and that he is not raised from the dead in that same body in which he bare our sins on the Tree but call some light spirit or seed in every man the Christ in somedying in others rising c. These deny Jesus to be the Christ and so are Antichrists 1 Joh. 2. 22. and even call him accursed one who hath failed in the work appointed him to do and hath not redeemed us from the curse of the Law for if Christ be not raised from the dead in that same body in which he died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried then is our preaching vain saith the Apostle and your faith is also vain ye are yet in your sins 1 Cor. 15. 3 4 12 20. They speak indeed many times of a Christ but they deny or confess not him who is so indeed for he is one who shewed himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs and rose in that same body in which he was crucified though not in the weakness it was sometime in in that body which hath flesh and bones 1 Pet. 2. 24. Joh. 2. 21. Act. 1. 3. Luke 24. 39. and evidenced that it was he himself that was alive after his resurrection by shewing to his Disciples his hands and his feet Luk. 24. 39 40. and his hands and his side namely his hands that were nailed to the Tree and his side that was pierced with a spear and saith to Thâ—mas reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side c. And these things are written that we might believe thaâ— Jesus the son of the Virgin Mary that had that name given unto him on the eighth day when he was ciâ—cumcised and was known by the name of Jesus of Nazareth by friends and enemies is the Christ the â—nointed one of God Joh. 20. 20 25 27 31. with Chap. 19. 34. and in that very body he ascended and offered it up to God according the will of God by the which will of God we are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus once for all even of that body which the Father prepared for him when he came into the world Heb. 10. 5 10. and hath in heaven a glorious body distinct from his body the Church which while here is vile Phil. 3. 20 21. and is there and from thence namâ—d himself unto Paul Jesus of Nazareth â—ct 2â— 8 and in that body of his flesh as distinct from his body the Church he doth and will present holy unblameable and unreproveble in his â—ight his body the Church even such as continue in the faith grounded and setled and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel Col. 1. 22 24. and so he in that same body even the man Christ Jesus is the Mediator between God and men 1 Tim. 2. 5. and by this man God shall judge the world in righteousness whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Act. 17. 31. Mat. 16. 27. 19. 28 25. 31. 3. And so they are not of God who deny Jesus Christ to be or confess him not to be the only foundation of our faith and hope but call some purpose or decree of election respecting mens persons in a personal consideration the foundation There is no purpose of God which is the foundation and much less that which many plead for which is no purpose of his and which renders the Cross of Christ and the preaching of it a foolish and undesirable thing As wâ—ll as also they confess nâ—t Christ in their doctrines who direct men to look into themselves originally for some sign and witness of God's lovâ— before they can assure them Christ hath died for them and God loves them and if upon examination they find as they conceit some love to God before they know whether he hath loved them thâ—n they â—â—ll them they are in a good condition Christ hath died for them and God loves them and righteousness is prepared for them and so they have according to such doctrines the beginning of their confidence bottom matter of their faiâ—h in themselves in some frame change alteration love to God before they know God hath loved them which is not love herein not confessing Jesus Christ which is come in the flesh to be the foundation which he only is 1 Cor. 3. 11. 1 Joh. 4 9 10. And so such praise not Jesus Christ who confess him not to be the only High-Priest and Head of the Church but give that honour to another besides him or together with him and confess not the infinite excellency and abiding vertue of his one sacrifice of his own body offered by himself once for all but offer up a propitiatory sacrifice besides for the quick and the dead hereby counting the blood of the Covenant a common thing and like the blood â—f Bulls and Goats and his sacrifice like those offered by the Law which because they could not purge away sin were therefore continually offered Heb. 9. 12 14 25. 7. 27. 10. 1 14. or that confess him nor to be â—he only door of approach to God Joh. 10. 4 5 7 9 12. or the only bread of life Joh. 6. 35 51. or the only Mediator but multiply Mediators to themselves as Saints departed c. 1 Tim. 2. 5. to which we shall add no more now but that which the Apostle saith If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maâ—anatha 1 Cor. 16. 22. 2. But because many say Lord Lord and do make some right acknowledgment of Christ viz. that he was delivered to death and rose again and ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God c. which is true and yet give not to him the praise due to his name nor lift him up and praise him as he worthily deserves therefore we have another rule of trial given us in 1 Joh. 4. 6. We are of God namely the Apostles in their word and doctrine he that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us that is he is not determined by ouâ— word in all his confessions he alwayes heareth not adhereth not to the words which the Apostles have spoken viz those which the Holy Ghost teacheth but rather speaks in the words which mans wisdom teacheth hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error By this word of God's grace we may mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which the believers have learned of Christ by his Apostles so as to avoid them Rom. 16. 17. to this râ—le we are often directed To the Law and to the testimonâ— if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. If we saith the Apostle or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than what we have preached
spotless sacrifice unto God through the eternal spirit and is ascended â—ar-above all heavens into heaven it self that he may fill and fulfil all things he is gone up into heaven and is on the right hand of God and by means and by vertue of what he hath done there is peace in heaven Luke 19. 38. When man had sinned and brought themselves under the sentence of banishment God's love and pity was toward them but such was the holiness of God and his truth and justice that there was no mercy to be shewed forth to mankind until his justice was satisfied his truth fulfilled and his righteous Law answered For heaven and earth shall pass away but not one jot or title of the Law shall pass till all be fulfilled But now Jesus Christ becoming under the Law by the will of God he bare our sins and dyed our death and is raised again so as in him mercy and truth are met righteousness and peace have kissed truth is sprung out of the earth in his resurrection and righteousness looks down from heaven in all the streams of God's goodness and compassion to us and now there is cause to sing peace in heaven and glory in the highest he is ascended upon high and is set down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens Oh infinite love Oh unsearchable riches of grace 2. This word of his grace discovers his grace to us in what he is now doing to us from heaven in the name and authority of the Father and in the anointing of the holy Ghost And in what he is doing in heaven for us with the Father in both which he is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10. his end in both being that he might bring us to God his end in what he hath done for us in breaking down the middle wall of partition that was between God and us and between Jew and Gentile and having abolished in his flesh the enmity it was that he might reconcile both Jew and Gentile unto God in one body by the Cross Eph. 2. 