Divine contemplations, and spiritual breathings of Mr. Henry Dorney

A DISCOURSE of GLORIFYING GOD.

1 Cor. 6. 19, 20.

What, know ye not that your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorifie God in your Body, and in your Spirit, which are God's.

THere are four principal things which this part of Scripture do offer to serious Meditation and Improvement, viz.

1. That a true Christian is not his own.

2. That he is the Lords.

3. That he ought to know his renewed State.

4. That his renewed Constitution does oblige him to promote the Glory of God, and live up thereto in Soul and Body.

Not your own, &c. implies three things, viz.

1. That naturally, a Man is his own Tyrant.

2. That true Christianity is more than speculative: 'tis a real Change of the Man; You are not your own.

3. That it doth mysteriously divide a Man from himself

This real Alteration and mysterious Contrariety is not a natural Change, but spiritual; viz. the Bo∣dy, the Soul, the Faculties of the Soul, and the ra∣tional Exercise of those Faculties are still the same; and yet a spiritual Change doth affect them all, and passeth upon the whole Man. This spiritual Change begins in the most hidden part of Man, viz. the Mind; and therefore Repentance is called the Change of the Mind, which Change of the Mind doth influence the whole Man. The Mind is said to be changed when the Spirit of God enters in, and exerciseth its Soveraign Dominion of Holiness, against the Usurpation of the Devil and Natural Corruption, which reigned there before: whereby the Mind is con∣trolled into a willing Propensity of Subjection to the Authority of the Spirit of God, against the Invasion of Sin, which still retains some Haunt there, as a lurking subdued Enemy (called the Flesh lusting against the Spirit) till it be destroyed utterly at the day of full Redemption.

This Dominion of the Spirit steers the natural Fa∣culties of the Soul in their rational Exercise to new Employment, and arrays them thereunto with new Habits. The Understanding has a sublimer Light, the Judgment a better Rule, the Will and Affections a better Object, better Motives, and a better End; viz. Spiritual. So that such a person is now said not to be his own: he is not under that universal Darkness, Pollution and Bondage to Sin which he was conceived and born in at first; that was his own natural state, but he is now rescued from it, and is no longer his own.

1. While he was his own, he taught himself by the Light of fleshly Wisdom, and accounted the Gospel Foolishness, 1 Cor. 1. 23. but now loaths it;

and being at a loss, cries, Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do? Act. 9. 6. and as they did who burnt the Books in which they learnt curious Arts before, Act. 19. 19. in which lay no savour of Christ and spiritual Knowledge.

2. While he was his own, he ruled himself by the sight of his eyes, and imagination of his heart, Jer. 7. 27. by the custom and course of the World; but now consults not with Flesh and Blood, Gal. 1. 16. he sees his own Byass is false, and his own Weights too light.

3. Motives of Pleasure, Profit, Honour, do not now draw him: he was lead by his own Concupis∣cence, but now he is dead to these; and saith, I have no pleasure in them.

4. He designs not his own things, neither Health, Phil. 2. 30. nor Liberty, Act. 20. 23. nor Ease, 1 Cor. 11. 10. nor Safety, 1 Cor. 15. 13. nor Wealth, Heb. 11. 26. nor Honour, nor Pleasure; as Moses, who refused to be Father of a great Nation, Exod. 32. 10. and Esther, not satisfied with having the honour and delights of being Queen, when God's Honour lay at stake. Yea, he designs not an unworthy pre∣servation of his own life, Act. 20. 24.

5. The Spirit of carnal Comforts is gone in such an ones esteem; as Esther could not endure the thoughts of her Peoples Ruin, though she was at the Royal Feast: and to such an one, the tickling comfort of such things affect not, but are as the White of an Egg; yea, the unnecessary Conference of such things is tast∣less, as Meat to a sick Man; and all because such an one is not his own any longer.

When a Man is not his own, he stands invested with many privileges: he has hereby a shelter.

1. Against outward Afflictions; they sting not, their profit reacheth farther than their pain, when a Man (as in an extasie) is not his own: therefore Paul rejoyced in them.

2. Persecution on the Outward Man, reach not him who is not his own, who is not at his own home; as it was with David, when Saul's Messen∣gers came to kill him, they found him not, but an Image, 1 Sam. 19. 16.

3. He can answer the Accusations of Guilt, I am not my own, and therefore my own Guilt must not stick on me.

4. When Flesh and Blood demands Service, he can reply; I who am not my own, am not Debtor to the Flesh. When Sin doth vex and molest by its pollutions in the Flesh, he can say; What make I here? I am not my own: Let me go hence.

5. When spiritual Pride solicits, he can reply; What I have is not my own.

6. And against carnal Security he can say; I can∣not maintain my own Grace, nor restore my self when fallen; and therefore am to work out my Salvation with fear: I am not my own.

7. Against Solicitude about future Events and carking Despondency; I am not at my own dispose, and therefore such Anxieties are to be none of my work.

8. Against the enchanting Comforts of the Flesh and the World it can say, as Barzillai did to David; Can I hear the sound of such Melody? What is such Mu∣sick to a dead Man? I am not my own.

But whose am I then? Will such an one say, this Scripture shews, that he who is washed, sanctified and justified, &c. (as vers. 11.) is Gods; viz. by Justification, by Sanctification, he is translated from

the Dominion and natural Right of corrupt Self, to be the Lord's in Body and Spirit. As he did bear the corrupted Image of the first Adam, so now he bears the spiritual Image of the Second: he is not in his own propriety, as before he was, but is now in a peculiar gracious propriety to God.

The nature of which may be more distinctly un∣derstood by considering these three Particulars, viz.

I. What this Propriety is, and wherein it lies.

II. How it comes to pass, and was effected.

III. How the truth, fulness, entireness, and the ex∣cellency of it, is demonstrated and held forth in the Scriptures.

1. 'Tis a Propriety which stands distinguished from the Propriety which God has in that common state of Mankind in the whole Earth, Exod. 19. 5.

