What Wesley Left Out

~154 words

are thoſe cold comforters able 

| to quench Gods: hery jealouſe, when 1t breakes forth in 

; plagues and judgements againſt a ſinfull people. Witneſle 

| the Prophets : Zephan. chap. 1. 17, 18. Their bloud ſhall bee 


| 2» 4 powred 


= 


—__— 


thee downe, ſaith the Lord. It1s not then any wedge of gold, 


A Diſconrſe of true happineſſe. 


wred out as duſt, and their fleſh as the dung. Neither their fil- 
= nor their pub ſhall bee WE to deliver _ in the aay of the 
Lords wrath, but the whole land hall bee devoured by the fire 
of his jealouſie, Ezech. 7.19. their ſilver and their goldcannar 
deliver them in the dy of the wrath of the Lord: they ſhall not 
/atisfie their ſoules, neither fill their bowels ; for this ruine us for 
their iniquitie. - Obad.4. Though thou exalt thy ſolfe as the 


Eagle ana make thy neſt among the ſtarres, thence will I bri 


| 


or height of place, can priviledge, or protect us z when our | 
finnes are ripe, and ready to take the flame of Gods fierce 
wrath and indignation, | | 

Thirdly,they cannot ftretch

~161 words

of being in Chriſt, and conſequent- 
ly, of true happineſle. | 
Firſt, ſome of the Heathens (out of thoſe weake notions : 
and inclinations to vertuouſnefſe, which corrupted nature | 
confufedly imprinted in their minds) attained a great mea- | 


_— 
— 


oY Bf C4 ſure, * 


it. 


_ 


—————————— 


—_— 


OO CEI—— —— RO — 


18 A Diſcourſe of true happineſſ#* | | 


— 


——__————— 


— ——  ——— a 
” 


| * Cato, bo- | ſure of morall perteCtion. This Ejegie the * Mbrian gives of | 
{ movirtutt |the Roman Cato. Cato was which:aid animate the 
I faire fpeculative image of vertuewilfMively executions and 
Ne feel, pratkice. Goodneſſe: was ſo habitually incorporated into his 
ut facere | honeſt mind, that he did good, not for reſpetts and reſervealy, but 
| videretwr, | becanſe he could poſſibly doe no otherwiſe. Impartiall indifferex- 
ſed quiaa” | ;. was the rule of his ations; and being free from the corrupti- 
+4 nach  e:5 of the time, hee was the ſame man , and had a free com- 
cnique id " | mandover his paſſtons, both in rime of acceptation and ab/grace. 
| ſolum viſum | It 1s further reported of Fabricins, that a man might ſooner 
| ef rationcm | tarne the ſun from his courte, then to {way Fabricius (by re 
ey a ſpects) from honeſt andingenuous dealing, And yer all theſe 
os ow excellencies of morality are juſtiy and truly centured by Di- 
{ zibus buma- | Uinity,to be but Þ ploriou ſins, beantifull ahommations. Auſtin, 
nievitiis im- | *that, great diſputer, and worthy Father, coufirmes it unan- 
| muninſer- | ſyuerably ;: eſpecially from that ground inthe Epiſtle to the 


+= 1g c Hebrewes : Without faith it 1s

~202 words

and the life of grace. The one lies | 
polluted :n his owue bloud, incompaſled with the menitru- | 
ous clouts of loathſome corruptions; of all natures, except 

onely rhe Divell and his angels, the moſt wretched and 

forlorae ; of the family of hell, heire of horrour and deſola- 
tion:The other by the immorrtall ſeed of the pure and power- | 
full Word of God,is made partaker of the aivine natwre ; clo- 

thed with the rich and unvaluable robe of Chritts juſtice ; 

guarded with an invincible troope of heavenly Angels; juft- | 
ly intituled to a Kiffgdome of unconcetveable glorte, and | 
pleaſures more then the ſtarres of the firmament 1n number, 

The one 1s a wrongfull uſurper of the riches, honors and pre, 
ferments of this lite; for which hereafter he muft be condem- 

ned to chaines of eternall darkenefle, and dungeon of end- | 


in this world, 1s a rightfull owner and poſſeſſor of tae earth, | 
and all the creatures and bleſſings of God; and when hee | 
departs hence;he ſhall be made a glorious inhabitant of thole { 
ſacred manſions, where conftant peace , unmixed joyes, and | 
bleſſed immorralitic even for ever andever doe dwell. Which | 
great difference when the godly man perceiyes,a!:d his owne 
prerogatives, hee is filled with a ftrange and joytull amaze- | 
ment and admiration of his owne happinefle;z which Satan | 
ſeeing, who 1s perfeStly experienced 1n

~1,329 words

ſtrongly fence his heart 
with a gracious and unfained humilitie, againſt privie pride 

the morher of this hypocrihe; as againit a cloſe undermi- 
ning,and a moſt dangerousenemie; and the more ſeriouſly 
and watchfully for theſe reaſons: partly drawne from the 
nature of the ſin:and partly from the itare of 113 foule, From 
the nature of the {11 ; 

Firſt, other finnes grow from poyſonous and peſtilent 
rootes; as Adultery, from 1dleneſie; Faction, from: diſcon- 
tent; Murther, from malice; leſting out of the W ord of God, 
from a prophane heart; the Killing of foules, from Non-refi- 
denc1e; Envie and flattery, from a baſe and unmanly weake- 
neſl2 of mind; Violent ambition, from a diſtruſttull ind:- 
pendeucieupon God ; Scorning of godlineſle, trom a repro- 

| bate ſenſe : but this fin ſpringeth from a faire and 'unſuſpe- 
cted fountaine, even from zeale, godly duties, ar\xi good 
actions. | 

Secondly, other grofſe finnes ſpread themſelves untver- 
{ally over the whole corrupt maſle of all the fonnes of men; | 


but \ 


— PO ES ING 


— —_—— 


i 


_ 


—— 


—— 


— 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 


but this doth fingle out the choſen of God, and takes up his 
ſeate in the tan&tafled ſoule. | 1iths. 

Thirdly, this finne doth unavoidably wind it felfe into 
the heart of man, with a ſhe and peculiar kinde of infinua- 
tion. For whena godly man for a good action or inward / 
grace doth ſeeme to diſclaime pride 1n his conſcience, hee 
may be proud that he is not proud,even of his humulitie; and 
that he 1s able to deſcric his pride and corruptions more then 
others can do. So endleſle are the mazes of Satans circular ten- 
tations. 

Fourthly, there is no depth of knowledge, no meaſure of 
grace, no eminence of zeale can be exempred from hazard | 
of ſurprifall, by this laſt and moſt cunning encounter of Sa- 
tan by privy pride. Pas/,that great inſtrument of Gods grea- i 
reſt glorie, 1n whom there was a matchlefle concurrence of 
divine graces , and variette of all manner of afflictions, no- 
table meanes to keepe the heart of man in humulitiez yet leſt 
he ſhould be exalted out of meaſure through the abundance 
of revelations, there was given unto him a pricke in the fleſh 
the meſſenger of Satan to buffer him. | 

_— taken from the ſtate of the regenerate ſoule, are 
theſe : . 

Firſt, lerthe beft and moſt mortified man turne the eye of 
his conſcience from the truitiefle and dangerous ſpeculation 
of his owne worthunefſe; and fatten it awhile upon his cor- 
ruptions and infirmittes , upon his many deficiencies in 
rel1gious auties and executions. of his calling, wants, and 
weakeneſks in prayer and inward devotion, his dulneſſe and 
uncheerefulneſle m religiousexerciſes, us omiſſions of ſeryi- | 
ces and occaſions for the inlarging of the kingdom of Chriſt, 
his cold and ſometimes cowardly proſecution of good cau- 
ſes, his now and then (linking from a bold profeſſion of fin- 
ceritie, for feare of the yajne and wretched impurations of 
worldlings,&c. and out of this conſideration, he will be fo 
farre from ſelfe conceitedneſie, and a' partiall oyeryaluing 
of his owne gifts and vertues, that hee will inde much mat- 
ter and jult cauſe to renew his —_— to ſtand upon 


h1 | 
—_C. C 


Said 


i. —_— — TY -——_ 
* 


—_— ——— ———. I" IO OO _ OI OI IE 


—_—_—{—}__—_ 


— ———_  , 


— —— — —_——— 


LY Diſtomſe of true happineſſe 1 


— — __———  . [ 


his guard againſt fpirituall pride, ro continne and increafe 


| his humiliation, to double his zeale and reſolution for the | * 


glorifying of God, and fubduing his owne ſecret corrup- | 
TtLONS, BOIL 2! 

| Secondly, let him conſider, how before his calling he mar- 

| ched furioufly and deſperately under Satans colours, 1n the 
purluite of pleaſures, vanities and worldly honours; with 


| how reſolute hatred and contempt he oppoſed againtt fince- 


ritie and faving grace, as againtt needclefle precuſenefle and | © 


Bur after 1t pleaſed the Lord to place his Angel in the way 


folly ; how fearelefly and how far he ran 1n the paths of 1ni- 
quirie, and the linful paſſages of the kingdome ot darkenefle; 
where nv reward was to be expected but ſhame and miſerie. 


to top the torrent of his 1umpieties, & to ſer his ſacred W ord 

before his eycs, as a glorious light to direct him in the waies 

of righteouſnefle : let him remember how often hee hath 
| ſtarted aſide for falſe & imaginary feares; how often he hath 
| ſtumbled eyen1n theeven path, through his owne heedlet- 
 neſſe ; how often he hathſtood {ill 1n his way, either gazing 
| onthe painted and lying glory of the world, or liſtening to 
| che allurements and deceitfull charmes of his owne teſh : 
| Nay, how ſometimes he hath been inforced to retire by ſome 
| cunning traine and malicious ſtratagem of Satan. So that 
| (fince his converſion he hath butrunne faincly and flowly, 


| and woon little ground in the grace of godlineſke; although of 


| there be ſet before him the m—_ of the tugh calling, the high- 


eft advancement of the ſoule,tulnelle ot joy, andthe precious | ; 


; treaſures of iummortalicie. And if he demurre awtule ſoundly 


owne excellencie, be juſtly Piagued with a ſcandalous fall 
into ſome groſle fin; winch beſides it owne particular fting, 
will unto his great diſcomfort awake the old finnes of his| 
| unregeneration, like ſo many flecping Lyons, with opc 
mouthes tocharge afreſh upon the conſcience with new 4 


= , - £4: » 
6 et: +. 


| upon this point; he may forever feare left a {elf-liking of his | 8 


| rors and fearetull vexations. : | 
Thirdly, letthe godly Chriſtian Iooke up at the liberall | 7 
| and mercifull hand of God, which out of the bottomleſſe| | 


___depth| 


A Diſconrſe of true happineſſe. 


depth of his owne bountie hath reached unto him, whatſoe- 
| ver gitts he hath z whether of body or mind, of honours or 
outward poſkflions, of nature or grace: and hee. ſhall finde 
farre greater reaſon to be continually grieved and bumbled, 
that the bright and unfpotted beames of Gods lanctifping 
Spirit, are foulely darkned and leflened in bis body of death; | 
then to beexalted in his owne conccit,. in that it hath plea- : 
{:d God of his meere and free mercie to1llighten the darknes | 
of his heart; without wiuch ſupernaturall Ylumination, hee 
ſhould have lived in blindnefle and miſerably untill deaths 
and after this life been caſt out into utter darkeneſle and re- 
medileſk defolation. | 

Fourthly,let him take keed how he harbors and nouriſhes 
this viper of ſpirituall pride in the boſome of his foule;left it 
taking uhſeaſonable heate and warmth from his zeale, ens | 
danger the whole frame of his new man : Either by perſwa- 
ding him to imbrace ſome groundleſle fingulariic of un- 
| warrantable apinions ;z which by reafon of his vertues will 
{pread more plauſibly ,and by conſequent more dangeroully, 
For a perſwaliop of 11tegritie 1s not onely a motive to roote 
an opinion deepely in a mans owne apprehenſion; but allo a | 
meanes to make 1t more currant and patlable with che admi- | . 
rers of his graces. Or elſe this ſpirituall pride may(by Gods | 
juſt judgement) draw upon him a deaanefic: of heart, a dul- 
neſle of zeale, an intermiſſion of: operations of grace ; which 
the child of God doth infinitely more feare,then any afflicti- | 
on or croſle that can poſſibly befall him trom prophane men, 
either upon his body, or ftate,or goad name. 

