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But ye are a Chosen Generati∣on, &c.
GO round about Zion; tell her Towers: Mark ye well her Bulwarks, that ye may tell it to the gene∣ration following: For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our Guide unto Death, Psal. 48.12. And again, The Lord hath chosen Zion. And again, He will surely hear the afflictions of the afflicted, and an∣swer their cry. Though they may now seem forsaken
and forgotten, though abjects and out-casts in the eyes of the World, (disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious.) So was it with our Lord and Master; and so will it be with all them, on whom the Father hath set his Love in like manner: However the World may look on them, or they judg of themselves; yet in the Eye of God 'tis thus, Ye are a chosen Gene∣ration, &c.
Now there is great need to distinguish between things and things, that the Trumpet may give a certain sound who are this chosen People that are thus beloved; for it belongs not to all men: I came not but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Many widows were in Israel, but onely to one poor widow of Sarepta was Elijah sent: And it is not meet (saith Christ) to take the childrens bread and give it to the dogs: Some are dogs as some are children; and Peter tells Simon Ma∣gus plainly, Thou hast neither lot nor part in this mat∣ter. Lest every one should thrust in, there are bounds set; not All, but YE are a chosen Generation: Not every one that says Lord, Lord, shall enter: Not eve∣ry one that comes, and hears, and sits in the house a∣mong the children, is of this chosen Generation, of that blessed seed; No, but in Isaac shall thy seed be bless∣ed. Ishmael, though he may live in the House, yet He must not be Heir with Isaac: There are many flourish∣ing Plants in the world that grow and thrive apace: I, but every Plant that my Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. The King will overlook all his guests, and then, Friend, how camest thou hither? will light on all that have not the wedding garment on: However we may strive to pull in Husbands and chil∣dren, and other relations (according to our selfish wills) yet alass, That will not stand! That will not make any,
who are not, to be this chosen Generation. It is not whom man approves, but whom the Lord approves.
It was once so, That all lay in the confused Chaos to∣gether, in one lump, like the Potters clay, and then there was no difference at all; none could say, This is accept∣ed, or this rejected; this is Jacob, or this Esau; this a vessel of honor, That of dishonor; till the Potter hath separated and distinguished his clay to several purposes; and then was the Portion of the Nations divided, and then the Lords People became his portion: Then this chosen Generation had their first Being, and were both from the womb of the morning.
Now in choosing, these several things are consider∣able.
1. Before a man chooseth any thing, he weighs well, and considers, and overlooks it in his minde; He weighs all the flaws and all the perfections in it, that he may know what he chooseth, and not do it hoodwinked: So the Lord was pleased to weigh all his creatures; When he divided to the Nations their Inheritance, and sepa∣rated the sons of Adam, then he said, Jacob is my por∣tion: He knew what he did, how he would prove; as God says, I knew thou wouldst have iron sinews, and a brazen brow: He throughly considered what he did, took in all faults and provocations that should ever spring from them; and yet he pitches on this chosen generation; and yet Jacob is the lot of his Inheritance. Hence it is there are no repentings in God, because the thing was throughly weighed: We often repent be∣cause of our heady rushing upon this, and the other; but God is not as man, He made his choyce with full ad∣vice and counsel: Hence it is, The gifts and calling of God are without repentance; And, In him is no variableness, nor shadow of change: because all his works were done
in counsel, therefore they stand fast for ever and ever: And therefore (saith David) Walk about Zion; Mark well her Towers, &c. Consider her strength, [the sure unmovable Rock she stands upon;] For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our Guide unto Death. This God is Zions God, that hath done things at a certainty (not at hazard,) that will be a Guide un∣to Death; that will never leave nor forsake: The bot∣tom and ground is certain, and 'tis expressed thus in the Proverbs; That I may make thee understand the words of Certainty. This choyce of God is a certain, unfail∣able, unchangeable choyce: This will seem wonderful when you shall come to consider it, and the thing sink to your hearts:
Wert thou once in the same lump with the reprobate silver? Was Esau Jacobs Brother, and Jacob loved, and Esau hated? How comes this thing about? What means this favor? What manner of Love is this?O Lord, if it did but sink into your Souls, what a thing is it to be chosen of God! Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the rich man in his riches: This is not the thing which puts the difference. And (so Christ to his Disciples,) Rejoyce not that Devils are subject to you; That is not your Happiness: No; but that your names are written in Heaven; that you are of this chosen generation; that God pitched upon you: what ever you are, rejoyce in that. Samuel he looks upon Eliah because of his stature and goodly personage, as if sure he was the Lords anointed: No, but saith God, not He; but it is the stripling, the little youth in the field, the youngest and unthought of, David, he is the man. He saves not the whole, the honorable and learned, the Scribes and Pharisees; but Ought not this Daughter of Abraham to be loosed, whom Satan hath bound, lo
these eighteen years? She must be loosed because a Daughter of Abraham, [of that stock,] how ever mean and base in the eyes of man; for God sees not as man seeth: He picks where he pleaseth, one of a City, and two of a Tribe: Though Israel be as the sand of the Sea, yet but a remnant shall be saved. Though there be threescore Queens, and fourscore Concubines, yet My Beloved is but one, &c. That he should let thousands and ten thousands go, and yet pitch on me; this will be wonderful to us, when we shall see into it!
