Hooinh egzainiomnh, or, A treatise of holy dedication both personal and domestick the latter of which is (in special) recommended to the citizens of London, upon their entring into their new habitations / by Tho. Jacomb ...

CHAP. 7. Some things in special urged upon the people of God, in reference to their Dedication.

HItherto I have been speaking to men, as they lie in the general lump or mass; I will now direct my discourse to the people of God, whom he hath singled and called out of this mass; I will leave a few things with them, and so close up this first Head of Personal Dedication.

You therefore that are Saints, to be sure you have done that, which I have been pressing upon others; for you are Saints, which you could not be without Personal Dedication, (this being the very forma constituens, or that which makes you to be so:) 'Tis observable how Gods people are de∣scribed, and set forth in Scripture, by those things which imply and connote Dedication: The Temple was dedica∣ted, the Saints are the Temple of God,

1 Cor. 3.17. 2 Cor. 6.16. The first fruits were dedicated, the Saints are first fruits, Jam. 1.18. Revel. 14.4. The Priests were dedicated, the Saints (in a spiritual sense) are such, 1 Pet. 2.5. Rev. 1.6. It being thus with you, that you are dedicated persons, let me commend the ensuing particulars to you.

1. First, I would have you, often to revive upon your thoughts your holy and solemn Dedication: 'Tis easier to think of it, than to do it; and it would be of great use, and much to the advantage of the people of God, if they would often think of this: How would this further Humiliation, when they come short in their duty! How would this excite and quicken them to every thing that is good, be it never so hard and difficult! How would this engage them to universal holiness, this being nothing, but what is in the compass and tenor of their dedication! How would this fortifie against all the arguings, reasonings, solicitations of the flesh! and make a person to say to the flesh, O let me alone, I must not hearken to thee, for I have given

my self to God. How would this, (if it was but duly thought of,) make Christians to be above the world, so as not to be allured by its good, nor affrighted by its evil: How would this ennoble and greaten the spirits of such, did they but consider, who they are by vertue of their Dedication. The Orator tells us, He that knows himself, will perceive there is something divine in him; he will esteem his wit, parts, to be like some Image under a solemn de∣dication. O if the Saints did but aright know themselves, they would judge of themselves, as having some∣thing divine in them, their persons, parts, graces, comforts, their All, be∣ing in a manner sacred, because dedi∣cated. O that you that are Saints, would often remember your Dedicati∣on: this would produce excellent ef∣fects, many more than what I can here mention. 'Tis not now to be made, but 'tis now to be thought of: Did we but think of our dedication, we should not carry it as we do; (I speak it with much confidence.) How doth the power and obligation of the first dedi∣cation insensibly abate in us, because

we do so seldom revive it upon our thoughts?

2. Secondly, Be true to your Dedi∣cation: You are true in it, you are not as those, who flatter God with their mouth, and lye unto him with their tongue; for their heart is not right with him, they are not stedfast in his cove∣nant: (as 'tis Psal. 78.36, 37.) This is not a thing, that you speak of, or talk of, or profess to come up to, but you have indeed, heartily, unfeignedly, dedicated your selves to God: O as you are true in it, be true to it; as you are sincere in your entrance, be so in your performance: Take heed of be∣ing false to God and to your Dedicati∣on. 'Tis recorded of the persons, whom Hezekiah imployed, that they brought in the Offerings, the Tithes, and the Dedicate things faithfully, 2 Chron. 31.12. I do but allude to it; you and yours are dedicate things, O deal faith∣fully with God about them. Where∣in? Answ. Do not go about to re∣scind or recal your Dedication. Un∣der the Law, things dedicated, or devoted to the Lord, were not to be alienated. 'Tis very expresly prohi∣bited,

