,transcribed from the #ahde ,thomas ,nelson 8,works of the ,puritan ,divines 7,bunyan70 edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,picture3 ,bunyan's cottage at ,elstow ,,miscellaneous ,,pieces ,,contents ,page ,of the ,trinity and a ,christian #bde ,of the ,law and a ,christian #bea ,bunyan's ,last ,sermon #beg ,bunyan's ,dying ,sayings #bfg ,,of ,,the ,,trinity ,,and ,a ,,christian4 ,how a young or shaken ,christian should demean himself under the weighty thoughts of the ,doctrine of the ,trinity or ,plurality of ,persons in the eternal ,godhead4 ,,the reason why ,i say a young or shaken ,christian1 is1 because some that are not young1 but of an ancient standing1 may not only be assaulted with violent temptations concerning gospel-principles1 but a second time may become a child1 a babe1 a shallow man1 in the things of ,god3 especially1 either when by backsliding he hath provoked ,god to leave him1 or when some new1 unexpected1 and 7as to present strength7 over weighty objection doth fall upon the spirit1 by means of which great shakings of mind do commonly attend such a soul in the most weighty matters of the concerns of faith1 of which this is one that ,i have supposed in the above-mentioned question3 ,wherefore passing other things1 ,i will come directly to that1 and briefly propose some helps to a soul in such a case4 ,i4 ,the first preparative4 ,first1 ,then1 be sure thou keep close to the ,word of ,god for that is the revelation of the mind and will of ,god1 both as to the truth of what is either in himself or ways1 and also as to what he requireth and expecteth of thee1 either concerning faith in1 or obedience to1 what he hath so revealed4 ,now for thy better performing of this1 ,i shall give thee in brief these following directions4 #a4 ,suffer thyself1 by the authority of the ,word1 to be persuaded that the ,scripture indeed is the ,word of ,god the ,scriptures of truth1 the words of the ,holy ,one2 and that they therefore must be every one true1 pure1 and for ever settled in heaven4 #b4 ,conclude therefore from the former doctrine1 that that ,god whose words they are1 is able to make a reconciliation and most sweet and harmonious agreement with all the sayings therein1 how obscure1 cross1 dark1 and contradictory soever they seem to thee4 ,to understand all mysteries1 to have all knowledge1 to be able to comprehend with all saints1 is a great work2 enough to crush the spirit1 and to stretch the strings of the most capacious1 widened soul that breatheth on this side glory1 be they notwithstanding exceedingly enlarged by revelation4 ,paul1 when he was caught up to heaven1 saw that which was unlawful1 because impossible1 for man to utter4 ,and saith ,christ to the reasoning ,pharisee1 8,if ,i have told you earthly things1 and ye believe not1 how shall you believe if ,i tell you of heavenly things80 ,it is great lewdness1 and also insufferable arrogancy1 to come to the ,word of ,god1 as conceiting already that whatever thou readest must either by thee be understood1 or of itself fall to the ground as a senseless error4 ,but ,god is wiser than man1 wherefore fear thou him1 and tremble at his word1 saying still1 with godly suspicion of thine own infirmity1 ,what ,i see not1 teach thou me2 and1 ,thou art ,god only wise2 but as for me1 ,i am as a beast before thee4 #c4 ,take heed of taking a part of the ,word only1 lest thou thereby go away with the truth as mangled in pieces4 ,for instance1 where thou readest1 8,the ,lord our ,god is one ,lord10 there take heed that thou dost not thence conclude1 then there are not three persons in the ,godhead3 when thou readest of 8the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,spirit10 then take heed of concluding there must therefore either be three ,gods1 or else that ,jesus ,christ and the ,holy ,ghost are not true ,god1 but the ,father only4 ,wherefore to help thee here1 observe1 ,,ii4 ,the second preparative4 #a4 ,that the ,christian religion requireth credit concerning every doctrine contained in the ,word2 credit1 ,i say1 according to the true relation of every sentence that the ,holy ,ghost hath revealed for the asserting1 maintaining1 or vindicating that same truth4 #b4 ,and therefore1 hence it is that a ,christian is not called a doer1 a reasoner1 an objector1 and perverse disputer1 but a believer4 ,be thou an example to 8the believers20 and1 8believers0 were 8added to the church10 c4 #c4 ,therefore1 know again1 that the ,word1 if it saith and expresseth that this or that is so and so1 as to the matter in hand1 thou art bound and obliged1 both by the name1 profession1 and the truth1 unto which thou hast joined thyself1 to assent to1 confess1 and acknowledge the same1 even then when thy carnal reason will not stoop thereto4 8,righteous art thou1 ,o ,god10 saith ,jeremiah1 8yet let me plead with thee2 ,wherefore do the wicked live80 ,mark1 first