Godly Fear

Chapter 1

V. Lastly; How should we improve this Holy Fear.

Reader, The following Sermons, though set together into one Treatise, were preached upon divers. Texts of Scripture; and therefore thou wilt the -- 4 of 309 -- better bear it, if thou find not that exactness of Method,

Chapter 2

1. What that Fear is to which Blessedness is pronounced.

There is a Fear that is our weakness; As, 1. the Fear of the faint- hearted, a natural pusillanimity or cowardice; there are such weak Spirits in whom every little danger, or but the shadow of a danger, shakes their Hear

Chapter 3

1. There is Understanding in it. Psal. 111.10. The fear of God is the

beginning of Wisdom; a good Understanding have they that do it. They are wise and understanding Men that Fear. As we Love not, so neither do we Fear, but whom or what we have some apprehension of; our Affections follow o

Chapter 4

1. Ignorance is the reason why we fear what we should not. How is it

that there is so much Fear of Men in the World? Why, it is, because we understand them not; what a vain thing, what a weak thing they are, how short their power is, and how little 'tis that Man can do. Did we know more,

Chapter 5

2. Men's Ignorance is the reason why they fear not what they should

fear. Why is it that the ungodly fear not Sin? O it's because they know it not. Psal. 14.4. Have the workers of Iniquity no knowledge? Sure enough they have none, for they eat up my People as they eat Bread; -- 10 of 30

Chapter 6

2. There is Faith in this Fear. It is but little that we can see of the evil

of Sin; our understandings at the best have much dimness upon them; the weakness of our sight is helped out by Faith. Faith helps us to see with God's Eyes, it looks on all things as God looks on them. The Lord hath told

Chapter 7

3. There is Love in it. This Fear hath love lying in the bottom of it,

from whence it arises; both the love of God and goodness, and that -- 13 of 309 -- natural and innocent self-love which God hath planted in us, and it is not our Sin but our Duty to maintain. There is a Fear concerning

Chapter 8

1. To be an Evil, a corruptive Evil, that will defile and pollute the

-- 15 of 309 -- Soul; a destructive Evil, that will undo and destroy it. 2. To be an evil hardly to be escaped. It sees the Soul to be in danger of it every day and every hour; Evil as Evil, is not the Object of Fear, b

Chapter 9

5. There is foresight in it. Fear is of future Evil, apprehended to be

coming on; Prov. 22.3. A prudent Man foreseeth the Evil. This prudent Man is the very same with this fearing Man, as appears by the next words, [and hideth himself] 'tis Fear that makes Men hide. A bold Sinner is blind a

Chapter 10

6. It hath forecast in it. Fear will make to beware, 'twill put us to our

shifts, 'twill set us a considering, and contriving, and casting about, how we may best escape the danger we are in. Fear hath care going along with it, 2 Cor. 7.11. The Fearless ones, are the careless and the heedless o

Chapter 11

1. Sufficiency. He that is in want is in misery; whatever he hath, how

greatly soever he abounds; yet if he hath not all that he needs, yea, all that he desires; In the fullness of his Sufficiency he is in straits, The pain of what he desires and hath not, imbitters the pleasures of what he

Chapter 12

2. Security. What we have today, may be lost tomorrow. He that hath

most, and holds it by such an uncertain Tenure, is so far from finding rest in what he hath, that he may be in greater perplexity than he that hath nothing. Therefore can there be no happiness in anything under the Sun;

Chapter 13

1. He hath a sufficiency. This Fear, as appears from what hath been

spoken, is a Religious Fear; the Fear of God is sometimes taken for all Religion; here only for one particular Branch of it, yet such as -- 25 of 309 -- argues the Truth of Religion, and entitles the Soul to the whole

Chapter 14

2. He hath Security. All that he hath is in safety. He that hath most,

and is in danger of losing all, as (I said before) is in greater perplexity than he that hath nothing to lose. The Poor Man sleeps in more quiet than he that hath his House full of Treasure, if he be in danger of the Rob

Chapter 15

1. The Matters wherein his Happiness lies are sure. The Mercies of

God are sure Mercies, that will neither fade away, nor can be taken away. If there be uncertainty in what a Christian hath of this World, he is well enough notwithstanding; these are not his Happiness, he may be as happy

Chapter 16

2. His very Fear is a means to keep what he hath in safety. Jer. 32.40.

I will put my Fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me. Though when God hath hold of us, he will never lose his hold; yet he holds us by certain Cords, which should they break or give off, we should certai

Chapter 17

1. Rashness, Hastiness or Headiness in our way. Fear will make Men

consider. 'Twas good Counsel which the Town-Clerk gave in the Tumult, Acts 19.36. that they did nothing rashly; Eccles. 5.2. Be not rash with thy Mouth, neither let thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God. The Ap

Chapter 18

2. Audacity, or fool-hardiness, or mad venturousness upon known

dangers. This is of kin to rashness, but is not the same. It is the other extreme to Cowardice; the mean betwixt both is Fortitude. The Fear we are now treating of, is not opposite to Fortitude as Cowardice is;'tis not f

Chapter 19

3. Security, Carnal Security. Security is often taken for Safety. To

have our Estates, or our Peace, or our Souls secured, is the same as to have them all in safety. Job 11.14, 15. If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, then shalt thou be secure, because there is hope, and thou sh

Chapter 20

1. Far from our Reins; That is, from our Thoughts and Consideration;

as Jer. 12.2. Thou art near in their Mouth, and far from their Reins. Thou art much spoken of, but little thought on. Thus Men put the Evil Day far off, when they do not think of such a day; it's out of sight and out of

Chapter 21

2. Men put the Evil Day far from their Loins. That is, though they do

think of the Judgments of God, and as such, as both may overtake them, and if they fall, will fall heavy upon them, and grind them to Pouder; yet they count 'twill be a great while first, there may be time enough to prev

Chapter 22

1. One Reason why Men Fear not, is their Ignorance. This I have

spoken some-what of before, and shall therefore speak the less now. Blind Men have most cause of Fear of any Men; if they stand upon never so safe ground, yet for ought they know, danger may be near. If danger be never s

Chapter 23

2. Another Reason why Men Fear not, is their Unbelief. The Belief of

a God, as it will make good Men Hope, so it will make evil Men Fear. He that believeth that God is, can hardly but believe that he is the Rewarder of the Righteous and the Sinner. If there be a God, there is a Judge; He

Chapter 24

3. Another Reason why Men Fear not, is their Presumption. As Men's

Unbelief, so some Men's Belief is the Reason why they do not Fear. Presumption is Belief without a Bottom, a House built upon the Sand, a Spider's Web spun out of their own Hearts; strong confidence founded on the weakne

Chapter 25

1. There is a Presumption of the goodness of their present State. It is

some Men's unhappiness, that they believe themselves to be happy; their great danger, that they believe themselves to be out of danger. Some Unbelievers, and impenitent Sinners, take themselves to be Believers and Conver

Chapter 26

1. Illumination; the enlightening of the Mind, the opening of Sinners

eyes, and making their Sin, and the danger that it exposes to, known unto them; the convincing Spirit brings the Commandment before them, by which is the knowledge of Sin, Rom. 7.7. and verse. 9. When the Commandment cam

