Jesus and the resurrection justified by witnesses in heaven and in earth in two parts : the first shewing that Jesus is the Son of God, the second that in him we have eternall life / by Symon Patrick ...

V.

That is the next thing therefore which I am to give a brief account of, that our Lord expects (which he would not do, if he did not endue us with sufficient strength) that in the vertue of this Belief, we should get the better of all temptations which stand in the way of our duty, and would hinder us from the performance of it. By the WORLD, with which we are to conflict till we overcome, is partly understood wicked men, xv. John 18. partly the tribulations and miseries we may here endure by their and other means, xvi. Joh. 33. and partly the allurements and enticing enjoyments, wherewith all our senses are entertained, 1 John ii. 15, 16. All these oppose us, and set themselves against us, either by discouraging or else flattering us from our known duty. It is hard to be the

object of hatred, contempt or scorn; har∣der to endure also poverty, hunger, re∣straint, and such torments as the Apostles and other blessed Martyrs suffered; and perhaps hardest of all to resist the perswasi∣ons of pleasure, which prosperity and wordly Glory bring along with them. What must a Believer do, when he is thus beset? Must he be content to yield himself too weak to deal with these enemies? Must he let the WORLD have the day, and declare that it was impossible to stand against its mighty forces? Or will it be sufficient to enter into a conflict with them, if it be but to say that he was not false or cowardly, though he suffer himself to be over-powred by them? No, the Faith of Jesus is stronger than so, if it be deeply rooted in our hearts: and will en∣able us to master all these, which seem to be no equal match for us. Their strength lies only in the weakness of our Faith. If we stand fast, as the Apostle speaks, in the faith grounded and setled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, they will lose their force and flee before us, and leave us victorious. These six Witnesses are such Champions, if I may so call them, that the Faith which is led by them, and firmly relies upon them, cannot come off basely, but must needs be triumphant.

1. As for the hatred of men and their despisal, alas! what a contemptible thing does it seem? how does it sneak into no∣thing, when we look up unto Jesus, and remember that He was the Son of God, and yet endured it (as he tells his Apostles, xv. John 18.) and thought himself never the less glorious? It cannot be help'd but we must be scorned sometime or other, if we will follow him; unless we could per∣swade all men to bear us company. But this is our comfort and encouragement, that this is the way to glory, and that now we are conformed to our Saviour, who by the shame of the Cross, hath got himself immortal honour; and that the Father at present approves us, the Word delights in us, the Spirit of God and of Glory rests upon us; all these Heavenly Witnesses esteem and love us, and are pleased to see us behave our selves worthi∣ly as Jesus did.

2. And if from hence we pass through many tribulations, and encounter such troubles and hardships as we are all desi∣rous to avoid, they will not be able to affright or daunt him who hath this faith thus planted in his heart; For greater is

He that is in us, than he that is in the WORLD. Did not the ancient Wor∣thies and great Warriers against the WORLD, wade through very great diffi∣culties in the strength of a Faith which was much weaker than this of ours? How did all those brave men whom you read of, Hebr. xi. obtain a good report, but through faith, when it had not received this pro∣mise? ver. 39. Surely, we that under∣stand more than they did, we who know the Son of God is come, not only by WA∣TER, but by BLOUD; and who know that Eternal life is in him, and have re∣ceived the Holy Ghost, and are made par∣takers of such glorious Revelations in the Gospel of his grace, and who know the certainty of those things wherein we are instructed; we, I say, cannot but take the courage in the power of such a Faith to behave our selves valiantly, and with Christian resolution, in such like straits and dangers as made their fidelity so re∣markable. Read what S. Peter says to en∣courage us, 1 iii. 14, 15. But if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in

