Part 7
Butinthe unregenerate, whatever conflicts they have with fin, no corruption falls before it: It may be ſaid ofthem, as the church in another cafe complains ofherſelf, Ifa. xxvi. 18 . " We have been in pain, we have, as it were, brought forth " wind. We have not wrought any deliverance in the earth, " neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen." So it fares withtheſe profeflors ; they pray, they hear, they vow, they
refolve, but when all is done, their lufts are as strong andvigorous as ever : No degree ofmortification appears after all.
Andthus much ofthe trial of our fincerity by our carriage toward fin.
CHAP. VII.
Shewing what proof or trial is made of the foundness or un-
foundness of our graces by the duties of religion which we perform. W
SECT . І. E now come (according to the method propoſed) to
make trial ofthe truth or falſeneſs of grace, by the
176 Religious Duties are Heart-discoveries.
dutieswe daily perform inreligion. And certainly they alſo havethe uſe and efficacy offire, forthis discovery, 1 Johnii. 4, 5. " He that faith I know him, and keepeth not his com " mandments [is a liar] and the truth is not in him : But
" whoſo keepeth his word, in him verily is the love ofGod " perfected : Andhereby knowwe that we are inhim."
This is a practical lie, ofwhich the apostle ſpeaks here ; by which men deceive others for a while, and themſelves fore-
ver ; a lie not ſpoken, butdone, when aman's courſe of life contradicts his profeſſion. The life ofan hypocrite is but one longer or continued lie ; he faith or profeffeth he knows God, buttakes nocare at all to obeyhimin the dutieshecommands;
he either neglects them, or if he performs them, it is not as God requires : " If they draw nigh tohimwith their lips, yet "theirheart is farfrom him," Ifa. xxix. 13. " Thou art near
" in their mouth, but far from their reins," Jer. xii . 2 .
There are fome, that feel the influence and power of their communionwith the Lord induties,going down totheir very reins : And there are others, whoſe lips and tongues only are touched with religion.
/ This is an age oflight and much profeſſion : Men cannot now keep up a reputation inthe fober and profeffing world, whilſt they letdown, and totally neglect the duties of religion; but furely, ifmenwould bebutjuſt to themselves, their very performances ofduty wouldtellthem what their hearts are. F
SECT . II. OR there are, among others, theſefollowing particulars,
that do very clearly difference the found from the unfoundprofeffor.
1. First, The deſigns and true levels and aims of mens hearts induty will tell thern what they are.
Anhypocriteaims low; Hof. vii. 14. " Theyhave not cri- " ed unto me with their heartwhen theyhowled upon their " beds; they aſſemble themſelves for corn and wine, andthey " rebel against me." It is not Chriſt, and pardon, formortification, and holiness, but for corn, and wine; thus they make a market ofreligion ; all their ends induty are either
carnal, natural, or legal ; either to accommodate their carnal ends, or fatisfy and quiet their confciences ; and ſo their duties are performed as a fin-offering toGod.
Butan uprighthearthath very high and pure aims in duty; "The defire of their foul is to God," Ifa. xxvi. 8. " Their
Religious Duties are Heart-discoveries. 177 foulfollows hard afterGod," Pfal. Ixiii. 8. " Onethinghave "I defired of the Lord, that will I ſeek after, thatImay "dwellin the houſe ofthe Lord all the days ofmy life, tofee " thebeautyofthe Lord, andto enquire in his temple," Pfal.
xxvii. 4. These are the true eagles thatplayat the fun, and willnot ſtooptolow and earthly objects. Alas ! ifthe enjoymentofGod be miſſed in aduty, it is notthe greatest enlargements ofgifts willfatisfy ;he comes back like aman thathath
takenalongjourney to meet hisfriend upon important bufineſs, and losthis labour; his friend was not there.
2. Secondly, The engagements ofmens hearts toGod in dutieswill tellthem whatthey are; the hypocrite takes little heed to his heart, Ifa. xxix. 13. They are not afflicted really for the hardneſs, deadneſs, unbeliefandwanderings oftheir hearts in duty, as upright ones are; nor do they engage their hearts,
andlabour toget them up withGod induty, as hispeopledo. " I have intreated thy favour with my whole heart," faith David, Pfal. cxix. 58. They are notpleaſed induty untilthey
feel their hearts ſtand towards God like a bow in its full bent. Iſay, it is not always fo with them ; what would they give that itmight be ſo ? But, ſurely, if their fouls in duty be - empty ofGod, they are filled with troubleandforrow.
3. Thirdly, The conſcience thatmen make offecret, as well as public duties, will tellthem what their hearts and graces - are; whether true or falſe. Avain profeſſor is curious in the = former,and either negligent, or, at beſt, formal inthe latter ; forhe finds no inducements ofhonour, applauſe, or oftenta tion ofgifts, externallymoving him to them ; nor hath he a
nyexperience ofthe ſweetneſs and benefit of ſuch duties in ternally toallure and engage his foul to them.
The hypocrite therefore is not for the clofet, but the ſynagogue, Matth. vi. 5, 6. Not but that education, example, or the impulseofconfcience, may ſometimes drive him thither ;
butit is nothis daily delight tobe there ; his meat and drink
to retire fromthe clamour ofthe world to enjoyGod in ſer cret. It is the obſervation oftheirduties is the great inducement to these men to perform them; and, verily, faith our
Lord, ver. 2. " theyhave their reward," απέχεσι, theyhave it away, or they have carried off all the benefit and advantage that everthey ſhall have by religion. Much good may itdo them withtheir applauſe and honour, letthem makemuchof
that airy reward, for it is allthat ever they ſhall have.
But now for afoul trulygracious, he cannot long fubfift VOL. VII. Z
178 Religious Duties are Heart-discoveries. without fecret prayer. It istrue, there is not always an equal freedom and delight, a like enlargement and comfort inthoſe
retirements ; but yet he cannot be without them ; he finds the want of his fecret, in his publicduties: Ifhe and his Godhave not metin fecret, and hadfome communion inthe
morning, he ſenſibly finds itinthe deadness and unprofitable-
neſs of his heart and life all theday after.
4. Fourthly, The ſpirituality ofour duties triesthe fincerity ofour graces : An unregenerate heart is carnal, whilft engaged in duties that are ſpiritual. Some men deceive themfelves in thinking they are ſpiritualmen, becauſe their employments and calling is about ſpiritual things, Hofea ix. 7. This indeed gives them the denomination, but not the frame
ofſpiritual men; andothersjudgethemfelves fpiritualperfons, because they frequently perform and attend upon ſpiritual duties: But, alas, the heart and ſtate maybe carnal notwith-
ſtandingall this. O, my friends, it is notenough thatthe object ofyour duties is ſpiritual,that they reſpect an holyGod;
northat the matterbe ſpiritual,that you be converfant about holy things; but the frame ofyour heart mustbe ſpiritual ;
anheavenly temperoffoul is neceffary, and what arethe moſt heavenly duties without it ?
The end anddeſignyou aim at mustbe ſpiritual,the enjoy. ment of God, and a growing conformity tohim in holiness; elſe multiply duties as the fand on the fea-ſhore, and they all will not amountto oneevidence ofyour fincerity. "God is
" mywitneſs, whomI ferve with my ſpirit," faith the apoftle, Rom. i. 9. He feems to appeal toGod inthis matter. I ferve Godinmyfpirit, and Godknows that Ido ſo ; Idare appeal
tohim thatit is fo ; heknows that my heart is with him, or would be with him inmyduties: The arms of my faith do
either fenfibly graſp, or are ſtretched out towards him inmy duties. O how little favour do gracious hearts find in the moſtexcellent duties, ifGod and their foulsdo not ſenſibly meet in them !
Certainly, reader, there isatimewhenGod comes nigh to men in duty,whenhe deals familiarlywith men, and fenfibly fills theirfouls with unusual powers and delights. The near approaches ofGod to theirfouls arefelt by them, (for fouls have their ſenſes as well as bodies) and now are their minds abſtracted and marvellouſly refined from all that is material and earthly, and swallowedup in ſpiritual excellencies and glories.
Theſe arethe real prelibations, or foretaſtesofglory, which
Religious Duties are Heart-discoveries. 179 no man can by words, make another to understand, as he himſelfdoth thatfeels them.
Theſe ſeaſons, I confeſs,dobut rarely occur tothebeſt of Chriſtians, nor continue longwhen they do* : Alas ! this wine
is too ſtrong for fuch weak bottles as we are. Hold, Lord, (an ⚫holymanſaidonce,) it is enough thy poor creature is a clay ' veſſel, and canhold nomore : This is thatjoy unſpeakable, andfull ofglory, which is mentioned, 1 Pet. i. 7, 8. Somethingthatwords cannot defcribe. Theſe ſeaſons are the golden ſpots ofour lives, when we are admitted to theſe near and
ineffable views and taſtes ofGod: Poſſibly ſome poor Chriftianscan ſaybut little to theſe things ; theirforrows are exer-
ciſedin duties more than theirjoys; they are endeavouring
to mount, but the stone hangs atthe heel; theyeſſay,but cannot rife to that height that others do, who aregot upby their labouring faith into the upperregion, and there diſplay their wings, and fing in the fun-beams: But though they cannot reach this height, yethave they no fatisfaction in duties wherein there is no intercourſe betwixtGod and their fouls.
Thatwhich contents another, will notcontent a Chriſtian. Ifthe king be abſent,men willbow to theempty chair ; but if God be abſent, anempty duty gives no fatisfaction to a graci-
ous ſpirit. The poorest Chriſtian isfoundpanting afterGod by fincere defires, and labouring to getup that dead and vain heart toGod induty,(though,alas! it ismany times but the
rolling ofthe returning stone against the hill)yethe never expects advantage by thatdutywherein the Spirit ofGod is not; nor doth he expect the Spirit ofGod ſhould be where his own ſpirit isnot.
