The works of George Swinnock, M.A. containing these several treatises ...

CHAP. XI. Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness; Frequent Meditation of the day of judgement; A daily Examination of our hearts; Avoiding the Occasions and Sup∣pressing the beginnings of Sin. (Book 11)

SEvently, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness, Meditate much upon the day of Iudgement. They will prepare them∣selves best to the battel, who always hear the sound of the last trump in their ears. Zisea that valiant Captain of the Bohemians, commanded his Country∣men to flea off his skin (when he was dead) and to make a Drum of it. Which use (saith he) when ye go to battel, and the sound of it will drive away the Hungarians or any of your enemies. Could the

Christian, but with Ierom, hear the sound of the last trumpet in his ears at all times, it would en∣courage him in his spiritual warfare, and enable him to fight manfully, and to cause the enemies of his salvation to flee before him. He who can frequently by faith view the Judge sitting on his Throne of Glory, hear the last trumpet sounding: behold the dead raised, the books opened, the godly examined by the Covenant of grace, all their duties, graces, services, sufferings, pub∣liquely declared, approved, and rewarded, the wicked tried by the Law of works, all their na∣tural defilements, actual transgressions, in thought, word and deed, which ever they were guilty of, with their crimson bloody circumstances, openly revealed, their persons righteously senten∣ced to the vengeance of the eternal fire, and that sentence speedily without the least favour or de∣lay executed on them, will surely loath sin, as that which brings him certain shame and torment, and follow after holiness, which will be his un∣doubted credit and comfort at that day. The Apostle writing to the Iews concerning the terror of that day, how the Heavens must pass away with a great noise, and the Elements melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works therein burnt up, makes this use of it, Seeing then that all those things shall be dissolved; What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness? And again,* 1.1 Wherefore beloved, seeing ye look for these things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameness. He had need to be exact in his conversation, who must

undergo so strict an examination. Well may the time of judgement be called a day, for it will declare and manifest the worth of grace and holi∣ness, which in the night of this life is not ob∣served.

Ah, who can conceive the value which the vilest wretch on earth will put upon holiness at that day! then grace will be grace indeed, and godliness will be godliness indeed. Then they who mock at Saints for their purity and strict∣ness, and look upon Sanctity but as Hypocrisie, and the acting of a part to cozen the world with, and think it is enough to put God off with a few prayers now and then, when their pastimes and lusts will give them leave, will call to beleivers as the foolish to the wise Virgins, Give us of your oyl, for our lamps are gone out; then the graceless Princes and Potentates of the world will throw their Crowns and Diadems at the feet of the meanest Christian, for a dram of his grace and holiness.

The Apostle speaking of that day, puts the que∣stion, Where shall the sinner and ungodly appear? 1 Pet. 4. 18. Now indeed, those that ••coff and de∣ride and scorn at holiness, and holy ones, may ap∣pear before great men in many parts of the world with praise and applause; Now, they may appear in the Country, and be respected of their Drunken, Atheistical, Brutish Neighbours, and probably be the more honoured for their opposition to the Spirit of grace and holiness; but then, Where will the sinner and ungodly appear? Not in Heaven, for that is no Stie for Swine, no Kennel for Dogs, no Gaol for Ma∣lefactours,

no place for such unholy God-provoking per∣sons; Into it can in no wise enter that which is de∣filed or unclean. Such a Pallace is not fit for Beasts; Snakes, and Serpents, and Adders are more fit for the bosome and embraces of men, then such men for the bosome and embraces of God. Heaven cast out wicked Angels, and will not take in wick∣ed Men; Where shall they then appear? Not on Earth, for that will be burnt up with fire; Their Houses and places must know them no more for ever. The earth groaned under their weight whilst it bare them, but now is eased of such loads, and shall not be pestered with such Plagues again. But where shall they appear? Not before Christ the Iudge with any comfort, for him they have derided, buffeted, crucified, they have re∣jected his Laws, trampled on his blood, told him to his face, that they will not have him to raign over them. But where will they appear? Not before the Saints, for they have maligned, oppressed, im∣prisoned, persecuted them as a company of Cheats, and Hypocrites. O where shall the sinner and un∣godly appear?

1. Consider, The holiness of the Iudge; He is the holy Iesus. He loveth righteousness, and hateth iniquity, Psa. 45. What will the ungodly sinner do, when he shall be judged by the holy Saviour? Who can stand before this holy God? 1 Sam. 60. 20. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and so he know∣eth the most secret works of darkness. His Law is very pure, and observeth and condemneth the least spots, the least defilement, and how will unclean ones endure to be judged for their everlasting lives

and deaths, by such a Law? His throne is a white throne; and how will the black sinner do to stand before this white throne?