Chapter 27

2. Redargution. The Spirit of God not only shows what Sin is, and

what a fearful thing it is to be under Sin, but withal proves and demonstrates to Sinners, whatever their confidence hath been of the contrary, that they are under Sin; when the Commandment hath -- 54 of 309 -- done it

Chapter 28

3. Consternation. Now the bold Sinner is knocked in the Head and

laid on his back; now his old hopes give up the Ghost, and Fear and Astonishment take hold upon him. This Convincing Spirit, is the same which is called the Spirit of Bondage working Fear, Rom. 8.15. And when he is thus

Chapter 29

1. Dread Presumption more than ever thou dreadedst Conviction.

Every hard word, every close word from a Minister of Christ, how do Sinners shun it, and hide themselves as much as they can from it? Fear the fair speeches and smooth words that thy false heart speaks to thee, more than

Chapter 30

1. Give heed to, and improve the convincing Word. Heb. 4.12. The

Word of God is quick powerful, and sharper than a two-edged Sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of the Soul and Spirit, of the Joints and Marrow, and is a discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart. But as qu

Chapter 31

2. Pray for the Convincing Spirit. The Word without the Spirit can do

nothing, neither convince nor comfort thee: When God sent a Word into the World, he sent his Spirit along with it to make it prosper. He was promised to be sent to this very end, amongst others, to Convince the World of

Chapter 32

3. Receive and retain the convincing Word, when it comes. Do not

pray, Lord speak, and then turn away the Ear; Lord come in, and then shut the door against him; pray for the Holy Ghost, and then see, that you resist not the Holy Ghost. What the Apostle advises concerning the word of E

Chapter 33

1. But hast thou examined the grounds of thy Confidence, whether

they be sound or not? Hast thou put thy Faith to the Trial, whether it be indeed the Faith of God's Elect? What enquiry hast thou made into that change that is made upon thee? Thou mayest examine, and yet be unsound. Exa

Chapter 34

2. Dost thou never suspect thyself to be unsound? Does thine Heart

never shake? Art thou not sometimes afraid, lest thy Confidence should deceive thee, lest all thy Hopes and thy Joys should prove a Delusion? Thy very being without Fear, is ground enough to make thee afraid. -- 61 of 3

Chapter 35

1. They may be mistaken in Faith, and count that to be Saving-Faith

which is not so. That definition of Faith given by some Antinomians, That it is a believing that we are justified and shall be saved, hath doubtless deceived many. For, -- 62 of 309 --

Chapter 36

1. If this be Saving-Faith, then one of these absurdities will

unavoidably follow; either that all Men are not bound to believe, with a Saving-Faith, or that some Men are bound to believe a lie. Is there any Man, to whom the Gospel is Preached, that is not bound to believe in Christ

Chapter 37

2. If this be Saving-Faith, then happy are multitudes of the ungodly

World. Who more confident that they shall be saved, than many ignorant and impenitent Sinners, amongst whom the first and most difficult Work of the Ministry lies in this, to break down their vain Confidence? Much of our

Chapter 38

2. Although they have the true Notion of Faith, yet they may be

mistaken in themselves. They may think they have it when they have it not. There are not a few, amongst those that profess Religion, who understand aright what Faith is, what a real Work of Grace means, and wherein the T

Chapter 39

2. There is a Presumption on future Mercy, how bad soever Men's

present condition be. There are some self-condemned Persons the Die of whose Sins is so deep, that it cannot be varnished over, nor hid from their own eyes; their Consciences pass Sentence upon them for Hypocrites and Un

Chapter 40

1. They make the Scriptures a lie. Thou doubtest not but that thou

shalt be saved; But what art thou? It may be thou art an ignorant Soul all this while, one that knowest not God nor his Gospel. But -- 71 of 309 -- what says the Scriptures of such? Look into Job 18.21. Surely such are

Chapter 41

2. They make Christ to do the Work of the Devil, to help to fill the

World with wickedness. Whilst God sent Christ to destroy, these make him to do, the Works of the Devil. They make the Savior of Sinners, to be the Minister of Sin; they make him not only a Friend of Sinners, but a Friend

Chapter 42

1. We have reason to Fear because of our Ignorance. Men's Ignorance

is the reason why they Fear not, (as before) and yet it's a great reason why they should Fear. Who have so great reason to fear as the Blind? Every Bush may be a Thief, every Sheep may be a Wolf, every Lamb may be a Lion

Chapter 43

1. We know not our way. John 12.35. He that walketh in darkness,

knoweth not whither he goeth. Whither art thou bound Soul? Thou art a Traveler, but to what City, to what Country art thou travelling? O, I am going to Canaan, to the New Jerusalem, I am travelling Heavenwards. But dost

Chapter 44

2. By reason of Ignorance, we know not the dangers in our way. If we

have some apprehension that the way is dangerous, yet we know not in particular where the danger lies, and so, ere we are aware, may fall into it. Some young Travelers, though they be told they be going a dangerous Road,

Chapter 45

2. Another reason why we should Fear is, because of the

deceitfulness of our Hearts. Whatever our dangers are from without, whatever designs or devices the Devil or the World have against us, yet if all were true within us, if our Hearts were true to us, our hazard were not s

Chapter 46

2. In its Subtilty. It is a crafty Heart, it hath many plots and devices

to deceive; Prov. 19.21. There are many devices in Man's Heart. It hath much of the Devil in it; not only of the falsehood of the Devil, (as before); It is a lying Spirit; nor only of the uncleanness of the Devil, this a

Chapter 47

1. God cannot be deceived; He is the searcher of the Heart, Jer. 17.10.

he knows what is in Man, better than the Spirit that is in him. God is greater than our Hearts, and knoweth all things. Our Hearts can tell us more of ourselves, than all the World can tell us; but God can tell us more o

Chapter 48

2. If they deceive Men, it is not so greatly considerable. Though that

may be our wickedness too. If we hide ourselves from others, if we be better, or if we be worst than they apprehend us to be, there is not so -- 85 of 309 -- much in that. The Heart is cunning at this also in deceiving

Chapter 49

1. Men's Hearts deceive them, about matters past, in their self-

reflections and reckonings. It may be sometimes an eye may be cast back upon what is past, and such a word may be heard within, Soul, what hast thou done? How hast thou lived all thy time hitherto? What Evil hast thou do

Chapter 50

2. Men's Hearts deceive them about Matters present, or in their

judgment of their present states. What art thou? A Child of God, or a Child of the Devil? A Believer, or an Unbeliever? A sound Believer, or a Hypocrite? Men's hearts will be civil with them, and give them good language;

Chapter 51

3. About Matters to come. If the case be so plain, that the

naughtiness of the Life past, and the unsoundness of the present state cannot be hid, then the Heart promises better things de futuro. I will look better to it hereafter, though I cannot at present, yet after a while I m

Chapter 52

2. By what will our Hearts deceive us? By anything in the World;

there's nothing comes a-miss to them, but some evil use or other they can make of it, either to entice to Sin, or to harden against Repentance, or to lay asleep in Security, or to build us up in Presumption. The Heart is

Chapter 53

3. Of what may our Hearts deceive us? Even of all we have. Of what

did our first Parents Hearts deceive them? Of their Portion in God, and their place in Paradise. Of what did Esau's Heart deceive him? Of his Birth-right and the Blessing. Of what did Samson's Heart deceive him? Of his L