5. Fifthly, Affiduityand conſtancy in theduties ofreligion make a notable discovery of the foundness or rottenneis of
mens hearts. The hypocrite may ſhew ſome zeal and forwardneſs in duties for a time, buthe willjade and give out at
length ; Job xxvii. 10. " Will he delight himselfin theAl- " mighty ? Will he always call upon God?" No, he will not. Ifhis motions in religion were natural, they would be conftant; but they are artificial, and he is movedby external inducements, and ſo mustneeds be off and on ; heprays himZ2
It isa ſweethour, and it isbut an hour, (athing ofthort continuance:) The reliſh of it is exceeding ſweet, but itis notoften |
that Chriſtianstaſte it. Bernard,
1.80 Religious Duties are Heart-discoveries. ſelf weary of praying, and hears himselfweary ofhearing : Hisheart is notdelighted inhis duties, andtherefore his du-
ties mustneeds grow ſtale anddrytohim after awhile. There
bethree ſeaſons inwhich the zeal ofanhypocrite maybe inflamed in duties.
First, When ſome imminentdanger threatens him ; fome fmart rod ofGod is ſhaken over him; " When he flew them, " then they fought him, and returned andenquiredearlyaf- " ter God," Pfalm Ixxviii. 34. Othe goodly words they give, the fair promiſes they make ! andyet all the while "theydo but flatter him with their lips, and lieunto him "with theirtongues," ver. 36, 37. for let butthatdangerpaſs over, andtheheavens clear upagain,andhe willreftrain prayer, and return tohisold courſe again.
Secondly, Whenthetimes countenance and favour religion, and the wind is in his back, O what zeal will he have for God! So in the stony ground, Matth. xiii. 5. the feed ſprung up and flouriſheduntilthefunofperſecution aroſe, and then it
fadedaway, for it had nodepth ofearth, nodeep ſolid inward workor principle ofgrace to maintain it. 1 Thirdly, Whenfelf-ends and deſigns are accommodated and promotedby theſe things. This wasthe cafe of Jehu, 2Kings x. 16. "Come, ſee my Zeal;" for what? For a baſe ſelf-
intereſt, not for God. How fervently will ſome men pray, preach, and profeſs,whilft they ſenſibly feelthe incomes and profits oftheſe duties to their flesh; whilst they are admired andapplauded!
Theſe external incentives will put anhypocrite into an hot fit of zeal; but then, as it is with a man, whoſe colours are
raiſedby the heat ofthe fire, and notbythe healthfulness ofa goodconftitution, it foon fades and falls again. But, bleſſed be God, it is not ſo with all : The manwhoſe heart is upright withhisGod,will " keep judgment, and do " righteouſneſs at alltimes," Pfal. cvi. 3. Whether dangers threaten or no ; whether the times favour religion or no ; whether his earthly intereſt be promotedby it orno, he will be holy ſtill, he will notpart with his duties when they are
ftript naked of thoſe external advantages ; as the addition of theſethings to religion did not at firſtengage him, ſothefub-
ſtractionofthem cannotdiſengage him.
Ifhisdutybecome his reproach,yet Mofes will not forſake it, Heb. xi. 26. Ifhe lofe his company, and be left alone, yet Paul will not flinch from his duty, 2 Tim. iv. 16. If hazard furround duty on every fide, yetDanielwill not quit
Religious Duties are Heart-discoveries. 181
it,Dan. vi. 10. for theyconfideredtheſethings at firſt, and countedthe coſt ; they ſtill find religion is rich enough topay
the coſt of all that they can lofe, or fuffer for its fake; yea, and thatwith an hundred-fold reward nowin this life. They neverhad anyotherdeſign in engaging in religiousduties,but to help them to heaven; and if they recover heaven at laſt, whetherthe way to it prove better or worse, they have their
defign and ends ; andtherefore they willbe ſtedfaft, " always " abounding in the work ofthe Lord, asknowing their labour " isnot invain inthe Lord," 1 Cor. xv. ult . 6. Sixthly, The humility and felf-denial ofour hearts in duties, will try what they are for their integrity and fincerity towards God. Doth a man boast in his own excellencies in prayer,as the Phariſee did, Luke xviii. 10, 11. " God, I thank " thee, I am not asother men:" Which he ſpeaks not in an humble acknowledgment of the grace ofGod which differencesmanfrom man, but ina proudoftentation ofhis own ex-
cellencies. Doth a man make his duties his ſaviours, and trust tothem inavainconfidenceoftheirworth anddignity ? Luke xviii. 9. Surely, " his heart, which isthus lifted up within "him, is not upright," Hab. ii.4. Butifthe heart be upright indeed, itwillexpreſs its humility, as in all other things, fo eſpecially in its duties wherein it approaches the great andholyGod.
First, Itwill manifeſt its humilityinthoſe awful andreverential apprehenfions it hath ofGod, as Abraham did, Gen. xviii. 27. " Andnow, I that am butdust and aſhes, (faith he) "havetakenuponme to ſpeakuntoGod." The humllityof Abraham's ſpirit is,inſome meaſure,tobefound in allAbra-
ham's children .
Secondly, Inthoſe low and vile thoughts they have ofthemſelves and their religious performances : Thus that poor penitent,Lukevii.38.stoodbehindChriſtweeping : " Yet the dogs " eatthe crumbs," faith another, Mark vii. 28. " I am more " brutiſhthan anyman," faith athird, Prov.xxx. 7. " Iabhor
"myſelfin dust and ashes," ſaith a fourth, Job xlii. 6. and
as little eſteem they have for their performances, Ifa. lxiv. 6. " All our righteouſneſſes are as filthy rags." Idenynotbut there ispride andvanity inthe most uprightones ; but what place foever it finds in their converſes with men, it finds littleroom intheir converſes withGod,or ifitdoth, they loath
it, and themſelves for it.
Thirdly, But eſpeciallytheirhumility in duty is diſcovered inrenouncing alltheirdutiesin point ofdependence, and re
182 Religious Duties are Heart-discoveries. lying entirely upon Chriſt for righteouſneſs and acceptance : They have ſpecial regard to duties in point of obedience, but none at all in point of reliance.
7. Seventhly, The communion and intercoursewhich isbetwixtGod and men induties, notably diſcovers what their perſons and graces are. And it must needs do ſo, becauſe whatcommunion foever the hypocrite hath with duties, or with faints in duties, to be ſure he hathnone withGod.
None can come nigh toGod in duty, but thoſe that are made nigh by reconciliation : All ſpecial communion with Chrift is founded in realunion with Chriſt; but " thewicked
" are estranged from the womb," Pfalm lviii. 3.
Butnow there is real communion betwixt God and his people in duties. Trulyour fellowship, noivavia, ourcommunion iswith the Father and Son, I John i. 3. God pours forthof his Spirit upon them, and they pour forth their hearts toGod.
It is ſenſiblymanifeſted to them when the Lord comes nigh to their fouls induty, and as ſenſible they are ofhis retreats and withdrawments from their fouls, Cant. iii. 1, 4. They find
their hearts, like the heliotrope, open and ſhut according to the acceſſes and receſſes of the divine preſence. They that never felt any thing of this nature, may call it a faney, but the Lord's people are abundantly fatisfied of the reality thereof.
Their very countenance is alteredby it, I Sam. i. 18. the ſad andcloudy countenance ofHannah cleared up, there was fair weather in her very face, as foon as sheknew the hadaudience and acceptance with her God. I know all communion withGod doth not confift injoys and comforts ; there is as
realcommunionwithGod in the mortifying andhumbling influences of his Spirit upon men, as in the cheering and refreſhing influencesthereof. Iknow alſo there is a great diverfity in thedegrees and meaſures thereof: It is not alike in all Chriſtians, nor with the fame Chriſtian at all times. But that real Chriſtians have true and real communion with God in their duties, is atruth as manifeſt in ſpiritual ſenſe and experience of the faints, as their communion is one with another.
8. Eightly, Growth and improvement of grace in duties, notably differences the found and the unfoundheart. All the duties inthe world will never make an hypocrite moreholy, humble, orheavenly than he is ; but will, as the watering of
adry ſtick, ſooner rot it, than make it flourishing and fruitful. Whatwas Judas the better for allthoſe heavenly fer
Religious Duties are Heart-discoveries. 183
mons, prayers, and discourſes of Chrift which he heard ? And whatwillthy foulbe thebetter for all theduties thouperform-
eſtweeklyanddaily, ifthy heartbe unfound ? It is plain, from Job xv. 4 there must be an implantation into Chriſt, before therecanbe animprovement in fruitful obedience. And it
is asplain, from 1 John ii. 14. that thevirtues of ordinances must remain; the efficacy and powers that we ſometimes feel
underthem, muſt abide andremain inthe heart afterwards, or we cannot grow, andbe made fruitfulby them.
But the falfe profeſſor is neither rooted in Chriſtby union withhim, nordoth, or canretain the virtue ofordinances with
inhim; but, like one thatviews his face in a glaſs, quickly forgets what manner of manhe was; his head indeed may grow, his knowledge may increaſe, but he hath adead and withered heart.
Butas the faints havereal communion withGod induties, ſo they do make improvements anſwerable thereunto : There
is more certainly aripeningoftheir graces thatway; achangingorgradual transformationfromglory to glory ; a ſpringingup tothat full ftatureofthe man in Chriſt. "They that " are planted in thehouſe of the Lord, ſhall flourish in the " courts of our God," Pfal. xcii. 13, 14. There is pure and fincere milk inthebreastsof ordinances ; a believer fucks the very breasts ofChrist in his duties, anddoth grow thereby,
1 Pet. ii. 2. theydogrowmoreand morejudicious, experienced, humble, mortified,andheavenly,byconverfing with theLord
ſofrequentlyinhis appointments.
