A funeral sermon after the interment of Mrs. Sarah Lye. The late wife of Mr. Thomas Lye of Clapham. By Phil. Lamb, minister of the Word. Together with the scriptual evidence and experiences of the grace of God towards, and in her, left under her own hand
         Lamb, Philip, d. 1689.
      
       
         
           1679
        
      
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             A funeral sermon after the interment of Mrs. Sarah Lye. The late wife of Mr. Thomas Lye of Clapham. By Phil. Lamb, minister of the Word. Together with the scriptual evidence and experiences of the grace of God towards, and in her, left under her own hand
             Lamb, Philip, d. 1689.
             Lye, Sarah, d. 1678.
          
           [2], 126, [4] p.
           
             [s.n.],
             London :
             printed in the year, 1679.
          
           
             With two final advertisement leaves for Thomas Parkhurst.
             Reproduction of the original in the Congregational Library, London.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Lye, Sarah, d. 1678.
           Bible. -- O.T. -- Proverbs VIII, 17 -- Sermons -- Early works to 1800.
           Funeral sermons, English -- 17th century.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           FUNERAL
           SERMON
           AFTER
           THE
           INTERMENT
           OF
           Mrs.
           
             SARAH
             LYE
          
           The
           late
           WIFE
           of
           Mr.
           
             Thomas
             Lye
          
           of
           Clapham
        
         
           By
           
             PHIL.
             LAMB
          
           ,
           Minister
           of
           the
           WORD
           .
        
         
           Together
           with
           the
           Scriptural
           Evidence
           and
           Experiences
           of
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           towards
           ,
           and
           in
           her
           ,
           left
           under
           her
           own
           hand
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           ,
           1679.
           
        
         
         
         
         
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           
             
               PROV
               .
               VIII
               .
               17.
               
            
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             ;
             and
             those
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             ,
             shall
             find
             me
             .
          
        
         
           OUR
           dear
           deceased
           Friend
           (
           whose
           death
           occasioned
           this
           diversion
           from
           our
           wonted
           course
           )
           as
           often
           as
           she
           thought
           (
           as
           indeed
           she
           did
           often
           think
           )
           of
           her
           great
           change
           approaching
           ,
           and
           as
           she
           was
           going
           to
           her
           Fathers
           House
           (
           where
           doubtless
           she
           is
           now
           in
           glory
           )
           desired
           her
           dearest
           friends
           ,
           that
           these
           words
           might
           be
           the
           Text
           ,
           or
           Theme
           of
           her
           Funeral
           Sermon
           ,
           being
           (
           as
           we
           
           
           
           
           
           may
           very
           well
           conceive
           )
           willing
           to
           tell
           her
           surviving
           friends
           o●
           that
           Love
           of
           God
           of
           which
           she
           had
           tasted
           in
           her
           wilderness
           state
           and
           of
           which
           she
           hath
           now
           (
           undoubtedly
           )
           her
           fill
           :
           we
           enjoy
           few
           drops
           ,
           but
           she
           is
           got
           to
           th●
           Fountain-head
           .
           She
           desired
           tha●
           all
           hers
           ,
           and
           all
           you
           ,
           might
           know
           the
           way
           to
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           this
           Love
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           her self
           .
           The
           Text
           she
           chose
           is
           a
           worthy
           Text
           Perhaps
           you
           may
           think
           't
           is
           not
           so
           suitable
           to
           a
           Funeral
           occasion
           but
           let
           me
           tell
           you
           .
           Funeral
           Sermons
           are
           not
           
             Subsidia
             mortuorun●
             sed
             solatia
             vivorum
          
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           they
           cannot
           be
           for
           the
           help
           of
           dead
           Saints
           ,
           they
           need
           no
           such
           little
           things
           :
           but
           they
           are
           for
           the
           comfort
           and
           solace
           of
           living
           Saints
           .
           The
           words
           are
           the
           words
           of
           
           Wisdom
           ,
           they
           are
           (
           I
           say
           )
           the
           words
           of
           Wisdom
           it self
           .
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             ;
             and
             those
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             shall
             find
             me
             .
          
        
         
           In
           which
           ,
           I
           shall
           only
           take
           notice
           of
           these
           two
           parts
           ,
           or
           branches
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           the
           first
           part
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           most
           glorious
           display
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           And
           Love
           ,
           in
           an
           act
           of
           wonderful
           condescension
           ,
           enough
           to
           astonish
           Men
           and
           Angels
           :
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Here
           is
           a
           most
           gracious
           promise
           ,
           the
           product
           of
           that
           glorious
           infinite
           Love
           ;
           
             And
             those
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             shall
             find
             me
             .
          
        
         
           The
           first
           part
           of
           the
           Text
           is
           a
           fair
           Preface
           and
           Introduction
           to
           a
           most
           excellent
           Promise
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           part
           is
           a
           Promise
           every
           way
           suited
           to
           the
           glory
           and
           excellency
           of
           such
           a
           Preface
           .
        
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
           'T
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           it
           begins
           with
           some
           kind
           of
           limitation
           and
           straitness
           :
           
             Those
             that
             love
             me
             ,
             Those
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             .
          
           But
           then
           it
           hath
           a
           most
           pleasant
           and
           desired
           Exit
           with
           abundant
           satisfaction
           ,
           
             They
             shall
             find
             me
          
           .
           There
           is
           your
           glory
           ,
           your
           heaven
           ,
           your
           eternal
           happiness
           ;
           here
           is
           the
           work
           of
           your
           lives
           .
           I
           beseech
           you
           remember
           it
           ,
           and
           let
           not
           this
           Text
           ,
           or
           Sermon
           ,
           be
           ever
           forgotten
           by
           you
           .
        
         
           Here
           (
           I
           say
           )
           is
           the
           work
           of
           your
           lives
           ,
           to
           seek
           early
           ;
           The
           happiness
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           to
           find
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           enjoy
           him
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           Before
           I
           come
           to
           the
           Observations
           ,
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           speak
           a
           little
           to
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           the
           Author
           of
           these
           words
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           not
           leave
           one
           Soul
           here
           at
           an
           uncertainty
           .
           And
        
         
         
           2.
           
           I
           would
           speak
           a
           little
           to
           the
           Form
           of
           the
           words
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           leave
           none
           of
           you
           under
           any
           mistakes
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             The
             Author
             of
             this
             great
             and
             glorious
             Text
             (
             if
             you
             look
             into
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             Chapter
             )
             is
             Wisdom
             uttering
             her
             voice
             .
          
           Vers.
           1
           ,
           Doth
           not
           wisdom
           cry
           ?
           and
           understanding
           put
           forth
           her
           voice
           ?
           vers
           .
           2
           ,
           She
           standeth
           in
           the
           top
           of
           high
           places
           ,
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           in
           the
           places
           of
           the
           paths
           .
           Vers.
           3
           ,
           She
           crieth
           at
           the
           gates
           ,
           at
           the
           entry
           of
           the
           city
           ,
           at
           the
           coming
           in
           at
           the
           doors
           .
           Behold
           ,
           I
           stand
           at
           the
           door
           and
           knock
           ,
           Rev.
           3.
           20.
           
           
             Wisdom
             knocks
             ,
             Wisdom
             calls
             ,
             Wisdom
             cries
             ,
             and
             uttereth
             her
             voice
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Acceptations
           of
           Wisdom
           in
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           various
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           sometimes
           taken
           for
           the
           
           God
           of
           Wisdom
           himself
           .
           Sometimes
           for
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           Father
           .
           Sometimes
           for
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           ,
           who
           reveals
           wisdom
           to
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           of
           wisdom
           and
           illumination
           .
           Sometimes
           for
           the
           grace
           of
           wisdom
           ,
           and
           spiritual
           knowledg
           .
           And
           sometimes
           for
           the
           Word
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           he
           says
           himself
           ,
           
             Matt.
             11.
             19
             ,
             Wisdom
             is
             justified
             of
             her
             Children
             .
          
           That
           is
           ,
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           wherein
           the
           wonderful
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           is
           displayed
           .
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           Ephes.
           3.
           10.
           
        
         
           But
           to
           wave
           the
           rest
           (
           as
           having
           many
           things
           to
           speak
           to
           you
           this
           day
           ,
           that
           concern
           the
           happiness
           of
           your
           precious
           and
           immortal
           souls
           to
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           hope
           ,
           that
           you
           will
           not
           only
           bear
           with
           
           me
           ,
           but
           also
           bear
           me
           up
           by
           your
           prayers
           .
           )
        
         
           Doubtless
           by
           Wisdom
           here
           in
           this
           Text
           ,
           is
           meant
           the
           
             Interna
             sapientia
             ,
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             Filius
             Dei
          
           ;
           and
           we
           are
           to
           understand
           the
           Internal
           ,
           Eternal
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           is
           called
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           The
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           
             the
             Word
             that
             was
             made
             Flesh
             ,
          
           Wisdom
           speaking
           ,
           the
           speaking
           Wisdom
           ,
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           
             (
             In
             quo
             ,
             &
             a
             quo
             omnis
             sapientia
             )
          
           in
           whom
           and
           from
           whom
           is
           all
           wisdom
           ,
           all
           counsel
           and
           spiritual
           understanding
           ,
           without
           whom
           we
           cannot
           know
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           or
           the
           Truth
           as
           we
           should
           do
           ;
           and
           by
           whom
           we
           know
           the
           Truth
           
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Jesus
          
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           first
           Verse
           of
           this
           Chapter
           ,
           Wisdom
           is
           intituled
           to
           this
           great
           Speech
           ,
           and
           indeed
           in
           the
           
           whole
           Chapter
           (
           if
           you
           will
           but
           take
           the
           pains
           ,
           when
           you
           are
           gone
           from
           hence
           ,
           to
           read
           it
           seriously
           )
           before
           you
           come
           to
           the
           end
           thereof
           ,
           you
           will
           be
           convinced
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           I
           ,
           that
           this
           Wisdom
           is
           
             the
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           making
           this
           great
           Proclamation
           to
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             ;
             and
             those
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             shall
             find
             me
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           told
           you
           ,
           that
           I
           would
           shew
           you
           somewhat
           concerning
           the
           form
           or
           manner
           of
           this
           expression
           ,
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             :
          
           to
           prevent
           the
           mistakes
           ,
           and
           errors
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           need
           to
           do
           ,
           especially
           in
           this
           Age
           ,
           wherein
           the
           minds
           and
           hearts
           of
           men
           ,
           like
           Spiders
           suck
           poyson
           from
           the
           most
           precious
           and
           most
           glorious
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
         
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             ,
          
           doth
           not
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           1.
           
           Intimate
           ,
           that
           our
           love
           ,
           or
           the
           love
           of
           the
           creature
           ,
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           the
           love
           of
           God
           to
           our
           souls
           ;
           nor
           doth
           it
           in
           the
           least
           imply
           that
           our
           love
           is
           antecedaneous
           (
           the
           least
           moment
           of
           time
           )
           to
           the
           love
           of
           God
           ;
           which
           will
           the
           more
           clearly
           appear
           ,
           if
           we
           curiously
           observe
           the
           manner
           of
           expressing
           it
           :
           'T
           is
           not
           said
           ,
           I
           will
           love
           them
           that
           will
           love
           me
           ,
           but
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           John
           clears
           the
           Text
           ,
           and
           puts
           all
           out
           of
           doubt
           ,
           in
           1
           
             John
             4.
             10
             ,
             Herein
             is
             love
             ,
             not
             that
             we
             loved
             God
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             loved
             us
             .
          
           And
           vers
           .
           19
           ,
           
             We
             love
             him
             ,
             because
             he
             first
             loved
             us
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           it
           doth
           not
           at
           all
           any
           way
           intimate
           ,
           or
           suggest
           the
           precedency
           of
           our
           love
           to
           God
           ,
           before
           he
           
           loved
           us
           ;
           so
           in
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           I
           must
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           most
           excellent
           Truth
           ,
           a
           golden
           Maxime
           ,
           fit
           to
           be
           written
           on
           your
           Door-posts
           ;
           yea
           ,
           on
           your
           very
           hearts
           ,
           Wisdoms
           thus
           saying
           to
           you
           ,
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
        
         
           And
           it
           may
           serve
           especially
           for
           these
           four
           great
           ends
           :
        
         
           1.
           
           For
           the
           support
           and
           comfort
           of
           poor
           doubting
           souls
           ,
           that
           now
           lye
           very
           low
           ,
           in
           a
           dark
           day
           ,
           in
           a
           time
           of
           sickness
           ,
           under
           great
           afflictions
           ;
           perhaps
           God
           hath
           come
           ,
           and
           snatcht
           away
           a
           dear
           Wife
           out
           of
           an
           Husbands
           bosom
           ,
           or
           hath
           taken
           away
           the
           Child
           of
           his
           delight
           ;
           it
           may
           be
           many
           and
           long
           continued
           afflictions
           lye
           on
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           looks
           upon
           these
           bitter
           and
           severe
           providences
           ,
           and
           begins
           to
           question
           now
           ,
           whether
           God
           doth
           love
           him
           :
           
           Time
           was
           ,
           when
           all
           things
           went
           well
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           I
           had
           peace
           within
           ,
           and
           comfort
           without
           ,
           a
           House
           full
           of
           enjoyments
           ;
           but
           now
           't
           is
           a
           dark
           day
           ,
           God
           hath
           smitten
           me
           with
           the
           strokes
           of
           an
           enemy
           ,
           the
           chastisements
           of
           a
           cruel
           one
           are
           upon
           me
           ,
           so
           that
           I
           doubt
           whether
           God
           loves
           me
           .
           Thus
           the
           poor
           doubting
           soul
           is
           apt
           to
           reason
           .
           But
           says
           God
           ,
           look
           not
           at
           my
           providences
           ,
           on
           thine
           own
           losses
           ,
           crosses
           ,
           troubles
           ,
           and
           on
           these
           outward
           dispensations
           ;
           look
           rather
           into
           thy
           own
           heart
           ,
           and
           if
           thou
           canst
           read
           there
           but
           one
           line
           of
           love
           to
           my
           name
           ,
           if
           thou
           canst
           read
           there
           any
           true
           love
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           then
           thou
           maist
           conclude
           with
           thy self
           ,
           that
           whatever
           Providences
           thou
           hast
           met
           (
           or
           maist
           yet
           meet
           with
           )
           shall
           be
           for
           thy
           
           good
           .
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
           And
           these
           Providences
           are
           not
           the
           fruits
           of
           wrath
           ,
           but
           rather
           the
           effects
           of
           pure
           love
           .
           
             Rom.
             8.
             28
             ,
             And
             we
             know
          
           (
           says
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             that
             all
             things
             work
             together
             for
             good
             to
             them
             that
             love
             God.
          
           I
           can
           chastise
           ,
           correct
           ,
           smite
           ,
           but
           cannot
           hate
           my
           Sons
           and
           Daughters
           ,
           says
           God.
           
             Whom
             the
             Lord
             loveth
             ,
             he
             chastneth
             ,
             and
             scourgeth
             every
             Son
             whom
             he
             receiveth
             ,
          
           Heb.
           12.
           6.
           
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           For
           the
           Relief
           of
           despairing
           souls
           ,
           that
           are
           affected
           ,
           deeply
           affected
           with
           their
           sinning
           against
           God
           ,
           and
           their
           utter
           unworthiness
           ,
           by
           reason
           thereof
           ,
           of
           any
           smile
           from
           Heaven
           ;
           but
           are
           ready
           to
           reason
           against
           their
           own
           souls
           ,
           and
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           surely
           God
           can
           never
           love
           such
           a
           treacherous
           Apostate
           ,
           
           and
           backsliding
           sinner
           as
           I
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           am
           ;
           it
           's
           in
           vain
           for
           me
           to
           expect
           any
           love
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           rather
           in
           fury
           to
           be
           turned
           into
           Hell
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           for
           ever
           rejected
           ;
           my
           case
           and
           condition
           is
           worse
           than
           that
           of
           Cain
           .
           But
           for
           the
           relief
           of
           such
           ,
           God
           reasons
           thus
           ,
           Didst
           ever
           love
           me
           ?
           Didst
           ever
           love
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           Children
           of
           God
           ?
           If
           so
           ,
           take
           comfort
           to
           thy
           soul
           :
           for
           certainly
           ,
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
           Though
           it
           be
           so
           low
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           ,
           though
           thou
           canst
           see
           nothing
           but
           wrath
           ,
           and
           vengeance
           ,
           and
           hell
           ;
           yet
           ,
           if
           thou
           hast
           any
           love
           to
           me
           ,
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           Saints
           ,
           thou
           maist
           be
           assured
           ,
           that
           I
           love
           thee
           .
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           For
           the
           help
           ,
           wonderful
           help
           ,
           and
           encouragement
           of
           poor
           sinners
           
           to
           duty
           :
           How
           is
           this
           glorious
           proclamation
           of
           Love
           and
           Grace
           accommodated
           for
           the
           help
           of
           poor
           souls
           ,
           through
           their
           whole
           lives
           ?
           Have
           you
           any
           true
           love
           for
           God
           ?
           You
           say
           ,
           you
           have
           no
           strength
           ,
           no
           might
           ,
           so
           that
           you
           are
           not
           able
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           to
           please
           God
           :
           Why
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           matter
           ?
           You
           cannot
           see
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           any
           share
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God.
           Look
           into
           the
           transcript
           ,
           look
           into
           the
           Copy
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           can
           see
           any
           true
           love
           to
           God
           there
           ,
           go
           and
           pray
           ,
           and
           hear
           ,
           and
           suffer
           what
           's
           alotted
           for
           you
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           find
           all
           sweet
           and
           easie
           to
           you
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           Lastly
           ,
           and
           that
           undoubtedly
           ,
           this
           great
           truth
           from
           the
           mouth
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             ,
          
           is
           intended
           for
           a
           general
           proclamation
           of
           sovereign
           
           grace
           and
           mercy
           to
           all
           the
           Sons
           and
           Daughters
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           a
           sweet
           invitation
           to
           all
           persons
           ,
           to
           perform
           the
           duty
           contain'd
           in
           the
           next
           words
           ,
           namely
           ,
           
             to
             seek
             early
             after
             God
          
           :
           Here
           is
           wonderful
           freeness
           and
           fulness
           of
           Divine
           Grace
           ▪
           large
           enough
           for
           all
           men
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           enough
           to
           encourage
           those
           persons
           (
           that
           are
           naturally
           haters
           of
           God
           in
           their
           minds
           )
           to
           return
           ,
           and
           enquire
           after
           him
           ▪
           because
           God
           is
           ready
           to
           meet
           them
           ,
           and
           requite
           them
           with
           reciprocal
           love
           :
           Do
           your
           duty
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           love
           me
           ,
           and
           seek
           me
           ,
           be
           sure
           I
           have
           a
           love
           for
           you
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           will
           detain
           you
           no
           longer
           among
           the
           terms
           and
           words
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           though
           to
           keep
           my
           usual
           ●ont
           and
           method
           ,
           I
           must
           always
           endeavour
           to
           make
           the
           way
           plain
           before
           you
           .
        
         
         
           The
           Text
           I
           told
           you
           had
           two
           branches
           ,
           and
           '
           it
           s
           my
           purpose
           (
           if
           the
           Lord
           enable
           me
           )
           to
           gather
           some
           fruit
           from
           each
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           From
           the
           first
           part
           ,
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
           I
           would
           offer
           this
           to
           you
           ,
        
         
           Doct.
           1.
           
           That
           there
           is
           a
           mutual
           and
           reciprocal
           love
           between
           Christ
           and
           his
           Saints
           .
        
         
           I
           told
           you
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           a
           Proclamation
           of
           the
           love
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           where
           he
           loves
           ,
           he
           begets
           love
           ;
           so
           that
           whensover
           a
           Saint
           truly
           loves
           Christ
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           sure
           ,
           that
           Christ
           doth
           intirely
           love
           him
           :
           
             I
             am
             my
             beloveds
             ,
             and
             my
             beloved
             is
             mine
             .
          
           The
           believing
           soul
           says
           so
           ;
           And
           who
           can
           but
           live
           and
           dye
           on
           such
           a
           word
           as
           this
           is
           ?
           especially
           when
           Christ
           says
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             .
          
           I
           love
           this
           Saint
           ,
           and
           he
           loves
           me
           .
        
         
           That
           is
           the
           first
           Observation
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           is
           much
           like
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
        
         
           Doct.
           2.
           
           That
           they
           that
           seek
           the
           Lord
           early
           ,
           shall
           certainly
           find
           him
           ,
           shall
           certainly
           enjoy
           ,
           eternally
           enjoy
           him
           ,
           shall
           find
           him
           a
           God
           of
           Grace
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           shall
           enjoy
           him
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           But
           first
           ,
           of
           the
           first
           of
           these
           :
        
         
           That
           there
           is
           a
           mutual
           and
           a
           reciprocal
           love
           between
           Christ
           and
           his
           Saints
           .
        
