consolation with it where Christ comes there is joy So in the prophecie of his comming Zach. 9 9 and in the accomplishment Luke 19 37. The whole multitude began to reioyce and to prayse God with a lowd voyce When the people in Samaria gave heede to Philip preaching Christ unto them there was great joy in that Citie which was the fruit of their faith as of the Eunuchs who went on his way rejoycing Act. 8 8 39 And the Iaylers who rejoyced beleeving in Goâ— â—ct 16 34. Peter joy 〈…〉 〈…〉 th faith as the fruit of it joy unspeakeable either because the matter of it is such and so great as passeth facultie of humane speech to expresse it not possible for man to utter 2 Cor. 12 4. Or for the greatnesse of the contentment so as no words can declare it to another what hee feeles within as he said before Wherein ye greatly rejoyce The stranger medles not with his joy and full of glorie no affliction can destroy it nothing can frustrate it it ends not in shame as reprobates joy it is stable and solide and is a certaine participation of the Lords joy which shall bee in the state of glory 1 Pet. 1 6 8 All facultie failes for the commendation of it and it selfe is the fruit of the Spirit of glory which failes not but is everlasting joy gloriously given of Christ. It is one of the marks of a Christian to put his whole confidence for fulnesse of felicitie in Christ alone so as to rejoyce in him rejoycing in nothing but in his crosse Gal. 6 14. In which is the fullnesse of our redemption Philip 3 3. Wee which rejoyce in Christ Iesus and put no confidence in the flesh ascribe our whole salvation and whatsoever goodgift of vertue or pietie whatsoever a Christian as such rightly glorieth in unto his onely merit Both just and great cause of joy there is in their â—eceiving of Christ Abraham that saw his day but a farre off yet rejoyced to see it Iohn 8 56. And all the faithfull before his comming made him their consolation Luke 2 25. First the incomparable excellencie in himselfe is cause of great joy to them that receive him hee is from heaven and above all such a bridegroome is worthily the joy of the bride Iohn 3 29 31. As his excellencie above all other makes him desired being knowne it drawes hearts to him when the Church described him and concludes her description thus Hee is altogether lovely adorning her description with a redoubled exclamation to the daughters of Ierusalem This is my beloved and this is my freind They not onely justifie her passions of love for him but are themselves in love with him and inquire after him with her to joyne themselves to him so holds it them to him with delight who have him counting him their full felicitie Wee will rejoyce and bee glad in thee wee will remember thy love more than wine Nothing is there in the world that seemes not vile to them in comparison of him Canticles 1 4. 2. The benefits which they receive with Christ are all matters of great joy They have him as the first effect of their election the gift of the love of God wherewith hee loved them from the beginning of this they have abundantly to rejoyce that their names are written in heaven Luke 10 20. Secondly the reconciliation and peace which they have with God So as hee is now their God and all his attributes for their benefit that they have all parts and numbers of felicitie having him and which is the highest degree of all glorying they glorie in God Thirdly having Christ they have an everlasting righteousnesse the righteousnesse of God who being favourable unto man will render unto him his righteousnesse and grant him to bee arraied in fine â—innen cleane and white for the fine linnen is the righteousnesse of Saints Revel 19 8 Thus is the bride made readie to meet her beloved unto the solemnitie of their mariage and most joyfull imbracements Fourthly they receive dignitie to bee the sonnes of God a benefit evidencing the love of God beyond all that our thoughts are able to comprehend therefore the Apostle propounds it with admiration Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that wee should bee called the Sonnes of God 1 Iohn 3 1. Behold sometime im plieth experiment with pleasure with joyfullnesse and alacritieâ— of mind it calls upon us to apply our mind to waigh and looke duely into the greatnesse of the benefit that being perpensive wee might come to a right prizing and valuation of the blessings it containes to conceive some singular sweetnesse of Gods favour affected therewith unto rejoycing wee may study to walke worthy of God They have the nature of God borne nor of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man but of God Iohn 1 13. They have accesse to God a singular priviledge adduction into his presence by one Spirit Ephes. 