2. 'Tis a Propriety which stands in opposition to Estrangement, Ephes. 2. 12, 19. compared with Lev. 24. 22.

3. In opposition to that which is anothers, Hos. 3. 3.

4. In opposition to former Unsuitableness, Ezek. 16. 8. and Enmity; Col. 1. 21.

So that a justified person is peculiarly, intimately, entirely, complacently and fully the Lords.

II. This Propriety came to pass, and was effected,

1. By the free, deliberate, gracious Choice of God; and therefore they are called God's Elect, Rom. 8. 33. which Choice was made with respect to Christ, Ephes. 1. 4.

2. Giving these Elect to Christ, Joh. 17. 6. and so being Christ's they are God's, 1 Cor. 3. 23. Joh. 17. 10.

3. By Christ's Meditation and Advocateship: whereby

1. He takes away all that which necessarily hin∣dred the effecting of this Propriety; satisfying the-Justice of God, (and removing out of the way that Pollution and Enmity, which stood between the righteous and holy God, and defiled Sinners) by the price and sprinkling of his own Blood, 1 Cor. 6. 20. Ephes. 2. 13, 14, 15, 16.

2. He sends forth the Gospel, inviting all per∣sons to apply to themselves by faith, the vertue and end of his Death, Matth. 16. 15, 16. Act. 13. 38. and that a Covenant is made betwixt God and Sin∣ners, and confirmed in his Blood, Heb. 9. 14, 15.

3. He gives faith to apply the same, Act. 14. 27. Ephes. 2. 8. and opening the Understanding to re∣ceive it, Luk. 24. 45. Act. 16. 14.

4. He reneweth the heart through his Spirit, and rendreth it suitable and subject to the Laws and state of this Appropriation to God, Ephes. 4. 22, 23, 24. 1 Pet. 1. 2. and from vers. 14. to 19. Ephes. 1. 4.

5. He presents those whom he thus redeemed to his Father, 1 Pet. 3. 18. Col. 1. 22. bequeathing them to him as his own, to be kept from evil, Joh. 17. 11, 15, 25.

6. The Father accepteth of these chosen and re∣deemed ones, Ephes. 1. 6. and thereupon saith, These are mine, Mal. 3. 17.

3. The Truth, Fulness, Entireness and Excellency of this Propriety is set forth in the Scriptures by di∣vers sorts of Resemblances, which have a most ap∣propriating Nature, and endearing influence amongst Men in this World; which are comprehended chief∣ly under three Heads.

1. Resemblances which concern the Propriety of Estate.

2. Resemblances which concern a Propriety in things that betoken labour, care and skill in the Proprietor to manage them.

3. Resemblances which concern the Propriety of natural Relations.

1. In Allusion to the Propriety of Estate among Men, the People of God, and so every Regenerate Person is called.

1. The Inheritance of God, Psal. 33. 12. which notes the setled part of an Estate; as in Naboth's Case, 1 King. 21. 3.

2. The Habitation of God, Ephes. 2. 22. noting Constancy of Residence, Joh. 8. 35. The servant abi∣deth not in the house for ever, but, &c.

3. The Temple of God, 2 Cor. 6. 16. noting sacred Converse with God, Psal. 27. 4. and divine Pre∣sence, Hag. 2. 9. and great, stately Magnificence, Luk. 21. 5. where God is said to dwell and walk, 2 Cor. 6. 16. and reign, Psal. 11. 4.

4. The peculiar Treasure of God, Exod. 19. 5. no∣ting the delightful part of an Estate.

5. The Jewels of God, Mal. 3. 17. noting their precious esteem and value.

6. And in general, the Portion of God, Deut. 32. 9. which compriseth the whole (Luk. 15. 12.) of an Estate.

2. In allusion to the Propriety of Things wherein the skill, labour and care of the Proprietor is em∣ployed: and thus a regenerate person is called a Crea∣ture which God has formed for himself, Isa. 43. 21. God's Building, 1 Cor. 3. 9. God's Workmanship, Ephes. 2. 10. All which do set out the freeness of God's Grace, and Man's Inability and Impossibility to regenerate himself, or add one Cubit to his own sta∣ture. Also,

God's Husbandry, 1 Cor. 3. 9. noting God's mind∣fulness, care, and (as it were) laborious hand to∣wards his people: and thus they are called his Vine∣yard, Jer. 12. 10. noting peculiarness and delight, Isa. 5. 1, 2, &c. And his Garden, Cant. 4. 12. made for retired delight, and familiar use.

3. In allusion to the Propriety of Natural Relations.

1. A Regenerate Person is called the Spouse of Christ, and married unto God, Cant. 4. 12. Isa. 64. 5. noting Love and Familiarity, and affectionate Remembrance.

2. The Son of God, and his Child, Exod. 4. 22. Jer. 31. 20. yea, as a sucking Child, cast on God for relief, Isa. 49. 15, 16. Ezek. 4. &c. shadowing out his tender respect to his people.

3. His Body (in Christ) and so accounted as his Flesh and his Bone, Ephes. 5. 30. and the Apple of his eye; noting his sympathy with his people, Zac. 2. 8

4. To which may be added, that they are his Flock, 1 Pet. 5. 2. Act. 20. 28. noting care of them, provision and security for them.

NOW walk about this City of God, tell the Towers thereof, mark well the Bullwarks, consi∣der the Palaces and Excellencies of being in the Propriety of God, who will be the Guide of his People to the death, Psal. 48. 14. and so bring them to Glory, Psal. 73. 24.

HENCE for Trial, whether I am God's: Let me see what Reciprocation this Propriety of God doth work (declaring I am his) by my appropriating him to be mine, Hos. 2. 23. viz.

1. Do I give my consent, and render up my self to be the Lords; and (as it were) subscribe it with my hand, and change my name upon it? Which are the

tokens of Confirmation of Consent, and Translati∣on of Propriety, Isa. 44. 5. compared with Jer. 32. 10. Gen. 41. 45. Dan. 4. 8. and Change of Condi∣tion.

