The sinners hope: as his priviledge, and duty, in his worst condition, stated, cleared, and improved.: Tending as well to the startling and inviting of the wicked from his sinfull and wretched course, upon the conditionall hopes that are layd out for him; as the confirming and directing of the truly humble and weak Christian in his duty and comfort, in the severall cases of darkness, sin, and affliction. Being the substance of severall sermons, / preached by Henry Newcome, M.A. and one of the ministers of the Gospell, at Manchester, in the county palatine of Lancaster.

CAP. VIII.

The way readied for gross sinners to come over into a condition of Hope.

IF any soul be by all or any of these Motives startled as if these words, that so neerly concern you, should amongst so many fall to the ground and none be mo∣ved by them, none be stirred in so great a congregation to look after their soules, I know not what to think it may signifie to∣wards us. These sermons though by a worthlesse Instrument, yet as the Lords message will breed something, either the conversion of some, or else some speedy judgement on you for your impenitency, The removall of the Gospell or the like, which the Lord forbid: but (if any (as I ra∣ther desire and hope) do think of turning and since it is declared there is hopes if you turn, you think of so doing, and would know how you might partake of those hopes; if you are of the mind, and would know the next way over to a changed state what cours might be taken what is next to be done, that you might set about the work of salvation which you have hither∣to neglected, if you would know how to

begin, and go on towards a change. Take these directions.

Labour for sufficient knowledge of the prin∣ciples of Religion, this is necessarily to be laid, where it is not alreadie, as the first step, How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard; and what are they the better for hearing of him, if they get no knowledg by their hearing. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledg. If men be grosly Ignorant of those principles, which we take for granted in our pressing of duty on them, how should they ever frame to do any thing, Our Gospell is hid to them that are lost, and men can never be in a way to escape, as long as the Gospel remains hid to them. There are many were brought up in Ignorance, missed catechizing when they were young (the special time of lear∣ning) but it cannot be expected that God should be bound to make abatement to us for our parents neglect towards us, we can∣not think to skip learning the principles of Religion, because the fittest time was neg∣lected on our part for the attainment of the knowledge of them; If thou art never so old and art ignorant, thou must yet learn or thou canst not be safe. Thou saiest thou art an ignorant bodie, not book lear∣ned, wer't never catechized, &c. (beware you do not so by your children as your pa∣rents did by you) but alas to all this we

can onlie say, why this is your losse, but not your excuse, the more wrong you had done you, but you are not hereby dischar∣ged from a necessarie prerequisite if you in∣tend salvation. If thou be old Ignorant, thou must learn as old as thou art, Talk not of being too old to be Catechized, if thou needest it thou must have it. Thou art indeed too Old to be thus shameful∣ly ignorant, but sure if thou understandest thy danger thou shouldest not be too old to make hast to begin now in what thou art so sadlie cast behind, and hast lost so much time in. To say thou art too old to be instruc∣ted, is as good as to say, thou art too old to be saved: For there is no way for salvati∣on to those that are grosly Ignorant of the main principles of Christianity, secret things belong to the Lord, but the things that are revealed to us and to our Children. It is observed that this Latter clause in the Heb. is written with some extraordinarie pricks, which the Jewish wrirers observe to signifie, that extraordinary and necessa∣rie care should be taken about the know∣ledge of what is revealed, and that whether poor or rich, young or old, care should be taken that the knowledge of revealed things should abound among them, and be transmitted to posteritie. They are re∣vealed and do belong to us, and notice must be taken of them by us, Since God

in the riches of mercie and his condescenti∣on to us hath not kept al things secret from us, and so all to himself as he might have done, but consulting our good hath merci∣fully revealed things to us without which we could never be happie, and never but by this revelation have come to the knowledg of; we should not so far neglect this vast pri∣viledg as to be ignorant of what we may thus be Instructed in; They belong to us. Our priviledge and dutie is to know the things that are revealed, It is sad that many of you know not what is within you, what sin is, not how full you are of it, and what Christ came for; nor what Ministers work is in the world, and it is impossible you should ever do better if you never know more then you do. Levi did turn many from iniquity, how was that? Why the Priests lips keep knowledge and they should seeke knowledge at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. Ministers then turn men from sin, when people seeke knowledge at their mouth, when men in∣quire of them for the knowledge of the Lord, and do desire and are willing to be instructed by them, we have it in these parts in our hearts, and have proposals of it, to indeavour your personall instruction, for the curing of your bloudie soul-killing ignorance, and one would think the stop should not be in you, if we are willing to put our selves on the paines. If you intend

