very industrious to be thought a man of truth and honesty1 and wouldest be very uneasy to be counted a liar2 so oughtest thou also cheerfully and industriously to propagate and vindicate the truth and veracity of ,god4 ,from all which it appears that every man may read in the book of his own conscience the obligation he is under to love and honor ,god rather than himself4 ,chapter ,,xxxvi4 ,divine ,joy1 ,the ,fruit ,of ,divine ,love4 ,let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice4--,,ps4 #e3aa4 ,the end and perfection of everything is the fruit it bears1 or the effects it produces1 which are as various as the seeds from whence they spring4 ,therefore1 as there are two different seeds or roots in man1 namely1 the love of ,god and the love of ourselves1 which are diametrically opposite to each other2 so likewise are the fruits which they produce4 ,now the end and fruit of all human actions is either joy or sorrow4 ,joy1 as it is a good fruit1 must necessarily proceed from a good root2 and sorrow1 being evil1 must proceed from an evil root2 that is1 in short1 all true joy must proceed from the love of ,god1 and all sorrow and anguish of mind from the love of ourselves4 #b4 ,for as all joy arises from love1 and depends upon it1 such as is the love1 such also must be the joy4 ,if the love be divine1 the joy will be divine2 if earthly1 the joy also will be earthly4 ,now so long as our hearts are united to ,god by true love1 they cannot but rejoice and be happy in him4 ,this is a foretaste of eternal life1 in which both our love and our joy shall be completed and perfected together4 ,therefore1 as we shall there live eternally unto ,god1 so our love also shall be eternal2 and as our love shall be perfected1 so it shall be united with a perfect1 absolute1 infinite1 and eternal good1 being itself also perfect1 unchangeable1 constant1 and eternal4 ,and from a love so pure1 immaculate1 and heavenly1 shall flow a river of joy1 divine1 pure1 precious1 full of rapture1 full of grace1 glory1 and immortality4 #c4 ,for eternal life itself is nothing but this eternal joy1 with some drops of which1 faithful souls1 even in this life1 have been often refreshed and comforted4 ,this is the meaning of that passage in ,canticles #b3d1 8,he brought me to the banqueting-house3 stay me with flagons1 comfort me with apples40 ,and whosoever has tasted of this joy1 can have no relish for worldly pleasures4 ,but as that proceeds from the true love of ,god1 arising from faith in our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 it follows1 that if we desire to obtain so great a good1 and1 by tasting some drops of this sweetness1 to enjoy this earnest and foretaste of everlasting life1 it must be obtained by a lively faith1 operating by divine love4 ,whence ,st4 ,paul tells us that 8the love of ,christ passeth knowledge40 ,eph4 #c3ai4 #d4 ,and as this divine love is not a thing without us1 but within us1 it follows that this does not depend upon our external goods or possessions1 such as riches1 honors1 learning1 meat1 or drink1 or any other outward blessing2 but that all these things are contained in it4 ,and as this love shall attain its full perfection in the other life1 so the peace and joy that flow from it1 shall be perfect and everlasting4 ,this treasure a man shall have in himself1 and no one shall take it from him2 he shall have a river of living pleasure rising up in himself1 independent of all external blessings and comforts4 ,and as no man knoweth this treasure1 but he that has it2 so he that has it1 is in perfect ease2 he envies nobody1 covets nothing1 thirsts after nothing but the fulness and perfection of divine love4 #e4 ,the first fruits of this treasure may be possessed by faithful souls even in this life1 without lessening the reversion in the next life2 yea1 it rather increases and spreads itself to infinite degrees1 so that though all mankind should unite together in this divine love1 they would be no hinderance to each other1 but would rather increase and improve their united stock of love and joy4 ,for the more earnestly any man loves ,god1 the greater is his joy4 ,and if it be so in this world1 how great shall our joy be in the next1 when ,god shall pour out the fulness of his joy and love upon his elect1 and ,he himself shall be 8all in all40 #a ,cor4 #ae3bh4 ,chapter ,,xxxvii4 ,of ,the ,evil ,fruits ,of ,self-,love4 ,be afflicted1 and mourn1 and weep3 and let your laughter be turned to mourning1 and your joy to heaviness4--,,james #d3i4 ,as true and divine joy proceeds from true and divine love1 so nothing can proceed from false love but false joy4 ,for as self-love aims at nothing1 delights in nothing but honors1 riches1 and sensual and worldly pleasures1 all which are fading1 perishing1 and subject to a thousand casualties2 therefore the man whose heart is set upon them1 cannot but be always fearful1 apprehensive1 and jealous of every accident that may deprive him of his happiness2 so that his joys are never solid or lasting1 but false and perishing1 mixed with fears and cares1 and ending in disappointment and sorrow4 ,for as the seed is1 such is the fruit4 #b4 ,now we have already shown1 that self-love is corrupt1 impure1 unjust1 abominable1 and unnatural1 the seed and root of all evil1 the parent of weakness1 blindness1 error1 and death4 ,and the fruit or joy arising from it is of the same sort1 unjust1 impure1 opposed to ,god1 to our neighbor1 and to all righteousness2 it rejoices in iniquity1 and contempt of ,god4 ,and if it be a sin only to love anything which ,god hateth1 how much more grievous a sin must it be to delight and rejoice in it8 ,such a joy as this1 which is opposite to the nature of every creature1 and contrary to the nature and express will of ,god1 cannot but end in everlasting sorrow1 death1 and darkness4 #c4 ,for as divine joy brings us nearer and nearer to ,god2 so carnal joy carries us farther and farther from him4 ,divine joy makes us the friends of ,god2 but worldly joy makes us his enemies4 ,the former confirms and strengthens the will in the love of ,god1 makes the conscience easy1 cheerful1 and happy2 the latter disquiets and torments the soul1 making it turbulent1 restless1 and uneasy4 ,that may be obtained without labor or charge2 this requires both1 and all too little to support and secure it4 ,the one produces1 improves1 and preserves love1 peace1 and friendship among men2 the other creates discord1 contentions and quarrels1 wars1 violence1 and bloodshed4 ,from the one all good1 from the other all evil things proceed4 ,the one is a lively1 salutary1 and sober joy1 full of virtue1 full of pleasure1 and acceptable to ,god2 the other is fleshly1 vicious1 dishonest1 base1 and hated of ,god4 ,the one increases our devout longings after ,god and goodness2 the other inflames our corrupt desires4 ,that enlightens the understanding1 filling it with divine light and wisdom2 this darkens and blinds it1 and fills it with ignorance and error4 ,that is true and substantial2 this treacherous1 deceitful1 and false4 ,chapter ,,xxxviii4 ,everlasting ,sorrow ,and ,death1 ,the ,end ,of ,self-,love ,and ,carnal ,joy4 ,if ye live after the flesh1 ye shall die4--,,rom4 #h3ac4 ,as we have already shown everlasting joy to be the genuine fruit of divine love2 it follows1 that without that love1 we cannot be partakers of the joy1 but must sit down at the last in eternal anguish and distress4 ,for when the