Reader, Thou hadst need to be a faithful and loyal subject, if thou wouldst then be owned and acknowledged by thy Soveraign. How exact should he be in his life, who must be tried by so holy a Law? If thou callest him Father, who with∣out respect of persons, will judge every man according to his works, pass the time of thy sojourning here in fear, 1 Pet. 1. 17.

2. Consider, The strictness of his proceedings; Every thought, word, and action shall be revealed, examined, and weighed in the ballance of the sanctuary; There is nothing hid that shall not be re∣vealed, nor secret that shall not be made known. The thoughts of thy heart shall then be as visible as the features of thy face. When God shall judge the secrets of mens hearts by my Gospel, Rom. 2•• 16. All thy words will then be as audible as if thou hadst had a voice to reach every child of Adam, both a∣live and dead; Verily I say unto you, that of every idle word, ye shall give an account at the day of Christ, Mat. 12. 36. Every action of thine will then be legible, not onely to God, as it is at this day, but also to Angels and Men; We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, to give an ac∣count of all things done in the body, whether they be good, or whether they be evil; 2 Cor. 5. 10. All the works of darkness will then be brought to light; We must all appear, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not onely be present in person, and not by a proxy, but be laid open and manifest, be transparent, so the word signifi∣eth,

to give an account of every thing done, &c. to render a reason of every individual thought, word, and deed; what was the principle from which we acted, what was the rule by which we acted, what was the end for which we acted. When Benjamins sack was opened, the silver cup appeared. On that Fair-day, all mens packs will be opened, and then it will be known what ware they carry about with them.

Hence some have conjectured that it will not be a short time, nor the judgement soon passed over. It is called a day, but not in relation to our natu∣ral, or artificial days, for Christ judging as man in his humane nature, by his divine power, will probably employ a far greater time in searching into, and publiquely revealing every mans condi∣tion and conversation.* 1.2 Though I am not of their opinions, who say, it will be precisely a thousand years•• because its said, A thousand years are in thy sight but as one day; Yet I judge it to be taken in∣definitely, and as A••stin saith, That the day of judgement shall begin is certain; but when it shall end is uncertain. I find two Divines, eminent both for grace and learning in their generations, speaking; One saith, I humbly conceive that the day of judgement shall not be passed over in an in∣stant, but shall be of long continuance; sor if Christ should judge onely as God, he could dispatch it in a moment, but he judging as man, it must be after the manner of men, that the creature may understand, admire, and approve what is done. The other saith, It must take up some large quantity of time, to ma∣nifest all the secret sins of men, and therefore it

may be made evident, both from Scripture and rea∣son, that the day of Christs kingly office, in judging the world, shall last happily longer then the day of Christs private administration, now in governing the world.

3. Consider, The weight of the sentence; Its called the eternal judgement, because the sentence then pronounced, shall never be reversed, but stand for ever. In this world God judgeth men, sometimes mediately, sometimes immediately, which is the first judgement, from which men may appeal by repentance to his mercy-seat; but this the last judgement, once for all, once for ever, in which men receive their final, their eternal doom, Ioh. 11. 24. Here Iacob appeals from Laban, to an higher tribunal, Gen. 31. 53. And David from Saul, to the King of Kings; The Lord judge between me and t••ee, 1 Sam. 24. 12. Psa. 17. 2. And Paul appeals from Festus to Caesar, I stand at Caesars judgement seat, Act. 25. 10. But then there can be no appeal to an higher Court, no writ of error can be brought, no arrest of judgement, no second hearing obtained; The sinner condemned to eternal death then, is gone for ever; no pardon, no, not so much as a Reprieve can be procured for one hour. The Saint absolved and declared an heir of eternal life, is blessed for ever, he shall be beyond all fear, all doubts in himself, above all shot, all opposition from others; In this life, Niniveh was threatned, Niniveh repented, and Niniveh was ••pared; the sen∣tence pronounced was not executed, at least it was respited; but then every sinner will repent, weep and wail, but repentance will be hid from

the eyes of the Judge, all their tears will be in vain; when they are cast, then they are gone for ever.

To provoke thee to holiness,

4. Consider, The felicity of the godly at that day; O, with what joy will they lift up their heads, when that day of their redemption is come! This life is the day of their oppression and persecution, but that day will be the day of their redemption. At this day they are troubled and vexed with a tempting Devil, and deceitful hearts, and false, proud, unbeleiving flesh; but that will be the day of their redemption from them all. No wonder they love the appear∣ing of Christ, and look and long for his appearing, when it will be the day of their redemption, and time of their refreshing ••rom the presence of the Lord. When thousands and millions shall howl and la∣ment; When the Oratour will be silenced, and have his mouth stopped; When the Souldier that durst venture into the mouth of the Cannon, and dare death it self, shall play the Coward, and seek for any hole to hide himself in; when the Captains, and Kings, and Nobles, shall call to the Rocks to fall on them, and the Mountains to cover them, from the presence of the Lord, and the wrath of the Lamb, even then the godly shall sing and rejoyce.