14 16. His end in his having made peace was that he might reconcile all things and so all men as persons sometimes is included and meant in that expression 1 Cor. 3. 21 23. Col. 1. 20. And indeed that his end was to reconcile all men appears to be included in that expression in that he immediately adds And you who were sometimes enemies and alienated in your minds c. yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1. 20 21. 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. and so his end in what God hath now appointed Christ to and in which he is faithful is the same not to condemn the world but that through him the world might be saved and the Apostle doth hereby demonstrate and prove the graciousness of God's heart towards all men by shewing what he hath appointed Christ unto in his present work and office God saith he will have all men to be saved ' and come to the knowledge of the truth To evidence that he saith For there is one God namely not only to distinguish him from all other who are called Gods but to denote to us that he is one not divided hath not a secret will contrary to his revealed but he is light and in him is no darkness at all and so he is the same he hath manifested himself to be in abasing his Son to dye for us and crowning him with glory and honour that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man And one Mediator namely as before not only to distinguish him from all others that are called so and so to signifie that he is the one and only Mediator appointed by the one God though that is true and may be principally intended but also to assure us that he is one the same Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. And so in what he is appointed to to day he is one and the same with what he was yesterday even the Saviour of the world the anointed Saviour of men while they are not wholly given up to and become one with Satan and reckoned fully of his seed and for such in that consideration he was never a Saviour and so he is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus even he that had such infinite grace to all men that he gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 4 6. If God had not willed and desired that all men should be saved he would never have appointed such a gracious Mediator between him and them and such a faithful testimony Now then to this end that men might be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth in this day and this in order unto their eternal salvation 1. Jesus Christ is a testimony of God's graciousness to men in due time even to all men as they come to years of capacity that they might be reconciled and their hearts turned to the Lord the enmity that was in the state and condition of mankind Jesus Christ hath already slain and hath taken out of the way all that was in it contrary to us but yet still men while abiding in their natural state are enemies in their minds to God there is a secret enmity and contrariety in their hearts to God through that ignorance that is in them Now then that this may be purged out and their minds turned to the Lord Jesus Christ is seasonably by all means witnessing his and his Fathers pity and love to them and is by his goodness discovered moving to repentance for it is the goodness of God leadeth to repentance even those that are not led by it Rom. 2. 4 5. It is his love manifested and discerned that begets love to him again 1 Joh. 4. 7 10 19. Grace is poured into the lips of Jesus Christ Psal 45. 2. and he is in some measure giving some witnessings of God's mercifulness and goodness to all yea to those that had not the Word and Oracles committed to them as Israel after the flesh had He left not himself without witness of his propitiousness through a Mediator but gave them rain from heaven and fruitful seasons filling their hearts with food and gladness Act. 14. 17. 17. 26 27. that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them for the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and Godhead even his mercy goodness and wisdom c. That he is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him which whoever believes having no more clear discovery comes to God acceptably Rom. 1. 19 21. Psal 19. 1 6. 145. 8 10. Heb. 11. 6. The grace of God brings salvation to all men Tit. 2. 11. even some discovery of
41. 17. And yet in committing themselves to God and the word of his grace they should be directed to give to every one their due and not to neglect though they could not put such confidence in thâ—sâ— left behind but to consider their word and the end of their conversation 3. Wherefore the Apostle now especially commends and resigns them to God and the word of his grace to the end they should commit themselves unto and leave themselves with him This hath been signified in part before and is also intimated afterward in the verse yet I shall add somewhat further and say in general he doth commit them to him with instruction to them to commit themselves to God and leave themselves with him and the word of his grace 1. For his help Psal 10. 14. 2. For his preservation of them Psal 12. 7. as referring to the scope of the Apostle in the former verses 1. For his help of them and assistance to be graciously vouchsafed to them and expected by them and that both 1. Upon the account of his being taken away and so for our instruction when God removes faithful and eminent watchmen 2. And that they might feed the flock of God and so for believers edifying one another more generally 1. As with respect to his being taken away and so for instruction to us when God removes faithful and eminent watchmen in the midst of their dayes what I shall speak under this head will be of more direct respect to our selves to whom God hath been ordering such an occasion of mourning and lamentation and so let us now commit our selves to God as with respect to them so taken away and as with respect to our selves that yet are preserved in the Land of the living 1. As with respect to them so taken away let us betake our selves to God and to the word of his grace that we sorrow not for them as those that have no hope it is far better with them as is before said they sleep in Jesus and are delivered from those sorrows troubles and disquietments that here they were exposed to Hence the Prophet when he had been saying The righteous perisheth and merciful men are taken away adds from the evil and He shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds c. as that which was proper to comfort the contrite one and his mourners Isa 57. 1 2. And though the Apostle John had given him in charge at first to write the things which he had seen and the things which are c. Rev. 1. 11 19. yet also he had a voice from heaven particularly and expresly commanding him to write that it might be preserved for and considered in the time to come blessed are the dead that dye in the Lord c. Rev. 14. 13. And so the Apostle on like account saith If we believe that Jesus dyed and rose again then them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him c. Wherefore comfort one another with these words 1 Thes 4. 14 18. And oh that the consolations of God may not be small with us on this account 2. As with respect to our selves who are yet preserved in the Land of the living let us on such an occasion commit and betake our selves to him for his gracious teaching us out of his Law what we see not by any light that is in us as of us or what we have forgotten or let slip that we may know wherefore he is ordering such great and heavy testimonies of displeasure that we may be contrite and humble our selves before him and be broken off from what he hath been reproving us for doubtless in acquainting our selves with him and the word of his grace and its instructions we may know wherefore he is thus pleading with us thereby he is teaching us what we see not that we might not be unwise but unstand what the will of the Lord is Job 34. 