condemned sinner comes to reflect and consider1 that by his own fault1 he has irrecoverably lost all the blessings of a happy eternity1 how great must his sorrow1 how bitter must his grief be6 ,annihilation itself would be to him a blessing2 but alas6 he wishes for it in vain1 he must bear his burden1 and undergo his punishment to all eternity4 #b4 ,this must raise in him an eternal hatred and abhorrence of himself1 and all his adherent impurities and sin2 which1 whether he will or not1 will forever stare him in the face1 revenging1 as it were1 upon him the past sacrilege of his self-love4 ,chapter ,,xxxix4 ,all ,that ,we ,have ,must ,be ,offered ,and ,consecrated ,to ,god4 ,o come1 let us worship and bow down3 let us kneel before the ,lord our maker4--,,ps4 #ie3f4 ,as we are assured that ,god is our ,creator1 ,preserver1 and loving ,father1 to whom can we more reasonably pay our honor1 duty1 and service1 than to him8 ,whom shall we rather implore and pray to1 whom shall we rather praise and glorify1 than him that made us8 ,whom shall we rather trust8 ,in whom shall we rather hope8 ,whom shall we rather love8 ,in whom shall we rather rejoice and be happy8 ,shall we not love him1 who hath created us in his own image8 ,shall we not honor him1 who has exalted us above all creatures8 ,shall we not devote ourselves entirely to him1 who has given himself entirely unto us8 ,who created us for the end that we might live1 abide1 and rejoice with him forever8 ,shall we not love and honor him1 who has adopted us for his children8 #b4 ,think1 therefore1 and consider with thyself1 ,o man6 that as ,god has given thee a rational soul1 so thou oughtest to consecrate all the powers and faculties of it to his honor and service4 ,he has given thee the faculty of loving3 therefore love him2 he has given thee understanding3 endeavor to know him2 he has given thee fear3 therefore fear him2 the power of honoring3 therefore honor him2 the gift of prayer3 therefore pray to him2 of praise and thanksgiving3 therefore praise his name4 ,he has given thee the power of believing1 hoping1 and trusting3 therefore depend1 and trust1 and hope in him2 of rejoicing3 therefore rejoice and be glad in him4 ,lastly1 as all things are in him1 and he has an infinite power of doing all things1 consider this with thyself1 that if thou rest and rejoice in him alone1 thou shalt in him possess all things4 #c4 ,and hence arises the true and genuine worship of ,god4 ,he that loves him1 honors him2 he that loves him not1 affronts him4 ,so likewise he that fears him1 honors him2 he that fears not1 despises him4 ,and all the other vices and virtues are of the same nature4 ,by obedience1 ,god is honored1 and he is dishonored by disobedience2 the same may be said of faith1 hope1 charity1 and gratitude4 #d4 ,from all this it appears1 that there is nothing better1 more honorable1 or more profitable for man1 than to honor ,god2 and nothing more base and abominable than to dishonor him4 ,chapter ,,xl4 ,he ,can ,never ,praise ,and ,glorify ,god1 ,who ,seeks ,his ,own ,glory4 ,not unto us1 ,o ,lord1 not unto us1 but unto thy name give glory4--,,ps4 #aae3a4 ,he that in all things seeks not the glory of ,god1 and endeavors to promote it1 does not act like a creature of ,god1 but directly opposes his ,maker1 and all his designs1 seeing he made all things for his own glory4 ,and he does even worse1 who measures all things no otherwise than as they contribute to the raising of his own glory and honor4 ,such a one usurps the honor due to ,god alone1 and1 like the rebel ,lucifer1 sets himself in ,god's throne4 #b4 ,and this he does not only in his own soul1 but endeavors to lead others into the same guilt1 by filling their hearts1 which ought to be thrones and temples of ,god1 with the same notions of love and honor to himself1 as he has entertained in his own mind2 endeavoring as much as in him lies1 to dispossess his ,maker and settle himself in his room4 ,but what greater sin can there be than this8 ,now as the consequence of this irregular loving and honoring a man's self is1 that it makes him the enemy of ,god1 and casts him out of his presence into the pit of destruction1 it follows1 that he who would be the friend of ,god1 must hate and deny himself4 #c4 ,return1 therefore1 and repent1 ,o man6 believe in ,christ and live in him as a new creature1 and he will receive thee and comfort thee4 ,but to others1 who persist in their rebellion and continue in their corruptions1 he shall say at the last day3 8,i never knew you3 depart from me1 ye that work iniquity60 ,matt4 #g3bc4 ,moreover1 as the love of ,christ is our chief good1 our highest wisdom1 and the perfection of our knowledge1 and self-love is perfectly opposite to it3 let us be persuaded to cast out the love of ourselves and of the world1 that the love of ,christ may enter into our hearts4 ,this is that love which perfects and accomplishes our ,christianity1 and with this do thou1 ,o ,god1 refresh and satisfy our souls for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,conclusion4 #a4 ,the title 8,true ,christianity0 is prefixed to these ,four ,books for the reason that true faith in our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and the righteousness which proceeds from faith1 constitute the fountain from which the whole ,christian life must flow4 ,i have1 accordingly1 written1 not for heathens1 but for ,christians2 who have1 it is true1 adopted the ,christian faith1 but whose life does not accord with it1 and who deny1 or will not understand1 the power of faith4 #b ,tim4 #c3e4 ,i have written1 not for unbelievers1 but for believers2 not for those who are yet to be justified1 but for those who are already justified4 ,hence1 this whole work on daily repentance and ,christian love1 ought to be understood in no other sense1 than that faith must go before as a light in our path1 and that it is the foundation of all4 ,let no one1 by any means1 suppose that anything is here ascribed to our carnal free will or to good works2 our sole object is to persuade you1 as you are a ,christian1 and are anointed with the ,spirit of ,god1 to let ,christ live in you1 and rule in you1 and to let the ,holy ,spirit govern you1 in order that your ,christianity may not be hypocrisy4 #b4 ,hence1 too1 ,part ,,ii4 of this ,fourth ,book is not to be so understood1 as if we could love ,god from our own carnal will2 for love is a fruit of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,this ,part ,,ii4 is1 on the contrary1 only intended to show that1 besides the ,word of ,god1 the ,holy ,scriptures1 even our own heart and conscience may teach us1 from the book of nature1 and the light of nature1 that we are bound to love ,god on account of his great love bestowed upon us1 and manifested through the means of all his creatures4 ,such an argument1 derived from nature1 ought to convince every man1 whether he be a heathen or a ,christian1 a believer or an unbeliever2 and no one can refute it4 ,for1 granting that ,god has bestowed so many mercies on us1 who can deny that we are in gratitude obliged to so gracious a benefactor8 ,and as he calls and invites us to love him1 by all the creatures which are bestowed in common upon all mankind1 who can deny that the love of ,god is discovered to us in the book of nature1 and that the heathens themselves may be convinced by arguments drawn thence8 8,the works of the ,lord are great1 sought out of all them