1. Their godliness will then be mentioned to their eternal honour; As God hath a bag for mens sins, (Thou sealest up mine iniquities in a bag) so he hath a book for their services; A book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his name. Then all their prayers, and tears, their watchings, fastings, faith, love, zeal, pa∣tience,

almes, imprisonment, loss of goods, name, liber∣ty, life for Christ and the Gospel, will be manifested to their honour, and praise, and glory, at the coming of Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 7. Mat. 25. 34, 53.

2. Their names will be then vindicated; With the resurrection of bodies, there shall also be a resur∣rection of names. Now indeed, the throats of wicked men are open Sepulchres, wherein the credit of the godly is buried. Ioseph is an Adulterer, Ne∣hemiah a Traytour, Ieremiah a Rebel against the King, Paul a mover of sedition, a pestilent fellow, and one that turned Christian for spite, because the High Priest would not give him his Daughter in Marriage; but when the Sea, and Death, and Hell, shall give up their dead, then shall the throats, the open Sepulchres of wicked men, give up the names of the godly; Then their righteousness shall be cleared as the Sun, and their uprightness as the noon day.

3. Their persons shall be then publiquely acquitted; They shall be cleared by publique proclamation, be∣fore God, Angels, and Men. Hence it's said, Their sins shall be blotted out, when the time of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord. The sentence of Absolution passed in their conscience by the Spirit at this day is sweet, and puts more joy into their hearts, then if all the Crowns, and Scepters of this world, had befallen them; but O how comfortable will it be to be declared just by the Judge himself, before the whole world, at that solemn and imperial day! They may then ring that challenge, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? Rom. 8. 33. And none will accept it, or take up the Gantlet. Who? Shall God, whose Children and Chosen they are?

No; It is God that justifieth. Shall the Iudge? No; It is his undertaken-work to present them to the Father without spot or wrinckle, or any such thing. He hath washed them in his own blood, and made them as white as innocent Adam or Angels; He was judged for them, and will not passe judgement against them; He cannot condemne them, but he must condemne himself, for they are his members, his body, his brethren, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. Shall the Law? No, They have fully an∣swered all its demands, superabundantly satisfied it through their surety, both in perfect obedience to all its precepts, and undergoing its punishment: What the Law saith, either in regard of command∣ing compleat subjection, or cursing for the omission of it: it saith to them that are under the Law; but they are not under the Law, but under Grace. Shall Conscience? No; Next to God and Christ its their best friend: as Christ pleads for them to his father, so Conscience pleads for them to themselves. This is their rejoycing, the testimony of good Consciences, that in simplicity and godly sincerity they had their con∣versations in this world, 2 Cor. 1. 12. Shall Satan? No; The accuser of the brethren will be then cast down, and his place will be found no more in Heaven: then, then, those blessed promises will be performed, The seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head: and the God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet.

4. The Saints happiness will be then perfected, and he shall never know more what sin or sorrow mean∣eth, or what want of Gods favour, or doubt of Christs love, or defect of joy and comfort meaneth: The Christian hath so much laid out upon him in this

world, Vocation, Adoption, Pardon, Peace, Joy in the Holy Ghost, hopes of Glory, that in the worst condition that Men and Devils can plunge him into, he finds cause to say, Yet God is good to Israel, to them that are of a clean heart: but then when he shall enjoy all that is laid up for him, and know the full extent of Gods promises to him, the all of Christs purchase for him, and the utmost reward of his pie∣ty: then surely he will cry out with the Psalmist, O how great is that goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Clemens Alex∣andrinus makes mention of a place in Persia, where there were three Hills; when people came to the first, they heard a clashing of armour; when they came to the second, they heard a confused noise; when to the third, nothing but songs of triumph. At the day of the Saints Conversion, he comes to the first hill, then he heareth a clashing of armour, listing himself under the Captain of his salvation, and pro∣claiming open war, against the world, flesh, and wicked one. At the day of death, he comes to the second hill, a confused noise, his friends are weeping and grieving, his wife and children are mourning and bemoaning their loss; though his soul be re∣joycing to think of the rest to which it's going, yet the flesh sweateth, panteth, is pierced and pained. At the day of judgement, he comes to the third hill, where he heareth nothing but songs of triumph, Victoria, Victoria, Hallelujahs, Salvation, Honour, Glory, Praise to the Lord, and to the Lamb for ever. At that day of judgement, the whole world shall see and say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous;