31 32. Prov. 6 24. In general it appears the cause of his so lifting up his hand amongst us is because of our great provocations of him for he who is the God of all grace doth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men and much less doth he till he be highly provoked smiâ—e with such heavy stroaks as these are such judgments are of such a nature as in which he shews his people very hard things and gives them the wine of astonishment to drink especially when he smoaks against the prayers of his people Such as in which he begins to give to his Jerusalem the cup of his fury to drink yea the dregs of the cup wâ—ung out as Isa 51. 17 18. hereby threatning to take away his Kingdom from them therefore surely we may in the light of the Lord see that when he so judges us there hath been lewdness found in our filthiness so much they acknowledge and bewail when God's hand was turned against them Lam. 3. 42 44. we have transgressed as a wife treacherously departs from her Husband we have gone a whoring from under our God and have rebelled viz. gone on and continued in our transgression against light and admonition rebelled against the light thou hast not pardoned thou hast covered with anger and persecuted us thou hast slain thou hast not pitied thou hast covered thy self with a cloud that our prayer should not pass thorow Not only did God shut out the Prophets prayer when he cryed and shouted even prayed very earnestly as ver 8. but he covered himself with a cloud that prayer should not pass thorow when they assembled together and there was some joint agreement of them in their praying as it may seem The reasons then of God's proceeding on in such judgments in removing such faithful instruments untimely and not withstanding his people have been crying and praying for sparing mercies yet he hath not given such gracious returns as they have begged for are as far as I am helped to understand 1. More generally because those that are hearers of the word are heaâ—â—râ— only receiving his grace in vain and not suffering it to have its efficacy upon them so as to redeem them from their iniquities and purifie them unto God a peculiar people zealous of good works this even provokes God to remove his servants from us when men are hearers of the word and not doers so much the Apostle signifies I know saith he that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith c. only let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ implying that the want of this would be the only cause of their being deprived of such a mercy Phil. 1. 25 27. So the Lord by the Prophet Ezekiel threatens that he would make them desolate of their glory and make them know that a Prophet had been among them by his removing him from them because they sate before him as his people and heard his words but they would not do
injoyed while they are preserved together in the Land of the living and causeth them to live as strangers or separate one from another Act. 15. 39. and even provokes God to separate them one from another and in anger to divide them who could not agree one with another Lam. 4. 16. with Jer. 9. 4 8. All the Law saith the Apostle is fulfilled in one word even in this thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self but if ye bite and devour one another take heedâ—ye be not consumed one of or by another Gal. 5. 14 15. For this cause many were sick and weak amongst the Corinthians and many slept because they did not discern the Lord's body namely they did not highly and honourably esteem of his personal body that was broken so as therein to consider the infinite grace of God to sinners and to examine themselves in that perfect Law of liberty in which the infinite excellency of it is discovered so as to have pride hidden from them Or they did not discern his congregational body so as to esteem them to be of the body of Christ and every one members in particular how poor and mean soever but there were contentions divisions strifes and envyings amongst them and there were some that did shame those that were poor either in this world or poor in knowledge or utterance and that had not what they had listing up themselves by their knowledge and despising or dealing in proud wratâ— with oâ—hers 1 Cor. 1. 11. 3. 3. 8. 1. 11. 18 22 28 30. 2 Cor. 12. 20. To the same purpose the Apostle speaks to the Philippians I know I shall continue with you only let your conversation be as becomes the Gospel of Christ and what he means by this conversation he himself declares however as to a great and principal thing in it to wâ—t that ye stand fast in one spirit that into which ye have been made to drink with one mind design affection and love striving together not one against another c. Otherwise they might deprive themselves of the mercy of his being continued with them and hence also with powerful arguments beseâ—cheth them If therefore there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowels and mercies fulfil ye my joy that ye â—e like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind let nothing be done through strife or vain glory c. Phil. 1. 25 27. 2. 1 3. So it 's said They angred Moses at the waters of strife where they did things in strife and chod with him so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes Psal 106. 32. wiâ—h Numb 20. 3. And this root of pride and these fruits of it envy strife contention c. provoke God to hide his face that he will not hear So much I conceive the Apostle James signifies If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts glory not and â—ye not against the truth â—ay not this is zeal for God this wisdom descends not from above for where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work from whence come wars and fightings or brawsing among you come they not hence even of your lusts that war in your members Ye lust â—reagerly desire and have not ye kill as those also do that despise the poor Jam. 2. 1 2 5 10 11. and desire to have and cannot obtain ye fight and war yet ye have noâ— because ye ask not ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy but he giveth more grace whereby we might be preserved from pride and thâ—se envyings and strifes wherefore he saith God resisteth the proud that receive not his grace to save them he puts them at a distance from him and shuts cut their prayes but giveth grace to the humble that receive his grace to hide pride from them and to strengthen them to cease from their own wisdom that descends not from above submit your selves therefore to God Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you Jam. 3. 14 16. 4. 1 5 8 11. Isa 58. 3 4. Oh that we may judge our selves that we be not further judged and therefore let us examine our selves in the light of God's testimony and there with in the light of his judgments for his judgments are as the light that goeth forth Hos 6. 5. and not in the light of our own heartâ— for the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked and â—e that trusteth in it is a fool Jer. 17. 9. Prov. 28. 26. All the wayes of a man are clean in his own eyes but the Lord weigheth the spirits Prov. 16. 2. 21. 2. with Chap. 12. 15. But now in the perfect Law of liberty as in a true glass we may see our hearts it gives light for discovering all things and it gives understanding to the simple or capacity to behold what is manifested so wonderful are God's testimonies and especially the entrance of God's word even the word of the beginning of Christ the first thing to be declared and which enters the heart and is the entrance for our understanding all things the key of knowledge for opening all things to us Psal 119. 