2. Do I comply with God's method in making this Purchase to himself by Jesus Christ, Matth. 17. 5. accounting the Gospel of God declaring Salvation by Christ, worthy of all Acceptation? 1 Tim. 1. 11, 15.

3. Do I put a value on this Propriety to God, owning it with open Profession? Ezra 5. 11. We are the Servants of the living God; and by faith, sheltering under it, Isa. 63. 19. we are thine, &c.

4. Do I improve it humbly, and reverently, and thankfully? 2 Sam. 7. 18. to the end of vers. 24. Who am I, O Lord God? &c. Do I present my self to God as one that is made alive from the Dead, Rom. 6. 13. renouncing all other Defence, Hos. 14. 3. and walking worthy of God, who has called a vile Sinner out of his own pollution, to be of the Houshold of God, 1 Thes. 2. 12. Ephes. 2. 19.

As for the Privileges of them* 1.1 who are in the Propriety of an infi∣nite glorious God: Who is he that is able to number the Dust thereof, or bring an Ac∣count of the Sands of that Sea? The whole Earth is full of that Glory of God which shines upon his People as their Interest, unto which every particu∣lar person of that number is entitled. But for the better Access, with good welcome to this glorious Feast, it is needful to see whether the Wedding Gar∣ment be on or no; which brings in the third gene∣ral Head, viz.

3. That true Christians ought to know their re∣newed state, viz. that they are not their own, but

Gods; which seem to have these (steps, or rather) parts included in it, viz.

1. A discerning and understanding of the excel∣lency of such a state, 1 Cor. 2. 14.

2. An inward persuasion of the possibility of an In∣terest in such a state, Isa. 55. 6. Joel 2. 14. And

3. An Exercise of Faith, engaging the heart to lay claim to, be possessed of, and actually enjoy an In∣terest therein, 1 Joh. 5. 20. Joh. 20. 28. and alto∣gether in Heb. 11. 13.

The Means of this Knowledge are chiefly,

1. The Word and Spirit of God, Joh. 20. 31. and 16. 8, 13, 14. 1 Cor. 2. 12.

2. Prayer, Psal. 143. 8. Prov. 2. 3. Job 34. 32.

3. Serious Deliberation, Meditation and Applicati∣on, Psal. 143. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 7. Psal. 104. 34.

The Evidences which do declare a person to be the Lords, are the Ecchoings back of the Soul to him in the warmth of his own Grace and Love, where∣in God draws the Soul to own him in a way suitable to his owning of such a person to be his; stamping his own Image there, and giving it life to act in a genuine, true and proportionable method towards God again. Which appears,

1. In that mutual Avouchment mentioned in Deut. 26. 16, 17. according to the Terms of the Covenant of Grace, Jer. 24. 7. and 32. 38. I will give them a heart that they shall know that I am the Lord; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: and they shall return to me with their whole heart. And this is the Ground of those Expressions in the Scri∣ptures, wherein the People of God have ecchoed back their Faith and hope in him, by the same man∣ner of Expressions to him, as he useth to them.

1. As God has chosen them, Mark 13. 20. they chuse God, Josh. 24. 15, 22. and the things that please him, Isa. 56. 4.

2. God calls them his Inheritance, Psal. 33. 12. they call him their Inheritance, Psal. 16. 5.

3. God calls them his Habitation, Ephe. 2. 22. they call him their Habitation, and dwelling Place, Psal. 71. 3. and 90. 1. God dwelleth in them, and they in him, 1 Joh. 4. 13.

4. God walks in them, 2 Cor. 6. 16. they walk in his Name, Zac. 10. 12. They walk with God, Gen. 5. 24.

5. They are precious to God, Isa. 43. 4. and the Lord is precious to them, 1 Pet. 2. 7.

6. They are God's portion, Deut. 32. 9. and God is theirs, Lam. 3. 24.

7. God loves them, Psal. 146. 8. they love him, Rom. 8. 28. In these and many other respects they bear the Image of God, and therein do evidence that they are his, and he theirs. Let the heart exa∣mine it self whether these Properties of the Image of God be stamped there or no.

2. It appears in complying with God's aim and me∣thod in managing that Propriety of his, in which he owns them; he commands, and they obey; Deut. 11. 27. he reprooves, and they take reproof; he threatens, and they fear; he chastiseth, and they accept the punishment of their iniquities; he speaks, and they hear; he promiseth, and they believe: and thus they shew that they are his, and he theirs. Let the heart examine it self whether there be this compliance with the Mind and Will of God, or no, Isa. 55. 3, 4.

3. It appears in answering the duty of that Relation in which they stand to God: They are the Spouse,

and he the Husband; they the Children, he the Fa∣ther; they the Flock, he the Shepherd; they the Husbandry, he the Husband-man; they the Work∣manship, he the Worker; they the Clay, he the Potter: each Relation imports the duty of them who are thus many ways related unto God. All which administers matter for several Queries by way of Trial; whether God be mine, and I am his. If I am his, he must necessarily be mine, according to the tenour of the Covenant. And therefore let me propound some Questions to my own Soul, is∣suing from the former Considerations; that I may know that I am mine own no longer, but the Lords; and that he is mine.

For making way to these Queries it is to be con∣sidered, that the Scriptures do speak of several states of Mankind in the World.

1. A state of Innocency, Eccles. 7. 29.

2. A state of Sin and Death, Rom. 5. 12.

3. A state of Redemption and Pardon through Grace, Ephes. 1. 7. And thence cometh a state of Renewing and Sanctification, Ephes. 4. 24. and 5. 8. which issueth from Christ's Redemption, Tit. 2. 14. and so lodgeth a Soul in this Propriety of being God's peculiar people, shewing forth his Praises; 1 Pet. 2. 9. and the holy God is not ashamed to be called their God, Heb. 11. 16.