Chapter 54

3. Another reason why we should Fear, is, because of the weight and

importance of that work which we have to do in the World. What is -- 97 of 309 -- our Work here? Wherefore are we born, and live upon this Earth? 'It is to serve the Lord in the saving of our Souls. The Lord that made

Chapter 55

4. Another Reason why we should Fear, is, because of the great

Treasure we carry about with us, whither-ever we go. Christians are Travelers, and they travel with charge about them. This World is a dangerous World, the Passengers through it are in danger of falling among Thieves, wh

Chapter 56

1. Hast thou nothing to lose? Thou hast the more to get. Art thou

content to be thus poor forever? Hitherto thou hast no Grace, thou hast no part in Christ, nor the Salvation of God; but what if thou shouldst never have? That which hath kept thee from Christ hitherto, and so wholly voi

Chapter 57

1. Thou hast a day of Grace to lose. Though thou hast no Grace, yet

thou hast a day of Grace; thou art yet under the means; thou art yet in a possibility of Grace, as wretched as thy state is, it is not desperate. The Word is nigh thee, the Door of Mercy is yet open; Behold the Lord stan

Chapter 58

2. Thou hast a Soul to lose. As poor as thou art, thou hast yet that

which is more worth than all the World; Matth. 16.26. Thou dost not know the price of a Soul, who sayest, Thou hast nothing to lose. Sinners value their Souls at a low rate, 'tis the cheapest pennyworth that the Devil ca

Chapter 59

1. Fear your Delilah's, or your beloved Sins. You have reason to fear

every Sin, greater Sins, smaller Sins, common and ordinary Sins, strange and unaccustomed Sins; there's no Sin so gross, but it may be thy Sin; and there's no Sin so small, but it may be thy undoing; there's no Sin so gr

Chapter 60

1. The Beloved Sin hath easy entrance. The Apostle calls it, Heb. 12.1.

The Sin that doth easily beset us. It lays Siege to the Soul, and it hath an easy Siege of it; it lies not long without the Walls, the Gates are quickly thrown open to it; whenever it comes to the Door, 'tis usually let

Chapter 61

2. It hath the command of all. The Beloved-Sin is the Master-Sin; 'tis

by love that Sin rules; whatever hath gotten thy love, hath therein gotten the dominion in thee. Lovest thou God? Then at his command thou art. Lovest thou Sin? Then this becomes thy Lord, thou wilt deny or keep back not

Chapter 62

3. It must have no check nor control. The Beloved must dwell in

quiet, do what I will, and none must say to it, What dost thou? Like that Fondling Adonijah, of whom 'tis said, 1 Kings 1.6. His Father had not displeased him at any time, nor said, Why hast thou done so? The Darling mus

Chapter 63

4. It's the last that's parted with. Reuben shall go, and Simeon shall

go, and Judah shall go; but must Benjamin go to? My Son shall not go down, said once old Israel, Gen. 42. this Pride let it go, says the covetous Man, and this Sloth, and this Pleasure; but must this Mammon and my Heart

Chapter 64

5. It's often the parting penny, betwixt Christ and the Soul, betwixt

the Soul and Life. 'It is the last that's parted with, and sometimes 'twill never be parted with. Christ must go, and Life must go; the Soul must die, rather than this Sin not be saved alive. Doubtless there are Souls in

Chapter 65

2. Fear your Jezebels, or your painted Sins. An Enemy in a disguise is

the more to be feared, as his advantage against us is the greater. The Devil is a Painter, that can limn some of the foulest Vices into the form of Virtues. As he can put an ugly vizor upon goodness, and with this foolis

Chapter 66

3. Fear your Isaac's, any beloved or over loved Creature. Fear not

only the sins of thy love, but the Sons of thy love; the latter will be temptations to the former; thou mayest receive hurt from that which hath no hurt in it; an Innocent Child may be an Idol, and so may thine Husband,

Chapter 67

4. Fear the Cross, or Afflictions. You will say, this is strange counsel;

the Scripture give the quiet contrary; Fear none of those things which -- 130 of 309 -- thou shalt suffer, Rev. 2.10. Fear not them that kill the Body, Luk. 12.4. I shall therefore show,

Chapter 68

1. Not out of tenderness to our Bodies. 'It is this which makes us

shrink from, and shun the Cross, that it is such a trouble to our outward Man, that it puts it to so much pain and hardship. The Soul suffers not immediately by anything that Man can do unto us, but as it partakes in the

Chapter 69

1. The Intention of the Cross, is the Destruction of the Flesh.

Afflictions, as ill-favouredly as they look, come to us upon no ill intent; 'tis to save us from that which is worse. God delivers his People up to the Cross, to the same end for which the Church was to deliver up Offend

Chapter 70

3. The Flesh is no such Friend to us, that for its sake we should fear

the Cross. 'It is near us 'tis true, and cannot suffer, but we ourselves suffer and are pained in it; But so 'tis, with an Ulcer in the Body, 'tis in thine own Flesh, and whatever smart is felt, 'tis thou that feelest it

Chapter 71

1. Then save thyself that torment, by laying thine own hand upon

them. Prevent thy need of the Cross, by doing its Work thyself. Let it be thy daily Work, by Faith; by Prayer, by Watchfulness, by Self- denial, by Temperance, by Meditation, by Resolution, and such other gentle means, b

Chapter 72

2. Must they die an easy death? What, or else wilt thou not that they

die at all? Will it be so easy for thy Soul to die by their hand, that thou wilt rather venture on that, than a little present trouble? Shall thy right hand, or thy right foot, cast thee and carry thee to Hell, because i

Chapter 73

1. The Lord is his Peoples God. This is his Covenant with them; Jer.

30.22. I will be your God, and you shall be my People. Let us consider a little, what great support this Promise yields. I will be your God. What's the meaning of that? What is there in this more than everyone may lay cl

Chapter 74

2. None so well know this ordinarily, that the Lord is their God, as

his suffering People. It may be thou wilt say, Ah this word, this word, I am thine, what a good word is here? O were I but sure it were spoken to me, what then should I fear? Let the Lord but speak thus to [my] Soul, I w

Chapter 75

1. God doth often reveal himself in a Storm, who hid himself from us

in our Sunshine. Our days of Darkness, are often the times of Light and Love. Light from Above is most needed, and will be better accepted when 'tis darkest below. The hatred of the World, doth usually usher in the tidin

Chapter 76

2. The Sufferings of the Saints will be a Proof of their Sonship. Heb.

12.7. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with Sons. Our Sufferings for Christ, will be the evidence of our Sincerity to him. Prove that thou lovest Christ above all, and thou therein provest that God is thi

Chapter 77

1. Fear a surprisal by the Cross. Fear lest it should overtake you

unawares. The coming of the Lord to visit us, is never so terrible as it is, when 'tis as the coming of the Lord of that evil Servant to reckon with him; Luke 12.46. In a day that he looked not for him, in an hour that h

Chapter 78

1. Of Pride. As Men may be proud of their Grandeur in the World, so

also of their Poverty and Contempt. As we may be proud of our Virtues and Services, so also of our Sufferings. The Soldiers Wounds and Scars are his Glory and Boasting. It is an honor to suffer for Christ, and some of us

Chapter 79

2. Of a Fall. Afflictions (such I mean as befall us for the Gospel's

sake) are Temptations to Apostasy, and backsliding from Christ. Fear lest the Cross should be the parting point betwixt Christ and your Souls; lest it should be with you, as with his Disciples of old, who accompanied him

Chapter 80

5. Fear the Curse; or the Wrath and Everlasting Vengeance of God.

Luke 12.5. Fear him, which after he hath killed, hath power to cast into Hell. Fear not Man, for he can kill but once, when he hath killed the Body, he hath done his worst; but God can kill, and kill again; can -- 141 o

Chapter 81

1. To whom this warning was given thus to fear. And that is not to the

multitude of his Hearers only, whereof there was so great a throng that they trod one upon another, but especially to his Disciples. He began to say to his Disciples, first of all, v. 1. and I say unto you my Friends, v.