129 130. The commandement is a lamp and the Law light and the reproof of instruction are the way of life Prov. 6. 24. His testimony doth so discern and discover all things as that he that is an hearer of the word and not a doer hath this great advantage put into his hand he beholdeth himself the secrets of his heart are made manifest as 1. Cor. 14. 24 25. but then this is his great evil and iniquity because he is not willing to take shame to himself and to continue beholding his spots which are discovered in the glass therefore he shuns the light and goeth his way and straightway forgets what manner of man he waâ— This was brought to his view by the word of truth and the discovery was made and advantage given him by that now therefore departing from that he immediately lets slip what an one he was there manifested to be and is now ready to think and say he is not polluted or hath not such spots as before in the glass he beheld himself to have Jam. 1. 23 24. In that word of truth then let us examine our selves and search and try our wayes even narrowly search them and consider them our wayes and not God's wayes so as to search for some unrighteousness or unevenness in them for his wayes are equal the Lord our God is righteous in all he hath brought upon us And our wayes as distinguished from other mens wayes so as to lay the blame on them for if we had been or were willing to judge our selves we should not have been or should not yet further be judged Yea
us in the word of the Lord had too much cause to say to some Now ye are full now ye are rich ye have reigned as Kings without us ye are honourable but we are despised we hunger and thirst and labour working with our own hands and too little cause to say of any their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality Oh that there were not cause generally to say from the least to the greatest Every one is given to covetousness How few are there that have been willing to promote the Gospel of Christ to their power and have been faithful in the least things Yea and how much have we been walking in pride and high thoughts of our selves and in those fruits of it such as anger wrath divisions contentions debates whisperings c. Lord be merciful unto me heal my soul for I have sinned Doubtless the thus examining our selves in the light of the Lord is a more meet exercise for us to be exercised unto than to cry out of the affliction simply Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sin it is the punishment of his sin that he suffers why doth he comcomplain for the punishment and mean time too much forget that which procures it Let us search and try our wayes this is a more meet exercise for us Lam. 3. 39 40. Why cryest thou for thine affliction thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity because thy sins were increased I have done these things to thee saith the Lord Jer. 30. 15. See what God saith to Joshua when he rent his cloaths fell to the earth upon his face and said Alas O Lord God wherefore hast thou brought this people over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us What wilt thou do unto thy great name and the Lord said unto Joshua get thee up wherefore lyest thou thus upon thy face complaining of the affliction Israel hath sinned and they have transgressed up sanctifie the people c. As if he should say is there not a cause for what I have done am I not provoked hereto up and be doing in searching and diligently inquiring what that is that hath procured these things unto you and sanctifie your selves Josh 7. 7 10 15. So the Lord saith to his people when he was judging of them because his house lay waste and they run every man to his own house or as now â—inâ—â— grace and truth came by Jesus Christ all sough own and not the things which are Jesus Christ's Thus saith the Lord of hosts consider your wayes ye have sown much and bring in little ye eat but ye have not enough Thus saith the Lord of hosts consider your wayes Hag. 1. 5 7 9. Phil. 2. 21. And in and with our searching and trying our wayes let us turn again unto the Lord whom we have revolted Lam. 3. 40. Let us not listen unto the deceitfulness of sin in us which is the indeavouring to slay us so as to harden our hearts and say there is no hope the case is desperate we have loved strangers and after them we will go Jer. 2. 25. though we have done all this wickedness yet turn not aside from following the Lord but serve the Lord with all your heart and turn ye not aside for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver for they are vain 1 Sam. 12. 20 25. even turn unto him from our iniquities acknowledging and confessing them as reproved and discovered and lay them apart in the light and strength of his grace And to move hereto Remember how great things he hath done for us when we were dead in sins and trespasses and justly banished from his presence in the righteous sentence of his Law he then remembred us in our low estate for his mercy indureth for ever and devised a blessed means that his banished might not be utterly and for ever expelled from him hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end Behold he hath given his Son for a witness to the people of the greatness and sincerity of his love to us let us then remember that Jesus Christ who was delivered for us all was raised from the dead according to the Gospel and let us â—eed upon that bread even his flesh that was given for the life of the world This will incourage us to search and try our wayes and to turn to him against whom he have sinned And herewith also consider that there is mercy with the Lord and with him is plenteous redemption through his blood even the forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of God's grace Eph. 1. 7. there is forgiveness with him not that we should continue in sin that grace may abound but that he may be feared Psal 130. 3 4 7. even forgiveness of the sins reproved and washing and cleansing from them Oh let us then turn unto him and say take away all iniquity and receive us graciously heal our backslidings and love us freely he is merciful and will not keep anger for ever only let us acknowledge our iniquity that we have transgressed against him This is powerful to purge guile out of our spirits and preserve us from it which leads us to keep silence and to hide that we may hold fast the things reproved that he is a God ready to pardon and for this cause shall every one that is godly pray unto him in a time of finding Psal 32. 2. 6. Neh. 9. 17. In this incouragement let us yet look again toward his holy Temple Jonah 2. 2 7. Yea consider that the end of the Lord is gracious in ordering such great judgments while it is called to day and so much the Apostle particularly signifies when he had been saying For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep He adds But when we are judged namely with such judgments and that because we have not timely judged our selves we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 30 32. His end herein is good that he might awaken us to his righteousness and cause us to arise from the dead that Christ may give us light that he may keep back our souls from the pit and we may be inlightned with the light of the living And it is infinitely better to be now judged and to submit to him therein and bear patiently his indignation than to be condemned hereafter and sentenced to and punished in that lake where their worm dyeth not and their fire is not quenched Yea in thus searching and trying our wayes and turning unto him in the incouragement of the multitude of his mercies humbling our selves before him and confessing our vileness and sinfulness hereby we shall ascribe righteousness to our Maker and give glory to him My son said Joshua give I pray thee glory to the Lord God of Israel and make confession