The two first of these relate to all Men univer∣sally; but all of them relate to them who arrive at this peculiar Interest in God.

The New Testament speaks but little about the primitive Innocency; only glancing at it by impli∣cation under the words of Straying, 1 Pet. 2. 25. Seeking that which was lost, Luk. 19. 10. and alie∣nated from the Life of God, Ephes. 4. 18. and such

like; and treats chiefly and most directly of the others, viz. Sin, Redemption and Holiness: This is that which the Spirit is promised to convince the World of, Joh. 16. 8. the state of Sin under Unbe∣lief, and of Redemption and Righteousness by Christ (crucified and risen) who testified and assured by his going to his Father, that he obtained eternal Re∣demption, Heb. 9. 12. and the state of Conquest over the Prince of this World, who works in the Chil∣dren of Disobedience; and thereby freedom to serve God in Holiness and Righteousness.

This is set forth in Ephes. 2. the state of Sin and Death in vers. 1, 2, 3, 12. Redemption, vers. 4, 5, 6. and of Holiness, vers. 21, 22. And all briefly put together in Ephes. 5. 8. Sometimes ye were darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

From the Consideration of each of these, there followeth divers Questions for the trying of the state of the Soul, and knowing in what plight it now stands. Indeed the Glory of primitive Innocency is out-shined by the super-abundant Grace and Image of Christ, 1 Cor. 15. 47, 48, 49, as the Glory of the second Temple exceeded the Glory of the first, Hag. 2. 9. yet the losing of that is much to be bewailed, because we did so sinfully lose it. Now then, O my Soul! canst thou take up Ezekiel's Lamentation over Tyrus? Ezek. 27. 12. &c. Thou hast been in Eden, the Garden of God, wast perfect in thy ways, &c. but thine heart was lifted up: and as David mourned for Saul and Jonathan's death, though ac∣cess was thereby made for his own Advancement, 2 Sam. 1. 19. &c. The beauty of Israel is fallen; &c. and say, How are the mighty fallen; the Shield of the Mighty vilely cast away? &c. How is the Gold

of primitive Innocency become dim? And how is Mankind, that was purer than the Snow, now be∣come black as a Coal? as Jeremiah lamented over Je∣rusalem, Lam. 4. 1, 7, 8. &c.

I. Canst thou say; Alas, I am become vile, Job 40. 4. In me, that is, in my flesh dwelleth no good thing, no Truth, Wisdom, Righteousness; and thy Nature is only evil, and that continually? Gen. 6. 5.

II. Dost thou consider the nature of thy sinful∣ness; and how it doth pollute, weaken, deceive, and enslave thee? viz.

Dost thou know that thou carriest up and down in thy Nature all the Seeds of all Sins; that all the Ido∣latry, Superstitions, Blasphemy; all the Murthers, Un∣cleanness, Violence, Injuriousness, Hatred, Envy, Cruelty, Falshood, &c. that ever you read of in the Scriptures, or other Histories; or that ever your ears heard, or eyes saw: that the Seed and Spice of it all is in your own heart; that all those black Lists, Rom. 1. 29, to the end, Rom. 3. 11, &c. 1 Cor. 6. 9. Gal. 5. 19, 20, &c. Ephes. 2. 12. and 4. 18, 19. 2 Tim. 3. 2. and such like? Your Nature is in some degree or other tainted with it. And because this may seem harsh and strange,

1. Consider; As far as any Man has the Nature of Adam, he has the Corruption of that Nature; and as far as all are equal in their Descent from Adam, so far are all equal in the Corruption of that Des∣cent: all guilty; every mouth must be stopped; Death came upon all, Rom. 3. 19. and 5. 12, 18.

2. Consider, That though Restraining Grace, or Mortifying Grace may curb, weaken, and subdue sinful Corruption, yet it retains its dwelling in the Flesh, Rom. 7. 25. And though the Righteousness of Christ be imputed to the Person, yet the corrupt

Nature of that Person has still a Subsistence, till Cor∣ruption put on Incorruption; till which time, cor∣rupt Nature loseth not its Sinfulness, but its Do∣minion, Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am! said Paul. On this account, the state of the Person may be changed, but corrupt Nature still remains.

3. Consider, The natural Seed of every sin is a departure from God, and a violation of his Autho∣rity; and therefore he that is guilty of one Sin vio∣lates the Authority of God, and has a seminal Guilt of all Sin, Jam. 2. 10, 11. As he who has one true Grace has the Seed of all, because it shews he is uni∣ted to Christ, and one with him in Spirit, who is the Fountain of all Grace. So that where-ever we see Sin, we see the Corruption and Pollution of our Nature that dwelleth in us.

Natural Conscience, Education, Constitution, Profession of Religion, Moral Considerations of Fear, Shame, or the like, may curb the working of Cor∣ruption in some measure, but cannot extinguish the Pollution of Sin from the heart.

But more particularly, in reference to God. Is there not great Ignorance and Contempt of him? Are not Sins of thoughts more slighted than Sins visible? And is there not more Shame for a small Miscarri∣age in the sight of Man, than great Miscarriages in the sight of God? What customary Ignorance of all his Attributes? How little is he the Object of the Heart's Love, Desire, Esteem, and Meditation? Is not the Heart more intent on other things? How little is he the Motive and End of what we do? Is serving and pleasing him the Hearts design in all things? In Worship, is not the Heart formal, cold, and wandring? Are not Convictions stifled, and the Impressions of the Word of God quickly gone? Is

there serious Preparation for the Ordinances, and due Meditation afterwards? Is the Heart glad when the Word reproves, as well as when it hears words of comfort?

As for Men: Is not the Course of the World, the Opinion of others, and their Esteem of great value? Are their sins my burthen? Is there not Envy, Ha∣tred, want of Sympathy? evil Surmises, &c.

As for my own Soul: Is not my heart rash, vain, inconsiderate; my Understanding dark, my Affe∣ctions loose and scattered, and Memory slippery, and all out of order?