salvation, You will heartilie embrace it for there is no other way to salvation. If a man should have followed a trade, where∣in he is gotten behind, and finds he cannot subsist, feeles himself broken and undone, and one comes and tells him, there is such an emploiment men live finely on, there is much gain and little hazard, though some paines, and if he fell into that way, he might recover his ruins, he might supply his necessities, and live plenteously, would he not hearken to it? But then this would be an objection, I know not the mysterie of the trade, I was not an apprentice to it; and know not how to set about it, but if one should tel him that there is such a one would teach him all, instruct him in everie particular, sure if the stick was not in the friend that should doe the courtesie, it should never stick at the partie that needs, but he would gladly imbrace the motion and without delay set upon the matter which so much concerns him. This is the case of many ignorant soules, it is easie for You to see, that in the way You are in You can never subsist, If you saw your own condition you might easilie be aware of it, that this life will never hold, this way will not serve the turn, The way of Sin will undo you, You can never be quiet while You drive this trade, every Sermon will fright you, (as wo to us,) if we speak

any comfort to him that goes on in his wicked way, be it knowne to You, it is against our will and besides our commissi∣on and intention, if You have any thing from us, in this state You are in to mi∣nister comfort unto You. You might fear like a broken tradseman every creature might arrest You for Hell, You are in a sad condition for death, that in these sicklie times, may come within these 3. Or 4, daies. You can never be quiet as long as this life lasts that You live in. O that you might feele your selves utterlie broken of of the trade of sin, that you would go on no longer in it. Well then there is a course will serve you, many live pretiouslie of it, many thrive, (the only thriving trade, the only happie life in the world) and that is the way of holiness, here is all the advan∣tage, sweetness, convenience in this way that is immaginable, none ever were ruined or brake of this trade that ever were per∣fect Masters of it. There is such a com∣mon stock to trade on that it is impossible for thee to fail or break in this. This way would helpe all your old scores, a Christ would supplie all necessities, and lay in blessedly for the time to come. But now may such a poor creature say, I, but I was not born to this priviledge, not brought up to this course, I know not how to frame to it, It is a way I cannot skill of; I be∣leive

thee. Thou knowest not the manner of the God of the land, (as the Lions made the Sa∣maritanes feele they did not;) well now Ministers are sent on purpose to teach you, they are willing to do it, Offer to doe it, enquire of the Law at their mouth, they are the messengers of the Lord of Hosts, for this very purpose. They say Come unto me I will teach you the fear of the Lord: If any one should be appointed on purpose, to teach all that were broken of other trades, the mysterie of the gainfullest trade in the towne, would it not be counted a great priviledge, and could that Officerwant ei∣ther love or custome? Surely This if you knew your need, was a thing to be greatly rejoiced in by You, and we should be glad or be so imploied, and have cause to be glad of the Offer, all sides would be plea∣sed, If mens eies were but opened, sure if things were rightly weighed the stick in personall Instruction would not be on the peoples side. But this is your first step, for any of you that are not come yet unto it, you must labour for knowledg. The know∣ledge of principles must be had in rich and poor, of all sorts, and Sexes, where sal∣vation is expected.