he acknowledgeth that ,god's way with the wicked is just and right1 even then when yet he could not see the reason of his actions and dispensations towards them4 ,the same reason is good as to our present case3 and hence it is that the apostle saith1 the spiritual armour of ,christians should be much exercised against those high towering and self-exalting imaginations1 that within our own bosoms do exalt themselves against the knowledge of ,god2 that every thought or carnal reasoning may be not only taken1 but brought a captive into obedience to ,christ2 that is1 be made to stoop to the ,word of ,god1 and to give way and place to the doctrine therein contained1 how cross soever our thoughts and the ,word lie to each other4 ,and it is observable that he here saith1 8they exalt themselves against the knowledge of ,god20 which cannot be understood1 that our carnal1 natural reason doth exalt itself against an eternal deity1 simply considered2 for that nature itself doth gather from the very things that are made1 even his eternal power and ,godhead3 it must be then that they exalt themselves against that ,god as thus and thus revealed in the ,word1 to wit1 against the knowledge of one ,god1 consisting of three persons1 ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit2 for this is the doctrine of the ,scriptures of truth3 and therefore it is observable these thoughts must be brought captive1 and be made subject in particular to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as to the second person in the ,godhead3 for the ,father is ever acknowledged by all that profess the least of religion2 but the ,son is that stumbling-stone and rock of offence1 against which thousands dash themselves in pieces2 though in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge1 and in him dwells the fulness of the ,godhead bodily4 ,,of ,,the ,,law ,,and ,a ,,christian4 ,,the law was given twice upon ,mount ,sinai1 but the appearance of the ,lord1 when he gave it the second time1 was wonderfully different from that of his1 when at the first he delivered it to ,israel4 #a4 ,when he gave it the first time1 he caused his terror and severity to appear before ,moses1 to the shaking of his soul and the dismaying of ,israel2 but when he gave it the second time1 he caused all his goodness to pass before ,moses1 to the comfort of his conscience and the bowing of his heart4 #b4 ,when he gave it the first time1 it was with thunderings and lightnings1 with blackness and darkness1 with flame and smoke1 and a tearing sound of the trumpet2 but when he gave it the second time1 it was with a proclamation of his name to be merciful1 gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth1 keeping mercy for thousands1 forgiving iniquity1 transgressions1 and sins4 #c4 ,when he gave it the first time1 ,moses was called to go up to receive it through the fire1 which made him exceedingly fear and quake3 but when he went to receive it the second time1 he was laid in a clift of the rock4 #d4 ,from all which ,i gather1 that1 though as to the matter of the law1 both as to its being given the first time and the second1 it binds the unbeliever under the pains of eternal damnation 7if he close not with ,christ by faith72 yet as to the manner of its giving at these two times1 ,i think the first doth more principally intend its force as a covenant of works1 not at all respecting the ,lord ,jesus2 but this second time not 7at least in the manner of its being given7 respecting such a covenant1 but rather as a rule or directory to those who already are found in the clift of the rock ,christ2 for the saint himself1 though he be without law to ,god1 as it is considered the first or old covenant1 yet even he is not without law to him as considered under grace2 not without law to ,god1 but under the law to ,christ4 #e4 ,though1 therefore1 it be sad with the unbeliever1 because he only and wholly standeth under the law as it is given in fire1 in smoke1 in blackness1 and darkness1 and thunder2 all which threaten him with eternal ruin if he fulfil not the utmost tittle thereof2 yet the believer stands to the law under no such consideration1 neither is he so at all to hear or regard it1 for he is now removed from thence to the blessed mountain of ,zion--to grace and forgiveness of sins2 he is now1 ,i say1 by faith in the ,lord ,jesus1 shrouded under so perfect and blessed a righteousness1 that this thundering law of ,mount ,sinai cannot find the least fault or diminution therein1 but rather approveth and alloweth thereof1 either when or wherever it find it4 ,this is called the righteousness of ,god without the law1 and also said to be witnessed by both the law and the prophets2 even the righteousness of ,god1 which is by faith in ,jesus ,christ unto all and upon all them that believe2 for there is no difference4 #f4 ,wherefore1 whenever thou who believest in ,jesus1 