you. As if he should have said, It may seem a strange folly to suffer so much as you do, and you may begin to be startled at the troubles which befall you; but bear a re∣verend regard towards God who hath cal∣led you to this state of Christianity, do but stand in awe of his Authority who hath bid you hear, that is obey, Jesus whatso∣ever it cost you; and do but tell every Man what reason you have for what you do and suffer, and what hope you have in him upon this account: And then they will either cease to trouble you, or you will cease to be troubled for what they make you suffer. Now what are the reasons of our Christian hope and patience, but these which we are here treating of? If we al∣ledge these to our selves or to others, it will soon appear that we are no fools in exposing our selves to any dangers for righ∣teousness sake. The Father hath bidden us be true to it, so hath the Word and so hath the Holy Ghost: every one of the other three also call upon us to be couragious; for it is a worthy cause wherein we are in∣gaged, and we shall not lose our reward. Here are reasons enough; and they are stronger than all their adversaries. The World hath nothing to oppose so weighty as these Witnesses; every one of which I

might show you (if it would not prove too tedious) lay an obligation on us not to be moved from our stedfastness, but to take up our Cross and to follow Jesus. And I the rather pass by these, because I think they are generally of less force than the o∣ther part of the WORLD, which uses to assault Mankind more dangerously.

3. I mean the alluring and inticing en∣joyments here below, which we are too prone to comply withall. They are of an inveigling and insinuating nature, and may get admittance by their soft violence; when the other cannot prevail by more rough opposition. We are apt to fortifie our selves against evil things, and are ma∣ny times angry they should attempt to over∣master us; but to the good things of the WORLD we lye naked and open, and there is a treacherous party within that is wil∣ling they should enter, nay, ready to open the doors to them. And they are of three sorts, as the forenamed place in this Epistle tells us, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, ii. 16. All that the WORLD contains in it, for the capti∣vating of an earthly Mans affections, and satisfying his desires is comprehended un∣der one of these three Names. For the un∣derstanding

of which you must know, that the Hebrews have a manner of speech which expresses the Object by the Act: and the clearest interpretation of these words is grounded on that use of theirs. So that by LUST we are to understand all those things that gratifie some appetite of pleasure, wealth, or greatness; and by FLESH (which is not here, as it is some∣times a general word) it is most agreeable to understand the lower and duller senses which lye most in the flesh, and are affect∣ed with things that have some grosness in them. And then the whole phrase, LUST OF THE FLESH, that sort of things which give content to the touch, the taste and smell; such as are meat, and drink and perfumes, and other voluptuous enjoy∣ments, which, I need not name but, are sometimes particularly called FLESH. And then by the LUST OF THE EYES, we are to understand such things, as be∣long to the higher and more renned sense of seeing, viz. Gold and Silver, precious Stones and Jewels, Lordships and large possessions, noble Houses and rich Furni∣ture, beautiful Pictures and fair Gardens, fine clothes and costly attire; all that is comprehended under the name of Riches, which as Solomon observes, yields only this

satisfaction to the owner, that he beholdeth them with his eye. There is little in these things but what is all lodged in this sense; and therefore they are called the lust of the eye, because it loves to look upon them, and when that is done, they can do more for him. Only they may prefer a man to that which he calls the PRIDE OF LIFE; which signifies all those things that flatter and please the inward sense, our fancy or imagination. Such as are great offices and places of Dignity, noble Titles, all the Ho∣nour and Glory of the World, together with the esteem, at least the applause and commendation of men, which is wont to follow them.

One or more of these three sorts of things every man naturally hunts after, and his desires prick him forward in its pursuit. For these are mens study and labour; with these the Devil baits his hooks, to catch Souls, and they who do not bite at one will be nibling at another. They that are not tempted by the first to gluttony and drunk∣enness, fornication and such like filthiness, feel the second perhaps incline them to co∣vetousness and the sordid love of Money, with a thirst and greediness of another kind. Or if they can escape and despise

these, they may notwithstanding be in danger to be carried away with the humor of prodigality, and affectation of vain-glo∣ry, or ambition of Dignities; which is at∣tended with emulation, envy and other dangerous Vices. As the African Beast which some write of, is caught with Mu∣sick, and suffers its feet to be fettered while it listens to the Lessons that are play'd to it: So do the generality of Mankind let their Souls be insnared and led into a mise∣rable captivity, by the inchanting voice of pleasure, riches, or glory. Whilst they hearken to the bewitching melody which some of these court them withall, they are taken in the mighty Hunter's net, and be∣come a prey to him that lurks for Souls, and seek whom he may devour. And it has not been in the power of the wisest Charmers that ever were in the World, to open the eares of the most of men, and to convey the sense of better things into them. All the Philosophy and Learning that was so famous in former Ages, could never obtain such numerous chearful and obedient Auditors, as the Syren Songs, which these three sing in Mens cares, have always sound. When the World there∣fore by that wisdome knew not God, it pleased God, says S. Paul (1 Cor. i. 21.)