Then shall the wicked return and discern a difference between them that fear God, and them that fear him not. Then Grace will appear in all its embroydery and glory on that day of its coronation, when the worst in Hell shall admire and adore it. Now ho∣liness hath a wonderful disadvantage, partly by the persecutions, afflictions, bonds, and imprisonments, that attend it; and chiefly from the darkness of mens understanding, and the weakness of their eyes, they are not able to view the thousandth part of its comeliness; but then Holiness shall be freed from that black Guard of Hell that dogs her to destroy her; and then the eyes of all the world shall be strengthned so much as to behold her amiableness, then she shall be owned, honoured, acknowledged by God, Angels, and all the Chil∣dren of Adam; then she shall be attended, not with Mulcts, and Penalties, and Bonds, and Fet∣ters, but Crowns, and Scepters, and Palms, and Kingdoms; and then, O then, how lovely, how beau∣tiful will she be indeed!

5. To affrighten thee from sin, Consider, the misery of sinners at that day. Its called the day of perdition of ungodly men. Sin will be sin indeed at that day. When sin shall be stripped naked of the favour and countenance of great men, of the preferments, and advantages, and riches, and honours, and offices, with which it is cloathed here below, and instead thereof be invested with fire, and flames, and brimstone, and blackness of darkness, and whips, and serpents, and unconceiva∣ble and eternal torments, what an ugly loathsom strumpet will she be, even in the eyes of them

that now dote on her, commit whordome with her, and sacrifice their strength, and time, and estates, and souls, and God, and Christ, and Heaven, and all to her? Then the Drunkard will find his liquor more bitter then wormwood, when he shall have a cup of pure wrath without the least mixture of mercy brought to him, and he forced to take it down, though there be eternity to the bottom. Then the Persecutor of Gods people shall find that it had been better to have been rot∣ting in a ditch, or boyling in a furnace of lead, then to have spent his time in wronging the poorest meanest member of Christ; when God shall recom∣pence tribulation to them that persecute his people, and to them that are persecuted rest and peace; Then every sinner will believe and feel what now, though God himself tell him, he will be an infidel in, that it is an evil and bitter thing to depart away from the living God. The wicked is reserved (as the Beast for the slaughter-day) to the day of destruction, he shall be brought forth (as the condemned Malefactour on execution-day) at the day of slaughter; Ah how dreadful will the sinners doom be then! The tri∣bunal of the Judge, will be a tribunal of fire; He shall come in flaming fire, to render vengeance, &c. The Law by which he will try them, shall be a Law of fire, or a fire of Law, Deut. 33.2. The Judge himself to them will be a consuming fire, Heb. 12. 28. And the judgement which he will denounce a∣gainst them, will be, Go ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels for ever; Ah who can dwell in everlasting burnings! who can abide devouring flames! Who can imagine the shame

that will cover their faces, the horror that will fill their hearts, the terrors, and tortures, and tor∣ments that must seize them for ever? If Iudas was so ashamed when he saw Thamars signet and staff, the remembrances of his sin? how will they be con∣founded, when all their revellings and roarings, their chambering and wantonness, their cursing and swearing, and all their sins shall be opened be∣fore all the world? If Herod was so afrighted when he supposed that John was risen from the dead, that the Baptists ghost by walking in his conscience rob∣bed him of all comfort; what afrightment will possess them, to see the Saints whom they have nick∣named, disgraced, imprisoned, and it may be mur∣dered, risen from the dead, owned and honoured by the Judge, and the chief Favourites in the Heavenly Court? If Saul was so troubled when he did hear Christ call to him out of Heaven, that he fell to the ground; what trouble, what tribulation will possess them, whom he shall curse with a bitter curse, and call to Devils to seize on, and associate with, and prey upon for ever and ever? The Saint shall find mercy, the sweetest mercy in that day of judge∣ment; but the Sinner shall have judgement, the sorest, the most cutting, killing judgement, with∣out the least drop of mercy. If the day when God gave the Law was so dreadful, full of thundrings and lightnings and fearful noises, that the people cryed out, Let not God speak to us, lest we die, and Moses himself did exceedingly quake and fear; and if the day were so dreadful, when the Son of Gods infi∣nite love bare the curse of the Law, that the rocks were rent, the earth trembled, the Sun was darkned; how

dreadful will that day be, when God shall make in∣quisition into, and deal with the vessels of wrath for the breath of the Law? Who can abide that day of his coming? Who shall stand when he appeareth? Well may it be called the great and terrible day of the Lord Iesus; Well might the wise man, when he had seemingly laid the reins on the young mans back, and given him leave to run on in the way of his own heart and eyes, pull him in with this Curb; Re∣member that for all these things God will bring thee to judgement.