2. A man affects the thing he chooseth; his heart goes after it more then that which he lets alone: And therefore Moses said to Israel, The Lord chose you not because you were better, or more in number, then other people; but because He favored you, and set his Love upon you. And in Jeremy he says, I have loved thee of old with an everlasting Love; and when thou wast in thy blood, (one would think that a strange time to love in,) yet then was thy time the time of Love: Though there was no cause, yet he loves: Even so, O Father (saith Christ,) for so it pleased thee. Two in a womb, two in a mill, two in the same condition, and the one taken, and the other left: To be left is enough, there is need of no more reprobation then that: If a man be but left, and not dayly maintained, kept up, and pre∣served, he will corrupt of himself, and run naturally to destruction: There is no need of a cursing or destroying any Creature, but he is pleased to leave some, and that is enough: They naturally tend and fall into the curse, and bring it on their own heads, if a preventer step not in: and therefore that is not first concluded in God concerning any, This is a damned wretch, whom I hate and detest; No: his damnation is of himself; he pro∣cures his own curse: and if he be but left, if not held
up, and hedged in, and kept alive, he cannot but dye. No man can keep alive his own Soul. The Branch if it be left without Sap from the root must needs dye. If the Lord hath not chosen nor set his love upon any, that is destruction enough, that creature will sure enough run thither; therefore see, how Esau first sells his birth∣right, then loses his Blessing, and one misery follows another, till he be quite ruined: and therefore the choo∣sing, the setting his heart upon any, that is the thing which saves. (If God say) as Sampson did concerning Delilah, Give me her, for she pleaseth me; be she what she will, yet she pleaseth me: so Christ saith of the Spouse, Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes: that is the thing, to be beloved, to find favour in his eyes. Love will bear all things, Love is as strong as death, Love will save to the utmost, and this Lot fal's on some. Though Esther be an unlikely maiden, one of another Country, of mean degree; yet she pleased the King, and obtained kindnesse of him, Chap. 2.9. and vers. 17. and the King loved Esther a∣bove all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight, and this is the thing that brings the Crown to her, be she what she will, Thou art fair my Love, my undefiled. Though she complains, I am black; yet he loveth her, and Love sees no faults, she is comely in his eye, this is the portion of the chosen Generation.