Chapter 82

3. What was the special matter of that fear he presses them to; and

that is, lest he that can do it, should do it, should actually cast them into Hell. And this must be so, otherwise there had been no force in the consideration of his Power, to work to this Fear; for they might have repl

Chapter 83

1. This fear of the Curse, will quicken our necessary fear of Sin. Yea,

and of all the temptations to it. Sin is the sting of Death, and this Death is the sting of Sin. How bitter would Sin taste, how ghastly would it look, were this Gall that lies in its Belly, this sting it carries in its

Chapter 84

2. The fear of the Curse, will much allay our sinful fear of the Cross.

The greater will swallow up the less. The torment of the Stone, will make us forget the aching of a Tooth. Who will fear the barking of a Dog, that hears the roaring of a Lion? Moses and Aaron's living Serpent, swallowed

Chapter 85

1. What the Curse of God is. It is called in Scripture, sometimes the

Wrath of God, sometimes the Fury of God, sometimes the Vengeance of God, and his Fiery Indignation. The Curse of God is properly his Will to punish and plague, and take vengeance on Sinners. You may call it, God's Ill Wi

Chapter 86

1. The Curse of God is revealed in the Word of God. Rom. 1.18. The

Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven, against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of Men. It is revealed from Heaven, that is, by the Law of God. The Law of God binds Sinners under the Curse of God, and declares to them

Chapter 87

1. In temporal Plagues. There is a Curse upon the Creatures, which

were made for their use; Gen. 3.17. Cursed is the ground for thy sake. The whole Earth, with all things therein, hath something of the Curse cleaving to it; whereupon though it still be useful, yet there is something in

Chapter 88

2. In Spiritual Evils inflicted upon the Souls of Sinners. The Curse of

God, not only falls upon their outward Man, but enters into their very Hearts, upon which the Lord most signally executes this Curse, by leaving Sinners, and giving them up to blindness of Mind, to a reprobate Mind, Rom.

Chapter 89

3. The Curse is pronounced in the last Judgment; in that terrible

Sentence; Matth. 25.41. Depart from me ye Cursed, into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. Now that, if it be possible, Sinners may be awakened out of sleep, and be wrought to this Fear, I shall a li

Chapter 90

4. The Curse is executed in full in the World to come. Mat. 25.46.

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment. Of this Sentence there will be, 1. no Repeal or Reversing, 'tis the final Sentence, and must be executed. 2. Nor will there be any Reprieve, but as the doom is past, a

Chapter 91

2. Unconverted Sinners are under the Curse. We are all by Nature

Children of Wrath, cursed Children, Ephes. 2.3. All the World is become guilty before God, Rom. 3.19. The whole World lieth in -- 156 of 309 -- wickedness, 1 Joh. 5.19. and he that lieth in wickedness, abideth in Death

Chapter 92

3. There is great danger he may never escape or be delivered from it.

If he never be Converted, he can never escape. The Devil shall as soon break Prison, and make an escape from Hell to Heaven, as thou who diest an Impenitent, canst escape falling into that Prison. Mat. 18.3. Except ye be

Chapter 93

1. Consider the multitudes of those that miscarry and die

Impenitents, to a very few that are Converted and Saved. The Scriptures tell us, That there are but few that shall be saved. The real Converts are but a little Flock; Luk. 12.32. Mat. 7.13, 14. Strait is the Gate, and na

Chapter 94

2. Consider the constant miscarriage and succeslesness, of all the

means that have been hitherto used for thy Conversion. This is not the first time thou hast been preached to; thou hast been warned of thy Sins, thou hast heard of Christ, and been persuaded to come into him long before

Chapter 95

1. If all that the Devil can do to hinder thee, will prevail, thou shalt

never be converted, nor escape the Wrath and Curse of God. The Devil is great with Sinners, he can rule them at pleasure; 2 Tim. 2.25. They are led captive by him at his Will. The Devil's Will is a Law to Sinners, and su

Chapter 96

1. The Interest of the Flesh is against thy Conversion. By the Flesh, I

mean corrupt Nature, called often Flesh in Scripture. Our carnal Minds, the Will of the Flesh, our fleshly Desires and Dispositions, and all the Lusts of it. This Flesh is concerned against God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Chapter 97

2. The Inclinations of the Flesh are against it. The Flesh hangs

towards Earth and Sin, and is contrary to God and Holiness. Rom. 8.5. Those that are after the Flesh, do mind, or savor, the things of the Flesh; and so do hang back from things Spiritual and Heavenly. What is this way o

Chapter 98

2. The Flesh hath great power with thee. In Sinners, the Flesh is the

great governing Principle; it bears rule in the whole Man. 'It is their Lord and their Law, and hence they are called, the Servants of Sin, Joh. 8.34. and said; to live after the Flesh, Rom. 8.13. Whatever wickedness is

Chapter 99

1. The Spirit of the World is against it. The whole World is of the

same Spirit, which the Scribes and Pharisees are said to be of, Mat. 23.13. They shut up the Kingdom of God against Men, and neither will enter in themselves, nor suffer those that are entering to go in. They are all of

Chapter 100

2. The Examples of the World are against it. How great is the power

of Example? The whole World is much governed by Examples. Laws can do little in comparison of what Examples can do. There is a great influence that good Examples often have upon Men's Minds and Manners. Therefore Christ

Chapter 101

3. Fear and Follow after.

Direction 1. Fear and Search. It will much help us to the understanding of our Work, if we could once get to an understanding of our state; to the understanding of our state, a search is necessary, and no such narrow sea

Chapter 102

1. By his Eye. Psal. 11.4. His Eye behold, his Eye-lids try the Children

of Men. Jer. 17.10. I the Lord search the Heart, I try the Reins. God searcheth not as Man searcheth, by enquiring into that which before was hid from him; his searching is no more but his beholding; he seeth the Heart,

Chapter 103

2. By his Hand; that is, by his Judgments and Chastisements, which

he sends forth to try them that dwell upon the Earth, Rev. 3.10. Zeph. 1.12. I will search Jerusalem with Candles. Every Arrow which God shoots, is a Candle to search out Men's Iniquities. When God sends a Sword, or Fami