Thele reaſons may juſtly moave every taithfull Chriſtian, 
with much cearneſtnefic and prayer to labour after, and fertle 
ſurely in, his heart, a true ard undiflembled humilitie; as the | - 
onely {oyeraigne meanes to preſerve the life and vigour of | 
| lus graces in his owne ſoule,their fruit and benefit to others, | 

their bleſſing and RT with God : and with the | 
watchfulleit eye of his ſpirituall wiſedome,to hold in - 
tuall jealoufie the cunning {leights and windings of eh $ 1» 


| 


| 


lnuatiye finne of privie pride; that both fo pettilent a canker | 


: .  D2 - may | 


w—- 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 
may be kept out of the ſoule, andthe paſſage may bee ftopt to 
privie hypocriſie z with wiuch, I told you before, Satan doth 
endeavour with might and maine to diſcomfort aud diſgrace 
the ations and exerciſes,even ofthe child of God. 

The ſecond kind of. kypocritie 1s groſk hypocrifiez by 
which a manprofeſſeth thas which 1s not 1n

~590 words

vengeance. This kind of hypocrite 15 more muſerable, and of 
lefſe hope then the open ſinner. 

Firk, becauſe he finneth againſt the light of his conſcience, 


which | : 


————————_—__—_—_— 


Yn 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 
hich manner of. inning makes him incapable of ſaving | 
pon For how can _ heart, which to naturall hardnefie- 
addeth a voluntary obfirmation 11 linne , and rehiftance to 
godly motions, receive the ſoftning and ſanQifying ſpiritof 
God?How ſhould thoſe unruly aftections/be camed by the 
power of Religion, who pleaſe themlelves, and hold 1e-their 
greateſt glory to ſceme moft moderate outwardly,when in- 
wardly they boyle moſt intemperately un luſt, pride, malice, 
contempt of zelous fimplicitie, and1n other touleſt pollu- 
tions?How ſhould the brightneſſe of wiſedome ſhine, where 
the windovves ofthe ſoule are ſhut cloſe, wilfully and upon 
ſet purpol: ? * | 
Secondly, by reaſon of the ſhining lampe of an ontward 
protellion, howſoever he want the oyle of grace in his heart, 
hee ſo dazels the eyes of men,that he barres himfelfe of thoſe / 
reproofes and wholeſome admonitions, whereby the open 
finner 1s many times confounded and amazed rm his conſci- 
ence, humbled and caſt downe 1n himſclte, and happily re- 
claimed and converted. 
\ Thirdly, all publike apprehenkons and advertiſements 
from the Miniſterte-of the W ord,although they be as fo ma- 
ny loud cries ſounding in his cares, to awake him out of the 
dead-flumber of hypocniie ; hee e:ther 1nterprets to procetde | 
from ſome particular malice, or undiſcreere heatez and fo 
paſſesthemover with a bitter aud peremptorie cenfure; or 
elſc out of the-pride of his heart hee poſterh them over from 
himfelfe, as not wnfamous or notorioas in the worlds 
opinion , and transferres them upon the open finners ; | 
being aflured that in the judgement of others, whom hee 
blinds and deludes by his Art of Seeming, they belong 
not te him. _ 

- Fourthly,he is juſtly obnoxiousto an extraordinarie mea- | 
lure of Gods hatred and indignation. For every ingenuous | 
| man out of the grounds of moralifie, holdeth in greateſt de- | - 

teſtation, a doubling and diflembling companion; as a fel> | 
low of extreme baſenefle and ſervilitie, moſt unworthy es |: 
bee entertained, either into his _ attections and appro- |: 
8) 3 


———c— — ____— @_ _ 


Wa _ 


* "Ip CA Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 


' bation; or outward ſervices and'imployments; how much 
| more the God of heaven and earth, who ſecth clcerely 1nto 
| the 1inmoſtcloſet ef rhe heart? For hell and deitruction are 
| before the Lord, how much more the hearts of chz fonnes of 
men ? I ſay, f&w much more matt he needs douvle his inti- | 
; nite hatred of fin againſt rhe double iniquitie of hypocrifie ? 
| how mult his foule' abhorre that wretched creature, whict 
' beares the world in hand, and-makes a ſhew unto men , thar | 
' he ſtands for God,and his honour and ſervice; but ungde<de 1s 
' a cloſe fator for Satan, his owne pleaſures, aud-the powers 
' of darknefſe ? Andags the hypocrite is ſubject ro Gods extra- 
| ; ordinary hatred ;\{o is hee lyable to an extraordinary weight 
| of vengeance : For when the wrath of the Lord 1s once 11- 
 kindled againſt him,it1s pawred out like fire, & burnes even 
' to the bottome of hell. His teare commeth like an horrible 
d-ſolation, and his deftruction like a whirlewinde. Terrors: 
ſhall rake him as warters, and a tempeſt ſhall carry himaway! 
| by night: And ſocertaine are theſe plagues, thac as though 
| the hypocrite were already turned into a Divell, or into the 
very fiery lake, it 1s {aid inthe Goſpel, of other finners, tha 
| they ſhall have thear __ with tne hypocrite, waere ſhall 
| be weeping and gnathing of teeth. 
| | Good Lord, itis ſtrange and fearefull, that ſo noble and

~386 words

plagues, which a created nature 1s capable of / 


% 


—_—. 
— 


i 
| 
| 


i 


Oh that the hypocrite would conſider theſe things in | 
time, leſt the wrath and kerie jcaloutie of the Lord breake | 
forth upon him tuddenly and inevitably; like forrowes upon | 
2 woman intravell, and teare him in peeces whenthere bee : 
| none that can deliver him ! Well may hee carry the matter : 
{moothly for a time, and by his jugling diflimulation caſt a ' 
mitt about him,and 1nwrap himlelte 1n darkeneſle from the | 
eye of the world ; yet let hum know, that 1n the meane time 
his finnes are writing by the hand of Gods Iuftice, with the 
point ofa Diamond , inthe regilter ct lus conſcience; and | 
when their pumber and mealure 1s accompliſhed, the Lord | 
will come againſt him, even with whole armies of plagues | 
| and vengeance, as againſt the molt hatetull object of his re- | 
verging luſtice the moitbaſe and unnaturall Oppotite of fo | 
pure a Majcſtie, and the moſt notorious and tranſcendent in- | 
{trument of Satans deepeſt malice. | 
| This kind of hypocrite belongs not to my preſent pur- 
| poſe;and therefore I leave him (without ſound and timely | 
repentance) to ſome ftrange and markable judgement, even | 
in this life : Or it hepaſle theſe tew dates honorably and pro= | 
ſperoully (as 1t 1s many times the lor of the wicked,) let him | 
expect upon his deaths-bed the hery darts of Satan, empoy- | 
{oned with hellith malice and crueltie, to be faſtneddeepely | 
in his ſoule; and ſuch pangs and anguiſh of conſcience, that | 
will poſſefle him of hell before hand. Or 1fhee depart out of | 
this world withour ſenſe of his finne,or elſe at the beſt, with | 
ſome formall and perfunctorie ſhew of penitencie yer ler | 
his heart tremble for the feares thar it ſhall feare atthe great 
and terrible day of the Lord : whenthe vizard of his hypo- 
crifie ſhall certainely be pulled off his face; and hee aſhamed 
and confounded in the preſence of the blefled Trinitie, of 
| Angels, andallthe menthat ever were z and irrecoverably | 
| D 4 bandoned 


en t—__ —_— ME . ———— 
ttt 


"—_ _— tn. 


_— Wn 


. A Diſcoarſe of true happineſſe. 
abandoned from the face of God,and from the fruition of his 


zoyes, tothe maſt conſuming flame of the fire of hell, and the 
lothſomeſ dungeon of the bectomlefle pir. 

|  The-third kind of hypocrite 1s. formall hypocrifie, by 
which a man doth not onely deceive others with a ſhew of 
piety. and outward forme of Religion ; but allo his owne 
heart, witha falſe concert and per{walion that he 1s1n a hap- 
pie-tate, when as1n truth his foule was never yet {cafoned 
wath ſayang grace,and thepower

~178 words

members of his Church;and thathe will plenafully per- 
tormeall the promiſes ef happineſle upon his Children. 

He may betroubled in mind with grudgings and- — 
10ns, 


Cee wth, — 
ll. 


_— 
— —— 


ines, and the heavie judgements due 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 


Qions, with reluftation and f{cruples before the commiſſion 

of linne, our of the ſtrength of naturall conſcience, ſeconded 

witha ſervile apprehenſion of divine vengeance, but elpect-! 
ally 11[1ghrned with ſome glimmerings of this temporaric 

faith. Mucha doe was there even with Pare, inward trouble 

and rtergiverfation,before he would be brought to give judg- 

ment on Chriſt. Herod was ory, betore hee beheaded 7ohn 

Baptiſt. And theſe men, I hope, were tarre ſhort of the per- 

tections attainable by the tormall hypocrite. 

| After ain committed, belides the outward formes of hu- 

m1ljation, by the power of this temporary taith, he may bee | Z 
inwardly touched and affected with fome kind and degree of | 7 
repentance and ſorrow; I meane not onely that, which is a | Þ 
preparative to deſpaire and helliſh horror, but which may 

{ometimes prevent temporall zudgements, as 1n eZchab, and 

| with a flumbering and ſuperficiall quiet, fecure the confci- 

ence for a tune

~484 words

higher degree , yet they will bee ſure to 
lay on loade with baſe indignities, diſgraces, {landers, and 


On II 


ture and qualitie , that 1t 1s diſcharged even againſt the 
goodnefle of the godly , their zeale, their forwardneſle in | 
Religion, their faithtulnefle 1n their calling, & rhe like, as a- 
gainlt its proper object, Thus 1s plaine in /eremie : Jeremie 
neither borrowed on uſurie, nor leat on uſurie; hee was free. 


from all colour of giving offeuice,or doing wrong Nay, lus | 
gracious heart was wholly melted 1n compaſſion, that hee | 


wiſhed chat his head were full of water,and his eyes a foun- | 


taine of teares, that he might weepe day and night for the 
deftructions of his people, And yet of that people every one. 
contended againtt him; there was not a man but hee curſed | 
him. The onely reaſon was, becauſe whatſoever the Lord | 
{aid, that he faithfully ſpoke, and kept nothing backe, bur | 
ſhewed them all the counſcil of God. It is yet moreplaine in 
David, Pſalm. 38.20. They als that reward evill for good, 
are mune agverſaries, becauſe 1 follow goownefſe, The word 
there 1n the Or ginall infinuateth ſuch an extreme and dead- 
ly hatred, that trom thence comes the Devils uame, Satan, 
dathat howſoever this enmitie berwixt the world and the 
children of light, be many times bridled by the reftraining 
Spirit of God, ſometimes by the ingenuoulneſle of the wic- 


ked, | | 


PQ 


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— 


- Diſcourſe of rrue happineſſe. 