of the Spirit is given to every one of the chosen generation to profit withal and they ought to be teachers who are faithful in the Lord 1 Cor. 12. 7. Heb. 3. 1. â— 12. and it is required of them to look diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God Heb 12. 15. 3. To move hereto also our God hath in the word of his grace set great incouragement befoâ—e them that when the great shepherd shall appear they that have fed the flock faithfully or who shall be reputed graciously so to have done shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5. 1 4. he will then say to such Well done good and faithful servant c. Oh then blessed will that servant be whom the Lord when he comes shall find so doing viz. giving to his houshold their portion of meat in due season Of a truth saith our Saviour I say unto you that he will make him ruler over all that he hath Mat. 25. 21 23. Luke 19. 17. 12. 42 44. Dan. 12. 3. And on the other hand wo will be to them that have received the word of reconciliation if they hold not forth the woâ—d of life in word and conversation but abuse their talent or hide it in a napkin the Lord will be terrible to them Oh that therefore knowing the terror of the Lord they may labour that whether present or absent they may be accepted of him Luke 12. 45 48. Mat. 25. 24 30. 1 Cor. 9. 16. 2 Cor. 5. 9 11. Yea and to provoke these to whom he speaks to feed the flock and therefore to commit themselves to God and the word of his grace he adds ver 29. I know that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you not sparing the flock and this leads us to the next general head proposed viz. That he doth commit them all to God and the word of his grace 2. For their preservation that they might not be destroyed or moved from the faith by such as would indeavour it but might trust in God before the sons of men By grievous Wolves is here meant as is before said 1. Violent persons who indeavour by force and cruelty to scatter the flock and cause them to flee as a Bird to their Mountain to cast in their lot among them for this is the end of their persecutions and secret speech of all their cruelty Psal 11. 1 2. these are called Wolves Mat. 10. 16 23. Luke 10. 3. And so the Psalmist speaking of the wicked that persecute the poor saith His wayes are alwayes grievous and in such grievous wayes they walk because of their evil thoughts as is there said God is not in all his thoughts Or all his thoughts are there is no God and hence his wayes are alwayes grievous and Gods judgments both of his mouth and hand are far above out of his sight Those wayes and persons walking therein are grievous to God they grieve him at the heart and they are grievous to the congregation of Gods poor ones Psal 10. 4 5 9. So it is said of those oppressive and cruel rulers even amongst those on whom God's name was called they decree unrighteous decrees and write grievousness which they have prescribed Isa 10. 1. Psal 31. 18. yea and Princes and Judges in the professed Church were for their cruelty compared to Wolves Ezek. 22. 27. Zeph. 3. 3. 2. Hereby is also signified false Prophets that come to corrupt from the simplicity that is in Christ and the voice of whose instructions which cause to err from the words of knowledge in sum is stollen waters are sweet and bread eaten in secret places is pleasant Prov. 9. 17. who commend unto us somewhat which is not the bread which wisdom hath prepared for that is the flesh of Christ which he hath given for the life of the world Prov. 9. 5 17. Joh. 6. 51. such are called Wolves as Mat. 7. 15. Beware of false Prophets that come to you in sheeps cloathing but inwardly they are ravening Wolves So those that come with a strange voice from that of Christs those thieves and robbers that come not in by the door these are compared to Wolves and do come to catch and scatter the sheep John 10. 1 5 10 12. And herein both violent and deceitful persons agree they are both enemies to and such as will not spare the flock Now then that they might be preserved from the fear and terror of the former and the deceit and subtilâ—y of the latter he commits them to God and the word of his grace thereby giving us to understand that the name of the Lord is a strong tower and those that run into it shall be set on high Prov. 18. 10. according to that Whoso hearkneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil Prov. 1. 33. And so the Apostle when he foâ—â—waâ—ns Timothy That all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution and that evil men persecuters and seducers â—alse Propheâ—s shall wax worse and worse He adds But continuâ—â—hou in the things thou hast learned of God in the word of his grace this will preserve thee from the evil of the violence of the one and cunning craftiness of the other 2 Tim. 3. 12 14. 1. Then the Apostle here commits them to God and the word of his grace with desire they should commit themselves to him and it and be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus and so rest in the Lord expecting his gracious preservation of them from the hurt of those grievous violent Wolves and waiting patiently for him induring hardness as good Soldiers of Christ Jesus not being afraid of the terror of persecuters neither being troubled or hindered from holding fast the profession of their faith 2. Tim. 2. 1 3. Psal 37. 7. 1 Pet. 3. 14. And in this he signifies to us that there is good cause and incouragement to commit our selves to God and the word of his grace when he is taking away eminent and faithful instruments and suffering grievous wolves to enter in At such a time in the Lord we may praise his word and be strong in him and the power of his might Now especially when the godly man ceaseth the wicked then insult and say Seeing the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do now they cry flee as a Bird to our Mountain your pillars the principal of the flock are removed those upon whom you leaned and who were supporters to you and upholders of you and what will you now do at such a time as this when they thus rejoyce the righteous have this still to incourage themselves in Though those you call foundations are removed yet the Lord is in his holy Temple the Lord's throne is in heaven Psal 11. 1 4. yea now especially as before is noted he hath promised that he will be nigh to them for the oppression of the poor
will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness And Isa 43. 2 5. When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee fear not for I am wiâ—h thee So Hag. 2 4 5. Hence the Psalmist saith Though I walk in the valley â—f the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me namely I will fear no evil of or concerning thee I will not be jealous of my Shepherd and so I will fear no evil no adversity whatsoever for thou art with me to uphold and strengthen me with strength in my soul Psal 23. 4. 138. 3. This comforted the Prophet when in great affliction and inderision daily I heard the defaming of many fear on every side report say they and we will report all my familiars watched for my halting peradventure he will be inticed and we shall prevail against him and we shall take our revenge on him By the way they signifie that unless they could intice him or turn him aside they could not take their revenge on him but saith he the Lord is with me therefore my persecuters shall stumble and they shall not prevail Jer. 20. 10 11. And so He will preserve their souls from the design of Satan and his instruments that nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God in Christ that love him and keep his word Rom. 8. 35 39. he will not deliver them unto the will of their enemies Psal 41. 2. He is faithful who will establish them and keep them from evil 2 Thes 3. 