3. What a man chooseth to himself, He taketh it out from other things, he gathers it near to himself: Thus is it with God, He pulls the Brand out of the burning; He takes the Poor out of the Dunghill, leaves them not there; and this is a sure token of choosing indeed, where he leaves not a man or woman in their darkness, in their bonds, in their snares, but pulls them out, sepa∣rates the Wheat from the chaff; who hath translated
us out of darkness into the Kingdome of his dear Son, and in the Revelation it is said, they were redeemed to God from amongst men, and Christ saith, because I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you: He takes his chosen ones, out of their chains, out of their filth, out of a perishing con∣dition, cuts them off from the old stock. That which he intends for a vessell of honour, he takes it out of the Lump, he leaves not his own in the same Lump with the rude world. Now this is the great thing to be considered, whether you are yet thus pulled out? hath he made thee indeed to differ from the rude world? art thou pulled out of the old Kingdome of Sathan, where the whole world dwell in wickednesse, though in severall ranks, forms and degrees, yet in the same Kingdome still, not a new Creation made, but this will make it appear, he chooseth thee, if thou canst say with David, He plucked my feet out of the Snare, he brought me up from the nethermost Hell: and saith Jonah yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption O Lord, my God, that is his Salvation; there it appears, God is God. We would vainly promise our selves, (as the whole world do) to be saved by his love onely, and so quietly passe our Lives in our own wills here, and go to Heaven when we die; but alas, if ever saved, we must be taken out of the condition we stick in. Come out from amongst them my people that ye partake not of her Plagues. Many have great words, and great knowledge and light, I, but they are not yet translated out of the old Kingdom, they remain still on the same stock, but things that are chosen, are taken out of the midst of other things, and therefore Moses speaks to Israel, Was ever such a thing known, as that God should go to take to himself a people out of the midst of another people, by great signes
and wonders? &c. to take out of Snares and Bonds and Intanglements? for God to say, Come out of all, and be you clean, and be my people, and I will be your God? I shall inquire of you, are you thus chosen? are you pulled out of darkness, and out of death, and joyned to all the living? Though in never so mean a place, ne∣never so despised an outcast, though but a living dog, yet if living, if taken out of death, and planted into a new Life, that is the thing: If there be that seed of Life, it will ever be stirring and moving, and bending (like the Needle touched with the Loadstone, set it where you will, it can never rest untill it come into its right place) till the Soul be brought to God. Now there is a restless spirit in the Cains, and lost ones, but that is onely out of Torment, the worm that never dyes, and this restless spirit never moves towards God, but runs from him: but to this Centre the spirit of life ever tends, to come from, and out of, all things unto God, &c.
4. Things that are chosen have no hand in their own choice, All that befalls this Chosen Generation is of mer∣cy and free goodness: who made thee to differ? no∣thing they could do, could ever make a difference; but the Case stands thus, Two things lie together, and a man passing by, takes one and lets the other lie: the things have no hand in it; so is it in this choice of God, all is done according to the pleasure of his own will: see and read as you go, that you may have nothing to glory and boast in, nor challenge the least to thy self, as if he saw some readiness, or activity, or towardliness in thee more then in others: no, he saw nothing but his own plea∣sure: if there be any thing good in thee, he put it there: you have not chosen me (saith Christ) but I have chosen you: This will make it appear free indeed, when you shall be made to see there is no hand of yours in it, but
of his own good will begat he us. No man ever begun first to seek after God, but, I was found of them that sought me not, else no Soul would ever be saved: Can a stone move upward? no, nothing can move to God, but what came from God; none can go to Heaven, but the Son of man, which came down from Heaven: It is con∣trary to man, who is born from beneath, from the Earth, to move upward, his Centre is below; unless he be pul∣led, and drawn, and born up, and carried upon Eagles wings, he falls to the Earth like a stone; the natural man cannot please God, he neither will nor can be subject to the Law of God, and this is, that God may have the glo∣ry alone in the work of Salvation, as he says in Isa. It shall be to me for a name, and for a praise: That he should save such unlikely ones, and out of stones raise up chil∣dren to Abraham, this will seem wonderfull: I did not think to have seen the Lord here, (saith Hagar) when she had given up all for lost: this will make the Soul say indeed, as David doth, God alone doth all.
5. Things that are chosen are set apart for some speci∣all use; a man hath some end in choosing them: so was it with God in this choice, he had a peculiar end and design to bring about, and he chooseth some for that purpose: but why are not all the world for this use? True, they might have been, had he put in them the same spi∣rit, had he fitted the vessel to that purpose, but he spends a great deal of cost and pains upon some, he prepares the Vessell for that very purpose to put in new wine; Old Bottles would break presently, they were not intended for that use: You see Saul had of this wine in him, he was among the Prophets, the spirit of God was upon him, but the Vessel broke, and all ran out, and was lost: so Judas he was a Preacher, and went in, and out, with Christ, and had enjoyments and seasons of Truth, but
the vessell had holes, and all was lost, and came to no∣thing, and therefore it is said of some, that they make shipwrack of faith, and a good Conscience: All is shat∣tered and broken, and gone as if it never had been, some are compared to the Corn that grows on the house top; though it be green and flourishing, yet soon withers and comes to nothing; It was sown there by some chance, or carried by some fowl, the Husbandman never intend∣ed to have a Crop from thence: so may it be, and hath been, with many that are very green, they have Light and Knowledge, and parts, and Forwardness, I, but they grow upon the house top, the place was not intend∣ed for that purpose to bear a Crop; the stony ground flourished for a time, but soon dies for want of root, ye did run well, (saith Paul) but they were left, and soon turned aside, but now whoever is pitched upon by God, and made a chosen vessel, he is set apart for some end some service: say ye (saith Christ) the Master hath need of him; and he speaks to Ananias concerning Paul, He is a chosen vessel, to carry forth my name: whoever of you are thus chosen, and pickt and gathered by God out of the world, out of relations, and all your strag∣lings; Do you think God hath no end in it? Is it think you, you should still live to your wills as you did, and walk as other Gentiles? no sure, it is, that you may do him service, be his, and no more your own.