dost hear the law in its thundering and lightning fits1 as if it would burn up heaven and earth1 then say thou1 ,i am freed from this law1 these thunderings have nothing to do with my soul2 nay1 even this law1 while it thus thunders and roars1 it doth both allow and approve of my righteousness4 ,i know that ,hagar would sometimes be domineering and high1 even in ,sarah's house1 and against her2 but this she is not to be suffered to do1 nay1 though ,sarah herself be barren2 wherefore1 serve it also as ,sarah served her1 and expel her out from thy house4 ,my meaning is1 when this law with its thundering threatenings doth attempt to lay hold on thy conscience1 shut it out with a promise of grace2 cry1 ,the inn is taken up already2 the ,lord ,jesus is here entertained1 and here is no room for the law4 ,indeed1 if it will be content with being my informer1 and so lovingly leave off to judge me1 ,i will be content1 it shall be in my sight1 ,i will also delight therein2 but otherwise1 ,i being now made upright without it1 and that too with that righteousness which this law speaks well of and approveth1 ,i may not1 will not1 cannot dare not make it my ,saviour and judge1 nor suffer it to set up its government in my conscience2 for by so doing1 ,i fall from grace1 and ,christ ,jesus doth profit me nothing4 #g4 ,thus1 therefore1 the soul that is married to him that is raised up from the dead1 both may and ought to deal with this law of ,god2 yea1 it doth greatly dishonour its ,lord and refuse its gospel privileges1 if it at any time otherwise doth1 whatever it seeth or feels4 8,the law hath power over the wife so long as her husband liveth1 but if her husband be dead she is freed from that law2 so that she is no adulteress though she be married to another man40 ,indeed1 so long as thou art alive to sin1 and to thy righteousness which is of the law1 so long thou hast them for thy husband1 and they must reign over thee2 but when once they are become dead unto thee--as they then most certainly will when thou closest with the ,lord ,jesus ,christ--then1 ,i say1 thy former husbands have no more to meddle with thee2 thou art freed from their law4 ,set the case3 ,a woman be cast into prison for a debt of hundreds of pounds2 if after this she marry1 yea1 though while she is in the jailor's hand1 in the same day that she is joined to her husband1 her debt is all become his2 yea1 and the law also that arrested and imprisoned this woman1 as freely tells her1 go3 she is freed1 saith ,paul1 from that2 and so saith the law of this land4 ,the sum1 then1 of what hath been said is this--,the ,christian hath now nothing to do with the law1 as it thundereth and burneth on ,sinai1 or as it bindeth the conscience to wrath and the displeasure of ,god for sin2 for from its thus appearing1 it is freed by faith in ,christ4 ,yet it is to have regard thereto1 and is to count it holy1 just1 and good2 which1 that it may do1 it is always1 whenever it seeth or regards it1 to remember that he who giveth it to us 8is merciful1 gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth10 c4 ,,bunyan',s ,,last ,,sermon3 ,,preached ,,july #afhh4 8,which were born1 not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god20 ,john i4 #ac4 ,,the words have a dependence on what goes before1 and therefore ,i must direct you to them for the right understanding of it4 ,you have it thus1--8,he came to his own1 but his own received him not2 but as many as received him1 to them gave he power to become the sons of ,god1 even to them which believe on his name2 which were born1 not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 but of ,god40 ,in the words before1 you have two things-- ,first1 ,some of his own rejecting him when he offered himself to them4 ,secondly1 ,others of his own receiving him1 and making him welcome4 ,those that reject him he also passes by2 but those that receive him1 he gives them power to become the sons of ,god4 ,now1 lest any one should look upon it as good luck or fortune1 says he1 8,they were born1 not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god40 ,they that did not receive him1 they were only born of flesh and blood2 but those that receive him1 they have ,god to their father1 they receive the doctrine of ,christ with a vehement desire4 ,first1 ,i will shew you what he means by 8blood40 ,they that believe are born to it1 as an heir is to an inheritance2 they are born of ,god2 not of flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god2 not of blood--that is1 not by generation2 not born to the kingdom of heaven by the flesh2 not because ,i am the son of a godly man or woman4 ,that is meant by blood1 ,acts xvii4 #bf1 8,he has made of one blood all nations40 ,but when he says here1 8not of blood10 he rejects all carnal privileges they did boast of4 ,they boasted they were ,abraham's seed4 ,no1 no1 says he1 it is not of