3. He will not suffer the feet of those that trust in him to be moved he that keepeth them will not slâ—mber behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep the Lord is their keeper the Sun shall not smite them by day the Lord shall preserve them from all evil he shall preserve their souls c. Psal 121. 97. 10. 1 Sam. 2. 9. My sheep saith our Saviour hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand c. Joh. 10. 27 30. Oh! what incouragement is given us herein to trust in him and not be afraid not to fear any of those things we may suffer but though bryars and thorns be with us and we dwell among Scorpions and our souls are among Lions and Wolves even amongst them that are set on fire whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword yet to walk in the strength of the Lord God and to make mention of his righteousness even of his only Yea He will cause all things to work together for good to them that love God who are the called according to purpose so as that in all the tribulations he is ordering they shall be mâ—râ— than conquerours through him that hath loved them and given himself for them Rom. 8. 28 37. and they shall be gainers by their losses and have occasion with thankfulness to acknowledge that it was good for them that they were afflicted Psal 119. 62 71. for his end in ordering the afflictions of the Gospel is for their profit that they might be partakers of his holiness Heb. 12. 10 11. he is refining them but not with silver he is chusing them in the furnace of affliction Isa 48. 10. Zech. 13. 9. Every branch in the true vine the Husbandman purgeth continually that it may bring forth more fruit Joh. 15. 2. and by all tribulations he is preparing them for glory and more glory for them Our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen saith the Apostle for which cause they fainted not 2 Cor. 4. 16. 18. yea death is theirs and to die gain and the Lord knoweth how even by this means to deliver the godly out of temptation 1 Cor. 3. 22. Phil. 1. 21. 2 Pet. 2. 9. and their manifold temptations the tryal of their faith through which now for a season when need is they are in heaviness shall be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ 1 Pet. 1. 6 7. And now in the multitude of their troubles and thoughts within them his comforts shall delight their souls Psal 94. 19. He is the God of all comfort who comforteth them in all their tribulations and as the sufferings of Christ abound in them so their consolation also aboundeth by Christ He is one who comforts them that are cast down and restoreth comfort to the conâ—â—ite one and his mourners by creating the fruit of his lips in his Gospel peace peace unto them 2 Cor. 1. 3 5 7 7. 5. Isa 57. 18 19. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Christ because the Lord hath anointed him to preach good tydiâ—gâ— to the meek To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to gâ—ve unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning c. Isa 61. 1 3. He will then especially and abundantly cause them to prove the sufficiency of his gracâ— 2 Cor. 12. 7 10. that having access by faith into that groce wherein they stand even that grace that while we were yet without strength in due time Christ died for the ungodly they may rejoyce in tribulations also Rom. 5. 2 3 6. Jam. 1. 2 5. He will give unto them his good Spirit to bring to remembrance the sayings of Christ to glorifie him and enamour their hearts on him and to teach them all things and so to be a spirit of grace and supplication unto them to teach them how to pour out their hearts unto him in what manner and for what things and in what incouragement Joh. 14. 27. 16. 13 14. Likewise the Spirit also heâ—peth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we oâ—ght but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be â—ttered Rom. 8. 26 27. and so to teach them how to answer adversaries and opposers This is the promise which our Saviour promised his Disciples when he sent them forth as Lambs in the midst of Wolves to preserve them from carefulness and thoughtfulness what to answer But when saith he they deliver you up take no thought how or what ye shall speak either as to the manner or matter for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak for it is not ye that speak but the Spirit of your father which speaketh in you Maâ— 10. 16 20. And hence our â—aviour admonisheth them to settle it in their â—eaâ—ts not to mediâ—are before what they shall answer for he assuâ—es them in so doing he will
give them a mouth and wisdom which all their â—dversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist Luk. 21. â—4 15. Yea what shall I say for the time would fail he will be abundantly nigh unto them in this â—ime of trouble For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears open to their cry 1 Pet. 3. 12. he will fulfil their desires Psal 145. 18 19. Purge away their transgressions Psal 65. 3. Subdue their iniquities Mic. 7. 19. Fight their battels 2 Chron. 32. 8. Renew their inward man 2 Cor. 4. 16. Revive them in the midst of trouble Psal 138. 7. Supply all their wants according to his riches in glory Phil. 4. 19. Perform all things for them Psal 57. 2. And perfect whatever concerns them Psal 138. 8. And so sanctifie them throughout that their whole spirit soul and body shall be pâ—eserved blamelâ—ss unto the coming of the Lord Jesus 1 Thes 5. 23. In short he will never leave them nor forsake them so that they may boldly say The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man can do unto me Heb. 13. 5 6. And he is faithful that hath promised Oh! let us then hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering Heb. 10. 23. and not be afraid of men or their fear nor say a confederacy with them that say a confederacy but sanctifie the Lord of hosts in our hearts and make him our fear and our dread and he shall be a sanctuary unto us Isa 8. 12 14. Consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our profession who was faithful to him that appointed him in that hard and difficult work he hath been wonderfully tryed and did not fail therein nor was discouraged but for the joy set before him indured the Cross despising the shame He set his face like a flint and patiently indured the judgment of the world and waited for the Lord till he brought him out of the horrible pit miry clay and set his feet upon a rock He was for this purpose manifested to take away our sins and in him is no sin and therein may we so behold his faithfulness as to be strengthned to rest in him and wait patiently for the performance of what yet remains for faithful is he that hath promised who also will do it And he is the Mediator of the New Testament which he hath confirmed by his blood He it is who liveth and was dead and is alive for evermore to make intercession for them that come to God by him that their iniquities might not with-hold good things from them make them know God's breach of promise Rev. 1. 18. Heb. 7. 25. Numb 14. 34. He mediates the New Covenant and appears in the presence of God in the vertues of his sacrifice once offered as the propitiation for their sins to take them away and cover them and in their confessing them he is faithful and just to forgive them their sins and his blood cleanseth them from all unrighteousness 1 Joh. 1. 7 9. 2. 2. and he lives to perform and execute this Testament of his own and to dispense to them all things that pertain to life and godliness that the called may obtain the promise of the eternal inheritance Heb. 7. 25 28. 8. 6. 9. 15. 3. Yea and he hath set a blessed hope before them that those that suffer here with him shall reign with him and be glorified together And he that hath this hope in Christ purifieth hemself from desires of present manifestation as he is pure 2 Tim. 2. 12. Rom. 8. 17 18. 1 Joh. 3. 