Do you not discern the weakning Nature of Sin, that it sucks the strength of the Soul, the deceitful∣ness of it; the deadning, blinding, and destructive nature of it, and the perfection of divine Wrath that attends it?

And now doth all this make thee (O my Soul!) cry out, O wretched man that I am; and doth it make thee a burthen to thy self, Job 7. 20. as Job cried out? Dost thou see a bottomless Deceipt and De∣solation in thy Nature, as it is in its self corrupted, and by Circumstances aggravated? And being to∣tally Refugeless, Dost thou lay the Hope of thy Help upon a mighty Redeemer? If so, thou hast at∣tained one Round (at least) of that blessed Ladder which leads thee up to the Fruition of that renewed State, in which thou art God's, and he is thine? Job 33. 23, to 31. 1 King. 8. 38.

III. In laying hold on Christ for Redemption.

1. Do I see I cannot help my self, nor any other Creature help me, Isa. 59. 16. Psal. 49. 7. that none can redeem his Brother, nor give to God a Ransom for him.

2. That Salvation is only of God, Hos. 14. 3. his Arm, &c.

3. That in free Mercy he sent Christ to save, Joh. 3. 16.

4. That Christ undertook this Salvation, Heb. 10. 7. and performed it, Heb. 9. 12.

5. That I am partaker of it by meer faith, Ephes. 2. 8.

6. Do I lay my whole weight upon this Saviour? Isa. 64. 8.

7. Doth my heart account him willing, Isa. 63. 9. able, faithful? 1 Thes. 5. 24.

8. Do I rejoyce in hope, Rom. 5. 2. and praise, Rev. 5. 9. on this account?

IV. Upon this Relief by Christ; Do I yet go farther (as Esther did, to execute the Children of Haman after he was dead) yea, to see the power of the Prince of this World broken in me? What is the temper and employment of a redeemed Soul, in his justified and renewed state? It is to shew forth the vertue of him who hath called us from Dark∣ness to Light; from Sin and Bondage, to Freedom, Holiness and Righteousness, Luk. 1. 75. And Oh, that this might be and appear in my Soul. TO THAT END, let my heart suffer, and attend to some Questions concerning this; whereby I may further know that I am the Lords, and not my own.

Do I account Christ only to be the Fountain, and Au∣thor of Renewing and Holiness; and so cast my self by Faith on him for it, as well as for Pardon; seeing I cannot think a thought, nor will, nor do any good thing of my self, 2 Cor. 3. 5. Phil. 2. 13. being created in Christ thereto, Ephes. 2. 10. and quickned there∣in by him.

Is the Communion of the Father and the Son, in a way of light and leading by his Spirit, the Element I breath in; so that Holiness is my Choice, and sweet delight? Rom. 7. 22. Phil. 3. 10, &c. and 20. Our conversation is in heaven, &c.

Do I make designs against the Old Man, and to che∣rish the New, by the lusting of the Spirit against the Flesh; Gal. 5. 17. countermining the devices of Sa∣tan, 2 Cor. 2. 11. watching, trying all means (Phil. 3. 11.) to increase Holiness?

Do I chuse and aim at pleasing God in what I do, as well as do any thing that is good in it self? Isa. 56. 4. Col. 1. 10, 11.

In matters of Worship: Do I aim to converse in∣deed with God himself, as having to do with his pre∣sence, 2 Cor. 2. 17. acting therein to him? Col. 3. 16, 17.

Do I labour to suck sanctified Light, and real Holi∣ness out of the Ordinances, Psal. 36. 8. which is the Fatness of God's House, and tends to make the new Creature flourish? Psal. 92. 13.

Do I bow down and comply with every Word of God; submitting and assenting to its full scope? Psal. 119. 127, 128.

Do I rowl my eye towards God; eyeing his Wisdom, Goodness, Righteousness, and Providence in natural things, 1 Cor. 10. 31. and in things that providenci∣ally come to pass? 2 Cor. 7. 6. 2 Tim. 4. 17. Act. 12. 23. This is to walk with God.

Do I plot which way I may advance the Interest of Christ and his Gospel, in the Capacity in which he hath set me, 1 Cor. 9. 15, 19, 23. and to prevent the dis∣paragement of it? 1 Pet. 2. 12. Tit. 2. 10.

Do I consider whether I go forward or backward in the Trade of Holiness? Heb. 5. 12. Whether there

be growth or not, declining or not? Am I gaining, and reaching forward? Phil. 3. 13. 2 Thes. 1. 3. If so; it shews, my Centre is above.

In these, and such like things, the mutual Relati∣on betwixt God and a Regenerate Person do shine forth: They are tokens that God dwelleth there, and he in God. Such an one is in a new State, be∣cause he has betook himself to the Laws, Company and Mode of the new Creation, created of God in Christ, translated to a state of Life in God.

Lastly, A Christian's renewed State obliges him to glorifie God in Body and Spirit; and he doth so, viz.

1. WHEN the Soul doth acknowledge God to be that which he is in himself, Rom. 11. 36. Of him, and through him, and to him are all things; to him be Glory for ever and ever, Amen: That he is infinite∣ly excellent in his Nature, and in his Works, and in his Soveraignty, 1 Chron. 29. 11, 12, 13.

2. WHEN God is acknowledged to be that which he is to us in Jesus Christ, Exod. 33. 18, 19. and 34. 6, 7. 2 Cor. 4. 6. and glorified through Christ, 1 Cor. 1. 30, 31. 1 Pet. 4. 11.

3. WHEN the Spirit of a Man within him, and the outward Man also (concurring according to his Capacity) do act towards God, in an inward com∣plying with, and actual demonstration of the glori∣ous Nature, Will, and Grace of God: Which is called a walking worthy of God, 1 Thes. 2. 12. Col. 1. 10. that is to say, conformable to him, as the word (wor∣thy) seems to import; comparing Eph. 4. 1. with Eph. 4. 4. and (as it were) bearing his very Image; and there∣by manifesting what God is to us, and what we are to him; viz. that God is ours, and we are his. Now this acting towards God has great variety of Ex∣ercise in Believers; for a Believer is the Temple

of God, in which his Glory is more excellently dis∣played than in all the World besides.