2 18 Who makes requests for them according to the will of God Rom. 8 27. The sonnes of God are led by the Spirit of God who workes their workes in them and produceth their pleasant fruits exciting and confirming their will for good quickening and comforting them preserving and increasing the life of God in them causing strength to grow in their soules to victory over the world their standing in grace after all assaults and so is the Spirit of glory resting upon them 1 Pet. 4 The earnest of salvation with eternall glory They have interest in God for his speciall providence as David claimes I am thine save mee Psalme 119 94. The Church Esay 63 16. Doubtlesse thou art our Father thou O Lord art our Father 19. Wee are thine So his eye is over them Psal. 33 18. Hee withdraw es not his eyes from them Iob 36 7. Hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye he loveth them with the same love wherewith hee loveth his owne Sonne Iesus Christ Iohn 17 26. They have their right unto and dominion over all things restored all is theirs with Christ whom God hath appointed heire of all things and they coheires to inherit all things with him Rom. 8 17. 1 Cor. 3 22. Revel 21 7. This is no small part of the joy of their faith that whether they bee things present or things to come all are theirs Seeing Christ received by faith brings such matter of joy it is to their reproofe who have him and his blessing constantly offered yet receive him not 1 It is indignitie offered to Christ whom they refuse 2. It is the wronging of their owne soules Prov. 8 36. Hee that sinneth against me wrongeth his owne soule all they that hate mee love death Infidelitie is two wayes considered First of mere negation as in them who never heard of Christ called infidels of not having the faith which is a punishment rather than a sinne Such are damned
must seeke and waite till God grant it 401 Wee must take notice of the time when God doth visit us with salvation 404 It is warrantable to keepe some dayes of speciall thankfullnesse to the Lord. 407 Calling to grace what it is 414 We ought to make our calling sure 415 Such as know their calling must be thankfull 419 The faithfull and godly with their housholds are saved P. 421 Men must strive to be placed in good and godly families P. 425 To be the childe of Abraham what 427 The fatherhood and dignity of Abraham 433 One faith and way to salvation 434 We must proove our selves Children of Abraham 437 The end of Christs comming into the world 439 Reproofe of selfe-conceited men 443 Our calling justifies our actions 447 Comfort in trouble while we walke in our calling but daungerous to meddle out of ouâ— callings 453 Christ tooke all oportunities to instruct and save sinners 437. 438 We seeke not Christ till hee looke after us 462. A note of Gods Children to seeke the Lord. 467 Our risings after falles to be ascribed unto Gods mercy 470 It should stirre up our hope love and care to seeke men that are lost 472. 473 Faith breedeth love to God and his Children 476 The successe may provoke to the duty 477 Christ fulfilled the Law for us 481 With our sinnes hee tooke the full punishment due to them 491 Christ makes intercession for us 496 The workes prayers and prayses of the faithfull like sweet odours 499 Our union with Christ. 501 Papists differ from us 506 The Gospell what we are commaunded to beleeve it 509 We must be changed into the image of Christ from glory to glory 511 Adoption belongs to glorification which is by degrees 513. 514 The regenerate respect all the commaundements given them 519. Grace freeth the godly from the reigne of sinnes 520 They are safely preserved 526 By faith men recover themselves after fals and get victory over Satan and sinne 531 By faith and prayer we must prevaile in inward combats temptations 532. 533. 534 Wee ought to ascribe unto Christ the power and ability of our standing 537 All other Saviours besides him are excluded 541 Whether heathens may bee saved by keeping the Law of nature 543. Papisme saves none though some amongst Papists may bee saved 547 The matter of our salvation 551 The forme of our justification 555 We are bound to trust and rejoyce in Christ alone for our whole salvation 156. 157 To Christ alone belongs the honour of binding our consciences 560 The condition in which Christ findes us is To be lost 562 We must take notice of this our miserable condition 567 Our love to men specially the brethren and faithfull 571 Reasons to induce a sinner to come out of his misery unto Christ. 572 We must abhorre Satans suggestions unto desperation 554 A man may not despaire of the pardon of any sinne that can be repented 578 Howsoever some are children of perdition as we are all by nature yet others are appointed to salvatioÌ„ by Iesus Christ. 580 The uses to be made thereof 581 The Apostle Paule ascrihes all the good that was in him or done by him to Gods free grace 583 To what uses this should serve us 583. 584 FINIS ZACHEUS HIS CONVERSION Luke 19. 