2 3. which hope is now powerful as declared in the word of the truth of the Gospel to save them from their sins and idols and from being afraid with any fear of amazement Rom. 8. 24 25. and it is so confirmed that they might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them which they have as an anchor of the soul both sure and stedfast and which entereth into that within the vail whether the fore-runner is for us entred Jesus made an High-Priest after the order of Melchisedeck Heb. 6. 18 20. He will then give compleat rest to them who are now troubled avenge them of their adversaries and save them with an everlasting salvation And this is now reported to us in the Gospel that looking to the end from the beginning we might be strengthned with strength in our soul according to that Isa 35. 3 10. Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong fear not behold your God will come with vengeance God with a recompence he will come and save you and then no Lyon shall be there to afflict them nor any ravenous beâ—st and so no grievous Wolf c Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads they shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away There will be an end of all these troubles and afflictions to those that live godly in Christ Jesus and their expectation shall not be cut off yea now it is but a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry and will redeem them out of all adversity and they shall then obtain that salvation in Câ—rist Jesus with eternal glory and therefore they have cause and are instructed to rejoyce in as much as they are partakers of Christ's sufferings that when his glory shall be revealed they also may be glad with exceeding joy 1 Pet. 4. 13. Jam. 1. 12. Rev. 2. 7 10 11 13 17. Surely there is that contained in God and the word of his grace which may strengthen us to all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness so as we need not fear any of those things we may suffer but rather rejoyce that we are counted worthy to suffer for his sake who so willingly indured so great sufferings for us 2. To God and the Word of his grace he commits them for their preservation from grievous wolves as taken in the second sense before mentioned viz. for false Prophets and seducers to the end that committing themselves thereto they might not be led away with the error of the wicked and so fall from their own stedfastness but be preserved from hearing and receiving those instructions which cause to err from the words of knowledge and great need we have to commit our selves to him and his word on this account that we mâ—y go from the presence of such foolish ones in whom we perceive not the lips of knowledg for these or many of them are very powerful to deceive For 1. The Ministers which Satan imploys as his instruments in sowing tares they are such many times as are very specious in their outward apperance they come unto you in sheeps cloathing saith our Saviour Mat. 7. 15. namely appear in their outward conversation as if they were of the sheep of Christ
let him be accursed Gal. 1. 8 9. If any man consent not in his teachings to wholsom words the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud c. from such turn away 1 Tim. 6. 3 5. Now then we may be assured that such consent to wholsom words who say Christ died not for all nor by the grace of God tasted death for every man contrary to 2 Cor. 5 14. Heb. 2. 9. and so such as deny him to be the standing propitiation for the sins of the whole world 1 Joh. 2. 2. These teach men to deny the Lord that bought them yea they are led by the spirit of error who confess not praise not lift not up Jesus Christ as the Son of God the Saviour of the world they come not up to wholesom words for the true Christ is the Saviour of the world even of mankind and this began to be spoken by the Lord himself Joh. 3. 16 17. 4. 42. 6. 51. and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him 2 Cor. 5. 14 15 19. and so the Son of God is the Saviour of the world and this was the sum of the Apostles testimony which they had received and saw in the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit 1 Joh. 4. 13 15. And the Apostle Paul saith that he was ordained a Preacher of this viz. That God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth c. 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. and instructed Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words which he heard of him that unto which he was ordained a Preacher as before and an Apostle viz. that God is one and there is one Mediator between God and men the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time by which he proves and evidences that God will have all men to be saved c. I say to hold this last in faith in an hearty belief of the truth of it and in love to men so as declaring this to them and holding it fast in profession according to the constraining operations of the grace of God in Christ 2 Tim 1. 9 13. with 1 Tim. 2. 4 7. 2 Cor. 5. 13 15 18 20. and exhorted Timothy to command others to teach and himself to teach that the living God is the Saviour of all men especially of them that believe 1 Tim. 4. 10 11. See also Tit. 2. 11 15. And in this direction given unto us for tryal of spirits that we may know so as to avoid false Prophets it is observable the Apostle doth not positively and particularly declare what the false spirits do hold and teach but in the general he saith If they confess not praise not lift not up Jesus Christ or give not to him the glory due to him in their confessions so as in all hearing the Apostles they are not of God and we are to beware of them if they Evangelize otherwise than what the Apostles have Evangelized we are to reject them for if it be not the voice of our Shepherd we may be sure it is the voice of a stranger and so we are to flee from them yea if any man come unto you saith the Apostle and bring not this doctrine the doctrine of Christ in which he is lifted up in the words of the Holy Ghost receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed He saith not if he take not up this doctrine which he may seem to do for advantage sake when he is with you that he may not be discovered but may deceive you but if he bring it not if this be not his message his errand when he comes the thing he is set to promote receive him not c. Prov. 14. 7. Joh. 10. 4 5. 2 Joh. 7 11. 2. And by their fruits may be meant also the effects of their doctrines which the Disciples of Christ may perceive and discern namely that they are such as tend to corrupt from that simplicity that is in Christ to draw away mens hearts and affections from him who is the only foundation of faith and hope the only fountain in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily the only bread of life and door of approach to God They tend to remove men from him that called them into the grace of Christ and cause men to err from the words of knowledge Prov. 19. 27. Gal. 1. 6. and this appears plainly in those that imbrace and entertain those confessions in which Jesus Christ is not lifted up in the word of the Apostles Now then in applying our selves to God and the word of his grace we may be preserved from those grievous Wolves for they confess not our God or confess him not according to that discovery given of him in the word of his grace Oh let us then keep sound wisdom and discretion so shall they be life to our souls preserve our souls in life and grace to our necks then shall we walk in the way safely and our foot shall not stumble Prov. 3. 21 26. take fast hold of instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life Prov. 4. 13. 