Thereis, I confeſs, a more difcernable growth and ripening inſome Chriftians,than inothers: The faith offome groweth exceedingly, 2 Theff. i. 3. others more flowly, Heb. v. 12. butyet there are improvements of grace in all upright ones : habits are more deeply radicated, or fruits ofobedience more
increaſed.
: Object. Ifany uprightfoul bestumbled at this, asnot being able to difcern the increase of his graces, after all his duties.
Sol. Letſuch conſiderthe growth ofgrace is difcerned as thegrowthofplants is,whichweperceive rather creviffe, quam
crefcere; to have grown, than togrow: Compare time paft andpreſent, and you may fee it; but uſually our eager de-
fires after more, make us overlook what we have as nothing.
9. Ninthly, The aſſiſtances and influencesofthe Spirit induties, ſhews us whatwe are ; no vital fanctifying influencescan fall uponcarnal hearts induties: The Spirit helps not their
184 The Advantages of Sincerity. inarmities, nor makes interceſſion forthemwith groanings which cannot be uttered, as he doth forhis own people, Rom.
viii. 26, 27. They have his aſſiſtances intheway ofcommon gifts, but not in the way of ſpecial grace: He may enable them topreachjudicioufly,not experimentally ; topray orderly
and neatly, not feelingly, believingly, and broken-heartedly; " For asmany asare ledbythe SpiritofGod, theyare the fons " ofGod," Rom. viii. 14. He never ſo aſſiſts,but where he hath firſt ſanctified. Carnal men furnish thematerials of their duties out ofthe ſtrength of their parts ; a ſtrong memory, a goodinventionare the fountainswhencetheydraw. But it is otherwise with ſouls truly gracious ; they have ordinarily athreefold affiſtance from the Spirit in reference to theirduties.
First, Beforeduties, excitingthem to it, making them feel their need of it, like the callof an empty stomach ; Pfalm xxvii. 8. " Thou faidft, Seek my face ; my heart anſwered, "Thy face, Lord, willIfeek."
Secondly, Intheir duties. furnishing both matterand affec tion, as in that text lately cited, Rom. viii. 26. guiding them not onlywhat to aſk, but how to aik.
Thirdly, Aftertheirduties,helpingthemnot onlyto ſuppreſs thepride andvanity oftheir ſpirits,but alſo towait onGodfor the accomplishment oftheir defires. Now, though all theſe things, whereinthe fincerity ofour hearts is tried induties,befoundingreatvariety (as to degrees) among faints, yet they are myſteries unknown by experience toothermen.
CHAP. VIII.
Opening the trials offincerity andhypocrisy, byfufferings upon
theaccount ofreligion.
SECT. I.
viz. by ſufferings for religion. WE
E are now arrivedat the laſt trial ofgrace propounded,
Thousands ofhypocritesembark themſelves intheprofeſſion ofreligionina calm;but ifthewindriſeth, andtheſea rageth, and they fee religion will not tranſportthem ſafely to the cape oftheir earthlyhopes andexpectations,theydefire tobe landed
The Advantages ofSincerity. 185 again as foon asmay be ; for theynever intended to ride out aſtorm for Chrift : Soyou find, Matth. xiii. 20, 21. " He en- " dureth for a while, butwhen tribulation or perfecution " ariſeth becauſe ofthe word, by and by he is offended."
Butyet it is not every trial by ſufferings that ſeparates gold fromdroſs ; andtherefore my buſineſs will be to ſhew,
1. First, When the fire of fufferings and perfecution ishot and vehement enough to ſeparate them.
2. Secondly, Why itmust needs diſcoverhypocrifywhenit isatthatheight.
3. Thirdly, What advantages ſincere grace hath to endure thatfevere and ſharp trial.
SECT . II. OW the fire ofperſecution, or ſufferings for religi
1.N
on, maybe judged intenſe, andhigh enoughto ſeparate gold and droſs ;
First, When religion expoſes us toimminent hazard ofour deepeft and dearest intereſts in this world : Such are our liberties, eftates and lives : Then it is afierce and fierytrial indeed. Sometimes it expoſes the liberties of its profeſſors,Rev. ii. 10. " The devil ſhall caſtſome ofyou into priſon." Sometimes their eftates,Heb. x. 34. " Ye took joyfully the ſpoiling of " your goods;" and ſometimes their lives, Heb. xi. 37. " Theywerestoned, theywere fawn aſunder, theywere flain " withtheſword." Whilft itgoes nohigherthan ſomeſmall inconveniencies of life, reputation and ſenſe of honour will hold a falſe heart; but when it comes to this, few willbe
foundable to endure it, but thoſe that expect to ſaveno more by religionbut their ſouls, and account themſelves in good cafe, iftheycan but ſave them with the loſs of all that is dear
tothem inthis world.
Herethe falſeheartboggles; here it uſuallyjades and faulters.
Secondly, The fierytrial is thenhigh, when thereremains noviſible hopes ofdeliverance, or outward encouragements to ſenſe, thatthe ſcene will alter. When"we ſee notour figns, "there is no more anyprophet, nor any that can tellushow "long," as the cafe with the church was, Pfal.lxxiv. 9. Then theirhandshangdown, and their hearts faint : Nor is it tobe
wondredat, when the length of troubles proveſo forea temp-
tationevento the upright, to putforth their hands to iniquity; as it is Pfal. cxxv. 3. Ifſuch atemptation ſhake fuch men VOL . VI. Aa
186 The Advantages of Sincerity.
asbuildon therock, it muſtquite overturn thoſe whoſe fourdation is but fand.
Thirdly, When a falſe profeſſor is engagedalone in fufferings, and is fingledoutfrom the herd, as adeer, to be run down, now it is a thousand to one but he quits religion to fave himself: Good company will encourage a faint-hearted traveller tojog on agreatway ; but ifhe be forſaken by all,
as Paul was, no man to ſtandbyhim ; if left alone, as Elijah was, whatcanencouragehim to hold out ?
Indeed, ifthey had the ſame inviſible ſupports thoſe good men had, thatthe Lordwas withthem, that would keep them
ſteady; but wanting that encouragement from within, and all ſhrinking away from without, they quickly tire downright.
Fourthly, When near relations and intimates ofpoſe and temptus. The prophet ſpeaks of a time "when a man's ene- "mies ſhall be the men of his own houſe ;" it may be the
wife ofhis boſom, Micah vii.5, 6. Owhat a trial isthatwhich
Chrift mentions in Luke xiv. 26. when we must hate father and mother, wife and children, or quit claim to Chrift and heaven ! This is hard work indeed.
Howharddid that truly noble and renowned Galeacius Carracciolus find this! O what a conflict found he in his bowels ! Now Chriſt and ourdearest intereſtcome to meet like twomenupon anarrow bridge ; ifone go forward, the other must go back, and nowthepredominate intereftcanno longer
be concealed.
Fifthly, When powerful temptations are mixedwith cruel fufferings ; when we are ſtronglytempted, as well as cruelly perfecuted: Thisblows upthe fire to a vehementheight. This was the trial ofthoſepreciousprimitivebelievers, Heb. xi. 35, 37. "Theywere stoned, theywerefawn aſunder, they were " tempted." Here was life, liberty, and preferment ſet upononehand, and death, inthe most formidable ſhape, upon the other. This cannot butbe a greattrial to any, but efpeciallywhen a cruel death, and tendertemper meet, then the trial goes high indeed.
SECT . III. ND that ſuch ſufferings as theſe will discover the
2.A
falſeneſs and rottenneſs of mens hearts, cannot be doubted: Ifyouconſiderthat thisis thefiredeſignedbyGod, for this very uſe and purpoſe, toſeparate the goldfrom the droſs; fo you will find it, I Pet. iv. 12. " Beloved, think it not " ſtrange concerningthe fierytrialwhich is totryyou," i. e
The Advantages of Sincerity. 1871 the verydeſign and aim ofprovidence in permitting and or-
dering them, isto try you. The deſign ofSatan isto destroy you; butGod's deſign is to try you. Upon this account you
find thehourofperſecution (in aſuitable notion) called "the " hour oftemptation orprobation," Rev. iii. 10. forthenpro-
feffors are fiftedto the very bran ; ſearched to the very bottom principles. " This is the day that burns as an oven, in "which all the proud, and all thatdo wickedly, ſhall be as " stubble," Mal. iv. 1. For, 1. First, In thatday the predominant intereſt muſt appear, and be diſcovered : It canbe concealedno longer ; "Noman "can ſerve two maſters," ſaith Chriſt, Luke xvi. 13. Aman
mayſervemany maſters, iftheyallcommandthefamethings,
orthings fubordinate to each other ; but he cannot ſerve two
mafters, if their commands claſh and interfere with each o ther: And ſuch are the commands of Chriſt and the fleſh in a
ſuffering hour. Chriſt faith, " Be thou faithfulto the death;" the flesh faith, Spare thyself, and ſecure the comforts of life. Christ faith, " He that loveth father or mother, wife or chil- " dren, lands orinheritance morethanme, is not worthyof " me." Fleſh faith, He that will grieveandbreak the heart offuck dear relations, andforsake, when he might keep fuch earthlyaccommodations, is not worthy of them.
Thus the two intereſts come in full oppofition : and now havebut patience to wait a little, andyou shall difcern which
ispredominant. A dog follows two men, while they both walk one way, andyou know not which ofthe two is his ma-
ſter; ſtay but a little tilltheir path parts, andthen you shall quicklyfee who is his maſter : So is it in this cafe.
