An infallible vvay to farewell in our bodies, names, estates, precious souls, posterities : together with, mens great losse of happinesse, for not paying, the small quitrent of thankfulness : whereunto is added remaines of the P.A., a subject also of great concernment for such as would enjoy the blessed promises of this life, and of that ot come / by R. Younge ...

CHAP. LIV. (Book 54)

FOurthly, If there needs no other ground of our last and heaviest doom, than, Ye have not given, Ye have not visited: If the main point which Christ wil scan at the day of Judgement, is the point of mercy. If he wil accuse the Wicked at the last day, not onely for taking the meat out of the poors mouths, or plucking their apparel off their backs; but for not feeding them, and putting cloaths upon their backs, as is evident by Matth. 25. and as I have made plain; then are all Nega∣tive Christians in an ill taking.

It is strange to see how many several ways men have to deceive themselves: One thinks it enough that he is of the outward visible Church, born of Chri∣stian Parents, hath been baptized, &c. Another so confidently hopes for Salvation by Faith, that he little regards honesty, or true dealing amongst men. Another sort flatter themselves with promises of mercy; as, Christ suffered for all; God would have all to be saved; At what time soever a sinner repents, he shall be forgiven, and the like; and with these they bat∣ten their own presumptuous confidence, be their lives never so licentious. Yea where is the man that wil not boast of his love to Christ? though they even hate all that any way resemble him; but

of all others, such as live harmless Lives, and do no hurt, think it sufficient, and that it greatly matters not for doing good, so they do no evil. And in these conceits they go on to the end of their lives, without once questioning how they shal enter in at the straight Gate. Their deceitful hearts serve them as Jael did Sizera, who flatter∣ingly said to him, Come in my Lord, giving him Milk, and covering him with a Mantle, but withal, nail∣ing his head to the ground. As see how the Rich Glutton flattered himself with hopes, until he was in Hel-flames: For notwithstanding he had deni∣ed poor Lazarus the very crumbs that fell from his Ta∣ble, yet he could challenge Abraham for his Father, saying, Father Abraham have mercy on me, &c. Luk. 16 But refused he was, because he had not the works, nor indeed the Faith of Ahraham, though he might seem to profess and pretend it. And the like of those Jews, John 8. For they could boast to Christ, that Abraham was their Father; but he gave them a cutting Answer, If ye were Abraham's Children, ye would do the works of Abraham, ver. 39. Vainly do they speak of their love to Christ, who yet are wanting to his members. Neither can there be a truer argument of a godless person, then un∣mercifulness: If we know a man unmerciful, we may boldly say, He is ungodly, John 3. 17. The lack of Charity, is the conviction of Hypocrisie, 1 Cor. 13. 1, 2, &c. The righteous is merciful, and giveth, Psal. 37. 21, 22. But the Wicked are so far from this that they borrow, and pay not again. The Father of Mer∣cies hath no Children but the merciful, Matth. 5. 7. He that is not a feeling. Member of others mise∣ries,

is not of that Mystical Body, whereof Christ is the Head. It is not who is called a Christian, or who is baptized; for in that number we shall find a∣bundance of Hereticks, no fewer Hypocrites, and inn imerable ungodly persons; some not informed in their Judgements, the rest not reformed in their lives; Neither is it enough that we are civil honest men whom none can justly accuse; for we are comman∣ded 1 Pet. 3. 11. to eschue evil, and to do good; to es∣chue evil, is the first lesson of Christianity, but not all; to do good is the second, and greater half, 2 Tim. 2. 19. Let every one that calls on the Name of the Lord, depart from iniquity; that is one step, but not high enough; We must also do the will of our Fa∣ther, John 7. 17. Every Tree that brings not forth good fruit, (for all it brings forth no bad) shall be cut down for the Fire; And the servant that doth not im∣ploy and increase his Talent, (for all he returns it safe and whole to his Master) shall be bound hand and foot, and cast into utter darkness, Matth. 25. 30.