A BELIEVER, by his peculiar nearness to, and interest in God, is capacitated, as a living and active Agent, to glorifie God (1 Pet. 2. 5, 9. Levit. 10. 3.) more than another who is only passive; as Pha∣raoh was, Exod. 14. 17. So then, he who is not his own, but the Lords, and the Lord is his; his pro∣per Element is, to be glorifying of God in all things, 1 Cor. 10. 31. as appears in these and the like Parti∣culars, viz.

1. To reverence and adore the Majesty of God in all his holy Attributes and Works, as Neh. 9. 6. Jer. 32. 17, 18, 19. Dan. 9. 4, &c. and as David, and all the people of God were wont to do.

2. To be abased before God, in the sence of our Disproportionableness and Corruption; as Abra∣ham, Gen. 18. 27. Jacob, Gen. 32. 10. Ezra. 9. 15. Dan. 9. 7. did.

3. To justifie God in all his dealings, Job 36. 3. Psal. 51. 4. as Daniel, c. 9. v. 4. with Confession, and imploring his Mercy, Joshua 7. 19. Dan. 9. 18, 19.

4. To honour the Father in the Son, Joh. 5. 23. and through him, 1 Pet. 4. 11.

5. To own God in Christ as the Fountain of eve∣ry Grace, 1 Pet. 5. 10. and every good and perfect Gift, Jam. 1. 17. 1 Pet. 4. 11. and the Establisher and Perfecter of it, Matth. 6. 13. Thine is the kingdom, power und glory, Amen.

6. To adore him in his Word, 2 Chron. 20. 18. Isa. 39. 8. Psal. 56. 4. and 119. 106. believing it: To worship him with Reverence, Psal. 86. 6. and 99. 9. and to own him in his people, Gal. 1. 24. Matth. 10. 24. and them for his sake.

7. To abound with the gracious Fruits of Righ∣teousness, Joh. 15. 8. Phil. 1. 11. which are by Je∣sus Christ to the Praise and Glory of God.

8. To confess Christ before Men, Matth. 10. 33. suffering reproach, 1 Pet. 4. 14. and death for his sake, Joh. 21. 19.

And now, Oh, that God would lead my heart through all these things by an impartial Search, and cause me to compare my present frame of heart and Resolutions with these particular Truths of his own Word, and bring me up to glorifie him in my Body and Spirit, which I trust are his.

Let me yet farther demand of my self a few Que∣stions, which relate to the glorifying of God in my Soul, and in my Walk.

1. Is it so with me, that I cannot be quiet; but restless under guilt, and distance from God? Psal. 32. 3, 4, 5. Do I cry, Return, O Lord, Isa. 63. 17. why art thou a Stranger? Jer. 14. 8.

2. Do I hanker after more Heart-impressions of the Knowledge of God? Exod. 33. 18. and 34. 6. (Shew me thy Glory.)

3. Is the whole Will of God my delight, and his Word my daily Diet? Jer. 15. 16. Job 23. 12.

4. Do I praise (Psal. 50. 23.) and acknowledge God in daily Providences; Gen. 48. 15. Prov. 3. 6. not repining at his Discipline, Psal. 119. 75. but brought nearer to him by Calamities? Isa. 17. 7.

5. Do I own him so, that the hiding of his face doth darken all other comforts to me, Psal. 77. 2. and his presence support and satisfie in the absence of earthly comforts; Psal. 142. 5. as it was with Da∣vid at Ziglag? 1 Sam. 30. 6.

6. Do I so approve my self to God, that the Ap∣probation, Esteem, or Praise of Man doth rather vex

than please me when my Conscience within me doth smite me? 2 Cor. 10. 18. Rom. 2. 29.

7. In case of guilt and fear, Do I cast my self up∣on the boundless Mercy of God, declared in Christ to be pardoned, purged and revived, as a sufficient Remedy? 2 Cor. 12. 9.

8. Do I hanker after pure Communion with God, so that my heart pants out, Oh that my ways were di∣rected, &c. Ps. 119. 5. Cant. 8. 1. Oh, Oh? Ps. 38. 9.

THESE and such like workings do testifie that God is the highest Good, and the Centre of Blessedness, and infinitely glorious. And in these spiritual Ope∣rations, the Soul doth declare and witness him to be so; and therein do evidence that God is his, and he is Gods, and hereby is highly privileged; God will not take things at the worst with him, Matth. 26. 40, 41. When such an one is at a loss, Mercy will surprize, and Deliverance overtake him, Ezek. 36. 11. when dull, his Ears shall be awakened to hear as the Learned, Isa. 50. 4. he shall be kept night and day, Isa. 27. 3. Christ will trim and dress him by the Word, Ephes. 5. 26. and he will earn towards him, Job 14. 15. and be with him in trouble, Isa. 43. 2, 3, &c. and God will not be ashamed to be called his God, Heb. 11. 16. he will wipe away his Tears, teach him by his Spirit, pardon his Sins, justifie his Person in the Person of Christ, and confess him to be his at the last day; where he shall see his face with joy, Job 33. 26. and ever be with the Lord, 1 Thes. 4. 17.

Happy is the people that is in such a case; yea, Hap∣py is the people, happy is every particular person whose God is the Lord, Psal. 144. 15.

AN APPENDIX.

A CONFLICT of Mind.

