CHAPTER 16: Their Miscarriages about the Promises.

 

 Much ungodliness is also evidenced in our miscarriages about the promises of the word. The promises being the great promoters of godliness in the world, not only as arguments to induce it, by showing how God will reward it, but likewise as principles of godliness, or the chief instrument whereby GOD makes souls partakers of the divine nature.

 

 1. How little do we believe the truth of the promises! How little do we believe that the SPIRIT of GOD and glory rests on them that suffer for CHRIST, and his Gospel! And that as tribulations abound for CHRIST, so shall consolations by him! Or that we shall have an hundred-fold advantage by any loss we sustain for CHRIST! All that fear of man; all that cowardice; all those tremblings of heart, that are upon us this day; all that enmity against the cross of CHRIST, which appears on the faces and hearts of men, are clear demonstrations how little the promises for the bearing up under suffering, for the deliverance out of suffering, or rewarding of suffering for CHRIST, are believed. We cannot set the promises against all crosses.

 

 2. How low is our esteem of the promises of God, of the great and faithful God, in comparison of what they are concerning the promises of honest and sufficient men! I appeal to thee, if the King should promise thee a thousand pounds per annum, whether it would not more rejoice thine heart, than the promises which GOD has made unto thee do With how few are the promises of GOD “exceeding great and precious!”

 

 3. How little do we admire at GOD's stooping so low, as to oblige himself in promise to such as we! GOD might have dealt with us by way of absolute sovereignty and dominion, imposing commands to do our duty, without adjoining any promise of reward. He, being our Creator, and” we his creatures, it is his great condescension to deal with us by way of promise, which is not only a signification of what he will do, but a laying a bond or obligation upon himself to do so and so. And yet how little are we in admiration!

 

 4. How little do we bless the LORD for those jewels that are wrapped up in the promises! For the fruit that hangs on this tree of life! This is the promise that he has promised us, even eternal life. A crown is promised “He shall receive a crown of life, which the LORD has promised to them that love him.” A kingdom is promised Hearken, my beloved brethren; “has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him” Yet how unthankful! This doubtless proceeds from our diffidence of the faithfulness of the Promiser, and therefore that shall be another question.

 

 5. How little do we rely upon GOD to make God his promises! How many think GOD the promiser, as changeable as themselves! Men in boats, being in constant motion upon the waters, are apt to fancy that the land and trees move, as they themselves do: so many Christians think, as oft as they fail, GOD will fail too. Who lays all the stress upon the faithfulness of him that has promised Do not we lean partly to our own endeavors, and the means we use, and so divide our dependences betwixt the promises of GOD and our own duties, to bring in pardons and peace

 

 6. Do not we eye promises without eyeing CHRIST Do not we dote upon the bracelets, but neglect the friend Do not some set a greater value on the promise than on CHRIST'S person Though the promises are only the crystal streams of that river of life, which proceedeth out of the throne of GOD and the Lamb; yet do not we make them the primary and not the secondary objects of faith Who look upon promises only as instruments, to bring CHRIST and the soul together

 

 7. How little do we wait until that God which is in the promises be given out to us! “Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive

 

the promise.” Sure, the vision is for an appointed time, and GOD would have us to wait, though it tarry; because it will not tarry beyond the time appointed by the wise

 

and faithful GOD. But though GOD never fail of his own time, yet he seldom comes to ours; and then we run into unbelief, if not impatiency of spirit. How oft do we antedate the promise, and set it a time before God's time! Patience has not its perfect work, so that if God save us out of our miseries, we shall not be able to say, “Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the LORD, we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” This limiting the Holy One of Israel, either as to means, (when we tie up the LORD to work by ways and causes of our own) or to days and hours of our own bold and impudent prescription, is no small provocation. “How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back, and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.” Some' will wait a month or two for the promise of pardon, that they may have peace in their consciences; but when they see nothing comes of their waiting, then there is no hope; why should I wait on the LORD any longer We allow time to the Physician to cure us; we yield, that he knows the fittest time to apply cordials; but we yield not so much to GOD; we would have the smarting plaster pulled off before the wound be healed whereas it is best for us to have it kept on. DAVID waited patiently; but so do not we: our hearts are not at rest, but we stagger like drunkards: we reel this way, and that way, but are not established; in this we are not confident, that God who has promised, cannot lie, and therefore will perform the word that is God forth from an unfeigned lip. We are too hasty in our desires, whereas Gob knows the fittest season for the promise to bring forth; we shall have it when the time is come; but we hasten the birth, and spoil the conception. The Prophet of old complains of some, that -they were of a hasty heart; whereas,” He that believeth, maketh not haste.” GOD defers, to put an edge on our desires, a value on what is promised, and to exercise our faith.