When Sapores King of Persia, had raised a violent persecution against•• the Christians; Vsthazanes an antient Nobleman, and a Christian, who in the Kings minority had the Governmen•• of the People, was so terrified, that he denied the Faith; but sit∣ing at the Court Gate, when Simeon an old Bishop, and holy person was leading to prison, he rose up to salute him; but the good Bishop frowning on him, turn'd away his head with indignation; upon which Vsthazanes fell a weeping, went into his chamber, put off his Courtly attire, and burst out into this speech; Ah how shall I appear before the great God of heaven, whom I have denied, when Simeon but a man will not endure to look upon me! If he frown, how will God frown, when I come to appear at his Tri∣bunal? Upon these considerations, he repen∣ted of his Apostacy, assumed courage, and be∣became a glorious Martyr for Christ. If Felix an Heathen trembled, when Paul reasoned of judge∣ment to come; nay, if the very Devils so far believe that day, as to tremble at the thoughts of it, well may the consideration of that day make Christians

tremble at the thoughts of sin, and not dare there∣by to treasure up wrath upon their heads, against that day of wrath, and the declaration of the righteous judge∣ment of God.

Reader, At this day think much of that day of judgement, hereby thou wilt be stirred up to judge thy self, to repent of sin, to ensure an interest in Christ the Judge, to keep a good conscience, and so to think, speak, and act, as one that must be judged by the Law of liberty, 1 Cor. 11.31. Act. 3.19. and 17. 31. 2 Pet. 3. 11. Eccles. 12. ult. Iam. 2. 12. Act. 24. 16.

Eighthly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to God∣liness; Call thy self often to account. This is a special help to holiness; I considered my ways, and turned my feet to thy testimonies, saith David, Psa. 119.5. A man that goeth out of his way, will continue wandering, if his mind be occupied about other things, and he con∣sider not what he is doing, and whither he is going. The Christian that is careless of his carriage, and sel∣dom compareth his heart and life with the divine commands, to observe how they agree or disagree, will never order his conversation aright; When a clock is out of order, we take it to peices, and search where the fault lyeth, knowing that one wheel amiss may hinder the going of the whole Clock. Our hearts are every day out of order, our work must be to take them to peices by Examination, and to see where the great fault is. Seneca's sober young man, Ita laborat, ita ludit, ita caenat, ita potat, ita lo∣quitur, ita vivit, ut qui ephemerides Patri est approbatur•••••• so labours, so playeth, so eateth, so drinketh, so speak••, and so lives, as one

that is daily to be accountable for all to his Father. He that would keep his spiritual estate, must keep his Account-books well; The neglect of this, hath been the breaking of many Tradesmen. When Shop-keepers live high, far above their incomes, and for want of searching into their Books, are ignorant whether their gains will allow such large expences, it is no wonder if they prove worse then naught. They who expect the coming of great and severe strangers, who will observe narrowly how their house lyeth, and how their vessels are kept, and publish it either to their credit, or dis∣credit, according as they find; will keep their houses in order, sweep them clean, have their pewter bright and clear, and all things exactly in their places. When the Christian looks every night for the coming of Gods Deputy, his conscience, to spy and search into his heart and life; how clean and ho∣ly both have been kept all the day, it will be a spe∣cial means to make him watchful over his ways, and exact in his carriage and conversation. Bee-Masters tell us, that they are the best hives which make the greatest noise; So that conscience is the best, which makes the greatest noise in daily reasonings and de∣bates before its own bar.

Examination is the quickest way to bring the erring sheep home to the fold. Honest men will examine their weights and measures by the standard, that if they be defective they may be mended. The honest heart will examine its thoughts, its words, its actions by the Royal Law, that their unsutableness to its strictness and latitude may be repented of, and to the utmost of its power reformed, Let us search and try our ways;

For what cause? What will be the issue of such a scrutiny? And turn again to the Lord, Lam. 3.39. What man will seek to a Physitian, or accept his advice, or take his prescriptions, who doth not know himself distempered, and feel his disease? Tis examination of our hearts and lives, by the holy and pure Law of God, that gives thee know∣ledge of our spiritual sickness, and helpeth us to feel it, to prize our Physitian, and thankfully and heartily to accept his directions for our cure.

