A78903:466
The godly mans ark or, City of refuge, in the day of his distress. Discovered in divers sermons, the first of which was preached at the funeral of Mistress Elizabeth Moore. The other four were afterwards preached, and are all of them now made public, for the supportation and consolation of the saints of God in the hour of tribulation. Hereunto are annexed Mris. Moors evidences for Heaven, composed and collected by her in the time of her health, for her comfort in the time of sickness. / By Ed. Calamy, B.D. and pastor of the church at Aldermanbury.The godly mans ark or, City of refuge, in the day of his distresse. Discovered in divers sermons, the first of which was preached at the funerall of Mistresse Elizabeth Moore. The other four were afterwards preached, and are all of them now made publick, for the supportation and consolation of the saints of God in the hour of tribulation. Hereunto are annexed Mris. Moores evidences for Heaven, composed and collected by her in the time of her health, for her comfort in the time of sickness. / By Ed. Calamy, B.D. and pastor of the church at Aldermanbury.
London: printed for Jo. Hancock (brother to the late deceased Eliz. Moore) to be sold, 1657
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Blessed be God, who hath through his free mercy begotten me to a hope, Evidence. First that I am regenerated and born from above, and converted unto God.
Blessed bee God, who hath through his free mercy begotten mee to a hope, Evidence. First that I am regenerated and born from above, and converted unto God.
Reason, Because the Lord hath gone the same usual way with me, as with those he pleaseth to convert to himself; ⟨p. 237⟩and this I shall make to appear in five or six particulars.
Reason, Because the Lord hath gone the same usual way with mee, as with those hee pleaseth to convert to himself; ⟨p. 237⟩and this I shall make to appear in five or six particulars.
1 The Lord by his Spirit accompanying the preaching of his Word, caused the scales to fall from my eyes, and opened them, and set up a clear light in my understanding, and made me to see sin, to be exceeding sinful, out of measure sinful, and to look on it as the loathsomest thing in the world, and on my self as a loathsome creature in Gods sight, and in my own sight, by reason of the Leprosy of sin, wherewith I was over-run.
1 The Lord by his Spirit accompanying the preaching of his Word, caused the scales to fall from my eyes, and opened them, and set up a clear light in my understanding, and made mee to see sin, to bee exceeding sinful, out of measure sinful, and to look on it as the loathsomest thing in the world, and on my self as a loathsome creature in Gods sight, and in my own sight, by reason of the Leprosie of sin, wherewith I was over-run.
2 The Lord brought me to see the misery that I was in, by reason of my sins. I thought I was utterly forsaken of God, and I thought that God would never accept of such a wretch as I saw my self to be. I could not think otherwise, but that hell was my portion, and that I, by reason of my sins must go thither, expecting every day when the Lord would glorify himself in my damnation. I saw my ⟨p. 238⟩self in more misery, because of my sins than I could then, or now express to any body. I looked upon God as a consuming fire, and on my self as stubble, ready to be consumed by him, &c.
2 The Lord brought mee to see the misery that I was in, by reason of my sins. I thought I was utterly forsaken of God, and I thought that God would never accept of such a wretch as I saw my self to bee. I could not think otherwise, but that hell was my portion, and that I, by reason of my sins must go thither, expecting every day when the Lord would glorifie himself in my damnation. I saw my ⟨p. 238⟩self in more misery, because of my sins than I could then, or now expresse to any body. I looked upon God as a consuming fire, and on my self as stubble, ready to bee consumed by him, &c.
3 The Lord brought me to a spiritual astonishment, that I cried out, What shall I do to be saved! and said with Paul, Lord! what wouldest thou have me to do? Do but make known to thy poor creature what thy will is, and I thought I could do any thing, or suffer any thing for the Lord. But since I have had some more knowledge of the holy Will of God, woe is me! what a barren and unfruitful heart have I! a heart that can neither do, nor suffer any thing for the Lord, as I ought to do: But this I can say, that the astonishment I was in by the sight of my sins, and the misery I was plunged into, put me on the performance of holy duties, especially prayer.
3 The Lord brought mee to a spiritual astonishment, that I cried out, What shall I do to bee saved! and said with Paul, Lord! what wouldest thou have mee to do? Do but make known to thy poor creature what thy will is, and I thought I could do any thing, or suffer any thing for the Lord. But since I have had some more knowledge of the holy Will of God, woe is mee! what a barren and unfruitful heart have I! a heart that can neither do, nor suffer any thing for the Lord, as I ought to do: But this I can say, that the astonishment I was in by the sight of my sins, and the misery I was plunged into, put mee on the performance of holy duties, especially prayer.