Levit. 27.28.29. You are so devoted to God, will you go about to null, or alter, or revoke this? Would you be free again, to prostitute your selves to sin and to the world? Would you get off from the bonds that you have entred into? I know you would not. Keep up your Dedication, and walk answerably to it. As the Apostle exhorts the Philippians, Only (saith he) let your conversation be as becomes the Gospel, Philip. 1.27. So let me say to you, O let your conversation be as becomes your Dedication: Let there be a suitableness 'twixt your actings and it; often put this question to your selves, doth this and that become my dedication? This is that which I must order my actings by. Let the consi∣deration of this put you upon holiness, both in the negative and also in the po∣sitive part thereof. What? Shall I sin? I that have given my self to God, shall I sin? Shall sin be lodg'd in that heart, committed in that life, which I have set apart for God? Shall I wea∣ken and falsifie my solemn dedication? O sin thou hast nothing to do with me, I will have nothing to do with thee,

for I am wholly the Lords; I h••ve too often made a breach upon my solemn engagements, and have been too false to my God, but I will be so no more: I will rather break with thee than with God, and therefore let me alone. O that we could vigorously resist sin, and all temptations thereunto, because of our Dedication. Deut. 27.9, 10. Take heed, and hearken, O Israel, this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God: Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day. Josh. 24.22, 23. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against your selves, that ye have chosen the Lord to serve him: And they said, we are wit∣nesses; now therefore put away, said he, the strange Gods which are amongst you, and encline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel. You read of the sons of Athaliah, that they broke up the house of God, and also all the dedicate things of the house of the Lord, they bestowed upon Baalim, 2 Chron. 24.7. was not this great wickedness? What will you do less, if you take your dedicate per∣sons,

and imploy them in the service of a base lust? If you harbour any known sin, you are not true to your Baptismal and Actual dedication. Can that woman be look'd upon as true to her conjugal obligation, that admits of corrivals and competitors with her Husband, and deflowers his bed? Are you faithful to God, if you love any thing in comparison of him, or in competition to him, and suffer some hellish lust to defile you? O put away sin, keep close to God, be holy, then you act like your selves: a proud, sen∣sual, worldly, barren, sinful conversa∣tion, is very unbecoming such as you are. I have plainly set before you, the things in which your dedication doth consist, will you live up to every one of them?

Let me add but this further: If you would be true to your dedication, stand to it; be fixed and stedfast, as to what you have done; God is firm to you, be you firm to him: Have you not made a good choice? O stick to it! Have you not put your selves into good hands, and disposed very well of your selves, in giving them to God? Can you be

better than where you are? Can you mend your selves by leaving God? Joh. 6.67, 68. Will ye also go away? Lord (saith Peter) to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. Have you met with any thing in God, or in his ways, to give you any just occasion of repenting, as to what you have done? Jer. 2.5. What iniquity have your Fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me? Did you indent with God, for but such a time? and is that expired, that you will call in your Indentures? or did you enter upon his ways, as Actors come upon the Stage, to act a part for an hour or two, and then all is over? or did you take him upon trial, as masters do their servants, that in case you liked him not, you might put him off again? Will you turn Apostates? Having laid your hands upon the Plough, will you look back? Having begun in the spirit, will you end in the flesh? Will you draw back from God, to the perditi∣on of your precious souls? I trust you will not. 'Tis observed, both by Pa∣pists and Turks also, (for the latter have their religious Orders as well as

the former,) that persons who have once entred themselves into such Or∣ders, (and so dedicated themselves to God,) if they leave these, they never prosper. O Christians, have you de∣dicated your selves, in a regular, scrip∣tural way? If you relinquish your de∣dication, do you think to prosper? Farewel peace, joy, Heaven, farewel all, when you forsake God, and Apo∣statize from him.

That you may be thus faithful and constant, and in every thing make good your dedication, be much in begging of God, the special assistance of his grace: Praevenient grace made you true in your dedication, Subsequent grace, must make you true to your dedicati∣on. O let none relye upon their own strength; we may give, resolve, cove∣nant, but if we be left to our selves, we shall soon leave God, and undo (as much as in us lies) all that we have done: The heart is deceitful, grace is weak, corruption strong, temp∣tations impetuous, you need assisting and stablishing grace very much. Da∣vid joyned prayer with his resolution: I will keep thy statutes, O forsake me

not utterly, Psal. 119.8. You have gi∣ven the hands to God in stipulation, lift up the hands to God in supplication, for fidelity, for perseverance. The God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after that ye have suffered a while, make you per∣fect, stablish, strengthen, settle you, 1 Pet. 5.10. Self-dependance doth much endanger self-dedication.