Its observed of the Dutch-men, that they keep their banks (notwithstanding the threats of the in∣sulting Ocean) with little cost and labour, because they look narrowly to them, and stop them up in time; If there be but; a small breach, they stop it presently, and hereby save much charge and trou∣ble. Frequent examination will do this courtesie for the Christian, it will maintain his peace with little charge and trouble comparatively; As soon as any breach is made by sin, that Arch-make-bate, between God and the soul, it will help the Chri∣stian to run presently to Christ to heal and make it up in Heaven by his merits; and in the soul, by his purifying and pacifying spirit.

The counsel which the Philosopher gave the young men at Athens, may sutably and profitably be applied to Christians; That they should often view themselves in a glass, that if they were fair and well featured, they should do such things as were beseeming their amiable shape; but if soul and ill-favoured, that then they should labour to salve the bodies blemishes, by the beauties of a mind, accoutred with the ornaments of vertue and good literature.

Examination is a special preservative against sin; No Children are more bold to defile themselves, and to play with dirt, or rake in kennels, then those who know their Parents are so foolishly fond (like David of Adonijah) that they never displease them at any time, in saying, Why hast thou done so? The Child that expecteth to be reckoned with at night, will be careful how he dir∣tieth his cloaths in the day.

Examination will help the Christian, if not to hin∣der a coming disease, yet to prevent its growing and increase.

The Ship that leaketh, is more easily emptied at the beginning then afterwards; The Bird is easily killed in the Egge, but when once hatcht and fledged, we may kill it when we can catch it. A frequent reckoning with our selves, will pluck sin up before it is rooted in the soul.

Examination will help the Christian that hath fallen and bruised himself, to heal the wound whilst it is fresh, before it is festered; This one advan∣tage, if there were no more, is extraordinary. As the sting of a Bee, though the Bee be fled, works it self into the flesh deeper, and diffuseth its venome more strongly, causing the greater pain, that every man, unless foolish, will speedily pull it out, lest he encrease his own anguish; Truly so doth sin, though the honey, the pleasure of it be gone, yet the sting remains, and the longer it is before it is pulled out by Faith and Repentance, the deeper it works it self into the soul, and the more sorrow it will put us to in this or the other world.

Tis examination at night, that brings the soul to mourn for, and repent of its failings in the day; Tis like the tree which C••esias speaks of, in describing India, that besides fruit, distilleth certain tears, of which are made Precious Amber; or as the drops of the Vine, its excellent against the leprousie of sin. Ephesus would never repent till they examined and considered whence they had fallen.

When sin is admitted into the soul, and as a Theif in the night stole in at unawares, when the eye of the souls watchfulness was fallen asleep; Examination will light the Candle of the word, and search the house narrowly, and find out this ill guest, and before it hath done so much mischief as it intended, apprehended it, indict, condemn, and execute it.

Examination every day, is like purging the body at the beginning of a distemper, which takes it be∣fore it hath habituated it self, and so is much the more easily repelled. An enemy may much sooner be forced out of his holds, when he hath newly taken possession, then when he hath continued so long as to cast up his banks, make his ditches, placed his Guns, and fortified them. After we have been foiled by our spiritual enemies, and by examinati∣on find out the cause, it will make us more watchful at that gate at which they enter'd, and careful of that particular wherein they got the advantage of us. As when David had received intelligence, that the Amonites had given his Army some small defeat, he sends Ioab word of the reason, they went too near the City, and wisheth him to make the battel more strong against the place, 2 Sam. 11. So examination

finds out the reason of a Christians defeat by Satan, either it was through self-confidence, or want of spiritual watchfulness, or love to some known sin, and helpeth the Saint to bewail the cause of his defeat, and directe••h him how to provide better against the next onset:

Frequent examination keepeth the conscience raw and tender, that the least touch of sin will be offen∣sive and troublesom to it. When the heart is used to yeild at a small Willow, it will never be quiet under a great Oak. Searching into our souls, makes sin more loathsom to us. Whilst these filthy sinks are unstir'd, they do but little disturb us, or annoy us with their fil∣thy savour, but when by examination we rake into them, their noysom stench offendeth us extremely, and shews us what need we have of cleansing.

Examination every night, will help the Christian to a good nights rest; How comfortably may he lye down, who hath made all even with his Maker, and heard his everlasting Father bidding him Good-night? How quietly may he sleep, who hath his pardon un∣der his Pillow! he needs not fear any Officer to call him up at midnight, and attach him for any treasons or misdemeanours.

Its said of Cato, that constantly at evening he would call to mind what ever he had seen,* 1.3 read, or done that day. It was Pythagoras rule to his Scholars, That they should no night suffer sleep to seise their senses, till they had three times recalled the acci∣dents and passages of the day. O what a shame is it, that Moralists who had no true sense of the benefit of such a duty, should out-go the Christian in the per∣formance of it! That many persons should know

the Chronicles of other Countries or Kingdoms, some ages past, and yet not know the passages of their own souls one day past!