         
           To
           dispatch
           this
           ,
           (
           and
           yet
           not
           ●o
           make
           more
           haste
           than
           good
           speed
           )
           that
           you
           may
           understand
           it
           ,
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           shew
           you
           here
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           Christ
           loves
           his
           Saints
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           How
           he
           discovers
           ,
           and
           
           manifests
           his
           love
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           do
           love
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           How
           they
           do
           express
           and
           manifest
           their
           love
           to
           him
           :
           That
           by
           all
           this
           put
           together
           ,
           you
           may
           easily
           conclude
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           a
           mutual
           ,
           and
           reciprocal
           love
           between
           Christ
           and
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           of
           all
           ,
           That
           Jesus
           Christ
           hath
           a
           peculiar
           ,
           a
           special
           ,
           dea●
           love
           to
           his
           Saints
           ;
           Jer.
           31.
           3
           ,
           ●
           
             have
             loved
             thee
             with
             an
             everlasting
             love
             .
          
           Ephes.
           5.
           25
           ,
           26
           ,
           27
           ,
           
             Wh●
             loved
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             gave
             himself
             for
             it
          
           (
           that
           is
           evidence
           enough
           〈◊〉
           
             that
             he
             might
             sanctifie
             ,
             and
             clean
             〈◊〉
             it
             ,
             with
             the
             washing
             of
             water
             ,
             〈◊〉
             the
             word
             .
             That
             he
             might
             prese●●
             it
             to
             himself
             a
             glorious
             Church
             ,
             〈◊〉
             having
             spot
             ,
             or
             wrinkle
             ,
             or
             any
             su●●
             thing
             ;
             but
             that
             it
             should
             be
             〈◊〉
             
             and
             without
             blemish
             :
          
           And
           this
           Text
           I
           mention
           the
           rather
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           last
           Scriptures
           that
           our
           
             Deceased
             Friend
          
           insisted
           on
           ,
           when
           she
           took
           her
           last
           farwel
           of
           me
           ;
           
             Who
             loved
             his
             Church
          
           (
           said
           she
           )
           
             and
             gave
             himself
             for
             it
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           For
           the
           manner
           ,
           how
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           doth
           express
           and
           discover
           his
           love
           to
           his
           Saints
           .
           Though
           I
           might
           instance
           in
           many
           methods
           and
           ways
           of
           his
           discovering
           his
           love
           to
           them
           ;
           yet
           I
           shall
           confine
           my self
           to
           these
           three
           particulars
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           eminently
           makes
           known
           the
           intireness
           of
           his
           indeared
           love
           to
           his
           Saints
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           same
           ways
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           by
           and
           by
           ,
           that
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           〈◊〉
           express
           their
           love
           to
           Jesus
           Christ.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           of
           all
           ,
           he
           discovers
           and
           
           makes
           known
           his
           love
           to
           his
           Saints
           ,
           in
           denying
           himself
           of
           all
           the
           glory
           he
           had
           with
           his
           Father
           ,
           in
           leaving
           those
           Regions
           above
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           come
           down
           ,
           and
           gather
           his
           Saints
           together
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           redeem
           them
           out
           of
           the
           hands
           of
           Hell
           ,
           and
           deliver
           them
           out
           of
           the
           House
           of
           their
           Prison
           and
           bondage
           .
           
             Rev.
             1.
             6
             ,
             Vnto
             him
             that
             loved
             us
             ,
             and
             washed
             us
             from
             our
             sins
             in
             his
             own
             blood
          
           ;
           he
           gave
           his
           heart
           blood
           for
           us
           .
           
             Phil.
             2.
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             Who
             being
             in
             the
             form
             of
             God
             ,
             thought
             it
             no
             robbery
             to
             be
             equal
             with
             God
             ,
          
           Gods
           fellow
           ,
           coequal
           with
           the
           Father
           :
           What
           did
           he
           do
           ?
           why
           ,
           
             He
             made
             himself
             of
             no
             reputation
             ,
             and
             took
             upon
             him
             the
             form
             of
             a
             Servant
             ,
             and
             was
             made
             in
             the
             likeness
             of
             men
             .
             And
             being
             found
             in
             fashion
             as
             a
             man
             ,
             he
             humbled
             himself
             ,
             and
             became
             obedient
             
             unto
             death
             ,
             even
             the
             death
             of
             the
             cross
             .
          
           Was
           not
           here
           love
           ?
           Greater
           love
           hath
           no
           man
           than
           this
           ,
           That
           a
           man
           lay
           down
           his
           life
           for
           his
           friend
           ;
           yet
           this
           was
           greater
           love
           ,
           for
           
             Christ
             laid
             down
             his
             life
             for
             his
             enemies
             ,
          
           Rom.
           5.
           10.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           He
           manifests
           his
           intire
           love
           to
           his
           Saints
           ,
           in
           the
           delight
           he
           hath
           in
           their
           communion
           ,
           and
           in
           fellowship
           with
           them
           :
           Christ
           is
           never
           better
           pleased
           ,
           or
           more
           delighted
           ,
           than
           when
           his
           Saints
           are
           in
           communion
           and
           fellowship
           with
           him
           .
           When
           ,
           and
           
             Where-ever
             two
             or
             three
             are
             gathered
             together
             in
             my
             name
             ,
          
           there
           is
           my
           heaven
           ,
           here
           I
           delight
           to
           dwell
           :
           If
           you
           read
           over
           this
           8th
           Chapter
           of
           Proverbs
           ,
           it
           the
           31
           verse
           ,
           you
           shall
           see
           the
           ●edundancy
           of
           Christs
           love
           to
           his
           people
           ,
           before
           ever
           he
           had
           a
           people
           ;
           
           they
           were
           his
           contemplative
           delight
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           come
           down
           and
           be
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           give
           himself
           for
           them
           .
           
             Rejoycing
             in
             the
             habitable
             part
             of
             his
             earth
             ,
             and
             my
             delights
             were
             with
             the
             sons
             of
             men
             .
          
           Do
           but
           read
           Cant.
           7.
           5
           ,
           and
           there
           you
           shall
           see
           how
           the
           Spouse
           her self
           takes
           notice
           of
           the
           delight
           her
           Beloved
           takes
           in
           communion
           with
           her
           ;
           
             The
             King
          
           (
           says
           she
           )
           
             is
             held
          
           (
           or
           bound
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           Margin
           )
           
             in
             the
             Galleries
          
           .
           What
           are
           the
           Galleries
           ?
           why
           ,
           they
           are
           the
           Ordinances
           ,
           wherein
           he
           promises
           to
           meet
           his
           Saints
           :
           the
           King
           will
           sit
           at
           his
           round
           Table
           ,
           he
           will
           walk
           with
           them
           in
           the
           Galleries
           ,
           in
           private
           communion
           ;
           he
           is
           held
           or
           bound
           there
           :
           That
           is
           ,
           he
           takes
           so
           much
           pleasure
           and
           delight
           ,
           he
           is
           taken
           so
           much
           with
           the
           beauty
           he
           hath
           put
           
           upon
           his
           Saints
           ,
           that
           (
           to
           speak
           it
           with
           reverence
           )
           he
           cannot
           tell
           how
           to
           go
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           leave
           them
           ;
           as
           a
           man
           with
           his
           best
           beloved
           is
           bound
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           with
           chains
           of
           love
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           lastly
           ,
           Christ
           manifests
           his
           love
           to
           his
           Saints
           ,
           in
           the
           earnest
           longing
           he
           hath
           to
           have
           them
           with
           him
           in
           his
           glory
           .
           When
           any
           one
           sinner
           is
           converted
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           
             there
             is
             joy
             in
             heaven
          
           ,
           the
           King
           of
           Saints
           rejoyceth
           ,
           all
           the
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           sing
           together
           ;
           there
           is
           (
           I
           say
           )
           joy
           in
           Heaven
           when
           one
           sinner
           comes
           in
           ;
           Christs
           sends
           forth
           his
           Angels
           to
           entertain
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           them
           into
           his
           Fathers
           presence
           ;
           nay
           ,
           he
           leads
           them
           in
           ,
           himself
           .
           In
           Joh.
           14.
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           Christ
           tells
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             In
             my
             Fathers
             house
             are
             many
             mansions
             ;
             if
             it
             were
             not
             so
             ,
             
             I
             would
             have
             told
             you
             ;
             I
             go
             to
             prepare
             a
             place
             for
             you
             .
             And
             if
             I
             go
             and
             prepare
             a
             place
             for
             you
             ,
             I
             will
             come
             again
             ,
             and
             receive
             you
             unto
             my self
             ,
             that
             where
             I
             am
             ,
             there
             y●●
             may
             be
             also
             .
          
           And
           you
           may
           read
           at
           your
           leisure
           that
           ravishing
           Chapter
           Joh.
           17
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           read
           it
           with
           understanding
           ,
           and
           your
           souls
           go
           with
           your
           eyes
           (
           be
           it
           spoken
           with
           reverence
           to
           such
           a
           glorious
           God
           and
           King
           as
           he
           is
           )
           you
           will
           perceive
           ,
           that
           he
           seems
           not
           satisfied
           with
           his
           own
           glory
           at
           the
           right
           hand
           of
           the
           Majesty
           on
           high
           ,
           without
           the
           Company
           of
           his
           dear-bought
           Saints
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           bought
           with
           his
           own
           blood
           ;
           Read
           especially
           the
           22
           ,
           23
           ,
           24
           
             verses
             ;
             And
             the
             glory
             that
             thou
             gavest
             me
             .
             I
             have
             given
             them
             ;
             that
             they
             may
             be
             one
             ,
             even
             as
             we
             are
             one
             .
          
           Vers.
           23
           ,
           
           
             I
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             thou
             in
             me
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             made
             perfect
             in
             one
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             world
             may
             know
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             sent
             me
             ,
             and
             hast
             loved
             them
             ,
             as
             thou
             hast
             loved
             me
             .
          
           Vers.
           24
           ,
           
             Father
             ,
             I
             will
             ,
             that
             they
             also
             whom
             thou
             hast
             given
             me
             ,
             be
             with
             me
             where
             I
             am
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             behold
             my
             glory
             which
             thou
             hast
             given
             me
             :
             for
             thou
             lovedst
             me
             before
             the
             foundation
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
           Then
           Christs
           Mediatory
           Kingdom
           will
           be
           compleated
           ,
           and
           the
           shame
           and
           sufferings
           that
           were
           undergon
           by
           him
           ,
           will
           be
           answered
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           gathered
           his
           Saints
           to
           himself
           ,
           to
           behold
           his
           glory
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           now
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           the
           second
           part
           ;
           if
           we
           turn
           the
           Table
           ,
           then
           we
           shall
           see
           ,
           that
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           their
           measure
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           their
           strength
           ,
           those
           that
           
           are
           truly
           such
           ,
           do
           love
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           with
           all
           their
           hearts
           ;
           and
           you
           find
           it
           not
           thus
           with
           you
           ,
           you
           have
           reason
           to
           be
           jealous
           of
           ,
           and
           to
           suspect
           your selves
           ;
           I
           say
           the
           true
           Saints
           of
           God
           do
           love
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           with
           all
           their
           hearts
           ▪
           
             Whom
             having
             not
             seen
             ,
             ye
             love
             :
             i●
             whom
             ,
             though
             now
             you
             see
             him
             not
             yet
             believing
             ,
             ye
             rejoyce
             with
             joy
             unspeakable
             and
             full
             of
             glory
             ,
          
           1
           Pet.
           1.
           8.
           
           
             Whom
             having
             not
             seen
             ye
             love
             ,
          
           with
           such
           a
           love
           as
           raises
           your
           hearts
           ;
           it
           is
           ,
           
             Amor
             vulnerans
             ligans
             ,
             &c.
          
           a
           love
           (
           as
           one
           says
           )
           that
           wounds
           ,
           that
           strikes
           them
           to
           the
           very
           heart
           ;
           a
           love
           that
           binds
           their
           souls
           to
           Christ
           ;
           which
           made
           the
           Spouse
           cry
           out
           ,
           
             Cant.
             2.
             5
             ,
             Stay
             me
             with
             flagons
             ,
             comfort
             me
             with
             apples
             ,
             for
          
           I
           
             am
             sick
             of
             love
          
           .
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           you
           may
           imagine
           that
           it
           
           is
           an
           Hyperbolical
           expression
           ;
           but
           indeed
           there
           is
           no
           expression
           that
           can
           fully
           set
           it
           out
           ;
           and
           therefore
           you
           see
           ,
           how
           the
           Spouse
           hangs
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           on
           the
           lips
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Cant.
             1.
             2
             ,
             Let
             him
             kiss
             me
             with
             the
             kisses
             of
             his
             mouth
             :
             for
             thy
             love
             ,
          
           or
           loves
           ,
           
             is
             better
             than
             wine
          
           .
           And
           every
           Saint
           ,
           while
           he
           is
           
             in
             the
             wilderness
          
           ,
           in
           his
           Wilderness-state
           ,
           
             leans
             on
             his
             beloved
          
           :
           What
           would
           a
           Saint
           have
           in
           any
           condition
           ?
           None
           but
           Christ
           ,
           Christ
           is
           his
           All
           in
           all
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           therefore
           in
           the
           second
           place
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           ,
           That
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           do
           mutually
           and
           reciprocally
           express
           and
           discover
           their
           love
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           in
           their
           measure
           ,
           in
           their
           degree
           ,
           as
           he
           makes
           known
           his
           love
           to
           them
           .
           As
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           They
           express
           their
           love
           to
           
           Christ
           ,
           in
           denying
           all
           for
           him
           .
           Christ
           left
           a
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           glory
           of
           his
           Fathers
           House
           :
           But
           alas
           !
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           they
           have
           nothing
           to
           leave
           in
           comparison
           of
           what
           he
           left
           .
           They
           that
           leave
           Houses
           ,
           Lands
           ,
           Mannors
           ,
           Kingdoms
           for
           Christ
           ,
           all
           this
           is
           little
           (
           I
           say
           )
           in
           comparison
           of
           what
           Christ
           left
           for
           them
           ;
           but
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           whatever
           the
           Saints
           have
           ,
           all
           that
           they
           have
           ,
           they
           will
           lay
           at
           the
           feet
           of
           Christ
           when
           he
           calls
           them
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           this
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           ever
           they
           apprehend
           that
           love
           of
           Christ
           to
           them
           ;
           as
           soon
           as
           ever
           they
           come
           to
           be
           made
           sensible
           of
           the
           worthiness
           of
           Christ
           ,
           of
           the
           All-sufficiency
           that
           is
           in
           Christ
           to
           do
           them
           good
           ,
           away
           goes
           the
           world
           ,
           they
           sit
           loose
           to
           it
           ,
           as
           loose
           as
           
           Elijah's
           Mantle
           ,
           2
           Kings
           2.
           13
           ,
           which
           
           fell
           off
           when
           he
           was
           taken
           up
           to
           Heaven
           :
           Thus
           said
           ,
           and
           thus
           did
           the
           Disciples
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             We
             have
             left
             all
             and
             followed
             thee
             .
          
           But
           I
           shall
           only
           add
           the
           example
           of
           one
           eminent
           Saint
           ,
           who
           left
           all
           for
           Christ
           ;
           and
           if
           all
           the
           Princes
           in
           the
           World
           had
           thrown
           their
           Crowns
           into
           his
           lap
           ,
           he
           would
           have
           left
           them
           all
           .
           Phil.
           3.
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           
             What
             things
             were
             gain
             to
             me
             ,
             those
             were
             counted
             loss
             for
             Christ.
             Yea
             doubtless
             ,
             and
             I
             count
             all
             things
             but
             loss
             for
             the
             excellency
             of
             the
             knowledg
             of
             Christ
             Jesus
             my
             Lord
             :
             for
             whom
             I
             have
             suffered
             the
             loss
             of
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             do
             count
             them
             but
             dung
             that
             I
             may
             win
             Christ.
          
           v.
           9
           ,
           
             And
             be
             found
             in
             him
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           2.
           
           As
           Christ
           discovers
           his
           love
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           in
           his
           delight
           of
           communion
           with
           them
           ,
           so
           the
           people
           of
           God
           do
           intirely
           love
           ,
           earnestly
           
           desire
           ,
           and
           delight
           in
           communion
           with
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           the●
           would
           be
           in
           fellowship
           with
           Christ
           where-ever
           they
           be
           ,
           
             Cant.
             1.
             
             1●
             A
             bundle
             of
             myrrh
             is
             my
             well-belove●
             unto
             me
             ,
             he
             shall
             lye
             all
             night
             betwixt
             my
             breasts
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           near
           my
           heart
           .
           And
           therefore
           is
           the
           Spous●
           brought
           in
           ,
           Cant.
           2.
           7
           ,
           breaking
           ou●
           after
           this
           strange
           kind
           of
           manner
           
             I
             charge
             you
          
           ,
           or
           I
           adjure
           you
           ,
           
             O
             y●
             Daughters
             of
             Jerusalem
             ,
             by
             the
             Roes
             and
             by
             the
             Hindes
             of
             the
             field
             ,
             that
             ye
             stir
             not
             up
             ,
             nor
             awake
             my
             love
             ,
             till
             he
             please
             .
          
           The
           Lord
           Christ
           (
           as
           i●
           she
           had
           said
           )
           is
           come
           to
           abide
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           I
           take
           so
           much
           delight
           in
           communion
           and
           fellowiship
           with
           him
           ,
           that
           I
           charge
           you
           not
           to
           disturb
           him
           :
           I
           would
           not
           have
           the
           dearest
           lust
           ,
           I
           would
           not
           have
           any
           sin
           whatsoever
           to
           interpose
           betwixt
           Christ
           and
           me
           .
        
         
         
           3.
           
           As
           Christ
           discovers
           the
           greatness
           of
           his
           love
           to
           his
           Saints
           ,
           in
           longing
           to
           injoy
           them
           with
           himself
           in
           his
           glory
           ;
           so
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           ,
           here
           upon
           earth
           ,
           do
           long
           (
           earnestly
           long
           )
           to
           injoy
           him
           in
           his
           Fathers
           presence
           ,
           in
           the
           House
           of
           his
           glory
           ,
           to
           be
           in
           those
           Mansions
           that
           he
           hath
           provided
           for
           them
           ,
           in
           those
           Regions
           of
           glory
           above
           :
           
             They
             look
             earnestly
             for
             the
             glorious
             appearance
             of
             the
             great
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Apostle
           to
           Titus
           expresses
           it
           ,
           
             Titus
             2.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             Looking
             for
             that
             blessed
             hope
             ,
             and
             the
             glorious
             appearing
             of
             the
             great
             God
             ,
             and
             our
             Saviour
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             Who
             gave
             himself
             for
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             redeem
             us
             from
             all
             iniquity
             ,
             and
             purifie
             unto
             himself
             a
             peculiar
             people
             ,
             zealous
             of
             good
             works
             .
          
           They
           look
           out
           ,
           as
           
           Sisera's
           Mother
           ,
           
           out
           of
           her
           Window
           ,
           and
           cry
           through
           the
           Lattice
           ,
           
             Judg.
             5.
             28
             ,
             Why
             is
             his
             Chariot
             so
             long
             in
             coming
             ?
             why
             tarry
             the
             wheels
             of
             his
             Chariots
             ?
          
           So
           the
           soul
           of
           a
           Saint
           looks
           out
           at
           every
           cranny
           ,
           at
           the
           eye
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           ear
           ,
           and
           cries
           out
           ,
           Why
           tarries
           his
           Chariot
           ?
           why
           is
           he
           so
           long
           in
           coming
           ?
           That
           
             dear
             Saint
          
           that
           is
           gone
           before
           us
           ,
           was
           wont
           to
           tell
           me
           ,
           That
           she
           had
           waited
           a
           long
           time
           for
           her
           great
           change
           ,
           and
           did
           continue
           waiting
           :
           And
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           otherwise
           ,
           when
           once
           a
           Soul
           is
           espoused
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           hath
           been
           kissed
           with
           the
           kisses
           of
           his
           mouth
           ,
           and
           knows
           any
           thing
           of
           his
           love
           ,
           and
           loveliness
           ;
           from
           the
           very
           day
           of
           espousals
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           ,
           there
           must
           be
           a
           longing
           desire
           of
           enjoyment
           ;
           as
           it
           is
           with
           young
           Lovers
           ,
           when
           once
           
           true
           love
           is
           between
           them
           ,
           all
           the
           time
           after
           is
           a
           time
           of
           desire
           and
           longing
           :
           Make
           haste
           (
           says
           the
           soul
           to
           Christ
           )
           and
           come
           away
           ;
           
             Egredere
             anima
          
           ,
           says
           the
           longing
           Saint
           ;
           go
           out
           ,
           Soul
           ,
           to
           meet
           Jesus
           Christ
           :
           this
           is
           the
           Case
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           between
           Christ
           and
           a
           believing
           Soul
           :
           Says
           the
           Soul
           to
           Christ
           ,
           either
           come
           down
           to
           me
           ,
           or
           take
           me
           up
           to
           thee
           ;
           Dear
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           when
           shall
           I
           come
           ,
           and
           appear
           before
           God
           ?
           
             I
             desire
             to
             be
             dissolved
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             with
             Christ
             ,
          
           which
           is
           best
           of
           all
           .
           I
           would
           also
           observe
           to
           you
           ,
           that
           passionate
           out-cry
           of
           the
           Spouse
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           
             Cant.
             8.
             14
             ,
             Make
             haste
             ,
             my
             beloved
             ,
             and
             be
             thou
             like
             to
             a
             young
             Roe
             ,
             or
             to
             a
             young
             Hart
             upon
             the
             mountains
             of
             spices
             .
          