 

 8. How many have abused, rather than applied promises! How many abuse the mercy of God, so that even the promises become an occasion of stumbling, whilst they continue in sin, in hopes of pardon! We are not led by the sweetness of the promise to repentance; but rather harden our hearts, presuming of pardons on course from the GOD of grace. Many” continue to sin, that grace may, abound;” hence repentance is put off. The promises are not made a sanctuary, into which men fly from sin, but as a sanctuary to protect them in their sinful courses. Do not we eye promises, and yet hate commands Do not we mind temporal promises, with the neglect of spiritual, and therein disparage GOD, by setting a deeper value on earth than on heaven; on our back and bellies, than on GOD Do not we eye the promises that speak of mercy, and pass over those that lead to duty View with pleasure pardoning promises, but neglect the promises of sprinkling us with clean water, and that” sin shall not have dominion over us” We like it, that GOD should be our GOD; but we love not to be GOD's people. We take hold of promises, but we forget the condition: “If my people shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways.” Little is that minded by us which the Prophet speaks: “At what instant, I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the God wherewith I said I would benefit them.” We love promised mercies, but we overlook the preparatory duties of fasting, praying, repenting, and reforming our hearts and ways. GOD has linked `his promises and our seeking together.” Thus says the LORD GOD, I will yet for this be inquired of for the house of Israel to do it for them.” 

 

 But how many of us do either altogether neglect, or slothfully go about to perform, the condition of the promise Are not some of us altogether strangers to Faith, the condition of the whole Covenant of Grace We never gave ourselves unto the LORD, yet run away with the promises of forgiveness; though ignorant of the Mediator betwixt God and sinful creatures, though full of pride and high conceits of our own righteousness, yet we boast that ABRAHAM is our father; that the promises are ours. How do the promises of God make some slothful in the use of appointed means How formal in duties are we May it not be said of us, as of the image, There is somewhat wanting within Are not we silly doves, without heart Are not we bolstered up with the promises O these pillows under our heads make us slumbering virgins: all is well; God is merciful; but we do not sweat and get our living by labor; we strive not to “enter in at the strait gate.”

 

 9. How nice and curious are some in applying of promises! They take no pleasure in any promises, but such as they think no hand touched before their own. They neglect the plain, clear, open promises of the Gospel; and if any be more abstruse, and hard to be found out by an ordinary eye, they are greedily sucked in: they are only or mainly for mystical promises. Such think they are delighted with the Godness of the promise, whereas they are only pleased with the newness of it, or with their own invention, and that they can see farther into a mill-stone than another. I have known some of these, and I have seen what is become of them: their pride and affectation have led them also from the plain paths of holiness.

 

 1O. How many will not close with a promise, until the thing promised be found within them! Because their hearts are so corrupt, therefore they will not apply the promises of purifying the heart: whereas there is no way to get their corrupt hearts cleansed, but by laying hold on such promises,• and the longer they keep off the promise,' the worse it will be with them. There is no other way, but by this ark, to escape drowning; and the longer they wander in this wilderness, the more hard. it will be to enter into Canaan.

 

 11. Do not we pretend to eye the promises, and yet use indirect means to bring our devices to pass We have pretended to live the life of faith; but GOD knows what wicked (at least questionable) courses men have taken; how much evil has been done, that God may come. Have not we, to help God's promises to bring forth, turned out of GOD's way, offered violence to known laws, wronged conscience, forgotten all obligations upon us, regarded nothing that stood in our way of compassing -our designs

 

 12. How little do we examine the fruits of God's promises in our own souls! The a exceeding great and precious promises are given, that we might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust; that we might purify ourselves, even as God is pure.” But do we look for those ends to be attained by the promises in our souls Do we look not only for a change from looseness to civility, but a thorough sanctification in body, mind, and spirit Alas! which of us can say, cc Having these promises, we cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of GOD

 

CHAPTER 17:

 

Their Abuse of Providence.

 

 ABUSE of Providence is another branch of ungodliness. GOD is to be honored, not only as the chief God, and as the supreme truth and authority, but as the First Cause that gives being to all things; and therefore ordereth and disposes of all things as he pleases: but, O how is GOD dishonored by abusing his providence! The blind world are not only guilty, who do not acknowledge God at the other end of causes, as swaying all things by his wisdom and power, but set up an idol called Chance; but even professors, eminent professors of religion, are herein very guilty.

 

 1. How seldom do we observe God's providence! The finger of God is in all the creatures; not only we, but all creatures, “live, move, and have their being” from GOD, and in God. The whole course of nature moves as it is turned by the hand of God, and directed by his counsul; it is not with the work of God, as with the artificer's clock, which, put into a frame, and hanged with weights, will go, though the artificer be off from it; but though God set all creatures in frame, yet the motion of every wheel depends on God. There is not a drop of rain falls, “until God utter his voice, and cause the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth.” Yet how is God not minded! We see not his footsteps; he passeth this way and that, and we see him not. Our eyes are held to second causes: we look when the wind, or moon, will change, but we are so short sighted that we reach not God. How seldom do we consider, that though GOD'S providence doth deliver up his choicest friends into the hands of his and their enemies, yet doth it not deliver them up unto their will; they cannot do what they please, but only what pleases God. Such are still” engraven on the palms of his hands,” though turned over into the hands of the ungodly; they are God's favorites still, though the wicked say,” Persecute them, and take them, for God has forsaken them.” How little do we mind that our times are in God's hands; and that as SATAN is in a chain, so are his instruments. We fear men more than GOD. O when shall we hear that word of GOD,-" Say not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid: sanctify the LORD of Hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

 

 2. How little are we affected with the continual course of Providence, though it guards and keeps us every moment! The stars in their courses would fight against us; the sea would break in as a devorer; the beasts of the field would arm against us, if God did not check them, and bind them; yea, one man would eat up another, were it not for the LORD, who sets bounds to the rage of all the creatures. It is the eye of jealousy that is still wakeful for us; it is the LORD that”puts the hook into the nose,” and the bridle in the lips, of the Sennacheribs of the world; and yet how little are our hearts affected! How little are they comforted, how little do they cleave unto the LORD!

