A Compleat collection of farewel sermons preached by Mr. Calamy, Dr. Manton, Mr. Caryl ... [et al.] ; together with Mr. Ash his funeral sermon, Mr. Nalton's funeral sermon, Mr. Lye's rehearsal ... with their several prayers.

The Fourteenth Sermon.

Psal. 44.18.

Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way.

FRom these words two Observations:

1. In times of sufferings and afflictions, true Christians are to make a narrow inspection into their hearts, to see how they stand affected. Thus did the Church here.

2. To keep stedfast and close with God, notwithstanding all afflictions and sufferings we undergo, either from, or for God, is the duty and commendation of Saints. 'Twas our duty, and 'tis our honour, Lord, &c. In prosecution of this point, these seven preliminary Theses were laid down.

• 1. When man was first created, his heart stood rightly bent towards God, as his great centre and mark.
• 2. When man fell, his heart immediately drew off, and turned back from God.
• 3. Though this be the case of fallen man; yet poor creature he sees it not.
• 4. The very Formalis Ratio of sin, that wherein the Formality of sin consists, is in this, not so much in finning against God by outward Acts, as in the hearts departing from God.
• 5. All true Conversion to God, begins at the Heart.
• 6. It is an Argument of infinite love in God, to bring back our hearts to him.
• 7. When once the heart of a Believer is brought back to God, no suffering or affliction is able to turn that heart from him.

Quest. When may a mans heart be said not to be turned back, notwith∣standing all sufferings and afflictions?

Answ. 1. When a man still retains the same esteem and estimate of God that ever he had. When Job looks upon God as a God, fit to be lessed, though God be plundering of him.

2. When a man still retains the same affections, the same love to him, delight in him, fear of him, as much as ever.

3. When we hope and trust in God as much as ever: Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him.

4. When we have the same resolutions to cleave to God as ever. If a God in Israel, as long as a God in Israel; 'Tis all one, makes not to the God of the Philistims; this is for a mans heart not to be turned back from God. By way of Ʋse,

• 1. Learn, The heart of man is very apt to turn from God in dayes of affliction: our heart is not, though theirs were.
• 2. It concerns us in time of affliction and suffering, to see if our hearts be not turned back from God. But, what means shall I use that I may not turn a base Apostate?

Answ. 1. Be watchful over your hearts: they are exceeding slippery and deceitful. The veriest Thieves in the world.

2. Be still bending of your hearts from the world and the flesh, unto God, as you bend a crooked stick to make it streight.

3. Do not only bend, but bind your hearts, tie them, shackle them as you would one that hath broken Prison, by holy, serious, Scriptural, ne∣cessary vows.

4. Converse much with God: That man that converses much with God, it is not the frowns of men shall bring his heart off from God. To spur you on to this duty with these motives.

• 1. If you turn from God, the soul of God will turn from you, If any man draw back, my Soul shall have no pleasure in him.
• 2. Keep close to God in such a time, and God will keep close to you. Here's a people, that not all their sufferings could make them fall from me. God glories in such a people.
• 3. This will be one of the greatest comforts by way of argument of your sincerity, that your heart is upright with God. This will make an Hezekiah look up to God in the time of sickness, with a Lord remember now how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart.
• 4. If you will not turn from God by way of Apostacy, you may run to God, and find in him a Sanctuary. And so you have it in