           It
           is
           the
           voice
           of
           a
           believer
           to
           Jesus
           Christ.
           
        
         
         
           I
           should
           now
           make
           a
           transition
           from
           hence
           to
           the
           next
           Observation
           ;
           but
           let
           me
           first
           a
           little
           ,
           improve
           this
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           use
           I
           shall
           make
           of
           the
           first
           Doctrine
           is
           this
           ,
        
         
           Vse
           .
           1.
           
           To
           stand
           a
           while
           ,
           together
           with
           you
           ,
           admiring
           at
           the
           infinite
           ,
           sovereign
           ,
           and
           free
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           set
           his
           love
           upon
           man
           ,
           and
           hath
           done
           poor
           creatures
           that
           honour
           ,
           as
           to
           engage
           their
           hearts
           to
           love
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           truths
           of
           God.
           God
           is
           not
           beholding
           to
           us
           for
           our
           love
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           an
           object
           infinitely
           above
           our
           love
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           a
           wonder
           of
           mercy
           ,
           that
           God
           accounts
           us
           worthy
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           love
           Jesus
           Christ
           :
           What
           a
           mercy
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           beget
           in
           us
           any
           love
           to
           himself
           ,
           
           by
           revealing
           his
           infinite
           love
           to
           us
           !
           that
           
             his
             love
             should
             be
             shed
             abroad
             in
             our
             hearts
             !
          
           Oh!
           stand
           amazed
           at
           this
           !
           especially
           when
           you
           hear
           God
           saying
           ,
           
             Isa.
             65.
             1
             ,
             I
             am
             sought
             of
             them
             that
             asked
             not
             for
             me
             ;
             I
             am
             found
             of
             them
             that
             sought
             me
             not
             :
             I
             said
             ,
             behold
             me
             ,
             behold
             me
             ,
             unto
             a
             nation
             that
             was
             not
             called
             by
             my
             name
             .
          
           But
           more
           of
           this
           anon
           ,
           when
           I
           come
           to
           the
           second
           Branch
           .
           Only
           here
           we
           may
           go
           away
           with
           admiring
           thoughts
           into
           Heaven
           ,
           at
           this
           infinite
           ,
           free
           ,
           and
           condescending
           love
           of
           God
           to
           our
           poor
           souls
           :
           and
           to
           raise
           up
           our
           hearts
           to
           the
           greater
           admiration
           ,
           consider
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           a
           great
           ,
           what
           a
           wonderful
           and
           immense
           Love
           this
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           ,
           that
           he
           bears
           to
           poor
           creatures
           ,
           
             his
             favour
             is
             better
             than
             
             life
             it self
             .
          
           Psal.
           63.
           3
           ,
           Because
           (
           says
           the
           
             Psalmist
             )
             thy
             loving
             kindness
             is
             better
             than
             life
             ,
             my
             lips
             shal●
             praise
             thee
             .
          
           What
           shall
           we
           call
           it
           A
           Fountain
           ,
           a
           Fountain
           without
           brim
           or
           bottom
           :
           
             Amor
             Dei
             est
             infundens
             &
             creans
             bonitatem
             .
          
           The
           Love
           of
           Christ
           (
           as
           one
           says
           )
           't
           is
           that
           which
           creates
           and
           infuseth
           goodness
           ,
           all
           manner
           of
           good
           ,
           temporal
           ,
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           eternal
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Would
           you
           see
           the
           fruits
           and
           effects
           of
           this
           Love
           ?
           Alas
           !
           't
           is
           not
           a
           small
           matter
           for
           the
           great
           ,
           and
           glorious
           ,
           and
           holy
           God
           ,
           to
           tell
           a
           poor
           soul
           ,
           I
           love
           thee
           .
           Men
           may
           say
           so
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           signifie
           little
           :
           but
           God
           never
           says
           so
           to
           any
           ,
           but
           it
           creates
           a
           Heaven
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           it
           fills
           the
           Soul
           with
           all
           the
           joys
           and
           delights
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           it
           leads
           him
           into
           the
           Regions
           of
           Life
           and
           Peace
           ,
           
           peace
           ,
           peace
           ,
           and
           assurance
           for
           ever
           ,
           Isa.
           26.
           3.
           and
           32.
           17.
           
           In
           all
           your
           duties
           ,
           this
           will
           be
           your
           delight
           ,
           That
           God
           loves
           you
           :
           In
           a
           time
           of
           darkness
           ,
           this
           will
           be
           your
           light
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           pangs
           of
           death
           ,
           this
           will
           be
           your
           living
           comfort
           ,
           That
           God
           loves
           you
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           have
           had
           an
           heart
           truly
           to
           love
           God
           ;
           and
           you
           know
           that
           he
           loves
           you
           by
           your
           love
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           your
           love
           to
           God
           being
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           the
           transcript
           of
           Gods
           Love
           to
           you
           in
           your
           souls
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           (
           which
           may
           raise
           your
           admirings
           )
           where
           God
           loves
           ,
           and
           whom
           he
           loves
           ,
           he
           never
           leave
           ,
           he
           never
           ceases
           to
           love
           .
           
             Rom.
             8.
             38
             ,
             39
             ,
             For
             I
             am
             perswaded
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           there
           )
           
             that
             neither
             death
             ,
             nor
             life
             ,
             nor
             Angels
             ,
          
           good
           or
           bad
           Angels
           ,
           
             nor
             principalities
             ,
             nor
             powers
             ,
             
             nor
             things
             present
             ,
             nor
             things
             to
             come
             :
             Nor
             height
             ,
             nor
             depth
             ,
             nor
             any
             other
             creature
             shall
             be
             able
             to
             seperate
             us
             from
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             our
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Use
           of
           exhortation
           to
           them
           that
           truly
           love
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           :
        
         
           Dear
           Saints
           ,
           you
           that
           have
           indeed
           a
           true
           love
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           do
           by
           that
           see
           his
           love
           to
           your
           souls
           ;
           Oh
           ,
           keep
           your selves
           in
           the
           love
           of
           God.
           To
           that
           end
           ,
        
         
           Direct
           .
           1.
           
           Set
           a
           high
           price
           on
           this
           grace
           that
           is
           wrought
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           says
           )
           let
           it
           be
           your
           great
           care
           to
           preserve
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           life
           in
           this
           love
           of
           yours
           to
           Jesus
           Christ.
           
             Jude
             vers
             .
             21
             ,
             Keep
             your selves
             in
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             looking
             for
             the
             mercy
             of
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             unto
             eternal
             life
             .
          
           And
           for
           this
           purpose
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           First
           of
           all
           consider
           the
           worth
           of
           this
           love
           to
           Christ
           ,
           what
           an
           excellent
           and
           wonderful
           grace
           this
           is
           ,
           to
           have
           a
           heart
           truly
           to
           love
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           is
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           clearest
           evidence
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           gives
           you
           all
           your
           life
           and
           comfort
           in
           a
           time
           of
           darkness
           ,
           in
           a
           dark
           day
           ,
           to
           know
           by
           your
           love
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           that
           he
           loves
           you
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Father
           loves
           you
           ;
           there
           is
           no
           such
           clear
           evidence
           as
           this
           in
           all
           the
           World
           :
           If
           a
           man
           had
           all
           the
           treasures
           of
           gold
           and
           silver
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           he
           could
           not
           read
           the
           love
           of
           God
           in
           them
           ;
           but
           in
           your
           true
           love
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           you
           may
           .
           When
           you
           walk
           in
           darkness
           ,
           and
           can
           see
           no
           light
           ,
           this
           is
           that
           spark
           of
           light
           that
           will
           give
           you
           light
           when
           you
           are
           at
           a
           loss
           .
           When
           it
           
           is
           dark
           round
           about
           us
           ,
           when
           we
           can
           see
           little
           or
           no
           faith
           ,
           little
           or
           no
           hope
           ,
           little
           or
           no
           strength
           that
           we
           have
           ;
           let
           us
           then
           inquire
           ,
           and
           see
           whether
           we
           have
           any
           love
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           have
           any
           true
           love
           to
           Christ
           ,
           this
           will
           give
           us
           light
           and
           life
           .
           Rom.
           8.
           28
           ,
           
             We
             know
             that
             all
             things
          
           (
           says
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             work
             together
             for
             good
          
           ,
           To
           whom
           ?
           
             to
             them
             that
             love
             God.
          
           If
           one
           should
           ask
           me
           this
           question
           ,
           Why
           is
           the
           promise
           made
           to
           those
           that
           love
           God
           ?
           I
           answer
           ,
           because
           the
           Saints
           do
           want
           somewhat
           to
           comfort
           ,
           to
           support
           ,
           and
           relieve
           them
           in
           a
           dark
           day
           ;
           and
           when
           all
           other
           light
           fails
           ,
           and
           we
           can
           see
           no
           faith
           ,
           find
           no
           holiness
           ,
           this
           will
           never
           fail
           them
           :
           If
           there
           be
           once
           true
           love
           to
           Christ
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           some
           spark
           remaining
           ,
           that
           will
           administer
           comfort
           to
           them
           in
           the
           darkest
           day
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Consider
           with
           your selves
           ,
           that
           if
           you
           preserve
           and
           keep
           up
           this
           love
           ,
           this
           love
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           it
           will
           work
           in
           you
           a
           likeness
           to
           Christ
           ;
           And
           can
           you
           desire
           to
           be
           like
           any
           person
           that
           you
           love
           better
           ?
           or
           that
           is
           more
           exactly
           and
           perfectly
           pure
           and
           holy
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           more
           lovely
           than
           Christ
           ?
           This
           true
           love
           is
           a
           fire
           that
           makes
           all
           things
           like
           it self
           ;
           true
           love
           to
           God
           is
           of
           an
           assimilating
           vertue
           ,
           it
           will
           make
           us
           like
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           like
           to
           Christ
           ,
           whom
           we
           love
           :
           Love
           is
           like
           a
           Looking-glass
           ,
           if
           you
           turn
           the
           Glass
           downward
           ,
           there
           will
           appear
           nothing
           but
           the
           representation
           of
           earth
           ,
           and
           terrestrial
           creatures
           ,
           all
           earth
           ;
           but
           if
           you
           turn
           it
           upward
           ,
           then
           there
           will
           appear
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           celestial
           ,
           and
           the
           urseen
           glory
           of
           another
           world
           ,
           unseen
           
           as
           to
           our
           bodily
           eyes
           ,
           but
           visible
           to
           the
           eye
           of
           faith
           :
           If
           we
           give
           forth
           our
           love
           to
           Christ
           ,
           why
           then
           all
           Christ
           ,
           all
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           all
           holiness
           is
           on
           the
           soul.
           
        
         
           Direction
           2.
           
           Be
           diligent
           and
           exact
           on
           your
           watch
           :
           if
           you
           do
           prize
           ,
           and
           set
           any
           value
           upon
           this
           love
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           endeavour
           to
           keep
           it
           ,
           as
           you
           would
           keep
           your
           lives
           ;
           keep
           it
           as
           you
           would
           keep
           the
           best
           Jewel
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           nay
           ,
           the
           world
           cannot
           give
           ,
           cannot
           afford
           you
           such
           another
           Jewel
           :
           This
           Christ
           hath
           bought
           for
           you
           with
           his
           own
           most
           precious
           blood
           ,
           by
           his
           death
           ,
           his
           shameful
           and
           accursed
           death
           ;
           and
           therefore
           you
           have
           reason
           ,
           great
           reason
           to
           keep
           it
           safe
           ,
           for
           its
           own
           worth
           ,
           and
           because
           it
           is
           of
           so
           great
           use
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           because
           it
           will
           be
           a
           light
           to
           
           you
           in
           a
           dark
           ,
           in
           the
           darkest
           day
           ,
           and
           because
           it
           will
           make
           you
           like
           God
           ,
           and
           like
           Christ
           ;
           take
           heed
           therefore
           ,
           lest
           it
           be
           stoln
           from
           you
           ,
           or
           abated
           in
           you
           .
           As
           persons
           that
           have
           a
           Jewel
           of
           great
           price
           and
           value
           ,
           will
           be
           often
           looking
           into
           the
           place
           where
           they
           laid
           it
           up
           ,
           to
           see
           whether
           it
           be
           safe
           ;
           so
           this
           spark
           of
           Divine
           fire
           ,
           which
           is
           put
           into
           ,
           and
           laid
           up
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           is
           a
           Jewel
           of
           matchless
           and
           inestimable
           price
           ;
           How
           therefore
           should
           we
           inquire
           concerning
           it
           ,
           how
           it
           is
           with
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           love
           to
           God
           and
           Christ
           ?
           We
           should
           be
           trying
           and
           examining
           our selves
           ,
           whether
           Wives
           ,
           or
           Children
           ,
           or
           any
           earthly
           Relations
           ,
           or
           worldly
           concernments
           or
           enjoyments
           ,
           have
           not
           stoln
           away
           our
           hearts
           ,
           or
           abated
           our
           love
           :
           We
           should
           say
           to
           our
           own
           
           hearts
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           as
           Christ
           to
           Peter
           on
           another
           account
           ,
           
             Lovest
             thou
             me
             more
             than
             those
             ?
             Joh.
             21.
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
          
           17.
           
           So
           we
           should
           say
           to
           our
           hearts
           ,
           Dost
           thou
           love
           Jesus
           Christ
           ?
           dost
           thou
           love
           him
           indeed
           and
           in
           earnest
           ?
           dost
           thou
           love
           him
           better
           than
           these
           ,
           than
           these
           Children
           ,
           these
           pretty
           little
           Idols
           that
           are
           set
           up
           before
           our
           eyes
           ?
           dost
           love
           him
           better
           than
           all
           creature-comforts
           and
           relations
           ?
           dost
           love
           him
           better
           than
           all
           earthly
           treasures
           ,
           better
           than
           thy
           estate
           ,
           better
           than
           all
           the
           world
           ,
           better
           than
           all
           these
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           better
           than
           Heaven
           it self
           without
           Christ
           ?
           Thus
           I
           say
           ,
           we
           should
           still
           be
           examining
           our
           hearts
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           it
           is
           with
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           love
           to
           Christ
           :
           for
           to
           tell
           you
           the
           truth
           ,
           our
           hearts
           are
           very
           treacherous
           :
           I
           know
           not
           how
           it
           is
           
           with
           yours
           ,
           but
           I
           find
           it
           so
           with
           mine
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           a
           very
           hard
           matter
           to
           keep
           up
           that
           height
           of
           love
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           as
           there
           should
           be
           .
           The
           Prophet
           Jeremiah
           tells
           us
           ,
           Jer.
           17.
           9
           ,
           That
           
             the
             heart
             is
             deceitful
             above
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             desperately
             wicked
             ,
             who
             can
             know
             it
             ?
          
           And
           as
           it
           is
           so
           in
           general
           ,
           so
           especially
           with
           God
           ,
           the
           heart
           is
           more
           inclined
           to
           be
           treacherous
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           things
           relating
           to
           God
           ,
           than
           in
           any
           other
           things
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           have
           great
           need
           to
           look
           well
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           be
           diligent
           ,
           and
           exact
           upon
           our
           watch
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           this
           love
           to
           Christ.
           
        
         
           Direct
           .
           3.
           
           If
           God
           hath
           vouchsafed
           this
           grace
           to
           you
           ,
           as
           he
           hath
           made
           you
           partakers
           of
           his
           love
           ,
           and
           given
           you
           the
           transcript
           or
           reflection
           thereof
           ,
           be
           you
           sure
           that
           
           you
           love
           him
           again
           ,
           and
           be
           you
           sure
           also
           to
           keep
           off
           every
           thing
           that
           may
           stifle
           or
           quench
           the
           heat
           of
           your
           love
           ;
           take
           heed
           of
           those
           strong
           blasts
           ,
           those
           wicked
           and
           cursed
           temptations
           that
           arise
           from
           Hell
           ;
           take
           heed
           also
           of
           those
           damps
           that
           arise
           from
           the
           world
           ;
           if
           you
           set
           your
           affections
           there
           ,
           those
           cold
           vapours
           arising
           thence
           ,
           will
           either
           abate
           or
           extinguish
           the
           heat
           of
           this
           pure
           heavenly
           fire
           of
           love
           ;
           take
           heed
           of
           being
           Servants
           ,
           with
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           the
           lusts
           of
           the
           flesh
           ;
           beware
           of
           these
           things
           :
           Sin
           ,
           the
           lusts
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           the
           love
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           Christ
           ,
           are
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           inconsistent
           ,
           they
           cannot
           dwell
           together
           in
           one
           Soul.
           1
           
             Joh.
             2.
             15
             ,
             If
             any
             man
             love
             the
             world
             ,
             the
             love
             of
             the
             father
             is
             not
             in
             him
             .
          
           These
           are
           like
           two
           fires
           in
           one
           Chimney
           ,
           
           the
           one
           will
           extinguish
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           Direct
           .
           4.
           
           Fourthly
           and
           Lastly
           ,
           Be
           sure
           to
           add
           fuel
           to
           this
           fire
           ,
           and
           keep
           this
           heat
           you
           have
           received
           from
           Heaven
           warm
           ,
           take
           heed
           that
           your
           hearts
           never
           get
           cold
           ;
           I
           must
           confess
           ,
           that
           we
           live
           in
           a
           cold
           and
           frozen
           age
           ,
           in
           the
           worlds
           old
           age
           ,
           in
           an
           age
           wherein
           there
           is
           little
           love
           to
           God
           ,
           to
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Saints
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           would
           in
           this
           cold
           season
           keep
           up
           the
           height
           of
           your
           love
           to
           Christ
           ,
           I
           would
           advise
           you
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           be
           much
           in
           communion
           with
           him
           ;
           the
           nearer
           you
           are
           to
           the
           Sun
           ,
           the
           more
           heat
           you
           will
           have
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Be
           diligent
           ,
           and
           active
           ,
           and
           vigorous
           in
           the
           performance
           of
           every
           duty
           ,
           clothe
           your selves
           well
           with
           the
           constant
           performance
           of
           
           duty
           ;
           tender
           bodies
           ,
           delicate
           persons
           ,
           if
           they
           leave
           off
           a
           Garment
           ,
           are
           very
           apt
           to
           catch
           cold
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           will
           be
           with
           us
           if
           we
           neglect
           the
           constant
           performance
           of
           duty
           ;
           the
           neglect
           of
           praying
           morning
           and
           evening
           ,
           the
           neglect
           of
           praying
           constantly
           in
           your
           Closets
           ,
           the
           neglect
           of
           hearing
           Sermons
           ,
           the
           neglect
           of
           the
           due
           observation
           of
           the
           Sabbath
           ,
           in
           the
           neglect
           of
           these
           things
           you
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           get
           cold
           ;
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           enough
           barely
           to
           attend
           these
           duties
           (
           which
           is
           too
           common
           a
           folly
           and
           sin
           )
           but
           there
           is
           one
           thing
           more
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           you
           have
           been
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           your
           love
           ,
           and
           in
           communion
           with
           Christ
           ,
           when
           you
           have
           warmed
           your selves
           in
           your
           Closets
           ,
           or
           at
           an
           Ordinance
           ,
           go
           not
           too
           soon
           into
           the
           world
           ;
           this
           
           care
           we
           do
           usually
           take
           for
           our
           bodies
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           warm
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           hot
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           presently
           expose
           our selves
           to
           the
           cold
           ;
           and
           thus
           we
           should
           do
           in
           reference
           to
           our
           souls
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           been
           at
           an
           Ordinance
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           warmed
           and
           heated
           there
           ,
           we
           should
           not
           too
           soon
           adventure
           abroad
           into
           the
           world
           ;
           this
           hath
           done
           a
           world
           of
           mischief
           ,
           and
           persons
           have
           thereby
           cool'd
           and
           dampt
           their
           love
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           one
           thing
           more
           :
           When
           you
           meet
           together
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           quench-coals
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           not
           to
           abate
           the
           love
           and
           zeal
           one
           of
           another
           ,
           but
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           exhorts
           ,
           
             Heb.
             10.
             24
             ,
             )
             Consider
             one
             another
          
           ;
           What
           to
           do
           ?
           
             to
             provoke
             unto
             love
             and
             to
             good
             works
             ,
          
           love
           to
           God
           ,
           love
           to
           Christ
           ,
           love
           one
           to
           
           another
           ,
           love
           to
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           God
           :
           When
           you
           meet
           together
           ,
           do
           not
           meet
           together
           (
           I
           say
           )
           to
           cool
           one
           another
           ,
           but
           meet
           as
           so
           many
           live-coals
           ,
           that
           will
           kindle
           and
           enliven
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           make
           the
           greater
           heat
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           warm
           your selves
           ,
           and
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           so
           keep
           your
           hearts
           and
           affections
           continually
           warm
           for
           God.
           
        
         
           Vse
           .
           2.
           