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— —  — — 


ked, or their morall vertue or policie, or ſome by-reſpect, or 
by accident bee turned into love; becauſe by the preſence 
and prayers ofthe Godly , they many times eſcape judge- | 
| ments and recetve bleſſings, Yet, I ay, howloever 1t bee 
thus bridled, in it ſelfe 1t 15 more then ordinary or naturall, | 
and hath in it ſome degree and mixture of helliſh virulencie, 
Ordinary hatred expires in the downe fall of Ins adverſarie; 
Nay, any one of generous mind(out of the interelt hee cha- 
lengeth in the common ſtate of humanity) will commulerate 
the diſtreſe and affliction even of his greateſt and baſeſt e- 
nemie but much more of one of noble ſpirit and eminent 
| worth, and more then that, of one vhat hath followed him 
with all offices of kindnefle and love : yet the flame of this 
hatred 1s ſo fierce and ſo ſet on fire by hell, that 3t 1s not ex- 
tinguiſhed even with the bloud of his ſuppoſed Oppolite, 
but barbaroufly ſports in his miſeries, and with infolencie | 
tramples upon his defolations. This appeareth cleerely 1n the 
| example of David, Pfal. 35.15. Butwmmune adverſitie they Yee 
joyced and gathered themſelves together : the abjetts aſſembled\ 
themſelves againſt-me, and I knew not , they tare me and ceaſed| 
»ot. Who without indignation can thinke upan theſe lewd 
companions, and baſe drunkards, that with the talſe {coffers 
at bankets gnaſhed their teeth, and cruelly inſulted over the 
| miſerie and diſgrace of that man, that was a man after Gods 
| owne heart, of mcomparable excellencie, and fo kindly atte- 
| cted towards them,that when they were ſicke, hee clothed 
| himſelte with a facke, he humbled his ſoule with faſting,and 
mourned as one that mourneth for his mother 2? You fee then 
the fountaine both of the greater flouds ofbloudy perſecuti- 
ons, and the leſſer treames of inferiour vexations,as llanders, 
raylings, aud

~188 words

gaining of 
the whole world, Innoceney makes them as bold as Lyons : 
The withed flee when none pur/neth ; but the righteous are | Pro.z8. 1, 
beld as a Lyon : 'And their warrant 1s out of //2. 5 1.ver.7,8. 
Hearken unto mee yee that know righteouſneſſe, the people tn 
whoſe heart is my Law. Feare yee not the reproach of men, mei- 
they bee yee affraide of their rebukes. For the moth ſhall eat them 
up like a garment', and the worme ſhall eate them like wool - 
but my righteouſueſſe ſhall bee for ever , and my ſalvation from 
generation to generation, Independencie holds their hearts 
upright in all. their aGtions, that they are neither ſwaid awry 
by parttalities, or ſecret relations,to wrong ends. I meane 
not-independencie 1n refpe& of lawes, government/autho- 
rity, Charity, unitie with the Church or the like, Imeane no 
ſuch independencie : but in reſpect of baſenefſ, flattery,cor- 
ruption, temporiſing, indirect proſecution of their honours 
and preferments,&c. which are tetters of Satan, by which he 
nay 30 many to a wretched flaverie even in this life, and 
(without repentance) to endlefle miſeric hereafter. 
Secondly,hypocrilie 1s

~209 words

them to be nothing but hypocriſie, 
; and onely pretended,vaine-gloriouſly to gaine an opinion of 
; more then ordinary piette. W hat the conceic of an unrege- 


| : . . 
nerate man 1s of the itate of grace, is plaine out of che conte- 


' renceof our blefied Saviour and Nicodemus. Nicodemiuns was 
| a great Rabbz in Iſrael,a famous DoGor in the Law and the 
| Prophets, in which no doubt he had many times read the do- 
| Ctrine of regeneration : yet when he comes to bee examined 
' ofthe power and praGtife of it,he holds the new birth (with- 
| out which no man can ever ſee God) to bee as impoſſible, as 
| for an old mantoreturne into his mothers wombe and bee 
borne againe, Evenſuch 1s the judgement of others in his 
Nate, of the fruites, effe&ts and courſe of ſanRification. And 
therfore I marvelthat any child of God wil afli& his ſoule, 
hang downe the head, or remit one jot of his zeale in good- 
; nefle tor unjult cenſures in this kinde ; fith he knowes that 


RY C. naturall 


—— 


et. 


——_ - oo a 


& —_— — 


A Diſconrſe of true happineſſe. 


naturall men though never ſo wile, ſo learned, or glorious 
in the world, want ſpirituall taſte, and therefore cannot rel- 

| Iſh the fruits of the ſpirit, are bnd and cannot ſee or judge 

| of the light of grace, are in darkeneſk and Cannot Compre-. 
hend it. 

Thirdly, the focmall hypocrite doth ſettle himſelfe with 
more reſolyednefſe in his opinton of being 1n ttate of grace, 
when he ſces the world accountthe

~798 words

flame of cruelty,nor the com- | 7 
| bination af heaven ad earth {hall eyer bee able to amaze, | 7 

| abate, or extinguiſh. FOE 2G 311/g 014! 
|  Fitthly, rhe formall hypocrice doth more confidently 
' continue 1n a felte-liking of his owne Rate, though! the ttate | 
, of unregeneration z becauſe hee: feerh thoſe that { beſides his 
' outward forme of Religion) are 1ndued with an inward and 
 untained finceritie inall their wayes;to be repuced bur as the | 
 off-ſcouring of all-things,-the lunple fellowes and precifc 
| fooles of the world. They have indeede beene ſo decounted in 
* all ages. For the hearts of wicked men being ſtutt with pro+ 
| phaneneſi: and earthly pleaſures, being ſwelled with ambi- 
 t10n and worldly witedome; cafily bring-foortly pride and 
| contempt : And therefore they looke a farre off at the! Chil- 
; dren of God, as at fellowes of baſe and'neglefted condition, 
| of low ſpirits, of humble refolutions;of weake minds;unable 
| comannage affaires and occurrents tor their pretermens, of 
| nodexteritie to plat themſelves an the face and glory of 
' the worldz;when(God knowes) it they could bee perſwaded, 
| that there wereno heayen but/uponeartez and that the pow- 
| erand exercife of godlinefle were nothing but an unnecef- 
 larie preciſenefle;,if they. would enlarge their conſciences 
' proportionably ta the yall gulfe /of che times corruptipns; 
; if they durſt make a cqayenant with death,. and an agreement 
wil bell;and puttheevill dayfarre from them; ture wy 
e. mig it 


+ 


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_— — — 


ow CO 
ed —_ 


-- 


A Diſcenrſe of tri happineſſe. —* 


———_— 
_ 


PC CC  D— 


| might out-ſtep many of rheſe great Ones 1n their Projects of 
policie,and the preccdencies of;rhe world : but ith thep 'can- 
not, they dare not, they will never by the grace of God bee | 
{o perſ{waded z they are well content with their 'continuall | 
feaft, a good condciencez while rhe others are fatted with | 
their wine and their corne, and their Ole, againft the day of | 
flaughter: And then at that day they wil changetnezr minds : | 
For go, I beſcech you, into the ſanCtuarte ot the Lord, and | 
underſtand their end; they are now upon the tage of this 
world in their tall glory ; but-were they as mighty as Leyias 
than,as cruell as Dragons z could, they reare their honours to 
the height of the clouds, nay, advance their thrones'above 
beſide the {tarres of God, yet they mult down, they have but 
One paiT TO play, they mulit make their beds in the duſt; and 
then when they .are once difroabed of thezr greatnefle and 
glory,and ftript naked of their honours and-preterments,and 
without all muttigation by worldly comforts, left unto the 

.| full rage of a flinging conſcience; then they change their 
note,aud alter their judgements, and f:gh for griete of mind, | 


and ſay within themſeiyes; Theſe are they whom we ſome- | 
time had 1n derifion, and 1n aparable of reproach : we fooles | 
thought their fe madneſle, and their end without honour. 

How are they counted among the cluldren of God,and their | 


| 


portion is among the Saunts:! Therctore we have erred from | 
the way of truch,aydthe light of righteouſneſle hath not ſhi- | 
neluntous,and the Sun of underſtanding rofenot upon us; | 
we have wearied our ſelves 1n the way of wickednefſe and | 
deftruction, and we have gone thorow daugerous wayes : 
but we have not knowne the way of the Lord. 
| Burtheere by the way I mult give this caveat, leſt I be mi- | 
ftaken1n ctlys laſt point, or that which followes : I doe not 

divide (by neceflarie and inevitable divorce) greatneſl? and | 
godlincſke, holinefle and high places; God forbid: I make | 
betwixt them no other oppoſition then David doth in the 
| 73-Plalme, himlelfe being moſt holy and moſt honorable; | 

[ rather infinitely gefire ro inflame the noble and worthy | 
| ſpirits of all thoſe whomthe Lox hath advanced in gitts, in | 
Leda E 4 _greatneſle, | Pn 


_— ——_— 


————— 
— 


— 


A —— 


_—— = eo yoo ce ——_ 4 tC. — - ia - _— 


- —_— 


— — 


FO 


 cix of meale and GanRification. For certainely as power, pol1- | L 


| omelet 


greatneſſe, m honours, in governement,or aty kind of prece- 
dencie.above their bretheen, 'to- a proporttonable excellen- 


— ——_— <_—we— DoD - <4 — A... 