by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. The faith of Christ directs and disposes us to avoid all those dange∣rous rocks on which they split themselves who listen to those deceitful Songs. Now that the Son of God is come, He pulls our feet out of the net; and by his far more powerful charms so stops our ears to those inchantments, that there is no entrance for them any more. It seemed a foolish thing indeed to the World, to believe that the crucified Jesus was the Son of God; but where this simple faith prevailed it did more, than all the wisdome of the World was able to effect before. For it gave them a new understanding and saved them from perishing; by making them account it the greatest pleasure and glory and treasures to follow Jesus, and do the will of God, as he did. The World, they saw, passeth away and the lust thereof (if they do not leave us, we must at last leave them) but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever. So those three Heavenly witnesses, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, assure us: whose voice as it is most sweet and melo∣dious, so it is most powerful to disinchant us, and to preserve those who receive their testimony, from all the bewitching tem∣ptations of those other three, the lust of the

flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. Nay, here are two Threes of infinitely greater vertue and efficacy to prevail with us, than all that the WORLD'S Trinity can offer to us, if we will but open our ears, and diligently listen to their voice.

And how can we choose but listen when the Father of Heaven calls to us so graci∣ously, when the Word opens his secrets to us, and the Holy-Ghost proclaims such an abundant love of God towards us: The Water, the Bloud, the Spirit, they also with one consent conspire with those, and all to∣gether sing this New Song, THE SON OF GOD IS COME, the Son of God is come. This one note of theirs more ravishes, than all the pleasures and satisfactions which the WORLD infatuates its followers withall. Heaven and Earth cannot speak any thing more moving in our ears than this, which again and again salutes them with new joy. For what would you have them say? would it please you to hear that Infinite Goodness loves us, that the Heavens stand open to us, and show us their glory, that God is willing to receive us up thither, that he will make us Heirs of a Kingdom, equal with the Angels, to hear their Songs, and joyn with that Celestial Quire? Be∣hold!

they are all included in this one sen∣tence, THE SON OF GOD IS COME. GOD HATH GIVEN US HIS SON. This is the sweetest Aire that can touch our eares: this we can never be weary to hear: this strikes our souls, if we under∣stand it, so gratefully, that we cannot but say, let us hear that again. And therefore after the Father, the Word, and the Holy-Ghost have blest our ears with this joyful sound; here are three more that take it up, and repeat it to us with the strongest assu∣rances, that we hear the Voice of God him∣self. And the oftner we listen to them and lend them our attention (the more fre∣quently, I mean, we think upon the rea∣sons we have to believe in Jesus) the more deaf shall we grow to all the sinful allure∣ments of this World, how inviting soever before they have been. For my part, I think there is more real satisfaction in the very understanding of this one place of Holy Scripture, than in all the delights of worldly men. What is there, I beseech you consider, in all their sensualities com∣parable to the rational gust of what is con∣tained in that one voice of the Father, THIS IS MY WELL BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED? What Riches are there to be equalled with

this treasure of Divine knowledge, that God hath bestowed his own Son upon us? What honour like to this, to be preferred to be the Friends, yea the Sons of God? Can you hear any thing so delicious as that voice of the WORD, To him that over∣cometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, in the midst of the Paradise of God? ii. Rev. 7. Were there ever any Jewels so precious, as the inestimable gifts, wherewithall the Holy Ghost hath inriched the Church? what Musick is there fit to bear a part, with those Hymns, and Psalms, and spiritual Songs, that it inspired the hearts of Christians with∣all? Doth it not even ravish the heart of a pious man to think of them, though he do not hear the like in these days? What is there in all the broken Cisterns of this World, that tastes like the Rivers of living Water, that Jesus hath poured out unto us? What peace does it speak to us, like that which by the Bloud of Jesus is purcha∣sed for us? Or what power is there in any of this Worlds temptation, that can stand before the voice of that SPIRIT which says COME, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely? xxii. Rev. 17. Certainly, in the strength of such a faith so fortified, so incouraged by all these Witnes∣ses, we may easily tread the WORLD