           I
           have
           yet
           a
           word
           to
           another
           sort
           of
           people
           by
           way
           of
           Application
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           such
           as
           have
           never
           yet
           tasted
           of
           the
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           nor
           never
           yet
           have
           found
           any
           love
           to
           Christ
           in
           their
           souls
           ;
           I
           hope
           there
           are
           ,
           or
           may
           be
           none
           ,
           or
           few
           such
           here
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           shall
           speak
           but
           little
           to
           this
           ;
           if
           there
           should
           be
           any
           such
           here
           ,
           or
           
           any
           of
           yours
           at
           home
           should
           be
           such
           ,
           their
           case
           is
           as
           bad
           as
           that
           of
           Cain
           or
           Judas
           .
           If
           they
           have
           yet
           no
           love
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           Christ
           ,
           I
           tell
           them
           that
           are
           here
           ,
           and
           do
           you
           that
           are
           here
           tell
           them
           that
           are
           at
           home
           ,
           that
           they
           must
           never
           content
           themselves
           without
           it
           any
           longer
           ,
           without
           which
           they
           can
           never
           be
           able
           to
           say
           ,
           truly
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           God
           loves
           them
           :
           for
           if
           they
           hate
           Christ
           ,
           Christ
           will
           hate
           them
           ,
           and
           set
           himself
           against
           them
           ;
           yea
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           curse
           gone
           out
           ,
           and
           pronounced
           against
           them
           already
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             16.
             22
             ,
             If
             any
             man
          
           (
           says
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             love
             not
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             let
             him
             be
             Anathema
             Maranatha
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           you
           that
           are
           such
           as
           I
           am
           now
           speaking
           to
           ,
           be
           you
           perswaded
           from
           henceforth
           to
           love
           Christ
           ,
           and
           in
           order
           thereto
           ,
           wait
           
           upon
           the
           means
           of
           grace
           ,
           where
           God
           hath
           promised
           to
           shew
           forth
           his
           love
           ,
           and
           to
           inkindle
           it
           ,
           and
           inflame
           their
           hearts
           with
           a
           greater
           and
           higher
           love
           to
           himself
           .
           In
           Job
           22.
           21
           ,
           says
           Eliphas
           to
           
             Job
             ,
             Acquaint
             thy self
             with
             him
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           with
           God
           ,
           
             and
             be
             at
             peace
             :
             thereby
             good
             shall
             come
             unto
             thee
             .
          
           And
           this
           brings
           me
           now
           at
           last
           (
           though
           I
           have
           staid
           long
           from
           it
           )
           to
           the
           second
           Observation
           from
           the
           Text
           ,
           wherein
           lies
           much
           comfort
           for
           poor
           souls
           ,
           though
           you
           have
           had
           hitherto
           but
           a
           little
           light
           and
           love
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           but
           little
           love
           to
           God
           ;
           And
           that
           is
           ,
        
         
           Doct.
           2.
           
           That
           they
           that
           seek
           the
           Lord
           early
           ,
           shall
           certainly
           find
           him
           ,
           and
           shall
           find
           him
           a
           God
           full
           of
           grace
           and
           mercy
           ,
           and
           shall
           certainly
           
           enjoy
           him
           eternally
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           Our
           
             deceased
             Friend
          
           (
           that
           precious
           Saint
           of
           God
           that
           is
           gone
           before
           us
           )
           having
           found
           the
           benefit
           of
           an
           early
           seeking
           after
           God
           and
           Christ
           in
           the
           way
           of
           his
           Ordinances
           ,
           desired
           that
           her
           nearest
           Friends
           ,
           Relations
           ,
           and
           Children
           ,
           might
           be
           (
           and
           indeed
           by
           chusing
           this
           Text
           doth
           advise
           us
           all
           to
           be
           )
           
             a
             Generation
             of
             Seekers
          
           ;
           and
           oh
           that
           God
           would
           make
           every
           one
           of
           us
           such
           ,
           as
           may
           
             seek
             thy
             face
             ,
             O
             Jacob
             ,
          
           O
           God
           of
           Jacob
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           may
           seek
           after
           Jesus
           Christ
           :
           This
           is
           the
           work
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           well
           for
           us
           that
           Jesus
           Christ
           came
           into
           the
           world
           to
           seek
           and
           to
           save
           that
           which
           was
           lost
           ,
           and
           to
           put
           this
           great
           advantage
           into
           our
           hands
           ,
           that
           we
           could
           never
           have
           had
           
           without
           him
           .
           In
           Matt.
           7.
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           Christ
           exhorts
           us
           ,
           
             Ask
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
             be
             given
             you
             :
             seek
             ,
             and
             ye
             shall
             find
             :
             knock
             ,
             and
             it
             shall
             be
             opened
             unto
             you
             .
             For
             every
             one
             that
             asketh
             ,
             receiveth
             :
             and
             he
             that
             seeketh
             ,
             findeth
             :
             and
             to
             him
             that
             knocketh
             ,
             it
             shall
             be
             opened
             .
          
        
         
           Under
           the
           Covenant
           of
           works
           you
           might
           seek
           ,
           and
           seek
           ,
           till
           your
           eyes
           sunk
           into
           the
           holes
           of
           your
           heads
           ,
           and
           never
           have
           found
           Christ
           nor
           God
           ;
           but
           now
           he
           tell
           us
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           come
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           that
           if
           we
           seek
           him
           with
           our
           whole
           hearts
           ,
           in
           the
           way
           of
           his
           Ordinances
           and
           appointments
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           him
           ;
           and
           that
           if
           we
           knock
           there
           ,
           it
           shall
           be
           opened
           unto
           us
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           prosecution
           of
           this
           Observation
           ,
           I
           shall
           only
           speak
           to
           these
           three
           things
           .
        
         
         
           1.
           
           First
           of
           all
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           ,
           That
           man
           is
           born
           in
           a
           natural
           estrangement
           from
           God
           ,
           every
           man
           ,
           every
           individual
           person
           ,
           every
           Mothers
           Child
           is
           brought
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           naturally
           estranged
           from
           God.
           In
           
             Psal.
             58.
             3
             ,
             The
             wicked
             are
             estranged
             from
             the
             womb
             ,
             they
             go
             astray
             as
             soon
             as
             they
             be
             born
             ,
             speaking
             lies
             .
          
           There
           is
           the
           very
           Character
           and
           Picture
           of
           a
           man
           in
           a
           natural
           state
           ,
           he
           is
           born
           with
           his
           back
           upon
           God
           ,
           and
           going
           with
           his
           face
           towards
           Hell
           ;
           before
           he
           can
           walk
           with
           men
           ,
           he
           can
           run
           away
           from
           God.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           ,
           That
           they
           that
           would
           escape
           that
           sin
           and
           misery
           that
           attend
           this
           estate
           of
           estrangement
           from
           God
           ,
           must
           seek
           him
           early
           ;
           for
           they
           are
           in
           the
           Regions
           of
           darkness
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           state
           of
           sin
           
           and
           misery
           (
           as
           the
           Apostle
           expresses
           it
           ,
           
             Ephes.
             2.
             12
             ,
             )
             Being
             without
             Christ
             ,
             aliens
             form
             the
             common-wealth
             of
             Israel
             ,
             strangers
             from
             the
             covenant
             of
             promise
             ,
             having
             no
             hope
             and
             without
             God
             in
             the
             world
             .
          
           And
           the
           Apostle
           speaking
           of
           such
           ,
           so
           living
           ,
           and
           so
           dying
           ,
           in
           2
           
             Thes.
             1.
          
           9
           ,
           says
           ,
           
             Who
             shall
             be
             punished
             with
             everlasting
             destruction
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Lord
             ▪
             and
             from
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             power
             .
          
           And
           there
           is
           no
           way
           to
           escape
           this
           ,
           but
           by
           seeking
           early
           after
           God
           ,
           by
           seeking
           early
           after
           Jesus
           Christ.
           And
           this
           is
           that
           which
           I
           shall
           now
           speak
           to
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           Prophet
           
             Isa.
             55.
             6
             ,
             7
          
           ,
           offers
           to
           us
           in
           the
           like
           terms
           .
           
             Seek
             ye
             the
             Lord
             while
             he
             may
             be
             found
             ;
             call
             ye
             upon
             him
             while
             he
             is
             near
             .
             Now
             is
             the
             accepted
             time
             ,
             now
             is
             the
             day
             of
             salvation
             ,
             2
             Cor.
          
           6.
           2
           ,
           
           You
           cannot
           tell
           how
           soon
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           seek
           ,
           and
           God
           will
           not
           be
           found
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           call
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           not
           answer
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           knock
           ,
           and
           yet
           it
           shall
           not
           be
           opened
           to
           you
           :
           for
           I
           tell
           you
           ,
           (
           yea
           ,
           Christ
           himself
           tells
           you
           )
           
             Luke
             13.
             24
             ,
             That
             many
             shall
             seek
             to
             enter
             in
             ,
             and
             shall
             not
             be
             able
             :
          
           and
           it
           must
           be
           ,
           and
           is
           spoken
           of
           such
           kind
           of
           persons
           as
           we
           be
           ,
           of
           persons
           that
           make
           a
           high
           profession
           ,
           that
           injoy
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           God
           ;
           
             Mat.
             7.
             22
             ,
             23.
             
             Many
          
           (
           says
           Christ
           )
           
             will
             say
             to
             me
             in
             that
             day
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             have
             we
             not
             prophesied
             in
             thy
             name
             ?
             and
             in
             thy
             name
             have
             cast
             out
             Devils
             ?
             and
             in
             thy
             name
             done
             many
             wonderful
             works
             ?
             And
             then
             will
             I
             profess
             unto
             them
             ,
             I
             never
             knew
             you
             :
             depart
             from
             me
             ye
             that
             work
             iniquity
             .
          
           Now
           is
           the
           time
           of
           your
           seeking
           .
           
           And
           because
           there
           is
           the
           greatest
           Emphasis
           intended
           in
           this
           term
           early
           ,
           early
           seeking
           after
           God
           ,
           I
           shall
           wave
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           and
           apply
           my self
           to
           a
           timous
           ,
           to
           an
           early
           seeking
           after
           God
           ,
           if
           God
           shall
           give
           us
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           Swallow
           ,
           the
           Turtle
           ,
           the
           Stork
           and
           the
           Crane
           ,
           Jer.
           8.
           7
           ,
           to
           let
           us
           know
           our
           season
           ,
           and
           the
           things
           that
           belong
           to
           our
           peace
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           reference
           to
           this
           ,
           I
           should
           have
           thought
           it
           most
           proper
           for
           me
           to
           have
           spoken
           more
           largely
           to
           five
           or
           six
           particulars
           ;
           but
           the
           time
           will
           not
           give
           me
           leave
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           shall
           but
           only
           name
           them
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           should
           have
           shewed
           you
           ,
           what
           it
           is
           to
           seek
           ,
           what
           is
           meant
           by
           the
           act
           of
           seeking
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           What
           it
           is
           to
           seek
           God
           ,
           considering
           the
           act
           with
           the
           object
           ,
           
           what
           it
           is
           to
           seek
           Christ
           :
           And
           that
           under
           these
           Four
           Heads
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           seek
           the
           Lord
           ,
           is
           to
           seek
           an
           acquaintance
           with
           God
           ,
           to
           seek
           after
           the
           knowledg
           of
           Christ
           :
           this
           we
           should
           do
           early
           ;
           and
           because
           we
           cannot
           do
           it
           more
           early
           ,
           we
           should
           do
           it
           now
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           our
           great
           concern
           to
           get
           an
           acquaintance
           with
           God
           ;
           we
           should
           seek
           now
           to
           know
           God
           and
           Christ
           ;
           this
           is
           of
           so
           great
           weight
           ,
           that
           Christ
           himself
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Joh.
             17.
             3
             ,
             This
             is
             life
             eternal
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             know
             thee
             the
             only
             true
             God
             ,
             and
             Jesus
             Christ
             whom
             thou
             hast
             sent
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           seek
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           seek
           reconciliation
           with
           God
           :
           for
           there
           is
           enmity
           and
           hostility
           between
           God
           and
           us
           poor
           sinful
           wretches
           ;
           every
           one
           of
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           sinners
           by
           nature
           and
           by
           practice
           ,
           ought
           to
           seek
           
           
             reconciliation
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             an
             interest
             in
             Christ
             ,
             aud
             to
             make
             him
             our
             Friend
             ;
             and
             for
             this
             we
             are
             Ambassadors
             ;
             the
             whole
             Gospel
             serves
             for
             this
             end
             ;
             it
             is
             the
             Ministry
             of
             reconciliation
             .
          
           2
           Cor.
           5.
           18
           ,
           19
           ,
           20
           ,
           All
           things
           are
           of
           God
           ,
           
             (
             says
             the
             Apostle
          
           )
           who
           hath
           reconciled
           us
           to
           himself
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           hath
           given
           to
           us
           the
           ministry
           of
           reconciliation
           ;
           To
           wit
           ,
           that
           God
           was
           in
           Christ
           ,
           reconciling
           the
           world
           unto
           himself
           ,
           not
           imputing
           their
           trespasses
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           hath
           committed
           unto
           us
           the
           word
           of
           reconciliation
           .
           Now
           then
           ,
           we
           are
           Ambassadors
           for
           Christ
           ,
           as
           though
           God
           did
           beseech
           you
           by
           us
           ;
           we
           pray
           you
           in
           Christs
           stead
           ,
           be
           ye
           reconciled
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           To
           seek
           the
           Lord
           ,
           is
           to
           seek
           communion
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           seek
           communion
           with
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           to
           
           seek
           him
           in
           his
           Ordinances
           ,
           in
           his
           publick
           Ordinances
           ,
           Institutions
           ,
           and
           Appointments
           ;
           to
           seek
           him
           in
           our
           private
           duties
           ,
           in
           our
           closets
           ,
           to
           have
           close
           communion
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           Christ
           there
           :
           
             If
             any
             man
             love
             me
             ,
             he
             will
             keep
             my
             words
             :
             and
             my
             Father
             will
             love
             him
             ,
             and
             we
             will
             come
             unto
             him
             ,
             and
             make
             our
             abode
             with
             him
          
           (
           says
           Christ
           )
           ,
           Joh.
           14.
           23.
           
           So
           that
           it
           is
           a
           duty
           that
           lies
           on
           us
           to
           seek
           God
           more
           in
           secret
           duties
           ,
           and
           more
           in
           publick
           Ordinances
           night
           and
           day
           ,
           wherever
           we
           be
           ,
           to
           have
           further
           rnd
           more
           intimate
           acquaintance
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           a
           more
           clear
           interest
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           more
           intimate
           communion
           with
           him
           :
           
             By
             night
             on
             my
             bed
          
           ,
           says
           the
           Spouse
           ,
           
             Cant.
             3.
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             I
             sought
             him
             whom
             my
             soul
             loveth
             ,
             I
             sought
             
             him
          
           (
           on
           her
           bed
           ,
           but
           that
           perhaps
           may
           be
           drowsily
           ,
           it
           was
           a
           kind
           of
           drowsie
           seeking
           )
           
             and
             I
             found
             him
             not
          
           .
           What
           then
           ?
           
             I
             will
             rise
             now
             and
             go
             about
             the
             City
             in
             the
             streets
             ▪
             and
             in
             the
             broad
             ways
             I
             will
             seek
             him
             whom
             my
             soul
             loveth
             :
             I
             sought
             him
             ,
             but
             I
             found
             him
             not
             :
             The
             watch-men
             that
             go
             about
             the
             City
             ,
             found
             me
             :
             to
             whom
             I
             said
             ▪
             Saw
             ye
             him
             whom
             my
             soul
             loveth
             ?
             It
             was
             but
             a
             little
             that
             I
             passed
             from
             them
             ,
             but
             I
             found
             him
             whom
             my
             soul
             loveth
             :
             I
             held
             him
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             let
             him
             go
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           Thus
           should
           we
           seek
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           thus
           should
           we
           seek
           communion
           and
           fellowship
           with
           him
           .
           And
           in
           Cant.
           1.
           7.
           
           She
           thus
           bespeaks
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           
             Tell
             me
             ,
             O
             thou
             whom
             my
             soul
             loveth
             ,
             where
             thou
             feedest
             ,
             where
             thou
             makest
             thy
             flock
             to
             rest
             at
             noon
             :
             for
             why
             
             should
             I
             be
             as
             one
             that
             turneth
             aside
             by
             the
             flocks
             of
             thy
             companions
             ?
          
           And
           this
           Scripture
           I
           mention
           the
           rather
           ,
           because
           I
           now
           it
           was
           much
           the
           spirit
           of
           our
           
             deceased
             Friend
          
           ,
           that
           precious
           Saint
           now
           with
           God
           ,
           who
           did
           seek
           Jesus
           Christ
           in
           pure
           Ordinances
           ,
           and
           desired
           to
           wait
           for
           him
           in
           the
           most
           uncorrupt
           ,
           and
           purest
           ways
           of
           Communion
           ;
           for
           which
           she
           had
           a
           great
           zeal
           ,
           to
           my
           certain
           knowledg
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           Lastly
           ,
           To
           seek
           the
           Lord
           ,
           is
           to
           seek
           the
           eternal
           injoyment
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           as
           that
           we
           may
           injoy
           him
           in
           his
           glory
           ,
           setting
           our
           faces
           heavenward
           ,
           as
           in
           
             Jer.
             50.
             4
          
           ,
           5
           ,
           It
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Children
           of
           Israel
           ,
           and
           the
           Children
           of
           Judah
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           come
           together
           ,
           going
           ,
           and
           weeping
           ;
           that
           they
           shall
           
           go
           and
           seek
           the
           Lord
           their
           God.
           And
           that
           
             they
             shall
             ask
             the
             way
             to
             Zion
             ,
             with
             their
             faces
             thitherward
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           They
           did
           not
           only
           look
           ,
           but
           they
           went
           ;
           they
           did
           not
           look
           one
           way
           and
           go
           another
           ,
           but
           they
           looked
           ,
           and
           went
           where
           they
           might
           find
           God
           ;
           for
           they
           said
           ,
           
             come
             ,
             and
             let
             us
             joyn
             our selves
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             in
             a
             perpetual
             covenant
             that
             shall
             not
             be
             forgotten
             .
          
           I
           should
           have
           also
           shewn
           you
        
         
           3.
           
           Where
           you
           should
           seek
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           How
           you
           should
           seek
           him
           .
           And
           then
        
         
           5.
           
           Why
           you
           should
           seek
           him
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           time
           constrains
           me
           to
           retire
           to
           that
           one
           single
           term
           (
           early
           )
           to
           that
           circumstance
           of
           time
           ,
           because
           in
           it
           lies
           the
           greatest
           Emphasis
           (
           as
           I
           said
           before
           )
           and
           may
           be
           of
           
           great
           use
           to
           us
           at
           this
           day
           :
           and
           here
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           ,
           what
           is
           intended
           by
           early
           seeking
           of
           God.
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           those
           that
           have
           lived
           longest
           ,
           are
           most
           concerned
           herein
           ;
           the
           youngest
           ,
           yea
           ,
           every
           one
           of
           us
           should
           account
           it
           our
           greatest
           concern
           ,
           early
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord.
           But
           what
           is
           it
           that
           is
           intended
           by
           this
           expression
           ,
           early
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord
           ?
           This
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           in
           Three
           particulars
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           seems
           to
           have
           reference
           unto
           a
           day
           of
           Gods
           severe
           dispensations
           ,
           when
           he
           goes
           forth
           to
           correct
           the
           Nations
           ,
           to
           afflict
           Families
           ,
           and
           persons
           ;
           there
           is
           such
           a
           day
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           our
           duty
           so
           it
           should
           be
           our
           wisdom
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord
           early
           ,
           before
           he
           kills
           and
           destroys
           us
           ,
           before
           he
           makes
           an
           utter
           
           end
           by
           the
           severity
           of
           his
           stroke
           .
           In
           Zeph.
           2.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           says
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           
             Gather
             together
             ,
             O
             nation
             not
             desired
             .
             Before
             the
             decree
             bring
             forth
             ,
             before
             the
             day
             pass
             as
             the
             chaff
             ,
             before
             the
             fierce
             anger
             of
             the
             Lord
             come
             upon
             you
             ,
          
           &c.
           
             seek
             ye
             the
             LORD
             ,
             all
             ye
             meek
             of
             the
             earth
             ,
             seek
             righteousness
             ,
             seek
             meekness
             ,
             it
             may
             be
             ye
             shall
             be
             hid
             in
             the
             day
             of
             the
             LORD's
             anger
             .
          