1 2 to 10. THese verses containe the Story of the conversion of Zacheus In which he is described and his condition his description is First by his place of abode Iericho Secondly his office dignitie in it He was the cheife among the Publicans Thirdly his condition He was rich His conversion is noted of the occasion and the cause Occasion First Iesus passing through Iericho to goe to Ierusalem Secondly his desire to see Iesus who he was which is amplified by his endeavour to obtaine it in which is noted what hindered him the preasse and his low stature and the helpe which he used First he ranne before Secondly he climed up into a Sycomore Tree to see him being to passe that way The cause of his conversion Christ who called him outwardly and inwardly to receive him into his house and heart set forth by his looking up to him calling him by name to come in hast downe to him to entertaine him declaring his purpose to abide that day at his house Which calling is further declared by the efficacie of it in his heart and the events following The efficacie First in his comming downe and receiving him amplified 1. by his readinesse hee made haste 2. his joy and cherefulnesse he received him joyfully Secondly in his profession to Christ of two acts of two excellent vertues First of liberality giving to the poore inlarged by the quantitie the halfe of his goods Secondly of justice in possessing men againe by restitution of that which hee had taken from them by false accusation enlarged also by the measure fourefold Both graced with a signe of confidence and constancie his standing forth the events following First in the multitude they all murmured at Christ for going in to a sinner to be his guest Secondly in Christ who testified of Zacheus that hee also was the son of Abraham declared by the priviledge of Abrahams Children salvation both to him and his house with the circumstance of time that day Secondly Christ justified his fact of going to Zacheus though a sinner by his Office in two things 1. seeking 2. saving declared further by the object that which is lost applyed to Zacheus and his house who were such before Christ sought and saved them And Iesus entred and passed through Iericho Iericho was in the way as Iesus was to goe to Ierusalem to offer himselfe to the death appointed him there by his Father and foretold by the Prophets which hee in the Chapters before signified to his Disciples and in his way he meets with this opportunitie at Iericho and some other before mentioned Whence by the way wee may observe That the sufferings and death of Christ were voluntarie he was offered because he would it was not at the will and malice of his enemies who yet doing what they could and what was sufficient to kill made themselves guiltie of his death First he could have hindered his passion in respect of the course of things which may appeare in that they that sought to kill him even when he provoked theÌ„ were by his divine power so bound both hand and tongue that they neither laid hands on him nor said any thing to him because his houre was not come Ioh. 7. 26. 30. He escaped out of their hands Luke 4. 29. 30. Iohn 8. 59. His words wrought so in the hearts of the officers when they were sent to fetch him that they had no will to bring him that spake so as never man spake Iohn 7. 45 46. When the â—â—ure was come and the power of darkenesse at that word I am hee meaning whom they sought to take to death they went backeward and fell to the ground
could serve God and riches though hee said not no man can serve God and bee rich yet they that heard it and were covetous derided shewing the common judgement of covetous persons to bee against Christ therein Let ministers studie never so painefully preach never so diligently exhort never so earnestly unlesse God put forth his power mens hearts will go after their covetousnesse Ezech. 33 33. Some that seeme halfe willing to accept of the gracious invitation of God and with the rich ruler would do something to obtaine eternall life yet have their desires to heaven overruled by the desires of the world which are stronger in them Mat. 19 16 22. Luke 14 18. Mat. 22 5. Indeed making light of the divine calling in respect of the things present and some having in some sort submitted themselves to the Gospell unto a kind of disposition towards grace a beginning of the worke of the word in them towards conversion by deceitfullnesse of riches choke all and it never comes to any ripenesse Math. 13 22. Secondly some in getting 〈◊〉 seeke death Prou. 21 6. Treasures gathered by a deceitfull tongue are vanitie tossed too and fro of those that seeke death Though death bee not the intent of the agent it is the end of the action When men will bee rich they make haste to it and cannot bee innocent Prov. 28 20. They fall into temptation are overcome of it and into a snare wherein the Divell holds them fast that no inferior power but the power of Almighty God can get them out And into many not onely foolish but pernicious lusts not only keepeing no measure in desire nor respect of their person state and dignitie but so mad and furious is the lust that they ruâ—â—e themselves both into temporall and eternall dangers drowned in destruction and perdition 1 Tim. 6 9. it is a mother sin the root of all evill they have swarmes of sins in them as idolatry Eph. 5 5. making sufficiencie of things his trust his joy as the rich man that called his soule to ease and pleasures because hee had enough for many yeares Iob standing upon his integritie by the grace of God protests against confidence in the wedge of gold and rejoycing in the greatnesse of his substance Iob 31. 