6. Things that are chosen, men expect more from them, then from other refuse, they leave behind; A man when he is hungry chooseth bread and not a stone, and he looks for more refreshment, and nourishment from that, then he would from a stone, God expects not to gather grapes of thorns; he looks not to reap, where he never sowed, the unjust Servant accused him falsly in that, but if he please to take advantage he may, he may come in
an hour unthought of, as Christ came to the Fig tree, and cursed it, because no fruit was on it, though it is said, it was not the time of fruit, it seems strange, but such a Lord is he, if he will take the advantage, if he will be ex∣tream to mark what is done amisse, then who may stand? He can (if he please) cast a man into sickness, and tor∣ments of body, or let loose horrours upon his Soul, there is cause and advantage enough to be taken, if he will make a man an example, a witness of his power and se∣verity, (for the Gospel hath that in it too, it is to be preacht for a witness to all, as well, as for Salvation to some) but now from his own, his Chosen Generation, He expects somewhat out of Love: If I be a Father, where is my Honour? he expects fruit from you, he looks for sweet grapes from his Vine, he expects you should hear (Sure they are my people, they'l be orde∣red and perswaded, and prevailed with) he ex∣pects better entertainment from them, then from the world, and though it falls out, that they are the chief of Sinners, and found the most ill requiting of all People, I, but it is their shame, and their sorrow, and their Sin; he looks for other fruit; he looks for more, where he trusts with more, where he trusts with Heavenly Treasure, I sayd, They are my People, Children that will not lye, and in all things he expects their moderation that at all times they stand open and ready to receive him; that alwayes their Lamps be burning, and their Loyns girt, as those that expect their Lords coming, and he is grieved if they disapoint him, therefore, he com∣plains, The Ox knows his Owner and the Asse his Masters Crib, but Israel doth not know, my peo∣ple doth not consider: This grieves him to be thus dealt with at their hands.
7. Things that are chosen, are more looked after, and more carefully minded then other things; they are not layd scattering about, but charily reserved: So doth the Lord deal with his chosen; He takes them into his bosom, hides them under the shadow of his wings, (Pre∣cious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints,) and if their Death be precious, if an eye after them then, in their blood; if the minstration of condemnation be glorious; if there be Love in that work of bringing to Death; Then how much more Love will be seen in bringing them again to Life? He says of his Vineyard, that He watches it night and day: And in the Canticles, My Vineyard, which is mine, is continually before me: There is no time he watches it not; night and day take in all: In the Light and in the Darkness, in their sor∣rows and in their enlargements, still he watches: whe∣ther we sleep or wake, yet the Keeper of Israel neither slumbers, nor sleeps: If they are sent into captivity, it is for their good, (there his eye is after them:) If the three children are cast into the furnace, there is a fourth like the Son of God, He will walk with them there: If Daniel be cast into the Den of Lions, his God is there to shut the Lions mouths. If Joseph be sold into Egypt, God goes with him; if he be cast into prison, he is with him there, and findes favor for him: where ever these chosen go, a special eye is after them: when they wander from one Nation to another, from one King∣dom to another People; yet there, He suffers no man to do them harm, but reproves even Kings for their sakes: Touch not mine anointed &c. His charge is given out to secure them; a guard is set about them that nothing may harm them: He shall give his Angels charge over thee, and they shall preserve thee in all thy ways: This is his care of his chosen, and this is their safety and happiness.
Before I come to make Use of this, I would speak some∣thing of the next words, A Royal Priesthood: This chosen Generation is intended for that, to be a Royal Priesthood, to offer up Prayers and Praises to God: Hi∣therto, saith Christ, you have asked nothing in my Name, because as yet they were not brought to beleeve the words of Christ: They knew not they were a Cho∣sen Generation, till at the last, when he was about to leave them, then he says to God, And these have be∣leeved that thou hast sent me: There is no coming to your Priesthood, till you are first brought to know and beleeve you are a Chosen Generation.