Reader, If thou wouldst walk closely with God, and keep even with him, reckon daily with him; Call thy self to a strict scrutiny, What do I? how live I? where am I? is the work I do, warrantable by the word or no? is my life the life of Faith, of Ho∣liness, or no? am I in Gods way, under his protecti∣on, or no? Have I truth of grace, the power of god∣liness, or do I please my self with the form of it? Do I thrive and increase in grace, or do I decay and decline? Suppose I were to dye this night, what ground have I to hope for Heaven? what assurance that I shall escape the power and rage of frightful Devils? What evidences have I, that I am a new creature, engrafted into Christ, and thereby entitled to life and bliss? Thus feel the pulse of thy soul, enquire into its state, visit it often, and see how it doth.

Call thy self to an account for thy sins; Let heart and life sins, open and private sins, omissions, commissions, personal, relative, be all reckoned for. Ask thy soul as Rebecah, Why am I thus? Why am I so false to my God? so unfaithful to my Covenants? The heart is like a Ditch, into which filth is continually running, and therefore it beho∣veth thee by examination, to be always emptying it. The Stable that is daily fowled, must be daily cleansed; The hands that are daily contracting dirt, must be daily washed. Our souls are more polluted and diseased then our bodies; we have always a filthy issue of sin running, which we must be daily searching into, and dressing, or our stench will make

us loathsom to, and unfit for any communion with God or his people.

Call thy self to an account daily for thy mercies; Ask thy self, How much am I indebted to my God? what privative, what positive mercies do I partake of? what old, what new, what night, what day mercies, what mercies at home, what abroad, what personal, what domestical, what national mercies do I enjoy? or am a sharer in? what bodily, what spi∣ritual mercies do I receive? what time, what talents, have I to trade with, and reckon for? This will help the soul to be speedy and hearty in thankfulness, and force it to Davids Interrogation, What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits? What hot love should I return, what an holy life should I lead? Do this daily; It is much better to pay sums when they are little, then when they are large. Wise men that are able, find it the best way to pay ready money for their wares. Neglect herein, causeth many mistakes and inconveniencies, and many times differences amongst friends.

Having spoken to this particular in the sixth Chapter, I shall say no more to it here, though indeed I judge it next to a new nature, not inferi∣our to any means of godliness.

Ninthly, If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness, Avoid the occasions of sin; he that would avoid the commission of sin, must avoid the occa∣sions of sin. If we would not fall down the Hill, we must beware of coming near the brow of it. Keep thee far from an evil matter; Children which in frost venture upon the Ice, may possibly be safe, but

yet many times they break their limbs, and some∣times lose their lives. Its possible for a Saint to come off safe from occasions of sin, but is very seldom seen. A fair booty makes many a man a Theif, who otherwise might have lived honest. It was counted therefore a great part of wisdom in Alexander, when he had taken the beautiful daugh∣ters of Darius Prisoners, not to see the fair Ladies, lest their beauty should have enticed him to folly; The same word in Hebrew, signifieth both an eye and a fountain, to shew that from the eye, as from a fountain, sin doth too often flow; Iobs practice was such, that he would not look on a Maid, lest he should lust after her; And Davids prayer was, Turn away mine eyes from beholding va∣nity. We take the wind of those that are infected with contagious diseases. The wise man gives no∣table counsel to men, if they would avoid drun∣kenness; Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it casteth its colour in the glass, Prov. 23. 31. When it laughs in thy face, then shut thine eyes, lest it steal into thy heart; We are ready to think, what hurt, what danger is there in beholding, the wine in the glass, sparkling and brisky? But Solomon knew that from looking on it, men come to like it, from liking to tasting, from tasting to a draught, from one draught to another, till the man is metamorphised into a beast. Gen. 39. 10, Psa. 119. 37. The wise Socrates could advise men to be∣ware of those meats which would entice men without hunger to eat, and those drinks which would entice a man without thirst to drink, know∣ing that if men come within those traps and baits,

they are easily taken. A guest may easily be kept out of the house at first, but if once entertained, its hard to turn him out of doors. When a Gover∣nour of a Fort once comes to parley with the ene∣my that besiegeth him, there is great fear that the place will be surrendred. I have read of one that having a great mind to go to Rome, yet knowing it to be a corrupt place, and a corrupter of others, entered the City with his eyes close shut, neither would he be perswaded to see any thing there but Peters Church, which he went to visit. Solomon perswades his Son, if he should not be enticed by the Harlot, that he would not come near her house, Remove thy way far from her, and come not near the door of her house, Prov. 5. 8.