 

 On the contrary: How distrustful are we of GOD'S providence, in a time of seen dangers, though we are wonderfully delivered from invisible ones every day! Who can number the legions of devils So many deliverances hast thou by God's providence every moment; and yet how diffident are we upon all new imminent outward dangers! How little do we believe that GOD will bring in God to us, by such providences as are ungrateful to sense, to flesh and blood! Though nothing is more usual than God to take away some comforts, and lay in better comforts,;-to take away an Abel, and make it up in Seth;-to deprive Noah of the comforts of the whole world for a while, and then to wash it from its filthiness, and to deliver him the possession of it, with manifest proofs of his singular care of him and his family, whilst all the rest of the creatures perished in the waters;-to deprive Mary and Martha of their brother Lazarus, and to return him from the dead with advantage;-to deprive Job of his children and estate, to make his last days better than his first, and to give him” twice as much as he had before: “ yet how little can we trust Providence in such cases! How hardly were the disciples persuaded, that the absence of their LORD should be supplied in the SPIRIT! And yet, says CHRIST, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. CHRIST in his SPIRIT, dwelling in our hearts, is better than CHRIST in the flesh, dwelling in our houses.

 

 Nothing more usual with GOD than to make the loss of one comfort, the means of enjoying another with advantage, yea, with the advantage of the hundred fold: But, alas most fear they shall be losers by CIIRIST and for CHRIST. God seldom proceeds in a direct way to his ends, 1:e., in a right way to our apprehensions, in such a way as we would have him go in; but he leads us about, as he did Israel, and yet that was the right way indeed; though the means seem to oppose the end; yet he works to the praise of his name: He can write right by a crooked pen, and bring honey out of the carcase of the lion: But O, how little do we trust Providence when the means are not probable to effect our expected end Who believes there shall be light in the evening And that SARAH” shall have a posterity as the stars in the firmament for multitude, and as the sand on the sea-shore, which is innumerable” Who will think that the sun and the stars should bow to JOSEPH, when he lies in the pit, or is in the dungeon of the heathen King How unseemly is the behavior of many, if Providence thwarts them in taking away a child, an husband, an estate How discouraged and cast down are we, as if GOD in his Providence had pulled down that which he could never build again, or rooted up that which he could never plant again O how few believe that if God pull down their brick-houses, that he will build them again of hewn stones, and that if he consume their fir-trees, he will build again with cedars Whence is all our dejectedness under cross-providences, but from our not believing that all things are disposed by the wise and gracious Providence of GOD We believe not enough that the eyes of our loving Father run to and fro throughout the earth, to show himself marvelous for our help in a time of need and danger. Few can say,” GOD is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.

 

 Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Few believe that if the LORD be pleased to lay a great burden upon their shoulders, he will give great strength to bear it, and if he gives but little strength, he will surely proportion the burden to it. Whence are all our uproars of spirit, and disquietness of heart, but from our not trusting Providence When God is working desolation, did we see it his work, we would be still. DAVID was so, when provoked by SHIMEI. God has bid SHIMEI curse. ABISHAI was not so much concerned in the affront, as DAVID; but he sees not GOD in the lips of SHIRE!, and therefore his spirit is inflamed.

 

 All revenge in the hearts of men one against another may be attributed to man's blindness and injudicious view of things; they see not the wicked' to be God's sword to let out their corruption; they do not believe that God intends to pursue gracious designs by such instruments. How silent should we be, yea, how full of praises, if by an eye of faith we saw the end of GOD in all his Providences” Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I keep thy word: ““I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that then hast afflicted’ me in faithfulness. He - for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

 

 3. How oft have we made Providence an argument to justify our actions That because God doth not punish us, therefore he loves us and approves of our way Whereas the Scriptures and experience show, that there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in wickedness Sometimes GOD's not punishing, is the greatest punishment. JEROME observes, that GOD deals with us as parents with children, whilst there is any hope of reclaiming them, they are corrected; but otherwise they are let alone, to do as they list. Or, as Physicians continue their applications, whilst there is any hope of the patient's life; otherwise, they let them alone. How' do some bless themselves, that they never fasted and prayed as others, and yet they ride on horseback, whilst others go on foot, But what says the Scripture: DIVES had his God things here, and LAZARUS evil: DIVES fared, deliciously every day; his misery is reserved to hereafter: as LAZARUS’s comforts are reserved till death. 

 

 It is a considerable passage of a very learned man, in weakening the late position of some,’ that GOD had borne testimony to their cause, by the many victories which he had given them.'‘ This concluding of yours, will, by the same reason, infer that Christianity is not, and that Mahometanism is, true religion; because, when the Turks asserted one, and the Greek Church the other, and that difference begat a war betwixt them; the Turks were successful, and the Greek Church subdued; and so remains to this hour in that captivity.' Do not all things come alike to all And yet God men have been stumbled at these dispensations When they see the wicked walk on every side, (go where they please, and do what they please,) they are apt., either to doubt of God's Providence, whether He governs the world, or to call in question whether they have any relation to God's special care. But do not we know, that the child is oft beaten, whilst the servant or stranger is spared Do not we know, that”judgment begins at the house of GOD,” yea, and stays long there, and all that while the tents of ungodliness may be free They may wax old, and grow in wealth; their seed may be established. But all this they have with the curse of God.