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD; Royal,] of the royal Blood, born of God, sprung from that stock and kindred.
And hence three great Priviledges belong to them.
1. They can go to God as those that have an In∣terest in him; they go as to a Father, and not as to a Judg: The Promise is to Christ (and so to all the seed,) He shall say, My Father, My Father; and Christ says to his Disciples, who were of this Royal Priesthood, when you pray, say, Our Father: All must go to him as our Lord, and bow before their Judg; but they have an interest in him, as being of that royal race, sprung out of his own heart and bowels; and if you had but the knowledg of your interest in this Father, certainly you could not hold your Peace, you could not be kept off from going and making your requests known to him: If thou hadst known (saith Christ to the woman) the gift of God, thou wouldst have asked of him waters of Life. You could not but pray, and tell him your wants, and griefs, and sorrows: for you may go to him on this ground, He is my Father. O that you did but know, and weigh, and consider, whether indeed your lot be fallen in so good a ground! We would be taught to
pray any ways, rather then to pray thus, Our Father; as the Disciples ask of Christ, Teach us to pray: but how? as John taught his Disciples: Why, how was that? John could shew his Disciples their wants, their misery, their undoneness; and John could point to the Lamb of God, That this is He which takes away the sins of the World: [That relief was onely to be had and ex∣pected there:] But John could not tell them, This is your portion, God is your Father, All this is for you: No; This is the witness which Christ is to bear forth, which is greater then the witness of John; He tells them, It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom: And again, The Father himself loveth you: and there∣fore he teaches them to pray thus, Our Father. But how long were they before brought to ask any thing in this name! such a wretched unwillingness is in the heart of man, indeed to know, or come to its own good.
2. This Royal Priesthood have this Priviledg from their interest in God, They may go freely, and with bold∣ness, to the Throne of Grace; no need of strangeness or straitness on Gods part: You are not straitened in us (saith Paul) but you are straitened in your own bow∣els; That is all the cause indeed: But John was bold, He could say, And truly our fellowship is with the Fa∣ther, and with his Son Jesus Christ; His company was no lower, nor meaner: And it is said of our fathers, how they walked with God, and were the friends of God: They had a boldness to go in to him at all times, in all cases of need: when found Sinners, yet then they can pray, O cleanse my heart; O wash me, and I shall be whiter then snow. When found ignorant, yet pray stil, O grant me understanding, and I shall live; Teach me in the way that I should walk: O guide me, and teach me, &c. He is bold to go to God in the worst day, in
the lowest time; yet he hath no whither else to betake him: and here the door stands open always, Come unto me ye that are heavy laden, &c. When his sins go over his head, as a burthen too heavy to bear; yet whi∣ther carries he his burthen but to God? Where spreads Hezekiah the Letter, full of railings, and threatenings, and reproaches, but before the Lord? As children, though they have never so greatly offended, yet, when all comes to all, have no whither else to go, but ga∣ther home to their Fathers house. Though Absa∣lom had slain his Brother, and highly offended the King his Father, yet nothing will content him, un∣less he may see the Kings face: so nothing can stay the Soul, or keep it back, though it have dealt ne∣ver so unkindly with the Lord Christ, though it hath crucified, and killed this Brother: yet it must come in to its Father, and own its sin, and see the Kings face, and cannot rest, till He smile again, and take it into favor, that it may be free and bold with Him, as formerly.
3. Another Priviledg of this Royal Priesthood, is, That as they have an Interest in God, and boldness to him; so they are sure to prevail with him in the things they ask: I know (saith Martha to Christ) what ever thou askest of God, he will give it thee: nothing else will stop the cry of this child; it will ask and ask till it do prevail: Though called Dog, and put off once and again, yet she follows on still, and will not leave, till at last she gets this Answer, O woman, great is thy Faith! Be it unto thee as thou wilt. There is no deny∣ing this Royal Priesthood the thing they are at a strait for: They will never from his door till he arise and a∣venge his Elect. There is a wonderful sympathy that runs in the worst of times, that cannot give over; but still
the cry is, My God, my God, why hath thou forsaken me? All must stoop to the Lord, the God; but my God still: Though he kill me, yet will I trust in him: And therefore what need is there, and what great advantage might be to you, to know you are of this Royal Priest∣hood, to whom these Priviledges belong! That you might step into the Priests Office, and begin to pray; for He will deny no good thing to them that love him; or rather (saith Paul) that are loved of him. Though the Lions may want, and suffer hunger; though the great and high ones of the World may come to straits, and cry and cry, and no Baal will answer them; yet Eli∣jah is heard: The Lord deals not so with this Royal Priesthood; He will deny them no manner of good thing.