Chapter 104

1. Fear lest there should not be, and search whether there be Truth

and Uprightness in thine Heart towards God; whether the Seed of God, his special Grace hath taken root in thee. The Ploughers have been ploughing, the Sowers have gone forth to sow, but what Seed hath there fallen upon m

Chapter 105

2. Others of you I fear there maybe, upon whom the Lord hath been

at work, but the Work is not yet brought thorough. Upon whom though the Plough hath entered and made some sign, yet it hath not gone deep enough; though the Thorns, some of them, are cut down, yet their Root remaineth; t

Chapter 106

1. There are preparations to Grace, that are not Grace. God usually

takes time, and leads Men on to Christ by degrees; we are not presently Converts, as soon as we cease to Bedlams. There may be awakenings of sleepy Souls, there may be enlightening's of dark Souls, there may be shakings

Chapter 107

2. There may be a good Opinion of Grace, where there is no Grace.

The Way of Christ may be right in your Eyes, and yet your Hearts not be upright in his Eyes. You may be persuaded in your Hearts concerning the Way of Godliness, that this is the Good Way, that this is the Right Way, and

Chapter 108

1. From the Self-evidencing Light of the Doctrine of Godliness. The

Doctrine of Christianity proves itself to be of God, by that Divine Light that shines forth in it, there is a stamp of Divinity imprinted upon it. Is God a Holy God? So is this Doctrine a Holy Doctrine. Is God a Merciful

Chapter 109

2. From the Convincing Lives of the Sincere Professors of

Christianity. I do not say, from the Lives of all Professors; some Professors of Christianity there are, who are not Christians. Some such there are amongst Professors, who are disorderly walkers, whose Ways are so evide

Chapter 110

3. From the Self-condemnation that all other ways carry in them. If

this be not the way of Life, there's none; if these be not the Servants of God, there are none such in the World. For where are they else to be found? Are the Ignorant, and the Earthly, and the Irreligious, are these the

Chapter 111

3. Sinners good Opinion of Godliness, may beget good Inclinations

towards it, and good wishes after it. Happy are those Souls that are in Christ, who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit; O that my Soul were among them, I could even find in mine Heart to be one of his Disciple

Chapter 112

4. Sinners good Opinions and good Inclinations, may bring forth

some ineffectual Attempts and Endeavors; they may set forth after Christ; their enlightened Minds may set their Hearts upon them, and cause them to fall a reasoning thus with themselves; If this be the good way, why shou

Chapter 113

2. There are Images of Grace, which are not Grace. There is a form of

Godliness which is not Godliness, 2 Tim. 3.5. An Image is not the same, an Image of a Man is not a Man, the Image of a Christian is not a Christian. The Image of Christ is a Christian, but the Image of a Christian is no

Chapter 114

3. There are some Properties of Gracious Persons, which are no

certain Evidences of Grace; but may be found also in Hypocrites. Nothing can evidence the Truth of Grace, but that which is so adequately proper to Saints, that it cannot be found in a Hypocrite. Whatever maybe found in

Chapter 115

1. Prayer. This is a property of a Sincere Christian, He is praying

Person. Behold be prayeth, 'twas said of Paul, when he was a young Convert, Acts 9.11. The whole Generation of the Saints, are called, Psal. 24.6. a Generation of Seekers; This is the Generation of them that seek thee. B

Chapter 116

3. Reforming the Life. 1 Cor. 6.11. Such were some of you; that is,

Drunkards, Revilers, Covetous, Fornicators, &c. but ye are washed. -- 185 of 309 -- Ye are now reformed Persons; and are there no reformed Hypocrites? Every Reformation is not Sanctification. 'It is a good sight to see

Chapter 117

4. There is no one Grace that is really so, if it be alone, that will put

us out of doubt concerning our state. There is no one Mark by which we can give a certain judgment of ourselves, without the concurrent testimony of other Marks with it. The Graces of God in us, must give mutual testimon

Chapter 118

5. Whatever you have, and yet all short of Saving-Grace, it may all go

quite back, and you may return to a worse estate than ever you were before. The unclean Spirit that is at present gone out, may return again, and thy latter end may be worse than thy beginning. Let us a little consider t

Chapter 119

1. When the Devil is gone out of any Person, he is never at rest till he

is gotten in again, either thither whence he went out, or into some other Habitation where he may do mischief. Like Children, like Father; as 'tis said of them, so 'tis much more true of him, he rests not but in doing mi

Chapter 120

2. The Devil loves to dwell where he may be at rest. That is, not from

Work (his Work is his rest) but from Resistance or Opposition. In carnal and unclean Hearts, the unclean Spirit may be at rest; there's nothing to disturb or give him disquiet. He may dwell at ease, and rule and domineer

Chapter 121

1. All are not Christ's Sheep, that are found in Sheeps Clothing; the

Devil hath some Goats in Christ's Fold. All are not Israel, that are of Israel, Rom. 9.6. And whilst it is really a question, whether thou be not one of the Devil's Goats, he does thee no harm, that puts thee in fear whe

Chapter 122

2. What's one Man's Meat, may be another Man's Poison; and what's

one Man's Poison, may be another Man's necessary Meat. All Christians are not of a like Spirit, and what's poison for some may be proper for others. Same poor, broken, melancholic Souls are all fears, and must have Comfo

Chapter 123

4. This Fear I am preaching to you, will lead you to the better and

surer hope. These Doubting's will be of great use to put us in the way of getting above our Doubts. As there is a Confidence which will end in terror, so there are Fears and Doubting's, the Fruit whereof will be Quietnes

Chapter 124

1. It will put hard to come to a certainty; nothing short will satisfy it.

Fear hath pain in it, the fearing Christian is in pain till his Doubts be resolved, and this pain will press him to make sure. He will be thankful for Probabilities, and will make the most of them; as a drowning Man will

Chapter 125

2. Fear will put us on close upon the narrowest search. It will not

take up with Reports or Opinions, but will search the Records, whence it may be like to get satisfactions. And there are two Books of Records that will be inquired after and looked into, the Book of the Scriptures, and t

Chapter 126

3. Fear will make Objections, and put in farther Questions. It's true,

he that is a New-Creature is in Christ; he that believeth and loveth and obeyeth the Lord, is born of God; and I find that there is something in me, that looks like the New-Creature, that looks like Faith and Love, &c. B

Chapter 127

26. Choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God, then

to enjoy the pleasures of Sin. —For he had respect to the recompense of reward. This was David's choice, Psal. 16.2.5. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, thou art my Lord. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritanc

Chapter 128

1. Our preferring of God above all things. Every man will choose the

best; that is, that which he judges best, and loves best. The reason of men's choice is, their liking that which they choose, better than that which they refuse. He that neglecting God, chooses this world for his portion

Chapter 129

2. Our choosing of God for our happiness, infers our being made like

unto God. Every man chooses for himself, according to his own heart. 'It is the heart that makes the choice, and it chooses that which is most suitable to it. The heart that chooses God, 'tis a sign, both that it likes G

Chapter 130

2. How may I know that I have sincerely chosen God? Here lies the

main doubt to be resolved. There be many that say, God is my portion, I have chosen him for my inheritance, and they think as they speak, and yet do but deceive themselves; I hope I have sincerely -- 200 of 309 -- chos

Chapter 131

1. If you have chosen God deliberately; if your choice be not in a

sudden fit, but be the result of the deepest consideration. Suddain bargains are often, as suddenly repented of. A light unadvised choice, is not like to hold, and while it holds, there's no great heed to be given to it.