Thou hast a servant who is neither Thiefe nor Drunkard, nor Swearer; no, none is able to tax him with any vice or unthriftiness; yet because he sits all day with his hand in his bosom, and does nothing, thou correctest him: Why what harm hath he done? Thou canst not charge him with any thing but his not doing of something, yet he deserves chastisement: So in this case there needs no more to prove thee wicked, and to make thee of the number of those Goats which shall be placed at Christ's left hand, and to whom he shall say, Depart ye cursed, then that thou hast not done these works of mercy, which are no less commanded, then the wickedst actions are forbidden.

Good deeds are such, that no man is saved for them, nor without them. Indeed Faith is the life of a Christian; but the breath whereby he is known to live, is Charity, 1 Cor. 13. 3. Faith doth ju∣stifie, our works do testifie that we are justified: There∣fore justifie thy Faith, that thy Faith may justifie thee. There is much Faith talked of, but little faithfulness manifested; abundance of love, but not a spark of Charity, Gal. 5. 22. But let men pretend what they wil, he that hath Grace, or the love of God in his heart, wil shew it in Works of mercy, to the end, that God may be honored, and others won and edified thereby. Blessed are the pure in heart, faith our Saviour, for they shall see God, Matth. 5. 8. They must lead vertuous lives on Earth, that ever expect in Heaven to see the Lord Jesus. Now the inward disposition of the heart is outwardly ingraven in the life. Shew methy faith by thy works, sayes James, Jam. 2. 18. That is, by thy active obedi∣ence, which consisteth in doing God's Commandments; and passive obedience, in suffering his Chastisements. Though Faith be alone in Justification, yet not in the justified; as the Eye, though alone in seeing, yet not in him that seeth, but joined with the Ears, Nose, Hands, and many other members of the body.

Faith the Queen of Graces, hath her Gentle∣man-Usher before, and her Servants following af∣ter. If you see not Repentance go before Faith; nor Works attending on her: know that it is not she. There is a zeal without knowledge, and there is a knowledge without zeal; there is a faith without obe∣dience, and there is an obedience without faith; there

is a love without fear, & there is a fear without love; & both are hypocrites. We are justified by faith, sayes Paul, Rom. 4. 3. We are justified by works, says James, Jam. 2. 21 St. James dealt with them that stood too much up∣on Faith without Works, S. Paul dealt with them that stood too much upon Works without Faith.

Wirked men, if we mark it, are all for extreams, and extreams onely bear rule in this World, be∣cause there is still but one virtue for two vices, which cowch so close beside her, that the natural man can scarce see her; as for instance, you shall ever see Pride on the one side, Rusticity on the other side, and comeliness in the midst; Flattery on the one side, Malice on the other side, and Love in the midst: Diffidence on the one side, Presumption on the other side, and Faith in the midst. Superstition on the one side, Atheism on the o∣ther side, and Religion in the midst: Ignorance on the one side, Curiosity on the other side, and knowledge in the midst: Carefulness on the one side, Carelesness on the other side, and Diligence in the midst: Covetousness on the one side, Prodigallity on the other side, and Frugallity in the midst. But to these Virtues, or to keep the mean, Worldlings are always to seek, as hereafter they wil be of a blessing.

Gods Servants are known by this, they square all their actions and intentions by the Rule of the Word, as knowing that if they do never so much to satisfie anothers Will, or their own, it avails nothing with God, if it be not done for God. There∣fore David prayes, Teach me O Lord, to do thy will, not my Will; for we need not be taught to do our own wills; every man can go to Hell without a Guide. Now he that wil do Gods Will, and live by the direct Rule of his Word, must repent and be∣lieve

the Gospel, Mark 1. 15. that is, joyn with his faith in God's Promises, obedience to his Precepts; For Faith and Obedience are as inseparable as life and mo∣tion, the Sun and its light.