blood2 think not to say you have ,abraham to your father1 you must be born of ,god if you go to the kingdom of heaven4 ,secondly1 8,nor of the will of the flesh40 ,what must we understand by that8 ,it is taken for those vehement inclinations that are in man to all manner of looseness1 fulfilling the desires of the flesh4 ,that must not be understood here2 men are made the children of ,god by fulfilling their lustful desires2 it must be understood here in the best sense4 ,there is not only in carnal men a will to be vile1 but there is in them a will to be saved also--a will to go to heaven also4 ,but this it will not do1 it will not privilege a man in the things of the kingdom of ,god4 ,natural desires after the things of another world1 they are not an argument to prove a man shall go to heaven whenever he dies4 ,i am not a free willer1 ,i do abhor it2 yet there is not the wickedest man but he desires some time or other to be saved4 ,he will read some time or other1 or1 it may be1 pray2 but this will not do--8,it is not in him that wills1 nor in him that runs1 but in ,god that shews mercy20 there is willing and running1 and yet to no purpose2 ,rom4 ix4 #af1 8,israel1 which followed after the law of righteousness1 have not obtained it40 ,here ,i do not understand as if the apostle had denied a virtuous course of life to be the way to heaven1 but that a man without grace1 though he have natural gifts1 yet he shall not obtain privilege to go to heaven1 and be the son of ,god4 ,though a man without grace may have a will to be saved1 yet he cannot have that will ,god's way4 ,nature1 it cannot know anything but the things of nature2 the things of ,god knows no man but by the ,spirit of ,god2 unless the ,spirit of ,god be in you1 it will leave you on this side the gates of heaven--8,not of blood1 nor of the will of the flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god40 ,it may be some may have a will1 a desire that ,ishmael may be saved2 know this1 it will not save thy child4 ,if it were our will1 ,i would have you all go to heaven4 ,how many are there in the world that pray for their children1 and cry for them1 and ready to die2 and this will not do8 ,god's will is the rule of all2 it is only through ,jesus ,christ1 8which were born1 not of flesh1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god40 ,now ,i come to the doctrine4 ,men that believe in ,jesus ,christ to the effectual receiving of ,jesus ,christ1 they are born to it4 ,he does not say they shall be born to it1 but they are born to it2 born of ,god1 unto ,god1 and the things of ,god1 before they receive ,god to eternal salvation4 8,except a man be born again1 he cannot see the kingdom of ,god40 ,now unless he be born of ,god1 he cannot see it4 ,suppose the kingdom of ,god be what it will1 he cannot see it before he be begotten of ,god2 suppose it be the ,gospel1 he cannot see it before he be brought into a state of regeneration2 believing is the consequence of the new birth1 8not of blood1 nor of the will of man1 but of ,god40 ,first1 ,i will give you a clear description of it under one similitude or two4 ,a child1 before it be born into the world1 is in the dark dungeon of its mother's womb2 so a child of ,god1 before he be born again1 is in the dark dungeon of sin1 sees nothing of the kingdom of ,god1 therefore it is called a new birth2 the same soul has love one way in its carnal condition1 another way when it is born again4 ,secondly1 ,as it is compared to a birth1 resembling a child in his mother's womb1 so it is compared to a man being raised out of the grave2 and to be born again is to be raised out of the grave of sin--8,awake1 thou that sleepest1 and arise from the dead1 and ,christ shall give thee life40 ,to be raised from the grave of sin is to be begotten and born2 ,rev4 i4 #e4 ,there is a famous instance of ,christ--8,he is the first-begotten from the dead1 he is the first-born from the dead20 unto which our regeneration alludeth1--that is1 if you be born again by seeking those things that are above1 then there is a similitude betwixt ,christ's resurrection and the new birth2 which were born1 which were restored out of this dark world1 and translated out of the kingdom of this dark world into the kingdom of his dear ,son1 and made us live a new life2 this is to be born again2 and he that is delivered from the mother's womb1 it is the help of the mother2 so he that is born of ,god1 it is by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,i must give you a few consequences of new birth4 ,first of all1 a child1 you know1 is incident to cry as soon as it comes into the world2 for if there be no noise1 they say it is dead4 ,you that are born of ,god1 and ,christians1 if you be not criers1 there is no spiritual life in you2 if you be born of ,god1 you are crying ones2 as soon as he has raised you out of the dark dungeon of sin1 you cannot