HOw soon did Peter, James and John forget the glorious Transfiguration, and fell asleep when the Temptation came? How soon is Sight gone, when the Sun is eclipsed? So it is with me. When shall I have skill to discern and resist the beginnings of Decay? How soon doth a Troop of Armed Men break in at an unguarded Gap? I cannot thrust them out again my self; but will rather go to him who hath his Bridle in their Jaws, and can both turn them back, and also lock the Door against them. Oh, that I could lift up a Jehoshaphat's Cry to the Lord of Hosts! Then would the day clear up, and I should yet see my Salvation come, flying upon the Wings of the Wind, and mounted upon the Glouds for my help. I have one hard task to do: but, O thou, to whom nothing is hard! reveal thy Will, and conquer mine. My sore Task and Travel is this; How to retain a close Application of Union with God in Christ, so as that I may prevent the loss of tender Converse, and holy reverential Familiarity

and Intercourse with him. An immoderate mind∣ing of somewhat, in it self (for ought I can yet see) not unlawful, has been a thorn in my flesh for seve∣ral days, which has spent much venom against my inward Man; but I must not succumb to any Ad∣versary: there is no safety but in overcoming. Help me throughly, O my God, at this plunge, and thou shalt have the honour of the day. I would fain en∣quire into my Soul, how I contracted this Distem∣per: and upon enquiry, I find it had such steps as these:

I was withdrawn, I know not how, from the tender sight of Christ: and influences of spiritual Warmth being damp'd, Night came upon me, and I considered it not: my Soul fell asleep, but without any Refreshment: I awaked a little now and then, but Slumber benummed me, that I could not rise up: I would fain cry out for help, but my words were like an Arrow without Feathers, that would not reach the Mark: and all this while an earthly and momentany matter of delight solicited my fancy, aad proffered some pleasure to my mind; and in re∣gard I judged it not materially evil, I gave way, till it had eaten into my Soul like a Canker, and began to build its Nest in the very place, which I had lately prepared and devoted for the Entertainment of Christ only. It was restless, and would not yield to Christ's Supremacy in my Affections, but still of∣fered some Moon-light Satisfaction to my Mind, in∣steed of the withdrawn Beams of the Sun: and when Christ whispered some Conviction into my heart, and made it ake, and raised some small yernings after him, this Glo-worm glistered upon me; and though it had neither light nor heat, yet it would pretend a competent Ballance, instead of the true spiritual

light and warmth which I lately had, but now found it was retired at a distance from me, for my trial and exercise. I discerned the Snare, but here∣in lay my Strait: My Judgment told me, the matter it self was necessary, and that a moderate diligence might be employed about it; but neither that, nor any thing else must dethrone Christ from the chief Seat in my Affections: but I found it had so twist∣ed into my fancy, that I knew not how to use my thoughts about, it with that moderation as would consist, with Christ's supream Government and Sway in my inmost delight and affections. So that, how to divide between the matter it self, and my excessive affection to it; to do the one, and guard against the other; here lies the difficulty.

The matter on which this inordinate fancy fed it self was, something relating to LITERATURE; which I judged, in its own nature, lawful and use∣ful. To remedy which distemper, I poured out my complaint before the Lord, and began to muse the following Meditations.

How to pursue a lawful thing lawfully.

Be silent, O clamorous unreasonable Sence! thy Fancy is a poysonous Delectation: the Object of thy Aim is momentary; thy Workings are carnal, proud, impetuous and tyrannous; spawned from the Ser∣pent in the day that it said to Eve, Ye shall be as Gods: Thou didst then feed thy Expectation with forbid∣den Fruit, thou forsookest Divine Counsel, lost thy Aim; and art ever since crawling upon thy Belly to the Earth, and feeding upon the Dust; there lies something in that first Promise (The Seed of the Wo∣man shall break the Serpent's head) to loose me in the

inward Man, from the Bonds of thy Captivity. That blessed word began the second Creation, sen∣tenced Carnal Sense, and the way of its Reason, and brought in the Draft of a new created State, in which the Image of Christ is renewed upon the Soul; swaying it by spiritual Knowledge and Understand∣ing, into a state of Righteousness and Holiness; and has given it Dominion, by a holy Force, and rightful Power, to subject all Humane Sense and Reason, Knowledge, Understanding, and the De∣lights thereof, to the Authority and full Command of the Wisdom of the Spirit. And therefore I would wait for some Dew from this Wisdom that is from above, to water and guide me: and by this Conduct I would lay down these Grounds.

The pursuit of a lawful thing is so far sinful to me, as the pursuit thereof doth tend to distract my Prayers and Converse with God, and that which makes the Mind of Christ, in his Word and Godly Conference, unrelishable to me. That which tends to contract and confine my view of the Worth of Christ, my necessity of him, and relation to him. That which hinders me from a penitent and vigo∣rous watchfulness and reluctancy, against the defiling nature of my Heart-corruptions. That which wea∣kens the exercise of my faith, about the reality of Divine Truths; God's all-seeing Eye, the constant necessity of Holiness in my heart, and in my aim; unlimited and free Resignation to the Will of God, and a hungry expectation of the appearing of Christ, and my own Dissolution. That which offers vio∣lence to all or any Christian Duty, which takes off my desire to the Ordinances and profitable use of them, as if the time were lost which is spent in such work. That which cares not for an Exercise of Faith

and Prayer for a blessing upon it, and direction and assistance from God in it, doth declare it self so far to be a Work of the Flesh, and not wrought in God. For if I am wholly redeemed, then nothing in me is to be any longer at my natural Command; but my whole self, and all my ways and Concern∣ments do come under the Laws of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ. In all which forementioned Particulars, I have found Guilt sliding in upon me with a strong hand.