A Diſtowrſe of truz happineſſe. | i 


 cie,authoritie, bemy abuſed, & not ſanEtitied to the owners, 
become inthe meanetime, ſtrong pillars forthe ſupporting 
of the kingdome of darkeneſſt, peſtitent inſtruments of muth 
| miſchiety, and hereafter ſhall be ſonndly pated home with 
 anad{weravle degree of extraordinary vengeance, hotrour, 
and torment:ſo,great wiſedotne, great knowledge, great ho- 
| nours being 1imployed impartially, refolucely, and unrefer- 
vedly, 1n follicitingand tutthering the cauſes of God, 1n 
ſtrengthening the cold and languiſhing ſtate of his Rel1g1on, 
in retreſhing the hearts of his Saints, which ordinarily are 
oppreRt and diſgraced by the eruelties of prophane men,pro- | 
Cure 18 the-meane time, great konour to his great name,great | 
good unto ns Church,greatjoy unto his Angels,great com- | 
tort unto the ſoules of the owners ; and fairer and brighter 
crownes of glory to their heads 11 the world to come. And 
{0 I come tothe. Fey, 

Third reaſon, wheteby the formall hypocrite doth falſely 
perſwade lhimſclfe to bee 1n the ſtate of true happineſle and | 
{alvation ;and that is an outward happinefle and ſuccefſe

~285 words

worldly matters,much plenty and proſperitie in his ourward | 
Rate. For thus hee reaſons 1n his owne thoughts, and playes 
the cunning Sophiſter to deceive his owne ſoule. The Lord, | 
thinkes: he with himfelfe,hath marveilouſly encreaſ-d me in 
riches and honours, he hath ſtrangely continued unto me my 
| health and hearts deſires : The ſecret influence of his bleſ- 

ſing bath ſill followed and proſpered mee in all my bufi- 
neſles and affauresz therefore doth he conclude, nndoubtedly 
1 am protected from above, my ſtate is the ſtate of grace, 
theſe many loviag favours muſt needs argue, that I am in 

high favour witi God, and theſe outward bleffings are. 
lignes that my ſervices are ſanRified and accepted of him. | 
Bart in the Sehootes we ſhould tell him, that this is a fallacie | 
4 10% cauſa, For all outward happineſks are for tpeciall rea- 
| lons, and by particular indulgence more often , and very | - 


ISR "ay plentifully | 


1 1. 


tl Al... Mt... AMS. 


 D iſe courſe of trae bappineſſe. 


FO I nn IO” IO OO On 


plentifully in chis world vouchſafed ro the wicked and pro- 
phane. Thus appeares, ey. 1 2, ver{. 1,2. #herefore doth the way 
of the wicked proſper ? w hy are all they in wealch that rebelliouſly 
tranſprefſe ? Thiu haft plamted them, and chey have taken roote ; 


———_— 


they grow and bring forth fruite, Mal.3.15. Even chey thas | 


worke wickedneſſe are [et up, andthey that tempt God, yea they 
are delivered. lob 21. og Wherefore doe the wicked true 
and waxe old, and grow in wealth ? Their ſeede us eftablifhea w 
their fight with them,and their generation before their eyes. Thew 


ſend forth their children like ſheepe, and their ſomes daxce.. They 
take the Tabret and Harpe, andrejoyce in the ſonna of the Or- 
ans. Let him therefore, that thus concludes the happineſlſe 
of lis foule from his worldly proſperitie,know and contider

~1,982 words

this world; | 
but joy comes 1n the morning, their end 15 peace, their res | 
ward 1s a bright morningaſtarre, their haven 1s endictic hap- 

pineſle and lite eternall, | 

The reaſons of this contrary Rate and condition of the 
wicked and godly 1nthis life,may be theſe. Firit, tor the flou- 
r1ſhing of the wicked, 

One reaſon may be,the notable cunning and policie of Sa- 
tan, in pletting & contriving the proſperitic of thote, whom 
he perceives & hopes 1t willanſnare,& in whoſe hearts ic be= 
gets hardnes,pride,inſolency,and forgetting of God. For we 
mult underſtand, that the devill ever propo: tions his traines 
and tentations moſt exaftly , eyenata haires breadth, to 
the tempers,lnumours, & diſpoſitions of men. If he meet wich 
an ambitious and working ſpirit, he 1s well enough contene |. 
tolighten him the way to hell, with ſome ray or beame of 


all that great glory of the world which hee offered Chrilt, if 


—_— 


— 


on, whether 1n the meanetime hee lic in a lower dungeon of 
diſcontenred retiredneſle , or in the golden fetters of ſome 
more 


_ —_— i _— _ 


——— 


2 5 * 53 | 


= A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 


_ 


|. —— es tes AAA 


more lionorable ſervitnde and glorious miſerie. If hee meete 
with baſe and carthly-minded fellow,that preterresa httle 
| tranſitorie traſh before the preciouſnefle of his owne foule, 
| andthe laſting treaſures of 1mmorralitie ; why, he can eatily 
provide a golden wedge, and caſt 1n his way to inrich him; | 
hee can compaſle for him, though by bloudy meanes and 
merciicfle encloſure, a Naboths vineyard to inlarge has pol- | 
ſctfrons. For all is one to him,ſo he keepe him his own, whe- 
ther by want and poverty hee drive a man to umpatience, 
murmuring and independencie upon the providence of God; 
or by heaping upon hum abundanceof wealch,and hlling him | 
a full cup of remporall happinefle, hee caſt him unto a deepe 
{lcepe ot carnall ſecuritie, and a {enſclefneſle m all matters of 
{anctification and falvation. | 
| But whereas Satan hat found by much experience , that | 
ſuch as are fenced with riches and honours, doe many times | 
| falſely aſſume unto themſelves a conceic of greatnefſe and 
goodneſk, of protection and immunitie from dangers, {o | 
that they are more fearelefle ofthe judgements of .God, be- 
cauſe they are not plagued like other men; more regardles of 
ftoring themſelves with ſpiritual comfort againit the day of | 
viſitation, becauſe they are 13 the meane time plentifully en- | 
"compaſſed with worldly contentments.; more gracelefle-and | | 
neglective of the ——_ of the \W ord, becauſe. they would | | 
,nor willingly be tormented before their time : therefore, I | l 
ſay, hee tollowes. with. more, hope and betrer-ſuceſle this. 
| tentation by proſperitic : And the rather, becauſe croſles, af- | 
flictionsand heavie accidents, are many times lively inftru- | | 
tions and compulfions to bring a man te the knowledge of = 
God and himſcife z and to abandon all confidence 1n earthly 
things, and to embrace the moſt comfortable and heavenly | 6. 
ſkate of true Chriſtians. W herefore if any. man-be content to | 
ſand for Satans kingdome, either by open and profeft im- 
pletie,or by cloſe; conveiances and ſecret practices and con- | 
mvency;he will be fure.toprepare, incline a a all oc- 
{ Calions, meanes and circumftances for his advancement into | 
reputation with the, world, And how porent he is in me oh 
TR cales, .| | 


— — -»- —_l 
On 


—— 


— 


OI 


—— 


—_ 
—A@_A@— — 
——— 


4 Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. | EN 


| 


3 34 


—_——_ 


————— os, 


— —C —_— — 


— = —<W— — 


caſes, you may conceive, ith hee ſwayes the corruptions of | 
the time, (ith he rules and raignes in the hearts and attections 
| of the moſt men; and is everthe arch-plotter in all Simonia- | 
| call,indire&&,corrupt and unconſcionable conſultations and | 
| 


compacts. Je Pe 
2 The ſecond reaſon of the flouriſhing of the wicked in this 
life,is their large & unlimited conſciences: For 1f a man once 
have fo hardenedhis heart, by often grieving the good Spirit 
| of God,and repelling his ho.y motions, if hee have once fo 
darkened the e1e of lis conſctence,by offering violence to the 
| tenderneſk, and negleQing the checkes thereof, that hee can 
| | nowentertaine and digeſt without ſcruple or reluctation, a- 
ny meanes, though never ſo indirect ; any condition, though | 
hever.ſo bale; any advantage, though never fo unconſciona- 
| ble or diſhonorable; it will be eafie enough for him to thrive 
in the world and raiſe himfelfe. | 
For what, | pray you, were not the Papiſts now able todo, 
who have enlarged their conſciences ltke hell?2nay, they have | 
| ſtretched rhem beyond the whole compaſſe of all helliſh 
darkeneſk, eyen into a vaxlt of their owne ;. what, I ſay, 
were not they able to doe,except they were countermanded 
by that irrefragable, eternall, and particular Decrce ot God, 
that Babylon muſt now downe as 1rrecoverably, as the great 
| milftone in the Revelarion caſt with violence 1nto the fea ? 
, | Why certainly they were able by theirpolicies & principles, | 
notonely to reeftabliſh their former Antichriſtian cyranny, 
bur to caſt the whole Chriſtian world, nay,this and the other 
| world, & the whole frame of nature into combuſtion, darke- 
nefle,and confuſion. And no marvell ; for theſe fellowes con- 
ſciences can without remorſe digeſt even the ſacred blaud 
ofKings, and ſwallow downe with delight the ruines and 
| deſslations of whole kingdomes. Their bloudy ſuperſtition 
| hath ſo quite and fearefu ly extinguiſhe al ſenſ: of comm 
honeſtie, and putout the light of naturall equitie, and the 
common notions of right and wrong ; that they broach with 
bold faces the curſed poyſon of Equnvocation, the devils old 
ſ | 1mpoſture in Oracles, a very ftraight paſſhge to damned 
"Av FINE . "Y Atkeiſme, 


| 


cm 
OO On 


——— 


.” ' A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. | 


——_— [ ——_—_ 


A EGO CEE OO 
p——_— — 


Atheiſme, and the diffolution of all. humane ſociety ; thatto | 
them the breach of the lawes of God, of nature, and nations, 
is meritorious, and worthy canonization; 1t 1tferve any way 
tothe advancement of their execrable1dolatrie, to the repat- | 
ring of their decaying Babylon, and to reare their Jrahan 1 
doll, the Prieſt of Rome, yet a little: bygher above all thar 1s 
called God. | ; | » 7 
Inthis reſpe& then, that the wicked dare enlarge their 
con{ciences to the utmoſt bounds of any pleaſure, gaine or 
preferment, they have great advantage tor the engrothng of 
all worldly happineſle, and may eatily purchaſe a Monopoly 
of earthly profperitie. Out of this widenes of conſctence,pro- | 
ceed much minangand exculng, many mterpretations, far 
vourable conſtructions, and dittinctions of hnnes. As for 
example, that Vſurte is of two forts; biting, aud toorhlefle; 
when all kind of Viuric 1s -peſtilent, and/moſt certainely 
damned 1n the Booke of God. That S1mome-15 ether buy- 
ing the gifts of the holy Ghott, or buying: Church-liyings ; 
as though this latter were not fo foule and enormous, when 
it is able tn ſhortrime, to bring a curte and contulion-upon 
the mott glorious and beR ſetled Churchinthe world, Lhac 
of lyes, ſame are pernicious, :lame-:are: oth cious; and-tor a 
greater good; when as-eventhe. learned: Sehpole.rem who | 
are far enough from preciſeneſit, holdevery kind of lye tobe 
a fin indifpenſable;whe as Anftiz that worthy father & great 
| diſputer, admits not a lye for the falvation.ut a mans-loule, | 
whichis far more worththen the whole! worldz.Nay , when | 
a man is not tote} a lye forthe glory of Godasitappearech | 
[ob 13. than which there can be no. greater good... Ot Oathes, 
that ſome are greater and more bloudy ; ſomieare lefler, or- / 
dinary and more tolerable; as though! cuſtame! and .com- 
monneſle made theſe latter. excufable;, and unpuniſhable 
when as the plague of God hangs contioually over the head | 
of what {wearer foever, ready every; houre to ſeaze- upon 
him, and finke him downe unto. the bottome of: hell... The 
flying bogke of Gods curſe and. vengeance ſhall enter. neo 
the houſe of che (wearer, and ſhall nor onely cur ham __ 