Chapter 132

2. If you have chosen him absolutely, as that which you will stand to,

to the last, whatever inconveniencies may follow. When there are no ifs nor ands, no reserves in your heart, nor place lest for repentance. When your choice runs not, as Jacob's conditional vow, Gen. 28.20. -- 201 of 30

Chapter 133

13. I follow after, I reach forward, I press to the mark. Some vain

men persuade themselves, that they have chosen God, and yet -- 202 of 309 -- seldom or never look after, nor take any care to obtain, and make sure of him whom they have chosen; they choose God, but never follow God, n

Chapter 134

4. If you measure your [present] happiness, by the communications

of God to you, and the clearness of your title to him. He that hath chosen God for his happiness, look how much he possesses, and enjoys of God, and to what degree of clearness he is come, concerning his Evidences for He

Chapter 135

5. If you are willing and resolved to forsake all things for his sake.

God and this world, are proposed to our choice, and this is included, in the very nature of choosing, that one be taken and the other left; 'tis not choosing, to take both, one of the two must be parted with, or neither

Chapter 136

1. In esteem and affection; so as no longer to account or love

anything we have, as our portion and happiness. God will not allow us two portions, one for the Flesh, another for the Spirit; one for this world, another for the world to come; God will be all in both worlds. As we may

Chapter 137

2. In vote and resolution, to let all go at the good pleasure of God. To

forsake all, is to get the heart loose from all, to stand with a mind prepared, and ready to part with all whenever God will. To be able heartily to say, If God will have it so, I am willing to be poor, and every way as

Chapter 138

1. To suffer the loss of all, whenever it comes to be a case, that we

must either suffer or sin. Whoso hath sincerely chosen God, will -- 209 of 309 -- choose affliction rather than iniquity. Elihu, Job. 36.21. would prove Job to be a Hypocrite, by this, that he had chosen iniquity rathe

Chapter 139

2. To use all as God would have him. He that will not give an Alms,

will much less give himself for a Sacrifice; he that cannot spare his bread to the Lord, how will he spare his life? He that bestows and employs all that ever he hath, according as God by his ordinary providence, calls a

Chapter 140

2. An actual embracing of Christ, as he that shall bring us to God. 'It

is Christ alone that must bring us to that God whom we have chosen. 1 Pet. 3.18. Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. Joh 14.6. I am the way, the truth and the

Chapter 141

1. That our consent to Christ notes, our approving and good liking of

Christ. Therefore we read, that Peter in his Preaching Christ to the Jews, that he might Preach them to Christ; endeavors first, to gain their approbation of him; and that he might be approved of them, he tells them, tha

Chapter 142

2. Our consent to Christ, notes our accepting him. Approving is not

all, he may be approved and yet rejected, video meliora proboque &c. there are who approve the things that are excellent, and yet will not embrace them, Rom. 2.18. there must be an accepting of Christ, as well as an appr

Chapter 143

1. There is an assent to a Proposition. As to instance in that of the

Apostle, 1 Tim. 1.15. Christ came into the world to save Sinners. There may be an assent to this, that this is a true saying, and worthy of all acceptation, which is short of accepting. 'It is one thing to say, I believe

Chapter 144

2. There is a consent to a Proposal. Christ is not only declared in the

Gospel to be the Savior of Sinners, that chosen one, that mighty one, upon whom their help is laid, but there is an offer made, of this Jesus unto Sinners, who are all invited to look unto him, to come unto him -- 213 o

Chapter 145

3. A dedication, and giving up the Soul to Christ. The matter that is

to be consented to, is, not only that Christ be ours, but that we be his. Our consent that he should be ours, is our taking him, and our consent that we should be his, is our giving ourselves to him. It is said of the Ma

Chapter 146

1. The giving him the right of us. He hath indeed a right to us already,

whether we give ourselves to him or no; he hath bought us, and paid for us, we are his by purchase, 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price. And yet though we be his already, he -- 214 of 309 --

Chapter 147

2. The giving him the possession, and the use of us. Christians are

called the possession of Christ, Ephes. 1.14. the purchase and possession, and 'tis we ourselves that must put him into possession. Therefore are we required, to yield up ourselves to him, Rom. 6.13. to yield up ourselve

Chapter 148

3. A giving up ourselves to the practice of a Godly life.

That a Godly life is necessary, to prove the sincerity of our choice of God, and our close with Christ, is sufficiently evident from what hath -- 217 of 309 -- been said in the two former marks; now it remains, that I

Chapter 149

2. Interpretative, when we commit or live in any known sin, and

connive at ourselves in it; and though we do not peremptorily resolve, for continuing this liberty for it, yet neither do we resolve against it. Non-resolution against sin is the door left open to it; when we do not hate

Chapter 150

2. He that lives a Godly life, doth heartily resolve and endeavor,

never to allow himself in the neglect of any known duty. By duties I mean, not only those special acts of worship, Prayer, Hearing, &c. but all acts of obedience to the will of God; both those more general and complex Du

Chapter 151

2. Search what evils there are found in you. You that have made a

through proof of the grace of God in you, by what hath been already said, this part of the direction which yet remains, is intended, as to you, to humble you under, and make you more watchful against those evils which ye

Chapter 152

1. Fear and hide. When our first parents had sinned, and were afraid,

Gen. 3.7.8. They went and hid themselves, from the presence of God, among the trees of the garden. Its true, 'twas but a poor hiding place, that they found, there was never a tree in all the garden, that had shade enough

Chapter 153

1. Get your sins hid. Psal. 32.1. Blessed is he whose sin is covered.

There is a covering of sin, which proves a curse. Prov. 28.13. He that covereth his sin shall not prosper, there is a covering it, by not confessing it, or which is worse, by denying it. Gehazi's covering; a covering of

Chapter 154

2. There is a penitent opening of sin, and that is, by confessing it, and

condemning ourselves for it; and this is the opening, that is the way to hide it. Confession leads on to repentance, and repentance to remission, the confessing penitent carries his sin to Christ for a pardon, and that's

Chapter 155

1. A covering of ignorance; they know not sin to be sin, the blind see

not their own spots, and thereupon think there are no spots upon them; their darkness serves them for a covering Thou that sayest thine heart is clean, it may be 'tis for want of eyes, thou seest not what a heart it is,

Chapter 156

2. Oblivion, or their own forgetfulness, whilst men's sins are fresh in

their memory, they are sometimes afraid, but after a while, they are forgotten, and all buried in Oblivion. Thou a good Christian? Thou an honest man, and hast done no harm? Remember thyself, look to the days of old, cal

Chapter 157

3. Hardness of heart, some sinners can feel nothing; and they can see

nothing but what they feel. Nothing is evil with them, but what is -- 233 of 309 -- uneasy, nothing is sin, but what smarts. The Apostle tell us, Eph. 4.18.19. That men without understanding are past feeling, and sure

Chapter 158

4. Some hide their sins, in other men's greater sins, by looking on the

greater blazes of other men's sins, their own embers, that lie most under the ashes are not seen. If they can say with the Pharisee, I am not as other men, they will not see, but they are honest men, and no hurt found in