In the next place, I would consider what civil Actions, Labours, or Studies may be truly accoun∣ted lawful, and within that Command and Permis∣sion in the fourth Commandment; Six days shalt thou labonr, and do all that thou hast to do; viz. What∣soever may conduce to administer any true natural good to the Body, Estate, or Credit of my self or others, which lies included in all the Precepts of the second Table, Exod. 20. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, &c. Whatsoever may conduce to polish true Reason, and free the discerning faculty of the Mind, from that Captivity, Darkness and Infirmity, contracted by the Fall of our first Parents; which disabled the Understanding, in a great measure, to discern be∣tween things truly morally good and evil; without which, the discoursive faculty of the Soul cannot act within it self, or be capable of any impressions for its good from the words of others; the freeing of which would tend much to make way for the en∣trance of gracious Convictions where the Word of God is heard, or leave that Soul more wilfully in∣excusable: which seems te be hinted in Isa. 44. 18, 19. where the Prophet speaks of the very irrationa∣lity of Idol-worship, as that which contradicts the true use even of natural Reason. And in order hereunto,

Whatsoever may help Reason in its Exercise; as Conference with, and reading the Labours of such whom God hath fitted, in any measure, for repair∣ing the sad Breach made on Humane Nature. And whatsoever may conduce for the help of Memory; as the Art of Reading and Writing: which Art we find justified in the Scriptures, Dan. 9. 2. Deut. 6. 9. Whatsoever may make the Offices of Humanity (as well as Christianity) more communicable; as the knowledge of Tongues: the ordinary learning of which seems to be justified by the extraordinary Gift of Tongues, whereby the Apostles were enabled to dispense the Gospel in the World. Whatsoever also may tend to the understanding of the Letter of the Scriptures; as the Knowledge especially, of the Original Tongues. And whatsoever may facilitate the lawful Employments of Men; as Arithmetick, Navigation, and other Arts and Manufactures; not properly serving the bare Lust, but the true advan∣tage, and lawful comfort and conveniency of the ra∣tional Creature. Which curious Manufactures and ingenious Arts, were used at the making of the Mo∣saical Tabernacle, and Solomon's Temple, in the fitting and adorning of it for that use for which it was in∣tended of God.

Having weighed the lawfulness of the forementi∣oned Particulars, among which, one of those Cases do (at present, more than the rest) concern my own Consideration, and further Enquiry; and therefore I would next consider how a natural, or civil lawful Action may be done lawfully: so as not to prejudice the inward Man, by grieving the Spirit in the manner of a Man's labour, care, pains, diligence, or study; or in his utmost end and design therein. A right spiritual End in natural and moral Actions lies in these respects:

1. When I serve the Will of God intentionally, in obeying that Law of Nature (as in Eating, Drink∣ing, Physick, Cloathing, Sleep) which God has sub∣jected me to, 1 Tim. 4. 3, 4. 1 Cor. 10. 31.

2. When I design more Serviceableness to the Will and Glory of God by my Health, Estate, Cre∣dit, and Endowment of Mind, than I could attain unto without those Means, Prov. 3. 9.

3. When the Will and Glory of God is so far the Soul of my natural and civil Actions and Designs, that my delight doth not terminate in the thing done or enjoyed; but passing through them, takes up its rest in the enjoying, pleasing, and serving God therein, 1 Chron. 29. 9. For the better regulating the Mind in such Actions and Labours in pursuance of a right End, consider these Rules and Helps. Consider,

1. A Christian Life lies in Union with Christ, and not in any of the things or Enjoyments here below.

2. They are such things and Enjoyments which the Enemies of God may be employed in, and posses∣sed of in this World, as well as the Servants of God.

And therefore, that such common work may be done spiritually.

1. Sanctifie it by Prayer, 1 Tim. 4. 5. Ruth. 2. 4.

2. Lean on God by Faith for such Abilities of Bo∣dy or Mind as are suitable to such work.

3. Let not the Thoughts be inrodinately devoured in it, and to that end.

4. Force the heart to read and meditate the Scri∣ptures with more seriousness and labour for an in∣ward value thereof, above any other labour or study.

5. Judge not any useful Labour, Work, or Study to be materially evil, because your inordinate Affe∣ction about it is sinful: but rather regulate your de∣sires

to Moderation, and a right end in what you do.

6. Be contented in the measure of your Attain∣ment.

7. View the excellency of God in Christ appearing in all created Skill, Excellency and Worth: Strive to wind up your heart by Creature-Excellencies, in∣stantly, to a more actual Enjoyment of them as his Gift only, and so to himself as the Fountain of Per∣fection.

Thus have I been wrestling with a Monster bred in my own Bowels; but, O Captain of my Salvati∣on, breath Truth, Faith, Vertue and Blessing upon these Meditations; or else all my labour is lost, and my enquiry into my disease spent in vain. Every good and perfect Gift comes down from above, and therefore my eyes are to the Hills, from whence comes my help. Let not the Poor return ashamed of his Hope: I leave my Success upon thy hands who hast redeemed me, O Lord God of Truth.

And seeing a gracious God hath favoured me thus far, to drill me along; sometimes wooing, sometimes reproving, sometimes comforting, and confirming me in the various roulings of my heart in these Meditations, from time to time, I would now lean upon him, to make good all the movings of his Spirit in my heart, and issue forth from himself through Christ, by his Spirit, a sui∣table Supply, according as my daily need, and prone∣ness to decay doth require; that it may be eviden∣ced to my Soul, that these Meditations (how much frailty soever I have been laden with under them) were not meer Humane Labour and Invention; but that the Breath of the Holy Spirit hath been (in some true measure) present. And therefore, O thou who art the God of all my Hope, be pleased to cause all

that love to, and desire after pure Union and Fellow∣ship with thee in Christ, which hath been at any time working towards thee in any of these Meditations, and at any other time, to be purged from my perso∣nal Guilt that cleaves to the best thing which I do: And vouchsafe a Return of my desires from the Throne of Grace. as far as any exercise of Spirit in me hath been acceptable in thy sight, through my dear Redeemer. That whether I sleep or wake, the groanings of thy Spirit may be acceptable before thee day and night; and though my heart be vile, yet let it still be as a Garden watered by thy hand, a Soul which the Lord careth for.

Bring me through the great Waters, that one day I may be utterly and eternally delivered from every evil work, inward and outward, and purely serve, love and glorifie thee; being presented spotless through Christ, among that glorious Host of the Spi∣rits of just Men made perfect.

Notes

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  Privileges of this Propriety.