2. Frequent the means diligently. Be di∣ligent at them and in them. If you would doe well lie at the poole side still, lie in the way Christ walks in, It is both a good

signe and a good meanes of doing well. It is said, when Christ came to his disciples Thomas was not there when he came; and you find, Thomas that could not beleive unless he saw, he was now away when he might have seen, And so he was behind in his Faith, to the rest of the Apostles and all was because Thomas was away when Christ came. The way not to miss of Christ when he comes, is not to be a∣way at any time when he could have come. Hanna departed not from the Temple, and David desired that he might dwell in the House of the Lord, not as if there were a∣ny Mansions in the Temple for any to live in, but it is only to signisie their constan∣cie in attendance on the meanes, they were never away when any good thing was stirring, when any thing was to be done in the Temple and so were as con∣stant as if they had dwelt there. It is good to be one of the Temple dwellers, to be a∣way from no opportunitie, that thou can∣not excuse it to God himself, for it may be thy part may be dealt when thou art away, the Angell may trouble the waters and thou not readie, something that near∣ly concerns thee may be likelist to be spo∣ken, when thou art away. Some think when a Minister may aime at the curing of a par∣ticular soul, or God may direct him to what may be sutable thereunto, that the

Devill may know by our notes, or other∣wise, and prevent the mans coming to the meanes at that time, when this thing is discoursed of that was so fit for him. How∣ever, to make sure, wait upon God at all opportunities; For this is the way thy hea¦ling must come, and none knows by what Sermon it must be done. Frequent all op∣portunities thou canst possibly for faith, that is a good sure way. Men ought not by the late Acts, to travell on the Sabboth day or do any thing like a breach of those Laws unless their excuse be such as is to be allowed by a Justice of the peace; doe you have a care how you pretend any Excuse for such neglect, that will not be allowed by God himself the royall author of the Law and the searcher of all hearts. And so for opportunities on other daies, redeem time for them, approve thy heart to God that no necessitie but what he will allow be pretended or practised upon to neglect a Sermon at any time, when it might be heard, God may do the more Good at some one Sermon then all: but that may be the Sermon thou maiest be tempted to passe by, and that good may not come by that one, but for thy diligent and consci∣entious attendance upon all, The life of thy soule may be wrapt up in the due ma∣nagement of one, and thou knowest not which, opportunity.

3. When God touches you at a Sermon, if e∣ver you do well you must get into secret. Take notice how the pulse of conscience beats, let not the word have scope upon you, ty it not just to the time of hearing, walke with it alone, and let it have further conference with you, let it have time to settle and soake in upon you, to water the very root of your soules, and not be like water spilt upon the ground, many are the highway hearers amongst us, the word is but scatte-upon them, not received and kept at all by them. The Divell catcheth or taketh the word out of their hearts. For it was never in, it was but entring and is by this care∣lesness oft put by, as one saies pretiously we give advantage to Satan to steale, as the loose laying of our goods doth to our servants to become thieve. It is noted that the disci∣ples were never the stronger in their faith notwithstanding the miracle and it is be∣cause they had not considered it. Many at Church are like sives in the water as full as they can hold, and when out have just no∣thing, men would count it a great judg∣ment and be sensible enough of it in their temporall estate to get much and to put it into a bottomless purse, but with many it is thus in the matter of their soules bu∣sinesse, in hearing the word they have lit∣tle abiding with them after Sermons and that for want of digesting the word by se∣cret

meditation after hearing. Christ after some parables asked his Disciples If they understood all those things, your work begins when ours end, we have all the scene in pub∣lick, but yet it is in the nature of a Treatie and Parley with you; and you are in secret to thinke of and to return an answer to, what we propose to you. There is but one part of the work done here, the other part is to be done by you. And it is not for no∣thing that you have soe much time besides what is spent on a Sabbath in publike, and if this other part of your worke be faith∣fully done there will be no time too much or to spare. Consider what I have said (saies Paul to Timothy) and the Lord give thee un∣derstanding in all things. This carnall world∣ly talke after Sermons spoiles all, a Mi∣nister may come after and say, where he heares no word of the Sermon mentioned, Alas here will be no answer for me, It will be a great while before such talk as this is wil bring a Sermon to the heart, or that men should ever profit by Sermons that do on this manner. The Minister speaks in pub∣lick and then we break off, and now it is at you, what say you? Many complain of bad memories, (The truth is, it may be it is not without cause,) but yet if you cannot re∣member all, or so much as you would doe labour to take good notice of what did most touch you in a Sermon, let that