           And
           in
           this
           sense
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           most
           seasonable
           word
           that
           I
           could
           have
           offered
           you
           in
           such
           a
           day
           as
           this
           is
           ,
           when
           God
           is
           gone
           forth
           to
           contend
           with
           the
           Nations
           ;
           we
           hear
           of
           much
           sickness
           and
           death
           both
           in
           City
           and
           Country
           ;
           God
           is
           shaking
           his
           Rod
           ,
           now
           therefore
           it
           is
           time
           early
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord
           :
           It
           is
           a
           hard
           matter
           for
           a
           man
           that
           is
           secure
           ,
           to
           be
           awakened
           though
           the
           rod
           be
           coming
           
           upon
           him
           ,
           though
           the
           Lion
           roar
           ,
           though
           judgments
           are
           breaking
           in
           upon
           us
           ;
           as
           long
           as
           we
           can
           tell
           what
           shift
           to
           make
           ,
           (
           with
           the
           Prodigal
           Son
           )
           we
           never
           think
           of
           returning
           to
           our
           Fathers
           House
           ,
           we
           never
           think
           of
           seeking
           unto
           God.
           2
           Sam.
           14.
           29
           ,
           30
           ,
           31
           ,
           32
           ,
           When
           Absalom
           set
           Joabs
           Corn
           on
           fire
           ,
           he
           then
           made
           haste
           to
           come
           to
           him
           .
           And
           thus
           it
           is
           with
           us
           ,
           we
           will
           not
           seek
           after
           God
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           set
           our
           Houses
           on
           fire
           ,
           our
           bodies
           with
           burning
           Fevers
           ;
           when
           he
           comes
           ,
           and
           consumes
           ,
           and
           scorches
           our
           comforts
           ,
           then
           it
           may
           be
           we
           make
           haste
           ,
           and
           seek
           after
           him
           .
           In
           
             Isa.
             26.
             16
             ,
             LORD
          
           ,
           (
           says
           the
           Prophet
           )
           
             in
             trouble
             have
             they
             visited
             thee
             :
             they
             poured
             out
             a
             prayer
             ,
             when
             thy
             chastening
             was
             upon
             them
             .
          
           And
           so
           in
           
             Hos.
             5.
             15
             ,
             In
             their
             affliction
             
             they
             will
             seek
             me
             early
             ,
          
           says
           the
           Lord
           by
           the
           Prophet
           .
           
             When
             they
             saw
             their
             sickness
             ,
             and
             their
             wound
             ,
             they
             sought
             other
             means
             :
          
           when
           none
           would
           do
           ,
           and
           their
           case
           was
           desperate
           ,
           they
           will
           then
           plead
           guilty
           ,
           acknowledg
           their
           offence
           ,
           and
           seek
           my
           face
           .
           
             In
             their
             affliction
             they
             will
             seek
             me
             early
             .
          
           And
           so
           likewise
           in
           
             Psal.
             78.
             34
             ,
             When
             he
             slew
             them
             ,
             then
             they
             sought
             him
             ,
             and
             they
             returned
             ,
             and
             enquired
             early
             after
             God
          
           ;
           Here
           were
           a
           people
           (
           methinks
           )
           much
           of
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           people
           of
           England
           ;
           when
           he
           slew
           them
           ,
           then
           they
           sought
           him
           ,
           and
           they
           returned
           ,
           and
           enquired
           early
           after
           God
           ;
           early
           ,
           that
           is
           in
           respect
           of
           themselves
           ,
           though
           too
           late
           in
           respect
           of
           others
           that
           were
           already
           consumed
           and
           destroyed
           ;
           early
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           before
           they
           themselves
           
           were
           destroyed
           :
           though
           it
           was
           not
           early
           absolutely
           ,
           yet
           comparatively
           so
           ;
           though
           it
           was
           late
           ,
           yet
           the
           Lord
           accounts
           it
           for
           an
           early
           seeking
           .
        
         
           But
           2dly
           ,
           To
           enquire
           and
           seek
           early
           after
           God
           ,
           may
           have
           respect
           to
           the
           morning
           of
           every
           day
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           duty
           lies
           thus
           upon
           us
           ,
           
             They
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             shall
             find
             me
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           we
           seek
           God
           in
           the
           morning
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           him
           all
           the
           day
           long
           with
           us
           .
           
             Early
             in
             the
             morning
          
           (
           says
           
             David
             )
             will
             I
             direct
             my
             prayer
             unto
             thee
             ,
             and
             will
             look
             up
             .
          
           And
           in
           another
           place
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             I
             prevented
             the
             dawning
             of
             the
             morning
             .
          
           And
           if
           we
           would
           learn
           this
           lesson
           this
           day
           ,
           and
           constantly
           practice
           it
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           greater
           advantages
           thereby
           ,
           than
           we
           are
           aware
           of
           .
           The
           Poets
           
           say
           ,
           That
           
             Aurora
             Musis
             amica
          
           ,
           the
           morning
           is
           a
           friend
           to
           the
           Muses
           ;
           and
           doubtless
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           will
           find
           the
           morning
           as
           much
           a
           friend
           to
           their
           Graces
           ,
           as
           the
           Poets
           did
           to
           the
           Muses
           .
           
             When
             I
             awake
          
           ,
           says
           David
           ,
           Psal.
           139.
           18
           ,
           
             I
             am
             still
             with
             thee
          
           ;
           when
           I
           awake
           ,
           I
           season
           my self
           with
           the
           thoughts
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           In
           the
           3d
           place
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           doubtless
           is
           most
           properly
           to
           be
           understood
           ,
           and
           is
           especially
           intended
           here
           is
           ,
           as
           it
           hath
           respect
           to
           the
           day
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           and
           the
           morning-part
           of
           that
           day
           .
           Now
           then
           ,
           you
           that
           are
           young
           ,
           awake
           betimes
           ,
           improve
           your
           morning
           ,
           make
           use
           of
           it
           before
           it
           pass
           away
           ;
           consider
           seriously
           your
           follies
           and
           neglects
           ,
           what
           they
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           be
           ashamed
           :
           It
           is
           well
           for
           
           you
           that
           you
           are
           in
           the
           morning
           of
           your
           day
           ;
           look
           out
           therefore
           early
           after
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           study
           to
           know
           God
           betimes
           ,
           study
           to
           know
           Jesus
           Christ
           while
           you
           be
           young
           .
           In
           Matt.
           6.
           33
           ,
           The
           Lord
           Jesus
           exhorts
           to
           
             seek
             first
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             righteousness
          
           ;
           and
           doubtless
           he
           there
           intends
           this
           ,
           namely
           ,
           seeking
           after
           God
           and
           his
           Kingdom
           in
           youth
           ;
           do
           not
           first
           seek
           your
           pleasures
           ,
           do
           not
           first
           seek
           to
           fulfill
           your
           lusts
           and
           vain
           delights
           ,
           and
           think
           it
           will
           be
           time
           enough
           to
           seek
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God
           afterwards
           :
           No
           ,
           you
           ought
           to
           seek
           that
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           before
           ,
           and
           above
           all
           other
           things
           whatsoever
           .
           It
           is
           a
           Maxime
           of
           Hell
           ,
           
             Quaerenda
             pecunia
             primum
             ,
             virtus
             post
             nummos
             ,
          
           (
           but
           the
           Sons
           and
           Daughters
           of
           men
           are
           too
           apt
           to
           
           take
           it
           up
           ;
           yea
           ,
           it
           is
           their
           rule
           they
           walk
           by
           )
           first
           to
           get
           an
           estate
           ,
           and
           to
           grow
           rich
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           have
           done
           that
           ,
           then
           (
           if
           they
           can
           find
           leisure
           )
           to
           serve
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           seek
           after
           Christ.
           But
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           good
           to
           begin
           betimes
           ,
           and
           so
           did
           this
           
             servant
             of
             God
          
           that
           is
           gone
           to
           Heaven
           before
           us
           ;
           she
           began
           betimes
           to
           seek
           after
           Christ
           ,
           and
           hath
           left
           upon
           record
           her
           early
           enquiries
           after
           the
           ways
           of
           God
           ,
           after
           the
           knowledg
           of
           Christ
           :
           And
           oh
           what
           an
           honour
           is
           it
           to
           be
           like
           Obadiah
           ?
           who
           says
           of
           himself
           ,
           1
           
             Kings
             18.
             12
             ,
             That
             he
             feared
             the
             Lord
             from
             his
             youth
             .
          
           Children
           ,
           hear
           me
           ,
           possibly
           I
           may
           never
           speak
           to
           you
           more
           ;
           Do
           you
           ,
           as
           Obadiah
           did
           ,
           fear
           the
           Lord
           from
           your
           youth
           .
           Do
           as
           Timothy
           did
           ,
           in
           your
           childhood
           ;
           hear
           this
           Children
           ,
           
           your
           souls
           are
           precious
           and
           immortal
           ,
           2
           Tim.
           3.
           15
           ,
           It
           is
           here
           said
           of
           him
           ,
           that
           from
           a
           Child
           ,
           he
           had
           known
           the
           Holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           which
           were
           able
           to
           make
           him
           wise
           to
           salvation
           :
           Oh
           let
           it
           be
           truly
           so
           said
           of
           you
           .
        
         
           Vse
           1.
           
           Of
           Information
           .
           The
           folly
           and
           inadvertency
           of
           the
           most
           of
           the
           Sons
           and
           Daughters
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           seek
           the
           world
           ,
           serve
           their
           lusts
           ,
           pursue
           lying
           vanities
           ,
           and
           forget
           God
           ,
           and
           seek
           him
           not
           .
           Oh
           what
           cause
           have
           we
           to
           complain
           of
           Children
           ,
           of
           Parents
           ,
           and
           Masters
           of
           Families
           ,
           how
           little
           care
           there
           is
           among
           any
           of
           an
           early
           seeking
           after
           Christ
           ?
           Parents
           (
           generally
           )
           teach
           their
           Children
           to
           seek
           pride
           ,
           to
           seek
           the
           lusts
           and
           pleasures
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           their
           carnal
           delights
           :
           
           But
           who
           is
           there
           that
           goe●
           forth
           early
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord
           ?
        
         
           We
           can
           rise
           early
           for
           the
           world
           ,
           go
           from
           Mountain
           to
           Hill
           to
           seek
           after
           the
           Profits
           thereof
           .
           Isa.
           5.
           11
           ,
           The
           Drunkard
           will
           rise
           early
           that
           he
           may
           follow
           strong
           drink
           ;
           the
           Thief
           watches
           the
           twilight
           ,
           but
           none
           seek
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           
             Vse
             2.
             
             Exhort
          
           .
           To
           those
           that
           have
           sought
           the
           Lord
           while
           they
           were
           young
           ,
           and
           do
           yet
           continue
           to
           seek
           him
           ,
           I
           have
           a
           word
           or
           two
           to
           you
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           first
           is
           ,
           to
           advise
           you
           to
           admire
           (
           exceedingly
           to
           admire
           )
           the
           goodnefs
           of
           God
           to
           you
           ,
           in
           that
           he
           ever
           gave
           you
           hearts
           to
           seek
           him
           :
           Oh
           wonderful
           grace
           ,
           that
           you
           that
           were
           born
           at
           the
           same
           time
           with
           others
           ,
           have
           sate
           under
           
           the
           same
           means
           with
           them
           that
           never
           yet
           have
           lookt
           towards
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           their
           souls
           are
           now
           perhaps
           dropt
           into
           Hell.
           Oh
           (
           I
           say
           )
           admire
           ,
           exceedingly
           admire
           ,
           that
           God
           gave
           you
           ,
           and
           not
           them
           ,
           an
           heart
           to
           seek
           after
           him
           ,
           to
           mind
           Christ
           ,
           and
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           concern
           of
           your
           souls
           ;
           and
           surely
           you
           cannot
           but
           admire
           it
           ,
           if
           you
           consider
           how
           little
           of
           man
           there
           was
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           how
           much
           of
           man
           there
           was
           against
           it
           .
           When
           did
           ever
           a
           straying
           Sheep
           seek
           the
           Shepherd
           ?
           When
           ever
           did
           the
           wild-Goats
           look
           after
           one
           to
           lead
           them
           ?
           If
           Jesus
           Christ
           had
           not
           found
           you
           first
           ,
           you
           would
           never
           have
           sought
           after
           him
           ;
           if
           he
           had
           not
           found
           you
           ,
           you
           would
           ,
           or
           could
           never
           have
           found
           him
           ;
           if
           he
           had
           not
           took
           hold
           of
           your
           hearts
           ,
           it
           had
           
           been
           impossible
           for
           you
           to
           lay
           hold
           on
           him
           :
           It
           is
           utterly
           impossible
           for
           any
           man
           in
           his
           natural
           estate
           and
           condition
           ,
           to
           seek
           after
           Jesus
           Christ
           ;
           this
           is
           a
           work
           that
           never
           will
           or
           can
           be
           done
           ,
           unless
           God
           give
           a
           new
           heart
           ,
           and
           a
           new
           spirit
           ;
           there
           wants
           something
           within
           to
           promote
           and
           effect
           this
           work
           ,
           which
           God
           only
           can
           ,
           and
           must
           give
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           You
           that
           have
           so
           done
           ,
           you
           that
           have
           sought
           the
           Lord
           early
           ,
           I
           would
           advise
           you
           to
           go
           on
           ,
           and
           to
           persist
           in
           seeking
           Christ
           ;
           and
           as
           you
           go
           on
           ,
           forget
           not
           what
           sweet
           experiences
           you
           have
           had
           of
           the
           love
           and
           kindness
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           what
           discoveries
           of
           light
           and
           grace
           ,
           what
           comforts
           and
           revivings
           ,
           what
           refreshing
           joys
           and
           delights
           you
           have
           met
           with
           in
           your
           seeking
           of
           him
           ;
           these
           things
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           
           forgotten
           by
           you
           .
           And
           here
           I
           shall
           set
           before
           you
           the
           worthy
           example
           of
           a
           Knight
           of
           80
           years
           of
           age
           ,
           who
           two
           or
           three
           days
           before
           he
           dyed
           ,
           set
           a-part
           a
           day
           on
           purpose
           to
           call
           to
           mind
           the
           former
           experiences
           he
           had
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           what
           kind
           ,
           and
           how
           God
           had
           dealt
           with
           him
           in
           his
           waiting
           upon
           him
           in
           his
           Ordinances
           from
           time
           to
           time
           .
           And
           I
           am
           informed
           that
           this
           
             dear
             servant
          
           of
           God
           that
           is
           now
           gone
           ,
           hath
           left
           behind
           her
           a
           Diary
           written
           with
           her
           own
           hand
           ,
           what
           experiences
           she
           had
           of
           God
           in
           her
           waiting
           upon
           him
           in
           his
           Ordinances
           ;
           and
           how
           ,
           and
           what
           God
           had
           spoken
           to
           her
           ,
           and
           by
           what
           Ministers
           .
           And
           these
           examples
           are
           worthy
           both
           of
           your
           serious
           consideration
           ,
           and
           also
           excellent
           patterns
           for
           your
           imitation
           .
           But
        
         
         
           3.
           
           You
           that
           have
           so
           done
           ,
           you
           that
           have
           sought
           God
           and
           Christ
           early
           ,
           I
           would
           advise
           you
           to
           go
           on
           in
           seeking
           the
           Lord
           till
           you
           have
           found
           him
           in
           his
           glory
           :
           As
           you
           have
           in
           your
           seeking
           ,
           found
           him
           in
           a
           way
           of
           grace
           here
           ;
           so
           go
           on
           (
           I
           say
           )
           till
           you
           have
           found
           him
           in
           his
           glory
           hereafter
           ,
           what
           darkness
           and
           difficulties
           soever
           lye
           in
           the
           way
           of
           your
           waiting
           upon
           him
           in
           his
           Ordinances
           and
           appointments
           ;
           that
           you
           may
           be
           like
           the
           Church
           of
           Thyatira
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           may
           be
           truly
           said
           of
           you
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           said
           of
           that
           Church
           ;
           
             Rev.
             2.
             19
             ,
             I
             know
             thy
             works
             ,
             and
             charity
             ,
             and
             service
             ,
             and
             faith
             ,
             and
             thy
             patience
             ,
             and
             thy
             works
             ,
             and
             thy
             last
             to
             be
             more
             than
             the
             first
             .
          
           This
           Testimony
           Christ
           himself
           gives
           concerning
           this
           Church
           .
           The
           nearer
           you
           come
           to
           
           Christ
           ,
           and
           to
           enjoyment
           of
           him
           in
           glory
           ,
           the
           more
           haste
           you
           should
           make
           ;
           every
           thing
           in
           nature
           does
           so
           ;
           a
           Stone
           ,
           the
           nearer
           it
           comes
           to
           the
           center
           ,
           the
           swifter
           is
           its
           motion
           :
           And
           the
           Sun
           seems
           to
           move
           swiftest
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           near
           setting
           :
           Trees
           of
           Gods
           planting
           ,
           bring
           forth
           more
           fruit
           in
           old
           age
           .
           
             Psal.
             92.
             13
             ,
             14
             ,
             Those
             that
             are
             planted
             in
             the
             house
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             shall
             flourish
             in
             the
             Courts
             of
             our
             God.
             They
             shall
             still
             bring
             forth
             fruit
             in
             old
             age
             :
             they
             shall
             be
             fat
             and
             flourishing
             .
          
           See
           Isa.
           49.
           29
           ,
           30
           ,
           31.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           have
           a
           word
           of
           advice
           to
           them
           (
           if
           there
           be
           any
           such
           here
           )
           that
           are
           full
           of
           days
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           full
           of
           the
           world
           ;
           but
           empty
           ,
           very
           empty
           ,
           of
           the
           knowledg
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           have
           had
           little
           ,
           or
           it
           may
           be
           no
           acquaintaince
           at
           all
           
           with
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           nor
           did
           ever
           look
           after
           any
           .
           We
           may
           perhaps
           say
           ,
           as
           Job
           said
           ,
           
             Job
             12.
             12
             ,
             13
             ,
             With
             the
             ancient
             is
             wisdom
             ;
             and
             in
             length
             of
             days
             ,
             understanding
             .
             With
             him
             is
             wisdom
             and
             strength
             ,
             he
             hath
             counsel
             and
             understanding
             .
          
           But
           is
           it
           always
           so
           ?
           Is
           there
           wisdom
           and
           understanding
           always
           among
           the
           aged
           ?
           Be
           there
           not
           among
           them
           such
           ,
           as
           are
           like
           Ephraim
           ?
           of
           whom
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             Hos.
             7.
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             Gray
             hairs
             are
             here
             and
             there
             upon
             him
             ,
             yet
             he
             knoweth
             it
             not
             .
             And
             the
             pride
             of
             Israel
             testifieth
             to
             his
             face
             ,
             and
             they
             do
             not
             return
             to
             the
             Lord
             their
             God
             ,
             nor
             seek
             him
             for
             all
             this
             .
          
           They
           do
           not
           consider
           the
           grave
           ,
           whither
           they
           are
           going
           .
           Be
           there
           not
           careless
           men
           and
           women
           among
           us
           ,
           that
           do
           not
           yet
           look
           out
           after
           Christ
           ?
           that
           do
           not
           
           provide
           for
           the
           welfare
           of
           their
           souls
           ,
           but
           are
           
             cumbred
             about
             many
             things
          
           ,
           as
           Martha
           was
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           many
           aged
           men
           and
           aged
           women
           ,
           who
           have
           lived
           all
           their
           days
           pudling
           in
           ,
           and
           about
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           worldly
           concerns
           ,
           and
           have
           hitherto
           neglected
           
             the
             one
             thing
             necessary
             ,
             viz.
          
           seeking
           after
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           knowledg
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           get
           an
           interest
           in
           him
           .
           Do
           you
           not
           yet
           know
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           going
           to
           appear
           before
           the
           Judgment-seat
           of
           Christ
           ?
           And
           will
           you
           not
           yet
           come
           off
           from
           this
           world
           ,
           but
           the
           longer
           you
           live
           ,
           you
           will
           love
           the
           world
           so
           much
           the
           better
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           high
           time
           ,
           that
           something
           of
           the
           concernments
           of
           another
           world
           should
           interpose
           between
           your
           life
           and
           your
           death
           ?
           I
           shall
           offer
           you
           only
           two
           or
           three
           considerations
           in
           reference
           to
           this
           ,
        
         
         
           1.
           
           And
           first
           ,
           I
           would
           beseech
           you
           ,
           and
           perswade
           you
           ,
           as
           I
           would
           be
           perswaded
           my self
           ,
           That
           seeing
           you
           have
           hitherto
           neglected
           your
           souls
           ,
           your
           precious
           and
           immortal
           souls
           ,
           your
           spiritual
           (
           which
           are
           your
           greatest
           )
           concernments
           till
           now
           you
           are
           grown
           old
           ,
           I
           would
           perswade
           you
           ,
           yea
           ,
           even
           beseech
           you
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           now
           you
           have
           but
           a
           little
           time
           left
           to
           do
           your
           greatest
           work
           ;
           you
           have
           now
           but
           one
           hour
           .
           In
           Matt.
           20.
           6
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             Christ
             went
             out
             about
             the
             eleventh
             hour
             ,
          
           (
           when
           there
           was
           but
           one
           hour
           more
           to
           night
           )
           
             to
             hire
             labourers
             into
             his
             vineyard
             .
          