24 25. and in serving riches as his Lord so as God hath no service of him his utmost scope is riches so it is the God he 〈◊〉 Iames calls them 〈…〉 ulterers and adulteresses Iam. 4 4. setting their love upon this world they breake covenant of wedlocke with God and set up another in their hearts so as they have not the love of God in them 1 Iohn 2 21. As a wife that doth her husband some service outwardly but her heart is after other lovers so is their service to God without heart which is exercised with covetous practises 2 Pet. 2 14. even Sabbath day and all Amos 8 5. even in Sermon times Ezech 33 33 they sticke not at fraud and overreaching nor oppression Iam. 5. 4. Hab. 2 12 To increase that which is not theirs and to lade themselves with thicke clay so greedy that for a small gaine they will transgresse Prou. 28 21. And hire out their tongues for vile uses even to slay soules that should not dye and give life to soules that should not live Ezech. 13 19. making merchandise of the soules of men through covetousnesse 2 Pet. 2. 3. some erre from the faith leave the right which they have seene to goe astray and pearce themselves through with many sorrowes which rise from diffidence and distrustfull thoughts of God conscience of sinnes a most unwelcome and unsavourie foretast of their punishments in hell into which they doe plunge themselves by deceit 〈◊〉 â—ages Iude verse 11. thus 〈◊〉 seeke death in getting them Thirdly there is hurt to the possessors of riches in an unlawfull and sordid keepeing of them Eccles. 5 13. The curse of sparing more than is meete that is when they spare that which they should give either to the poore for refreshing of their bowels or to the preachers of the Gospell to be helpers to the truth or to the magistrates in recompence of their ministring under God for their wealth c. is not onely poverty but that with imputation of the sinne so as they shall have judgement mercilesse Iam. 2 because they shewed no mercie The Law stands in force against unjust persons It is reckoned among the sinnes that made the house of Iacob to fall their Land was full of silver and gold and there was no end of their treasures Esay 2 7. Both because they like the heathen had a damnable confidence in their abundance and such wicked covetousnesse as their hearts were so set upon their riches that they had no care of the poore or other good workes whereunto they should have beene applied Iames holds rich men in a terrible expectation of vengeance for the hording up of their riches so as they corrupt their garments are moth-eaten their silver and gold is cankered the rust of them shall bee a witnesse against them and eate their flesh as it were fire their consciences shall torment them with the memorie of their inhumanity in keepeing by them unprofitablie the creatures appointed by God unto mans use and so they have heaped treasure for the last day provided unto the last day of their life how long soever neither sensible of Gods providence nor of the uncertaintie of their life they heape up wrath against the day of wrath Iames 5 3. Fourthly riches also further the damnation of some in spending upon inordinate lusts some in a carnall zeale spend much upon false worship and false worshippers Ezech. 16 17. Hos. 10 1. Some on fleshly lust and lifes pride which is not onely damnable but damning when men make it the scope and utmost end of their life 2 Peter 2 13. They shall receive the reward of unrighteousnesse as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time Sporting themselues with their owne deceivings Counting their felicitie to bee in pleasures of the senses they regard not the time and judgment after this life As it is said of the rich man who being dead was in hell torments that hee in his life time had his good things purple and fine linnen and sumptuous fare every day Luke 16 25. 〈◊〉 remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things The cause of his torment was not that he received good things in his life time for so Abraham that is brought in speaking to him had done but the force lyeth in the pronoune thy Things with him the onely good such as hee made his full receit and whole portion though hee were a Iew the sonne of Abraham had Moses and the Prophets inviting him to the studie of eternall life he regarded it not this condemnes him The Apostle joynes these two together whose end is damnation whose God is their belly