Chapter 159

5. Others will hide their sins in the Church, will take up some little

profession of religion, and make so much reformation, as will give them admission into a congregation of Christians, or it may be but into a sect or party, that call themselves Christians; to whom when they have once joi

Chapter 160

2. Get your souls hid; hid with Christ in God. I flee unto thee to hide

me, Psal. 143.9. I will trust in the covert of thy wings, Psal. 61.4. Christ will be no hiding place for your sins, unless your souls also take sanctuary in him. Get thee in to Christ; if thou be found in him, thy sin sh

Chapter 161

1. Cry unto him to take you in; to sprinkle you with his blood, which

alone will save you from his wrath, say, but with a better heart, and in a better sense, than they did, in the words of those Jews, Math. 27.25. His blood be upon us, and our children. There's a double sense, in which th

Chapter 162

2. The atonement of his blood be upon us.

'Twas in the first sense that those wicked Jews imprecated, his blood be upon us, let the guilt of his blood be upon us, let our own souls answer for the fact, of putting him to death. Beware sinners, that that precious

Chapter 163

4. There is in the crucifying of Christ, a putting him to death, and a

putting him to shame; the former they would do, and the latter they do, once and once again. What a shame was it, that his crucifiers cast upon him, in crying out, not this man but Barrabbas, Impenitent sinners do the li

Chapter 164

2. Consent to Christ, whilst he offers to take you in, you may know

what's to be done, to get in to Christ, by considering over that special mark which I have already given you, to prove your being in Christ. It is your consent, that will prove you to be in Christ, and the same which wil

Chapter 165

2. Fear and flee, the ordinary effect of fear is flight, and the reason of

flight is fear. There are three things in flight. 1. There is departure in it; be gone, get thee up out of this place said the Angels once to Lot, Gen. 19. 2. There is haste in it. Flight is a departure in haste. Haste t

Chapter 166

2. Flee out of thy state of sin, to say no more in this place to fright

thee to thy heels, know that thy state of sin is a state of bondage, Act. 8.23, thou art a mere bondslave to the devil and thy lusts. Dost thou not feel the chains on thy neck, & the fetters on thy feet? Art thou not mad

Chapter 167

2. As Israel out of Egypt, whatever difficulties be in the way; the

Mountains, the Red-Sea, the Wilderness, could not keep Israel to the brick-kilns. God will make a way through the Sea, through the most astonishing difficulties if you will venture to follow him out. Say not tis hard, sa

Chapter 168

3. Flee as men out of a house all on fire, or a sinking ship, in haste.

Say not 'twill be time enough tomorrow, or hereafter; the house burns, the beam is falling, the ship is sinking, away, away, e're it be too late. 'It is no time to stand delaying, 'tis no time to stand deliberating, Shal

Chapter 169

2. Flee the practice of Sin. Say not I am now in Christ, and my sin

shall never separate me from him. If Christ do not separate thee from thy sins, thy going on in them, will prove thee separate from Christ, Isa. 1.16. Put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do e

Chapter 170

1. Let your aim be at Sincerity, and be sure you take not up with

anything that's short of it. This, I take it, may fairly be accounted the sense of that counsel of Solomon, Prov. 23.23. Buy the Truth. The words may as well be rendered, Buy Truth, or Sincerity; get an upright heart, wh

Chapter 171

2. Take encouragement to seek Grace from the Promise of obtaining.

Matth. 7.7. Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you; for everyone that asketh receiveth, &c. Jam. 1.5. If any of you lack Wisdom, let him ask it of -- 254 of 309 -- G

Chapter 172

1. The Lord [giveth] He is not like to him that sets up himself above

God, Antichrist, who Sells all he has; God giveth, you shall have it freely, without money and without price, Isa. 55.1. 2. [To all men] to any man that asks, and asks aright, to the worst as well as the best. Those that

Chapter 173

1. If thou be so secure from condemnation as thou thinkest thou art,

yet thy Fear is one of those necessary Means by which thou must be preserved from it. As the Apostle saith concerning Faith, 1 Pet. 1.5. so may we say concerning Fear, We are kept by the mighty power of God [through Fear

Chapter 174

2. If thou be indeed secured from wrath, art thou secured from sin

also? Is there no fear that sin may hurt thee, though thou shouldst not die for it? Is there nothing to be feared but Hell? Is there no fear but that of a Slave? If thou be a Child of God, is there no fear of disingenuit

Chapter 175

1. Follow on the work of Mortification, in fear lest whatsoever wound

sin hath received, it should recover and get head again. Hast thou gotten it a little under? Make it as sure as thou canst, though thou hast gotten over Jordan, and hast set thy foot on the banks of Canaan, yet the Canaa

Chapter 176

1. Lay the Axe to the root of sin. When Christ appeared in the World,

to cut off impenitent sinners, it is expressed thus, Matth. 3.10. Now also is the Axe laid to the root of the tree; every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down. Sure enough the tree must down, when it is

Chapter 177

1. By the Word of Christ. Heb. 4.12. The Word of God is quick and

powerful, sharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, of the joints and marrow. It reaches to the inwards, and pierces the Entrails. Like the Lightning, it will melt the sw

Chapter 178

2. By the Blood or Death of Christ, Rom. 6.6. Our old man is

crucified with him. Ay, that's it that must do it; 'tis Christ crucified that must crucify sin. We read Mark 5.29. of a Woman, that had been many years afflicted with an issue of Blood, who by the influence of Christ, th

Chapter 179

2. The fountain of her blood was dried up by virtue issuing from

Christ. There went out virtue from him, 'tis said, upon which the woman was cured. Sin can never be slain but by virtue and influence from Christ: Therefore he is said to be a fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness,

Chapter 180

3. The virtue of Christ was received, and the cure wrought, by a touch

of the hem of his garment: that is, by the faith of the woman, who said, that is, who believed, If I may touch the hem of his garment, I shall be whole. Her faith was it which got out the virtue, as Christ himself afterw

Chapter 181

2. Put a knife to the throat of sin. My meaning is, cut it short of that

Provision that would feed and nourish it. The old man is given to -- 263 of 309 -- Appetite, and you know what the counsel is in that case, Prov. 23.2. Put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Loo

Chapter 182

3. Put a bridle on its Jaws. My meaning is, restrain it from its

acting's; if thou canst not prevent its conception, strangle it in the birth; if the fire be kindled within, yet give it no vent: allow not the lust of thine heart, the privilege of thy mouth, or the command of thine han

Chapter 183

4. Set thy foot on the neck of Sin. Have any of thy lusts fallen before

thee? Make them sure, tread them under thee, that they rise not up again; do not slight them as conquered enemies, which now thou needest no more to fear; those which are now under thy foot, if thou look not well to them

Chapter 184

1. As Nurses, By our cherishing and improving of it; the weeding of

the Garden, will be the thriving of the Flowers, but they must be nourished, as well as cleared of weeds; rotten weeds will be soil for -- 268 of 309 -- the Herbs, but they must be warmed and watered also, by the influ

Chapter 185

2. As Stewards. Keep what thou hast for use, our receiving duties are

for our returning duties: Get in, in order to laying out, and be faithful -- 270 of 309 -- in laying out well, whatever you have received. The Rivers must pay themselves as a tribute to the Ocean, from which they arise