           So
           it
           is
           with
           you
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           eleventh
           hour
           ,
           your
           last
           hour
           .
           Besides
           ,
           have
           you
           no
           eyes
           ,
           no
           ears
           ,
           to
           see
           ,
           and
           hear
           ,
           that
           many
           dye
           dayly
           and
           weekly
           ?
           how
           many
           goodly
           plants
           ,
           
           (
           that
           God
           had
           planted
           in
           his
           own
           house
           )
           have
           of
           late
           been
           plucked
           up
           by
           the
           roots
           ,
           and
           laid
           in
           their
           Graves
           ?
           yea
           ,
           every
           day
           the
           death
           of
           young
           and
           old
           do
           ring
           a
           peal
           in
           our
           ears
           ,
           to
           awaken
           us
           to
           consider
           what
           is
           to
           come
           ;
           And
           will
           not
           Conscience
           it self
           (
           think
           you
           )
           ring
           a
           dreadful
           peal
           in
           our
           ears
           ,
           when
           we
           come
           to
           dye
           ,
           for
           that
           neither
           a
           voice
           from
           the
           Grave
           ,
           nor
           yet
           a
           voice
           from
           the
           Temple
           ,
           have
           yet
           prevailed
           with
           us
           to
           seek
           ,
           and
           secure
           to
           our selves
           an
           interest
           in
           God
           and
           in
           Christ
           ?
           Younger
           persons
           than
           our selves
           are
           often
           taken
           away
           ,
           and
           may
           we
           not
           thereby
           see
           and
           read
           that
           death
           it self
           is
           coming
           to
           teach
           us
           all
           to
           be
           prepared
           and
           in
           readiness
           for
           this
           our
           great
           change
           ?
           Death
           lies
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           in
           Ambuscado
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           
           men
           are
           taken
           away
           by
           it
           in
           the
           field
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           at
           home
           ,
           sometimes
           by
           this
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           by
           that
           disease
           ;
           but
           death
           comes
           to
           old
           age
           ,
           
             aperto
             marte
          
           ,
           in
           the
           plain
           and
           open
           field
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           ;
           and
           old
           men
           and
           old
           women
           cannot
           imagine
           that
           death
           is
           many
           days
           march
           from
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           they
           (
           of
           all
           persons
           )
           had
           need
           to
           seek
           after
           God
           ,
           and
           an
           interest
           in
           Christ
           night
           and
           day
           ;
           seek
           after
           this
           in
           your
           Houses
           ,
           in
           your
           Closets
           ,
           in
           your
           Beds
           ,
           in
           his
           Ordinances
           ;
           yea
           ,
           where-ever
           he
           is
           to
           be
           found
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           give
           over
           seeking
           ,
           till
           (
           with
           the
           Spouse
           before
           mentioned
           )
           you
           have
           found
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Consider
           how
           Christ
           calls
           on
           you
           in
           the
           Text.
           Read
           the
           begining
           of
           the
           Chapter
           ,
           
             Doth
             not
             wisdom
             cry
             ?
             and
             understanding
             put
             
             forth
             her
             voice
             ?
          
           vers
           .
           1.
           
           From
           whence
           ?
           
             She
             standeth
             in
             the
             top
             of
             high
             places
             ,
             by
             the
             way
             in
             the
             places
             of
             the
             paths
             ,
          
           vers
           .
           2.
           
           
             She
             cryeth
             at
             the
             gates
             ,
             at
             the
             entry
             of
             the
             city
             ,
             at
             the
             coming
             in
             at
             the
             doors
             ,
          
           vers
           .
           3.
           
           To
           whom
           doth
           she
           cry
           ?
           
             Vnto
             you
             ,
             O
             men
             ,
             I
             call
             ,
             and
             my
             voice
             is
             to
             the
             sons
             of
             men
             ,
          
           vers
           .
           4.
           
           What
           doth
           she
           call
           to
           them
           for
           ?
           That
           they
           would
           come
           and
           seek
           wisdom
           of
           Christ
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           come
           and
           get
           understanding
           of
           him
           ,
           that
           they
           would
           come
           and
           get
           knowledg
           of
           him
           ,
           which
           is
           wisdom
           indeed
           ;
           
             The
             fear
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             is
             wisdom
             indeed
             .
          
           Doth
           Christ
           thus
           call
           ,
           and
           will
           you
           not
           regard
           ,
           nor
           answer
           this
           call
           ?
           What
           then
           will
           be
           his
           next
           call
           ?
           For
           ought
           I
           know
           it
           may
           be
           this
           ,
           Arise
           from
           the
           dead
           ,
           and
           come
           
           to
           judgment
           .
           Consider
           this
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           And
           Lastly
           ,
           Consider
           your
           grand
           inducement
           and
           incouragement
           ,
           
             They
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             ,
             shall
             find
             me
             :
          
           They
           that
           will
           yet
           seek
           him
           ,
           that
           is
           your
           early
           ,
           and
           God
           acconnts
           it
           so
           .
           In
           
             Psal.
             78.
             34
             ,
             When
             he
             slew
             them
             ,
             then
             they
             sought
             him
             ,
             and
             they
             returned
             ,
             and
             enquired
             early
             after
             God.
          
           While
           grace
           is
           proclaimed
           ,
           while
           God
           says
           ,
           
             They
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             ,
             shall
             find
             me
          
           ;
           This
           (
           I
           say
           )
           is
           your
           early
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           God
           himself
           accounts
           so
           ;
           and
           will
           God
           yet
           be
           found
           of
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           seek
           him
           ?
           Oh!
           what
           cause
           have
           you
           to
           bless
           God
           ,
           that
           ever
           he
           made
           such
           a
           promise
           as
           this
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           
             Tabula
             post
             naufragium
          
           .
           And
           that
           in
           
             Isa.
             55.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             Seek
             ye
             the
             Lord
             while
             he
             ,
             may
             be
             found
             ;
             call
             upon
             him
             while
             
             he
             is
             near
             .
          
           Oh
           wonderful
           grace
           !
           that
           such
           promises
           should
           be
           published
           to
           you
           and
           me
           !
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             ;
             and
             those
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             shall
             find
             me
             .
          
        
         
           And
           now
           I
           shall
           no
           longer
           be
           burdensom
           to
           you
           ,
           but
           shall
           beg
           of
           you
           Children
           ,
           for
           whom
           I
           have
           provided
           a
           few
           words
           ,
           a
           short
           Sermon
           ,
           To
           hearken
           to
           your
           own
           Sermon
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           A
           word
           of
           Exhortation
           ,
           or
           ,
           
             a
             short
             Sermon
             to
             young
             ones
             :
          
           Children
           seek
           the
           Lord
           early
           ,
           whiles
           you
           are
           yet
           tender
           and
           young
           .
           The
           Children
           of
           their
           
             dear
             deceased
             Mother
          
           ,
           should
           hear
           her
           always
           saying
           what
           the
           Lord
           said
           to
           her
           ,
           
             They
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             ,
             shall
             find
             me
             .
          
           O
           little
           Children
           !
           you
           lye
           much
           upon
           my
           heart
           ,
           
             Remember
             your
             Creator
             in
             the
             days
             of
             
             your
             youth
             ,
          
           and
           seek
           him
           betimes
           ,
           Eccles.
           12.
           1.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           Consider
           you
           must
           dye
           ,
           
             It
             is
             appointed
             to
             all
             men
             once
             to
             dye
             ,
             Heb.
          
           9.
           27.
           
           And
           you
           may
           dye
           whiles
           you
           are
           Children
           .
           How
           many
           pretty
           little
           ones
           are
           every
           day
           taken
           away
           before
           your
           eyes
           ?
           And
           if
           you
           be
           snatcht
           away
           by
           the
           cold
           hand
           of
           death
           ,
           before
           you
           know
           God
           ,
           and
           have
           found
           Christ
           ,
           what
           will
           become
           of
           your
           precious
           and
           immortal
           souls
           ?
           Would
           you
           be
           willing
           to
           dye
           ,
           and
           be
           damn'd
           ?
           Would
           you
           leave
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           be
           content
           to
           be
           turn'd
           into
           Hell
           ,
           and
           be
           punished
           with
           the
           Devil
           and
           his
           Angels
           ?
           Can
           you
           think
           of
           losing
           your
           Friends
           ,
           and
           your
           God
           too
           for
           ever
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Consider
           what
           was
           the
           great
           errand
           upon
           which
           God
           sent
           you
           
           into
           the
           world
           ?
           Not
           to
           gratifie
           your
           Lusts
           ,
           nor
           to
           pursue
           
             lying
             vanities
          
           ;
           but
           
             to
             know
             God
             ,
             and
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           And
           will
           you
           ,
           dare
           you
           neglect
           your
           special
           work
           ?
           O!
           whiles
           you
           are
           in
           your
           prime
           ,
           mind
           what
           you
           have
           to
           do
           for
           your
           souls
           .
           Can
           you
           think
           it
           reasonable
           ,
           that
           the
           Devil
           should
           have
           your
           youth
           ,
           the
           flower
           and
           strength
           of
           your
           days
           ,
           and
           God
           be
           serv'd
           only
           with
           a
           crazy
           body
           ,
           or
           the
           rottenness
           of
           old
           Age
           ?
        
         
           O
           ,
           then
           ,
           delay
           no
           longer
           ,
           but
           seek
           the
           Lord.
           And.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           Do
           it
           speedily
           ,
           the
           Mannagatherers
           must
           go
           forth
           betimes
           ,
           Exod.
           16.
           21
           ,
           so
           must
           the
           Christ-seekers
           ,
           before
           the
           Sun
           be
           up
           ,
           before
           the
           heat
           of
           youthful
           lusts
           ,
           or
           earthly
           cares
           ,
           hinder
           your
           diligent
           seeking
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           
             Do
             it
             in
             earnest
             ,
             with
             all
             your
             hearts
             :
          
           Psal.
           119.
           2
           ,
           Blessed
           are
           they
           that
           keep
           his
           testimonies
           ,
           that
           seek
           him
           with
           their
           whole
           heart
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Resolve
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord
           till
           you
           find
           him
           in
           glory
           ;
           not
           only
           while
           your
           Father
           ,
           Mother
           ,
           or
           Friends
           live
           ,
           but
           as
           long
           as
           you
           live
           .
           It
           was
           a
           sad
           story
           in
           
             Gen.
             35.
          
           19
           ,
           That
           
             Rachel
             dyed
             ,
             when
             she
             was
             but
             a
             little
             way
             from
             Ephrath
             :
          
           But
           more
           sad
           ,
           
             Luk.
             13.
             24
          
           ,
           When
           
             many
             shall
             seek
             to
             enter
             into
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             not
             be
             able
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           
             Consider
             ,
             That
             if
             you
             seek
             him
             early
             ,
             you
             shall
             be
             sure
             to
             find
             him
             ;
             I
             would
             bespeak
             you
             ,
             as
          
           David
           
             did
             his
             young
          
           Solomon
           ,
           1
           Chron.
           28.
           9
           ,
           And
           thou
           Solomon
           ,
           my
           son
           ,
           know
           thou
           the
           God
           of
           thy
           Father
           ,
           and
           serve
           him
           with
           a
           perfect
           heart
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           willing
           mind
           :
           
           for
           the
           Lord
           searcheth
           all
           hearts
           ,
           and
           understandeth
           all
           the
           imaginations
           of
           the
           thoughts
           :
           if
           thou
           seek
           him
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           found
           of
           thee
           ;
           but
           if
           thou
           forsake
           him
           ,
           he
           will
           cast
           thee
           off
           for
           ever
           .
           
             It
             was
             a
             very
             serious
             speech
             of
          
           Azariah
           to
           Asa
           ,
           
             and
             to
             all
          
           Judah
           and
           Benjamin
           ,
           2
           Chron.
           15.
           2
           ,
           The
           Lord
           is
           with
           you
           ,
           while
           you
           be
           with
           him
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           seek
           him
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           found
           of
           you
           :
           but
           if
           you
           forsake
           him
           ,
           he
           will
           forsake
           you
           .
        
         
           Quest.
           But
           what
           shall
           we
           do
           to
           seek
           him
           ?
        
         
           Ans.
           If
           you
           will
           seek
           ,
           you
           must
           forsake
           sin
           ,
           and
           
             flee
             youthful
             lusts
             ,
             2
             Tim.
          
           2.
           22.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           Especially
           take
           heed
           of
           lying
           ,
           that
           's
           the
           Devils
           chain
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           holds
           poor
           Children
           from
           Christ
           ;
           Lies
           are
           the
           refuge
           of
           guilt
           ▪
           and
           
           folly
           ,
           where
           the
           inconsiderate
           youth
           hides
           himself
           from
           man
           ,
           and
           is
           kept
           from
           God
           ;
           as
           Adam
           ,
           when
           he
           knew
           he
           was
           naked
           ,
           Gen.
           3.
           7
           ,
           sewed
           Fig-leaves
           together
           ;
           a
           poor
           shift
           to
           hide
           his
           nakedness
           !
           so
           the
           sons
           of
           Adam
           ,
           when
           they
           become
           guilty
           ,
           make
           Lies
           their
           covert
           ;
           and
           instead
           of
           seeking
           ,
           fly
           further
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           bring
           a
           double
           guilt
           and
           punishment
           upon
           their
           heads
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             Beware
             of
             Pride
             ;
             the
             wanton
             youth
             is
             like
             the
             wild
             Asses
             Colt
             ,
             or
             as
          
           Jer.
           2.
           23
           ,
           24
           ,
           The
           swift
           Dromedary
           traversing
           her
           ways
           ,
           or
           a
           wild
           Ass
           used
           to
           the
           wilderness
           ,
           that
           snuffeth
           up
           the
           wind
           at
           her
           pleasure
           .
           
             The
             souls
             not
             seeking
             God
             ,
             is
             charged
             upon
             his
             Pride
             ,
          
           Psal.
           10.
           4
           ,
           The
           wicked
           through
           the
           pride
           of
           his
           countenance
           
             (
             his
             looks
             testifie
             
             his
             pride
             )
          
           will
           not
           seek
           after
           God
           ,
           God
           is
           not
           in
           all
           his
           thoughts
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Be
           not
           of
           a
           stubborn
           or
           disobedient
           spirit
           to
           the
           counsels
           of
           Parents
           and
           Teachers
           ;
           but
           hearken
           to
           their
           instruction
           .
           It
           is
           the
           most
           sad
           and
           certain
           presage
           of
           the
           ruine
           of
           your
           souls
           ,
           if
           you
           refuse
           the
           serious
           and
           early
           advice
           of
           your
           natural
           and
           spiritual
           Fathers
           .
           That
           's
           a
           dreadful
           saying
           ,
           1
           Sam.
           2.
           25
           ,
           concerning
           
           Eli's
           Sons
           ,
           
             They
             hearkened
             not
             unto
             the
             voice
             of
             their
             Father
             ,
             because
             the
             Lord
             would
             slay
             them
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Go
           read
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           the
           Eunuch
           found
           Christ
           there
           ,
           and
           Augustine
           found
           him
           there
           while
           he
           was
           reading
           Rom.
           13.
           13.
           
           Go
           ,
           ask
           your
           Teachers
           ,
           and
           they
           will
           direct
           you
           in
           the
           way
           ;
           go
           hence
           into
           your
           corners
           ,
           and
           weep
           ,
           and
           
           pray
           ,
           and
           God
           will
           come
           to
           you
           ;
           and
           when
           you
           hear
           the
           word
           Preacht
           ,
           mind
           what
           is
           spoken
           to
           you
           ;
           it
           is
           God
           that
           speaketh
           ,
           whom
           you
           should
           seek
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Consider
           ,
           If
           you
           will
           seek
           the
           Lord
           early
           ,
           you
           will
           lay
           the
           foundation
           of
           your
           own
           peace
           and
           comfort
           ,
           living
           and
           dying
           ;
           O
           how
           may
           you
           prevent
           the
           sighs
           ,
           the
           groans
           ,
           the
           repentings
           ,
           the
           heart-akings
           that
           have
           fill'd
           up
           our
           days
           ,
           for
           want
           of
           an
           early
           seeking
           after
           God
           :
           What
           a
           comfort
           was
           this
           to
           our
           dying
           Friend
           ,
           as
           also
           to
           her
           surviving
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           That
           
             She
             did
             ,
             and
             could
             truly
             say
             ,
             that
             she
             began
             to
             know
             God
             betimes
             ,
             and
             her
             great
             preparation-work
             for
             death
          
           (
           to
           use
           her
           own
           words
           )
           
             was
             not
             now
             to
             do
          
           :
           And
           as
           that
           was
           your
           comfort
           then
           ,
           so
           let
           it
           be
           your
           Copy
           now
           .
           
           What
           a
           great
           advantage
           was
           that
           to
           
             David
             ,
             Psal.
          
           71.
           17
           ,
           18
           ,
           That
           when
           he
           was
           old
           ,
           he
           could
           plead
           an
           old
           acquaintance
           with
           God
           ?
           
             O
             Lord
             ,
             thou
             hast
             taught
             me
             from
             my
             youth
             .
          
           Now
           also
           
             when
             I
             am
             old
             ,
             and
             gray-headed
             (
             O
             God
             )
             forsake
             me
             not
             .
          
        
         
           Two
           things
           more
           I
           would
           briefly
           shew
           you
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           will
           be
           the
           difference
           between
           them
           that
           made
           it
           their
           business
           early
           to
           seek
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           them
           that
           sought
           him
           not
           ,
           or
           sought
           him
           too
           late
           ;
           and
           that
           with
           reference
           to
           eternity
           ,
           in
           a
           dying
           hour
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           Whence
           that
           difference
           doth
           arise
           ?
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           will
           be
           the
           difference
           betwixt
           Saints
           and
           Sinners
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           death
           at
           last
           ?
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           wicked
           and
           ungodly
           
           sinner
           ,
           that
           would
           seek
           the
           world
           ,
           his
           own
           pleasure
           and
           sinful
           lusts
           ;
           When
           he
           comes
           to
           dye
           ,
           Conscience
           rings
           a
           dreadful
           peal
           ,
           and
           makes
           him
           cry
           out
           in
           the
           bitterness
           of
           his
           soul
           ,
           Alas
           !
           Friend
           ,
           I
           must
           dye
           ,
           
             Animula
             ,
             vagula
             ,
             blandula
             ,
             quos
             nunc
             ad
             ibis
             locos
             ?
          
           Poor
           flitting
           ,
           dear
           departing
           soul
           ,
           whither
           art
           thou
           going
           ?
           Christ
           is
           an
           enemy
           ,
           God
           is
           a
           stranger
           ,
           I
           have
           no
           friend
           to
           save
           me
           ,
           I
           must
           be
           damn'd
           ,
           I
           am
           undone
           ,
           I
           am
           undone
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           dying
           Saint
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           the
           sentence
           of
           death
           in
           him
           ,
           hath
           the
           hopes
           of
           life
           before
           him
           ;
           I
           must
           dye
           (
           says
           he
           )
           O
           welcom
           Death
           ,
           
             I
             am
             now
             going
             to
             enjoy
             him
             whom
             I
             have
             loved
             ;
             to
             possess
             him
             whom
             I
             have
             sought
          
           (
           as
           this
           precious
           Saint
           said
           to
           me
           a
           little
           before
           her
           death
           ,
           
             I
             know
             whom
             I
             have
             trusted
             )
             I
             am
             
             my
             Beloveds
             ,
             and
             my
             Beloved
             is
             mine
             ,
          
           says
           the
           Believer
           ,
           Now
           shall
           I
           ever
           be
           with
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           careless
           sinner
           that
           would
           not
           seek
           the
           Lord
           ,
           when
           he
           comes
           to
           dye
           ,
           bids
           a
           doleful
           adieu
           to
           all
           his
           comforts
           ;
           farwel
           Friends
           ,
           Relations
           ,
           pleasures
           and
           delights
           ,
           for
           ever
           ,
           I
           shall
           never
           see
           a
           good
           day
           more
           .
        
