A78903:478
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.
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 1
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,
I hope I am one whom God hath taken into Covenant with himself, because Evidence. Fifteenth he hath bestowed upon me the fruits of the Covenant, because he hath circumcised my heart to love him, and hath put his fear into me, and hath wrought an universal change in me; and hath given me a new heart, and a new spirit; yea his own spirit which he hath put within me, even the Spirit of Truth, which will guide me into all Truth. It is his own promise to give his holy Spirit to them that ask it of him (as I have done often) Luk. 11. 13. and I hope that God will make it in his due time, a witnessing and a comforting Spirit. I will wait upon him for the accomplishment ⟨p. 251⟩of all his promises, both of grace, and to grace: He hath said, he will be a sun and a shield, he will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly. And he hath promised to subdue our sins for us; and hath said, that sin shall not have Dominion over us, Rom. 6. 14. that he will be our God, and we shall be his children, and he will save us from all our uncleannesses. I hope I have a share in this blessed Covenant of free grace.
I hope I am one whom God hath taken into Covenant with himself, because Evidence. Fifteenth hee hath bestowed upon mee the fruits of the Covenant, because hee hath circumcised my heart to love him, and hath put his fear into mee, and hath wrought an universal change in mee; and hath given mee a new heart, and a new spirit; yea his own spirit which hee hath put within mee, even the Spirit of Truth, which will guide mee into all Truth. It is his own promise to give his holy Spirit to them that ask it of him (as I have done often) Luk. 11. 13. and I hope that God will make it in his due time, a witnessing and a comforting Spirit. I will wait upon him for the accomplishment ⟨p. 251⟩of all his promises, both of grace, and to grace: Hee hath said, hee will bee a sun and a shield, hee will give grace and glory, and no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walk uprightly. And hee hath promised to subdue our sins for us; and hath said, that sin shall not have Dominion over us,
As for my Affliction that lieth upon Evidence. Sixteenth me (though it be in it self very heavy) I much more desire the sanctification of it, than the removal. I earnestly labour to learn all those lessons which God teacheth me by affliction. I know I should not be scourged, nor be in tribulation, but that I have need of it; it is for my profit to make me partaker of his holiness. Afflictions are an evidence of Sonship, ⟨p. 252⟩Heb. 12. 6, 7, 8. God hath promised that all things shall work together for good to them that love and fear 1him. And I have had much experience of his faithfulness, who hath not suffered me to be tempted above what he hath enabled me to bear; therefore I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. He hath chastised me less than mine iniquities deserve. He chastiseth me here, that he may not condemn me hereafter.
As for my Affliction that lieth upon Evidence. Sixteenth mee (though it bee in it self very heavy) I much more desire the sanctification of it, than the removal. I earnestly labour to learn all those lessons which God teacheth mee by affliction. I know I should not bee scourged, nor bee in tribulation, but that I have need of it; it is for my profit to make mee partaker of his holinesse. Afflictions are an evidence of Sonship, ⟨p. 252⟩Heb. 12. 6, 7, 8. God hath promised that all things shall work together for good to them that love and fear 1him. And I have had much experience of his faithfulness, who hath not suffered mee to bee tempted above what hee hath inabled mee to bear; therefore I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. Hee hath chastized mee less than mine iniquities deserve. Hee chastizeth mee here, that hee may not condemn mee hereafter.
Faith is the condition of salvation. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and E∣vidence. Seven∣teenth thou shalt be saved. And this is his Commandment, that we should believe in his 1Son Jesus Christ: Now I find nothing so hard to me as to believe aright: to cast away all my own Righteousness as dung, in point of justification, and to cast away all my unrighteousness, so as that be no bar to me, and to role, and cast, and venture my immortal soul ⟨p. 253⟩upon Jesus Christ and his Righteousness, for life and salvation by him alone, and to see my self complete in him; this is supernatural. Yet I must and will give glory to God, and say, Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief. And by this I prove that this precious grace of Faith is wrought in me, because Jesus Christ is to me very precious: and I find in the Word, that to them that believe he 2is precious: and I am willing to take Christ upon his own terms, as he is tendered in the Gospel; and am willing to give up my self soul and body wholly to him; and my love to God, and to the children of God, is a fruit of my Faith, as also my desire to be made like unto him: For he that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure, 1 John 3. 3. And I trust that I am kept by the power of God through Faith unto salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 5. I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is ⟨p. 254⟩able and willing to keep that which I have committed unto him, which is my immortal soul.3
Faith is the condition of salvation. Beleeve in the Lord Jesus Christ, and E∣vidence. Seven∣teenth thou shalt bee saved. And this is his Commandement, that we should beleeve in his 1Son Jesus Christ: Now I finde nothing so hard to mee as to beleeve aright: to cast away all my own Righteousness as dung, in point of justification, and to cast away all my unrighteousness, so as that bee no bar to mee, and to role, and cast, and venter my immortal soul
Thus I have according to the Apostles exhortation endeavoured to give a reason of the hope that is in me. What have I but what I have received? The desire of my soul is, that God may have all the glory. And if I be deceived, the Lord for Christs sake undeceive me, and grant that if I have not true grace, I may not think I have, and so be in a fools Paradise. And the Lord that is my heart-maker, be my heart-searcher, and my heart-discoverer, and my heart-reformer. Amen.
Thus I have according to the Apostles exhortation indeavoured to give a reason of the hope that is in mee. What have I but what I have received? The desire of my soul is, that God may have all the glory. And if I bee deceived, the Lord for Christs sake undeceive mee, and grant that if I have not true grace, I may not think I have, and so bee in a fools Paradise. And the Lord that is my heart-maker, bee my heart-searcher, and my heart-discoverer, and my heart-reformer. Amen.
FINIS.