4 The Lord took me off my own ⟨p. 239⟩bottom, off my own righteousness, and made me to see that that was but a sandy foundation, and would not hold out. I was not taken off from the performance of holy duties; no, I thought with my self that I am commanded by God to perform holy duties, which is the way and means whereby we may meet with God (For he is ordinarily to be enjoyed no where but in his own ordinances) but the Lord took me off from resting and trusting in Ordinances. And as he made me to see that without the practise of them he would not accept of me; so also he made me to know that it was not for holy duties, for which I was accepted. The sins that cleave to my best performances, are enough for which the Lord may justly condemn me, if I had no other sins.
4 The Lord took mee off my own ⟨p. 239⟩bottome, off my own righteousness, and made mee to see that that was but a sandy foundation, and would not hold out. I was not taken off from the performance of holy duties; no, I thought with my self that I am commanded by God to perform holy duties, which is the way and means whereby wee may meet with God (For hee is ordinarily to bee injoyed no where but in his own ordinances) but the Lord took mee off from resting and trusting in Ordinances. And as hee made mee to see that without the practise of them hee would not accept of mee; so also hee made mee to know that it was not for holy duties, for which I was accepted. The sins that cleave to my best performances, are enough for which the Lord may justly condemn mee, if I had no other sins.
5 The Lord brought me to see a Superlative beauty and excellency in the Lord Jesus Christ, and my soul was deeply in love with him, even with ⟨p. 240⟩whole Christ, in all his offices, and (if I know any thing at all of my own heart) I desired Christ as much to be my King, and Prophet; to teach, and guide me, and subdue me to himself, and rule over me, as to be my High-Priest, to make atonement by offering up of himself for me, and washing me in his blood, by which I must be justified.
5 The Lord brought mee to see a Superlative beauty and excellency in the Lord Jesus Christ, and my soul was deeply in love with him, even with ⟨p. 240⟩whole Christ, in all his offices, and (if I know any thing at all of my own heart) I desired Christ as much to bee my King, and Prophet; to teach, and guide mee, and subdue mee to himself, and rule over mee, as to bee my High-Priest, to make atonement by offering up of himself for mee, and washing mee in his blood, by which I must bee justified.
6 The Lord brought me to see a soul-satisfaction in the Lord Jesus Christ alone; and I think I should be as fully satisfied with Christ alone, as my heart can desire. If I know my heart, it panteth after Christ, and Christ alone: None but Christ, none but Christ. The whole world in comparison, or competition with Christ, is nothing to me: But in him I see full contentment. To see and know my interest in him, and to enjoy communion with him, is that, which if the Lord would bestow upon me, I should with Jacob say, it is enough; and with old ⟨p. 241⟩Simeon) Now let thy servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen thy salvation.
6 The Lord brought mee to see a soul-satisfaction in the Lord Jesus Christ alone; and I think I should bee as fully satisfied with Christ alone, as my heart can desire. If I know my heart, it panteth after Christ, and Christ alone: None but Christ, none but Christ. The whole world in comparison, or competition with Christ, is nothing to mee: But in him I see full contentment. To see and know my interest in him, and to injoy communion with him, is that, which if the Lord would bestow upon mee, I should with Jacob say, it is enough; and with old ⟨p. 241⟩Simeon) Now let thy servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen thy salvation.
Now I desire to set down some other Scripture Evidences, that I find upon search and examination of my heart, by laying it to the Rule; The Word of God.
Now I desire to set down some other Scripture Evidences, that I finde upon search and examination of my heart, by laying it to the Rule; The Word of God.
My Second Scripture Evidence is Evidence. Second taken from Mark. 2. 17. Where Christ saith, They that are whole have no need of the Physician, but they that are sick, and he came not to call the Righteous, but sinners to repentance. Now through Gods mercy I can say, that I am a sin-sick-sinner (the Lord make me more sick) I am not righteous in mine own eyes, but a Sinner, and see my self undone for ever, without the righteousness of Christ be imputed to me, and therefore I hope I am amongst the number of those whom Christ was commissionated by his Father to come to save.
My Second Scripture Evidence is Evidence. Second taken from Mark. 2. 17. Where Christ saith, They that are whole have no need of the Physitian, but they that are sick, and hee came not to call the Righteous, but sinners to repentance. Now through Gods mercy I can say, that I am a sin-sick-sinner (the Lord make me more sick) I am not righteous in mine own eyes, but a Sinner, and see my self undone for ever, without the righteousness of Christ bee imputed to mee, and therefore I hope I am amongst the number of those whom Christ was commissionated by his Father to come to save.
From Matth. 11. 28, 29. I am weary Evidence. Third and heavy laden; now Christ hath promised to give ease to such. And I am willing to take his yoke upon me, and would fain learn of him the lesson of meekness and lowliness, and therefore am invited to come unto him.