word speaks with you again, He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, when the word drives you into a corner to consider of things in secret, there is more hopes by farre con∣cerning you. If the word once wound thee that it singles thee out from the heard, there is hopes thou mayest be hunted downe as Naomi said of Boaz? The man will not be at rest till he hath finished the thing this day. But as long as you can heard together after a Sermon, the work will never forward with you: was ever happy match made without private conference to get acquaintance and to settle the affections; we listen to hear the voice of the Bridgroom with you un∣der the canopy, this would make us rejoyce indeed. Alas Christians we do not preach be∣fore you but to you. It is not for you after a Sermon to say, what we have said, or done or how, but what you intend to doe, we preach not for approbation but for an Answer. What availeth it us to have you cry us up here and curse us in Hell, you might find some∣thing else to do after a Sermon more pro∣per and immediate work for you, then to say what you think of the Minister. The woman thought she had obliged Christ much by giving so large a testimony of his doctrine, as to say: Blessed is the Womb that bare thee, and the Paps that gave thee suck. And she said no more then what was true and just for Christ, yet he returnes her

an answer wherein he insinuates what would better have becommed her to looke after, Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keepe it. The poorest Sermon that you can hear, hath more in it I doubt then you will doe, The Sermon that is not worth your writing, will be worth your accounting for. It is good if the word be repeated in your houses, but it never workes till it singles you out and gets you into your clo∣sets. Make use therefore of this direction, observe wherein God strikes you at a Ser∣mon, and take good notice of it.

4. If one sin be discovered, search to the bottome of it. There is a nest within whe e this is at the mouth, some one sin is disco∣vered to thee, which thou art checked for and convinced of, but it is not a matter of one sin that thou art to deal in; If this was the word that was so bad, or this the action that was so unreasonable, what is the heart within that bred and brought forth this word and action; Out of the abun∣dance of the heart the mouth speaketh. There is worse within all along. O what an heart hast thou that would send forth such an un∣clean filthy word; what an heart hast thou that would let thee lye! What an heart hast thou, that would let thee sin thus quietly! live thus long without duties! let thee do on this fashion and let thee sleepe quietly at night after all; Paul when God opened

his eies, he saw the Law was spirituall but he was carnall, sold under sin, a sad thing when a man sees this true of himself, (as it is said in this scripture famous Mr. Dod first saw him∣self) this every sin thou art convinced of may be driven up into, & the work never goes on to purpose til it be so: alas no sin lies single an a carnal hart. This one thou seest, but it hath fellows, labour to find the rest out.

By one sin labour to find out the sin and disease of nature, or thou wilt never be throughly cured.

5. Beg of God to humb le thee and to change thy heart, move now thou art doing, for a totall change. They that are in Christ must be new creatures, Old things are past away, all things are become new. Resolve upon it, the Old heart will never do better the Old heart will not serve, thou canst never get through to Heaven with the Old Heart: A man that will repair an Old ruinous house, he knows not what he en∣ters on, he may be at more charges, and it neither handsome, nor. safe, but still some peice out of Order, a meet patcht businesse for a while. It were better to pull down the Old one, and build all new: never think to leave only, such and such a sin; but beg of God to put another princi∣ple into your heart, and you will find your self more easy for Duties and your stan∣ding will be much more likely. That pro∣mise

of God giving a new heart and a new spirit, and, writing the Law in the Heart. Lay that upon thy heart, and beg of God to work it on thee or thou canst never make any thing of it. God hath promised upon your turning at his reproofe, to powre forth his spirit upon you. Move for that or you do nothing.

6. Make choice of good company, The ve∣ry Heathen could say. How can he be a good man that doth not hate bad company? David saies. Depart from me ye workers of iniqui∣ty. For I will keep the commandements of my God. I have work to doe which I cannot do in your company: Therefore depart from me. Paul as soone as he was conver∣ted assayed to joine himselfe to the people of God still wherever he came.