 

 4.’ The more Providence has favored us, have not we the less rolled ourselves on the Covenant of Grace’ Has not God had the less of our dependance and faith Have not the promises lain more neglected So that God has been even necessitated to draw in his hand of bounty, that,’ when destitute, we may trust to him. The cisterns leak apace, that the fountain may be in great request.'

 

 5.’ How discontented are we to this day, with GOD'S providential administrations toward us' How do we prescribe to GOD Some would be richer than they are; others, more honorable: Some covet to be above others.

 

 We have bad memories, or else we cannot but remember how ill some of us improved our talents of power and honor when we had them. Is it reasonable that GOD should be charged for an hard master; for not entrusting ten talents in our hands, when we have been so unfaithful to our former allotments Jeshurun-like, we waxed fat, and never were more beast-like, than when we were in the greenest pastures. God would be charged even with indiscretion, if he should commit more talents again- to thee, till thou art humbled for thy former unfaithfulness.

 

 6.’How` do we take GOD's work out of his hands' How careful are many things, though we should be careful' in nothing Though we cannot add one cubit to our stature by all our cares; yet what solicitudes eat into our hearts, and cut them in twain We should serve Providence in the use of means, but should have nothing to do with the issues and- events- of the means we use, but leave them to God. That which is not under our power, should not be under our care. All things are ordered by the deliberate counsel' of GOD. “I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet' riches to men of understanding, nor yet. favor to men of skill, but time and chance happeneth to them all.”

 

 7. How- commonly do men neglect the Providence of GOD, and betake themselves to their own shifts, to extricate themselves from their miseries.' Is man wiser than GOD And yet men hope rather to help themselves by their, own wiles and endeavors, than by leaning to the Providence of God. O! how have men run to extraordinary courses to deliver themselves out of their miseries For this, God may” make our land desolate, and a perpetual hissing” of derision He may justly “scatter us as with an east wind before the enemy, and show us the back, and not the face, in the day- of our calamity.

 

 8. Have not we been partial in-viewing the Providence of GOD Have not we taken some one Providence, and fixed our eye' upon it so long, until our hearts have been even overwhelmed with sorrow But we have not viewed the Providences of GOD in their contexture, nor in their relation to gracious ends for our God. Some take more notice of smiling Providences than of frowning; of what in Providence makes for them, and their courses, than of what makes against them; but others take more notice of frowning Providences than of smiling; of what makes against them, than of what makes for them. In this we have shown ourselves fools; for “who is wise shall understand these things: “Who That is, few or none are such. And then there is an earnest wish or desire of the Prophet: " O that men were wise to understand these things.”“ The ways of the LORD are tight,” though, men think them not so.

 

CHAPTER 18:

 

Their Hypocrisy.

 

 HYPOCRISY is another piece of Ungodliness, which like leaven, has diffused itself far and wide. It is the greatest ungodliness that can be, to rob the LORD of his dominion over the conscience. GOD is not honored unless he be acknowledged as having the supreme authority, not only over the life, but the heart; and therefore his authority is never more undermined than by a mere form of godliness

 

 In how many has the tongue prayed, when not the heart These have been much in fasting and prayer, and thought themselves much wronged that they were not heard: But GOD gives them a reason: Ye shall not fast as ye do, to make your voice to be heard on high. The Hypocrite may lift up his voice strongly, and yet never be heard: His voice, for want of the heart therein, may never come up to GOD's dwelling-place. How many tell GOD, that they love him, yea, that they love him with all their hearts: whereas, they flatter GOD with their lips; they delight not in his presence; yea, all the while they are serving their turn on GOD Fain they would partake of GOD's bounty, of GOD'S protection, and GOD's pardons, but they love neither GOD nor his image: when GOD puts them to express their love by self-denial, then you shall see the graves to be full of rottenness; they hate” to spend and to be spent, for GOD.” How many tell GOD that they are troubled for offending him, when they are only troubled that he is displeasing them, and about to correct them for their abuses of him They will cry out in prayer, O my carelessness! But, alas! it is not sin, but the consequence of sin, that disturbs them. How will many tell GOD they fear him, and his judgments, when indeed they fear neither; witness their frothy, light spirits and conversation How will they tell GOD that all the world is but as a drop of a bucket in comparison of his majesty; and yet they fear the wrath of man more than the wrath of ALMIGHTY GOD How many will tell GOD that they are contented with all Ills will, and yet their hearts are full of inward risings against the Providence of GOD How many tell GOD they believe in him, trust to his mercy, depend on CHRIST, and all their cares are cast on CHRIST; when GOD knows their care and work, like bees, is to get honey to their hives: " they mind earthly things,” and are scraping the dust of the valleys to themselves, as if they thought it their wisdom rather to lean to their own providing, than to be beholden to the LORD How earnest are some in their cries to God for victory over sin; but secretly hate it not And doth it not appear in this, for that having directed their prayers to the LORD, they do not look up, to see whether the corruption be more mortified, and their love to it abated, yea or no

 

 How much Hypocrisy, has appeared in our declaimings against others' sins O t we must not suffer this; the house of GOD must be kept clean, it must not be made a den of thieves, a cage of uncleanness: 

 