but cry to ,god1 ,what must ,i do to be saved8 ,as soon as ever ,god had touched the jailor1 he cries out1 8,men and brethren1 what must ,i do to be saved80 ,oh6 how many prayerless professors are there in ,london that never pray8 ,coffee-houses will not let you pray1 trades will not let you pray1 looking-glasses will not let you pray2 but if you were born of ,god1 you would4 ,secondly1 ,it is not only natural for a child to cry1 but it must crave the breast1 it cannot live without the breast2 therefore ,peter makes it the true trial of a new-born babe2 the new-born babe desires the sincere milk of the ,word1 that he may grow thereby4 ,if you be born of ,god1 make it manifest by desiring the breast of ,god4 ,do you long for the milk of promises8 ,a man lives one way when he is in the world1 another way when he is brought unto ,jesus ,christ2 ,isa4 lxvi41 8,they shall suck1 and be satisfied40 ,if you be born again1 there is no satisfaction till you get the milk of ,god's word into your souls2 ,isa4 lxvi4 #aa1 8,to suck1 and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation40 ,o what is a promise to a carnal man2 a whorehouse1 it may be1 is more sweet to him2 but if you be born again1 you cannot live without the milk of ,god's word4 ,what is a woman's breast to a horse8 ,but what is it to a child8 ,there is its comfort night and day1 there is its succour night and day4 ,o how loath is he it should be taken from him4 ,minding heavenly things1 says a carnal man1 is but vanity2 but to a child of ,god1 there is his comfort4 ,thirdly1 ,a child that is newly born1 if it have not other comforts to keep it warm than it had in its mother's womb1 it dies4 ,it must have something got for its succour2 so ,christ had swaddling clothes prepared for him2 so those that are born again1 they must have some promise of ,christ to keep them alive4 ,those that are in a carnal state1 they warm themselves with other things2 but those that are born again1 they cannot live without some promise of ,christ to keep them alive1 as he did to the poor infant in ,ezekiel xvii41 8,i covered thee with embroidered gold40 ,and when women are with child1 what fine things will they prepare for their child6 ,o but what fine things has ,christ prepared to wrap all in that are born again6 ,o what wrappings of gold has ,christ prepared for all that are born again6 ,women will dress their children1 that every one may see them how fine they are2 so he in ,ezekiel xvi4 #aa--8;,i decked thee also with ornaments1 and ,i also put bracelets upon thine hands1 and a chain on thy neck4 ,and ,i put a jewel on thy forehead1 and ear-rings in thine ears1 and a beautiful crown upon thine head20 and1 says he in the #acth verse1 8thou didst prosper to a kingdom40 ,this is to set out nothing in the world but the righteousness of ,christ1 and the graces of the ,spirit1 without which a new-born babe cannot live1 unless he have the golden righteousness of ,christ4 ,fourthly1 ,a child when it is in its mother's lap1 the mother takes great delight to have that which will he for its comfort2 so it is with ,god's children1 they shall he kept on his knee2 ,isaiah lxvi4 #aa1 8,they shall stick and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation40 ,ver4 #ac1 8,as one whom his mother comforteth1 so will ,i comfort you40 ,there is a similitude in these things that nobody knows of but those that are born again4 ,fifthly1 ,there is usually some similitude betwixt the father and the child2 it may be the child looks like its father2 so those that are born again1 they have a new similitude1 they have the image of ,jesus ,christ 7,gal4 iv471 every one that is born of ,god has something of the features of heaven upon him4 ,men love those children that are likest them most usually2 so does ,god his children2 therefore they are called the children of ,god4 ,but others do not look like him1 therefore they are called ,sodomites4 ,christ describes children of the devil by their features2 the children of the devil1 his works they will do2 all works of unrighteousness1 they are the devil's works4 ,if you are earthly1 you have borne the image of the earthly2 if heavenly1 you have borne the image of the heavenly4 ,sixthly1 ,when a man has a child1 he trains him up to his own liking1 he learns the custom of his father's house2 so are those that are born of ,god2 they have learned the custom of the true church of ,god1 there they learn to cry1 ,my ,father and my ,god2 they are brought up in ,god's house1 they learn the method and form of ,god's house for regulating their lives in this world4 ,seventhly1 ,children1 it is natural for them to depend upon their father for what they want4 ,if they want a pair of shoes1 they go and tell him2 if they want bread1 they go and tell him2 so should the children of ,god do4 ,do you want spiritual bread8 go tell ,god of it4 ,do you want strength of grace8 