— ——— —_— = 
— — 


CC” —}_A«l. ws ———. «2 ——.A . £ R——_ 


A Diſcourſe of truc happineſſe. 


hall conſume the very timber thereof, and che ſtones there- 
ot. Neither doth this plague reft-wichin private walles,but it 
walites the glory and 2410784 of whole kingdomes. Be- 
cauſe of Oathes Gaich leremic) the lazud morrneth, and the plea- 
ſant places of the wilderneſſe are driedwp : nay, if it were poſit- 
ble that the-breath of the wearer ſhould reach unto the hea 
vens,tt would evenſtaine the glory of the ftarres, and rot 
thoſe faire and immerrtall bodies; it 1s 1ntefted with fuch a 
canker and peftilence, and ſo immediately frikes at the tace | Þ 
of Almighty God. Many other fuch lewde diſtinctions of |_ 
ſianes there are,framed and followed by the ſenſuall, greedy, 
and ambitious affeCtions of prophanc men; that they may 
more plealingly to themſelves, and more plauſibly to the 
world, compaſle their ends and deſires. No marvcell then 
though they have the wicked world at will, 

The third reaſon of the flouriſhing of che wicked, is, be» 
cauſe they are men of this world; and cheretore they have 
only their portion and full fehicitie heere, Their licaven is up« 
| On earth : their pleaſures in their life time with the rich man 

in the Goſpel. For as the everlaſting covenant of inward 
peace,grace,and glory,1is peculiarly cofirmed to the children 
ot the Spirit: ſo, many times in great meaſure the temporall 
promiſes of outward: happineſſes are performed upon the 
children of the fleſh. When God had eſtabiſhed mxpon /zac 
the everlaſting promiſes of love, mercy,and bleſledueſſe : yer 
he was content to make 7/zuacl a ay man upon earth,” Con- 
cerning Iſmael (faith he to Abraham) 1 have heard thee; lo, 1 
have Feſed hins and will make him fruitful, and will multi ly 
| bims exceedingly.Twelve Princes ſhall be eget, and I will make a 

great Nation of hins. | 

Fourthly, and laſtly, au ape of the wicked makes 
them more inexcuſable, their damnation more juſt be- 
tore the Tribunall of God, For it is juſt with him ts bring a 

greater meaſure of tribulation and anguiſh upon them , 1n 
whom his many favours and loving kindnefſes have brought 
torth unthankfulnes & rebellion; & that wrath is moſt -uſtly 


Gen 17,20, 


returned upon their heads, which by deſpiſing the riches of 
| his 


—_— ——_— —_— 
—— —————_—_—_ Ne ee ena — 


—————— eee 


| 


| 


hd 


- Diſcourſe of truc happineſſe. 


his bountifulnefſ?, and patience and long ſutferance, leading 
them torepentane, they have heapt up as 4 treaſure unto 
themſelves againſt the day of wrath,and of the declaration of 
the juſt judgement of God. c 1358 
You have heard the reaſons of the happmeſle of the wic- 
ked in this life: but it is.not ſo-with Gods children. 'For they | 
muſt mourne in this vale of teares while the world rejoy- 
ceth. And as the wicked are filld and fatted with ly 
happineſk andplentie, againſt the day of wrath: {& Gods | 
childrenmult be prepared and fitted with afflictions, tor the 
glory which ſhall be revealed. They are ſhortly to become 
inhabitants of that great and glorious Citie, whole founda- 
t19us are precious ſtones, whole gates are Margarites, whoſe 


| ſtreeres are pure gold, as the ſhiming glaſlez they mult bee 


companions of the bleſſed Angels, and ftand inthe preſence 
of that great and ſacred Majettie ; and therefore in this life 
they mult he caſt into the Lords furnace, that 1n the fire of 
affliction they may bee more and more purifed from earth- 
linefle and corruption z and ſo with holinefle and humilitie 
prepared for that high perfection of heavenly beautie, glory 
and blifle. Let every godly man then with comfort and. be= 
nef:; undergoe thoſe croffes which the Lord layeth upon 


| hum : for they are vato himas looking glaſles, whereia God | 


fees his faith and dependance upon his providence. the 
world his patience and.conſtancie ; himſelte the ſpots of his 
ſoule, his decayes of grace, the breaches of his conſcience, 
his neglect, of the duties of his.calling, his coldnefle in reit- 
gious lervices, his fall from his firſt love :' Sothat by them, 
God 1s pleaſed and glorified, others edified and inſtruted, 
rom wh humbleg,recovered by repentance , and mote ſan- 

ihe | 

I have ſtaied long. npon the third reafon of the formall 
hypocrites falſe 6B 10n of being 1a fate of grace. The 
reaſon 18 becauſe civill honeſtie , performance of outward 
duties of Religion, and, worldly proſperitie meeting toge- 
ther inan unregenerate man,many times breed a very ſtrong 
concett of his being the child of God, and an obftinate im- 


AER. 


a . , - 4. & 
”»- - \"O*- © _ ., 


-— 


—_— 


—_—Fu—— 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 


A 


patiency of hearkening and ſtepping forward to grace, or | 

any further perfe&tion. Icome now to

~226 words

the Tree, and I did eate. 'So gladly would fenſua'l men per- 
{wade themſclves that either their ſfinnes deſerve not 1o (trict | 
account and great judgements ;z or that God' doth exerciſe 
too much rigour 11 inflicting them. For out of their worldl 
wiſcdome they meaſure and eſteeme the unſportted and 1nf- 
nite Ocean of the Iuftice of God, by the fitiite, muddie and 
imperfect-flreame of humane juſtice. Lawes and conftitu- 
tions of ([tates and kingdomes are bridles to curbe and mode- 
rate our corruptions, that wee become ſociable and peacea- 
ble ; burthey cut off onely fromthe Body politicke by finall 
| execution, thoſe that are of notorious and deſperate conditi- 
on; ſuch as are Theeves, Murtherers, Traitors and the like. 
A yery proportienable conceit, I am per{ſwaded , of divine 
juſtice and comminations 41n the Law of God, lurkes 1n the 
| hearts of many; they thinkethatthoſe linnes that ariſe ine-| 


Sans = -—- vitably 


id W Diſcowſe of true happineſſe. 


— G— 


— 


vitally out of our corrupt nature, or that are committed þy 
ſtrong tentation, or that are lefle pernicious, are, I knovw 
| not how naturally pardouable; and that if they bee of the 

civiller ſort,if they be outwardly conformable un their lives, | 
and harbour good meanings and intentions 11 matters of | 
| Religion, though they never trouble themſelves with more 
{trictneſle,and a courle of ſanctification, yet they thunke that 
God will be mercifull inthe end, and that it will goe well 
enough with them ; and that onely fellowes of infamous 
note, ſuch as are Swearers, Lyars, Viurers, Adulterers and 
the like, ſhall be excluded finally outof heaven. Bur I would 
Rive

~641 words

all | 
| the powers of hell arepreſently 1n armes and uprore , and 
; with much malice and tury the inſtruments ot darkenefle are 
ſet on foote toregaine us into his kingdome. This point ap- 
| peares in the fifth of the'Canticles : Our bleſſed Saviour 1s 
| there ſaid to ftand at the doore and knocke, being tull of the 
; precious dew and drops of divine grace, and waiting pati- 
| ently in the cold and arkeneſle ot the n1ghtz but yet we ſee, 
| what adoe and ftirre there 1s with the Chriftian foule, before 
| ſhee can gert-out of the bed of-pleaſures and vanitie ; the 
| ſweetneſle of finne and ſenfualitte had fo deepely poſlet and 
| bewitched her, that by her excuſes and delayes ſhee my 


Sa 


| 


—_—. I—_ 


| A Diſconrſe of rrue happimeſſe. . : Of 


— +— __  ——_————_— 


; > | 
{o great ſalvation and happineſle, tendered unto her by her 


<pyulſe, Yea, andatl-ngrh after ſhe 1s reſolved to renounce 
her pleaſures, and 1n tome geod meaſure hath conquered | 
her 1nward corruptions, ſo that ſhe opens the doore and tol- | 
lowes Chriſt; belides other troubles and encombrances ſhee | 


| 
findes abroad, the very watchmeu that ſhould have told her | 


the way and direCted her after her ſpouſe, even they fer upon | 
her, and {mite her, and wound her, and take away her vale, 
Every man then that will come.under the banner of Chriſt, | 
and have part in the conqueſt, muſt, together with thenew | 
man, put on a Chriftian courage, both co tame and reprefle | 
the rebell1ons of his @wne fleſh, and to withſtand and repell | 
aflaults and perſecutions from abroad, | 
The fixth reaſon, wherby the formall hypocrite doth falſ- | 6 
ly perſwade himſelte to be 1n ſtate of true happinefle, may be 
an obſervation of the death. and ends of other men; whote | 
lives, he perſwades himſelfe come ſhort of thoſe pertections | 
and degrees of goodneſk he findes in himſelfe. As it he take | 
| notice of a notorious ſinner, who. upon ls deaths-bed by a | 
perfunctory ſhew of pemitencie, and ſome formall ejacula- | 
tions for mercie and pardon, makes the world beleeve he dies | 
a Saint Or if he obſerve the end ofan honeſt ctv1ill man, yer | 
never acquainted with the power of grace, robee quiet, | 
peaceable, and confident, without 1umpattencie, feare or de- | 
{paire; he preſently out of a comparative examination of his | 
owne ſtate,(which he findes not onely tree from notorious | 
finnes, but beſides morayl honeſtie, graced with @utward re- 
[igioutncic) Ifay, he preſently concerves his own workes in- | 
reſpect of theirs, tobe workes of {upererogation ; his owne | 
l:te certainely, to be without all exception, and fo himlfelte | 
| without all danger of damnation. - And: this-conceit 1s nota- | 
bly confirmed, 1f there follow ſome glorious. and flattermg 
| Panegyricke of funerall commendation. For then hee holds 
| theaflurance of his iappineſſe to bee ſealed unto him by the | 
mouth of the Mnifter;and fo with refolution and obſtinacy, 
ſticks faft in this preſent Rate, and will no further. | 
| Miſtake me not 1nthis laſt point, beloved in Chriſt Teſus : | 


F 2 "For, | 


_ 


—_——— 


—_— 


- p— 


i —— 
w mm ... 


: 
4 — en CCI 


—— 


ay Anm—_—_—__ —_— RB a ooo tie — — — _—_— , 


A Diſcourſe of trae happineſſe. 