3. Thirdly, Often renew your dedi∣cation; though the first sufficiently obliges you, yet all obligations are little enough, to bind these treacherous hearts of ours: the oftner this is re∣newed, the greater awe it leaves upon conscience: And though the com∣mand of God, and the nature of duty, are highly obligatory, yet fresh and re∣newed dedications lay a farther, super∣added obligation upon the person: O tye the knot as fast as may be; many knots are not so easily loosened: After repeated, reiterated dedications, you'l be ashamed to be false to God.

There are some special cases and sea∣sons, wherein 'tis good for you to re∣new your dedication. Do you fall in∣to some great sin? Recover your selves

by speedy repentance, and renew your dedication. These make great wounds and gashes in the soul, get them healed presently: These endanger the very vitals, and strike at the foundation, there's no dallying in this case. Great breaches must immediately be made up; great sins make a great breach up∣on conscience, upon your dedication, and therefore make it up speedily. Doubtless, David that would renew the dedication of his house, after Absa∣loms sins, would also renew the dedi∣cation of his person, after his own gross and scandalous sins. Are you afflict∣ed? reduced into great straits? Renew your dedication; give all again to God at such a time, for then you need him most to give to you. When Ja∣cob was in great straits, and knew not what to do, then he said; If God will be with me in the way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my Fa∣thers house in peace, then shall the Lord be my God, Gen. 28.20, 21. O be so wise, as to renew your gift and your bond in a day of trouble, and so ingeni∣ous, as to make all good in a day of

comfort. Do you receive some eminent mercy from God? Renew your dedica∣tion. Say, Lord thou hast renewed thy mercy, and therefore I here renew my duty; thou hast given me a very choice and seasonable mercy, here I give thee my self for it. Do you attend upon the Sacrament? before and at and after that ordinance, solemnly renew your dedication: that's a duty very proper at this time. Indeed in every prayer, we virtually do this, but in sacramental work, we must do it in a more solemn and explicit manner. Are you cast upon times wherein there is much Apostacy, professors fall off from God, like leaves from the trees in Au∣tumn? Now renew your dedication, that you may bind your selves the fast∣er to God: now take up new and stron∣ger resolutions for God; saying, Though all forsake God, you will never forsake him. Other cases and seasons might be mentioned, but I pass them by.

4. Fourthly, Adore and admire the infinite goodness of God: In your giving your selves to God, you do not oblige him, but he obliges you: when you give most, you receive most: first, grace

is given to you, and then you are given to God: you could not give, if first you did not receive. O have you de∣voted your selves to the Lord? 'Twas he that framed your hearts to this, and wrought you up to it: Time was, when you were just as others are, but God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved you, (even when you wholly gave up your selves to sin,) effectually drew you to himself, That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards you through Christ Je∣sus. O admire that distinguishing love of God, which hath so freely taken hold of you: And let this heighten your admiration, that the great God is so willing to accept of that poor, pi∣tiful self, which you tender to him; 'tis but the paying of a debt, and yet God accepts of it as a gift. Were you Angels, it would be a condescension in God, to accept of you, but Lord, What is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou so re∣gardest him. And that which is high∣est of all, and which may put the soul into extatick admiration, that for such

a poor self given, such a glorious self should be received; you give your self to God, and in lieu of this, God gives his self to you: O Saints, what have you to do, but to lose your selves in the admiring of God.

5. Fifthly, Further Personal Dedi∣cation in others: You have done it your selves, do what in you lies, that others may do so too. Do not you rejoyce in your own act? Would you have it to do again for millions of worlds? Where then is your zeal to further it in others, who have not yet dedicated themselves to God? Do you not pity such in their state, and will you not endeavour to bring them out of it? Can you be content, to go to Heaven alone? Shall the Devils factors be more diligent for him, to the ruin of souls, than you for God, to the salva∣tion of souls? O do not let sinners alone, till you have been instrumental for conversion and Personal Dedication to them. So live, that you may win them to God: So instruct, exhort, perswade, convince, that they may re∣solve, we also will give up our selves to God, as you have done. Bernard

hath an expression; Major est in amore Dei, qui plures traxerit ad amorem Dei; He is highest in the love of God, (you may understand it both of active, and also of passive or objective love,) who hath drawn most to the love of God. You cannot in an higher way, manifest your love to God, or procure Gods love to you, than by promoting this blessed self-dedication in others. O lay out your selves in order to this; and let your endeavours extend to all, but especially to your near and dear relati∣ons: do not suffer a child, a servant to continue in a state of alienation from God. But this I shall have occasion more to dwell upon, under the next Head of Domestick dedication. Let me conclude this, with the words of that Divine Poet, Mr. Herbert, which are very apposite to my purpose.