2. Secondly, Inthatdayſenſible ſupports fail,andall a man's reliefcomes inby the pureandimmediate actings of faith ;
andwere it not for thoſe reliefs,his heartwould foon faint and dieaway underdiſcouragements, 2Cor. iv. 17, 18. " We faint " notwhilftwelook not at thethings which are ſeen, for they " are temporal,but atthethings which arenot ſeen, forthey are " eternal," q. d. Ifwe keep not oureye intently fixed upon the
inviſible and eternal things inthe coming world; we shall feel ourſelves fainting and dying away under the many troubles and afflictions ofthis world. " Ihadfainted (faith holyDavid) " ifIhad not believed." How thenſuppoſe ye ſhall thehypocrite liveatſuch atime, who hath no faith to ſupporthim? No reliefbut what comes inthrough the ſenſes ?
3. Thirdly, Inthatdayallmere notions and ſpeculations about
: 22
188 The Advantages ofSincerity. religionvaniſh; andnothing relieves andfatisfies the fuffering foul butwhat it really believes, and what it hath fatisfying proofandexperience of in himself. There are agreat many pretty and pleaſing notions which our minds are entertained with; fome delight intimes ofpeace,which candous nofer-
vice atall intheday oftrouble ! and for our ſpeculative,un-
practicableknowledge ofthe greatest truths inreligion,as little
ſervice is tobe expected from them : Exceptwe have better evidence and ſecurity aboutthem,we shallbe loth to venture allupon the crédit of them .
That is averyconfiderable paſſage tothispurpoſe inHeb. *. 34. "Yetookjoyfully the fpoiling ofyour goods, (knowing " in yourſelves) that ye have inheavenabetter and more en
during ſubſtance." Thisknowing in yourselves isbyinward andſenſible experience,taſte andfeeling,which is abundantly
fatisfying to the foul; and ſtandsoppoſedtoallthat traditional knowledge we receive from others; which, as it leaves the mind fluctuating, ſo the heart alſodeadand comfortleſs.
4. Fourthly, In that daythe rootand foundation ofa man's faith andhope is tried, andthen theythat havebuilt upon the fand must needs fail; for every thing is as its foundation; principles are to us what a root is to a tree, or a foundationto ahouſe ; a flaw or grand defect there moſtaſſuredly ruins all. Thiswe find tobe the veryſcopeofthoſe two famousparables,
Luke xiv. 25. and Matth xiii. 21. Leffer troubles ſhake but the branches, but theſe try the very root: ifnothing be found therebut ſelf-ends; the force of education, and the influence ofexamples, furelywhen the winds riſe high, and beat upon it, they will quickly lay the loftieſt profeffor even with theground.
Andthus you ſeewhat acriſfis an hour oftemptation, the fuffering hour is, and what diſcoveries of hypocrify itmust needs make; for nowthe hypocrite, like Orpha, will forſake religion ; but fincerity willmake the foul cleave to it, asRuth didtoNaomi.
SECT. IV. HAT advantages fincerity gives the foul for its e-
ſtabliſhment andperfeverance infuffering times, I thall briefly account for inthe following particulars.
1. First, Sincere godlineſs dethrones that idol, the love of this world, in all true Chriſtians ; andthis is it that makes
men thrinkand flinch fromChrift inadayoffuffering. Ido pot deny but evenbelievers themselves love the world too
3 189
The Advantages ofSincerity.
much ; butthey love it not as their chiefgood: it isnottheir portionorhappiness; ifanyman ſo lovetheworld," the love "of the Father is not inhim," 1 John ii. 15. How much ſoevera fincereChriſtian loves the world, yet ſtill it is in fubordination tothe love of God, John xxi. 15. Sincerity can confift with no other love ofthe world; it will not fuffer fuch acurſed plant togrowunder its ſhadow.
Now,what is it, butthis inordinate, fupreme love of the creature, thatmakesmen forſake Chriſt intimeoftemptation? This was the ruin of that young man,Matth.xix. 22. "He "went away forrowful, for he hadgreat poffeffions." This was the overthrow of Demas, 2 Tim. iv. 10. " He hath for-
" ſakenme (faiththe apostle)having lovedthispreſentworld." Thelove ofthis world, like ſap in greenwood, will not fuffer youtoburn for Chriſt; get butthe heartmortified to thecreaturebyadiſcovery ofbetter things inheaven, and it will eſta bliſh and fix your ſpirits, that it ſhall notbe in the power of
creatures to ſhake you offfrom Chriſt your foundation.
2. Secondly, Sincerity knits the foul to Chrift, andunion withhim fecuresus inthe greatest trials ; Munimurquatenus
tinimur. Thehypocritehaving nounionwithChriſt, can have no communion with him, norcommunications ofgrace from him; and ſo that little ſtock of his ownbeing quickly ſpent (Imeannatural courage and reſolution)and no incomes from
Chriſt, he must needs give up ina shorttime. But it is with abeliever in aday oftrouble, as it is with a garrifonbeſieged by land, but free and opentothe ſea, whence freſh ſupplies
aredailyfent into relieveit: See 2 Cor. i 5. "As the ſuffer- " ings ofChriſt abound in us, ſoourconfolation alfo abound- " ethbyChriſt;" freſh aids and daily ſupplies proportionable to our expences and decays of ſtrength: So Col. i. 11. " Strengthned with all might inthe inner-man, according to " his glorious power, unto allpatienceand long-fuffering with " joyfulness." Andthis is the believers great advantageby
his uuionwith Chriſt in aday oftrial.
3. Thirdly, As fincerityunites the soul with Chriſt, ſo it ſets theheart upon heaven, and things eternal; Col. iii. 1. c. Surelynothing is more conducive to our ſtability thanthis, in thehouroftemptation.
This is the moſt effectual preſervative from temptations upontherighthand,and uponthe left. Mofes could caſt akingdomat hisheels; deſpiſe theriches, pleaſures, and honours of Egypt, whilst his eye was fixeduponhim that is inviſible, and
had reſpect tothe recompence of reward, Heb. xi. 24, 25,
190 The Advantages of Sincerity. 26. And itwas a brave replyofthe fortymartyrs toValence theemperor, temptingthemwiththepreferments andhonours ofthe world, Whyofferye theſe trifles tous,wheryou know •howthewholeworldiscontemnedbyus?" Andfortemptationsonthe lefthand,howlittlecantheymovethat foul,who rea-
lizes theglory of the approachingworld,andfeesthe afflictions and fufferings ofthisworld preparing him for, and haſtening him to the enjoymentof it: temptations meetwithbut cold
entertainment from fuch fouls .
4. Fourthly, Sincerity drives but one deſign, andthat is to pleaſe and enjoyGod: andwhat can more eſtabliſh and fix
the foul in thehouroftemptationthan this ? The reasonwhy
thehypocrite is unſtable inallhisways, is given usbytheapoftle James, i. 8. He is a double-minded man, διψυχος ανηρ, aman of two ſouls in one body; as a profane wretch once boafted, that he had one foul for God, and another for any thing. But all the deſigns of agracious heart areunited in one; and ſo the entire ftream ofhis affections runs ſtrong,
Itisbaſe by-ends and ſelf-intereſts, that, like a great many ditches cut out ofthe bank ofa river, draw away the ſtream out of its proper channel, and make its waters fail. But if
the heart be united forGod, as the expreſſion is,Pfal. Ixxxvi. 11. then, wemayſay offueh aChriftian, aswas faid ofayoung Roman, Quicquid vult, valde vult ; What hedoth, is done with allhis might. And this was the ground of that ſaying,
Liberetme Deusab homine unius tantum negotii: Amanofone
onlydefigu, puts to all his ſtrength tocarry it; nothing can ſtand before him .
5. Fifthly, Sincerity brings aman's will into ſubjection to thewillofGod; andthis being done, the greatest danger and difficulty is overwith ſuch aman. This is that holyoilwhich makes the wheels of the foul run nimbly, even in difficult paths ofobedience; Non tardat uncta rota. Letbuta man be oncebrought tothat, " The will of the Lord be done," as it
is Acts xxi. 13. to ſeethehighest reaſon ofchearful obedience in the holy, just, and goodwill ofGod, and then all the difficulty isover ; he canfufferquietlywhatmeninflict unjustly.
6. Sixthly, Sincerity takes its meaſures ofpreſent thingsby the rules offaith and eternity; it goesnotbythefame reckon-
ing and account that others do, whojudge ofthings by ſenſe, and the reſpects theyhave to the preſent world, 2 Cor. iv. 18. "We look not at the things that are ſeen, but at the things "that are not ſeen;" and this isthere given as the reaſon of
hisnot faintingunder prefentdifficulties: So,Rom. vii. rå
The Design of God in the Trial ofhis People. 191 " I reckon that the ſufferings ofthepreſenttimes are not wor- " thy tobe compared with the glory which ſhallbe revealed " in us." He will not allow himself to undervalue eternal glory, by once mentioning preſent ſufferings, in away ofbemoaning himſelfforthem: Asteady eyeupon the other world makes us more than conquerors over the troubles of this world.
7. Seventhly, To conclude ; fincerityalone hath alltheheavenlyaids and aſſiſtances to ſtability, and perfeverance in fuf-
feringtimes: upright ones (and ſuchonly)haveChriſt's interceſſioninheaven for them,Rom. viii. 34. The Spirit's confolation inalltheir troubles, 1Pet. iv. 14. The Spirit ofglory and ofGodreſtethonthem: thebeneficial miniſtryofangels, who are fent forth upon their account, Heb. i. 14. A stock ofprayers, going for them all the world over, Eph. vi.
18. Multitudes of precious promiſes in the Scriptures ; for every line,word,andſyllable ofwhich the faithfulness ofGod
ſtands engaged : ſothat it is impoſſibleſuchgoldcan perish in thefire.
Andthus oftheſeveralwaysbywhichgrace ishere tried.
CHAP. IX.