under our feet, and make its most migh∣ty temptations crouch to us; whereas now, for want of this solid faith we shame∣fully bow down to it and worship it. Let but any man remember when he reads these words, LOVE NOT THE WORLD; for all that is in the WORLD, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the World. And the world passeth away and the lust thereof; but he that doth the will of God abideth for ever. Or when he reads any other lesson in the holy Books, let him but remember, that thus says the Father of all, and thus says his WORD, and this is the voice of the Holy Ghost, and of all the rest of the Witnesses, who testi∣fie that Jesus who teaches these things is the Son of God; and then he will never be perswaded to yield to the fairest thing that ever eye beheld, or the sweetest thing the mouth can taste, or the greatest pleasure any other sense is capable to feel, if it must be enjoyed by the breaking of any of these commandments. No, he will yield himself unto God, (vi. Rom. 13.) and lay himself at the feet of his WORD, and submit to the dictates and sentence of the Holy Ghost, and follow the example of Christ's purity, and be made

conformable to his Death, and be led by his Spirit, and think it an honour to be conquered by such Defendants of the cause of Jesus. O how hateful would every sin be to us, though it dress up it self never so beautifully, and court us with never such promises of pleasure or greatness, did we but at the same time reflect upon these Witnesses and remember what they have testified to us! How should we desire it? How passionately should we tear all its gaudy dresses in pieces? How heartily should we despise all its temptations, which would have us slight all these great Witnesses, who tell us the Son of God is come, and that he is come for this purpose, that he might destroy the works of the Devil? 1 John iii. 8. Every unlawful enjoyment would look like a manifest jeer to all these, and as if a man should say to them, Why do you trouble your selves, this is our Darling, our God, and all your perswasions shall not prevail with us to let it go. It would appear a contempt of God; a laughing of his WORD to scorn, who came upon so needless, at least fruit∣less an errand; a manifest challenge to the Holy Ghost, who by every sin is boldly op∣posed. And what heart can endure to think of being guilty of such madness?

which throws dirt into this pure Water, I mean the life of Christ, and treads his Bloud under feet, and miscalls the Spirit of grace, as if it were not the Truth, but had deceived the world when it told them, that this is the will of God, even our sanctifi∣cation. For God (says S. Paul) hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not Man but God, who hath also given unto us his holy SPIRIT, 1 Thess. iv. 3, 7, 8.

To conclude this, you know what is commonly said, and it is a certain truth, of those who are bit with a kind of Spider in Italy, which they call a Tarantula, that there is no way to cure them of their plea∣sant frenzy, but by such Musick as is ap∣propriate to the motions which their poi∣son makes in the brain of him, into whom it is infused. Let this be an Emblem of the truth I have now delivered; that the old Serpent having envenomed mens Souls, poisoned their principles, pervert∣ed their affections, and depraved their lives; there is nothing of efficacy suffici∣ent to recover them, but only such charms as these, which by this six stringed Instru∣ment, as I may call it, God hath provided for our Cure. And this will certainly do

it, by infusing the Faith of Jesus into us, which is the victory whereby we over∣come the WORLD. Do but hearken diligently to these Witnesses, do but mind their sweet consent, their harmony and agreement in the testimony they give to this great truth, that Jesus our Master is the Son of God; and there is no venome so deadly which this Faith will not expel, no love to the WORLD so strong which it will not vanquish and subdue. It will re∣cover us to our selves, and make nothing seem so ridiculous as the folly and frantick∣ness of worldly men; yet it will advance us to a Divine and Heavenly spirit, so that we shall not be apt to receive such pe∣stilent infusions any more, but keep our selves in the love of God, looking for the mer∣cy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.