My God, if writings may Convey a Lordship any way Whither the buyer and the seller please; Let it not thee displease, If this poor paper do as much as they.

On it my Heart doth bleed As many Lines, as there doth need To pass it self and all it hath to thee: To which I do agree, And here present it as my special deed.

If that hereafter Pleasure Cavil, and claim her part and mea∣sure, As if this passed with a reservation Or some such words in fashion, I here exclude the wrangler from thy treasure.

Wherefore I all forego: To one word only I say, No. Where in the deed there was an intimati∣on Of a gift or donation, Lord, let it now by way of purchase go.

He that will pass his land, As I have mine, may set his hand And heart unto this deed, when he hath read: And make the purchase spread To both our goods, if he to it will stand.

How happy were my part If some kind man would thrust his heart Into these lines: till in Heavens Court of rolls They were by winged souls Entred for both, far above their desert!

6. Sixthly, I have but this farther to say, Let Saints take the comfort of their Dedication. O what a rich mine of heavenly consolation am I fallen up∣on, if I could but go to the bottom of it! but that I cannot do. Have you entirely dedicated your selves to God? Can you go over all the branches of it, and say, you find them all in your selves? What shall I say, what may I not say, for the comforting of you? You have Grace, and Grace indeed, for (as hath been said,) what is grace, but Personal Dedication. You are sometimes much in the dark about your spiritual state, you know not what to think of your selves, because of the many discouragements, which you meet with, in the power and pre∣valency of corruption, &c. Can you say this of your selves? You have en∣tirely, unreservedly, fixedly, hearti∣ly devoted and dedicated your selves to God; if so, you may take the com∣fort of a saving work in you; when other evidences are blotted and blurr'd, if this be legible, 'tis enough; this is an abiding discovery of sinceri∣ty and the truth of grace. How dear

and precious are you in the sight of God! The Lord knoweth who are his, 2 Tim. 2.19. (His, as by his own Ele∣ction, so by their own dedication:) The Lord knoweth such, not with a bare, simple, intuitive knowledge, but with a knowledge of delight and special ap∣probation; God hath your heart, and you have his. You say to God, we are thine, (there's the sum of duty,) and God says to you, I am yours, (there's the sum of mercy:) God hath your drop, and you have his Ocean: You think nothing enough for him, he thinks nothing too much for you; his Self, his Son, his Spirit, his Heaven, his own glory, he gives it all to you. Surely God intends you nothing but good, because he hath so graciously accepted of your offering, (which is your selves;) (I allude to that of Ma∣noah to his wife, Judg. 13.23.) You may take this, and plead it with God upon all occasions: Psal. 119.94. I am thine, save me. Are you in dangers? plead from this, for protection: Are you in wants? plead from this, for pro∣vision: Lord, I have given my self to thee, wilt thou not give me food and rai∣ment?

(I desire no more;) Lord, here's the Covenant on my part, I de∣sire to make it good, here's the Cove∣nant on thy part, shall not that be made good? then give me bread, Psal. 111.5. And so for higher mercies: O it's a blessed thing, ingerere Deo suam syngrapham, (as Aug. says his mother Monica used to do,) to in-mind God, and to argue with him from his Cove∣nant. Are you in straits? you may plead from this, for direction: But (alas) I cannot speak out half of that blessedness, which belongs to you upon this act: Let me conclude with that which is the Zenith of all; Personal Dedication, shall most certainly end in Eternal Salvation: That self which is here dedicated, shall be hereafter sa∣ved: and that which is a poor self here, shall be a glorious self hereafter. If this be not enough for comfort, I know not what is. And so let me end this first part of my Discourse, with that which shall never end.

Notes

• Qui se novit, primùm aliquid se habere senti∣et Divinum, ingenium in se suum sicut si∣mulachrum ali∣quod Dedica∣tum, putabit. Tull. de Leg. l. 2.
• Luke 9.62.
• Galat. 3.3.
• Hebr. 10.39.
• Voluntate suâ cadit qui ca∣dit, voluntate Dei stat qui stat. Angust.
• Eph. 2.4, 7.
• Psal. 144.3.
• Pag 96 97.