Opening thedesigns and ends ofGod, in bringing of the profef-
fors ofreligion intofuch various trials of theirgraces in this
world. TH
SECT . I. HESE are fome of the ways andmethods inwhich
God brings his gold tothe touchstone, and tothe fire, eveninthisworld,before the awful andfolemn trial theymuſt come to inthe finaljudgment : and ifwe defire to be fatisfied whatthedeſignand end ofGod inmaking ſuch probations of hispeople is, Wemustconclude, inthe general, he certainly deſigns his ownglory, and his peoples advantage and profit in them. If hefuffer them to be tried by reproaches, happy are they, the Spirit of God and glory reſteth on them ; there is their profit; and though his name be evil ſpoken of, yet in the meeknefs of theirſpirits he is glorified, as itis, 1 Pet. iv. 14. " Ifthe ſcourge " ſlayſuddenly, he laugheth atthe trial ofthe innocent," Job ix. 23. Not at their afflictions, but at the effects and bleſſed iffues and refults of them : Not that itgives them pain, but thatitgives them glory. Upon this account the apostle bids
192 The Design ofGod in the Trial of his People. us count italljoy whenwe fall intodiverſe temptations or trials: and ſtillthe moretrials themorejoy; fortherebyGod willproduce fuch effects as are more precious than gold that
periſheth, 1Pet. i.7. O who canvaluethe comfort that is taſtedbythe foul,uponthetrialanddiſcovery ofits fincerity, whenafter ſome foretemptationwhereinGod hathhelped us
tomaintainourintegrity, or after ſome cloſe pinching affliction, whereinwe have diſcovered in ourſelves aſweet refignation to,
andcontentmentinthe willofGod, an heartcleaving to the Lord, purged andmademore fpiritualunderthe rod! wecan
turn to the Lord, and appeal tohim, as theprophet did, Jer. xii. 3. " But thou, O Lord, knoweſt me; thou haſt ſeenme, " andtriedmine heart towards thee."
I ſay, who can duly value ſuch an advantage: whowould exchange fuch a comfort for all the gold and silver inthe world? Howmanytrials foever Godbrings his peopleunder, tobeſureneither his ownglory, northeir intereſt, ſhall fuffer anydamageby them. B
SECT. V.
thoughts cloſe to UTmore particularly, let usbring our
thematterbefore us,and we shall findmanygreat advantages and benefits rifing outoftheſe trials of fincerity : For,
1. First,Herebyhypocrify is unmaſked anddiſcovered ; the vizard is plucked offfrom the falſe profeffor, andhis truenatural faceand complexion ſhewn tothe world ; and inthis there is agreat deal of good.
Object. Good, you willsay, Where lies it ? All the world Jeesthe mischiefandfad effects ofit ; many arestumbled, many arehardenedby it : "Woeto the worldbecauſe ofoffences!" Matth. xvi. 7.
Sol. True, ſome are prejudicedand hardened by it, ſo as never to have goodthoughts ofthe ways andpeople ofGod more: That isfadindeed; however,thereinGodaccomplishes hisword, and executeth his decree; and though theſe perifh,
yet,
First, Others are warned, awakened, and fet a ſearching theirown hearts more narrowly than ever, and this is good,
1 Cor. x. 11 , 12. Now theſe were our examples ; "wherefore " lethim that thinketh he ſtandeth, take heed left he fall."
Secondly, Hereby ſin is aſhamed; and it is good when fin that hath expoſed men to ſo much ſhame, ſhallbe itſelf expofedtoſhame: Thisis the just reward of fin, Jer. xiii. 25,26.
The Design ofGod in the Trial ofhis People. 193 This isthy lot, the portion ofthy meaſuresfromme,faiththe " Lord ; becauſe thou hast forgotten me, and truſtedin falſe- "hood,thereforewill I difcoverthy ſkirts uponthyface, that " thy ſhamemay appear."
Theturning up the ſkirt is a modeft expreſſion of expofing aperſon tothe greateft ſhame in thedayoftrial : God,bydifcoveringhypocrify, ſhames the hypocrite; and, ſurely, many fuch difcoveries are madeof men at this day : We may fee
fin,that lurkedcloſe intheheart before, now laidopenbefore allIfrael, and before the fun.
Thirdly, Hereby the poor felf-cozening hypocrite hath the greatestopportunity and advantage that ever was beforehimin
allhis life, to recover himſelf out of the ſnare ofthe devil. Nowallhispretences are gone ; now that which like a ſhield wasadvanced against the arrows ofreproofand conviction is
gone; nowapoor creature ſtands naked, and ſtripped out ofall hispleas, as a fair andopenmark to theworld,and his own confcience; andhappywill itbe for him, ifnow theLord make
conviction to enter point blank into his foul. All theſe are bleffedeffects ofthe difcoveryofhypocrify.
Secondly, By theſe trials integrity is cleared up, and the doubts and fears of many upright and holy ones allayed and
quieted, reſolved andfatisfied. Owhatwouldmany a poor Chriſtiangive for fatisfaction in thatgreatpointoffincerity! Howmanytears have been ſhed
toGodinfecret uponthat account ? How many hours have beenſpent in examinationof his own heart about it, and ſtill jealoufies andfears hang upon his heart ? He doubts what he mayprove at last. Well, faithGod, lethis fincerity thencome to the teft, kindle the fire, and caft in my gold. Trials are thehighway to afſurance ; let my child ſee that he loves me more thantheſe, that hisheart isupright withme. I willtry himbyprofperityandby adverſity, byperfecutions andtemptations,andhe ſhall ſee his heart is better than he ſuſpects it to be. This ſhall be theday of reſolution to his fears and doubts.
The apostle, ſpeaking ofherefies, 1 Cor. xi. 7, 9. puts a neceflity upon them: There must be herefies, faithhe, that they which are approvedmay bemade manifeft. The ſame neceffity there is (and forthe fame end) ofall other trials ofgrace, that
thelovely,beautiful, ſweet face offinceritymaybe openedfometimes to theworld, to enamour them, andto the foul inwhoni
it is, to fatisfy it that itdoth not perſonate a Chriſtian, but вь VOL. VII.
194 The Design ofGod in the Trial of his People.
lives the very life of a Chriftian, and hath the very ſpiritand principles of aChriſtian in him.
3. Thirdly, By theſe trials, pride and felf-confidence is deſtroyedand mortified inthe faints, as much as by any thing in the world. We never fee what poor weak creatures we are, until we come to the trial. It is said, Deut. viii. 2. "God " led Ifrael throughthe defart, to prove them, and to humble " them." Whenwe are proved,thenwe arehumbled. Thoſe that over-reckon their graces before the trial, fee they must
come to another account, and take new meaſuresofthemſelves
after they have been upon trial.
Ah! littledidIthink,faithone, thatIhadso much love for theworld, and fo little for God, until afflictions tried it. I could not have believed that ever the creature had got ſodeep
into my heart, until providence either threatened or made a ſeparation, andthenI found it. Ithought I had been rich in faith, until fuch a danger befel me, or fuch awant began to pinch hard; and then I saw how unable I was to truſtGod
for protection, or provifion. O it is a good thing that our hearts be kept humble and lowly, how rich foeverthey be in grace!
4. Fourthly, By trialsgrace iskept in exerciſe,andthegra cious foul preſerved from ſecurity and ſpiritual ſlothfulneſs. Trials are tograce what the eſtuationsandcontinual agitations
ofthe waters are to the fea, orwhatthe racking ofwines from the lees isto it: Were it not for our frequent trials and exerciſes, weshould quickly fettle uponthe lees, and ourduties would be (as God complains ofEphraim) likefoure or dead drink,Hofea iv. 18. flat and ſpiritleſs. "Moabhathbeen at eaſe " from his youth, andhehath ſettled onhis lees, andhath not " beenemptied from veſſel to vefſel ; neither hath he gone " into captivity ; therefore his taſte remained inhim,and his " ſcent is notchanged," Jer. xlviii. 11 .
Much after that rate itwould be with our hearts, did not theLord frequently tryand exerciſe them. Let the beſt man bewithoutfome trial or other but a few months, andyou may
findthewant of it in his prayers and conferences quickly. O whatatang offormalitywillbe found inthem! And is it for thehonour ofGod, or profit of his people, that it shouldbe .fo ? No, no, the Lord knows it is not; but how shall their
ſpirits be reduced to their former zealous heavenly temper again ? Why, faith the Lord, they must into the furnace again: " I will meltthem andtrythem; forhow shall Ido for
The Design of God in the Trial of his People. 195
the daughter of my people," Jer. ix. 7. I love them too well to loſe them for want of a rod. Alas! if Ishould ſuffer things to go on at this rate, what will become ofthem in a
littletime? What delight can I take in theirduties, whenthe faith, fervour, humility, and holy feriouſneſs of their ſpirits is wanting inthem ? I will therefore " refine them as filver is " refined, and trythem as gold is tried, and they ſhall call
uponmyname, and Iwillhear them, and I will ſay, It is my " people, and theyſhallſay, TheLordismyGod," Zech. xiii. 9. andthus the Lord chides himself friend again with his people.
: Thus he recovers them to their true temper, andthus his vifitations do preſerve their ſpirits; and when the Lord fees
theſe ſweet effects of his trials upon them, it greatly pleaſeth
him. Onow, faithGod, I like it ; this providence hathdone them good; this rod was well bestowed ; the letting loofe of this temptation, or that corruption upon them, hath made them findtheirknees again ; nowIhear the voice ofmy child again.
Beloved, this is ableſſed fruit and effect of our frequent trials ; and how ungrateful foeverthey are to flesh andblood, that affects eaſe, and is loth tobe disturbed, yet it is neceſſary to the prefervationofour ſpirits.
