A78903:472
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.
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.
I can say, that the Lord hath in Evidence. Ninth some measure put his fear into my heart, that I fear to offend him out of love to him, and I love to fear him.
I can say with the Church to Christ, Evidence. Tenth Cant. 1. 7. O thou whom my soul loveth! and (if I know any thing at all of mine own heart) Christ is altogether lovely, and most desirable to my soul. I think I can truly say with David, that I have none in Heaven but thee, and there is nothing on earth that I desire besides thee, in comparison of thee, in competition with thee. Though all that is dearest to me in the world should forsake me, yet if God whom ⟨p. 246⟩I have chosen for my portion will not forsake me, I have enough. 'Tis my desire and endeavour more and more to account all things but loss and dung, that I may win Christ. I can with Peter make my appeal to him, and say, Lord, thou who knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee, and that it is the desire of my soul to love thee more, and to love thee for thy self, because thou art holy, and good, and gracious, and the chiefest amongst ten thousand; Yea, God in Christ alone is worthy to be beloved, and it is my highest privilege that he will give me leave to love him, who only can satisfy my soul, and redeem it from death eternal, who hath justified me by his blood, and sanctified me by his spirit, whom therefore I love with all my heart, and all my soul, and all my might, and all my strength. Finding therefore, that God hath drawn out my heart to love him, and make choice of him alone, I from hence gather ⟨p. 247⟩and ground my hope, that God loveth me; according to that Scripture, 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him, because he first loved us.
I can say with the Church to Christ, Evidence. Tenth Cant. 1. 7. O thou whom my soul loveth! and (if I know any thing at all of mine own heart) Christ is altogether lovely, and most desirable to my soul. I think I can truly say with David, that I have none in Heaven but thee, and there is nothing on earth that I desire besides thee, in comparison of thee, in competition with thee. Though all that is dearest to mee in the world should forsake mee, yet if God whom ⟨p. 246⟩
I find my heart much inflamed Evidence. Eleventh with love to all the children of God, because they are Gods children, and the more I see, or find or hear of God in them, the more I find my heart cleaving to them; and I think I can truly say with David, that my delight is in the Saints, and those that excel in grace; not because they are friends to me, or I have relation to them in regard of outward obligations, but because they bear the image of God upon them, and manifest it in their holy conversation. I love them, whether rich or poor. And though I did never know some of them, but only hear of their holiness, and piety, yet I could not but exceedingly love such. Therefore I hope that I am passed from death to life, because I love the Brethren, 1 Joh. 3. 14.
I finde my heart much inflamed Evidence. Eleventh with love to all the children of God, because they are Gods children, and the more I see, or finde or hear of God in them, the more I finde my heart cleaving to them; and I think I can truly say with David, that my delight is in the Saints, and those that excel in grace; not because they are friends to mee, or I have relation to them in regard of outward obligations, but because they bear the image of God upon them, and manifest it in their holy conversation. I love them, whether rich or poor. And though I did never know some of them, but only hear of their holiness, and piety, yet I could not but exceedingly love such. Therefore I hope that I am passed from death to life, because I love the Brethren, 1 Joh. 3. 14.
I do not only love God, and the Evidence. Twelfth children of God, but I labour to keep his Commandments, and they are not grievous to me. But I pray with 1David, O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Lord enlarge my 2heart, and I will run the ways of thy Commandments: Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy Law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart; for therein do I delight.
I do not only love God, and the Evidence. Twelfth children of God, but I labour to keep his Commandements, and they are not grievous to mee. But I pray with 1David, O that my wayes were directed to keep thy statutes! Lord inlarge my 2heart, and I will run the wayes of thy Commandements: Give mee understanding, and I shall keep thy Law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart; for therein do I delight.
I find I am one that is very thirsty after Jesus Christ, and the grace of E∣vidence. Their∣teenth Christ; and I thirst to have his image more and more stamped upon me; and I would fain be assured by Gods Spirit, that I am transplanted into Christ, and therefore I long and endeavour after a true and lively Faith, because that Grace is a soul transplanting and uniting grace. Now Christ hath promised to satisfy the thirsty, Matth. 5. 6. and such Christ hath earnestly invited to come, though they have ⟨p. 249⟩nothing to bring but what may make against themselves, yet to come empty, and he hath promised to fill them, Isa. 55. 1, 2.
I finde I am one that is very thirsty after Jesus Christ, and the grace of E∣vidence. Thir∣teenth Christ; and I thirst to have his image more and more stamped upon mee; and I would fain bee assured by Gods Spirit, that I am transplanted into Christ, and therefore I long and indeavour after a true and lively Faith, because that Grace is a soul transplanting and uniting grace. Now Christ hath promised to satisfie the thirsty, Matth. 5. 6. and such Christ hath earnestly invited to come, though they have ⟨p. 249⟩nothing to bring but what may make against themselves, yet to come empty, and hee hath promised to fill them, Isa. 55. 1, 2.
I am willing to confess, and with all my heart to forsake all my sins. I am E∣vidence. Four∣teenth willing to give glory to God in taking shame unto my self. I acknowledge my self a guilty malefactor, and judge my self worthy of the just condemnation of the righteous Judge of all the earth. And I do not only confess my sins, but with all my heart I desire to forsake them, and to turn to the Lord: Now he hath said, he will have mercy on such, and will abundantly pardon them. For his thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor his ways, as our ways, Isa. 55. 7, 8. It is my constant endeavour to dye to sin, to live to newness of life. And this is my comfort and hope, that he who hath begun a good work in me, will perfect it. For it is he that worketh all ⟨p. 250⟩our works in us, and for us, Isa. 26. 12. and he that hath wrought in me to will to do that which is pleasing in his fight, will work in me to do also, and that of his good pleasure, Phil. 2. 13.
I am willing to confesse, and with all my heart to forsake all my sins. I am E∣vidence. Four∣teenth willing to give glory to God in taking shame unto my self. I acknowledge my self a guilty malefactor, and judge my self worthy of the just condemnation of the righteous Judge of all the earth. And I do not only confess my sins, but with all my heart I desire to forsake them, and to turn to the Lord: Now hee hath said, he will have mercy on such, and will abundantly pardon them. For his thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor his wayes, as our wayes, Isa. 55. 7, 8. It is my constant indeavour to dye to sin, to live to newness of life. And this is my comfort and hope, that hee who hath begun a good work in mee, will perfect it. For it is hee that worketh all ⟨p. 250⟩our works in us, and for us, Isa. 26. 12. and hee that hath wrought in mee to will to do that which is pleasing in his fight, will work in mee to do also, and that of his good pleasure,