 And all this while their zeal is nothing but revenge; a secret grudge there is against the delinquent, and now that an advantage offereth, they will have their pennyworth out of him. How many are always finding faults, blaming Magistrates, Ministers, all but themselves This man wants courage, and another wants another grace; whilst they themselves want all grace, as being mere pieces of pagean try. How many whining Hypocrites have we, that will, in all companies, especially where Ministers are, be crying out against the baseness and treachery of their own hearts, and the wickedness of their own lives, and rest in their lazy complaints, but reform not

 

 How severe are some in their censures of sin in others as JUDAH against TAMAR: she must be burnt! Who will now suspect JUDAH to be unclean How ready have we been to judge and censure others, rather than ourselves To behold a mote in others, but not the beam in ourselves How many censure others for being- talkative, and therefore would impose silence upon others; because they have neither heart nor tongue themselves, to vindicate God, and to promote religion

 

 How many are full of persuasions of the love of God, and of the grace of God, and are yet ignorant of the first, principles of Christianity; neglectors of family-prayer, or closet-duties They think well of themselves, because, in their duties before men, they are devout and zealous; but in their closets they are straitened, and put the LORD off with a short collect. How many are neat and cleanly when walking in the view of others; but if you follow them home to their houses and chambers, how offensive, how foul are they How many are there whose religion lies in their face, habit, gesture; seem demure, humble, walk with their ’eyes looking downwards, bow with ABSALOM to the people, and yet their hearts full of pride and loftiness

 

 How has Hypocrisy followed thee from the corners of the streets to the very closet Thou hast shut thy door, as if thou wouldest shut out the world and devils, and there hast fallen asleep, or (which is as bad) parleyed with the Devil, and pampered thy lusts. Hypocrisy, like the frogs of Egypt, has crept into thy most secret retirements. How few can pretend to uniformity in their obedience How many will be ashamed, because they respect not all God's commandments! Still they clip the law; still some reserves; they will let go profaneness, so they may but reserve covetousness; they will pray and hear, so they may extort from their neighbor; or they will be strict to rules of justice and equity among men, but they will rob God of his honor. Some of them are punctual to a day, to a farthing; (blush, Reader, if thou art short of the hypocrite's stature;) but they will rob God of his due, of his due in the closet, and in the family too.

 

 How frequently do we hear some desiring to know the least measure of saving grace; and why Because they would sit down therewith. There is not a surer note of an unsound heart, than to be contented with the least degree of grace, and not to press forward.

 

 How generally do men hate to be examined about their state! This is a sure sign of a painted Christian. Paint will not endure the fire: hypocrites hate lancing ’and piercing work. How many continue in a course of religion, and yet their hearts are hardened more and more, and they know it, and yet will hardly consult with Ministers about their sad condition; or if they do, yet practise nothing more than before.

 

 O what a controversy has God with England for its great hypocrisy! We have called ourselves a the holy city,” and have” made mention of the GOD of Israel,” but”not in truth, not in righteousness.” Though you have passed for saints in the account of short-sighted men, yet you are but devils in CHRIST's account. Of all devils, none are so bad as the professing devil. O when will ye” put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” Believe it, if thou art a whited wall, God will smite thee. If you deny God your hearts, never expect his ear. Quails you may have, but with a vengeance, with leanness in your souls. That which God desireth and looketh for is,” truth in the inward parts.”

 

CHAPTER XIX.

 

Their Sabbath Sins.

 

 WHEN you remember the evil of your ways, of your ungodly ways, you may not omit your Sabbath-sins. GOD has appointed the Sabbath; he has sanctified it for special and entire communion with himself. The law of the Sabbath was given before the fall: but since the fall, this rest is of more absolute necessity, for that we cannot now apply our minds entirely to matters of so different a nature as heavenly and earthly things are. The Sabbath is many ways honorable: it was anciently set apart by God; it was written with God's own finger on the tables; God rained manna on that day; it is called an everlasting covenant, by way of eminency, as if nothing of GOD's covenant were kept., if this were not; yea, God puts a “Remember” on this day, and no other: “Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath Day.” If a friend sendeth to you, that he will come and solace himself in your company such a day, and tells you the set time when he will come, will he not take it ill if you neglect him then If you are full of employments, and other guests, and have no leisure to attend communion with him Thus says GOD,’ Remember such a time; I will set it apart on purpose to feast you; you are on other days clogged and cumbered with earthly affairs, so that I can have but broken communion with you; but pray remember to lay aside all other business, that I and you may freely converse together.” But instead of this, How little preparation do we make for the observing this day unto the LORD, though “Remember” be a watch-word of solemn preparation for it! ”Remember it,” think of it before it come, that thou may be ready to sanctify it, without any distraction by worldly business. Which of us dispatcheth his worldly business seasonably on the six days Nay, is it not a wicked custom to engross more business into our hands and hearts the day before, than on any other day of the week Do not greedy ones sit up later on Saturday night than any night Hereby their hearts are cumbered with the world, and their strength and spirits wasted and spent, so that they cannot with a free spirit wait upon GOD. Such is the reverence that is due to the solemn and public duties of devotion, that they require, not only a surcease from other works and thoughts for the time of the performance, but also a decent preparation beforehand; that we” look to our feet,” that so our thoughts and affections (which are naturally bent upon the world, and not easily withdrawn from it) may be raised to a disposition becoming the day. GOD alone knows how oft the Devil and our own hearts have entangled us with occasions on the Saturday, whereby our minds have been distracted on the Sabbath'; yea, have we not at times even secretly wished that the-Sabbath were over, or might be adjourned, that we might pursue some worldly design, which is obstructed by its interposal The Sabbath is the saint's market-day, or fairday. You know what preparations are made by worldlings for their days of gain: would to GOD we had learned wisdom from carnal men, so to prepare for the advantages to our souls we may reap upon God's day!