And altbeit in our Justification, Christ saith, Fiat tibi secundum fidem tuam; be it unto thee according to the Faith, Matth 9. 29. Yet in our salvation, Red∣ditur unicuique secundum opera sua; Every man shall be rewarded according to his works, Matth. 16. 27. Nei∣ther wil Christ say when he shal sit upon his throne, Ye have believed, but you have done; Come ye blessed, Matth. 25. 35. and in Matth. 25. 21. Well done good Servants; not wel known, nor wel spoken, nor wel purposed, but wel done: This is the per∣fect Rule, Gal. 6. 16. And as many as walk according to this Rnle, peace shall be upon them, and mercy, and up∣on the Israel of God. Again, it is not knowing, or hearing, or preaching, or casting out Devils in Christs Name, nor praying, Lord, Lord, &c. but he that doth his will; and when he hath done it, accounts himself an uprofitable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that shal be saved, Luke 17. 10. And 〈…〉〈…〉 men were not wilfully blind, and did not 〈…〉〈…〉 follow the deceitfulness of their own 〈…〉〈…〉 then believe God's Word; It were impossible they should ever hope for mercy without filial Obedience, since the scripture thoroughout continually calls for practice, as to ad some instances to the former. If you ask God who shall dwell in his holy Mountain, he faith, The man which walketh uprightly, Psal. 15. 2. If ye ask Christ who shall enter into the Kingdom of hea∣ven; he saith, Not they which cry, Lord, Lord, (though they cry twice Lord) but they which do

the will of my Father, Mat. 7. 22. If you ask him again, How you may come to Heaven; he saith, Keep the Commandments, Luk. 18. 20. If you ask him again, Who are blessed? He saith, Blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and do it; here are none but doers. If you ask an Angel, who are blessed? he saith, Blessed are they which keep the words of this Book Revel. 22. 7. Here are none but doers. If you ask David Who are blessed? He saith, Blessed are they that keep judge∣ment, and he that doth righteousness, Psal. 106. 3. & 103. 18. If you ask Solomon, Who are blessed? He faith, The man is blessed that keepeth God's Law. Prov. 29. 18. Here are none but doers. If you ask Esay, Who are blessed? He saith, He which doth this, is blessed, Esay 56. 2. If you ask St. James, Who are blessed? He saith, The doer of the Word is blessed in his deed, James 1. 25. Here is none but doers mentioned, Matth. 7, 21. Rom. 2. 13. So that blessedness and doing, go always together; For as the works that Christ did, bore witness that he was Christ, Job. 10. 25. So the works that we do, must bear witness that we are Christians. And least any man should look to be blessed without o∣bedience, as Christ calleth Love the greatest Com∣mandment; so Solomon calleth Obedience the end of all; as though without obedience all were to no end, Eccles. 12. 13.

When God created the Trees in Paradice, Gen. 1. hee commanded them to bring forth fruit: So when he crea∣teth a lively faith in any one, he commandeth it to bring forth Works. And when our Saviour would prove himself to John, to be the true Mes∣sias indeed; he said to his Disciples, Tell John what

what things you have heard and seen; not only heard, but seen, Matth. 11. 4. So if we will prove our selves to be Christs Disciples indeed, we must do that which may be seen, as wel as heard. Iohn was not onely called the Voyce of a Cryer, but a Burning Lamp, which might be seen.

James doth not say, Let me hear thy Faith; but let me see thy Faith: As the Angels put on the shape of men, that Abraham might see them; so Faith must put on Works, that the World may see it. The works which I do, says Christ, bear witness of me. And he alwayes linketh Faith and Repen∣tance together; Repent and believe the Gospel, Mark 1. 15. Therefore that which Christ hath joined, let no man separate, Mark 10. 9.

I know the Antinomians preach another Gospel; but this is the old Orthodox & common received truth: They that in life wil yeild no obedience to the Law, shall in death have no benefit by the Gospel. And though the Law have no power to condemn us, yet it hath power to command us: Lex datur ut gratia quaereretur, Evangelium, ut Lex impleretur. The Law sends us to Christ to be saved; and Christ sends us back again to the law to learn obedience. The former is plain; The Law is our School-Master to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith, Gal. 3. 24. The other is as manifest; If thou wilt enter into life, keep the Com∣mandments, Matth. 19. 17.

Let our Faith then be seen by our faithfulness, and our Love by our Charity: and think not to par∣take of what God hath promised, but by doing in some measure what he hath commanded. To conclude in a word, God's servants are known, by humility and

charity; the Devil's by pride and cruelty. Our Per∣sons are justified by our Faith, our Faith is justified by our Charity, our Charity by Humility, and the actions of a Godly Life: And so much of the fourth Use.