Chapter 186

1. Power. Grace in the very being of it, includes power, 1 Cor. 4.20.

The Kingdom, or grace of God is not in word, but in power. Natural men have natural powers, but there is nothing of spiritual power in them; wishes and velleities they may have, after that which is really and spiritually

Chapter 187

2. Activity. An unactive spirit is next to impotence. Awaken from thy

lifeless reckless temper; put away sloth thou sluggard, wilt thou still be a drone? This drone hath a sting, thine own Soul will feel it, sooner or later, that thy sloth will sting thee to the heart. Christians, let it a

Chapter 188

3. Severity, or strict and painful holding ourselves to our rule.

Christians must be men of action, but they must not act wildly or loosely, and at all adventures, but their actions must be regular, they -- 278 of 309 -- must be punctual and strict to their rule. Christ's commands, s

Chapter 189

1. Fear to be offended at the severities of Religion. Blessed is he that

shall not be offended in me, Matth. 11.6. The fear of Christian strictness, is that which keeps back many a Soul from Christ. A Christian! Who that understands what 'tis to be a Christian, will ever be able to bear it? '

Chapter 190

2. Fear to baulk any of the severities of Religion. 'It is one thing to

say, (even in the heart) Good is the Word of the Lord, and another thing to submit cheerfully to it, when it comes to the pinch. By severity, I mean, not unreasonable roughness or rigor to ourselves, -- 280 of 309 -- t

Chapter 191

1. Severity in imposing upon ourselves; when we are not partial in

the Law, taking only Christ's easier words, and leaving out the harder, but do charge our whole duty upon ourselves; and when we do not deal too gently or remissly with ourselves, only telling our hearts, this is thy dut

Chapter 192

2. Severity in observing and performing our whole Duty. When we

are not only, not like the Scribes and Pharisees, Matth. 23.4. Who bind heavy burdens, and lay them on other men's shoulders, no nor such as bind heavy burdens for our own shoulders, and yet not touch them with one of ou

Chapter 193

3. Severity in reckoning. When we make every day a Judgment day,

and reckon with ourselves as God will reckon with us, strictly. God will bring every work to Judgment. Of every idle word men must give an account. Greater sins, smaller faults, our commissions, and our omissions, the ma

Chapter 194

4. Severity in censuring and judging ourselves for our sins and

failings. When we will not wink at our faults, no nor mince or excuse them, 'twas my oversight, or 'twas my weakness, but rebuke ourselves sharply, I have done foolishly, I have done naughtily, gathering up all the circu

Chapter 195

3. That you may not fear the severities of Religion, fear the severity of

Christ against Irreligion. Thou canst not bear the work of Righteousness, but how wilt thou bear the wages of Unrighteousness? If thou canst not be tied up so strait by the cords of his Discipline, how wilt thou endure t

Chapter 196

4. Simplicity. Severity may be in Hypocrisy; the Scribes and

Pharisees were severe, severe in their Fasts, disfiguring their faces, looking with sad and dejected countenances; severe in the observation of the Rites, Customs and Traditions of their Fathers, yea and of the Letter of

Chapter 197

1. Simplicity notes Heartiness in our Work; nothing is plain and

honest but that which is hearty, doing the Will of God from the heart, Ephes. 6.6. Ye have obeyed from the heart, Rom. 6.17. My Son give me thy heart, Prov. 23.26. What is it to give God the heart? This is one thing comp

Chapter 198

2. Singleness of heart. Singleness of heart notes, both plainness of

heart, without juggles and cheats, or pretensions of what is not intended, and oneness of heart (as I may so speak) that does not divide itself betwixt more Lord's than one, more Ends than one, but runs out one way; that

Chapter 199

5. Ingenuity, with good will doing Service, Ephes. 6.7. this good will

notes that good nature, which by grace we are wrought to, inclining and disposing, us to a more noble and free, to a more cheerful and -- 289 of 309 -- ready serving the Lord. An ingenuous Christian doth not only serve

Chapter 200

6. Spirituality. This and the former are twins, and grows up together.

How fit is the spiritual man, and how free will he be for spiritual work? The new man is a spiritual man; he is such from his birth, Joh. 3.6. that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit; but whilst he is a child, there i

Chapter 201

1. Religion hath its pleasures. You may remember, I have been

lashing and leading you on hitherto, at least within a step or two, by fear. And though your fears will now, in great part be left behind you, I would not yet leave you. That which follows, will be of this use to you, to

Chapter 202

2. The pleasures of Religion are the portion of the grown. They lie

deep, they are some of those deep things of God, which the Spirit of God will reveal, 2. Cor. 2.10. 'tis not everyone, that hath a little Religion, that is gotten down so deep, as its pleasure lies. It is with -- 295 of

Chapter 203

1. The pleasure of Sincerity. Sincerity hath such sweetness in it, as no

man knows but he that hath it; a stranger shall not intermeddle with this joy. This pleasure is not known by every Christian, that is sincere. Where is sincerity in every real Christian, but he hath little of the pleasur

Chapter 204

2. The pleasure of success. 'It is a comfort to see something coming

in; when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life; disappointment is distress. To ask and not to have, to sow and not to reap, to work and not to have to eat, to buy, and sell, and travail, and trade, and never to prosper

Chapter 205

3. The pleasure of Ease. Ease hath a pleasure in it; not only ease or

rest from our work, but ease in our work, when we can carry it on with ease; by how much the harder our work is in itself, by so much the greater pleasures will it be, when we can go easily through it. Christ tells us, M

Chapter 206

1. By making the burden of it lighter; by paring it, or taking off

something of it; a great yoke may be pared, and pared, till at length it come to be a little on. Thus Christ's yoke, will not be made easier; he will pare nothing off, he will not abate anything of his work; there's the

Chapter 207

1. Christ's yoke, is in this sense, easier than Moses' s yoke, there is an

abatement of the burden of Ceremonies, and legal Rites; that Law of the carnal Commandment, as 'tis called, Heb. 7.16. is vanished, and taken out of the way; no more of that chargeable service, of Sacrifices, no more Bul

Chapter 208

2. Though Christ requires the same duty of all, and imposes the same

things, and as much upon the weak as upon the strong, yet he will accept that of the weak, which he will not from the strong. Nothing less than perfection, is due from the weakest, but sincerity will be accepted, whateve

Chapter 209

2. By making the neck stronger. That's an easy yoke to a man, which

a Child is not able to wag. A laboring man that's weak and sickly, will find his ordinary work, to be too hard for him; when he recovers his strength, he can go through it with ease. Weak Christians, will ever find Chris

Chapter 210

3. By accustoming the neck to the yoke. The yoke at first putting on

wrings and galls, and wearies; those that are unaccustomed to the yoke, are impatient of the yoke, 'tis use that makes it easy. An Apprentice to a Trade, though at his first entrance, he do not half so much work as after

Chapter 211

4. The pleasure of Love. He that hath not felt pleasures in love, hath

not felt what 'tis to love. This is one of the great pleasures of Heaven, to love and to be beloved; to receive the over-flowing's of the divine love, and to feel our hearts emptying themselves and flowing forth in retur