He that carrieth always along with him, an heart ready to break out into a flame, prone to all wicked∣ness, had need to take heed of those Bellows that will help to blow up the fire. I more fear, saith Luther, that which is within me, then that which is from with∣out. When a distempered stomach comes to meet with tossing waves, sickness ensueth, though the prime cause is not from the Billows without, but Choler within. Occasion and the heart, are like Di∣nah and Sechem, if they meet, they usually part not till folly is committed. Those that desire to hinder the generation of Vice, that brat of Hell, must keep the Male, occasion, and the Female, a wicked heart asunder, one from the other. They who have bodies always ready to take infection, must be more careful of their diet and company then others; Insensible Vapours bring forth horrible Tempests; Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth.

The best heart is like a flint; there is fire in it, though it doth not appear; occasion is the steel that fetch∣eth it forth, which being let alone would be quiet. Bees in winter being sensible of their weakness, keep their hives, and will not expose themselves to the sharp air and bitter frosts, lest thereby they sicken and dye. Alas, how weak is man! how unable to resist the occasions of sin! no more then the Hound can forbear pursuing the Hare before his eyes, and therefore it concerns him to avoid them. A candle newly extinguished will quickly be lighted again. Powder meeting with a light match, presently takes fire.

For this cause it was ordained of God in the law of the Nazarite, who did for a time specially consecrate himself to God, that besides his not coming to the dead, and suffering his hair to grow, he should abstain from these things; 1. from wine, and strong drink. 2. From the vinegar of wine or strong drink. 3. From any liquor of grapes, though it were but the water wherein they were steeped. 4. From the green or moist grape. 5. From the dried grape or raisin. 6. From the husk or kernel of them, Numbers 6.3,4. Had the Nazarite eaten but the skin of the grape or raisin, he had broken the law: Here∣by the holy Ghost would teach us that those who separate themselves from the world, to be in a spe∣cial manner serviceable to the Lord, must avoid not onely plain sin, but the appearance of sin, and all occasions of it, though we may look upon them but as the husks of grapes, to be of small moment and little danger. Beza giveth this reason why the Le∣vite, when he saw the man that fell among theives,

passed on the other side of the way, Ne cadaveris contactu pollueretur; Lest he should be defiled with the touch of the corps. He would be so far from touch∣ing a dead carkass, that he would pass on the other side of the way when he saw one dying. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men; avoid it, pass not by it (i. e. come not not near it) turn from it and pass away, Prov. 4. 14, 15.

He that will do all he may, will quickly do what he may not. Its lawful to enjoy bodily pleasures and delights, but not to buy them with hazard to our souls. Souldiers in a Garrison that venture to the outmost line, are often snapt up by those that besiege them. We sometimes when in danger of a siege, burn down those houses in the skirts of the City which might be serviceable to us, when we cannot well defend them, lest they should prove helpful to our enemies against us. Theseus is said to cut off his golden locks, lest his adversaries should in fight take hold of them. Even in things lawful its commendable for Christians to deny themselves, when there is danger by taking liberty therein of gratifying the enemies of their souls. Cotis King of Thracia manifested possibly more prudence then pro∣digality in breaking the cupboard of curious glasses presented to him,* 1.4 lest (his nature being extremely cholerick) he should deal too severely with his ser∣vants in case they had broken any of them. Aristotle hath a story of Satyrus, that being a pleader, and knowing himself passionate, and in that drunken∣ness of the mind apt to commit many indecencies, and to rush into foul extravagancies, he used to stop

his ear with wax, lest the sense of ill language should move him to choler.

Reader, as thou wouldst shun sin in the action, shun it in the occasion;* 1.5 remember thou carriest thatch about thee, and therefore oughtest to avoid the least sparks. A little wind will drive a ship with the stream and tide; and a small temptation may carry thee that way which thy wicked heart inclines thee. A little pulling will draw a strong man whe∣ther he is willing to go; its safest therefore to be out of harms way, and the greatest magnanimity to flye from the sight of such an enemy as sin is; He hath most true courage who makes a timely retreat before he be wounded.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2. Pet. 3. 11, 14.
• * 1.2

  Per quot dies hoc judicium extendatur in∣certum ••st. Scri∣pturarum more diem poni so∣lere pro tempo∣re nemo nescit. Aug. de ••••vit d••i l. 20. cap. 1.
• * 1.3

  Cicer. de Senec.
• * 1.4

  Plutarch.
• * 1.5

  Q••antum pos∣sumus a lubrico recedamus, &c. Sen. Epist. ad Lucil.