Now, if it were the Lords Will, I desire that I might interpret the riddle to you, that you might read the Parable, and be your own witnesses, That God is in you of a Truth. I have told you, you are a Chosen Gene∣ration, and are to be a Royal Priesthood; and how ever there be in us a strange unnatural warring against it, yet (as Christ saith) It is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom: He hath pleased to tye himself in such a bond of neerness, as nothing can separate. But I would yet come neerer and closer to you, that you may know more clearly how to judg of the matter, and see the bounds of distinction that are set between this chosen generation and all other whatsoever: For as it is certain the Hypocrite will never be without Hope, say and do what you can; yet he will scramble and steal something to lean on and trust to: So the sons of God are as much on the other hand; it is as hard to pull and draw them up to beleeve and hope, as to keep the others back: They must be overpowered to it; They requite sign upon
sign, and witness upon witness, before they will be sa∣tisfied: And therefore ••ohn says concerning some, I write unto you that have BELEEVED, that you may know you BELEEVE, &c. But how shall we know this Chosen Generation?
I shall propose these seven Characters to you to con∣sider.
1. In this Chosen Generation, there is a certain natu∣ral instinct of a close, when ever God and the Truth sown in their Souls come to meet: when they come but neer one another, there is a natural turning, and cleaving together: The Loadstone and the Iron never meet, but they close and feel one another, and gather neerer and neerer. Now examine if it be not thus with you, where ever you meet with a living breath from the Lord, doth it not touch something in you? Doth it not turn and strike the heart? and cause a strange na∣tural close in your spirits? When Christ put but his finger in at the hole of the door, the Spouses bowels were turned presently; 'Tis not so to other Lovers. The Loadstone will not cleave to all metals, nor to wood and straws, though you gild them never so fairly. Now all the rest of the World are taken here; They all wonder after the Beast, when it hath any likeness of the Lamb upon it; they cannot know Wolves in sheeps clothing: They take down all good words, and earnest desires, and hope, and love, and zeal, that speaks for God: They are taken with shadows and pictures, and cannot distin∣guish between words and words, voyce and voyce; Their gods have no breath pass through their throat; they live not, to discern, and distinguish, and divide be∣tween things and things; all that hath the same sha∣dow, to them passes for the same thing: but my sheep know my voyce (saith Christ;) That touches them, and the
voyce of strangers they will not hear: Where this cho∣sen Generation is, there is a certain distinguishing, relish, and taste; Doth not my ear taste words (saith Job?) Nothing will please nor take this Truth (where∣ever it is sown in any) but its own kinde, and there it naturally cleaves and closeth.
2. You shall know this Chosen Generation by this, They can finde no rest for the sole of their foot, no place where to lay their head: Though they run, and hunt never so about and about for ease and rest, yet they can finde none; They are certainly disappointed and wearyed out of all things: All they come neer cries out to them (as the Lepers of old) unclean, unclean; Come not to me, I cannot satisfie: The Earth says, It is not in me; and the Sea, It is not in me: They can sit down no where, but the stool is pulled from under them, and they hasted up to their journey, Ʋp Elijah, why fittest thou here? Every thing their hearts would pitch on, is made either too hot, or too heavy, for them to carry; either we can∣not carry our lusts, they have so much lumber and luggage belong to them; or else they are too hot, and burn our hands; the thorns are too sharp: it is too hard to kick against the pricks: Therefore I have of∣ten said, of all people in the World, it is in vain for those that belong to God to go about to please them∣selves in any lust; for they shall be sure to be hunted out. Others may enjoy their wills, and sit down in sin, and take content in the Creatures; their eyes may swell with fatness, they may have their hearts desire: I, but the Davids may not: I am chastened every morning, and plagued every moment: They have no rest in this World, but are always like strangers and Pilgrims; though weary and tired, yet alass!