that have pleasure therein40 ,ps4 #aaa3b4 ,and1 8,thou ,lord1 hast made me glad through thy work2 ,i will triumph in the works of thy hands40 ,ps4 #ib3d4 ,how can these works be more effectually praised1 than in this manner8 ,the ,lord ,god give us understanding and wisdom1 that we may know him and praise him for all his works1 both here and forevermore4 ,amen4 ,,index4 ,the ,roman ,numerals indicate1 respectively1 the ,four ,books2 the first ,arabic numeral which follows1 designates1 in every case1 the ,chapter2 the second1 with any that may follow1 refers to one or more ,sections of a chapter4 ,the references to the ,,introduction1 the ,,prefaces1 the two ,,parts of ,,book ,,iv41 etc41 will be readily understood4 ,a4 ,,abraham--an example of patience1 ,,ii4 #dg4 #af4 ---- the time when the promise was given to him1 ,i4 #ab4 #g4 ,,absolution ,,from ,,sin1 ,i4 #ba4 #ac4 ,,agricola1 ,,introd4 #ae4 ,,adam--his fall1 ,i4 ,chap4 #b2 ,,ii4 #ag4 #i2 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #d4 #a4 ,,adam ,,and ,,christ1 contrasted1 ,,ii4 #g4 #a-f4 ,,affliction--its uses1 ,,ii4 #e4 #c2 ,,ii4 #ce4 #e4 ---- none for which ,god has not provided consolation1 ,,ii4 ,chap4 #dh4 ,,ahab--his delusion1 ,i4 #ch4 #ac4 ,,anger of ,,god--what is meant by the expression1 ,,ii4 #db4 #aa4 ,,antinomistic ,,controversy1 ,,introd4 #ae4 ,,apology of ,augsburg ,confession1 ,,introd4 #be4 ,,apostasy--when man is guilty of it1 ,,ii4 #bc4 #d4 ,,arndt--account of his life1 ,,introd4 #a1 etc4 ---- his motives in writing the 8,true ,christianity10 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #a2 ,,introd4 #bj1 #ba1 #bd1 #ca4 ---- his orthodoxy1 ,,introd4 #bb1 #bd1 #be1 #dj4 ---- his religious character1 ,,introd4 #bf4 ---- popularity of his 8,true ,christianity10 ,,introd4 #ca4 ---- translations of it1 ,,introd4 #cc1 and ,note4 ---- his death1 ,,introd4 #bb4 ,,ascension of ,christ 7see ,,christ1 etc471 ,,ii4 ,,xxv4 #aa4 ,,aspirations of the believer1 ,i4 #aa4 #aa4 ,,augsburg1 ,,confession ,,of--,conclusion of ,book ,,ii41 p4 #cgd4 ----1 ,,introd4 #bd1 #be4 ----1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #h4 ,,augsburg ,,interim1 ,,introd4 #ab1 #ae4 ,,augsburg1 ,,peace ,,of1 ,,introd4 #ab4 ,,augustine--quoted1 ,,iii4 #f4 #b4 ,b4 ,,babylas1 ,,ii4 #de4 #h4 ,,baptism--a means to attain the new birth1 ,i4 #c4 #ab4 ---- a renewal of the covenant with ,god1 ,,ii4 #b4 #f4 ---- what is received therein1 ,,iii4 #a4 #d4 ,,believing ,,soul1 a--its beauty1 ,,iii4 #d4 #b4 ,,birth 7see ,,new ,,birth2 ,,regeneration7--twofold1 ,i4 #c4 #b1 etc4 ,,blessedness of the true believer1 ,i4 #h4 #g2 ,i4 #aa4 #aj2 ,i4 #ab4 #e2 ,i4 #ac4 #f2 ,i4 #bb4 #aj2 ,i4 #cd4 #ag2 ,i4 #cf4 #g4 ,,boehm1 ,,introd4 #cb1 #cd1 #ce4 ,,bonaventura--a saying of his1 ,,ii4 #f4 #f4 ,,book ,,of ,,life1 ,i4 #aa4 #a4 ,,bread1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i41 ,chap4 #c4 #ad4 #ce-ci4 ,c4 ,c,,sar1 ,,julius1 ,i4 #bg4 #e4 ,,calling ,,of ,,god--inward1 ,,iii4 #h4 #c4 ---- outward1 ,,iii4 #h4 #a4 ,,calumny--consolations1 ,,ii4 #ag4 #d1 etc4 ---- consolatory ,scripture passages1 ,,ii4 #ag4 #ac1 etc4 ---- how to be overcome1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ag4 ---- why the ,lord permits it1 ,,ii4 #ag4 #i4 ,,catechism1 ,five ,parts of ,luther's1 ,,iii4 #a4 #d4 ,,catechisms1 ,,luther',s ,,two1 ,,introd4 #be4 ,,chaddock1 ,,rev4 ,c41 ,,introd4 #cf4 ,,charity 7see ,,love1 etc47--the foundation of strength1 ,,iv4 ,part #b1 ,ch4 #bf4 ,,christ 7see ,,ascension2 ,,death2 ,,incarnation2 ,,merit2 ,,resurrection1 etc47--all recovered in him1 that was lost in ,adam1 ,,ii4 #cd41 ,sect4 ,i4 ---- denied and crucified again1 ,i4 #i4 #a1 etc4 ---- encouragements derived from his sufferings1 ,,ii4 #ah4 #i2 ,,ii4 #de4 #e4 ---- furnishes a pattern of prayer1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #aj4 ---- his complaint1 continued1 ,,ii4 #ae4 #a-f4 ---- his humiliation1 ,,ii4 #ac4 #e1 etc42 ,ch4 #ad4 ---- his humility1 and its lessons1 ,,ii4 #ab4 #c4 ---- his kindness1 ,,ii4 #h4 #h2 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bf4 ---- his life1 a mirror for us1 ,,ii4 #aa4 #c2 ,,ii4 #ad4 #c4 ---- his patience1 the consideration of which alleviates the burden of the cross1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ef4 ---- his perfect obedience1 ,,ii4 #ai4 #a4 ---- his ,person is indivisible1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #ae4 ---- his poverty1 ,,ii4 #ac4 #b1 etc42 ,,ii4 #ad4 #a1 etc4 ---- his righteousness1 ,,iii4 #a4 #d4 ---- his sufferings1 foreknown to him1 ,,ii4 #ah4 #b4 ---- his three kinds of trouble1 ,,ii4 #ae4 #c4 ---- how he humbled himself1 ,,ii4 #ac4 #h1 etc4 ---- how he perfects his work in the hearts of the faithful1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ae4 ---- how he manifests himself to the soul1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bg4 ---- our example1 ,i4 #a4 #g2 ,i4 #c4 #aj2 ,i4 #aa4 #b2 ,i4 #ae4 #f2 ,i4 #cg4 #aa2 ,i4 #ci4 #g2 ,,ii4 #ac4 #a2 ,,ii4 #dd4 #h4 ---- our help in prayer1 ,,ii4 #ch4 #b4 ---- teaches us how to bear the cross1 ,,ii4 #ae4 #a1 etc4 ---- the image of ,god1 ,i4 #a4 #g4 ---- the only ,head of the ,church1 ,,ii4 #af4 #g4 ---- the only ,saviour1 ,i4 #ab4 #b4 ---- the true ,book of ,life1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ac2 ,,ii4 #ai1 #a-i4 ---- the two ,natures of1 in one ,person1 ,,ii4 #f4 #a2 ,,ii4 #eb4 #b4 ---- the union of the two ,natures of1 indissoluble and eternal1 ,,ii4 #f4 #b4 ---- washing the feet of his disciples1 ,,ii4 #ba4 #c4 ,,christ1 what an excellent gift he is1 ,,ii4 #a4 #e4 7a7--7b74 ---- what he is to the soul1 ,,ii4 #a4 #d1 7b72 ,,iii4 #f4 #c4 ---- wherein his highest glory consisted1 ,,ii4 #af4 #c1 etc4 ---- why he took upon himself our nature1 ,i4 #c4 #f2 ,i4 #aa4 #i4 ---- why his sufferings were so severe1 ,,ii4 #ah4 #b-h4 ,,christ ,,crucified--benefits of the contemplation of1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #ae4 ---- what he teaches us1 ,,ii4 #ai4 #b1 etc4 ,,christian1 ,,the--a stranger and pilgrim1 ,i4 #ag4 #d1 #g4 ---- demonstrated by practising the word of ,god1 ,,ii4 #e4 #d1 #e4 ---- his manner of using temporal things1 ,i4 #ag4 #e4 ---- is anointed and baptized with the ,holy ,spirit1 ,,ii4 #ce4 #b4 ---- the false1 condemned1 ,i4 #g4 #d4 ---- value of the name1 ,,ii4 #aa4 #b4 ,,christianity--wherein it consists1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #e2 ,i4 #ci4 #g4 ,,cities ,,of ,,refuge1 ,i4 #ba4 #ae1 #af4 ,,comfort1 ,,heavenly--how to taste it1 ,i4 #cf4 #ac4 ---- why ,god sometimes delays to afford it1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ee4 ,,commandments1 ,,ten--a test1 ,,ii4 #d4 #c4 ,,conclusion of ,book ,,ii4 page #cgd4 ---- of ,book ,,iv4 page #dhh4 ,,conscience--pangs of1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #i4 ---- three qualities impressed on it1 ,i4 #g4 #a4 ---- see also ,i4 #bc4 #i2 ,,iv4 ,part #b4 #ce4 #a4 ,,consolation--in affliction1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #dh4 ---- means of obtaining it1 ,,ii4 #dh4 #aj1 etc4 ,,contempt of the world--how to bear it1 ,,ii4 #ae4 #g-af4 ,,conversation of a believing soul with ,god1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ci2 ,,ii4 #dh4 #ac4 ,,conversation between faith and the mercy of ,god1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #dj4 ,,conversion 7see ,,repentance1 etc47--pardon bestowed after it1 ,i4 #cg4 #ba4 ---- a work of divine