62 | 
| For, firſt, Idoe not goe about to confine the boundleſle and 
unlimited mercies of God, nor abſolutely to exclude repen- 
| tance from the deaths-bed. I know that precious truth regi- | 

* But let | fired in Ezechiel : * At what time ſoever a ſinner, &c. like a 


no man | Pearle ina Ring,anda ſtarre in his Orbe,ſhines amongſt ma- 


I | ny other gracious promiſes In the Booke of God, with fſpe- 


ſamptu- | ciall comfort, unſpeakable and glorious, upon the darkened 
ouſly upon | and droeping ſoule of every true penitent, at what time ſoe- 


this Com. | ver.Bur yetthis I ſay inthis point; That any man that knows 


forrtable 


nleile, and 1s acquainted rightly and truely with the narrowneſle of 


but conG- | the way to heaven, che nature of Gods juſtice, the cunning 
derwell | fleights of Satan, the difficultie of true repentance, how fearc- 
| theconditi- | fully mans heart 1s hardened by cuttome and continuance 1n 
_— 'T | ſinne; he wouldnotdeterre his repentance to his old age, or 
_ roy | deaths-bed for ten thouſand worlds. T addethis : That 
But if the As a ſuddendearh in reſpeR of time; or a death, where- 
| wick:dwill | 1n appeares much impaciencie, hercenefle , and uncomfor- 
returnefrom | table behaviour, by reaſon of the qualitie of the diſcaſe, or 
all buſins, | ſome extraordinary tentation for the time, or that God will 
that he hath . X | ' ; 
done, axd | be 1o glorified, by juſtly hardning the wicked , may bee the | 
keepe all my | Way to everlaſting happineſſe : ſo alingring, patient, and | 
flatutes,aud | lamb-like death, may bee a paſſage to endlefle woe and mi- | 
doe that | ſerie. For that great judgement is to paſſe upon our ſoules, | 
| 0m op 4 | not according to the ftrange efte&ts and ſymtomes of our | 
right, bee | ſackneſlc,not according tothe ſhort moment and violent paſ- 
ſhall ſurely | frons of our death;bur according to the a&tions of our health, 


lrve, and | the former atteCtions of our hearts, and the generall courſe 


ow = of our lite. 
= Secondly, I would by no meanes bee too buſie or uncha- 


ritable 1n my judgement upon thoſe , which have already 
ſtood or falnetotheir owne maſter. But as I cſtecme that 
crueltie and malice moſt ſavage and vile that is diſcharged 
upon the body, or good name of the dead; fo I would have 
alſo a charitable conceit follow the ſoule of the departed, ſo | 
tarre as ſpirituall wiſedome, a good conſcience,divine truth, 
the glorie of God, the ſafetie of the ſoules of the living, will 
give leave : But no further, 


| 


| 


Thirdly, | 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 


Thirdly, neither doe I miflike or condemne Funerall Ser | 
mons z1 could rather wiſh , that asthe death of h1s SaInts ts | 
; precious 1n the light of God, fo, that 1t might be glorious in | 
the xyes of men. 1 could rather detire,that the uit praifes,and 
| txue {inceritie of the child of God were publiſhed even by 
| ſome Seraplucall rongue z that both the glory of his graces | 
| mightpaſle along and ſhine bright roall polteritie ; and chat | 
' ſuch a tire of zeale tor imitation, might be inkindled 1m the | 
| hearts of all the hearers, (c{pectally the preſent accakon ma- | 
| king their minds more capable of perſwalion) that they pat- | 
ſing thorow the fame courte of hohinetle, might at length | 
bee made partakers of the ſame happineſle with the Saints 
of God. | 
Only in theſe caſes I would have that ſpirituall diſcretion, | 
truth, and conſcience Yd, that neither the godly bee juitly | 
grieved and offended, the wicked heartned and hardned in 
their courſcs,and falſe conceit of happinefle ; nor the faithtul- 
nes and ſincerity of the Miniftery d1{graced and ſcandalized. | 
| Thus farreLl have laid open unto youthe ate of formall 
| hypocrifie : in which may concur 1mmunitte from notorious 
hanes, all naturall and morall perfections, admirable va- 
rietie of learning,policte, andall other acquired ornaments 
ofthe

~179 words

eyes of the world ; yet 1t 15 not on] 
' marred and defaced, and no action of grace, bur odious and 
; abomanable 1n the ſight of God. The Moraliſts by the light 
of nature {aw a truth proportion to tis, even 1n the 
ations of vertue: The truth and worth wherof they did cen- 
ſure and efteeme; nor by the bare outward action,but by che 
inward, free and independent uprightneſle of the minde z 
: Andrherefore to an action truely vertuous they required a | 
reſolved knowledge, an urefpective and adviſed freedome 
| of ſpirit, a conſtant aud eafte habit of the mind, an intire 
| lovetothe faireneſle of vyertue. So that whatſoever honeſt 
\ actions ſpring from paſſion, humour, teare, reſpect, ambi- 
tion or the like 3 they accounted vertuous and good , ouly 
' by accident -and occaſion, not inwardly and eſſentially : 
| Whereupon they hold, that many great and honorable at- | 
' chivements of ancient Worthiecs amongtt the Heathens, | 
; howſoever they were admirable inthe cyes of men, and be- 
' neficiall ro the publike Sta (tor ſometimes our of lome 
ſudden elevation of ſpirit, or pang of vaine glory, they 
| were even prodigall of their lives and bloud, tor the good 
, and deliverance of their Country : ) yet to the authors and 
| actors themſelves they were not the true workes of ver- 
, tue, but of ambition; and a defire of immortall fame. Ir 1s 
| even ſointhe higher ations of grate and religion : Beſides 
| the outward performance, God requures linceritie

~891 words

and procure good unto others z yet ex- 
cept they proceede from a faithuntained, and a pure contci. | 
| enceztothe Chrittians themſelves, in reſpett of all heavenly | 

happineſle, they are fruitleſle and unprofitable. | 
| Ny ſecond proofe 1s out ofthe 5. ot CA/arth. Eccept your | 

righteouſneſſe exceede the righteouſneſſe of the Scribes ana Þ ha- ' 
riſes, yee fhall not enter into the kingdome of heaven. I he out- | 
ward righteoulſnefle ef the Scrabes and Pharihes was fa- | 
mous in thoſe times, and much admired : So t::atat God did | 
not principally reſpect the heart; 1t that were not true 1n the | 
I 6.0f Lukez That which # highly eftcemed amongſt men, ts | 
abcmination in the fight of God; they might not onely have 
carried away the garland tor pietic en earth; but have juſtly | 
ſeemed to have beene the onely heres to a crowne of im- | 
mortalitie in the heavens. For beſides their torbearance and | 
proteſtation againſt groſſer ſinnes, Murther, Theft, Adulte- | 
 rie, Idolatrie, and the like : rhey were frequent and tolemne | 
in prayers, faſtings, almeſ-derds yavd that with far greater | 
firictneſſe and devotion, thenthe--religious aCtions of for- | 
mall hypocrifie are pertormed 1n theſe times of the Goſpel. 
Betides, I doubt not but many of them were per{waded, that 
their way was the way of lite, and that they were 11 the | 
{tate of true happineſlc : And yer forall this, except wee ex- 
ceede their righteouſneſle, the ſpeech 1s peremprory, we ſhall 
notenter into.the kingdome ot heaven. For we ce mthe 23. 
of Afatthew,what a chaine of curſes, out of the mouth of | 
our blefled Saviour, did juſtly draw them into the battome 
ot hell. | 

Thirdly, this truth is manifeſt out of the doctrine of the | 

Prophets : E/ay 1. Mich,6, Hag.2. Pſalm. 0. and many o- | 
| ther places, W hence ariſeth this concluſion : That the prin- | 

C1 al and holieſt exerciſes., the moſt folemne and facred_ 
| 506 of relzgion, without finceritie and fanEtification of | 
| heart, are but as the cutting off a Dogs necke, and the offe- | 
ring of {wines bloud, Their ſacrifices, oblations, and incenſe; 
their 


——— 


_ tt. Ati I ES” oO _— 


nn” 


— 


——C ©——— - — —_ 
— O— 


66 | F A Diſcourſe of lat happineſſe. 4 | 
their new Moones, their Sabbaths and folemne feafts were 
things commanded by Gods owne mouth, yet where they | 
| were performed with impure and prophane- hearts , hee tels | 
them: that his ſoule: hated them, that they were a burthen 

unto him, and that he'was wearie of them. - For 1t the Lords 

| contentment had finally reſted in the worke wrought, and 
not chietely refpeSted the mward aftection of the worker z 
had hee required onely the ceremoniall action of ſacrificing, 
and not the ſpirituall conformitie of the-heart ro his will : 

| why, he had not neede te defire ſacrifices of them, nor expe- 
 &ted ſupply from their hands; as appeareth in that ſacred 
and royall conteſtation of God with his people, abour the 

| quettion of his worthip,P/al.s O. I will not rEProove thee for thy 
 [acrifices (faith God) or thy burnt offerings 3 'that have 'not 
 beene continually before me; 1 will take no Bullocke orrt of thine 
houſe, or Goats out of thy folds, For all the b#afts of the forreſt 

* | are mine,and the beaſts on a thouſ.tnd hills. I know all the fowles 

| on the mountaines, and the wild beaſts of the field oe mine. If 

be bungry, I will not tell thee; for the world 15 mine, and all 
that thercints. Will T eate tha fleſt-of Buls ? or armbe the bland 
of Goats ? Nay, if wee' confider God in his abſolute fove- 
raigneie, and eflentiall glory, even that 1s true of the-molt | 
fanctifhed works of Gods Child,which 1s in 7ob 35 .7.1f thoy | 
| berighteozs, what giueſs thou unto him ? or what receiveth hee 
| at thine hand ? And that of Dawa, Plal.16.2. Ay well-doing 
| extendeth not unto thee. Tor what can that litrle ſparke ot ho- 
 linefle 1n us (which doth firſt too, proceede from him, and 
| 1s only darkened inour corruptions) adde unto chat infinite | 
| Glory, and Majeſtie, and Light, that no man car artatne 

unto; with whuch he hath incomprehenfibly 11en encompat: | 
led from all eternitie'2 Onely it pleaſeth him of lis infinite | 
| goodnefle, and out of a gracious defire of our ſalvation, to 

| accept Our linceritie though mixt with imperfettions,and to | 

| own his owne graces 1n us.” Where then ſhall appeare the | 

bare outwardnes of hollow-hearted Chriſtians ? If the heart 
be wanting : what magnificence or glory of outward fcrvi- | 
|ces[h allbe able codazle his fight, whole eyes are ten thou- | 


ſand | 


- - — 


| 
|] 
| 
| 
| 


md 


bh OR 


A Diſcourſ'ef ere happineſſe. 


NE” I OO ne On On Ce nun 


— 


_ mw ww RA 


ſand times brighter thenthe Sunne, and fees clearely our in- 
| moſt thoughts ? FPherewith ſhall we come before the Lord, or 
what ſhall we offer nico lym 2-37/ill the Lord be. pleafed with 
ten thouſands of Rams"; or with tew thouſand rivers of Ole * 
Shallwe groe our firſt borne for Our trx{oreſſion, even: the fru 
of our body, for the fin of our ſoule ? No;;though wee: gave all 
that we had to the poore, and our owne bodies to be burne : 
nay, if it were poſlible, that by our meanes wee,could vindi- 
cate the foules ofall men now-lrving tromthe jawes: vteter- 
' nall death ; yerall would profit usnoching; except ourhearts 
| be brſtpurged by faith, pure trom an evitt contcience, 'and 
| polleſt of a found and conſtant love to God, his Word,or ho- 
nour, his truth, and ſervants.-* 2714 2 2 91 p26] 
Ler this then be the concluhonto this poine© Though” a 
| man were 2 morall Saint;,' an Angel amongtt the /Phariſes; 
 abſolate inall other perfechons; yer withouc

~1,562 words

they be divided from inward fanctificatt- 
on and {incexitte of heart, are fo farre from putting us into 


—— _—— 


——— —ſ ___ od \ © . 
= dl. 