they must not take up till they come home! All grows wearisom and tiresom to their Souls; nothing can ease, nothing quiet, nothing satisfie nor fill up their want, no pleasure, nor enjoyment: If I say, My Bed shall comfort me, yet there he is met with, and affrighted: If I go up to Heaven, or down to Hell, or fly to the utmost parts of the Earth; yet no where can he sit down for ease, but this spirit findes him out; he can finde rest and satisfaction no where. Job hunts through all places, and searches the perfections of the choycest Creatures; he findes the place of Gold, and a place for Silver, a place for Pearls and Treasures; but yet all this is too short for the want: where is the place of Wisdom still? He had tryed all things, and yet findes them want∣ing: Now many through idleness sit still, and will not take the pains to hunt thus; they will not try whether the Creatures can content them or not: but (saith David) I have seen an end of all perfecti∣ons; I see that all things come to an end: When all means, and ways, and plots are proved out to the ut∣most, yet then the Soul is weary of all its labors, and cries out, Ye are all Physicians of no value, you cannot help me.
3. By this you shall know the Chosen Generation; God is their utmost, their utmost Hope, utmost Pro∣posal, the utmost thing of all his People: but he is not the utmost of others; they follow Christ but for loaves: some base selfish thing or other is their highest: If they may have but what their hearts run after, they could sit short of God well enough: Give them ease, give them peace of Conscience, give them Knowledg, and great enlargements of spirit, and they have enough; This con∣tents them. I, but this Chosen Generation, give them
what you will, nor Gifts, nor Parts, nor Enjoyments of the World, nor enlargements of Truth, no not Heaven it self; to be saved would not be enough to them: but God is the utmost thing, the Center to which their Souls tend: To see the Kings face is their desire; else what will their lives avail? And this I would propose to you, Whether ever any thing thou mettest with in all thy life was enough to thee? whether it was the utmost thing? That thy Soul could sit down in? No, sure I am, nothing can stop the cry of this Elect; It cries night and day: when straitened, and when enlarged, still it cries. When Jacob had wrastled all the night with God, and now he says to him, Let me go, for the day breaks; Is not that enough? Will not the day [the light] content thee? to know, and see, and be enlarged? No, it will not: I will not let thee go unless thou bless me: He wanted a farther blessing yet. I would have you weigh the thing in your own Souls, whether it be thus or no with you? and do not always stagger; be not faithless, but be∣leeve.
4. This is another sign of this Chosen Generation, it always gathers and cleaves closest to them that are most excellent: All my delight (saith David) is with the Saints, and them that excel in vertue: It chooseth to come up to the foremost, to the worthies of Israel: Now others drozel away their time without any such aspiring desires: If they might but come to Heaven, and be saved at last, That were enough to them: They are not pressing on to the utmost mark, where the bullets are thickest, and the battel hottest, as this chosen genera∣tion do, according to that right minde that is planted in them: They long with Moses, if possible, that they may go over this Jordan; they are ever crying out of their shortness: Jacob (though Pharaoh reckon him an
old man,) yet he complains his days were few and evil, and that he had not reached the age of his fathers in their generations: I, but he would have reached the greatest attainment; That which is of this stock presseth to the utmost mark, prizeth that Truth, that friend, that deals most plainly, nakedly, and exactly with it; it chooses the wounds of a friend, and goes where the sword cuts sharpest: This cannot the Hypocrite ever en∣dure.
5. This Chosen Generation have often still and se∣cret hintings speaking within them, That they indeed are of this stock, that they do belong to God, how e∣ver they are stopping the ear, and putting it off. Now the children of Hell they hunt and seek for such a voyce, that they may be cozened and deluded; and the Devil he speaks peace to them, and they are given up to beleeve a lye: but the Children of God are followed and fol∣lowed with such a secret whispering in their Souls, that rises up without their pumping; nay, when they run from it, it speaks, Surely they are my people, they are my chosen; I will be their God: Now either we are not sober, and so listen not to hear this voyce, or else we wilfully stop the ear, and run from it, (for such a base temper is in man against his own good;) or else through ignorance the Soul runs wrong when it doth hear; it goes to Eli, as Samuel did; it runs to this, and the o∣ther thing, to know the meaning of it, because, as yet, it is said, Samuel knew not the Lord; but the time comes the Lord will go on, and call, Samuel, Samuel; so long, till all the chosen of God, that are called ac∣cording to purpose, shall be made to hear, and own it distinctly, and say, Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.