 

 How have we curtailed the Sabbath! Have not we risen later on the LORD's day than on any other And God sooner to bed on that day than on any other When will the Sabbath be God Do not we make it the shortest day of the week O if God had reserved all the days to himself save one, how diligent would you have been to take all the day to your worldly business! This is a clear evidence, that your minds are more on your profits and pleasures, than on the service of CHRIST.

 

 How lowering are our countenances, and bow lumpish and heavy are our hearts, in the beginning of a Sabbath, much more than upon any other day! Doth not this prove the day to be no way pleasing to us And how cheerful are some of us when the Sabbath is ended! The heart is not so well pleased all the day as then; yea, do not some cheat and delude themselves hereby, as if they had joy in the LORD, and had received comfort from the word, and other ordinances whereas they are glad that the yoke of ordinances, the burden of the word of the Lo RD, and the burden of the day of the Lo RD, are taken off their shoulders.

 

 How quieted are some when they have attended the public service! Do they, betwixt and after those solemn duties, refrain their lips from worldly talk, from impertinences, from such discourse as bears no proportion with the holiness of the day

 

How many neglect to doo all their works on the six days, though the Lo RD so expressly charges them so to do, that they may have a pretence of necessity to do much servile work on the Sabbath! How common is it to dress meat on the Sabbath, more than on any other day, when there is riot the least pretence of weakness! Hereby not only servants, but the whole house are too much in labor and distraction, and hindered, if not from the solemn assemblies, yet from family and closet-worship.

 

 How do many gossip, compliment, and feast away (abroad) the day of the LORD! Or else eat to excess at home, and thereby make themselves fitter for a bed than to wait in the sanctuary, to hear CHRIST'S voice, to meditate on his love, and to feed in his pleasant pastures.

 

 How careful are we to keep ourselves and ours from pilfering from our neighbor; but not from stealing from God his time: yea, are not some governors so ungodly and unmerciful, that they will allow their people no time but the Sabbath to recreate themselves from their labors If they need recreation, you have more time than God path reserved sure you should nut steal from GOD to pleasure them. In the discharge of the works of mercy to man and beast, do riot we respect more our own commodity, than the will of God, than the dispensation of God, and the creature's necessities Are these works of mercy attended with such spiritual meditations as they would afford us if our hearts were holy

 

 How few bless GOD for giving them one day wherein they may lighten their hearts of all worldly cares, and throw off all griefs and secular cumbers, and may seek relief and comfort in their GOD!

 

 Perhaps the master observes a day unto the LORD; but how careless is he that his sons and daughters, and all within his gate, honor the day of the LORD! Do not many governors of families let them sleep away the Sabbath, that they may be fitter for their drudgeries the following week O when will governors be as diligent that their servants and household serve the LORD, as that they serve themselves You have been careful that your work were done in the week, but careless whether Gore's work were done by them on the Sabbath; careless whether your servants profited by the Sabbath or no When will Gore's glory and the God of your people's souls be nearer to you than your worldly advantages You ask your servants what work they have done for you every day, and call them to frequent accounts for your gain's sake: and what! never reckon with them about their spiritual work O how little is the love of GOD in your hearts!

 

 How justly may God be angry with us, until be has consumed us, for our defiling the day of the LORD! It was GOD's law, that “every one that defileth it, should surely be put to death.” When the people were weary of the Sabbath, when they said, a When will the new moon be God, that we may sell corn; and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat The LORD swore by the excellency of JACOB, Surely I will not forget any of their works. Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwells therein I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation. Behold, the days come, says the LORD GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the word of the LORD. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the North even to the East; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lo RD, and shall not find it.”

 

CHAPTER 20: Their Miscarriages about Self-Exantination.

 

 THE more the LORD of heaven charges us with a duty, the more inexcusable are our neglects of it: There are few things more commanded, than to try our hearts and lives. We are apt to be strangers to ourselves, to cheat ourselves with vain hopes, to rest in notions; therefore “examine yourselves,” take an experimental knowledge of yourselves.

 

 We are apt to prove others, and censure them; therefore “prove yourselves: " begin at home, try your state, try your actions, bring your metal to the touchstone, see whether it be sound or counterfeit: try your faith, whether it be temporary or saving; prove your repentance, whether it be thorough or superficial; examine your love, whether it be sincere or hypocritical; and your obedience, whether it be universal or partial.” Know therefore, and consider in thy heart;” make a return or answer to thine heart” Commune with thine own heart;” hold intelligence with it: “Let a man examine himself: Let us search and try our ways.” But yet, notwithstanding these injunctions,

 

 1. How many are there that never set about this duty. They will pray and read, but will not be persuaded to look inward; they are as great strangers to their own, as to others' hearts. They are at no pains to try in what state they are: They will not try whether they are new-born or not; whether sanctified, or not; whether a saving change has past upon them, or not. They never examine what justification, and justifying and saving faith be and whether they are justified, and shall be saved; like a Gallio, little caring for these things: " They reexamine which way they may be greater in the world, but not how to prepare for eternity. You ask one another, What-news from navies, from armies, from court, from country; but when did you spend one hour, to ask your hearts this serious question O my soul! what will become of thee, when thou leavest this earthly tabernacle We travel any where, but where we should: We are better read in any book, than in the sealed book of our own hearts: we are not at all for a personal treaty with our own consciences; we are too much prying into other men's hearts, but our eyes turn not inward; we know not how it is with our souls, and what will become of them; and we have no mind to know such matters.