5. Fifthly, By the trial of our graces Satan isdefeated, and his accufation ofthe faints found to be mere ſlanders. It is a verycommonthing with the devil and wickedmen, to accufe the people ofGod of hypocrify, and to tell the world they
are not the menand womenthey are taken to be ; and that if their infidewere but turnedoutbyſome thorough trial, or deep
ſearch, it would appearthat religiondidnotindeed live in their fouls, as they pretend, butthat theyonly act a part, andperfonateheavenly and mortifiedperſonsuponthe public ſtage of profeſſion...
Thus the accuſer of the brethren ſuggeſtsthe hypocrify of Job, chap. ii. 5. " Put forth thine hand now, and touch his " bone andhis fleſh, and he will curſe thee to thy face ;" q. d. Well might Job ſerve thee whilst thou hastbeen ſobountiful a maſter to him; he hath been well rewarded for all the
ſervice he hath done thee ; but ifthou ſtop the current of his profperity, thou shalt ſee how quickly he will ſtop the courſe ofhis duty : A few laſhes from thyhand will make him curſe thee tothy face. ButOwhatſhame and disappointment was Bb2
196 The Design ofGod in the Trial of his People. it tothatenvious ſpirit ? What avindication ofJob's integrity, when under the greatest trials ofhis faith and patience,he ſtill held faſt his integrity, and ſhews himself as great a pattern of patience underthe croſs, as hehadbeen of piety in the days ofhis greatest profperity ! Satangets nothingbybringing forth thefaintsuponthe stage, tobe made a ſpectacle to angels and
men, as it is, 1 Cor. iv. 9.
6. Sixthly, and lastly, The frequent trials ofgrace exhibit afulland living teftimony against the atheism of the world. Theſeprovebeyond all words or arguments that religion is no
fancy, but the greatest reality in the world: Menwould make religionbut afancy, and the zeal ofits profeffors, but the intemperate heat of ſome crazybrains, over-heatedwith afond potion.
They that never felt the real influences of religion upon their own fouls, will not believe that others do feel them.
Serious piety is become the ludicrous ſubject withwhichthe wantonwits of this atheistical world ſport themselves. But behold the wisdom and goodness of God exhibiting to the worldtheundeniable teftimonies ofthe truth of religion, as
often as the fincere profeffors thereof are brought to the test
by afflictions from the hand ofGod, orperfecution from the hands ofmen : Lo! here is thefaith and patience ofthefaints: hereis theircourage, meekneſs, and ſelf-denial, ſhiningas gold
inthe fire ; they have the real proofs ofit before theireyes: inftead of cafting them intohell, and convincing them by e-
ternal fire, he is pleaſed to caſt his own people into the fire of affliction, that theywho ſcoffatthem maybe convinced at an
eaſier and cheaper rate. It is no newthing to fee the enemies of religionbrought over to embrace it, by the conſtancy and faithfulness ofthe faints intheir trials and fufferings for it. God grant that the atheism of this preſentgenerationdonot occaſion a more fierytrial to the people ofGod in it,than they haveyet ſuffered !
Tried Grace is true Grace. #97 CHAP. X.
Shewing that thatgraceonly is to bereckonedfincere andreal,
which can endure thoſe trialswhich God appoints, orpermits, forthediscovery ofit.
SECT. I. BEFORE I offer you the proofs and evidences ofthis
truth, itwillbe neceflaryto prevent fome mistakes that maybeoccafionedbymisunderstanding ofit.
Caution 1. And, in the first place,we are not to thinkaffurance ofour fincerityimpoſſible tobehad inthis life, becauſe as longas we live here, we are in a state of trial ; and how many trials foeverhave been made upon us already, yet ftill therearemore tocome; andwe know notwhat we thall prove
in future trials, thoughGodhath keptus upright in former trials : No, no, this is none ofmymeaning; nor doth ſuch a conclufion neceffarily follow this affertion: For a Chriftian thathath rightly cloſed with Chriſt at first, and been faithful intheduties ofactive and paſſive obedience hitherto, may be
afſured, upongood grounds, of a victory before he come to the fire ofhis remaining trials. Sowas the apostle, Rom.
viii. 35, &c. " Who ſhall feparate us from the love ofChriſt? " Shall tribulation, or diſtreſs, or perſecution, or famine, or " nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword ? Nay,in all theſewe are more " than conquerors, thro' him thathath loved us." Here is an affuredtriumphbeforethe combat. SoJob xxiii. ro. " Buthe " knoweththewaythatItakes whenhehath triedme, I ſhall " come forth as gold." He appealstoGod for the fincerityof hisheart fo far as he had hithertogone inthewayofreligion, andthence concludes, that whatever trialsGod ſhould bring himtofortime to come,he shouldcomeforth as gold, i. e.he
ſhould not loſe onegrain ofthe fire. And this confidence of agracious foul isbuilt notonlyupon experiencegained in former trials, but upon faith inthepower, promiſes, and faithfulneſs ofGod, which are engaged forhim inthe covenant of grace, tokeephiminthe greatestdangers thatbefalhim in this world.
He believes the power ofGod is able tomakehim ſtand, thoughhehath no powernormight inhimselfto overcome the
leaſt temptation, 1 Pet. i. 5. " You are kept, φρωραμμηνος (kept
" as agarrison)by the powerofGodthrough faithunto ſal-
198 TriedGrace is true Grace. " vation." When Chriſt hathonce takenpoſſeſſionofthefoul byhis ſpirit,he fortifies itby hispower, as agarrison : thatu-
fingthe means, itbe ſurprized or betrayed no more into the enemy'shand,ſo as finally tobe loft. Hebuilds this confidence alſo uponthe promiſes ofGod, whichare his ſecurity infuture dangers: And how are all the
pagesof the Biblebeſpangledwith ſuch promiſes, as the firmament is with bright andglorious ſtars? Such are theſe ofthe
firſtmagnitude, 1 Cor. i. 8, 9. "Chriſt ſhall confirm you to " theend, thatye maybe blameleſs inthe day of our Lord " Jeſus Chriſt. God is faithful,bywhom ye are called unto " the fellowship ofhis Son Jeſus Chriſt our Lord." And no leſsſatisfyingand ſweet is that, Jer. xxxii. 40. "And Iwill "makeaneverlasting covenant withthem, thatI willnotturn " away fromthem todothem good; but Iwillputmy fear in " their hearts, that theyſhall notdepart from me." And of the ſamenature isthat alſo, Johnx. 27, 28. " Myſheep hear " my voice, and I know them, andthey follow me, and Igive " unto them eternal life ; andthey ſhall never periſh, neither " ſhall anymanpluckthem out ofmyhand."
Ifthere be any hypocrite in ſheeps-cloathing, he hath no partor lot in this promiſe; but it ſecures the whole flock of Chriſt, great and ſmall, against all danger.
He alſo builds his aſſurance uponthe faithfulness ofGod, which ſtands engaged to make good every line, word, and
ſyllable ofhis promiſes to his people; ſowe find, in 1 Cor. x. 13. " There hath no temptationtaken you but ſuch as iscom- " mon toman; butGod is faithful, who willnot fuffer you to " be temptedabove thatye are able; butwill witheverytemp- " tation make a way to eſcape, that ye may be able to bear
" it." And, 2 Thef. iii. 3. " Butthe Lordis faithful, who " ſhall eſtabliſh you, andkeep you from evil." Add to this, the conſtant prevalent interceſſion ofChriſt in heaven forhis people, inalltheir trials, andthenyou will fee
a fincere Chriſtian neednot todeny himselfthejoy and comfort of his aſſurance, upon the account and ſuppoſition ofhis future trials.
SECT. II. OR do we here ſuppoſe, in this affertion,
Caution 2.N
that inherent grace inthe faints hath a fufficiency ofability in itſelftoendure the greatest and fevereſt trialsthat canbefal itin this world. It is certain that it ſhall
TriedGrace is true Graces 199 becarried fafely through all, but not inits own ſtrength and
ability.
That is a trueobſervation of the learnedGerſon,Perfectiones fibirelicta,funt pondera ad ruinam : The mostperfect creature
leftto itſelf, will fall into ruin. This was exemplified in the angels that fell ; and inAdam, though inaperfect ſtate. Divinepreſervation is the propwhich ſupports the beſt creatures from ruin. Grace itſelfis but a creature, and therefore a dependent being: Itisbut a ſtream, depending upon the ſupply ofthefountain: Ifthefountain letnot forth itſelf,whatbecomes ofthe ſtream ? That is a true andjudicious obſervation ofthe
learned Dr. Ames, Perfeverantiafidelium, vel immutabilis eorum conditio fecundum integram ejus rationem, nonpervenit a principio intrinfecoſolo, nec afolo extrinfeco ; fedpartim ab in-
trinfeco, ex natura vitæfpiritualis a Chriſtofluentis, et partim ab extrinfeco, ex cuſtodia, protectione et directione Dei ; Amefii Coronis,Art. 5. The perſeveranceofbelievers, or theimmutabilityoftheir condition, ifwe viewthe wholegroundand reaſon ofit, is notwholly from within, or wholly from without itſelf; but partly fromthe nature ofthe ſpiritual life which flows fromChriſt intothem,and partly from the keeping,protection,
and direction ofGod: That protection is always afforded to this life of grace; and this life of grace always needs that protection. The beſt of men are but men at beſt, as one ſpeaks: It was not Peter's grace and reſolution that kepthim, butChrift's careofhim and interceffionforhim, Luke xxii. 32.
" Be strong in the Lord, (faith the apostle) andinthe power " ofhis might," Ephef. vi. 10. " Without me (faith Chrift) "ye can donothing," John xv. 5. Neither oftheſe is that which I have before me to prove ; but this is that which I aim at, that ſuchſeeminggrace as was
neveryet brought tothe trial, nor willbe able tobear the trial, whenGod ſhall bring it thereto, muſt notpaſs for current (as
too frequently it doth) among us: Such grace will neither
comfort us now, nor fave us hereafter : For,
SECT. III.