—— ___ — ——_— —— 


teth eye-(ight, the chiefeſt grace that Nature hath 1n' that | - 
kinde to beſtow. Or as a cunning Organiſt, skilfull in the | 


| 


| _ _ polleſſion 


— —_ 


®« 


—_—_— __—— 
— 


——S 


"4 


—_— 


| 


—_—— 


| very Spirit of grace : ſo that it may bee umpoſlible that hee 
| ſhould be renewed againe by _—_— 


—— 


; 


þ 


| 


| this time by the grace of God, I ſhall deliver lo much, that 


Quable inthe ſight of God. | 


” Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 


poſſcſſion of true happineſle, that they are odious and abomi- 


[rold youmn che beginning, if you remember,that beſides 
outward r:ghteouſneſie, the tormall hypocrite may belecve 
for a time; and therefore by the inward, though more gene= | 
rall and inferiour working ofthe Spirit, may have a tempo- | 
rarie faith begotin him:andthis faith may bring torth ſoine | 
fruites, and ſome kindes of jnward graces. But that all this 
comes ſhort of ſalvation, appearesn the parable : For there | 
the hearer compared tothe itony ground, which I call the 
formall -hypocrite,, is one of the reprobate hearts upon | , 
whom the Word is notthe power of God unto lalvation, As | 
for thoſe five degrees added out ot the {ixth co the Hebreyes, 
of whichiT told you the formall hypocrite may be partaker | 
it 1s. maniteft out of the ſame Chapter, that they come {horr 
of the ſtate of grace, For a man bur ſo turnſhed, may not 
onely fall backe toa worle, and more ordinary {tate ot a re- 
probare,but even.tothe depth of all impictie and apoRiatie, 
He may not onely have his meaſure of inward illumination, | 
all kis Lighterjoy and comfort in Gods, Word quite extin- | 
gutſht; but become a wilfull and malicious ſcorner of true 
godlineſſe. He may noronely grieve, andquenchthe ſpirit ; 
but he may tread under foote the lanne ot God, count the 
bloud of the Teftamentas an unholy thing, and deſpure the. 


| 


In the laſt place I told you, that beſides 211 theſe the for- 
mall Iiypocrite might entertaine a per{waſion of his being 
inthe tate oftrue happineſle z and ſo with contentment and 
tecuritie walke in th: path that leades to eternall death : bur | 
how weake and falſe thereaſons and motives to this perſwa-_ 
ſion were, I have before largely delivered. It remaines there- | 
fore, that I ſhould now lay downe certaine markes and pro- | 
perties of difference, betwixt the ſtate of formall hypocrilie 
and ſaving grace : but I mult referre a large proſecution and 
diſtin&t creatiſe of chemo ſome other place and time. Yet at | 


| 
'K any ; 


wad tt 
Att. le On” 
————_—— — — —@_ 


| 


| 


| God, but alſo an aftenr of the heart to rhe rruch of 1t. And this 
| lightning ſpirit of God,and ſtaying it ſelfe upon has aucho- 


| Icriptures, and fo by conſequent, they mutt fall to our fide | 


—— 


—__ 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. | 


— 


| ———— — 
— SUNEREEY —_—— 


and follow me with attention to the end, may in ſome good 
meaſure be informed , whether he lie yetin the ſhadow of 
death or live inthe life of grace. Some difference then, firit, 
may ariſc,our of the diſtinction of the degrees and workings | 
of taith. W hich that y ou may better conceave, you mult re- 
member three ſorts of faith, Hiſtoricall, Temporary,Saving, | 
or luitifying faith, | | 
Hiſtoricall faith, is not _ 2 knowledge of the Word of 


is of two ſorts : either infuſed, which 1s wroughtinus by the 


ritie: Or Acquired, which is produced by the light of reaſon, 
diſcourſe, and created teftimony. 

The latter is to be found inthe Divels; for they *beleeve 
and tremble : And in the Papifts; for their tarth 15 no better, 
according to their grounds and principles. My reaſons this 
briefely ; for I will deliver my felte of tlus potnt 1n a word. 
The Ieſuites by their jugling have caſt themlelves into a car- | 
| cle abour the faithof the truth, and divinitie of Scriptures; 
and that 15 this: Aske any Papift in this land, how he beleeves | 
Scripture to be the Word of God ,and divinely 1nfpired : hee | 
| will anſwer, becaufe the Church deliverethutſotobe, And | 
| why belceveth hee the teſtimony of the Church 2 Becauſe | 


 1t15 1nfallibly guided by the Spirit. Andhow doth that ap- | 


| 
peare ? Becauſe it 1s ſo'contained 1n Scripture, as in /ohr 16. | 
The Spirit will leade you into all truth. And how ſhall were | 
know this Scripcure of [eh, to bee the Word of God, and ' 
divinely 1nfpired ? Becauſe the Church delivereth 1t fo co | 
bee; and fo they muſt needs runne round wm this circula- | 
£10n, 
Now I would propoſe to the Papiſts, the choice of theſe | 
threez one of which they muſt ot neceſſitie accept : Furit, 
whether they will runne round 1n this circle, and waxegid- 
die, and fall, and finke into that pit, where Popery was frſt 
hatcht; or they will breake the cxrele at the authoritie-of the 


and \ 


PE 


- 6g 


any manthat will deale faithfully with his own' conſcience, | 


— 


A Diſcamſe of true happineſſe. 


andthe trurl1;-or they will breake it atthe'teftimony ot rhe 
Church:and 1galktheir faith, as I told you, mult needes bee 
only acquired, becauſe it depends on 4 fimite and created te- | 
{timony, and conſequently comes farre ſhort of falvation, I 
doubtnor ,; but the Papuſts will. acknowledge and approove | 
that difterence berwixt infuſed and acquired faith conſen- | 
ted upon by: the Schoolemen : That intuſed faith relyerh | 
1mmcdiately upon an increated authoritie , but acquired, | 
| 
| 
| 
| 


— —— . —_— — 


| 
: 
;: 


| upon a firute andcreatedreſimony. I know the lefuites, a 
” 1] kindof men infpired with a tranſcendencie of Antichri- 
ttian 1mpoſture, labour 'butzly ro paſle plaulibly and hand- 
tomely outotthis circle : butit their {hitts be chroughly tit- 
| ted, and they followed with force of argument : 1t 1s cer- 
taine, they will ether be driven 1nto. the circle againe, or | 
entorced to ſtart out at the one of thoſe breaches I told you | 
of. 'Becans, one of them,after he had long tired limfelte in 
thus circle, and at laftby the helpe of Gregorizes de al. and | 
| former Icluites, got out, bur with ſhametull abſurditie and 
inconventence; 1na poore fevenge to relecve lumſcte, hee \ 
threatens us with another circle ; and fo: writ a Treatite de | 
Cwoulo Calumiſtzco, but very weakely and falſely as might 
| be demonſtrated” even out of the ſounder Schoolemen, 1n | 
| their queſtion of the laſt reſolution of faith. Bur I intended | 
| nod:{courſe of controveriie, but of fanctification ; and there- 
' fore proceede;and take the tormall hypocrite along turther 
| cowards the ftate'of grace, | For beſides: knowing and aficn- 
ting tothe truth of Gods Word by an luſtoricall faith, hce 
may by the vertue of a temporary faith, adde three degrees 
' more. I hat1s; He may moreover profeſſe it in. outward fer- 
vices of Religion: He may inwardly rejoyce in it : Hee may 
bring forth ſome kind of truite, Bur thele things are onely 
found 1n him, ſolong as they doe not 'mainely crofle, but 
| are compatible with his well peace, wealth, liberty, and 
| other del1ghttullcontentments, Here therefore I mult leave 
| lum; and acquaint you with thoſe workings and degrees of 
| Javing taith , which qualifed, as I ſhall propoſe them, are 
; peculiar to Gods childe ; and fo diftiuguith and divide the 
- 5 


regenerate 


| 


— 


— — 


_—_— 


regenerate man, from the ſtate of formall hypocriſie; They 
are thele : 

A fceling and ſpeciall approbation of the word of life,and 
promiſes of ſalvation : a molt tervent expetition and thiy- 
ting for the enjoyment of them-an eftectuall apprehenſion ; 
a particular application ; a full perſwahon; a delight and joy 
thence riſing,{ound,and unconquerable. 

That you may underſtand theſe, you muſt conceive, that 
the ſoule of Gods child, comming treſh our of the pangs and 
cerrors of his new-birth ( a myiterie to the formall hy 
crite) humbled under the m1ghry hand of God, by a fight 
and 1enſe of his finnes, lookes upon the whole body of divine 
truth, as upon a | mr jewell, wherein Chriſt and his gra- 
cious promiſes ſhine unto him eſpecially,as a tone of inefti- 
mable worth aud valuation z whereupon with a peculiar 
deareneſk he fers fuch a liking, that with it he holds himſelf 


an heire of heaven; withour 1t a child of endleſle perdition. | 
| 


Hence followes an expetition anddetire of it, enforced with 
groanes unutterable;z and a gaſping for 1t, as thedrie and 


it with a faſt andeverlaſting hold. rs hee apples it 
clolely and particularly to his owne ſoule. Fiftly, he 1s tru- 
ly and fully perſwaded by Gods good Spirit, out of a con- 

ideration ot his univerſall change, that 1t 1s his owne for 
ever. Laſtly, he lyes downe 1n peace that paſleth all under- 
ſtanding : Hee is filled with joy, that no man can take from 
him : Hee del;ghts in the grace apprehended, as 1n a treaſure 


farre more deare unto hum then the glory ot inhmte worlds, 


or life it ſelfe. From the power and workings of this inward 
grace, ſpring outward actions, both in lis generall calling 
of Chriftiamtie, and his particular vocation z which by the 
mercies of God are faithtull, conſtant, umforme, 1mparriall, 
reſolute, univerſall, comfortable. W hereas thoſe which are 
produced by the more weake and inferiour degrees of tem- 
porary faith, incident to the formall hypocrite, are weake, 
wavecring, many times interrupted, variable ; guided much 
by occahions and the time, forced by hope or feare;z ſwayed 


by 


| 


, 
: 


' 
' 
: 
: 


' 
| 
l 
| 
| 


| 


thirſtie ground for drops of raine. Thirdly, he apprehends | 


adit 


———— 
— ht _ 
_— — — — mens mt 


4 


__ cd —— 


| | A Diſcowſe of true heppineſſe. 