 

 As we commune not with our hearts about our states, so we do not commune with them about our actions, neither before nor after the doing them: Before we act, we do not advise with our consciences, whether what we be about to do, be lawful or unlawful; and if lawful, whether expedient or inexpedient: After we have acted, whether our actions be God or evil. How many are content, so the matter be God, but examine not themselves about the manner, principles, ends, and motives! Alas! how many wholly neglect this necessary duty! If all were like these, GOD might take up his old complaint, “No man cried out, what have I done” Or, O my heart! what has GOD done for thee!

 

 2. If we do examine our hearts, yet not by the word of the LORD. God would have us to try and prove ourselves; then there must be some measuring line, some standard, some rule, to try ourselves by; but herein we are hugely defective. We try ourselves by some sudden pangs, or by the God opinion of others concerning us, or by the lives of others, (we being in an hospital, where every one almost is lame and defective,) or by some other easy rule, that we ourselves frame unto ourselves, and so miserably cheat ourselves. O how loath are we, that the light of God's word should be let down into the dark cells of our hearts! How loath to try states or actions by the Scripture; though thereby they must be tried at the last clay. Ile is a God text-man, that compares Scripture with Scripture; and he is a God Christian, that compares the Scripture and his own heart together; that credits his own heart only, when it has the consent of the Prophets and Apostles.

 

 3. How superficial are many in examining themselves by the word! How few examine their state or their actions fully! Though our hearts be very great impostors, “deceitful above all things,” great supplanters, full of guile; though there be thousands and thousands of lusts that be hid in our hearts, and deceits, like the sands on the seashore, yet how carelessly do we set upon this work: We take no pains in it.

 

 4. How seldom are we in this work. Some defer it until a sacrament, and then perhaps the house is searched for the leaven; whereas we should keep a petty sessions in our hearts every day, and do what we can to know the bottom of the projects, devices, and workings of our hearts. When going to prayer, we should examine ourselves, whether we have clean hands and pure hearts; whether we are doubleminded: if so, there is no drawing nigh to GOD. And when we come off from the duty, we should confer with our hearts, what enlargements, quickenings, meltings, humblings, we had in the duty; what promises, what threats, were applied by the SPIRIT; whether we saw the face of our Beloved, or not When going to a sermon, we should examine in what posture we are to meet with GOD: what oil we want, that we'may be supplied. When going to our beds, we should' examine our hearts, how the day has been spent, what sins were committed, what duties done, and how discharged; what temptations were resisted, what mercies received, and what growth and increase of grace we have obtained When going to visit, this duty should be taken up before and after: Before, thus,-Wherein may I honor the LORD my God in such company What are their wants, that I may endeavor to supply them What are their temptations and discouragements, that I may labor to support them What are their graces, that I may profit by them After, thus,-O my heart, what God didst thou do or receive in that company Wast thou a eyes to the blind, feet to the lame” Didst thou labor to bring thy friends nearer to JESUS CHRIST; or hast thou more estranged, and prejudiced them, from and against the way of truth O my heart, didst. thou take heed to thy ways, that thou didst not sin with thy tongue Didst thou keep thy mouth as with a bridle, when going into the shop or field Yet with ISAAC thou art to meditate there, and confer with GOD and thyheart; thus, O my heart, for whom dost thou labor, for thyself, or for GOD Whose servant wilt thou be to-day, the world's or CHRIST'S How many snares are there in the world, and how great is thy danger, if GOD prevent not by special grace! O my soul, what need halt thou of almighty power to keep thee, that thou may retain thy sweetness in salt waters.

 

 But, alas! How seldom do we reflect on our words, or silence on our speaking or hearing; on our behavior abroad, or at home. When do we consider, what our affections were most set upon, in such an hour; and what our demeanor toward GOD, and toward our neighbor, was We do not believe BERNARD, who tells us, I If we would examine ourselves as oft as we need, we must do it always.' And CHRYSOSTOM'S paraphrase and counsel on Psalm iv. is of as little credit with us I Let this account be kept every day; have a little book in thy conscience, and write therein thy daily transgressions, and when thou layest thee down on thy bed, bring forth thy book, and take an account of thy sins.'