1.F
IRST, great numbers ofperſons in the profeſſing
world aredeceived and destroyedby truſting toſeeming anduntriedgrace: this wasthe miferableconditionofthoſe Laodicean profeſſors in the text; they reckoned themselves
rich, but were really poor : All is not gold that glifters ; theirgold(as they accounted it)was nevertried inthefire. If aman'swhole eſtate lay in ſome precious stone, ſuppoſe arich
200 TriedGrace is true Grace. diamond, how ishe concernedtohave it thoroughly tried, to ſee whether it will bear a fmart ſtroke with a hammer, orfly like a Bristol diamond under it ? All that you are worth lies inthe truth and fincerity of your grace; and till that be tried youknow notwhether you be worth anything or no thing.
Reader, There are two fad fights in the world, which cannotbut deeply affect everyuprightheart: one is toſeefomany choufands ofrational andingeniousmenintheRomish church, byanimplicit faith intheir guides,venturing their fouls upon their bareword; never fearchingthe fcriptures with theirown
eyes, but wholly truſting tothe infallibility of a pope or a council; when, in the mean time, they would fear to take their word for a ſum ofmoney, without fome further fecurity. It is amazing to behold the foul-destroying, eaſy credulity of thoſemen; butthis isa ſtroke ofmadneſs and fpiritual infatuation,judicially inflicted uponthem, that thejudgmentwhich iswrittenmight be fulfilled in them,"God ſhall ſend them " ſtrongdeluſions, that they ſhould believe a lie," 2 Thef. ii.
IV.
Andyet more amazing is that ſtroke ofGodupon multitudesofvainand formal profeffors even inthereformed Prote-
ſtant churches, where noman is restrained from ſearching the ſcriptures; nay, where men are ſo frequently and earnestly preſſed, from fabbath to fabbath, to examine themſelves, and provetheir ownwork, thatyet ſomanyare content to leave all
athazard, andwithout any more ado, or farther ſearch in the matter, credit the report oftheir own deceitful hearts, and take
all for granted, without due trial orexamination ofthematter.
: Surely, no one thing fends down more foulsdailytohell out of the profefling world, than this doth. The five foolish virgins (i. e. the unprincipled profeffors in thereformedchurches) periſhed this way; they took it for granted all was well, be-
cauſe theyhad lamps of profeffion as well as others ; and faw notthecheat tillthe crywas heardatmidnight, andtheir unfurnished lamps went out, Matth. xxv.
2. Secondly, The promises ofſalvation are made over to tried grace, and fuch onlyas will endure the trial: So James i. 12. "Bleffedis the man that endureth temptation; for when he is "triedhe ſhall receive the crown of life whichGod hath pro- "miſed to them that love him :" We must be firſt tried, and then crowned. "If aman ſtrive for maſteries, yet ishenot : " crowned, except he ſtrive lawfully," 2 Tim. ii. 5. He ma-
nifeſtly alludes totheRomangames, towhichtherewerejudg
Tried Grace is true Grace. 201 esappointed to ſee that no foul playwere offeredcontrary to the law for wrestling ; and where it was found, the crown was deniedthem. Not to him that fets forth inthe morning with reſolution and gallantry, but to him thatholds out till the eveningofhis life, isthe promisemade ; Matth.x. 22. "He that " endureth to the end ſhall be ſaved." So Rom. ii. 7. " To " themwho by patient continuance in well-doing ſeek forglo- " ry, andhonour, and immortality, eternal life." Andonce
more, Heb. iii. 14. " We are made partakers of Chrift, ifwe " hold thebeginning of our confidence ſtedfaſt untothe end." So that ifyou should endure ſome few flighter troubles, and
faint at laſt, give out when a cloſer trial befals you, all your labours and ſufferings are invain. Sincerity and final perſeverance are the conditions ofallſpecial promiſes.
3. Thirdly, Every man's graces and duties muſt betried and weighedbyGod in the great day; and ifthey cannot endure
theſe leſſer trials to whichGod expoſes them now, how will they endure that ſevere and exact trial towhich he willbring them then ? No man can ſearch his own heart with that exactneſs in thisworld, as God will ſearch it in theworldto come.
Imayſay in this cafe toyou as the Lord ſpake to Jeremiah, chap. xii. 5. " Ifthou hast run withthefootmen, andthey have " weariedthee,thenhow canft thou contendwithhorfes ? and " if inthe land of peace,wherein thou truſtedſt, theyhave " wearied thee,thenhow wiltthoudo in the ſwelling ofJor-
" dan?" This was ſpoken to encourage the prophet to conſtancy in his work; and as if the Lordhad faid, O Jeremy, do the ſtrivings ofthe men ofAnathoth,thine own town, difhearten thee ? Pluck up thy ſpirits, and faint not ; there are harder trials than theſe that thou must undergo at Jerufalem; theſe are no more, towhat is coming, than the running with footmen is to contending with horſes, or the paſſing a ſmall
rivulet to the ſwellings of Jordan.
To allude to this ; if our graces and duties cannot bear theſelightertrials ; ifa little lift ofproſperity, or lighter ſtroke of adverſitydiſcover ſo much falſeneſs, rottenneſs, pride and ſelfishness in the heart ; ifwe cannot refift the motions ofcorruptions, but yield ourſelves to obey ſfininthe lufts ofit ; ifwe canneither keep our hearts withGod in duties, nor mourn for ourwanderings fromhim , ifa few ſcoffs fromwickedtongues, ortrials ofperſecution from the hands ofmen will cauſe us to
faintintheway, and turnback from following the Lord,what
ſhall wedowhen "He comes,whoſe fan is in his hand, and VOL. VII. C
1202 Tried Grace is trueGrace. *" whowill thoroughly purge his floor ;" Matth. iii. 12.who willtry every man's work as by fire, 1 Cor. iii. 13. ſearch the
fecrets ofall hearts,Rom. ii. 16. weigh every man tohis ounces anddrachms ? furelywe cantake little comfort in that which
is ſo unable to bearthe ſevere trials of that day, that it cannot * ſtandbefore the flighter trials of this day. 4. Fourthly, True grace iswilling to be tried, and nothing ismoredefirable to an upright ſoul,than toknow hisown condition: if therefore we fhun the trial, and are loth to ſearch ourfelves, or beſearchedbythe Lord,ourcondition is fufpicious, andwecantake littlecomfort in it. Itwas David's carneft defire, Pfalm exxxix. 23. that God would thoroughly "ſearch his heart and reins, andfee ifthere were any wayof
wickedneſs in him. Falſe grace is thy ofGod's eye, it cares ⚫not to be examined; but this is the delightoffincere ones:
" Every one thatdoth evilhateththelight,lefthis deeds ſhould 1" be reproved ; but he that doth truth, cometh to the light, " thathis deedsmaybe mademanifeſt,that they are wronght -" inGod," John iii. 20, 21 .
The reafon is plain why hypocrify cannot endure to come to the touchſtone and teft; for hypocrites, having a fecret confciouſneſs oftheir ownguilt and unfoundneſs, know that, bythis means,theirvainconfidencewould quickly be confut.
ed, and all their reputation for religion blaſted. But, oh! if mendare not ſtand before the word, as it is now opened and appliedbyminifters,howwilltheyſtandwhen it ſhallbe openedand applied, inanother manner, by Jeſus Chrift ? Oprofeffor, ifthy condition begood, thyheart right, thou wilt defire toknowthe very worst of thyself; andwhen thou haftmade thedeepeſt ſearch thou canſt, thou wilt still fear thou
haft not been ſevereenough,and impartial enough to thyself; nothingwillgive theemore content thanwhen thou feeleſt
theword dividing thyfoul and ſpirit,thyjoints and marrow; nothingſomuch comforts thee under, or after an affliction, as
thediscovery ithath made ofmy heart; thou wiltſeem to feel with what affection thoſe words came from the prophet's lips,
Jer. xii. 2. " But thou, O Lord,knoweſt me, thou haftſeen " me, andtriedmy heart towards thee." O what a refresh-
ingſweetneſswill ſtream through thyheart, and allthe powers ofthy foul, when thou canstmake the like appeal toGodwith
like fincerity! And certainly, without fuch a difpofition of
ſpirittowards thetrial ofourgraces,wecanhave little evidence ofthe truth of them.
ParticularInferencesfrom theTrialofGrace. 203
CHAP. XI.
Containing divers practical instructive inferences from this doc-
trine ; with a serious exhortation to self-trial and thorough
examination.
