Miscellanea philo-theologica, or, God, & man A treatise compendiously describing the nature of God in his attributes, with a lively pourtraiture of his wisedome in ordering, and disposing of the celestiall, and terrestriall bodies. Containing much variety of matter ... and apt applications singular for brevity, and perspicuity. By Henry Church.

[Sect. 4] Fourthly, Lessons to edifie.

FIrst, we should labour to know Gods Will.

Secondly, we should endeavour to doe Gods will.

We attaine the knowledge of Gods will,

1. By getting into the estate of grace, and being beleevers: for knowledge is a peculiar gift to such. Matth. 13.11. The Divell blindes unbeleevers. 2. Cor. 4.4. The booke is closed to them. Isaiah 28.11. or if it be opened, they have not judgement. 1. Cor. 2.14.

2. For the desire of it, we must separate our selves, Prov. 18.1. separate from needlesse studies, idle bookes, which are not meate for children, but scraps for whelps; separate from vaine company, excessive worldly busines, carnall pleasures, needlesse journies, let spare houres and vacant time be spent this way to get it.

3. We understand by bookes: Dan. 9.2. Therefore we should search the Scriptures, Iohn 5.39. there is the fountaine of saving knowledge, there we should labour hard. Prov. 2.2, 3, 4.

4. Wee must frequent the faithfull ministry of the word, there we shall be fed with knowledge and under∣standing. Ier. 3.15.

5. Be sure prayer be not omitted. Psal. 119.18. wee must cry for knowledge, and call for understanding. Prov. 2.2, 3. pray earnestly for the Spirit promised. Luk. 11.13. that Spirit is the Spirit of revelation. Eph. 1.17.

6. We must labour to be such vessels as knowledge is put into, and get these qualifications.

1. To feare God; for his secrets are revealed to them that feare him. Psal. 25 14.

2. To obey him, then we shal know. Ioh. 7.17.

3. To give up our selves wholly to his service, and to be at his disposing; then wee shall know what is his good and acceptable will. Rom 12.2.

7. We should propound our doubts to them able to resolve us: the Disciples gained knowledge by questio∣ning with our Saviour apart: also Expositors, Com∣mentaries, Dictionaries are helpes, and as buckets where∣by we draw waters out of the Well of knowledge.

We should doe the will of God:

1. Because then we shall differ from Hypocrites, which speake that is good, but doe it not. Matth. 23.3.

2. We shall be like the Angels, which execute the will of God. Psal. 103.20.

3, We shall be the children of wisedome, and differ from fooles: hee that hears, and doth, is as a wise builder that built on a rocke. Matt. 7.24.

4. We shall be honourable, being in affinity to Christ: those that doe his will, he accounts as his kindred. Matth. 12.50.

5. We shall be under the promises.

First, temporall, Isaiah. 1.19. If yee consent and obey, yee shall eate the good things of the Land.

Secondly, spirituall; The Spirit is promised to them that aske, but is given to them that obey. Acts 5.32.

The eternall promise is made to the obedient, Mat. 7.21. He shall enter into heaven that doth the will of God. Romans 2.7. Heaven is for them that by pa∣tience

doe continue in well-doing.

The manner of doing Gods Will.

1. It must be done speedily: must and haste is for the great King. Psal. 119. I made haste.

2. It must be done sincerely, looking to Gods com∣mand, and presence, and reward. Psal. 51.8. God loves truth in the inward parts.

3. It must be done constantly; for the former part of our life yeelds to the latter: If we doe leave our righte∣ousnesse, it was but seeming righteousnesse, and wee shall perish in wickednesse. Ezek 18.24. Againe, it is an indignity to the Lord to leave his service; and lastly, we lose the promise which is made to perseverance. Revel. 2.10.

4. Gods Will must be done cheerefully; for we ser∣ved sinne with great delight: God is the better Master, his worke and wages more honourable. Secondly, cheere∣fulnesse will evidence us to be Gods people, who are a willing people. Psal. 110.3. Thirdly, God accepts the will without the worke, as in Abraham offering Isaac, but never the worke without the will. Fourthly, cheerefulnesse is acceptable, like ripe fruite soone sha∣ken, pleasant to the eye and taste. Fifthly, uncheereful∣nesse is a diabolicall service, a beastly service; we make them obey with whips, goads, and spurres. Sixthly, there is a speciall command of cheerefulnesse, Deut. 16.14 and a fearefull threat against uncheerefulnesse. Deut. 28.47, 48.