grace1 ,,ii4 #i4 #i4 ,,corruption of human nature 7see ,,original ,,sin7--early and later manifestations1 ,i4 #b4 #e1 #f4 ---- its ultimate result1 ,i4 #b4 #aj4 ---- its greatness1 ,i4 #h4 #h2 ,i4 #aa4 #e1 etc4 ---- the knowledge of the1 ,i4 #db4 #c4 ,,covenant of grace--a source of consolation1 ,,ii4 #b4 #f4 ---- the remembrance of the1 a help in prayer1 ,,ii4 #ch4 #aa4 ,,covetousness--its folly1 ,i4 #ag4 #g4 ,,creation--work of the ,first ,day of1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #a4 ---- work of the ,second ,day of1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #b4 ---- work of the ,third ,day of1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #c4 ---- work of the ,fourth ,day of1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #d4 ---- work of the ,fifth ,day of1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #e4 ---- work of the ,sixth ,day of1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 ,,creatures of ,god--how they furnish evidence of divine love1 ,,ii4 #bf4 #g1 etc42 ,,ii4 #bi4 #e1 etc4 ---- how they invite us to praise ,god1 ,,ii4 #db4 #ad4 ---- when converted into idols1 ,i4 #ah4 #i4 ,,creatures1 ,the living--all remind us of the love which we owe to ,god1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ae4 ---- the work of the ,sixth ,day1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 ,,cross1 ,the--how to bear it1 ,i4 #dj4 ,v4 ---- taking it up1 ,,ii1 #aj4 #d4 ---- the benefits of it1 ,,ii4 #df1 #ae4 ---- the mystery of it1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #bc4 ,cross of ,christ--,i4 #d4 #d-f2 ,i4 #ae4 #h4 ---- a branch of it1 ,,ii4 #ah4 #a4 ,,cryptocalvinistic ,controversy1 ,,introd4 #ae4 ,,cyprian--quoted1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,,iii4 #e4 ,d4 ,,darkness1 ,spiritual1 ,i4 #aa4 #c4 ,,david1 ,king1 ,i4 #ag4 #aa4 ---- his example1 ,,ii4 #e4 #b4 ---- reason of his desire to lead a holy life1 ,,ii4 #e4 #f4 ,,death1 ,,ii4 #h4 #aa2 ,,ii4 #eg4 #bj1 etc4 ---- consolations1 and remedies against the fear of1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #eg4 ---- persons raised from1 ,,ii4 #eg4 #h4 ---- ,spiritual1 ,i4 #da4 #aa1 #ab4 ---- three kinds of1 ,i4 #ab4 #b4 ---- why the time of it is concealed from us1 ,,ii4 #h4 #aa4 ,,death of ,,christ 7see ,christ71 ,,ii4 #b4 #g2 ,,ii4 #be4 #i2 ,,ii4 #bf4 #c2 ,,ii4 #eg4 #b4 ,,devil2 see ,,satan4 ,,dependence on self--a grievous sin1 ,,ii4 #bc4 #b1 etc4 ,,depravity1 ,human2 see ,,corruption2 ,,original ,,sin4 ,,despair1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,viii4 ,,devotions1 ,private1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ab4 ,,dionysius1 ,,st4--quoted1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 #a4 #f4 ,,doctrine of ,christ1 ,,ii4 #be4 #h4 ,,doctrine1 ,purity of--declared by ,arndt to be 8the foremost point of true ,christianity10 ,,introd4 #bd4 ---- how preserved1 ,i4 #ch4 #aa2 ,i4 #ci4 #a1 etc4 ---- its necessity1 ,i4 #ci4 #c4 ---- maintained by ,paul and others1 ,i4 #ci4 #b4 ---- the example of ,christ1 of the prophets1 and of the apostles in this respect1 ,i4 #ci4 #d4 ,,duty to our neighbor 7see ,,love71 ,i4 #ca4 #d4 ,,dying--daily1 to the world1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #ad4 ---- to the flesh and sin1 ,i4 #ab4 #h1 etc4 ---- unto self1 ,i4 #ac4 #a1 etc4 ,e4 ,,eating of ,christ1 ,the--what it is1 ,i4 #cf1 #aj4 ,,eisleben1 ,,introd4 #bb4 ,,election of grace1 ,i4 #ch4 #f1 #g4 ,,enemies--how to be treated1 ,i4 #dj4 ,x4 ,,enlightened1 ,to be1 ,i4 #cg4 #c4 ---- when impossible1 ,i4 #cg4 #g-i4 ,,envy1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,xi4 ,,eternity of future punishments1 ,i4 #g4 #e2 ,,ii4 #h4 #ac4 ,,example of ,christ 7see ,,christ2 ,,saints7--advantage of following it1 ,i4 #ch4 #i4 ,,examples--of ,moses and ,david1 in praising ,god1 ,,ii4 #da4 #ab4 ---- of pardoned sinners1 ,,ii4 #b4 #aj4 ---- of persons raised from death1 ,,ii4 #eg4 #h4 ,,existence of ,god--taught by the conscience1 ,i4 #g4 #b4 ,,exorcism1 ,,introd4 #f-h4 ,,exposition of the consolation given in #a ,cor4 #a3c-g--;,,ii4 ,ch4 #dh4 ,f4 ,,faith--as distinguished from hope1 ,,ii4 #ej4 #a4 ---- a weak faith1 ,i4 #e4 #i4 ---- a weak faith is1 nevertheless1 faith1 ,,ii4 #ea4 #i1 etc4 ---- by it1 the soul is united to ,christ1 ,,iii4 #c4 #c4 ,,faith1 comfort for those who are weak in1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ea4 ---- examples confirming it1 ,i4 #ac4 #c-e4 ---- gives quietness to the soul1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #g4 #b4 ---- it renews the whole man1 ,,iii4 #c4 #g4 ---- its glory1 ,,iii4 #c4 #f4 ---- its influence1 ,i4 #e4 #b2 ,i4 #e4 #i2 ,i4 #f4 #f2 ,i4 #aa4 #d2 ,i4 #ci4 #aj2 ,i4 #e4 #i2 ,,ii4 #d4 #a4 ---- its purifying influence1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #i4 ---- its strength varies1 ,,ii4 #ea4 #aj4 ---- its victory1 ,,iii4 #c4 #e1 #i4 ---- means for strengthening it1 ,,ii4 #ea4 #af4 ---- the source of all the ,christian virtues1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #f4 #g4 ---- the true source of religion1 ,,ii4 #d4 #f4 ---- the true way of obtaining the believer's inward treasure1 ,,iii4 #b4 #a1 etc4 ---- the work of ,god1 ,i4 #cd4 #ad2 ,,ii4 #ea4 #b1 #ae4 ---- what it is1 ,i4 #e4 #a2 ,i4 #ba4 #i2 ,i4 #cd4 #ab4 ---- working by love1 ,i4 #bd4 #ab2 ,i4 #cb4 #a4 ,,fall of ,adam--how it was occasioned1 ,i4 #b4 #b4 ---- its consequences1 ,i4 #b4 #a1 #c1 #d4 ,,fasting1 ,,ii4 #i4 #ae1 etc4 ,,fedderson1 ,,introd4 #cf4 ,,flesh--its conflict with the ,spirit1 ,i4 #af4 #b1 etc4 ,,flourishing like a palm tree--explained1 ,i4 #bb4 #d4 ,,following ,christ--,i4 #cg4 #ad4 ---- the sum of ,christianity1 ,i4 #ah4 #b4 ,,formula of ,concord1 ,,introd4 #ae1 #bd1 #be2 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #h2 ,conclusion of ,book ,,ii4 p4 #cgd4 ,,fruits--the marks of true and false ,christians1 ,i4 #ci4 #i4 ,,future punishments1 ,eternity of1 ,i4 #g4 #e4 ,g4 ,,glorification of our bodies1 ,,ii4 #eg4 #ac4 ,,glory1 ,eternal--the consideration of it alleviates the burden of the cross1 ,,ii4 #ef4 #c1 etc4 ,,god 7see ,,love to7--all things preserved by his hand1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bj4 ---- as infinite ,omnipotence1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ca2 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 #ad4 ---- described by the prophet ,joel1 ,,ii4 #i4 #bb-bg4 ---- his calling is earnest and decisive1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #h4 ---- his goodness or grace1 ,,ii4 #cg4 #e2 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 #ac4 ,,god1 his incomparable glory1 ,,ii4 #db4 #af4 ---- his infinity and eternity1 ,,iv4 ,part4 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #a4 ---- his knowledge1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 #ac4 ---- his love a help in prayer1 ,,ii4 #ch4 #i4 ---- his love appears in all his works1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ac4 ---- his mercy1 ,,ii4 #h4 #g4 ---- his omnipresence1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 #ae4 ---- his omniscience1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #f2 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 #a4 #c4 ---- his seat in the soul1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #f4 ---- his veracity1 ,,ii4 #eg4 #e4 ---- his wisdom1 shown in the formation of man1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #aj4 ---- how illustrious1 ,,ii4 #db4 #aa4 ---- how manifested1 ,,ii4 #cg4 #h4 ---- invites all men to pray1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #h4 ---- is love1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bf4 ---- manifestations of his wisdom1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cc4 ---- manifested as the ,supreme ,beauty1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cj4 ---- must be distinguished from his creatures and his gifts1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ba2 ,,iii4 #bb4 #c4 ---- not to be sought in any particular place1 for he is everywhere1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #h4 ---- operations of his righteousness1 ,,ii4 #cb4 #c1 etc4 ---- reasons1 convincing us that he hears our prayers1 ,,ii4 #cg4 #ab1 etc4 ---- the amiableness of his ,being1 ,,ii4 #bf4 #aj4 ---- the eternal ,wisdom1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cc4 ---- the folly of rejecting him1 ,i4 #cf4 #ah4 ---- the fountain of life and all good1 ,,ii4 #cg4 #d4 ---- the highest righteousness and holiness1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cb4 ---- the light of the soul1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #aa4 ---- the ,omniscient1 knows what we need before we ask him1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #f4 ---- the only source of true happiness1 ,i4 #cf4 #i4 ---- the ,supreme ,good1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bh2 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #b4 ---- the temporal and spiritual benefits which he has bestowed1 considered1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bi4 ---- what he is1 ,i4 #a4 #f2 ,i4 #cg4 #b4 ,,godliness--two motives recommending the study of it1 ,i4 #dj4 #a4 ,,godly ,sorrow 7see ,,sorrow for ,sin71 ,i4 #h4 #g2 ,i4 #aa4 #d2 ,i4 #bj4 #bj4 ,,grace--indispensable1 ,i4 #da4 #bh2 ,,ii4 #i4 #aa4 ---- its influence and blessed results1 ,i4 #cd4 #g1 etc4 ,,gregory1 ,,st4--quoted1 ,,iii4 #ae4 #b4 ,,growing in grace1 ,i4 #bc4 #d2 ,i4 #cg4 #ai4 ,h4 ,,hardness of heart1 ,i4 #ch4 #c1 etc4 ,,hatred--of self1 ,i4 #ad4 #a2 ,i4 #ad4 #ad4 ---- of vices1 but not of men1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,xii4 ,,heart1 ,paternal1 of ,god1 ,,ii4 #h4 #e4 ,,heart1 ,purity of--watching over it1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,ii4 ,,heart1 ,blindness of--its results1 ,i4 #da4 #ai4 ,,heart--its state1 ,,ii4 #d4 #c2 ,,ii4 #g4 #e4 ---- must be changed1 ,,ii4 #i4 #ac4 ---- regarded by ,god1 ,,ii4 #d4 #d4 ,,hell1 ,eternal pains of1 ,i4 #g4 #e2 ,,ii4 #h4 #ac4 ,,heaven1 the work of the ,second ,day1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #b4 ,,holy ,,spirit--how he is driven away by worldly pleasures1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ah4 ---- how he operates in our souls1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #af4 ---- office of the1 ,,ii4 #ce4 #d4 ---- our help in prayer1 ,,ii4 #ch4 #c4 ---- signs of his presence in us1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ag4 ---- truly ,god1 ,,ii4 #cg4 #ba4 ,,hope--,christ its object1 ,,ii4 #ab4 #b2 ,,ii4 #ej4 #h4 ---- how tested in seasons of affliction1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ej4 ---- what it is1 ,,ii4 #ej4 #a4 ,,honor1 ,worldly--how to be received1 ,,ii4 #bb4 #g1 #h4 ,,human nature--one argument of its dignity1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 #ai4 ,,humility 7see ,,pride7--a means of union with ,god1 ,,iii4 #e4 #a4 ---- exemplified by ,jesus1 ,,ii4 #ba4 #c4 ---- explained2 its happy influence1 etc41 ,i4 #ai4 #a-af4 ---- how we are taught to practise it1 ,,ii4 #ba4 #b4 ---- it must be laid as a foundation in the heart1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #bj4 ---- its necessity1 ,,iii4 #ae4 #d1 #e4 ---- its power1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ba4 ---- six steps or degrees of it1 ,,iii4 #e4 #b4 ---- what constitutes it1 ,,iii4 #h4 #b4 ---- without it1 all prayer is in vain1 ,,ii4 #ba4 #d4 ,,hypocrisy1 ,i4 #ab4 #aa4 ,i4 ,,idolatry1 ,,ii4 #bb4 #c-f4 ,,ignatius1 ,,ii4 #de4 #h4 ,,image of ,god in man--how man lost it1 ,i4 #a4 #h2 ,i4 #da4 #aa4 ,,image of ,god1--originally shone forth in man's soul1 ,i4 #da4 #g4 ---- the different modes in which it appears in man1 ,i4 #a4 #d4 ---- what it is1 ,i4 #a4 #a2 ,i4 #da4 #aj4 ---- what it was intended to teach1 ,i4 #a4 #e1 #i4 ---- why it was impressed on man1 ,i4 #a4 #b4 ,,image of ,satan1 ,i4 #da4 #bc4 ,,imputation 7see ,,merit7--of the merit of ,christ1 ,i4 #h4 #ag4 ---- of the righteousness of ,christ1 ,i4 #d4 #g4 ,,inability of man1 ,i4 #cd4 #b1 #g2 ,,ii4 #f4 #d1 #h4 ,,incarnation of ,christ 7see ,,christ1 etc471 ,i4 #aa4 #i2 ,i4 #ca4 #i2 ,i4 #cd4 #d2 ,i4 #cg4 #aa2 ,,ii4 #be4 #g2 ,,ii4 #bf4 #b2 ,,ii4 #cd4 #b2 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #e4 #b4 ,,indwelling of ,christ in man1 ,i4 #e4 #i4 ,,inheritance from ,adam1 ,i4 #c4 #e4 ,,injuries--viewed as trials of the heart1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,ix4 ,,interim1 ,,augsburg1 ,,introd4 #ab1 #ae4 ,j4 ,,jacques1 ,,introd4 #cb1 #cg1 #ch4 ,,joy--divine and worldly1 incompatible with one another1 ,i4 #bj4 #aa4 ---- ,divine1 the fruit of divine love1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cf4 ---- ,heavenly1 how to be accepted1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,vi4 ---- in ,god1 originally perfect1 ,i4 #da4 #h4 ---- of eternal life1 ,,ii4 #h4 #ad4 ,,judgment1 ,last1 ,,ii4 #h4 #ab4 ,,julian the ,apostate1 ,i4 #ch4 #b4 ,,justification1 ,i4 #e4 #a4 ---- derived from ,god alone1 ,,ii4 #f4 #h4 ,k4 ,,knowledge of ,christ1 etc4--its excellence1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,xv4 ---- what is comprehended in it1 ,i4 #da4 #a4 ---- wherein it consists1 ,i4 #ci4 #e4 ,,knowledge of ,god--his knowledge1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 #ab4 ---- wherein it consists1 ,i4 #aa4 #ah2 ,i4 #ba4 #f1 etc4 ,,knowledge--of grace1 ,i4 #ba4 #e1 #af1 #ag4 ---- of sin1 ,i4 #ba4 #aa4 ---- of the ,scriptures--vain1 without a holy life1 ,i4 #ce4 #a1 etc4 ,l4 ,,laurentius ,,valla--a saying of his1 ,,ii4 #e4 #d4 ,,law1 ,inward--its lessons1 ,i4 #g4 #a-c4 ,,lazarus1 the friend of ,christ1 ,,ii4 #ac4 #d4 ,,learning1 ,human--is distinct from godliness1 ,i4 #cf4 #ad4 ,,leyser1 ,p41 ,,introd4 #b4 ,,life1 ,holy--proceeds from a renewed heart1 ,i4 #bb4 #b4 ---- rules for leading it1 ,i4 #dj4 #a1 etc4 ,,life of ,christ 7see ,,example71 ,i4 #aj4 #b2 ,i4 #aa4 #af2 ,i4 #ad4 #h1 etc42 ,i4 #cg4 #h4 ,,life of the ,christian--a continual renewing of the image of ,god1 ,i4 #da4 #b4 ,,life1 ,spiritual1 ,i4 #aa4 #ab4 ---- abolished in the carnal man1 ,i4 #da4 #ah4 ---- different degrees of1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #a4 ,,life1 ,unholy1 ,i4 #aj4 #a1 #c4 ---- its effects1 ,i4 #ch4 #a1 etc42 ,i4 #ci4 #f4 ,,light--,natural1 in the understanding1 ,i4 #da4 #ag1 #bf2 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #aj4 ----of grace1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #aj4 ---- of nature1 ,i4 #g4 #c4 ---- of the sun and moon2 its benefits1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #d4 #ai4 ---- the work of the ,first ,day1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #a4 ,,living in ,christ1 ,i4 #f4 #b-e2 ,i4 #cf4 #a1 etc4 ,,lord',s ,prayer--its true use1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ai4 ,,lord',s ,supper--therein ,christ's true body and blood are received1 ,,iii4 #a4 #d4 ,,love 7see ,,self-,,love7--a bond of union1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bh4 ---- evils proceeding from the want of it1 ,i4 #ca4 #e2 ,i4 #ce4 #c4 ---- four particulars concerning it1 ,i4 #bd4 #a4 ---- four properties of it1 ,,ii4 #bd4 #ag4 ---- how it is to be guided1 ,,ii4 #bd4 #aa4 ---- in it are contained all the duties of a ,christian1 ,i4 #ce4 #a4 ---- its distinguishing feature1 ,i4 #ce4 #b4 ---- its fruits1 ,i4 #cj4 #a-ad2 ,i4 #cb4 #f2 ,,ii4 #bd4 #ab4 ---- its nature1 properties1 and fruits1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bg4 ---- its necessity1 ,i4 #cj4 #a2 ,i4 #cb4 #g2 ,i4 #ce4 #g-i4 ---- its noble character1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bd4 ---- its pleasantness1 ,i4 #bd4 #h2 ,i4 #bi4 #aa1 #ab4 ---- misguided1 ,,ii4 #bd4 #aj4 ---- mistakes made in reference to it1 ,,ii4 #bd4 #b1 etc4 ---- never faints1 ,i4 #bd4 #i4 ---- the sure test of a ,christian1 ,i4 #bd4 #g4 ,,love1 ,our--is not a hard work1 ,i4 #bd4 #f4 ---- is the end of the ,commandment1 ,i4 #bd4 #e2 ,i4 #bf4 #d4 ---- reasons why it is due to ,god alone1 ,i4 #ah4 #ab2 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bd2 ,,ii4 #bi4 #ac2 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cj4 ,,love1--what alone is worthy of it1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bi4 ,,love of ,christ--the blessedness which it confers1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bg4 ,,love to ,christ1 ,i4 #ad4 #ab4 ---- signs of its existence1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #be4 ,,love to ,god1 ,i4 #bd4 #b2 ,i4 #bi4 #c4 ---- a remedy against profane love1 ,i4 #bh4 #e2 ,,iii4 #ac4 #d4 ---- how it enters into the soul1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ac4 ---- is due to him1 ,i4 #bh4 #a1 #d4 ---- its influence1 ,i4 #bd4 #af2 ,i4 #bh4 #b2 ,i4 #bh4 #g2 ,,ii4 #bd4 #ab1 etc4 ---- its nature1 ,i4 #bh4 #h2 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ce4 ---- no excuse for the want of it1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ag4 ---- obtained by prayer1 ,i4 #bd4 #ag4 ---- out of a pure heart1 ,i4 #bd4 #ad4 ---- ,pure1 teaches how to pray1 ,,ii4 #bd4 #af4 ---- the source of all that is good1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cb4 ---- unchanged1 ,i4 #bd4 #bc4 ,,love of ,god to man1 ,i4 #be4 #a-f4 ---- how manifested4 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bf4 ,,love1 ,false1 ,i4 #bh4 #c2 ,i4 #ce4 #f2 ,,ii4 #bd4 #d1 etc4 ,,love to our enemies--why they should be loved1 ,i4 #bg4 #a-i4 ,,love to our neighbor1 ,i4 #bd4 #c2 ,i4 #bd4 #ah-ba2 ,i4 #bi4 #c-aj4 ---- a duty1 ,i4 #be4 #b2 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bd4 ---- its source1 ,i4 #bf4 #e2 ,i4 #bh4 #aj4 ---- motives to practise it1 ,i4 #bf4 #f-af4 ---- proceeds from the love which we owe to ,god1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bb4 ,,lovers of the world--how they are deceived1 ,,ii4 #bf4 #aa4 ---- their conduct1 ,i4 #cf4 #aa4 ---- their punishment1 ,i4 #ah4 #aj1 #aa4 ---- their spiritual state1 ,i4 #ag4 #i2 ,i4 #cf4 #b4 ,,lusts of the flesh--how to be subdued1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ah4 ,,luther--his successful opposition to the papacy and other sects1 ,i4 #ci4 #b4 ,m4 ,,majoristic ,controversy1 ,,introd4 #ae1 #ai4 ,,man--general rule on the subject1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #af4 ---- his liberty of choice1 ,i4 #ag4 #b4 ---- his natural state1 ,,ii4 #e4 #d4 ---- how much he owes to ,god1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #f2 ,ch4 #h2 ,ch4 #i2 ,ch4 #aa2 ,ch4 #ab4 ---- like a shadow1 is nothing1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #ac1 #ad4 ---- only a pilgrim on earth1 ,i4 #ac4 #af4 ---- the image of ,god1 ,i4 #a4 #f2 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bc4 ---- what1 and why made1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #c4 ---- why he should love ,god1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ad4 ---- why made in the image of ,god1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #d4 ,,man1 ,the ,inward--,outward1 ,i4 #af4 #a4 ,,man1 ,the ,natural1 ,,ii4 #e4 #e4 ,,man1 ,the ,old--,new1 ,i4 #ae4 #a1 etc42 ,i4 #af4 #aa2 ,,ii4 #g4 #a4 ,,marks of love to ,christ1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #be4 ,,martyrs--false1 ,i4 #ce4 #g4 ---- spiritual1 ,,ii4 #ec4 #bj4 ---- their fidelity1 ,,ii4 #de4 #g4 ,,meekness1 ,,ii4 #dg4 #b4 ,,mephibosheth1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #f4 ,,merit of ,christ 7see ,,imputation71 ,i4 #ad4 #g2 ,i4 #ca4 #h2 ,i4 #cd4 #a2 ,,ii4 #b4 #h4 ---- an infinite satisfaction1 ,,ii4 #b4 #aa1 #ab4 ,,micah1 the prophet--pointing out the fountain of consolation1 ,,ii4 #di4 #d4 ,,muhlenberg1 ,,introd4 #cd4 #da4 ,,music--its origin1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #g4 #c4 ,,music1 ,divine--several kinds1 in the ,old ,testament1 ,,ii4 #da4 #aj4 ,,muenzer1 ,thomas1 ,,introd4 #ae4 ,n4 ,,name of ,god--doing all things in it1 ,i4 #ah4 #e4 ,,narrow way in ,christ--chosen by the ,christian1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #d4 ,,neighbors 7see ,,love7--judging them1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #aa4 ,,new ,,birth 7see ,,birth2 ,,regeneration7--how effected1 ,i4 #c4 #a4 ---- it alone renders our works acceptable to ,god1 ,i4 #ca4 #aj4 ---- its fruits1 ,i4 #aa4 #ag4 ---- its necessity1 ,i4 #c4 #h2 ,i4 #da4 #af4 ---- what it is1 ,i4 #e4 #b1 #d4 ,o4 ,,oath1 ,divine--a source of consolation1 ,,ii4 #b4 #b-e4 ,,obedience of ,christ1 ,,ii4 #b4 #ac4 ,,offerings brought to ,god1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,vii4 ,,oil1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #c4 #dc1 #dd4 ,,old ,,man1 ,the 7see ,,man7--encouragement derived from the strife with1 ,i4 #af4 #aa4 ,,omnipresence1 ,omnipotence1 etc42 see ,,god4 ,,original ,sin 7see ,,corruption71 ,i4 #b4 #h2 ,i4 #da4 #ac1 etc42 ,i4 #db4 #b4 ---- its nature set forth in ,book ,i42 ,,pref4 to ,book ,,ii4 #b4 ,,osiandrian ,controversy1 ,,introd4 #ae4 ,p4 ,,palatinate1 ,the1 ,,introd4 #ag4 ,,paracelsus1 ,,introd4 #bh4 ,,patience1 ,christian--consolations1 ,,ii4 #dg1 #ag4 ---- examples of1 ,,ii4 #dg4 #af4 ---- motives to1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #df4 ---- produced by divine consolations1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #de4 ---- reasons for exercising it1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #dd4 ---- ,scriptural sentences respecting it1 ,,ii4 #dg4 #d-ae4 ---- sustained by the truth and promises of ,god1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #di4 ---- what it is1 ,,ii4 #dd4 #a2 ,,ii4 #de4 #a2 ,,ii4 #dg4 #b1 #c2 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ad4 ,,perfection1 ,absolute--not attainable1 ,i4 #aa4 #aa2 ,,ii4 #ea4 #c4 ---- not found in this world1 ,,ii4 #d4 #b4 ,,perfection of the ,christian life--wherein it consists1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,,iii4 #g4 ,,pericles1 ,i4 #bg4 #e4 ,,peter and ,paul--their religious character1 ,i4 #ag4 #ab4 ,,phocion1 ,i4 #bg4 #e4 ,,pilgrimage1 ,our--its nature1 ,i4 #ag4 #aj4 ,,plato1 ,,ii4 #cj4 #d4 ,,poor and contrite1 ,the--acceptable to ,god1 ,i4 #ai4 #aa-af4 ,,poverty of spirit1 ,,iii4 #e4 #a4 ,,pr,,torius1 ,,introd4 #a4 ,,praise to ,god--benefits and efficacy of1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #da4 ---- offered by holy men1 ,,ii4 #db4 #ac4 ---- reasons for offering it daily1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #db4 ---- to offer it1 man's greatest privilege1 ,,ii4 #dc4 #d4 ---- to offer it1 the most honorable employment of men1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #dc4 ---- when offered1 a source of consolation1 ,,ii4 #dh4 #ad4 ,,pray1 ,to--sinful1 whether in dependence on our own merit1 or to forbear on account of our unworthiness1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #i4 ,,prayer--a consolation against the fear of death1 ,,ii4 #eg4 #ab4 ---- all men invited to it1 by ,god1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #g4 ,,prayer--a means of obtaining consolation in affliction1 ,,ii4 #dh4 #ac4 ---- a protection against calumny1 ,,ii4 #ag4 #f4 ---- benefits of continual1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #c4 ---- certainty that it will be heard1 ,,ii4 #di4 #g4 ---- conversation of a believing soul with ,god1 in1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ci4 ---- efficacy of the prayer of faith1 ,,ii4 #da4 #f4 ---- encouragements to1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #aa1 etc4 ---- encouragements to1 and lessons on1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #ab4 ---- evils which follow the neglect of1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #b4 ---- in ,psalm #aji3a1 etc41 explained1 ,,ii4 #af4 #a1 etc4 ---- its necessity1 ,i4 #db4 #d 7e72 ,,ii4 #e4 #d2 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #bj4 ---- internal1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #d2 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ai4 ---- its benefits1 power1 and ground1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cf4 ---- its numerous qualities1 offices1 etc41 ,,ii4 #cf4 #af4 ---- mental1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #g4 ---- oral1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #c4 ---- pattern of1 furnished by ,christ1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #aj4 ---- reasons why ,god certainly hears it1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cg4 ---- seven helps for our infirmities in1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ch4 ---- strengthens faith1 ,,ii4 #ea4 #af4 ---- secret1 ,,ii4 #cf4 #i4 ---- supernatural1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #d4 ---- taught by love to ,god1 ,,ii4 #bd4 #af4 ---- temptations1 when we pray1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #af1 #ag4 ---- the sign of a true ,christian1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ce4 ---- the worshipper not restricted to any certain times of1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #aa4 ---- vain1 without humility1 ,,ii4 #ba4 #d4 ---- when acceptable to ,god1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #i4 ---- when not heard1 ,,ii4 #cg4 #bc1 etc4 ---- wherein it consists1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #a4 ---- why it is enjoined1 ,,ii4 #bj4 #h4 ---- why we should commune with ,god in prayer1 ,,ii4 #cd4 ,sect4 #e4 ,,preface 7,author's7 to ,book ,i4 p4 xxxix4 ---- ,book ,,ii4 p4 #aeg4 ---- ,book ,,iii4 p4 #cge4 ---- ,book ,,iv4 p4 #dbc4 ,,pride 7see ,,humility71 ,i4 #ca4 #a1 etc42 ,i4 #ci4 #h2 ,,iii4 #bj4 #b4 ---- influence of1 ,,ii4 #bb4 #b1 etc4 ---- its properties1 ,,iii4 #bj4 #a-d4 ,,pride--remedy against spiritual1 ,,ii4 #g4 #g4 ---- spiritual1 ,i4 #db4 #d4 ,,priesthood of ,christ1 ,,ii4 #b4 #ae4 ,,prodigal ,son1 ,parable of1 ,,ii4 #h4 #b1 etc42 ,,ii4 #aj4 #g4 ,,promises1 ,divine--the chief source of the ,christian's consolation1 ,,ii4 #b4 #a2 ,,ii4 #de4 #f4 ,,providence--a source of comfort1 ,,ii4 #de4 #b2 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 #af4 ---- of ,god2 three things wherein it consists1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #f4 #ab4 etc4 ,,psalms--six1 called ,golden ,songs1 ,,ii4 #dc4 #a4 ---- suited to various circumstances1 ,,ii4 #da4 #ab4 ---- the ,penitential1 ,i4 #d4 #i1 note4 ,,punishments1 ,future--eternity of1 ,i4 #g4 #e4 ,,punishments1 ,temporal1 ,,ii4 #h4 #i2 ,,ii4 #h4 #ac4 ,r4 ,,rationalists1 ,,introd4 #dj4 ,,reconciliation to our neighbor1 ,i4 #bi4 #a1 #b4 ---- enforced by three arguments1 ,,ii4 #d4 #d4 a4 b4 c4 ---- the terms of1 ,i4 #bi4 #ad4 ,,refuge1 ,cities of1 ,i4 #ba4 #ae1 #af4 ,,regeneration 7see ,,new ,,birth7--by divine goodness1 ,,ii4 #i4 #c4 ---- how effected1 ,i4 #c4 #d4 ---- in what it consists1 ,i4 #c4 #g2 ,,ii4 #i4 #a1 etc4 ---- its necessity1 ,i4 #da4 #bg4 ---- men invited to1 ,,ii4 #i4 #d4 ---- produced by divine threatenings1 ,,ii4 #i4 #b4 ---- whence it proceeds1 ,i4 #c4 #aa1 #ab4 ,,remission of ,sins--follows repentance1 ,i4 #h4 #ab1 #af4 ---- is not granted without repentance1 ,i4 #cd4 #ab4 ,,renewal in ,christ1 ,i4 #c4 #e4 ---- continued1 ,i4 #bb4 #d1 etc4 ,,repentance 7see ,,conversion7--a quality of it1 ,i4 #bi4 #af4 ---- daily1 ,i4 #bj4 #aj4 ---- founded on humility1 ,,iii4 #bj4 #c4 ---- four properties of1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #a1 etc4 ---- illustrations of1 ,i4 #ba4 #ab2 ,,ii4 #h4 #a1 etc4 ---- its fruits1 ,i4 #db4 #b2 ,,ii4 #i4 #bh4 ---- its necessity1 ,i4 #h4 #a-ae2 ,i4 #cg4 #aj2 ,i4 #cg4 #bb1 #bc4 ---- manner of1 ,,ii4 #i4 #ad4 ---- motives to1 ,,ii4 #i4 #bb1 etc4 ---- the source of the ,christian's life1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #a4 ,,repentance--what it is1 ,i4 #d4 #a-aa2 ,i4 #h4 #b2 ,i4 #ba4 #aj2 ,,ii4 #c4 #a1 etc4 ---- when it is unfeigned1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #ad4 ---- without reconciliation and restitution1 not acceptable to ,god1 ,i4 #bi4 #ai4 ,,resurrection of ,christ 7see ,,christ71 ,,ii4 #be4 #aj2 ,,ii4 #eg4 #d4 ---- its fruit1 ,,ii4 #eg4 #aa4 ,,resurrection of our bodies--a ground of comfort1 ,,ii4 #eg4 #c4 ,,revelation--punishment of those who reject it1 ,i4 #g4 #g1 #h4 ,,righteousness--by faith1 ,,ii4 #c4 #h4 ---- whence it proceeds1 ,i4 #e4 #h2 ,,ii4 #c4 #d4 ,,righteousness of ,christ--made our own1 ,,ii4 #c4 #f4 ,,righteousness1 ,our--its foundation1 ,i4 #c4 #i4 ---- whence it proceeds1 ,,ii4 #c4 #a1 etc4 ,s4 ,,saints--example given by them1 ,,ii4 #ag4 #d1 #e2 ,,ii4 #ag4 #aj2 ,,ii4 #dd4 #h2 ,,ii4 #eb4 #ae2 ,,ii4 #ed4 #h4 ---- their constant practice1 ,i4 #bj4 #ah4 ---- their example1 a help in prayer1 ,,ii4 #ch4 #e-h4 ---- their example1 a source of comfort1 ,,ii4 #de4 #h4 ---- their temptations1 ,,ii4 #eb4 #b1 etc4 ,,satan--his character1 ,i4 #da4 #bb4 ---- his fall1 ,i4 #ca4 #g2 ,,ii4 #ag4 #i4 ---- his fiery darts1 ,,ii4 #eb4 #f4 ---- his image in man1 ,i4 #b4 #c4 ---- his want of power1 ,,ii4 #ec4 #b1 #c4 ,,schwenkfeldt1 ,,introd4 #ad1 #bd4 ,,scriptures 7see ,,word7--their purpose1 ,i4 #f4 #h1 #i4 ,,sea1 ,the--lessons taught by it1 ,ch4 #e4 #ae4 ,,seeking after ,god--two ways1 ,,iii4 #d4 #a4 ,,self-,,denial1 ,i4 #d4 #c2 ,i4 #ad4 #f2 ,i4 #ae4 #d1 etc42 ,,ii4 #g4 #b2 ,,ii4 #aj4 #b2 ,,iii4 #bc4 #d4 ,,self-,,love1 ,i4 #ca4 #a1 etc42 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cc4 ---- its actual result1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ca4 ---- its dangers1 ,i4 #ad4 #b1 etc42 ,i4 #ca4 #c2 ,i4 #ca4 #g2 ,i4 #ad4 #aj4 ---- its evil fruits1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #cg2 ,ch4 #ch2 ,ch4 #dj4 ---- its remedy1 ,i4 #ca4 #h4 ---- its source1 ,i4 #ca4 #f4 ---- the source of all evil1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 #cb4 #b1 #c4 ,,self--worship of1 ,,ii4 #bc4 ,,servetus1 ,,introd4 #ae1 #af4 ,,sin 7see ,,original ,,sin2 ,,remission7--never comes alone1 ,i4 #cg4 #ah4 ,,slander1 see ,,calumny4 ,,sloth--to be shaken off1 ,,ii4 #e4 #g4 ,,smalcald ,articles1 ,,introd4 #be4 ,,solomon',s throne1 ,,iii4 #e4 #b4 ,,sorrow for ,sin 7see ,,godly sorrow7--its happy influence1 ,i4 #bj4 #g4 ,,sorrow--worldly1 and1 godly1 ,i4 #dj4 ,,soul--its dignity1 ,,iii4 #g4 #a2 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 #f4 #ah-bd4 ---- its image shining forth originally in the body1 ,i4 #da4 #g4 ---- its original holy nature1 ,i4 #da4 #e4 ---- the habitation of the ,holy ,ghost1 ,,ii4 #ce4 #c4 ---- the things that instruct and comfort it1 ,,iv4 ,part ,,ii4 ,ch4 #g4 ,,spirit and flesh 7see ,,holy ,,spirit7--conflict between them1 ,i4 #af4 #b1 etc4 ,,stars1 ,the1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #d4 ,,strasburg1 ,,introd4 #b4 ,,substance of the ,christian religion--is faith and love1 ,i4 #cj4 #a4 ,,supper1 ,the ,lord's--wherein ,christ gives us his body and blood1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #f2 ,,iii4 #a4 #d4 ,,symbol1 what--,,introd4 #da1 ,note4 ,,symbolical ,books1 ,,introd4 #bb1 #bd1 #be1 #dj1 #da1 #db2 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #h2 ,conclusion of ,book ,,ii4 ,,synergistic ,controversy1 ,,introd4 #ae1 #ai4 ,t4 ,,talents--not they1 but faith and love required1 ,i4 #cb4 #a1 etc4 ---- why bestowed1 ,i4 #cb4 #d4 ,,tauler1--,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #h2 ,,introd4 #bi4 ---- quotations from1 ,,ii4 #ec4 #bj2 ,,iii4 #a4 #c4 ---- subject of his ,sermons1 ,i4 #cg4 #af4 ,,temporal things--design of their creation1 ,i4 #ag4 #a4 ---- loss of1 ,i4 #bj1 #ba1 #bb4 ---- preference of1 offensive to ,god1 ,i4 #ah4 #a1 etc4 ,,temptations1 ,spiritual--comforting instructions for those who labor under them1 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #eb2 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ec2 ,,ii4 ,ch4 #ed4 ---- ,god refreshes the weak in1 ,,iii4 #bc4 #c4 ---- not tokens of ,god's anger1 ,,ii4 #ec4 #ac4 ---- origin of1 ,,ii4 #eb4 #d-g4 ---- reasons why they are sent1 ,,ii4 #eb4 #g1 etc42 ,,ii4 #ec4 #d1 etc4 ,,testimony of the ,spirit1 ,,ii4 #b4 #i4 ,,theology--what it is1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #b4 ,,thirst--ours1 and ,christ's1 ,i4 #cf4 #bd4 ,,thirty ,years' ,war1 ,,introd4 #bb4 ,,thomas ,kempis1 ,,pref4 to ,book ,i4 #h2 ,,introd4 #bi4 ,,titus1 the ,roman emperor1 ,i4 #bg4 #e4 ,,trinity1 ,holy--benefits conferred by1 ,,ii4 #bi4 #aj4 ---- dwelling in the hearts of believers1 ,,iii4 #a4 #a4 ,,treasure1 ,internal--means of attaining it1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #a4 ---- of the believer1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #a4 ---- what it is1 and on what it depends1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #c4 ,u4 ,,unbelief--its fruits1 ,i4 #cg4 #d4 ,,union with ,christ--of the highest necessity1 ,,ii4 #f4 #c4 ,,union with ,god1 ,,ii4 #f4 #a4 ---- a property of true repentance1 ,,ii4 #aj4 #ae4 ---- its necessity1 ,,ii4 #bh4 #d4 ,v4 ,,vanity and emptiness of man1 ,,ii4 #bc4 #a4 ,,vengeance of ,god--set forth by ,moses1 ,,ii4 #cb4 #g1 #h4 ,,vice--abounding among ,christians1 ,i4 #g4 #f4 ,,vincent1 ,,st41 ,,ii4 #de4 #h4 ,,virtue--false love of1 ,,ii4 #bd4 #i4 ,w4 ,,warfare1 ,spiritual--an encouraging evidence1 ,i4 #af4 #aa4 ---- even in the godly1 ,i4 #af4 #g4 ,,waters--separated from the land1 the work of the ,third ,day1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #c4 ---- they1 and their productions1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #e4 ,,weigel1 ,,introd4 #bh4 ,,wildenhahn1 ,,introd4 #aj1 #bf1 #cj4 ,,will of man--originally conformed to the will of ,god1 ,i4 #da4 #f4 ---- what it now is1 ,,ii4 #f4 #g4 ,,wine1 ,,iv4 ,part ,i4 ,ch4 #c4 #dj-db4 ,,wisdom--how to be acquired1 ,,ii4 #e4 #a4 ,,woman of ,canaan1 ,the1 ,,iii1 #e4 #a4 ,,word of ,god 7see ,,scriptures7--its graciousness and efficacy1 ,i4 #cf4 #bj1 #ba4 ---- not a dead letter1 ,i4 #f4 #b4 ---- reading1 etc41 it1 a protection against calumny1 ,,ii4 #ag4 #g4 ---- who reject it1 ,i4 #ch4 #h4 ,,word and ,sacraments--means of grace1 ,,ii4 #i4 #g4 ---- strengthen faith1 ,,ii4 #ea4 #af4 ---- their design1 ,i4 #ch4 #a4 ,,works--how judged1 ,i4 #cc4 #a2 ,,ii4 #e4 #f4 ---- how they may be rendered acceptable to ,god1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #bb4 ---- their source must be faith1 ,i4 #cc4 #d2 ,,ii4 #bb4 #a4 ---- they cannot justify1 ,i4 #e4 #f4 ---- worth1 their1 how to be judged1 ,,ii4 #d4 #e4 ,,works1 ,good--,god alone the ,author1 ,i4 #ba4 #ba4 ,,world--its vanity1 ,,ii4 #eg4 #ag1 etc4 ---- necessity of withdrawing from it1 ,i4 #bc4 #b4 ---- relinquishing it1 ,i4 #bj4 #be4 ,,worldly pleasures--drive away the ,holy ,spirit1 ,,iii4 ,ch4 #ah4 ,,worldly society1 ,i4 #bc4 #e1 etc4 ,,worship1 ,true--of ,god1 ,i4 #ba4 #c1 etc4 ---- required1 on our own account1 ,i4 #ba4 #ba1 #bb4 ---- seated in the heart1 ,i4 #ba4 #ai2 ,i4 #bf4 #c4 ---- three things belonging to it1 ,i4 #ba4 #e4 ---- wherein it consists1 ,i4 #bf4 #b4 ,y4 ,,yoke of ,christ1 ,i4 #d4 #f2 ,i4 #aa4 #ac4 ,,footnotes #a ,a very accurate and interesting 8,life of ,john ,arndt10 was published in ,english by ,rev4 ,dr4 ,j4 ,g4 ,morris1 of ,baltimore1 in #ahec1 which presents the principal events that belong to ,arndt's history1 and furnishes a faithful portraiture of his personal character4 ,wildenhahn's work1 admirably translated by ,rev4 ,g4 ,a4 ,wenzel1 now of ,pittsburg1 ,pa41 was published as a serial in the 8,lutheran and ,missionary10 about three years ago4 ,this work1 in a permanent form1 would be a rich addition to our ,english religious literature4 #b ,the first ,latin translation1 published at ,leipsic in #agjd1 was prepared by the joint labors of ,dr4 ,j4 ,g4 ,dorscheus and ,dr4 ,j4 ,g4 ,pritius4 7,the latter published about the same time his ,introductio in lectionem ,n4 ,t41 etc41 which was highly valued1 and passed through several editions2 our own copy is dated #agcg47 ,an extended ,preface was furnished by ,pritius4 ,the whole is presented in a single and very clumsy volume4--,the ,latin translation published by ,mr4 ,boehm in ,london1 #agjh1 and dedicated to his patron1 ,prince ,george1 appeared in two neat and convenient volumes1 and is far superior to the continental edition4 ,copies of these editions1 which are now rarely to be found1 were obtained by us from the very rich collection of such works1 belonging to ,rev4 ,dr4 ,c4 ,p4 ,krauth1 of ,west ,philadelphia4 #c ,the term 8,symbol0--a word derived from the ,greek--was applied1 at a very early period of the ,christian ,church1 by ,greek-speaking ,christians1 to the 8,apostles' ,creed10 in the sense of a 8token or mark of recognition40 ,he who knew and adopted that ,creed1 viewed thus as a symbol1 was recognized as a ,christian2 he who knew it not1 or who rejected it1 was not a ,christian1 but a ,jew or heathen4 ,after diverse creeds had been formed and adopted in the course of time1 the word ,,symbol was retained1 as applicable to a particular creed or confession of faith4 ,hence the term 8,symbols10 or its equivalent1 8,symbolical ,books10 was gradually applied to the several ,lutheran ,creeds which ,arndt mentions with such reverence and love1 as we have seen above4 #d ,these are ,psalms1 #f2 #cb2 #ch2 #ea2 #ajb2 #acj2 #adc4