ask it of ,god4 ,do you want strength against ,satan's temptations8 go and tell ,god of it4 ,when the devil tempts you1 run home and tell your heavenly ,father2 go pour out your complaints to ,god4 ,this is natural to children2 if any wrong them1 they go and tell their father2 so do those that are born of ,god1 when they meet with temptations1 go and tell ,god of them4 ,the first use is this1 to make a strict inquiry whether you be born of ,god or not4 ,examine by those things ,i laid down before of a child of nature and a child of grace4 ,are you brought out of the dark dungeon of this world into ,christ8 have you learned to cry1 ,my ,father8 ,jer4 iii4 #af1 8,and ,i said1 ,thou shalt call me thy ,father40 ,all ,god's children are criers4 ,can you be quiet without you have a bellyful of the milk of ,god's word8 ,can you be satisfied without you have peace with ,god8 ,pray you consider it1 and be serious with yourselves4 ,if you have not these marks1 you will fall short of the kingdom of ,god1 you shall never have an interest there2 there is no intruding4 ,they will say1 8,lord1 ,lord1 open to us2 and he will say1 ,i know you not40 ,no child of ,god1 no heavenly inheritance4 ,we sometimes give something to those that are not our children1 but not our lands4 ,o do not flatter yourselves with a portion among the sons1 unless you live like sons4 ,when we see a king's son play with a beggar1 this is unbecoming2 so if you be the king's children1 live like the king's children4 ,if you be risen with ,christ1 set your affections on things above1 and not on things below4 ,when you come together1 talk of what your ,father promised you2 you should all love your ,father's will1 and be content and pleased with the exercises you meet with in the world4 ,if you are the children of ,god1 live together lovingly4 ,if the world quarrel with you1 it is no matter2 but it is sad if you quarrel together4 ,if this be amongst you1 it is a sign of ill-breeding1 it is not according to rules you have in the ,word of ,god4 ,dost thou see a soul that has the image of ,god in him8 ,love him1 love him2 say1 ,this man and ,i must go to heaven one day4 ,serve one another1 do good for one another2 and if any wrong you1 pray to ,god to right you1 and love the brotherhood4 ,lastly1 ,if you be the children of ,god1 learn that lesson3 8,gird up the loins of your mind as obedient children1 not fashioning yourselves according to your former conversation2 but be ye holy in all manner of conversation40 ,consider that the holy ,god is your father1 and let this oblige you to live like the children of ,god1 that you may look your ,father in the face with comfort another day4 ,,bunyan',s ,,dying ,,sayings4 ,,of ,,sin4 ,,sin is the great block and bar to our happiness1 the procurer of all miseries to man1 both here and hereafter2 take away sin1 and nothing can hurt us2 for death temporal1 spiritual1 and eternal1 is the wages of it4 ,sin1 and man for sin1 is the object of the wrath of ,god4 ,how dreadful therefore must his case be who continues in sin2 for who can bear and grapple with the wrath of ,god8 ,no sin against ,god can be little1 because it is against the great ,god of heaven and earth2 but if the sinner can find out a little ,god1 it may be easy to find out little sins4 ,sin turns all ,god's grace into wantonness3 it is the dare of his justice2 the rape of his mercy2 the jeer of his patience2 the slight of his power2 and the contempt of his love4 ,take heed of giving thyself liberty of committing one sin1 for that will lead thee to another2 till by an ill custom it become natural4 ,to begin sin is to lay a foundation for a continuance2 this continuance is the mother of custom1 and impudence at last the issue4 ,the death of ,christ giveth us the best discovery of ourselves2 in what condition we were1 so that nothing could help us but that2 and the most clear discovery of the dreadful nature of our sins4 ,for if sin be such a dreadful thing as to wring the heart of the ,son of ,god1 how shall a poor wretched sinner be able to bear it8 ,,of ,,affliction4 ,nothing can render affliction so heavy as the load of sin2 would you therefore be fitted for afflictions1 be sure to get the burden of your sins laid aside1 and then what afflictions soever you meet with will be very easy to you4 ,if thou canst hear and bear the rod of affliction which ,god shall lay upon thee1 remember this lesson1 thou art beaten that thou mayst be better4 ,the ,lord useth his flail of tribulation to separate the chaff from the wheat4 ,the school of the cross is the school of light2 it discovers the world's vanity1 baseness1 and wickedness1 and lets us see more of ,god's mind4 ,out of dark affliction comes a spiritual light4 ,in times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of ,god4 ,did we heartily renounce the pleasures of this world1 we should be very little troubled