3. That I may not over-much inlarge I shall briefly say the Apostle directs and commends them to this person and thing that they might not arise speaking perverse things and that they might be preserved from those amongst themselves that would arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them ver 30. What hath been spoken before may be useful here also only in that he now forewarns them of this danger among themselves and therefore thus commits them He signifies 1. That amongst those whom the Holy Ghost hath made overseers over the flock some may possibly arise speaking perverse things crooked wreathed things such as in which they would pervert the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1. 7. and that either by desiring to be teachers of the Law as there were some inclined hereto amongst these believers 1 Tim. 1. 3 7. So some such among the Galatians that turned them aside to the Law to be justified or sanctified by the works thereof and to perfect by the flesh what was begun by the Spirit Gal. 2 15 16 3. 1 5. 5. 1 4. and turning them again to weak and beggarly elementâ— Gal. 4. 9. Col. 2. 22 24. or by not consenting unto wholsom â—â—rds event the words of our Lord Jesus Christ but limiting the grace of God and teaching men to deny the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. or not consenting to the doctrine according to godliness but â—urning the grace of our God into wantonness as if it gave liberty to men to continue in sin or to use their liberty for a cloak of maliciousness or licentiousness 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. Jude 4. 1 Pet. 2. 16 or corrupting the word of God with Philosophy and that Science
the Minister of them the High-Priest over the house of God who is passed into the heavens and entred within the veil for them â—specially to appear as their Advocate who is also the propitiation for their sins to forgive their iniquities to plead their cause manage their matters fight their battels subduâ— their iniquities sanctifie and cleanse them with the washing of water by the Word teach them and lead them into all truth send from above and save them from the reproach of those who would swallow them up and cause all things to work together for good to them Happy art thou O Israel who is like unto thee O people because there is none like unto thy God the God of Jesurun who rideth upon the heaven for thy help and in his excellency on the skie the eternal God is thy refuge c. Deut. 33. 26 29. Oh therefore cry unto him and say Thâ—u art my refuge from mine oppressors those grievous wolves that come to devour and my portion in the Land of the living when refuge failes and no man cares for thy soul commit thy self thy way and works unto him trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass and though thou now walkest in darkness he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgment as the noon-day Psal 142 4 5. 37. 4 7. Though now the Lord calls thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit and hath ordered to thee cause of lamentation in taking away the pleasant teats at which thou hast sucked and through which he hath conveyed the sincere milk of the word yet thy maker is thy huâ—band the Lord is thy Shepherd thou shalt not want He will make thee to lye down in green pastures and lead thee besides the still waters c. Oh trust in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is the rock of ages everlasting strength Isa 54. 5 7. 26. 4. Yea and in that they were come unto Jesus Christ the foundation and head of the corner and so made a spiritual house and from the head fitly joyned together and compacted it was for instruction to them and is for instruction to those of the same body to love one another with a pure heart servently as those whose hearts are purified and principled in obeyed the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren Jesus Christ is the corner stone that câ—uples the building together and in coming unto him they are baptized into one body and made to drink into one spirit called in one hope of their calling c. that they should indeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and that they may do so the way is to indeavour it with all lowliness and meekness c. All lowliness is the first thing instructed to unto this indeavour namely lowliness of mind suffering our pride and high thoughts of our selves by occasion of our learning knowledge gifts utterance attainments riches c. to be purged out and hidden from us and lowliness in our words demeanours and looks having low eyes for only by pride cometh contention that so brotherly love may be continued and preserved amongst us This is the use the Apostle makes of this instruction to this Church for after he had been saying ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles c. and are builded together even those that are taught and those that teach the teachers not being the Church alone nor made of the true tabernacle at all because chosen by men but both together in coming to Christ are made an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. 20 22. He having begun to come to the usefulness hereof in Chap. 3. 1. digresses all that Chapter and Chap. 4. 1 6. he shews them what ingagement this put upon them to love as brethren and as a prisoner of the Lord beseeches them not first to relieve him in his bonds but to indeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and directs them to that firstly asa main thing in which they might walk worthy of the vocation wherewith they were called they were called to the foundation and corner stone and made members one of another aâ—d what more sutable hereto than to cleave to the Lord with full purpose and one to another in the fear of the Lord. And so â—rom the like ground and motive the Apostle Peter instructs the believers to love one another with a pure heart servently and to that end to lay apart all evil and bitter roots Sec 1 Pet. 1. 22 25. 2. 1 5. And oh how good and pleasant a thing is it for brethren to dwell together in unity and especially then when he is removing those that have been useâ—ul helpers of them in the Lord. Hence the Apostle when he takes his leave of the Corinthians powerfully presses this exhortation on them Finally brethren farewel be perfect be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you 2 Cor. 13. 11. 2. In that he saith which is able to build you up he doth therin intimate that though they were built upon the foundation of God and so made framed into an habitation of God through the spirit yet they needed still to be further built up and to grow up more into Jesus Christ in all things into the knowledge of him union and fellowship with him and conformity unto him even those amongst them who might have attained most those who were overseers over the rest to whom he directly speaks needed still and further to be built up and to go on unto perfection they were not yet perfect as to attainment Though they might be perfect sincere and undefiled in the way and fixed herein to walk and to seek all wisdom righteousness and strength all washing and cleansing by an exercise of faith in Christ and so were blessed yet they were not come to their journeys end but were yet to run with patience the race set before them laying aside every weight and that sin that so easily besets Psal 119. 1 2. Heb. 12. 1. So the Apostle Paul saith concerning himself that he had not already attained neither was already perfect though he had suffered the loss of all things for Christ and did count them as dung that he might win him and be found in him but did follow after if that he might apprehend that for which also he was apprehended of Christ Jesus and instructs others who were perfect to be like minded with him namely to count that they had not attained either were already perfect Phil. 3. 12 15. yea indeed he signifies that he should not attain or be perfect as to attainment till the resurrection of the dead for though the spirits of just men that dye in the Lord are perfect yet they wait for the adoption the redemption of the body and so it