         
           But
           he
           that
           sought
           the
           Lord
           while
           he
           liv'd
           ,
           when
           he
           comes
           to
           dye
           ,
           says
           ,
           Behold
           ,
           I
           dye
           ,
           now
           farwel
           troubles
           ,
           temptations
           ,
           sin
           ,
           and
           sorrow
           for
           ever
           ;
           I
           am
           lanching
           forth
           into
           a
           glorious
           eternity
           ,
           I
           shall
           never
           see
           a
           sad
           day
           more
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           wilful
           sinner
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           about
           to
           dye
           ,
           (
           after
           all
           the
           counsels
           he
           hath
           slighted
           ,
           and
           now
           time
           shall
           be
           no
           more
           )
           cries
           out
           with
           horrour
           ,
           I
           have
           for
           ever
           lost
           my
           
           opportunities
           of
           seeking
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           now
           too
           late
           ,
           I
           am
           left
           to
           perpetual
           howlings
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           gracious
           Soul
           ,
           who
           hath
           sought
           ,
           and
           found
           God
           in
           seeking
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           about
           to
           dye
           ,
           looks
           back
           with
           delight
           upon
           all
           the
           Ordinances
           ,
           wherein
           he
           hath
           many
           times
           met
           with
           Christ
           ,
           and
           found
           God
           nigh
           to
           his
           soul
           ,
           and
           says
           ,
           I
           am
           going
           where
           I
           shall
           need
           Ordinances
           no
           more
           ,
           but
           God
           shall
           be
           all
           in
           all
           ;
           I
           am
           going
           to
           mine
           eternal
           rest
           ,
           to
           an
           everlasting
           Sabbath-keeping
           in
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Whence
           doth
           that
           difference
           arise
           ?
           From
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           foolish
           inadvertency
           ,
           or
           rather
           obstinacy
           of
           the
           other
           ;
           one
           knew
           his
           season
           ,
           and
           did
           the
           things
           that
           did
           belong
           to
           his
           peace
           ;
           the
           other
           had
           his
           season
           ,
           but
           knew
           it
           
           not
           ,
           and
           now
           his
           misery
           is
           great
           upon
           him
           ;
           one
           sought
           after
           Christ
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           have
           an
           interest
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           make
           God
           his
           friend
           ;
           the
           other
           refused
           Christ
           ,
           and
           now
           God
           is
           his
           enemy
           ,
           and
           so
           death
           is
           to
           him
           
             the
             King
             of
             terrors
          
           :
           But
           the
           believing
           soul
           can
           (
           to
           allude
           to
           that
           in
           
             Isa.
             11.
             8
             ,
             )
             play
             upon
             the
             hole
             of
             the
             Asp
             ,
             and
             put
             his
             hand
             on
             the
             Cockatrice
             Den
          
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           pains
           of
           an
           irksom
           disease
           are
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           pangs
           of
           death
           before
           him
           ,
           he
           says
           ,
           all
           these
           rackings
           and
           grievous
           aches
           ,
           be
           but
           like
           the
           ratling
           of
           the
           Charriot-wheels
           that
           Joseph
           sent
           to
           fetch
           his
           Father
           and
           his
           Brethren
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           all
           his
           wearisom
           waking
           nights
           ,
           be
           to
           him
           as
           the
           valley
           of
           Achor
           ,
           or
           door
           of
           Hope
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Because
           he
           knows
           death
           is
           no
           death
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           a
           passage
           unto
           a
           
           glorious
           life
           with
           God
           ,
           whom
           〈◊〉
           hath
           sought
           and
           serv'd
           all
           his
           days
           he
           is
           but
           going
           unto
           his
           Beloved
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           who
           is
           gone
           〈◊〉
           way
           before
           him
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Because
           he
           looks
           on
           the
           Grave
           not
           as
           his
           Prison
           ,
           but
           a
           bed
           of
           Spices
           ;
           or
           rather
           the
           Saints
           Tyring-Room
           ,
           where
           they
           throw
           off
           mortality
           ,
           to
           put
           on
           immortality
           ;
           and
           lay
           aside
           corruption
           ,
           to
           put
           on
           incorruption
           .
        
         
           I
           thought
           here
           to
           have
           spoken
           a
           word
           to
           the
           nearest
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           of
           this
           deceased
           Saint
           ,
           to
           let
           them
           see
           how
           little
           cause
           they
           have
           to
           mourn
           and
           to
           afflict
           their
           souls
           ;
           but
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           knows
           how
           to
           speak
           comfort
           infinitely
           better
           ,
           hath
           been
           with
           their
           hearts
           .
           Only
           let
           not
           the
           Husband
           grieve
           ,
           
           and
           say
           ,
           Ah!
           what
           a
           dear
           Wife
           have
           I
           lost
           !
           nor
           the
           Children
           say
           ,
           what
           a
           dear
           Mother
           have
           we
           lost
           !
           But
           rather
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Consider
           ,
           What
           she
           hath
           found
           ;
           She
           hath
           found
           that
           ,
           which
           ●he
           hath
           been
           seeking
           all
           her
           days
           ;
           ●he
           hath
           found
           that
           God
           ,
           that
           Christ
           ,
           that
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           Bosom
           ,
           and
           those
           embraces
           that
           she
           waited
           and
           long'd
           for
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Consider
           ,
           You
           will
           never
           be
           happy
           till
           you
           be
           where
           she
           is
           gone
           before
           you
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Consider
           ,
           It
           is
           but
           a
           very
           little
           while
           and
           you
           shall
           see
           her
           again
           ;
           as
           Augustine
           comforted
           his
           Italica
           concerning
           her
           dead
           Husband
           ;
           and
           let
           you
           ,
           and
           I
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           us
           mind
           our
           work
           ,
           and
           be
           upon
           our
           march
           towards
           Heaven
           ,
           taking
           our
           encouragement
           from
           the
           
           Text
           ,
           where
           the
           Lords
           makes
           a
           proclamation
           of
           Grace
           ,
           
             I
             love
             them
             that
             love
             me
             ;
             and
             those
             that
             seek
             me
             early
             ,
             shall
             find
             me
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           POSTCRIPT
           .
        
         
           NOW
           though
           the
           Husband
           of
           our
           
             Deceased
             Friend
          
           has
           been
           somewhat
           averse
           from
           publishing
           any
           thing
           of
           her
           own
           ;
           yet
           being
           at
           last
           prevail'd
           upon
           ,
           I
           shall
           commend
           to
           the
           Reader
           some
           particular
           Experiences
           of
           the
           Lords
           early
           dealing
           with
           her
           soul
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           found
           them
           written
           by
           her
           own
           hand
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
             I
             find
             this
             Position
             laid
             down
             by
             her
             in
             her
             own
             Book
             ,
          
           viz.
           That
           very
           many
           Scriptures
           do
           imply
           a
           possibility
           ,
           that
           a
           believer
           may
           know
           that
           he
           is
           elected
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           his
           election
           is
           of
           free
           grace
           through
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           unto
           holiness
           ,
           which
           shall
           end
           in
           glory
           ,
           Phil.
           2.
           12
           ,
           
           13.
           2
           
           
             Cor.
             13.
             5.
             2
             
             Pet.
          
           1.
           10.
           with
           very
           many
           more
           ,
           which
           I
           shall
           forbear
           to
           mention
           .
        
         
           On
           which
           ground
           she
           proceeds
           to
           take
           a
           particular
           account
           of
           her
           own
           spiritual
           estate
           ,
           as
           follows
           .
        
         
           IT
           hath
           been
           much
           upon
           my
           thoughts
           to
           write
           some
           of
           those
           
             Scriptural
             Experiences
          
           which
           I
           have
           found
           and
           received
           great
           comfort
           in
           from
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ;
           being
           ,
           as
           I
           judg
           ,
           brought
           home
           to
           my
           soul
           ,
           by
           the
           Spirit
           :
           And
           being
           now
           past
           the
           Fortieth
           year
           of
           my
           age
           ,
           not
           knowing
           how
           soon
           the
           Lord
           may
           call
           ,
           having
           always
           had
           a
           desire
           to
           be
           on
           my
           watch
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           be
           found
           ready
           and
           willing
           when
           ever
           my
           Lords
           time
           is
           (
           This
           
           Mercy
           I
           have
           been
           begging
           many
           years
           )
           .
        
         
           I
           can
           truly
           say
           ,
           for
           some
           Months
           past
           I
           have
           had
           no
           rest
           in
           my
           spirit
           till
           I
           began
           to
           write
           these
           things
           ;
           and
           after
           fasting
           and
           prayer
           by
           my self
           ,
           while
           in
           doubt
           what
           to
           do
           ,
           fearing
           the
           falsness
           of
           my
           own
           heart
           ,
           I
           was
           encouraged
           by
           a
           Sermon
           that
           I
           heard
           on
           these
           words
           in
           
             Psal.
             77.
             
             1●
             ,
             I
             will
             remember
             the
             works
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             surely
             I
             will
             remember
             thy
             wonders
             of
             old
             .
          
           Where
           was
           much
           pressed
           the
           duty
           of
           Christians
           ,
           To
           relate
           what
           God
           had
           done
           for
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           out
           of
           the
           longing
           desire
           I
           have
           for
           the
           good
           of
           you
           my
           
             dear
             Little
             ones
          
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           value
           the
           precious
           Word
           of
           God
           wherein
           your
           Mother
           hath
           found
           so
           much
           comfort
           ;
           you
           two
           ,
           that
           
           is
           ,
           SA
           .
           and
           MA.
           are
           the
           only
           remnant
           that
           God
           hath
           spared
           (
           and
           blessed
           be
           God
           that
           hath
           left
           us
           as
           to
           this
           day
           a
           Berry
           or
           two
           )
           :
           You
           are
           the
           children
           of
           many
           prayers
           ;
           the
           Lord
           grant
           you
           may
           be
           blessed
           with
           all
           spiritual
           blessings
           in
           Christ
           Jesus
           ;
           and
           make
           you
           serviceable
           while
           you
           live
           ,
           and
           fit
           you
           for
           an
           inheritance
           among
           the
           Saints
           in
           light
           .
           In
           order
           to
           that
           ,
           I
           beg
           you
           in
           the
           name
           and
           fear
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           you
           highly
           prize
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           every
           Ordinance
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           appointed
           in
           his
           Word
           :
           I
           would
           say
           with
           
             David
             ,
             Come
             my
             Children
             ,
             hearken
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             tell
             you
             what
             he
             hath
             done
             for
             my
             soul
             ,
          
           Psal.
           34.
           11.
           
           Psal.
           66.
           16.
           
           I
           have
           found
           the
           Word
           read
           and
           preached
           ,
           yea
           many
           a
           Scripture
           that
           I
           could
           not
           remember
           
           I
           read
           or
           heard
           preached
           on
           ;
           yet
           it
           hath
           pleased
           my
           gracious
           God
           to
           send
           many
           a
           word
           to
           relieve
           and
           comfort
           my
           soul
           :
           his
           word
           hath
           been
           to
           me
           a
           convincing
           word
           ,
           a
           reproving
           ,
           an
           instructing
           ,
           and
           a
           very
           comforting
           word
           ,
           and
           that
           my
           soul
           knoweth
           by
           great
           experience
           .
        
         
           I
           intend
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           permit
           ,
           and
           will
           send
           his
           Spirit
           to
           bring
           things
           to
           my
           remembrance
           (
           without
           that
           I
           can
           do
           nothing
           )
           to
           set
           down
           the
           kindness
           of
           the
           Lord
           from
           my
           Childhood
           ,
           that
           was
           pleased
           to
           begin
           with
           me
           be-times
           .
           
             O
             the
             depth
             of
             the
             riches
             both
             of
             the
             wisdom
             and
             knowledg
             of
             God
             ,
          
           &c.
           Rom.
           11.
           33
           ,
           34
           ,
           35
           ,
           36.
           
        
         
           I
           can
           remember
           ,
           while
           a
           Girl
           at
           school
           ,
           about
           the
           age
           of
           nine
           or
           ten
           ,
           I
           took
           great
           delight
           in
           reading
           
           the
           stories
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           did
           much
           affect
           me
           .
           Afterward
           I
           was
           more
           taken
           with
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           ,
           that
           did
           reveal
           more
           of
           Christ
           to
           me
           .
           Then
           I
           began
           to
           pray
           as
           I
           was
           able
           .
           I
           do
           not
           remember
           ,
           that
           I
           ever
           did
           make
           use
           of
           any
           written
           or
           printed
           form
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           sin
           that
           I
           remember
           troubled
           me
           ,
           was
           telling
           my
           Father
           a
           lye
           ;
           and
           it
           had
           this
           aggravation
           with
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           told
           me
           ,
           If
           I
           would
           tell
           him
           how
           it
           was
           ,
           he
           would
           believe
           me
           rather
           than
           my
           Brothers
           and
           Sisters
           ;
           and
           out
           of
           fear
           of
           them
           ,
           I
           said
           as
           they
           did
           ;
           but
           with
           a
           very
           trembling
           heart
           ,
           which
           much
           troubled
           me
           some
           years
           after
           this
           ,
           when
           I
           begun
           to
           hearken
           to
           the
           word
           Preached
           ,
           where
           I
           heard
           that
           sin
           set
           out
           .
        
         
         
           I
           was
           much
           affected
           ,
           and
           mourned
           much
           under
           the
           sense
           of
           sin
           ;
           seeing
           a
           burden
           in
           it
           ,
           I
           desired
           to
           look
           after
           a
           remedy
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           Minister
           that
           I
           remember
           ,
           I
           hearkned
           to
           ,
           was
           Mr.
           H.
           of
           Kensington
           ,
           where
           my
           Father
           was
           ,
           in
           the
           summer
           .
           I
           did
           then
           begin
           to
           understand
           my
           state
           by
           nature
           ,
           how
           under
           the
           wrath
           and
           curse
           of
           God.
           Then
           I
           began
           to
           see
           my
           need
           of
           ,
           and
           did
           desire
           after
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           being
           ,
           as
           I
           thought
           then
           ,
           willing
           to
           take
           him
           on
           his
           own
           terms
           .
           Jesus
           Christ
           was
           then
           ,
           as
           I
           thought
           ,
           precious
           to
           me
           ;
           and
           being
           willing
           to
           understand
           my
           own
           case
           and
           condition
           ,
           it
           pleased
           the
           Lord
           to
           open
           my
           heart
           ,
           to
           hearken
           diligently
           to
           the
           word
           Preached
           ,
           wherein
           I
           found
           much
           comfort
           ,
           which
           ingaged
           my
           heart
           
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           made
           me
           unwilling
           to
           neglect
           any
           duty
           which
           he
           commanded
           ,
           or
           to
           commit
           any
           sin
           which
           the
           Lord
           forbids
           .
           This
           I
           well
           remember
           to
           be
           the
           frame
           of
           my
           spirit
           near
           thirty
           years
           ago
           .
        
         
           Hearing
           much
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           the
           end
           of
           life
           to
           glorfie
           God
           ,
           it
           made
           the
           earnest
           breathings
           of
           my
           soul
           to
           be
           this
           ;
           Oh
           ,
           but
           how
           shall
           I
           glorifie
           God!
           
        
         
           After
           this
           ,
           by
           a
           Providence
           I
           heard
           Mr.
           M.
           at
           Westminster
           ,
           my
           Father
           being
           there
           for
           some
           months
           ;
           he
           was
           on
           that
           Scripture
           ,
           2
           
             Chron.
             15.
             17.
             
             Nevertheless
             the
             heart
             of
             Asa
             was
             perfect
             all
             his
             days
             .
          
           I
           took
           great
           delight
           to
           hear
           him
           ,
           being
           often
           angry
           he
           had
           done
           so
           soon
           .
           My
           soul
           was
           much
           refreshed
           by
           the
           signs
           and
           marks
           he
           gave
           of
           a
           perfect
           heart
           .
        
         
         
           I
           did
           usually
           go
           from
           hearing
           ,
           into
           my
           Chamber
           ,
           and
           beg
           earnestly
           of
           God
           for
           a
           perfect
           heart
           ,
           in
           which
           as
           I
           thought
           ,
           I
           saw
           more
           of
           value
           ,
           than
           in
           any
           injoyments
           whatever
           ;
           it
           was
           what
           did
           concern
           my
           spiritual
           estate
           .
        
         
           I
           begun
           to
           be
           much
           troubled
           about
           ,
           how
           such
           a
           poor
           sinful
           creature
           that
           was
           by
           natnre
           under
           the
           wrath
           and
           curse
           of
           God
           ,
           should
           escape
           this
           .
           I
           did
           believe
           as
           I
           had
           been
           taught
           ,
           it
           was
           by
           a
           Redeemer
           ;
           I
           did
           also
           believe
           that
           there
           was
           no
           name
           given
           under
           Heaven
           ,
           by
           which
           I
           must
           be
           saved
           ,
           but
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           Jesus
           .
           I
           did
           also
           much
           hearken
           to
           the
           tenders
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           how
           he
           invited
           sinners
           to
           himself
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           offered
           himself
           freely
           :
           this
           gave
           me
           encouragement
           .
           But
           as
           I
           had
           read
           and
           heard
           it
           was
           a
           
           strait
           gate
           ,
           and
           a
           narrow
           way
           ,
           few
           that
           find
           it
           :
           this
           made
           me
           very
           careful
           ,
           lest
           I
           should
           be
           deceived
           .
        
         
           And
           here
           came
           in
           the
           great
           question
           ,
           But
           how
           shall
           I
           know
           that
           God
           in
           Christ
           will
           accept
           me
           ?
           
             For
             many
             are
             called
             ,
             but
             few
             chosen
          
           ;
           God
           hath
           mercy
           on
           whom
           he
           will
           ,
           and
           
             it
             is
             not
             of
             him
             that
             willeth
             ,
             nor
             of
             him
             that
             runneth
             ,
             but
             of
             God
             that
             sheweth
             mercy
             .
          
           This
           made
           me
           very
           diligent
           to
           hearken
           to
           marks
           and
           signs
           of
           grace
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           that
           I
           remember
           troubled
           me
           ,
           was
           this
           ;
           understanding
           it
           was
           the
           common
           lot
           of
           all
           Gods
           People
           ,
           
             through
             many
             afflictions
             to
             enter
             into
             heaven
             :
          
           This
           did
           much
           trouble
           me
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           and
           I
           was
           apt
           to
           think
           I
           should
           be
           able
           to
           bear
           any
           thing
           that
           God
           would
           lay
           on
           me
           ,
           so
           it
           might
           evidence
           
           to
           me
           the
           love
           of
           God
           to
           my
           soul
           :
           but
           fool
           that
           I
           was
           !
           I
           judged
           too
           soon
           ;
           for
           when
           it
           pleased
           the
           All-wise
           God
           to
           try
           me
           ,
           I
           quickly
           saw
           that
           my
           strength
           was
           but
           small
           ,
           by
           my
           fainting
           so
           much
           as
           I
           did
           in
           a
           day
           of
           adversity
           ,
           which
           by
           many
           sad
           experiences
           I
           can
           shew
           ,
           how
           unable
           to
           bear
           any
           thing
           when
           tryed
           .
           However
           then
           I
           thought
           I
           could
           bear
           any
           thing
           from
           with
           out
           ,
           so
           all
           might
           be
           well
           within
           .
        
         
           After
           this
           ,
           by
           a
           Providence
           ,
           I
           came
           to
           hear
           Mr.
           V.
           at
           St.
           Olaves
           ;
           the
           first
           Sermon
           that
           I
           heard
           him
           ,
           was
           on
           these
           words
           ,
           
             And
             all
             the
             things
             thou
             canst
             desire
             ,
             are
             not
             to
             be
             compared
             unto
             her
             ,
          
           Prov.
           3.
           15.
           
           Wherein
           was
           set
           out
           the
           value
           of
           Jesus
           Christ
           above
           all
           that
           the
           world
           afforded
           ,
           which
           very
           much
           wrought
           on
           my
           heart
           ,
           with
           great
           
           longing
           after
           this
           Christ
           ;
           but
           still
           came
           this
           question
           ,
           
             How
             shall
             you
             know
             your
             interest
             ?
          
           However
           ,
           it
           pleased
           God
           so
           to
           bless
           his
           Ministry
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           usually
           I
           found
           my
           doubts
           so
           resolved
           ,
           and
           my
           heart
           so
           opened
           ,
           that
           I
           went
           away
           with
           great
           joy
           and
           comfort
           ;
           but
           for
           all
           this
           I
           was
           perplexed
           with
           dreadful
           thoughts
           ;
           after
           I
           had
           such
           peace
           and
           joy
           ,
           then
           Satan
           begun
           to
           work
           indeed
           :
           
             I
             ,
             but
             is
             there
             such
             a
             God
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             Christ
             to
             be
             believed
             in
             ?
          
           How
           to
           answer
           this
           temptation
           ,
           I
           was
           at
           a
           great
           loss
           ,
           and
           would
           tell
           none
           what
           did
           ail
           me
           ;
           I
           mourned
           much
           under
           it
           ,
           and
           thought
           ,
           I
           questioned
           whether
           there
           was
           a
           God
           or
           no
           ;
           yet
           then
           I
           did
           not
           neglect
           praying
           ,
           and
           did
           as
           it
           were
           pour
           out
           my
           soul
           daily
           unto
           God
           for
           victory
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           not
           give
           me
           
           up
           to
           an
           unbelieving
           heart
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           free-grace
           (
           who
           knew
           my
           soul
           in
           adversity
           )
           by
           his
           word
           to
           send
           me
           relief
           .
        
         
           Going
           to
           hear
           on
           a
           Lecture-day
           ,
           he
           then
           Preached
           on
           these
           words
           ,
           
             Hos.
             2.
             7.
             
             I
             will
             go
             and
             return
             to
             my
             first
             husband
             ,
             for
             then
             was
             it
             better
             with
             me
             than
             now
             .
          
           It
           pleased
           God
           so
           to
           order
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           gave
           great
           caution
           against
           such
           thoughts
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             Take
             heed
             ,
             poor
             soul
             ,
             when
             the
             Devil
             casteth
             in
             such
             thoughts
             :
             Is
             there
             a
             God
             ,
             or
             a
             Christ
             ?
             Take
             heed
             ,
             for
             then
             Satan
             will
             have
             you
             in
             his
             snare
             .
          
           This
           ,
           with
           many
           other
           things
           was
           set
           home
           on
           my
           heart
           ;
           then
           he
           did
           convince
           me
           ,
           by
           appealing
           to
           the
           Saints
           experience
           ,
           
             Is
             it
             not
             better
             to
             entertain
             good
             thoughts
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             of
             Christ
             ?
             was
             it
             not
             better
             with
             you
             then
             ,
             than
             now
             ?
          
           The
           
           Lord
           gave
           me
           so
           to
           close
           in
           with
           the
           truth
           of
           that
           word
           ,
           that
           I
           had
           great
           joy
           and
           peace
           through
           believing
           ,
           and
           went
           home
           full
           of
           comfort
           ,
           that
           God
           had
           so
           met
           me
           with
           a
           word
           .
           By
           that
           means
           it
           pleased
           the
           Lord
           to
           give
           check
           to
           those
           unbelieving
           thoughts
           that
           so
           overcame
           me
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           I
           have
           great
           cause
           to
           mourn
           ,
           for
           that
           unbelief
           I
           find
           in
           my
           heart
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           experiences
           that
           God
           hath
           given
           me
           ;
           that
           Scripture
           doth
           often
           reprove
           me
           ,
           
             Heb.
             3.
             12.
             