Let those that fear thee turn in unto me, and I am a companion of all those that fear thee. This is the way to do well, good com∣pany if the motion be weak will ripen, nourish, and help it on. Bad company, if it be strong are able to smother it. He must be a strong Christian indeed that loo∣ses nothing in bad company. It was Chry∣sostomes saying, that bad company after a Sermon was like turning Savine into a Gar∣den as soon as it was made, and Dr. Prestons that ill company after a good Motion is like continuall dropping on a firebrand. Alas, fil∣thie, frothie, worldly, wicked talke, (and

wicked men have no better for us) corrupt the soul, and may make you the worse for it a great while. (And woe to you by the way, when godly men cannot keep company with, you for fear of infection, cannot be with you but they lose by you) if you would do well, join your selves to those that fear God. Many never get over this temptation; startled they are, but they know not now to forsake their Old companions; If they cros∣sed them, and they were faln out, they could avoid them: but it is hard to forsake any whom we are not wholly faln out with; and as hard it is to fall out with them for Gods sake, or else you might soon be out with them, we can do that for a lusts sake, which we know not how to do for Gods sake. But make thou this step further, thou wilt find much advantage from it, have no needless familiarity with them that are wicked: In∣timate societie with wicked men, is hard∣lie consistent with the practise of Grace. Our Saviour tells us, we must hate Father, and Mother, and Brother, and Friends, for Christs sake, Therefore this should not seeme strange or grievous unto thee to for∣sake a wicked associate, who is but Obtru∣ded upon thee by the Devill on purpose to keep possession for him and to be a snare to thee: good companie is both a mark and a meanes of thy being a good man, the man may be known by his companion

both to himself and others, that is not known exactlie by any thing remarkable as from himself; And so a man that shall pretend he loves not the Alehouse, nor loves not drink, but company drawes him, to me it is as odious to love drunken compa∣ny as to love drink, for what can he love such company for! It is one lust to love drink, another to love companie, That he loves to sin by, these to sin with, He satisfies his fleshly appetite with that and his car∣nall fancy and delight with these. But if such a man do not perfectly know his own state, let him look on his company, and see if he know what they are, and then he may know himself. And therefore I would put these companions amongst his marks, and signs to try his state by, And say these drun∣ken idle companions are the marks of the present damnable estate of this mans soul. For whatever wickedness there is in any of them, the lively habits of it are in his soul. He is of the same kind, it is likenesse that makes persons love. There is a good like∣ing, or no disliking of those vilenesses, the worst amongst them, or you could not out of choice affect their company. One may know your temper that such as these can be endured by you, & upon the early motion of changing your course, you must change your company or it will not be: you can not keep your old company, and go on this

way, nor lightly take better company and not be much furthered in it.

7. Fall upon the present work. The sin you are convinced of, labour to begin in striving against that very sin, and the duty you have neglected; now set about it. Put away lying, and let him that hath stoln steal no more, lie no more, swear no more, be idle no more, drink no more, neglect duty no more, you must begin with somewhat let it appear you are changed by forsaking these sins at present that are next, and so forward every sin that you meet with. Try the assistance which God will give you in opposing these sins that are next at hand. Suffer not thy self in any sin thou meetest, because thou hast a greater to overcome, the spoyl of this may strengthen thy Force against that O∣ther, but be doing, gathering up Forces, clearing the coast as you goe, how low soever you take up at first be doing till greater businesse comes. This may be but little but it may begin a great deal and so be a great thing: loose not thy heart in ex∣pectation of some one adversary, but try the next idle thought Or customary bad word, Or family duty, Or instructing thy Children, enter with the next thou mee∣test, And so