 

 5. Do not we grow weary of this work, before it be broughtt to any considerable issue We flag before we come to the upshot.’Still some were learning, and never came to the knowledge of the truth: And so some pretend at least to be always trying; but they hold not fast: They try their hearts, as some did truths, until they be wholly sceptical; as ignorant, whether converted or no, as ever They know not more this year, than they did seven years since; but hang betwixt heaven and hell, in a dubious state, for want of skill or pains to decide this matter. We are not resolute and peremptory enough to have an account of our souls, yea, such an one, that we may have boldness in the presence of CHRIST. We should commune until we know, whether we be natural or spiritual; and accordingly be humbled greatly, or greatly rejoice in GOD our SAVIOR. Reader, could I but prevail with thee to set in God earnest upon heart-examination, and solemn meditation, and self-trial, I should bless the LORD as long as I breathe for this enterprise of mine. The Searcher of hearts knoweth, that I took pen in hand on this design, to labor with thee in order to inside duties, that thou mightest not be contented with a form of godliness, and rest in the external part of religion, that more work might be done within doors, in closets, and hearts. O that you would reform, nor pass on to another chapter, till you have engaged your slippery, inconstant hearts, to attend on this necessary duty! Take a few considerations to impel you.

 

 1. The very heathen will rise up in judgment to condemn you, if 'you neglect this duty. A Roman Philosopher, every night before he slept, would examine himself thus,’ What sin hast thou opposed Wherein art thou bettered' CATO also, would daily, at evening, call to mind whatever he had seen, read, or done that day.’ I use,' says SENECA,’ every evening to plead my cause with myself When the candle is God, and all silent, I review all that I have said and done in the day; I hide nothing from mine own scrutiny; I pass by nothing.' PYTHAGORAS gave also this severe rule to his scholars, that’ they should no night suffer sleep to seize their senses, until they had three times recalled the accidents and passages of the day; What evil have I committed, what God have I omitted’ Now “except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees,” (may not I say of the Heathen,) how can you hope for salvation How has thine heart cheated thee with vain confidences How hast thou cried, “The temple of the LORD; I have ABRAHAM to my father;” whilst moral Heathens have been better acquainted with their hearts than thou art!

 

 2. You yourselves will be judges of yourselves. You take the glass, and what is amiss in the hair, in the face, in the body, you rectify by it: And what, no observation to be made of the faces of your souls O take the word of GOD, and make use of this glass, which now is in thine hand! Doth it discover no spots, no neglects, no failings O view thyself, and humble thyself, reflect on thyself, and confer with thyself, until thou art ashamed, until thou abhorrest and loathest thyself before the LORD!

 

 3. You have a sure sign of hypocrisy on you, whilst this duty is neglected; for all the upright are careful to commune with their hearts, to search their hearts, to make diligent search, lest any lust should be covered, as RACHEL covered her idols. Nothing is more desired by a sincere soul, than to be throughly searched;” Examine me, O LORD,” as artificers do, whether their gold be weight or no; “and prove me,” as artificers do their silver in the fire;” try my reins and my heart,” the most inward motions of my soul; search me more deeply and thoroughly than the world can do. Unsound hearts have one DELILAH, so that they cannot endure to be examined and found out; they are loath to search too far, lest they should see what they are unwilling to see; and so be put upon judging and condemning themselves for that which they love above an eye or a hand.

 

 4. But observe the sad consequences of the neglect of this duty. By this neglect, your hearts will become careless, for that they are not called to account; as servants and factors are wont, when their masters neglect to examine them. Hereby, sins will grow bolder with you, and the more easily beset you; for that you examine not wherein their strength lies, and which way they oftenest prevail over you. Hereby the work of repentance will be obstructed; for that innumerable sins, which you are daily guilty of, will pass away unobserved, with those circumstances attending them which make them of the greater magnitude. And how can you walk before GOD With an humble heart,”- when you know not what your hearts are How can you” serve him with an upright heart,” whilst a stranger to this duty Like the foolish virgins, you will not know your undone condition till it be too late you lie deceived in matters of the highest concernment; you are cheated hitherto in things of eternity. You are vexed when deceived' by a friend, when supplanted by a neighbor: O how will it pierce your souls, to be cheated by yourselves! Here is one that lies in thy bosom, and thou and it go to cheat each other continually. a Let no man deceive himself.” It seems we are apt to do so But O how great will your confusion be, when this deceit shall be manifested, when you shall see yourselves frustrated of all your hopes, and the glory your heart promised you! How will you be confounded, when you shall say,’ We looked' for heaven, but behold hell; we looked for salvation, but behold destruction.'

 

 5. If you be loath to see how it is with you now, how will you be able to behold what shall be seen in the day of judgment Though you will not now know your hearts, yet GOD is coming with his fan: The books must be opened; and every page of thy heart will be unfolded, for GOD will bring-to light every hidden work of dishonesty Thy inward parts, which are very wickedness, shall be made manifest: " And then thou shall be speechless, as if thou has a muzzle put upon thy mouth, as the word signifieth. Well, seeing the secrets of the soul must be brought forth, is it not better, by judging ourselves, to prevent the terror of the last day Judged we must and shall be; is it not then thy wisdom to judge thyself here in thy closet, that thou may be judged by GOD with a judgment of absolution, and not of condemnation Is it nothing to have all thy unrepented and unforgiven sins published on the house-top, made known to all the world at the great day How will thine heart endure then, when the LORD shall come to deal with thee You will not see; but you shall see: You will not retire; the world lies in your hearts, business comes in, and takes up all your time and spirits: GOD is about to strip you, to ease you of your callings, you shall come naked to the bar of GOD, you shall have no family-business to distract you; a fair trial there shall be, but a sad one for thee Your sin shall find you out.” You have had many calls: Once more I call upon you, in the name of CHRIST, to examine your hearts by the words of this book, which you have, or shall read; and be sure of it, if you will not try yourselves by the word, God will try you by your works.