             Take
             heed
             ,
             lest
             there
             be
             in
             any
             of
             you
             an
             evil
             heart
             of
             unbelief
             ,
             in
             departing
             from
             the
             living
             God.
             
          
        
         
           After
           this
           I
           kept
           waiting
           at
           the
           posts
           of
           Wisdoms
           gate
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           understand
           the
           state
           of
           my
           soul
           ,
           which
           was
           the
           one
           thing
           necessary
           
           that
           I
           desired
           to
           look
           after
           ;
           and
           finding
           by
           the
           word
           Preached
           ,
           that
           the
           usual
           way
           and
           method
           of
           God
           ,
           was
           to
           strike
           the
           soul
           down
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           them
           in
           the
           second
           of
           the
           Acts
           ,
           and
           the
           Jaylor
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           this
           did
           raise
           in
           me
           great
           doubts
           what
           to
           think
           of
           my self
           ,
           because
           I
           could
           not
           find
           in
           my self
           such
           convictions
           of
           ,
           and
           humiliation
           for
           sin
           ,
           as
           was
           pressed
           ;
           and
           as
           to
           Original
           sin
           ,
           it
           did
           not
           seem
           much
           to
           affect
           me
           ;
           this
           did
           bring
           me
           into
           great
           fears
           :
           However
           ,
           I
           took
           that
           way
           I
           had
           found
           comfort
           in
           ,
           which
           was
           by
           prayer
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           bless
           his
           word
           to
           me
           .
           Mr.
           V.
           was
           then
           on
           this
           Text
           ,
           
             Ephes.
             2.
             8.
             
             By
             grace
             are
             ye
             saved
             through
             faith
             ,
             and
             that
             not
             of
             your selves
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             gift
             of
             God.
          
           To
           this
           I
           diligently
           hearken'd
           ,
           and
           received
           great
           support
           ,
           for
           all
           
           my
           objections
           seemed
           to
           be
           answered
           ;
           yet
           for
           all
           this
           I
           did
           as
           it
           were
           refuse
           to
           be
           comforted
           :
           he
           being
           on
           signs
           of
           grace
           ,
           closed
           the
           Text
           with
           these
           two
           marks
           :
           1.
           
           
             A
             souls
             going
             on
             in
             a
             way
             of
             duty
             ,
             was
             a
             very
             hopeful
             sign
             .
             2.
             
             But
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             was
             the
             only
             infallible
             witness
             :
             the
             spirit
             it self
             beareth
             witness
             with
             our
             spirit
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             the
             Children
             of
             God.
          
           The
           first
           did
           comfort
           me
           ,
           the
           second
           did
           very
           much
           trouble
           me
           ;
           for
           I
           could
           not
           understand
           the
           meaning
           of
           the
           spirits
           witness
           ,
           which
           fearing
           lest
           I
           should
           be
           deceived
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           so
           great
           a
           concern
           ,
           made
           me
           give
           all
           diligence
           in
           reading
           and
           hearing
           ,
           that
           my
           doubts
           might
           be
           resolved
           ;
           but
           as
           yet
           no
           rest
           in
           my
           spirit
           :
           and
           the
           more
           increased
           ,
           
           being
           the
           time
           to
           go
           into
           the
           Country
           ,
           where
           usually
           our
           family
           was
           ;
           this
           added
           much
           to
           my
           grief
           to
           be
           taken
           off
           from
           hearing
           Mr.
           V.
           
        
         
           I
           began
           to
           look
           more
           into
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           to
           pick
           up
           whatever
           did
           come
           suddenly
           into
           my
           mind
           ;
           and
           it
           pleased
           God
           to
           cast
           in
           many
           that
           seemed
           to
           comfort
           me
           ,
           which
           I
           wrote
           down
           in
           that
           year
           .
        
         
           But
           then
           came
           this
           question
           ,
           These
           are
           marks
           and
           signs
           that
           belong
           to
           such
           and
           such
           Saints
           in
           Scripture
           :
           But
           what
           is
           this
           to
           thee
           ?
           These
           thoughts
           much
           cast
           me
           down
           ;
           what
           to
           do
           I
           knew
           not
           ,
           but
           kept
           still
           praying
           and
           waiting
           on
           God
           ,
           and
           I
           found
           speedy
           relief
           ,
           when
           I
           least
           thought
           of
           it
           .
           My
           Father
           being
           at
           Hammersmith
           ,
           I
           went
           
           constantly
           to
           hear
           there
           ,
           and
           that
           Summer
           several
           City-Ministers
           did
           supply
           the
           place
           ;
           and
           among
           the
           rest
           ,
           I
           heard
           Mr.
           G.
           on
           these
           words
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             to
             whom
             shall
             we
             go
             ?
             thou
             hast
             the
             words
             of
             eternal
             life
             ,
             Joh.
          
           6.
           68.
           
           As
           I
           remember
           ,
           this
           was
           his
           Observation
           ,
           
             That
             soul
             that
             had
             once
             given
             up
             it self
             to
             ,
             could
             never
             bear
             a
             going
             off
             from
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           His
           arguing
           thus
           with
           a
           doubting
           soul
           ;
           
             Try
             thy self
             ;
             cannot
             you
             bear
             a
             leaving
             of
             God
             ?
             then
             doubt
             not
             that
             he
             will
             leave
             you
             :
             would
             you
             know
             whether
             God
             loves
             you
             ?
             consider
             ,
             do
             you
             love
             God
             ?
             for
             you
             could
             not
             love
             him
             ,
             unless
             he
             loved
             you
             first
             .
          
           By
           these
           and
           several
           arguments
           ,
           the
           Lord
           was
           pleased
           so
           to
           set
           it
           home
           on
           my
           heart
           ;
           I
           may
           well
           forget
           the
           words
           ,
           my
           heart
           being
           so
           full
           of
           peace
           and
           joy
           through
           believing
           ,
           1
           Pet.
           1.
           
           that
           I
           cannot
           express
           it
           ,
           being
           as
           I
           judg
           ,
           better
           felt
           than
           exprest
           ;
           it
           did
           seem
           at
           that
           time
           to
           me
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           had
           tasted
           of
           that
           
             joy
             unspeakable
             and
             full
             of
             glory
             .
          
           I
           know
           not
           what
           to
           make
           of
           it
           ,
           except
           it
           were
           a
           
             sealing
             unto
             the
             day
             of
             redemption
             .
          
           I
           thought
           then
           my
           joy
           being
           so
           great
           ,
           I
           could
           willingly
           have
           gone
           out
           of
           the
           body
           ,
           to
           have
           been
           with
           the
           Lord.
           I
           remember
           I
           went
           home
           and
           fell
           on
           my
           knees
           ,
           admiring
           the
           freeness
           of
           grace
           to
           such
           a
           worm
           as
           I
           ;
           crying
           out
           with
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             O
             the
             depth
          
           !
           The
           sense
           of
           free-grace
           and
           rich
           mercy
           did
           much
           overcome
           me
           ;
           the
           which
           ,
           I
           hope
           ,
           I
           shall
           admire
           to
           all
           eternity
           :
           O
           the
           goodness
           of
           God!
           when
           I
           had
           again
           and
           again
           refused
           to
           be
           comforted
           ,
           yet
           he
           waited
           to
           be
           gracious
           to
           me
           !
           This
           I
           write
           and
           
           speak
           ,
           that
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           and
           God
           the
           Son
           ,
           and
           God
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           may
           have
           the
           glory
           of
           their
           own
           work
           .
        
         
           When
           under
           my
           doubts
           and
           fears
           ,
           I
           seldom
           went
           to
           hear
           ,
           but
           the
           word
           did
           seem
           to
           speak
           unto
           me
           ;
           and
           several
           Scriptures
           came
           suddenly
           to
           my
           mind
           ,
           that
           did
           reprove
           ,
           and
           quiet
           ,
           and
           comfort
           me
           ,
           such
           as
           these
           ,
           
             Why
             art
             thou
             cast
             down
             ,
             O
             my
             soul
             ?
             and
             why
             art
             thou
             disquieted
             within
             me
             ?
             hope
             in
             God
             ,
             for
             I
             shall
             yet
             praise
             him
             .
          
           This
           hath
           been
           made
           good
           unto
           me
           ;
           and
           that
           in
           the
           
             Psalm
             ;
             In
             the
             multitude
             of
             my
             thoughts
             within
             me
             ,
             thy
             comforts
             delight
             my
             soul
          
           ;
           and
           that
           
             it
             is
             good
             for
             me
             to
             draw
             near
             to
             God
             ,
          
           Psal.
           73.
           28.
           
           And
           that
           
             a
             day
             in
             thy
             courts
             is
             better
             than
             a
             thousand
             ,
          
           Psal.
           84.
           10.
           
           And
           
           I
           can
           truly
           say
           as
           David
           did
           ,
           
             I
             had
             rather
             be
             a
             door-keeper
             in
             the
             house
             of
             my
             God
             ,
             than
             to
             dwell
             in
             tents
             of
             wickedness
             .
          
           Experienced
           I
           have
           that
           of
           
             Job
             ,
             I
             have
             esteemed
             thy
             word
             more
             than
             my
             necessary
             food
             ,
             Job
          
           23.
           12.
           
           I
           have
           had
           great
           support
           from
           that
           Scripture
           ,
           
             All
             that
             the
             Father
             giveth
             me
             ,
             shall
             come
             to
             me
             ;
             and
             him
             that
             cometh
             to
             me
             ,
             I
             will
             in
             no
             wise
             cast
             out
             ,
          
           Joh.
           6.
           37.
           
           I
           have
           often
           thought
           of
           that
           Scripture
           with
           joy
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             how
             is
             it
             that
             thou
             wilt
             manifest
             thy self
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             not
             unto
             the
             world
             ?
             for
             who
             maketh
             thee
             differ
             from
             another
             ?
             and
             what
             hast
             thou
             that
             thou
             didst
             not
             receive
             ?
          
           I
           have
           again
           and
           again
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           and
           many
           more
           ,
           admired
           freeness
           of
           grace
           towards
           such
           a
           poor
           doubting
           soul
           as
           I
           was
           ;
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           he
           which
           hath
           begun
           ,
           will
           finish
           his
           own
           
           work
           on
           
             Sarah
             Lye.
          
           Amen
           ,
           Amen
           .
        
         
           Thus
           far
           I
           have
           written
           a
           relation
           of
           the
           first
           20
           years
           of
           my
           age
           ,
           what
           was
           the
           great
           thing
           that
           most
           troubled
           me
           ;
           it
           was
           ,
           That
           I
           might
           have
           assurance
           of
           the
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           a
           well-grounded
           hope
           of
           an
           interest
           in
           Christ
           ;
           that
           what
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           had
           done
           and
           suffered
           ,
           might
           be
           applied
           unto
           me
           ;
           and
           having
           hopes
           through
           grace
           ,
           and
           rejoycing
           much
           in
           hopes
           of
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           
             which
             hope
             maketh
             not
             ashamed
          
           .
        
         
           After
           this
           I
           began
           to
           have
           great
           tryals
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           loss
           of
           my
           relations
           ;
           my
           Parents
           ;
           that
           were
           very
           dear
           to
           me
           ,
           both
           dying
           within
           four
           Months
           ;
           this
           with
           many
           more
           troubles
           much
           cast
           me
           down
           ;
           yet
           to
           observe
           the
           Providences
           of
           God
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           how
           by
           his
           word
           he
           sent
           me
           relieving
           
           experiences
           ,
           should
           I
           set
           it
           down
           in
           order
           ,
           would
           swell
           to
           a
           great
           Volume
           .
        
         
           Only
           thus
           much
           I
           may
           speak
           to
           the
           praise
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           when
           Father
           and
           Mother
           forsook
           ,
           God
           took
           me
           into
           his
           care
           ,
           and
           hath
           graciously
           provided
           for
           me
           ,
           and
           hath
           given
           me
           an
           Agurs
           portion
           ,
           which
           I
           beg'd
           of
           the
           Lord
           when
           but
           a
           Girl
           :
           I
           can
           truly
           say
           ,
           
             All
             the
             ways
             of
             the
             Lord
             are
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             to
             me
             mercy
             and
             truth
             :
          
           For
           this
           God
           I
           have
           chosen
           to
           be
           my
           God
           ,
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           ;
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           he
           will
           be
           my
           guide
           even
           unto
           death
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           ,
           my
           dear
           Child
           ,
           or
           Children
           ,
           that
           shall
           read
           of
           this
           way
           and
           method
           that
           the
           Lord
           did
           use
           in
           bringing
           me
           off
           from
           all
           things
           to
           himself
           ,
           take
           heed
           ,
           pray
           ,
           take
           heed
           you
           
             do
             not
             limit
             the
             holy
             One
             
             of
             Israel
          
           ;
           nor
           tye
           up
           God
           to
           this
           ,
           or
           any
           way
           of
           working
           ;
           the
           Lord
           worketh
           all
           things
           after
           the
           counsel
           of
           his
           own
           will
           :
           but
           we
           are
           commanded
           to
           
             search
             our
             hearts
             ,
             and
             try
             our
             ways
             ,
             and
             to
             examine
             our selves
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             all
             diligence
             to
             make
             our
             calling
             and
             election
             sure
             .
          
        
         
           Look
           that
           the
           work
           of
           conversion
           be
           wrought
           ,
           and
           leave
           time
           and
           way
           to
           the
           All-wise
           God
           ,
           that
           governs
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           orders
           all
           things
           ,
           to
           whom
           be
           glory
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           ,
           Amen
           ,
           and
           Amen
           .
        
         
           All
           that
           I
           have
           written
           in
           these
           few
           sheets
           ,
           is
           not
           out
           of
           any
           book
           but
           that
           of
           my
           own
           conscience
           ;
           no
           assister
           ,
           but
           the
           spirit
           ;
           and
           to
           no
           end
           ,
           but
           
             that
             God
             in
             all
             things
             may
             have
             glory
             ,
          
           for
           I
           will
           not
           dare
           to
           speak
           of
           any
           of
           those
           things
           which
           Christ
           hath
           not
           wrought
           in
           me
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Books
           sold
           by
           Tho.
           Parkhurst
           at
           the
           Bible
           and
           Three
           Crowns
           in
           Cheapside
           .
        
         
           ONe
           Hundred
           select
           Sermons
           ,
           upon
           several
           occasions
           ,
           by
           
             Tho.
             Horton
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           
        
         
           Sermons
           on
           the
           whole
           Epistle
           of
           Saint
           Paul
           to
           the
           Collossians
           ,
           by
           Mr.
           
             J.
             Daille
          
           ,
           translated
           into
           English
           by
           
             F.
             S.
          
           with
           Dr.
           Tho.
           Goodwin's
           ,
           and
           Dr.
           
             John
             Owens
          
           Epistles
           Recommendatory
           .
        
         
           An
           Exposition
           of
           Christs
           Temptation
           on
           Matth.
           4.
           and
           Peters
           Sermon
           to
           Cornelius
           ;
           and
           circumspect
           walking
           .
           By
           Dr.
           
             Tho.
             Taylor
          
           .
        
         
           A
           Practical
           Exposition
           on
           the
           third
           Chapter
           of
           the
           first
           Epistle
           of
           Saint
           Paul
           to
           the
           Corinthians
           ,
           with
           the
           
             Godly
             mans
             choice
          
           ,
           on
           Psalm
           4.
           v.
           6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8.
           by
           
             Anthony
             Burgess
          
           .
        
         
           Forty
           six
           Sermons
           upon
           the
           whole
           eighth
           Chapter
           of
           the
           Epistle
           of
           the
           Apostle
           Paul
           to
           the
           Romans
           .
           Both
           by
           
             Tho.
             
             Horton
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           late
           Minister
           of
           Saint
           Hellens
           .
        
         
           An
           Analytical
           Exposition
           of
           Genesis
           ,
           and
           of
           twenty
           three
           Chapters
           of
           Exodus
           ,
           by
           
             George
             Hughes
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           
        
         
           
             Books
             4to
             .
          
           
             The
             Door
             of
             Salvation
             opened
             by
             the
             Key
             of
             Regeneration
             ,
             by
             
               George
               Swinrock
            
             ,
             M.
             A.
             
          
           
             A
             Discourse
             of
             Actual
             Providence
             ,
             by
             
               John
               Collings
            
             ,
             D.
             D.
             
          
           
             An
             Exposition
             of
             the
             Five
             first
             Chapters
             of
             the
             Revelation
             of
             St.
             John
             ,
             by
             
               Charles
               Phelpes
            
             .
          
           
             An
             Antidote
             against
             Quakerism
             ,
             by
             
               Step.
               Scandret
            
             .
          
           
             An
             Exposition
             on
             the
             five
             first
             Chapters
             of
             Ezekiel
             ,
             with
             useful
             observations
             thereupon
             ,
             by
             
               William
               Greenhil
            
             .
          
           
             The
             Gospel-Covenant
             opened
             ,
             by
             
               Pet.
               Bulkley
            
             .
          
           
             Gods
             holy
             Mind
             touching
             matters
             Moral
             ,
             which
             he
             uttered
             in
             ten
             Commandments
             :
             Also
             ,
             an
             Exposition
             on
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             ,
             by
             
               Edward
               Eston
            
             ,
             B.
             D.
             
          
           
           
             The
             Fiery-Jesuit
             ,
             or
             an
             Historical
             Collection
             of
             the
             rise
             ,
             encrease
             ,
             doctrines
             and
             deeds
             of
             the
             Jesuits
             ,
             exposed
             to
             view
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             London
             .
          
           
             
               Horologiographia
               optica
            
             ;
             Dyalling
             ,
             universal
             and
             particular
             ,
             speculative
             and
             practical
             ;
             together
             with
             a
             description
             of
             the
             Court
             of
             Arts
             ,
             by
             a
             new
             Method
             ,
             by
             
               Sylvanus
               Morgan
            
             .
          
           
             The
             Practical
             Divinity
             of
             the
             Papists
             discovered
             to
             be
             destructive
             to
             true
             Religion
             ,
             and
             mens
             souls
             ,
             by
             
               J.
               Clarkson
            
             .
          
           
             The
             Creatures
             goodness
             as
             they
             came
             out
             of
             Gods
             hand
             ,
             and
             the
             good-mans
             mercy
             to
             the
             bruit-creatures
             ,
             in
             two
             Sermons
             ,
             by
             
               Tho.
               Hodges
            
             ,
             B.
             D.
             
          
           
             Certain
             considerations
             tending
             to
             promote
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             amongst
             Protestants
             .
          
           
             Mediocria
             ,
             or
             the
             most
             plain
             and
             natural
             apprehensions
             which
             the
             Scripture
             offers
             ,
             concerning
             the
             great
             Doctrines
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             :
             of
             Election
             ,
             Redemption
             ,
             the
             Covenant
             ,
             the
             Law
             and
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             Perfection
             .
          
           
             The
             vanity
             of
             man
             in
             his
             best
             estate
             ,
             in
             
             a
             discourse
             on
             Psal.
             39.
             5.
             at
             the
             Funeral
             of
             the
             Lady
             
               Susanna
               Keate
            
             ,
             by
             
               Richard
               Kidder
            
             ,
             M.
             A.
             
          
           
             The
             Morning-Lectures
             against
             Popery
             ,
             or
             the
             principal
             Errors
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Rome
             detected
             and
             confuted
             in
             a
             Morning-Lecture
             ▪
             preached
             by
             several
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             in
             or
             near
             London
             .
          
           
             Four
             useful
             discourses
             :
             (
             1
             )
             The
             art
             of
             improving
             a
             full
             and
             prosperous
             condition
             for
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             ;
             being
             an
             appendix
             to
             the
             art
             of
             Contentment
             in
             three
             Sermons
             on
             Phil.
             4.
             12.
             
             (
             2
             )
             Christian
             submission
             ,
             on
             1
             Sam.
             3.
             18.
             
             (
             3
             )
             Christ
             a
             Christians
             life
             and
             death
             is
             gain
             ,
             on
             Phil.
             1.
             21.
             
             (
             4
             )
             The
             Gospel
             of
             peace
             sent
             to
             the
             sons
             of
             peace
             ,
             in
             six
             Sermons
             ,
             on
             Luk.
             10.
             5
             ,
             6.
             by
             
               Jeremiah
               Burroughs
            
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             Wilds
             Letter
             of
             Thanks
             and
             Poems
             .
          
           
             A
             new
             Copy-book
             of
             all
             sorts
             of
             useful
             hands
             .
          
           
             The
             Saints
             priviledg
             by
             dying
             ,
             by
             Mr.
             Scot.
             
          
           
             The
             Vertuous
             Daughter
             ,
             a
             Funeral
             Sermon
             ,
             by
             Mr.
             Brian
             .
          
           
             The
             Miracle
             of
             Miracles
             ,
             or
             Christ
             in
             our
             Nature
             :
             by
             Dr.
             
               Rich.
               Sibbs
            
             .