8. Delay not your resolutions. This is the Devils last cast, when he sees he can carry

it no other way, he will get you to delay your changing a while. But beware of this thing, the device is to get thee off the pre∣sent heat that is on thy Soul, and then the matter would dy in thee; We are not igno∣rant of his devices, If thou art resolved Make hast and delay not to keep his Comman∣dements, Let the dead bury the dead, saies Christ but follow thou me. Before that should hinder thy following Christ, let the dead lie unburied till the dead could do it. Christ and the soul must be saved first. No busi∣ness comparable to this business, whatever it is, it must give place to this. Matthew as soone as Christ spoke to him, to follow him, He rose and left all to follow him. Alas doe not think of repenting, and not of repen∣ting now. Doe not say when such an afflicti∣on is over, such a wordly business dispat∣ched I will mend. No this is not the way set upon the duty in the first place, this is the way to have thy worldly business easi∣lyest, and best expedited for thee. Doe not say thou art too young? thou may hap∣pen never live to be Old. A young man may have a short life, and eternall damnation. And therefore looke about you, delay not, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Abraham got up early in the morning though it was to sacrifice his dearest and only Son, and is the day farr on before thou can be got forward to the altar with thy

darling lust doth spend thy time as the Le∣vite did for the first days, spend the mor∣ning so long till it be too late to goe that night. Thou must break through all delays: Better go early in the morning then late at night. May thy heart say to thee as was hin∣ted to the Levite, Let the duty alone to night it is but a peice of a day, begin a week with it. Take up these things when thou mayest have a full time to consider them. Alas beware of the design, there wil be as much to hinder to morrow as is to day, And therefore it is better to go late to night then late to morrow night, for still the refreshment in the morning must put it late if thou stayest till another morning. Thou must never think to embrace Christ, if thou wilt do it at such a time when nothing else shall offer it selfe to be entertained beside. Thou must break through some difficulties, make some other matters, stay to shew thy sincere preferring Christ above all, delay it now, Thou shalt have as much in the way the next day, and thy heart lesse disposed to stand for it. The design is to loose and put off the present heat, and then a small occa∣sion will do well enough with thee, And therefore oh that while thou lingerest as Lot did when he was to go out of Sodom, the Angell of the Lord would lay his hand on thee (the Lord being merciful to thee) and lead thee out of this wretched condition before the

fire and brimstone be about thy ears.

I have now done with what I shall say at this time to the unconverted sinner, I have said what the Lord hath stored me with, both by way of motive and direction for the recovering of thee that yet there might be some hopes of thee. I shall say no more at present, thou hast the same things now tran∣smitted to thee that thou mayest look over them again and again, and consider of them. It may be you and I may live to deal of this business again in other words to the same purpose, but salvation can be had up∣on no other terms but your conversion. And if after all that is said nothing abide with thee, God knows where and how sad Our last parting may be, But I must needs pray and hope that God wil save you from your Lot, (according to Ps. 49.14 15.) as judging your impenitent state an hopeless, a despe∣rate, and wretched estate. If your delights in the world hinder these serious thoughts of yours, and strengthen your impenitency, I must needs pray as the Psalmist, Deliver me, O Lord, from the men of this World who have a few vanishing smoaking trifles for their Portion in this life, and have a dreadful portion of Fire and wrath remaining for them in the life to come. We have thus done with the improvement of this poynt to the ungodly, in all the 3 heads foremen∣tioned.

Notes

• Meanes
• Hosea. 4.6.
• 2. Cor. 4.3.
• Deut. 29.29.
• Aynsw. in loc.
• Mal. 2.6.7.
• 2 Kings. 17.
• Pro. 8.34. Jo. 20.24.
• Lu. 2.37. Psa. 27.4.
• Reverend Mr. Hil∣dersham.
• Mar. 6.52.
• Mat 13.51
• 2 Tim. 2.7.
• Ruth. 3.18.
• Dr. Hamonds notion on Jo. 3.29.
• Luke. 11.27.28.
• Mat. 12 34.
• Rom. 7.14
• Mr. Cla••k in the life of Mr. Dod.
• 2. Cor. 5.17.
• Jer. 31.32 33
• Prov. 1.23
• Psa. 119.115
• Acts. 9.26.
• Psa. 119.79.63.
• Lu. 14.26.
• Dignoscitur socio qui non cognos cuur exse.
• Eph. 4.26.
• Psa. 119, 59, 60
• Mat. 8.22.
• Lu. 5 27.
• Psa. ••5.8 G••n. ••2.3.
• Jud. 19.5. to 10.
• Gen. 19.6.
• Psa. 17.13.