on or in trouble? They must bear their own burden; and how much too weak they are for it, if God be pleased to lay on his hand with more weight than ordinary, is easily known. Men may have ftoutnefs of Spirit, and put on great Refolutions to wrestle with their troubles. But when this is ineerly from the natural fpirit of a man, 1. For the most part it is but an outfide. It is done with refpect to others, that they may not appear low fpirited, or dejected. Their hearts are eaten up and devoured with troubles and anxiety of mind. Their thoughts are perplexed, and they are still striving, but never come to a conquelt. Every new trouble, every little alteration in their trials, puts them to new vexation. It is an ungrounded refolution that bears them up, and they are ealily fhaken. 2dly. What is the beft of their refolves and enduring? it is but a contending with God,who hath entangled them? the ftrugling of a Flea under a Mountain. Yea tho on outward Confiderations and Principles, they endeavour after padence and tolerance; yet all is but a contending with God; a ftriving to be quiet under that which God hath fent on purpofe to difturb them: God doth not afflict men without the Spirit, to exercife their Patience; but to difturb their Peace and Security. All the arming themfelves with Patience and Refolution, is but to keep the Hold that God will caft 'em out of. This is their beft confolation in the time of their trouble. 3. Thirdly, if they do promife to themfelves any thing of the care of God towards them, and relieve themselves, thereby, as they often do on one account or another, (efpecially when they are driven from other holds) all their relief is but like the dreaming of an hungry man, who fuppofeth that he cateth and drinketh, and is refreshed, but when he awaketh, he is empty, and difappointed. So are they as to all their reliefe, that they promife to receive from God, and the fupport which they feem to have from him. When they are awaked at the latter day and see fee all things clearly, they will find that God was their enemy, laughing at their calamity, and mocking when their fear was on them. §. 16. So is it with them in trouble. Is it any better with them in their profperity? This indeed is often great and is marvelously described in Scripture, as to their lives, and oftentimes quiet, peaceable ends. But have they any true confolation all their days? They eat, drink, fleep, and make merry, and perhaps heap up to themselves: but how little do these things make them to differ from the beafts that perifh? Solomons advantage to have the ufe, and know the utmost of these things much beyond any of the fons of men of our generation, is commonly taken notice of. The account alfo that he gives of them is known: They are all vanity, and vexation of Spirit. This is their confolation; a crackling of thornes under the pot, a fudden flash, and blaze; that begins but to perish. So that both Adverfity and Profperity flayeth them, and whether they are laughing or crying, they are still dying. S. 17. Secondly, They have no peace, No peace with God, nor in their own fouls. I know that many of them upon falfe bottoms, grounds, and expectations, do make a fhift to keep things in fome quietnefs. Neither is it my bufinefs at prefent to discover the falfenefs and unfoundnefs of it. But this is their State: True, and Solid peace being an effect of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of Believers (as hath been declared) they who are not made partakers of him, have no fuch peace. They may cry Peace, Peace indeed, when fudden destruction is at hand. The Principles of their peace, (as may be eafily evidenced) arc darkness, or ignorance, treachery of Confcience, felf righteoufnefs, and vain hope. To thefe heads may all the principles oftheir peace be reduced, and what will thefe avail them in the day when the Lord fhall deal with them? §. 18. I might fay the fame concerning theiy joy and hope they are falfe and perifhing. Let them then confider this, who have fatisfyed themfelves with a perfwa fion of their intereft in the good things of the Gospel, and yet have despised the Spirit of Chrift. I know there are many that may pretend to him, and yet are ftrangers from his Grace. But if they perifh who in profeffion ufe him kindly, and honour him, if he dwell not in them with power, where fhall they appear who oppofe and affront him? The Scripture tells us,that unless the Spirit of Christ be in us, we are dead, we are reprobates, we are none of Christs without him, you can have none of these glorious effects of his towards Believers before mentioned; and you are fo far from enquiring whether he be in you or no, as that you are ready to deride them in whom he is. Are there none who profefs the Gofpel, who have never once feriously enquired, whether they are made partakers of the Holy Ghost or no? you that almost account it a ridiculous things to be put upon any fuch Question; who look on all men as vain pretenders that talk of the Spirit; the Lord awake fuch men to a fight of their condition, before i too late. If the Spirit dwell not in you, if he be not your Comforter, neither is God your Father, nor the Son your Advocate, nor have you any portion in the Gofpel. O that God would awake fome poor foul to the confideration of this thing, before the neglect and contempt of the Holy Ghost come to that defpifing of him, from which there is no recovery; That the Lord would fpread before them all the folly of their hearts, that they may be ashamed, and confounded, and do no more Prefumptuously. FINIS. ΑΝ Alphabetical TABLE· A A. Bility of Chrift to bear whatever of God's Acceptation with God (.1) That Satisfaction be made. Adoption gives largeness of Heart in Duties [Page 87 238 282,&c. 291 279,&c. 283 340 197 115 Adopted Sons of God have a Right to the things of Afflictions, wherein we need Confolation and Support Attributes of God: How he hath actually manifested the B. 120 Elievers esteem and value of Jefus Chrift. (1.) They tual Excellencies Believers Communion with Christ in purchased Grace 185, &c. 224 Be- Believers, what they are purchafed from Believers hold diftinct Communion with Chrift in this Believers are freed from the Inftituted Law of Ordi- C C. Haftity unto Chrift, confifts in three things Page 239 290 199 240, &c. Chrift bonoured (1.) Of the Father. (2.) Of the Angels. Chrift's Departure, and its fefulness to the Disciples Deity,the Neceffity of the Saints Communion with them Communion the carrying of it on Communion What must be done in the want of it Communion with the Holy Ghoft, the foundation of it 261 291 6 7 17 20 38 42,&c 55 1-55 165 170,&c. 202 288 342 |