From Matth. 11. 28, 29. I am weary Evidence. Third and heavy laden; now Christ hath promised to give ease to such. And I am willing to take his yoak upon mee, and would fain learn of him the lesson of meeknesse and lowlinesse, and therefore am invited to come unto him.
I can say with David, that my sins Evidence. Fourth are a heavy burden to me, they are too heavy for me, Psal. 38. 4. and I can say that I mourn, because I cannot mourn no more for my sins; now Christ saith Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted, Matth. 5.4.
I can say with David, that my sins Evidence. Fourth are a heavy burden to mee, they are too heavy for mee, Psal. 38. 4. and I can say that I mourn, because I cannot mourn no more for my sins; now Christ saith Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall bee comforted, Matth. 5.4.
From Matth. 5. 3. I think (if my Evidence. Fifth heart do not deceive me) I am poor in spirit; now theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven, saith Christ.
From Matth. 5. 3. I think (if my Evidence. Fifth heart do not deceive mee) I am poor in spirit; now theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven, saith Christ.
From Matth. 12 20. I am a bruised reed, and smoking flax, and therefore Evidence Sixth Christ hath promised, he will not break such a reed, nor quench the ⟨p. 243⟩smoke of grace, if it be true grace, but he will increase it more and more (as he saith) until judgement break forth into victory: And he came to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luk. 4. 18. Therefore I hope I am such a one as he came to bind up, and set at liberty; yea, and that he was anointed and sent by his Father to me, and such as I am, Isa. 61. 1.
From Matth. 12 20. I am a bruised reed, and smoaking flax, and therefore Evidence Sixth Christ hath promised, hee will not break such a reed, nor quench the ⟨p. 243⟩smoak of grace, if it bee true grace, but hee will increase it more and more (as hee saith) until judgement break forth into victory: And hee came to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luk. 4. 18. Therefore I hope I am such a one as hee came to binde up, and set at liberty; yea, and that hee was anointed and sent by his Father to mee, and such as I am, Isa. 61. 1.
From 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a faithful Evidence. Seventh saying, and worthy of all acceptation, (saith Paul) That Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners: And so say I too; it's worthy all acceptation, that Christ should come from the bosom of his Father, who was infinitely glorious and happy, that he should come into the world to save me, me a sinner, me the chief of sinners; me, that if saved, I do verily believe, there is none in Heaven, nor any that ever shall come thither, that hath, or ⟨p. 244⟩will have the cause to magnify and adore free grace, as I shall have. And herein doth God commend his love towards me—For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life, Rom. 5. 10.
From 1 Tim. 1. 15. This is a faithful Evidence. Seventh saying, and worthy of all acceptation, (saith Paul) That Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners: And so say I too; it's worthy all acceptation, that Christ should come from the bosome of his Father, who was infinitely glorious and happy, that hee should come into the world to save mee, mee a sinner, mee the chief of sinners; mee, that if saved, I do verily beleeve, there is none in Heaven, nor any that ever shall come thither, that hath, or ⟨p. 244⟩will have the cause to magnifie and adore free grace, as I shall have. And herein doth God commend his love towards mee—For if when wee were enemies, wee were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, wee shall bee saved by his life, Rom. 5. 10.
I can say with Paul, that I delight in Evidence. Eighth the Law of God, after the inward man, and I am grieved that I cannot keep it. I find that spiritual war in me, between flesh and spirit, which Paul complaineth of, and I can say, that Paul doth confess over my heart in his confessions, Rom. 7. And I can go along with him there, from vers. 9. to the end of the chapter; and from hence I gather, that there is some spiritual life in my soul, and an endeavour to walk after the spirit, and therefore I hope and desire to conclude with him, that there shall be no condemnation to me, but that the Law of the Spirit of ⟨p. 245⟩life in Christ Jesus shall make me free from the law of sin, and death. I find 1an earnest desire wrought in my soul, to be made like unto Jesus Christ, and that it may be my meat and drink to do and suffer his will, as he would have me.
I can say with Paul, that I delight in Evidence. Eighth the Law of God, after the inward man, and I am grieved that I cannot keep it. I finde that spiritual war in mee, between flesh and spirit, which Paul complaineth of, and I can say, that Paul doth confess over my heart in his confessions, Rom. 7. And I can go along with him there, from vers. 9. to the end of the chapter; and from hence I gather, that there is some spiritual life in my soul, and an indeavour to walk after the spirit, and therefore I hope and desire to conclude with him, that there shall bee no condemnation to mee, but that the Law of the Spirit of ⟨p. 245⟩life in Christ Jesus shall make mee free from the law of sin, and death. I finde 1an earnest desire wrought in my soul, to bee made like unto Jesus Christ, and that it may bee my meat and drink to do and suffer his will, as hee would have mee.