for our afflictions2 that which renders an afflicted state so insupportable to many1 is because they are too much addicted to the pleasures of this life2 and so cannot endure that which makes a separation between them4 ,,of ,,repentance ,,and ,,coming ,,to ,,christ4 ,the end of affliction is the discovery of sin2 and of that to bring us to the ,saviour2 let us therefore1 with the prodigal1 return unto him1 and we shall find ease and rest4 ,a returning penitent1 though formerly bad as the worst of men1 may by grace become as good as the best4 ,to be truly sensible of sin1 is to sorrow for displeasing of ,god3 to be afflicted1 that he is displeased by us more than that he is displeased with us4 ,your intentions to repentance1 and the neglect of that soul-saving duty1 will rise up in judgment against you4 ,repentance carries with it a divine rhetoric1 and persuades ,christ to forgive multitudes of sins committed against him4 ,say not to thyself1 to-morrow ,i will repent2 for it is thy duty to do it daily4 ,the gospel of grace and salvation is above all doctrine the most dangerous1 if it be received in word only by graceless men2 if it be not attended with a sensible need of a ,saviour1 and bring them to him2 for such men only as have the notion of it1 are of all men most miserable2 for by reason of their knowing more than heathens1 this shall only be their final portion1 that they shall have greater stripes4 ,,of ,,prayer4 ,before you enter into prayer1 ask thy soul these questions1 #a4 ,to what end1 ,o my soul6 art thou retired into this place8 ,art thou come to converse with the ,lord in prayer8 ,is he present1 will he hear thee8 ,is he merciful1 will he help thee8 ,is thy business slight1 is it not concerning the welfare of thy soul8 ,what words wilt thou use to move him to compassion8 ,to make thy preparation complete1 consider that thou art but dust and ashes2 and he the great ,god1 ,father of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 that clothes himself with light as with a garment2 that thou art a vile sinner1 and he a holy ,god2 that thou art but a poor crawling worm1 and he the omnipotent ,creator4 ,in all your prayers1 forget not to thank the ,lord for his mercies4 ,when thou prayest1 rather let thy heart be without words than thy words without heart4 ,prayer will make a man cease from sin1 or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer4 ,the spirit of prayer is more precious than thousands of gold and silver4 ,pray often1 for prayer is a shield to the soul1 a sacrifice to ,god1 and a scourge for ,satan4 ,,of ,,the ,,lord',s-,,days1 ,,sermons1 ,,and ,,week-,,days4 ,have a special care to sanctify the ,lord's-day2 for as thou keepest it1 so will it be with thee all the week long4 ,make the ,lord's-day the market for thy soul2 let the whole day be spent in prayer1 repetitions1 or meditations2 lay aside the affairs of the other parts of the week2 let the sermon thou hast heard be converted into prayer3 shall ,god allow thee six days1 and wilt thou not afford him one8 ,in the church1 be careful to serve ,god2 for thou art in his eyes1 and not in man's4 ,thou mayst hear sermons often1 and do well in practising what thou hearest2 but thou must not expect to be told in a pulpit all that thou oughtest to do1 but be studious in reading the ,scriptures1 and other good books2 what thou hearest may be forgotten1 but what thou readest may better be retained4 ,forsake not the public worship of ,god1 lest ,god forsake thee2 not only in public1 but in private4 ,on the week-day1 when thou risest in the morning1 consider1 #a4 ,thou must die2 #b4 ,thou mayst die that minute2 #c4 ,what will become of thy soul4 ,pray often4 ,at night consider1 #a4 ,what sins thou hast committed2 #b4 ,how often thou hast prayed2 #c4 ,what hath thy mind been bent upon2 #d4 ,what hath been thy dealing2 #e4 ,what thy conversation2 #f4 ,if thou callest to mind the errors of the day1 sleep not without a confession to ,god1 and a hope of pardon4 ,thus1 every morning and evening make up thy account with ,almighty ,god1 and thy reckoning will be the less at last4 ,,of ,,the ,,love ,,of ,,the ,,world4 ,nothing more hinders a soul from coming to ,christ than a vain love of the world2 and till a soul is freed from it1 it can never have a true love for ,god4 ,what are the honours and riches of this world1 when compared to the glories of a crown of life8 ,love not the world1 for it is a moth in a ,christian's life4 ,to despise the world is the way to enjoy heaven2 and blessed are they who delight to converse with ,god by prayer4 ,what folly can be greater than to labour for the meat that perisheth1 and neglect the food of eternal life8 ,god or the world must be neglected at parting time1 for then is the time of trial4 ,to seek yourself in this life is to be lost2 and to be humble is to be exalted4 ,the epicure that delighteth in the dainties