6. This chosen Generation, in their greatest transgres∣sions,
and iniquities when most guilty, and left to them∣selves, yet never find such a witness speaking in them, that they shall be cut off utterly for it▪ Now to all the Cains, he will peak destruction for that very cause, a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be, because thou hast killed thy brother, and his blood cryes to me: therefore, thou art cursed, &c. but to his own he speaks no such thing, he shews them not their sin to destroy them, nor drive them from him, he hath a care of that in all his re∣bukes: So when Nathan was sent to shew David his great sin of Adultery, and murther, before he had well finished his charge, lest such a thought should seise on him, as if God would utterly cut him off▪ He addes, (2 Sam. 12.13.) The Lord hath put away thy Sin, thou shalt not dye: He never says that word to the Soul of any of his own, Iniquity shall be your ruine; that sin shall utterly separate, (no saith Paul) nothing shall be a∣ble to separate, nothing, not Principalities nor Powers of Hell, not the heights or depths of Sin, nothing shall seperate from that love of God, to whom that por∣tion belongs: Now mind and consider, and attend, whi∣ther all along your Journy you find not such Leadings in your spirits, as these I speak off.
7. You shall know this Generation by this, whenever there is a heart in them to return, there is a heart in God to receive: He stands open and ready at all times, there are such breathings in the souls of his people, that witness this for him, and can set to their Seals, that God is true in this particular: that he is alwayes open hearted, and waits to be gracious; Mind whether it be not thus with you, when ever your souls are in a sober frame, and you can speak truly, and not (as Job saith) the words of a man that is de∣sperate, which are as wind, when ever you are your selves (I say) and sober; see if there be not ever such hints,
speaking in you, that God is ready continually; he waits to receive, whenever you will come. At what time soever a sinner repenteth, &c. And if thou wilt return, O Israel, return to me: as if he should say, Go to no other: if thou wilt return, here is a heart open; I am ready for thee: Return to me, O Israel. Now let none get up the words and shadow of this, that have not the substance; that idol will ••ot stand, though never so often raised and held up by force, yet it will down: but you who are indeed the chosen of God, and loved of him; if I shall ever live to see you brought out and delivered, you will know what I have said, and be my witnesses, how these leadings, have been all along your days with you; However at the present it be the weak time with you, and hour and power of darkness, when fears, and jealousies, confusions, and doubtings have their time to rule. I, but what saith the Spirit still? What speaks that seed of life? Are not these stirring within? Is there not an invisible and strange close in thy soul, when God and the Truth in thee meet? When Joseph and Benjamin meet, what a kiss is there, and turning of Bowels! Then again, dost thou not finde that all creatures are too short, all is weary to thee, no rest or content to be had there; but there is a pressing on through all to the utmost point, to God himself, thy life and Por∣tion? Is it not thus? And so for all the other Characters, are not these things so?
Now if you have heard and believed this, You can surely witness to it. He that believs, sets to his seal that God is true: and till you shall set to your seals and believe this, That you are this chosen Ge∣neration, and your souls stand setled in it; till then
you can never enter into the Priests office, to go to God with boldness, to go in all straights; no, we cannot go with that weak Prayer, Lord I believe, help my unbelief, till somewhat of this Faith be risen up, and stuck to by us. Why do we put it off any longer? Why are not we now battered? Why not this night? What hinders? If ever we begin, we must begin with this little grain, though there be but a dim seeing, but a half eye open. Yet the star must be followed, if ever we will come to Christ; and the promise is, The eyes of them that see shall not be dim. Now it is a dim seeing indeed, now we see but darkly; but however, if we did but stick to this dark seeing, then we might go and pray for a farther light, that it may grow cleerer and cleerer to the perfect day. But why are we so loth to be∣lieve that this good is intended us? It is a wonderful unnatural thing in us. But well; (as Peter saith) the long sufferance of God is salvation. Shall nothing hinder? No gainsayings, nor longings; but the long-sufferance will stand and knock, and wait out all, till it be our salvation? This will one day be prized. There is a chosen Generation amongst you, that is cer∣tain: Now do you hear it? Do you believe it? When will you open the Door, and lay down all weapons, and say, Well; I will never speak against the Lord more. But (say with Job) what I know not, teach thou me. It is sure you have been the bush in which the Lord hath appeared; the fire, hath been trying and purging, and burning in you, and you are not yet consumed: but when will you turn aside to see this great wonder? When lay it to your heart? I must leave, and desire the Lord would give you under∣standing into what hath been said; and above all, that
you may not war nor fight against it in your minds; but soberly inquire, Is this my lot? Is this my Portion, to be one of this chosen Generation? It will at last cause your souls to admire.