—— 


by ſecret reſp:&s to private ends, and worldly content- 
ments. 

|  Buttheſe more inward markes of difterence, howſoever 
| by a ſweete and gracious experience they bee felt, and ac- 
knowledged of the child of God; yet generally, and to the 
unregenerate, they are hidden myſteries, and undiſcernable 
to the brightelt eye of the naturall man. Therefore I will 
come to thule markes of ditterence betwixt the ſtate of for- 
mall hypoccſie

~774 words

proportions it 
to ſerve his owne turne, or to give ſatisfattion to others. And 
in forbearance of f1nnes, he hath an eſpeciall eye onely at 
thoſe that may notorioully diſgrace him 1n the world, en- 
tangie him 11 CR of law,or vex lus conſcience with fore 
extraordinary terror. 

Let thoſe then examine themſelves at this marke ; who, 
howſoever ſhame keepe:them from uncleane practices, and 
| groſler acts of filthineſle ; yet inwardly boyle 1n ſpeculative 
wantonnefle and adulteries of heart. Thoſe, who howſoe- 
ver their indire&t meanes ſpeede not tor mounting them- 
{elves to high eſtate; yet ſpend their beſt thoughts all their 


borne to advance themſelves, and not to honour God iu 
their callings. Thoſe, who though they doe not incloſe, op- 
prefie and grind the faces of the poore; yer have their hearts 
exerciſed 1n covetouſneſſe.Thoſ:,who though they have for- 
ſaken ſome ſinnes, yet maintaine in thendſeſves one knowne 
| {weete finne : Thoſe, who though lawes, and teage of danger 

reſtrame 


—— 
— —_— 
ee Es 
— _  —— 


life long,tn projecting and contriving, as though they were 


1 


| 


— — 


— 


nmu_____ 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 


HO 


reftraine from railing with open mouthes againſt our}States 
yet harbour ſecret repinings, murmurings, unthankefulnefle, 
and diſcontentments. Even a contemptuous thought of a 
King, or lawfull authoritie,is a finne of high nature : and me. 
thinkes (for the miraculouſneſle of the diſcovery) 1s paral-| 
leld in Ecclefaftes, to the bloudinefle of aCtuall murther. 
That which hath wings ({aith-the Preacher) ſpall declare the 
matter, = 

Lafily, let thoſt examine themſelves at this marke, who | 
offer themſ: lves to thoſe tinfull occafions, breeders of many 
| ſtrange and tearefull mi{ctuefes , I meane prophane and ob- | 
ſcene Playes. Pardon me, beloved, I cannot paſſe by thoſe 
abominable ſpectacles, withour particular indignation : For | 
I did ever eltceme them ( fince I had any underſtanding in 
the wates of God) the Grand empoyſoners of grace, inge- 
nucuſneſle, and all manly reſolution : Greater plagues and 
infe&tions to your fcules, then the contagious peſtiience to 
your bodies : The inexpiable ftaine and diſhonour to this 
famous Citie : The noytome Wormes that canker and blaſt 
the generous and noble buds of this land; and dae by a fie 


Ta 
od $ 
« 
LY 
#2"; 
) : 
Fl 


73 


and bewiching 1nfiuuation, ſo empoy ſon all ſeeds of vertue, 
and 19 weaken and emaſculate all the operations of the / 
ſoule, with a prophane,ifnot unnaturall diffolatenefle that | 
whereas they are planted in theſe worthy houſes of Law , | 
tobee fitted and 1nabled for great and honorable actions, | 
for the publike good and the continuance of the glorie | 
and happineſle ot this Kingdome; they licentioully diflolve 
| 11to wicked vanities and pleaſures : and all hope of their e- 
; ver doing good, either unto God, the Church, their Coun- 
' try, or owne ſoules, melteth as the winter yce, and floweth } 
away as unprofitable waters. Theſe infamous ſpectacles are 
condemned by all kind of found learning, both divine and | 
humane. Diſtinions deviſed for their upholding and de- 
tence, may give ſome ſhallow and weake contentment to 
PR and ſenfuall affections, poſleft with prejudice : but 
w ſhall they bee able to ſatisfie and fecure a confctence 
ſenſible of all appearance of evili ? How can they preſerve the 
| | 1nclt- | 


_—_— 


—_— 


© — — 
— —_ —_ — — I 


| * Theatra 
definzre poſ- 
| ſiumus tur- 

| put «ding, 
vi1107 um; 
mmm 

| ſentrnam, 

| #6 ſebolam, 
Eodn de 

| repub. lib.6. 


6p Is 


__— 


| with full conſent feeds his inward concupiſcence, with ſuch 


| 


— ———____ 


A Diſcourſe of true happineſſe. 
inclinableneſle of our corrupt nature from infection, at thoſe 
Sebooles of lewaneſſe and Sinkgs of finxes, as (co omit Davines, 
Councels, Fathers, Moralilts, becauſe the point 15 not direct- 
ly incident) even a * Politician calleth them. Alas lare nor 
our wretched corruptions raging and fierie enough, being 


| left to themſelves diſperſed attheir natural Iiberttezbut they 


elaſle, to ſet on flame the whole body of our naturall viciouſ- 
neſle at once;and to 1nrage it further with luſt, hiercenefle,and 
effeminateneſle, beyond the compaſle of nature ? Doth any 
| man thinke it poſſible, that the power of faving grace, or the 
pure Spirit of God can relide in his heart, that willingly and 


varietie of fintull yanities & lewd occahons;which the Lord 


How can any man that ever felt in his heart,either true love, 
or feare of ſo dreadfull a Majeltie, as the Lord of heaven and 
earth, endure to be preſent, eſpecially with delight and con» 
| tentment, at Oathes, Blaſphemies, Obſcenities, and the abu- 


\ 


| 


muſt be united at theſe accurſed Theaters, as 1n a hollow | 


| 


| 


Deur, 2,5, | himſelfe hath pronouncedto bee an abomination unto him 2 |, 


ſing ſometimes ofthe molt precious things 1n the Booke of 
God, (whereat we ſhould tremble) to molt baſe and ſcurrill 
jeſts ? Certainely every Child of God is of a right noble and 
heroicall ſpirit; and therefore 15 moſt impatient 1n heartn 
any wrong, 1ndignitie, or diſhonour offered to the Word, 
Name, or glory of his Almightie Father. 

A ſecond marke

~711 words

open ſhame ; of 
offending God, then outward afflictions ; W hether hee bee 
more angry in the-caute of Rel gon, and concerutig Gods 
glory, or for h1s owne private wrongs. And fo thorowout 
che reit of his aftectzons. TY 

Lec the fierce and deſperate Gallants conſider this poinez 
which.upon every light occaſion, and termes of diſgrace, are 
ready,out ofa graceles and ungrounded opinion of declining 
cowardize,to ſheath their ſwords in the body of their bro- 
ther. And let themaflure themſelves, that the meeke and 
mercitull Spirit.of God'will never-confitt- with fuchbloudy 
and untamed aftections ; his holy motions will not come in- 
totheir ſecrer, neither will lus ſaving grace be joyned with 
their aſſembly. For 1atheir wrath they will kill a man, and | 
in their ſelfe-w1ll chey wall deſtroy the Image of God. Cur- 
ſed bee theirwyvrath, tor 1t 15 fierce ; and therr-rage, tor it is 
cruell. | 

Oh, thatthey would but marke and forefce,into what an 
inevitable and endleſe maze of certaine miferie and venge- 
ance they enter, when they enter into the field, upon either 
otter, or acceptance of challenge ' If they be tlaine, they are | 
acceflaries to their owne untimely murther:: they viol-ntly 
and wilfully pull chemſelves from the land of the living, to 
the abhorred regions of death : they cruelly and irrecove- 
rably rend their owne pooreifoutes trom time of grace and 
repentance, They extingufh all hope of polteritie; andper- 


— 


haps their houſe and family —_ 1n that bleudy a6. 
But 


_— 


———— —___— 


——————cs},} uw. 


—_—— 


Pro,t0.7. 


= 


| Bux that which is: the accompliſhment of all miſeries and 


_—_—_ 


A Diſconrſe of true happineſſe. 


U 
4 alcC.ALIOSS. eo Ds Al. 


' terrour they juſtly fall into the hands of the living God, who 
| will certainely judge them after the manner of them that 
| ſhead their owne bloud ;z and will give them the bloud of 
| wrath, and of jealouſie, And whercas they looked to.leave a 
' name behind them, it ſhall rot away with as vild dereftation 
| as their carkaſes in the grave : The memorial of the juſt (lat 1 
| Salomon) ſhall bee bleſſed, vut the name of the wicked ſhall rot. If 
' it doe live, it ſhall live to their ſhame and infamie. For I dare 

fy this boldly;There was never any manrightly informed, 
' either in the principles of nature, or in the gracious way to 
; heaven, inthe ſober paſſhges of mortalitie, or in the juſtice of 
| Nate and policie, or acquainted with the fairenefſe of true 
| honour, that ever gave any allowance, or ever will,to the re- 
 putation of manhood, falſely fo ealled, purchaſcd in private 
| quarrel inthe field. This1s then all they get : forthe lofle of 
| ſoule and body, of heaven andearth, of name and pefteritie, 


( they onely gaine the damned applau'e of devils, ſwaggerers, 


wicked men, | 
| Butifirfall out otherwiſe,that they be not kild, but kill ; 
| mark what befalls them ; they depart the field drunken with 
| bloud, as with new wine: and therefore they {hall be ſure at 
| length to be filled with drunkennefle,and with forrow, even 
| with the cup of deſtruttion and trembling ; they ſhall drinke 
; of it deepe and large, and wring it outto the very dregs. For 
| preſently after the murther committed, they have Gaines 
| tearcfull marke ſtampt upon them : The furies of conſcience 
and cries of blood, ſhall for ever perſecute them with reitleſle 
horrour : As they cloathed themſelves with rage like a rai- 
ment, 10 ſhall it now come 1ntotheir bowels like water, and 
{ inke like oyle into their bones. In the meane time they ſhall 
| vein the hell of conſcience upon earth, and expeGt every 
houre to be tumbled into the hell of wicked divels for ever- 
more inthe world tocome. : :. 
Let me thenanthe name anil-feare of God adviſe them z if 
| they would win anopinion of true valor indeed, if they loo 


for any portion.in the mercies of God, or hanour amon 8 


Is 


—_Y I on "I _—_@_— —_— 


- 
—_— 
— ———__—_—_— — OO EE _—_— wt... 
- nn III hd 


— — — _— Em. 4 _— 


— _———_— 


On" 
as 
_— 


| ' A Diſconrſe of true happineſſe. 77 
his Saints, to ſettle and compoſe fuch wild afteftions by the 
W ord of truth ; to turne the greatneſlc of therr courage- and 
gallantneſſe of Spirit, to the ſubduing and conquering of | | 
| their owne corruptionsz and tothe wrattling againſtprinct- | 
palities and powers, againſt the worldly governours; the | 
princes of the darkeneſk of this world,againit ſpiritual wice | 
kedneſles, which are in the highplaces.T his fight1s Chriftian | 
and couragious indeed, the viQtory is glonous, the reward is ' 
Immartalatie. L {GLITTER 3-7