SECT. I. RE there ſuch variety oftrials appointed to
Infer. 1.A
examine the fincerityof mens graces ; how great a vanitythen is hypocrify, andto how little purpoſedo men endeavour to conceal andhide it ? We ſay, Murder will out; and wemay as confidently affirm, Hypocrify will out. WhenRebeccahad laidtheplot todiſguiſeherfon Jacob, and
byperſonating his brother, to get the bleſſing, Jacob thus
objects against it, " My father, peradventure, will feel me, " andI shall feemto him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a "curſeupon me, and notableſſing," Gen. xxvii. 12. as if heſhouldſay,but what ifmy father detectthe cheat,howthen
ſhall I look him inthe face? How ſhall I eſcape a curſe ? Afterthe fame manner every upright foul ſcares itſelf from the wayofhypocrify. If I diſſemble, and pretend to be what I amnot, my Father will find meout. Ah 1 there is nodarkneſs nor ſhadow ofdeath that can conceal thehypocrite, but outitwillcome at last,lethim uſe all the arthecan to hide it. OftentimesGoddiſcovers him bythe trials he appoints inthis world; andmen inthat dayſhall" return anddifcern betwixt "the righteous and the wicked, between kim that ferveth "God, and him that ſerveth him not," Mal. iii. 18. Butif hemakeanhard ſhift togetby a private wayto hell, carrying this comfort with him tothe laſt ſtep, That nobody knows or
thinks he is gone thither; yet there will be a daywhenGod will ſtrip him nakedbefore the great aſſembly of angels and
men, and all ſhall pointat him, andſay, Lo! this is theman thatmadenotGodhishope. This is he thatwore agarmentofprofeſſion todeceive, but God hath now ſtript him outofit, and allmen ſeewhathe
is: For, " There is nothing covered, that ſhall notbe reveal-
ed, and hid, thatthall notbe known," Matth.x. 26. And the apostle affures us, 1 Tim. v. 24, 25. "Thattheythat are
"otherwise, cannot be hid." If mensworks benotgood, it is impoffiblethey ſhouldbehidlong: Agilded piece ofbrais
CC2
204 Particular Inferences from theTrialofGrace. maypaſs fromhand to hand a little while, butthe touchſtone willdiſcover the baſe metal : Ifthatdo not, the fire will. O finners ! away with your hypocrify, be honest, fincere, plainandhearty inreligion : If not, contufionofface ſhallbe yourrecompence from the Lord ; that is whatyou shallgetby
it.
Infer. 2. Secondly, Arethere ſuch trialsappointedand permittedby the Lord for thediſcovery of his people's fincerity
inthisworld ? Then letnone ofGod'speopleexpectaquietſtation inthisworld : Certainlyyou ſhallmeet with noreſthere, you
muſtout of one fire into another; and it isa merciful condeſcenſion ofthe Lord topoorcreatures, thus toconcernhimself
for their ſafety and benefit: "What is inan, thatthou ſhouldſt " magnify him ? and that thou ſhouldſt ſet thine heart up- " onhim? that thou ſhouldſt viſit him every morning, and " tryhim every moment ?" Job vii. 17, 18. O it is agreat deal ofhonour put upon a poor worm, when Godwillevery moment try him and viſit him ; itargues the
great eſteem the gold-ſmith hath ofhis gold, whenhe will fit bythe furnace himself, and order the fire with his own hand; whenhe pries ſooften, and ſo curiously into the fining-pot, to
ſee that none ofhis precious metal, upon which he fets his heart, be loft.
Think it not then adebaſing to you tobe ſo oftenexpoſed totrials. IfGoddid not value you highly, he would nottry you ſo frequently ; What would become of you, ifyourconditionhere ſhouldbe more fettled and quietthan now it is? I
believeyou finddroſs enough inyour hearts after allthe fires
intowhichGodhath caſtyou: Surely there is filth enough in thebest ofGod's people to take allthis, itmaybe a greatdeal
moretroublethantheyhaveyet metwith. We fancy it abrave life to live ateaſe; and if we meetwith longer refpites and intervals of trial than uſual, we are apt to ſay, We shall never be moved, as David did, Pfal, xxx. 6. orwe shalldie in ourneft, as it is Job xxix. 18. Our hard anddifficultdays are over; but woe to us ifGod ſhould give us the defire ofour hearts in this. See whatthetemper ofthoſe mens ſpirits is, thatmeetwith no changes, Pfal. lv. 19. "Because theyhave " nochanges, therefore they fear notGod." O it is better
tobe preſerved ſweet inbrine, than torot inhoney !
Infer. 3. Thirdly, Let none boast ina carnalconfidence oftheir ownstrength and stability. You are yet in a ſtate of trial: HithertoGod hath kept you upright in all your trials ; bleſs God, but boast not ; you are but feathers in the wind of
Particular Inferences from the Trial ofGrace. 205 temptation, ifGodleaveyou to yourſelves. PetertoldChriſt, (anddoubtless he ſpoke no more than he honestly meant) " Though all menforſake thee, yet will notI:" Andyou know whathe didwhen the hour of his trial came, Matth.
xxvi. 35. Angels left tothemſelves have fallen: It is better tobeanhumble worm, than a proud angel. Ah! how many Pendletons willthis profeffing age ſhew, if onceGodbringus tothe fierytrial ? " Lethim that thinks he " ſtands, take heed leſt he fall." You have not yet refifted unto blood, ftriving againſt ſin. None ſtand upon firmer groundthan thoſe that fee nothing in themselves to ſtand upon; hethatleans uponhisownarm, uſuallybenumbs it, and makes it uſeleſs .
Infer. 4. Fourthly, DothGod kindle ſomanyfires in Sion, andſet his furnaces inJerufalem, todiscover and feparatethe droſs from the gold? How contrary are thoſe men to God,
thatallow, yea, and prizethe droſs ofhypocrify, which God
hates, and ſtick not to make the holyGod a patronifer, and countenancer of it in the hearts and livesofmen ?
It is amazing to read what popish pens have impudently writtenaboutthis matter : * Sylveſter puts the queſtion, Whether itbea finto make a falſe ſhew of ſanctity ? And anſwers
itthus: Ifit be for the honour ofGod, and profit ofothers, it isno fin. Nay, they have a reverence for hypocrify, as an holyart. Vincentius ſpends awhole chapterin commendation ofthe hypocrify of St. Dominic, and entitles it, Defancta
ejushypocrifi; i. e. Ofthe holy hypocrify ofthat ſaint ; reckoning it amonghis commendations, that he hadthe artofdifſembling. Andyet,one peg higher, a religious perſon (faith †
another) that feigns himself to have more holiness than he hath, thatothers maybe edified, fins not, butrathermerits.
Blush, O heavens ! that ever ſuch factors for hell ſhould openandvendfuch ware as this in the public market, and in-
vitetheworld to hypocriſy, as thatwhich makes for theglory ofGod, the edification ofmen, andawork meritorious in the
hypocritehimſelf: This is the doctrine ofdevils indeed !
Infer. 5. Fifthly, Ifitbe ſo, that allgracemust come tothe teſt, andbetried as gold in the fire, eveninthisworld ; how areallmenconcerned to lay a folid foundation at firſt, and thoroughly deliberate the terms uponwhich they cloſe with Chrift,andengage in the profeſſionofhis name ? " Which of "you,(faithChriſt)intendingtobuildatower, ſittethnotdown
* Afum advfimulatio, n. 4. ↑Rosella in v. hypacrisis,n.1.
206 AJeribus Exhortation to Self-examination. "first, and counteth the coſt?" Luke xiv. 28. Ifſome mert
hadſetdown at first, andponderedthe conditions and termsof Chriſt, they had not fatdown nowdiſcouraged, and tired in theway. The apostle Paulwent to work at another rate; he accounted allbutdung and droſs for Chriſt, Phil. iii. 8. and was ofthe ſame mindwhen the actual trialcame; for thenhe
tells us, " He counted not his life dear unto him," Acts xx. 24. Andthe apostle Peteradmonishes believers " not to think "it ſtrangeconcerningthe fiery trial which was totry them,"
1 Pet. iv. 12. q.d. Letnone of theſe things be ſurpriſals to you; youare toldbefore-hand whatyoumust truſtto ; every Chriſtian must bea martyr, at least inthediſpoſitionand reſo-
lution of his heart. Othat menwouldbalance the advantages and diſfadvantages of religion, and thoroughly ponder the matter in their deepest thoughts ! To the test you mustcome; the rain will fall, andthe ſtorm beat upon your buildings; look carefully therefore to the foundations.
Infer. 6. Sixthly, and lastly, Learn fromthis pointtheunavoidableness of ſcandals and offences intheway of religion ; for ifthere be aneceſſity of trial, there is alſo a neceffity of fcandal. " Itmustneeds be that offences come," Luke xvii.
1. Why, muſt it needs be ? The reaſon is evident ; all muſt cometo the trial, and all are not able to bear it. Our Lord tells us, Matth. xxiv. 8, 9, 10. of a day of great ſtraits and perplexitycoming: " And then (faith he) ſhallmanybe of- " fended." The dayoftrial is the day of ſcandal : By theſe offences ſome areput a ſearching themselves, and ſome fall a
cenfuring all others; but the holyGod brings about his end bothways in them thatare faved, andinthemthat periſh. W
SECT. II. ELL then, ifitbeſo that all muſt intothe furnace,
leteverymantry his ownwork ; examine yourſelves, profeffors, ſearch your hearts, commune with your reins, nothingmoreconcerns you in allthe world than this doth. O thatyou wouldbemore in your cloſets, and oftner upon your knees ! O that youwouldlook into the Bible, then intoyour hearts, andthen to God, ſaying, with David, " Search me, " OGod, andknow my heart; prove me, and trymy reins, " and ſee ifthere be anyway ofiniquityin me !" Neverdid religion thrive in the world ſincemens heads havebeen ſooverheated with notions and controverfies, and their hearts to
Aferious Exhortation to Self-examination. 207 fenfiblycooledintheircloſet-work. I have elfewhere ‡ more
largelypreſſed thisduty upon the profeffors ofthis generation, and thither ſhall referthe readerfor the prefent, to feethe neceflityand importance of this work.
Here Iſhallonlyurge the dutyoffelf-trial byſomepreffing motives, and awakening confiderations.
Motive 1. And the firſt ſhall be, the exceeding difficultyof this work; difficulty inſomecaſes maybe adiſcouragement ; butwhere the matter is ofabſolute neceſſlity, as it ishere, nothing provokes more to diligence;" Strive (faith our Lord) to " enter in at the ſtrait gate, for many will feek to enter in, " and ſhall not be able," Luke xiii. 24. Adouble difficulty ' isfound attending this work offelf-trial: Difficulty inbringingthe heartto it ; and difficulty in the rightand fucceſsful management of it. Who finds itnothard to perfuade his heart to fuch work as this ? Nature declines it, flesh and blood