of this world1 little thinketh that those very creatures will one day witness against him4 ,,on ,,suffering4 ,it is not every suffering that makes a man a martyr2 but suffering for the ,word of ,god after a right manner2 that is1 not only for righteousness1 but for righteousness' sake2 not only for truth1 but out of love to truth2 not only for ,god's ,word1 but according to it3 to wit1 in that holy1 humble1 meek manner1 as the ,word of ,god requireth4 ,it is a rare thing to suffer aright1 and to have my spirit in suffering bent against ,god's enemy1 sin4 ,sin in doctrine1 sin in worship1 sin in life1 and sin in conversation4 ,neither the devil1 nor men of the world1 can kill thy righteousness1 or love to it1 but by thy own hand2 or separate that and thee asunder1 without thy own act4 ,nor will he that doth indeed suffer for the sake of it1 or out of love he bears thereto1 be tempted to exchange it for the good will of the whole world4 ,i have often thought that the best of ,christians are found in the worst times3 and ,i have thought again1 that one reason why we are not better is1 because ,god purges us no more4 ,noah and ,lot1 who so holy as they in the time of their afflictions6 and yet1 who so idle as they in the time of their prosperity8 ,,of ,,death ,,and ,,judgment4 ,as the devil labours by all means to keep out other things that are good1 so to keep out of the heart as much as in him lies1 the thoughts of passing out of this life into another world2 for he knows if he can but keep them from the serious thoughts of death1 he shall the more easily keep them in their sins4 ,nothing will make us more earnest in working out the work of our salvation than a frequent meditation of mortality2 nothing hath a greater influence for the taking off our hearts from vanities1 and for the begetting in us desires for holiness4 ,o6 sinner1 what a condition wilt thou fall into when thou departest the world2 if thou depart unconverted1 thou hadst better have been smothered the first hour thou wast born2 thou hadst better have been plucked one limb from the other2 thou hadst better have been made a dog1 a toad1 a serpent1 than to die unconverted2 and this thou wilt find true if thou repent not4 ,a man would be counted a fool to slight a judge before whom he is to have a trial of his whole estate4 ,the trial we are to have before ,god is of otherwise importance2 it concerns our eternal happiness or misery1 and yet dare we affront him4 ,the only way for us to escape that terrible judgment is to be often passing a sentence of condemnation upon ourselves here4 ,when the sound of the trumpet shall be heard1 which shall summon the dead to appear before the tribunal of ,god1 the righteous shall hasten out of their graves with joy to meet their ,redeemer in the clouds2 others shall call to the mountains and hills to fall upon them1 to cover them from the sight of their judge2 let us1 therefore1 in time be posing ourselves which of the two we shall be4 ,,of ,,the ,,joys ,,of ,,heaven4 ,there is no good in this life but what is mingled with some evil3 honours perplex1 riches disquiet1 and pleasures ruin health4 ,but in heaven we shall find blessings in their purity1 without any ingredient to imbitter2 with everything to sweeten it4 ,o6 who is able to conceive the inexpressible1 inconceivable joys that are there6 ,none but they who have tasted of them4 ,lord1 help us to put such a value upon them here1 that in order to prepare ourselves for them1 we may be willing to forego the loss of all those deluding pleasures here4 ,how will the heavens echo for joy1 when the bride1 the ,lamb's wife1 shall come to dwell with her husband for ever6 ,christ is the desire of nations1 the joy of angels1 the delight of the ,father2 what solace then must the soul be filled with1 that hath the possession of him to all eternity6 ,o6 what acclamations of joy will there be1 when all the children of ,god shall meet together1 without fear of being disturbed by the anti-,christian and ,cainish brood4 ,is there not a time coming when the godly may ask the wicked1 what profit they have in their pleasure8 what comfort in their greatness8 and what fruit in all their labour8 ,if you would be better satisfied what the beatifical vision means1 my request is1 that you would live holily and go and see4 ,,of ,,the ,,torments ,,of ,,hell4 ,heaven and salvation is not surely more promised to the godly1 than hell and damnation is threatened to1 and shall be executed on1 the wicked4 ,oh6 who knows the power of ,god's wrath8 ,none but damned ones4 ,sinners' company are the devil and his angels1 tormented in everlasting fire with a curse4 ,hell would be a kind of paradise1 if it were no worse than the worst of this world4 ,as different as grief is from joy1 as torment from rest1 as terror from peace2 so different is the state of sinners from that of saints in the world to come4